I've gotten pretty good out to 15 feet. The trick is not to zero in on the bull's eye, just squeeze the trigger when it's in the sight. It's a hoot to fire. People who have never shot a snub nose are deceived by its small size and are always shocked the first time they fire it, "I had no idea it was that powerful!"
What you’re describing is called “point shooting”.
I would really like to learn the technique some day.
Like everything, it probably only requires a lot of practice.
“I had no idea it was that powerful!”
Just becuse it has a lot of recoil doesn’t mean power. Most of the recoil from a handgun is due to the gas escaping rather than recoil from the bullet. This is even more pronounced with a snub nose.
You want a powerful snubby, get one like I got...
S&W K frame six shot 44mag with a 3” bbl and custom dinky little roundbutt grips. scandium frame. It kicks like you would not believe. You can’t shoot it 6 times fast without gloves on and even then it is brutal.
Its called a “night guard” something or other. I forget the model number. If I was home I’d get it out and tell ya the number.