Help--I've Gone Snubby Crazy!!

[shakyshoot]

I could have put this in the 1980-present thread, since I picked up one of each on the same day. Less than a month ago I bought a Taurus snubnose .38, mostly to see if I really like shooting a snubby. (Brand new for $200) Turns out I do, but I really wanted an old Smith. And after pocket carrying the Taurus a few times, I could see the value of a shrouded hammer. So, I bought both. I got a Mdl 36 no dash Chiefs Special. Pinned barrel, circa 1979. If someone says "snubnose 38" this is the gun you think of. And I bought a
new S&W 638, with the shrouded hammer and the slot that allows you to still shoot single action. I was going to get the 642, DA only, but they didn't have it at Cabela's, so I went with the 638. I've bought 3 snubbies in a month.

Shot them both today, just 50 rd each. Didn't do anything great, but it's only the first day. I must say, the new 638 has a better trigger than the old one, in both SA and DA. Very light, crisp single action. The DA is pretty good, a little "stagy" towards the end.
Shot these DA at 7 yd.

The 36 has a noticeably heavier trigger and longer pull in DA. It wanted to shoot low for me. Might have something to do with the tiny grip. I might try a Tyler T-grip.

This was also 7d DA, but I was aiming a bit high to even achieve this.

I feel like the 638 was a good buy ($ 270 after some tricky discounts) It's enough different from the Taurus to own both. (Lighter weight and the shrouded hammer) The 36 is a lot like the Taurus, but was more of a 'collectable" buy. I'll shoot it, but probably won't carry it. I must say that so far my impression is that the "punishing recoil" of J-frames is highly over-rated. The Airweight was quite comfortable to shoot, if I keep my middle finger knuckle off the trigger guard. I haven't tried any +P ammo yet, but the Herter's 158 gr FMJ I shot today is not a mild load. That's it for snubby buying for a while.

 

[Old cop]

Nice beginning but you're just getting started. Wait until you get into the K frames!

 

[kaaskop49]

The older pinned Smith snubs were often difficult to shoot well. While they are very finely crafted, the DA pull is stage-y, not smooth. The small grips make it difficult to control and the trigger and hammer often have sharp edges. However, they are magnificent little guns and should be kept under any circumstances.

My 638 was my casino go-to gun for several years before the M&P 340s found me. The modern day snubs, IMO, are easier to shoot than the older guns, provided that you can shoot.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[bananaman]

The short barrel K frames are much better for me than J's. They shoot well for me, and feel good in my hand. Only have 2. Wouldn't mind a 64 also. Bob

 

[shakyshoot]

The short barrel K frames are much better for me than J's. They shoot well for me, and feel good in my hand. Only have 2. Wouldn't mind a 64 also. Bob

I'd definitely like to have a short 19 or 66. My only K frame so far is a 4" 19-3, and it's a great gun.

 

[MCorps0311]

Yep that a good start,enjoy shoot them.

 

[Arik]

The older pinned Smith snubs were often difficult to shoot well. While they are very finely crafted, the DA pull is stage-y, not smooth. The small grips make it difficult to control and the trigger and hammer often have sharp edges. However, they are magnificent little guns and should be kept under any circumstances.

.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Excellent description! The edges don't bother me so much but the small square grips do.

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[AZretired]

Here's my only K frame snubby a 64-4 factory DAO

 

[dcopper]

K Frames are extremely addicting he said after his 23rd one!

 

[Green Frog]

Actually, my "set of snubs" belongs to the previous forum since they all pre-date 1961, but since we're spreading out here, I'll join the conversation with my pre-War Terrier, post-War 32 HE and late Baby Chief, all with the requisite short barrels. They collectively comprise my EDC rotation. Several years ago I added this Model 10-7 to the herd and personalized it by changing out the hammer for a bobbed one and adding the T-grip. I've never really warmed up to carrying it though.

Froggie

 

[swkohnle08]

I bought both a Model 36 (no-dash 1971) and a new Model 637 and found I shot the Model 36 much better than the lighter Air weight Model 637. I think the heavier weight of the 36 helped with the snappy recoil. I ended up selling the 637 and kept my Mod 36 as my EDC

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[TomkinsSP]

Good news, there is no known cure! Each is different, so you must try them all. Personally, I prefer steel frames, but YMMV.

 

[dr. mordo]

Nice guns!

Snubbies are certainly additive; I've bought two Taurus snubs in the last month with the rebates and blems floating around.

I highly recommend you try the Wilson Combat J Frame spring kit. I put their K Frame kit in my M10 and it is just perfect now with no light strikes at all.

 

[StakeOut]

During my long ago(34 years) LEO days in NYPD I owned a 1966 Model 36 and a 1965 Colt DS.I carried the Colt off duty IWB most of the time but did some pocket carry.I trained to pull the DS out of my pocket with my thumb over the hammer spur and had no problem with hammers.I prefer handguns with hammers.

At the range I had nice groups at 7yds but going back to 10yds resulted in targets that looked like they were hit with 00 buck.

No J frames now but I cherish my 3" 66-2,2.5" 686-4,3" 696-0 and 3" 629-4 snubbies and shoot them much better in my senior years than I did the J frames in my youth.

In all 11 of my shooting incidents I fired more than one round.

 

[oddshooter]

I went through a period where I bought small concealable guns for about a year (semi-autos and revolvers).

After shooting them for a year, they all started to disappear. I didn't have the need I thought for concealed carry.

The poor accuracy at the range really helped me get trigger control and sight alignment down pat. They forced me to get serious and go to work. These are the toughest guns to shoot well. The triggers are more difficult to get tuned correctly and the sight radius is almost non existent. The low weight doesn't help with recoil.

I still have the Colt cobra, the detective special, the chiefs special, the S&W 360, and several more. The 360 rides on my hip every backcountry outing still because it weighs 13 oz. Other than that, the
snubbs don't see much range time or use.

Prescut

 

[wbraswell]

Your doing fine. I know your feeling though. In June I bought 2 Terriers and a post war .32 HE snubbie, all within 5 days.