Single Actions and the "plowhandle" style grip

[Guy de Loimbard]

I ran into an interesting situation this evening at the range. I shot about 100 rds of .22 through one of the range guns, a Single Six to be exact. I was doing really well, probably the best shooting I've done all month so far. Then I brought out the artillery (comparatively speaking, I have a Ruger New mdl Blackhawk in .45 Colt) and did some shooting with that. I was shooting all over the top right corner of the target, like I usually do with this gun. I figured ammo is cheap so why not waste a few more rounds, so I decided to try one handed shooting just to see what it felt like. I actually shot better one handed! With two hands I was putting holes all over the top right corner of the target, but with one I managed to get 6/6 in the 8 ring. I was definitely surprised, with my CZ-82 I always shoot two-handed and can tear the bullseye out but with my Ruger I can't hit squat unless I shoot one-handed. Am I just a freak of nature, or is the "plowhandle" style of grip more conducive to one-handed shooting? Is there anyone else out there that prefers/does better with one-handed shooting with single action revolvers?

 

[BigBlock]

The plowhandle was originally designed by Sam Colt...probably designed for one handed quick draw. Also might have something to do with shooting on horseback, back then. It is widely agreed that the plowhandle points about as well as your own finger.

 

[TheVirginian]

Yes, in fact it wasn't until well after 1873 (some might argue well after 1911) that gender convergence became an issue and two handed shooting became fashionable. Why, back in the good ol' days, a man could dismiss a perp with one hand while not spilling a drop from his beer mug with the other.
-Bill

 

[PT1911]

so.. no idea what ya'll mean by "plow handle" grip

 

[Bezoar]

well the ol "plow handled" hog legs were designed to roll in the hand on firing, and a normal two handed stance isnt really conduciveto that.

 

[trickshot]

Samuel Colt spent a lot of time experimenting with different shapes and sizes of grips for his pistols to find out what worked best. Its not an accident that it works so well.

 

[Jim Watson]

Then how come every one he made was different? 19th century equivalent of "Beta testing" by the customers?

 

[Confederate]

You should be able to shoot more accurately with two hands than one, even with a single action. Chances are you're trying to hold it like a DA revolver. Try putting one hand cupped under your shooting hand with your left finger under the trigger guard for support. Also, use the fleshy part of your finger (not the joint) to squeeze off the round. The bullet should go right where you point it.

 

[Glockman17366]

so.. no idea what ya'll mean by "plow handle" grip

Standard "cowboy" revolver grip as shown in the attached picture. Note the shape of the grip.

 

[ArmedBear]

Chances are, when you used both hands, the gun recoiled up. Maybe you weren't holding the gun as tightly.

When you used one hand, you kept the gun gripped and pointed, at least in that important split second before the bullet left the barrel.

Old Fuff schooled me in this when I had a similar question about different loads. Hopefully, he'll come along and add his wisdom to this thread. He REALLY knows his single-actions!

WRT one-handed shooting, I shoot with people who can hit an egg at 25 yards with every round of .45ACP in a 1911 magazine, one-handed. Most rounds hit dead-center; it's only the "flyers" that hit the outside 20% of the egg.

Granted, one has some Olympic gold medals to his name, but it can certainly be done. Those whose two-handed shooting is THAT much better than one-handed, just haven't practiced one-handed enough.

If you shoot well one-handed, it's fun. I'd keep doing it.

When I shoot two-handed, I've started shooting with a modified one-handed stance (arm at at 45 degrees with my off leg back), using the off hand cupped under and around the other, for stability only. So far, it works better for me than what I had been doing.

 

[fastbike]

I agree that the Blackhawk shots as well one handed as two. Now try one handed with your off hand. You may be pleasantly surprised. The gun really does point about like your finger.

 

[Confederate]

This is why I prefer DA guns, even when I'll be shooting them mostly as SA. The big SA .44 mags roll skyward as you shoot and you just sort of have to let them go. If you grip a SA like you would a DA, it can create a problem.

I've seen photos of people shooting two .44 mags at the same time, one in each hand. It's not very practical, but remember, these guns were designed to be used on top of a horse. I've never liked the shape of the grips, which are thicker where the fingers are the shortest and narrowest where the fingers are longest. It's one of the chief objections I've had to the vaunted Colt Python. I mean, who has a hand shaped like that?



Fortunately, Pachmayr comes to the rescue for Python
owners by providing a grip that most people like. Still, it
would help if the bottom of the Python grip were narrower.

.

 

[Jim K]

Well, here is a picture of some real, honest to gosh, plow handles. I am not sure how much they look like the SAA Colt grip, or vice versa, but someone presumably saw a resemblance.

Jim

 

[jaydubya]

One thing not mentioned about the grip on a single-action "peacemaker": after firing, in order to fire again, the hammer must be cocked manually. If the thumb is used for this (as it usually was), it speeds things up if there is a bit of muzzle flip. The barrel axis being well above the hand accomplishes this nicely.

Cordially, Jack

 

[shoey]

Muzzle climb is definitly taken into account with the SA. I've taken my .45 LC Blackhawk and dry fired in front of a mirror and its almost funny where the muzzle is pointing compared to point of aim. But, even with my novice handgun skills, poor eyes, and not enough range time with this gun it will put most cowboy loads in the 7 ring at 30 yards no problem, all day...