Woohoo... broke 700 today with my .38 special

[spacecoast]

I used my 6" S&W Model 14-1 and my DEWC reloads to shoot 703 in today's NRA 900 outdoor match at our local club. I had a terrible time shooting single action slow fire at 50 yards (first round was a horrendous 47 and a 3-round average of 61.3/100), but came back strong shooting double action in the timed and rapid fire rounds at 25 yards, averaging 86.5/100 and finishing with rounds of 91, 89 and 88. In several rounds all ten of my shots were on the "repair center", and during the last round I had a light primer strike (and therefore an alibi round), and still all 14 shots were on the repair center.

I'm very encouraged by today's results, the best I could do previously with my 6" 686-4 was 644 with no rounds over 85. My strategy next time will be to shoot DA at 50 yards as well, today it seemed like I couldn't miss and there's something about DA that is just inherently easier than SA for me.

This was my second time shooting this 1961-era K-frame as I just bought it a few weeks ago. It balances great and it's a LOT lighter than my full-underlug L-frame 686. I didn't feel any arm fatigue through the end of the match today. I have switched out the trigger rebound spring for a lighter one from Wolff, lightly smoothed a few of the internal parts with a fine Arkansas stone and replaced the stock wood grips with Hogues. It has a very nice DA trigger now.



Just FYI for those who may have not participated in Bullseye competition, the 8, 9 and 10 rings in NRA outdoor competition are 8, 5.5, and 3.375 inches in diameter. All shooting is done unsupported with one hand. The repair center, which is square, basically replaces the 7 ring and inward after each round.

[Archie]

And I must offer my envy as well. I shoot double action with two hands, but don't do nearly as well with one hand.

I have to admit I cheat these days. I shoot the "Centerfire" match with a S&W model 52 anymore. As much as I like revolvers, I don't do well shooting bullseye with them.

Keep working. Looks like you'll get better. (Which is of course the idea for all of us.)

[darkgael]

Interesting. Most shooters that I have met have exactly the opposite problem - I know that I do - slow fire is fine. DA for the sustained fire stages is a whole 'nother deal. It ain't pretty.
Get that SF up and go for Distinguished Revolver.
("Win it in slow fire; lose it in rapid.")
Pete

[MrBorland]

Congrats on a fine gun and a fine score.

I don't shoot bullseye - been meaning to, but got bit by the IDPA/ICORE/USPSA bug instead. I love my K-22 and K-38, though, and it's always good to see a revo shooter doing well.

I'll give bullseye a whack at some point. Do most shoot the 25 yard strings in DA, and the 50 yard strings SA, or are most SA all the way?

[darkgael]

. Do most shoot the 25 yard strings in DA,

Yes, at least for the rapid fire strings. The first shot, though, would be SA for most shooters and then DA for the next four in the string. The Timed Fire stage (two strings of five shots. Each string fired in 20 seconds) is doable SA. While it is possible to shoot Rapid in SA, it becomes a very busy business to do this in the rapid fire stage where you have ten seconds to fire five shots. SA - though there are shooters who do it and well - SA means a lot more movement of the gun to thumb the hammer back and then reacquire the target. The theory is that the thumbing is done while the gun is in recoil and you are all set as the sights come back down. That's the theory.....
Pete