Total Impact Guns stocks a solid lineup of snub nose revolvers for sale, from lightweight .38 Special carry guns to harder-hitting .357 Magnum models, all backed by our price-match guarantee and nationwide shipping to your local FFL. Browse the short barrel revolvers below, and if you don't see the exact model you want, we can usually get it for you.
Colt's Manufacturing
Colt's Manufacturing
Colt's Manufacturing
A snub nose revolver is a short-barrel handgun, usually 2 inches or less, built to be simple, reliable, and easy to carry. There are no slides to rack and no magazines to load, so you point it and pull the trigger. It hides in a pocket or ankle holster, runs through clothing without snagging like a semi-auto can, and goes bang whether you shoot it once a year or once a week, which is why it stays one of the most popular pocket and backup guns made. Modern .38 and .357 loads give it real stopping power for its size.
We keep a good selection on hand, and you can test-fire one on our indoor range before you commit, since a snub nose feels very different from a full-size revolver. For more punch from the same small frame, compare these against our 357 snub nose revolver options.
Snub nose revolvers come in a few common calibers, and the right one depends on how much recoil you'll trade for more power. Caliber sets how hard the gun kicks, how loud it is, and how much it costs to shoot.
| Caliber | Typical capacity | Recoil | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| .38 Special | 5 rounds | Mild to moderate | First gun, easy carry, range practice |
| .357 Magnum | 5 rounds | Heavy | Maximum power, shoots .38 too |
| .327 Federal | 6 rounds | Moderate | Extra round, lighter kick than .357 |
| .22 LR | 6–8 rounds | Very light | Cheap practice, recoil-sensitive shooters |
Most carry snubbies are five-shot .38 Specials because they're easy to shoot and cheap to feed. A .357 gives you more power and fires .38 too, while .22 LR models are low-recoil plinkers more than defense guns. If you're weighing whether a snub nose is the right carry piece, our best concealed carry gun picks lay out the options side by side.
The best snub nose revolver for you comes down to fit, recoil, and how you'll carry it, not the name on the barrel. Before you buy, work through these five things:
The easiest way to settle it is to put a few in your hands and feel the recoil. Our team will walk you through the options at the shop, and you can rent and shoot models on our range, which matters more on a snubnose than almost any other gun.
A handful of snub nose models stay popular for good reason, earning their spot on reliability, light weight, and a proven track record as carry guns. Our curated snubnose lineup covers the brands shooters ask for most:
A snub nose makes a great pairing with a full-size gun, working as a backup or a deep-cover option for a self defense handgun setup. If you have your eye on a model we don't stock, just ask.
Most snub nose revolvers sell for $400 to $700, with budget models like the Taurus 856 starting near $350 and premium steel or two-tone models running $800 to $1,000 or more. You're paying for frame material, finish, and brand reputation, not just the barrel length, so there's a good snubnose at almost every price.
Total Impact backs every revolver with a price-match guarantee. Find the same snub nose for less somewhere else and we'll match it, so you can shop without second-guessing the price.
Buying a snub nose revolver online is simple. Federal law just requires that the handgun ship to a licensed dealer for pickup, not straight to your door. Here's how it works with us:
You must be at least 21 to buy a handgun. We handle FFL transfers both in and out, so we can ship your snub nose to a dealer near you or receive one you bought elsewhere. Picking up at our shop is usually the fastest route.
Yes, a snub nose revolver is a trusted self-defense gun because it's simple, reliable, and easy to carry concealed. The short barrel and small frame make it easy to hide, and there's no slide or safety to fumble under stress. For more, see our self defense handgun options.
Most snub nose revolvers cost between $400 and $700, with budget models near $350 and premium steel models at $800 to $1,000 or more. Total Impact price-matches any competitor, so you always pay the best price.
The best snub nose for a beginner is a .38 Special with a hammerless design and a comfortable grip, like a Smith & Wesson 642 or Ruger LCR. The .38 round is easy to shoot, and the enclosed hammer keeps the draw smooth and snag-free.
A .38 Special is easier to shoot and control, while a .357 Magnum hits harder but kicks hard from a short barrel. Many shooters buy a 357 snub nose revolver and practice with cheaper .38 Special, since a .357 fires both.
Most snub nose revolvers hold 5 rounds, though some .327 Federal and .22 LR models hold 6 to 8. The trade-off for the small, easy-to-carry frame is fewer rounds than a semi-auto pistol.
Snub nose revolvers have short barrels, usually 2 inches or less, to make the gun smaller and easier to carry and conceal. The short barrel gives up some velocity and sight radius, but the gain in concealability is why it stays a top pocket and backup gun.
Whether you're after your first carry gun or a backup for the safe, Total Impact has the snub nose revolvers, the price-match guarantee, and the range to help you choose with confidence. Browse the lineup above, and reach out if you want one we can source.
