Snubby Breakdown

(or is it spelled 'snubbie'?)

My choices and thoughts on snubbie selection? Let get them all in one place. Oh, and if you are thinking of getting a snubbie for yourself and need resources to think on it, checkout the Snub Nose Files.

Ruger SP101

Pros: It definitely meets my 'robust and steel' requirement
Cons: I've never liked the grip feel or trigger feel on Rugers
Quibbles: The hammer isn't shrouded like S&W Centennials. It is bobbed. It's good for not snagging, but some grit might get in the works easier with this model


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Night Guard types by Smith and Wesson

Pros: I like the sights. And YOWZA .44 magnum out of this has got to sting. I'd get .357 or .38 and shoot .38 out of one I'd buy, naturally, I just wanted to picture a .44.
Cons: Exposed unbobbed hammer isn'ty ideal. Scandium construction, is also not good
Quibbles: I like the grip, but I can get that grip with any Smith


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S&W 640

Pros: The leading contender.
Cons: It's just not available. And it has that GOTDIM frame-trigger lock
Quibbles: none. it IS the leading contender... If it didn't have the trigger lock and happened to be in the case at any of the local gunstores I'd have it already. Even with the lock it is nigh adequate out of the box.


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S&W 40

Pros: No trigger lock
Cons: Grip safety.
Quibbles: Not stainless, but I can get over this. A commenter menitoned the possibility of pinning the safety down and getting any old grip style I wanted. That's a thought if I can work out the cost and feasibility to my advantage. .38 +P only


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S&W 642
Pros: No trigger lock!
Cons: It's aluminum.
Quibbles: I'd probably want a different grip, but that is doable. And it is only .38 +P


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Chiappa Rhino

Pros: I just like that looks of that. Isn't it handsome? Plus the novel action where the barrel is placed at the bottom of the cylinder to keep it more in line with the shooters arms, thus less recoil.
Cons: It may be vaporwear (though I DID eventually find it in their PDF catalog on page 55 or 57, and also here by searching Chiappa Firearms Dayton) and when it will be available at your local Gun Mart is anyone's guess, but the closest dealer appears to be in Lorton Virginia. Maybe Winchester. That grip angle is WEIRD canting your hand way down. Who knows what the quality will be, it is an unknown factor, unlike Ruger or Smith. Who knows how the trigger will feel. It's got that little nubbin on the hammer to snag on stuff.
Quibbles: This thing has me under it's spell. If it was in the display case tomorrow, I'd put the money down right there and wait the 5 weeks before I'd be allowed to pick it up. (I week waiting period plus one gun a month.)

Update: More stuff on it from SHOT show, here.

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Hey, didja notice that ALL the grip types are different? And there is still one more all wood smooth grip on the Smiths I like, similar in shape to the rubber grip on the 640. The model 60 would replace the Night Guard on my list with similar Pros and Cons. There is also the different shaped Crimson Trace grips.

And, FRESH S&W meat. I bet my gunstore gets some of these in. (h/t Ahab and commenter.)