First range report- ever !!

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Thinnes

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I've thoroughly enjoyed this forum since I decided to research grampas gun. Last week was Christmas! I picked up my purchase permit and went to my LGS to pick up MY first gun. Grampa s gun will always be his. I was able to get a really nice RM from a forum member. Then I headed to the range. I was excited but nervous. After a 20 minute tutorial they led me to the range. Remember Don Knotts-The shakiest gun in The West? That was me. He put a target at 5 yds but I had him move it to 10. I pulled the trigger and BOOOMM! I accidentally said "holy sh**". Everyone around me laughed. Then they came over 4 a look. I shot about 35 times at 10 yards then moved the target to 20 yds and fired some more. I had a total BLAST. Only scary moment was when I switched to single action. The gun went off quick! Probably missed the target.
I introduced myself 2 months ago as "not a gun guy". I sure am now.I have a thrilling new hobby. Forum members, LGS guys and range guys have been awesome.
I had no idea about the pressure and force when the hammer strikes. Awesome sensation.
Am hoping someone can post pics of my new gun and my targets. Either I or the gun shoots high.
Thinking about next gun already. 4 or 5 inch nickel N frame 357. In golf, 20 % of peeps don't care what u shot and 80% wish u shot higher. The gun people are more friendly and supportive. I have a new hobby for life. Already said to my wife - just 1 more gun.
 

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Glad to see any RM being taken out for a stretch. Hope to add one myself to my shooting pile.

I am not a instructor but many new shooters who shoot high do so because of anticipating recoil. I would consider bringing a k22 to the range with your RM to see if you get the same results in rimfire.
 
When you start with an RM, I guess it will be a while before you ask reloading questions. You aren't worried about saving money reloading ammo.

I got a feeling that IL, MIM parts, no barrel pin, regular cylinder, today's bluing revolver just won't generate much excitement. There might be excitement if the 4" barrel is stamped S&W 44 Magnum just like the ammo box.
 
Thinnes said:
...I pulled the trigger and BOOOMM! I accidentally said "holy sh**". Everyone around me laughed.... Already said to my wife - just 1 more gun.

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What a ton of fun!!! What a beautiful RM and here's my official "welcome to the gun guys' club...":cool:

BTW, I've been a gun guy for as long as I can remember, and I am still telling my very patient wife, "Just one more gun...please":) (you have to add the please and a smile...). Even then, she rolls her eyes with exasperation and says "whatever...":rolleyes: But after 30 years of this, she still gives me a kiss when I go to and come from work, she laughs at my jokes (they are not that funny) and for whatever reason, she seems to love me. There is a special place in heaven for people like her.:)

Thanks a ton for sharing, I look forward to following your future exploits.
 
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It looks as though you are "heeling" the gun. In anticipation of the firing and recoil, as noted above, you are pushing on the heel, or the lowest corner of the rear of the frame. This has the effect of tilting, or pushing, the muzzle up, thus making you shoot high.

One thing you can do, with someones help, and empty cartridge cases, is aim at a target, but specifically focus on the front sight. With someone watching from the side, shoot single action. Ask your helper to tell you what happened to the muzzle end of the barrel when they hear the hammer fall. If you can focus hard enough on keeping the front sight from moving, you will have resolved the heeling problem. This may require you to hold the gun with a 'death grip'. Hang on to it for dear life.

Then you can do the same thing with live ammo.

Mike Priwer
 
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An RM ..........I guess everyone has to start somewhere....... just don't know where you go from here!!!!!!

Start looking for a P&Red 2 1/2 Model 19..... I guess........... work towards the middle!!!

:D

Sweet..... nice shooting.

A training aid I like to use is a mixed cylinder of live rounds and empty cases..... give it a spin and close gently..... never sure what's coming up next .....live or dud.... but with the duds you see exactly how "you" are shooting and where the shot would have gone.

Good luck and enjoy..........
 
Have to agree with Iggy, a RM is one heck of a first handgun. BTW, when these were being made the 6 O'clock Hold was the predominate sight picture for handgun shooting competitions. Picture the black bulls eye as a golf ball sitting on a tee with top line of your sights being aligned perfectly at the TOP OF THE TEE and you have the 6 O'clock Hold. If you are using the much more intuitive and modern Combat Hold that is the reason why you are shooting "high". BTW, the Combat Hold has the point of impact coinciding with the top bit of the front sight, so basically the sight blade just covers the point of impact.

Tip, if you get some of the official Bullseye Competition target placing the top edge of your sights at the very bottom of the black bullseye will put the point of impact on center if you are shooting at the distance printed on the target. Because these targets were developed specifically for the 6 o'clock hold.
 
Good to see that fine shootin iron is out on the range, doing what it was designed to do.

Glad you shared the excitement of that first time. Enjoy. :)
 
Congrats on the RM and congrats on starting into a most enjoyable hobby . If you were hitting the target most of the time your first time out you did ok .I can tell by your enthusiasm you will stick with it good luck and post some pics when you can. Oh yea ,just one mare gun yea right lol I have bought my " this is the last one" 20 times or more.You do realize you don't have to shoot full blown magnums for practice one of the great things about the 357 is its ability to accurately use 38 special ammunition .That makes it a very versatile caliber . Try some 158 grain lead round nose 38 specials next time at the range or some 148 grain wad cutter target loads in 38 special .You will find they are comparatively quiet and easy shooting compared to the magnums .
 
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Thinnes said:
I've thoroughly enjoyed this forum since I decided to research grampas gun. Last week was Christmas! I picked up my purchase permit and went to my LGS to pick up MY first gun. Grampa s gun will always be his. I was able to get a really nice RM from a forum member. Then I headed to the range. I was excited but nervous. After a 20 minute tutorial they led me to the range. Remember Don Knotts-The shakiest gun in The West? That was me. He put a target at 5 yds but I had him move it to 10. I pulled the trigger and BOOOMM! I accidentally said "holy sh**". Everyone around me laughed. Then they came over 4 a look. I shot about 35 times at 10 yards then moved the target to 20 yds and fired some more. I had a total BLAST. Only scary moment was when I switched to single action. The gun went off quick! Probably missed the target.
I introduced myself 2 months ago as "not a gun guy". I sure am now.I have a thrilling new hobby. Forum members, LGS guys and range guys have been awesome.
I had no idea about the pressure and force when the hammer strikes. Awesome sensation.
Am hoping someone can post pics of my new gun and my targets. Either I or the gun shoots high.
Thinking about next gun already. 4 or 5 inch nickel N frame 357. In golf, 20 % of peeps don't care what u shot and 80% wish u shot higher. The gun people are more friendly and supportive. I have a new hobby for life. Already said to my wife - just 1 more gun.
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Congratulations! Beautiful Smith you have there! Shoot & enjoy it, I say! You are SURE to get the I WANT MORE SICKNESS! Bob
 
It's been fun following your original thread about Granpa's gun and now your range report on Reg Mag "shooter". Be safe, enjoy your new hobby, and be sure to hang around the forum! Since you're just getting "one more" :D might I suggest a pre-war K22 outdoorsman to round out the collection. Same era as your other two and great to practice with. Shooter grade guns are not terribly expensive if you shop around.
 
During one of my 1st few trips to the outdoor range as a rookie NYPD officer with my Model 10-6 I was asked by none other than Jimmy Cirillo if I had used a 12 gauge.

For most mortals shooting proficiency is a never ending endeavor to get better.
 
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