I use a model 36 for summer carry and I agree with a poster above. They were for 8-12 ft. Might say a last ditch firearm.Now the standard seems to be the famous 7 yards. Lasers have helped a lot as was mentioned.
I believe any body that can get groups like some of those pictured above have really done something. These guns aren't target guns and were never meant to be.
Personally, I think they should have come with a 3 inch barrel as standard. That extra inch does wonders in accuracy and bullet performance and is just as easy to conceal.