Rethinking the Snubbie

I hope it’s not old man syndrome. I’m too young for that

I’ve found myself carrying either one of my 66’s, 442 or 638 off duty. 442 is always my backup at work. The little j frames ride really well, conceal very easily, and a speed strip in strong side pocket is easy to carry.

like you said, lots of options using the same holster, ammo and manual of arms. And when I go out, I always have my daughter with me (year and a half). If something ever happened, I would probably have her in my arms and be drawing and shooting one handed. No worry about limp wrist, slide hanging up on something, or malfunction clearing one handed.

although, if the revolver malfunctions, you’re usually SOL.

 

I've owned many different snubby's over the years. One was always my BUG while on duty. Still have one today, its a S&W Model 38 Airweight Bodyguard (the original bodyguard). I like it and shoot it good.

But nowadays my snubby only sees duty as my "I'm not carrying a gun" gun. Couple of examples - when I go out to mow my lawn, or if I go over to a neighbors for a get together etc...

Still, I can't really ever see myself not having a snubby in my stable. For a while I had a Glock 42 that was pushing the snubby for that role, but the 42 is gone and the snubby stayed.

 

OP, You've convinced me to lower my liability insurance coverage limits. I haven't needed it in some time.

 

Lobo Gun Leather. They’ve updated to a better clip since I got mine (both my K Frames and J Frames ride in one). Great company to deal with and good customer service

http://lobogunleather.com/iwb-inside-the-waist-band/offset-belt-clip/

 

I love me a snubby J-frame. Loaded with either 170-gr hard cast LSWCs or 150-gr hard cast DEWCs at max pressure is pretty good for me.

 

Or you could save $500 or more with Geico

 

Pocket carry a lcrx 357 pretty much exclusively. I have found that 5 rounds in my pocket beats 10 on the dresser any day of the week.

 

I carried snubbies for years and years. As the 9mm subcompact options became more and more viable I couldn't justify 5 rounds of .38+P vs 10 rounds of 9MM HST in a flatter package. My shield with Magguts gives me 20 rounds on board with a quick reload vs 10 rounds on board with a slow reload.

 

Yep. Have a 637 in my carry rotation. Who can’t not like a snubby?

 

I recommend the Underwood hardcast 150 grain full wadcutters out of the airweights. They develop an honest 850 fps out of the short barrel, are non-Plus+P, standard pressure and are very controllable and accurate.

They have a poly coating so you don't have to worry about leading but I never had any problems with leading in my airweight S&W model 38 humpback bodyguard before they started coating them. Buffalo bore makes a similar load and I have chronographed both in my gun and velocities were nearly Identical.

I like the Underwood the best because they're less expensive and if you order directly from underwood shipping is less money, too and the ammo arrives within a few business days. The ones I got from Buffalo bore I had my local Cabela's order it for me and didn't have to pay shipping.

When I carry my snubby I carry it with the mental preparedness and determination that I am going to make those 5 shots count.

 

On the other end of the spectrum sometimes I carry my Beretta 92FS Compact 15+1 and a Ruger KLCR.

But I do wear suspenders. LOL

Regards,
Happyguy

 

To me it's going backwards. I like revolvers and have about a dozen .22, .38, .357, one .45 and a 7.62 Nagant I'd rather not talk about. After I fired a high capacity 9MM and a .45 Colt 1911 I gave up on the revolvers for self-defense. My first issue handgun was a .38 S&W M10. When I got a S&W 9mm double stack I never looked back.

 

I was at the range the other day with a friend. I had planned to mainly shoot my Glock 45 and 26. My friend was shooting his 34. In my first mag in each gun I had a squib. No fault of the guns they were reloads and I've discarded the batch. Thankfully I had brought my 60, 642, SP101. I ran all of the drills and scenarios with a snub. While our scenarios were changed for five shots. I realize that a real life scenario may not be a five shot scenario. I found I was slower than my friend but I also found my shots counted and I had fewer misses. I knew I didn't have spares. I have been carry my snub since surgery a few months ago and this past weekend helped my confidence in those rounds.

 

I prefer my G42 in the pocket pistol role, but the snubby is a fine choice. I have a 442.

 

I would never carry a gun with less than 8 rounds and a 3.5” barrel.

 

Not rethinking mine. I like my Kahr cw380, but its second string to my 442.

 

I carried a j-frame for a lot of years but recently switched over to a G43. They carry about the same to me but I shoot the G43 much better.