Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Revolvers > S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present
o

Notices

S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-10-2011, 11:10 PM
Kingcobra145 Kingcobra145 is offline
Member
Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36?  
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Accuracy on model 36?

Could anyone tell me a little about the accuracy of a model 36 at say 25 yards? I realize that these guns are meant for concealed carry, and would probably never be needed at this distance, but i have the opportunity to buy one and am looking for an accurate, easy to use, and reliable gun to shoot alot and carry occasionaly.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-10-2011, 11:15 PM
Vulcan Bob's Avatar
Vulcan Bob Vulcan Bob is offline
Member
Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36?  
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: central pa
Posts: 5,336
Likes: 2,745
Liked 2,492 Times in 1,182 Posts
Default

Well without a Ransom Rest it's hard to tell, but I will say this, it has all the accuracy you will need at 25 yards. These little J frames are hard to shoot well and takes a lot of lead down the tube to get proficent with them.
__________________
Stay safe people!

Last edited by Vulcan Bob; 01-10-2011 at 11:16 PM. Reason: addition
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-10-2011, 11:23 PM
Dragon88 Dragon88 is offline
Member
Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36?  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 107
Liked 456 Times in 205 Posts
Default

More than enough accuracy for what the gun is designed for. In this video, Hickok45 makes a couple hits on an 80 yard gong with a 642 J frame.

YouTube - 642 S&W .38 Special (Airweight J frame)

As far as shooting it a lot though, that may not be fun. The size, low weight, and grip size will not make it enjoyable to shoot for extended range sessions. An old police trade model 10 would be an excellent, inexpensive companion to your 36 if you end up getting it.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-11-2011, 12:31 AM
photoman's Avatar
photoman photoman is offline
Member
Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36?  
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: The Great State of Texas
Posts: 5,056
Likes: 522
Liked 1,907 Times in 787 Posts
Default

I can get good hits on a B-27 at 25 yards with my favorite 642's. Now... Can I do that under pressure when someone is shooting back? I hope to never find out!
__________________
Centennial Every Day
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-11-2011, 11:55 AM
tipoc tipoc is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Redwood City, Ca. USA
Posts: 444
Likes: 311
Liked 605 Times in 122 Posts
Default

The will likely be accurate enough the larger factor in the accuracy of the 36 will be the shooter. So get it and begin to shoot with it.

tipoc
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-11-2011, 12:03 PM
diamonback68's Avatar
diamonback68 diamonback68 is offline
US Veteran
Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36?  
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Due south of Orlando
Posts: 7,202
Likes: 597
Liked 3,451 Times in 1,412 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingcobra145 View Post
Could anyone tell me a little about the accuracy of a model 36 at say 25 yards?

I'm willing to place a small bet on the side that the 36 is much more accurate than the shooter. I know 'cause if you put a set of Crimson Trace lasers on it you will see how unsteady the hand can be with a small frame snub nose revolver. The revolver is trying to do it's part.
__________________
Dick
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-11-2011, 12:06 PM
Will Carry's Avatar
Will Carry Will Carry is offline
Member
Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36?  
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 762
Likes: 410
Liked 599 Times in 239 Posts
Default

I agree, it is more accurate than the shooter. Why do you want to shoot at 25 yard targets, if you don't mind my asking?
I have a Model 36 3" and at 7-10 yards (which is what I shoot) it is very accurate. I am not a great shot either. If I can get 5 rounds inside a pie plate at 10 yards, shooting double action, I'm happy.

Of course on the internet anyone can claim to shoot 2 " groups at 1000 yards with a slingshot.

Last edited by Will Carry; 01-11-2011 at 12:09 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-11-2011, 12:36 PM
BUFF BUFF is offline
SWCA Member
Absent Comrade
Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36?  
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: SLC, Utah
Posts: 5,062
Likes: 739
Liked 3,271 Times in 1,282 Posts
Default

About 25 years ago, I was partners in a Ransom Rest and a chronogoraph. We were shooting in PPC competition and looking for both the most accurate suitable guns but which ammo shot best in each gun. We had inserts for the K and N frames and, pretty much by accident a set for J frames.

The Ransom Rest takes most of the human element out of the results if it is used properly. It was time consuming to use because you had to scrub barrels between kinds of bullets and then foul them with the ammo you wanted to test next, and you had to re-seat the guns in the inserts of you removed them between shootings. We spent several days working at this.

Finally we had what we thought were our best customized match guns and pretty stock guns for 'Distinguished' and 'Service' matches. All that was left to pick was a service snub and ammo for them. The guns usually used were S&W 2 inch Model 15 Combat Masterpieces, 2-1/2 and 3 inch Combat Magnums and short Colt Pythons and Diamondbacks.

We were shooting mostly at 25 yards but did our final selections at 50 yards.

We were pretty well done for the last day. We still had ammo left and we each had a Chiefs Special, mine a blue Model 36 and his a stainless Model 60. As much for our entertainment as our edification, we swapped out the grip inserts and bolted down my Model 36. We fired a fast 10 rounds to settle it down, using factory loaded W-W 148 grain mid-range match wadcutters. I put up a new B-27 at 25 yards and we shot 5 more for group. You could cover the group with a half dollar coin! My mind was boggled and we re-shot, thinking we had a fluke. The second 5 was better, with 4 not just touching but overlapping and the fifth just nicking another's hole.

Putting up targets at 50 yards, the groups opened all the way up to silver dollar size!

My buddy's Model 60 didn't shoot quite as goood but not a whole lot worse. Had we been able to hold the guns and shoot them as well as the Ransom Rest, we could shoot perfect scores. My blue J frame shot the two best groups of the day!

Of course we couldn't hold them so still ourselves, and no way we would have won any matches; the snubs are just harder to shoot well. They are light and wobble more. They have a short sight radius. They have small grips and generally stiffer actions and trigger pulls.

All that said, I can make standing head shots at 25 yards all day with my current Model 642's. At 10 yards, I can pick the eyeball or nostril I want to hit, while shooting fairly fast.

The small guns have the pure mechanical accuracy of their bigger brothers. It just takes a lot more work to get it. Practice, practice, practice that trigger stroke and that front sight blade.

The snubs have it in them, to get good hits at 25 yards, do we?
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-11-2011, 01:02 PM
Will Carry's Avatar
Will Carry Will Carry is offline
Member
Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36?  
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 762
Likes: 410
Liked 599 Times in 239 Posts
Default

Thanks BUFF! That is encouraging. I need to practice, practice, practice
with my little Chief. I need to stop taking several pistols to the range and just take my little nickle plated model 36. Until I can pick a bugger out of a man's nose a 7 yards.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-11-2011, 03:29 PM
Kingcobra145 Kingcobra145 is offline
Member
Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36?  
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

Thanks for all of the input guys. This is really helpful. Im in college now, and am going to get a job in law enforcement when i get out. I knew several officers carry these guns off duty and thought it may be a good gun to pick up, especially since I know of one for a good price. I was just wondering about the accuracy. I held the gun I mentioned before today and it fit my smaller hands great. It's also a square butt model, which I though added to the comfortability.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-11-2011, 06:46 PM
AZ Desertrat AZ Desertrat is offline
Member
Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36?  
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Tempe, AZ
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times in 6 Posts
Default

It takes thousands of rounds of practice....which I have certainly accomplished....to be proficient with a snubby...my M36 is my main carry, and I have about 15 handguns....I reload, so I am always busy loading up the target rounds for the 36. Like others....if I hit the 10 inch circle at 21 feet with all 5 rounds ...Im happy.
__________________
Semper Paratus
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-12-2011, 01:57 AM
tom turner's Avatar
tom turner tom turner is offline
US Veteran
Accuracy on  model 36?  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,814
Likes: 180
Liked 2,270 Times in 285 Posts
Default

Here's a typical 10 yard, standing/unsupported target that I shot with my 1964-era Model 36. The homemade targets are 1" black squares.

I'll also attach a 25 yard target of 2 1/2" black squares. The targets at this distance "opened up" proportionately to the spread ratio at ten yards.





Yes, a S&W J-frame snubbie will shoot quite well if we do our part, although it is more of a challenge to precisely align the sights vs. longer barreled guns.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-12-2011, 12:02 PM
Larry from Bend Larry from Bend is offline
Member
Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36? Accuracy on  model 36?  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NC Montana
Posts: 853
Likes: 90
Liked 483 Times in 201 Posts
Default

In one of the "Impossible Shots" episodes Bob Munden hits a 10-12" balloon @ 200 yards with a 36 (or a 60 - can't remember). Then Jerry Michelick (sp) does the same thing but with a 442 fired upside down -- again @ 200 yards.

I know my 60 will easily hit a 2 1/2" steel target again and again @ 25 yards --- shooting supported. However, it's got adj sights and large, rubber grips. It likes 158 grain semi-wadcutters.

Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
442, 642, airweight, colt, concealed, crimson, j frame, m36, model 10, model 15, model 60, ppc, snubby, snubnose

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Model 41 New vs Old Accuracy MangoBango Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols 21 07-23-2017 09:23 AM
Accuracy of Model 41 PC ray2849 Smith & Wesson Competitive Shooting 9 06-07-2015 11:30 PM
Model 14-2 Accuracy ray2849 S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 14 10-17-2013 04:57 PM
Model 25-2 accuracy? MDanay S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 51 12-25-2011 10:21 PM
model 17-3 accuracy mod15 S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 13 06-11-2010 06:57 AM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:24 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)