Whats the difference between a snub nose revolver and a regular revolver (I know snub nose is shorter)?

Revolvers with 3" or less in length, barrels are considered snub nose. A 4" barrel is the norm for most revolvers. The shorter the barrel the less 'powerful' a bullet shot through it will be. This is simply because the longer barrels allow the bullet to more completely burn its powder before exiting the barrel. Does the snubbie pack less of a punch? Somewhat, but not so that it becomes useless. What happens is that you do get more 'flash and roar' with the snubbie. I own a Ruger .357 Mag. 2 n 3/4" barrel, a 4" inch Colt Python n a 6" Python. Shooting the same ammo, the 125 Remington Hollowpoints, the flash will actually make me blink when shooting the Ruger or the four-incher in subdued light. With the six-incher I can just manage to keep both eyes open when it goes off. All three shoot to the same point of impact at 15 yards. So is a snubbie less accurate? I don't think so but you do have less of a sight radius which may make some shooters believe that they are 'less accurate.' Perhaps it is safer to say that they have 'less range.' At 15 to 25 yards it is a moot point, at least with the .357 Magnums.

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Revolver Snub Nose

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RE:

Whats the difference between a snub nose revolver and a regular revolver (I know snub nose is shorter)?

Does the snub nose revolver pack less of a puch or is it less accurate because it has a shorter shaft or is it the same as a regular revolver.

Basically, that is the difference. Many revolvers that are made specifically to be snub nose have no visable hammer. That is so the gun can be carried concealed and not catch on clothing when drawn. However, that is not true of all snub nose revolvers. Some have the exact frame as that model when it is made with a longer barrel. Bottom line, the term "snub nose" or "snubbie" simply means that it has a short barrel.

I own a Taurus .38 snub and I have to say the recoil isn't too bad, and it's a double action only revolver too. The recoil of my Taurus .38 snub with 130 grain full metal jacket rounds is a little bit more than a 9mm. It's pretty accurate too at about 60 feet.

Long Nose Revolver

Snub nose, less accurate due to the 1 inch barrel, good up to 25 meters..... which is only for home protection.... versus a regular revolver with a 4" barrel that can hit 50 meters with a decent shot group.

Snub nose revolvers refer to revolvers of all calibers, with a 2-3 " barrels.

It depends a lot on the model you are looking at. Just keep in mind that a snub-nose will put out a lot more recoil. Besides that, it's mostly about personal preference and fire-arm make and model.

The shorter the barrel the less accurate it is and also there is a lot of powder burning in front of the barrel. I have a 6" s&w 357 that is a pleasure to shoot; I fired one with a 2 1/2 inch barrel and discovered that it is like having burning pepper sprayed in your face. Try it, you won't like it. Lets face it; we humans will try anything once.