Revolvers...........?

Question

Hi from England. I have a serious question about revolvers and am hoping that there is someone on here who knows a little about handguns.

Basically I'm writing a short story that features a modern-day Private Detective, kind of like a 21st Century Sam Spade. I want him to have the traditional snub-nosed revolver that fits in your pocket and have been glancing over the more well-known manufacturer's websites looking for a suitable model to write about.

I've discovered Smith and Wesson do a good few models that fit the bill in .38 calibre but have a couple of issues I'd like cleared up-

What would the effective range, roughly, be of these weapons used by a fair (note: not great, just fair/ good) marksman?

Several seem to have their hammers hidden inside the frames; what does this do and is it neccessarily and better or worse than the traditional exposed hammer? Are they more or less prone to accident?

There is also a split between wood and rubber handles- which is the most durable and longest-lasting?

I'm just curious as I want to be accurate- thanks!

Answer 1

The maximum effective range of a 2" snubbie .38 Special is approx. 25 yards (or metres). Hammer shroud snubbies by Smith & Wesson are five shooters. Only advantage is that they don't snag on clothing if you are just going to drop them into your trouser pocket or the like. They are also slimmer than the six shot models.

The six shooters are usually larger frame .357 Magnum (which also shoot .38 Special ammo) revolvers with a short 2 n 1/2" barrel. The exception is the famous Colt Detective Special (known here as the 'Dick Special' because cartoon character Dick Tracy carried one) which is a six shooter .38 Special, 2" barrel. This one has a hammer, but if your character should need a hammerless Dick Special all he has to do is have a competent gunsmith remove the hammer spur.

I carry a Detective Special in an inside-the-waistband holster and it is extremely comfortable and easy to conceal. The hammer spur has never snagged on anything. I've also carried this same revolver inside my boot without any problems.

Finally, rubber grips beat wood. The wooden grips on my Detective Special broke during an incident in Laredo, TX. where during a plain-clothes assignment I scuffled with a suspect and accidently dropped my revolver. I arrested the suspect and replaced the grips with rubber grips, and finally with hard plastic Barami hip grips which allow one to carry his gun hooked on his belt without a holster (although I never carry it this way).

Good luck with your story.

Best.

H

Answer 2

.38 Special--of course THE snub nose revolver was the Colt Detective Special. I agree with the suggestion of the S&W Centenial Airweight (Model 442). It is a five-shot, double action only firearm with a hammer inside the frame. This is done to minimize the chance of it catching on a piece of clothing when it is being drawn. Another option would be the Bodyguard Airweight (Model 638). It is also a 5 shot revolver that can be fired either double or single action (pull back the hammer with the "button" atop the frame). While they are all capable of being shot at greater distances, 25 feet is a reasonable distance to consider effective. And yes, I know people who can consistently hit an 8" circle at 100 meters with one--but there are plenty of people who struggle to put 25 out of 30 on a Concealed Carry License target at 21 feet. As far as the grips, I prefer wood grips, but rubber are more practical. As far as durability I still have the original wooden grips on my dad's S&W Model 15 that he carried as a police officer--and he bought it 45 years ago. Good Luck.

Answer 3

The effective range of a snubnose is limited, 20 meters or so. The covered hammer is to prevent snagging on clothing when removing it from a pocket or ankle holster. This requires a double action only set up and makes it much more difficult to shoot accurately due to the long trigger pull.

If he were to use a revolver it would most likely be one of the new S&W lightweight 38 or 357 revolvers. These weigh just ounces empty. However most modern day PI's would most likely carry a small semi auto in .40 or 45 caliber. Kimber Ultra Carry, Glock, Springfield HD compact or one of the numerous other small semi autos.

Answer 4

range on a snubby about 25 meters at the furthest
the hammer inside the frame is there to avoid snagging on clothing. It is better than exposed hammers it prevents snagging and no one is going to **** a hammer when using a snubby defensively they will always go double action. In a modern s and w it does not matter if you have a hammer or not as far as safety is concerned. The guns are designed to fire only if the trigger is squeezed. Thus if the hammer is dropped with out the trigger being squeezed there is a stop that keeps it from hitting the firing pin.


The bodyguard style snubby has a shroud around the hammer so it can be cocked but is still unlikely to snag

Answer 5

One cool thing about a shrouded or hammerless revolver is that it can be fired from inside a pocket. With a conventional revolver the hammer could snag and foul in the fabric of the pocket. That could come in handy for 'ol "Sam." An automatic pistol can be fired from a pocket also but only once. As for not being able to co ck the hammer and fire single action, vertually all combat shooting is done double action.
Let us know when the book comes out. I'd like to read it.
Good luck.

Answer 6

The effective range for an untrained shooter is about 20 paces - roughly 20 yards.
The hidden hammers serve the purpose of not being as easily snagged on clothing - they don't serve any safety purpose.
As for handles, wood looks good but rubber offers a better grip. Either one offers reasonable service life.

Answer 7

Range for "fair/good"? Snubnosed .38? Try 25 feet or so.

"Hammerless" models were a thing that was popular when "pocket pistols" were a common thing. In all actuality, with a holster, they're far less useful than they would seem. Some, myself included, would say nearly useless. The worst part about hammerless guns is that you have to squeeze off the shot via the trigger only....there's no option to thumb **** the hammer and take careful aim. Double action shooting is far harder than the movies make it out to be.

Answer 8

If he's "modern", give him a little more of a "modern" firearm. Snubnose .38 just screams 1940's.

I think a sleek little compact auto would be a better choice. Make up some story about how it was carried by an actor on a movie. Sean Connery's PPK, for instance. Or a Kimber .45 with the Crimson Trace laser grips. Or Springfield's new EMP in 9mm.

Answer 9

Before your countryman Ian Fleming outfitted James Bond 007 with a Walther PPK.....he carried a Smith & Wesson Centennial Airweight.

I can think of no better revolver for a Private Dick to be carrying...

Answer 10

25mtrs about the maximum you can squeeze out of handguns, it is hidden for satey aspects and wood or rubber is personal preference. rubber would afford a better grip but wood looks more classic good luck o and the .38 is a classic anything bigger is a lot harder to handle ie. recoil