Three Firearms days?

by Jon Math 3/27/2018, 12:32 pm

Back when three firearms were the norm, what were the models and calibers the majority of shooters were using for the centerfire course of fire? I’d imagine the K-38’s and the M52’s had good followings.

by Tim:H11 3/27/2018, 1:21 pm

I’ve been told “back in the day” Revolvers were quite popular. Colts and Smith’s.

by Jon Math 3/27/2018, 1:37 pm

Congratulations on the 2600 club!!

by Chris Miceli 3/27/2018, 2:06 pm

im sure lots of 1911 38spcls were out there at one time

by Jon Math 3/27/2018, 2:16 pm

Chris Miceli wrote:im sure lots of 1911 38spcls were out there at one time

Those must have been interesting pistols. I’d assume the OD of their barrels would be the same as a .45 giving them a heavy wall and accompanying muzzle heaviness.

by LenV 3/27/2018, 2:44 pm

In the 70's I shot a model 41, model 52 and a 1911 WC. That is after I made Master. Before making Master I shot a model 41, 1911 hardball (real hardball) and a 1911 hardball. We couldn't play with the fun guns till we could handle the hardball. But at least all the ammo was free Smile

Len

by fc60 3/27/2018, 3:21 pm

Jon Math wrote:
Chris Miceli wrote:im sure lots of 1911 38spcls were out there at one time

Those must have been interesting pistols. I’d assume the OD of their barrels would be the same as a .45 giving them a heavy wall and accompanying muzzle heaviness.

Greetings,

The 38 conversions used both 0.500" and 0.580" diameter barrels. Colt made 38 Kit Barrels and slides back in the early 1960's. I have seen genuine Kit barrels of both dimensions.

A lot of the conversions used sleeved-chamber 38 Super barrels. Most 38 Supers at that time were 0.500" diameter.

Cheers,

Dave

by Jon Math 3/27/2018, 3:25 pm

Thanks!!

by Jon Eulette 3/27/2018, 3:33 pm

I’ve never seen two piece 38 spl barrel bigger than .540ish on older conversions. I have a kit gun with custom soldered bushing by Clark in 1966. Have seen .500 barrels. A 1990’s Aikman 38 spl used diameter smaller than .580 as well. Was the .580 a late model barrel Dave?
I have a kit gun barrel that is one piece that I will have to measure but think it is smaller than .580
Jon

by Guest 3/28/2018, 6:59 am

when I started shooting Bullseye in the early 1980's, I used the only 3 handguns I owned. A .22 Colt single action army, a double action S&W .38, And a .45 long Colt single action army.

I believe I was the worse sustained fire shot on the whole firing line for the first year. And that was back when a 2700 would have maybe 40 shooters.

I eventually found the money for a Model 41, and a Gold Cup in .45, and worked my way to high Expert scores.
Then I stopped shooting for 30 years.

Now (at 77) I am working at getting a Marksman card with a K.C built, Foster / Nelson conversion, and a Steve Woods Sp. Armory Wad Gun.

Expert scores seem more like a hope now, then a goal, but we will see.

by **Wobbley** 3/28/2018, 10:02 am

arnold jim wrote:when I started shooting Bullseye in the early 1980's, I used the only 3 handguns I owned. A .22 Colt single action army, a double action S&W .38, And a .45 long Colt single action army.

I believe I was the worse sustained fire shot on the whole firing line for the first year. And that was back when a 2700 would have maybe 40 shooters.

Expert scores seem more like a hope now, then a goal, but we will see.

You must have been the last one to be ready during sustained fire.

If you work at it you should be able to get to expert level with at least the 22. But go out and have some fun. You’ve earned it.

by fc60 3/28/2018, 12:04 pm

Greetings Jon,

The original Colt 38 Special Kit barrels came with a 0.580" diameter. I had one and sold it. It was in the original Colt package with part number.

Earlier Colt 38 Special Kit barrels were 0.500" diameter.

The very first Colt Kit barrels were 38 AMU. This is what Clark used for his later conversions. They were 0.500" diameter.

I had one 38 Kit barrel, 0.580" diameter, that had a spherical end on the barrel, like an S&W M52. Cannot recall if it was a Colt or S&W manufacture.

Jim Clark and Gil Hebard contracted with Colt to make 38 and 45 Kit barrels and slides in the 1960's.

The National Match NM7791435 slide evolved from the 45 Kit program.

I have owned Colt slides marked 38 AMU, 38 Special Kit, and 45 Kit. Not being too smart, I have sold all of them.

Cheers,

Dave

by Jon Math 3/28/2018, 2:59 pm

awesome info,
Thanks!!

by Jack H 3/28/2018, 3:43 pm

Starting in 1969 I shot High Standard, Colt OMM 38 revolver, Gold Cup.

by Jon Math 3/29/2018, 9:25 am

I can see that as being a very popular combination in that time frame. I still see a lot of High Standards being used in my local gallery league. Most Colt revolvers have been replaced with Smiths but there are plenty of them still in use too. For some reason almost everyone I ask has a Gold Cup 1911 in their safe but not a lot of them are being used anymore.

by **Wobbley** 3/29/2018, 12:30 pm

The Gold Cup wasn’t really accurate enough to be competitive much beyond sharpshooter.

by Jon Math 3/29/2018, 12:50 pm

That’s good to know. I very nearly pulled the trigger (so to speak) on one before getting a SA Range Officer.

by Jack H 3/29/2018, 11:03 pm

Wobbley wrote:The Gold Cup wasn’t really accurate enough to be competitive much beyond sharpshooter.

I don't think mine I have now is so bad. A 1963 made Gold Cup completely stock. A fairly round seven shot 50yd Ransom group measures 1 3/4" at the extreme c-c using Winchester yellow box factory.

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