Very interesting target revolver Model 19

[cmm]

I had an interesting find today at my local store:

It's a model 19, pinned but not recessed, and no model/dash number in the crane, just a serial. It was customized by its former owner (policeman) with a very heavy target barrel, and full length Bomar target sight. The trigger is smooth as silk, and I think it is a very a nice target gun. Supposedly, the customization was done by the police armorer. The former owner is older and cannot shoot it anymore due to arthritis.

Can anyone give me any info on this? Ever seen one of these target revolvers before? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[cmm]

I had an interesting find today at my local store:

It's a model 19, pinned but not recessed, and no model/dash number in the crane, just a serial. It was customized by its former owner (policeman) with a very heavy target barrel, and full length Bomar target sight. The trigger is smooth as silk, and I think it is a very a nice target gun. Supposedly, the customization was done by the police armorer. The former owner is older and cannot shoot it anymore due to arthritis.

Can anyone give me any info on this? Ever seen one of these target revolvers before? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MKT]

Looks like an early bull barrel PPC gun. I say early because there isn't any 3 or 4 position rear sight adjustment, unless it is on top of the rib. It should be a very accurate revolver out to 50 yards.

I have several like it.

 

[cmm]

Thanks Mike. There are allen screws on top of the rib, I think it is adjustable for elevation. What is PPC?

Do you shoot 357s from it or just 38 special?

 

[BUFF]

PPC means, Police Practical Competition. Or something similar. It is match shooting that is structured to be similar to law enforcement qualification shooting. The target is the NRA B-27, a humanoid target (head, neck, arms, torso but no legs) with scoring rings. The match is fired in stages, a series of 6 shot strings (150 rounds for the full course), with time limits (generous). The shots are fired at 7, 15, 25 and 50 yards from standing, sitting, kneeling and standing/supported, around a simulated barricade, usually a 4X4 post.

The match is shot double action only by most shooters, with some shooting single action at 50 yards. The standard cartridge used is the mid-range .38 Special 148 grain wadcutter.

Because the scoring rings are hard to see at a distance, PPC guns are usually set up so the sights can be adjusted at each range. The shooter holds on the target's "neck" and the sight adjustment puts the point-of-impact in the X-ring in the center of the torso. Even though the cartidge is very gentle, match guns have heavy bull barrels so they hold more steady.

It used to be just for double action revolvers but there are side matches for stock service revolvers and semiautmatic pistols. The matches are usually sponsored by police fraternal organizations and the NRA. I shot on my department's team a long time ago. Ours were put on by the Utah Peace Officers Association.

To get good at it, one must really master the basics of proper grip, smooth trigger work and consistent sight picture. The oval-shaped X ring measures about 2" by 3" and the 10 ring 4" by 6". Shooters usually need to shoot 1480 or better to win a well-contested local match. They are sometimes won by X-count.

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Police Pistol Combat, I shot it many moons ago when it first got started. I have one like the one that I shot at the time. We went to IA to one of the first matches and the father of my friend was a WV State Tropper that help set-up a group in WV to shoot it. I had fun doing it. Great gun, you would have fun shooting it. Here is mine:

 

[cmm]

Very nice pics! Thanks for the info and for sharing. I think this is going to be a very fun gun to shoot.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

I used to shoot PPC just for fun - shot it with both a Colt Gold Cup .45 (they always put me on the right end so my brass wasn't hitting the guy next to me) and with a 29-2 6 1/2" with light target loads. The popular guns at the range where I shot were S&W K-frames set up like the ones pictured here and also stock 6" Pythons.