So my snub shooting has improved - revealed a problem

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the naked prophet

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My snub shooting has improved to the point that I'm getting better groups with this (Taurus 85 DAO, 2" barrel, .38 special) than with my Browning Hi-Power. The problem is now that my groups have tightened up, I'm noticing they're centered quite a bit off of the bullseye.

At 7 yards, I'm getting a tight 1 inch group exactly 2 inches low of the bullseye. I thought that since I was using Speer Gold Dot 135 grain +P, the fixed sights might be regulated for the 158 grain loads, so I tried some of those (was in the process of switching carry loads to 158 grain Rem LHP anyway) and got exactly the same results.

How can I fix this, or is there anything I can do short of sanding a tiny bit off the top of the front sight, then shooting another group (10 shots at 15 or 20 yards, probably), repeat til it's on target? Is there some special way to do it?
 
Move the target out to 25 yds and you'll most likely find it will be right on as that is what most sights are regulated for. If you're not already doing it put one of the small stick on dots in the target center to aim at or just aim at the number or "x" printed on the target. Aim small, hit small.

7 to 10 yds is point and shoot distance or just front sight center and horizontal on target, for self defense 2" +/- will not make much if any difference.
 
Here's a quick test before you get your file out. Next time you're at the range ask someone else there (someone else who can shoot a snubby or at least a wheelgun, maybe 1 or 2 somebody's) to shoot the gun. If in someone else' hands it still shoots low than you know that it's not you.

If it's you there are a number of variables. Could be you are dipping the gun as you pull the trigger. I'm not familiar with this gun so here's a check for that...Load the gun but leave two non adjacent chambers empty. Spin the cylinder and close the action in a way that you don't know which are the empty chambers. Aim and fire keeping your eyes on the front sights. Fire slowly. Do the sights dip when you shoot? Do they dip on an empty chamber? Do you push the piece forward as you shoot?

Once you rule out the shooter than it's the gun. Send it back to the manufacturer for repair.

tipoc
 
If you don't have access to a ransom rest, sit down with some sand bags and shoot the gun for groups at 25 yards. Rest the gun solidly on the bags. It's the only way you can test the gun. No matter what you think about average gun fight ranges or the worth of shooting off bags (yeah, I know there are no sandbags in the field), you HAVE to test the hardware to make sure it's good to go before working on the software.

You may well be on at 25 with your groups a little low at short ranges. Best to test it, though. The very first thing I do with a new gun is put it on the bags for 25 yard groups, test ammo for accuracy, before proceeding to rely on the gun. But, even off sandbags you could flinch the gun low. You should have an experienced shooter try the gun for you before you file anything off the sight. A ransom rest is ideal, but those things are ridiculously expensive and you have to have the right inserts for your gun which is extra cost. I don't know anyone with one, but our club had one for a while until some yahoo ripped it off. I've always just worked with sand bags.

If the gun is just shooting low and you determine it's the gun, just file off a little at a time of the front sight until you get it where you want it. Also, different bullet weights/loads will often have a different POI. You might try some other loads. I've never sent a gun back to the factory for being a little low in elevation. That's pretty common with fixed sighted guns.
 
Not to be dismissive of your concerns... but what are you worried about? By my standards, a one inch at 7 yards with a 2" DAO snubby is GREAT shooting. Two inches low? So what? Unless you're going squirrel hunting or trying to be prepared for a sniper-like "Pick off the badguy behind the hostage" shot, your are good to go, and much more.

OTH, if you really DO plink empty shotshells at 50ft+, slowling taking down the front sight will work. Go slowly, there's no backing up.
 
For the record, I've put over 1000 rounds through this revolver (not including my S&W model 10, also in .38). When I say that my groups have tightened up recently, I mean I've put a few hundred through the revolver, and they're all hitting the same spot - recently does not mean "I got a couple of good groups last time I shot." I'm pretty sure it's not me, as the groups are very consistent, and I practice dry fire frequently with snap caps (trying to get up to 10,000 dry fires, to smooth out the trigger) balancing a penny on the barrel - if the penny falls, then I didn't pull smooth enough.

I was just asking if that was the correct way to adjust the sights. Measure twice and cut once, and all that.
 
I'd leave it alone as well. Your handgun is going to hit different points on the target with different ammo and at different distances. Learn where it shoots.
 
Naked P,

Actually if you reread your first post your question was about your shooting and how to improve it. If you had wanted to ask how to adjust your fixed sights you shoulda just asked that without the extra info. You did not provide enough of the needed info and too much that was unnecessary.

For example you coulda said...
"I have two .38s a M10 and a Taurus. I've had both for awhile and shoot both regularly. While I can shot 1" groups with both at 7 yards my Taurus shoots 2" below point of aim at that same distance and with the same ammo that the M10 shoots well. At 15 yards that means 4" low which I find too far off. Can I raise my point of impact by carefully filing down the front sight of the Taurus?"

That question woulda got you the info you wanted faster with less confusion and maybe a few tips.

tipoc

I've added this later. Of all the fixed sight snubbys I've ever owned, all either Colts or Smiths, none has ever shot low with standard 158 gr. loads and only an inch or so low at 15 yards with the lighter fare.
 
Last edited:
There are people who do it with the flat side?
Click to expand...

Bwahahahahahahaha! You owe me a keyboard!!!!!!! Just spit lemonade and vodka all over it and my nose is burning.
 
tipoc, you're right. Maybe I should have you type up all my posts, that would have made things much simpler! That's exactly what I was asking.

And no, I've never balanced a penny edgewise on my barrel. I may try it with a nickel now, just cause I'm curious, and a nickel is thick enough it might just work...
 
Naked P,

Now Naked P. I meant no offense. As often as you post and as clear as you can be at times, this time wasn't one of 'em. That's all.

Now, when you clothe yourself and head to the range, let us know how your work on the front sights goes.

tipoc
 
For a defensive firearm:

Does the gun shoot minute of man at 21 feet?

If you can score all hits in the upper torso and head, who cares if it's an inch or two off. You won't be able to get that sort of performance in a fight.

If you're trying to duplicate Bob Munden's 200 yard shots with it...then that inch or two may be important.
 
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