1st experience with revolver/range shooting, advice requested

[grimjaw]

Ok, it wasn't my very first time to shoot a revolver. The last time was 10 years ago, and that was a .22LR, so it might as well have been.

I live in northeast Ohio. I went to an indoor range for the first time today to try out a couple of revolvers (Ruger GP-100 .357 in 4" and 6" barrels) Rented both of them at the range. I don't know what the laws are, but this range was markedly different from the public, outdoor range I normally go to. I wasn't instructed in the rules of the range (they were posted outside the stalls, though), wasn't instructed in the use of the firearm, even though I admitted my experience was limited and I'd not shot a revolver for some time The guy was pretty pissy, but he hadn't caused enough rage for anybody to shoot *him* yet, so I figured I could put up with it.

I had both .357 Mag and .38 Spec cartridges. I loaded up with .357 first.

Wow.

Now, I own a lever-action rifles in .357 Magnum and .30-30, and I've shot them often. Even the .30-30 doesn't feel as, powerful? I can't imagine what the .44 Magnum must be like. The blast and flame out of this thing was serious.

After three shots and three misses, I calmed down a bit and managed to hit at 15-20 feet. Always did better when I took my time. Double action was much more difficult to manage. There seemed to be a kind of sweet spot on the pull for DA; you could feel a slight hitch right before the hammer fell. Of course, I didn't figure that out until I was almost out of ammunition.

.38 Spec was easier to handle DA, but SA it was about the same. I even mixed loads to feel the difference in recoil one after the other. Big. HUGE.

It was a very positive experience. I found out what I wanted to know:

- I can shoot .357 Mag revolvers and actually hit a target. I think I was hitting out to 25 yards on one of those color change adhesive-backed black and green targets that are popular nowadays. I think it's less than one foot in diameter.
- The Ruger GP-100 is in my price range, and I already have a rifle that uses that ammunition. It seems solid and accurate. I'm sure it was more accurate than I am. I'll definitely pick one up, probably the 4", and get a 6" Blackhawk if I want to shoot at longer ranges.
- I don't *ever* want to be on the receiving end of one of these those cartridges, especially out of a rifle. I'm getting this revolver for HD and target shooting. I have no doubts this will do the job, provided I become trained in its use.
- Unless you bring your own ammunition, targets, and equipment, commerical range shooting will drain your wallet in a hurry.
- Shooting a revolver is a very dirty thing. The cylinder was coated within 25 shots. Shooting a .357 Mag revolver with weak wrists and shoulders is a workout.

I'll definitely go again. If anyone has pointers on practice tips specifically for revolvers, or would like to point me in the direction of useful information, I'd be very grateful.

I'm already grateful, actually. It's an education just reading THR forums. Moderators, if you've got a general donation fund to support the operation of the site, I'll gladly donate.

jmm

 

[P95Carry]

grim - sounds like a good session - if expensive!!

The GP-100 is all but unanimously praised re price, strength - just great value. Yes - they get dirty, fast!

Tips etc? To be honest - you could do worse than cruise thru revo forum and read stuff there - much useful info that I am sure would help. That said, any real specifics that come to mind just ask.

Practice as a category? - I would suggest, assuming you aquire a GP-100 - and BTW the 4" is maybe the best compromize - do plenty of dry fire - to practice grip, sighting and - smooth action.

I would also suggest WAY more practice with 38 spl loads - easier on hands and also quieter!! If you can get to a stage of skill with 38's you are pleased with then go for some 357's and try and achieve same.

BTW - if shooting much 38 spl - clean cylinder chambers well to avoid a soot ring building up - which could eventually make 357's harder to insert.


BTW $2 - re support of THR - go look here http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=133207 - there are also one or two other associated posts.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Always did better when I took my time. Double action was much more difficult to manage. There seemed to be a kind of sweet spot on the pull for DA; you could feel a slight hitch right before the hammer fell. Of course, I didn't figure that out until I was almost out of ammunition.

Yep. I'd suggest being content with making noise the first few hundred rounds, and be sure to try an assortment of revolvers. Some are easier to shoot than others. Mixing light and heavy loads will help you spot flinch when it rears its ugly head. I like to shoot ten rounds of .22 long rifle, ten of center fire, ten more of .22, and so forth.

I've found it helpful to ask obvious old timers questions. The vast majority are glad to share what they know.

In my experience, revolvers require more mental effort to shoot well than semi-automatic pistols, but tend to be more versatile, and can deliver greater power if you ever need it.

Enjoy!

 

[JohnKSa]

I wish I had written down my experience after my trip to the range with my first firearm. It was with a GP100 that is probably identical to the one you shot.

I still have it, and it still shoots great! I've also got two other GP100s. A DAO 4" Stainless fixed sight model without the full underlug, and a 6" that's otherwise identical to my first gun.

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

Lead bullets, or probably more precisely the lube used with lead bullets, shoot dirty. Some powders are dirtier as well. Accurate Arms #7 and copper plated/jacketed bullets make for clean shooting. I am using Winchester 231 right now and find it dirties up the revolver in about 1/4 the time as AA.

 

[22luvr]

You're doing good so far....

The GP100 is probably as close to an ideal all-around revolver for all occasions as you can buy. Ruger revolver durability is legendary.

To keep my revolvers cleaner, I always buy jacketed or plated ammo, never exposed lead.

As has been shared previously, if you shoot a lot of .38 spcls, take care to keep the cylinder bores clean at the front-end because of the shorter length of the .38 spcl round.

Also, for home defense, I would recommend .38 spcls rather than .357's. A .38 spcl out of a 4" barrel is plenty effective and exhibits less recoi, noise, and muzzle flash than .357's, not to mention possible over-penetration of interior and exterior walls.

keep the .357's for the range and outdoors.

Buy a complete set of snap-caps and dry-fire your revolver on double-action until you can keep a coin balanced on top of the barrel or top strap. Dry-firing will also smooth out the action quicker.

My shooting style is very passive, relaxed...almost slouchy.
My elbows and knees are slightly bent and I grip the gun just tightly enough to control it. Just keep your grip and trigger pull uniform and don't fight the recoil but hold the grip just enough to control the gun as it comes up and back on each shot. A relaxed shooting technique will give better results and you will not tire as easily. It doesn't work for everybody but it sure does for me, especially with revolvers.

Hope this helps in some small way.......

 

[longspurr]

I like to start new-bys on revolvers for 2 reasons. Ammo can often found that is very mild for the caliber.

I start people dry firing to get a feel for the trigger, then load 2 or 3 rounds into the 6 cylinders. They don’t know if they are going to get a Bang or a Click. This helps see if they are developing a flinch or jerk. I suggest they keep up the partial cylinder loading for their own practice for the first Year. I use the same technique if I havent’ been shooting for a while just to get back in the groove.

 

[Marshall]

You'll love the gun, I have the 6" GP-100, it handles 357's nicely, smooth in my opinion. The 4" would be my choice for HD and 6" for target shooting, too bad a man can't have both for the price of one.

Sounds like you have a good handle on it all, keep it up, be safe and enjoy!

 

[shermacman]

Now, I own a lever-action rifles in .357 Magnum and .30-30, and I've shot them often. Even the .30-30 doesn't feel as, powerful? I can't imagine what the .44 Magnum must be like. The blast and flame out of this thing was serious.

Yup, the rifles are more powerful, all that noise and flash from the pistol is powder wasted. In the rifles, that waste is controlled and delivered via a faster, flatter, more powerful bullet impact. You just don't feel it because the rifle soaks up the recoil with its weight and your body position.

Wait till you get comfortable with the .44!!! There ain't nothing better than a full-house load: noise, flame, noise, blast, noise, recoil, noise!!! Yeehaw!!! You get a grin on your face that won't come off!

 

[P95Carry]

Wait till you get comfortable with the .44!!!

Shermac - yep indeed and then on to .454, followed by some BFR - in 45-70 perhaps. Leave the X Frame 460 or 500 till last tho eh!??

My - the joys of diversity and stimulating recoil.

 

[TarpleyG]

you could feel a slight hitch right before the hammer fell.

I have heard it told that guys that are really experienced with DA revolvers can, and do, use this to their advantage. It is like pre-staging the shot. If you noticed, when you reached this spot, the cylinder should have already rotated into place to fire the next round. Now you are essentially firing SA. Pretty cool trick but it takes a whole lot of practice to make sure you don't overpull that trigger before you are ready for it to fire. Anyone else ever hear of this???

Greg

 

[P95Carry]

Anyone else ever hear of this???

Tarpley - indeed yes. My old 686 and now a replacement one - both having very smooth D/A - enable me to do this - tho heck, despite many years of practice, I can hardly claim to have gotten it to a fine art.

There is a ''feel'' when close to rear of travel where you know the cyl is locked up and ready and then yeah - just effectively a short S/A release. When it works it's a dream but sometimes in PPC when the speed has to be upped it ain't so easy. Works best in the 25 yard stage where there is 90 seconds for 18 shots - so more chance to be deliberate - and when it works it helps a lot. Well worth practicing.