Why 5-Shot?

For me, my mod 60 is carried in my pocket and can be fired w/o presentation through that pocket if need be. Now firing this way I'd guess my shot would be w/in 5' (basically a 'gut' shot) so all I need is to know that all I have to do is pull the trigger to get the job done. With a 5' gut shot, you wouldn't need more than 2...at least I'd hope not ;)
 
Smith & Wesson’s cylinder stop window (the little slot in the frame under the cylinder through which the cylinder stop protrudes) is located in the center of the frame. In larger revolvers (K, L and N frame) the locking notch in the cylinder is directly under the chamber. This is O.K. so long as there is enough metal in the cylinder wall so the notch doesn’t cut into the chamber. On smaller, 5-shot cylinders this cut comes between the chambers, and this allows a smaller diameter cylinder. Colt’s cylinder stop (they call it a “bolt”) is located off-center so they can use a cylinder that is only slightly larger then a “J” frame Smith but still hold 6 cartridges. The off-center bolt locks the cylinder in the web between the chambers. All of this started back in the 19th century and is still carried down to us today.

So the bottom line is, if the 6th. shot is really important to you and you want the smallest possible snub you’ll need to look for an older Colt. If you can be satisfied with 5 shots (6 in .32 caliber) a S&W, Taurus, Rossi or Charter Arms will probably fill the bill. If size isn’t all that important the snubs built on larger frames (S&W “K and “L,” Ruger, Taurus, and other may meet you’re needs. As a rule though, I prefer a 3” or longer barrel on those bigger guns.
 
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"K-frames are not pocket guns..."

Sez you.

I know several people who carry K-frames in either coat or pants pockets."

Show me a pocket holster for a K-frame...and a back or front pocket that will fit it (normal pants, no hillbilly overall stuff)...and I might start to believe it...


;)
 
In 1925 or thereabouts my father bought a S&W Military & Police with a four (4) inch barrel. The authorities in Michigan registered it as a “pocket revolver (!)” I have carried it in my right-side pants pocket but I won’t claim it was well concealed.

Back before World War Two, Colt occasionally made what was called a “Fitz Special” named after John H. FitzGerald who had designed it. Fitz worked for Colt during the Depression years and was a major booster. While the basic design, which comprised cutting off the front of the trigger guard, installing a 2” barrel, shortening and rounding the butt, and removing the hammer spur - was done on most sizes of revolvers of that period his favorite one was build on a New Service frame in either .45 Colt or .45 ACP. That, mate WAS a pocket gun!

Seriously, I have known people that carried K-frame Airweights as a side pocket gun. Big, but they got away with it.
 
I like the 5-shot Smith & Wesson J-frames's; cuz they
are a bit smaller, with slightly less bulge.:cool: :) :D

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
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