Posted on 06/07/2016 7:11:11 AM PDT by w1n1
We all love shooting handguns, but there are some that just don't know how to hold a small handgun. A video from EatalltheBirds addresses the problems, here's an excerpt from it:
The video starts out showing you what can happen if your hand is in front of a revolver cylinder and frame gap. Hot gases and even shaved bullet material can cause quite an injury. A piece of paper and a hot dog are stand ins for fingers in this gun safety test.
For semi-automatic pistols, the slide moves rapidly to the rear. If a thumb is in the way, you will certainly be hurting. Once again, a hot dog fills in the role of a badly placed thumb. See the video here.
Were they over sized? Or could it have been a cylinder with way too much end-shake in it?
I’ve only got one revolver where this isn’t a problem at all. It’s a gas-seal Nagant. But that sucker has a trigger pull on it that won’t even measure on my pull gauge. :0)
Somehow I knew I’d see that picture if I clicked on this thread. I must be psychic.
There’s a YouTube video...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDnEkFSMRik
Also when shooting with a revolver braced against a barricade, the gases and debris from the cylinder gap can be directed back towards your face.
More difficult with a smashed thumb on the slide operating hand.
True.
My guess is they were or really soft. I mentioned he should have a smith take a look at the indexing, possibly polish/bevel the forcing cone, etc. if he was going to shoot cast exclusively.
Was a S&W 686. Never had that experience before or since.
I have one in 8 3/8” that shoots perfectly.
I have a number of Magna-port guns and always try to go “down to the end” of the firing line away from people to be considerate.
If I ever think about buying a used revolver (or a new one for that matter). I check the end shake with a feeler gauge and I will carry a range rod of that caliber with me and check every indexed position.
There are a lot of other things I check to, but those two are the first.
The M1 thumb is another one you only have to experience one time.
When I was in police academy, we were issued stainless S-R Security Sixes in .357. The staff were ‘gigging’ cadets for discoloration of the cylinder face, saying that it was indicative of lead build-up.. That would cost you your bi-weekly leave. (We forbidden to even leave the building without permission).
In response, the cadets got creative in removing said discoloration, which is a natural result of firing and not necessarily the result of lead build-up. Flitz and other polishes, wire brushes and emery paper entered the weapon maintenance toolkit. Soon, most of the revolvers had gaps between the cylinders and the forcing cones that you could slip a couple of playing cards through. Of course, the weapons were at that point ruined.
We did however get some awesome photos of shooters silhouetted by the huge circular blossom of fire emanating from their revolvers. Pretty.
I had impure thoughts about Chloe. Just a little crazy...
Pick one or the other and aim it, lady.
“Self correcting” indeed.
It is like Garand Thumb. After you do it once or twice (especially if those two incidents happen close together) you resolve to do whatever it takes not to do it again.
LOL, I posted without seeing your post. Think of the anguish you feel when you REALLY give your thumb a good smash with a hammer.
Then think about how it feels if you do it again a few hammer-blows later.
The level of anguish doesn’t double, it goes up exponentially the second time.
Back in the '60s my younger brother (15) and I were out shooting in the woods, near dusk. He had a habit of laying the handgun across his left forearm "for support" when shooting. I told him that was a big no-no with revolvers.
We were shooting an old Starr single action cap and ball revolver. Luckily, he didn't use his "support" method but held it in the normal fashion - and fired a shot. The forest lit up as adjacent rounds fired due to the flashback you mentioned. His eyes were as big as saucers and the lesson sunk in. (Big brother wasn't as dumb as he looked.)
LOL... because everyone knows protecting the family jewels is more important that anything else. :-)
Good job,Bro.
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