old time Famous lawman

[BigFatKen]

There was a famous "trick shot" or LEO, I can't remember which who could put five shots into the ace of spades in 9/20 sec from a holstered gun. He claimed a good LEO should be able to draw facing an armed man and shoot him even with BG's gun pointed at him.

Other details were: he used a lightened trigger S & W .38 because semi-autos were too slow. His sidearm was in a high carry position at or above his belt. He was a big barrel chested man.

This feat made him very famous which was out of style by 1962 when I read this. I think I was reading a story of a man of a "once apon a time"

Does anyone remember this?

 

[BigG]

You may be thinking of Jelly Bryce, who was brought in when J Edgar Hoover's FBI was getting its a$s handed to it by the BGs. Hoover wanted to to use a bunch of bureaucrat lawyers and accountants for prestige sake, but Dillinger and the like did not care for a bunch of perfumed DC pansies so Hoover had to get some hard guys like Melvin Purvis and Jelly Bryce to keep the Bureau from being wrested from his pudgy fingers.

The exact stories are not like you said, but it sounds like Jelly Bryce, who claimed he could see the bullets as they streaked towards their targets. BTW, he had one of the first S&W 357 Magnums, not a 38.

The guy who was known as a trick shot was Ed McGivern, but I don't think he was a lawman. HTH

 

[BigFatKen]

thank you

The guy who was known as a trick shot was Ed McGivern, but I don't think he was a lawman. "

Ed McGivern s the name I remember. Thanks for jogging my memory. I remember the story said he used light loads for the fast trick work.

 

[BigG]

You're welcome!

I actually read mcGivern's book, which is still available. You can see my comments on it HERE

What I remember, other than the fact that he was a supernaturally good shot, was that all his ammunition was FACTORY ammo. Yep, he didn't want a dud reload being backed up by five bullets as he tore through that double action trigger. He used S&W Model 10s, mostly.

 

[Parke1]

I've had the opportunity to talk to Ed McGivern's grandson, Ken, on several occasions (he and my dad are good friends and served on the Akron Police Department together). Ed's guns and ammo were all bone-stock.

Ken has told me the story of when he was a little kid he used to go out to Montana and help his grand-dad practice his shooting. Ed would always greet his grandson in the same way; he'd stick out his shooting hand and say "Ken, come here and shake my hand." When young Ken would grab his hand, Ed would twitch his trigger finger rapidly. Ken described it to me as feeling, "just like an electric shock from one of those joy-buzzers. I can never figure out how in the world that old timer could move his finger that fast."

I've read Ed's book a couple times now, but I still feel a little stupid when I try to fire one of my model 10's fast... Ken still tells me to keep trying, but I think it might be a moot point...

-Parke1

 

[Old Fuff]

Gentlemen..

Ed McGivern never shot a "Model 10." By the time it came along (1957) Ed had passed away. What he did use for the most part were Smith & Wesson .38 1905 Hand Ejector/Military & Police models - mostly with adjustable sights.

So what's the difference? The lockwork between the 1905 Hand Ejectors and the later Model 10 were different. The former was much smoother and easier.

 

[BigG]

Thanks - I knew it was the M&P model and thought the Model 10 was just the new designation, like the 44 Magnum became the Model 29.

I'd like to see a picture of the different lockwork, if I may.

 

[stormspotter]

I also believe he used a colt single action, with trigger taped back, and would put 5 shots into a playing card size target in 1 second.

Some gun magazine years ago had photos of his guns and the Colt was pictured also.

Leonard