Snubbie Accuracy

[writwing]

Are snubbies inherently inaccurate or just harder to shoot well?

 

[Lefty SRH]

Harder to shoot well, but with some practice you will be able to hit well with them. Just take your time and don't give up on the snubbies. I own 2 and they are a lot of fun to shoot. Dry firing works weel for practice when you can't get to the range.
Me and a friend go toe to toe (on steel plates) against each other with our snubbies. I have an LCR and he has a S&W J-frame. I'm waiting for him to get a .44mag snubby to put up next to my Ruger Alaskan.

 

[Donaldjr1969]

Are snubbies inherently inaccurate or just harder to shoot well?

Probably just harder to shoot well without lack of practice. Now I would not consider a snubnose to be match grade by any means. And the short sight radius is a minor detriment to accuracy compared to a revolver with a longer barrel. It could also be said by some that shorter barrels do not give enough time for a bullet to be properly stabilized. But let's be honest. How many people go from 6" or longer barrels to a snubnose (considering they have never shot a snubnose before) expecting the same results?

A few months ago, I went with a friend to a local range after a trip to a store for him to purchase a Heritage Arms Rough Rider Convertible. I host his LCP, Bersa Thunder 380, Tokarev, and S&W 642. Guess which one I shot the best? The J-frame.

So if a person has shot short barreled autoloaders, then they probably would be well with a snubnose. If not, they will probably need more practice. But once again, they just need practice.

 

[Arky]

I am no expert but have a recent experience that indicates they are harder to shoot. My Daughter was shooting my Bisley 41 pretty well so when she wanted an SP-101 snubbie for her 21st. birthday we got it for her. We all shot it low and left. I even posted a question on this site and found the barrel could be indexed too far. It was not so I found an article on grip and trigger pull for the snubbie (do not remember which forum) and my daughter went from shooting 2 feet low and left to hitting trap clays at 15 yards at least part of the time. The article said grip the gun as high up as possible, grip very tight but even, and put trigger in the crease of the first knuckle. After dry firing a lot she was able to shoot much better. I can shoot it much better too.
Good luck

 

[WESHOOT2]

Inherently accurate due to the stiff tube (shorter = stiffer), given enough length for projectile stabilzation.

Inherently difficult to shoot well due to the short sight radius.

 

[Lefty SRH]

After some practice I'm able to hit clays at 25yds with my LCR and my 8" steel plate at 50yds with my .44 Alaskan. You have to practice, practice, practice

 

[twobisquit]

My wife's LadySmith came with a target that was certified for a 2" group @ 25 yards. I have shot one hole @ 10 yards with its Crimson Trace laser sights

 

[rdf009]

I bought my first SP101 a few years ago. It's was a 2-1/4" .357 mag, and was the first handgun larger than a .22 that I had ever owned or shot. I remember how excited I was when I got home with it..... my target was a 5 gallon bucket at about 10 paces. I loaded it with some particularly heavy .357 loads (wanted to get the full experience) and took aim.....I missed with all five shots!

But a few years and a couple thousand rounds later I can consistently hit clay pigeons rested on a log 30 yards away. Practice, practice, practice. If you buy a quality snubby (i.e. Ruger, Smith, etc.) I guarantee that it will be more accurate than you are. At least until you get used to it.

 

[Floridaoutdoors]

I recall a gun magazine article years ago where the author placed a snub in a vise,producing impressive,consistent groups.

I am glad to have read that article because it encouraged interest in snub arms as viable.

as others have noted,grip can be key,along with quality sights.

Recently I had a reminder about grip while casually shooting my Bearcat.A bit too casual with the hand hold,and the group was awful.Consistent,just way low and left.Straightened up and paid attention and the groups pulled tight and centered.

I view my snubs as a type of 'Target' gun.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Funny you should ask. I just picked up this 2" barreled S&W M&P. The pistol range at my club was not available when I tried it out the other day, so I had to put my targets out at 25 yards on the rifle range for my initial shooting. Off a rest I was able to shoot some 3 inch groups with it. Pretty impressive, especially when you consider how bad my eyesight is.

 

[Don Lovel]

My girlfriend has her mother's 1958 S&W model 36 Chiefs Special, pinned recessed barrel, beautiful blue and nice grain on the grip wood. Trigger is smooth as talcum powdered glass. With Winchester 148gr wadcutters I have bounced pop cans repeatedly from 20 - 30yds, best group I have shot was with some of that old copper wash lead round nose like the Federal facility guards always carried. 4 holes touching at 15yds off the bench.
A friend of mine had a Taurus .22mag 8 shot that I could hit out to 50yds pretty good off the bench.

 

[pyth0n]

A while back on the History Channel, Bob Munden was breaking balloons at I think 200 yds with a model 60.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tied-t1fFsk

Trail Boss vid. 100 yd shooting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_b3dAbKoJ0&feature=related

 

[PECKER]

I had a Taurus mod. 605 in 357mag , it would shoot one ragged 5 shot hole at seven yds. And I ain't no good shot.

 

[FergusonTO35]

My Charter Police Undercover is at least as accurate as my P95 owing to its fine trigger. The biggest problem I've found with snubbies is the need to use alot of Kentucky windage to get the POI right.

 

[Anonymous]

The short sight radius (distance between sights) is the toughie. It magnifies any wiggles in your grip. Many people who think they have a steady grip find out otherwise when they first shoot a snubbie. Sort of like the first time with a laser, with it dancing all over the target.

I understand a 2 inch revolver just has a slightly larger group than a 6 inch, when clamped in in a Ransom Rest.

If you can shoot well with a short gun, revolver or pistol, you've really accomplished something.

 

[OldNavy]

Not all snubbies are created equal. When my daughter turned 21 and got her CCW, I told her to choose anything she wanted. She chose a snubbie. Some are harder to shoot well with than others. Believe me, she can hit what she aims at with her snubbie--Alaskan!

 

[Darkangel1846]

Are snubbies inherently inaccurate or just harder to shoot well?

Well 1st you have to find what ammo and bullet weight you snubby likes best, then if its fixed sights you must practice a lot. Yes that short sight radius makes it harder but you'll get used to it eventually and get a good grouping. Years ago I recieved a Rossi snubby as a b-day gift...took almost a year of firing .38 special for me to get used to using those sights. I always shot high. Then I put white reflective paint on the front sight and suddenly I was right on.

 

[Knuckles]

I like shooting short guns better.

 

[Floridaoutdoors]

The short sight radius (distance between sights) is the toughie. It magnifies any wiggles in your grip. Many people who think they have a steady grip find out otherwise when they first shoot a snubbie. Sort of like the first time with a laser, with it dancing all over the target.

I understand a 2 inch revolver just has a slightly larger group than a 6 inch, when clamped in in a Ransom Rest.
.

Great experience bearcatter and worth repeating.
counter-intuitive,snubs create good form.

 

[Tommy Kelly]

I must be different from most people but I shoot shorter barrels better than the longer ones. I have several snubnosed guns. And shoot them great. I have a 3" 44 mag S&W a alaskan in 454 a 4" 500 S&W a sp101 2 1/4" and a cheif's special S&W. My favorite guns are 4 5/8" rugers but I have several of the 7.5" ones also but I shoot the shorter ones better than the longer ones for some reason.

 

[Tony_The_Liger]

Inaccurate? Nah... but it depends on the shooter and the intricacies of the firearm.

 

[stare-decisis]

Hickok45 was hitting a large metal gong at what looks to be at least 75 - 80 yds w/a LCR.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BmpQqtBAVc

 

[arizona98tj]

Many comment about the short sight radius making it more difficult....and it certainly does.

But.....what about the sights themselves. Every 2" revolver I've ever shot had what I would call sub-standard sights. In many cases....there is no rear sight, just a groove or notch milled into the top of the frame....and often times a shallow one at that. Compared to the sights I have on my other revolver and pistols, it is apples to oranges different.

 

[bearpugh]

theres an old saying about snubbies. easiest to learn and hardest to master. very true.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

Some snubbies can be quite accurate, but a lot depends on the sights, and a lot more on the shooter.

E.g., the S&W 2" Model 15 has an almost legendary reputation for accuracy. It has a short heavyweight barrel and the classic Model 15 sights. If mine is any indication, it is true that they are accurate because mine will hold it's own against a couple of equally classic Model 14s that I own.

From a good solid rest, that is.

Because shooting any snub offhand is a little more difficult due to the sight radius and amplification of any movement. The differences are that you better have really good trigger technique and know how to hold a sight picture and consistent grip, because any slight differences are magnified on target with the short radius and increased barrel flip/rotation that can cause POI shifts. Having a well designed full sized grip and heavier frame that provides good balance, the Model 15 still shoots remarkably well (as does its sibling 2.5" Model 686) with a 2 handed hold off hand, but does demand a practiced technique.

I also shoot pretty well with my short barreled SP101 DAO, but it is a defensive revolver and at 15 yards being able to keep everything in a 3x5" card easily when shooting offhand is adequate. With a rest and concentration on technique, it is capable of shooting better and it's good to know it does, of course, but that is not practical for its intended use.

 

[Major T]

Driftwood's snub M&P brings back memories, I was issued a 1951 version for wear when I wore street clothing (as opposed to uniform) or for off duty carry when I was promoted to captain. It came with an S D Myers holster which I still have. Nice old gun!