I don't want a 357 snubbie. I have fired them and the muzzle blast and recoil are too much for me. I don't like the added weight either. A compact 38 snubbie is just the right size and weight for its purpose. I am glad the 38 Special is still hanging on in the compact revolver, the 38 Special is an outstanding round in terms of accuracy and controllability. I remember when it was the standard Police round, Cops used to carry Colt Police Positives, Colt Official Police 38 Specials and S&W M10's. Detectives carried Detective Specials or S&W M36's. The standard load was a 158 lead bullet. That era is over gone, it transitioned into 357 Magnum revolvers, and then into high capacity auto pistols. Still, when you are looking for a concealable weapon, the 38 Special in a snubbie is an excellent choice. There are no safeties to fumble, no slide to rack, you just point and pull the trigger. What you want is simple and reliable and the revolver has that in spades.
I loved the old Colt Detective Specials. They are great little 38 snubbies but now they are too expensive to shoot, and where do you find a gunsmith to work on one?
This one is PIPP No 35J
I paid Colt for their research, which indicated this revolver was shipped to Dover New Jersey but Colt did not know what PIPP stood for. A look at a map showed the Palisades Interstate Parkway going right though the mailing address, and it turns out this pistol was shipped to the Palisades Interstate Police Department about 1931.
Chief Richard G. Piper was the first Chief of Police for the Palisades Interstate Parkway Police of the NJ section. Prior to him becoming Chief only were Captains assigned to the NJ Station. I happen to have his Colt Detective Special also. The Chief of the Palisades Interstate Parkway was located in Bear Mountain New York. Chief Piper retired between 1977 and 1982. It is an unusual agency as it is bi-state, NY and NJ. The Palisades Interstate Park Police with created in 1903, patrolled the Palisades Park within NY and NJ. Upon completion of the Palisades Parkway in 1958, the Department patrolled both the Parkway and Park system.
Instead of wearing out the bluing on a vintage Detective Special, I have been carrying a S&W M642, or a cheapie Taurus.
I was able to buy this lightweight M85 for around $250 new. It is a great little pistol, good grips, shoots to point of impact with 158 grain bullets. No problems what so ever with this.
These are the velocities I measured with my reloads and factory ammunition
Code:
Taurus M85 B2UL 2" Barrel
158 LSWC 3.5 grs Bullseye thrown, Mixed Brass WSP
11-Dec-04 T = 54 °F shot little high and centered
Ave Vel = 686.3
Std Dev = 13.63
ES = 58.48
High = 718.8
Low = 660.3
N = 30
125 gr Hornady JSP 4.2 grs Green Dot thrown, Mixed Brass Fed 100
11-Dec-04 T = 54 °F shot to Point of aim
Ave Vel = 670.3
Std Dev = 34.82
ES = 118.1
High = 739
Low = 620
N = 19
158 LRN Master Factory Ammo
30-Dec-04 T = 56 °F shot 6" high centered until barrel leaded
Ave Vel = 698.2
Std Dev = 20.56
ES = 105.8
High = 753.5
Low = 647.6
N = 32
158 LSWC 3.5 grs Bullseye Mixed brass Fed 100
30-Dec-04 T = 56 °F
Ave Vel = 706.2
Std Dev = 23.45
ES = 81.94
High = 748
Low = 666.1
N = 32
When the local gunstore sold these stainless M85's for $279.00 I could not resist. It is a little heavier, shoots left, but the elevation is good at 25 yards with 158 grain bullets.
Velocities are not that much different from one 2" snubbie to the next:
Code:
Taurus M85 Stainless 2" Barrel
158 LSWC 3.5 grs Bullseye thrown, Mixed Brass WSP
17-Apr-17 T = 80 °F
Ave Vel = 699.9
Std Dev = 13.96
ES = 44.5
High = 724.9
Low = 680.4
N = 12
Shot left at 25 yards
158 JHP 3.5 grs Bullseye thrown, Mixed Brass WSP
17-Apr-17 T = 80 °F
Ave Vel = 634
Std Dev = 19.41
ES = 54.9
High = 657.7
Low = 602.8
N = 8
125 lead BBRNFP 4.0 grs Bullseye Lot BE 532 Mixed cases CCI 500
17-Apr-17 T = 80 °F
Ave Vel = 747.3
Std Dev = 44.97
ES = 96.72
High = 794.1
Low = 697.4
N = 5
low, bottom of 12" plate, left
