THE "LONG SHOOTERS"

[rct269]

What can anybody tell me about the "long shooters" of yesteryear?

That which I've already been told, albeit in bits and pieces, is there were team competitions in the military where handguns were used at ranges out to 200 yards---and further (??). Similarly, there was civilian activity. That which seems to have been the most prevalent were turkey shoots---live turkeys (crated) and/or paper targets. These matches were supposedly most popular in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio (pre-war--WWII)----and were conducted on an elimination basis---starting at 100 yards.

A pair of shooters would shoot at 100 yards. The winner would then shoot against another winner at a longer range (200 yards?) and so on---until there was a final winner. I'm told some of these matches were finally settled at ranges as far as 600 yards. The respective losers went home---or more likely bought another chance to shoot, and started over.

Many thanks!!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[bigwheelzip]

What can anybody tell me about the "long shooters" of yesteryear?

Creedmoor comes to mind.

Shooting Sports USA | 1872 Creedmoor and the First Annual Matches

 

[rct269]

Yep---aside from the fact they used rifles.

RT

 

[S&W ucla]

Hey Ralph! There is a booklet from William Altsheler (1912) "The Long Shooters". It describes off-hand revolver shooting at 300 yards. Some paper targets and sometimes Turkeys. Pics below are of booklet, photo in booklet, my TL with Matt's 135gr, target at 100yds with TL off sandbags, and mold of @120gr bullet used by Searles. He was a "commercial traveler"(salesman) for D.W. King (and others) out of Denver and shot in similar matches out west. The 135gr bullets were as close as I could get, and while several scoffed at their accuracy beyond 25 feet, that was not my experience. A turkey at 100yds would be dead.

 

[ACP230]

Some years ago there was an article on the civilian long shooters
in Gun Digest (the annual).
Interesting piece. They used .38 Special revolvers with target
sights for the most part if I recall correctly.

 

[Protocall_Design]

I shoot a M629 from 50 to 200 meters in IHMSA competitions, all firing done double action. I have shot (2) 40 out of 40 scores over several years time that way. Not easy, but doable. Lots of 35 to 39 scores.

 

[rct269]

Some years ago there was an article on the civilian long shooters
in Gun Digest (the annual).
Interesting piece. They used .38 Special revolvers with target
sights for the most part if I recall correctly.

It was just such a .38 Special revolver (M&P Target) that prompted this inquiry. I say "just such"------there's no indication the gun was ever used for anything, but it was a special order fitted with a Marble #35 (Ivory bead) front sight which seemed an odd choice considering the time and circumstances. The time was 1936. The circumstances were it was shipped on December 23, 1936 to a Patrolman employed by the New York Central Rail Road Co.---at a total cost of $31.23----perhaps a Christmas present for himself.

My knee-jerk reaction was this was at least an unusual choice for a duty weapon---and a sizable sum to be laid out by a "cinder dick" in the 1930's--but the choice of sights was the most unusual of all. Then I sat and stared---wondering why he bought it---and why he never used it. I suppose, were one to search, it might turn out he died before he ever got a chance to use it.

As to why he bought it, this "long shooters" business seemed a likely suspect---especially given the sights. The rear sight is that we've come to call the "two screw". It is S&W's first that absolutely will not shoot loose when properly adjusted/locked---and it is infinitely adjustable---just the thing for such chores as lighting matches or driving nails at close range (especially with the tiny bead front sight)---and maybe for punching holes in things way out yonder.

The fellow who wrote the book mentioned above was a peddler for D.W. King, among others, and that's THE King---King Gun Sight Company.

We shall see what we shall see.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[nachogrande]

INTERESTING STUFF!

An old history & spirited matter of national pride. As I recall the young American nation was often spanked by much older nations, then became a major force to beat.

 

[fredj338]

Handgun met sil; 50-200m. Yes there is a standing offhand division. Great fun with a magnum revo, but I shot a round once with a 1911 just for fun.

 

[Iggy]

I saw a SWAT instructor put 5 out of 6 on a 200 yard gong with a Mdl 10 snubby.


His point was the gun was up to it if the shooter was too.

 

[Wyo]

Ed McGivern’s book “Fast and Fancy Revolver Shooting” included a chapter on long range revolver shooting with the then-new 357 registered magnum. He and some friends shot out to 600 yds., mostly on man sized silhouette targets. Suffice it to say I would surely not stand in the open at 600 yds. with McGivern on the trigger! I’ve done quite a bit of shooting with .357’s and .44’s out to about that distance. It’s amazing how effective you get way out there with some practice.

 

[llowry61]

Geez, here in Ohio, you can't hardly see more than 200 yards let alone find a place to shoot 600 yards. I know Camp Perry has areas for long range shooting, but not too many places to try it. It would be fun.

 

[keith44spl]

I've shot a little at distances...……..

Once I got the elevation, doped the wind and rotation, if shooting north or south.

Kinda like artillery.

I once downed 8 out of ten iron Rams at 200m off hand, before witness,
back when I could see a lit'l bit.



.

 

[Homie]

Does Elmer shooting at the old outhouse qualify?

 

[ddixie884]

YES!!!!!!!

 

[Iggy]

I didn't realize that handguns were only effective out to 15 yards until I got on the internet.
Had a gong set up across the crick at about 100 yards at the ranch. I'd set out on the front porch and whack it plumb regular with every handgun I had.


That was 20 years ago. I'm sure the guns will still do it, I just ain't up to snuff anymore.