By the 1850s or so, metallic cartridges began to replace percussion cap technology. In 1857, Smith and Wesson introduced its first revolver, which used the .22 short rimfire cartridge S&W also developed. The Smith and Wesson Model 1 was a huge success in the marketplace. It was responsible for establishing Smith and Wesson as a major player. By the mid 1860s, centerfire cartridges became more popular.
Centerfire revolvers, and the more powerful smokeless powders, also started to become popular after 1886. As a consequence, revolver manufacturers began to certify their weapons as smokeless powder safe about that time. This advancement meant it was necessary to use the new metallurgical techniques to manufacture new weapons that could withstand the higher pressures generated by smokeless powders.
Because of the rapid fire capability of the double-action mechanism, it became the mechanism of choice for the new models of revolvers. Even Colt, the proponent of single-action pistols, switched to double-action models by the end of the 1800s with its Colt New Service Revolver. Models by Smith and Wesson, Remington, Webley etc. were very popular as well.
As the cutting edge of technology the new revolvers were the weapon of choice in military and police departments around the world, until semi-automatic pistols such as the Colt M1911 were developed. The semi-automatic became more popular due in part to it’s shorter reload time and higher capacity. Police departments in the United States however continued to use revolvers well into the early 1990s because of the lack of perceived need and the high costs associated with the replacement of revolvers with semi-automatic pistols.
Today, revolvers are still popular in the civilian market as sporting or hunting weapons. Most new, modern revolvers are double-action, such as the Kimber K6 series. In fact, many trainers (myself included) recommend that those new to shooting begin the learning process with a revolver.
Snub Nose Revolvers
An early type of revolver with a short barrel was called a snub nose revolver. The snub nose was a handgun designed for self-defense at short distances. In general, the term is used to refer to any revolver with a barrel shorter than 3 inches long that can be drawn quickly. The term “belly gun” might have come about because many people carried these weapons concealed in the trouser waist band, close to the belly. Others believe that the name belly gun evolved because of the method of use: placing the barrel into the belly of the opponent and pulling the trigger.
One of the early snub nose type of revolvers was the Colt Shopkeeper Special model, which was based on the Colt M1877 Lightning Double Action Model. It was a double-action revolver designed for the .38 Long Colt cartridge. However, the Shopkeeper Special Model had a smaller barrel and no ejector rod, to keep the size compact.
In those days, Colt revolvers were side loaders. In 1894, Smith and Wesson invented a revolver where the cylinder was mounted on a crane which swung outward for loading or unloading of the revolver, with an attached push rod and star ejector to easily extract the cases. That design, along with the double-action mechanism is what we still see today in most modern revolvers.
We had to wait until 1927 for Colt to introduce its Colt Detective Special. It was based on the Colt Police Positive Special model, which was a six-shot revolver designed to fire the .38 Special cartridge. The Colt Detective Special used the same frame and six-round cylinder as the Positive Special model, but it had a shorter 2 or 3-inch barrel. The new model immediately found popularity among police detectives who were tasked with missions that required them to dress like civilians.
Soon, Colt discovered there was a large number of people who also wanted a small concealable firearm. As a result, additional models soon followed. For example, the Colt Banker’s model was based on the earlier Colt Police Positive revolver. The Colt Police Positive was designed for smaller cartridges than the Colt Police Positive Special which took .38 Special. The Colt Police Positive was chambered for the .32 Colt and .38 S&W. The Colt Banker’s model was scaled down for the smaller cartridge, with the reasoning that because the bankers were smaller they wouldn’t be able to handle the recoil of a larger .38 special cartridge.
The nice thing about such a small revolver is that it is easy to carry in a pocket or a purse and has a multiple-shot capability. Another reason many people preferred these to the larger models was because of the speed the snub nose could be deployed. Anyone who has used a full-sized revolver from a holster knows the gun is relatively heavy and the long barrel must be pulled clear of the holster before shooting. The snub nose equivalent is much easier and faster to draw from the same holster.
Semi-Auto Alternatives
After cheap semi-automatic pistols such as the Lorkin, Hi-Point, Phoenix Arms/Raven, Jennings, and Davis — along with other garbage pistols that started becoming widely available in the late 1960s — the popularity of these revolvers declined in the U.S. This was mainly because semi-automatic pistols typically hold more ammunition than revolvers do.
Then, in 1968, the Gun Control Act passed and limited the availability of imported handguns and cheap pistols. Suddenly, snub nose revolvers reappeared to file the gap. And so, it was. After the cheap, unreliable pistol craze faded, the popularity of snub nose revolvers increased again.
Snub Nose Pros/Cons
I personally like revolvers and believe there are advantages to them. I believe so strongly in revolvers that I personally carry a S&W J-Frame and here are some of the reasons why.
- Concealability: These revolvers can easily be carried in a pocket or a purse. The curved grip is much easier to conceal than the straight grip of a semi-auto pistol and it doesn’t look like a gun when placed inside a pocket.
- Easy to put into action: Due to its smaller weight and size, it is easier to pull one of these out of a holster or pocket than the equivalent full sized handgun model.
- Simplicity of use: It is much easier to teach someone to use a revolver than to use a semi-automatic pistol. Limp wristing is not a problem with revolvers, even someone with a weak grip can use one. Revolvers are also less likely to malfunction than semi-automatics. If a revolver doesn’t fire due to a bad cartridge, the procedure to clear it is to simply pull the trigger again.
- Increased safety: Double-action triggers require more strength to pull in double-action mode. Therefore, it is not likely to go off if it gets snagged on clothing, which provides extra safety.
- Better retention: Not only is it faster to pull a snub nose revolver out, but the shorter barrel also means an attacker can’t grab on to it and try to wrestle it away. Also, unlike a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver can’t be pushed out of battery.
- Ammunition options: A revolver by its design is not at all ammunition sensitive.
The truth be told there are some disadvantages as well:
- Capacity: All modern snub nose revolvers have a 5 or 6 round capacity, whereas even a pocket sized semi-automatic pistol carries 6 or rounds. Of course, there are those who argue that 5 rounds are more than enough in most cases.
- Greater recoil: Because of the smaller size and weight, the perceived recoil force is greater on a small revolver.
- Inferior sights: Due to shorter barrels, the sight radius is short. The longer the sight radius, the more accurately a weapon can be aimed.
- Reload speed: It takes much more time to reload a revolver even with speedloaders unless of course you are Jerry Miculek.
Due to their shorter barrel lengths, snub nose revolvers are perceived to have less accuracy than firearms with longer barrels. This is not true. Short barrels are in fact intrinsically more accurate. The shorter sight radius, however, does make them more difficult to shoot accurately. That said, most people who practice can be effective to about 20 yards. Experienced marksmen can hit IPSC targets reliably out to 50 yards.
Colt currently manufactures a limited line of snub nose models, but I have always preferred Smith and Wesson, and it still makes a large line of J-Frame Snub Nose models like the one I carry, the 360PD as does Ruger (SP101 and LCR).
Do you own or carry a revolver? Which model and why? Share your answers in the comment section.
