Finally got to shoot my Pre-Victory!

fiasconva · Mar 31, 2023

I finally got some time to get to the range yesterday after months of life taking priority. I started with my .22 Victory and then tried the .38 out. It's a late '41 version. Changing from the fiber optic sights to the old iron sights was an interesting experience. I was shooting some 158gr LRN and let's just say that I was "on paper" with the 8" X 12" target at 7yds.

But shooting that old warhorse was really fun and can't wait to get back to my club again, hopefully with some real improvement now that I know a little more about what I have here and what I'm doing. The only drawback is that 38 spec. ammo costs about twice what 9mm does.

Matt_X · Apr 1, 2023

Single Action or Double Action?

fiasconva · Apr 1, 2023

I was shooting single action. First time with it. First shot bruised my middle finger at the 1st joint but I'm guessing it was me gripping it wrong. Sure hope I shoot it better at my next range trip. I just wanted to try it out since I've had it a while and wanted to see how well it shot. The recoil is a little different than my MP9 but it was fun to shoot.

Matt_X · Apr 1, 2023

Ouch! That will get in the way of your shootin!

Single action provides an unubstructed sight picture with the long throw hammer so that's good. It also means the trigger press is light - which while less likely to disturb the aim, can allow a weaker grasp. The grasp itself must be firm.

Is this an M&P with magna grips?
My experience with those is a tight grasp with thumb curled down over the top works for me. However I've also added a S&W grip filler (similar to the Tyler grip filler). Depending on your hand, a filler can help a lot with firm grasp. But I think for single action, it shouldn't be neccessary.

With stocks (grips) that are shorter, like the plain Victory stocks, a straight forward thumb may work. If you look at the US Army manuals of that period, that's what they are teaching for the larger M1917 revolver when shooting single action. I have a set of Vicotry stocks but have only experiment a bit with them - and just dry firing. Regardless, what works for me may not work for you.

Massad has a presentation on advantages and disadvantages of different grasps. I'll link to where he discusses the thumb down - fistlike grasp. Proper Thumb Positions with Massad Ayoob - Master Class Ep. 17 - YouTube

The hurdle is most people today aren't thinking about these older revolver grip types, exception perhaps being cowboy action shooters. That's one reason I look at older material when working with older equipment.

Once thing I do that has been helpful is go to the basement and dryfire (with dummy cartridges). I set a target up against stone wall and use a slight magnifying safety glasses so I can really see the front sight clearly. Often can see faults and correct them and its just a great way to get a feel for the guns.

fiasconva · Apr 2, 2023

Somewhere along the line the rubber grips were put on it. I wish it had the original grips and hadn't been reblued but you take what you can get. It's still a nice looking firearm.

Matt_X · Apr 3, 2023

Pretty much the same story with mine. Someone replaced grips, reblued and 'jewel' polished - which I dislike but price was good and they said it worked. Yours may simply represent its continuing use after WW2. Mine may be that, but certainly also was a way to clean up a gun with a lot of surface rust, and wear.

Not sure what you are used to but sounds like this is a bit different for you. All I can suggest is to work on it, one thing at a time. I've been working on my pistol shooting pretty seriously for about 3 years now. When starting, shooting at 10, 15 and 20 feet was where I was for a while. A 1" dot on the paper makes a good aiming point. Now that I'm shooting 10 and 17 yards, the NRA B-8 target with 5" bullseyes are my standard. Although honestly a slightly smaller bullseye might make a better aiming point.

Of the pistols I own, this is the only full size one and is the nicest trigger by far. But I'm one of those who likes a trigger that moves. It is very different than a striker fired type trigger (such as Glock).

A few months back I started experimenting with full reader safety glasses. I find the 1.5x works great with the pistols, and the 1.0x is sufficient, especially offhand.

kaaskop49 · Apr 4, 2023

attn: Matt X

Hey Matt, that's not a gun. That's a treasure!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Matt_X · Apr 19, 2023

FWIW knowing that every gun is a little different.
Made a little comparison of different ammo. At least with my Victory the Rem 158 gr LRN and possibly Browning130 gr FMJ should be aimed at 6 o'clock.

fiasconva · Apr 19, 2023

Matt, my target results were similar to yours with the 158 gr LRN but I was shooting at 7 yds. I'm pretty sure the next trip to the range will be better. But I really like shooting that revolver.

Finally got to shoot my Pre-Victory!

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