Hey guys,
Anybody here carry a lightweight snubby as their only gun? I would like to hear any observations or interesting stories.
I used to carry a Taurus 605SS in .357 mag. It concealed very nicely in my Don Hume IWB holster. I just didn’t like the fact that I only had 5 rounds, so I switched back to semi-autos. Plus, the recoil from those magnum rounds on a lightweight snubby was a bit harsh.
I only carry mine (S&W 637) when I cannot afford to be made under any circumstances or when attire precludes a belt and a holster.
I have a S&W 637, airweight .38, it does have a key lock on it. I will say up front that I don’t not carry “only” this snub, at least full time, I do feel a little minimally armed when carring just a snub. It usually gets used in the summer when it conceals under a light t-shirt as it conceals better in this dress than my prefered G19. The reason I say I feel minimally armed is I have twice now faced 4-5 threats at once. Luckily I outmaneuvered the first gang of 4-5 and had my G19 on me when I faced the second gang of 4-5. Obviously a 5 shot snub would not be the best tool in these situations. Since we cannot pick our fights, I greatly prefer the G19. A snub would probably suffice if facing just one, maybe two threats, but after that, IMO, it gets dicey.
With that said, I am currently considering selling this snub mainly to get rid of the key lock system. I’m currently mulling over a non-key lock airweight, a 5 shot SP101 .357 and a G26, and the G26 I am finding the most attractive.
Don’t know if this helps but these are my thoughts.
It will be cheaper (as in $0) to remove the lock arm and lock arm return spring out of it.
It’s a storage lock. The only time you might be liable for anything is if someone accidentally shoots himself thinking the pistol is locked. And if you remove the lock arm, the lock will never appear to be engaged when it isn’t. So no problem there either.
I’m not infrequently forced to pack a S&W 442 as my primary due to the premium of concealability and invisibility in certain environments.
Observations:
Not perfect, but decidedly better than fingernails. The J frame conceals easily in a pocket (or just about anywhere else) and allows for one of the best compromises of power, reliability, and concealability on the market. It wouldn’t be my first choice in a gunfight because of limited capacity and a trigger that’s hard to use, but there’s no question that it’s been effective in a number of gunfights over the years. It’s a popular LE backup gun for those reasons.
CT grips are a must, in my opinion. The difference it makes in the shootability of the little revolvers is difficult to oversell. Greg, I think you were there during one of the Vickers/Hackathorn low light classes when I had my J frame on the range. Did you get to shoot it? Several people did but I don’t remember if you did or not.
As a reload I carry one of the Safariland speed loaders for the J frame. They are the best speed loaders on the market, IMO.
For holsters, I’m fond of the Desantis Nemesis. Cheap and effective, I’ve carried one daily since I found out about them a long time ago. I’m not entirely sure, but I think I’ve been carrying my 442 in a Nemesis for at least 6 years…possibly 8. Getting old sucks.
Interesting stories:
I’ve never been forced to shoot anyone with my 442 so I don’t have many interesting stories.
I can say that on multiple occasions when things looked dicey I’ve looked very casual with my hand in my pocket while in reality I had already established my strong hand grip on the 442 and picked the exact spot on the potential threat I was going to aim for.
Example: I once told a group of trespassing skateboarders who were trashing a piece of property I’m partially responsible for to take a hike. They, of course, did not like this. The lead dumbass picked up his skateboard and held it like a baseball bat. My hand was already on my revolver and I decided that the marijuana leaf made of cheap imitation gold on his fake chain would make a remarkably good point of aim as it sat right at the area where his heart and major blood vessels met.
Again, a J frame would not have been my first choice against Captain Stupid and his merry band of skateboarding idiots, but after putting a few rounds into the ring leader the rest of the merry band would have probably beaten a hasty retreat.
I would echo John_Wayne777’s wise remarks, with two small additions.
Sometimes it is handy to carry a Bianchi Speed Strip, in order to perform the wheelgun version of a tactical reload. I can use the strip to place two rounds into the cylinder relatively quickly. I also carry a Safariland Comp 1 speedloader in pocket.
With a parka, a J frame is handy to drop in the outside pocket, in addition to one’s regular carry pistol on the belt. I know you did ask about solo use, but I frequently use it in that role as well. When I am wandering a parking lot during a winter night, it’s a comforting handful.
Interesting stories: It makes a great “Here - use this” pistol when a friend is not armed, but should have been.
“Dude, you have no idea how much better I felt with you handed me that!”
That is often referred to as “the teachable moment.”
Good luck to you.
I carry a S&W 442 from May until Sep in a Kramer Pocket Holster w/ speedstrip ammo is SPGD 135gr +p. This becomes my primary CCW during those summer months. The season usually starts off with our annual trip to Phoenix for the Spring Training ball games. In fact we just got back. That rig is the perfect set up for the hot weather months and I’ve never been made even with all the security searches. I start getting tuned up around Feb and by March I feel pretty confident. My mindset goes along the lines of I’m not there to stop the N. Hollywood Shootout I just need something to get me and my family out of a danger area that combined with the ability to carry and still look like nobody special are my primary concerns. It cracks me up when I see off-duty officers wearing 511’s, an oversive shirt, hiking boots, and the grip outline of their duty gun poking out the back of their shirt in 90 degree weather.
340PD .357 when I can’t carry anything bigger.
I have been known to throw a S&W 340PD in a pocket when wearing shorts or on my ankle as a back-up or even as a primary if that is all I have room for.
I finally was able to get my hands on a Ruger LCR, what a nice little pistol for the money. You’d pay big bucks for custom work to get as smooth a trigger on a S&W snubby.
The way I see it the ultra-light snub is useful:
- As a primary carry gun for everyone but LE–especially non-shooters. Most of the people who I know who carry guns do not really shoot. I shoot every weekend because I enjoy it and can (debatably) afford it. I am usually practicing with my Glock 26 or my HK45c because those are the guns I WANT to carry. I am self-employed so I can pretty much carry everywhere but the courthouse.
But a lightweight snubby is the kind of gun that actually gets carried. It can be fairly powerful and 5 rounds is certainly 5000 times better than the 0 rounds most people usually have (or leave in their vehicle (just this once)). It can be dry fired usefully (without constant re-cocking, etc). With laser grips the gun is even more useful (and dry fire is more effective).
- SHTF/military. I know this topic is frowned upon in this forum, but I think this gun has a role to play here–and it may be more useful than a “combat” autoloader in many realistic scenarios. Pistols, as we all know, are really tools for getting to your rifle in most situations. I figure the weight taken up by a typical combat autoloader might be better used for more ammunition for your primary weapon. The snubby would be carried in reserve for shooting dogs/evil doers who attack while you are clearing malfunctions or taking a whiz.
Most days I carry either a 638 or 342 (both w/ CT grips) in an Alessi ankle holster due to work constraints. There is also a G19 in my vehicle. When I exit my vehicle, the snubby gets dropped into my front pocket. It is not my preferred sidearm, but it is a constant companion.
Ruger LCR and Desantis pocket holster for shorts and t-shirt wear.
[QUOTE=Greg Bell;607394]The way I see it the ultra-light snub is useful:
- As a primary carry gun for everyone but LE
I disagree, this should be up to your dept/agency policy. But for me when I am off-duty my purpose and mission needs change. Over 75% of the agents/officers I know don’t even carry off-duty(most leave one in their car). I believe a J-frame in your pocket beats a Glock 19 in your car. When deciding on an off-duty/CCW piece, one needs to do a mission needs assesment and prioritize the need or want to be always armed and still dress like the average Joe. Yes, I know you can carry a fullsize weapon and still dress like that, I’ve carried a Sig P220 for 13 years in street clothes(not suits) and now a S&W M&P45 and it can be done but on a daily basis it isn’t required for me and doesn’t match my mission needs assesment.
Lightweight compact revolvers are a terrible choice for non-proficient shooters.
They may be easy to carry, but they are NOT easy to shoot. And with only five on tap, there are none to waste on errant shots. It took me close to 800 rounds to become proficient enough with my 637 to the point where hitting on the move with it is fast and instinctive.
This from a long time wheelgunner (me) that just recently converted to semi autos for most carry but still enjoys the old school badassness of a S&W .357 Magnum K frame IWB.
Colt,
You don’t disagree with me. I was just saying that a lot of folks who are not LE but want to carry often select guns that they SAY they will carry but often do not (for various reasons). Off-duty LE are basically in the same boat, as you point out.
I carried a Smith 642 for a while there.
It was absolutely no problem to throw it in a pocket holster and subsequently into my front right hand pocket.
Sold it and really shouldn’t have as cc’ing that little revolver in South Florida is basically ideal compared to a full IWB rig with M&P9 in it over a light shirt.
I’ll echo JW’s comment that I can just nonchalantly stick my hand in my pocket and be ready to rock if necessary (vs raising my shirt and putting my hand on my grip and really upping the tension)
a Bianchi Speed Strip (or two) is easy to throw into the other pocket(s)
this thread needs pics 
Old carry setup. I did change to six on the strip after this pic
So does anyone carry their J-frame IWB or AIWB or does everyone prefer pocket carry?
all the cool kids pocket carry
no, I’m kidding. I suspect the other big option is ankle carry actually.
Roger that Greg,
I apologize if misunderstood your post. I do agree that way too many people talk a big game about carrying but they usually side with what’s comfortable and most of the time that’s unarmed because the cool of carrying has worn off and sooner or later it becomes a chore and loses it’s place on the priority list. But those same people wouldn’t consider leaving their wallet or purse at home.