Are Snub-Nose Revolvers Obsolete in 2026? (Page 2 of 5)
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Originally Posted By Buckeye33: Exactly. I've hesitated sharing this story but it seems appropriate now. Last summer my daughter and I walked over to my neighbors house to get my tractor he'd borrowed. Semi rural road with houses about 100 yards or more apart. I'm in the habit of grabbing my old 638 smith and putting it in my pocket in the summer while working outside which often includes a trip back into my 3.5 acres of woods so it works for me. As we got to the neighbors house i see and hear 3 dogs coming from the next property over. 3 pit bull mixes that decided their electric fence wasn't a thing anymore. One stopped but the other 2 kept coming. My daughter panicked and ran while I thought she was right behind me. I'm yelling assessing the situation and kicked the one that came at me. The other bit my daughter and actually got her shoe which I think confused him. I caught up to her with both dogs essentially squaring off at me while I put her behind me. At that point shit got real real fast. First shot at the "leader" was rat shot to the face at about 6 feet. That was my first up mole load for in the yard. Second shot was the standard semi wad cutter to the neck shoulder of the second one on my left. 3rd was to the skull of dog 1. 4 was to the skull of dog 2 that was flopping around and trying to get away. I saved number 5 for the dogs owner that was running at us screaming about me shooting his dogs. I didn't use that one but it was certainly on my mind and in play. Yes sheriff was called, dog warden got drug out on a Sunday, neighbor came home to squad cars and dead dogs in his yard next to my tractor he'd borrowed. Good times . No charges obviously and dog owners actually apologized and got rid of the dog that didn't participate. The point of all this is you never know when something is going to happen and I was not going to put on a belt and holster to run next door to get a tractor. I grabbed my snubby out of habit and it did the job as unfortunately needed. The saying the small gun you have beats the bigger gun you left behind is certainly true. Given the situation I would have preferred an uzi or Saw but I used what I had and it worked. |
Don't be so open-minded that your brains fall out.
General education should not be mere job training, but training in how to be fully human.
General education should not be mere job training, but training in how to be fully human.
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Originally Posted By GlockPride: They’re still just as deadly. However, I watch many videos with multiple attackers and think “why would I limit myself to 5-6 rounds, when for a few ounces more, I can have 15 rounds?” Factoring in misses and ineffective hits, and the capacity desire increases. Because your 15 round gun doesn’t fit comfortably in the pocket of your swim trunks. The old rule one of a gun fight - have a gun- is why S&W still makes truckloads of new J frames every year, to add to the millions of older ones in circulation A well balanced size to power ratio, pocket carry ( my usual method in shorts weather 90+% of the time here where I live in Arizona. ) reliable with a ton of advantages over the autos in close encounters. Capacity is nice but down 3 or 4 spots on my list of demands in a carry gun. |
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Originally Posted By Jupiter7: "The future is now , old man!" https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/423396/IMG_3120_jpeg-3728214.JPG That's hot! |
"I will leave when I have your wounded." MAJ Kelly
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Originally Posted By Jupiter7: "The future is now , old man!" https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/423396/IMG_3120_jpeg-3728214.JPG Yeesh, that is fugly.  Elmer Keith is weeping somewhere. Bill Jordan & Frank Hamer, too. What’s the next travesty? A Schofield with a red dot? A vintage Colt SAA with a laser, night vision & threaded for a Brausch silencer? Oh, the Huge Manatee… |
| 32H&R with proper bullet selection gives reliable penetration. It also gives one more round over my 442. The sights on the UC make for a good enough upgrade to justify there extra cost imo regardless of what caliber you choose. All snubbies work well for ENT guns I’d rather have a commander or better in a gunfight but I can always have my 432/442. |
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Learned to shoot on a 38spl j-frame snubby almost 45 years ago so I’ve always had a place for them and can shoot them fairly well. Even though I EDC a modern bottom feeder (SW Shield 45), I do still carry a 649-2 occasionally. Mainly around the house, running to get the mail but also in a coat pocket in the winter in addition to my EDC. I find it far easier to access in the winter months than trying to fight to get to the Shield. |
"You get what you put in and people get what they deserve."
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Shot 60-rounds from a 2.25” snub this afternoon. Attached File |
Life member of CRPA. FPC contributor.
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Originally Posted By StevenH: Shot 60-rounds from a 2.25” snub this afternoon. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/128204/IMG_7517_jpeg-3730393.JPG The tank at that. Heavy enough to shoot all day small enough it still carries nice. |
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Originally Posted By Gunnie357: The tank at that. Heavy enough to shoot all day small enough it still carries nice. I really wish they'd make a snub in 327 or 32 mag. Current choices are 4" SP101, or 2 inch LCR.  |
Don't be so open-minded that your brains fall out.
General education should not be mere job training, but training in how to be fully human.
General education should not be mere job training, but training in how to be fully human.
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For a light little bit longer revolver for carry, I used to lug around a 3' first gen Colt Cobra .38 spl until the values uh, kind of went up. Considering I only had a couple hundred into it when I bought it, I didn't give it much thought until I checked values a few years ago and decided to go to something different. [I also carried a 2' 38 spl Colt Marshal around for years also] The 3' Cobra was actually easier then the Marshal was to carry as it was stupidly lightweight. I did only carry mid range .38 spl 148 grain full wadcutters in it when I was carrying. Old revolvers used to be cheap.............  Attached File I will say this. More then a few of the older ''snub'' revolvers are far nicer to carry then a lot of the new ones which are frankly, pigs weight wise and far bulkier then a concealed carry revolver really should be as people don't tend to carry when it's a PITA weapon wise. |
Liberals are a curious mix of communism and fascism, they want to destroy you but want to use your own money to do it.
I'm getting down to the last box, the others have all been destroyed...
I'm getting down to the last box, the others have all been destroyed...
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Originally Posted By MRW: Yes, I have to say that my SP101 is perhaps the ideal 38 snub. Just enough grip to get all three fingers on it, heavy enough to be comfortable to shoot, and therefore actually hit where I'm aiming. but it's a belt carry gun. I really wish they'd make a snub in 327 or 32 mag. Current choices are 4" SP101, or 2 inch LCR. https://i.imgur.com/FPo33CO.jpg Originally Posted By MRW: Originally Posted By Gunnie357: The tank at that. Heavy enough to shoot all day small enough it still carries nice. I really wish they'd make a snub in 327 or 32 mag. Current choices are 4" SP101, or 2 inch LCR. https://i.imgur.com/FPo33CO.jpg I really want a 3” half lug 327 just haven’t jumped on one yet |
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Originally Posted By Jupiter7: "The future is now , old man!" https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/423396/IMG_3120_jpeg-3728214.JPG Now I'm curious to see a photo of the pocket this is carried in ;). |
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buckeye33, The neighbor should have had a dose of the same medicine for failing to restrain his animals. These idiots want "Rover" to be as free as a bird until someone is either mauled or bitten. They then claim that "it was the victim's fault". Someone needs to chain them up in the front yard and feed them meat scraps. |
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Originally Posted By Gunnie357: 32H&R with proper bullet selection gives reliable penetration. It also gives one more round over my 442. The sights on the UC make for a good enough upgrade to justify there extra cost imo regardless of what caliber you choose. All snubbies work well for ENT guns I’d rather have a commander or better in a gunfight but I can always have my 432/442. This. |
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Originally stated by buckeye33: "The other bit my daughter and actually got her shoe which I think confused him." Why didn't you file charges against him for the destruction of your daughter's shoe? The bloody mutt was a menace on the loose, and your neighbor saw fit to bitch, piss, and moan about shooting his dangerous animals. This statement is obviously a verified fact. He should have paid for her doctor bills and replacing her shoes. |
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Attached File 8x CCI 40 grn TMJ .22 WMR should penetrate deeply enough. |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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Originally Posted By 32ACP: Yeesh, that is fugly. Elmer Keith is weeping somewhere. Bill Jordan & Frank Hamer, too. What’s the next travesty? A Schofield with a red dot? A vintage Colt SAA with a laser, night vision & threaded for a Brausch silencer? Oh, the Huge Manatee… Originally Posted By 32ACP: Originally Posted By Jupiter7: "The future is now , old man!" https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/423396/IMG_3120_jpeg-3728214.JPG Yeesh, that is fugly. Elmer Keith is weeping somewhere. Bill Jordan & Frank Hamer, too. What’s the next travesty? A Schofield with a red dot? A vintage Colt SAA with a laser, night vision & threaded for a Brausch silencer? Oh, the Huge Manatee… 
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Originally Posted By backbencher: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84655/1000002328_jpg-3730819.JPG 8x CCI 40 grn TMJ .22 WMR should penetrate deeply enough. |
Don't be so open-minded that your brains fall out.
General education should not be mere job training, but training in how to be fully human.
General education should not be mere job training, but training in how to be fully human.
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Nope, they still make holes. I cannot even begin to guess how many hours and miles I have covered with this 442 in my pocket. It, along with a speed strip, is my minimalist carry gun. Attached File |
Know Guns, Know Peace, Know Safety...No Guns, No Peace, No Safety
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Originally Posted By MRW: I thought you swore off Charters? Originally Posted By MRW: Originally Posted By backbencher: https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/84655/1000002328_jpg-3730819.JPG 8x CCI 40 grn TMJ .22 WMR should penetrate deeply enough. I thought you swore off Charters? This is the last one, I promise. No, this is actually the last one. Got it in last week, jacket pocket carried it, went to unload it & tie it for the gun show last weekend & discovered the extractor star would fail to seat in the cylinder about half the time. Out of the box, it's not salable. Will ship it back this week, get it back working, sell it, & then write a polite letter to the president of Charter Arms. 2 out of 4 new revolvers from Charter have had to go back to the factory. I shot the 2nd .22 Mag, it worked great, put it on the table, told the customer I'd run 2 & a half cylinders through it, they took it for what I was asking, ordered this one that Sunday night. Sucks, b/c there is an affordable Taurus equivalent, but they're all on allocation. The Ruger & Smith are much more expensive. I want the Smith just to put a light on it & go to a weapon light class.
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I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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Originally Posted By wav3form: Sure hope not; I'm looking for a j-frame now. Are the new Smith ultimate carries decent? https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/204456/SW442UC-3730893.jpg Hit and miss. If you want a snub node 38 that you can be pretty confident will be assembled right and won’t have problem out of the box, buy a LCR or LCRx. It pains me to say that but it’s an idiot proof design so they don’t come with problems like a new smith or metal ruger. |
Life member of CRPA. FPC contributor.
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Originally Posted By slappomatt: they were obsolete in 1998. if you are worried about today..... Flintlocks are obsolete. Revolvers are obsolescent. They still have uses. |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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Originally Posted By StevenH: Hit and miss. If you want a snub node 38 that you can be pretty confident will be assembled right and won’t have problem out of the box, buy a LCR or LCRx. It pains me to say that but it’s an idiot proof design so they don’t come with problems like a new smith or metal ruger. I dunno, I'll have to fondle one I suppose. I had an older 642 years ago and I really liked it despite the sights being trash which the UC fixes. I also like the sliding release vs. push button. I'm just splitting hairs though, it's something I'll rarely shoot and throw in my pocket when I walk the dog or go to Publix. |
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Originally Posted By wav3form: I dunno, I'll have to fondle one I suppose. I had an older 642 years ago and I really liked it despite the sights being trash which the UC fixes. I also like the sliding release vs. push button. I'm just splitting hairs though, it's something I'll rarely shoot and throw in my pocket when I walk the dog or go to Publix. Originally Posted By wav3form: Originally Posted By StevenH: Hit and miss. If you want a snub node 38 that you can be pretty confident will be assembled right and won’t have problem out of the box, buy a LCR or LCRx. It pains me to say that but it’s an idiot proof design so they don’t come with problems like a new smith or metal ruger. I dunno, I'll have to fondle one I suppose. I had an older 642 years ago and I really liked it despite the sights being trash which the UC fixes. I also like the sliding release vs. push button. I'm just splitting hairs though, it's something I'll rarely shoot and throw in my pocket when I walk the dog or go to Publix. 442 is better than 642 for sights visibility and durability of the finish. UC sights are weird. You don’t align The top of the front sight with the top of the rear. Instead you put the dot from the front in the bottom of the rears U shaped notch. It’s been described as “ball in the bucket” sight picture. |
Life member of CRPA. FPC contributor.
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Originally Posted By wav3form: Sure hope not; I'm looking for a j-frame now. Are the new Smith ultimate carries decent? https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/204456/SW442UC-3730893.jpg Mine wouldn’t reliably reset the trigger out of the box. Dealer offered to send it back rather then me accept it had to special order it. I figured I knew the problem was 1 it was dry and two the paint from the springs was causing binding. I took it home cleaned out the internals which had some metal particulates inside. Lubed it properly and haven’t had an issue since. But I’ve seen others the sights weren’t aligned properly. I’d either order knowing it may need a trip back or buy from somewhere that will let you inspect it. My other J frames are older and none of them had issue out of the box. As @StevenH says the LCRs seem to be great |
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Originally Posted By wav3form: Man that stinks, I guess from a practical standpoint the LCR is the way to go. My other Ruger revolvers have been tanks. I really like my UC it’s excellent. Just wouldn’t guarantee you’ll get a perfect example out of the box. Mines in my pocket literally every day. Not sure how smiths doing on fixing them when they return but mine was an easy enough problem and there’s likely a ton of them gtg out of the box. |
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Originally Posted By wav3form: Man that stinks, I guess from a practical standpoint the LCR is the way to go. My other Ruger revolvers have been tanks. My pre-scamdemic 9mm 101 had a chamber that wouldn't lock up out of the box. I ended up dryfiring it in, but American DA/SA & DAO revolver manufacturing is depending on the final QC check at the customer level. |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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Originally Posted By backbencher: My pre-scamdemic 9mm 101 had a chamber that wouldn't lock up out of the box. I ended up dryfiring it in, but American DA/SA & DAO revolver manufacturing is depending on the final QC check at the customer level. Originally Posted By backbencher: Originally Posted By wav3form: Man that stinks, I guess from a practical standpoint the LCR is the way to go. My other Ruger revolvers have been tanks. My pre-scamdemic 9mm 101 had a chamber that wouldn't lock up out of the box. I ended up dryfiring it in, but American DA/SA & DAO revolver manufacturing is depending on the final QC check at the customer level. Have you had an LCR with problems out of the box? The modern design eliminates a bunch of potential assemble mistakes. |
Life member of CRPA. FPC contributor.
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Originally Posted By StevenH: Have you had an LCR with problems out of the box? The modern design eliminates a bunch of potential assemble mistakes. Originally Posted By StevenH: Originally Posted By backbencher: Originally Posted By wav3form: Man that stinks, I guess from a practical standpoint the LCR is the way to go. My other Ruger revolvers have been tanks. My pre-scamdemic 9mm 101 had a chamber that wouldn't lock up out of the box. I ended up dryfiring it in, but American DA/SA & DAO revolver manufacturing is depending on the final QC check at the customer level. Have you had an LCR with problems out of the box? The modern design eliminates a bunch of potential assemble mistakes. No, I've only had one LCR through the shop and it seemed fine. The 101 wasn't an assembly failure, it was a machining tolerance failure w/ lack of QC. That could happen to an LCR as well, if the cylinder stop is too large and the cylinder stop slot is too small, that's just a QC failure, nobody checked. And that was pre-scamdemic Ruger, ordered that gun in 2019 & picked it up from my LGS in early 2020. |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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Originally Posted By Hanz: Nope, they still make holes. I cannot even begin to guess how many hours and miles I have covered with this 442 in my pocket. It, along with a speed strip, is my minimalist carry gun. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/15373/IMG_5090_jpeg-3730853.JPG This right here. There was a retired narcotics LAPD guy on the S&W Forum who said his daily carry in retirement is the same with maybe a second speed strip if he ventures into “bad” areas. In his experience when bullets started flying people started running. He feels completely comfortable with the same setup as you even after all his experiences and so do I. |
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Originally Posted By TradWoodsman: I still carry a 642 often. But more and more a SIG P365 has replaced it. Well I'd be putting it in my pocket so a P365 is a bit big for that. I already have a G19 and a G43 that I normally carry around. The G43 isn't a great pocket gun. |
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Originally Posted By backbencher: No, I've only had one LCR through the shop and it seemed fine. The 101 wasn't an assembly failure, it was a machining tolerance failure w/ lack of QC. That could happen to an LCR as well, if the cylinder stop is too large and the cylinder stop slot is too small, that's just a QC failure, nobody checked. And that was pre-scamdemic Ruger, ordered that gun in 2019 & picked it up from my LGS in early 2020. Unless it's the result of tolerance stacking but I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt. |
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Originally Posted By 32ACP: Yeesh, that is fugly. Elmer Keith is weeping somewhere. Bill Jordan & Frank Hamer, too. What’s the next travesty? A Schofield with a red dot? A vintage Colt SAA with a laser, night vision & threaded for a Brausch silencer? Oh, the Huge Manatee… Yes, absolutely. Just like Frank Luke weeps every time a F-35 takes off from Luke AFB (named after him). He weeps that the USAF in 2026 does not still fly & fight with the Spad XIII that he so elegantly rocked. Probably Eddie Rickenbacker as well, I'm not totally sure.  Elmer didn't live on the edge, he pushed the edge as far foreward as his times tech allowed. Elmer woulda been testing red dots on revo's 20 years ago, if he was alive. |
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Originally Posted By JTMcC: Yes, absolutely. Just like Frank Luke weeps every time a F-35 takes off from Luke AFB (named after him). He weeps that the USAF in 2026 does not still fly & fight with the Spad XIII that he so elegantly rocked. Probably Eddie Rickenbacker as well, I'm not totally sure. Elmer didn't live on the edge, he pushed the edge as far foreward as his times tech allowed. Elmer woulda been testing red dots on revo's 20 years ago, if he was alive. Originally Posted By JTMcC: Originally Posted By 32ACP: Yeesh, that is fugly. Elmer Keith is weeping somewhere. Bill Jordan & Frank Hamer, too. What’s the next travesty? A Schofield with a red dot? A vintage Colt SAA with a laser, night vision & threaded for a Brausch silencer? Oh, the Huge Manatee… Yes, absolutely. Just like Frank Luke weeps every time a F-35 takes off from Luke AFB (named after him). He weeps that the USAF in 2026 does not still fly & fight with the Spad XIII that he so elegantly rocked. Probably Eddie Rickenbacker as well, I'm not totally sure. Elmer didn't live on the edge, he pushed the edge as far foreward as his times tech allowed. Elmer woulda been testing red dots on revo's 20 years ago, if he was alive. Well, at least you didn’t say nuthin’ about Kelly Johnson, the U-2, SR-71 & drones….  
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Originally Posted By EvilApplesauce: I carry this in my jacket pocket and my 43x iwb. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/268968/B38AEFB9-4791-4C5C-977D-03556C393683-3731567.jpg I like the looks of these. I might have to track one down. Not that I need another J frame. |
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Originally Posted By EvilApplesauce: I carry this in my jacket pocket and my 43x iwb. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/268968/B38AEFB9-4791-4C5C-977D-03556C393683-3731567.jpg Uhhh, what model is that? @EvilApplesauce |
Are Snub-Nose Revolvers Obsolete in 2026? (Page 2 of 5)
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