S. T. Action Pro - My favorite training "dummy" rounds comes from S. T. Action Pro. Their bright orange noses and chrome plated brass cases give them a unequaled value in safety and durability. Click here of a full review of the S. T. Action Pro training rounds.

Precision Gun Specialties' Saf-T Trainer dummy rounds are available in safety orange or mustered yellow. While neither as versatile nor as robust S. T. Action Pro's dummy rounds they do have one important feature. Their blaze orange or mustard colored rims will clearly distinguish them as dummy rounds when they are sitting inside a closed revolver cylinder. I use all Saf-T Trainers for all my dry fire practice.

AMMUNITION - "POP" TRAINING ROUNDS

There are several .38 Primer Only Propelled (POP) training round conversion kits. Some use wax bullets, some use rubber bullets and some use plastic bullets with plastic cases. All are primer only driven rounds. My absolute all time favorite is Convert-A-Pell's .177 caliber conversion kit for the .38. I shoot with these nearly daily and when ordered with the custom round-nose ojive (ask about them directly) you can use all your regular speedloaders and Speed Strip training tools.

C & R wax bullets for POP training rounds

Saf-T-Shot 2-piece plastic POP rounds

Speer 2-piece plastic POP rounds

X-Ring rubber bullets of POP training rounds

BACKSTOPS - Safe Direction Academy Pad

The Safe Direction Academy Pad is indispensable for safe dry fire training. I hang one in my training room when practicing draw strokes and dry fire exercises and I have one with me at every training class for a safe backstop for clearing weapons before classes.

BOOKS OF NOTE

There are several text based training recourses I would like to recommend to you. Theses include:

Armed Response by David Kenik - This is an excellent foundation text for new shooters.

Handgunner's Guide by Chic Gaylord

Police Pistolcraft by Michael Conti

Snubby Revolver by Ed Lovette

DUMMY GUNS - Inert Training Snubs

Odin Press produces cast-aluminum training guns and knives for law enforcement defensive tactics training. Their aluminum training guns are two-thirds the weight of real guns, which allows you to identify with the weight and feel of a real gun on your hip and in your hand when practicing retention and disarming tactics. Their address is: ODIN PRESS, INC. 4948 Westwood Rd. Kansas City, MO 64112. They can be reached at either 800-445-0857 or 816-531-2447 - Their web page is: www.odinpress.com

RINGS Manufacturing produces distinctive blue plastic training guns and knives for law enforcement, defensive tactics training and the movie industry. Their training guns are about one-thirds the weight of real guns which makes them easy to transport. The plastic RINGS uses has slightly more "give" them other replica training guns but are near perfect dimensional copies - If your real gun fits in the holster then RINGS copy will fit as well. RINGS address is: Ring's Manufacturing at 99 East Drive
Melbourne Florida 32904. They can be reached at 321-951-0407 - Their web page is www.bluegun.com

BlackHawk

FIREARM COURSES - Alternatives to the Snub

David Kenik's MassCarry offers the NRA safety class for new shooters seeking Mass LTC/FID training. They offer a complete training program covering all elements of handgun skills and safety.

David Kenik and Ralph with Armed Response - Armed Response offers a variety of DVD training programs and hands-on training - Though not a snub specialty training group they offer a wide variety of other firearm training courses.

FIRST AID - For Firearms and Edged Weapon Practitioners

Highly recommended is Bill Lewitt's Basic Trauma Management for Shooters!

This program teaches a simple and methodical approach to managing the deadliest wounds quickly, with limited resources, at the Point Of Injury. This 1 day course covers the kinematics of traumatic injuries, their effects on the human body, and how to manage those injuries in the field. Designed to meet the needs of all armed professionals, range safety officers, and responsibly armed citizens, BTMS addresses a life-threatening traumatic injury through the use of; commercial tourniquets, chest seals, and hemostatic agents. Bill Lewitt can be contacted directly at bill_lewitt@hotmail.com

FLASHLIGHT CARRIER

My personally designed horizontal-carry flashlight carrier and pepper spray carrier is available from J.S. Holsters (Yes - That's my staple gun holster design too - Shameless plug)

GRIP ADAPTERS

As of late Tyler T grip adapter order taking and/or shipments and has been reported as "spotty." I have every hope that the folks at Tyler will clear up the issue soon. But what if you need an adapter now? A short time ago a student put me in touch with Kip at BK Grips. Kip cast his own in-house resin grip adapter. They are every bit as practical as either the Tyler adapters or the old Pachmayr adapters, are available in a variety of colors and (!) are available with either the classis single clip flange or with a pair of attachment flanges. I have a set of two flange BK Grips on one of my square butt K-frame m12 snubs and I love it.

GRIP STRENGTHENING GEAR

Iron Mind's Captains of Crush full-size gripper. Click here of a full review of the Captains of Crush full-size grippers.

Iron Mind's IMTUG half-size gripper. Click here of a full review of the IMTUG half-size grippers.

Grip Pro Trainer's GripPro forearm and finger "ring" gripper

GUN RIGHT RESOURCES

Here are a few gun right resources worth knowing if you live in the northeast region of the US:

Connecticut Citizens Defense League, P. O Box 642, Groton, CT 06340 Web site: www.ccdl.us

Connecticut Shooters and Sportsmen, Web site: www.ctsas.info

Gun Owners Action League, 37 Pierce Street, Northborough, MA 01532-1935 Telephone 508-393-5333 Web page: www.goal.org

www.Northeastshooters.com

GUNSMITHS

Mike LaRocca of LaRocca Gun Works in Worcester, MA

Karl Sokol of Chestnut Mountain Sports in West Rutland, VT

HAMMER SHROUDS

Recently, SnubTraining.com received a large supply of Waller and Son produced hammer shrouds for the Smith and Wesson J-frame, Colt D-frame, Ruger SP-101 and a few small frame Taurus and Rossi models.

Those interested in purchasing a hammer shroud can contact us at info@SnubTraining.com

HOLSTER - ANKLE

Alessi Holster Company - My favorite daily carry ankle holster comes from Lou Alessi. The Alessi ankle holster is the most comfortable and secure ankle holster I have come across. Click here of a full review of the Alessi Ankle Holsters.

HOLSTER - BELT SLIDE

My favorite self-defense holsters come from BobMacs.com. BobMacs owner, Bobby McEachern is a custom holster maker who is focused on snub revolver holsters and spare ammunition carriers. He is working daily with the best known self-defense snub instructors and extreme close quarter (EQC) fight trainers. He builds hand crafted versions of the practical designs these professionals are demanding and offering them to the legally armed snub owner. His workmanship is excellent, his dedication is exemplary.

My favorite classroom and work belt slide holsters come from Matt Del Fatti

HOLSTER - INSIDE THE WAIST

J S Holster's ZULU-7 with custom sweet shield

Barami Hip-Grip revolver stocks are available through Barami Hip-Grip

John Rugh and Skyline Technology's Clipdraw

Collins Crafts' Lip Grip is a laminated wood style of Barami's classic Hip-Grip. The Lip Grip is available of a choice of Dymondwood, walnut or zebra wood and is available for Smith & Wesson J-, K- and L-frame round butt revolvers.

KNIFE/COUNTER KNIFE TRAINERS - ADDITIONAL

Tom Herlihy with Defensive Tactics Training Group out of CT

Pete Kautz of Alliance Martial Arts out of Ithaca NY

James Loriega with Raven Arts Institute out of NY- James is a martial Arts treasure offering Spanish style fixed and folding knife skills. His workshops are always fast, fun and informative. His blog "RavenBlade" is also a "must read" for fans of the self-defense knife

Joe Maffei with JKJKD and 1-2-3-Survive out of Waltham, MA

SouthNarc of Shivworks based out of MS, Their phone is 228-217-4302, their e-mail is csd1375@hotmail.com and their web address is www.shivworks.com

Chris "Norm" Thompson, chief designer and owner of Norm's Training Blades is producing all the new aluminum training knives we use in our 4-hour folding knife workshop and our 8-hour folding knife/counter knife course. When I went looking for a training knife maker who would work with the unusual requests that usually accompany all my training tools ideas, all the arrows pointed to Chris. He has great prices, a creative mind, knowledge of the required materials and a solid streak of integrity.

LASER SITES FOR SNUBS

LaserLyte offers side mounted lasers for a variety of J-frame and similar sized compact revolvers

RELOADING IN NEW ENGLAND

Jim at MassReloading offers one of the best courses for new reloaders or would be reloaders in the region. If you are interested in learning about reloading (and every wheel gunner should be) or want a great into to the reloader's world check out Jim's web page at www.massreloading.com

REVOLVER - SAFETIES

Magna-Trigger conversion from Tarnhelm Police Supply in Boscawen, NH

Murabito Revolver Safety from Tarnhelm Police Supply in Boscawen, NH

SIGHTS FOR THE J-FRAMES

Claude Werner of Firearms Safety Training has posted a great article on the Personal Defense Network regarding snub sights. A must read article before hunting up (much needed) replacement sights for the J-frames,

There are a few companies who offer after-market J-frame sights worth reviewing.

XS Sight's Big Dot is a great way go if you have a pin on front sight. Be sure to get the U-shaped rear sight work to go with the Big Dot. A awesome combination.

Check out Bowen Classic Arms number SW04 J-frame high-visibility sight installation package.

Something unique worth noting is Nitesiters. These are industrial glue-on glow-in-the-dark sight strips and dots. If you are considering Trijicon night sights but can't currently afford the cost you can apply a set of Nitesiters on your carry gun. Test them out on the darken range and you can then discover for yourself whether you must have "real" night sights or if you can live without them. All for a fraction of the Trijicon's cost. You may also discover that Nitesiters as perfect just the way they are. I have a test strip and dot set on one of my Bodyguards and they work just fine.

SHOOTING RANGES

The following regional ranges offer excellent additional use-of-force training programs:

Bridgeport Shooting Range in Bridgeport, CT

Smith and Wesson Academy in Springfield, MA

Proactive Shooters in Richmond, VA

SNUB TRAINERS - ADDITIONAL

Andy Stanford of Options for Personal Security (OPS) based out of CA

Bert DuVernay of SIG Arms ACADEMY based out of NH

Claude Werner of Firearms Safety Training LLC based out of GA, his e-mail address is: firearms_safety@bellsouth.net and his web address is www.dryfire-practice.com

Defense Tactics Institute in Ohio runs a two day snub course

Marty and Gila Hayes of the Firearms Academy of Seattle based out of WA

Massad Ayoob of The Ayoob Group (LFI) based out of NH and FL

Paul Gomez of based out of LA

Midwest Training Group (MTG) out of ID and IL

Sand Burr Gun Ranch located at 2111 E. 350 North Rochester, Indiana 46975 - Phone then at 574-223-3316 - or e-mail them at sandburrgunranch@gmail.com

SouthNarc of Shivworks based out of CA

Thunder Ranch based out of OR has a revolver course with a quantity of Code Eagle force-on-Force training as part of the program

Tom Givens of Rangemaster based out of TN

Yelena Pawela of Y-Training based out of FL

SNUB PARTS

Hear are a few resources for finding replacement parts for snub revolvers:

Guns & Gun Parts, 983 Westfield Street, West Springfield, MA 01089 web page: www.Gunsnparts.com e-mail: Gunsnparts@aol.com Telephone 413-732-9938

Pittsburg Handgun Headquarters, 1330 Center Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15229 Telephone 412-766-6100

SPEEDLOADERS, SPEED STRIPS and QUICKSTRIPS

5 Star Firearms Speedloaders

5 Star Firearms' all-aluminum speedloaders are an improvement over the other "twist top" speedloader brands. Few people remember that the other popular "twist top" speedloader were made of aluminum before switching to cheaper plastic. 5 Star speedloaders are available in a staggering number of configurations, rounds counts and calibers. On special order you can ask Clinton at 5 Star to reset the release knob to turn clock-wise which I prefer. (Their standard models release counter clockwise) My students are evenly divided over which they prefer but Clinton is patient with shooters who prefer a clock-wise release.

Bianchi Speed Strip

Speed Strips are available in .44/.45 and .38/.357 calibers. I fine that generally that the Speed Strips work best with 6-shot Smiths and Colts in .38/.357 and the QuickStrips (see below) work best with 5-shot J-frames and J-frame sized guns.

DADE Loaders can be ordered through the current licensed manufacturer. They are available for a variety of .38 and .357 caliber 5-shot small frame guns (S&W J-frames, Taurus, Rossi, Ruger, Charter Arms) and a variety of medium to large frame 6-shot revolvers (Colts D-frames and 6-shot S&W K, L and N-frames.) For ordering information or to inquire about the availability of specific models contact Howard N. via his e-mail: piehauker44@aol.com

HKS Speedloaders

HKS speedloaders and well built and reliable but every time I have to deal with their staff it is a customer service nightmare. This link offers you a list of available HKS speedloader models but if you are in the market for HKS loaders consider ordering them via the local gun shop.

S. L. Variant Speedloaders

SL Variant speedloaders are wonderfully over engineered and very well built. One of the only two speedloaders I carry at work. Thanks to Bobby McEachrin of BobMacs.com for bringing them back into the country.

TUFF Products QuickStrip

QuickStrips are available in an amazing number of calibers. I fine that generally that for .38/.357 snubs, QuickStrips work best with 5-shot J-frames and J-frame sized guns and Bianchi Speed Strips work best with full sized 6-shot Smiths and Colts (see above.)

Safariland Comp-I and Comp-II Speedloaders

Safariland Comp I speedloaders are a specialty loader. With proper training and the right reloading techniques they are a first rate choice for speedloading J-frames and J-frame sized snubs. Safariland Comp II speedloaders are a near ideal specialty loader. They combine minimum size, solid construction and a grooved body for optimum manipulation. They are a first rate choice for speedloading D-frame and K-frame sized snubs.

STOCKS FOR SNUBS - SPECIALTY

Barami Hip-Grip revolver stocks are available through Barami Hip-Grip

Boot Grip revolver stocks for Smith and Wesson round butt J-frame and both round and square butt K- and L-frame revolvers are available from Craig Spegel. Mr. Spegel can be reached at P. O. Box 387, Nehalem, OR 97131-0387, or by telephone at 503-368-5653.

Secret Service revolver stocks for various D-frame Colts, Rugers, Charter Arms and Taurus revolvers are available at Eagle Grips

Tyler-T grip adaptors are available through Tyler Manufacturing

Traveling to various shooting ranges I often find a wide selection of shooting stands, not all of them ideal for our snub training courses. The folding stands I now bring with me were designed and built by Michael Nastek of NE Shooters. If you are looking for a well built and portable shooting stand you won't do better than these.

WEB VIDEOS OF NOTE

Big Dot Tritium Express Sights - YouTube video

An excellent demonstration of Massad Ayoob the "Stressfire" reload for the Revolver.

Another excellent video from Massad Ayoob. Here he is demonstration his "scalpel" style Speed Strip reloading technique.

Dave Spaulding and Ruger have a four-plus minute video covering a his preferred revolver reloading method and an overview of several speedloaders. Dave's reload method is unique from mine but offered me several insights and I will use some elements of it to explain the four reloading methods I do advocate. Please note at the end of the video Dave is trying hard to "be polite" regarding the Maxfire rubber speedloader. His expression matches my views exactly.

WEB SITES OF NOTE

Web sites worth reviewing include:

Here is an article titled Defending the Self-Defense Case by Lisa Steele at Champion Magazine. It is a great look at how your lawyer (the judge and the jury) are going to look at your self-defense case.

Here is an article titled The Flourishing Snub Revolve by Ralph Mroz at the Police.one web site. The article lists several resources for the snub revolver owner.

Here is an article titled The Revolver Malfunction Drill by Grant Cummingham on Personal Defense Network (PDN) The article is note only an interesting read but several of the comments are extremely useful.

Here is an article titled Loads for the Snub Nose Revolver by Paul Pilgrim on Guns and Ammo's HANDGUNS web site. There is some very good "food for thought" items on several .38 rounds designed for the snub.

There is a nice "white paper" from Charter Arms on the Advantages of Choosing a Revolver

Grant Cummingham produces a great revolver heavy web site, blog and facebook post. Check them out here.

Crimson Trace

The Next Chapter - From James A. "Zack" Zachary Jr. - This blog includes some great items on a variety of firearms topics including several informative and entertaining sections on snubs. The additional links to other shooting related blogs are a goldmine. You could easily spend a day enjoying the site's material and consider it a day well spent.

Stephen A. Camp's Hi Powers and Handguns blog page is another excellent resource for the snub owner. There are over two dozen page links on a variety of topics including various snub models, snub tests and snub ammunition. You can find the complete list of postings under his Other Handguns listing.

The Snubnose Files

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