New wheel gun snubby help/opinions WWYD?

[lancem]

My current issue is what to buy for a carry wheel gun being that I am not familiar at all with any of the new products out there.


A little background to help, I traded in my 6” S&W Mod 19 (that I had for 30 years and should have kept as the action was like breaking glass and with it I couldn't miss) for a really nice 4” thinking it would be easier to carry but it’s not. So I’m looking for a 2” .357 Mag.


99% of the time it will be carried loaded with 4 rounds of snake shot, two rounds of something hard hitting. This is my ranch gun and not my going to meeting carry.


I don’t like the plastic stuff so that knocks out a few of them, but when I get down to prices I’m thinking I might as well buy another model 19 which I really like as when it comes to prices a good used 19 seems to be tickling the new gun prices one way or another.. and I got over thinking new was better long ago.


What ya think?

[ReloaderFred]

You should have never parted with your 6" Model 19... I carried one as a duty gun for several years until I started carrying my 6" Model 57.

My vote would be either a 2 1/2" Model 19 or Model 66. I have both, and they shoot great. My best kill with my 2 1/2" Model 66 was an offhand shot on a coyote at 85 long paces. Took his heart right out the other side with a 158 gr. SWC..

You can't go wrong with the K frame Smiths.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[Der Gebirgsjager]

I sure agree with Fred's advice. Seeing that you live in Texas and humidity might be a problem I'd go with the Mod. 66.

[35remington]

Buy a four inch and live with it or cut it to 3 if you can't.

[buckwheatpaul]

Have a 2-1/2" S & W Model 66 (stainless version of Model 19). Carried in a Bianchi shoulder rig and it saved my life in 1990. Two points: 1. That short barrel does not really get a true 357 mag. performance; 2. I think that it is still a very large pistol and would rather have a Model 60 with a extra speed strip for a total of 10 - 38 spl rounds.....Have fun with what ya got......and practice, practice, practice and be proficient with it.....Paul

[osteodoc08]

Model 19 or 66 would be perfect. Since it's a ranch gun, carry OWB with a 3-4" barrel. Just my opinion.

[rintinglen]

My Choice:180702180703 I might be tempted to substitute an SP{101. I have no problem at all with the 2 1/2 S&W's, save that hereabouts they are much more costly than the Rugers.
However, strictly for concealment carry, I'd go with a 38 snubbie.180704 That 640 no-hole on the bottom right is a dandy, but the pink handled 342 is much easier in the pocket.

[OptimusPanda]

Ill throw a vote in for the sp101.

[lancem]

I like the idea of the 66, stainless would reduce the "oh **** I forgot to wipe it down" thoughts in bed!

I do have a Colt Cobra that I carry too in the truck but it isn't a +P gun and I'm tired of making / buying special ammo for it ( and it probably should be in the safe or in somebody's collection), figure with a .357 it will eat what I give it without a special diet. Mostly this will be a snake gun with the thought that it will contain the next Badger I piss off or coyote that decides it's not afraid of humans.

[lancem]

You should have never parted with your 6" Model 19... I carried one as a duty gun for several years until I started carrying my 6" Model 57.

My vote would be either a 2 1/2" Model 19 or Model 66. I have both, and they shoot great. My best kill with my 2 1/2" Model 66 was an offhand shot on a coyote at 85 long paces. Took his heart right out the other side with a 158 gr. SWC..

You can't go wrong with the K frame Smiths.

Hope this helps.

Fred

I know I should have kept the 6". It was one of the last guns I've ever gotten rid of, any more I've decided to just buy another safe, tired of kicking my butt a year later for letting something go...

[lancem]

Have a 2-1/2" S & W Model 66 (stainless version of Model 19). Carried in a Bianchi shoulder rig and it saved my life in 1990. Two points: 1. That short barrel does not really get a true 357 mag. performance; 2. I think that it is still a very large pistol and would rather have a Model 60 with a extra speed strip for a total of 10 - 38 spl rounds.....Have fun with what ya got......and practice, practice, practice and be proficient with it.....Paul

I hadn't thought about a shoulder rig, my main problem is getting in and out of the truck or on/off the loader backhoe and catching it on things or having it jab me... Shoulder rig would move it out of the way of all of that...

[Petrol & Powder]

OK, first a confession - I'm a snubnose revolver addict.

I voted for the Mod 19 but with no other criteria beyond that short list, that was all I could do.

The 2.5" Mod 19 is the classic S&W K-frame snubbie. Chambered in .357 mag and equipped with adjustable sights, it has been called the Cadillac of snub nose revolvers.

However, the Ruger SP101 is a great gun and the discontinued Speed-Six is also a great gun that could have received my vote.

The choices didn't list the S&W J-frames or the Colt Detective Special (or the Cobra & Agent variations) and with some more information I could have changed my vote.

[rking22]

I'm a SW fan, but for what you think you want a 3 inch sp101 with some trigger work would fill the bill. For me, same use, a m36-6 3 inch with adj sights is plenty power and accurate plus easy to carry. Bear in mind , I have small hands, you may prefer a 3 inch M19 :)

[Scharfschuetze]

If you want 357 power with portability, my vote is for the 3" model 60 J frame revolver. Accuracy with mine is as good as a K Frame and it is large enough to shoot quickly as well as accurately.

[Kestrel4k]

If you want 357 power with portability, my vote is for the 3" model 60 J frame revolver. Accuracy with mine is as good as a K Frame and it is large enough to shoot quickly as well as accurately.
+1, it looks like we both have identical -10's, even down to the grips & sights.

The only thing better than a K-frame S&W is a J-frame S&W. :)

[Groo]

Groo here
An S&W 3in m-60 [ mine is a M-60 pro] , a 3in SP101 or a 3in Gp-100 if you need a 6 shot.
The 3 in barrel has a full length ejector that makes things easier to get out.
The 3in barrel seems to be a sweet spot , getting the most out a short barrel with 357's.
For an easy woods ,trail, and CCW gun- the 3in 5 shot is thin ,light, but has a longer sight radius .
All have small grips allowing you to fit the gun to your hand.
And all will handle more 357's than most can afford to buy........

[Paul_R]

My favorite snubby is bigger than most, 8 shot .357 magnum, N frame, S&W 327

http://cdn.gun-tests.com/media/newspics/288/SW_Performance_Center_Model_327_170245_357-Magnum_6L.JPG

It rides perfectly @ 1:00 with a Remora or no holster at all. Amazingly accurate for a snubby.

[LUCKYDAWG13]

if it's a carry gun i vote 3" SP101

[fivegunner]

Love all the post`s . I have a love for older S&W revolvers, and Ruger revolvers Can`t go wrong with these !:)

[Outpost75]

All good advice and another vote for the 3" SP101.

[GoodOlBoy]

I know alot of people don't care for them, but I actually like the charter arms 38 special undercover stainless with the hammer spur. SP101 is also an excellent choice as ruger makes good stuff.

God Bless, and One Love.

GoodOlBoy

[roysha]

If you want 357 power with portability, my vote is for the 3" model 60 J frame revolver. Accuracy with mine is as good as a K Frame and it is large enough to shoot quickly as well as accurately.

Absolutely agree. Even the 38 Special version with +P loads is a lot of fire power.

[HarryT]

S&W 642, you can fire all five rounds while it's in your pocket. I've shot a lot of Speer shot capsules through mine. I don't know about .357 Magnum vs shot capsules but my .44 Magnum will break the ends out of the shot capsules when I fire a 300 grain boolit.

[Ithaca Gunner]

All the snubbies I've ever carried were .38Spl. and Colt's to boot. I did carry one short barrel .357 though and that was a S&W M-13 round but with a 3" barrel. I much preferred it to the M-19/66 2 1/2" because of it's fixed sights. None of my fighting handguns have adjustable sights, they're just something you're always fiddli'n with and snaggi'n on clothing.

[RogerDat]

Ruger SP101 is very nice, DA only gets rid of the hammer spur. I'm sort of a fan of having the SA too for a woods gun but a short snub nose barrel is going to be for shorter ranges anyway. Up around 4" I think having SA for the careful shot adds something.

+1 on if the barrel is really short it gets hard to reach true magnum velocity. Maybe with the right powder and a good crimp... Otherwise it's a bit of a flame thrower.

[Blackwater]

I think Schwarzenshuze has the bestest answer. Or any other 3" bbl. .38 or .357. If it's just a field/utility gun, and not for self defense, there's really no need for .357 unless there might be a bear involved. It'd need to be rated for +P if a .38, IMO, but other than that, I'd let price and how it fits and feels in your hand be the final arbiter. I'm just so conditioned to the S&W DA trigger pull that it's really hard for me to love any other DA revolver. But I AM learning with my new to me Ruger Sec. Six! Old dogs CAN learn new tricks. It just takes us longer to "adapt."

[FergusonTO35]

As much as I like my S&W and Ruger wheelguns, I would encourage you to give the current Rossi 461 and 462 (blue and stainless) a hard look. I just got a 461 with a 3" tube and love it. Great trigger pull and makes groups just as tight as my name brand guns. It is a six shot .357 that is nearly the same size as the 5 shot Ruger SP-101, even uses the same holsters. Having owned both, I would take the Rossi any day for any purpose other than feeding it a steady diet of King Kong .357's. Best of all, Pachmayr's excellent Compac grips fit the 461/462 perfectly and if you shop around you can get one for under $300.00.

I got mine nearly new with box and papers for $230.00. You can see it in my thread "Got me a Rossi 461".

[psweigle]

My vote would be a 3" sp101 or a model 60 Smith, in a shoulder rig. I've owned both and loved them equally. The extra inch makes a world of difference over the chrony as well as down range.

[flyingmonkey35]

I like the ultra light guns. The bullets weigh more then the gun.
But they kick hard. Not for general plinking.

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

[paraord]

I love my .44 Ruger 2.75" barrel redhawk. Ive posted some pics around here before. Absolutely love it in my simply rugged sourdough pancake holster.

[MikeN]

I love my Model 19-3 2 1/2" but I agree that the M-60 3" is probably a better carry gun. My son has the M60 and I think for some reason I can shoot it better than my M19. Just me I guess.

[pietro]

.

I voted "other", since I bought a Charter Arms Bulldog .44 Special.

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r431/pwawryk/DSCN0071_zpsdo0qclsl.jpg


.

[9.3X62AL]

That Model 19 x 4" does a lot of things really, really well. I'm not heavily-enamored with sub-compact sidearms, though--there is my bias.

If a snubby 357 is your wish, the SP-101 has the huge advantages of 1) still being in production and 2) having factory support to include parts availability. Ruger warrantee work is first-rate, also.

[shoot-n-lead]

Just depends on what YOU want.

For a carry .38, lot of great options...I don't have a preference among those I have.

For a carry .357, give me the LCR.

[bobthenailer]

It your wallet can take it the new Kimber 6 shot revolver might be what you are looking for CCW

I have and prefer S&W revolvers , currently have two 66's 2.5 & 4.0 " barrels and a 360 PD j frame 5 shot 357 mag , weight 11.0 oz , nice to carry but very hard on the hand with 357 mag ammo, I usually use Speer gold dot 357 mag short barrel in all for CCW . its milder than reg 357 mag ammo.

The CCW advantage with the 2.5" S&W 66 over the 4.0" would be the round butt grip !

[Dpmsman]

Have you considered a 686? They are currently made in 2 1/2" & 3". Plus they are a 7 shot and a hole lot easier to shoot. If size is not a factor that would be the sure ticket. Here's mine, great guns!180963
Here's a 640 for size comparison 180962

Good luck

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

..,,,

[ironhead7544]

4.2 inch SP101 makes a good all around 357 Magnum.

Carrying a 4 inch K-frame is no problem for me with the proper holster. Get the Andrews Custom Leather IWB.

[JMax]

I carrier a 3" Smith 13 for years, bobbed the hammer, had it converted to take moon clips and reblued and then moved to VA where it is a bit too humid to carry on a regular basis so it has become a sometimes safe queen. I would like to find a stainless version but it has been decades since Smith made those revolvers. I am not fond of Ruger DA revolvers due to narrow triggers and a shorter trigger radius that combines to bite into my trigger finger while shooting. Nice revolvers but not for me.

[Ed in North Texas]

Add my vote for the 3" bbl as the best compromise between concealability and functionality. Full length ejector rod is highly desirable, even loading .38 Special +P+. I picked up a 3" Model 65 where someone butchered the hammer for $220 some years back. A little file and emery/crocus cloth work smoothed out the now bobbed hammer and she's good to go. Never used the hammer spur anyway. Heavy barrel, Round Butt, great Smith trigger, barely broken in with just enough sights DAO revolver.

[ironhead7544]

I dont find much difference in carry between the 2" and 4". Sounds like it might be weight is the problem. I used to carry a 4" M12-3 S&W with a 4". Very light and concealable in an IWB holster. A 2" version of the M12 might be just the ticket for you. It is a 38 Special but the +P 158 gr SWCHP is fairly powerful. Light use of +P did not hurt my M12.

Other than that, the short SP101 will work well. I find the shorter barrels throw the shot charges better. The 44 Special Bulldog worked the best with shot loads.

[hicard]

I vote for the S&W 66 with 4" barrel. I used to have a 19 4" and loved it. I think my ex-wife loved it so much she took it with her.

[Kosh75287]

What is/was it about the 4" M19 that made it difficult to carry?

[9.3X62AL]

Dunno, Kosh. My "carry" 357 these days is a S&W 686 x 4", a pre-powdered-metal-parts variant from c. 1990. A mite weighty, perhaps--but it darn sure runs real Magnum loadings well. As in my original response on this post, the "best" currently-available choice for a new 357 CCW wheelgun is likely the Ruger SP-101 with whatever barrel length suits your fancy. The J-frame S&W rollers in 357 aren't much fun to shoot, and most of the grip options for them don't mesh with me real well. The SP-101 handles quite well for me, but I went in another direction for discreet CCW a few months ago--Glock 29 in 10mm. 11 shots before lock-back beats 5-and-a-click all hollow. A bit of a handful, but so are many snub 357s. A bit more than a 357, a bit less than a 41, but 11 shots is hard to argue against.

If the S&W Model 65 x 3" was still in-print, my choice would have differed. Gotta live in the world that "is", not the one you prefer.

[Pinsnscrews]

Dan Wesson...

[Mackay Sagebrush]

No doubt about it, especially with the long time enjoyment and familiarity with a previous Model 19.

I would pick up a 2.5" Model 19/66 or better yet, a custom built 3" with an ejector rod long enough to totally eject .357 empties.

Or a model 15, if you don't care for the sharp crack of the .357s.

Target sighted K Frame .38s are pretty hard to beat for recreational guns.

I had my 4" Model 15 out Christmas eve bunny hunting, and it was quite enjoyable popping a couple Jacks with it.

148 grain Wadcutters:

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/jacks%20201516/IMG_2286%201_zps6m5enyzk.jpg (http://s18.photobucket.com/user/IV_Troop/media/jacks%20201516/IMG_2286%201_zps6m5enyzk.jpg.html)
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b109/IV_Troop/jacks%20201516/IMG_2284_zpsb9nyc59p.jpg (http://s18.photobucket.com/user/IV_Troop/media/jacks%20201516/IMG_2284_zpsb9nyc59p.jpg.html)