ZLets Talk .38 Snubs,

[tj3006]

Or snubs in general.
   I think I want one. The closest thing I have to one is my 3inch model 66.
I carry it a bunch. most of the time in Cross draw fashion with a simply rugged cross pancake.
Now this gun would be serious business. But it would be better if i like it too. I have never shot a J frame snubie real well. But I think a 3 inch would be better. I found a detective special I might buy If I find nothing I like better.
  The DS is quite a bit smaller than a 3 inch K frame.I would jump on a Diamond back if i found one i could afford. I owned a couple many years ago and they are very good. However The main springs are a bit fragile, and not sure how hard they are to get.
  Smith made some 3 inch J frame model 60s with adjustable sights in .357 and I might jump on one of those if i can find one with no darn lock. The SP 101s are just to damn heavy. The new Ruger compact half plastic thing is not my cup of tea either.
     I would consider other calibers, 327 federal or 32 HnR,  But to me a good snub .38 in cross draw is just the thing to stop a car jacker cold. 
   I may just buy the Detective special I saw. I would need to repace the Colt wood grips, but good wooden ones are all over E bay at 40 bucks.
    A 2-inch model 10 or 15 might be ok but not much smaller than my 66.
     What do you guy's pack?  ...tj

[AxeHandle]

Pack? 38? J frame S&W here... 642

[bigbore5]

Smith 36 nickel born in 1969 is my daily going to work gun. The missus is a 642 Ladysmith fan.

[grandpa]

S&W model 60 in a pocket holster every day. Airweights are more difficult to shoot well. The 32's have an advantage of an additional round that some folks like. Colts and K frame Smiths are best carried in a belt holster.

[boatswainsmate]

This is new one I've been playing with. It's controllable and has a good sight picture. It was designed to shoot point of aim with the speer 135 grain short barrel ammo. It rides great in the front pocket with a sticky holster.

[tj3006]

What model is that smith with the nice sights and no lock?

[lassiter]

3" Ruger SP 101 in 38 Special

[boatswainsmate]

Aug 18, 2024 20:48:42 GMT -5 tj3006 said:

What model is that smith with the nice sights and no lock?

www.lipseys.com/itemdetail?itemno=SM13996

[oleaburnsy]

I have been running the .32 version of the gun boatswainsmate has. The 432 Ultimate Carry. Some guys have reported QC issues with those, but I'm honostly not sure if it's any worse than S&W QC in general. I also feel in general with QC issues that it's the people with problems that are the loudest, not successes.I have around 400 rounds through mine as it ran it at Snub Roundup and it's been great. I had one light strike but I believe that it was the ammo and next time around it went off. As far as a know the 4-5 or so other guys running them had no problems.

I am a huge fan in smaller calibers in Airweight guns. They are so much more shootable and the difference in ballistics is negligible. A 6th round doesn't hurt either. I find myself practicing a lot more with my .32 than I ever did my .38 since it's so much more comfortable to shoot. If you don't want to load for .32, Lost River and High Desert cartridge make great Wadcutter, TMJ, and HP loads for them.

FWIW I ran a .38 LCR before my .32 switch and through a class and some competition and ran great. I liked the changeable front sight and they have great triggers. The reset is a little sluggish though.

[tj3006]

thanks for the input. .432 would be fine with me. I load for a single six birds head in .32 HnR already.
I will look that and the .38 up. ...tj

[Ken O'Neill]

2" and 3" Ruger Sp-101's in .38 Special. 3" CA Bulldog .44 Special on occasion.

[bula]

Can't help the OP, an LCR 38 and a 3" 44spec Bulldog  fill that role here, better than Linus' blue blanky. 

[rjm52]

...just my definition...

1.75"-2.25" Snubbie
2.50"-3.75" Stubbie

Reason being is shootability wise they are two different animals. Once one gets to a 2.5" barrel, especially like a Diamondback, M19/66, they simply walk away from "real" snubbies.

I've owned most everything over the last 50 years.. First was a Model 49 with a set of Herrett's Detective stocks was good out to 50 yards...

Currently snubbies:
649
38
60-1 Adjustable sight

Current stubbies:
66 3"
13 3"
57 3"
60-4 3" adjustable sights
60-10 3" adjustable sights
947 9mm 3"
Diamond Back 2.5"

If you aren't concerned about weight, carrying in a holster on the belt, the most shootable of the "small" guns above is the 60-10... .357 Magnum but I usually use the .38-44 loads from Lost River, Buffalo Bore or Underwood...

I've run the 60-10 against a 65-3 3" and found very little difference in defensive accuracy or speed.

Also had two of the S&W Pro Series with the 2.24 barrels...one in .357 and the other in .327...should have never sold the .327...most accurate snubbie I have ever owned...

50 yards DA..



I've sold and added snubbies since I ran this test...need to get back out there again..ranges were from 7-50 yards...all DA shooting.

www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/galleries/12969914/snubbie-day

www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/galleries/12969927

www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/galleries/12969930

[dobegrant]

With daily tempos this time of the year above 115 to 124 , I am in cargo shorts and either a 642 or a 638 is in my front pocket.

[earl54]

In my waist band or front pocket(sometimes) 442 with a spare in the safe. Also 1978 era model 60, model 36, 3" model 36-1. Lots of ammo testing, never found a standard weight hollow point that would expand - EVERY - time. Carry gun has to work every time so I carry full speed wadcutter's 850-900 FPS, they have a good slap when they hit.Have shot 3 deer and several pigs ( all around 100 pounds,all 25 feet or less-I don't shoot at any longer range in thick flat woods) all double tapped through the lungs (well 1 pig in the ear at 5 feet, 22 would have worked) none lost so I kinda trust the wadcutters.