Anybody here shoot for speed?

[seancass]

So, lately I've been on a need for speed kick. I normally go for big slow single actions, so this rapid-fire itch is hard to scratch!

I've watched too much Jerry Miculek lately and I can't help but think "Well, sure, Anybody can do that!" () So I've been kicking around the idea of getting a new toy and trying to improve my rapid-fire abilities.

Anybody here compete in some kind of action pistol? I'm looking at Steel Challenge because I don't think I can understand the stuff with long acronyms for names. Steel challenge looks simple, fast, and very challenging!

I'd like to do it with a revolver, because revolvers rock! However, I also feel like I'm adding an aditional hardship for myself instead of just getting some high-cap wiz-bang brass slinger.

Maybe I'm just thinking out-loud here, but I've been looking long and hard at the S&W 929 8-shot 9mm N-frame. Also the Ruger GP100MC, but that doesn't offer the capacity advantage of the Smith.

I do have one nice shootin Smith. It's some kind of PPC gun that flat shoots where you point it. Tried it out for rapid fire this weekend and it would make a group about 2 x's it's normal size when I was pulling the trigger as fast as I could get it back on target! The big heavy barrel and light trigger make up for a poor shooter. This gun is Slick and I feel like the 929 would need an expensive action job to even touch it.


Here's Jerry and a few other speed freaks doing their thing: 107.23.206.114/hotshots/

[ericp]

We have a bowling pin shoot at our club every other month that I really enjoy. It's fun shooting against your pals head to head instead of against a clock and comparing times. We have separate divisions for self loaders and sixguns, then the winners of each category face off (unless it happens to be the same person who won each). Once in a while the sixgun man will win. Most guys shoot various 44 mags loaded with warm specials, there's a couple who shoot 45 colts, one fella with a 1917 Smith, a smattering of 357's (not really competitive) and I shoot my Model 58. It's fun shooting and the BBQ after is always good.


Eric

[jsh]

If you find some place that has any 929's in stock I have two guys looking for them.
Speed thing is neat but I still like distance, so I am no help there.
Jeff

[seancass]

I haven't seen a 929 for sale and I'm guessing they'll command a premium for a while.

I think distance is still my number one thing, just looking at a new way to enjoy our hobby! Besides, I already have the equipment to go long, no "need" for anything new there. New sport means new excuse for a gun!

[Ken O'Neill]

Sixshot does a good job competing vs steel with 10mm revolvers. I used to use 625's.

[AxeHandle]

Look around at your local clubs and go for it! Bowling pins, Speed Steel, IDPA, USPSA, ICORE, NRA Action and others are out there. Some are more revolver friendly than others. The level of speed and accuracy required to be competitive will vary with the game and course of fire. Well organized clubs may run their own unique matches. Many will draw and shoot which brings on the need for new leather! Fast reloads mean speed loaders and/or moon clips. Moon clips mean mooners and demooners.

[magnumwheelman]

I've never shot for speed with the double actions, but I do a little CAS shooting, & it's amazing how your speed picks up with practice & a little competition... I always try to shoot clean, so that slows me down a little, & I'm not very fast by nature, so I just keep a spread sheet to keep my times, & pretty much just compete against myself... the 1st year I shot, I literally cut my times in half, from start of year, to end of year... & always try to improve my times each week... CAS does 2 single action revolvers, a lever rifle, & shotgun, our local club shoots 5 rounds from each revolver, 10 rounds from the rifle, & either 4 or 6 shotgun rounds per stage, & 10 stages per match... even though I'm using cowboy guns, I feel it also transitions into tactical training, without the evil black rifles

I bought a Pact shot timer this year, so I can practice at home, & coach MRS a little, who wants to get into the sport...

did a little bowling pin shooting many years ago, & have several cases of bowling pins sitting around, always wanted to make a table up, to have a couple private shoots on my range... just have never gotten around to it... also used to host dueling tree shoots with 22's many years ago... don't think I could find enough 22 LR right now to do that again, as I used to go through about a brick & a half every weekend, back when we were doing those shoots

[AxeHandle]

Don't overlook the matches for precision stuff too. Competition is good. There are the 100 and 200 meter steel silhouettes and yes, even the pocket pool stuff. Very few people have the patience or time for the pocket pool stuff. What ever you choose to do the biggest thing is to shoot with the best shooters you can find. You'll find it easy to soar like an eagle when you fly with a bunch of turkeys. Hunt down those Master class shooters and rise to the challenge.

[seancass]

Axe, this dodo bird ain't too worried about soaring just yet!

Can you expand on "pocket pool" stuff?

[AxeHandle]

NRA Outdoor pistol AKA "Bullseye" and the international courses of fire called Free Pistol, Standard Pistol, Centerfire Pistol and Rapid Fire. In each of these the shooters is required to hold the gun with one hand. Old heads would put their non shooting hand in their pocket bringing on the name "pocket pool." In Outdoor pistol the fastest we shoot is 5 shots in 10 seconds. Where the BIG Dawgs run 100-10x cleans at 25 yards are common. That is two 5 shot stings, 10 seconds each, into a 1.7 inch X ring at 25 yards with a 22 and a 45. We get a lot of snide remarks about shooting our way. Most of the snide remarks come from people who tried it and wern't willing to put the time into it that it takes to do it well.

[seancass]

Thanks for the clarification. That's the second way i learned to shoot, right after shooting from a bench rest with a bb gun at 10 yards. I'm not good at all, but it's fun to hit like that in front of someone who's never seen it done!

I don't have a gun for that, but i suspect i couldn't make those groups at 10 yards Let alone 25!

Cowboy action shootimg sounds fun, but I don't own a cowboy hat or boots so I'm not allowed to play, last i knew.

I'm hoping to join a new range soon amd that should allow me to see more of these sports first hand.

[magnumwheelman]

most will let a new guy play, long enough to get you addicted

[woody]

I shoot IPSC but not with a revolver. I shoot a Para Ordnance .40. Just picked up a M&P pro 9 to shoot production class. One of these years I will shoot a revolver. Just not enough time to shoot everything. I plan to shoot a few steel matches this year. I didn't know a local club shot steel challenge. The steel targets are my favorite when shooting IPSC so I would like to try steel challenge. I plan to try IDPA this winter. I was never that intrested in it since it is not as fast paced fun as IPSC but I do under stand its way more practical than IPSC for real life defense. But that's not why I shoot IPSC. It's just fun to me so I don't get into the big IPSC/IDPA debate. Might be something to do in the winter.

[sixshot]

Any type of handgun competition is great, it helps a shooter settle down & concentrate, but not at first. You'll be worried that you'll miss or that you will be slower than everyone else & guess what, thats exactly what will happen but not for long. You will eventually relax a bit, slow down on the trigger & start getting your hits & you'll do it with speed. Then, come hunting season you'll feel that same bit of excitment but you'll handle it much better because you compete & know what the pressure is like & you'll make shots that you never dreamed of making before competing, true story!

Dick

[oregon45]

Sixshot has it right. The pressure of competition, whether you're shooting fast or slow, makes just about any other kind of shooting easier.