Shootability of an airweight/lightweight snubby?
- Thread starter SanduneCC
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I have a 37 and it's a great little revolver. Light weight and easy to carry. As for shooting them fast and accurately they just don't compare to something like a G26 in a semi or a 2 1/2 inch K-Frame Smith in a revolver. They are very difficult to shoot quickly and accurately beyond bad breath distance. Oh, yes I can shoot a revolver so don't tell me I just need to practice. 
Snubby Weight Comparison
I decided on the Taurus 651SHC, a Total Titanium shrouded-hammer snubby.
It was a case of Goldilocks & the Three Snubby Makers:
Ruger was too heavy
S&W was too light
Taurus was just right
You should be able to find some snubby on the "snubbie weight continuum" that will do what you want.
FWIW, I wanted .357mag in as light a package I could fire without pain. The Taurus Total Ti 651SHC snubby was my pot o' porridge.
I decided on the Taurus 651SHC, a Total Titanium shrouded-hammer snubby.
It was a case of Goldilocks & the Three Snubby Makers:
Ruger was too heavy
S&W was too light
Taurus was just right
You should be able to find some snubby on the "snubbie weight continuum" that will do what you want.
FWIW, I wanted .357mag in as light a package I could fire without pain. The Taurus Total Ti 651SHC snubby was my pot o' porridge.
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Bought my first airweight the other day and put 150 rounds of +p through it in one sitting. I thought the gun would be some uncontrolable monster from what I've heard but whereas it wasn't comfortable to shoot (blisters and abrasions) it was'nt like some full tilt .44 magnum in a 629 Mountain Gun by a long stretch. But I have never really been recoil sensitive. Though I've got a friend ex force recon, blackwater contract, leo.... who self admittedly is ultra recoil sensitive and develops bad habits real fast with a heavy recoiling handgun and the 642 would no doubt be one of those handguns.
Pappy John
Member
I recently went 3/4 lb. heavier in my carry gun, by trading in a 642 for a bobbed hammer SP101 in .357. It's no longer a pocket piece, but then I seldom carried that way anyhow, preferring an IWB holster. On the belt the extra weight is not very noticable....an easy trade-off for the extra horsepower. Much more fun at the range, even with light magnum loads compared to how specials felt in the Airweight. It still takes max concentration to group well and the trigger is somewhat dis-appointing in comparison to the 642, but overall I'm happy with the trade.
Glocker
Member
just helping...
i did not know until someone told me, i'm not trying to make anyone fell dumb or anything like that, but has anyone of you that owns a 642 noticed that there is a two stage triger on that gun? pull the triger back slowly until you here the first "click" then pull it back slowly some more until you here the second "click" take aim pull the rest of the way "" BAM "". helped me at the range get better groups. of course in a combat situation go for center mass. like i said i'm not here to make anyone look dumb but i owned this pistol for a while before i knew about this two stage triger, thought maybe someone else that owns one might not know about it. good shooting
i did not know until someone told me, i'm not trying to make anyone fell dumb or anything like that, but has anyone of you that owns a 642 noticed that there is a two stage triger on that gun? pull the triger back slowly until you here the first "click" then pull it back slowly some more until you here the second "click" take aim pull the rest of the way "" BAM "". helped me at the range get better groups. of course in a combat situation go for center mass. like i said i'm not here to make anyone look dumb but i owned this pistol for a while before i knew about this two stage triger, thought maybe someone else that owns one might not know about it. good shooting
22luvr
Member
I found that for pocket carry, any snubby with ammo and holster, that weighed in at around one pound was the key to a good balance between carriability and shootability.
My lightest snub was a Smith 340SC scandium which tipped the scales at 12 oz. Incredible for carry but brutal with .357 rounds. I carried .38's in it and shooting them was manageable and accurate.
My favorite snub to pocket carry was the Smith model 638, which weighed in at just over one pound.
Go with lighter and carry .38 spcls.
My lightest snub was a Smith 340SC scandium which tipped the scales at 12 oz. Incredible for carry but brutal with .357 rounds. I carried .38's in it and shooting them was manageable and accurate.
My favorite snub to pocket carry was the Smith model 638, which weighed in at just over one pound.
Go with lighter and carry .38 spcls.
Shear_stress
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- Apr 27, 2005
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Just my two cents:
I recently found a Smith M38 airweight bodyguard and love it. Recoil with regular pressure 38 Specials is robust, but definately tolerable, even with the regular service grips. Accuracy is awesome, both in single and double action. Though the M38 is not even +P rated, I would feel confident with it in my pocket (rule number one: have a gun).
I recently found a Smith M38 airweight bodyguard and love it. Recoil with regular pressure 38 Specials is robust, but definately tolerable, even with the regular service grips. Accuracy is awesome, both in single and double action. Though the M38 is not even +P rated, I would feel confident with it in my pocket (rule number one: have a gun).
HankB
Member
I recently purchased an S&W 340SC .357. I added the overmolded model Crimson Trace laser grips to it - they LOOK bulkier than they actually are, and only extend the length of the grip by about a quarter inch.
These grips do much to tame the recoil, but full power .357s are downright nasty. A "+P" .38 will get your attention when you fire it, but it doesn't actually hurt. "Medium" .357 loads (like the 145 Silvertip or 129 Federal) are IMHO a good compromise.
I slicked up the action a bit myself (by polishing the internals, NOT by swapping springs) and it's noticeably easier to shoot well.
This is a good "Always" gun, as it disappears into a pants pocket. I like it.
These grips do much to tame the recoil, but full power .357s are downright nasty. A "+P" .38 will get your attention when you fire it, but it doesn't actually hurt. "Medium" .357 loads (like the 145 Silvertip or 129 Federal) are IMHO a good compromise.
I slicked up the action a bit myself (by polishing the internals, NOT by swapping springs) and it's noticeably easier to shoot well.
This is a good "Always" gun, as it disappears into a pants pocket. I like it.
eagle45
Member
I have a Taurus 851BUL, 38 +P that weighs 17oz. It fits in my pocket easily in an Uncle Mike's holster. I find the recoil tolerable, when I take it to the range I typically put 100 to 150 +P rounds through it. Accuracy is good.
342PD owner
Added overmoulded CT Laser grips, calibrated to 7-10 yards (closer targets - laser points a little low and right to POI; farther targets - laser points a little high and left).
I take issue with those who say the gun is inaccurate. Without the laser, I can consistently hit a 6" target at 25 yards. With a better trigger, the gun would be even easier to shoot - the stock trigger is terrible and needs an action job.
Even with the overmoulded grips, the only fun round to shoot are 148 gr full wadcutters (I use Black Hills remanufactured target loads). +p rounds don't injure you, but aren't fun.
After reading what Gary Roberts and David DiFabio had to say on Tactical Forums, my defense load is: 2 SafeStop 148 gr cupfaced wadcutters, followed by 3 of the Gold Dot 135+p rounds. The non+p cupfaced wadcutters don't expand, but have sharp edges and crush much more tissue than ball ammo. They also penetrate well and are not too bad on recoil with the overmoulded grips. The +p gold dots are worse on recoil, and are saved for the last 3 shots in case they are absoultely needed. I am anxious to try the 110 DPX load from Corbon.
Finally, for close range point-shooting (from the hip on a quick draw) with the laser, I find putting my shooting hand thumb on top of the frame where the hammer would ordinarily go helps me control the gun, and dump all 5 rounds quickly in the target.
Added overmoulded CT Laser grips, calibrated to 7-10 yards (closer targets - laser points a little low and right to POI; farther targets - laser points a little high and left).
I take issue with those who say the gun is inaccurate. Without the laser, I can consistently hit a 6" target at 25 yards. With a better trigger, the gun would be even easier to shoot - the stock trigger is terrible and needs an action job.
Even with the overmoulded grips, the only fun round to shoot are 148 gr full wadcutters (I use Black Hills remanufactured target loads). +p rounds don't injure you, but aren't fun.
After reading what Gary Roberts and David DiFabio had to say on Tactical Forums, my defense load is: 2 SafeStop 148 gr cupfaced wadcutters, followed by 3 of the Gold Dot 135+p rounds. The non+p cupfaced wadcutters don't expand, but have sharp edges and crush much more tissue than ball ammo. They also penetrate well and are not too bad on recoil with the overmoulded grips. The +p gold dots are worse on recoil, and are saved for the last 3 shots in case they are absoultely needed. I am anxious to try the 110 DPX load from Corbon.
Finally, for close range point-shooting (from the hip on a quick draw) with the laser, I find putting my shooting hand thumb on top of the frame where the hammer would ordinarily go helps me control the gun, and dump all 5 rounds quickly in the target.
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