WW1/WW2 Military revolver forum match

[Wobbley]

A while ago, a former member posited an idea of a friendly competition to see how well these old revolvers from WW1 & WW2 would perform.  I’m trying to decide the format for this and interest in participating.  So this is a call for interest…and ideas on what course of fire, etc.

My starting point is roughly:

Course of fire — the Camp Perry Course (10 shots slow, 10 shots Timed, 10 shots Rapid) at 25 yards one handed…DA or SA?

Guns authorized: 

455 Webley (all marks), S&W and Colts in 455 and 45 ACP (M1917), Webley, Enfield, S&W Victory in 38 S&W, S&W Victory in 38 Special.  
( I am sort of open to S&W 25 in 45 ACP or 45 Colt or “ Modern” M10 S&W 38s but I’m hesitant to include because it might be “gaming” the match intent. What say you guys???) 

This is just for fun and to break up the monotony of a reduced effort in the “off season”.  

Note that nothing more is on the other than bragging rights. Post your results on the thread? 


What say you guys??

[LenV]

Is using my 1918 (yr) P-08 gaming the system. Never mind. I have an old 25-2 derelict revolver I can use. It barely holds the 10 ring at 50yds. The match dot ll really helps. Hmm probably still gaming the rules. The oldest I have (without dots) are a 17 no dash and a 34-2. Both 22s of course. How about my Ruger Bisley? I think it would conform to the intent of this challenge. 

[james r chapman]

Irons only? After all, WWI and WWII.

[Jack H]

 

These two would be good examples.


How about vintage snubbies?

[Wobbley]

So long as it is fixed sights, I have no opjection.

[WesG]

If I could figure out what caliber this old Husqvarna is. 32'ish ... cylinder bored straight thru for external lubed bullets.

Seems like way too much work ... figure out a case, a custom mold, custom dies ...

Only other 'service' revolver with fixed sights is a Colt Commemorative... too fancy to take out of the case.

[LenV]

I have a 22mag derringer with fixed sights and my WW1 Luger. Also way to nice to remove from it's display case. How about I use my Bisley and don't touch the sights? Yes, it's been sighted in for 30 or 40 years. But my grip might of changed. I'm sure my eyes did. 

[WesG]

If we're gonna promise not to adjust sights...

Not remotely a service revolver, 41 Mag Redhawk. Bought new, 12 rds thru it, likely never touched the sight. But that leaves only 28 rds in the 2 boxes of 20. Ahhh, I'd probably shoot more than 2 misses anyway.

Another that needs to go. Interest?

[LenV]

I can always send you a couple of 41 mag. I have lots and lots of them.  . 

[WesG]

Turns out I'd bought 5 boxes ... a full hundred rds... whoa.

[scheibenpistole]

There used to be a “Classic Pistol” event at the UK Nationals held at Bisley, until the “big ban” in the 90s.

They fired the International course of fire at 25 Meters using the 50 Meter free pistol target.
The rules were pretty simple as far as guns go.
Guns could be any service pistol or revolver used by any nation that fought in WWI. 
Guns had to be genuine originals made up to or before Armistice Day.  (So, a “1911” was OK but a “1911a1” was not.)
The gun had to be unmodified excepting for the replacement of broken parts.
I don’t think that they allowed commercial target versions of service arms, regardless of when they were made.

Some of the favorite guns were Artillery Lugers and Webley-Fosbery “automatic revolvers”.  But, any good .455 was well liked (Webleys, Smith & Wessons, Colts, etc.).  Besides original 1911s, Norwegian 1918s in “11.25mm” (45 acp, haha!) were popular, as they were considerably less expensive.
The Colt New Service was especially coveted.

Part of the appeal was the serious discussions and trading that went with the match.  The strict nature of the rules helped bring out some really nice shootin’ irons and very knowlegeable folks!

For your proposal, I would be disinclined to include any target sighted post-war models (ie: S&W 25). Possibly consider post-war service revolvers, such as the S&W post-war transitional .45 Military revolver (aka: 1917) or similar .38 M&P.  Maybe include the taper barrel model 10 as a suitable “entry level” piece?

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