Someone mentioned earlier something about different guns doing different tasks better, and this is so true!
My favorite "fighting" revolver would be a 3"-3 1/2" barreled one. The sight radius distance is quite adequate for making fast, yet very accurate shots . . . IF you had time to do it of course!
The sights are also much bigger than on a snubbie, and so much easier to make highly accurate shots . . . in a REAL hurry.
I learned shooting bowling pin matches that a 3" revolver in pointed faster and had very fast follow-through times between pins (vs. longer barreled versions) . . . and was also quite capable of clearing those pins off the table ten yards out. Eventually, that's about all I used for that "game" . . . a Model 65 S&W w/ 3" barrel. I retired the 4" 686 and the 6" M27. They gave me no benefit vs. the 3" M65.
If something goes bump in the night, I'll reach for something like this . . . or my chopped barrel 25-2 in .45ACP!
HOWEVER . . .
That's not what I have in my pocket right now. It is midnight and I just walked the dog. In my pocket is a S&W Model 37 "Airweight" snubbie. It is virtually always in my pocket.
I just toss it in my pocket inside an Uncle Mike's #3 pocket holster and take it almost anywhere . . . including the restaurant tonight. Sometimes I'll substitute a steel-framed Model 36 snubbie for the M37.
When trouble comes suddenly and unexpectedly, it is much better to have a lightweight snubbie in the pocket rather than a bigger gun in the safe!
I view my snubbies as guns that allow me to fight my way to a bigger handgun, rifle or shotgun. For that purpose, there's nothing more perfect for this specialized purpose!
The biggest downside of the snubbies is their tiny sights, which make fast, accurate shooting in low and/or bright light situations sometimes quite difficult.
However . . . they CAN be shot accurately, but it is harder and more time-consuming . . .
Here's my M36 "no dash," and a ten yard 5-shot group, shot STANDING and unsupported. The black square I was shooting at is only a 1" square . . . and all five shots touched or went into that square! Not too bad for a 1964 wheelgun and a pair of 1951 eyes.
Yep, they are accurate but it is tough seeing the sights perfectly in order to shoot a group this tight.
T.