Snubnosed revolver
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a term for a revolver with a barrel between a nominal 2 and 3 inches long. It was a popular type of firearm with undercover police officers due to its compact size and easy handling. Its popularity was temporarily overshadowed with the wide-scale availability of compact, large-capacity "Wonder Nine" semi-automatic pistols in the 1980s and their gradual adoption by police in the 1990s.
Two developments resulted in a resurgence in popularity of these revolvers in the United States starting in the mid-1990s. First, the passage of Right to Carry laws in various states created new markets for reliable, concealed carry firearms chambered for calibers suitable for personal defense. Second, the passage of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban limited the availability of pistol magazines holding more than 10 rounds, thus reducing the appeal (to some) of the "Wonder Nine" pistols.
The increased demand for snubbie revolvers was met with the introduction of numerous new models from Smith & Wesson, Taurus and others. While some were of traditional carbon and stainless steel construction, and lightweight aluminum alloys in use for decades, many of the new models used high-strength, comparatively lightweight metal alloys such as titanium and scandium.
[edit] Popular Snubnosed Revolvers
- Colt
- Detective Special
- Cobra
- Agent
- Smith & Wesson
- Chief's Special - standard and "Airweight" (Models 36, 37, & 60); regular spur hammer
- Centennial - standard and "Airweight" (Models 40, 42, 442, 640, 642) (once also available in 9x19mm caliber as the Model 940); enclosed/concealed hammer
- Bodyguard - standard and "Airweight" (Models 38, 49, 638, 649); shrouded hammer
- Taurus
- Model 85
- Model CIA
- Charter Arms
- Undercover
- Off Duty
- Ruger
- Smith & Wesson
- Taurus
- Model 605
- Model 650
- Ruger
