Shooting a snub

[Armored farmer]

It took forever to get comfortable with my snub.
It shot too far to the left. I finally figured out that it was me, not the gun. I had to change my grip and trigger finger placement.
I slowly got it where it needed to be.
My experiences with it made me a better handgun shooter.

 

[brewer12345]

Well, heading back for more practice tomorrow. I reload so I will be lugging an ammo can with a whole bunch of 38s...

 

[alias]

The first time I shot my Taurus 85T (total titanium) I thought there was something wrong with it. At about 15 yards when I walked up to the target there weren't any holes in it! A couple thousand practice dry fires when I was home alone and a several hundred rounds at the range and the issue pretty much resolved. The thing was so light I was twisting it when I pulled the trigger. Then with +P loads it took practice, practice, practice. I now prefer Speer 135 grain short barrel .38's in it. It doesn't really like lead for some reason, but the Speers or jacketed 158 grain loads, while uncomfortable after 100 rounds or so, work pretty well for me. Really light, short barrels are definitely a whole different world than 4" barrel revolvers.

 

[brewer12345]

Well, after burning a bunch of powder, I think I see the issue. I still tend to pull left, but pulling the trigger with just the tip of my finger made the double action pull much smoother and I could.keep all 5 shots on the target with wadcutters and lead 158s. Interestingly, if I took my time in single action I could make small enough groups that I would. be comfy popping a.rabbit at 15 yards.

 

[Blkhrt13]

I'm on my third snub that I have carried in the last 20 plus years. I can tell you they are very sensitive to the slightest changes in grip. They tell on us when we misbehave. I got rid of my Taurus 85t because I thought the gun shot poorly. Then I learned it was me. Plus the recoil with any rounds because it was so light. It was weird. It made the gun dive down instead of rise up. Porting was the issue. I miss it now. I only started carrying snubbies after seeing miculek smoke balloons at mass distance. You have to train yourself.

 

[alias]

Blkhrt13,
I had the same issue initially. My 85T is one of the ported ones. Eventually I got used to it, but it took a few hundred rounds. Anyone who doesn't want to put in a bunch of range time should stay away from ultra-light short barrel revolvers. My 2" Model 10 is a whole lot easier to shoot, as is my SP101. I think after the first or second run of the Total Titaniums they stopped with the porting. And LOUD! Short barrel .357 crack loud. I'd really hate to have to touch this thing off inside without hearing protection. But hearing damage beats dead.

 

[BSA1]

"The snub is more challenging to shoot, but I do not expect great accuracy since this is effectively a short range self defense option (belly gun)."

Why do you expect less accuracy? A short barrel J-Frame should have the same mechanical accuracy as a larger frame revolver. The Chief of Police on a Department I once worked on could outshoot most of the other Officers at 25 yards with his S&W J-Frame revolver.

"When I had issues shooting the lighter jacketed bullets, I shot a couple cylinders seated with the gun on a rest and had similar results. So I think that it is probably an ammo thing rather than the nut behind the trigger."

Being a Taurus it could be a problem with the gun. Taurus replaced my first M-941 with another new one because the accuracy was so bad with it.

However J-frame revolvers are best for advanced shooters. The very features that make them desirable conceal carry pieces (i.e. small grips, small size. light weight) make it very hard to shoot well.

Only more shooting sessions will tell for sure.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

I have a model 36 S&W, and a Colt Detective Special. I shoot standard pressure loads and am a fan of the 158 grain SWCHP. When I shoot the same round in my S&W 638, my groups open up a bit. The airweight frame makes for a bit more felt recoil, though not unmanageable, but the larger groups are no doubt, something on my part. I have to practice with this one more and correct what I'm doing wrong before I carry as a primary edc.

 

[Blkhrt13]

Blkhrt13,
I had the same issue initially. My 85T is one of the ported ones. Eventually I got used to it, but it took a few hundred rounds. Anyone who doesn't want to put in a bunch of range time should stay away from ultra-light short barrel revolvers. My 2" Model 10 is a whole lot easier to shoot, as is my SP101. I think after the first or second run of the Total Titaniums they stopped with the porting. And LOUD! Short barrel .357 crack loud. I'd really hate to have to touch this thing off inside without hearing protection. But hearing damage beats dead.

I wish I hadn't sold it. But I feel that way about every one I ever sold.

 

[S.B.]

Brewer12345, by fixed at 12.5 yards do you mean for your eyes and with the particular ammo on hand at the time?
Steve

 

[brewer12345]

Brewer12345, by fixed at 12.5 yards do you mean for your eyes and with the particular ammo on hand at the time?
Steve

I mean the range has a target line at any distance you want, provided you want it at 12.5 or 25 yards.

 

[H3NT3]

I own a Taurus 85 stainless steel. The LSWC-HP +p from Underwood seemed to shoot the best for me. Very stout loading there. 1000fps from. 2" barrel IIRC.