G23/J Frame

[Robert B]

I am able to hit all bullseyes with a magazine of 180 grainers out of my G23 shooting at 5 yards. With my 442, I put 4 rounds in a 5 inch circle with one not even hitting the paper at the same distance. I know neither of these are representative of great shooting. But do you guys have more of a challenge with J frames like I do? What are your thoughts? Thanks.

 

[FMF Doc]

Snubbies tend to be more difficult to shoot accurately because of the shortened sight radius. However, if you can shoot one well, you can shoot anything well.

 

[beatledog7]

Snubbies are a challenge. I wasn't making progress with my 642 until I installed an over-molded grip. I practiced with that until I could put all five into 2" at 10 yds every time. Then I went back to the factory boot grips, and found I could still do it.

Funny, I still shoot my snubby better than any semi-auto I have.

 

[JTQ]

I'm always fascinated by the "what gun to get my wife/girlfriend threads" where lots of folks recommend the small revolvers. They are uncomfortable and difficult to shoot accurately. It's not surprising you would shoot your G23 better.

 

[Robert B]

Just a PS to my post

I was only able to shoot 15 +P rounds yesterday. My thumb is bruised today.

 

[F-111 John]

Were you shooting the j-frame DA? That alone would account for a lot of the differences in accuracy between it and the Glock given the J's much longer and heavier DA trigger pull.

 

[LTR shooter]

I picked up a 642 recently which is the stainless version of the 442. The relatively heavy DA trigger , minimal sights with short sight radius and small grip combine to make it more challenging to shoot well. And the felt recoil is fairly stout for a 38 Special!

I fired mine for 55 rounds the first time out and these were the final 15 shots at the 7 yard line. Excuse the 22lr holes as I used a target I had set up at the 25yd line earlier. Aside from the high shot and right of center group I was satisfied with the target considering I had not fired DA in years.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The trick to shooting a J frame well is Dry Firing!

Get a set of snap-caps and squeeze of 500+ trigger pulls a night and you will get much better at trigger control.

 

[Twiki357]

I can't speak for the Glock, But I love J frames. I just added this 637 to my accumulation a couple of months ago.

 

[jad0110]

Funny, I still shoot my snubby better than any semi-auto I have.

I think you and I are the only people around that can say that! Well, I am usually more consistent shooting a J Frame than a Glock. Glock ergos just don't work a bit for me. Nice guns, but not for me.

The short sight radius, lack of any kind of muzzle weight, generally tiny grips and often stiff, gritty trigger often conspire to make the little compact snubs challenging for most to shoot. Now, K Frame snubs are another matter. Larger grips and a cleaner, smoother DA trigger that doesn't resist movement the way a lot of Js do mean I shoot those as well as a longer barrel K Frame if I'm paying attention to what I'm doing.

 

[Levan9X19]

I always will opt for semiauto over revolver. and glocks are my favorite semiautos.

 

[Levan9X19]

I was shooting autos for years and I consider myself a good shooter. One day I took few revolvers to range and was disappointed with results. I couldnt find a reason why I will have to transition to revolvers. simply no reason for this. Today compact and subcompact pistols are very light and very reliable. No offense to revolver guy but I feel the same way as the topic starter.

 

[Silent Bob]

Some of us don't find subcompact pistols to be all that reliable. You can't shove their muzzle into an opponent's ribcage without the possiblity of their slide being pushed out of battery. Not many other small handguns have the ability to fire a 158gr bullet. Snubs will always have a place.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I never shot very well with small-frame revolvers either. The closest to acceptable shootability and accuracy was the Ruger SP101, a larger and heavier gun than the S&Ws. I favor subcompact 9mm pistols.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you practice enough and practice correctly including a lot of dry firing you can become a very good shot with a revolver. Sure they are more difficult to shoot well but it can be done. I can shoot a snub nose revolver well now but that's after A LOT of practice...

These two targets were shot with a M638 Airweight:





With enough practice even a Kel-Tec P-32 becomes easier to shoot well. And what's the downside of having to shoot a lot? LOL