Target shooting with a revolver

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Oldnamvet

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For years I have used my S&W revolvers for hunting and general plinking - no serious target shooting. I always used them in the SA mode. Not that I have time (retired) I want to get involved with bullseye target shooting at my local club. From things I have read here, I get the impression you are better off shooting double action, something I have rarely done. Is this true? If so, do you 'stage' the trigger or just pull continuously until it goes off? Anything other than live practice to help your accuracy? Before I join my fellow club members for a target practice session, I want to be sure I don't come off as a total clutz. :eek:
 
I did some shooting at the local level a few years ago with a wheelgun shooting SA. Didn't win a lot but had fun and showed that the wheelgun ain't dead.

Kevin
 
If I were to get serious about bullseye shooting I'd get laser grips & practice dry-firing. You might want to try this and see what method works for you.
 
Back when revolvers ruled the bullseye range, single-action was the way to go. Many were even converted to SA only, either by the factories or gunsmiths.

Get a nice used set of Herrett's target grips with thumbrest (these aren't Herrett's, but the idea is the same):
standard.jpg

and cock the beast with your off hand, so your grip on the grip (!) stays the same. Revolvers lost out due to the time it takes to cock them - you will have more time to aim in timed fire with an auto.
 
If you want to go for accuracy you will shoot SA. I believe the people in the Bullseye competition shoot SA. Too many variables in the long trigger pull and that is why I'm taking up DA target shooting with a vengeance--challenge.
 
I've tried again and again to shoot bullseye with a revolver. I can do all right in slow and timed fire, but everything falls apart during rapid fire.

Single action delivers the needed accuracy, but cocking the hammer four times means I have too little time to aim. Double action saves time, but delivers even worse accuracy.

Now you know why all the guns on the line are semi-automatic.
 
I shoot bullseye with a couple of people who use revolvers. They're very good with them too.
 
With a good action job and quality time spent with your S&W revolver you can learn to stage the trigger. It was easier with the older long action, but it can be done with the short action also.
 
I'm currently shooting my S&W 625 5" a little more accurately than either my Glock 19 or S.A. 1911 Loaded. I'm really getting to learn, and enjoy, a smooth double action pull. :D

Chuck
 
It's really hard for me to keep from spending too much time readjusting my grip if I shoot single action durring the rapid fire stage, so I just use double action.

15_6l.jpg

Informal local matches sometimes have quite a mix of rules, so this may not be an issue for you.

Good Luck, and remember to just have fun!!

Joe
 
Joe,
Would target grips which position your hand help enough? Or is the disturbance to thumb the hammer back just too much to readjust quickly?
 
"...bullseye target shooting..." Most is done with 148 grain WC's and single action, one handed. Re-cocked between shots with the off hand. The course of fire I used to shoot had no "rapid". ISU and I think, NRA bullseye courses of fire are similar. A half course consists of 10 rounds in 5 minutes, then 10 rounds duello(target starts away from shooter then turns to face the shooter for 10 seconds, I think it was, and turns away. One shot per exposure) either timed or with turning targets. No telescopic or LED sights allowed.
"...Before I join my fellow club members for a target practice session, I want to be sure I don't come off as a total clutz..." Just load up some ammo and go. You're retired. What do you care about what people think of how you shoot? Have a look here for the NRA Pistol rule book.
 
Oldnamvet,

Sure, a nice set of Fung target grips would help alot. But since I very infrequently shoot in matches anymore, it's just not worth the exspense right now.

Now if the local range ever starts up regular weekly matches again, then I'd upgrade the grips.

Joe
 
Bullet Bob

I agree with you about the use of revolvers in SA only. Back in the 1950's many gunsmiths turned out superbly accurate Colts and S&W's with SA onl;y and totally tricked for timed and rapid fire. I still have an old Colt (pardon my sin) which I can shoot in SA mode in timed and rapid fire with accepatble scores.
Tony
 
JoeHatley

I took a look at the Fung grips. Beautiful but I'd have to be really serious into bullseye shooting to scrape up $200 for a set (actually 2 sets since the club competes with both rimfire and centerfire). Being on a fixed income :( slows me down some unless I clean out the garage and sell some more stuff on Ebay.

BTW, where in Iowa are you that the club isn't having regular shoots? I grew up in Waterloo and lived in Dubuque. Clubs in both citys shot at least 1x/week and sometimes 2x.
 
On modern day S&W's you can "stage" the trigger, as it has two clicks
before going BANG! No, revolvers aren't dead by a long shot~
Click to expand...

It wierded me out reading the manual on my new S&W 686: says that "staging" is a potentially dangerous practice.

Quoted from the manual -

WARNING: "Staging" the trigger violates a basic rule of firearm safety which warns you to keep your finger out of the trigger guard until you have made the commitment to fire. "Staging" creates a serious risk of personal injury or death sicne it may lead to an unintentional discharge.

I find this a bit ridiculous, since that like say that taking my time pulling the trigger of an other gun could potentially lead to "accidental discharge." I take my time and concentrate on every single shot when I fire my rifles. Some rifles have 2-stage triggers designed just for that purpose! I think this is just them covering their butts, but still.
 
Six-gun,

They have to be talking about staging when not on target, like in carrying around the house. Otherwise there is no danger that I can figure out.
 
Rapid fire

Col. Askins used to describe rapid-fire bullseye as a single action one-handed game. Ten seconds is a really long time. At Canton-McKinley in Ohio I used to shoot bullseye matches where there was always at least one old-timer using a revolver. They did fine, and did it one-handed, single action.
 
Also, be advised that you can NOT cock the revolver with your off hand between shots. Touching the firearm with your off hand while firing a string can cause you to be disqualified.

Shooting Slow Fire is not an issue. Timed Fire is also not bad with a revolver. However, Rapid Fire can give you headaches. You must train yourself to get that first shot off as quickly as possible.

Also, for the centerfire stage, you are not restricted in your choices of ammunition. Any safe ammunition chambered for your revolver is OK. You can use revolvers for CF and the .45 stage--but, the one used for the .45 stage must be chambered in .45 ACP. (SW 625, 25, Colt New Service or SW 1917 [I think!])

For more info, come over and visit us at:

www.bullseyeforum.com
 
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