I'm planning on getting one of these next.
Posted on 06/09/2008 7:20:52 PM PDT by B4Ranch
The Snubnose: The little gun that could…
When I started out more than 90 percent of all police officers carried a revolver for a sidearm. No, they weren’t cap & ball muzzleloaders ... I’m not THAT old! As you can verify at any police firing range you choose, nowadays almost NOBODY carries a revolver anymore. With one exception ...
Most officers now pack the latest polymer-framed, computer-designed, indestructible, laser-guided wonder pistol in (insert your favorite) caliber that fires thermonuclear-tipped hollow-point projectiles at a muzzle velocity just shy of the speed of light. The real shootists scorn anything made of “plastic,”so they wouldn’t be caught dead without a hand-built 1911 pattern pistol that costs at least $2,000 (not counting magazines and other essential accoutrements).
But, the dirty little secret is - drum roll, please - when these same officers leave home for the quick trip to pick up a gallon of milk at the corner stop-n-rob, they likely as not drop a .38 snub nosed revolver in their pocket for the errand. Still more high-tech cops carry a lightweight snubbie in an ankle holster (or in a jacket pocket) as a back-up gun. And, they almost seem ashamed to admit they own a wheel gun.
The favorite snubnose revolver we see today is probably chambered for the old .38 Special cartridge, has a barrel about two inches long and probably holds five rounds. Some of the newer ones chamber the .357 Magnum round, but anyone who has fired them with magnum ammo generally end up loading the milder .38 loads.
Firing more than a few magnum rounds from a two inch revolver might singe your eyebrows off. I did a 50 round qual course with a snubbie firing 125 grain magnum hollow points one time on a dare. It was so much fun I sold the gun a few days later and bought a lighter .38 model. While they’re a bit big as “snubbies” go, Taurus even makes some that will interchangeably fire a .45 Colt cartridge or a 2.5 inch .410 shotgun shell - they call this one The Judge!
Colt quit building snubbies some time back, but Taurus imports a lot of short revolvers, Ruger makes a few models and Charter Arms is back in business with both .38's and their notorious Bulldog chambered for the big .44 Special round (aka - the Son of Sam Special). But, S&W is the one I see the most. And, despite our almost total change over to semi-auto duty pistols, S&W and the other makers are cranking out snubbies like there’s no tomorrow. They make the little revolvers from steel, aluminum, titanium and scandium (whatever that is). They have fixed sights, adjustable sights, night sights and laser sights. You can get ‘em in silver, black and even some really cool iridescent blue hues, with gold trim, on some Taurus titanium models. Whatever color they are, when it comes to the lowly snub nosed revolver, we still love ‘em, buy ‘em and carry ‘em.
One thing you need to consider when staking your life on a snub nosed revolver is their finicky appetite for ammunition. The short barrel means lower muzzle velocities, which often means erratic terminal performance from the bullets. Most of the mid-weight (125 grain to 135 grain) hollow point loads will do OK in the +P versions of .38 Special loadings. Speer ammunition has a 135 grain +P load that is specifically designed for revolvers with two inch barrels and it performs well in all categories of the FBI terminal performance testing protocol.
Not all .38 snubbies are rated for +P ammunition and the super lightweight models are generally not recommended for use with un-jacketed (plain lead) bullets since the projectiles can move forward from the case under severe recoil and prevent the cylinder from turning, making the revolver about as dangerous as a rock of equivalent weight. I really don’t recommend .357 Magnum ammunition in small frame revolvers, you gain very little in terminal performance at a great cost in recoil, muzzle blast and a blinding muzzle flash - shoot .38 +P ammo and call it good.
If you like a bigger bullet, try a Charter Bulldog, the Taurus Judge or one of the medium-frame snubbies from S&W that fire the .44 Special. Winchester, Speer and Federal all make lead or jacketed hollow point loads that should give good performance from a .44 Special snubbie.
One important aspect of snub gun ammunition is to have a reload handy when you’re packing one. Remember the off-duty Utah officer who engaged the active shooter in the Salt Lake City mall? He had a .45 auto and no spare ammo. It worked out for him in the end, but he said he’ll always carry a spare magazine from now on.
For backup use, a reload might be so critical, but if the snubbie is your only weapon, five or six rounds may not be enough. Speed loaders for a revolver are great for reloading, but bulky to carry in a pocket. Bianchi still makes it’s steel reinforced rubber Speed Strips that hold six rounds of .38/.357 ammo in-line and are handy to carry in a pocket. For other calibers ... figure something out for carrying another cylinder of ammo.
In terms of holsters, practical and concealable models abound for a small frame revolver. If you can adapt to the weight of an ankle holster, they can make for practical backup use on duty. These revolvers do not generally lend themselves to the old “tuck it in the waistband” technique for informal carry - they can slide down into your pants when you need ‘em the most. Although, an old timer who trained me carried a S&W .38 tucked in his waistband almost 24 hours a day. He kept the wood grips wrapped with several layers of rubber bands, replacing them as needed, and claimed it was as secure as in a holster. Still, a secure holster is the best option. But, when the night is cool, a jacket pocket is likely to be the most common “holster” and can do well enough, I suppose.
So, assuming you stay proficient by shooting it more than once a year for the off-duty qualification course, the snub nosed revolver is truly the little gun that could. It’s a trusty friend in your pocket off duty and a reliable backup on duty. It ain’t flashy or sexy or cutting edge. But, like any good partner, it’ll always be there to back you up when you need it most.
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Dick Fairburn has had more than 26 years of law enforcement experience in both Illinois and Wyoming. He has worked patrol, investigations and administration assignments. Dick has also served as a Criminal Intelligence Analyst, and as the Section Chief of a major academy’s Firearms Training Unit and Critical Incident Training program. He has a B.S. in Law Enforcement Administration from Western Illinois University and was the Valedictorian of his recruit class at the Illinois State Police Academy. He has published hundreds of articles and a book titled, Police Rifles. |
I can’t think of very many situations where I would be inclined to shoot someone who was 75 feet away from me. The idea of immediate threat isn’t there, so fear for my life as a defense wouldn’t work. I don’t do any slow shooting whatsoever because I am not interested in trying to be a sniper with a revolver.
I do practice rapid fire three and four rounds at distances under 20 feet up to four feet. Those are the distances where I can see myself having to shoot a thug. Most of the time I’ll practice at night under the moonlight or dryfire here at home. I love my Crimson Trace laser grips. One of the smartest purchases I have ever made.
.357’s hurt my ears more than a .50 cal BMG does. When I was younger, I liked them but now, no thanks. LOL
That's because the .38 cartridge was developed from the .36 cap and ball revolver in the early 1870s. The first big bore (bigger than .22) cartridge revolvers were introduced by Remington in 1868. They were cap and ball revolvers with cartridge conversion cylindrs. The first one was a .43 caliber. The original Colt .45 can also be found in .451, 452 and .457, at least in the early days.
Glazer Safeties are frangible ammunition. My brain didn’t register the name. I use RBCD Platinum Plus. Why? Because a local cop recommended them to me.
Air marshalls would probably carry a similar round.
Yeah. Frickin’ panty wetting gun fearing liberal weenies.
When it comes to work, anything that is necessary to earn one's wages is then a different level of discussion.
One doesn’t have to be a LEO to have a BUG.......
I'm planning on getting one of these next.
I know. ; )
Oooooh...are you expecting? ;~D
Beautiful firearms EGPWS...look forward to seeing your new “baby” when it arrives!
In my humble opinion, whatever handgun you carry will work, as long as you have shot it a lot. You have to know how to use the firearm without thinking. Literally.
I started out as a medic and later an OR technician. I think I've seen people killed with ever caliber you can think of, except maybe a .22 short. Because of that I don't care that much what caliber I'm carrying. I normally carry a .380 auto that is basically a 1911 clone. I've been shooting a 1911 of one sort or another all of my adult life. I have no deep philosophical attachment to the .380, but I can use a 1911 in my sleep, so why change the habits of a lifetime now?
See post #15-the Tomcat’s slide doesn’t have to be “racked”. The barrel actually lifts to load the first shell.
The revolver always works.
I was so accustomed to ankle-carry of my Chief's Special m.37 (alloy frame), I'd be out there mowing the lawn with it on!
I aggressively-sanded the inside grip to conceal the bulge and, after 20 years of police carry, wore the finish away on the frame and cylinder! On the one occasion I needed it, all five rounds had to be fired: don't expect to hit anything at 50 feet under duress. Retired, I still have it handy—hidden bedside—after 30 years.
Even today, he first round to be fired is a partitioned, three-part jacketed bullet made by IMI: the rest are 125-grain WWJHP. (The 110-grain not being "enough bullet", IMHO).
Another tip for concealment is to slip the top ½ of an old sock over your ankle holster, so the holster (or barrel) doesn't appear while seated.
(BTW: a padlock clipped behind the trigger is the simplest lock for storage.)
The new Taurus 1911 needs a LASER sight because the Heinie front and rear sights were not designed correctly. The gun shoots about two feet high at 60 yards which is unacceptable. I called the company and they want me to ship the sights back to them. I’m going to try to do it next wednesday at the earliest.
Now that puppy is cute! Yessir, I like it. Be sure to cuddle the little feller. I like the Weight Empty, yes I do. Somebody should have told the design engineer that they were going to put Crimson Trace grips on it so they could save a few bucks on the XS Sights® 24/7 Tritium Night sights.
SKU: 163073
Model: M&P340
Caliber: .357MAG/.38+P
Capacity: 5 Rounds
Barrel Length: 1.87”
Front Sight: XS Sights® 24/7 Tritium Night
Rear Sight: Integral U-Notch
Grip: Crimson Trace® Lasergrip
Overall Length: 6.31”
Weight Empty: 13.3 oz.
Material: Scandium Alloy Frame/Stainless Steel Cylinder
Finish: Matte Black
Frame Size: Small - Centennial Style
Action: Double Action Only
>A large number of people show up with guns they have never fired, and on occasion they have never fired a gun before.<
These are the folks that you should greet with open arms. Offering to answer any questions they might have. An educated person will always support the 2nd.
>In my humble opinion, whatever handgun you carry will work, as long as you have shot it a lot.<
No, see Tagline. (skill is required)
Idea buzzing in my head -———Ask your boss about having a 1/2 price range month to bring in people who have drifted away from practicing. Get their efficiency with their weapons back up to the acceptable level. Make lowlight, short distance (25 feet max) target practice a norm at the range. Criminals love the dark nights and deep shadows, so we must practice in their working environment
It’s a good gun! I use to shoot bowling pins at 50 feet. Consistantly able to knock down 4 pins with 4 or 5 shots.
That was the extent of the range I was on, so I don’t know if it would be as accurate at further distances.
Same here...Carried a nice Taurus snubby for awhile, but I'm much more accurate w/ the PPK.
There was a .41 Remington rimfire also, I think it served in the little two shot Deringer.
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