Hi All Fellow S&W Revolver Lovers,

I didn't know where to post this question since it applies to almost any shooting situation, but since I love wheel guns, I thought that this was as good of place as any. Plus, I'm a proud owner of a S&W Model 66-2 (San Antonio PD issued, acquired after the PD went 9mm).

I would like to know whether anyone adjusts their aim point prior to squeezing off a round?

When I was a kid, we had a family friend who had a .22 Magnum revolver. It was a revolver that had factory fixed sites. He would always aim that revolver down and to the right using only one hand - his right hand. He did this in anticipation of the recoil. By adjusting his aim point, he would hit the target dead on, every time. When it went off, the revolver would climb up and to the left.

For many years I would do the same thing, and to be honest I was a much better shot using this technique than I am today.

Through the years, I've been retrained, adopted the modern stance, two handed grip, etc. After my trip to the range today, I recalled my early years shooting one handed and wondered if anyone had any similar experience or comments about whether this is still a valid way to manage recoil?

I guess I think of it more as a way to compensate for load variation and/or shooting stance. Usually faster/lighter bullets are going to print lower than their slower/heavier versions. We run a combat match along with our Bullseye league. I find that with my two-hand hold my point-of-impact moves slightly to the right with the particular gun/load combo I'm using. No two people will shoot a gun the exactly the same way with all the variables of barrel in length, loads and personal recoil management.

Handgunner356

That makes alot of sense. My training was in the military, and we just aimed the old 45's at the target and as long as we hit black, we qualified. It is in recent years, since getting back into shooting for fun, that I really have started to try and improve.

In the service, the loads were always the same.

As a civilian, I've been reloading and trying different combinations of bullets and loads. I'm hoping to settle on one combination that works best for me. Mainly I like shooting .357 mag and .38 spl revolver.

I started keeping a record of the loads and the results at the range. I'll keep your observations in mind the next time I'm shooting.

Thanks very much for your comments.

Oldie Locks