Bummed. Can't shoot my 686 well.

Super Dave · Feb 24, 2013

I'm not sure what I should do at this point. The gun groups well off the bench. I just can't seem to shoot it very well offhand.

I purchased it new back in the late 1990's.

I changed the sights, stock and had a great trigger job done by Clark Custom...each time thinking that would do the trick. I still can't get off hand groups that I'm happy with.

So, I took it to the range today with hopes that I finally had some grips that fit me just right. No luck. My off hand groups were 6 to 8 inches at 25 yards.

I've shot .22s mostly because they are easy and inexpensive. I can shoot pretty well offhand with my .22s (including M17). Here's a sample group at 25 yards.

Are these bigger caliber guns harder to shoot? I'd like to be able to shoot good groups with a .38. If I can shoot my model 17 well, should I be able to shoot a K-38 well also?

I’m about to give up on the 686. I don’t need the dough. With the gun panic is it a good time to be selling? Or, would I be better off sitting on it.

Thanks,
Dave

DonD · Feb 24, 2013

Caliber has absolutely nothing to do with it unless you're flinching.

For some reason, I don't shoot my nice, 6" barreled Ruger GP100 very well, acceptable but not great. I shoot my S&W .500 Mag much more accurately which seems completely contrary to usual logic.

All I can say is just focus on the fundamentals. Trigger squeeze trumps everything. A great, smooth squeeze with a so so sight picture is much better than a rough, jerky trigger squeeze and a great sight picture. Good luck. Don

JPriest · Feb 24, 2013

Check out the book " Gun Digest's Book of the Revolver" by Grant Cunningham. He has a couple of really good chapters on mastering the double action trigger. It helped me a lot. You might also find another set of grips could help too. I find the grips on my new 629 are not as comfortable as on my 28-2, and I shoot it less well. I have a new set on order and I expect to see better results. I had similar results with my Glock 22. Originally I wasn't grouping too well, but changed the backstrap and the difference was night and day.

Jayhawkhuntclub · Feb 24, 2013

Six to eight " groups aren't horrible. They aren't great either. The fact that it does well from the bench eliminates the revolver from being the problem. So it's you.

A lot of people have a harder time shooting larger calibers. That's a mental thing, but it happens. If I were you, I'd just keep with it. Take your time and have fun. Finger control is most of it. It will take some time, but you will improve if you put the effort in. The fact that you can shoot well with your 22s proves that you are capable of better shooting. Don't get discouraged. And remember, we all have bad days. Continuing to practice with your 22s will help. Good luck!

DCWilson · Feb 24, 2013

Reading between the lines I sense that you have concluded the issue that needs resolving is with you, and not the revolver. If reading advice on accuracy won't give you something to work with, perhaps it is time to take a lesson from a shooting coach with particular attention to stout loads in medium to heavy weight revolvers.

It seems to me that your grip on the revolver is close but not identical between the two photos. In the top photo the revolver would be rotated a little bit to the right with relation to your forearm. I am absolutely not a shooting coach, but if you study the exact position of the gun with relation to your wrist and forearm when you are shooting small-bore guns accurately, and try to repeat that with the 686, you may sense a difference in the way each shot feels. If so, you have something to work with in developing a consistent hold and, one would hope, improved accuracy.

Forgive me if this sounds patronizing. As I say, I don't claim to be an accurate shooter, but I know what I have done in the past to get better in hopes of eventually getting good -- which still needs more work.

Waywatcher · Feb 24, 2013

Is it possible to have someone you know, who is a good shot, try the gun to rule out mechanical issues?

That would be the first thing I would do to make sure it isn't the gun (I have used this method before, and it turned out it was me--gun was fine.)

Nightowl · Feb 24, 2013

If that is your normal grip, I would suggest a higher hold. It lessens the distance to the trigger, holds recoil better and gets you back on target faster. It is more difficult to get used to as it seems most people want to grip lower. Are you shooting single or double action? I've been shooting a long time and would like to shoot a 6" group double action unsupported at 25 yards.

Would like to add that some folks do not focus on the front sight. By getting them on the front sight, groups shrink. You must be an experienced shooter to shoot 8 inch groups at 25 yards, so maybe I am preaching to the preacher!

radar1972 · Feb 24, 2013

Nothing wrong with having goals and expectations.....

... but there's nothing wrong with your ability either.

jaymoore · Feb 25, 2013

Trigger control, gripping consistancy and focusing on the front sight are the biggies when it comes to good groups. Providing that the thing groups the ammo off the bench well, then it's the user that needs further work. Spend money on ammo or components (if you reload).

Don't put the revolver down between shots in order to maintain a contant grip position. When you shoot, follow through is important. keep the grip constant. Watch the sights rise and settle back down. Then release the trigger. You might want to use the offhand to cock the hammer if shooting SA.

Can you see the muzzle and/or cylinder flash when the hammer falls?

Does the gun shift in your hand whilst under recoil?

Do you look at the target with anything other than a spotting scope? If so, stop! No Mk.I eyeballing. It should be generally a fuzz ball. Those Shoot-n-sees might be distracting, BTW.

Can you call the shot, good or bad?

DR505 · Feb 25, 2013

jaymoore said:
Do you look at the target with anything other than a spotting scope? If so, stop! No Mk.I eyeballing. It should be generally a fuzz ball. Those Shoot-n-sees might be distracting, BTW.

This one seems harder for shooters to adhere to...they are always doing eye-sprints from the sights to the target and back. At the 25 yard line I NEVER focus on the target...the front sight is everything. Between shots I relax, close my eyes, and look anywhere BUT at the target.

Hillbilly77 · Feb 25, 2013

Super Dave said:
Are these bigger caliber guns harder to shoot? I'd like to be able to shoot good groups with a .38. If I can shoot my model 17 well, should I be able to shoot a K-38 well also?

I’m about to give up on the 686.

I'm not being a smart-*** here, but you do know that you can shoot .38 Special & .38+p out of your 686, right?
Any .357 Magnum revolver can safely shoot the .38's. the diameter is the same, only the length is different.
Your 6" L-frame will be a kitten shooting .38's out of it, with very little recoil. It may help you learn the gun better.
I wouldn't give up on the gun yet, unless you absolutely don't like it for some reason.

MarkDozier · Feb 25, 2013

First question- Areyou in Western Washignton? If you are I think I can help you get what you want.
Second question - If you don't want the gun can we work out a payment plan ( I love 586/686 series)
I think you just need some coaching and a bit of direction to get the results you want.
We can even work over Skype and I can help you if your interested. Most of it sounds like confidence and a bit of technique.

Super Dave · Feb 25, 2013

Hey, thanks folks. I appreciate the input. I agree that it's me.

I've been messing around with the grip and was wondering if it needs to be higher.

I live on Oahu and saw a guy shooting bullseye with a .38 yesterday. If I see him again I'll ask him for some advice.

Regarding recoil...I'm only shooting .38s out of it and it's tame. The shooting I have been doing is in the single action mode.

Thanks for the ideas. I'll hold onto it.
Dave

4330Inroute · Feb 25, 2013

A couple of quick questions for you: Are you shooting one handed or two? Are you using the same ammunition each time you shoot the 686?
The 6 inch 686 is nose/muzzle heavy. If your upper body/arm strength is not great then it can be difficult to hold up after a while even with two hands. (Mind you that I am not calling you a wimp by any means.) Unless your Model 17 has a full underlug on it the handling characteristics between the two (686 and 17) will be very different. Over the years I've lost a lot of muscle mass and weight due to injuries so I find my 686-1 6 inch a real challenge to shoot for any length of time. My groups have grown and look like the ones you are describing. My 14-3 groups are much smaller in the 2-4 inch range at 25 yards. I attribute that to the lighter weight altogether.
Hope this helps some.

Rocket3 · Feb 25, 2013

I suggest moving a little closer to your target until you get more comfortable. You may discover what you are doing a lot faster. When you reach the accuracy you like start moving back to 25. Looks to me you are very close.
Good luck and keep shooting.
Jay

il Padrino · Feb 25, 2013

I went to the range the other day and had similar issues, but my problem was that I was grouping better with full house .44 mag loads than I was shooting with a 617 .22, my 617 was shooting more of a pattern rather than a group. I know nothing is wrong with my 617 I know it's capable if 1 ragged hole groups, it was me.. I just can't understand how I shot the .44 better than the .22. Might be a psycological thing... knowing the .44 has more recoil perhaps I just grip /hold it better, and simply slacking when I shoot the .22 knowing it has no recoil at all.
Try shooting some full power .357 out of your 686 and see if your groups improve.
If your groups improve with full power .357 loads then maybe it proves my theory correct.
I don't mean to hijack your thread, but if anyone has any idea why this is happening, I'm all ears.

arjay · Feb 25, 2013

Try warming up with the 22 first and then shoot the 38s.

gwpercle · Feb 25, 2013

Practice, practice , practice.....a few are born marksmen the rest of us have to earn or badge the hard way. You will improve.
gary

crankyoldlady · Feb 25, 2013

I find that I shoot better in double action than single, possibly because trigger management in DA requires more focus and with the longer pull, the surprise is,well, more surprising.

SJshooter · Feb 25, 2013

Nightowl said:
If that is your normal grip, I would suggest a higher hold.

^^^ This.

Hold the gun at your side with that grip in the photos, then while looking forward, raise your arm 90 degrees pointing right. Now look down your arm at where the gun is pointing.

Now grab that revolver MUCH higher, with the web of your hand under the hammer and the curve of the backstrap up in the center of your hand. Now re-try the pointing technique above and note how now your gun is pointing down your arm.

Get a high hold, make sure you aren't pulling the trigger with your fingerpad like you would a semi-auto, and try again.

Bummed. Can't shoot my 686 well.

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

US Veteran

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Similar threads