Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
OK, after wildly drifting another thread like a 17 year old in a stolen Honda, I thought I would dedicate some space here for this topic-
The snubnose revolver concept and what fits in that class.
The snubnose revolver is a fantastic tool for self-defense but what defines that class of gun? And what are the differences within that class?
Some personal parameters to define the category:
Double action (or preferably DAO), swing out cylinder, chambered in something larger than 32 caliber and a barrel no longer than 2.5" .
Within those parameters we have a lot to choose from:
In terms of overall size and weight; the alloy frame, titanium cylinder, ultra lightweight S&W J-frames are probably the floor for the class.
From there we move up to other J-frames with steel cylinders and alloy frames and then to the all steel J-frames.
The original model 640 was chambered in 38 Special and had a 1 7/8" barrel. That was replaced by a newer 640 chambered in 357 mag and has a 2 1/8" barrel.
Somewhere around the S&W J-frame size, we fit the Taurus Model 85 into the list.
This is probably where the Charter Arms Undercover fits in.
The next step up (or maybe a lateral step) is the Ruger LCR
Then we have the old Colts - The alloy framed Cobras and Agents and the steel Detective Special. These are the 2" barreled, 6 shot D-frames.
The next step (and it's a really small step) is the Ruger SP101. The 2.25" barreled, DAO SP101 is only slightly longer than a Detective Special but its 5 round cylinder makes it slightly thinner. This gun is deceptively heavy for its size.
And then we get to the 2" S&W K-frames. The discontinued lightweight model 12 and the discontinued lightweight 315 Niteguard are probably the lightest of the K-frames.
After that we have the 2" barreled, steel, fixed sight models (10 & 64)
And finally we have the 2 1/2" barrel, magnum K-frames with adjustable sights. These are the old models 19 and 66.
Of course we now have the new Colt Cobra, The Kimber K6S and I'm sure I've missed a few.
I intentionally left out the large frame examples such as the 2.5" S&W 686 and the 2.5" Ruger GP-100. While they fit my criteria for a snubnose revolver, their weight and bulk put them in another specialized class (that's another thread - but a good topic !)
And I'm sorry that I didn't include the awesome Ruger Speed-Six but its 2.75" barrel exceeds my 2 1/2" limit. You have to draw the line somewhere.
What say you?
The snubnose revolver concept and what fits in that class.
The snubnose revolver is a fantastic tool for self-defense but what defines that class of gun? And what are the differences within that class?
Some personal parameters to define the category:
Double action (or preferably DAO), swing out cylinder, chambered in something larger than 32 caliber and a barrel no longer than 2.5" .
Within those parameters we have a lot to choose from:
In terms of overall size and weight; the alloy frame, titanium cylinder, ultra lightweight S&W J-frames are probably the floor for the class.
From there we move up to other J-frames with steel cylinders and alloy frames and then to the all steel J-frames.
The original model 640 was chambered in 38 Special and had a 1 7/8" barrel. That was replaced by a newer 640 chambered in 357 mag and has a 2 1/8" barrel.
Somewhere around the S&W J-frame size, we fit the Taurus Model 85 into the list.
This is probably where the Charter Arms Undercover fits in.
The next step up (or maybe a lateral step) is the Ruger LCR
Then we have the old Colts - The alloy framed Cobras and Agents and the steel Detective Special. These are the 2" barreled, 6 shot D-frames.
The next step (and it's a really small step) is the Ruger SP101. The 2.25" barreled, DAO SP101 is only slightly longer than a Detective Special but its 5 round cylinder makes it slightly thinner. This gun is deceptively heavy for its size.
And then we get to the 2" S&W K-frames. The discontinued lightweight model 12 and the discontinued lightweight 315 Niteguard are probably the lightest of the K-frames.
After that we have the 2" barreled, steel, fixed sight models (10 & 64)
And finally we have the 2 1/2" barrel, magnum K-frames with adjustable sights. These are the old models 19 and 66.
Of course we now have the new Colt Cobra, The Kimber K6S and I'm sure I've missed a few.
I intentionally left out the large frame examples such as the 2.5" S&W 686 and the 2.5" Ruger GP-100. While they fit my criteria for a snubnose revolver, their weight and bulk put them in another specialized class (that's another thread - but a good topic !)
And I'm sorry that I didn't include the awesome Ruger Speed-Six but its 2.75" barrel exceeds my 2 1/2" limit. You have to draw the line somewhere.
What say you?