To you Really Good Shooters -

[AJ]

Congrats on your many achievements, AJ!

I like to think of it more in terms of a lifetime of great memories with my friends and a testament to the quality of S&W revolvers. There are several people I love more than me.

That is pretty much what an "I Love Me" room is all about. Mine encompasses 52+ years of my life. There are awards that I have won, medals that I have been awarded, pictures of Family and Friends. I not only shoot S&W's, but all brands of guns both rifle and pistol. I retired from the Corps and became an Orthopedic Nurse. All that is up for all to see. I also have a very broad collection of "Stuff". I love my family more than I do myself and a few of the Friends, I love enough that we have been places where we have taken care of each other.

 

[AJ]

More of the "I Love Me"room.

 

[AJ]

More..........

 

[AJ]

It has worked so far.

I've always thought the scariest sound for burglars in Jerry M's house would be the "beep" of a timer. For those who don't shoot matches, that's the signal to start shooting.

For those that have heard it the scariest thing in the world is the bolt going home on any weapon be it rifle, shotgun or the slide of a pistol.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

As a 38/44 collector, I had the opportunity to try many of the same models for target shooting. While I doubt few would declare the 38/44 Heavy Duty to be a target gun, what I learned is there is a lot of sample to sample variation. There are good shooters, there are ok shooters. You can get a really nice looking guns and shoot them the same day and one will very likely be noticeably more accurate than the other.

Now if you compare this to say more modern guns like when I collected 610's they were much more consistent from sample to sample. I don't have enough experience with very modern guns, I suspect they would be even more consistent than even my first generation 610s.

While as a collector it kills me to say it, but my experience is that if wanted to buy an accurate revolver and I could only buy one, I would pick a modern stainless steel one like the 610s. The odds are in your favor to get a good one while my beloved prewar are studies in the skill of the machinists and quality of workmanship, they just are not as consistent in my experience.

 

[Taj]

Having multiple guns (more than two), is your accuracy approximately the same with all of them? (By "Really Good" I mean proficient with the higher calibers such as .357 magnum and .44 Magnum) but not excluding .22LR, .38spl, .44spl and 9mm.

Thanks and regards to all -

Rich

Fundamentals don't change regardless the type or caliber handgun you are shooting, however other factors may come into play, especially caliber ( recoil). However, I think that if you have truly mastered the fundamentals, anticipation of recoil and noise( muzzle blast) are either a non-factor or greatly minimized. After shooting PPC or 2700 for thousands of rounds and reaching the higher levels of of the game, most will shoot just about any handgun to an equally high level. At these levels trigger control and sight management are almost subconscious and aren't variables from gun to gun. Things that happen after the shot is released are not factors in many types of shooting games---except IPSC and 3 gun. I'm not sure what those guys think about Not saying great shooters can't develop bad habits. If I shot my model 29 with full power loads as much as I shoot my target guns, I'm sure my perspective would change. I shoot my "heavy" calibers as well as the lighter recoiling variety.I just don't shoot them as much.

 

[Protocall_Design]

Thanks for sharing, AJ. It's interesting to see what others have done in a lifetime. Every one is a different journey. There are some I would like to have done and some I'm glad I didn't have to.

 

[shamus]

Yes and no--when I was competition shooting NRA matches with 3 S&Ws then my scores were essentially the same with each gun. BUT, add in other guns and not necessarily so for obvious reasons (difference in guns mainly). However, I have always striven to have ALL my trigger pulls the same and on my 20 or so Smiths they are--Colts are a little heavier--and that, to my mind, makes a big difference.
Also, I am 78 and have never kept a "bad" gun. I've had some beauties that just wouldn't shoot for me. So... all that considered I still shoot any one gun as well as another...it just takes 60 years to get them all tuned up....

 

[Birdhunter6]

I work to maintain my level of competence. I consider myself average with a shotgun, a bit above average with a rifle and well above average with a handgun.

Years ago I took a handgun class with a well known instructor and learned a lot. What impressed me most was watching the guy demonstrate his qualifier. He borrowed a student's handgun for each string of fire. He shot a perfect score with 5 unfamiliar handguns. Ranges were from 7 to 25 yards. I left there challenged to achieve the ability to pick up ANY handgun and shoot it well. I have been successful and shoot as much as possible in order to maintain that skill level.

Every range session I shoot some drills focused on precision accuracy and small targets. Other drills are based on delivering rapid multishot strings with combat effective accuracy. I shoot regularly with a group of like minded individuals. The last hour of each session is usually spent shooting drills on steel from 12 to 30 yards on the timer. We are not 'competitive' shooters, but use competition as a tool to add stress and push each other to improve.

My own handguns are mostly Glock pistols and Smith & Wesson revolvers. I shoot other handguns casually. I don't own a 'range' pistol. The ones I bring to the range are the ones I carry and keep for home defense. Those are ones I want to practice with.

I own a 1911 and a Ruger SA revolver (primarily teaching tools) but don't shoot them often. (That is a tough decision because any firearm you shoot well is lots of FUN!) The single action trigger is proprietary. If I shoot a few magazines or cylinders through an SA, I will always follow it with at least a box of ammo through a Glock or Smith before leaving the range.

 

[Shiloh Dawg]

Do all handguns shoot?

Fella's I generally just read these threads and acknowledge the expertise shared, much like as I've seen above; but I just have to share one story with you. Some guns just shoot and some don't! I've always liked Colts, I know a cuss word on this forum, but just hear me out. So I decided to add to my SAA collection and bought a Bisley model made in 1905...decent condition, 32-20 and since I just couldn't resist trying it, I shot it then, I shot it again and I couldn't hit the ground...or the broad side of a barn or damn near anything else. Now I could shoot regular SAA's, all manner of S & W K frames and N frames and shot Bulleye 3 gun in my earlier days as well as qualified expert in the military but not that damn Colt...So I sold it to an old cowboy buddy. Now he thought it was the best shooting pistol he ever owned cause he could hit anything he ever pointed it at. So despite all the aiming, practicing, grips, triggers and prayers we talk about...somes guns shoot and some just don't!

 

[6917sctygrp]

I am better with my glock 26 than my S&W 586 Carry comp 3" I think it is the long trigger pull on the S&W and the weight.

 

[mtgianni]

My trigger finger is absolutely independent of the grip I have on the pistol. Only the trigger finger moves. I don't tighten my grip on the pistol when I pull the trigger.

This is a skill that is easily lost without practice and is harder kept as we age. You don't even need a firearm to practice, just air squeeze your trigger finger without moving any other finger.

 

[AJ]

This is a skill that is easily lost without practice and is harder kept as we age. You don't even need a firearm to practice, just air squeeze your trigger finger without moving any other finger.

Back when I strove for the most accuracy that I could. I did all sorts of exercises. One that I did was to take a Hand Grip Strengthener and just squeeze it with my thumb and trigger finger. Works well to improve your trigger pull.

 

[xtrtsqrt11]

I usually do pretty well with most anything...

...except Glocks. They just don't fit my hand well. I was issued a G22 and have tens of thousands of rounds downrange with that model. I do own a G20 with 10 8 sights, but that still takes a bit of work for me.

ETA: Once during qualification, I was qualifying with the G22 and with the old Model 10 Smiths we still had. Looking at my targets after both quals I had a Rangemaster comment, if I ever have someone hold a knife to my throat, use the Revolver...
My revolver group was excellent that day and the G22 group was just ok.

 

[dr dave]

... I put the S&W model 41 away , intending to bring it to Clark's for a Target Trigger job ... but life , wife , kids and career all short circuited my competition days ... one day I'm going to Clark's Custom and see about a trigger job for the S&W model 41 ... one day soon ... Clark's is a nice drive about 4 hours North West of Baton Rouge ... We make a weekend trip of it !
Gary

Go to the Clarks website and see what options are available for your 41. I hope you make the trip but be aware Clarks is not open on weekends.

Dave

 

[Lilly]

I don't know that I am "really good" but I am a pretty decent shot.

My opinion is there are too many variables to really make a blanket statement R/E accuracy.

I do think the heavy kickers can be harder to shoot accurately do to recoil and muzzle blast, and take more practice and concentration than, say, shooting small groups with a .22 target pistol.

Larry

With me, the "first shot" counts the most. So, if I don't over think it and treat all first shots like a .22, or light .38 special, on the first shot, it shouldn't matter. Many people psyche themselves out before they get the first shot off. Rule of thumb, shooting is about 90% mental and about 10% equipment and while competing for 20 years, I've psyched myself out plenty.

 

[AJ]

With me, the "first shot" counts the most. So, if I don't over think it and treat all first shots like a .22, or light .38 special, on the first shot, it shouldn't matter. Many people psyche themselves out before they get the first shot off. Rule of thumb, shooting is about 90% mental and about 10% equipment and while competing for 20 years, I've psyched myself out plenty.

Had a friend that was a retired USMC M/GySgt. (he had been on the USMC Pistol Team) and was working for the Secret Service as a rangemaster. He would fire one round and knew from that if it was a good day to shoot or not. Talked him into shooting with my Marines one day. He fired a 397 out of 400 and was pissed at himself. Would give my eye teeth to shoot that well.

 

[scruffy]

All things being equal (sights, trigger, grips, barrel length), most .357 magnum is tough for me to shoot as well as .38, .38+P. 9mm or .45 ACP. Lots of fun, but I just can't get the repeatable shot to shot accuracy I can with other calibers.

 

[brucev]

I do my very best shooting with a Model 18 .22 LR revolver. With it I have won a few matches shooting DA drawing from the holster. Reloads were tough. With that little K-frame the .22 LR cartridge is good for solid hits on Coke cans way out to 100 yds. Hits further out can be made. It just takes a lot of practice. When I had access to land, I shot it every afternoon after making pastoral visits to church members. A brick of .22LR a week ... me and that little revolver were a very good match.

I have a 686-1 that came to me from one of our forum members. Gorgeous revolver. Used it in various police type matches. Couple of years ago, over in Columbus, Ga., was told that the barrel had to be five inches or less. So ... had to retire the 686. It cleaned house when I was allowed to use it.

I have a very nice little four inch 15-3. Nickel plating is very pretty ... but it make seeing the front sight a little hard. A bit of soot fixes that. It will seldom exceed 1.5 inches at 15 yds. firing DA.

I have a Rock Island Armory .45 ACP that was originally USGI style. A gunsmith down in Florida saw that it was cutting my hand and asked that I send it to him for some attention. It went down there w/ maybe 80% finish and came back refinished in black Cerecoat, target sights, trigger job, checkered front strap, grip safety and hammer fixed to keep my hand from getting hurt, ... and no invoice. He said he figured after 40 years of pastoral ministry, it was time someone returned a favor. God bless him! First time I ever fired it, shot a perfect 100% on standard qualification course. Then, shooting across a large farm pond, hit a white styrofoam minnow bucket five out of eight shots using some 200 gr. SWC handholds. God only knows how many rounds that pistol has digested since 2012. Never had a single problem with it. Even feeds empty cases. Best $200 I ever spent.

These are the pistols I shoot the best. I have several N-frames in .357 Magnum and I have a couple of K-frame .357 Magnums. But day in and day out, the handguns listed above are the ones with which I do my best shooting.

For the record, if I had to let some go ... the Model 18 would be last. The six inch Model 28 would be next to the last ... given to me by my brother. The 625-2 would be next to the next to the last. If I had gotten to stay in a area where I could shoot matches, I'd have taken that 625 and some full moon clips and had some fun. Be fun to see what the 1911 fellows thought of that big beautiful N-frame .45 ACP with that five inch barrel. Sincerely. bruce.

 

[Neversink n Klapperthal]

i think all my guns shoot about the same,per barrel length. All my longer barrels shoot better than the shorter ones,for me. However, I have noticed one thing over the years- The change 3 guns almost always shoot more accurately for me than my older ones