Thank you, Greg, for the excellent review and video. Now I will try to convince my wife to spend some additional money for her safe life. At least, I hope she will be happy to get S&W at her birthday!

Hi Bob - that is one of my favorite videos from Mixup98. That is a beautiful Model 36 in nickel he has. I passed up on one a couple of years ago and still kick myself for it. Recently a friend of mine who was a private detective and professional bodyguard sent me a Model 36 with a three inch barrel he had carried during his professional career as a back-up gun. I'll post the video below. But first, let pontificate on snubbie revolvers!

I own and practice with several. The Taurus 605 is a favorite for me. But if I was considering a five shot snubbie for my wife - I'd suggest an S&W snubbie that can be used in single action. Taurus and Ruger both have stiff triggers and actions with their snubbies and the hammer on the Taurus 605 and 85 are slightly bobbed and not easy to thumb back. Smiths tend to have smoother actions and more accessible hammers to cock back. My wife has trouble with firing double action, but she can thumb a hammer back and fire single.

The drawback on the S&W is if you go with one of the light alloy frames. These are notorious for being hard to shoot because of the light weight. Me personally I prefer a weight of at least 19 ounces; which was the weight of the original Model 36; aka "Chief's Special." A model 60 is the modern version of the old "Chief's Special." If you did go with a light weight alloy revolver, I'd recommend low recoil ammo for your wife.

I love snubbies for their concealment and their accuracy if you take the time to practice with them. They are good for point and shoot and are the ultimate "Get off me" gun.

Here is my tribute to my friend and the gun he sent me.