Deaf Smith
Member
2.5 inch K and L frames are my favorite snubs by far. Specifically .357s.
Wish the fixed sighted GP100 came with a 2.5 inch bbl and wood 'combat' grips.
Deaf
What bbl length is best for a snub?
- Thread starter Robert B
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Wish the fixed sighted GP100 came with a 2.5 inch bbl and wood 'combat' grips.
Deaf
Slightly off Original thread but applicable if I understand the question.
I personally have little interest is a revolver of less than 4".
If I think concealed carry, it's a g29. Though I have no empirical data to
support my feelings, the difference between 4" and 2" is a lot based simply on sight radius.
I must admit I'm a Ruger guy for price The SP101 .357 is avail with a 1.875" barrel. But at that length,
any .357 looses advantage for velocity and accuracy simply based on barrel length. Derringer for that range.
2'" or 4" is a huge difference in length between sights. I understand conceal-ability of a 2" revolver, but in Az were CC is legal without permit, I would not carry less than 3". The sight picture alone justifies this in my mind unless you want to go all the way to a derringer.
But in the Phoenix area, BGs are my main reason for CC. I take a G29 with .40 cal barrel in these cases for round count and sight radius when I'm out so as not to be under gunned for any situation that might arise.
If in the woods I'm not worried about the brainless freaking because they see or perceive a weapon outline. then the G29 has it's 10mm barrel. G29 has ~3.75" barrel and is still very concealable.
JMHO, YMMV
Ex
JMHO. YMMV
Ex
I personally have little interest is a revolver of less than 4".
If I think concealed carry, it's a g29. Though I have no empirical data to
support my feelings, the difference between 4" and 2" is a lot based simply on sight radius.
I must admit I'm a Ruger guy for price The SP101 .357 is avail with a 1.875" barrel. But at that length,
any .357 looses advantage for velocity and accuracy simply based on barrel length. Derringer for that range.
2'" or 4" is a huge difference in length between sights. I understand conceal-ability of a 2" revolver, but in Az were CC is legal without permit, I would not carry less than 3". The sight picture alone justifies this in my mind unless you want to go all the way to a derringer.
But in the Phoenix area, BGs are my main reason for CC. I take a G29 with .40 cal barrel in these cases for round count and sight radius when I'm out so as not to be under gunned for any situation that might arise.
If in the woods I'm not worried about the brainless freaking because they see or perceive a weapon outline. then the G29 has it's 10mm barrel. G29 has ~3.75" barrel and is still very concealable.
JMHO, YMMV
Ex
JMHO. YMMV
Ex
Last edited:
gun_with_a_view
Member
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2014
- Messages
- 471
Smith probably build the perfect 38 Special when it made the 315 Nightguard, now discontinued after less than 600 were made. It has a 2.5-inch barrel. 'Nuff said.
I like the 3 inch
My first agency issue gun was a S&W model 13 with a 3 inch barrel. It was a great carry gun. Light, compact and shot well for a compact .357 magnum. I thought that the 3 inch barrel was the perfect length for a concealed carry K-frame.
I also carried a 4 inch model 681, also in .357 magnum. I found that I could draw faster with the model 13 because of the lighter weight and shorter barrel, but could not shoot as fast or accurately.
It is a trade off between portability and control. I usually ended up carrying the model 13 because it was a lot more comfortable when the day went past 10 or 12 or more hours.
I also qualified with a 2 3/4 inch barrel RUGER Security Six and found not much difference, but I gave a small advantage to the 3 inch for handling and control.
Usually the longer 3 inch barrel is the better for sight plane, muzzle heaviness, ejection of fired rounds and velocity.
If you going to carry something other than a 5 shot J-frame size revolver in a pocket, I would go with a 3 inch barrel. That has been my experience.
Jim
My first agency issue gun was a S&W model 13 with a 3 inch barrel. It was a great carry gun. Light, compact and shot well for a compact .357 magnum. I thought that the 3 inch barrel was the perfect length for a concealed carry K-frame.
I also carried a 4 inch model 681, also in .357 magnum. I found that I could draw faster with the model 13 because of the lighter weight and shorter barrel, but could not shoot as fast or accurately.
It is a trade off between portability and control. I usually ended up carrying the model 13 because it was a lot more comfortable when the day went past 10 or 12 or more hours.
I also qualified with a 2 3/4 inch barrel RUGER Security Six and found not much difference, but I gave a small advantage to the 3 inch for handling and control.
Usually the longer 3 inch barrel is the better for sight plane, muzzle heaviness, ejection of fired rounds and velocity.
If you going to carry something other than a 5 shot J-frame size revolver in a pocket, I would go with a 3 inch barrel. That has been my experience.
Jim
Vern Humphrey
Member
Exactly. And it gives up nothing in terms of concealability.
rswartsell
Member
Colt DS apostle here. I have never seen anything to change my mind. Carry a fifth issue today.
Vern Humphrey
Member
I like the DS too. Mine was made in the '50s. But I think I'd like it better if it had a 3" barrel.
Derry 1946
Member
- Joined
- Jun 27, 2011
- Messages
- 516
DS is my CCW of choice.
Taroman
Member
3 inch:
george burns
Member
Under 2". Anything larger is not a snubby in a J frame. Perhaps in a k frame you could stretch that to 2 1/2 -3"
I had a 3 inch barreled colt sf vi
I had a 3 inch COLT SF VI that I sold last year. It was a nice shooter, but I shot better with a 4 inch K-frame and sold it.
This size gun is a little to large for a pocket carry. For a belt gun, I would prefer an auto, so it just did not serve a need.
I used to carry a 3 inch S&W model 13 and thought it was just as concealable, but with the .357 magnum chambering, a lot more useful.
Jim
I had a 3 inch COLT SF VI that I sold last year. It was a nice shooter, but I shot better with a 4 inch K-frame and sold it.
This size gun is a little to large for a pocket carry. For a belt gun, I would prefer an auto, so it just did not serve a need.
I used to carry a 3 inch S&W model 13 and thought it was just as concealable, but with the .357 magnum chambering, a lot more useful.
Jim
CoalTrain49
Member
J frame it's <2''. K frame it's 2.5''. N frame 3''. Increments of 0.5. Wasn't that simple?
Dframe
Member
I don't care if you call it a snub or not. The 3 inch detective special is perfect for me. I also own 3 inch N frame S&Ws. All are concealable and more accurate than I am. And since I shoot them a lot I'm not too bad.
MICHAEL T
Member
I have a couple 3" j- frames carry real easy . Have full length ejector rod. Little more power also.
dawei
Member
2¼-2¾" gets my vote.
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