TAKING THE WHEEL

Commonly referred to as a “snub-nose” or “snubby,” the sub-3-inch revolver has been a mainstay of self-defense for over 150 years and is even now a common, everyday item for millions of Americans. The thing about these guns is that they’ve always been a severe compromise and are, in terms of overall features and ammunition, something of a vestigial holdover of two bygone centuries. Nevertheless, we love these guns and their cartridges, and the technology around them has continued to improve.

TRADITION OR TRAVESTY?

Revolvers are deeply entrenched in the American mind—and for good reason. We relied on them on the frontier and while our nation expanded. Indeed, the brands in this article, Smith & Wesson and Colt, were present in these foundational episodes. There’s certainly a sentimentality about revolvers in this country, and this drives both dreams of yesteryear and ideas to make these guns more relevant in a semi-auto era.

I don’t see the development of new revolvers and ammunition as a net negative, nor do I feel that they are irrelevant for self-defense. If you