Dear Friends: The material that follows I wrote over thirty years ago. I never felt if was ready to print and subsequently, excluding a few proto-galley proof tests samples, I never printed it. I still do not believe the material is ready, but I suspect a few fragments might be of some interest to one or two of my fellow snub shooting enthusiasts. If this includes, I hope you will follow me as I share this material and follow up with any possible thoughts, suggestions, or corrections. I cannot guarantee that I will get a chance to respond, but I’d welcome your thoughts. Thank you. Michael de Bethencourt, June 2026
The Value of the Snub
In addition to the two above noted virtues, the snub also possesses several specific qualities. Point-by-point these features are not completely lacking in other handguns but as a rule the snub offers them all in a single firearm. The following list reflects only my own experience with the self-defense snub and items on this list may or may not coincide with your own experiences. A few of the snub’s notable qualities include:
- High quality at a moderate cost, especially when purchased used
- Training on one revolver translates quickly to training on almost any revolver
- Choices of ammunition, bullet weights, and powder charges are extensive
- After-market grip options are extensive and nearly infinitely adjustable
- Loading is much easier for the beginner shooter
- Possesses the world’s safest live-round indicator with the cylinder either open or closed
- Frame shape designed to point well
- Short barrel makes possible a quicker draw stroke
- Short barrel aids in maneuvering in very close quarters
- Short barrel aids in weapon retention
- Easily identified as a firearm even in poor light
- Shorter sight radius aligns quickly for a fast first shot
- Shorter sight radius re-aligns quickly out of recoil for faster follow up shots.
- Shorter sight radius is easier for older eyes to find and focus on
- Simpler to make ready as there is neither a slide to cycle nor a safety to disengage
- Shooter cannot fatally foul the grip
- Fewer shots are required to prove the weapon’s reliability
- Double-action only trigger option reduces likelihood of a negligent discharge
- Misfires are reflexively corrected
- Shrouded or bobbed hammers allow faster draw when carried in a pocket.
- Shrouded or enclosed hammers allow reliable, multiple round coat pocket fire
- Multiple contact-shot versatility enhances its tactical reliability
- No spent brass thrown in your face when fired from odd positions
- No spent brass to fall back into the weapon when fired from odd positions
- Safest emergency weapon reliability when passed to minimally trained trusted others
- Flawless functioning with primer only propelled (POP) training rounds facilitates low cost, limited range access training.
- Flawless functioning with man marking cartridges (MMC) facilitates practical force-on-force training
- Easier to unload and make safe
- Safest action when a policeman collects the firearm following a post-shooting incident
- Looks less provocative to the “triers of facts” following a post-shooting incident
- No notable disassembly required for post-range weapon cleaning
- Requires minimum maintenance.
