Shooting form, the single action

[Peakbagger46]

I have been trying to improve my shooting with my Blackhawk .45 colt. I've had the gun for about a month now and don't shoot it as well as my glock/sig yet. I have had thousands of rounds in training on the glock, but really don't have a clue on how to shoot a single action all that well. Any advise on grip/trigger contol/etc would be most appreciated!

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I shoot a single action with about the same technique I use on an M1911 -- that is, a modified Weaver grip. One thing that may help is oversized grips -- many revolvers will rap your middle finger in recoil, and that doesn't help accuracy at all. You can get a large, rubber grip to correct that for a few bucks.

Another thing I do is use a cross-X rest. I take a piece of leather, about 3X8 inches fold it lenghtwise, and sew along the edges (something like a pillow.) The seams don't meet in the middle -- there is about a 2-inch gap. Insert two dowels, one from each direction, and spread. The result is a pistol rest with the leather holding the dowels together at the head and forming a pistol rest. Use this from the sitting position with a solid backrest -- a tree is good.

Use ammunition of known quality at first -- many Rugers require opening up the throats to shoot accurately. If you get good accuracy from your ammo, while using the cross-X rest, you know that inaccuracy from the unsupported position is due to the shooter.

 

[rcmodel]

Single Actions are very sensitive to grip due to the plow handle grip design.

A consistent very firm grip is the key to shooting one accurately.
If it can roll up in your hand differently each shot, it will, and your groups will reflect it.

rc

 

[redmule]

What rcmodel says. consist grip is very important. also watch the location of the trigger finger. press the trigger with the pad of your finger.

 

[Virginian]

Where accuracy is paramount you see glass bedded rifle actions, but people say to use rubber revolver grips. No; if accuracy is your paramount goal use wood or something else hard, and then use a good firm consistent two handed hold. Get a stronger hammer spring to reduce drop time, and a weaker trigger spring. Use a rest to see which bullet/load your gun likes best - you will likey see a lot of difference here; ideal is usually somewhere between maximum and minimum recommended loads, and SWC bullets usually shoot good if sized right. Make sure your chamber throats are bigger than your barrel bore. Make sure your bore is clean, not leaded. Practice. You have a gun with very good accuracy potential.

 

[Peakbagger46]

Thanks for the advise, I think I may have not been gripping it tight enough. I did send the cylinders away and had them reamed. I was able to shoot a 6 shot group with my reloads (250 RFN over 9.5g Unique) with 5 of six shots touching at 25yards from prone, it's consistancy I've been having problems with.

 

[BCRider]

Also you need to have your hand fairly high on the grips. When you cock the hammer it should almost touch the web of your hand. It'll feel a bit odd at first. Like you're trying to force your hand to point at the ground to get it to aim. But as long as it's not a strain then you want to choke up fairly high on the grips and sort of reach down to the trigger with your trigger finger. The web between your thumb and forefinger needs to be wrapped over the rear "knee" where the grips curve from mostly upright to mostly horizontal.