I've got a few snub's. Two model 60's one is a three inch with adjustable sites, one 640 no dash, and a second generation DS. All are 38spl. and loads of fun to shoot!! I keep all loads standard pressure 158gr LSWC. The 640 does double duty as my always gun. It usually stays loaded with Winchester ST non-+P. Its not the fanciest loading but it will get the job done as long as I do my part. My other snub's are big boomers, 624 3", 625 3", 686 3" no dash CS-1. Yes I like the 3" guns. They just feel right!
.38 special snubnose plinkers club meets here
- Thread starter Thirties
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molonlabe
Member
Bowling pins are fun. I shot 158gr WC behind 4.2 gr of 231. They clock at ~850fps. The require hitting a 2 to 3 inch area near the top of the pin to clear it off the table. It's challenging and fun.
I usually shoot the 2 inch J-frame round butt pocket protectors, with standard stocks. DA, and, once I learned that was better for me, began to use the hammerless Centennial models. I also like the small Colt DS or Agent as a small pocket protector. 
jamz
Member
I'll play!
I have two snubbies at the moment.
An older M38 Airweight Bodyguard with Ahrends stocks, and a new 340pd with CT stocks. My plinking ammo is some homemade stuff, 158gr copper rn bullets, I forget the amount of powder, but I sepcifically wanted some pretty soft shooting rounds, and I made a couple thousand a while ago, and am still using them up.
I plink at a local gravel pit, shootin' rocks, targets I bring out there, milk jugs, clay pidgeons, etc. I tend to like shooting on the move, from behind my truck, under it, whatever. Anything other than standing there. I tend to shoot 3/4 or more DA and the rest SA... because my 340 is DA only, and it's a PITA to cock the M38. Mostly two-handed, due to the light weight of both guns, but there is no shortage of one handed shooting too.
I have two snubbies at the moment.
An older M38 Airweight Bodyguard with Ahrends stocks, and a new 340pd with CT stocks. My plinking ammo is some homemade stuff, 158gr copper rn bullets, I forget the amount of powder, but I sepcifically wanted some pretty soft shooting rounds, and I made a couple thousand a while ago, and am still using them up.
I plink at a local gravel pit, shootin' rocks, targets I bring out there, milk jugs, clay pidgeons, etc. I tend to like shooting on the move, from behind my truck, under it, whatever. Anything other than standing there. I tend to shoot 3/4 or more DA and the rest SA... because my 340 is DA only, and it's a PITA to cock the M38. Mostly two-handed, due to the light weight of both guns, but there is no shortage of one handed shooting too.
DC3-CVN-72
Member
I'm in the club, but I only have two. A Mod. 60-7 .38 S&W SPL only circa '94 and a Nicle plated Mod. 10-7 square butt circa '85 that is like new that I paid $290.00 out the door about 3 yrs. ago. I shoot both single and double action about the same amount of time. I have to shoot WINCHESTER WINClean at the closest rannge to my house that is only 15 min. away.the next closest is over 1 hr. away
When they are loaded I use REMINGTON Golden Saber 125gr.BJHP.
When they are loaded I use REMINGTON Golden Saber 125gr.BJHP.
Subs
My snubs are my favorite. I always liked Revolvers. Thats all I carry. Snubs I have are Colt Agent 38spl. with factory shrouded hammer, Charter Undercover 38spl. DAO, S&W mdl.37 38spl.+p/bobed hammer, Ruger SP101 357 2" DAO, Rossie 971 357, Taurus 617 DAO 357 7shot, Taurus 905 9mm DAO, and my latest Taurus 605 357. I practice DAO most of the time. I use full power 357 ammo in the 357s and a mix of standerd 38 & 38+p in the 38s. When practicing I use 2 handed hold and single handed hold. I all so practice with the week hand.
My snubs are my favorite. I always liked Revolvers. Thats all I carry. Snubs I have are Colt Agent 38spl. with factory shrouded hammer, Charter Undercover 38spl. DAO, S&W mdl.37 38spl.+p/bobed hammer, Ruger SP101 357 2" DAO, Rossie 971 357, Taurus 617 DAO 357 7shot, Taurus 905 9mm DAO, and my latest Taurus 605 357. I practice DAO most of the time. I use full power 357 ammo in the 357s and a mix of standerd 38 & 38+p in the 38s. When practicing I use 2 handed hold and single handed hold. I all so practice with the week hand.
kmrcstintn
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my only snubby right now is a S&W 642 'DAO'...I dn't really 'plink' with it, but I can get carried away with defensive practice drills (I usually stop at 25 rounds, but sometimes shoot 100 rounds in a session) and the area between my thumb and the rest of the hand lets me know about it, especially when firing weak hand (left) and sighting with my dominant eye (right) and the rubbing when the handgun recoils
previously I had a nice used S&W 60 (pre-magnum) and it was more comfortable to shoot for longer sessions...mostly double action; mounted a set of Uncle Mike's/Butler Creek boot grips and made the shooting better than with the skinny stock wood grips
then there was the spurless hammer 'DAO' Ruger SP-101...nice weight to offset the recoil, especially while shooting magnums; the stock grip does wonders and fit my hands well
previously I had a nice used S&W 60 (pre-magnum) and it was more comfortable to shoot for longer sessions...mostly double action; mounted a set of Uncle Mike's/Butler Creek boot grips and made the shooting better than with the skinny stock wood grips
then there was the spurless hammer 'DAO' Ruger SP-101...nice weight to offset the recoil, especially while shooting magnums; the stock grip does wonders and fit my hands well
TonyB
Member
It's been a while..but I shoot in my yard(live in the woods)and I work in a Pharmacy,so I bring home empty pill bottles and shoot at them set up at different disatances.I have a 642,so it's DAO..but with my Rossi 2" I'll shoot SA at far away stuff,or if I'm shooting 357's.I hung an old oxygen tank from a tree at about 40 yards..makes a great gong.I like to see how many times in a row I can hit it w/ a snubby..the current record is 22.....on shot 23 my hand was a little weary and I jerked it like crazy......snubbies rule!
One funyy thing one time..I was shooting my snubs,and a Buddy brought his Ruger 480..this thing is freakin' huge.I was shooting at a coffe can and making it "dance" along the ground...then I shot his 480 and hit the can low,it flew like 50 ft in the air.....as it came down directly at us,we both ran in different directions like dopes.I'd rather shoot a snub all day as opposed to the 480 once..even though it weighs like 10lbs. it kicks like Rosie O'donnell in line at the Golden Corral.
One funyy thing one time..I was shooting my snubs,and a Buddy brought his Ruger 480..this thing is freakin' huge.I was shooting at a coffe can and making it "dance" along the ground...then I shot his 480 and hit the can low,it flew like 50 ft in the air.....as it came down directly at us,we both ran in different directions like dopes.I'd rather shoot a snub all day as opposed to the 480 once..even though it weighs like 10lbs. it kicks like Rosie O'donnell in line at the Golden Corral.
Gundenstern
Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2006
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- 51
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa....whoa. I will not stand for insulting a fine establishment like the Golden Corral by implying that Rosie eats there.
I love walking the woods with one of my 2" J frame S&W's or even my Taurus 85.
I carried a bobbed hammer S&W M37 for many years and loved to walk in the woods and shoot rotten stumps and blast pine cones off the ground.
I am always amazed at the accuracy of those little guns.
I carried a bobbed hammer S&W M37 for many years and loved to walk in the woods and shoot rotten stumps and blast pine cones off the ground.
I am always amazed at the accuracy of those little guns.
Thirties
Member
Folks, it took a while to get around to it, but today I loaded some .38spl brass with Spear 158g LSWD-HP over 3.5 grains Titegroup, CCI small pistol primers, and a medium to light roll crimp.
Shot 33 of these through my Rossi m68 2" snub nose.
Had no accuracy issues in SA, but I need to practice DA shooting, that's very apparent indeed. And I will set it as a goal to get used to DA revolver shooting. That is the only way to improve. I guess it is not realistic to shoot a revolver as if it was a small rifle in your hands.
Anyway, I went back to the bench and loaded 80 more rounds of this recipe. I will be chronographing from my 4" revos and mt 2"ers. And I'll get into the DA style of firing.
Thanks for your messages. I am inspired. I pity the local squirrels around here when I get good at it!
By the way, I was shooting at the side of a corrugated box with the lid flaps folded in, and another box inside of that. So, it was 4 thicknesses of fresh dry corrugated on each "side" (not the Chinese type). When done, I found one bullet inside which was well opened. My guess is it was one of my last shots where I aimed at a wild turkey turd on the ground just in front of the box. I hit it square on, and it splashed turkey poop all over the face of the box. It was a remarkable sight! The bullet must have expanded in the gravel, jumped into the box and stayed there -- proving . . . nothing, I suppose.
Shot 33 of these through my Rossi m68 2" snub nose.
Had no accuracy issues in SA, but I need to practice DA shooting, that's very apparent indeed. And I will set it as a goal to get used to DA revolver shooting. That is the only way to improve. I guess it is not realistic to shoot a revolver as if it was a small rifle in your hands.
Anyway, I went back to the bench and loaded 80 more rounds of this recipe. I will be chronographing from my 4" revos and mt 2"ers. And I'll get into the DA style of firing.
Thanks for your messages. I am inspired. I pity the local squirrels around here when I get good at it!
By the way, I was shooting at the side of a corrugated box with the lid flaps folded in, and another box inside of that. So, it was 4 thicknesses of fresh dry corrugated on each "side" (not the Chinese type). When done, I found one bullet inside which was well opened. My guess is it was one of my last shots where I aimed at a wild turkey turd on the ground just in front of the box. I hit it square on, and it splashed turkey poop all over the face of the box. It was a remarkable sight! The bullet must have expanded in the gravel, jumped into the box and stayed there -- proving . . . nothing, I suppose.
Barr
Member
Fell in love with a 2 inch S&W nickel plated revolver model 36. 158 gr LSWC over 3.75 gr of American Select. Nice light load at the bottom of the recommended charge. Light enough to be easy on an older gun and still hit point of aim at 15-30 yards. Pulverizes the rocks in the pistol pit at the range.
Stainz
Member
I bought my first .38 and .357M 9/03 new from CDNN - a 2" 10-11 and a 6" 66-6, both made 1/03. That is still my only .38. Okay, it is an 'M&P' 10, with a snubby barrel. It came with UM's rounded 'Combat' rubber grips, a la the other 10's, 64, 67's, etc. It will take any K/L grip, but I settled on the 'wood service boots', ~$28 from S&W. It is +P rated, so a diet of my favorite 158gr +P LHPSWC's is fine, if not just a tad expensive. That's the only commercial load it, or that 66, has ever seen.
I started reloading .38's using Magnus or Georgia Arms 158gr LRN & LSWC's over 4.0gr W237 for a dirty 661 fps, with ejected powder residue on the bench. A switch to 3.5gr Titegroup resulted in a cleaner bench and gun, and 691 fps from the 2" 10 and 828 fps from the 6" 66. The 2" 10 became a regular with me when I worked as a RO at the public range. I got some practice in - shooting at a 12"-16" steel plate at 110yd was fun. When the wind was calm - and I recalled the 'drop' - I could ping that plate three out of six shots. The day-shooters who couldn't hit the plate with their scoped hunting rifles from a rest were impressed... here was this big grey-haired fat guy standing up pinging away free-handed with a snubby .38. They didn't know how much 'practice' I got - or how mild (... and frugal!) my ammo was!
Stainz
I started reloading .38's using Magnus or Georgia Arms 158gr LRN & LSWC's over 4.0gr W237 for a dirty 661 fps, with ejected powder residue on the bench. A switch to 3.5gr Titegroup resulted in a cleaner bench and gun, and 691 fps from the 2" 10 and 828 fps from the 6" 66. The 2" 10 became a regular with me when I worked as a RO at the public range. I got some practice in - shooting at a 12"-16" steel plate at 110yd was fun. When the wind was calm - and I recalled the 'drop' - I could ping that plate three out of six shots. The day-shooters who couldn't hit the plate with their scoped hunting rifles from a rest were impressed... here was this big grey-haired fat guy standing up pinging away free-handed with a snubby .38. They didn't know how much 'practice' I got - or how mild (... and frugal!) my ammo was!
Stainz
jrfoxx
Member
I have a S&W M637 Airweight in .38spl.I plink exclusively with WWB ammo from Wal-mart, and mostly shoot it single action, but I do make it a point to only shoot DA when I do holster drills with it, as I CCW this gun a lot, and thats how I'd use it in a SD situation, so I make sure I'm used to firing it that way without so much as a second thought (which is why the only time I shoot it DA at all is during holster practice, and never use the holster when shooting SA,so mentally, I associate drawing from a holster with DA shooting and vice-versa, so its a reflex without thought).I enjoy the challenge of using a snubbie for plinking.I find it a much greater, and more fun challenge than I would just shooting at longer distances with a longer barrel gun.I also have an "original" (meaining not Charco, charter 2000, or any of the other re-incarnations that have spotty at best QC) Charter Arms "Undercover" from the 70's in .38spl also that I inherited from the father-in-law, and its fun to shoot also.Nice trigger, just as accurate as the m637, comfortable, reliable, the works.Not too bad in the fit/finish and general "looks" department either.I usually just put holes in paper with them, but I do really enjoy trying to hit spent 12 gauge shells at about 10-15 or so.A real challenge, but its nice to see them dance when you do hit them.
sixgunner455
Member
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- Aug 25, 2006
- Messages
- 3,052
Resurrecting this old thread
So I can talk about my old DS. I load 158 gr LSWC over a light charge of Bullseye. I love shooting this old gun. I shoot the same load out of a S&W 642, it's more pleasant than Winchester 130gr FMJ.
The Colt came with some very hammered wood grips, and they were thick. I put a Hogue Monogrip on it. It fits me well this way, but I think about putting some classier grips on it.
The 642 I have swapped grips around several times, but I keep going back to the rubber boot grips that it came with. Don't love shooting this one, but I really like it for carry.
I have plinked with the Colt after deer and elk hunting, while waiting for the remainder of the party to show up so we could go home. Just shooting logs, sticks off logs, rocks.
Plinking at rocks on the side of a cut in a dry wash is a lot of fun. If I can ever track down some rabbits that will hold, I'll try shooting them with it.
I don't plink with the S&W. At least I haven't. I just shoot a couple of cylinders through it at a target every time I go to the range. I don't really like shooting it that much, like I said. I just like to carry it.
So I can talk about my old DS. I load 158 gr LSWC over a light charge of Bullseye. I love shooting this old gun. I shoot the same load out of a S&W 642, it's more pleasant than Winchester 130gr FMJ.
The Colt came with some very hammered wood grips, and they were thick. I put a Hogue Monogrip on it. It fits me well this way, but I think about putting some classier grips on it.
The 642 I have swapped grips around several times, but I keep going back to the rubber boot grips that it came with. Don't love shooting this one, but I really like it for carry.
I have plinked with the Colt after deer and elk hunting, while waiting for the remainder of the party to show up so we could go home. Just shooting logs, sticks off logs, rocks.
Plinking at rocks on the side of a cut in a dry wash is a lot of fun. If I can ever track down some rabbits that will hold, I'll try shooting them with it.
I don't plink with the S&W. At least I haven't. I just shoot a couple of cylinders through it at a target every time I go to the range. I don't really like shooting it that much, like I said. I just like to carry it.
M2 Carbine
member
I've got 2 Rossi and 2 two inch S&W J Frames and 2 three inch J Frames.
I shoot them probably more than anything else because I hate to lose my brass in the backyard grass when shooting the semi auto pistols.
Have a Crimson Trace laser on one, so I shoot that a couple evenings a week.
I like shooting the small guns at different distances, out to 100 yards but lately have been shooting mostly at 10-15 yards.
Matter of fact I haven't tried it in a while, so about an hour ago I shot the 2 inch S&W J Frame at 7 yards with my eyes closed as I squeezed the trigger.
Did better than a couple months ago with a Taurus PT99. I guess I'm not shaking as much as I thought.
Fun.
I shoot them probably more than anything else because I hate to lose my brass in the backyard grass when shooting the semi auto pistols.
Have a Crimson Trace laser on one, so I shoot that a couple evenings a week.
I like shooting the small guns at different distances, out to 100 yards but lately have been shooting mostly at 10-15 yards.
Matter of fact I haven't tried it in a while, so about an hour ago I shot the 2 inch S&W J Frame at 7 yards with my eyes closed as I squeezed the trigger.
Did better than a couple months ago with a Taurus PT99. I guess I'm not shaking as much as I thought.
Fun.
SAWBONES
Member
Most seem to agree to a barrel length of 3" or slightly more (eg, Ruger's SP101 can be had with a 3 1/16" barrel), as the limit length for a "snubby", and of course most are shorter, from 1 7/8" for most of the modern J-frame Smiths to 2 1/2" for some Colts.
I find that "plinking" is rather more difficult with these short barreled guns, probably since varying ranges and varying angles of shooting basically magnify the aiming difficulties present with short sight radiuses. (I'm thinking of the example of shooting at a golf ball on the ground, which moves with every shot.)
I can't plink as well with revolvers as with semiautos for some reason, probably a combination of longer sight radius and often better trigger on the semiautos than on the snubby revolvers, though I also wonder about potential shot-to-shot variability in the revolver attributable to tiny variations in barrel alignment among different cylinder holes; even though the barrel remains stationary with a revolver, I'm not at all sure that revolvers are more consistent in accuracy than tuned semiautomatic pistols.
Obviously, those of us who like snubbies for CCW are best served by DA types. While SA snubbies exist, I know of only one in current commercial production, from USFA, and it's very expensive (http://www.usfirearms.com/cat/snubnose.asp), so of interest mostly to the Cowboy Shooters who want a period-correct "hideout gun", I'd guess.
I find that "plinking" is rather more difficult with these short barreled guns, probably since varying ranges and varying angles of shooting basically magnify the aiming difficulties present with short sight radiuses. (I'm thinking of the example of shooting at a golf ball on the ground, which moves with every shot.)
I can't plink as well with revolvers as with semiautos for some reason, probably a combination of longer sight radius and often better trigger on the semiautos than on the snubby revolvers, though I also wonder about potential shot-to-shot variability in the revolver attributable to tiny variations in barrel alignment among different cylinder holes; even though the barrel remains stationary with a revolver, I'm not at all sure that revolvers are more consistent in accuracy than tuned semiautomatic pistols.
Obviously, those of us who like snubbies for CCW are best served by DA types. While SA snubbies exist, I know of only one in current commercial production, from USFA, and it's very expensive (http://www.usfirearms.com/cat/snubnose.asp), so of interest mostly to the Cowboy Shooters who want a period-correct "hideout gun", I'd guess.
Hi all,New to HR and thought I'd throw my two pennys worth in.I carry for CCW a S&W Bodyguard Model 38.Great for personal defense and quite fun for plinking at cans and such.My thinking is if you can hit a can at 30 feet,a fullsize target should not pose much of a problem.
coelacanth
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- Mar 5, 2007
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- 455
cheating a little......
ok - maybe this is THE place for .38 snubbie plinkers but in the spirit of the shooting fraternity you gotta' run whatcha brung so I have to admit an overweening fondness for a nickel plated S&W mod13 with DAO lockwork and a bobbed hammer spur. This thing will make you a double action shooter by design and when you get good enough to ignore the trigger pull and stay on target you are gonna get scary good with the right load. I also have what ought to be a junky old tackle box revolver that will shoot stupid small groups with the right fodder. It's a Charter Arms Pathfinder in .22LR with a 2 inch barrel and if I'm up to it that thing will roll beer cans at 50 yards. Go figure ( grin). Nice thread, y'all - keep it up!
ok - maybe this is THE place for .38 snubbie plinkers but in the spirit of the shooting fraternity you gotta' run whatcha brung so I have to admit an overweening fondness for a nickel plated S&W mod13 with DAO lockwork and a bobbed hammer spur. This thing will make you a double action shooter by design and when you get good enough to ignore the trigger pull and stay on target you are gonna get scary good with the right load. I also have what ought to be a junky old tackle box revolver that will shoot stupid small groups with the right fodder. It's a Charter Arms Pathfinder in .22LR with a 2 inch barrel and if I'm up to it that thing will roll beer cans at 50 yards. Go figure ( grin). Nice thread, y'all - keep it up!HammerBite
Member
If I'm shooting at the range I'll go double-action all the way for bragging purposes. Out plinking it's probably a 50/50 ratio DA/SA.
S&W Models 40 & 60.
S&W Models 40 & 60.
the lone gunman
Member
when I am out riding in the woods in my old beat up 4*4 ranger I love to have my Taurus model 85 ,38 special with me. fun for chipmunks .
I shoot SA if the gun allows this mode of fire. Tin cans, metal plates, and balloons are the preferred targets but sometimes dirt clods and tree stumps are all that’s available. Most of my guns are stocked with rubber or smooth wood grips with no sharp edges or checkering. I like to alternate between a two-handed and a one-handed hold. Handloaded swaged 158gr LRN bullets with a little Bullseye, 700X, or Tightgroup work fine for me.
wcwhitey
Member
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2006
- Messages
- 2,814
Sign me up! All S&W's; Model 10 2" my favorite but not authorized for carry so it is the house gun. A 3" 64 NY1 with bobbed hammer, great gun, also not authorized for carry but sits in locker just in case. An then the 640 Centenial that is carried 24/7 never leaves my body. 4.3 Grains of Unique over a 158 GR SWC any of the guns will shoot point of aim at 15 yds. Still fresh in my mind from a previous thread I took the 640 out to 50 yards a couple of weeks ago. Nothing close to a group emerged but if I was using a b27 target I would have made more than few hits. Gotta love the snub. I just wish I was able to carry an airweight.
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