Revolver ID?

[Lang]

David,

I am sure you are a fine marksman (I will up my free shot bet to you to $101) but these weapons were made to be used by everyone. Having seen around 500 people in the same controlled circumstances learning to use them my comments are unchanged. I am sure the average Canadian 20 year old is no better natural marksman than an Australian, Zulu or Mongolian 20 year old.

The average soldier gets maybe 15 rounds to learn the weapon and probably never sees one fired again in service. Those whose job has pistols as a possible part of their combat equipment get one or two days a year on the pistol range (unless they are training for or actually on deployment).

Add to this the fact you are not firing at a motionless bit of cardboard, there is all the excitement, fear, colour and movement which goes with using a pistol in action, I reckon there would have been hundreds of thousands-millions?- of "aimed" rounds coming from S&W (and any other make) pistol that arrived anywhere but the intended target.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Lang

The average soldier gets maybe 15 rounds to learn the weapon and probably never sees one fired again in service. Those whose job has pistols as a possible part of their combat equipment get one or two days a year on the pistol range (unless they are training for or actually on deployment).

Obviously the Aus and Canadian armies think alike. For many years I didn't have to fire unless I wanted. Nowadays, my trade is a noncombat inside work support trade (not saying too much on the internet). My annual qual is about 60 rds on a very manageable course of fire. Unless I get a bad rifle, I invariably fire the highest possible score. Last year I fired rifle and pistol quals, and had top score in both. (Some of Blackie's genes are carried through the greatgrandparent's line.) Before this last deployment, the course of fire included firing with a gas mask at 100yds, standing to kneeling snaps, and a 200 to 100 run down. The outside the wire trades have two more qual levels including nights, positions, fire and movement.

[malcolm erik bogaert]

just had a thought how about an international pistol/rifle competition for members with the different countries fielding a team!winning team gets MLU cup....dont fancy my chances against chap who can hit a running dear with an old 7mm Ive used the 308 remington on red dear and fallow...once whilst on a shoot i discovered some mags of 7.62 AP in the vehicle...ranger asked me to demonstrate them on an old stone wall with the SLR...I have to tell you there is now no stone wall who would fund the competition I dont know!make a good holiday with like minded chaps malcolm

[maple_leaf_eh]

In the extremely small-world department, the Hammond Barn and the now-soot stained Chez Marie restaurant are perhaps 15 minutes drive from my shooting range. The Eastern Ontario Handgun Club has very satisfactory facilities. The range has hosted provincial championships for practical pistol, and three or four times a year, we shoot surplus miitary rifles for fun and bragging rights.

It would of course only be appropriate that every contingent uses its national WWII rifle. I'm sure amongst my friends we can find a sufficient Springfields, Enfields, Garands, French bolt actions, No.1 and No.4 Lee Enfields, German or Swedish Mausers, and Canadian Rosses.

Extra ego points for wearing period costume.

[malcolm erik bogaert]

Thats it arranged then...and to make it a little bit more interesting...contestents have to parachute into the Hammond barn area with the required weapon! let me know when you want it and Ill ask the MOD if such an exercise can be arranged...any sponsorship monies can be forwarded to Combat Stress/Help for Hero's/SSAFA or British Legion...best regards malcolm