Joe Leland
Member
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2006
- Messages
- 35
I just finished an excellent class taught by Tom Bullins of Trigger Time (Trigger-Time :: Home). The class was Tom's Pistolcraft 1 class (Trigger-Time :: Course Description). The class was suppossed to be a basic course in the art of pistolcraft, but the class was WAY more than I bargained for. When Tom spoke to me on Friday he asked what handgun I would be bringing. I told him I would be shooting either a GP100 or S&W 686 4" .357 Magnum; (both of these revolvers take the same speedloader and fit in the same holster). Tom told me to bring 400 rounds of ammo so I split it- 200 .357 magnum and 300 .38 special rounds. The .357 rounds were 125 gr. JHP and JSP as well as Winchester 110 gr. JHP USA. The .38 rounds were 130 gr. Winchester ball USA. I started the day using my GP100 and 110 gr. .357mags. We started the day with a safety overview including a medical evac plan with directions.We started the course of fire from the ready, 12 shots. This allowed Tom to assess my ability, accuracy, and to make sure the revolver was shooting to the point of aim. Tom made some suggestions: changing my grip and modifying my ready position the low level rather than pointing toward the ground. Both improved my speed from the ready when shooting the target.
We then trained in the following:
- one shot from the ready, followed by two and three shots from the ready
-one shot from the draw, followed by two and three shots from the draw
-timed shots from the ready
-timed shots from the draw
-corrections through examination of what was taking the most time in my presentation from the ready and from the draw
This proved to be the most informative part of the timed excercises. I was using too much time in the gripping part of my draw and was not working my trigger stroke smoothly. I was jerking the trigger to gain speed. Tom showed me ways to correct both. We then incorperated the same drills on large dot targets and picture targets. As I switched to the 125 gr. JSP .357 mags whe trained in the following:
-speed reloading both FBI and Stressfire techniques
-reload with strong hand and off hand
-2 styles of one hand shooting
-the same styles with the off hand, one handed
In the off hand, one hand shooting drills the revolver was placed on the ground with the strong hand. Upon command, the revolver was picked up with the off hand by using a combat style crouch. I used the S&W 686 for these drills. After several one, and two shot drills shooting steel 10X10 and 8X8 targets, we broke for lunch.
After lunch, (I was using the S&W 686 and .130 gr. 38 specials) we continued in the revolver training using barricades. Tom explained the difference between cover and concealment, and showed me a technique called "slicing the pie". This was a very effective use of cover/concealment, engaging targets with minimal exposure. After these drills we went to the Chevy Suburban and trained in the following:
-shooting from the passenger's side at targets (steel)-- -shooting moving toward
-shooting moving away
-shooting moving horizontal
-reloading in a vehicle with speedloaders and belt loops while on the move.
We then shot 10 step drills, shooting at 10 yard incriments, at steel from 10 yards tp 100 yards. We finished the day shooting at steel with a S&W 4546 DAO .45 ACP using Remington 230gr. ball ammo.
Some things during the course I learned:
-The revolver is a very capable weapon, but in order to get the most out of its capability you have to practice the double action stroke of the trigger. You must know the action to gain speed and accuracy. Proper sight alignment is the next step. Both must be practiced.
-Magnum rounds really work on your hand over time; aftermarket grips that cover the backstrap (Pachmayer) rally help.
-Revolvers get really dirty over long training sessions and require a significant smack of the ejector rod to free the brass of some types of ammo. Winchester 110 gr. USA .357 magnum was the leading culprit. I have not found this round to do this in the past.
-The 130 gr. Winchester USA .38 Special round is accurate up to 50 yards. After this distance the round loses velocity and begins to tumble, becoming erratic. Note- 125 gr. .357 Magnums would probably perform better.
-Shooting from a vehicle is an experience I will never forget. It proved to be I could actually make hits on the move if the proper training techniques were employed.
-Safariland comp 2 and comp 3 speedloaders work very well and are as fast as you can reload a rimmed cartridge firing revolver.
-Reloading a revolver in a fast moving vehicle from belt loops is very hard.
-Shooting the 4546 S&W .45 ACP at the end of the class was a blast. As much as I love the revolver, I really appreciate a fine semiauto pistol.
-Shooting and training with a revolver takes dicipline and patience. It can only make you a better all-around shooter.
Tom Bullins runs a first class facility. I highly reccomend his training and facilities.
We then trained in the following:
- one shot from the ready, followed by two and three shots from the ready
-one shot from the draw, followed by two and three shots from the draw
-timed shots from the ready
-timed shots from the draw
-corrections through examination of what was taking the most time in my presentation from the ready and from the draw
This proved to be the most informative part of the timed excercises. I was using too much time in the gripping part of my draw and was not working my trigger stroke smoothly. I was jerking the trigger to gain speed. Tom showed me ways to correct both. We then incorperated the same drills on large dot targets and picture targets. As I switched to the 125 gr. JSP .357 mags whe trained in the following:
-speed reloading both FBI and Stressfire techniques
-reload with strong hand and off hand
-2 styles of one hand shooting
-the same styles with the off hand, one handed
In the off hand, one hand shooting drills the revolver was placed on the ground with the strong hand. Upon command, the revolver was picked up with the off hand by using a combat style crouch. I used the S&W 686 for these drills. After several one, and two shot drills shooting steel 10X10 and 8X8 targets, we broke for lunch.
After lunch, (I was using the S&W 686 and .130 gr. 38 specials) we continued in the revolver training using barricades. Tom explained the difference between cover and concealment, and showed me a technique called "slicing the pie". This was a very effective use of cover/concealment, engaging targets with minimal exposure. After these drills we went to the Chevy Suburban and trained in the following:
-shooting from the passenger's side at targets (steel)-- -shooting moving toward
-shooting moving away
-shooting moving horizontal
-reloading in a vehicle with speedloaders and belt loops while on the move.
We then shot 10 step drills, shooting at 10 yard incriments, at steel from 10 yards tp 100 yards. We finished the day shooting at steel with a S&W 4546 DAO .45 ACP using Remington 230gr. ball ammo.
Some things during the course I learned:
-The revolver is a very capable weapon, but in order to get the most out of its capability you have to practice the double action stroke of the trigger. You must know the action to gain speed and accuracy. Proper sight alignment is the next step. Both must be practiced.
-Magnum rounds really work on your hand over time; aftermarket grips that cover the backstrap (Pachmayer) rally help.
-Revolvers get really dirty over long training sessions and require a significant smack of the ejector rod to free the brass of some types of ammo. Winchester 110 gr. USA .357 magnum was the leading culprit. I have not found this round to do this in the past.
-The 130 gr. Winchester USA .38 Special round is accurate up to 50 yards. After this distance the round loses velocity and begins to tumble, becoming erratic. Note- 125 gr. .357 Magnums would probably perform better.
-Shooting from a vehicle is an experience I will never forget. It proved to be I could actually make hits on the move if the proper training techniques were employed.
-Safariland comp 2 and comp 3 speedloaders work very well and are as fast as you can reload a rimmed cartridge firing revolver.
-Reloading a revolver in a fast moving vehicle from belt loops is very hard.
-Shooting the 4546 S&W .45 ACP at the end of the class was a blast. As much as I love the revolver, I really appreciate a fine semiauto pistol.
-Shooting and training with a revolver takes dicipline and patience. It can only make you a better all-around shooter.
Tom Bullins runs a first class facility. I highly reccomend his training and facilities.