loplop,
The revolver bug has bitten! Resistance is futile!!!
No magazines to keep up with or load. No slide to rack. No bending over to pick up spent cases. No (well, very little) ammo sensitivity to worry about. Don't get me wrong, I like semi autos and I'd really like to have a 1911 one day. But I absolutely love my wheelies. BTW, having 38 special and 45ACP is a good reason to look into handloading. I have been picking up spent 38 and 357 cases at my local range for the last several months. I think I've brass whored about 3000 cases in prime condition.
Personally, as mentioned above, I suffer GREATLY in accuracy after about 15 rounds. My finger must be super weak, and as it tires from the constant DA pull I start to wander. The first 15 the thing is quite surprisingly accurate!
The little snub is capable of some rather astounding accuracy. The J Frame's trigger can seem heavy at first, but there is hope:
1. Make sure gun is unloaded
2. Repeat step 1
3. Repeat step 1, and step 2 just to be sure
4. Dry fire the crap out of it!
This will not only smooth out the trigger, your finger will get stronger in the process. As an added bonus, shooting your snubby will probably make you a better 1911 gunner.
Over time, you will not only get accustomed to the DA revolver pull, you may well begin to prefer it. I find the greater resistance of the DA pull gives me more "feel" for when the hammer is about to break. Kinda like the difference between a car with light, overboosted power steering that is difficult to brace against and another car with a nice, hefty feeling helm that inpsires confidence. For the record though, I do really like the 1911's SA trigger as well.
There is a different feel after the round touches off. When firing a 1911, you get a big push followed by the slide banging back, then forward. Even though you may not always articulate the steps of the shot/cycle, but you can feel the process occur. With the little snubby, you get a sharper push in the wrist, but it's very short and sharp; not as heavy and protracted as a 1911. I assume that is, of course, because there's no slide cycling!
Hey, I have a 642 and I've fired a few 1911s. Best description of the differences in feel I've ever read, good observations. I wonder though, would that mean the 642 can recover and get back on target sooner?
I'm enjoying the wheelgun experience so much I'm considering a more potent wheelgun to occasionally take the place of my 45 autos as CCW. I'm thinking S&W 325PD, as it's 45 Auto and I have everything I need, all the time, for that caliber. Has anyone here shot a 325PD and a 442/642? How's the recoil comparison?
The 325PD is an airlite 45ACP, correct? Cool concept, but I've heard that the 296 (44 Special Airlite) hurts like heck to shoot, so I'd assume the 45ACP wouldn't be much different. In anything stronger than 38+P, I personally prefer an all steel gun. I'd like to get a good IWB 357 Magnum one day. Something like a S&W Model 60, Ruger SP101, S&W K Frame, or most likely a 2.75" Ruger Security/Service/Speed Six. Awww heck, maybe I'll just get a 3" S&W Model 696 or 21 in 44 Special
!
(Unfortunately, I'm already secretly dreaming of
a Ruger Alaskan in .454 Casull,
but don't tell anyone ... )
Nem,
Dude, you came bursting out of that closet a long time ago, no point in hiding it now ... don't be afraid of your feelings
LOL!
The Ruger Alaskan is cool. Now that's a LOT of snubby to love. But you know, you have the following two revolvers:
S&W 642: DAO
S&W 686+: DA
What's missing? A SA perhaps? I know, I know, I'm a bit of a hypocrit at the moment ... but I used to own a SA Heritage Rough Rider Combo 22LR/22Mag. Paid $150 NIB. Really fun gun. Sold it. Stupid me :banghead:.
I think it would be cool to own something like a Cimarron Arms Model P in 45 Colt
http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/ModelP/ModelPO-F.htm. Or a Ruger Blackhawk in 41 or 44 Magnum, or 45 Colt:
http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAFamily?type=Revolver&subtype=Single Action&famlst=13. Any of them (especially the Rugers) would make excellent hunting guns. SA revolvers can deliver some pretty mind blowing accuracy.