Which snub fits these characteristics?

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Lew

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Dear revolver experts and enthusiasts,

I want to buy a small revolver. I don't know a lot about all the makes and models, so I'm hoping you all can give me some help. I am looking for the following:

  • 1.875" - 2.5" barrel
  • .38 spl +p
  • all steel
  • DA/SA (traditional hammer)
  • no internal lock
  • blue/black finish

Thoughts? I welcome your suggestions.
 
!990's S&W Mod 60 chambered in 38spl. oops it's stainless. Model 36 then.
 
I guess I'm prejudiced, but I wouldn't trade my SP101 for anything else out there.

It's a small frame .357 with 2 1/4 barrel. We use .38 Spl +P with it and should last a lifetime.

It's all steel, DA/SA with stainless steel finish. The finish may be a deterrent to you, but it deserves a look anyway.
 
Thank you for the replies so far. I will look at them in the morning. Suggestions that are "one off" from my specs are welcome, especially something relatively trivial like finish. Should have said that originally.

Naybor, do you carry the sp101?
 
I did in Oklahoma. Used an inside the waist band holster appendix carry.
I've moved to Ohio and haven't gotten the CCW yet. Right now it's my home defense weapon. The nice thing about the stainless steel is it's easy maintenance with no finish to rub off. I polish it about once a month with car wax and never had a problem with rust. Also, like my wife, it's pretty.
The nice thing about a .357 you can use 38 +P and go full bore with .357 magnum if you feel like it.
 
3rd edition Colt Detective Special fits your criteria to a T. Holds six rounds too.

The 3rd edition is the one with the shrouded barrel like these.

c33155f8.jpg
 
There are a variety of colt and S&W snubs that will suit your needs. You can frequently find used guns that have had only a few rounds fired through them, and if the guns have not been abused they are often of excellent quality.

The Ruger SP101 is another good choice. It's a bit heavier then the typical colt or S&W, which may be an advantage depending on your taste.

Rossi and Taurus also make a selection of snubs, but quality varies from 'quite good' to 'non functional'. Their triggers are generally not as smooth as what you'd find on a more expensive gun, but they can be perfectly acceptable.

If you are comfortable with the revolver checkout procedure, and if you are able to personally inspect the gun before purchase, than any of these models would be fine. In my opinion (and others may disagree) if you are unable to really evaluate a gun on your own, your best bet would be either a Ruger or an S&W, either used or new. The colt snubs are no longer available new, and used guns too often have timing issues.

I think that the only new-made S&W snub without the lock is the 442, which lacks an external hammer. I have three small carry guns, each of which is hammerless and double-action only, and the 442 is among them.
 
I too love the old Colts,but I never see them for sale here in Mass.

They are out there. You just need to keep your eyes open all the time...and sometimes pay a premium when they pop up. Bargains are few and far between.

Mass is a difficult place to live if you love old Colts.
 
Other than finish I have two guns that meet your criteria. I have a Model 60 and a Model 64. One is a 5 shot J frame and one is a 6 shot k frame.
 
A vintage before-the-lock S&W Model 36, Model 40, or Model 49 would meet your specifications and serve you well for CCW.
 
In a new gun, pretty much the only thing out there meeting all those specs is the Taurus Model 85. Good guns for around $300. Lots of used options around as mentioned above.
 
I like my snub S&W 66's because they will definitely handle any 38's I feed them, and I can also run full house .357's through them if I want. Yes, they are very heavy, but that also helps to minimize recoil effects, especially with full tilt 38's. But an SP101 would not be any less an option.

GS
 
I never met a Snub I didn't want or like. After many and all makes I settled on for carry, in 357 a SP101 & LCR357 and in 38spl+p a S&W 442. Try as many as you can and make your decision. It's not easy there are so many good Snubs out there new and used.
 
Thanks again for all the replies. Lots of choices and lots to think about.

Taurus 85 - I love the look, but don't they all have locks?
Charter Arms - I think I'd prefer the quality of the bigger names.
S&W 66, 10, 64, etc - Look good. I'll keep an eye out.
S&W 36/60 - I'd been looking hard at these, already. Classic piece.
Colt DS - This looks great, and +1 round than the S&W 36. Any disadvantage?
Ruger SP101 - Looks awesome and I want one. I think it may be my next purchase, as I want something a bit smaller.

So, if I can find one, I'm leaning toward the Colt DS. S&W 36 looks great, too, but why settle for 5 vice 6 rounds?

Side note, my other revolver is an S&W Highway Patrolman (M28?) 4 in. Love that gun. Would a speedloader for that fit any of the k frames or even the colt DS?
 
So far not mentioned...

The basic Smith & Wesson Model 2, two inch.

This is a pinned barreled one, but is a fairly ordinary revolver that fulfills all the specified requirements and is additionally one of the finest double action revolvers ever made.

Sorry to be a tease, but you cannot have this one.
 

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Charter Arms - I think I'd prefer the quality of the bigger names.
I'm not a huge fan of Charter Arms products but Charter Arms is far from being a "small name" in the firearms industry. They have been around for a very long time but unfortunately they were owned by several very poor owners over the past 25 years. The original owners are back at Charter Arms and the quality and finish of their revolvers are again on top. I would much rather buy an American revolver than one made in Brazil.

Charter Arms is the company that first came up with the crossbar safety and instead of keeping it for themselves gave it to the entire industry to make guns safer for everyone.
 
I would stick with a S&W Model 60 (stainless) or 36 (blued or nickel). Look for an older one without the lock. There are plenty around in excellent shape. The classics never go out of style:

984566967_KzgMJ-L.jpg
 
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