Tough day at the range with a 642

[APS]

Good luck to you. You can master the J frame as Photoman44 noted. Dry fire is good. In my case I can't shoot one quickly without having the front sight jump to the right. I think that increasing the trigger reach by changing grips will help (I can shoot my LCR much better and it has a longer reach). But it's a challenge to find a good set of grips that still fit in a pocket.
Once you get good close, make sure to extend your range and practice as well. That will make you that much better up close. The bad guy that attacks you might not know that he's supposed to get within 15 feet first.

 

[USAF385]

I had a similar experience the first time I shot my 642. After 5 rounds I was thinking "what did I get myself into?". I quickly found out it was me, not the gun. I moved up and slowed my shooting down and quickly got accustomed to it.

Now I can turn five nickles into five washers in under 2 seconds at 100 yards.






Well... maybe not.

 

[photoman]

Now I can turn five nickles into five washers in under 2 seconds at 100 yards.

That's a good one!

 

[f2]

PRO TIPS with JERRY MICULEK, shootingusa.com/

Try this j-frame grip - second from the bottom panel in above link.

 

[Sheepdog808]

I 2nd the thought on using Crimson Trace grips for practice. What I do is place a ace of spades card on the wall and dry fire while working on my trigger pull. I try and keep the laser in the spade while I concentrate on a proper trigger pull (or squeeze depending or your train of thought). I vary my distance within my house to change it up and challenge myself. This method is not for everyone but it has worked for me.

I carry my 642 as a BUG on duty and off. When qualifying for my department, the same course for semi-autos is the same for revolver, j frames included. The farthest distance is 25yrds with a total of 6 shots. 1 from the holster and 5 from the ready I believe, all under time.

At first this was an issue, but with dry fire practice and range time 25yds is no longer an issue.

Good luck with your 642. Like the commercial says, "never leave home without it"

 

[MWark]

Now I can turn five nickles into five washers in under 2 seconds at 100 yards.

You should come duck hunting with me.

 

[Alx]

LASERGRIP ..... turns a J-frame into a target gun. Also great for dry-fire practise with a DAO trigger - see your wobbles and fix them before you load live ammo.

 

[wrangler5]

LASERGRIP ..... turns a J-frame into a target gun. Also great for dry-fire practise with a DAO trigger - see your wobbles and fix them before you load live ammo.

+1 for this and the other comments on a laser as a training tool. I am always amazed at how much I wobble, and how much even the beginning of the hammer fall moves that little dot when I haven't really clamped down on the grip and locked up my wrist. If you can see it you can fix it - and you'll visualize why that first attempt at 25 yards wasn't more successful.

Speaking of "long range" shooting with a snub - I like to plink at steel targets at my range, including from 25 yards out. But NONE of the loads I put through my snubbies come anywhere near the sights at that range. Hits are either low, lower or very low, so hitting requires substantial holdover. Not the best formula for regular success. I still do it, and enjoy it when a plate falls, but my snub nose revolvers never have anything approaching the hit rate of my Glock snubbie (G26.) It's just the nature of the beast.

 

[wnr700]

The Model 17 is my solution to most aiming and trigger issues.

It has improved my aim and trigger pull greatly. It's cheap and fun to shoot.

A couple hundred rounds per range session in addition to your other handguns and you will begin to see improvement.