By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
A few months ago, in an earlier installment of “Wheelgun Wednesday,” we talked about small, concealable revolvers which carry only five rounds, and how they can be effective self-defense tools.
Now comes the fun part. In a report published last year by Shooting Industry, writer Anne Conrad quoted Ken Campbell, CEO at Arizona’s famous Gunsite Academy, explaining how demand for revolvers has gone up considerably.
“We have seen this (rising revolver popularity) for several years at Gunsite Academy, even to the point of offering revolver-only courses, so we can really ‘get in the weeds’ with the students and their revolvers,” he reportedly said. “Many people may claim they carry a full-sized or mid-sized pistol all the time, but my bet is they have a small revolver in their pocket or waistband when they make a quick trip to the store.”
According to an AI “overview,” this growing interest in small revolvers is “driven by a surge in demand for concealed carry, personal protection, and reliable, easy-to-use firearms, with the market expected to grow 4.2% annually through 2033.”
Other sources in the firearms field suggest many outdoors people—day hikers, campers, backpackers and others who haven’t had much interest or experience with firearms—are warming up to the idea of having a small, lightweight handgun for personal protection in the backcountry.
Lately, I’ve been doing some shooting with a couple of J-frame Smith & Wessons, testing .38 Special handloads topped with lightweight bullets weighing 110 grains. They’re jacketed hollowpoints and when propelled by 6.5 grains of CFE Pistol powder, they’ve been turning in some impressive results.
Out of a sub-2-inch barrel (1 7/8-inch), the bullets crossed my chronograph at better than 900 fps. At self-defense distances, that’s going to get immediate attention from whatever is on the receiving end.
My pals Brent Wheat and Roy Huntington at their GUNS Podcast.us recently devoted more than 30 minutes chatting about “snub guns” and it was an interesting conversation between two retired cops-turned-firearms scribes who actually know their stuff.
What makes revolvers so attractive to new shooters? They’re simple to operate, they only need loose ammunition for reloads to keep functioning, there are no magazines to lose or damage, and the smaller revolvers by S&W, Colt, Taurus, Ruger, Charter Arms, Rossi and others can be hidden away until needed. And let’s be honest, many new gun owners don’t care to admit they are gun owners for fear of social ostracism.
People have been carrying small revolvers for generations. Even back in the late 1800s, the small wheelgun was the weapon of choice for people who couldn’t pack, or afford, anything bigger. They were relatively inexpensive, hid well in a vest pocket or lady’s purse, could be brought to bear at a moment’s notice and lethally wound someone in an emergency.
Chambered in .38 Special, .32 H&R Magnum, .327 Federal Magnum or even .357 Magnum, today’s compact wheelguns are definitely appealing to a growing number of people, even though revolver sales reportedly comprise less than 20 percent of the market.
Maybe those folks know something, eh?
Let’s not overlook the slightly larger 6-round snub guns, widely available on the used gun market. For those who can find a Colt Detective Special, Colt Cobra, Model 19 S&W, Colt Diamondback, Model 10 S&W and the like, you’re getting a decent handgun with a proven track record for correcting bad behavior.
Let’s get past a myth: Nobody is under-gunned if they carry a snubby, even if their friends are carrying 9mm semi-autos. If you are competent with a revolver, chances are your compadres may not be nearly so capable with a “spray-and-pray” compact.
One more misconception is that small, short-barreled wheelguns are not accurate. That is definitely hogwash, and I say that from person experience. The late Bob Munden shot a 10-inch red balloon attached to a steel plate at 200 yards using a Model 60 S&W loaded with 158-grain semi-wadcutters.
A five-shot snub-nosed revolver does not put someone at a disadvantage if they know how to use it. If you’ve chosen a little wheelgun for personal protection, be the person who knows how.
