13 Around Town Snubbies For Close-Range Self-Defense

ROCK ISLAND ARMORY Spurless M206 13 close-range self-defense snubbies

1 of 13

ROCK ISLAND ARMORY Spurless M206
New from Rock Island Armory is the Spurless Model 206, a .38 Special snubbie ready for deep-cover carry. Packing in six rounds, the 2-inch-barreled revolver features a full-length underlug and a bobbed hammer for ease of draw and concealment. (armscor.com; 775-537-1444) / Specifications / Caliber: .38 Special / Barrel: 2 inches / OA Length: 6.85 inches / Weight: 25.4 ounces / Grips: Checkered wood / Sights: Fixed ramp front, groove rear / Action: DAO / Finish: Matte nickel / Capacity: 46 / MSRP: $370

Charter Arms Undercover Stainless DAO 13 close-range self-defense snubbies

2 of 13

Charter Arms Undercover Stainless DAO
The .38 Undercover DAO from Charter Arms packs a lot of performance into a compact and affordable package. Sporting a bobbed hammer for snag-free drawing, the double-action-only (DAO) snubbie features a 2-inch barrel and a five-shot capacity of .38 Special +P rounds. The Undercover DAO weighs 16 ounces and has a full underlug under the barrel that protects the ejector rod from damage. Checkered black rubber grips complete the package. (charterfirearms.com; 203-922-1652) / Specifications / Caliber: .38 Special +P / Barrel: 2 inches / OA Length: 6.4 inches / Weight: 16 ounces / Grips: Checkered rubber / Sights: Fixed ramp front, groove rear / Action: DAO / Finish: Stainless / Capacity: 5 / MSRP: $360

Chiappa Rhino 20DS13 close-range self-defense snubbies

3 of 13

Chiappa Rhino 20DS
Representing a revolutionary revamp of the classic wheelgun concept is the Rhino series from Chiappa. Rather than having the barrel align with the uppermost firing chamber, the Rhino moves the barrel to the bottom to align with the lowest firing chamber. This results in a reduction of both perceived recoil as well as muzzle flip. The Rhino 20DS in hard chrome, chambered in .357 Magnum, offers shooters an ultra-compact and powerful version of the Rhino with an attractive finish and a short, 2-inch barrel. (chiappafirearms.com) / Specifications / Caliber: .357 Magnum / Barrel: 2 inches / OA Length: 6.5 inches / Weight: 24 ounces / Grips: Wood / Sights: Fiber-optic front / Action: DA/SA / Finish: Hard chrome / Capacity: 6 / MSRP: $937

NAA Sidewinder 13 close-range self-defense snubbies

4 of 13

NAA Sidewinder
Offering an interesting new take on the micro revolver design is NAA’s Sidewinder revolver in .22 Magnum (.22 LR conversion cylinders are also available). While the majority of the company’s revolvers feature cylinders that must be removed to be reloaded, the Sidewinder features a swing-out cylinder design for fast reloading. The compact revolver has a five-round capacity, stainless steel construction and an ultra-light weight of only 6.7 ounces. (northamericanarms.com; 800-821-5783) / Specifications / Caliber: .22 Magnum (optional .22 LR cylinder conversion) / Barrel: 1 inch / OA Length: 5 inches / Weight: 6.7 ounces / Grips: Laminated wood / Sights: Fixed rear, post front / Action: SA / Finish: Matte stainless / Capacity: 5 / MSRP: $354

Charter Arms Undercover Lite 13 close-range self-defense snubbies

5 of 13

Charter Arms Undercover Lite
Combining .38 Special +P power with a compact and lightweight package is the Undercover Lite from Charter Arms. Featuring a lightweight aluminum frame mated up with a steel cylinder and barrel, the concealed-hammer Undercover Lite weighs only 12 ounces. The five-shot revolver sports a DAO system of operation along with a low-visibility finish. A comfortable, grooved rubber grip offers both compact dimensions and enhanced control. (charterfirearms.com; 203-922-1652) / Specifications / Caliber: .38 Special +P / Barrel: 2 inches / OA Length: 6.4 inches / Weight: 12 ounces / Grips: Grooved rubber / Sights: Fixed ramp front, groove rear / Action: DAO / Finish: Anodized aluminum components / Capacity: 5 / MSRP: $415

NAA .22 Magnum 13 close-range self-defense snubbies

6 of 13

NAA .22 Magnum
North American Arms (NAA), king of the micro revolver, provides shooters with some of the smallest self-defense revolvers in the world. A classic example of this is its rimfire .22 Magnum Snub, a five-shot .22 Magnum revolver that measures a scant 4.6 inches in overall length and weighs only 5.9 ounces. Manu-factured from stainless steel, the single-action revolver sports a short 1.12-inch barrel for deep-cover concealment. (northamericanarms.com; 800-821-5783) / Specifications / Caliber: .22 Magnum / Barrel: 1.12 inches / OA Length: 4.6 inches / Weight: 5.9 ounces / Grips: Laminated wood / Sights: Half-moon fixed / Action: SA / Finish: Stainless steel / Capacity: 5 / MSRP: $224

Rossi Model 46202 13 close-range self-defense snubbies

7 of 13

Rossi Model 46202
A bit larger than the other revolvers featured in this piece, the nonetheless compact Model 46202 from Rossi delivers six shots of .357 Magnum power in a very concealable package. Machined from forged steel for strength, the exposed hammer Model 46202 features a comfort-able rubber grip with integral finger grooves and a double-action/single-action (DA/SA) system of operation. An attractive polished stainless steel finish rounds out the package. (rossiusa.com; 800-948-8029) / Specifications / Caliber: .357 Magnum / Barrel: 2 inches / OA Length: 6.5 inches / Weight: 26 ounces / Grips: Rubber / Sights: Ramp front / Action: DA/SA / Finish: Stainless / Capacity: 6 / MSRP: $454

Ruger LCR 13 close-range self-defense snubbies

8 of 13

Ruger LCR
Melding the traditional with the ultra- modern, the Ruger LCR combines cutting-edge design and materials with the classic wheelgun platform. Weighing a scant 13.5 ounces, the five-shot .38 Special +P handgun features a polymer fire control housing and a DAO system of operation with a concealed hammer. The trigger, which the company claims provides a smooth and non-stacking pull, features a friction- reducing cam. Variants with Crimson Trace grips are also available. (ruger.com) / Specifications / Caliber: .38 Special +P / Barrel: 1.87 inches OA Length46.5 inches / Weight: 13.5 ounces / Grips: Hogue Tamer Monogrip / Sights: Front ramp / Action: DAO / Finish: Ionbond Diamondblack / Capacity: 5 / MSRP: $529

Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 38 Crimson trace 13 close-range self-defense snubbies

9 of 13

Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 38 Crimson trace
Recently made part of the M&P line of firearms, the M&P Bodyguard 38 CT is a small-framed .38 Special +P revolver that features a five-shot capacity. The concealed-hammer, DAO revolver employs both polymer and aluminum in its construction for light weight and long-term strength. It features a short, 1.9-inch barrel and an ambidextrous cylinder release. An integrated Crimson Trace red laser unit is located on the right side of the frame. (smith-wesson.com; 800-331-0852) / Specifications / Caliber4.38 Special +P / Barrel: 1.9 inches / OA Length: 6.6 inches / Weight: 14.36 ounces / Grips: Synthetic / Sights: Fixed, Crimson Trace laser / Action: DAO / Finish: Matte black / Capacity: 5 / MSRP: $539

Taurus Mini 13 close-range self-defense snubbies

10 of 13

Taurus Mini
The M380IBULB Mini Revolver from Taurus combines the best elements of a snubbie revolver with the compact yet powerful .380 ACP cartridge. Offering a shorter overall length due to the cartridge’s compact dimensions and a shortened cylinder and frame, the five-shot Taurus Mini packs a great deal of power into a very small package. The revolver features an exposed, bobbed hammer and a DAO system of operation. (taurususa.com; 800-327-3776) / Specifications / Caliber: .380 ACP / Barrel: 1.75 inches / OA Length: 5.95 inches / Weight: 15.5 ounces / Grips: Rubber / Sights: Ramp front, adjustable rear / Action: DAO / Finish4Blued / Capacity: 5 / MSRP: $433.51

Ruger LCRx 13 close-range self-defense snubbies

11 of 13

Ruger LCRx
Based on the popular LCR revolver series from Ruger, the new .38 Special +P LCRx takes the ultra-modern wheelgun design of the LCR and adds an exposed hammer. While the rest of the LCR line features a concealed-hammer design, the LCRx’s exposed hammer allows shooters the option of thumbing back the hammer for a light single-action trigger pull. The LCRx is compatible with all standard LCR accessories. (ruger.com) / Specifications / Caliber: .38 Special +P / Barrel: 1.87 inches / OA Length: 6.5 inches / Weight: 13.5 ounces / Grips: Front ramp / Grips: Hogue Tamer Monogrip / Action: DA/SA / Finish: Matte black / Capacity: 5 / MSRP: $529

Smith & Wesson M&P340 13 close-range self-defense snubbies

12 of 13

Smith & Wesson M&P340
Chambered for the powerful .357 Magnum cartridge, the M&P340 is one of the most advanced members of the popular J-Frame family. Built on a lightweight scandium frame, the concealed-hammer revolver features DAO operation and a five-shot capacity. It comes equipped with an XS Tritium Big Dot front sight on its 1.8-inch, aluminum-shrouded, stainless steel barrel. The revolver weighs in at a feathery light 13.3 ounces and is ready for deep-cover duty. (smith-wesson.com; 800-331-0852) Specifications / Caliber: .357 Magnum / Barrel: 1.87 inches / OA Length: 6.31 inches / Weight: 13.3 ounces / Grips: Synthetic / Sights: XS 24/7 tritium front, notch rear / Action: DAO / Finish: Matte black / Capacity: 5 / MSRP: $869

Taurus View 13 close-range self-defense snubbies

13 of 13

Taurus View
Taking the concept of the compact .38 Special wheelgun to the next level is the Model 85VTA “View” from Taurus. The most visually distinctive element of the five-shot revolver is its Lexan sideplate that allows users to see the DAO mechanism in action. But that is not the only unique quality of the View. Weighing in at 9 ounces empty, the View features an ultra-short, 1.41-inch barrel and an abbreviated grip frame. Designed to fire only .38 Special (no +P), the View offers users one of the most compact five-shot .38s available. (taurususa.com; 800-327-3776) / Specifications / Caliber: .38 Special / Barrel: 1.41 inches / OA Length: 5.67 inches / Weight: 9 ounces / Grips: Checkered polymer / Sights: Fixed / Action: DAO / Finish: Colored aluminum / Capacity: 5 / MSRP: $599

While compact autopistols have recently been making significant strides in the ever-popular CCW category of firearms, there is just something enduringly appealing about the tried-and-true snubbie revolver. With its simple operation, minimum of controls and rock-solid reliability, the mini wheelgun is a great choice for any close-range self-defense user. And with top makers churning out new offerings that retain the solid benefits of the traditional revolver while adding cutting-edge materials and/or design, there are more to choose from than at any time in the past. From the micro-sized North American Arms series of wheelguns to ultra-powerful centerfire magnum alternatives, there is likely a snubbie wheelgun out there ideal for your needs. Read on to see some of the top options available today.

For more information contact:

Rock Island Armory
armscor.com; 775-537-1444

North American Arms
northamericanarms.com; 800-821-5783

Rossi
rossiusa.com; 800-948-8029

Ruger
Ruger.com

Smith & Wesson
smith-wesson.com; 800-331-0852

Charter Arms
charterfirearms.com; 203-922-1652

Chiappa
chiappafirearms.com

Taurus
taurususa.com; 800-327-3776

This article originally published in AMERICAN FRONTIERSMAN® Issue #191. Print and Digital Subscriptions to AMERICAN FRONTIERSMAN® magazine are available here.

RELATED: Top 20 Home Defense Handguns

RELATED: 12 Deep-Cover Pocket Pistols

Up Next

Winter's Fury SEDGE spring 2015 ice hazards

4 Ice Hazards To Be Aware Of This Winter

While beautiful, ice can be extremely dangerous, and in some cases lethal. Be aware...

by Fred Mastison / Jan 26, 2015

GunsView All

Carbon Express X-Force 350 Crossbow Is The Weapon You Need

The Best Bug Out Guns and Tips for When You’re Forced to Leave Home

Survival Cartridges: Versatile Ammo For Your Bug Out Arsenal

Make Your Own Primitive Arrowheads

GearView All

Forging Real Beaver Traps for Trapper Reenactors

The Helle Kletten Has 87 Years of Nordic Design in Its New Pocket Knife

The New Leatherman FREE Revolutionizes the Multitool Industry

Comprehensive Bug Out Bag List of Gear and Supplies

LifestyleView All

5 Ways to Protect Yourself from Waterborne Parasites This Summer

10 Summer Gardening Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Bounty

DIY Bidet: How to Make Your Own Bidet When Toilet Paper Is No More

Why Farming and Your Other Talents Are Important Fighting Coronavirus

VideosView All

VIDEO: Man Lives in His DIY Survival Cabin For a Year

Swedish Preppers: Why Is the Govt Encouraging Its Citizens to Prep?

WATCH: Catch and Cook Survival, the Maine Wilderness Living Challenge

WATCH: These DIY Bushcraft Shelters are for Long-Term Survival

13 Around Town Snubbies For Close-Range Self-Defense

Michael O. Humphries

4 Ice Hazards To Be Aware Of This Winter

Athlon Outdoors Network

6.8 Western: Winchester’s New Cartridge for Long-Range Shooting

WATCH: All Four Episodes of ‘Everyday Carry’ Season 2 for...

Springfield Hellcat: 2020 Reader’s Choice for ‘Best Compact Handgun’

Swap Old for New With the Ed Brown 1911 Magazine...