Over the last couple of years, I have written a number of articles about the limitations of revolvers and how the modern-day micro semi-auto has taken the thunder away from snub nose revolvers. In a lot of ways, the snub nose revolver is outgunned and outclassed by many semi-automatic handguns on the market today. So after all these articles, do I think snub nose revolvers are obsolete? The short answer is no and there’s a number of reasons why a revolver may be a better fit for you than a smaller semi-automatic. Let’s dive into the benefits of a snub nose revolver.

The Benefit of Simplicity

As crazy as it sounds, revolvers are often crazy simple to figure out and shoot. In the grand scheme of things, revolvers don’t have a moving slide or a magazine to release. Not having these parts streamlines the entire process. Sure, reloading a semi-auto is going to be faster than a revolver, but there’s not as much to do when reloading a revolver. Some people become overwhelmed when shooting under stress and there’s been more than one time where I’ve seen people load magazines in the wrong way. When certain people are under stress they can’t figure out certain types of firearms quickly. These people, first of all, need more training for sure, but also starting with a simpler gun can sometimes help.

One of the bigger advantages to having a small revolver is the ability to shoot in confined spaces. Whether it’s pressed up against your attacker or inside a coat pocket, a revolver will fire no matter what in these situations. One large disadvantage of semi-autos is the fact they can be pushed out of battery if pressure is applied to the front of the gun. This can be extremely problematic when you’re in a close distance struggle with an attacker. Having your gun go out of battery while you’re in a fight can make your day go from bad to worse. It’s important to know how your gear works and what limitations it has in a self-defense situation.

Concealability and Comfort

When it comes to a small concealable firearm, having a snub nose revolver can be an extremely comfortable option. Most times when I carry my little AirWeight, I will throw it in a small leather inside the waistband holster and go on with my day. I’ve carried it in sweat pants, a suit, or just regular clothing with no issues. 9 times out of 10 I will typically grab my AirWeight if I’m hungover or feeling under the weather. There is a sea of options but when you want to carry comfortably without feeling the extra weight of a larger gun, a small revolver will usually check that box.

If I’m heading to the gym or going somewhere in sweat pants, I can almost guarantee I will be carrying some sort of snub nose. Having a simple no-hassle handgun when you want to be armed with minimal effort. I will typically carry my revolver inside a JM4 holster which has a magnetic retention. Having a magnetic retention system means you no longer need a belt to securely carry your firearm. This means things like sweat pants and gym shorts are perfectly fine for a comfortable carry. If you haven’t checked those style of holsters out, I highly recommend it. This is especially true if you’re the type of guy who doesn’t always wear belts but wants to carry securely and comfortably.

Range Time

One of my favorite things about revolvers is the joy of shooting them. I still think having a snub nose revolver is one of the most challenging but enjoyable guns to shoot at the range. Their low capacity also lets you practice tricky reloads without going through a ton of ammo. In today’s market, having a high rep low round count firearm really helps the budget when you can still perform reloads without blowing through 15-20 rounds of ammo.

Throughout the pandemic and just normal craziness, I have seen more .38 Special ammo on the shelves whenever I randomly go into a shop than I have either 9mm or any other common caliber. Combine that availability with how most revolvers are fairly affordable and you have a winning combination.

Overall Thoughts

With all the options on today’s market, it may be easy to simply write off a snub nose revolver in favor of a lightweight semi-auto. There are countless great choices when looking at carry guns but a snub nose revolver definitely has its place in the market still. Whether it’s carrying one for a backup gun or wanting something simple to operate, a revolver is still a jack-of-all-trades carry gun.

I don’t always carry a revolver and most of the time, they aren’t my first or even second pick. Despite all that, I still see the value in revolvers because they’re extremely easy to carry and offer value when other options wouldn’t do the same. Let me know what you think about carrying snub nose revolvers in the comments below. Do they still have a place in society or are they just outdated? If you have questions about concealed carrying or firearms in general, don’t hesitate to shoot me a message on Instagram @fridgeoperator. Stay safe out there.

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