Vern Humphrey
Member
I have a pond, with a 5-gallon bucket on the dam, 130 yards from my house. I like to sit on my walk, back leaning against the stonework under the bedroom window, and punish that bucket with my Colt New Service.
How far can you hit ?
- Thread starter David E
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PBR Streetgang
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There was a gentleman by the name of Ed McGivern who wrote a book called "Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting" in the late 30's. Ed could consistently hit a man sized target at 600 yards with a .357 magnum.
If you ever get a chance to read this book don't pass it by. It's amazing what this man could do with a handgun.
If you ever get a chance to read this book don't pass it by. It's amazing what this man could do with a handgun.
Vern Humphrey
Member
He wrote a book, "Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting."
Yes he does. He used a 1st. issue Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum with an 8 3/4" barrel and a telescopic sight. Shootin was done on a Montana National Guard rifle range. @ 600 yards.
You may find some other things in this vintage book that will get your attention. It's well worth the read.
One thing. Original, 1st. edition copies often sell for over $100.
Later reprints sell for less then 1/3 that. 
Vern Humphrey
Member
That's basically what Elmer Keith used. King made his sights and you can still get sight inserts like that for S&W revolvers that use interchangeable inserts.
Vern Humphrey
Member
They're easy to make -- just get the appropriate insert, score it with a file, and fill the cut with white or colored paint.
The trick is to learn the gun -- with my Colt New Service, the proper hold at 130 yards is enough front sight sticking up to be noticeable.
The trick is to learn the gun -- with my Colt New Service, the proper hold at 130 yards is enough front sight sticking up to be noticeable.
BCRider
Member
Well it just goes to show you that I'm a pretty new shooter since I'd not seen or read of these graduated front blades for the longer distance stuff.... or perhaps it suggests that I'm as smart as those old timers but just got into the game too late....
To be fair to the original question the reality is that it's highly unlikely that someone could take a regular handgun and hit a basket ball at 100 or more yards with the first shot without some luck. With most rounds there's going to need to be some fudge factor in how the gun is sighted. And that means taking a few shots to range it in and compensate for the bullet drop. And those of us who make it a point to regularly do a little longer distance shooting will tend to get first shot hits more frequently.
But a "cold turkey" first shot hit? Generally some luck mixed with a bit of judgement if it works out first time.
Another option for some target shooters would be to find one of the S&W match guns that came with the 4 position front sight. Each position was separately adjustable. While these were originally intended more for PPC and similar matches it seems like this same setup would be darn near ideal for handguns that are being shot out to 200 yards where the shooter wanted to stick with plain iron sights.
To be fair to the original question the reality is that it's highly unlikely that someone could take a regular handgun and hit a basket ball at 100 or more yards with the first shot without some luck. With most rounds there's going to need to be some fudge factor in how the gun is sighted. And that means taking a few shots to range it in and compensate for the bullet drop. And those of us who make it a point to regularly do a little longer distance shooting will tend to get first shot hits more frequently.
But a "cold turkey" first shot hit? Generally some luck mixed with a bit of judgement if it works out first time.
Another option for some target shooters would be to find one of the S&W match guns that came with the 4 position front sight. Each position was separately adjustable. While these were originally intended more for PPC and similar matches it seems like this same setup would be darn near ideal for handguns that are being shot out to 200 yards where the shooter wanted to stick with plain iron sights.
Give me a couple ranging shots with my 3 inch SP-101 9mm and I'll hit it at least once a cylinder full. Like Vern Humphrey I have a pond with a couple beaver dams on it and one is at least a hundred yards, the other is easily double that.
I sit on a comfortable chair and shoot at disk blades I paint white propped up on both those beaver dams with everything from .22 to .44 revolvers and rifles, I cheat and use my knees as a wrist rest however.
I forgot to mention that these shots are taken with iron sights, I only use optics on 2 rifles, one on a .270 the other on a .22 magnum vermin killer.
I sit on a comfortable chair and shoot at disk blades I paint white propped up on both those beaver dams with everything from .22 to .44 revolvers and rifles, I cheat and use my knees as a wrist rest however.
I forgot to mention that these shots are taken with iron sights, I only use optics on 2 rifles, one on a .270 the other on a .22 magnum vermin killer.
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I have seen many of his video's and I believe the gong is much larger than 24 inches. And most (not all) of his shooting is done with 4 inch guns not 3 inch or 2 1/2 inch ones.
I don't want to say some of these stories are less than totally truthful, but it reminds me of some of the fishing stories I have heard.
The most accurate and consistant shooting I have seen is 50 yards with 1911's. Hitting the target one time at longer distances, well that's a dice roll. (and waste of good ammo)
Now shooting to get to your rifle would make sense.
Jim
I need to add, that hunting with a 6 inch scoped revolver at 75 or 100 yards is quite doable.
coolluke01
Member
Hickock's gong is only 80 yards. I say only because it's not 230! 80 is still a long way. And I have seen him hit it with a snubby. It wasn't every time but he did hit it.
Whatever you say colluke....ya need to watch him shoot 438/638, 442 AirWeights, SP 101's at 230 yards!! He shoots a baby gong and silohoutte pigs at 80 yards blindfolded with his hands tied behind his back hanging upside down by one foot spinning at roughly 60 RPM.
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David E
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It's simply a matter of executing basic handgun skills correctly. It's not voodoo.
I agree totally with David E,
Some people think that because they can't do something......nobody else can. Shooting at long distance takes a modicum of skill and lots of practice, theres really nothing magical about it.
As far as it being a waste of ammo, what's up with that? If a person never pushes his or her boundaries they stagnate and close their minds to challenges. I'm sure I'm not the only person that finds shooting at the same distance at the same targets with the same guns at the same range extremely boring.
I'd rather miss shooting at a basketball at 100 yards than hitting a basketball at 15 yards every time. And for those that feel a need for video proof of another persons accomplishments.....bend off.....if you don't believe them that's your problem, your entitled to your opinion.....
Some people think that because they can't do something......nobody else can. Shooting at long distance takes a modicum of skill and lots of practice, theres really nothing magical about it.
As far as it being a waste of ammo, what's up with that? If a person never pushes his or her boundaries they stagnate and close their minds to challenges. I'm sure I'm not the only person that finds shooting at the same distance at the same targets with the same guns at the same range extremely boring.
I'd rather miss shooting at a basketball at 100 yards than hitting a basketball at 15 yards every time. And for those that feel a need for video proof of another persons accomplishments.....bend off.....if you don't believe them that's your problem, your entitled to your opinion.....
MCgunner
Member
I love to just plink at steel. I don't consider ANY shooting a "waste of ammo". I know some PEOPLE for which shooting them would be a waste of ammo, but no amount of plinking at any range is a waste of ammo for ME. I can waste my own ammo, I make my own ammo, so why can't I "waste" it without anyone else's permission? Makes me a better handgunner than those that don't, better marksman, anyway.
I can shoot 4" groups with my iron sighted 6.5" .357 blackhawk at 100 yards. I do that from a rest, same as I shoot at game from a rest. I don't consider shooting off hand at game very good sportsmanship. You owe it to the game to at least TRY to make a clean kill. I can do that at a full 100 yards with enough sight radius. Longest hunting shot I've made with one of my Blackhawks is 60 yards, though. If you can't do this at 100 with iron sights, I'd suggest more practice might help.
Go and watch an IHMSA competition. It'll amaze you what some folks can do with an iron sighted handgun even at 200 yards.
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