I want to learn to shoot a revolver

[StrawHat]

Excellent advice. Not an "expert" but I went through basic LEO training in 1976 spending lots of time at the range with Model 10's. As Chief of a small campus department we transitioned from revolvers to Glocks in the 1990's. In my opinion the biggest difference to learn is trigger pull and control between a semi-automatic and a revolver (in double action). (Whether transition from revolver to semi or vice-versa). When practicing with the revolver as you pull the trigger watch the hammer draw back, your squeeze should be such that you will not anticipate when it will fall.

Hope that makes sense! Good luck.

I disagree with watching the hammer. Your total concentration should be on the sight picture. The sights determine where the bullets impact. If your sight picture is not good, squeeze and readjust the sights, then continue squeezing.

Kevin

 

[gabstok]

Holy shnikes! That’s a lot of input. Thanks guys. Took some notes and am narrowing my search. 22s, the classic 357s and the 686s seem to be the most recommended.

For those who asked, I’m located in Colorado Springs.

I’ve believed for many years that the top ten most important things for accurate shooting is

1-sight alignment
2-grip
3-stance
4-10 Trigger control

And that is echoed here in depth.

Any specific trainers or classes you recommend?

Thanks again. Appreciate all your advice.

 

[StrawHat]

Holy shnikes! That’s a lot of input. Thanks guys. Took some notes and am narrowing my search. 22s, the classic 357s and the 686s seem to be the most recommended.

For those who asked, I’m located in Colorado Springs.

I’ve believed for many years that the top ten most important things for accurate shooting is

1-sight alignment
2-grip
3-stance
4-10 Trigger control

And that is echoed here in depth.

Any specific trainers or classes you recommend?

Thanks again. Appreciate all your advice.

You seem to have a handle on it.

C Springs, 30 years ago I knew two competitors from there. Both decent shots. Both are gone now, one to Florida the other to his final home.

Best of luck and keep us posted.

Kevin

 

[VaTom]

I disagree with watching the hammer. Your total concentration should be on the sight picture. The sights determine where the bullets impact. If your sight picture is not good, squeeze and readjust the sights, then continue squeezing.

Kevin

You are correct about the sight picture being most important. I should have said that you should learn to never anticipate the hammer fall. In my opinion transiting from Revolver to DAO Semi is easier than vice-versa.

Back in the day of basic LEO training we practiced a lot of "point shooting" from around 5 yards - not using the sights. Draw, point, shoot and watch where the first round hits then adjust by slightly moving strong hand wrist up or down to adjust for second shot as needed. At that time we were taught that most shootings with armed suspects happened at close range so this technique was important. As we moved rearward to 10, 15 and 25 yards the sights came into use.

VaTom

 

[Modified]

Holy shnikes! That’s a lot of input. Thanks guys. Took some notes and am narrowing my search. 22s, the classic 357s and the 686s seem to be the most recommended.

For those who asked, I’m located in Colorado Springs.

I’ve believed for many years that the top ten most important things for accurate shooting is

1-sight alignment
2-grip
3-stance
4-10 Trigger control

And that is echoed here in depth.

Any specific trainers or classes you recommend?

Thanks again. Appreciate all your advice.

5- Physical Fitness

Good double action shooting, as noted multiple times in this thread, involves being able to pull the trigger smoothly without jerking your sights off target. The stronger the muscles are that allow for this the better off you are.

If you watch any videos of Jerry Miculek shooting a revolver you will note that the guy is a real life Popeye the Sailor Man.

 

[oneoff]

As a larger fella with large hands, I would strongly recommend the 617 and 686 combination as well. Both 4" though, for going back and forth between these two (same size& feel) guns never fails to illustrate something that I need to work on a bit!
Then, you can branch out from there to what you prefer/need. You might find that you're where you want to be!
I would "not" get a 9mm unless you're really set on it for your own reasons, for I consider a good .357 revolver to be just about the most versatile firearm on the planet, and being a reloader unlocks that versatility even more. Why not have some fun and explore that world at the same time!

 

[BE Mike]

Holy shnikes! That’s a lot of input. Thanks guys. Took some notes and am narrowing my search. 22s, the classic 357s and the 686s seem to be the most recommended.

For those who asked, I’m located in Colorado Springs.

I’ve believed for many years that the top ten most important things for accurate shooting is

1-sight alignment
2-grip
3-stance
4-10 Trigger control

And that is echoed here in depth.

Any specific trainers or classes you recommend?

Thanks again. Appreciate all your advice.

Actually trigger control should top the list. As far as being a large guy, I once met Bill Jordan and shook his hand. It was huge! He had no trouble handling a S&W model 19!

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

I love it. Reminds me of in the 20’s when guys would add and remove electrical tape until they had the grip exactly right for their hands.

Oh yeah. I was doing that just last year to a Colt. It's called friction tape now and the kid in the hardware store doesn't have a clue. Same thing that we wrapped around our hockey stick back in the day.

 

[CALREB]

When I first started shooting shooting competitions( around 1980) the general consensus and way neat way to shoot D/A was to stage the trigger. It was a vast improvement over what I had been doing especially at 50 yards. However I still had the few way-way out flyers. Oh-- the dreaded anticipation monster that we all battle. Then I made the aquaintance and had the chance to practice with the shooters from the Secret Service Pistol team. National Champ Aranzo Milbourn, Sam Yarosh and the rest. They would practice on our little range in IA then put their stuff away and work coaching me and another officer who shot with me. Nothing like good coaching when you are just starting out. They changed my positions and other things but one BIG factor that they continuously pounded home was to "keep the trigger MOVING."

Must have worked, my scores jumped about 40 points right off. Im sure the 3 or 4 thousand Remington wadcutters they left me aided some. My 3D semi W/C was fine for 25 and in but the Remington grouped way better at 50.

Im sure there are some good shooters who stage the trigger in D/A but I have never met them. All I have ever asked followed that same advise. Yes your trigger press can slow way down but not stop and then jerk--- oops! I meant press...the trigger...

 

[Modified]

Oh yeah. I was doing that just last year to a Colt. It's called friction tape now and the kid in the hardware store doesn't have a clue. Same thing that we wrapped around our hockey stick back in the day.

Have a watch here. If you look at the officer they follow you can see what he has done with his grips. Should be right about at the 5 minute mark.

Also, this should be enjoyable for everyone who hasn't seen it but likes gun, and apropos to the original question.

 

[justicetyme]

It may have been mentioned in a previous thread and I missed it, if so I apologize.
In addition to the wealth of information that has been presented I's suggest that you buy, borrow, obtain Jerry Miculek's DVD on revolver shooting.
It's a terrific source for instruction in shooting and reloading a revolver in a fast and efficient manner.

I have owned and shot revolvers for 60+ years and find them a very challenging and fun platform and I'm sure you will as well.

I shot this 646 that I built up for IDPA for several years:

as well as this 625-4" that I built up for IDPA:

For practice for the 646 when I didn't want to reload I built up this 617 ND:

An accomplished moon clip revolver shooter can do some very impressive reloads, and an accomplished speed loader revolver shooter can as well.

I like the Safariland Comp II speed loaders for my 2.5" 686-4 but there are other speed loaders that can work well also.

Some very knowledgeable advice is at your disposal in the above threads.
Whatever you choose, welcome to the wonderful world of revolvers.
James

 

[Cartwright Jones]

This is a bogus posting.

 

[DevilDog72]

My vote is a 2 to 2.5 inch K frame. A Mdl 10 or 15 with 2 inch bbl or Mdl 66 or 19 2.5 inch bbl. The pic is my 19-4 and have carried it for just short of 20 years.

There is a lot of knowledge on the forum and very friendly and helpful people.
Good luck and welcome.

 

[oldcop71]

Double action only, practice practice practice. I started at the 50 yard line, and down from there. Sight picture, squeeze double action, repeat.

 

[mtgianni]

Oh yeah. I was doing that just last year to a Colt. It's called friction tape now and the kid in the hardware store doesn't have a clue. Same thing that we wrapped around our hockey stick back in the day.

Vet wrap should be even better. It is medical tape that isn't approved from human use so it costs 1/10th the medical costs. You can get it from 1/2" to 4" and put it where you need to. It only sticks to itself so no worries about finish.