Recommend me a snubbie Update in OP 3/31/17 Got one

Site Notices

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Recommend me a snubbie Update in OP 3/31/17 Got one (Page 1 of 2)

Posted: 3/14/2017 2:56:25 AM EDT

I kind of have an itch for a snubbie revolver. I have almost every other niche covered in my collection except for that. I'm looking for a 2-3" barrel, .38 or .357. I have ammo for both calibers already. Budget is $500ish. I can come up a little, but not much. What would you recommend in that price range?

ETA 3/31/17
I picked up a S&W 442-1 no lock today. Will post pics when I am able to.

Attached File

Posted: 3/14/2017 3:18:47 AM EDT

[#1]

If you want to shoot 357, I'm always going to recommend the Ruger SP101. The things a tank.

Posted: 3/14/2017 3:42:44 AM EDT

[#2]

I carried a S&W 642 for years, but today I would give the Ruger LCR a close look.

Posted: 3/14/2017 6:32:43 AM EDT

[#3]

Just picked up a Ruger LCR... I wish I had gotten one sooner

Posted: 3/14/2017 6:40:21 AM EDT

[#4]

Quote History

Quoted:
If you want to shoot 357, I'm always going to recommend the Ruger SP101. The things a tank.

View Quote

In 357 it is very comfortable to shoot.

Posted: 3/14/2017 7:04:20 AM EDT

[#5]

340PD

Posted: 3/14/2017 7:36:35 AM EDT

[#6]

Smith & Wesson 442 (blued/black) or 642 (stainless), no-lock version.

Posted: 3/14/2017 7:47:54 AM EDT

[#7]

If snubbie is the questions there is only one answer.

DSC_0006 by FredMan, on Flickr

Posted: 3/14/2017 8:18:26 AM EDT

[#8]

In todays market offerings the best you can do is the Ruger LCR....<><....;)

Posted: 3/14/2017 8:52:31 AM EDT

[#9]

I love my M&P 340 but shooting .357 in it is like lighting a firecracker in your hand.

Dping it over would be just a regular old .38 +p capable like the 442 or 642. Maybe a 638

Posted: 3/14/2017 8:59:06 AM EDT

[#10]

If you are serious thinking 357 Magnum in a snub nose revolver please try to rent or borrow something similar to what your are considering first, before you spend the money. Most people find it uncomfortable/unpleasant to shoot 357 Mag in a steel frame snubby and down right painful to shoot the Aluminum/Scandium-Alloy snubbies.

I have shot a friends S&W 340 PD (11.8oz 357 Magnum) with 357 Mag defensive loads and decided there was no point in myself buying a snub nose 357 Mag. Yes you gain the benefit of being able to shoot 357 Mag and 38 Special but if you never intend to shoot 357 Mag then you are short changing your 38 Special performance, and paying a lot more, for a capability you will never use. I personally have many times more 38 Special ammunition and components than 357 Magnum so the flexibility does not gain me anything.

Are you interested in a pocket carry gun or a belt carry? A steel frame snubby is much easier to shoot but most find it too heavy for comfortable pocket carry. The Airweight J-frames ride nice in the pocket but will be harder on the hand to shoot even if your just shooting 38 Special +P.

I personally ended up with a S&W 442 Moonclip. No internal lock and cut for moonclips. MOONCLIPS RULE! It carries comfortably in a front paints pocket and disappears in a vest or jacket pocket.

Posted: 3/14/2017 9:27:43 AM EDT

[#11]

If you're going to be shooting a lot of hot .357, I'd go with the SP101. Add in the Hogue monogrip, and it's very pleasant to shoot.

Along that same train of thought, the scandium Smith snubby shooting .357 hot loads is the single, most unpleasant thing I've ever done with a firearm.

Posted: 3/14/2017 9:40:16 AM EDT

[#12]

ruger sp101 if you dont mind a few extra ounces with a hogue grip. shoot 357 all day, built like a tank.

Posted: 3/14/2017 10:02:36 AM EDT

[#13]

S&W 640 all steel concealed hammer for pocket carry.

Posted: 3/14/2017 10:27:37 AM EDT

[#14]

I concur with what mcb posted. On that note, I'm a firm believer in old-school snubbies: S&W 60-1 through 7, old 649's and 1st and 2nd gen Colt D-frame snubbies. Ruger for .357 loads. Or if you wanna be classy, S&W model 19.

Posted: 3/14/2017 11:55:49 AM EDT

[#15]

My choice ( and one of the guns I carry the most ) is an old school ALL STEEL smith j frame they weight just a touch more than the alloy guns but while I have no issues carrying it on belt in pocket or on ankle due to weight those extra ounces add up to a much easier to shoot handgun. The old saying is snubs are experts guns and they are difficult to shoot well but this is compounded with the super light alloy guns.

Posted: 3/14/2017 12:03:04 PM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
Smith & Wesson 442 (blued/black) or 642 (stainless), no-lock version.

View Quote

This.

Posted: 3/14/2017 12:06:47 PM EDT

[#17]

Posted: 3/14/2017 1:37:21 PM EDT

[#18]

Good advise to try before you buy.

I love my 2 1/2" Python, my brother loves the lightweight 357 J frames. I like them too.
Some people hate the scandium frame guns but other people enjoy them a lot. So really try several out.

I would watch (for trigger pull/reliability), and try, the new Colt before buying a small snub today. But a j frame is a pretty decent bet. The Ruger if you're good with the size/weight.

Even the innexpensive Tauris 85 has a good reputation with people I know that shoot them a lot, they are older models tho.

Snub (l frame) 586/686's and N frames are pretty sexy. Pretty large for most people to pocket. Some folks do it. And there are the k frames as well. Lot's of choices out there.

Posted: 3/14/2017 1:45:21 PM EDT

[#19]

I went with a M&P 340. Being extremely light, it carries well. Shooting .357's in it isn't fun, but not impossible nor as punishing as some make it sound.

These guns are always carried more than they're fired.

Posted: 3/14/2017 3:08:36 PM EDT

[#20]

YMMV on this but here's my $0.02.

Ruger LCR (get the model with FO front sight preferably) in either .38 or if you must have a magnum in .327 and be prepared to reload practice ammo.

S&W 442 pro or the regular 442 in .38. The 642's front sight tends to disappear too much for my linking. If you insist on a .357 then get a steel framed one, but to be honest the velocity difference out of a snubby barrel almost seems dumb to me to go with a .357. Out of a standard length barrel, ok maybe then but for snubby's I'll pass. Just not worth the extra flash and bang

Posted: 3/14/2017 3:13:50 PM EDT

[#21]

I'm a big fan of the shrouded hammer lightweight Smiths - 638 / 438.
38+P

They hit the sweet spot of cost, weight and performance in my eyes.

Posted: 3/14/2017 4:54:29 PM EDT

[#22]

Thanks for the replies so far guys. Working within my budget, the 442/642 has been high on my list for .38. I have owned an LCR .38 and an SP101 in .38, and sold them both off with the intention of replacing them with a .357 in the same model down the road but never got around to it. Out of those two if I was going to pick one for .357 it would probably be the SP101.

I've also seen the 340 and 640 mentioned in this thread, and I wouldn't mind giving those a look, but I thought those were quite a bit north of my $500 budget. Anyone know the going rate on those?

Posted: 3/14/2017 7:09:00 PM EDT

[#23]

I like the 642.

Posted: 3/14/2017 9:49:38 PM EDT

[#24]

Quote History

Quoted:
Thanks for the replies so far guys. Working within my budget, the 442/642 has been high on my list for .38. I have owned an LCR .38 and an SP101 in .38, and sold them both off with the intention of replacing them with a .357 in the same model down the road but never got around to it. Out of those two if I was going to pick one for .357 it would probably be the SP101.

I've also seen the 340 and 640 mentioned in this thread, and I wouldn't mind giving those a look, but I thought those were quite a bit north of my $500 budget. Anyone know the going rate on those?

View Quote

Centerfire had some trade in 640's IIRC. Check there

Posted: 3/14/2017 10:41:56 PM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:

Centerfire had some trade in 640's IIRC. Check there

View Quote

They have been showing in and out of stock for the last few days. Bookmark the page and check it regularly. Hell of a deal on a Model 640-1 at that price. I ordered my second from them late last week.

They are Michigan State police issued backup guns that were sold to distributors.

Here is my first one with bonded ivory grips.

Posted: 3/14/2017 10:47:14 PM EDT

[#26]

I agree with the poster who said the .357 out of the 340 is manageable. I keep my M&P 340 loaded with 125gr .357 GoldDots. While it is not the most comfortable thing in the world to shoot it is manageable. While I carry my 342Ti in .38 most of the time I like having the option of taking the .357. I keep both set up the same way, CT laser grips on both, XS standard tritium front sight and Apex duty/carry triggers in both.

M&P 340 Pre CT laser grips. It wears 305s now. Also was carrying a lighter CD load from hornaday.

342Ti

Posted: 3/15/2017 1:37:45 AM EDT

[#27]

S&W 642.....mic drop.

Posted: 3/15/2017 6:57:03 AM EDT

[#28]

I really would give the 340 series a hard look. When I was in the market for a J frame I read tons and tons of articles either bashing the scandium frames (recoil crybabies) or praising it's light weight and overall build quality. I then rented a LCR and a 642 to make my mind up (340s weren't available to rent). I liked the classic centennial look of the smith over the new Ruger design personally, although the LCR did shoot fairly well. I finally decided to go with my gut and ordered the 340PD. Needless to say I'm glad I did and it is an excellent pocket gun. I have fired everything from target load .38s to full house .357 mag through it, no issues whatsoever.

The highly regarded gold dot SB .357s are totally manageable in this little pea shooter. At the end of the day this is a purpose built pocket gun, not a 8 inch all steel range toy. Are .357s out of control / uncomfortable? With strong hands and a proper crush grip (see articles from Massad Ayoob) you should have no problem with center mass hits at 15 yards or less. It's not as soft / tame as my GP100 but that's not something I could ever carry in my pocket.

Do your own research and see what's best for you given your needs. Any of these options are excellent guns but don't hide under the covers because some guys on AR15.com say the 340PD is completely untamed.

Posted: 3/15/2017 7:45:33 AM EDT

[#29]

Quote History

Quoted:
Smith & Wesson 442 (blued/black) or 642 (stainless), no-lock version.

View Quote

Posted: 3/15/2017 7:48:40 AM EDT

[#30]

Posted: 3/15/2017 8:07:24 AM EDT

[#31]

I never owned one but the S&W body guard was the one I would have bought.

Posted: 3/15/2017 8:21:55 AM EDT

[#32]

Pre-lock K frame.

Posted: 3/15/2017 8:26:52 PM EDT

[#33]

I too had the "snubbie" itch once. I bought a Sp101 2 1/4" and stuck it in the safe for a while before shooting it. Last week i decided it was way past due to shoot the thing. Grabbed a box of .357 magnum and headed out. That definitely ended my desire to own any more small .357's.

I will be shooting .38's much more often after the beating my hand took with the magnums. I'm looking at GP100's now.

Posted: 3/15/2017 9:19:59 PM EDT

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:
I too had the "snubbie" itch once. I bought a Sp101 2 1/4" and stuck it in the safe for a while before shooting it. Last week i decided it was way past due to shoot the thing. Grabbed a box of .357 magnum and headed out. That definitely ended my desire to own any more small .357's.

I will be shooting .38's much more often after the beating my hand took with the magnums. I'm looking at GP100's now.

View Quote

All depends on the grips with small .357's

I like grips that allow me to put all three fingers on them. I also like them to have some width to spread the recoil across the palm better.

Posted: 3/15/2017 9:23:46 PM EDT

[#35]

Quote History

Quoted:
I'm a big fan of the shrouded hammer lightweight Smiths - 638 / 438.
38+P

They hit the sweet spot of cost, weight and performance in my eyes.

View Quote

This. Love that 638 for carry in a pocket. The Ruger LCR series of very nice too.

Lots of good info already posted. Lots of good snub recommendations. All I can add is forget about .357 in a small snub if you are planing to shoot magnums. The small snub and the .38+P are a perfect match.

Posted: 3/15/2017 10:09:24 PM EDT

[#36]

SP101. Mine has the best trigger of any revolver I own, out of several other Rugers and Smith's, both new and old.

Or a speed six if you want a 6 shooter. I'm partial to Ruger revolvers.

Posted: 3/15/2017 11:39:01 PM EDT

[#37]

I have a Ruger LCR in 9mm. It lives in my truck. I bought it because my primary carry is 9mm so I always have plenty of 9mm on hand. While it is a nice gun, accurate and easy to shoot, something about it just bugs me. I think it is the ascetics of it, stupid I know but it just feels cheap compared to my two smith snubs.

I do wish S&W would join the 21st Century and give all of the j frames a pinned front sight so that the user can swap out the front sight to something more useful for carry. That and get rid of the internal locks. I would probably buy more snubs from them if these changes happened.

Posted: 3/16/2017 5:56:47 AM EDT

[#38]

640.

Love mine. Not horrid to shoot 357, easy to carry. Shoots great. Kinda clunky in a pocket but slipped in a waistband Mexican style is usually how I carry it.

I shoot mostly 38s, but like the 357 option.

Only thing I'd like is a rear sight blade and cut for moon clips. Basically a 640 pro.

I got mine used for around 400.

Posted: 3/16/2017 6:32:49 AM EDT

[#39]

Had a 340PD and it's the only gun I ever sold due to recoil.

If you want to try one and can't find a rental, just lay you hand palm up on your work bench and whack it with a 2# sledge.

Still have a 642 with a Barami grip that gets carried regularly.

Posted: 3/16/2017 1:59:20 PM EDT

[#40]

Smith &Wesson 649 is my favorite carry gun. 357, stainless, shrouded hammer, tons of grips and holsters available. It is my favorite J frame.

Posted: 3/16/2017 7:49:25 PM EDT

[#41]

.357 Magnum in a J-Magnum frame revolver like the Model 60, is "comfortable" to shoot, but only for a dozen rounds or so. In an alloy J-Magnum frame revolver, it's just not that comfortable to shoot. The steel frame Model 60 stands up to .357 Mag loads better than an alloy frame but none of the J's are made for a steady diet of .357 Magnum and S&W pretty much bets on showers not being able to tolerate it enough to harm the revolver.

The Ruger SP 101 is about 5 oz heavier and that extra weight makes it a bit more comfortable to shoot.

However, if you want to shoot .357 Magnum in a snub nose and you want to actually be fast and accurate with it, you should consider a K or L frame sized revolver.

On the bottom right is a 3" Model 60, and above it weighs around 26 oz loaded. Above it is a 3" SP101 and its round 31 oz loaded. On the left at the bottom is a 2 1/2" Model 66 and it's 36 Oz loaded. In the middle is a 2 3/4" Speed Six and it's 37 oz loaded. Top left is a 2 1/2" 7 shot 686+ and it's 40 oz loaded.

All of the revolvers on the left are much more pleasant to shoot with .357 Mag than the revolvers on the right. You'll practice more with a K or L frame sized revolver and you'll shoot it much better. If you use a decent carry belt and a good quality IWB holster, you'll also find that any of the revolvers on the left are comfortable in all day concealed carry and are not hard to conceal.

The L frame 686 is a better choice for shooting a steady diet of .357 Mag as the forcing cone is a bit more robust than in the K frame Model 66. As you can see the difference in size between a K and an L frame isn't that much (about .1" in length and height, and about .045" in width and both will generally fit in the same holsters:

Posted: 3/16/2017 11:50:17 PM EDT

[#42]

I absolutely love my Model 60 with 2" barrel. 5 rounds of either .357 or .38. Shooting .357 magnum in it is a bit of a bear to handle though. Really nice weapon by S&W!

Posted: 3/17/2017 11:37:41 AM EDT

[#43]

Nobody has yet mentioned the Kimber K6S. Pretty much the same size as the steel framed snubbies but no MIM parts, six shots, and a much better trigger.

Posted: 3/17/2017 11:42:18 PM EDT

[#44]

Quote History

Quoted:
Nobody has yet mentioned the Kimber K6S. Pretty much the same size as the steel framed snubbies but no MIM parts, six shots, and a much better trigger.

View Quote

Don't think you can get that for $500.

Posted: 3/18/2017 1:49:00 AM EDT

[#45]

I picked up a used pro series 640 for 275.00 today.

SO keep looking, ruger? Lol no.

Posted: 3/18/2017 7:22:43 AM EDT

[#46]

I was on a budget so I got a Taurus 605 S/S 2-incher - 357Mag.

Should have gotten

SW 642 for $319 - OOS of course

Posted: 3/18/2017 8:38:11 PM EDT

[#47]

I rotate carry a pair of M-36 S&W's in .38Special... loaded with either 125gr Gold Dots, 158gr Buffalo Bore soft cast HP's, or 158gr Hornady XTP's... I'm darn good with both pistols inside of 30 feet. Either make good companions on the late night CVS run for children's Robitussin... I have on an occasion or three carried both 36's simultaneously with good comfort/ease, "New York Reload" style. A Smith model 66 is a nice revolver too! My advice, go rent a few models in .38Spec and .357, shoot 2-3 cylinders thru each model before you decide. Snubs are a great pistol choice for lots of occasions when carrying a double stack is a bit cumbersome...

Posted: 3/18/2017 11:24:53 PM EDT

[#48]

S&W 642 all day long! It's light enough to cary in a pocket, on an ankle, appendix or any other way you can imagine. They are stupidly simple and comfortable to cary. If a cylinder of 38 specials is not enough then it is time to step up to a 9mm, 40, 45 auto. I'm a big fan of the 642 because of the convenience and simplicity.

Posted: 3/22/2017 8:01:15 PM EDT

[#49]

The 442 and 642 are the way to go, in my opinion.

I have carried a 442 for 17 years now, mostly as a BUG.

Having played with .357s in a J Frame, I have no desire to ever fire another hot .357 load in such a small gun.

Posted: 3/22/2017 11:58:18 PM EDT

[#50]

I like my 442. But if I were looking right now, there's no way I wouldn't look at the new Colt. If it works, that would get some serious consideration. I also would look at the Kimber, but it might be over the budget. Both of those might be. A J frame is hard to beat.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Recommend me a snubbie Update in OP 3/31/17 Got one (Page 1 of 2)

Handguns » Revolvers

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us