Fighting Revolver

[LAH]

When things start at 5 yards, it better go smooth.

 

[Jim Watson]

Reminds me of Jeff Cooper's item. In the day of the SWCPL there was a lawman who just could not get on with an automatic. Traumatized by old army stories of the hard kicking unreliable .45, no doubt. So they found him a clean 1926 .44 and loaded him a case of 900 fps semiwadcutters.

 

[trackskippy]

When things start at 5 yards, it better go smooth.

Things only go somewhat smoothly if you practice them constantly.

The closer you are, the faster things need to go, and you have to be comfortable shooting in ways you normally wouldnt/dont, and be able to do it without thinking about doing it. Movement, and shooting quickly and repetitively as you go are going to be key.

At least at the closer distances, the lower capacity of the revolver is offset somewhat by a higher hit probability.

 

[mcb]

Things only go somewhat smoothly if you practice them constantly.

The closer you are, the faster things need to go, and you have to be comfortable shooting in ways you normally wouldnt/dont, and be able to do it without thinking about doing it. Movement, and shooting quickly and repetitively as you go are going to be key.

At least at the closer distances, the lower capacity of the revolver is offset somewhat by a higher hit probability.

After years of shooting USPSA/IDPA with both revolvers and semi-autos I found no difference in hit probably at close ranges (say 7-10 yards or less). The semi auto did have measurable advantage on these close targets with faster splits. The long double action of the revolver just cannot be actuated as fast as a semi-auto, even a trigger like a Glock or XD is faster than the revolver, let alone a single action only semi-auto like a 1911/2011. At longer ranges the revolver might have had a slight accuracy advantage but to be honest that was as much psychological as it was hardware. I knew if I missed with the revolver is was almost certain to cost me an extra reload (serious impact on my score) where that was not the case as often with the semi-auto and it higher capacity magazine so I probably did not focus as much as I should have.

 

[Jim Watson]

I knew if I missed with the revolver is was almost certain to cost me an extra reload

Right, I shot a revolver in the local "style" match Sunday and got into a standing reload that the automatics could avoid.

But I am not a regular revolver shooter and I went into this one with only one practice and a little dry fire. I did better the years I shot IDPA SSR full time, not to mention the PPC days.

 

[LAH]

A buddy was hit the other night by an auto while making a traffic stop. It was a deliberate hit. The offending auto came from a side street with lights off. Buddy landed on the hood & fired through the windshield stopping the aggressor. Up close & personal under stress. Like I said, when it begins at 5 yards, or like this less, things better go smoothly.

 

[ontarget]

A buddy was hit the other night by an auto while making a traffic stop. It was a deliberate hit. The offending auto came from a side street with lights off. Buddy landed on the hood & fired through the windshield stopping the aggressor. Up close & personal under stress. Like I said, when it begins at 5 yards, or like this less, things better go smoothly.

I hope your friend is ok.

 

[LAH]

Banged up a little but like most that are involved in this he will need some time to get his head sorted out.

 

[v8stang289]

I mentioned in my previous post that a 3" 625 with Ahrends would probably be the pinnacle for me. I picked one up yesterday.

 

[mcb]

I mentioned in my previous post that a 3" 625 with Ahrends would probably be the pinnacle for me. I picked one up yesterday.


View attachment 1171374

Earl would be proud.

 

[v8stang289]

Earl would be proud.

I figured there were a few here that would get the references

 

[Russ57]

I apologize as I have not read all the posts.

If I needed a revolver as a solider, LEO, SWAT, Hostage/Rescue team....hard to go wrong with Manurhin MR 73. I wouldn't feel terrible having to settle for my 686 (okay I'm lying). Either would do for a lot of four legged defense too.

For CCW/civilian social settings, probably a J frame. If I "knew" I was walking into trouble and CCW was out the window, probably .44 special or .45 ACP. I wouldn't care to shoot anything louder/more recoil/more penetration inside.

 

[Old Dog]

Re-read this thread again today. Am feeling heartened by the evidence that there are still so many revolver aficionados around. Love all the pics of the "seasoned" revolvers and by gosh, we've got some members that own some really sweet specimens. I think what comes to mind now is that most any quality revolver is a good fightin' revolver, and we're lucky to still have all these choices.

 

[carlson1]

It would probably end up being my EDC (M66) with a couple of speed-loaders. I do carry a back up in my pocket which is a S&W M640 Pro.

 

[jar]

Yes. I don't feel any less protected when carrying my S&W 22LR "Kit gun" than my S&W 357 "Highway Patrolman".

 

[JFrame]

Love this thread...

Of course, I'd always prefer to be somewhere other than where a gunfight is taking place... In a pinch, though, I suppose these might suffice as handguns go...

S&W 65 3" barrel


S&W 686 Powerport 6" barrel


S&W Governor

 

[nofendertom]

v8stang289 --- If the newly acquired 625 came with Ahrends grips that's a big plus.

 

[Iggy]

Model 58 M&P 41 Magnum.
I read all of the glowing reports from Elmer Keith about the 41 magnum cartridges.
Cost me $81.00 NIB back in 1966.. A Model 19 Combat Magnum cost $125.00 back then.
As a new cop I couldn't afford $12.00 S&W Target stocks, so made my one and only pair of custom ones.

Fifty some years ago, I spent an afternoon shooting with Bill Jordan and learned his way to fast draw.
I drew and dry fired 10 times every day before going on duty for 13 years and fired at least 18 rounds on my days off.
I got pretty quick on the draw but never matched Bill.

That old 58 and I were in a couple serious street encounters. They were fatal, I never saw the sights, and the old 58 did it’s part and we got to go home.

 

[LAH]

From what I can see those stocks look great.

 

[Iggy]

From what I can see those stocks look great.

You can sure tell that I’m right handed.

 

[LAH]

I think they are great. Love the color.

 

[Gordon]

View attachment 1171477

Model 58 M&P 41 Magnum.
I read all of the glowing reports from Elmer Keith about the 41 magnum cartridges.
Cost me $81.00 NIB back in 1966.. A Model 19 Combat Magnum cost $125.00 back then.
As a new cop I couldn't afford $12.00 S&W Target stocks, so made my one and only pair of custom ones.

Fifty some years ago, I spent an afternoon shooting with Bill Jordan and learned his way to fast draw.
I drew and dry fired 10 times every day before going on duty for 13 years and fired at least 18 rounds on my days off.
I got pretty quick on the draw but never matched Bill.

That old 58 and I were in a couple serious street encounters. They were fatal, I never saw the sights, and the old 58 did it’s part and we got to go home.

Evan Marshal in his waning years is my Facebook Friend. The Model 58 was his choice too for the mean streets of Detroit . I think it is technically about a perfect combat revolver, that's what it was designed to be !!

 

[Mr. Mosin]

Seeing as I’ve no intent of being in a gunfight, and any of my “fighting” would be done with various critters in the back woods; my choice would be a Ruger Vaquero in .357 Magnum (4-5/8”) or equivalent SAA.

 

[LAH]

Seeing as I’ve no intent of being in a gunfight, and any of my “fighting” would be done with various critters in the back woods; my choice would be a Ruger Vaquero in .357 Magnum (4-5/8”) or equivalent SAA.

I can relate to that. I carry this one a bunch.

 

[Space Ghost]

For me it would be a 4" S&W 686. Great gun overall, and I have 2 of them for when the need for a "2 is 1, 1 is none" back-up situation should arise.