May be ditching the glock for a snubbie

Dmn0166

Dmn0166

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Lately I've been playing with the idea of ditching my Glock 26 for a snubbie of some sort.

I like the Glock, but I think its too chunky for pocket carry which I really want to start practicing.

Initially, I sold my mp9c for the glock because the trigger on the MP was real heavy and a complete pain. Made shooting accurately very tough.

The more I've been researching snubbies I find that they too have heavy triggers. How do these triggers relate to the heavy trigger of say an MP?

I'd like to keep my glock AND buy a snubbie but I don't have the funds to start a collection so the gun I own needs to be my EDC year round, range gun, night stand gun, etc etc.

I also like the fact that I can probably buy a nice used lcr or 442/642 and add some crimson grips to it for the cost of what I could sell my 26 for.

Any advice from those who made the same trade of firearms would be great. Or any suggestions regarding the snubbies triggers would be appreciated as well.

Derek
 
I've shot a Glock 26 and I own a 642. The 642 is much harder to shoot accurately and, for me, hurts when I shoot it. 25 rounds through my 642 and I'm done.

The 642 simply is not a fun gun for plinking on the range. It is a dedicated pocket gun, with all the compromises that implies (short sight radius, small sights, heavy trigger, heavy recoil, etc.). Get a .22lr semi-auto (e.g., Ruger MKIII) for fun at the range -- the savings on the ammo alone will pay for the gun.

You WILL need to get a trigger job done on your 642. It won't be terribly expensive (<$100) but it really is necessary.
 
I'd try to save up and buy the j frame to compare both before you ditch the Glock.

Personally speaking, I have a love hate relationship with the j frame or any snubbie. I love it because of all the perceived advantages but it boils down to the fact that I can't shoot the darn things as well as I can a semi. I've bought and sold about 6 (a variety of flavors) of them and each time the semi won out. I interchange between a G27 and a S&W CS9 but would love to be able to pull off carrying a j frame with the same confidence.
 
Get both. I recently picked up a snubbie to add to my rotation. Some days I like to carry my G27, others I'll throw the revolver in my pocket.
 
Don't jump on a new snubbie to fast. Look around first at older used ones. Model 36's, 37's, 49's and 60's are great snub nose revolvers with better triggers than the new ones being offered now. You can find them for less than $300.00

Even the larger snub nose revolvers are some thing to look at Model 66, 16, 65 and so on but will cost more.

Older S&W snub nose revolvers in my experince are a lot nicer than the new ones. Snub nose guns are not made to be range guns and I think that you would be very disappointed if you only had a snub nose at the range unless it was a larger one in the K frame class.
 
stay away from the snubby. i have one and it's HORRIBLE to shoot. i usually leave it at home and just NOT carry. i'm actually going to dump it soon and get a PK380.

*stay away from the snubby [laugh]... i'd go to Old Navy or TJ Maxx and get some comfortable shorts +1 or 2 sizes so you can IWB... -this is what i do.

the snubby (or pocket carry) comes to play with wife beaters and swim trunks type of attire. -when it's hot, it's HOT.
 
Definitely keep the G26, you will really regret selling it if you do.
There are TONS of snubbies out there, always. they are generally all mass ok. And in general they are cheap. Wait it out and save and then buy.
As they are not for everybody, you may try it and hate it, if you sell your G26 to buy the snub, you will not be pleased.

The trigger pull is just completely different from a semi. I find that all revolver triggers are much smoother and better than any DA semi out there.
 
Hi Derek33,

I agree with these guys, I wouldn't trade the G26 for an LCR/442 wheel guns. I have an LCR and a M&P9c and they're for very different purposes. .38 special ammo is a little pricier and harder to find currently, and the snubbie gets brutal on your hand after a time at the range. It's also not accurate whatsoever, so the novelty wears off quickly at the range (although I don't have CT grips on mine). Also these revolvers only hold 5 rounds, and even with speedloaders reloading takes time and practice. The DAO LCR also has a heavy trigger pull, but it's expected for a DAO revolver.

The only real advantage the LCR has is weight and concealability. If you want a snubbie down the line I would just save your money and buy one in the distant future rather than trading your G26. For now just buy a really nice IWB holster and that should help with carrying the G26. Yes, you can pocket carry the LCR, but it's not great - works fine for khakis and cargo shorts, but definitely a little snugger with jeans.
 
What do you currently carry the G26 in? You may very well find it more comfortable to get a high quality IWB and belt vs. pocket carrying anything. Also the triggers are rather different between the guns, so your best bet is to shoot a snub nose to make sure you REALLY want it before you make any drastic changes. Since you're in MA, I would suggest keeping the G26 and save up to buy the snub nose when your budget allows.
 
I have extremely mixed feelings on the snubby. On one hand, I really liked shooting it, even though it has a heavy, long, trigger. It really convinced me that wheelguns might be worth paying more attention to. It's super-light, and in a pocket or ankle, I can totally forget it's there. It's become my "around the house" carry.

On the other hand, I can't really hit with it outside of 7 yards unless I take forever on the trigger.

So, like people have said, easy to carry, hard to shoot. If that's what you want in a carry gun, then yes, you should get one. If you want something that's harder to carry but easier to shoot, then no.
 
IMO, the Snub's are not fun to shoot, hurts after about 50 rounds. The trigger on my S&W airweight is ok, but not great. If you want to try it out, send me a pm and you can see for yourself.

I wouldn't sell that Glock until you have tried and liked a snubbie.
 
I agree with STIGGY. I carry a G21, but my 642 always finds a way into my pocket. Yes, they are not fun to shoot , but it is a last ditch defense gun. Cant go wrong with 5 rounds of .38 +P just in case.....
 
I have to agree with everyone else. I do love my 340PD, but it will never replace my G27. For pocket carry I have gone to an LCP. I can carry that in my jeans front pocket, not possible with the airlite. The airlite ends up in a Rosen ankle holster, or jacket pocket.
 
I have an LCR and a G27. The LCR isn't a whole lot smaller than the G27 IMO, and you can have 10rds of .40 vs 5rds of .38. I'd keep the glock and find some pants that will accommodate pocket carry with it. (Hint: Have your pockets modified by a tailor)
 
Whether it's a snubbie or the M&P (I carry both), they both need a trigger job to smooth them out (even the Free America triggers).

Snubbie (+ or - designates my thoughts on advantages/disadvantages):

+ Easily concealable in pocket holster (Mika highly recommended) for times you really can't carry otherwise.
- Limited ammo (5 rds), longer to reload, ammo more expensive and harder to find currently.
- Sights, what sights?
+ Crimson Trace makes recoil more tolerable and accurate for point-shooting.
- You won't practice as much as you will with a semi-auto due to recoil becoming painful after not that many rounds.

Semi:

- Harder to conceal if you can't carry IWB or OWB.
+ Easier to shoot accurately.
+ More rounds, faster reload times, ammo relatively easy to find (9mm) and less expensive.
+ Sights are usually much more usable.
+ More likely to practice with it and become more proficient.

Personally I see both serving a different purpose, not as one being the replacement for the other.
 
I have several smaller framed handguns, including an internal hammer Air-Weight snubby in .38 special. While the airweight is a lot easier to carry and handle than the glocks I own, it is harder to aim, harder to shoot, harder on the hands when shooting. As several people have pointed out, it's not as much "fun" to shoot as the glock.

For pocket carry when the glock is too large, I also have a pair of Kel-Tecs. A P3AT in .380 Auto and a P11 in 9mm. Both carry 6 rounds, more than the 5 round revolver and both are thinner and as light or lighter than the S&W revolver.

While I have no intention of getting rid of the S&W Airweight, I prefer the pistols for carry most of the time and put more practice rounds through either of them than the revolver.
 
Bugs100 said:
Don't jump on a new snubbie to fast. Look around first at older used ones. Model 36's, 37's, 49's and 60's are great snub nose revolvers with better triggers than the new ones being offered now. You can find them for less than $300.00

Even the larger snub nose revolvers are some thing to look at Model 66, 16, 65 and so on but will cost more.

Older S&W snub nose revolvers in my experince are a lot nicer than the new ones. Snub nose guns are not made to be range guns and I think that you would be very disappointed if you only had a snub nose at the range unless it was a larger one in the K frame class.
Click to expand...

what he said..............
 
The one thing that I will disagree with here is that these guns are not accurate.
A quality snubbie (S&W or Colt as I can't speak to the rugers) are actually very accurate.

They do take practice, proper grip and trigger control are all essential. Once you can shoot one of these guns well, you will be able to shoot most every gun well. All of the shooters skills (or lack of) are just magnified due to it's size.

It is fair to say that these guns take more practice to shoot well.
 
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Indeed, I can attest to the accuracy. If I slow way, way, down, my one-hole drills are better with my 642 than with my 5" 9mm. But I have to slow way down.
 
Seems to me that Patriot and I were doing OK smashing clays at 50 yards last week at Mansfield with a snubbie. Not every shot, but within inches. Again, at 50 YARDS.[shocked]

Yeah..... just lucky I guess. The guns aren't accurate at all. And practice and experience have nothing to do with it.[thinking]
 
Thanks for the advice.

I don't have an issue with concealing the 26. I find it conceals very well in my MTAC. There are just scenarios, ie: workin on my car or working in general that requires alot of mobility where I'd feel more comfortable with it in my pocket. I wear longer shirts but sometimes its hard to always make sure my shirt stays down when working.
 
Derek33 said:
Thanks for the advice.

I don't have an issue with concealing the 26. I find it conceals very well in my MTAC. There are just scenarios, ie: workin on my car or working in general that requires alot of mobility where I'd feel more comfortable with it in my pocket. I wear longer shirts but sometimes its hard to always make sure my shirt stays down when working.
Click to expand...

trust me when i say this: it don't matter, you have a gun on your person and it will NEVER be like laying around playing footsies in boxer briefs. unless your on top and tape it to your back.
 
I have a G26 and a S&W 642 and honestly my G26 sits in the safe most of the time. It's just to thick for pocket carry. As you've probably noticed, it prints bad in normal jeans. Yes, you can get different styles in pants with different pockets, but I'm a Levi's guy and the G26 just doesn't work. For me the 642 just works. I'm not buying the lack of accuracy either as with a little practice you can become proficient with it. This can be said for any CCW. I also installed the Crimson Trace grips and this improves the point shooting ability of this pocket gun immensly. I don't depend on the technology and I train with using the laser and not using the laser. Also, yes, the trigger can suck on these. Easily fixed with a $75 trigger job or you can do what was recommended to me. The recommendation was that when I'm sitting watching TV, I keep dry firing my 642 over and over and over again. After a few days you could easily dry fire your revolver 10,000 times. This smooths out the trigger pull and makes it much easier to shoot. It worked. My trigger pull is much better then when I first bought it.

If you really like a semi auto, I would recommend a Kahr PM9 (If you can find one) or a Keltec P3AT. I have both and pocket carry with them as well. The Keltec is like the 642 in that it has a small sight radius and weak sights in general. Crimson Trace makes a laser for it as well and I put it on my Keltec. It helps out a lot with accuracy.

Lastly, I don't buy into the argument about how semi auto's hold more rounds and are easier to reload. Yes, it's true. But in a real life situation where you have to pull your ccw, you're not going to be in a running gun battle with the bad guys that need several reloads. That's TV hype. I believe the last LE statistics that came out on this was that over 90% of self defense shootings involved less then 4 shots fired. If you need more then that your situational awareness has gone to hell and you accidentally walked into gangland.
 
Rockrivr1 said:
For me the 642 just works. I'm not buying the lack of accuracy either as with a little practice you can become proficient with it.
Click to expand...
That just hasn't been my experience with the 642. I find it to be a bear to shoot accurately.

This can be said for any CCW. I also installed the Crimson Trace grips and this improves the point shooting ability of this pocket gun immensly.
Click to expand...
I haven't tried it with a laser.

Also, yes, the trigger can suck on these. Easily fixed with a $75 trigger job or you can do what was recommended to me.
Click to expand...
I have had a good trigger job done on mine. It is still a challenging trigger to work properly.

If you really like a semi auto, I would recommend a Kahr PM9 (If you can find one) or a Keltec P3AT.
Click to expand...
I have a PM9. I find that it conceals in my pocket easier than my 642. It also has real sights, and I find it much easier to shoot accurately as a result. When I use pocket carry, I carry the PM9. My 642 stays in the safe.
Lastly, I don't buy into the argument about how semi auto's hold more rounds and are easier to reload. Yes, it's true. But in a real life situation where you have to pull your ccw, you're not going to be in a running gun battle with the bad guys that need several reloads. That's TV hype. I believe the last LE statistics that came out on this was that over 90% of self defense shootings involved less then 4 shots fired. If you need more then that your situational awareness has gone to hell and you accidentally walked into gangland.
Click to expand...
YMMV. But the reality is that I can reload my PM9 faster and with less chance of dropping my rounds at my feet than my 642. That may not be important to you. It is to me.
 
M1911 said:
YMMV. But the reality is that I can reload my PM9 faster and with less chance of dropping my rounds at my feet than my 642. That may not be important to you. It is to me.
Click to expand...

Not disagreeing with you here. Yes, you can definitely reload a semi auto faster, especially if your not familiar with using a revolver speed loader or a reloading strip. I never said knowing how to reload isn't important. Where did I say that? What I said is that in a true ccw situation the stats show that less then 4 shots are used 90 plus percent of the time. Knowing how to reload is a given in case you fall into that less then 10%, but at the same time you have to be comfortable with what you are carrying no matter what you are carrying.
 
Rockrivr1 said:
Not disagreeing with you here. Yes, you can definitely reload a semi auto faster, especially if your not familiar with using a revolver speed loader or a reloading strip. I never said knowing how to reload isn't important. Where did I say that? What I said is that in a true ccw situation the stats show that less then 4 shots are used 90 plus percent of the time. Knowing how to reload is a given in case you fall into that less then 10%, but at the same time you have to be comfortable with what you are carrying no matter what you are carrying.
Click to expand...
I'm quite familiar with speed loaders. I've got a bunch of them. I've practiced with them. But I can reload my semi-autos faster and more securely than I can reload my revolvers with speed loaders. Even with practice, I bobble my revolver reloads far more often than I bobble my semi-auto reloads. YMMV.
 
escape.jpg


i got the Kurt Russell "never-ending" magazine... [rofl][rofl][rofl][rofl]

just keep shootin!!!!
 
Had both , glock 26 first then the 442 , wish I never got rid of the glock . If you are used to shooting glocks alot , it is very difficult to get used to shooting a revolver in DA. I like my glocks for range use and would still have my 26 if I had a job that didnt require me to get into a lot of tight spaces, so pocket carry at work is really my only option. If you have a desk job or something that you can carry iwb , I would get a high quality holster and keep the glock
 
ShadeWPI said:
Yes, but do you have the Mack-10 with suppressor that's drilled and tapped for a scope? Because we all know that scout scope is what a Mack-10 needs.
Click to expand...

That's not a Scout Scope, that's an "Auto Directed Bullet Spray Destination Indicator". we all have them in the 22d century.
 

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