Warren

I didn't think that this fit in the Super Snub thread.


RANGE REPORT

I went to my local indoor range today to practice with my new 642 and to qualify with it for my CCW permit.

The results were mixed.

I had two types of ammo with me, WWB 130 FMJ truncated cones, and Rem 125 SJHP both were rated as +P.

The WWB was less abusive to my hand but was not as accurate as the Rem but that is not saying much as I was all over the target, set at 21 feet, with both types.

Most of this would be my rookie handling of the snub, but some of the flyers were inexplicable. It would not have been possible to walk the muzzle that far off during the triggering.

So I move it in to seven feet and was still not punching the X. It persisted in firing high and right.

I cured the 'high' part easy enough by finally realizing that only the very tip-top of the front sight should be in the groove. But the right-shooting continued.

After 100 rounds of practice I decided to try the qualification target. I was not optimistic. You have to score 26/30 on a rather smallish rectangle target at 21 feet.

well, I managed to go 30/30 with 23 in the X or 10 rings but all the hits were scattered. This is unlike when I qualled with my SiGP220 or my MTN gun in .45 Colt both those targets had their Xs chewed out.

I've never shot so poorly with a gun I own. More practice is required as will shooting from a rest to see just what it can shoot.

Other reflections.

The stock stocks have got to go. I'll be slapping some Houges on there right quick.

I didn't expect the recoil of the gun to remove a patch of skin on my thumb but it did. Maybe new grips and a different grip by me will help that out.

Is there some way to ensure more positive extraction of the empties? Even a hard slap on the rod would leave a couple of hangers almost every time.

After shooting this 150 times I'm amazed that people will fire full-house .357s out of lighter guns.

I'm not sure if I ever got used to stopping at 5 shots.

hayley

"Most of this would be my rookie handling of the snub, but some of the flyers were inexplicable. It would not have been possible to walk the muzzle that far off during the triggering."

Warren: I was really disheartened after my first outing with a 442. With practice I improved and now shoot pretty well with an even lighter 342pd. I didn't do this, but consider getting some laser grips. You can see exactly the effect of your trigger pull while dry firing.

don't give-up!

buckeyeLCPL

Way back when I purchased my 638 I was having a bit of troble getting rounds to go where I wanted. If you read through this it might have a jewel of wisdom or two for ya: http://www.defensivecarry.com/vbulle...lp-needed.html

About the best thing to do is practice, which I woefully can't do with that weapon right now.

__________________
Fortes Fortuna Juvat

We're mules lad. Mules that kill.

Beprepared

That sounds about like my experience with the stock trigger. A good trigger job is a requirement, in my mind. Also, fifty rounds per session is sufficient. Any more than that and I get tired and start shooting all over the place... and wear the skin off my thumb.

Try Uncle Mike's Boot Grip, available directly from S&W. Be sure to keep your firing hand as high up on the grip as possible.

QKShooter

You get it running right. Don't lose your self confidence.
The wrong grips coupled with some skin abrading off your hand and too heavy of a trigger pull sounds like your problem.
That's enough to make a body spread them out a bit on the paper.
Everything that is not perfect with the firearm is always magnified with a snub.
And try some Speer Short Barrel if you can find some in your area.
Also keep in mind that some guns hate Winchester White Box with a passion.

Warren

I forgot about the T-grip, I'll give one a try with the new grips.

I cannot afford C-traces just yet, so I'll do what I can with other approaches.

ctr

Brass extraction varies by manufacturer in my experience. Some cases tend to hang up more. Also, the j frame cyclinder is small, so it heats up quickly. Nothing to worry about there.

Don't forget to dry fire practice. Lots of dry fire practice. Learn to smoothly squeeze the trigger watching the front sight. Every time the front sight is obsevered to move during the squeeze creates a "flyer."

Things to think about with the j-frame:
1) Get a solid grip and clamp down on it
2) The thumb of the support hand can lap over the shooting hand and squeeze tightly
3) Watch the front sight, when it moves, the shot goes errant

Andy W.

I attribute my 642 shooting to the right to the heavy trigger.

__________________
The Bill of Rights: Void where prohibited by law.

NY27

I wouldn't worry too much about the accuracy. The small j frames are meant to be up close and personal defense weapons. If your hitting 30/30 at 21 ft I would think that you could get good COM hits in a combat situation.

The empty shell casings don't start hanging up on my j frames until I start getting into the 25-30 round range. So in a combat situation I doubt that you will be reloading that many times.

__________________
It is better to have your gun and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

2012

David in FL

If you really want to have some fun, leave an empty chamber when you load it. Spin the cylinder when you close it so you don't know when the empty one will come up, and have at it. You'll find out in a hurry if you're anticipating the recoil or not......

Snubbies and other extremely short barreled pistols are tough. You'll get there.