Best Smith snubby for Home defense

M

marklyftogt

New member
I have a model 66 S&W 4" I use for target shooting but am thinking about a J frame for a home defense gun. What would you recommend?
 
A 37 maybe?

I keep this little M37 S&W by my bed along with my cell and a flashlight and two speed loaders. It is what I would use to give myself time to grab the 12 gauge.:p I really wouldn't want to shoot either one in the house, but it would be a little better that my .357 as far as noise, and a little more effective than my .25 Colt vest pocket. I carry that 37 nearly all the time concealed, which is a breeze.;)
You can sometimes find these little guns at fairly reasonable prices compared to a lot of the other guns of equal size and power.
have a good one,
gordon
 

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Whichever one feels the best in your hand and points the most naturally.

Seriously, you have the brand picked; the model that fits the above two criteria is what I want at 0dark30 when my brain is slipping the clutch.
 
I would prefer the full sized 66 for home defense over a snubby. You could use .38 spl +P loads for lower flash and less noise if desired. Now, if you're looking for an excuse to buy a snubby, consider an airweight to use as a carry gun in the future. The Model 638, with the shroud, would be an excellent choice. If you really are not interested in carry, then a steel Model 60 would be my choice.
 
Home defense? Then size does not matter so much.

If you want the snub for both home defense and carry I'd recommend one of the following.

1. Ruger Speed Six 2 3/4 in .357 (if you can find one.)
2. S&W 2 1/2 Combat magnum M66 .357
3. S&W 686 2 1/2 .357
4. Ruger GP100 3 inch .357
5. Colt Lawman MKIII 2 inch (again if you can find one.)
6. Colt Magnum Carry Detective Special (if, and I do mean if, you can find one!)

They all hold 6 shots and all are excellent. I've owned them all but #6 and still have 1-4.

If J frame size.

1. SP101 2 1/4 .357
2. S&W 60-1 2 1/4 .357

Both steel frame and both good ones. 5 shooters they are.

Deaf
 
@Deaf Smith: Home defense? Then size does not matter so much.
Click to expand...

I agree, you're only carrying it from the night stand to the bad guys - get a 3-inch or 4-inch 686P, and you've got 2 more rounds and a more controllable gun than a J-frame as OP inquires about. There's even an argument for the 4-inch 627 as a fine night stand gun - now 8 shots of controllable .357.
 
"Which" gun is immaterial.

All that matters is which you can shoot best. My guess is the 66 with longer sight radius and adjustable sights.

A 'J' frame has nothing on it.
 
model 36 J frame is the one I have and keep by my bed..I have found it to be the absolute best "bang" for the buck, pardon the pun..I paid $320.00 for mine used 2 years ago. made in 1981..it fires great and is in great shape.
 
I agree with the others, the 66 is the better choice for HD. My night stand gun is a 4.5 inch .357 but around the house I carry my snub in the waist band. So, I guess I sorta do use a snub for HD.
 
I'd also suggest that the 4-inch Model 66 is an excellent choice for home defense. Especially if it has a good, smooth trigger.

This 2.5" Model 66 was my primary HD gun for a while. It's one of the last K-Frame .357's produced.
M66_001.jpg


You may find this odd, but I replaced it as the primary nightstand gun with a S&W Model 67, .38 Special.
Since the M66 held .38+P ammo, I wasn't losing anything by this switch and gained a little velocity.
M67_0293.jpg


For a J-Frame, go all-steel for the recoil recovery. I prefer the Model 49/649 style Bodyguard but others like the hammerless 640 Centennial. These fit into a pocket easier if you're stepping outside for some reason.
M649_002.jpg


In some testing done on a low-light range, you should know that most people tend to fire the snubby revolver "high" at the target compared to a 3-inch or longer barrel.
 
Get yourself a 2-1/2" Model 66 and don't look back. I love my two, one for the bedside and the other in my truck. It fits the hand ever so nicely and shoots POA as well as my 4" 66 no-dash. I carry a Model 37 IWB daily.
 
I have a 2.5-inch model 66 and a 4-inch model 686P. At least for me, if something would go bump in the night, I'd pick up the 686P. It's more gun - more velocity, more control, more shots.
 
personally ( & I have alot of them ) the 357 is not even in a ready state in my house... ( have you ever fired one indoors without hearing protection, or in a small room like in a house ) my preference is a S&W 396 in 44 special... just as likely to stop the bad guy, & still leave me with some hearing afterwards... my main gun is a Ruger snubbie in 45 Colt... I have no iterest in firing a magnum indoors in a self defense situation
 
personally ( & I have alot of them ) the 357 is not even in a ready state in my house... (
Click to expand...
My Model 65 (not a snubby) is kept in a ready state in my house . . . loaded with .38 spl +P for some of the reasons you mention.
 
I keep a Model 38 on my person at all times. When I'm in bed, it's in my pants pocket hanging on the bed post.
 
Magnum Wheel Man -- Just because the gun says .357 Magnum on the barrel doesn't mean you have to use the Magnum round. The .38 +P is plenty potent for home defense with a proven track record reaching back to the early 20th Century.

The .44 Special is a decent cartridge. It's akin to my big-bore home defense gun that sits ready in a drawer next to the bed. A 3-Inch Model 25 loaded with Double-Tap's 255gr .45 Auto Rim ammo. Reloads are Federal HST on moon clips.
 
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