When many shooters consider revolvers, particularly ones designed for carry, their ideas flip to Smith and Wesson.
For many years, that firm has been on the forefront of revolver design and manufacture. From their small J-frame to the bigger .357s and elephant-stompers, S&W revolvers are likely to get the job completed.
Their J-frames are the usual by which different pocket revolvers are measured.
Smtih & Wesson
The corporate has had its share of ups and downs, like some other gun producer. However they appear to be heading in the right direction. Transferring from an anti-gun state, Massachusetts, to gun-friendly Maryville, Tennessee (the final time I used to be there, it was a really fairly place), the corporate appears to be headed in the direction of the long run in good trend.
The corporate was the primary to introduce all three magnum revolver calibers of their respective revolvers… the .357 in 1935, the .41 in 1964, and the .44 in 1954. They didn’t relaxation on their laurels, although. Over the previous few years, they’ve launched progressive weapons. I lately purchased two of them after evaluations: their Bodyguard 2.0 and their 1854 lever rifle in .44 Magnum. Each of those are well-made and are enjoyable to shoot. The 1854 has accounted for deer.
Each once in a while, S&W would go retro and convey again a gun that had offered properly as soon as upon a time, however was now missed by the taking pictures public. They name them Classics, and that leads me to their Basic collection of weapons.
The Basic Collection
The corporate has, over time, made a restricted manufacturing run of a number of revolvers that had not been produced for a very good whereas. They modernized them a bit and referred to as them Classics. My favourite from this line could be the 6.5” .44 Magnum-chambered Mannequin 29. I owned considered one of these as soon as, after they had been constructed with a 6” barrel and got here in a wooden presentation case, again within the ‘70s. I used to be later gifted, by an expensive good friend earlier than he handed, an 8 ⅜” 629, the stainless model of the artillery-length barrel .44. It’s a really good shooter and dates from 1982. It, coupled with my mid-range handloads, has taken extra deer than I can bear in mind.
Talking of the 29, we will thank Hollywood’s Soiled Harry for inflicting the S&W Mannequin 29 manufacturing line to require additional espresso, donuts, and Primatene Mist adrenaline when that film got here out in 1971. The corporate had offered some Mannequin 29s, however had not set the world on fireplace with their gross sales. Many shooters noticed it solely as a specialised revolver for handgun searching. Additionally, regulation enforcement mainly wasn’t concerned about a top-end, heavy revolver that may require additional coaching for officers to shoot properly… even with a four-inch barrel. That modified after the film got here out, as demand went by means of the roof, adopted as quickly as humanly potential by gross sales.
Nonetheless, many shooters didn’t like the way in which it thumped them in recoil. Years in the past, I bear in mind seeing, in a gun store, an unique 6” Mannequin 29 in its walnut presentation field on the used gun shelf with a field of cartridges. Three of the cartridge circumstances had been empty. That speaks volumes for the facility of suggestion that films can present, together with unmet expectations.
The latest Classics I’m concerned about at present are available three fashions… 10, 36, and 19. I requested the latter two from S&W for this evaluation. There’s completely nothing fallacious with the Mannequin 10… it is among the most-produced revolvers ever and has a grand historical past. I merely needed to deal with each the smallest and probably the most highly effective of the trio. For this primary evaluation, I’ll deal with the pocket-friendly 36. Search for my Mannequin 19 evaluation right here.
No Lock? Say What?
I’m about to utter two phrases that can make the hardened S&W revolver fan bounce up and down and spill his Cheerios… these three weapons don’t have any lock, no “Hillary Gap” as it’s generally snidely referred to as. The lock, constructed into most S&W revolvers since 2001, has stirred up a hornet’s nest of controversy. There have been situations the place it shut the gun down and didn’t allow it to fireside after it malfunctioned. Many patrons had taken their weapons to a gunsmith and had the lock deactivated. It nonetheless leaves a small gap within the body above the cylinder launch, however so be it. These three don’t have any such lock. Yay!
Mannequin 36 – Chief’s Particular
The unique Mannequin 36 was launched in 1950 on the Worldwide Affiliation of Chiefs of Police (IACP) conference. It was a brand new design, with an progressive, barely bigger body. Why was a bigger body wanted? The transfer to the .38 Particular cartridge dictated {that a} body only a bit bigger than the older I-frame (which labored with the older .38 Lengthy Colt or the .38 S&W cartridges) was wanted; therefore, the brand new J-frame got here into being. This revolver was the great-grandaddy of all of the J-frames the corporate makes at present. It’s important to keep in mind that, in these pre-.357 Magnum days, the .38 Particular represented an improve in energy in comparison with present .32- and .38-caliber cartridges. That’s why they wanted the brand new body.
After having a vote to call the brand new gun (this was earlier than mannequin numbers), the identify “Chief’s Particular” was chosen. It was referred to as that till 1957, when numbers changed names… it then turned the Mannequin 36. I’ve all the time had a fascination with this little man. I bear in mind seeing it as soon as within the fingers of a good friend as he pulled it out of an inside pocket of his jacket and pondering, Wow – the proper pocket pistol! This was within the late ‘70s, earlier than we had all the alternatives we do at present. I needed a .38 snubby from that day on. Finally, I scratched that itch by buying a S&W mannequin 643 – their humpback, trigger-shrouded snubby – and a Diamondback SDR, a 6-shot, 2-inch .357. Mission completed.
The gun has all the time completed alright when it comes to gross sales. Through the years, twenty-six totally different variations of the 36 have been made, in order that tells you the gun was well-liked.
Listed below are some photographs.
Notice the coiled mainspring. Colt and a few others use a leaf spring, however S&W has used coiled springs for years in lots of revolvers. They do, nevertheless, use a leaf spring in some revolvers… my previous Mannequin 28 had one, as did my 29. I feel they use coiled springs of their smaller revolvers.
One thing that the unique Chiefs Particular wouldn’t have had is the QR code on the backside of the grip body…
… nor the “+P” designation on the barrel.
My engineer son in contrast the engraving with that of one other cheap 2” snubby and famous that the S&W lettering was engraved, whereas the opposite one used laser etching. A delicate, however noticeable, distinction.
Pretender To The Throne
There have been many makes an attempt to breed the attract that the unique Mannequin 36 holds for shooters by different producers. Above is proven one of many newest… the Heritage Manufacturing Roscoe, a 5-shot .38 Spl. +P revolver. I lately reviewed it and was very favorably impressed, particularly with the end. The bluing was darkish and extremely polished.
This gun was not a foul purchase at a recommended record of $363. It emphasizes the recognition of the breed… a small, dependable revolver that matches in a pocket. The 36 began the development… truly, it began the entire J-frame line that’s alive and properly to today.
Carrying The Chief’s Particular
To start with, you could be asking ‘Why would I carry this gun?”. I can provide you 5 good causes, all .38 Particular +P… 5 chambers of safety.
As we speak’s .38 ammunition just isn’t what was accessible when this little gun first made its look. With fashionable bullets and different expertise, the snub-nose revolver has actually come into its personal. Thirty-eight hundreds will be on par, or perhaps a bit forward of, 9mm.
A game-changer in terms of .38 defensive ammo is the Black Hills Ammunition HoneyBadger 100-grain load. This light-for-caliber bullet is machined from stable copper and has what I jokingly seek advice from as a Phillips-screwdriver nostril. This load hits at 1200 fps and just about pulverizes what it hits. I’m additionally in line to get some Clear Ballistics Gel blocks… search for a future evaluation herein. I’m anxious to mix the 2. Examine the hyperlinks out for particulars. The ammo wasn’t right here in time for this evaluation. This ammo actually makes a .38 snubby a viable protection gun.
Many individuals received’t carry a 5-shot revolver, not due to stopping energy points, however as a result of reloading takes longer than shoving a recent journal right into a semi-auto takes. That’s true, until you’re an professional on a stage with Jerry Miculek. I’ve not mastered the artwork. Nonetheless, we have to take a look at statistics gathered by the F.B.I. and others a couple of “typical” … if there may be such a factor… self-defense situation. I’ve learn, from a number of sources, that the majority encounters that contain truly firing your gun (and never simply displaying it) finish after a mean of two – 3 rounds are fired. OK. Even with 3, you’ll nonetheless have a few extras.
That is in an ideal world, in fact, and issues seldom go that method, however my level is that you wouldn’t essentially be under-armed with a 5-shot .38. Heck, there are small semi-autos that solely maintain 6 within the journal, which is 2 rounds extra with one within the chamber. We’re within the ballpark.
I’m not attempting to persuade you to hurry out and purchase the primary snubby you see… I wouldn’t count on you to try this. I’m solely attempting to make the purpose {that a} 5-shot .38 +P remains to be a viable self-defense weapon for individuals who choose the simplicity of a double-action revolver. Reliability is a given… if it doesn’t go “bang” if you pull the set off, pull it once more.
Anyway, this gun in a pocket holster, a coat pocket, and even in your belt, is a consolation. I’ve heard of some people who carry a 9mm as a major CCW however have a J-frame in a pocket holster as backup. That’s nothing to sneeze at.
Vary Time
I’m all the time hesitant about taking pictures snub-nosed revolvers from a bench, as they’re extra simply fired off-hand. Nonetheless, it’s one of the simplest ways to discern the accuracy potential with several types of ammunition.
So, I arrange at my yard vary with a couple of targets at 10 yards, a distance that appears applicable for the gun’s objective, and pulled out some Black Hills 125-grain +P JHP ammo.
Here’s a consultant goal:
Although it hits a bit proper with my eyes, it might be an efficient protection load. Listed below are some common stats, as measured by my Athlon Rangecraft Professional radar chronograph:
Velocity: 804 fps, avg
Normal Deviation: 14.3
Kinetic Power: 180 ft/lbs
Energy Issue: 100.5
These aren’t earthshaking numbers, however for a snubose, they’re not dangerous. As I mentioned above, I feel you’d be well-served by carrying the HoneyBadger (under) or an identical load on this gun. Let’s face it… There’s an amazing probability you’ll by no means want it, however it’s good to have one thing you have got confidence in. After I get gel blocks in, I might be getting empirical proof as to what hundreds work as marketed, and extra importantly, which of them don’t.
I attempted a pair extra hundreds that Black Hills Ammunition despatched me. I didn’t have it once I began this evaluation, however I believed it would make a very good addition. I’m actually grateful for his or her provision.
I attempted two “bracket” hundreds… hundreds on both finish of the speed spectrum. They make a brand new model of an old-timey .38 goal load – a 148-grain, hollow-base full wadcutter. Out of this S&W’s barrel, it clocked all of 675 fps. I lately acquired an RCBS bullet mould that throws this identical bullet, however with a stable base. Very versatile!
Right here’s a goal. This load shot very excessive…
The ultimate load I attempted was the HoneyBadger .38 Particular. Black Hills hundreds gentle, stable copper bullets with a fluted nostril at ridiculous velocities… this load tends to be extraordinarily efficient on smooth targets. They clarify it right here – it makes an fascinating learn.
Right here’s a pattern HoneyBadger goal. Search for a evaluation quickly of this speedy, solid-copper-bullet protection load. Out of the 36’s brief tube, it hit nearly 950 fps.
Once more, a bit excessive however doable. At 10 yards, there could be no downside retaining pictures centered.
It’s fascinating to examine taking pictures drills and different recommendation geared simply in the direction of snub-nose revolvers. I ran throughout a website that does simply that, right here. From sensible taking pictures drills to recommendation on carrying to reloading, this website has some good data.
Summing Up
A J-frame or equal snub-nosed revolver just isn’t the best gun for a newbie to shoot. I don’t advocate the sort to people who ask my opinion on what their first handgun ought to be. Contemplating its small dimension, rudimentary sights, and its double-action set off pull weight, the snubby is healthier employed within the fingers of somebody who just isn’t a newbie however who isn’t any stranger to handguns generally and revolvers particularly.
However… when you have been contemplating shopping for a snubby as a back-up or a pocket gun, I say go for it. The educational curve generally is a bit steep, however it’ll be value it. You may as properly decide up an assortment of .38 ammo and do it proper. The Mannequin 36 is a traditional… possibly it’s time you owned one!
Hyperlinks To Gadgets Used In This Evaluate:
Black Hills 125-grain JHP ammo and 148-grain HBWC ammo
MTM Case-Gard Excessive-Low Capturing Desk
Birchwood Casey Crammed Bag
B C Paper Targets
Caldwell EZMax Low-Profile Listening to Safety
The place To Purchase
