GUNS Magazine January 1960

What happens to the shooter's hand? Is there any accuracy
or power possible from that stub of a barrel? All of these
questions were in my own mind when I began a try-out of
the weapon a year and a half ago.
The first thing I learned was that, for my large hand,
the generally accepted correct hold for a big target revolver
was not suitable for the Chief. With each shot, the
second joint of my middle finger was taking a beating from
the rear of the trigger guard. Repeated trials over a period
of days indicated that the hold recommended by some
double-action advocates was the one giving me best results
in any kind of shooting with the midget weapon. It carried
my fingers around the stock far enough to bring the second
joint of the middle finger past the trigger guard. Such a
hold lets the stock settle firmly in the palm of the hand.
The thumb rests snugly against the side of the frame and
points downward toward the tip of the trigger finger. In
this position it provides firm support and avoids any
chance of recoil injury from safety latch and cylinder, at
the same time providing trigger finger control in slow fire
double action.
PERFORMANCE
Slow-fire 30' targets prove Chiefs accuracy
with 2.5 grain Bullseye handloads, 148 grain
wadcutters. In crouch, gun is held hard.
Three important advantages accrue from this hold. Great
leverage in double action is gained by having the second
joint of the trigger finger resting on the trigger. The gun
is so well embraced by the hand that the two seem almost
a unit. A very tight grip without strain or tremor and
almost without conscious effort is achieved, and this eliminates
all slipping and twisting of the gun within the hand.
The sum of these factors was that recoil no longer seemed
severe and the bruising of my knuckle was ended.
Having found that the gun was (Continued on page 62)
Snub .38 can deliver good hits at
good range: silhouette is 40 yards
off. Fingers wrapped tightly about
stock (above) aid DA control. Ten
yard targets were easy for 2" gun.
GUNS JANUARY 1960 21