Model 36 accuracy question

[LostintheOzone]

I've never owned a model 36 but I have a Taurus 85. I recently went on a mission to determine the accuracy of this revolver. I loaded for it up down and sideways to get a semblance of accuracy with it and nothing worked. I even put a better set of Hogue grips on it and was disappointed. The best I could do is a respectable group at 10 yards but it shoots 6'' high and 6'' left all day long with my best load of 125's. They work much better than 158's in this gun. A few days ago I finally decided I was going to give up on it after months of screwing around with this snub. I know, it's a cheap 60 knock off but I like the size and weight for carry.

Here's my question. Can anyone tell me if their 36/60 will produce a softball size group at 15 yards. That's what I consider minimal for a carry gun. I can do that all day long with my P-239 so that's what I carry now. I really would like to have a 36/60 as a pocket carry tho, the 239 requires a holster and it's bigger and heavier than a 36.

I like the early models so I would be looking at buying a pinned model if I could expect the accuracy I mentioned from a 36. My neighbor said his wouldn't shoot that well but he never worked on his loads and he never shot it much. I know how to tune loads for different guns as I've got my model 19's singing.

Thanks for any help or experience you have to share.

 

[haywood]

I don’t have a target from my 36 but, I had one From my 442. At 21 ft. Or so, I had 20 rounds of 125 gr. That I could cover with my fist. That’s a DAO 2” Gun. I don’t know if that helps you. Have you shot the gun much? It took me a lot of dry firing to learn trigger control for shooting a Snub. Then lots of rounds down Range. It’s probably the hardest gun to shoot accurately. I would say I am only a fair shot. Some guys can shoot them out to 25 yds. Let others shoot your gun and see how they do.

 

[LostintheOzone]

Have you shot the gun much?

Probably 1000 rds. Neighbor shot it who is a better pistol shooter than I. He couldn't believe it either.

I've had this gun for almost 30 years and it's been used like a shovel.

It groups OK but the POA/POI is abysmal and I can't live with it. At 15 yds I'm off the paper unless I shoot low and right.

 

[Rpg]

From a rest, a M36 will easily produce groups under 2” at 7-10 yards.

The inherent accuracy of these j frames is regularly underestimated.

As is often the case, accuracy issues are shooter related, not gun related.

 

[SDH]

For better control and sight radius, consider a 3", M-36-1 Square butt. Mine shoots great!

 

[arjay]

I could consistently hit a skilsaw blade with my model 60 at 25 yards.That was with rubber grips,wadcutters,I was ten yrs younger and was practicing a lot lol

 

[elpac3]

Used to pop leaves floating on the river from the bridge at 25 yards with my model 36 using 148 wadcutters

 

[flagman1776]

There is the mechanical accuracy of the machine... best determined by shooting single action from a rest. I used a block of wood & a shot bag. Bullet weight matters a lot with snubbies, as far as POI. I always started on the bench, with a large target close up... get all the shots on paper & learning where to hold, before opening the distance.
And then there is practical accuracy. Negative factors: short sight radius, probably smaller sights, possibly grips that are difficlt to hold well, problems with trigger smoothness & pull weight.

 

[MetalMan]

I took my 2-Model 60's (ND, 2"bbl, 1-DAO and 1 DA/SA) and 60-15 (3"bbl) to the range middle of last week.

Set targets up at 10 yards, shot factory loads (130grain FMJ) and was able to make fist-sized groupings at this distance. Needless to say, performance with the 60-15 was the best of the bunch.

 

[Birdgun]

Combat shooting at 7 yards, I am reasonably accurate with my 19-3 (6-inch barrel) and 15-4 (4-inch barrel) but my shot groups open up triple the size with my 36 (2-inch barrel). Other than that, I like my Model 36.

S&W Model 36

God bless,
Birdgun

 

[apollo99]

I practice at 21' with my model 36, it puts 25 in a group I can cover with my hand. after I get my bearings right I can hit my 12" steel gong 8 or 9 times out of 10 shots. Never had an accuracy issue with 148 grain wadcutters or 158 SWC.

 

[ShivasIrons]

I regularly shoot my snubs offhand at 7 yards and produce groups that I can cover with my hand. I own a bunch of J Frames, 3 Charter Arms and 2 Taurus. The POI up and down is largely determine by bullet weight. IIRC the sights are calibrated for use with 158gr rounds. I usually shoot 125gr or 110 gr rounds and they impact a few inches low. The 158s are at point of aim.

At 15 yards single action I am a bit larger than a a softball with a J frame. That is starting to ask a lot of those J frame sights at that point for me. I would like to get a hold of a 2 inch Model 15 at some point. Think the sights would really help with accuracy.

 

[LostintheOzone]

Well, I have a 2.5" model 19. It does just fine at 25 yds, probably everything inside of a cantaloupe sized circle. I love to talk about fresh melons this time of year. I surely wish I could do that at 15 yds with this Taurus. I believe the barrel may be canted so I'm looking to replace it with something. I've lost faith in this Taurus but I do like the design it's based on.

At 15 yards single action I am a bit larger than a a softball with a J frame.

That's what I'm looking for.

 

[len917]

For better control and sight radius, consider a 3", M-36-1 Square butt. Mine shoots great!

3" is the way to go and is very concealable. Hardball size groups at 15 yds and with practice, Spaulding size groups are attainable. Add Pachmyer grips, it helps

 

[chiefdave]

I was gifted this less than mint (way less) Detective Spl. many years ago in about the same condition as you see it now. As ugly as it is it's the only snub that I've shot that I would depend on for self defense base on accuracy. Small groups and points of aim and impact are the same at 15 yards using 125 gr JHP. Stays in the truck. I know it's not a Smith but it will do the job if called.

 

[rct269]

Once upon a time, in a land far,far away-----------------

I had an early Chiefs Special Target (with target grips). As a frequent bullseye shooter, I would regularly comment disparagingly on low scores posted---adding that I could do better than that with my snub-nose. Such comments were often met with the challenge of "For how much?!!".

Once the stakes were settled, I shot the "snub-nose"---and collected my money. Now such shenanigans didn't last too long at home----but they more than paid my travel expenses to the "away games".

Bottom Line: You do your job, and these little boogers will do their job---every time---all the time.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[haywood]

Sounds like you should have sent that in 30 years ago. Too late now.

 

[snubbyfan]

I did this:


From about this far away (I'm the hairy guy on the left):


With this:


It's not a model 36/60 but it's a double action only J frame snubby that's supposed to be harder to shoot accurately.

 

[Fishinfool]

I remember reading a magazine article years ago that tested the accuracy of several popular snubs at 25 yards, (S&W 36, a Colt Detective Special, Charter Arms, if I remember right) using a Ransom mechanical rest, and a variety of popular ammo.

I don't remember the exact group sizes now, but they all were pretty impressive, under 3 inches I believe, with ammo they liked.

Problem with the J frames in general are they are more difficult to shoot handheld compared to a K or N frame. POI is a **** shoot with fixed sights, though they are usually close enough for the intended purpose.

Larry

 

[MetalMan]

I did this:


From about this far away (I'm the hairy guy on the left):


With this:


It's not a model 36/60 but it's a double action only J frame snubby that's supposed to be harder to shoot accurately.

Darn good shootin’ with that 442, Snubby!!