66-3 Range Report

[southflorida-law]

Took the 66-3, 2 ½ inch barrel to the indoor range today for the first time. All I can say is WOW. I did not expect it to shoot that well. Lots of noise and smoke but I figured with the 2 ½ barrel anything beyond 5’ would be iffy.

Well shut my mouth. I was in the black consistently at 10 yards, even shooting double action (.38 special). Single action, just need to breathe on it to get it to fire. Actually caught me off guard the first time since I was expecting a stiffer trigger. I was even pretty good at 25 yards. Even shooting hot .357 loads the gun was accurate.

What surprised me even more was that I shot the gun better than I shoot my P239. Looks like a found a new EDC. Now I know why you all that have them speak so highly of this gun.

 

[C Islander]

We've been telling you!!

 

[ralph7]

Well, they should shoot good, the prices those little devils have been getting, lately.

 

[Engine49guy]

Snub Combat Magnums are a great compromise between size and strength , J Magnums are smaller but a bit too punishing with 357 for my taste but S&W gives you choices...LOTS of choices...
Next range outing try a 4" L frame and a 6" N frame with full house .357 ammo with the target out further and you will be wanting those as well....and so it begins.

 

[JPriest]

Elmer Keith wrote quite a bit about how accurate you can be with shorter barrel. It seems they get a bad rap undeservedly.

 

[islamoradamark]

we have a model 60 the girls love it shooting 38s its a snub. they dont like the 9mm 45 or the 22 automatic they both like that little 38 more than anything.

 

[Tailgate]

The FBI was shooting their agent's qualification course in the 1960's (and beyond) which included up to 50 yard shots...and a S&W 2.5" revolver was not uncommon to qualify with. In fact, perfect scores, aka "Possibles," were achieved repeatedly by guys shooting a 2.5" revolver like the M10 and M19. I personally know someone who scored five possibles, a majority of them with a 2.5" M19.

That's one thing about the vast majority of guns ever made...the bullet lands exactly where the barrel is aimed.

 

[jtcarm]

Elmer Keith wrote quite a bit about how accurate you can be with shorter barrel. It seems they get a bad rap undeservedly.

It's not that a short barrel is any less accurate than a longer one, it's the human's ability to shoot it accurately. Alignment errors get harder to see as the sight radius get's shorter.

 

[SweetMK]

It's not that a short barrel is any less accurate than a longer one, it's the human's ability to shoot it accurately. Alignment errors get harder to see as the sight radius get's shorter.

Interesting!! I have always been more capable with my 4" 629 than the 8 3/8"

If the "little guy" had been fired before I got it, maybe I would try it.

 

[jtcarm]

Interesting!! I have always been more capable with my 4" 629 than the 8 3/8"



If the "little guy" had been fired before I got it, maybe I would try it.

Generally , longer barrels are easier to shoot accurately because of the longer sight radius and the extra muzzle weight reduces wobble. I
think in some cases , though, the shorter barrel reduces dwell time and people may shoot better with them.

Every rule has exceptions

.