Funky Custom Revolver?

by Jon Math Wed Mar 14, 2018 1:50 pm

I’ve been seeing more than a few old revolvers lately. They usually have the trigger’s polished smooth. The shop owner tells me that was a semi-common modification among double action shooters. A few even had the hammers bobbed so there was no doubt that they were only going to be fired in double action.

Was there an action type shooting sport that utilized DA revolvers? These are heavily modified, frequently having full length BOMAR type sight ribs, heavy weight slab sided barrels, bobbed hammers, and I’d assume some internal work as most are silk smooth. None have orthopedic grips, all have evidence of the grips having modified for speed loaders with either wood or rubber removed. Since I started noticing .38 seems to be the only caliber I’ve seen too.

They seem to be orphans, at least locally, and for an average price of under 400 bucks they are a lot of revolver. I’d imagine in their day the barrel and rib might have been that kind of money alone. I’m sure these have been too modified for use in a distinguished revolver shoot, but could they be used as a centerfire choice? Or should they just be left where they are?

by Chris Miceli Wed Mar 14, 2018 1:52 pm

distinguished revolver must remain mostly stock it is covered in the nra rule book. as for NRA centerfire and harry reeves match gun nuts =]

by STEVE SAMELAK Wed Mar 14, 2018 2:18 pm

What game goes by the initials PPC?

by SonOfAGun Wed Mar 14, 2018 2:32 pm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precision_pistol_competition

by dronning Wed Mar 14, 2018 2:34 pm

STEVE SAMELAK wrote:What game goes by the initials PPC?

Police Pistol Combat
http://www.cpaf.org/5/users/cpaf/documents/rules/Pistol%20PPC.pdf
-Dave

by Jon Math Wed Mar 14, 2018 2:39 pm

That sounds like what I’m seeing. These revolvers might be fine shooters but practical they would never be mistaken for. Sounds like the sport is still around, but revolver users have transitioned to pistols.

by STEVE SAMELAK Wed Mar 14, 2018 2:45 pm

Revolver is just one of the classes in PPC and I know quite a few shooters who engage in it.

by james r chapman Wed Mar 14, 2018 3:31 pm

Back in the 70's it was known as Police Revolver.
No semi autos were allowed
Their distinguished was the same as NRA Bullseye revolver but shot on the B27 target.
60 rds, handed to you.

by Jon Math Thu Mar 15, 2018 9:49 am

james r chapman wrote:Back in the 70's it was known as Police Revolver.
No semi autos were allowed
Their distinguished was the same as NRA Bullseye revolver but shot on the B27 target.
60 rds, handed to you.

So a shooter had no idea what kind of ammo they would be shooting at any given match? Or they just did not want any hand loaded pet loads? It must have been tough knowing where to hold if one match they gave you 155grain FMJ rounds and the next you were getting 200 grain jacketed hollow points.

by STEVE SAMELAK Thu Mar 15, 2018 11:00 am

How did you get your ball ammo in the good old days, when men were men & so were the women?

by Slartybartfast Thu Mar 15, 2018 12:57 pm

Here's another case where my idea of the "perfect" firearms resource would be handy.
All types of competition and associations in a database with the courses of fire and equipment requirements.
Put in the specs of your firearm and get back a list of competitions is could be used in and who to contact (even link to website showing upcoming competitions).

by Chris Miceli Thu Mar 15, 2018 1:08 pm

Slartybartfast wrote:Here's another case where my idea of the "perfect" firearms resource would be handy.
All types of competition and associations in a database with the courses of fire and equipment requirements.
Put in the specs of your firearm and get back a list of competitions is could be used in and who to contact (even link to website showing upcoming competitions).

If you build it, they will come

by Slartybartfast Thu Mar 15, 2018 1:37 pm

Chris Miceli wrote:
Slartybartfast wrote:Here's another case where my idea of the "perfect" firearms resource would be handy.
All types of competition and associations in a database with the courses of fire and equipment requirements.
Put in the specs of your firearm and get back a list of competitions is could be used in and who to contact (even link to website showing upcoming competitions).
If you build it, they will come

Unfortunately my professional skills and knowledge are from the user and usability side and not the behind the scenes technical programming side.
I risk just being another, well meaning but sad, amateur attempt at website creation.

by cdrt Thu Mar 15, 2018 1:57 pm

Jon Math wrote:
james r chapman wrote:Back in the 70's it was known as Police Revolver.
No semi autos were allowed
Their distinguished was the same as NRA Bullseye revolver but shot on the B27 target.
60 rds, handed to you.

So a shooter had no idea what kind of ammo they would be shooting at any given match? Or they just did not want any hand loaded pet loads? It must have been tough knowing where to hold if one match they gave you 155grain FMJ rounds and the next you were getting 200 grain jacketed hollow points.

Since it was .38 Special, we usually were given 148 grain wadcutter loads. I had a Smith Model 19 set up for double action. The trigger job was done by Bob Chow and it was very nice. Of course, the single action weight was around a half ounce. :-) The other purveyor of PPC pistols in the Bay Area was Cake Davis Company in Berkeley. They did the mod with the full length rib replacing the std sights.

by james r chapman Thu Mar 15, 2018 2:14 pm

Should have been 158 GR rn as specified by rule back then.
Just like BE was .
For distinguished

by Multiracer Thu Mar 15, 2018 3:04 pm

https://i.servimg.com/u/f62/19/64/86/35/3739310.jpg
https://i.servimg.com/u/f62/19/64/86/35/3739410.jpg

Want to purchase one ?
A fellow brought this into the range and shot it. All I have is his contact info and these photos, so interested parties please PM me for the details.
This was done by a good smith out of the Va area that has since passed.

by james r chapman Thu Mar 15, 2018 5:23 pm

Fred Schmidt, renowned for making the short cylinder .38 special PPC guns.
Fred passed away years ago and the late Jerry Keefer purchased most of his stuff.
Only real advantage was lighter cylinder for quicker rotation.
Interesting piece though.

by mpolans Thu Mar 15, 2018 7:09 pm

james r chapman wrote:Fred Schmidt, renowned for making the short cylinder .38 special PPC guns.
Fred passed away years ago and the late Jerry Keefer purchased most of his stuff.
Only real advantage was lighter cylinder for quicker rotation.
Interesting piece though.

Lighter cylinder means less mass (inertia to overcome), which would also mean smoother, lighter double action trigger pull.

by Axehandle Thu Mar 15, 2018 9:01 pm

Jim Collins' PPC gun and Phillip Hemphill's "Big Boy" hang in the NRA Museum in Fairfax, VA... Jim was the first, and only for many years, to fire a perfect 1500 out of 1500 in registered competition. Phillip is the two time Camp Perry National Champion you all recognize. He was PPC National Champion 10 times before bullseye..
Funky Custom Revolver? HGHUVhv

by james r chapman Thu Mar 15, 2018 9:48 pm

$Funky Custom Revolver? C:\Users\James R Chapman\Pictures\2014-11-04 My MOJO$ Funky Custom Revolver? My_moj10

What we shoot now. Taken while waiting for custom grips.
Jim Collins was our hero back in the day....

by Axehandle Thu Mar 15, 2018 11:22 pm

The PPC Style guns were very popular and winning NRA Action guns in the 80s and 90s. I had this one built in the mid 80s.
Funky Custom Revolver? J0yFWHI

by john bickar Fri Mar 16, 2018 1:00 am

Is PPC open to civilians? It sounds fun.

(Please don’t mention my interest in yet another shooting sport to Mrs. Bickar Laughing

)

by james r chapman Fri Mar 16, 2018 5:54 am

john bickar wrote:Is PPC open to civilians? It sounds fun.

(Please don’t mention my interest in yet another shooting sport to Mrs. Bickar )

John, in Michigan, it's the Michigan Police Combat Pistol Association, has had open competition for decades.
otherwise, it's also now known as the Civilian 1500 under NRA Action Pistol.

by Jon Math Fri Mar 16, 2018 1:08 pm

Multiracer wrote:
https://i.servimg.com/u/f62/19/64/86/35/3739310.jpg
https://i.servimg.com/u/f62/19/64/86/35/3739410.jpg

Want to purchase one ?
A fellow brought this into the range and shot it. All I have is his contact info and these photos, so interested parties please PM me for the details.
This was done by a good smith out of the Va area that has since passed.

Except for the short cylinder that is what I’ve been seeing come up for sale a handful of times in the past year. Most but not all have had the hammer bobbed like this one.

Between Bullseye, free pistol, air pistol and the odd trap shoot I’m all set with shooting sports for now.

Thanks to all for the education on what seems like an interesting type of shooting competition.

by Allgoodhits Fri Mar 16, 2018 9:31 pm

james r chapman wrote:Fred Schmidt, renowned for making the short cylinder .38 special PPC guns.
Fred passed away years ago and the late Jerry Keefer purchased most of his stuff.
Only real advantage was lighter cylinder for quicker rotation.
Interesting piece though.

What is more rare than that short cylinder Fred Schmidt PPC gun, is the Travis Strahan Mascot rib on it. Strahan had two versions on the rib. Mascot 1 and Mascot II. Both had unique windage and elevation adjustments. The front and rear sight were on the same plain That entire plain would raise or lower, or cant left or right. Who has this gun for sale?

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