Most accurate snubby?
- Thread starter Shmackey
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Mechanically most quality snubbies are as accurate as anything you pick up, certainly the equal of service type handguns and better than most off the rack autoloaders.
I have a M37 Smith airweight that is quite a nice shooter, in my wobbly hands it will do less than 2 inches at 15 yards double action. 4 inches at 25 yards isn't all that hard with it rested either.
I have a M37 Smith airweight that is quite a nice shooter, in my wobbly hands it will do less than 2 inches at 15 yards double action. 4 inches at 25 yards isn't all that hard with it rested either.
CRridermike
Member
about 2 weeks ago my cousin and his wife got there consealed wepons permits and then went gun shopping. they came home with a short .357 ruger of some kind, a short .357 tarus of some sort and a .40 beretta couger. we went shooting the next day and they were really accurate. with the tarus i hit a squrril at about 20 yards which my have been luck but they shoot good for that short of barrel.
Theoretically, the most accurate small snub is probably the S&W Chief's Special with the rare target sights. They've never been catalogued but a number have been made over the years. Model 50, I think.
Go to a medium frame, and their M19 and M66 have been made in 2.5-inch barrel length. Ditto the M15.
The Colt Python in 2.5-inch length is larger, but superbly accurate. It does lose its cylinder timing sooner than the S&W mechanism, though.
Practically, if the fixed sights on a typical good "service" style snub are "on" for the load it likes best, you'll be astounded at how well some shoot...in the right hands!
Lone Star
Go to a medium frame, and their M19 and M66 have been made in 2.5-inch barrel length. Ditto the M15.
The Colt Python in 2.5-inch length is larger, but superbly accurate. It does lose its cylinder timing sooner than the S&W mechanism, though.
Practically, if the fixed sights on a typical good "service" style snub are "on" for the load it likes best, you'll be astounded at how well some shoot...in the right hands!
Lone Star
James Bondrock
Member
Snub revolvers are not inherently or mechanically inaccurate. They are harder to get good fast hits with because of poor sights, small grips and sharp recoil, especially the lightweight ones. Although larger and heavier, the Ruger SP101 and Colt Detective Special are easier to hit with.
I'm NOT a big fan of Taurus revolvers because of quality control issues that I've experienced. Nevertheless, in all honesty, the three Taurus Total Titanium snubnosed revolvers that I own (.38spl, .357magnum, .45Colt) are quite a bit more accurate in my hands than my S&W J-frame and K-frame snubbies. I wish that wasn't the case, but it happens to be true.
gunfan
Member
most accurate snubby
A Lew Horton S&W Model 610, 3" barrel.
A Lew Horton S&W Model 610, 3" barrel.
Marshall
Member
I have this S&W New Model 60 and it's surprisingly accurate, I'm very pleased.
The trigger is good, better than Rugers, which helps you squeeze off a better shot. At 22.5 ounces empty, it's a good combination between light and heavy and, when loaded up with .357's it's a bit heavier than with .38's. If you're recoil shy you'll want to shoot .38's, not that the 357's are terrible in it, they'll just let you know you're not shooting a popgun! I would buy the gun again if choosing.
Smith's New Model 60
The trigger is good, better than Rugers, which helps you squeeze off a better shot. At 22.5 ounces empty, it's a good combination between light and heavy and, when loaded up with .357's it's a bit heavier than with .38's. If you're recoil shy you'll want to shoot .38's, not that the 357's are terrible in it, they'll just let you know you're not shooting a popgun!
I would buy the gun again if choosing.Smith's New Model 60
stans
Member
I have a S&W 640-1, 357 Magnum, 2-1/8 inch barrel. Mechanically it is accurate, but the short sight radius, shallow rear sight notch and double action only trigger detract from my ability to get those 2-1/2 inch 25 yard groups that gun most likely could produce.
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walking arsenal
Member
ok
this is going to sound a little.............well read it and youll understand
my taurus .38 will do 22 inch groups at 300 yards.
i have the target to prove it, had to keep it, no one would believe it other wise.
that was 10 shots
300 yards
0 wind
lead cast semi wadcut bullets, not sure on the grn
at a 15 yrd IDPA rapid fire target
this is going to sound a little.............well read it and youll understand
my taurus .38 will do 22 inch groups at 300 yards.
i have the target to prove it, had to keep it, no one would believe it other wise.
that was 10 shots
300 yards
0 wind
lead cast semi wadcut bullets, not sure on the grn
at a 15 yrd IDPA rapid fire target
bpisler
Member
I think snubby's with ajustable sights would be easier to get tight groups with than snubbys with fixed sights.My 2" S&W M-15 would do 2" at 25 yards from a rest with speer 125gr +P gold dots.My 3" 65-3 will put 6 rds of PMC starfire 357mags into 3" at 25 yards firing slow D/A.
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
The single most accurate of all my snub-nosed revolvers is my Detective Special. The sights leave a bit to be desired, but the gun itself is much more accurate than I expected.
Dave Markowitz
Member
S&W Model 15-2, 2":
This snubby is so accurate it's scary.
This snubby is so accurate it's scary.
22luvr
Member
believe it or not....
It was my EAA Windicator budget-priced .38 spcl revolver! It had adjustable sights, great grips, 30 oz of weight and I never had to adjust the sights because the thing hit dead-on right out of the box.
Not only that, but the Windicator was easily the most ergonomically comfortable snubby I've ever owned.
Not bad for a gun that cost $159 NIB.
It was my EAA Windicator budget-priced .38 spcl revolver! It had adjustable sights, great grips, 30 oz of weight and I never had to adjust the sights because the thing hit dead-on right out of the box.
Not only that, but the Windicator was easily the most ergonomically comfortable snubby I've ever owned.
Not bad for a gun that cost $159 NIB.
in a "true" snubby...smith J-frame, colt D-frame, tarus 85, ruger sp...i've had the most acurracy with the colt detective special/diamondback. most likely because of their combination of bigger sights, longer grips and longer/smoother trigger pull. mechanical advantage of the colt D-frame consist of it's tighter lockup and faster rate of rifling.
in a medium/not too large frame, i'd say the mechanical advatage goes to the dan wesson because of it's combination of lockup at the crane and the barrel being under tension at both ends. my personal favorite is the colt python with it's butter smooth triger, solid lockup at sear release, faster rifling and choked barrel.
in a medium/not too large frame, i'd say the mechanical advatage goes to the dan wesson because of it's combination of lockup at the crane and the barrel being under tension at both ends. my personal favorite is the colt python with it's butter smooth triger, solid lockup at sear release, faster rifling and choked barrel.
BluesBear
member
Nope.
Adjustable sights will just make it easier to align your point of impact with your point of aim.
Because of the increased sight radius, it can be easier to shoot a longer barrel more accurately. But that is the shooter's ability not the gun's accuracy.
As for accuracy of the shorter barrels. By using a Ranson Rest it has been shown time and time again that in many cases a 2" barrel revolver is just as and in some cases more accurate as the same model with a 6" barrel.
A S&W Model 36 will be just as accurate as a Model 50.
A S&W Model 10HB will be just as accurate as a Model 15.
A Colt Lawman will be just as accurate as a Colt Trooper.
All it takes is practice, practice, practice.
Stainz
Member
My 2" M10-11, actually a 1/03 made product, was bought new 9/03. It broke-in to a great trigger - and, it is uncannily accurate. I can hit a 12" plate at 110yd once or twice out of a cylinderfull, after finding the 'drop'. I use my own reloads of 158gr LRN or LSWC over 3.5gr TiteGroup. It is even more accurate with the PD rounds I keep, Remington R38S12 158gr +P rated LHPSWC's. I attribute much of it's success to it's great trigger and mass, the required short sight base being it's main detriment - other than me, of course!
Stainz
Stainz
Gunmeister
Member
One of the most accurate, and grossly under rated, handguns I have ever owned was a Ruger Security Six with a 2.75" barrel. I guess you could call that a snubby even tho it is a rather large gun. It was heavy but well balanced. Out to 50 feet it was call the ten ring on every shot. Deadly accurate.
russlate
Member
My 2&1/2" 19 has an insert in the front sight. Put a target on top of the front sight, align the top of the rear sight with the bottom of the insert, and you can keep 6 of 6 on a man sized silhouette at a hundred yards.
Gunmeister
Member
6 of 6 on a man size target at 100 yards might almost qualify you for a military marksman medal using a rifle with open sights. That's extraordinary shooting offhand with a revo with a 2.5" barrel. I'd really have to see that done. Can anyone else top this?
Paul "Fitz" Jones
Moderator - Emeritus
Smith 60 .38
On a police range I have shot a Distinguished Expert score with three bullseyes up that day with my 2 inch 60 (without) target sights.
Fitz
Slow, timed and rapid fire and I fired the whole course rapid fire cause I felt I did not have a chance of qualifying. It shocked the rangemaster and me too so it just had to be instinctive shooting.
On a police range I have shot a Distinguished Expert score with three bullseyes up that day with my 2 inch 60 (without) target sights.
Fitz
Slow, timed and rapid fire and I fired the whole course rapid fire cause I felt I did not have a chance of qualifying. It shocked the rangemaster and me too so it just had to be instinctive shooting.
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walking arsenal
Member
Can anyone else top this?
I can, see previous post
I can, see previous post
deputy tom
Member
Practical accuracy is in the hands of the user,not the gun it's self.Just about any firearm will have inherent accuracy when clamped in a Ransom Rest or a vise.That said I am most profecient with an S&W J-Frame.tom.
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I've seen enough extraordinary things done with a handgun that I believe it. Ever seen a 4" 357 shoot sub 2" 6 shot groups at 100 yards? I have. Would have called you a liar had you told me about it until I saw it. I've seen a guy hit a basketball 11 of 12 shots at a hundred yards with an open sighted 4" 357 too, offhand shots for all 12. I've seen a bone stock Beretta 92 with military ball ammo hit a gallon paint can 10 of 10 shots at 75 meters, and hit a 55 gallon drum 4 of 10 shots at 200 meters. The guns are well capable, including snub nose types. All it takes to make it happen is a lot of skill and a little luck.
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