recoil questions

[LL617]

I have been interested in buying another revolver because, frankly, the .38SP Bodyguard is so unpleasant to shoot. I was thinking about a model 60 because of comments that have been made on the forum and other sources but haven't located one locally that I could try. I did get to use a rental model 686with a 4 inch barrel and with a .38 load yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Recoil was at a minimum; trigger pull was not the strength exercise that I have with the Bobyguard. Then the local gunshot owner showed me that he had some model 64's for sale that had been reconditioned by S&W after being turned in by a police department. However, the shop will not let me fire any of the 64s because they have been freshly remilled.

Question: Would the recoil of the 64 be somewhat similar to that of the 686? I know that the 64 if built on a K frame like my 617 while the 686 is built on a L frame.

2nd question: Does the length of barrel affect the recoil of a revolver?

I am considering selling the Bodyguard and finding another revolver or simply using the Bodyguard for personal protection and getting a third revolver [an idea which my spouse objects to].

 

[WR Moore]

OK, your Bodyguard goes 14+ oz and a model 60 22+ oz. The 60 will recoil less, but recoil perception is a personal thing.

A model 64 will be about 36 oz (catalog weight for a 67), a 686 about 39 oz.

Barrel length does somewhat change the recoil effect by placing (slightly) more weight forward of your hand.

 

[snubbiefan]

I suppose the BG was always considered a weapon for personal protection anyway and not a range gun. Have you tried any wad-cutters or home-spun lighter loads in it. I down-load 38-special for the wife in her Airweight. I use a very light slug (105-grains) and the recoil is closer to a 22-Magnum with the powder charge I use.

 

[LL617]

I have not tried a lighter load--at least, I don't think so. I have just bought ammo at the range. Can you tell me the name of the ammo that you have gotten for your wife? An online search recommended the Remington 38 Express load; another mentioned Magtech but most of the reference sites were for people loading their own ammo.

I can order ammo through the FFL that I know.

Thanks

 

[snubbiefan]

You can get one of your hand-loading buddies to try a few for you. I load a cast 105 SWC over around 2.5 grains of Bullseye. It is a very light load but moves the light bullet down-range very well and it beats a 22LR round for SD by a long shot. I have taken the load down to 2-grains and they go bang every time. The light slug and the reduced powder-charge makes the 38-special very pleasant to shoot from a light gun for a seriously recoil-shy person. You can always have a few commercial rounds handy for when you may need them.

 

[DocGlock]

I can order ammo through the FFL that I know.

You don't need an FFL to order ammo for you. Check this source:

WADCUTTER Ammo : Ammunition To Go

 

[snubbiefan]

Absolutely...Cheaperthandirt, Midway USA and Ammo To Go (among others) are all good sources and they UPS it right to your door. My angle was that if he wanted a "weenie" round....may have to hand-load. My wife don't even like the wadcutters, which is about as low-powered as you can purchase commercially, I suppose. The heavy slug is not so forgiving. She just loves the gun with the light slugs I load for her.

I know somebody that likes to shoot thru automobile doors and walls is going to jump on here and say....get a smaller caliber. BUT...that is totally unnecessary and you don't need to buy another gun. You can make a 38-special do just about anything you need to do....IMHO of course.

 

[walkin' trails]

I have not fired a Bodyguard. I have, however, fired a few steel and alloy J-frames over the years. You do not feel the recoil in the steel frame guns that you do in the alloy versions. Mind you, a Model 60 will still kick more than a bit with good defensive loads in +P or +P+. My personal observation was that a +P in one the alloy guns was about the same as a 145 grain Wincherster Silver tip .357 in a 60.

 

[StatesRightist]

A 686 2 1/2" sounds like the ticket for you....JMO.