Snubbies

[Birds Away]

I am interested in picking up another snubbie. I've had them before and liked them but, you know, sometimes things get away. Anyway, being a fan of classic, i.e. older, guns I have been drawn to the model 49 and model 38 Smiths. Yesterday, at a local gun shop, the gunsmith at the shop told me to be wary of them because they are not rated for +P. The modern snubbies like the 442,etc. are okay, they just don't interest me as much as an older model. Plus, I like steel guns moreso then other alloys. So, what does INGO think?

For information purposes I will either get a hammerless or a shrouded hammer model.

Paging Kirk Freeman...

 

[Robert Richardson]

I like the older S&W model 19 or 66 2-1/2" with a bobbed hammer or a J frame bodyguard.

 

[walt o]

like snubbies

 

[BigMatt]

I do like older snubbies and I really like old Colts. I am aware that you shouldn't shoot +P through old guns so I all of the .38 ammo I have is standard velocity.

Through a snubbie, all I want is standard velocity - especially in my LCR. I don't see how guys shoot those heavy loads in their light revolvers.

Also, Remington has a very nice 125gr. JHP load that I use. It has plenty of power to put down the bad guy, but won't tear up your old gun.

 

[Snapdragon]

I saw a 49 with a shrouded hammer at the pawn shop, but it was months ago. Almost got it.

The Smith and Wesson Forum is my go-to place to get Smith-specific information.

 

[Birds Away]

Thanks, Snap.

 

[Snapdragon]

Not that I'm trying to run you off from here, of course. I'm on the Smith forum also, and there is much more wheelgun love there than there is here.

 

[Birds Away]

There is really only plastic gun love here.

 

[tbhausen]

My first handgun was a S&W Bodyguard. Wish I still had it, of course.

 

[indiucky]

I saw a 49 with a shrouded hammer at the pawn shop, but it was months ago. Almost got it. When Indiucky is not around

The Smith and Wesson Forum is my go-to place to get Smith-specific information.

FIFY

Saint Elmer Keith, Former Bishop of the Church of Smith and Wesson in his book "Sixguns" written in 1950 put 500 rounds through and alloy frame J frame and then measured the weapon and saw no appreciable wear to the weapon and seemed okay with it...Ofcourse Saint Elmer was also okay with taking 200 yard moving shots on mule deer with a revolver as well....

 

[Joniki]

I own more snubbies in 38/357 caliber than all other firearms. I have old Colts and Smith's but I personally love the Ruger 100 series pistols.

 

[Drail]

There is no good reason to use a +P cartridge in a snub whether it is "rated" for it or not. The barrel is not long enough to gain anything useful and it will just make a lot of flash and wear the gun faster. +P ammo is 99% marketing.

 

[Snapdragon]

Yeah, I put Hornady .38 spl hollowpoints in my .38 snubbies. The only thing I use +P in is my .357.

 

[Birds Away]

I am looking specifically for a J-frame.

 

[Snapdragon]

Blued or nickel?

I just called the pawn shop where I had seen the nickel 49. They don't have it any more.

 

[Birds Away]

Blued or nickel?

I just called the pawn shop where I had seen the nickel 49. They don't have it any more.

Thanks, Snap.

 

[jurassicnarc]

IIRC I worked with a fed in Baltimore circa 1966 who carried a S&W 442 "Centennial Model" except in those days the 442 had a grip safety in the backstrap. A few years later (1969) S&W offered the first stainless model 60's to BNDD agents (fore runner of DEA). Of course I took them up on it, and mine had a four digit serial number. So much for "new" designs.

 

[cedartop]

I am looking specifically for a J-frame.

For anything S&W revolver related, see Denny Reichard at Sand Burr Gun Ranch in Rochester. He is a revolver man through and through. He is known as one of the top revolver smiths in the country. He also teaches a good snubbie class. He is a crusty old retired cop, but is a wealth of information.
http://sandburrgunranch.com

 

[Birds Away]

Thank you, sir.

 

[EdC]

For anything S&W revolver related, see Denny Reichard at Sand Burr Gun Ranch in Rochester. He is a revolver man through and through. He is known as one of the top revolver smiths in the country. He also teaches a good snubbie class. He is a crusty old retired cop, but is a wealth of information.
Sand Burr Gun Ranch

Agreed. Denny likes to talk, too. Only downside is that he's a bit of drive from where I live (Indy), but it's nice pleasant drive.
When I there, he was pocket carrying a .44 magnum snubnose. A fella's got to have some dedication to wheel guns to do that.