I Used To Be A Revolver Guy, But...

[Mr.Blue]

...after shooting my S&W 686 in .357 today, I may jump ship. I use to shoot this gun vey accurately. After about a year of shooting semis and action pistols matchs, I haven't had tine to shoot the old 686. Much to my chagrin, I was not very accurate. I used to be able to shoot a 2in hole with 50 rounds @12yds. Now I was all over the paper.

I think the problem is my grip. After a year of using the thumbs forward pistol grip, which is a no no for a revolver, I feel awkward handiling my revolvers now. What grip do you guys suggest?

 

[Elm Creek Smith]

Sell all of your bottom feeders....now! Pray to St. Jerry Miculek to forgive your sins. Then, practice, practice, practice.

If you feel you cannot sacrifice the demon spawn semiautomatics, I can arrange for an indulgence if you send me the 686.

ECS

 

[Mr.Blue]

Hahaha. Seriously, I want to be able to shoot my revolvers well again.

 

[Warp]

Thinking defensively...a 2" whole at 12 yards means you are shooting far too slowly

 

[mmitch]

Make "tine" to re-acquaint yourself with the revolver, if you can chew gum and walk, at the same time, you can learn to be effective with any/multi platform(s).

Mike

 

[Mr.Blue]

Thinking defensively...a 2" whole at 12 yards means you are shooting far too slowly

I was just starting out with bullseye shooting. Once I get that down again, I will go to rapid fire.

 

[waidmann]

Your tempting me to knock the dust off a single action auto. Maybe I can remember to cock it, and then remember that thing-a-majig you have to push with your thumb. Hmmmmmm?

 

[PO2Hammer]

Stop shooting 50 rounds into one piece of paper. Shoot a 6 rounds for target accuracy at 15 yards, then shoot 6 rounds double action quickly at 10 feet, then take a break, then repeat.

Autos may have spoiled you with their low recoil and muzzle blast and you're no longer acclimated to the more enthusiastic result of pulling the trigger on a magnum.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Thumb over thumb grip for revolver. Works for me (and also with a semi because my small hands allows me to get away with it).

 

[Fishslayer]

Make "tine" to re-acquaint yourself with the revolver, if you can chew gum and walk, at the same time, you can learn to be effective with any/multi platform(s).

"Tine" ()spent shooting revolvers will be well spent. If you can shoot a revolver briskly in DA you can shoot anything, even a G****!

 

[MrBorland]

After a year of using the thumbs forward pistol grip, which is a no no for a revolver, I feel awkward handiling my revolvers now. What grip do you guys suggest?

Are sure yours is a grip issue? It could very well be a trigger control issue, especially if you were shooting your 686 in double action.

As far as grip, I suggest the thumbs forward pistol grip. Yes, for a revolver. We've all seen the pics that indicate at some magnum-power level, it becomes a no-no, but at bullseye & action shooting power levels, it's fine. It's the grip I use, and am able to shoot accurately with it.

Skeptical? Check out the grip of the newly-crowned IDPA SSR World Champ:

 

[Mr.Blue]

Do we have to worry about gases exiting the rear cylinder opening, or only the front cylinder opening? My intuition tells me that the back opening is fine, but I was nervous to put my thumb there with my .357 magnum.

 

[aHFo3]

If you have gas exiting the rear then you have major problems. Wait a minute, did I just say that?!

The front of the cylinder has the gap between the cylinder and the forcing cone and that gap allows gas to escape. The rear of the cylinder is a safe place to put your thumbs.

 

[Guillermo]

If you have gas exiting the rear then you have major problems

uh oh!!!

I have major problems!!!

 

[BCRider]

Gas exiting the rear is perfectly normal. As Shrek says often in the movies "Better out than in I always say.".

....er.... oh, you're talking about the revolver? Not to worry. The casings seal the pressure and make it go out the barrel with a bit of leakage past the cylinder gap. Just hold so your thumbs are back of the front face of the cylinder. Really it only takes a bit of a curl in them to manage to keep lots of room. But when shooting revolver I prefer to spread the fingers of my support hand so I can get my "extra" thumb over the web of my strong hand.

 

[P5 Guy]

So, I've been putting my thumbs in on the wrong side of my revolvers, too?
I have always used the hold shown.

 

[Warp]

Do we have to worry about gases exiting the rear cylinder opening, or only the front cylinder opening? My intuition tells me that the back opening is fine, but I was nervous to put my thumb there with my .357 magnum.

I don't worry about gases. I use a thumbs forward grip on my GP100 and 642 as I see no need to use different grips for different guns at this time. I like consistency. My offside thumb gets a little blackened but it's no big deal

Edit: And that is with full power loads, up to and including high velocity buffalo bore

 

[MrBorland]

My weak hand thumb gets a little blackened when my thumb's as far forward as in the pic. Normally it's not quite as far forward. But even when blackened a little, there's no damage. As you can see in the photo. the gasses that escape from the cylinder gap do so largely above the thumb. I'll admit to never trying the same grip when shooting full house .357 or .44mags, so I can't comment on if/when it's safe at all power levels.

BTW, since they do nothing to enhance grip, I also keep both thumbs off the gun. Otherwise, they can impact accuracy by touching (i.e. pushing on) the frame.

 

[230therapy]

You know what the answer is: WORK!

 

[agent89]

I've tried the thumbs forward deal and it feels really awkward to me, allways done the thumb on thumb lock down method, to old to change now.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Hahaha. Seriously, I want to be able to shoot my revolvers well again.

If you were once good you can be good again, all you need is practice. Gun skills are diminishing and require constant replenishing. Practice a while and I'm sure you will regain your revolver skills. Jumping ship will do you no good...

 

[Deaf Smith]

I'm a revolver guy when it comes to field guns that double as defense guns and backups, but my main carry guns are Glocks.

Sorry, they have pretty much gotten the semi-automatic system work well and for purely self defense I find the semi-automatic better, especially hose that have a single action type (1911, Glocks, M&Ps, etc... and not DA/SA types.)

But I also find revolvers work very well for backups and hideouts (read J frames) and if going to the field with the weapon for self defense as well as hunting, the revolver still is a very good solution.

Now that does not mean a revolver can't handle most self-defense situations, it's just that you have to work harder to get the same level of skill as a semi-automatic shooter.

Deaf