The snubnose revolver works best for someone who regularly shoots (and is capable with) a full sized revolver. You can definitely learn it without using a larger medium framed service revolver, but you're going to have to do your homework with dryfiring and more frequent but short practice sessions at the range to get used to a snubnose before fatigue (or pain) set in. A lot of people pick up a .38 snubnose as their first revolver and have to learn all the fundamentals of the double action trigger, grip, and how to handle recoil on the most difficult revolver platform possible. A snubnose makes a lot of sense for a regular revolver shooter but not as much for someone who only shoots striker fire semiautos.
The snub nose is NOT a beginners gun. It is geared for the experienced. YES, fire your snub nose at EVERY range session. If you are not a revolver person to start, it will be a bumpy road.
@@sisleymichael I'm thinking about transitioning to a snubnose for my next CCW piece despite still considering myself a novice shooter. I have limited revolver experience, but the benefits of a snubby really speak to my layered views on self-defense.
@@charlesmckinley29 I've got a list of potential candidates, that's one of them. I'm actually liking the idea of the smaller Chiappa Rhino variants as well, but I'd have to look more into its track record of reliability/durability before I trusted it.
@@sisleymichael "The snub nose is NOT a beginners gun. It is geared for the experienced." Not true. The snub nose .38 has been a first choice of novices for decades. They even used to be called "Saturday Night Specials" due to the popularity among criminals. It is just a handgun...If you have the basic handgun skills you can shoot anything. If not, you will "pray and spray" like most people.
Now headed into my 9th year of retirement (good Lord, where did the time go?) from LE, I switched last year back to a J-frame as my primary little "always gun." I still often carry more than one, but that little airweight 442 is just so darn easy to drop into a pocket holster and forget about. Unlike my pocket autos, I'm not having to constantly disassemble it to dig out lint and re-oil this or that. It. Just. Works. They honestly are capable of very good accuracy, but just not usually in the hands of a beginner. Little guns really are expert guns because of all the time it takes to get good with one. I have a plethora of pocket pistols, but there's just something about a j-frame.
I use a laser as a training aid. Simply put the laser on a target 7 to 15 yards away (more or less) and dry fire. watching the laser dot shift as you pull the trigger. Practice keeping the laser dot as steady as possible. This gives you instant feedback and lots of repetition trains your trigger pull until it gets smooth and fast. then you are ready for live fire. I used the same technique to learn to control my Ruger LCP. Also adjust the laser so that the laser falls right above your front sight, that way you work with both sighting systems. It doesn't take long to see some significant improvement.
A mugger isn't going to be 7-15 yds away. A mugger will be within 5-7 feet as stats show. Point and shoot if you feel like it. A murderous shooter will be within 7 yds as stats show, again point-shoot until you're empty or he's dead. I carry a S&W 642. I'm going to be dealing up close. Trying to aim a 642 may be an FBI protocol but I feel trying to aim a snubbie is foolish. @ handed point and shoot.
@@nomadpi1 I disagree. Your accuracy Will usually drop significantly in a self defense shooting, so training to shoot smaller targets at longer ranges makes sense. Also, quite a few active shooter situations where you actually need to take a shot further than point blank range.
I strongly recommend them. You can do without them but why not spend a couple bucks to protect your expensive gun. Note, they are REQUIRED for almost all rim-fire guns!! @@sidneywhite749
I gotta say, getting a revolver after having only semi-auto pistols was a damn good idea. ...It's so vastly different, that you can do unique training sessions with a revolver at the range, that a semi simply cannot do. I absolutely bring my revolver to the range every visit, just because it's totally fun!
I am considering a revolver, after carrying a G22 for duty, simply because I got used to the New York trigger spring (~12 lbs or so), and never trained enough on manual-safety semi-autos to remember to sweep off the safety. The times I shot 1911's and such I had to consciously think about the safety; don't want to be doing that if SHTF. Since I won't be carrying in the usual high-security holster anymore, it's either a revolver or a DAO semi-auto. I never had "Glock leg"; still don't want it.
@@markh.6687 If I'm multitasking at the range (like talking to a buddy, etc) I probably forget to disable the safety about 20% of the time. ...But generally, I too have to tell myself "disable the safety;" as it's not muscle memory for me yet.
@@markh.6687 The Cz 75s and beretta autos are a good DA/SA option for auto loaders. All steel or aluminum frames and most of the models have a decocker so you can carry it no safety and double action first pull
Using a “thumb over” or “C-clamp” grip on my 642 made a big difference in accuracy. In addition, this prevents the risk of support side thumb burns from the cylinder gas escape.
@@geraldmiller5232Jerry Miculek hit a target repeatedly with a revolver at 1000 yards. If you practice and know your holdovers then hitting a man at 100-200 yards is easy. Just because you don't want to put in the work doesn't mean it won't pay off. There's things to protect other than just yourself. That means distance always matters.
I use this grip for all my handguns. I don’t want to have to think “I’m using this gun so I need this grip” in an adrenaline situation. One grip to do it all and it works great for pistols too. It’s a stronger grip plus I have never really liked the “correct” community approved method: the two forward facing “death ray thumbs” grip.
I love my J frame Smiths but I understand their limitations. I enjoy shooting them, but they are not what I'd consider comfortable to shoot for long periods of time. I shoot them enough to be able to hit what I aim at and that's all I need. I like how nice and easy they are to conceal and carry all day though, very light and compact.
Of all of the hand guns I have fired, the snub nose far and away is the best instictive pointing firearm. Yes trigger pull is heavy, however it is heavy for a reason. Sights, don't need them for the snub nose intended purpose. It is a great self defense firearm.
Awesome and informative video, as always! Nine years ago, when I migrated fro semi-autos to snub nose revolvers for my ccw, the safest place you could be was directly in front of me at arms length. 😄. Now, I'm reasonably accurate at 7 yards. As to trigger control, a friend of mine, an ex cop told me to lay a coin on the top strap, and dry fire till the coin did not fall off. When you can dry fire 100 times without the coin falling off, you've got it.
Excellent video. Especially the grip technique and trigger press analysis. As a long time revolver carrier and competitor, you hit the nail on the head.
Chris is on point with matching the ammo caliber to the revolver. My wife loves (and so do I) firing her Ruger LCR .327 Fed Mag with .32 S&W Long ammo. It's a pleasure to shot. Firing a .327 Fed Mag load will get you unburned power residue on your forearms along with the kick. Your groups will open up like a Star Gate Portal after the second shot. Due to the scarcity of the .32 S&W Long ammo (I prefer the FMJ) and it's associated cost it has sat unfired for a year. I would love to get a stainless 22 lr revolver but Ruger has all but stopped making stainless revolvers in 22lr and S&W is asking a premium for theirs.
Very good comprehensive summary of small revolvers. I’ve been shooting them for years, but have found that the older I get, the worse the sights are to see. I’m thinking the best overall fix might be to h explore the feasibility of having dovetails milled and better fixed sights installed - as long as the cost is reasonable. New snubbie shooters can overcome a lot of the problems by spending a sufficient amount of time dry firing.
I liked the standard red, fiber-optic front sight on the new-model Colt Cobra I bought a few years ago when it came out. I liked it less when that front sight flew off while shooting (less than 100 rounds through the gun). It was an easy repair, but it really turned me off to Colt build quality (There was clearly no loctite on the set screw before I reinstalled it). That aside - it's a comfortable 6-shot snub-nose to shoot, with good sights. Not super concealable though, with the big rubber grips out of the box.
i have a 2 inch S&W small frame and a 3 inch S&W airweight. The three inch is much easier to shoot and I can actually hit a target at 50 ft. Thanks for the video.
The Kimber K6S has excellent sights, and handles .357 magnum well for a snubby. Wouldn’t want to shoot it all day with full loads, but 12-18 rounds doesn’t leave bruises.
My EDC now is a K6s 357 magnum too but started out carrying S&W 442 for many years. I practice with 38spl. because of price but shoot EVERY weekend and my K6s has night sights, smooth double action trigger, American made, but cost twice as much as my S&W 442 38 spl lasted many years and dependable as they get but with the K6s with it’s Beauty and Lovely Craftsmanship, It feels like 3X they gun just by it looks, weight, , feel, & overall performance! I’ve learned over many years you get what you pay for!#Kimber#K6s#357magnum#Snub❤@thomasmetz3
Good tips! I have learned to use a thumb-over grip with virtually all my DA/SA and DAO revolvers. It serves two functions; more stability in the grip and keeps my support hand away from the flash gap area. Also, I'll give up a little in concealment with what I can gain in (my) performance with a larger grip.
I wholeheartedly second your final comments about dry fire practice. It is absolutely invaluable. My EDC is a G48, prior to that a S&W Shield, but I shoot my Ruger LCR .357 far better than any other gun. The reasons are obvious. I have a Hogue Laser grip on it and because I can lay in my hammock or on the couch while reading or watching youtube and just randomly dry fire, watching that laser dot to see if I'm holding my gun steady. I've got 100 times more hours dry firing it than any of my semi-auto pistols and being able to see my mistakes has made me faster and more accurate at the range than I am even with my Walther PPQ. If I could only get better and more efficient dry firing exercises as conveniently with my G48.
I'm always happy to see more revolver videos on this channel. Great advice, and stellar production values. Can't go wrong with a combo like that! You're right on the money when it comes to grip selection; the right grip can make a revolver fit you like a glove. I picked up a Taurus 856 Executive recently, and while I liked it (and was impressed at how far Taurus had come), I had to track down some discontinued closed-backstrap Pachmayr Compac grips to truly enjoy it. Revolversmith Grant Cunningham has some excellent books on the subject of snubnose carry revolvers and use.
I plan on buying a new S&W J frame .38 Bodyguard soon. With Big Blue's rebate offer. Ends 04/02/2023. I got a Desantis Nemesis nylon holster & a few Tuff Products safety orange type .38spl strips. Pro tip: a metal Altoids mint tin can store 2 .38spl 5rd strips. 😎
Well-done! I, like you, use the “middle segment” of my trigger finger, on the face of the trigger. For some number of years, in the Eighties and perhaps into the Nineties, I kept struggling to use the distal crease, on the trigger face, as I do with larger revolvers, but ultimately, found it best, with J-Frames and the SP101, to let the “middle segment” land on the face of the trigger, in a natural-feeling way, while using a grip as high as practicable, on the back strap. Regarding grip size, for the geometry of my individual hands, the Ruger SP101 factory grip is custom-level perfection, not only fitting my hand well, but also orienting my hand for an optimal “reach” to the trigger face.
Exactly! I remember, the so-called "experts" saying you should shoot with the first joint of your finger, or even the tip. That left me struggling. Finally, I said the heck with it and I would shoot the way that my hand wanted to intuitively. Every gun is different, and so is every human hand. Do what works as you would using any other tool-which is exactly what a gun is. Peace.
The best thing about laser sights on snubbies, and at this point I no longer have them on anything but my snubbies, is trigger practice. You really get feedback on how controlled or sloppy your DA trigger work is when you have a laser sight dot to dance out there at target range. I think you hit the nail on the head about controllability. Until the magnum era the only real control problem with revolvers were bad factory grip shapes. That is not much of a problem anymore, but is a factor shooters need to be aware of. Also, a revolver is far more controllable in DA mode, it is a shame SA is even part of the equation - if a revolver functions DA, shoot DA - all the time. Every SA shot is bad practice in multiple dimensions.
I shoot much better at 25 yards with my G22 than I ever could with a revolver; the Glock-style SA trigger made the difference. If I shot the revolver in SA mode I was much better. And yes, watching people try shooting 357 Mag and hit the target was funny, since all they had shot was 38+P and thought there wouldn't be THAT much of a difference!
Thanks Chris. Great advice as usual. I've been carrying and shooting S&W J-frames since the mid-70's, both on duty as a back up and off duty. Started out with a model 36, 2", later a 442, and currently settled in with a model 640-1 fitted with the discontinued Uncle Mikes rubber grips. The 640 is a stainless DA only variant with a 2" full lug barrel. Front sight is pinned, plain black. The gun weighs 23.5 ounces, and a slightly wider smooth combat trigger. This revolver is 357 magnum capable, but I carry and practice with .38 special caliber ammo now that I'm 71 years old. (arthritis) The gun has a great action, resists corrosion, and is very shootable with the Uncle Mikes, Crimson Trace LG-350, Pachmayr or similar grip, which enclose the back strap and aid in buffering recoil a bit.
Craig Spegel of OR was well known for his wood: "boot grips". His website was still working but I think he his slowly shifting into retirement. Hogue makes excellent after market J frame & Ruger LCR grips in my view.
I second the 327 fed mag for carry. The Ruger LCR is a great pistol, you get 6 shots in a snub nose and 327 is pretty close to 357 mag in terms of power. It helps to reload so you don’t have to search for the ammo as much though.
I agree the .327 is a good load. But you need to educate yourself. The .327 is no where even remotely close to the power of a .357. Evidently you need to go rent one at a range and see the difference in power for yourself, because you would not have made that statement if you ever had. For ccw, the .327 is a great round, but please don’t fool yourself thinking it is close to a .357 in power.
@@thatsmytwocents4372 I think you need to educate yourself, .327 is comparable to .357 for most loads with the exception of some underwood ammo defensive loads for .327 that are loaded quite light compared to their .357 counterparts. but .327 and .357 speer gold dots are very close. (and no, just because one is heavier, doesnt mean its better)
@@thatsmytwocents4372 That would be true if the .357 side of this comparison used full power loads. But I am guessing that people who run .357 at all in their snubbies, are using reduced power .357 loads, or .38 Spl. So, a full power .327 load probably stacks up pretty well in comparison.
I just wish this channel had more views n subs and a bigger budget to produce more content. Everything is so well researched and produced. Informative and really delivered on a gun educational level that I fall right into. Favorite channel by a lot, just wish we were getting 2 videos a week.
Chris, I've watched a lot of firearms videos in an effort to learn as much as I can about all things firearm related. I've put aside the fakers, pretenders, "hot shots" and tactical cool guys and settled on a few presenters I can trust, you're at the top of the list. What makes you stand out is that some of the advice you give goes against the "prevailing thought". The best example is when you said pick the gun with the weight that you want to carry and match the caliber and ammunition to it. Others might have said go to the gym build your biceps until you can handle the recoil of 357 Magnums because your selection must be made based on "THE 357 man stopper". I love revolvers (642 J frame my favorite and 3 other varieties), so I'll be looking forward to more.
16 March 2023 - Thank you for your presentation! As always, you clearly present and explain the topic without repetition. There is a partial solution to the issue of recoil and maintaining the sight picture. I had my dealer send my DAO resolvers to Mag-Na-Port for porting. That process is a one time expense and very well worth it.
Thanks for the great information. I own a .38 snubby and although the Ruger LCR in .327 Federal Magnum was my first choice, I couldn't justify the near $ 1,000 price my local dealers were charging 1 year ago when I was in the market.
Snubnose revolvers will always be my favorite guns to be honest. For me the problem with shooting them is one brand to the next the sights are very different. The triggers can def be an issue on some, and the recoil to me is not usually an issue. Hand geometry is a big deal! I shoot some guns terribly, while other people shoot them well, and vice versa. All based on hand size and finger length / girth, and personal preference too. I have spent hundreds on grips to fit my fat fingers because many pinch my middle finger. However, everyone is different. I love these Videos Chris, keep them coming! The LCR is one of my favorite to shoot FWIW. Yet, I love the 38 special. If you are worried about recoil, you can reload 38 special very easily too.
I can shoot my 642 fine, but I recently relegated it to the bench in favor of a Taurus 856. A steel-frame snub is just sooo much more pleasant to shoot. My recommendation to anyone interesting in getting a snub is to always start with a steel-framed one. Then you can switch to a alloy-framed one later once you feel comfortable.
Same here. I loved carrying my lightweight 642, but shooting it not so much. I started shooting and carrying an SS 649 a few years ago and get much better results on the target.
Outstanding summary of snubs. Thank you! Been shooting them for 50 years and you just hit all the things I learned the hard, expensive way in one video. Best caliber: the .32 family (you convinced me of that in your previous videos). Best for lefties? S&W .38 Bodyguard. Best trigger? LCR centerfires. Easiest to carry? S&W 43C. Best .38 ammo? Wadcutters. I have them all, and like children, they are all different but easy to love for different reasons.
Finger exercisers that are marketed for guitarist and rock climbers will really help to manage long trigger pulls. Look for one with individual finger springs. You can grip it like a handgun while working your trigger finger. Regular use allows much better control.
I recently got rid of my S&W 642 because it was just too uncomfortable (downright painful) to shoot - even with larger, rubber grips on it. My hand size just wasn't compatible with that one. I love my 351C (.22 Magnum), but with the low recoil there, it's painless to shoot. As for a snub-nose .357/38 Special, I like the Kimber K6S with target grips. It's bigger and heavier than the S&W 642 (similar to the Ruger SP101), with an extra 1-round capacity than either the Smith or Ruger.
You might also want to consider the Charter Arms Undercover and Police Undercover, the Taurus 856 and 856 Ultra-Lite, and the Rock Island Armory m 206. Any of those are better than my S&W 442 in comfort, accuracy, and especially, price. Personally, I prefer the Charter Arms Undercover, which is my usual carry. The Police Undercover is slightly larger and holds 6 rds. Both are excellent "always guns". Another is the Charter Arms Boxer, an aluminum version of the Police Undercover.
I use the kimber control core grips on my 2” DAO. Adds room for your pinky and covers the backstrap. Makes it not as concealable but really not too great of a difference
My first ccw revolver was a 442. Same as your 642, but black. I also hated the rubber grips it came with. To my amazement, the old classic wood checkered grips the gun was designed with back in the 1950's, were far more comfortable for me, even though they're smaller than those rubber monstrosities Smith & Wesson switched to. I bought a set at a gun show for, as I remember, $25.00, and they completely transformed the gun for me.
I had a Smith & Wesson Model 27 with the shortest possible barrel; I believe it was a three and a half inch barrel. It took about five years to get really good with it out to 25 and 50 yards with magnum loads. I used to work for John Martz the Luger carbine maker from Lincoln California and he made a really nice baby Luger which was a snub nose having a 2 inch barrel. I made the grips for them and the dies to shorten the magazines. It fired well and was accurate out to abort 40 metres. Nice presentation.
I really like Pachmayr Diamond grips. The crimson trace grips for LCR are pretty good too if you want a laser. The thing to remember about a side mounted laser is that POI shifts significantly side to side depending on distance to the target.
My friend owns a Ruger LCR .38spl with a red Lasermax. He's owned it since spring 2013. He has it mainly for home security 🏡. For ammunition, he loads older +P Cor Bon DPX 110gr. 5rd.
I replaced the front sight on the LCR with the HI VIZ fiber optic. Chris is correct that it seems tall compared to the sight picture we are taught. However, i did not find it to be a problem. First, since I use red fiber-optics whenever I can, my natural sight picture is to see the full red circle. It did not change with the lcr and I actually hit the target well and did not feel I was straining to adjust. The bottom of the circle just sits at the bottom of the rear sight. I tested at the range today. 6 o’clock hold on the bullseye as recommended in the manual. Winchester 130gr fmj white box. At 1 yard: 0, at 5 yards, inch high, 10 yards 1.5 inch. I will try again but I saw enough. My conclusion is that the sight might be high, but within 10 yards, any assailant is not going to like where I am hitting and I don’t need a special sight picture for the LCR. Good enough for me. Also, with a good grip regular 38 special and +p work for me. After 150-200 rounds, I know i have been shooting a snubby but I am not dreading the training. Great video
I gave my dad an Armscor M206, then put some aftermarket Colt D series grips on it. It feels GREAT in the hand now, love a grip that starts narrow at the top and swells towards the bottom (which is why I HATE the wide rubber grips on my .357 Magnum).
@@sidneywhite749 it isn't a perfect fit, but it is close enough to work. I lined up the back of the frame with the grips, if the front overhangs a bit it doesn't make much of a difference. For the holes for the frame pins I used a drill bit and twisted it by hand to make the holes. There is a small gap and a slight overhang on the front but it is still WAY better than it was.
I’ve carried my S&W 442 for about 20 years and I like to show off how well I can handle it when people think it’s inaccurate or that 30 yard shots are impossible. I carry it with underwood 125gn in a Bora2 pocket holster and it’s been wearing the blue G10 bantam grips from Hogue and an Apex trigger I put in. I really want the .327 Federal version but could never find one
Mastering the trigger by dry fire is key before firing. Start out 3 yards out working on trigger control and sight picture backing it up as you tighten up the groups. Couple boxes and a sore paw you will be decently proficient.
Chris, in several previous videos you have highlighted the 2.25 inch barrel SP101 as one of your preferred snubbies, yet there was no mention of the advantages of its slightly larger/heavier and its slightly greater barrel length design in this video. I suggest that is unfortunate, because the extra weight considerably mitigates recoil (especially for the hottest .38 Special +Ps), the grip size is likely more comfortable, the extra barrel length provides increased velocity and sight radius, yet it is still rather concealable.
I like my S&W 940-1 for pocket carry. Being 9mm and all steel, I find it a good compromise between shooting weak .38Spl or over juiced .357 magnum. For the front sight, I use Testor's neon green model paint. There's a large segment of humans that see bright green better than red or orange, but everyone should try for themselves.
My solutions are full steel frame, custom grips, three inch barrel. With good leather I find the three inch barrel to be just as concealable as anything shorter.
YES , 327 MAGNUM, is one of my favorite calibers as well. I had a Ruger SP101 in 32 Magnum n really liked it. However I do attend gun shows all over my state, each weekend, and have not been able to find a 327MAG in Ruger LCR, or Ruger SP101. So I went to order one at local Ohio shop, and on back order at Ruger and or Ruger supplier such as Lipseys. . . . ps good video
Excellent video! Personally I prefer a larger framed snubby (K frame size) in .38/.357 with full size rubber grips. Then carry it appendix. Also it has to be a minimum of 6 round capacity. This is just what I like and am used to shooting.
Great video. I found for me the crimson trace lg 350 grips fit my hand well and also help a longer distance for qualification due to aging eyes. I put them on my 640, 642 and 351c.
Very good video on the subject. I was a plain clothes LEO in the era when a snub was the best option a lot of the time when concealment was a must. I carried several different snub .38 revolvers over the years. Everything you said is valid. I have always said that snub nose revolvers are not for the novice and not for anyone who does not put in the time to get decent with them. When it is a matter of life and death like it is as an undercover LEO you do what you have to get proficient or at least I did. To this day the only weapons I will ankle carry are a snub revolver or a baby Glock. That method of carry is just too dusty for me to trust anything else. I personally would never go any lower in caliber with a snub than .38. Most of the time when I use one now it's either a S&W 642 Airweight or an older S&W 649 .38. If I can find standard pressure 158 grain lead semi wadcutter ammo that is what I prefer, if +p is all I can find in the same projectile that is what I use. Like you said its all subjective. That ammo in those guns with either a boot grip or a Tyler t-grip is what I found worked best for me.
One of the best snubby/J-frame videos. Well-done w/ a clear perspective that everything involves (1) awareness of your most effective grip & press habit, (2) PRACTICE, and (3) inevitably: compromise. The one thing to add to encourage those taking on the snubby challenge: you will become MUCH more skilled with your other larger and more "conventional" handguns. I'm a crack shot now with my G19. This is the by product of developing very good skill w/ a 442. In my last re-qual for CCL (shoot the giant B-27 @ 5, 7 & 10 yards), my target was the best of the entire class of 10 shooters, all shooting semi-autos up to red-dot equipped full-sized versions. Only 4 of the 30 ended up in the 9 oval, all fired 5rd in ~7 sec or less. If I had used my G-19 (box-stock except Dremel-crafted grip mods and new sights) they'd have all been Xs.
Chris, your videos are so informative; especially to an almost 72 year old who did not start carrying until I was almost 65. I knew you were good when I watched your video on not dissing the 380 because our goal is to stop the threat or escape instead of the police and military goal. That made so much sense. Thank you for your level headed, real life information. God Bless!
Life saver fir sure. When it’s time to go to work with few rounds to get in the fight. Nothing compares semi-auto wise. Plus pocket fire. Practice and accuracy. Get it done!
I grew up shooting my dads '60s chief special. He still carries it. The grips and handle are tiny even compared to alloy models of today and feels like hitting yourself in the hand like a ballpein hammer. After one box of plus P as teenager, my wrist and fingers swelled huge. Maybe stress fractures. I always went with bigger, heavier, cheaper Charter arms until Ruger made the LCR dao. It's like night and day recoil control. I can shoot an hour with those, no problems. I go with Jerry's j frame technique. I'm old so I still use a half weaver half modern stance and pinching the trigger ring guard and back strap with index finger and thumb on the support hand centers sight alignment naturally.
I picked up a S&W M10 2" snub a few years back. What a smooth shooting revolver! I've been a 1911/Hi-Power guy for almost 40 years, taken all the Gunsite & Thunder Ranch pistol, revolver, rifle & shotgun classes, my EDC is either an LCR, J-Frame, or the M10. I also have a 4" M10 & a Ruger Security-6 in .357. Yeah I know I'm a Fudd, but I can run my guns.
What a well done comprehensive analysis of snub nose revolvers. The one thing about wheel guns is they always work and they are as simple as pulling the trigger. A long time ago as a police officer I carried a Smith & Wesson snub Chief's Special stainless, 5 shot .38 Special as a backup and off-duty carry. What a bucking bronco! Ended up ditching it for an AMT Back-up .380 that fit into a cigarette pack in my shirt.
Bought an LCR in .327 Fed Mag, and haven't looked back. Grabbed some factory defensive ammo, a crap ton of .32 H&R Mag brass, and have been putting in as much work with it as I can. I really do wish the caliber was more popular. I've fallen in love with it.
I have a S&W 351c Snub Nose Revolver in 22mag AIR Lite very little Recoil easy to shoot it is my everyday carry and i also have had trigger job done on it and i LOVE IT !!!!!
On my LCR I put a Big Dot front sight on it, and on the rear U channel I used a small drill bit and on each side of the channel drilled just a tiny bit, then put white paint in the tiny depressions. I'm really happy with how this combination worked out.
Wow l never really thought about all the finger mechanics. I inherited a 2” S&W 10-5 from my father who inherited it from his father. Neither used it much. It was hard to shoot at first but with practice l’ve gotten pretty good with it. Nice video.
I have a S&W model 60 that I consider to be a 10 - 20 yard revolver with a set of stocks that fit perfectly but it pales in terms of long distance accuracy of the larger frame handguns that I own. This is a close up and personal gun and it works best for across the room kind of shots.
Great information,thank you for your hard work. My idea for my Poly P is that I will never fire it past about 10’. It’s more of a get up off of me and not reach out and touch something.
Great discussion. I’m a Smith m38/m638, 148gr wc guy. I have a box of grips and a box of holsters I’ve collected over the past 40 years. There no such thing as perfect anything when it comes to j frames. Everything is a trade off. Still, a j frame with wad cutters is the best set for me.
I cut my teeth on a wheel gun and used it for work back in the mid 70's until the mid or late 80's when semi autos got authorized. I have no issue using one and have carried one for many years. The sights are normally fine for out to 25 to 30 yards. I do like the laser grips. As to hitting, the secret is one thing. Practice practice practice and also include dry fire practice.
Interesting you said, the 357 is out.. I carry a LCR with 357. I also love the 327, I'm shooting a 327 Taurus. It will go into my EDC rotation soon. Snubbys take a ton of practice, I carry one 80+% of the time, it's really the only gun I can carry appendix 14+ hrs a day. I'm fortunate to have a range in my yard and reload so it gives me the opportunity to shoot a lot.
Totally agree with everything that you mentioned. I lot of my friends want their wives to use this type of revolver, who have no experience with firearms ..... BIG MISTAKE!
In my opinion, the best way to get better with any revolver is to get a S&W Model 617 chambered in 22lr. Put a bunch of ammo through it and get used to the double action trigger. It’s not exactly the same as shooting a J frame, but it’s close enough and the skills will definitely transfer to any other gun. To include autoloaders.
I second everything you said Chris. I have a S&W 642 Lightweight I almost sold after a painful first range session with plain Jane .38 Special LRN bullets. After 1/2 a box I was done. I planned on selling it until I watched a video where the person raved about how the Hogue replacement grips ($18 then) changed his attitude with a similar revolver. I ordered a set and the guy wasn't kidding. The Hogue grip was a little longer with a pinky groove but the best feature was the part of the grip covering the backstrap. It has a lot of give and completely removed the snap sting of the backstrap from my hand. Also as you stated it allowed for a better finger weld on the trigger which seemed to smooth the trigger pull and made the trigger pull weight feel much less. Needless to say I love the pistol now and it is one of my favorites mostly due to a simple grip changeout. Great video and a real benefit to those watching who may be disappointed in their lightweight snubbie!
Great information here. I've only had guns for a few years but revolvers are my "collection" so I'll add a few things. Like you, I used an orange paint pen on the front sight. I also used a lime green/yellow paint pen to put dots on either side of the rear sights. My main defensive gun is a 38 Special snub-nose. After trying a bunch of different ammo, I concluded over time that I am a lot more accurate with standard pressure 38, not +P, in a snub-nose. For carrying and at home I load Hornady Critical Defense which has lightweight bullets so they go faster and get good hollow-point expansion. I did a water jug test with these compared to a 38 +P hollow-point and the standard pressure Hornady expanded just as well as the other brand +P. Recently I bought a large frame 357 Magnum and will almost always just use 38 in it. My supply of 38 +P should match well with the 357. A big thing for me was the realization that with a snub-nose, any time I want or need to shoot farther than 5 or 10 yards I am more accurate with single-action instead of double-action. My first gun was a double-action-only and I later bought a S&W 637 that can do single or double action. Most self-defense shots seem like they should be close up, under 10 yards, but carrying the single-action option gives me more confidence if I ever faced a decision about trying to take down an active shooter or something like that out to about 25 yards.
I'm glad I purchased a Smith & Wesson 442! Every time I take it to the range it never fails and it is quite enjoyable to shoot. Revolvers don't get enough love, so I appreciate the great tips you have to offer.
Please do a video giving your opinion on Charter Arms, and comparing them to the competition, like Taurus. I have a Charter and have mixed feelings on it, would love to hear your opinion.
I currently have a S&W Air weig ht in .38+P. I really love this style of hand gun. I have owned a version of this gun for most of my adult life. I purchased a Pachmeyer grip for my Air weight and I love it. I think Pachmeyer makes the best replacement grips. They are really excellent.
Great video. I love my Ruger LCR9mm. The .32 and .22 Mag are awesome choices as well but .32 ammo was just too hard to find and expensive and the .22 mag as a revolver wasn't readily available for at the time when I was looking
When I pocket carry a snubbie I choose my Ruger LCR in 9mm and I carry a spare 9mm semi auto magazine as a reload. The Ruger doesn't need moon clips so I'll just use my thumb to push feed each round into the cylinder from the magazine. I've tried speed strips too, but the semi auto mag is more convenient for me.
The magazine as a reload is a great idea. Personally, when I carry my 640 .357, J-frame, I carry a Ruger LCP .380 with the factory 7 round mag plus 1 in the chamber, in my left pocket, as my "reload". I have carried J-frames a long time and I like a larger grip which makes using a speed load kinda impractical. I doubt I will need more than 5 founds of .357 to resolve an issue, but better to have it and not need it.....
I'm glad you went into slight detail on how fingers actually move. Some of the instructors that I have had, would have done well to learn this somewhere.
Nice job, as always. I personally like the HI-Viz fiber optic in red on an LCR. The white is not bad. It works better with my older eyes. I also have fiber optics on all my handguns, so I want to see the same sight picture all the time. The ruger lcr trigger is so smooth right out of the box.
When you started off by saying the sights were garbage, I though the video was going down to the anti-snubby road like so many others. I am glad I was wrong, Sorry. I love my snubbies This was a great video filled with real information, especially when you kept saying that you have to find your own combo & way of handling the firearms. Thank you for a very informative video
A Pachmayr "Gripper" on my old S&W model 36 improved my shooting greatly, I would recommend changing the grips first, most of the time it will correct most accuracy issues.
I too use a bright orange Nail Polish to highlight front sights on all my older Revolvers, applying 4 or 5 coats. I use Alcohol Prep Pads to first remove all gun oil from the front sight ramp. When firing any Revolver I get bad Sinus Bite, meaning the area between the back of the trigger guard & the grip. I use Pachmayr Grips on some, Hogue on others to rectify this.
For those who are too 'manly-man' to buy nail polish, there are hobby paints and paint pens in various bright colors. Might try clear-coating whatever color you put on the sights for some added wear and cleaning solvent resistance.
Gotta get you one!!! I recently purchased a Taurus 605 .357 magnum snub nose. It’s a fantastic revolver for the price!! No issues at all with mine. Great revolver for the price!!
My wife’s been happy with the way I handle my snub nose up to this point but always open to advice!
If you have a six-shooter 1.5" Snubbie, that's like having 9, isn't it?
Just tell her you're a really big deal, in Japan! 😜
It’s ok I’m taking care of her! 😂
oh, You mean the pistol
@@Blando7887 or does he?😂
The snubnose revolver works best for someone who regularly shoots (and is capable with) a full sized revolver. You can definitely learn it without using a larger medium framed service revolver, but you're going to have to do your homework with dryfiring and more frequent but short practice sessions at the range to get used to a snubnose before fatigue (or pain) set in.
A lot of people pick up a .38 snubnose as their first revolver and have to learn all the fundamentals of the double action trigger, grip, and how to handle recoil on the most difficult revolver platform possible. A snubnose makes a lot of sense for a regular revolver shooter but not as much for someone who only shoots striker fire semiautos.
The snub nose is NOT a beginners gun. It is geared for the experienced. YES, fire your snub nose at EVERY range session. If you are not a revolver person to start, it will be a bumpy road.
@@sisleymichael I'm thinking about transitioning to a snubnose for my next CCW piece despite still considering myself a novice shooter. I have limited revolver experience, but the benefits of a snubby really speak to my layered views on self-defense.
@@SaftonYT 5:25 the 327Fed/32 S&W long in the Ruger LCR or if you can handle the extra weight of a steel 3” Ruger SP101.
@@charlesmckinley29 I've got a list of potential candidates, that's one of them. I'm actually liking the idea of the smaller Chiappa Rhino variants as well, but I'd have to look more into its track record of reliability/durability before I trusted it.
@@sisleymichael "The snub nose is NOT a beginners gun. It is geared for the experienced."
Not true. The snub nose .38 has been a first choice of novices for decades. They even used to be called "Saturday Night Specials" due to the popularity among criminals. It is just a handgun...If you have the basic handgun skills you can shoot anything. If not, you will "pray and spray" like most people.
Now headed into my 9th year of retirement (good Lord, where did the time go?) from LE, I switched last year back to a J-frame as my primary little "always gun." I still often carry more than one, but that little airweight 442 is just so darn easy to drop into a pocket holster and forget about. Unlike my pocket autos, I'm not having to constantly disassemble it to dig out lint and re-oil this or that. It. Just. Works.
They honestly are capable of very good accuracy, but just not usually in the hands of a beginner. Little guns really are expert guns because of all the time it takes to get good with one. I have a plethora of pocket pistols, but there's just something about a j-frame.
Love the revolver reviews! Keep it up Chris and team, thanks.
I use a laser as a training aid. Simply put the laser on a target 7 to 15 yards away (more or less) and dry fire. watching the laser dot shift as you pull the trigger. Practice keeping the laser dot as steady as possible. This gives you instant feedback and lots of repetition trains your trigger pull until it gets smooth and fast. then you are ready for live fire. I used the same technique to learn to control my Ruger LCP. Also adjust the laser so that the laser falls right above your front sight, that way you work with both sighting systems. It doesn't take long to see some significant improvement.
Good advice.
A mugger isn't going to be 7-15 yds away. A mugger will be within 5-7 feet as stats show. Point and shoot if you feel like it. A murderous shooter will be within 7 yds as stats show, again point-shoot until you're empty or he's dead. I carry a S&W 642. I'm going to be dealing up close. Trying to aim a 642 may be an FBI protocol but I feel trying to aim a snubbie is foolish. @ handed point and shoot.
@@nomadpi1 I disagree. Your accuracy Will usually drop significantly in a self defense shooting, so training to shoot smaller targets at longer ranges makes sense. Also, quite a few active shooter situations where you actually need to take a shot further than point blank range.
As a newbie, do I need snap caps for my SW snubbie in 38 spl?
I strongly recommend them. You can do without them but why not spend a couple bucks to protect your expensive gun. Note, they are REQUIRED for almost all rim-fire guns!! @@sidneywhite749
I gotta say, getting a revolver after having only semi-auto pistols was a damn good idea. ...It's so vastly different, that you can do unique training sessions with a revolver at the range, that a semi simply cannot do. I absolutely bring my revolver to the range every visit, just because it's totally fun!
I am considering a revolver, after carrying a G22 for duty, simply because I got used to the New York trigger spring (~12 lbs or so), and never trained enough on manual-safety semi-autos to remember to sweep off the safety. The times I shot 1911's and such I had to consciously think about the safety; don't want to be doing that if SHTF. Since I won't be carrying in the usual high-security holster anymore, it's either a revolver or a DAO semi-auto. I never had "Glock leg"; still don't want it.
@@markh.6687 If I'm multitasking at the range (like talking to a buddy, etc) I probably forget to disable the safety about 20% of the time. ...But generally, I too have to tell myself "disable the safety;" as it's not muscle memory for me yet.
@@ericbergfield6451 Exactly my point; and well demonstrated there. Be safe and shoot straight.
@@markh.6687 The Cz 75s and beretta autos are a good DA/SA option for auto loaders. All steel or aluminum frames and most of the models have a decocker so you can carry it no safety and double action first pull
@@jacobg7966 I'll have to look into those. Thanks.
Using a “thumb over” or “C-clamp” grip on my 642 made a big difference in accuracy. In addition, this prevents the risk of support side thumb burns from the cylinder gas escape.
if you have to use it in a real way it does not matter. you will point it and fire. that.s just the way it is.
@@geraldmiller5232Jerry Miculek hit a target repeatedly with a revolver at 1000 yards. If you practice and know your holdovers then hitting a man at 100-200 yards is easy. Just because you don't want to put in the work doesn't mean it won't pay off. There's things to protect other than just yourself. That means distance always matters.
I use this grip for all my handguns. I don’t want to have to think “I’m using this gun so I need this grip” in an adrenaline situation. One grip to do it all and it works great for pistols too. It’s a stronger grip plus I have never really liked the “correct” community approved method: the two forward facing “death ray thumbs” grip.
I love my J frame Smiths but I understand their limitations. I enjoy shooting them, but they are not what I'd consider comfortable to shoot for long periods of time. I shoot them enough to be able to hit what I aim at and that's all I need. I like how nice and easy they are to conceal and carry all day though, very light and compact.
Of all of the hand guns I have fired, the snub nose far and away is the best instictive pointing firearm. Yes trigger pull is heavy, however it is heavy for a reason. Sights, don't need them for the snub nose intended purpose. It is a great self defense firearm.
Awesome and informative video, as always! Nine years ago, when I migrated fro semi-autos to snub nose revolvers for my ccw, the safest place you could be was directly in front of me at arms length. 😄. Now, I'm reasonably accurate at 7 yards. As to trigger control, a friend of mine, an ex cop told me to lay a coin on the top strap, and dry fire till the coin did not fall off. When you can dry fire 100 times without the coin falling off, you've got it.
Excellent video. Especially the grip technique and trigger press analysis. As a long time revolver carrier and competitor, you hit the nail on the head.
Chris is on point with matching the ammo caliber to the revolver. My wife loves (and so do I) firing her Ruger LCR .327 Fed Mag with .32 S&W Long ammo. It's a pleasure to shot. Firing a .327 Fed Mag load will get you unburned power residue on your forearms along with the kick. Your groups will open up like a Star Gate Portal after the second shot. Due to the scarcity of the .32 S&W Long ammo (I prefer the FMJ) and it's associated cost it has sat unfired for a year. I would love to get a stainless 22 lr revolver but Ruger has all but stopped making stainless revolvers in 22lr and S&W is asking a premium for theirs.
Very good comprehensive summary of small revolvers. I’ve been shooting them for years, but have found that the older I get, the worse the sights are to see. I’m thinking the best overall fix might be to h explore the feasibility of having dovetails milled and better fixed sights installed - as long as the cost is reasonable. New snubbie shooters can overcome a lot of the problems by spending a sufficient amount of time dry firing.
I liked the standard red, fiber-optic front sight on the new-model Colt Cobra I bought a few years ago when it came out. I liked it less when that front sight flew off while shooting (less than 100 rounds through the gun). It was an easy repair, but it really turned me off to Colt build quality (There was clearly no loctite on the set screw before I reinstalled it). That aside - it's a comfortable 6-shot snub-nose to shoot, with good sights. Not super concealable though, with the big rubber grips out of the box.
i have a 2 inch S&W small frame and a 3 inch S&W airweight. The three inch is much easier to shoot and I can actually hit a target at 50 ft. Thanks for the video.
The Kimber K6S has excellent sights, and handles .357 magnum well for a snubby. Wouldn’t want to shoot it all day with full loads, but 12-18 rounds doesn’t leave bruises.
My EDC now is a K6s 357 magnum too but started out carrying S&W 442 for many years. I practice with 38spl. because of price but shoot EVERY weekend and my K6s has night sights, smooth double action trigger, American made, but cost twice as much as my S&W 442 38 spl lasted many years and dependable as they get but with the K6s with it’s Beauty and Lovely Craftsmanship, It feels like 3X they gun just by it looks, weight, , feel, & overall performance! I’ve learned over many years you get what you pay for!#Kimber#K6s#357magnum#Snub❤@thomasmetz3
Good tips! I have learned to use a thumb-over grip with virtually all my DA/SA and DAO revolvers. It serves two functions; more stability in the grip and keeps my support hand away from the flash gap area. Also, I'll give up a little in concealment with what I can gain in (my) performance with a larger grip.
I wholeheartedly second your final comments about dry fire practice. It is absolutely invaluable. My EDC is a G48, prior to that a S&W Shield, but I shoot my Ruger LCR .357 far better than any other gun. The reasons are obvious. I have a Hogue Laser grip on it and because I can lay in my hammock or on the couch while reading or watching youtube and just randomly dry fire, watching that laser dot to see if I'm holding my gun steady. I've got 100 times more hours dry firing it than any of my semi-auto pistols and being able to see my mistakes has made me faster and more accurate at the range than I am even with my Walther PPQ. If I could only get better and more efficient dry firing exercises as conveniently with my G48.
I'm always happy to see more revolver videos on this channel. Great advice, and stellar production values. Can't go wrong with a combo like that! You're right on the money when it comes to grip selection; the right grip can make a revolver fit you like a glove. I picked up a Taurus 856 Executive recently, and while I liked it (and was impressed at how far Taurus had come), I had to track down some discontinued closed-backstrap Pachmayr Compac grips to truly enjoy it.
Revolversmith Grant Cunningham has some excellent books on the subject of snubnose carry revolvers and use.
I carry a 442 everyday. Sometimes as a backup but it’s always on me either way. I’ve had great luck with the Pachmayr Guardian grips.
I plan on buying a new S&W J frame .38 Bodyguard soon. With Big Blue's rebate offer. Ends 04/02/2023. I got a Desantis Nemesis nylon holster & a few Tuff Products safety orange type .38spl strips. Pro tip: a metal Altoids mint tin can store 2 .38spl 5rd strips. 😎
love my 442
Well-done! I, like you, use the “middle segment” of my trigger finger, on the face of the trigger. For some number of years, in the Eighties and perhaps into the Nineties, I kept struggling to use the distal crease, on the trigger face, as I do with larger revolvers, but ultimately, found it best, with J-Frames and the SP101, to let the “middle segment” land on the face of the trigger, in a natural-feeling way, while using a grip as high as practicable, on the back strap. Regarding grip size, for the geometry of my individual hands, the Ruger SP101 factory grip is custom-level perfection, not only fitting my hand well, but also orienting my hand for an optimal “reach” to the trigger face.
Exactly! I remember, the so-called "experts" saying you should shoot with the first joint of your finger, or even the tip. That left me struggling. Finally, I said the heck with it and I would shoot the way that my hand wanted to intuitively. Every gun is different, and so is every human hand. Do what works as you would using any other tool-which is exactly what a gun is. Peace.
The best thing about laser sights on snubbies, and at this point I no longer have them on anything but my snubbies, is trigger practice. You really get feedback on how controlled or sloppy your DA trigger work is when you have a laser sight dot to dance out there at target range. I think you hit the nail on the head about controllability. Until the magnum era the only real control problem with revolvers were bad factory grip shapes. That is not much of a problem anymore, but is a factor shooters need to be aware of. Also, a revolver is far more controllable in DA mode, it is a shame SA is even part of the equation - if a revolver functions DA, shoot DA - all the time. Every SA shot is bad practice in multiple dimensions.
Ever ground down the hammer spur on a revolver?
I shoot much better at 25 yards with my G22 than I ever could with a revolver; the Glock-style SA trigger made the difference. If I shot the revolver in SA mode I was much better. And yes, watching people try shooting 357 Mag and hit the target was funny, since all they had shot was 38+P and thought there wouldn't be THAT much of a difference!
@@ReverendMeat51 Dan, have you ever been in the cockpit before?
@@markh.6687 What
@@ReverendMeat51 An old joke from the movie "Airplane!"; paralleling your question.
's theme of "Have you ever...."
Thanks Chris. Great advice as usual.
I've been carrying and shooting S&W J-frames since the mid-70's, both on duty as a back up and off duty. Started out with a model 36, 2", later a 442, and currently settled in with a model 640-1 fitted with the discontinued Uncle Mikes rubber grips. The 640 is a stainless DA only variant with a 2" full lug barrel. Front sight is pinned, plain black. The gun weighs 23.5 ounces, and a slightly wider smooth combat trigger. This revolver is 357 magnum capable, but I carry and practice with .38 special caliber ammo now that I'm 71 years old. (arthritis) The gun has a great action, resists corrosion, and is very shootable with the Uncle Mikes, Crimson Trace LG-350, Pachmayr or similar grip, which enclose the back strap and aid in buffering recoil a bit.
Craig Spegel of OR was well known for his wood: "boot grips". His website was still working but I think he his slowly shifting into retirement. Hogue makes excellent after market J frame & Ruger LCR grips in my view.
I second the 327 fed mag for carry. The Ruger LCR is a great pistol, you get 6 shots in a snub nose and 327 is pretty close to 357 mag in terms of power. It helps to reload so you don’t have to search for the ammo as much though.
I agree the .327 is a good load. But you need to educate yourself. The .327 is no where even remotely close to the power of a .357. Evidently you need to go rent one at a range and see the difference in power for yourself, because you would not have made that statement if you ever had.
For ccw, the .327 is a great round, but please don’t fool yourself thinking it is close to a .357 in power.
I wish 327 was readily available. I would have gone that route. I like the extra shot and the power, while not 357, is decent.
@@thatsmytwocents4372 I think you need to educate yourself, .327 is comparable to .357 for most loads with the exception of some underwood ammo defensive loads for .327 that are loaded quite light compared to their .357 counterparts. but .327 and .357 speer gold dots are very close. (and no, just because one is heavier, doesnt mean its better)
@@thatsmytwocents4372 That would be true if the .357 side of this comparison used full power loads. But I am guessing that people who run .357 at all in their snubbies, are using reduced power .357 loads, or .38 Spl. So, a full power .327 load probably stacks up pretty well in comparison.
I just wish this channel had more views n subs and a bigger budget to produce more content. Everything is so well researched and produced. Informative and really delivered on a gun educational level that I fall right into. Favorite channel by a lot, just wish we were getting 2 videos a week.
Chris, I've watched a lot of firearms videos in an effort to learn as much as I can about all things firearm related. I've put aside the fakers, pretenders, "hot shots" and tactical cool guys and settled on a few presenters I can trust, you're at the top of the list.
What makes you stand out is that some of the advice you give goes against the "prevailing thought". The best example is when you said pick the gun with the weight that you want to carry and match the caliber and ammunition to it. Others might have said go to the gym build your biceps until you can handle the recoil of 357 Magnums because your selection must be made based on "THE 357 man stopper".
I love revolvers (642 J frame my favorite and 3 other varieties), so I'll be looking forward to more.
I picked up a px4 compact on your recommendation and it’s a beautiful shooter, thanks for the quality content👍
16 March 2023 - Thank you for your presentation! As always, you clearly present and explain the topic without repetition. There is a partial solution to the issue of recoil and maintaining the sight picture. I had my dealer send my DAO resolvers to Mag-Na-Port for porting. That process is a one time expense and very well worth it.
Thanks for the great information. I own a .38 snubby and although the Ruger LCR in .327 Federal Magnum was my first choice, I couldn't justify the near $ 1,000 price my local dealers were charging 1 year ago when I was in the market.
I feel like we need more 3" revolver content. You get so much more for a teeny hit to concealability.
Snubnose revolvers will always be my favorite guns to be honest. For me the problem with shooting them is one brand to the next the sights are very different. The triggers can def be an issue on some, and the recoil to me is not usually an issue.
Hand geometry is a big deal! I shoot some guns terribly, while other people shoot them well, and vice versa. All based on hand size and finger length / girth, and personal preference too. I have spent hundreds on grips to fit my fat fingers because many pinch my middle finger.
However, everyone is different. I love these Videos Chris, keep them coming!
The LCR is one of my favorite to shoot FWIW. Yet, I love the 38 special. If you are worried about recoil, you can reload 38 special very easily too.
I can shoot my 642 fine, but I recently relegated it to the bench in favor of a Taurus 856. A steel-frame snub is just sooo much more pleasant to shoot. My recommendation to anyone interesting in getting a snub is to always start with a steel-framed one. Then you can switch to a alloy-framed one later once you feel comfortable.
Excellent advice sir.
Yes
Lol. Only modern shooters think a 38spl has too much recoil
I love my 856
Same here. I loved carrying my lightweight 642, but shooting it not so much. I started shooting and carrying an SS 649 a few years ago and get much better results on the target.
Outstanding summary of snubs. Thank you! Been shooting them for 50 years and you just hit all the things I learned the hard, expensive way in one video. Best caliber: the .32 family (you convinced me of that in your previous videos). Best for lefties? S&W .38 Bodyguard. Best trigger? LCR centerfires. Easiest to carry? S&W 43C. Best .38 ammo? Wadcutters. I have them all, and like children, they are all different but easy to love for different reasons.
Finger exercisers that are marketed for guitarist and rock climbers will really help to manage long trigger pulls. Look for one with individual finger springs. You can grip it like a handgun while working your trigger finger. Regular use allows much better control.
I recently got rid of my S&W 642 because it was just too uncomfortable (downright painful) to shoot - even with larger, rubber grips on it. My hand size just wasn't compatible with that one. I love my 351C (.22 Magnum), but with the low recoil there, it's painless to shoot. As for a snub-nose .357/38 Special, I like the Kimber K6S with target grips. It's bigger and heavier than the S&W 642 (similar to the Ruger SP101), with an extra 1-round capacity than either the Smith or Ruger.
You might also want to consider the Charter Arms Undercover and Police Undercover, the Taurus 856 and 856 Ultra-Lite, and the Rock Island Armory m 206. Any of those are better than my S&W 442 in comfort, accuracy, and especially, price. Personally, I prefer the Charter Arms Undercover, which is my usual carry. The Police Undercover is slightly larger and holds 6 rds. Both are excellent "always guns". Another is the Charter Arms Boxer, an aluminum version of the Police Undercover.
I use the kimber control core grips on my 2” DAO. Adds room for your pinky and covers the backstrap. Makes it not as concealable but really not too great of a difference
My first ccw revolver was a 442. Same as your 642, but black. I also hated the rubber grips it came with. To my amazement, the old classic wood checkered grips the gun was designed with back in the 1950's, were far more comfortable for me, even though they're smaller than those rubber monstrosities Smith & Wesson switched to. I bought a set at a gun show for, as I remember, $25.00, and they completely transformed the gun for me.
I had a Smith & Wesson Model 27 with the shortest possible barrel; I believe it was a three and a half inch barrel. It took about five years to get really good with it out to 25 and 50 yards with magnum loads. I used to work for John Martz the Luger carbine maker from Lincoln California and he made a really nice baby Luger which was a snub nose having a 2 inch barrel. I made the grips for them and the dies to shorten the magazines. It fired well and was accurate out to abort 40 metres. Nice presentation.
Have three S&W snubs. One .38 two 357s. They all surprise me how accurate they are when I shoot them.
I shoot snubs for the most part. My edc is an airweight or 640. Good video!!
I really like Pachmayr Diamond grips.
The crimson trace grips for LCR are pretty good too if you want a laser. The thing to remember about a side mounted laser is that POI shifts significantly side to side depending on distance to the target.
My friend owns a Ruger LCR .38spl with a red Lasermax. He's owned it since spring 2013. He has it mainly for home security 🏡. For ammunition, he loads older +P Cor Bon DPX 110gr. 5rd.
I replaced the front sight on the LCR with the HI VIZ fiber optic. Chris is correct that it seems tall compared to the sight picture we are taught. However, i did not find it to be a problem.
First, since I use red fiber-optics whenever I can, my natural sight picture is to see the full red circle. It did not change with the lcr and I actually hit the target well and did not feel I was straining to adjust. The bottom of the circle just sits at the bottom of the rear sight.
I tested at the range today. 6 o’clock hold on the bullseye as recommended in the manual. Winchester 130gr fmj white box. At 1 yard: 0, at 5 yards, inch high, 10 yards 1.5 inch.
I will try again but I saw enough. My conclusion is that the sight might be high, but within 10 yards, any assailant is not going to like where I am hitting and I don’t need a special sight picture for the LCR. Good enough for me.
Also, with a good grip regular 38 special and +p work for me. After 150-200 rounds, I know i have been shooting a snubby but I am not dreading the training.
Great video
Altamont grips and a performance center model make a huge difference!
I gave my dad an Armscor M206, then put some aftermarket Colt D series grips on it. It feels GREAT in the hand now, love a grip that starts narrow at the top and swells towards the bottom (which is why I HATE the wide rubber grips on my .357 Magnum).
I bought that grip but need help fitting it on my 200.
@@sidneywhite749 it isn't a perfect fit, but it is close enough to work. I lined up the back of the frame with the grips, if the front overhangs a bit it doesn't make much of a difference. For the holes for the frame pins I used a drill bit and twisted it by hand to make the holes. There is a small gap and a slight overhang on the front but it is still WAY better than it was.
I’ve carried my S&W 442 for about 20 years and I like to show off how well I can handle it when people think it’s inaccurate or that 30 yard shots are impossible. I carry it with underwood 125gn in a Bora2 pocket holster and it’s been wearing the blue G10 bantam grips from Hogue and an Apex trigger I put in. I really want the .327 Federal version but could never find one
Mastering the trigger by dry fire is key before firing. Start out 3 yards out working on trigger control and sight picture backing it up as you tighten up the groups. Couple boxes and a sore paw you will be decently proficient.
Chris, in several previous videos you have highlighted the 2.25 inch barrel SP101 as one of your preferred snubbies, yet there was no mention of the advantages of its slightly larger/heavier and its slightly greater barrel length design in this video. I suggest that is unfortunate, because the extra weight considerably mitigates recoil (especially for the hottest .38 Special +Ps), the grip size is likely more comfortable, the extra barrel length provides increased velocity and sight radius, yet it is still rather concealable.
He has another video on mid sized revolvers for concealed carry.
I like my S&W 940-1 for pocket carry. Being 9mm and all steel, I find it a good compromise between shooting weak .38Spl or over juiced .357 magnum. For the front sight, I use Testor's neon green model paint. There's a large segment of humans that see bright green better than red or orange, but everyone should try for themselves.
Mine shoots high, does yours?
I'd never pocket carry it though; a steel revolver is a little brick.
@@DWalter.27 Mine shoots fine. Point of aim is usually an issue of ammo choice. As for carrying, it's ok with the Mika pocket holster I use.
My solutions are full steel frame, custom grips, three inch barrel. With good leather I find the three inch barrel to be just as concealable as anything shorter.
YES , 327 MAGNUM, is one of my favorite calibers as well. I had a Ruger SP101 in 32 Magnum n really liked it. However I do attend gun shows all over my state, each weekend, and have not been able to find a 327MAG in Ruger LCR, or Ruger SP101. So I went to order one at local Ohio shop, and on back order at Ruger and or Ruger supplier such as Lipseys. . . . ps good video
Excellent video! Personally I prefer a larger framed snubby (K frame size) in .38/.357 with full size rubber grips. Then carry it appendix. Also it has to be a minimum of 6 round capacity.
This is just what I like and am used to shooting.
Great video. I found for me the crimson trace lg 350 grips fit my hand well and also help a longer distance for qualification due to aging eyes. I put them on my 640, 642 and 351c.
Ever since buying guns legally I started learning a bit more regarding Nail Polishers to highlight serial numbers and markins
Very good video on the subject. I was a plain clothes LEO in the era when a snub was the best option a lot of the time when concealment was a must. I carried several different snub .38 revolvers over the years. Everything you said is valid. I have always said that snub nose revolvers are not for the novice and not for anyone who does not put in the time to get decent with them. When it is a matter of life and death like it is as an undercover LEO you do what you have to get proficient or at least I did. To this day the only weapons I will ankle carry are a snub revolver or a baby Glock. That method of carry is just too dusty for me to trust anything else. I personally would never go any lower in caliber with a snub than .38. Most of the time when I use one now it's either a S&W 642 Airweight or an older S&W 649 .38. If I can find standard pressure 158 grain lead semi wadcutter ammo that is what I prefer, if +p is all I can find in the same projectile that is what I use. Like you said its all subjective. That ammo in those guns with either a boot grip or a Tyler t-grip is what I found worked best for me.
One of the best snubby/J-frame videos. Well-done w/ a clear perspective that everything involves (1) awareness of your most effective grip & press habit, (2) PRACTICE, and (3) inevitably: compromise.
The one thing to add to encourage those taking on the snubby challenge: you will become MUCH more skilled with your other larger and more "conventional" handguns. I'm a crack shot now with my G19. This is the by product of developing very good skill w/ a 442.
In my last re-qual for CCL (shoot the giant B-27 @ 5, 7 & 10 yards), my target was the best of the entire class of 10 shooters, all shooting semi-autos up to red-dot equipped full-sized versions. Only 4 of the 30 ended up in the 9 oval, all fired 5rd in ~7 sec or less. If I had used my G-19 (box-stock except Dremel-crafted grip mods and new sights) they'd have all been Xs.
Chris, your videos are so informative; especially to an almost 72 year old who did not start carrying until I was almost 65. I knew you were good when I watched your video on not dissing the 380 because our goal is to stop the threat or escape instead of the police and military goal. That made so much sense. Thank you for your level headed, real life information. God Bless!
I got the LCR in 9mm and I swapped out the grip with one that let me use my pinky👍🏼
Life saver fir sure. When it’s time to go to work with few rounds to get in the fight. Nothing compares semi-auto wise. Plus pocket fire. Practice and accuracy. Get it done!
I grew up shooting my dads '60s chief special. He still carries it.
The grips and handle are tiny even compared to alloy models of today and feels like hitting yourself in the hand like a ballpein hammer.
After one box of plus P as teenager, my wrist and fingers swelled huge. Maybe stress fractures.
I always went with bigger, heavier, cheaper Charter arms until Ruger made the LCR dao.
It's like night and day recoil control. I can shoot an hour with those, no problems.
I go with Jerry's j frame technique. I'm old so I still use a half weaver half modern stance and pinching the trigger ring guard and back strap with index finger and thumb on the support hand centers sight alignment naturally.
Great video. I’m focusing more on my LCR and SP101 this year. Excellent information.
I picked up a S&W M10 2" snub a few years back. What a smooth shooting revolver!
I've been a 1911/Hi-Power guy for almost 40 years, taken all the Gunsite & Thunder Ranch pistol, revolver, rifle & shotgun classes, my EDC is either an LCR, J-Frame, or the M10. I also have a 4" M10 & a Ruger Security-6 in .357.
Yeah I know I'm a Fudd, but I can run my guns.
What a well done comprehensive analysis of snub nose revolvers. The one thing about wheel guns is they always work and they are as simple as pulling the trigger.
A long time ago as a police officer I carried a Smith & Wesson snub Chief's Special stainless, 5 shot .38 Special as a backup and off-duty carry. What a bucking bronco! Ended up ditching it for an AMT Back-up .380 that fit into a cigarette pack in my shirt.
Just got my first snubby Taurus 856 .38 +P I’ve learned a lot from this video thank you Chris 👍
I got the SP101 4" barrel in 327 as my carry.
I also use it for fun tournaments shooting at my range.
So far my best is 264/300.
I conceal carry a Ruger LCR in 9MM all the time and love it.
Bought an LCR in .327 Fed Mag, and haven't looked back. Grabbed some factory defensive ammo, a crap ton of .32 H&R Mag brass, and have been putting in as much work with it as I can.
I really do wish the caliber was more popular. I've fallen in love with it.
I have a S&W 351c Snub Nose Revolver in 22mag AIR Lite very little Recoil easy to shoot it is my everyday carry and i also have had trigger job done on it and i LOVE IT !!!!!
On my LCR I put a Big Dot front sight on it, and on the rear U channel I used a small drill bit and on each side of the channel drilled just a tiny bit, then put white paint in the tiny depressions. I'm really happy with how this combination worked out.
Wow l never really thought about all the finger mechanics. I inherited a 2” S&W 10-5 from my father who inherited it from his father. Neither used it much. It was hard to shoot at first but with practice l’ve gotten pretty good with it. Nice video.
I have a S&W model 60 that I consider to be a 10 - 20 yard revolver with a set of stocks that fit perfectly but it pales in terms of long distance accuracy of the larger frame handguns that I own. This is a close up and personal gun and it works best for across the room kind of shots.
Ruger LCR .357 loaded with .38 +p. Handles them well and makes me happy.
Great information,thank you for your hard work. My idea for my Poly P is that I will never fire it past about 10’. It’s more of a get up off of me and not reach out and touch something.
Great discussion. I’m a Smith m38/m638, 148gr wc guy. I have a box of grips and a box of holsters I’ve collected over the past 40 years. There no such thing as perfect anything when it comes to j frames. Everything is a trade off. Still, a j frame with wad cutters is the best set for me.
I cut my teeth on a wheel gun and used it for work back in the mid 70's until the mid or late 80's when semi autos got authorized. I have no issue using one and have carried one for many years. The sights are normally fine for out to 25 to 30 yards. I do like the laser grips. As to hitting, the secret is one thing. Practice practice practice and also include dry fire practice.
Interesting you said, the 357 is out.. I carry a LCR with 357. I also love the 327, I'm shooting a 327 Taurus. It will go into my EDC rotation soon. Snubbys take a ton of practice, I carry one 80+% of the time, it's really the only gun I can carry appendix 14+ hrs a day. I'm fortunate to have a range in my yard and reload so it gives me the opportunity to shoot a lot.
I have a .38 spl s&w bodyguard and put a houge grip on it, changed everything. I love that gun.
Totally agree with everything that you mentioned. I lot of my friends want their wives to use this type of revolver, who have no experience with firearms ..... BIG MISTAKE!
Salon Perfect is my favorite nail polish.
In my opinion, the best way to get better with any revolver is to get a S&W Model 617 chambered in 22lr. Put a bunch of ammo through it and get used to the double action trigger.
It’s not exactly the same as shooting a J frame, but it’s close enough and the skills will definitely transfer to any other gun. To include autoloaders.
Agree
They make 22lr j-frames and LCRs. A 43c is how I learned to shoot my 340PD
I second everything you said Chris. I have a S&W 642 Lightweight I almost sold after a painful first range session with plain Jane .38 Special LRN bullets. After 1/2 a box I was done. I planned on selling it until I watched a video where the person raved about how the Hogue replacement grips ($18 then) changed his attitude with a similar revolver. I ordered a set and the guy wasn't kidding. The Hogue grip was a little longer with a pinky groove but the best feature was the part of the grip covering the backstrap. It has a lot of give and completely removed the snap sting of the backstrap from my hand. Also as you stated it allowed for a better finger weld on the trigger which seemed to smooth the trigger pull and made the trigger pull weight feel much less. Needless to say I love the pistol now and it is one of my favorites mostly due to a simple grip changeout. Great video and a real benefit to those watching who may be disappointed in their lightweight snubbie!
Get a spring kit for your 642 and it will be even better to shoot! 🙂
So I've recently picked up an LCR in 22LR and the Pachmayr Guardian Grip with the gimmicky springy shelf is surprisingly good feeling for it.
Good series. And I've had nothing but good experience in dealing with Lucky Gunner.
Great information here. I've only had guns for a few years but revolvers are my "collection" so I'll add a few things. Like you, I used an orange paint pen on the front sight. I also used a lime green/yellow paint pen to put dots on either side of the rear sights.
My main defensive gun is a 38 Special snub-nose. After trying a bunch of different ammo, I concluded over time that I am a lot more accurate with standard pressure 38, not +P, in a snub-nose. For carrying and at home I load Hornady Critical Defense which has lightweight bullets so they go faster and get good hollow-point expansion. I did a water jug test with these compared to a 38 +P hollow-point and the standard pressure Hornady expanded just as well as the other brand +P. Recently I bought a large frame 357 Magnum and will almost always just use 38 in it. My supply of 38 +P should match well with the 357.
A big thing for me was the realization that with a snub-nose, any time I want or need to shoot farther than 5 or 10 yards I am more accurate with single-action instead of double-action. My first gun was a double-action-only and I later bought a S&W 637 that can do single or double action. Most self-defense shots seem like they should be close up, under 10 yards, but carrying the single-action option gives me more confidence if I ever faced a decision about trying to take down an active shooter or something like that out to about 25 yards.
I'm glad I purchased a Smith & Wesson 442! Every time I take it to the range it never fails and it is quite enjoyable to shoot. Revolvers don't get enough love, so I appreciate the great tips you have to offer.
Get some Hogue grips for it as well as a spring kit. It makes the gun 100% better to shoot.
Crimson trace green laser is awesome. Sometimes on eBay you can find discontinued center mount trigger guard lasers for snubby.
Please do a video giving your opinion on Charter Arms, and comparing them to the competition, like Taurus. I have a Charter and have mixed feelings on it, would love to hear your opinion.
Great video. I carry a 442 often, but I think one of the best J frames S&W ever made is the Model 60 with a 3” barrel.
I currently have a S&W Air weig ht in .38+P. I really love this style of hand gun. I have owned a version of this gun for most of my adult life.
I purchased a Pachmeyer grip for my Air weight and I love it. I think Pachmeyer makes the best replacement grips. They are really excellent.
Love my Bodyguard 38 after installing the Hogue G10 grip. Stock grip was too narrow and painful to shoot
Great video. I love my Ruger LCR9mm. The .32 and .22 Mag are awesome choices as well but .32 ammo was just too hard to find and expensive and the .22 mag as a revolver wasn't readily available for at the time when I was looking
When I pocket carry a snubbie I choose my Ruger LCR in 9mm and I carry a spare 9mm semi auto magazine as a reload. The Ruger doesn't need moon clips so I'll just use my thumb to push feed each round into the cylinder from the magazine. I've tried speed strips too, but the semi auto mag is more convenient for me.
The magazine as a reload is a great idea. Personally, when I carry my 640 .357, J-frame, I carry a Ruger LCP .380 with the factory 7 round mag plus 1 in the chamber, in my left pocket, as my "reload". I have carried J-frames a long time and I like a larger grip which makes using a speed load kinda impractical. I doubt I will need more than 5 founds of .357 to resolve an issue, but better to have it and not need it.....
that's a creative idea! like a PEZ dispenser for boolits 😂
@@RealJohnnyDingo Yeah, that's exactly what I call it. My PEZ dispenser.
I'm glad you went into slight detail on how fingers actually move. Some of the instructors that I have had, would have done well to learn this somewhere.
Nice job, as always. I personally like the HI-Viz fiber optic in red on an LCR. The white is not bad. It works better with my older eyes. I also have fiber optics on all my handguns, so I want to see the same sight picture all the time.
The ruger lcr trigger is so smooth right out of the box.
Hated the 642. Love my 38spl and .22lr LCRs, adore my Kimber K6S, especially with the Hogue bantam grips that cover the backstrap
Great job! I’ve had a 442 for a few months and I can tell you know what you are talking about!
A stainless .357 is very comfortable for me to shoot. Up to 25 yds works great
When you started off by saying the sights were garbage, I though the video was going down to the anti-snubby road like so many others. I am glad I was wrong, Sorry. I love my snubbies
This was a great video filled with real information, especially when you kept saying that you have to find your own combo & way of handling the firearms. Thank you for a very informative video
A Pachmayr "Gripper" on my old S&W model 36 improved my shooting greatly, I would recommend changing the grips first, most of the time it will correct most accuracy issues.
I too use a bright orange Nail Polish to highlight front sights on all my older Revolvers, applying 4 or 5 coats. I use Alcohol Prep Pads to first remove all gun oil from the front sight ramp. When firing any Revolver I get bad Sinus Bite, meaning the area between the back of the trigger guard & the grip. I use Pachmayr Grips on some, Hogue on others to rectify this.
If you want practice loads, look up the published Cowboy Action loads using Trail Boss.
For those who are too 'manly-man' to buy nail polish, there are hobby paints and paint pens in various bright colors. Might try clear-coating whatever color you put on the sights for some added wear and cleaning solvent resistance.
Of course you post this as soon as I start looking at snub nose
Gotta get you one!!! I recently purchased a Taurus 605 .357 magnum snub nose. It’s a fantastic revolver for the price!! No issues at all with mine. Great revolver for the price!!
Chris, I agree with you, my finger is too long for snubbies. Almost like it rolls over the trigger as I squeeze it back !!!