Recoil, redux

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