4" Model 19 at 100 yards today

TRE

TRE

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Today, me and 5 buddies had our monthly (ish) gun get together to do a little shooting. We had a 25 yard range set up for handguns (which I used to zero a 22 rifle that I recently acquired and am THRILLED with) and a 100 yard range (paced off, so give or take a yard or two) for the AR-15s and such.

Since I'm the "old gun guy" of the group and most of the others are relative newcomers, I act as range officer, gunsmith, spotter and general babysitter.

I was helping 2 of the guys dial in their brand new ARs at the 100 yard line, one with irons, the other scoped. Once they had done their sight in I mentioned that I had, in the past, regularly shot handguns at 100 yards and even beyond. They were astounded, as all of their handgun shooting so far has been tactical/defense oriented and confined to short ranges.

So, to prove my point, I pulled the Model 19 from the holster on my hip, sat down at the table and proceeded to shoot 6 rounds at a 6" black bullseye at the 100 yard line, simply resting my elbows on the table. Everyone opined that I had probably missed, as they couldn't see the bullet holes in the target without optics.

A walk downrange with everyone found 5 shots in the bullseye and 1 slightly low (I used that one to get my elevation correct).

Everyone was stunned that a 4" revolver could hit what they were struggling to hit at 100 yards with rifles.

Granted, I've fired tens of thousands of rounds in my life (used to shoot competition), so I know what a good shot with a good gun can do. But it was funny to see their reactions.

They will no longer question the greybeard with the round gun. lol

TRE
 
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Many years (1966) ago at 100 yards I regularly put six rounds of 230 grain FMJ (GI) ammo in a B27 Target in the "Kill Zone" with a Colt Model 1917 Revolver. I did this sitting on the ground with my back against a wood pole and my elbow resting on my knees. NOW fast forward to 2004. I attempted the same using my issue Sig-Sauer P-229 .40 with issue Speer 180 grain JHP ammo. Not one hit on the 100 yard B-27 target ! Either the Sig had a bent barrel, or defected ammo, or old age and old eyes ? NAH, it was the bent barrel and defected ammo (and the wind)
 
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Have seen the same reaction at the public range where my buddy's and I show up with "old obsolete" wheel guns. Admittedly most of our are 8 3/8" barrels, .357's,.41's and .44's , but the looks we get are interesting. Sometimes one of them will wonder over and ask "what are you shooting".
We have been known to offer them an opportunity to shoot some steel and wood hog legs, and even made a couple of "converts" to the joy of quality "old guns"....
 
Some years ago, I was fishing a small lake in the mountains in a rental boat, had my 8-3/8" Mod 29 that I used for long range pistol with me in a holster. I turned in my boat, and was headed back to my car with my fishing gear when "pow pow bang" around a bend got my attention. There were three guys with deer rifles, a boltie and two 30-30 lever guns, shooting at a floating plastic milk jug on the far side of the lake, about 125 yards away. A second volley made a lot of splashes, but no hits. I sidled up, said "Hi can I try?" With their approval, I took aim with a standing two-handed hold and blew the jug up on the far bank on my first shot, then made it jump five more times all over the bank.
Mind you, I was pretty lucky, but I was "in the zone", seeing the front sight rise, the flame shooting out the barrel, unaware of anything else.
They were dumbfounded, wanted to know how I did that with a pistol, I just told them "Practice" thanked them and left. I wasn't going to tell them I probably never could do that again.
 
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A long time ago I could put 4-6 on a gallon milk jug at 100 yds with my old 29-3. Doubt if i could do it now. Standing w 2 hands and SA, of course. My usual range I use is 25 yds, max. So I just shoot close-in.
 
you guys could still do that stuff if
you add a red dot to your gun.
everyone over 40 needs a dot.
 
susieqz said:
you guys could still do that stuff if
you add a red dot to your gun.
everyone over 40 needs a dot.
Click to expand...
I'm long past 40 and have been considering one.
Not to hijack but while currently comparing costs, features, etc. of Trijicon RMR, J-Point, C-more, Leupold Delta Point and Burris Fast Fire 3, I'm leaning toward the FF3.
 
I started shooting bullseye postal matches with some other police officers way back in the day and it helps you realize how accurate a handgun can be if you practice.

Not quite some far back in the day when I lived in Boulder Canyon (in the Black Hills in SD) a neighbor and I would get together on the back deck and shoot at 6"-8" diameter rocks on the canyon slip across the creek about 100 to 125 yards away (depending how high up the slope they were). We shot well enough to comment when either one of us missed.

Lately, I'll usually finish a range session shooting at 6" plates at 50 yards and 10" plates at 100 yards. Shooting off hand with a 6" Model 19, I can fairly consistently hit with 5 out of 6 shots at each range. Many of the shooters there will usually take note as its outside of what they regard is achievable with a handgun.

Similarly, I'll shoot at a 6" plate at 25 yards offhand with a J-frame and will usually make 6 out of 6 shots. That seems to mires people even more as accuracy isn't something they equate with a snub nose revolver - not realizing that a 6" plate at 25 yards is only a 24 MOA accuracy requirement, and is about two and half times less demanding than the longer shots with the Model 19.
 
revolver accuracy

Just to reinforce this thread, when I started my 35+ year law enforcement career we were issued revolvers. During qualification, we fired the first 12 rounds from the 50 yard line before moving forward to the 25 to continue the course. Was no problem whatsoever hitting all of those 12 rounds in the bottle from the 50 with our revolvers.

In the late 80's when we began issuing pistols, our agency did away with the 50 yard stage altogether. The pistols just did not present that inherent accuracy the revolvers did.

My years of experience convinced me if I were going into harms way and had had to carry a handgun, I would choose my old round butt 4" model 19. That was the most accurate handgun I was ever issued. Had absolute confidence in making a head shot at 25 yards.
 
When I was much younger, a few friends and I hung on every word Elmer Keith wrote, and I believe no one disputes the fact that he was the 'grand old man of long range handgunning'.

Being an Easterner, I was envious of the vast distances he was so accustomed to shooting at, but we still tried constantly to make a few shots Elmer would approve of.

One memorable shooting excursion had friends and I place an old metal 5 gal. bucket about 200 yards out in a freshly disked red-dirt farm field.
With a good rest and sandbags, and using the 'red puffs' made in the dirt by misses, we could walk bullets onto the bucket using our Ruger SBH .44 and BH .357. Great fun.
 
The NRA and IHMSA handgun metallic silhouette competitions were another activity that really helped shooters improve long range shooting with a revolver.

Sadly, handgun silhouette activities from both agencies seem to be almost dead in the water. That's too bad as both the revolver and production classes were some of the most fun I had in competitive shooting.
 
Long range shooting can be a great joy, Friend and I shoot out to 400 yards and more using revolvers and pistols. We don't always shoot dime sized groups at those ranges but greatly enjoy the challenge you very quickly learn the importance of precise sight alignment and all the other stuff.

Many have no idea of the long range capability of a hand gun, or the joy to shooting long range.

I watched the movie Gladiator last night and noticed they painted a red dot on the chest of those most likely to survive. I took Susie's advice and painted a red dot on the slide of my 952-1 and it did not shoot any better, maybe there is something I do not understand?
 
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I'm not sure which I find more amazing, youshooting a 6-inch group at 100 yards with a 4-inch fixed sight 38 Special or the fact that everybody could see the 38 caliber holes in the paper at 100 yards. I can barely do either at 25 yards.
 
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