That look of disgust . . .

Contempt for revolvers

I once visited an indoor range in Sacramento. The range attendant looked inside my range bag and remarked (approvingly) "Ah, a Smith and Wesson Combat Masterpiece. Don't see many of those any more."
A young guy next to me (who I later found out was a new deputy) , made a sort of snorting noise and rolled his eyes as he produced his new plastic gun for inspection.
Later, when we were checking out, he brought his target to the desk for inspection. He had hit someplace on the paper quite a few times. My target had the middle shot out.
I shouldn't have said anything, but I just couldn't help it.
"Wow, keep it up and someday you might shoot a group."
It got real quiet and I locked my ancient relic in the bag and left.
 
Most all the RO at my indoor range carry an auto in an OWB holster while working there but own revolvers that they load for plus there spouses have a carry revolver.

Occasionally a new guy is hired that only owns the auto on his belt but has a thousand question about the S&W revolvers on my bench.

A lot of them also are S&W 44 magnum owners that I share reloading info with.

I told them about the Elmer Kieth recommended 44 magnum target loads a while back and now all are loading the 5.0gr of Bullseye or 8.5gr of Unique under 240gr bullets of their choice.

I don't encounter badly manored people at my range but I do in the supermarket and local restaurants.
 
Most of the guys at my outdoor range are old farts like me, and they are often shooting wheelguns too.
Mostly, the only guys that come over to talk are brass scroungers.
 
Old Corp said:
Have seen this scenario play out at other ranges.
If you think hard about it - these folks are HELPING us!

There's been more than one 'ol Smith & Sumthing Revolver' traded in or sold to achieve Glock Nirvana.
Click to expand...

That's exactly how I've acquired some of my S&W revolvers.
My 15-3 was traded in to a local pawn shop for store credit toward a Glock (gag, retch, barf).
 
HOUSTON RICK said:
Took a friend and his stepson shooting. Young man had a Taurus semi-auto of some kind. I let him shoot my S&W 586. After flicking the cylinder shut and shooting off the load (3 on paper), he proceeded to tell me that my 586 barrel was not straight. I informed that I had not noticed anything wrong and fired off six near the bullseye. I informed him that if you respect the gun (no flicking the cylinder for a start) it will respect you. He said that he preferred the Taurus, I said he is entitled to his opinion. I got that disgusted look.
Click to expand...

If that little ba****d had flicked the cylinder shut on ANY of my revolvers, MUCH LESS on my 586, I believe I'd have given him a lead enema with that Taurus auto of his.
Not really, but I'd probably strip his auto and scatter the parts all over the range.
I always cringe when I see someone flick the cylinder home on a revolver.
Why would anyone emulate Hollywood gun handling?
 
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I don't think I fall into any category with my gun interests. I have always liked older classics (bicycles and books included), it was a no-brainer for me to go for revolvers first. However I can also see the appeal of ARs and striker fire pistols. After buying quite a few revolvers and one third gen pistol (4006). I decided to get an M&P Sport and during the Labor Day sale I bought a new Shield for my CCW. Honestly I like shooting that Sport just as much as my 19-2. A person's age nor a gun's age should effect the enjoyment with these guns.
 
To Op: my answer would have been''I like semis too;show me your .44 mag(can substitute .357 or .41,chances are pretty slim that he owns an Eagle).
Qc
 
Kid's today......I was at the range today putting some hot reloads through my 66 2-3/4" 357 Magnum. That load is an attention getter and it attracted more of a crowd than normal. More in awe than in scorn though, which is good.

Even the guy at the front desk asked me what the heck I'd been shooting as I checked out.

Love that revolver :D:D:D
 
I have been to certain indoor ranges close to NYC in the past where stuff like this happens. But the reality is those kids set up a big paper silhouette zombie targets at 7 yards and they fill up the entire papers with shots. Then they see the old smith dude going out to whatever max is 15 or 25 yards with a tiny 10'' target making 5'' groups and there is not really a conversation happening. Sometimes they are mad and wonder how come their walthberetglockmeister does not shoot straight and they let me try only to hear:'Shoots just great, your using too much finger...'.
 
To answer the initial question; YES I HAVE! I started in 1996 as a young police officer and carrying a revolver as a primary weapon is verboten unless you carried it prior to 1992.

*For the record, my father (same agency ret.) carried an S&W 28 then an issued 66 for 18 of his 23 years. Even then he transitioned to a Sig P220 made in W. Germany! A bit rare now days..

Anyway, I carry an S&W 638 as a BUG everyday on the job to supplement my Glock 35. I get some jeers and the like from the 'auto snobs' until they see my shooting that J frame with far more accuracy than their midget autos. I need not say a word. Actions speak louder. Besides, not one person who makes snide remarks about the 'ancient' revolver seems to want to volunteer to let me shoot at them with it... I mean if it's SOOO bad, then what are they afraid of?? :rolleyes:

A few years ago, I was carrying my repatriated Aussie S&W 3" Mod. 10 while working at the range as a part firearms instructor. Some snotnose rookie was poking fun as my 'trusty rusty' so I offered a challenge. A full time range officer and friend of mine put us through a 50 rd. AZPOST qualification. Not only did I shoot better (250 perfect score) but I was quicker reloading the 6 gun then he was with his Glock 22. Instant humble pie. Like the old west adage said: "beware the man who owns one gun, he'll know how to use it."

Another time I was helping with an AR15 shoot and an officer noticed the 586 on my hip. He asked 'is that a revolver?' I just smiled and said; "This is the weapon of a blue knight, not as clumsy or random as a semi auto...an elegant weapon for a more civilized age". He looked confounded for a second then started laughing. He said it took him a moment, but he got the joke. He also said; "Sweet man, if it works for you". So, not everyone is totally clueless.

Just a few weeks ago I was working at the range again with one of our SWAT Snipers. He mentioned by 586 that I was wearing. Not in a condescending way, he just feels that wheelguns are an anachronism. I said that nothing says GO TO HELL like a .357 Mag in the chest. He didn't argue that. A volunteer and retired officer who helps at the range was also present. He quipped: "there was a time when we didn't have a choice!" Besides, if I do my part, it is a very capable platform that has been proven for a couple of centuries now.

Myself and the aforementioned full time range officer do our best to keep the art alive. We teach the 'transition classes' to people who want to carry a wheelie for OD or BUG and there are many. Likewise, AZPOST still has a mandatory segment in the firearms instructor course for revolvers. I LOVE that part! So, wheelies aren't 'dead' yet in LE, at least in freedom loving Arizona!
 
oysterer said:
I have been to certain indoor ranges close to NYC in the past where stuff like this happens. But the reality is those kids set up a big paper silhouette zombie targets at 7 yards and they fill up the entire papers with shots. Then they see the old smith dude going out to whatever max is 15 or 25 yards with a tiny 10'' target making 5'' groups and there is not really a conversation happening. Sometimes they are mad and wonder how come their walthberetglockmeister does not shoot straight and they let me try only to hear:'Shoots just great, your using too much finger...'.
Click to expand...

I was at an indoor range with the wife a few months back. She now has the aforementioned 'trusty rusty'. I took my beautiful Mod 15 with me for S&G, no autos. She's a fair shot in her own right but didn't want to shoot beyond 15 yds. This range goes to 25 yds. so I send the target to 25. I'm making center mass shots with ease, DA. The gent next to me has a Beretta M9A3 and a Glock 23. He and his girl are spray an pray at no more than 7 yds. He sees me reel in the target with 18 perfect chest shots and asks: "how'd you do that?" I just told him practice and the 6 fundementals: most importantly- sight alignment and trigger control.

So right you are. So many just turn on the proverbial bullet sprinkler and hope for the best. It never ceases to amaze and irritate me!

But I must admit...showing up auto snobs with an "old gun" is a lot of fun! :D
 
I have that problem all the time. I have a Remington 700 BDL that I shoot well. It is always funny when the plastic rifle crowd walks down with me to check 100 yard targets. "So let's see your target now" is always fun to say.

What's really funny is when my wife pulls out her M-67 and shoots rings around the guys with the plastic guns. I can't resist saying something like "hey guys, you might have to shoot further than 10 yards".

As my wife says "all you have to know is how to shoot".
 
I only have 3 semi's but have more revolvers than that, plus 2 single shot handguns (one with 3 barrels).
At my range (indoor) they don't allow any magnums except 22 mag. At the outdoor range anything goes except 50 BMG and armor piercing. I've never had any snide remarks when shooting a revolver, nor a single shot handgun.
 
At our range people often come up to ask questions/say hello if you appear friendly. Usually after watching ya shoot. I enjoy this, and assist or learn when I can as a HOH (harmless old man). NO ONE has ever mocked my revolvers after watching me shoot, or shooting next to me at range :)
 
Oh Yeah !
Last time was three young fellows, plastic wonder nines and shooting as fast as they could pull the trigger , all shooting at one shot up target full of holes from top to bottom.
After they shot all their ammo, I asked if I could sweep up the brass cases as I reload. They swept them up for me...Nice boys.
Then they started looking at my model 64 38 Special converted to a NRA Bullseye target gun. They couldn't get over the clover leaf groups I was shooting. I let them all shoot and helped them so they were getting good tight groups with it. They started thinking accuracy and revolvers were sort'a cool !
Pulled out the N frame model 58 in 41 Magnum(my avatar) with custom Ahrend's grips ....the muscle car of guns impressed them...they shot well with it also . A little instruction on sights and trigger use and they getting decent groups...they impressed themselves !
I am sure they had a different outlook on revolvers and shooting after that experience , one was most impress by the dark Cocobolo Ahrend's Retro Combat grips...plastic guns can't have anything like that and he now wanted a Revolver and wood grips !
There's still hope for the younger generation, not only did they sweep up all their empties but also some others shooters had left behind and put them in a bag for me...that was so nice !
Gary
 
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