Fixed sight sighting information...

[robhixkg]

Good morning all,

I recently purchased a 642 38 revolver. I had it at the range last weekend shooting some 38 Spc. +P. Although I loved the gun, I am going to scale back to just 38 Spc load in the future. The +P literally beat my hand to death.

That said, can anyone tell me the conditions under which the fixed sights are supposedly set. A fried tells me it is with a 158 grain bullet. Any other information line zero-in distance, etc. would be helpful.

Thanks in advance,
Rob Hix

 

[Lenny_D]

Rob,
This is my opinion of short barreled revolvers. You get better shooting them the more you practice. I believe that a snub is considered a more expierenced shooters gun. They are light and you will feel recoil much more and of course the distance between sights is less forgiving that revolvers with longer barrels. I think your friend is right when he told you that the 158 grain bullet is more than likely the bullet the sights are set for. I try to shoot my 442 , blued brother of yours, 50 rounds a week. I practice with handloaded 125 grain lead bullets but carry 135 grain Speer Gold Dots for SD. I do carry +P but I'm not real sure it's worth it because it doesn't usually give you more than 100 fps faster than standard velocity especially in short barrels. These guns are for short range. I practice at 7-15 yards and shoot at respectable sized targets. I made an 8" diameter steel plate and whack at it. Make it fun not the ultimate challange and practice practice practice.

 

[G.T. Smith]

With my M37 airweight, I shoot from 7 yards to 15 yards. I shoot 158 grain LRN's and I get some pretty good groups. Better at 7 than 15. I shoot standard pressure loads only through the aluminum frame but I am confident that in a SD situation, they would work just fine. You have got to practice a lot with a 1 7/8" barrel to get any consistency, but you can do it. I love my 37 for sure. Good luck........
Peace,
Gordon

 

[old bear]

Your 642 should have been regulated to shoot POA with 158Gr. ammo, I don't know what distance, but I'm guessing 25 feet.

 

[Dale53]

I have a 642 and added Crimson Trace grips (the longer ones - #305) and you can easily zero these to the loads your prefer.

However, my practice load is a wadcutter (148 gr). It shoots to the sights. My carry load is the 158 gr lead hollow point FBI +P load.

Just a thought or two...
Dale53

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I use both 148 gr wad cutters and 158 gr LRN for my J Frames. Nice thing about the 158 gr, you can load them "mild to wild" as they say. I prefer mild. For carry, Federal Nyclads in the very old 36, Speer SB 135 +P in the newer J Frames.

 

[M3Stuart]

I shot the 442 recently with 158gr medium handloads. The one I shot hit POA all day long at 7 yards.

 

[cyberiad]

Are any handguns regulated anymore at the factory? If S&Ws are, I assume (always a bad idea) that 38 special is "meant" to use 158 grain bullets. While I don't shoot my 442 as often as I should last weekend I was hitting an 8" steel plate more often than not at 15 yards+ with both 125 and 158 grain hand loads. That's plenty good enough for me.

I would try a few loadings, if you can, and just find the one you shoot best. I usually carry the Speer 135 grain Gold Dot +P ammunition and I'm sure it would be fine at any distance I would feel comfortable with a J-Frame.

 

[5-Shot]

My model 10 shoots point of aim at 25 yards with medium 150 SWC reloads.

Ed

 

[TAROMAN]

Are any handguns regulated anymore at the factory?

Not so sure they all are. J-frames seem OK.
Had a 21-4 that wasn't regulated worth a hoot. 44 Special is (should be) regulated with 200gr factory loads. This pig almost lobbed them over the top of the target. To move the POI down, it took some 180gr screamer loads that I only shot 5 of. Needless to say, this pig soon went bye bye.

OTOH, all my model 10s and 64s as well as 65 and 681 shoot exactly to POA with 158 gr loads.

 

[one eye joe]

Not so sure they all are. J-frames seem OK.
Had a 21-4 that wasn't regulated worth a hoot. 44 Special is (should be) regulated with 200gr factory loads. This pig almost lobbed them over the top of the target. To move the POI down, it took some 180gr screamer loads that I only shot 5 of. Needless to say, this pig soon went bye bye.

OTOH, all my model 10s and 64s as well as 65 and 681 shoot exactly to POA with 158 gr loads.

THIS IS THE ADVANTAGE OF ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS. ANY WEAPON CAN BE MADE TO SHOOT POA TO POI WITH ANY SORT OF AMMO.....