There are those among us who would suggest that the Smith & Wesson Model 40 Centennial revolver is the best all-around hideaway revolver--not only that S&W ever made but that anyone ever made. Although I wouldn't be tempted to lay quite so lavish praise onto this petite, five-shot, double-action-only five-shooter, I must admit that I'd be hard pressed to argue the point either. It certainly is a world-class snubby by any measure. And it is a model that any well-acquitted gun guy should consider to be a mandatory must-have.

The Model 40 came on the scene in 1953 and was discontinued in 1974. It is chambered for the .38 Special and features a two-inch barrel, fully concealed hammer, grip safety and smooth wood grips. It was available in blue or nickel finish (by far, most are blued steel).

My particular Model 40 is a pre-1968 specimen (after 1968, the serial numbers began with an "L" prefix, and this one has no prefix at all). There was another "Centennial" from S&W, the Model 42 Centennial Airweight that differed primarily in that it was an aluminum gun, rather than steel as is the Model 40 (see sidebar).

Several factors made the Model 40 Centennial such a preferred revolver for concealed carry. First, it doesn't weigh much (even being made all of steel). On the postal scale, my specimen weighs in at only 1.3 pounds.

The author's Centennial does its job when the shooter does his, as this five-shot, five-yard group (inset) shows.

And because the cylinder holds five rather than six rounds, as do many revolvers, the cylinder is a slim 1.3 inches wide (the widest part of the entire gun). That's pretty skinny and not a whole lot wider than some of the more modern, boxy autos.

Back in the days when snubbies ruled the concealed carry world, the real sales shootout was between S&W's Model 40 Centennial and Colt's Detective Special.

The Colt Detective Special, chambered also in .38 Special, is ever so slightly larger and heavier, weighing in at 1.35 pounds. The cylinder on the Colt is also the widest part of the gun, and it is 1.4 inches wide. Granted, a tenth of an inch isn't much, but it is something. Of course, the Colt's cylinder holds six rounds, compared to the Centennial's five, but who's counting?

Frankly, it was the slightly larger configuration of the Colt Detective Special that made it my favorite of the two back in the days when both were readily available on the market. My hand is rather large, and the Centennial is really petite in the grip department. But I'm not saying it is too small. In fact, my Centennial is still technically on duty at all times. Although I rarely carry it concealed anymore, it is always around the house somewhere with five .38 Specials in the chambers, ready to be picked up, pointed and shot--repeatedly and quickly.

The Centennial does have sights, although they are the most basic available on a revolver. The front sight is a rather substantial blade, while the rear sight is the typical squared cut in the top of the rear of the top strap.