Dillyp
Member
Everyone has a favorite weapon to carry, favorite location to carry. Mine has been at appendix carry position for 10 years with a j frame, a 1981 model 36 to be exact.
This has been, in my brother's words, my "ride or die" since I was 21.
On my 31st birthday Saturday, I decided to treat myself and purchase a new carry weapon. I had my heart set on a 442, and after a little trip to a conveniently timed gun show, this little gem followed me home.
First thing I did was switch thumb pieces.
After a good cleaning, I went out to the yard for some range time. Right off the bat, I noted the heavy trigger, and the black sight.
I soon realized that the sight ramp had 2 distinct aiming points. The top-most area, with the vertical area directly above the sloped ramp, shot 158gr ammo to the point of aim. The top of the sloped ramp area shot 125 and 130gr ammo to the point of aim, when aligned with the top of the rear sight. I don't know if that was S&W's intentions, but it works with my gun, and my eyes. I carry Federal HST 130gr (awesome defensive round for snubs, check it out), and have replicated the point of impact at 7 yards with 148gr HBWC handloads.
The first group of 5 at 7 yards, drawn and shot rapidly as in a defensive situation. 5.375" group with most of the spread being veritcal.
My next "improvement" was to paint the area in the 130gr range on the front ramp.
I raided my wife's nail polish basket and found a lovely shade of orange called Tangerine Cream. It contrasts very nice against the black.
Again, drawn and fired rapidly, with the new orange front, the 5 shot group shrunk to 4.25".
Side note; I did not just shoot 5 shots each time, I shot 100 rounds each time, and the group stayed pretty much within the aforementioned measurements.
Now by this time, after 300 rounds down range, and some dry firing practice, the trigger pull has smoothed up nicely, albeit still very heavy. Luckily, I had a new Apex trigger kit, and proceeded to install the new Main spring, return spring, and firing pin. I was going to do some light stoning and polishing while the side plate was off, but decided to wait.
Wow! What a difference. The first drawn and fired group measured 2.25", and after 95 more rounds, the group stayed at 3.5" with the exception of 2 random flyers.
Now, like I mentioned before, I have carried a j frame for 10 years, and have sent 10's of thousands of rounds down range with a snub nose 38 special. I have become quite proficient with one, hence the relatively tight groups. But, I think I can get the group's down under 2". While the orange paint helps in bright light, and lower light, they are not easily seen in very low light. I have ordered a set of crimson trace lg-105 grips. It is something I have never used before, but they should be very adequate for dark target acquisition, and maybe, with a little practice, a laser sight could help get those groups under 2".
This has been, in my brother's words, my "ride or die" since I was 21.
On my 31st birthday Saturday, I decided to treat myself and purchase a new carry weapon. I had my heart set on a 442, and after a little trip to a conveniently timed gun show, this little gem followed me home.
First thing I did was switch thumb pieces.
After a good cleaning, I went out to the yard for some range time. Right off the bat, I noted the heavy trigger, and the black sight.
I soon realized that the sight ramp had 2 distinct aiming points. The top-most area, with the vertical area directly above the sloped ramp, shot 158gr ammo to the point of aim. The top of the sloped ramp area shot 125 and 130gr ammo to the point of aim, when aligned with the top of the rear sight. I don't know if that was S&W's intentions, but it works with my gun, and my eyes. I carry Federal HST 130gr (awesome defensive round for snubs, check it out), and have replicated the point of impact at 7 yards with 148gr HBWC handloads.
The first group of 5 at 7 yards, drawn and shot rapidly as in a defensive situation. 5.375" group with most of the spread being veritcal.
My next "improvement" was to paint the area in the 130gr range on the front ramp.
I raided my wife's nail polish basket and found a lovely shade of orange called Tangerine Cream. It contrasts very nice against the black.
Again, drawn and fired rapidly, with the new orange front, the 5 shot group shrunk to 4.25".
Side note; I did not just shoot 5 shots each time, I shot 100 rounds each time, and the group stayed pretty much within the aforementioned measurements.
Now by this time, after 300 rounds down range, and some dry firing practice, the trigger pull has smoothed up nicely, albeit still very heavy. Luckily, I had a new Apex trigger kit, and proceeded to install the new Main spring, return spring, and firing pin. I was going to do some light stoning and polishing while the side plate was off, but decided to wait.
Wow! What a difference. The first drawn and fired group measured 2.25", and after 95 more rounds, the group stayed at 3.5" with the exception of 2 random flyers.
Now, like I mentioned before, I have carried a j frame for 10 years, and have sent 10's of thousands of rounds down range with a snub nose 38 special. I have become quite proficient with one, hence the relatively tight groups. But, I think I can get the group's down under 2". While the orange paint helps in bright light, and lower light, they are not easily seen in very low light. I have ordered a set of crimson trace lg-105 grips. It is something I have never used before, but they should be very adequate for dark target acquisition, and maybe, with a little practice, a laser sight could help get those groups under 2".
