Is there a learning curve with revolvers?

[YamaLink]

Long-time semi auto shooter. Both 9 and 45. Three weeks ago purchased a 625 JM. Have been dry firing and working on grip and stance.

Have not bench tested nor decided on a gaming round; all I have to reload now is 230gr fmj rn and I plan to use 200gr rn. Having said all that, my accuracy and groups with a revolver is horrific! Even without finalizing my reload specs I should be able to do half as well as my semiautos.

Is there a learning curve? I've adjusted the rear sight and once in a while I can get close to the Zero or A Zone (basically the 10 ring in laymans terms) but when I speed it up the holes are there, here, over there, way over here.

Same ammo works perfect in my 1911. Again, what's the learning curve like for a new revolver shooter?

 

[pawncop]

I think so. At least there was certainly a learning curve when we went from revolvers to self loading sidearms.

There is a difference in the trigger pull. The longer double action pull can be a real issue that needs to be practiced. It will also be different with different brands.

One of the never ending discussions and debates regards the Smith and Wesson feel versus the Colt feel versus etc, etc,etc.

Best of luck, with lots of dry firing in your future.

 

[Will Carry]

For me there was a learning curve in shooting revolvers. I had to start leaving my semi-autos at the house and just shooting the wheel guns.
I not only got better, but I had a ball shooting them. You will get better but you got to leave the 1911 at the house. Good luck, enjoy your revolver.

 

[CB54]

I've never noticed a learning curve and I've got several of both. The only thing I've noticed is my hot .357 revolver reloads tend to go high, the shorter the distance, compared to off the shelf ammo.

This doesn't take into account trigger pull or anything like that. This is just my POV of shooting right out of the box and getting it sighted in. Depending on the gun caliber and weight, you may have more recoil in a revolver than a pistol because of the slide. I've got a .357 686 snubbie and a 327 NG snubbie, both 2.5 inch and the recoil on the 327 is greater and takes a little more effort to get it back on target when shooting fast.

I hope this helps ya a little, cause I'm not an expert shooter, but having 40 acres, I do get to burn a lot of ammo. To me it's just see the ball, hit the ball logic and I don't try to over think it.

CB

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, there's a definite learning curve in terms of trigger control in double-action. One upside of this is that once you get your DA trigger control under control (so to speak), you'll probably see an improvement in your 1911 shooting as well.

Also, your handloads may need a little tweaking; what's good for the 1911 is not necessarily good for the sixgun.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[haggis]

Probably. It's hard to say since it's a very individual thing. If you have been shooting single action autos, there's a big difference in trigger pull for DA revolvers.

Don't try to stage the trigger to get an absolutely precise break the way autos feel. Start the trigger moving back at a steady speed. Try to keep your sights aligned through the pull, but don't change speeds - it breaks when it breaks. You will learn to divorce your trigger finger from the rest of your hand.

How you grip the gun is important. Place the pad (not joint) of your trigger finger centered on the trigger. Then wrap your strong hand around the butt with the web of your hand right at the frame break above the stocks. This high grip will reduce felt recoil. Then wrap your weak hand about your strong hand with your weak thumb either overlapping your strong thumb or pointing forward like it does when you shoot an auto. The former is more stable, but you will need larger hands (or a smaller revo). If you continue shooting autos, the latter technique will keep you from losing a chunk of thumb if you happen to forget what gun you're shooting.

There's a set of shooting videos by Jerry Miculek on S&W's website that I highly recommend that will help you improve your revo shooting.

Buck

 

[Chuck Jones]

Yeah, I think so.

I was weaned on 1911s and when I had to make the transition to double action revolvers I wasn't shooting nearly as well in the beginning.

Not that I've ever been a serious competitor, but with enough practice you'll even out.

/c

 

[YamaLink]

Thanks for all the good input.

Went back out and this time focused on the grip and trigger finger placement.

And my reload was a smaller charge. Last time it was 4.3 grain of WST and this time it was 3.9 grain. The 3.9 is what I used the first week. I changed it to 4.3 because I was shooting the 1911 at the same time and didn't think it'd operate the slide. So then the newbie revolver shooter (me) was wailing away with a charge slightly too heavy. The 3.9 took it back to a pretty decent group freehand.

Can't wait til the 200gr gets here. In the meantime.....dry fire!

 

[gr7070]

There was/is for me. The DA pull takes some getting used to.

I especially notice the difference in accuracy going for speed. While both a 1911 and a revolver can get worse trying to go faster, the long DA pull, for me, moves the hits around more so than it does with the short SA.

I've gotten much better at it over a few months, but I don't think I'm nearly as good with the Smith trigger as I am with the 1911. Granted, that's not a lot of rounds in a few months, but I've definitely gotten better at it.

 

[Nightowl]

Now for a little difference of opinion. I use the first joint of my trigger finger and teach students to do it that way. I have seen other folks also advocate that. You have much more strength and control using the joint on the trigger in double action shooting. Jerry Miculak uses the pad, but he is very strong and has been doing it forever. Use a straight through smooth, stroke, front to back, without stopping and starting, not too show and not too fast. A lot of new shooters will find their sight picture, then slam the shot double action. Rather, refine the sight picture while pulling the trigger. Not separate steps, but rather one process. Follow through is very important. Do not anticipate the shot. Have fun. When you are dry firing, make sure that the sight picture is undisturbed all the way through the stroke of the trigger. Good luck. It really helps to have someone that know what they are doing watch your trigger pull.

 

[Pisgah]

haggis, you wrote my post for me! When I first began seriously trying to learn DA shooting, I was "staging" the trigger -- and having horrible results. By luck, I was at the range one day shooting next to a retired cop/competition shooter who took the time to give me a lesson in how it's REALLY done. Since then, I have passed his lesson along to a number of greenhorns, with excellent results in every case.

Mastering DA revolver shooting makes you a better handgun shot, regardless of what you shoot from then on.

 

[Chuck Jones]

Count me with Richard on that. There's no way I can shoot double action with only the pad of my trigger finger.

Jerry Miculek might not do it that way, but in case you haven't seeen him shoot I'm pretty sure he's just not human.

/c

 

[bk43]

Place the pad (not joint) of your trigger finger centered on the trigger.

Lots of good advice. I also find I've got to be careful about placing the finger because it really seems to make a big difference with how I shoot.

Bob

 

[borntoraisehogs]

Keep at it. Chicks dig DA men

You sound like shooter of some discipline. I am sure you already knew the answer.


Anthing worth while is going to be difficult. I'll bet your efforts have already made you a better DA hand than the folks you know shoot with.
Please keep track of your progress and report back after a while. Comparing your before and afters will be inspirational.

 

[haggis]

My reasoning for using the pad of my trigger finger is due to my own experimentation. I have medium sized hands, and if I use the first knuckle, I tend to push my shots to the left. People with bigger hands or longer fingers may be able to pull straight back without moving the gun.

Using a high hold is much more important, especially for fast follow-up shots common in USPSA/IDPA competition. I have no trouble with fast DA shooting with a Colt New Service, a model whose DA trigger is the source of many complaints. People moving from a semi-auto to a revolver tend to grip the gun too low, resulting in more muzzle flip. A low grip also makes the trigger reach longer with the attendant problems of smoothly pulling the trigger. Get a high hold and go "grip it and rip it!"

Buck

 

[Ron H.]

Count me with Richard on that. There's no way I can shoot double action with only the pad of my trigger finger.

Jerry Miculek might not do it that way, but in case you haven't seeen him shoot I'm pretty sure he's just not human.

/c

Sir, FWIW, I use the pad of my trigger finger, not to emulate Mr. Miculek, but because I have short fingers.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[jcelect]

What is your game?

Sir, you did not mention your game! Is it speed or accuracy? Is it short or long distsance? I shoot bowling pins which is speed and accuracy but at 26 feet. I also deer hunt which is accuracy out to 100 yds+, but slow! The one item which is the same for both types of shooting is trigger control, both DA and SA! The three major concerns with trigger control are parctice, practice and more practice! Your 625 is not an auto and it will not shoot like an auto! I shoot wheel guns and when I pick up a bottom feeder I can't hit a barn, standing inside!
jcelect SWCA#LM723

 

[AzShooter]

There is a definate difference between shooting an automatic and a revolver. Especially if you shoot them in competition. It's much easier for the auto shooter to take up the slack in the trigger, get their sight picture and get off a perfect shot with a good follow through than it is to take up that 1 inch trigger take up, confirm the sight picture, fire the gun and follow through.

For years I shot both types of guns during matches. When I was shooting my best I had a Glock and my S&W 625. The triggers were closser to being alike.

Now I shoot only revolvers in competition.

 

[BoDog]

Un-less you are super human there is a learning curve on every gun there is always a transition time, the more you have shot the shorter the time. I went from a fine revolver to Colt1911 many wears ago and had a range master (old target shooter) tell me if he didn't teach me how to shoot the auto he was doomed to a life of building target frames. He cured the problem.
My next gun was a Smith 29, the transition wasn't bad. I could shoot revolvers fairly well and was fair with the 1911.
Went to a Clint Smith (now Thunder Ranch) class and was transitioned into a fair self defence shooter.
Three years ago I had a back problem and had to go to a lighter carry gun the Combat Commander was uncomfortable at that time and I figured if could do well with a revolver, a Glock 27 40 wouldn't be a problem, you guessed it transition time again.
That is in a short capsule of 40+ years of shooting. I wonder what is next?

 

[bbgun]

I THINK YOU WOULD APPERICATE ED McGIVERNS BOOK OF FAST & FANCY REVOLVER SHOOTING.THE BOOK EXPLAINS TRIGGER CONTROL AS RIDING THE TRIGGER,WHEN I PRATISCED THIS FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS IT REALLY IMPROVED MY SPEED & HITS.