blarby
Member
As many ( including yourself) have stated, the snubbie is a challenge for both the novice and accomplished pistolero.
Learning to wield a weapon which is so openly hostile to pinpoint bullseye shooting is its own particular type of "fun", but can be frustrating as well.
Learning to shoot any double-action revolver is a unique challenge for each piece; from 8" hunting down to a 2" concealed backup weapon ( such as yours).
With a sight radius that short, even the most imperceptible movement can effect your point of impact significantly.
But, you have a further complication in not knowing whether it is you the firer, or the pistols fault.
To determine which is the more likely culprit, and before spending a considerable sum on a new pistol, I would try this :
Find a decent bench bag that can be used to stabilize the pistol during seated firing.
Something like this :
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/886734/caldwell-deadshot-front-shooting-rest-bag-nylon-filled
Obtain 120 rounds (20 cylinders) of premium jacketed ammunition, in .38, I would suggest these :
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/28...special-147-grain-full-metal-jacket-box-of-20
Or something with a similar record of accuracy. Cor-bon supplies many law-enforcement agencies, and has a proven record of accuracy and reliability.
Obtain a stack of targets, say 20 that are about plate sized.
Fire ten cylinders seated and fully supported by the bag. One cylinder at each target, half at 5 yards, the other half at ten yards.
Fire the next ten cylinders standing and unsupported, again half at 5 yards and the other half at ten yards.
If this is too many rounds for you to fire comfortably in one day, divide the test into two sessions...but make sure and do half seated and supported, and half standing.
Compare your results.
If your seated and supported groups cannot maintain a 2-3" grouping....perhaps your pistol truly is faulty. I strongly suspect you will be able to achieve this grouping after the first seated target set. If you and your pistol can achieve anything near this in the seated and supported department- then its all a matter of shooting technique. If you can obtain this grouping while seated and supported, but not standing and unsupported- it is very unlikely that a significant expenditure by way of a new pistol is going to be your "magic bullet" so to speak.
Is it possible to obtain better than a 2-3" group from a revolver ? Certainly. Both a better firearm or better technique could help in this department. I however, would be perfectly accepting of such a grouping given that your weapon is low cost, fires low cost ammunition, and is intended primarily as a backup to a more significant weapons platform of the firers' choosing.
In any event, this simple test may save you a great amount of money and frustration regardless of the outcome. If your pistol is truly bad, replace it- and move on. If your pistol is fine, but you need some improvement in technique- thats fine too. At least you will no longer harbor doubt as to what the problem really is- and you may be surprised at how much "knowing" that it is indeed you ( if this is the case) helps in your pursuits.
It may not be easy on the Ego at first, but you can have confidence knowing that practice will improve your ability every day. You will soon have the satisfaction of that day- not far from now- where that center circle is just a chewed up ragged hole....and that it was your skill and perseverance that got you to that point.
Best of luck !
Learning to wield a weapon which is so openly hostile to pinpoint bullseye shooting is its own particular type of "fun", but can be frustrating as well.
Learning to shoot any double-action revolver is a unique challenge for each piece; from 8" hunting down to a 2" concealed backup weapon ( such as yours).
With a sight radius that short, even the most imperceptible movement can effect your point of impact significantly.
But, you have a further complication in not knowing whether it is you the firer, or the pistols fault.
To determine which is the more likely culprit, and before spending a considerable sum on a new pistol, I would try this :
Find a decent bench bag that can be used to stabilize the pistol during seated firing.
Something like this :
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/886734/caldwell-deadshot-front-shooting-rest-bag-nylon-filled
Obtain 120 rounds (20 cylinders) of premium jacketed ammunition, in .38, I would suggest these :
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/28...special-147-grain-full-metal-jacket-box-of-20
Or something with a similar record of accuracy. Cor-bon supplies many law-enforcement agencies, and has a proven record of accuracy and reliability.
Obtain a stack of targets, say 20 that are about plate sized.
Fire ten cylinders seated and fully supported by the bag. One cylinder at each target, half at 5 yards, the other half at ten yards.
Fire the next ten cylinders standing and unsupported, again half at 5 yards and the other half at ten yards.
If this is too many rounds for you to fire comfortably in one day, divide the test into two sessions...but make sure and do half seated and supported, and half standing.
Compare your results.
If your seated and supported groups cannot maintain a 2-3" grouping....perhaps your pistol truly is faulty. I strongly suspect you will be able to achieve this grouping after the first seated target set. If you and your pistol can achieve anything near this in the seated and supported department- then its all a matter of shooting technique. If you can obtain this grouping while seated and supported, but not standing and unsupported- it is very unlikely that a significant expenditure by way of a new pistol is going to be your "magic bullet" so to speak.
Is it possible to obtain better than a 2-3" group from a revolver ? Certainly. Both a better firearm or better technique could help in this department. I however, would be perfectly accepting of such a grouping given that your weapon is low cost, fires low cost ammunition, and is intended primarily as a backup to a more significant weapons platform of the firers' choosing.
In any event, this simple test may save you a great amount of money and frustration regardless of the outcome. If your pistol is truly bad, replace it- and move on. If your pistol is fine, but you need some improvement in technique- thats fine too. At least you will no longer harbor doubt as to what the problem really is- and you may be surprised at how much "knowing" that it is indeed you ( if this is the case) helps in your pursuits.
It may not be easy on the Ego at first, but you can have confidence knowing that practice will improve your ability every day. You will soon have the satisfaction of that day- not far from now- where that center circle is just a chewed up ragged hole....and that it was your skill and perseverance that got you to that point.
Best of luck !
