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Recoil, redux

1476 Views 5 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  halfmoonclip
A buddy has a Chiappa .357 snub, which we've fired with .38s. It is an absolute honey to shoot with those.

Last night, his Chiappa and my 640 Smith went to the range, to compare recoil with Magnums, and the low bore axis of the Rhino to the Centennial.

Even the Centennial has a lower bore axis than most revolvers, as it is possible to choke higher on the humpback. The Chiappa was far less unpleasant than my Smith, which was no fun at all. The rounds were 158 gr reloads, clocked at 1162 fps in another snub.


Two things helped; the Italian's rubber grip is uncommonly well shaped, with a high recoil shoulder, and that bottom chamber business. It seemed to push straight back in the hand, tho' it pushed hard enough for the triggerguard to bang up the middle finger.

The powder was H110, a little slow for a snub barrel, and the muzzle blast was impressive indoors.

The Chiappa did give me an odd moment; loading only two rounds, it didn't want to go off. Of course, I'd placed them at the top of the cylinder.

Weight wise, the Chiappa is a little heavier, at 24.7oz vs 22.58oz. for the Smith.

I did shoot my slicked up Pro 640, which has good sights and Altamont combat grips, the better of the two.

The Smith is smoother (like a bar of soap) and more familiar, while the Chiappa is simply weird, but it feels good in the hand, and points well.
Mechanically, the trigger is smooth, and it all feels like good machinery, albeit one with lots of little parts screwed on. The Smith wins the 'elegant machinery' prize.

Moon
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Love my Nickel 60DS Rhino.
Having practiced bulseye shooting one-handed so much, I actually feel uncomfortable shooting pistols two-handed. The Chiappa is a joy to shoot even one-handed with 357s.

Waiting for the "competition grip" to become available.
https://www.chiappafirearms.com/d-accessori.php?id=218

Would love to have a Rink or Nils grip to fit it. Might have to see what PercisionPistolGrips can put together.
Love my Nickel 60DS Rhino.
Having practiced bulseye shooting one-handed so much, I actually feel uncomfortable shooting pistols two-handed. The Chiappa is a joy to shoot even one-handed with 357s.

Waiting for the "competition grip" to become available.
https://www.chiappafirearms.com/d-accessori.php?id=218

Would love to have a Rink or Nils grip to fit it. Might have to see what PercisionPistolGrips can put together.
I can't imagine shooting my SP101 3" one-handed with .357s.

Last time at the range I shot a few cylinders of .38s, and it's not bad. I have a Hogue grip on it, which helps, but .38s are comfortable and manageable.

Switching over to Hornady Critical Defense 125gr .357s is a completely different story. Such a sharp and snappy recoil that after a full cylinder you are ready for a break. As a former Bullseye shooter, I'm pretty comfortable shooting one-handed - but I wouldn't consider it with that combination.

I like to shoot .357s for practice, but it's not exactly enjoyable.
I like to shoot .357s for practice, but it's not exactly enjoyable.
I shoot them purely for fun, every gun is simply a range toy here.
Last outing I shot 20 rounds of .38 followed by 30 rounds of .357. All one-handed, all in the space of a little over an hour. Loved every minute of it.

Left with my right palm feeling a bit on the tender side, but I was grinning from ear-to-ear.

Cold beer in hand when I got home and palm felt right as rain again in before I finished the beer.
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I shoot them purely for fun, every gun is simply a range toy here.
Last outing I shot 20 rounds of .38 followed by 30 rounds of .357. All one-handed, all in the space of a little over an hour. Loved every minute of it.

Left with my right palm feeling a bit on the tender side, but I was grinning from ear-to-ear.

Cold beer in hand when I got home and palm felt right as rain again in before I finished the beer.
That's a lot of .357, especially one-handed!

Comfort level depends a bit on the gun and specific load, but my SP101 isn't very large or heavy - so you really feel it.

I'm more of a .45 guy, and am now carrying one. I just enjoy shooting the .45 more, and like to shoot a gun a lot that I carry. I can shoot any .230 gr .45 all day long without any issues.

.357 is always ready at the house.
I have reached the age where taking a beating from much of anything, let alone guns, is no fun at all.
Fully understand what unpleasant recoil is, having fired an 11oz Titanium Centennial with full house magnums. Damn.
If you're not troubled by the looks, availability, or cost, the Chiappa does mitigate the recoil effect.
It won't talk me out of Centennials, tho'. Too fond of the look and the feel.
Moon
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