The snubnose revolver may well be the best-selling handgun. If it's not, it's likely right up there at the top of the list. Why? We all know that short-barrel revolvers are worthless. They can't be shot accurately – most shooters can't hit the barn-size silhouette targets often used in police qualification, competitions, and security agencies at even moderate distances, so the sages say. If they suck that bad, why are so many sold? Because we don't know any better? Snubs are still used by pros. Long-time armorer Mike Rafferty tried to wear out a 640-1 after many years of carrying lesser snubs and has been known for some grandstand shots with his original -1 using 125 grain Magnum rounds – about the only round he used in those cannons. He's since moved to a lighter .38, but is still a remarkable shot with the short gun. Another snub user recently shot the pants off the Kansas state LE qualification with the S&W 642. He questioned me about problems he'd been having with a micro-sized .40 Auto and I asked him why he bothered with that gun when he shot the snub revolver so well.

The snub revolver can be carried in the right kind of IWB holster. This example is from Galco.

Some "expert" told him that the snub was passé. I told him to ignore that expert and carry the gun that he knew worked and knew he could shoot. The snub is extremely versatile in terms of carry methods and has the advantage of being quite short on the front end – the tougher to have removed from your grasp in a gun grab attempt. One of the more analytical trainers in the business, Claude Werner, sorted out his own plan of teaching the snub revolver to new users and had been teaching the course until enrollment numbers dropped to the point that it wasn't practical to continue. If you have (or want) a snub revolver and really want to learn how to use it, you're not without hope: Claude has finished work on a DVD which gives you a good summary of his training course. A one-hour, 4 minute video, Armed Response Video Training Series: Secrets of the Snubby provides a basis for learning the best use of the small revolver. This video gives one the chance to see some of the wisdom Claude has passed along during those classes. The fundamental issue he raises is that the great advantages of the snub revolver are also the most problematic in terms of being able to use such a gun effectively. As someone who has regularly carried the snubnose revolver in one form or another since 1978, I found Claude's approach to be very well thought out – no surprise, coming from him.

The S&W M&P340 with Crimson Trace LaserGrips has been a constant carry companion for around 5 years or so. Claude's DVD is a great help in learning best use of the little revolver.

The "expected" territory is covered: grip (not stocks, which are also covered), interface with and proper manipulation of the trigger, improving (factory) sights – including replacement of front sights, various methods of carry and how to draw from each, reloading – with the three basic ways spare ammo is carried, zero of the laser-aimer, along with various potential user errors and some of Claude's range drills for the revolver. Note that Claude doesn't espouse the way, he shows you a way. Having carried snub guns for 37 years, I wasn't sure I could learn anything. I did. His specific reload technique and "closing the gun onto the cylinder" was just one jewel I acquired. His reversal of the old "ball and dummy" exercise is another. And there are more jewels in his program. Using the huge, LE-type silhouette is an invitation to sloppy shooting. For the video, Claude flips a silhouette over and draws upon it six circles – an aiming dot in the midst of each. He uses such a target so the student can see where the hits actually go, invoking the "aim small, hit small" aspect of the target. It also gives considerable good use of each target sheet, something that's economically helpful. At his blog page Tactical Professor on Teaching the Snub, Claude rolls out his entire course of instruction. Put it together with the DVD and all you need is a coach to watch you for mistakes. In the absence of a coach, using a video camera on a tripod to get that "other person view" of your own shooting could be helpful. He correctly points out that fifty rounds out of a snub are quite a bit especially for a new shooter. His class makes extensive use of dry practice, very safe on a range, and his reverse-ball and dummy exercise. In the class outline, he wisely has everyone shoot the LAPD Retired Officer course of fire on the barn-sized B27 target. As it's a ten-round course, the other forty rounds in the class get you trained up to that point. In short, it's a great way to get the basics of running and accurately shooting a snub revolver. You can buy a copy at Personal Safety Training.