Lets talk classic looking snubbies..... Experts?

[Gus McCrae]

I generally carry a Taurus 605 or Springfield 1911. You can guess which gets the most carry time. I've started to really fall in love with snubbys as of late and would like to buy something that's very "classic" looking if nothing else.

I would like either a blued steel .357 Mag or a lightweight .38 Special (+P rated) that looks like a blued gun. Both with a traditional hammer would be prefered. I'm looking for something "old school" I'm probably most interested in a Smith & Wesson....


All that being said, I'm not shopping. I'm just looking for what models would satisfy my criteria. Ideas?

 

[Guate_shooter]

PM LSP on that one.

 

[Baldrik78]

PM LSP on that one.

Be careful with that. You'll ask what you think is a simple question for a simple gun and next thing you know, you're looking at firearms that are 3x the budget you started with.

Damn you 3" M-66!

 

[SigArmed1]

I have a S&W 340PD that I just love. It's a 12oz .357mag, so it's not a range gun by any means, but I didn't buy it as a "daily shooter". Put it in a #3 Uncle Mikes pocket holster and you can carry it in dress slacks and not even know it's there. Great little pocket gun in my opinion.

 

[dmiculek]

I have a S&W 340PD that I just love. It's a 12oz .357mag, so it's not a range gun by any means, but I didn't buy it as a "daily shooter". Put it in a #3 Uncle Mikes pocket holster and you can carry it in dress slacks and not even know it's there. Great little pocket gun in my opinion.

+1

 

[hdfinder47]

Or if you really want the classic look, I believe that S&W is making a 36 Classic with diamond grips, etc..
May I ask why you want a hammer gun for CCW, esp in a pocket?

 

[Gus McCrae]

"Classic" is a nebulous term; but to my mind, given your stated parameters, you're looking at a 2.5" M-19 for the former, or a M-37 for the latter. The M-37 is not "rated" for +P, but will withstand a limited amount of those. I carried AirWeight snubbies for many years with +P ammunition, and shot same once a year. I have seen several pre-95 aluminum (AirWeight) J frames actually "stretch" from too much high-pressure ammo, so you gotta be careful with that.

Anyway, both of these in blue are true classics, with exposed hammers. If you want something to carry, I'd strongly advise AGAINST a traditional blue finish. The snubby M-19 can be had in nickle, or in stainless as the M-66.

Classic M-37s can be had in nickle, but for stainless or scandium you'll have to go with the newer, slightly larger J frame size and shrouded barrel. Not a damn thing classic about those; but a M-342 is part of my daily kit, because the sucker weighs only eleven ounces empty. A standard Airweight weighs fifteen ounces empty, and that four ounces makes a difference when carried in a pocket.

BTW, a 2.5" M-19 or M-66 is going to weigh almost as much as your 1911; you'll definitely need a good belt holster for one of those.

.

Thanks.

Or if you really want the classic look, I believe that S&W is making a 36 Classic with diamond grips, etc..
May I ask why you want a hammer gun for CCW, esp in a pocket?

I learned to deal with a hammered gun in my pocket (Taurus 605).... I'm really just looking for a classic looking gun.

 

[Nomad.2nd]

Model 49

http://www.snubnose.info/docs/bodyguard.htm

I have a minty one... only problem is I don't want to use it.

SO I use a beater 38 insted.

Random Snubbie porn:

 

[hdfinder47]

Check it out.............

http://buy.auctionarms.com/10126540...el-36-classic-38splp-1-7-8"-blued-150184-revo

 

[dwr461]

How about a 1955 Colt Cobra or a 1985 Model 60 S&W? Both have served me well.

Dave

 

[Alpo]

But really, what IS a snubby?

This one started life as a 5 1/2" 1917, so I think it is a snubby.

The one above it, however, while it has the same barrel length, just doesn't look like a snubby to me.

The three-inch 44 is a snubby, but the three-inch 357 - not so much.

This really is, but since it's a 32 it's outside your parameters.

For a lightweight 38, I like this one.

But for a small 357 I like this one.

 

[Alpo]

That's a Wondersight. Turns your fixed sight Smith into adjustable.

http://www.hollowpointmold.com/wondersight/

I been lookin' for a T-grip, but so far, no luck. I got a Pachmyar adapter on a Colt Police Postive Special, but ain't real thrilled with it. They Tylers are supposed to be better, but like I said, I ain't stumbled across one. Yet.

 

[Nomad.2nd]

That's a Wondersight. Turns your fixed sight Smith into adjustable.

http://www.hollowpointmold.com/wondersight/

I been lookin' for a T-grip, but so far, no luck. I got a Pachmyar adapter on a Colt Police Postive Special, but ain't real thrilled with it. They Tylers are supposed to be better, but like I said, I ain't stumbled across one. Yet.

(Stumble)
http://www.t-grips.com/

 

[Gus McCrae]

I'm liking this thread more and more. Keep it up guys.

 

[sonanth]

But for a small 357 I like this one.

I likes that one.

 

[Alpo]

Yeah, so do I. Model 19. Sent it off to Robar and got it NP3ed. Paid more for the finish than I did for the gun.

 

[sonanth]

How do you like the NP3? I plan on getting some parts on my guns done.

 

[Alpo]

It's pretty good. That 19 was my bathroom gun for about four years. Then I took it to the range and noticed a little surface rust on the sideplate. I've heard about how NP3 will resist umpteen hours of salt water without corroding, but apparently 1400 days of hot shower steam was too much for it. It cleaned up okay, but I replaced it with that 65 that's a couple of pictures up.

When it came back, it had a better trigger. I'd heard that happens, but didn't really believe it. Apparently the nickel-teflon coating on the internals makes them a little slipperier.

 

[dwr461]

Fitz Special

I know what it is Steve! I've never seen a REAL one in person. I saw a copy someone had done once. It was a cool idea.

http://www.shootingtimes.com/gunsmoke/0605/

Dave

 

[Alpo]

Indeed it does.

If you would have sent that 19 back to Robar, they would have fixed it. I have had a half-dozen different guns NP3'ed, carried some of them extensively on the road (i.e., getting rained/sweated on a lot), and aside from a general dulling over time, not the first sign of corrosion. I suspect your side plate wasn't completely "cleaned" prior to the NP3 application.

Moot point now, I know.

Yeah, the Pachmayr plastic grip adapters are pretty cheesy. Better than rubber stocks on a 1917, though. Jeez, Louise... that's like putting... well, never mind.

.

Either I'm misunderstanding you, or maybe you misunderstood me. When I said I replaced the 19 with the 65, I didn't mean I got rid of the 19. Just quit keeping it in the bathroom. Put the stainless gun in there. At least, that's what I'm reading your "moot point" comment to mean - that you understood me to say I traded the 19 off.

I just may need to get in touch with them, about that. 'Course, that'll require a 50 dollar or more UPS rip-off to send 'em the gun.