357 Snubby Preference---Five rounds or six?...

[seeker_two]

I’ve got the itch to pick up a snub revolver for CCW use. I’ve narrowed down my preferences on caliber (.357Mag), material (steel-frame), carry preference (IWB), and barrel length (2.5-3”), but I can’t decide whether to pick a 5-shot or a 6-shot cylinder.

Snubby-packers: What is your preference for your carry revolver? And what model do you prefer for CCW?

Many thanks in advance…..

 

[Brian Williams]

In 357 I prefer a Steel framed S&W 13 with a 3" barrel.
For me the shorter and lighter weights all get loaded with 38 spec and I do not want a lightweight 357 J frame, Maybe a 386

 

[Raspu10]

the more the merrier but i said 5 because its best for carry.

 

[bpisler]

I voted other because taurus makes a 7 shot
357 that's about the size of a S&W K frame,
it's the model 617SS and has a 2" barrel
and is stainless steel.

Taurus also has the 605 5 shot that's about
the size of a J frame and can be found with
a 2 or 3" barrel in SS or blue.

I prefer my S&W 65-3 as they carry very well
and still has enough weight to help with the
recoil of full power 357's.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

In my opinion, the Ruger SP 101 is the best of the current crop of snubbies, and the only one that is realistically capable of .357 Magnum performance. That said, it is a little bulky.

When I carry a snubbie, I carry my Colt DS -- the extra round might be the difference between winning and losing.

 

[brasskeeper]

Small frame 5-shot

 

[20nickels]

5, easier to carry and you will not need them all anyway.

 

[Flintknapper]

5 shot Ruger SP-101 3" barrel.

 

[1 LT MPC]

Six, in a Colt Cobra .38 special.

 

[19-3Ben]

Flintknapper+1. The 3"Sp101 is my EDC gun. 5-shot keeps it narrow enough that I can carry comfortably IWB. And if 5 rounds of .357 magnum performance + another 5 rounds in a speed loader is not enough to stop the threat, I probably shouldn't have pissed it off to start with.

 

[Citroen]

.45 Acp

My daily carry is a 5 shot 2 inch Taurus Stellar Tracker. It is almost identical in size across the cylinder to my 6 shot Smith 2.5 inch Model 66. The Taurus conceals better than the Smith due to grip shape and size and it is lighter too. Both fit the same Milt Sparks IWB holster so the comparision is pretty exact.

With moon clips and round nose bullets the reload it pretty fast and the gun is fun to shoot, too.

My wife's 637 Smith is much lighter and smaller (5 shot too) but felt recoil is more severe.

I would actually prefer something like the Smith 325 but not at the price!

John
Charlotte, NC

 

[def4pos8]

I prefer the Model 696 Smith & Wesson (3-inch/.44 Spcl). If not available for some reason or other, I substitute a Model 66 (4-inch/.38Spcl-.357 Mag).

Either are carried in a vest.

 

[ak-kev]

Six, in a Colt Cobra .38 special.

+1

 

[GaryP]

I prefer 6 for ccw but carry 5 in a first generation CA Bulldog 3" .44Spl most of the time. Every now and then I'll carry my 6 shot Colt DS 2" loaded with .38Spl +P or my Magna Ported SP101 2.25" .357mag.

 

[kashton]

I'm surprised noone has mentioned the S&W Model 60

2 & 1/8 inch or 3 inch. 5 shot. forged steel. you can't go wrong

 

[ronto]

3 rounds...@ 3 yards...in 3 seconds

5 is more than enough for civilian SD.
I carry the 357 DAO Ruger SP101 daily and don't feel undergunned.

 

[captainamerica]

5 for ccw and 6 for open carry.

 

[BigG]

Since you already painted yourself into a corner that you don't really want a S&W snub, why are you asking? The little 2" five shot is the best. You don't want that, fine.

 

[Ala Dan]

I own more five round S&W J-frames, than I do six rounders; but I do have
one 2" S&W 10-5, which is a six rounder. Also, those of you who know me
know that I own several six-shot Colt D-frames; 3-Dick Specials and one
Agent. I prefer to carry the smaller, five shot S&W's; as I consider all of
the Colt's "relics"~!

 

[MCgunner]

I've got a 2.3" SP101 and a 3" Taurus M66. Frankly, IWB, there's not much difference. Both wear Hogue grips and the SP101's grip is quite a bit slimmer/smaller and a bit easier to conceal. If the SP101 were 3", I mean, there'd be even less difference. I like the SP's stainless construction vs the blue of the Taurus, but bought guns work well and the Taurus is a bit more accurate and carries an extra round. I normally wind up carrying the SP101, though. It's a little shorter with the 2.3" barrel, as stated the grip is a little smaller, and it's slick topped, with fixed sights which carry a little better. I really don't see the worry about the extra round in the Taurus.

My son-in-law wants to buy his SP101 back, the deal I made with him to keep him from pawning the thing when he needed money. He's in Iraq now, but when he gets back and I give him the SP101 back, I don't think I'll buy another. The Taurus is just too close in function/niche to the SP101 and both are fine shooting guns. I'm going to spend the money on a P3AT, I think. I need a tiny .380.

 

[Legionnaire]

Five. 2.25-inch SP101 for me.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

Hard for me to decide. Love my SP101 3.06" 5 shot .357 mag. But my S&W Model 12-3, 2" (the FIRST S&W Airweight) offers 6 shots in .38 spl with very little increase in size.

If FORCED to choose...5 shots of HOT .357 mag on an easy frame to handle it. SP101

 

[Gustav]

For pocket or deep concealed carry the J frame Smith & Wesson 5 shot is hard to beat.
Its thinner and lighter than a K frame or Ruger SP 101 or Colt.

If carried on or inside a belt I much prefer either the K frame Model 13 or 65 with a 3 inch barrel or if you can find one a Ruger Speed Six with the 2 3/4 inch barrel.
The longer sight radius and more open sights allow more accurate shot placement the ejector rod has a full length stroke to clear any stubborn cases unlike the shorter barrel revovlers.

Try out or rent any you may be considering nothing beats first hand knowledge in finding out what works best for you.

 

[foghornl]

A bit bulky/heavy as a snubby, but for me, the SP-101. That weight really makes the higher-powered loads easier to shoot.

Now, if I could just convince Mrs. Foggy....

 

[seeker_two]

Since you already painted yourself into a corner that you don't really want a S&W snub, why are you asking? The little 2" five shot is the best. You don't want that, fine.

Why do you say that? I'm looking at ALL the choices available....

Thanks & keep it coming....