[97RAYMOND]

I've been thinking about picking up a SNS, knowing their history, I think it would be cool to have one in my collection. I also plan on keeping it in my pocket as a backup gun. But before I go to the gunstore and make a purchase, I thought I'd come here and get your guys' opinion/recommendation on these things. I know they are cheap, because last time I was at the gunstore I saw one on the shelf for only $80. Is that a normal price range for these things, or was it possibly just a really shitty model/old worn out.

Are all of these things "junk" or are there any particular brands I should try to look for. Which of the "junk" guns, is the least junky?

 

[moona11]

My recommendation is don't. Especially if your going to carry it. If you want one to fuck around with fine.
But seriously just cough up some more cash and get something else to carry. Sccy are on sale right now

 

[97RAYMOND]

My recommendation is don't. Especially if your going to carry it. If you want one to fuck around with fine.
But seriously just cough up some more cash and get something else to carry. Sccy are on sale right now

Yeah I noticed all of their old stuff is on sale. Is any of the Gen 1 and Gen 2 stuff worth it?

 

[moona11]

Yeah I noticed all of their old stuff is on sale. Is any of the Gen 1 and Gen 2 stuff worth it?

Yes.

 

[adam01364]

I've been thinking about picking up a SNS, knowing their history, I think it would be cool to have one in my collection. I also plan on keeping it in my pocket as a backup gun.

If you're talking about "Ring of Fire" SNS, in my opinion, the best ones were made by Sundance Industries. I'd look for a Sundance BOA which has a grip safety. Otherwise I'd go with a Raven.
As for keeping it in your pocket as a backup... I wouldn't. If you want something small for your pocket go with a Kel-Tec P3AT or a Ruger LCP.

 

[Delbert]

I hope you know that Hi-Point started out in the 90's and was/is considered by many to be a SNS due to its cost, zimak metal used on components, and ammo feed/eject problems.

I own and like the Raven 25 myself out of the other SNS models, but there is something that you could use as a reliable, great backing in parts/reviews pocket pistol and that is the Bond firearm derringer in whatever caliber you might like > 22LR, 22Mag, 380, 9mm, 38Spl, 357Mag, 44Mag, 45ACP and there might be some other calibers. There might be a frame size difference also, between the small and large type calibers, so that is a decision that will be personal in which size framework to purchase. You can also get different length of barrels from 3" to 6" to do swapping with that will all fit the frame without sending in the firearm to have the barrel fitted like some swap barrel type firearms require.

I've got a large-frame Cimmaron (Davis) 38Spl / 32Long derringer and carried it for many years as a spare pocket backup.

 

[backbencher]

Bond is in driving distance to me. Some of their offerings get pretty expensive, however.

 

[undeRGRound]

I've been thinking about picking up a SNS, knowing their history, I think it would be cool to have one in my collection. I also plan on keeping it in my pocket as a backup gun. But before I go to the gunstore and make a purchase, I thought I'd come here and get your guys' opinion/recommendation on these things. I know they are cheap, because last time I was at the gunstore I saw one on the shelf for only $80. Is that a normal price range for these things, or was it possibly just a really shitty model/old worn out.

Are all of these things "junk" or are there any particular brands I should try to look for. Which of the "junk" guns, is the least junky?

Most of the folks here buy these as range toys, for good reason. I myself saw too many negatives listed and decided to ask @adam01364 our resident GUNBY about upscale pocket guns. There's a thread around here somewhere on that, and there is a pretty good selection of decent pocket guns available still, that are too good to be considered SNS but of course, all are more expensive as well. The key seems to be looking for things that are still in production and things that were not super expensive, but had better components than SNS. So avoid the Baby Browning unless you just want to spend a lot 😹
I remember a Titan FIE was one I thought about, and one could get a Bauer which was a Baby Browning copy.

 

[backbencher]

I'm thinking about picking up one of the Phoenix .22 LRs to try out, just b/c I can grab one so cheaply. Might suit my MIL better than her SR-22.

 

[97RAYMOND]

I'm thinking about picking up one of the Phoenix .22 LRs to try out, just b/c I can grab one so cheaply. Might suit my MIL better than her SR-22.

I personally love these little pistols and can recommend them. Don't own personally, but they are fairly common where I live in WA state and I have shot plenty of them. Very fun little guns.

 

[adam01364]

I'm thinking about picking up one of the Phoenix .22 LRs to try out, just b/c I can grab one so cheaply. Might suit my MIL better than her SR-22.

If I had a choice between an SR22 and an HP22, I'd take the Ruger every single time. I've owned a number of Phoenix HP22s. They're not a bad pistol, I like them well enough, but they're not Rugers. I do like being able to swap barrels, and I've also successfully swapped between 22LR and 25ACP on the same frame.

A couple of points on the HP22 worth mentioning:
a) The factory states you should use standard velocity ammo only. A diet of HV ammo will eventually crack the frame.
b) Taking down the HP22 is a bit of a PITA. If you get an HP22, it's advisable to polish the edges of the take down lever to remove the sharp edges; otherwise it can give you a painful cut.

 

[Pistolkitty]

I remember a Titan FIE was one I thought about, and one could get a Bauer which was a Baby Browning copy.

I have had my feelers out for a Titan Tigress, if you happen to come across one.

 

[97RAYMOND]

a) The factory states you should use standard velocity ammo only. A diet of HV ammo will eventually crack the frame.

Yes I just a saw video the other day with an HP22 and the idiot was using high velocity ammo. People need to learn how to read.

 

[bumthum]

Raven prices have been steadily rising, so the juice might not be worth the squeeze as anything other than a collector's item. I tried carrying a Raven, in a holster, for several weeks as a form of living history experiment, and I found that it was a horrible choice versus the similar weight and more "powerful" LCP I normally drop in my pocket. None of the SNS pistols are really safe to carry with a round in the chamber and most recommend racking the slide as part of the process of presenting the pistol. Not something you want to think about in a life or death situation.

To collect, buy a Raven, a rare Sundance, or a Davis... for carry, I'd recommend not betting your life on one. There are much better and safer options.

 

[backbencher]

Raven prices have been steadily rising, so the juice might not be worth the squeeze as anything other than a collector's item. I tried carrying a Raven, in a holster, for several weeks as a form of living history experiment, and I found that it was a horrible choice versus the similar weight and more "powerful" LCP I normally drop in my pocket. None of the SNS pistols are really safe to carry with a round in the chamber and most recommend racking the slide as part of the process of presenting the pistol. Not something you want to think about in a life or death situation.

To collect, buy a Raven, a rare Sundance, or a Davis... for carry, I'd recommend not betting your life on one. There are much better and safer options.

I mean, that's how the Shanghai police carried their 1911s back in the day. A little slower than cocked & locked, but if you train, you'll get pretty fast at it.

 

[backbencher]

If I had a choice between an SR22 and an HP22, I'd take the Ruger every single time. I've owned a number of Phoenix HP22s. They're not a bad pistol, I like them well enough, but they're not Rugers. I do like being able to swap barrels, and I've also successfully swapped between 22LR and 25ACP on the same frame.

A couple of points on the HP22 worth mentioning:
a) The factory states you should use standard velocity ammo only. A diet of HV ammo will eventually crack the frame.
b) Taking down the HP22 is a bit of a PITA. If you get an HP22, it's advisable to polish the edges of the take down lever to remove the sharp edges; otherwise it can give you a painful cut.

Standard velocity pretty much puts paid to that idea. I got the long bbl SR-22 to give her as much momentum as possible w/ a little 40 grn LRN bullet - I have confidence w/ the long bbl & CCI Velocitors the little LRN would penetrate at least 12" in ballistic gel. With standard velocity ammo, which is slightly more difficult to get, that costs me a lot of interest in the gun. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[bumthum]

I mean, that's how the Shanghai police carried their 1911s back in the day. A little slower than cocked & locked, but if you train, you'll get pretty fast at it.

Maybe, but it's one more thing you have to do with your reduced motor skills, while partially panicking, and while trying to focus on the threat/target. Is it doable with additional training? Yeah, obviously. I'm just not certain why someone would choose that route over the more obvious, modern options like the Keltec P-32, or Ruger LCP series.

Due to my job, I have thousands of "training-environment" holster draw iterations over the years, I'm pretty fast from a retention holster, but the few times I've had to do it in real life never went that smoothly and were a bit more fumbly. Throw in remembering to rack a slide and make sure the pistol doesn't jam during chambering... I'm not a fan.

 

[backbencher]

Maybe, but it's one more thing you have to do with your reduced motor skills, while partially panicking, and while trying to focus on the threat/target. Is it doable with additional training? Yeah, obviously. I'm just not certain why someone would choose that route over the more obvious, modern options like the Keltec P-32, or Ruger LCP series.

Due to my job, I have thousands of "training-environment" holster draw iterations over the years, I'm pretty fast from a retention holster, but the few times I've had to do it in real life never went that smoothly and were a bit more fumbly. Throw in remembering to rack a slide and make sure the pistol doesn't jam during chambering... I'm not a fan.

I'm not a fan either, but it's certainly a known tactic, & used not only in the rather rough & tumble environment of pre-commie Shanghai, but long before the invention of the modern retention holster, and also used by Israel to the point that it's known as Israeli carry. It does require two hands in normal use, which is a definite disadvantage, and you'd be well advised to only use LRN or FMJ, to lessen the chances of FTF.

I carried my P32 last night, at a memorial service, as the Glock 26 doesn't fit well under my dress blues & I don't have a shoulder holster for it. I wouldn't normally carry a Raven or the like, but I'm acquainted w/ folks who still carry revolvers as their primary, so if you want to carry the pistol your Da or GrandDa carried, or something you got cheap at the fun show, go for it, just understand the limitations & practice w/ it.