Cowboy Gun at USPSA Fun Match (Take 2!)

Hey there THR!

Some of you may remember the first time I took a Single Action Army to a USPSA Style Fun match... If you don't remember, you can check that thread out here: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=781494

And the thread I started in preparation for the challenge: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=781153

I wanted to use the take aways from those two threads and also up the anti a little bit...
So I made myself speed loaders out of gumball tubes.
When I got the hang of it, they worked surprisingly well!

I am looking for comments and suggestions on the overall performance as well as tips for how to take the concept to the next level.

Thanks for reading! Thanks for watching!

Vid:
[YOUTUBE]IHHJfD14JvM[/YOUTUBE]

 

Pretty cool.

I'd try to figure out a load that would be easier to eject, or maybe smooth out the inside of the cylinders?

 

Yeah, that was a problem.

I am not sure if it was the reloads or the cylinder. I should have put a bit of oil or something (really lightly) on the inside of the cylinders with a swab.

Next time!

 

double post.

 

I admire you for using a single action revolver!

I think you will gain time by using a different ejecting technique. Use your right hand to stroke the ejector while you rotate the cylinder with your left thumb.

Here is a video showing how a champion cowboy action shooter does a reload on the clock. In Cowboy Action Shooting, we load five and always have an empty chamber for the hammer to rest on. In the video, he shows how to palm the gun in your left hand and control the cylinder with the left thumb while using your strong hand to load the cartridge into the empty chamber. I think you will find this grip faster than the one you are using.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwYh28J0_JA

Use this same grip for ejecting spent shells. After rotating the gun into your left hand, pop the loading gate open with your right thumb, and while keeping the muzzle horizontal and pointed downrange, pull the gun butt back into your belly. It stabilizes the gun. Pump the ejector back and forth as rapidly as you can while rotating the cylinder with your left thumb. Don't worry about the ejector rod hitting the web between chambers...keep pressure on the ejector rod and it will skid into the empty casing as you turn the cylinder. You should be able to get all 6 empties out in 3 - 4 seconds or less.

Your "tube" reloader is ingenious and you have every right to be proud of your creativity. I'm just not convinced it is faster. Turn your gunbelt 180 degrees so your cartridge loops are in front of you and try using your strong hand to pull cartridges out of the loops. I think you are losing time using your weak hand to try to get reloads into the chambers. If there is a way you could get all 6 cartridges into your right hand at the same time after ejecting the empties, I bet you could do your reload a lot faster. But that is something for you to experiment with.

You can polish the chambers with a polishing compound on a cleaning mop that is chucked into a hand drill. I have also wrapped steel wool into a brass cleaning brush and chucked that combination into a hand drill. It doesn't take much time.

I congratulate you on courage to try something different from the other guys. Hope you continue to enjoy that fine single action revolver!

Good Luck.

 

I was wondering about the stuck cases. There appeared to be a little muzzle flip as well, so you weren't using loads so light you can watch them go down range I would assume. It does look interesting...not sure I would call it fun though. I know I would hurt myself somehow. Finger pinched by ejector, finger pinched by cylinder rotation...I think I would have more fun with a top - break and a set of speedloaders.

 

Thanks!

That was suggested by a few in the previous threads, but given the round counts on the stages, I was burning my hands in a serious way. That's the only reason I switched to the technique you saw. It is under review for sure!

Awesome technique. If I get it down to 3-4 seconds, I will be posting up another vid. That would be amazing fast... for me...

Will experiment for sure.

I was actually thinking about sending it off to Goons Gun works for a little TLC. His reviews from others here is pretty outstanding.

Thanks again! I appreciate your input. And you can bet that I will continue to shoot this fine model revolver!

 

I was using factory loads and factory reloads (they kinda got mixed a little bit...). I will have to solve the stuck cases problem before next time.

Oh it was FUN. but truth be told, I cut my left hand index finger on the ejector rod trying to force the cases out of the cylinder. I also got a small blister on my shooting hand index finger where the palm meets the knuckle... Not sure exactly how that happened but...

As soon as I can afford/justify a Taylors Top Break in .38 spcl I am doing it!