Match Pistols / Competition shooting

[Thomas Garrett]

I recently Re-purchased my father's 1966 Colt Police officer's moder Match pistol, 6" barrel, in .38 special. Took me 25 years to re-claim it into our family. Bought it from the widow of the gentleman my father sold it to back in 1980. It was re-checked by an FFL in New York before being shipped to me. It's 97%. Whatever that means? Now to my question. Is that still a competition quality pistol that Shooters still use. And I'm in Jacksonville Florida, Who should i contact about starting in Pistol Competition. While i was in the Army I was assigned to 6th AMTU, shot M-16 Combat Throphy and Won Divisional Finals, Went into M-14 Composite, Went to Camp Perry 2 years. Any Help would be appreciated.

 

[krs]

I don't know why it's taken so long to answer you, but I've just found your question.

Most anything you could want to know about competitive shooting of the type in which your father's revolver would have been used can be found here: http://www.bullseyepistol.com/

and I can say that as long ago as the late 1970's it had become a rare thing to see a revolver in use on a match firing line. Most shooters used auto pistols by then, and the majority of competitors had taken advantage of the rule allowing the service pistol .45 acp in the centerfire portion of a three gun 2700 match.

Although I haven't participated in bullseye match shooting for more than twenty years I'm sure that nothing in rules would prevent you from using your revolver to shoot a match if you choose to do so. (I don't believe that a revolver necessarily would be a handicap either - I used a K38 throughout my eight years of competition in bullseye pistol and do not believe than any score I fired suffered because of that choice - they frequently suffered for other reasons, but never that one )

 

[raz-0]

Look around for a PPC league. That particular pistol should fit right in there. At least it would at our local one.

 

[Sunray]

"...Whatever that means?..." Definition of its condition. 97% means it's that much of a new revolver's condition. The finish, mostly. It hasn't been abused in the 25 years it took you to get it.
It's not a top notch target firearm anymore, but it'd do nicely for the PPC shooting raz-0 mentions and it'd still hold its own in a bullseye league. 2.5 to 2.8 grains of Bullseye with a 148 grain WC was the standard .38 Special target load for eons. The same loads work well out of a .357 case too.
"...had become a rare thing to see a revolver..." Depends on the competition. Lots of top ISU(now called ISSF. One handed, no optics, bullseye shooting.) League shooters used revolvers for bullseye shooting in the late 70's and early 80's. Semi-auto .32 cal semi-autos were and are big money firearms.
Contact the local NRA office for where to go.

 

[Thomas Garrett]

Reply

Thanks for the replies. I've contacted a local bulleye league, by luck, shot the next day. well i showed up with the Colt .38 special, also have the same pistol in .22, and i just picked up a Springfield .45 NM. My first time, Shot 276. A couple of gentleman there were gaulking at my revolvers, One guy wanted to trade for the .38. another one wanted to buy both of the Colts from me. Gave me his phone # till i decide. well I'm keeping them both. Thanks for the advice. i guess revolvers are still accepted.