What distance do you practice with your J frame snubbie?
- Thread starter Pete99004
- Start date
Delos
Member
Recreational shooting?
When I could go out in the mountains alone to shoot, it was simple. Throw a can out about 10 feet and start moving it back. Soon it gets far enough away that you must shoot single action.
Quick draw shooting empty shotgun shells at about 7 feet was nice. Forces you to hesitate a half second lining up sights.
Actually my chiefs special does not get much range time anymore. When I can my 9mm and 22 semi auto gets shot the most. Small frame 22 revolvers are overly nice. 38 Chiefs special gets dry fired indoors every year or so.
Occasionally my CO2 revolver gets shot in the basement at 15 or 20 feet.
I have worked nights for about 30 of my working years. I still occasionally take chiefs special in dark bedroom and point it at something I can barely see, then turn on the lights to see if my sights are on target. I have been promising myself that a laser is in my future. So far, I like the looks of the one where the button is on front of grip.
When I could go out in the mountains alone to shoot, it was simple. Throw a can out about 10 feet and start moving it back. Soon it gets far enough away that you must shoot single action.
Quick draw shooting empty shotgun shells at about 7 feet was nice. Forces you to hesitate a half second lining up sights.
Actually my chiefs special does not get much range time anymore. When I can my 9mm and 22 semi auto gets shot the most. Small frame 22 revolvers are overly nice. 38 Chiefs special gets dry fired indoors every year or so.
Occasionally my CO2 revolver gets shot in the basement at 15 or 20 feet.
I have worked nights for about 30 of my working years. I still occasionally take chiefs special in dark bedroom and point it at something I can barely see, then turn on the lights to see if my sights are on target. I have been promising myself that a laser is in my future. So far, I like the looks of the one where the button is on front of grip.
I think this is a good one to do myself and have done so on occasion.
As far as a laser - they work great - I have a Sig P229 with a set of CT grips on it for my nightstand gun. Love it. It's not great outside in the sun, but inside, it's great! Buy one - you will be happy you did.
Pete
Back in the day, my department required qualification out to 25 yards with off-duty guns. Easy ? No.
But you really may be justified in defending yourself at a distance greater than 7 yrds. A realistic distance may be 15 yds or so.
But you really may be justified in defending yourself at a distance greater than 7 yrds. A realistic distance may be 15 yds or so.
getoff
Member
i start at about 7-10 ft. draw and shoot. after about 3 or 4 cylinders, i move it back to the "21" ft mark. i do strong hand, a little off hand, and some single action. again about 20-25 rounds. next i send it back to about 25 yds. single action mostly, and a few double action. next up, if i have time/length, 50 yds. yes, the j can be shot at 50 yds. i only shoot about 10-15 rounds at the long range. don't want to get upset if i don't key hole a couple... all shots at 25 yd bulls eye nra targets. am i perfect? no. am i confident at anything closer than 30 yds with my 60? sure. ammo is not the weak link. the gun is also not the failure point. i am. trigger control, sight alignment... it never changes. practice, practice, more practice. test yourself, it will pay off.
BJoe
Member
Start your range session with 50-75 feet, depending on how far back your range is. Shoot 2-3 cylinders then bring the target back to check it. You will start making more and more distant hits.
Practicing on the distant target makes the majority of your 20-25 foot shooting so much easier to hit accurately.
Practicing on the distant target makes the majority of your 20-25 foot shooting so much easier to hit accurately.
jeff7salter
Member
shooting distance for S&W Mod 60
Like several others have noted here, I usually shoot from around 21-27 feet. My fav. of my revolvers is a S&W Mod. 60 with 3 in. barrel.
I have a crude (but very safe) range in the woods behind my house and I can practice nearly any day with moderate weather. The range is designed on 50 ft. from target, but I also have a spot for 100 ft. shooting.
For this little revolver, I stay pretty close -- 7 to 9 strides from the target.
Like several others have noted here, I usually shoot from around 21-27 feet. My fav. of my revolvers is a S&W Mod. 60 with 3 in. barrel.
I have a crude (but very safe) range in the woods behind my house and I can practice nearly any day with moderate weather. The range is designed on 50 ft. from target, but I also have a spot for 100 ft. shooting.
For this little revolver, I stay pretty close -- 7 to 9 strides from the target.
jeff7salter
Member
By the way, I almost always shoot at least a couple of cylinders with my off-hand (my left) ... just to stay in practice. You never know when your good hand might be out of commission.
J frame practice range
Back in the 80's, as a detective on a PD, I carried a M-37 for a while and had to qualify with it every few months. We'd use the FBI PPC course back to 50 yards. Yeah, I could qualify but not with very high scores. Then I went to a M-66, 2 1/2 in and carried that until we went semi-autos in the late 80's. My suggestion: If you are very familiar with the gun and a very good shot practice from 15 yards in. At 7 yards in it's mostly instinctive point and shoot with just watching the front sight. Otherwise 7 yards is a good defensive distance. Good luck and enjoy.
I still have the gun but retired it a few years ago when I picked up a M-342. I qualify once a year with that and a couple autos on a required 15 yard, 50 rnd course that my grand daughter could pass! The 342 is a joy to carry. Shoots well too.
Back in the 80's, as a detective on a PD, I carried a M-37 for a while and had to qualify with it every few months. We'd use the FBI PPC course back to 50 yards. Yeah, I could qualify but not with very high scores. Then I went to a M-66, 2 1/2 in and carried that until we went semi-autos in the late 80's. My suggestion: If you are very familiar with the gun and a very good shot practice from 15 yards in. At 7 yards in it's mostly instinctive point and shoot with just watching the front sight. Otherwise 7 yards is a good defensive distance. Good luck and enjoy.
I still have the gun but retired it a few years ago when I picked up a M-342. I qualify once a year with that and a couple autos on a required 15 yard, 50 rnd course that my grand daughter could pass! The 342 is a joy to carry. Shoots well too.
7-10 for me
Practice at 7-10 yards two handed. I'm kind of a boring guy, but it works.
Practice at 7-10 yards two handed. I'm kind of a boring guy, but it works.
manyguns
Member
The key to short barrel anything is in your hands. Dry snapping A LOT is needed to master a small gun. If you have a laser on it really helps. The sights do not stay in the same place through the trigger stroke but they must end up in the right place when the shot breaks. You shoot them a lot with your body. Driving it to the target.
chuckfw
US Veteran
I usually practice with my model 38 Smith at 25 yards. I also use Crimson Trace because I like the extra edge it gives in acquiring the target a LOT faster. I am from the school that a .38 Spl. is not much of a manstopper beyond 25 yards. Yeah, you can shoot him, but stopping him is another matter. For that reason, I am learning to carry my Springfield XDs, which is also equipped with the Crimson Trace, instead of the model 38. I feel more comfortable with .45 230 grain HSTs than with the Hornady Critical Defense .38s. You may agree or not, but I think the Crimson Trace is perfect for a CCW.
BigCityChief
Member
From as close as 3 yds. to as far as 25 yds.
brian y
Member
I practice at 5, 10 and 15 yards with a J frame model 60 single and double action. I am doing a lot more point and shoot.
Green Frog
Member
Neat thread. My "J-frame" is actually an I-frame 32 HE snub that is carried 'most every day. I start practice at 5-7 yards, try a cylinder or two full at 15 then shoot a few rounds at 25 just for giggles. When I'm with my buddy Dale53 at his home range (pistol range to 50 yds) I pick a spot on the berm and blast away two handed to see how close I can get. I'm usually still minute of bad guy even at 50 but wouldn't dream of calling that a "defensive shot." 
If I can't pretty much reach out and touch him (and he me) I would have a hard time calling him a threat, absent a gun in his hand as well. 
JMHO, YMMV! 
Froggie
If I can't pretty much reach out and touch him (and he me) I would have a hard time calling him a threat, absent a gun in his hand as well. JMHO, YMMV! Froggie
GWK4667
US Veteran
I will practice at 7 to 10 yards with a model 60 that I carried as a back up for almost 40 years.
I heard shooting in my gravel pit about 2 years ago and found a friend and his grandson "sighting in" his muzzle loader for deer season. They had laid a 5 gal bucket on it's side ( about a 10" circle ) at 60 yards and they had a 10 power scope. After 5 shots prone with a rest and no hits I could not stand it any more.
Firing off hand single action at the bung in the top I never hit the bung but all 5 rounds hit the bucket. I told them they either needed a better muzzle loader or a lot more practice when I could outshoot them with a 1 5/8" barrel and factory sights!
I heard shooting in my gravel pit about 2 years ago and found a friend and his grandson "sighting in" his muzzle loader for deer season. They had laid a 5 gal bucket on it's side ( about a 10" circle ) at 60 yards and they had a 10 power scope. After 5 shots prone with a rest and no hits I could not stand it any more.
Firing off hand single action at the bung in the top I never hit the bung but all 5 rounds hit the bucket. I told them they either needed a better muzzle loader or a lot more practice when I could outshoot them with a 1 5/8" barrel and factory sights!
Agree with Goldstar225. Mine are close (have 637-2, 432PD, and 642-2) but the 38 2" guns can handle the plates at 20-25 yards- no problem. Best accuracy for me from the 38's are Hornady 110 grn. Tried some Rem 158 SWHP lead "FBI" +p...3 shots in the little light J-Frames and hand was numb. I stick with the 110s.
Papaboo
Member
Self defense
Just wanted to add this: When we trained at the P.D., we practiced firing from the draw and close in, 3 to 5 yds, one handed and kept revolver in tight and close to your body so the bad guy couldn't grab your weapon and if he was strong enough, could just take it a way and shoot you with your own gun!
While you were doing that you had to simulate pushing your weak hand up and holding the dirtbag off while firing. The range officers always asked us to please don't shoot your hand.
In a stressful situation your heart is beating fast, adrenaline is pumping and you are wound up like a rubber band. Now go shoot and hit the target without your hand shaking.
Know your own limits!
Just wanted to add this: When we trained at the P.D., we practiced firing from the draw and close in, 3 to 5 yds, one handed and kept revolver in tight and close to your body so the bad guy couldn't grab your weapon and if he was strong enough, could just take it a way and shoot you with your own gun!
While you were doing that you had to simulate pushing your weak hand up and holding the dirtbag off while firing. The range officers always asked us to please don't shoot your hand.
In a stressful situation your heart is beating fast, adrenaline is pumping and you are wound up like a rubber band. Now go shoot and hit the target without your hand shaking.
Know your own limits!
Practice distance
This is a touchy area. If you are using the J frame for personal protection, which I assume you are, your main concern to to be accurate at 7 feet. You may find yourself in some hot water if you use the weapon on someone that's 20 feet away. At greater distances, your personal protection may not be an issue and the court will see it that way. If you enjoy shooting and want to become proficient at 50 to 75 feet, a nice K frame with target sights would be my choice.
This is a touchy area. If you are using the J frame for personal protection, which I assume you are, your main concern to to be accurate at 7 feet. You may find yourself in some hot water if you use the weapon on someone that's 20 feet away. At greater distances, your personal protection may not be an issue and the court will see it that way. If you enjoy shooting and want to become proficient at 50 to 75 feet, a nice K frame with target sights would be my choice.
