Where did the full-size snubbies go?
Recently I got to thinking it might be time to find another carry revolver. I used to carry a S&W 10 Airweight with a 2" barrel. That was a fantastic pistol, full size grip, short barrel, full 6-shot capacity. But back in the mid-2000s I ended up trading it offer and moving to J-Frame size revolvers. Opting for a little more concealability, at the expense of slightly less capacity and a smaller grip.
More recently, living in the Free State which I live in, I have decided I just don't care as much about concealability these days as I once did. And if I need to, I have other options for carry. This has me out searching for something to meet the criteria. Only to my dismay, there seems to be somewhat lacking availability of such firearms. The perfect gun in my opinion would be S&W 13/19/65 with a 2" barrel. Catch is, I don't think S&W ever made such a beast, looks like the shortest barrels they offered for the 357magnum guns were the 3" variety - unless I'm missing something. Which breaks my heart....
On the new market, there appears to be a relatively small number of 6-shot revolvers offered with 2"-ish barrels: Taurus 856 (and whatever the Rossi version is), the GP-100 (a bit heavy for everyday carry), Colt Night Cobra, Kimber K6. The Taurus and Rossi variants are not offered in 357, only 38 Special. As mentioned the GP is a little heavy for everyday carry. The Colt is nice, but man is that one expensive for a snubbie. And the Kimber, I've never been impressed with their 1911, let alone some newly designed revolver I've never heard of.... S&W does offer a performance center Model 19 with Ported Barrel and Adjustable sights. But not just a plain jane 2" 6-shot 357magnum without the nonsense.
There are older guns out there, notably the Taurus 606. Which is unobtanium, considering it's been discontinued for nearly 20 years. There was a 6-shot Rossi copy made into the mid-2000s at least, but I can't remember the model number. There is the modern RP63, but it has a 3" barrel, doesn't seem they offer anything in 2" these days.
I have half a mind to see if I can find another Model 65 police gun, and a barrel and ejector rod from a 2" Model 64, and send it off to have it Frankenstein'd. Yeah, they'd have to trim the forcing cone area of the barrel. But it could be made to work I think... Might not be able to fully eject the spent cases, but compromises.....
Am I missing something? Where did all of the full-size 6-shot 357magnums go? I swear it seemed like there used to be a lot more on the market....