Petrol & Powder
Well-Known Member
Ubiquitous, occasionally exalted, often maligned, sometimes misunderstood.
In 1950 Smith & Wesson introduced the Chief’s Special which later received the designation of the Model 36. What followed was an incredible run of variations of that theme. We are now 71 years into that run and it’s safe to say the S&W snubnose J-frame was a good idea.
There are few guns, other than maybe Glocks, that provoke such strong opinions. I have studied the little DA revolvers, trained with them, carried them, and worked on them. To this day, I get a little annoyed when someone lumps the type all together as, “just 5 shot snubby revolvers”. Sort of like calling Corvettes, Vegas, and Standard Cab Pickups; just 2 door Chevrolets. Technically it is a correct label, but it seems a little dismissive.
The short barreled, S&W J-frame, chambered in 38 Special has been produced in an incredible number of variations. With exposed hammers, with shrouded hammers, and with internal hammers. With carbon steel frames, Aluminum alloy frames, Stainless steel frames and even Aluminum alloy frames and titanium cylinders. They have been made different finishes. They have been made with round butt and square butt grip frames (although the square butt frames are rare).
The true strength of the Snubnose J-frame is its small size. While its size makes it difficult to master, it also makes it more likely to be present when needed.
It is a common misconception that the guns are inherently inaccurate. While it is true that the little J-frames require training and practice to master, the guns themselves are capable of fine accuracy.
The little J-frames are sometimes labeled as weak. This is also an unjust label. Even the alloy framed models are stronger than they are often given credit for. Because the little J-frames are frequently abused and neglected; well worn examples are often encountered. It’s sort of like that old hammer that rides around in the bed of a farm truck for its entire life.
When you take a moment to look at the little J-frames, you will see there was some good engineering that went into that little pocket gun. The barrel shank barely protrudes from the frame and there is no flat cut in the 6 O’-clock position like a K-frame. The forcing cone and barrel shank is well supported. The locking notches on the cylinder are located between the chambers in the thickest portion of the cylinder wall. The hammer spring is a coil on strut type that saves space and is durable. That short ejector rod is well protected, even without an ejector rod shroud. While the short ejector rod doesn’t allow for a full-length ejector stroke, it is nearly impossible to accidentally get an empty casing under the extractor (a malfunction that can occur with a full-length ejector rod and poor reloading technique).
I’ll be the first acknowledge the limitations of the snubnose J-frames, they are not always the best choice for every job. The short barrel robs some potential velocity when compared to a slightly longer barrel. The grip is optimized for concealment, not comfort or target shooting. The short sight radius is unforgiving to even slight sighting errors. The lack of weight, particularly in the alloy framed models, can result in some unpleasant practice. But when you want “Five For Sure”, the S&W Snubnose J-frame has a lot going for it.
Like any tool, it is important to select the right tool for the job.
In 1950 Smith & Wesson introduced the Chief’s Special which later received the designation of the Model 36. What followed was an incredible run of variations of that theme. We are now 71 years into that run and it’s safe to say the S&W snubnose J-frame was a good idea.
There are few guns, other than maybe Glocks, that provoke such strong opinions. I have studied the little DA revolvers, trained with them, carried them, and worked on them. To this day, I get a little annoyed when someone lumps the type all together as, “just 5 shot snubby revolvers”. Sort of like calling Corvettes, Vegas, and Standard Cab Pickups; just 2 door Chevrolets. Technically it is a correct label, but it seems a little dismissive.
The short barreled, S&W J-frame, chambered in 38 Special has been produced in an incredible number of variations. With exposed hammers, with shrouded hammers, and with internal hammers. With carbon steel frames, Aluminum alloy frames, Stainless steel frames and even Aluminum alloy frames and titanium cylinders. They have been made different finishes. They have been made with round butt and square butt grip frames (although the square butt frames are rare).
The true strength of the Snubnose J-frame is its small size. While its size makes it difficult to master, it also makes it more likely to be present when needed.
It is a common misconception that the guns are inherently inaccurate. While it is true that the little J-frames require training and practice to master, the guns themselves are capable of fine accuracy.
The little J-frames are sometimes labeled as weak. This is also an unjust label. Even the alloy framed models are stronger than they are often given credit for. Because the little J-frames are frequently abused and neglected; well worn examples are often encountered. It’s sort of like that old hammer that rides around in the bed of a farm truck for its entire life.
When you take a moment to look at the little J-frames, you will see there was some good engineering that went into that little pocket gun. The barrel shank barely protrudes from the frame and there is no flat cut in the 6 O’-clock position like a K-frame. The forcing cone and barrel shank is well supported. The locking notches on the cylinder are located between the chambers in the thickest portion of the cylinder wall. The hammer spring is a coil on strut type that saves space and is durable. That short ejector rod is well protected, even without an ejector rod shroud. While the short ejector rod doesn’t allow for a full-length ejector stroke, it is nearly impossible to accidentally get an empty casing under the extractor (a malfunction that can occur with a full-length ejector rod and poor reloading technique).
I’ll be the first acknowledge the limitations of the snubnose J-frames, they are not always the best choice for every job. The short barrel robs some potential velocity when compared to a slightly longer barrel. The grip is optimized for concealment, not comfort or target shooting. The short sight radius is unforgiving to even slight sighting errors. The lack of weight, particularly in the alloy framed models, can result in some unpleasant practice. But when you want “Five For Sure”, the S&W Snubnose J-frame has a lot going for it.
Like any tool, it is important to select the right tool for the job.
