I would like to talk about snub-nosed revolvers because I am very interested in getting one later this year. As many people may well know, prior to the mid-1980's, the standard police issue handgun typically was a 6 shot 38 special revolver with a 4 inch barrel, usually Smith and Wesson was the most popular choice. At the same time many officers also carried 38 special snub nosed revolvers as a back up weapon, usually with a barrel length of 2 inches, sometimes shorter, often times these handguns had a capacity of 5 shots. The great thing about this was that your main sidearm fired 38 special and your back-up gun fired the same cartridge, so it made a great combination. In the mid-1980's many police departments switched from 4 inch 38 specials to 9mm semi-automatic handguns, however, many police officers continued to carry their snub-nosed 38 special revolvers as a back up weapon. I currently own a 38 special with a 4 inch barrel, but I would also like to get a snub nosed revolver, although I am not sure which caliber to choose as of now. Unfortunately because the 38 special is not being shot as much as before, the cost of ammunition has gone up, typically a box of 50 rounds will run between $17.00 - $20.00 for FMJ, and when I started shooting several years back, they used to be about $8.00 - $10.00 for a box of 50.
So if you are looking for a snub-nosed revolver, you are in luck, because in this day in age, you can get a snub-nosed revolver in a variety of calibers other than 38 special, these include 44 special, 40 smith and wesson, 357 magnum, 22 magnum, 22 LR, 9mm, and much more. Right now I am looking at the new charter arms bulldog in 40 Smith and Wesson mostly because I own a 40 caliber Glock handgun, and it would be great to take to the range. I am also considered a Ruger 9mm Revolver because the ammo is inexpensive. Lastly, I have been looking at the Armscor 38 Model 206 because it can be found for under $200.00 and it has a 6 shot capacity. Now keep in mind that Armscor also makes 1911 pistols which are good quality, and are made in the Philippines. The Model 206 is said to be a copy of the Colt Cobra and looks to be a very good shooting snub-nosed revolver. So when I decide which gun I am going to buy, I will do another review on accuracy, recoil, and overall impressions of the gun.
*The above photo is the Charter Arms 40SW and was found via Google*