Range Day with your early N frames

[6string]

Hi Y'all,

There have been a few recent threads about taking out nice, old N frame shooters for a day at the range. How many of you guys are enjoying this great experience?
Anybody shooting their Triple Locks or 2nd/3rd model Hand Ejectors?
What are your favorites/loads?
44 Special?
455?
How about converted 45 Colts?
Fixed sight vs adjustable sight issues?

I used to have a shooter grade 455 2nd model HE, and honestly seem to miss it despite having more modern stuff. I think I need a nudge in the right direction...

Thanks!
Jim

 

[StrawHat]

I have a couple of early N frames I shoot on a semi-regular basis. The first was my EDC for a while, a cut down Brazilian Model 45 ACP. The second is a later acquisition, a Second Model Hand Ejector or Model 1917, built in 1918. Both like hardball or equivalent loads and both are good shooters.

Kevin

 

[MRH]

All the time. In fact, they are about all that I do shoot. And I shoot a lot. Sort of interesting too, I have fewer issues with these guns than anything else made postwar. Sight regulation is a non issue. Favorites are 357’s, 44 special third models and 38-44’s. My only concession is that I stick with cast bullets and don’t hotrod them unnecessarily.

 

[6string]

All the time. In fact, they are about all that I do shoot. And I shoot a lot. Sort of interesting too, I have fewer issues with these guns than anything else made postwar. Sight regulation is a non issue. Favorites are 357’s, 44 special third models and 38-44’s. My only concession is that I stick with cast bullets and don’t hotrod them unnecessarily.

That reminds me of my impression of my old 455. Despite the basic fixed sights, it ran great. Very smooth, perfect timing, fantastic trigger. I shot it with nothing but cast bullets and light target loads: 3 gr Bullseye with 180-200 gr SWCs.

It was a satisfactory introductory gun for centerfire Bullseye club league use. But, I foolishly sold it along with some other stuff to buy a "real" Bullseye pistol.

Jim

 

[mrcvs]

If I'm not shooting a 22/32 HFT or a black powder .45 Colt SAA at the range, then it's usually a few shooter grade Triple Lock revolvers in .44 Special.

I never push the limit when I reload. Right now, I like 11.5 grains of 2400 behind a Lyman cast bullet 429667. I did have some jacketed bullets given to me and used them all. I prefer firing cast bullets.

I will mention that I would be careful with loads as published in the Hornady Book of Handloading. A published load from this manual sent a jacketed bullet such that it lodged at the nuzzle of a 4" barrel 1/2 way out. It was not any reloading error on my part.

6.7 grains of Red Dot behind a 180 grain 44059 bullet has worked well in the past. I have never had problems with published loads in the Lyman Reloading Handbook.

What good is a thread such as this without the obligatory Triple Lock photograph?

 

[glowe]

I really like the form and function of my 455s, but not so much the accuracy. The balance and weight is just right for me and the action is so smooth that you cannot feel the release of the hammer in single action mode. Truly great design and manufacture. One reason I like the old S&Ws is that all were hand finishes, no stamped parts and I would guess that almost every one that came out of the factory was set up perfectly, even the war models.

My three favorites guns to shoot are a very nice original 455, a re-chambered 455 that shoots either 455 or 45 Colt, and a shaved cylinder 455 to 45 ACP. No matter how much or how little they have been shot in the past, all three feel almost identical in hand and in operation. I probably shoot the parkerized gun the most with handloaded 45ACP/full moon clips. I will be trying my cast bullets and have some 45ACP with the 265g LRN-HB ready to go.

Now that I have 455 RCBS mold and cast perfect hollow-based bullets, my patterns have tightened up. I can consistently hit a 6" dueling tree at 20 yards (with a little Kentucky windage) and the old style bullets are plenty heavy to flip the targets. I am currently shooting 4 grains of Unique under the 265 LRN-HB in my 455s.

 

[series guy]

My two Triple Locks are shooters so I shoot them. One of my favorite things about them is introducing younger shooters to old guns. Both are .44 Special.

 

[SAFireman]

I won't own a gun that I can not shoot. Here is one that I sold, a 2nd Model Hand Ejector 44spl. It was always fun to shoot, and more accurate than the slightly pitted barrel would lead you to believe. Those are my home rolled 44 specials 240gr LSWC (and a few wayward HP) with some SR4756 behind it. Don't recall off hand how much, but it was slightly less than Elmer used, and more than a cowboy load.

Minute of paper plate accurate This was shot at 25-30 feet, standing, free hand

 

[6string]

Himmelwright Book

You guys have some nice old S&W big bores! Good to hear they're still gettin' out.

I'd like to recommend a great book, PISTOL AND REVOLVER SHOOTING by A.L.A. Himmelwright. (Bullet casters might recognize that name...). Anyhow, the book was published in 1930, but likely contains much writing a decade or so older. It gives a great number of insights into revolver shooting back then. There is a boatload of period reloading data (no hot rod stuff).
And, lots on match shooting.
Himmelwright was a big-wig with the USRA (United States Revolver Association) and there is a pile of detailed info. The matches sound great! The courses of fire are fairly short (30 shots, usually), but there a are many more matches than you would guess: Police revolver, Military pistol, Free pistol, 22 revolver, etc...some matches allow target sights, some don't!
So, if you had a fixed sight Triple Lock you could compete in the Military match using .455 or .44 Special!
The targets and distances (i.e: 50 yds slow fire) are just as tough as the National Matches today, but with strict limitations on "trick" guns.
Couple "teaser" pics attached....

Jim

 

[delcrossv]

Frequent range toys:

50' DA slow fire with above

This one is even more accurate (no target photos , sorry I'm usually with the kids when the target TL goes to play)

The shiny one gets some mileage too

I'm not as good with the .455 2nd model- I suspect I need the longer Mk1 cases

Edit: Here's the .455 in focus

 

[jack the toad]

Enjoyable thread and posts. I like shooting the old HE's but since I haven't reloaded in a while, my limit is usually .45 ACP. Currently I'm without any .455, etc. and stuck with the 1917 variety; US/Brazil/Commercial, etc. and most of them have chopped/swapped barrels. Nothing fancy but will try to get a pic later.

 

[StrawHat]

Enjoyable thread and posts. I like shooting the old HE's but since I haven't reloaded in a while, my limit is usually .45 ACP. Currently I'm without any .455, etc. and stuck with the 1917 variety; US/Brazil/Commercial, etc. and most of them have chopped/swapped barrels. Nothing fancy but will try to get a pic later.

Hey jack the toad,

If you want to get unstuck from any of those ACP revolvers, let me know!

Kevin

 

[raljr1]

I take all three of my 44 specials out. I have a triple lock, a second and a third model. First target was the 2nd model. The next was from the triple lock.

Robert

 

[Dave_n]

I have a Webley 0.455 Commercial made just before WWII (the dealer who sold it to me did not know what he had) and a couple of cut 0.455s one Webley Mk VI and one Enfield MK VI (yes they do exist). Plus a Mk II S&W still in 0.455. I was lucky enough to obtain the spacers that allow 0.455 Webley cartridges to run in cut MKVi's Using the 0.265 grain hollow base bullets from Jet Bullets in Canada, they still will deliver 2-2.5" accuracy at 25 metres in single action. Will I dispose of them...NO. Dave_n

 

[StrawHat]

Jim,

I don’t know if these are old enough to qualify for what you consider old but they are both older than Himself so that makes them old, to Himself.

First up is my postwar 38/44 Heavy Duty built in 1950 and a short action model. This one dotes on the Skeeter load.

Next is a Model 1950 Military in 45 ACP. Another one that likes hard ball and equivalent loads.

Kevin

 

[Kinman]

I have never considered myself a pistolero, more of a rifle guy. I still like to shoot them and never have truly competed. I'm always upset when I offer a guy to shoot one of my pieces and he shoots it better double action than I can single. Don't get me wrong I've "qualified" with a number of revolvers and pistols, just never spent the time and energy required to pull of true one ragged hole accuracy. I'm usually satisfied with myself when I keep them all in the center of mass of my target. I spend more time shooting .45 ACP/AR in a brace of cut down Model 1917's, one is a Brazilian the other the an old war dog. I also shoot a Model 24-3 Lew Horton model , which I carry more than the others.

 

[shrade]

Two recent acquisitions, a pre-war Outdoorsman and a set of KB "Ropers". This is my first pre-war N frame, sure is a sweet shooter. Only had time to get it to the range once, but it shot very well with Winchester White box FMJ's. Hope to work up some loads soon with some Keith style cast 158 grn. loads.

 

[6string]

Two recent acquisitions, a pre-war Outdoorsman and a set of KB "Ropers". This is my first pre-war N frame, sure is a sweet shooter. Only had time to get it to the range once, but it shot very well with Winchester White box FMJ's. Hope to work up some loads soon with some Keith style cast 158 grn. loads.

Very Nice! I've got a fantastic pre-war Outdoorsman too! It gets homecast bullets exclusively.
Yours looks like it has a King's Bullseye hammer!

 

[bondjamesbond]

I’ll take my 455 second model in the 45 colt out if it ever gets below 110 degrees

 

[shrade]

Very Nice! I've got a fantastic pre-war Outdoorsman too! It gets homecast bullets exclusively.
Yours looks like it has a King's Bullseye hammer!

6string:
From what others have told me Kings marked their hammers, this one is not marked, so it may be someone's interpretation, however it is done very well.