Are revolvers used in Bullseye matches?

I recently searched YouTube for, "Bullseye pistols."
A result pictured a revolver.

Are revolvers now used in Bullseye matches?

I still see a few revolvers used in the centerfire portion of matches.

AllAces wrote:I still see a few revolvers used in the centerfire portion of matches.

Did you happen to notice:
Make,
Model,
Caliber?

I shoot my S&W 14-5 (full lug) .38 Special in CF every once in a while.  I think the 14 series S&W is one of the more popular CF revolvers used in BE.
- Dave

I've shot a M17-2 for .22 a M14-1 and -3 for centerfire and I have 2 M25-2s for .45 but I havent figure out an accurate 50 yard load for the .45. When I do I will definitely shoot some all revolver matches.

 orpheoet Today at 3:50 am

I've shot a M17-2 for .22 a M14-1 and -3 for centerfire and I have 2 M25-2s for .45 but I havent figure out an accurate 50 yard load for the .45. When I do I will definitely shoot some all revolver matches.

All I've been able to find are:

Smith & Wesson Model 617 - K-22 Masterpiece, 22LR, 6" barrel, CAPACITY: 10, $763.85 
and
Smith & Wesson Model 67 - Combat Masterpiece, 38SP, 4" barrel, CAPACITY: 6, Target Hammer, Smooth Target Trigger, Drilled & Tapped, $687.35

A guy i shoot with in northern VA has shot atleast one 2600+ score will all revolvers.

There were basically two manufactures people chose from back when revolvers were a prominent choice for their center fire gun in a 2700 match. Colt or Smith and Wesson (S&W).

Colt made the Diamond Back available in .22LR and 38 Special (not to leave out .22WMR), the Python in .357 Magnum, the Trooper in .22LR, 38 Special and 357 Magnum, and the Official Police which gave birth to ever so popular Officers Model Match. They made many more but these gun would have been suitable for target shooting being in the right caliber of choice and having adjustable sights. 

Colt had an excellent single action feeling trigger second to none but there was something to be desired in it's double action. However, if you were a "cock on recoil" kind of person and didn't need nor cared for the double action kind of shooting then a Colt was a fine choice. 

The cylinder had a positive lock up when fired. When the trigger was forward and the hammer was down, or if the trigger was forward or back back and hammer was back then the cylinder had some wiggle room side to side. But when the hammer was down and the trigger was back in the "fired" position the cylinder was locked in solid as if it were part of the frame. Something Colt fans claim the Colt revolver accuracy is part due to that. 

Smith and Wesson (S&W) made several different models capable of firing the 38 Special cartridge and at the same time having adjustable sights. Probably more than Colt in the long run. 

The model 17, 16, and 14 were target revolvers made by S&W for the purpose of informal or competitive target shooting. they were chambered in .22LR, .32S&W Long, and .38 Special respectively. These would have been choices for rimfire or centerfire guns. The model 19 was more built for law enforcement being of the .357 Magnum chambering but with a six in barrel would also be capable of target shooting coming with an adjustable rear sight from the factory. That means the 586 could be considered also. A .357 Magnum with an under lug. 

There are many Smith and Wesson variations - a whole slew of model names being the same guns as above but in stainless steel and many barrel length options. Above are all blued guns. 

Smith and Wesson had a very good single action trigger and a better double action feeling trigger than the Colt revolvers making the S&W more popular to shooters not interested in formal competitive events. A competitive shooter would chose either one on his or her own views or opinions and preferences and still more than likely have a professional gun smith give the gun a tune up. 

Smith and Wesson revolvers didn't have the positive lock up like the Colt revolvers did. If the cylinder had a little wiggle room then it would no mater the firearms condition, that is to say cocked or fired or at rest. 

Today many choose Smith and Wesson over the Colt primarily based on the fact that spare parts are much easier to find for the Smith and Wesson revolvers not to leave out that many of the Smith and Wesson revolvers are still in production. Colt revolvers are more reserved for collectors these days but you still from time to time see them on the firing line. 

Of the two manufactures the big choices for a center fire revolver were either a Colt Officers Model Match or a Smith and Wesson Model 14 or what used to be called the K-38 Target Masterpiece Revolver. These were the primary choices serious revolver shooters chose from back in the hay day. They are still considered today. I for example shoot a S&W M14-3 in NRA Distinguished Revolver matches. Many here on this forum have one. Some have the Colt. Ask around and you will see who has what and why.

For a good revolver for sale ask here in the classifieds and search gunbroker.

I shot a 2700 with 3 S&W open sight revolvers a couple years ago. A M-17, M-14, M-625. I plan to do it again next year.

.22 LR   Eley Club (orange box)
.38 Special   Zero 158 grain LSWC, 2.8 grains of Bullseye, Starline brass, WW primer.
.45 ACP   Zero 185 LSWCHP, 4 grains of Bullseye, Starline brass, WW primer. 

I didn't shoot all that well, but it was lots of fun................

In the 70's  i used a S&W M28  6" in center fire for fun.

  Its a handicap with loading between strings. 

 Filling 5 holes takes longer than putting a clip in the autos. 

    Is the line loaded?    "Not Loaded"  lol.

HKS speed loaders help to relieve the hustle of loading, you just have to remember where to put the empty hole.  I'm also in the habit of pulling the hammer back slightly & spinning the cylinder....you don't want to find a high primer in the middle of the string.

STEVE SAMELAK wrote:HKS speed loaders help to relieve the hustle of loading, you just have to remember where to put the empty hole.  I'm also in the habit of pulling the hammer back slightly & spinning the cylinder....you don't want to find a high primer in the middle of the string.

You can reload with a speed loader as fast as with a magazine. I used to practice when I was working my way through college as an armed security guard. I miss that S&W .38 spl guard standard pistol.

Speedloaders have been around for a long time!
Use them! Borrow a couple from your PPC bretheran

I think the colt performed better only because the barrel twist rate was faster than the S&W.  speed loader? moonclips why? i just say not ready and take my sweet time.

The forcing cone on the Colts was also better than the Smith.  

For the OP, you have roughly 10 choices for revolver shooting.  

45 caliber is easy, the Smith & Wesson model 25-2.  Only 45 ACP revolver worth considering.

For centerfire you have the Colt Diamondback, Colt Python and Colt Officers Model Match.  These shoot very well but suffer from rather indifferent sights.  Then there are the Smith & Wessons model 14, 19, 586, 686, 27 & 28.  All these are in either 38 Special or 357.  The Colts are rapidly becoming collector items but good shooting examples are found.  For any revolver 6 inch barrels are preferred.  Some shoot centerfire with the S&W model 16 in 32 S&W Long.  These are much more rare.  

For 22s you have the Colt Diamondback Colt officers Modtel and the Smith &Wesson model 17.  The Colts arenow a collectors items.  

Most shooting revolvers tend to shoot all Smiths because of availability and they have common trigger feel.

The 16-4 May be comparable in price to a Pardini, not sure about the accuracy.  But if wheelguns are your thing it won’t hurt to try.  Don’t forget you have 1/3 of your score is at 50 yards.  32s can struggle at 50 as do some 38s shooting wadcutter ammo.

The Colt Python was also produced in .38 Special (if you can find one).  

The Smith and Wesson Model 16-4 can be very accurate and the .32 H&R Mag chamber provides a lot of bullet / load options, with the Long or Mag cases, including some jacketed ones that will punch out very small groups at 50 yards. 

The best option for .45 revolver is a pre-Model 25 or Model 25 .45 ACP, Model of 1955 version.  The rifling was a little shallower on the Model of 1950 versions. Some of the earlier examples may have oversize cylinder throats, so check them out first. About any lead or jacketed bullseye load, with sufficient crimp, produced some excellent groups in the examples I have used.

Don't forget the Model 27 in .357 Mag either.  A lot of those were hand fitted and are capable of excellent accuracy with .38 Special loads or light loads in .357 Mag cases.

Best of the currently available S&W's to look for at somewhat "reasonable prices" are the full lug, blue versions from the 1980's and 1990's Model 17 (.22) and the Model 14 (.38 Special).  Full lug Model 16-4's are becoming very rare and commanding much higher prices than just a few years ago.  

Model 25, Model of 1955, versions are somewhat scare but I do see them at gun shows every few years, most in pretty good condition.  Try to find a 6 inch rather than the 6.5 inch version.

Good luck.

CR

"Try to find a 6 inch rather than the 6.5 inch version."


Why?

Jack H wrote:"Try to find a 6 inch rather than the 6.5 inch version."


Why?

Because you have a much better chance of getting a gun with correct size cylinder throats.

Don

I believe there is a forum member that shot revolvers. Lee may be his last name.  His user name is rvlrvr of something similar.  I think I remember reading one of his post referencing that he made Master shooting them.

USSR wrote:

Jack H wrote:"Try to find a 6 inch rather than the 6.5 inch version."


Why?

Because you have a much better chance of getting a gun with correct size cylinder throats.

Don

How much do you think big throats degrade accuracy

Not as much as people think.  Handloader magazine did a pet loads piece about the 45 auto rim.  One of the revolvers had .454 throats.