chaim
Member
I'm considering a 2" snub for my next purchase. I have several small framed snubs: a Taurus 85CH I've had for 15+ years (I'm probably giving this to a buddy), a Taurus 856UL, a S&W 442, a S&W 317 (3" .22lr), a new model Colt King Cobra, and a Taurus 856 Defender. I used to own a few others (two Rossi 461s, a 2" and 3", and my first was a Taurus 605 I had for about a year 20 years ago). I also have a couple medium framed snubs: a 2.5" Taurus 431 (.44spl), a 2.75" S&W 66 (current production), and a 3" S&W 65LS. I do know how to shoot snubs well enough. However, .38spl has become pretty expensive over the years, and .44spl and .357mag have always been comparatively expensive (compared to most other calibers). I do have the .22lr, but it is a 3", and it is pretty ammo sensitive (the wrong ammo, and the chambers will get gunked up and it will be hard to get rounds into some of the chambers in the cylinder).
So, for more fun and 2" snub practice, I want a cheaper round. Sure, .22lr is the logical choice, but I want something a bit more fun (recoil, or at least a bit more "drama").
9mm is an obvious choice. I have many 9mm autos, and it is the one caliber I buy in bulk (I usually buy defensive ammo by the half case/500rds to I can practice fairly regularly with it, and I buy FMJs by the full 1000rnd case). Practice ammo is about half the price of .38spl. However, I doubt I'd ever carry it (I'd go with my P365 if I wanted to carry 9mm, and double or more than double the round count). Also, the recoil would be closer to .357mag (or at least a stout +P) rather than the weaker .38spl practice ammo. The Taurus 905 has always had my eye.
I'm thinking strongly about .22mag. It won't have a lot more recoil than .22lr (I'm not even sure if the difference will be noticeable), however, it does have a lot more noise and "drama". It isn't as cheap as .22lr, but is similar to 9mm and much cheaper than .38spl. On the rare occasions I might decide to carry it as a backup, the S&W 351 is even lighter than my S&W 442, and it holds 7 rounds which is nice. Though, those are just theoretical advantages, since I doubt I'd ever actually carry it.
Even though it isn't really what I want, I am considering a .22lr. It is the cheapest option, and with virtually no recoil I could shoot it all day. However, (for me) it wouldn't be as fun as .22mag or 9mm (I like the noise and to a degree, I like some recoil). While I doubt I'd ever carry a .22mag, I know I would never carry the .22lr. So, the light weight and 8 rounds of the S&W 43 doesn't really matter. I do wonder, since it has similar construction (most of the gun is alloy, including parts that are steel in aluminum .38s), will it have similar issues with fouling and not chambering rounds in the cylinder as the 317? That is an annoyance, and also means I have to stick with more expensive .22lr (though there will still be significant savings over the other chamberings). The Taurus 942 is almost impossible to find. An all steel .22lr definitely doesn't appeal to me, though I suppose I could consider one.
TL/DR:
I don't really want a .22lr but I'll consider it. I most want a 9mm or .22mag. Which would you suggest?
Disclaimer: Yes, I've been around a while. I have not yet owned a .22lr, .22mag or 9mm 2" snub, and I haven't owned a .22mag or 9mm small framed snub at all. I have been considering this for a few months, and I simply can't decide, so I want to see other peoples' thoughts.
So, for more fun and 2" snub practice, I want a cheaper round. Sure, .22lr is the logical choice, but I want something a bit more fun (recoil, or at least a bit more "drama").
9mm is an obvious choice. I have many 9mm autos, and it is the one caliber I buy in bulk (I usually buy defensive ammo by the half case/500rds to I can practice fairly regularly with it, and I buy FMJs by the full 1000rnd case). Practice ammo is about half the price of .38spl. However, I doubt I'd ever carry it (I'd go with my P365 if I wanted to carry 9mm, and double or more than double the round count). Also, the recoil would be closer to .357mag (or at least a stout +P) rather than the weaker .38spl practice ammo. The Taurus 905 has always had my eye.
I'm thinking strongly about .22mag. It won't have a lot more recoil than .22lr (I'm not even sure if the difference will be noticeable), however, it does have a lot more noise and "drama". It isn't as cheap as .22lr, but is similar to 9mm and much cheaper than .38spl. On the rare occasions I might decide to carry it as a backup, the S&W 351 is even lighter than my S&W 442, and it holds 7 rounds which is nice. Though, those are just theoretical advantages, since I doubt I'd ever actually carry it.
Even though it isn't really what I want, I am considering a .22lr. It is the cheapest option, and with virtually no recoil I could shoot it all day. However, (for me) it wouldn't be as fun as .22mag or 9mm (I like the noise and to a degree, I like some recoil). While I doubt I'd ever carry a .22mag, I know I would never carry the .22lr. So, the light weight and 8 rounds of the S&W 43 doesn't really matter. I do wonder, since it has similar construction (most of the gun is alloy, including parts that are steel in aluminum .38s), will it have similar issues with fouling and not chambering rounds in the cylinder as the 317? That is an annoyance, and also means I have to stick with more expensive .22lr (though there will still be significant savings over the other chamberings). The Taurus 942 is almost impossible to find. An all steel .22lr definitely doesn't appeal to me, though I suppose I could consider one.
TL/DR:
I don't really want a .22lr but I'll consider it. I most want a 9mm or .22mag. Which would you suggest?
Disclaimer: Yes, I've been around a while. I have not yet owned a .22lr, .22mag or 9mm 2" snub, and I haven't owned a .22mag or 9mm small framed snub at all. I have been considering this for a few months, and I simply can't decide, so I want to see other peoples' thoughts.