[HUD]

What about a sub-compact snubby, a four shot polymer revolver in 9mm/380 or 357/38. Very small for backpacking, jogging, biking or when even a regular snubby is too big. A real pocket gun that the would work for people who want more than a NAA mini, for people who can't rack a slide and still want real sights (light pipe front) and the ability to reload without taking the gun apart. Maybe even an integral light/laser like the curve.

 

[Fredward]

A Non View?

 

[Desperado]

The problem you will get into with an ultralight polymer revolver in .38 Special or .357 Magnum is recoil will be difficult, at best, to control.

For example, take an extremely light revolver in .357 Magnum, and a 40 ounce Ruger GP 100 4.2" barrel in .357 Magnum, and have them shoot full house 158 grain loads. In the GP 100, they are manageable. In the light gun, they could break your wrist with recoil. It happens with .44 Magnums also; short barrel light .44s recoil like crazy, but longer barreled, heavier revolvers recoil less. Simple physics at work here.

The smallest revolver I own is a Model 85, and that is about the low limit in gun size for .38 Special I will endure. Now I have a Ruger SP101 3" barrel that is the minimum weight for .357 Magnum loads I will use. I have shot a S&W 340PD with 125 grain JHP ammo, and that was not fun at all. The recoil alone was brutal to the hand and wrist.

Personally, I do not see a need to put a super lightweight revolver together with a powerful cartridge just to do it. I have tried it with another brand, and it is not something I care to deal with ever again.

 

[glenwolde]

I don't think the geometry would work. But I'd have to do the math. I'm thinking the required cylinder diameter for four would also hold five.

 

[coopercdrkey]

I handled,.... (OK, Fondled...) a Smith & Wesson Airweight .38- both the internal hammer and the spur hammer versions. They're not polymer by a long shot but they sure are light and compact. I almost bought one before the Sig P320 called my name. I didn't come home with one, but it moved way up on my want list.

 

[mawguy]

Small revolvers have more recoil for me than small semi-autos of the same caliber. You can get a .357 two shot derringer as a boot gun if you want. Anybody ever shoot one? If you did, did you shoot again?

I can pocket carry a PT709 Slim, or a 905 revolver. For me, the 905 is a nightstand gun and my compact 9mm autos are walking around guns.

 

[GhostHorse]

I've been working with a non-View that I bought. If they made anything smaller, it would have to be heavier for me to have any interest at all. And .357? No tap-dancing way.

I've had the same thoughts about a four-shot revolver, but lighter is not always good.

 

[Qwiks draw]

This is about as small as centerfire revolver can go. https://www.taurususa.com/gun-selector-results.cfm?series=380&toggle=tr

 

[Trotline]

What about a sub-compact snubby, a four shot polymer revolver in 9mm/380 or 357/38. Very small for backpacking, jogging, biking or when even a regular snubby is too big. A real pocket gun that the would work for people who want more than a NAA mini, for people who can't rack a slide and still want real sights (light pipe front) and the ability to reload without taking the gun apart. Maybe even an integral light/laser like the curve.

I routinely shoot two (in rotation) S&W 642s Airweight = aluminum frame but steel cylinder 38 +P capable, not quite as much as a handful as either my Taurus 650 or 605 (38/357) in steel frame and cylinder, particularly when loaded with stout (158 grain) 357 Mag loads. Scandium (super lightweight) 357s are available from S&W, but even though I am 6'1" and 275 lbs (portly, husky, fatboy) THAT would be too much for me. J frames like what I have described have mucho after market sights, grips, speed loaders and strips and are well established in the marketplace for support, service and spare parts. Your imagined 4 shot revolver? Not so much. Go with a J frame snub nosed revolver in a 38 or 38/357 if you are feeling froggy. Operational costs are the least that way, and you still get the caliber you desire.

 

[Rick 76]

How about an ultra lite model 85 or even a smaller framed revolver chambered in 32 H&R. There is a big gap in the self defense gun category between NAA mini revolvers in 22 and a 38 sp. I don’t understand why no one has jumped in to fill the gap. Instead of making small calibers fit into normal standardized frames (like the CA undercoverette or pathfinders) why not fashion a frame around a smaller cartridge?

 

[Fishinkeylargo]

Can't remember if the M327 is the same size or smaller than the M85, however with 100 gr .327 Mag loads it is a handful.

 

[NativeTexan]

I like my 605 poly. It's light, controllable, and accurate. With 140 JHPs it's quite controllable. With 180 JHPs it can hurt you. :rofl:

 

[sknhgy]

Yes there are times my S&W 638 is too big. I don't want to go to a semi-auto. I wish they made a really small 22 revolver. I could trust a 22 revolver SD gun if I had to. I'd pick up a NAA revolver if I ever got a good deal on one.

 

[NativeTexan]

Yes there are times my S&W 638 is too big. I don't want to go to a semi-auto. I wish they made a really small 22 revolver. I could trust a 22 revolver SD gun if I had to. I'd pick up a NAA revolver if I ever got a good deal on one.

I carry my .22 NAA everywhere as a back up. I have a .22 mag Black Widow, too. But, my primaries are in 9mm to .45ACP calibers.

 

[CJS3]

This is about as small as centerfire revolver can go. https://www.taurususa.com/gun-selector-results.cfm?series=380&toggle=tr

I read once that the Taurus 380 revolver was comparable to the S&W "I" framed revolver built for S&W 32. If that cartridge was still popular I'm sure we'd see a revolver for it. As it is, the only 32s that still get any mention are 32 H&R Mag and 327 Federal Mag. I'm sure both require a stouter frame.

 

[Aggie]

My 6 shot Ruger LCRX in 327 Federal Magnum is extremely compact.

 

[rggoodie]

I keep the 856 Ultra lite by one of my doors, (magnet mount) it is a good back up - but it is not always there - I practice with it as well.

 

[fsimpson]

how about just skipping to a 4 barrel . 357 derringer ?????? probably just the muzzle blast would kill most things --

the out of production COP illustrated .----------------

 

[chefduane]

My 6 shot Ruger LCRX in 327 Federal Magnum is extremely compact.

In reading the description by OP, the Ruger LCR9 #5464 was the first gun I thought of.

 

[Fredward]

Taurus makes a 9mm revolver that's about the size of the old "I" frame, and it is a handful to shoot.