First time out with my Model 64

[BillyBeards]

I finally got a chance to take my Model 64 No Dash to the range yesterday and I really really like it. This is my first revolver and my second handgun. The first handgun I purchased is a Glock 26 that I thought I really liked as well until now. I had no idea why so many talk badly about the Glock trigger until now.
Wow, what a difference.
The Smith's trigger has a nice and even pull the the entire way until it breaks in double action and single action, forgetaboutit.
Overall my shooting yesterday was not the best I've done by far and it was starting to discourage me a bit but non the less I really like this revolver.
I went through maybe around 100 rounds between 130gr Remmington UMC and 158gr Fiocchi but I feel like I am still searching for the "right" choice in ammo for me.

I have attached a pic of my first target.

Thanks
BB

 

[gunluver]

looks like good shootin to me! I was just outside shooting for 2.5 hours this morning in 32-40 degree temps. I started out ok, but after a while my hands got too cold to hope for super good groups. I still enjoyed my "therapeutic" trigger time, regardless of the group size.

 

[JASmith]

That's a nice group!

It's hard to do much better.

Have you noticed any changes in group center when using different ammunition?

I was able to work up a load for my Model 64 that gets a center near the 10-ring at 25 yards.

It seems there is 3 to 5 inches of adjustment available by choosing the right combination of bullet, powder and charge.

Other shooters will see differences in center because their grip technique will be different, affecting muzzle rise and even lateral displacement. My observations suggest this is true even when both shooters can get groups as good as the one you posted.

 

[357 Python]

One extreme flyer more likely due to getting used to a new gun. The rest right where they do the most good. This sounds like good shooting to me. It seems you just need to get a little more range time. Remember the fixed sights S&W 38 Specials were usually sighted in using 158 gr. bullets. The use of other weights may effect the impact point slightly. Fine shooting, keep it up.

 

[BillyBeards]

If I remember correctly this was with the 158gr Fiocchi which I liked better than the 130gr Rem UMC. The UMC was dirtier and seemed to shot a bit lower.
I'm still having an issue with flinching which is what I suspect was the cause of that one low shot. I was shooting horribly with the G26 because of a lot of flinching but I know that practice is the only thing that will cure me of that.

 

[richardcorey]

Billy: IMO that's some fine shooting for the first go with a new pistol. And like Python pointed out, most Smith revolvers stay close to home with the 158-gr load, so you might stay with that load and practice and practice. And remember, when it comes to S&W revolvers, there's always one more that you REALLY REALLY need to get. Enjoy the ride.

 

[KyJim]

Yep, lighter bullets will shoot lower from a handgun. As others have mentioned, these revolvers were normally regulated to shoot 158 gr. bullets, the standard at that time.

 

[woad_yurt]

Cool! Glad you like it.

 

[stevieboy]

Lighter bullets will not necessarily shoot lower. The key is the speed of the bullet, not its weight. Faster bullets shoot lower because the discharge of a handgun causes the muzzle to rise and the faster bullets clear the muzzle more quickly, thus hitting at a lower point of impact than slower bullets. If the powder charge is the same in a light bullet as in a heavier one, the light bullet will travel faster and hit lower. But, if the powder is regulated so that the light bullet travels at the same speed as a heavier bullet, the two will have the same POI. Indeed, it is theoretically possible that a light bullet will travel more slowly than a heavier one and, therefore, hit higher.

I routinely shoot 130 gr. bullets from my 64 and find that they do not hit significantly lower than 158 gr. Winchester White Box LRN bullets.

All that having been said, the 64 is a great gun. I love mine, it's a 2" snub and my favorite revolver.

 

[MrBorland]

Lighter bullets will not necessarily shoot lower. The key is the speed of the bullet, not its weight. Faster bullets shoot lower because the discharge of a handgun causes the muzzle to rise and the faster bullets clear the muzzle more quickly

It's not quite that simple.

Theoretically, heavier bullets hit higher, and it's because of bullet mass, and not velocity, and is why fixed sighted guns are sighted for a particular bullet weight, not velocity.

The faster bullet may leave the barrel quicker, but the time the muzzle moves up while the bullet's traveling down it is less by the same increment, so the net distance the muzzle travels while the bullet's traveling down the barrel is the same for slow and fast bullets of the same weight. IOW, time (and therefore velocity) cancels out, and conservation of momentum becomes only mass-dependent for any particular gun

So, the heavier bullet theoretically hits higher, but in reality, the muzzle is in the act of rising relatively faster just as the faster bullet is leaving, which imparts a small upward push on the faster bullet, so it doesn't hit quite as low as theory would predict.

Congrats on your M64, BillsBeards!

 

[MrBorland]

double tap

 

[Crazy88Fingers]

My 64 is my favorite gun. Smooth trigger, locks up tight as a drum, and it used to be my grandfather's police revolver. Some new Ahrends grips really brought her to life.

 

[alienbogey]

My 64-2 project before:

After:

 

[2damnold4this]

I'm still having an issue with flinching which is what I suspect was the cause of that one low shot. I was shooting horribly with the G26 because of a lot of flinching but I know that practice is the only thing that will cure me of that.

Try some snap caps or dummy rounds mixed in with your live rounds to cure your flinch.

 

[BillyBeards]

Thanks for all the great responses and pic guys. All of your M64s look great.

2damnold4this: I like your idea of mixing snap caps in to help cure me of my flinch but I feel like I would loose a couple of the snap caps in the process when they eject at the range. I've used this technique in the revolver and I feel it helped.
I do like the look of those snubbies. I might have to keep my open open for one of those.

 

[BillyBeards]

Here she is in some pretty bad cell phone shots.

 

[CopperBob]

My 64-1

Love it,,