Revolver learning curve, can it make you a better pistol shooter.

[flux]

I have been toying with the idea of getting a Ruger LCR solely for BUG carry. My question relates to the training side of things. Can shooting one of the smaller revolvers make you a better pistol shooter or does it increase probability of flinching etc.

[mtnbkr]

I have been toying with the idea of getting a Ruger LCR solely for BUG carry. My question relates to the training side of things. Can shooting one of the smaller revolvers make you a better pistol shooter or does it increase probability of flinching etc.

I think it helps. I carry either an LCR 38 or Glock 48 (depending on how I'm dressed and what I'm doing). I feel like getting better (not claiming I'm "good") with the little gun benefits the G48 and others because of the increased trigger control. The little guns just don't tolerate poor technique.

Chris

[RJ]

I got some good input on revolver Dry Practice here:

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?34218-Efficacy-of-Revolver-Dry-Practice-for-Pistol-Shooting

I really enjoy my LCR .38. It’s one of the best gun buying decisions I’ve ever made.

[awp_101]

A better pistol shooter? Maybe.

A more stylish one? Absolutely...

[jetfire]

I have been toying with the idea of getting a Ruger LCR solely for BUG carry. My question relates to the training side of things. Can shooting one of the smaller revolvers make you a better pistol shooter or does it increase probability of flinching etc.

"Better" isn't the word I'd use, I'd go with "thoughtful." Shooting a lot of revolvers and doing a lot of revolver dry fire makes you very mindful of your trigger press. Once you can master a DA trigger, transitioning to any other type of trigger is relatively easy, because you'll find that you can devote less time to observing your trigger press with a striker fired gun.

[daved20319]

Don't know about smaller revolvers, the only one I currently own is an N-frame S&W 625-6. But I find shooting a revolver well is a LOT more work than shooting a pistol, and the mechanics are enough different that I don't feel like there's much carryover. Obviously, YMMV, but in my case, I'm finding revolvers to be a totally different critter from pistols, different grip, different trigger pull, and different sight picture. That said, I tend to shoot the revolver better than the pistols, but that may be due to extra attention being paid to a less familiar platform. Of course, it may also be that it's inherently more accurate, but I need more time behind the trigger to make that determination. Regardless, it's a fun alternative to the pistols. Later.

Dave

[AzShooter]

I shoot thousands of rounds of .38 out of my S&W old Model 10. It helps me learn trigger control. Staying on target through the entire shot. Keeping my eye on the front sight and letting it move in a circle onto the black. I've been doing this for 50 years.

It sure helps my pistol shooting. When I do go to the automatics, be it .22s or 45s I feel more comfortable knowing that the shot will break faster and my control is a little better.

My scores with the revolver are actually a few points higher than the autos because that is what I'm more comfortable shooting. My carry gun is the Model 10. It has never failed me where I've had a few jams in the autos that could have killed me.

[BN]

We have in the past, left a Model 10 sit on top of the dresser with no ammo nearby. My wife and I could pick it up and dry fire DA for a few seconds or minutes. Helped our trigger control.


<<<< It's that one. :)

[DDTSGM]

I was working during the police transition from DA revolvers to DA/SA pistols (before Glocks).

Good revolver shooters in general quickly became good DA/SA pistol shooters; some struggling revolver shooters became better shooters with the DA/SA, others still struggled.

I've always felt that mastery or competency with a DA revolver will give you a leg up on learning to shoot any other type of pistol. Obviously if you are competent with the DA revolver you have the requisite grip strength to shoot the DA/SA, DAO, or SA pistols effectively.

I've never experienced taking a highly proficient SA shooter through the process of transitioning to a DA wheel gun, might be interesting.

[Poconnor]

The first new handgun I bought when I turned 21 was a S&W model 17 and a 5000 rd case of .22LR. It was a great investment. I wish I had known about a model 18 then. I think a revolver is great training for all handgun shooting. If you plan on dry firing a lot I would get a S&W model 15.

[Pol]

I have been toying with the idea of getting a Ruger LCR solely for BUG carry. My question relates to the training side of things. Can shooting one of the smaller revolvers make you a better pistol shooter or does it increase probability of flinching etc.

If you stick to light loads it probably would. A hand exerciser helps too - lot cheaper than an LCR and you can use it in the office or car.

[BrassSlapper]

I think if you start shooting revolvers without any other experience, you'll be more accustomed to snap and recoil.

[JAH 3rd]

My first handgun was a S&W model 19 2.5" barrel. This was my first introduction to shooting of any kind. For me, there were several things going on at the same time. They were sight picture, trigger control, and anticipation of discharge/recoil. With lots of practice over the years, I actually enjoyed, anticipated the next shooting session. The way I kept a stable sight picture was to concentrate on the sight/target with the intensity where that was my overwhelming focus. In other words, my attention stayed on sight picture, not bouncing back and forth from trigger pull and recoil. It took practice to achieve this focus.

The longer the trigger pull, the more opportunity there is for sight picture disruption. Same way with a pistol with a heavy trigger pull. I think the reason folks like to take down trigger pull weight to the last ounce of reliability......ultimately less sight picture upset.

So settle on your platform and practice frequently. You will be rewarded with increased confidence and proficiency with your firearm.

[SeriousStudent]

I would say yes. A few years back, I broke bones in my right hand and wrist. I spent a lot of time running a G19 left handed, nearly 7 months.

I also had a great of time to think while healing. I posed your exact question to Wayne Dobbs and Darryl Bolke. So as part of the recovery, I spent a year running a 686. Carried it IWB, and shot it in all the classes I took. (That got some looks, the old fossil shooting a wheelgun at the end of the firing line).

But 14,000 rounds and a year later, triggers are a lot easier to manipulate. It also made my eventual switch to Beretta 92-ish guns very simple.

I did have to send that 686 back to S&W for some warranty work, however. I was actually kind of proud of that, in a weird sort of way.