The New Revolver Experiment Thread

[NS2]

Here is the new Great Revolver Experiment (GRE) thread.  I'll try not to screw this one up.

What we did:

Back in Late OCT 2010 I put forth a challenge for all of us semi-auto guys to give up our regular EDC pistols in exchange for a revolver(s).  The challenge was to find, or take from your current inventory suitable replacement(s) and gear, practice with it/them so that you were comfortable using it/them as your EDC and then carry it/them for the entire month of JAN 2011.

The results show will be broadcast by Doc with live call in open to any of his listeners.  We want to find out what you learned about the guns, the gear and about yourselves.  We want to hear what you have to say on both the pro and con side.

If you participated, please plan to call in when Doc has the show.  If you can't call in for some reason, give us your feedback right here.  

We want to get as much information out to everyone so if they choose to carry a relic, sorry revolver, they can have as much information as possible from those who have given it a try.

If you normally carry a wheelie, call in and let us know what we missed.  Information is power so let's empower as many people as possible.

Thanks,

Scott

[Heritagefan]

I'm really looking forward to this one.  I hope you guys talk about the grips on your gun in relation to hand size and concealment.

Plus was anyone wild enough to do this experiment with a short barrel single action revolver?

[TravisLeibold]

I may have missed it, but has there been a specific date and time set for the Live Show?

[Doc Wesson]

Not yet.. will be looking to do it in Feb.

[Tennessee Jed]

Plus was anyone wild enough to do this experiment with a short barrel single action revolver?

DANG!!!!  I wish I would have thought of that.  Several years ago I used to tote a 44 mag Ruger Vaquero in an IWB.  Don't have it anymore, but that would have made for some interesting conversation.   

[cwrovers]

I've carried a Colt Detective Special as primary in the past with a Colt Agent as backup.  I still carry them at times.  Just can't leave them alone.  Unfortunately, I've succumed to the lure of the double stack magazine.  I mostly carry semi-autos now.

I still like revolvers, just wish they'd come out with an eighteen shooter. 

Whoa, I just realized my avatar picture is the Detective Special.  Yup, I do like it!

[TravisLeibold]

Uh oh, I might have some sort of problem. I went back to my trusty old SIG220 for EDC on the first of the month. Wore it for a couple days, everything seemed fine. Yesterday evening, I slipped on my K frame again and.... it felt GOOD! Like when you finally take your boot off to dump a pebble out. That kind of good. Mind you, I'm packin it in a kydex IWB.

Seeing where I was headed, I immediatly went out and got some Primo Cor Bon .357 125gr JSPs. Loads like these supposedly have a very high one-shot stop potential.

Its lookin like I might be stickin with this revolver thing for a while.
 

[Doc Wesson]

Guys... this is the kind of stuff that will be great fodder for you to call into the show.
Travis, that is a great analogy... I am like you I will throw on a 1911, or XD or something like that from time to time... but then I always migrate quickly back to the trusty wheel...  For some reason.. it always feels like it is home on my belt or in my hand.. but the pebble analogy was the best description ever...  copyright it.. hahah
it will sound good on the GNP live show.. (hint hint)
I have shot some of those said CorBons into some ballistic clay and JELLO.. they opened every time.. even when I put some heavy denim..  AND when I put some NIJ 2 Kevlar layers in front of it... it is non-remarkable that it penetrated the Level 2 stuff... but that it expanded the same as if I shot it straight into the gel.  Double Tap makes some real good mags too... they push 4" to 5" bbl speeds out of a 2" bbl... stout report, but if  you carry a steel wheel it is a little less in that than a nominal .357 mag factory load is in a titanium or scandium wheel.... I LOVE THIS STUFF!!!!  WHEELIES UNITE!!!
"The wheel on the gun goes round and round, round and round, round and round.  The wheel on the gun goes round and round.. all day long..."

[Devereaux]

Yeah, Doc. Too bad you can't feed it like a Gatling - THAT would make a wheelie really phenomenal!

[Doc Wesson]

Dev,
You mean you can't?

[Doc Wesson]

for the show.. something I would like to touch on.. is a comment that Chris Christian has said correctly quite a few times on this forum... when you shoot DA revolver.. when you go back to single action semi... it helps your accuracy (from the shooters POV).  Do this, if you haven't already.. and compare your accurace.. the feel of the semi single afterwards.. (as well as any comparison to a DA revolver, after shooting it for a period of time before switching back)....
You get the point....

[Chris]

Doc,
People have asked me to explain just how shooting a DA revolver will make you a better shot with a semi-auto, and this is the best explanation I can come up with: The long trigger pull on a DA revolver forces you to concentrate on your sight alignment and sight picture (where the sights are aligned on the target) while you execute that lengthy pull; and execute it smoothly to avoid jerking the sights off the target. It does FORCE you to focus on both sight alignment and a smooth trigger press. When you shift back to a semi-auto, the shorter trigger pull is combined with the same focus and things just get easier. IMHO, for an action pistol competitor or SD shooter, the easiest way to become a better semi-auto shooter is to spend a few months with nothing but a DA revolver.... striving for accuracy quickly. The light bulb seems to turn on naturally for most folks.
Chris Christian 

[BikerRN]

I have found this to be true as well.

When I start getting sloppy with the 1911 or BHP I spend some time shooting a Double Action Revolver. The revolver is the easiest to learn on, but the hardest to master.

Biker

[Devereaux]

If it's the length of pull, then shooting something like a DAK Sig or any DAO auto ought to have a similar effect. It isn't the wheelie, but the trigger.

[TravisLeibold]

With the DA trigger, its like you tell your finger to start moving back, and while it is completing this lengthy task on its own, you can go back to focusing on the sight picture/alignment. That has been my perception as of late. I have been generating some good groups at speed.  Had a 21 round stage last night that I shot CLEAN and fast. (For Me)

[Doc Wesson]

OK.. here we go... some fun for the whole "Great Revolver Experiment" exercise we have done... and also for the upcoming shows.....
http://postalmatch.gunnation.us/2011/02/wheel-of-love-february-2011-match.html
Sign up and go for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Many thanks to Doc Gray for running the match!!!  And all the hard work.
SUBMISSIONS DUE BY FEB 28TH!!!!

[TravisLeibold]

Thought I would comment on the long term effects I have "suffered" since I participated in "The Experiment"

Shot and Carried revolvers all the way through early April. Then, fearing I might forget how, I went back to my SIG220. It took a little bit of focus to get used to the DA/SA thing again. One match I really had my head up my butt and couldn't stop over stroking the trigger every time things got difficult. Did some practice and I got back to normal.

The problem was, that damn wheel gun was on my mind. Looking back on some videos I took, I was amazed at how fast and smooth I was with the trigger. There was no starting and stopping, you either pull the trigger fast to go fast or slow to go slow. My accuracy with 38s was hard to believe sometimes even when going as fast as I could. It just jives with me.

As a result, I am presently saving for a SIG 226 DAK 9mm (I think I remember Scott saying it was OK to buy new SIGs now...). Should have it in about a month or so. This will allow me to transition much easier between Revos and the auto. If my 220 wasn't so old I'd have it converted to DAK. Also planning on sending the Old K Frame in for an overhaul. She is a little rough around the edges and needs a couple tweeks.

I guess my point is that I learned a lot about trigger control and what works best with my brain. This fall I'm gonna be hitting the local matches and hopefully kickin some ass with my Hi Cap wheel gun.

[Devereaux]

DAK's are cool. I have one in .357 Sig with a .40 barrel.

Kellerman really knew what he was doing. I am generally not a DA fan, but that DAK is not only easy to shoot but fun too. You will like it.