This article first appeared in the 1987 issues of Muzzle Blasts.
Pistol Marksmanship
Robert J. Reiber
Georgia
Part I: An Introduction
There is nothing so disturbing, when shooting a hand gun, as missing the object one is aiming at. In contrast it is quite gratifying to hit the intended mark. This isn't just luck. It signifies an application of at least a few of the ba sic fundamentals of pistol marksmanship . The average shooter, the "plinker" or the novice will generally shy away from formal instruction. Both frequently remark that they're not interested in punching holes in paper or in becoming a target shooter. They do, however, express an inq!rest in hitting a distant silhouette, shooting at a squirrel, or puncturing a beer can at 25 yards. Too often, the plinker fails to realize that to accomplish these feats, with any degree of regularity, requires all the handgun fundamentals and skill that one can muster. To some, target shooting is regarded as a meaningless endeavor and of little practical application (So are a lot of other pastimes we engage in). The skills acquired in the so-called valueless activity, will enhance one's handgun ability, thus adding to the enjoyment of all phases of pis tol activity. Target shooting is not only a challenging sport, but it is relaxing as well. A short time at the range is excellent therapy fo_r unwinding after a few daysor a week of on-the-job harassment.
Handgunning is not only a rewarding sport, but one that can be tailored to meet one's desire or predilection. Paper punching is but one that may be extended to en compass handgun bunting, silhouette shooting, load and caliber experimentation or building your own speciality hardware. The extent to which one becomes involved can range from a limited to an extensive budget. Irrespective of the use made of pistoleering, a fair knowledge of basic marksmanship fundamentals will be a must before any degree of skill can be acquired. Quite often one will encounter those who are reluctant to start handgunning not for the reason of equipment cost or impracticality, but because there is the feeling they are not endowed with the required attributes for suc cess. I'm sure everyone has heard the saying, "born with the ability", or that those skilled in target shooting are " naturals" . Actually there can be nothing further from the truth, for in fact good shooters are "made" notborn. Skill is acquired by persistent practice. Other than the re quirements of normal muscular coordination, an intact nervous system and fair to good eyesight nothing else is required. Pistol shooting is no different than other sports - it is based upon development of motor skills along with the refinement of nerve coordination. Some may develop faster than others, but only because the desire to achieve is greater in some than in others. Be assured that the skills required for good pistol shooting are acquired by way of hard work and determination and not as an inherited at tribute. If one is a newcomer to this sport and unsure of what is best in the way of a shooting iron, a single shot percus sion caplock is a good base from which to start. This is the easiest of pistol types to master. Over the counter selection may be limited. Some examples are; theThomp son/Center "Patriot, The Lyman "Plains Pistol", The Dixie Gun Works "Tornado" target pistol, the Numrich Arms "Boot Pistol" or one of the many plow-handle Kentucky style models. In most cases the grip or the sights leave something to be desired.
One may select a revolver as the first choice. In this style handgun there is a relatively wide variety from which to make a choice. Most black powder shops carry a complete line of both Remington and Colt replicas. The Ruger "Old Army" is probably the best bet for it will re quire less in the way of tune-up and has better sights than any other over-the-counter revolver. However, don't sell the Remington or Rogers and Spencer replicas short. With proper sights and a tune-up these side-arms will per form along with the best. The various Colt replicas do not have the potential as target pistols. Although accu rate enough the sighting equipment leaves a lot to be de sired, barrel attachment is insecure, lacking the added rigidity of the top strapped frame of the Remington and disassembly for cleaning is cumbersome. If you'd like to try building your own and don't have the expertise to start from scratch one might turn to any of the many kits handled by such firms as Dixie Gun Works, Navy Arms, Euroarms of America, C.V.A., and others. The only other avenue open is to start from begin ning and build your own percussion caplock or straight pull incorporating your own design. There may be those among you who would like to start with a flint pistol. This course of action is not recommended. To be sure, the flintlock is a traditional ignition system and too often a first choice made by the beginner only to become a "wall hanger".
Learning to shoot the flint, with its many intricacies, can be intimidating and traumatic experience. If one is determined to follow this course then an over-the counter flint is the best course of action. There is only one custom flintlock pistol available as a target model. This is the "Yazel" Flint and is produced by Harold Yazel. A few years back Alex Blain of IO-Ring Precision, Inc., 1449 Blue Crest Lane, Santonio, TX 78232, also produced a quality target flint pistol. If one of these can be found it is also an excellent choice. Both of the above currently produce a fine custom straight pull single shot percussion in .45 cal.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Neither of these builders are still building. As of March, 2020, Matt McGraw of Indiana has been producing the Yazel Pistol.
Whatever the route taken, in the selection of a first tar get gun, select the best equipment you can afford. Qual ity products will most always operate flawlessly, thus insuring that the shooter will not be penalized by compo nents that fail to function or that perform poorly. Goo equipment that operates properly will go a long way to ward building shooter confidence in himself and his gun.
Before venturing to the range be sure that all accessori are at hand. A kit box of some sort is required to house tha paraphernalia which seems so essential to the muzzleloade Anyway, as any shooter can attest, the evolution of gadg accumulation is part of the fun associated with black powd shooting. Irrespective of what is dumped into the kit box b sure to have on hand those items that make the shooter sel sufficient while at the range. There is nothing so provokin as setting up on the firing line only to discover you've le powder, balls or some necessary accouterment at home. Put ting everything under one roof will go a long wayin avoidin this typeepisode. One major and most essential piece of equipment, tha will add pleasure to shooting, is a spotting scope. A scop will serve as a means of quickly and accurately determin ing shot placement. It will prove an indispensable aid t analyzing each shot or to quickly make sight adjustmen for misplaced groups. If you belong to the "Plinkin Set" and shoot by yourself in the back pasture or in rock quarry then you'll not need a scope for you can wal down range at leisure. This practice, however, can so become burdensome for a frequent walk of 25 yards wi soon add up to several hundred, to say nothing of lost time. When one is firing on a formal range, in company with other participants, shooters in general simply will not tolerate frequent cease fire commands for a walk forward to check shots. In such an instance spotting equipment is essential.
When considering the purchase of a spotting scope do not invest in an inexpensive draw-tube telescope just for the sake of economy. The magnification may be sufficient, but resolving power will be inadequate. Poor resolution results in an indistinct and hazy target picture Hand held binoculars may also be a poor substitute. The are difficult to hold still and are not generally designed for spotting holes out to 50 yards.
The recommended type optical equipment is the color corrected prismatic scope with a 40 to 60mm. objectivelens. A 20x eyepiece will be more than enough to spot shots out to 100 yards. Such equipment will find use o the rifle range as well. Avoid purchase of an ocular len of 40x or 60x power. This much magnification will prov to be useless on a warm day when a mirage is apt to be running or boiling. A 20 power ocular will be more than adequate. Any of the scopes produced by the better known manufacturers are excellent choices.
There are two items of equipment yet to be considered minor to be sure yet essential, and should be mandatory items as part of the kit box inventory; ear protectors an shooting glasses. All too often we fail to consider our special senses of hearing and sight until it's too late.
Thirty years ago most shooters used little in the way of ear protection other than cotton, rolled cleaning patched pencil erasers or empty .38 cal. hulls. Of recent year there have been many articles documenting the correlation between hearing loss and shooting. Ear muffs or earplugs have now become standard equipment for a trip the range. Yet, when paying the range a visit, one might be surprised at the number of shooters and spectators alike who do not avail themselves of some sort of ear protection. Without this aid aII will experience, to some de gree, the classic symptoms of noise trauma. This may be indicated as ringing of the ears, pain with report of a gun and even a degree of hearing loss for several hours following the shooting . This sort of hearing impairment may only be temporary. But, for the more sensitive ear this could result in far greater damage - even partial loss of hearing. Some of the sensory cells and their neural portions, in the inner ear, are physically damaged by sharp or intense vibrations that impinge on the external ear. Each encounter with such noise, without benefit of ear protection, results in the destruction of yet a few more auditory units.
This damage to hearing need not occur for there are several effective and simple means of ear sponge rubber perimeter and inner noise absorbing foam liner seem to be the most popular and are in reality the most effective protection. The muff covers the entire external ear thus creating an enclosed space around the entrance to the ear canal. The other device, soft plastic plugs effectively seal the ear canal and are the most convenient to use and the cheapest. When used in conjunction with muffs the protection offered is superb. A variation of the ear plug is the per sonalized soft rubber or plastic ear mold. This device when properly fitted, is very effective in preventing traumatizing noise from reaching the inner ear. There is another reason that justifies the wearing of ear protectors. Intense noise is painful and this pain, or its antici pation, will cause tenseness and the tendency to flinch or to jerkthe trigger. Reduction in the intensity of noise will alleviate these errors and proficiency will improve.
There is one safety measure that is most often overlooked by the shooter - eye protection. The use of shooting glasses, while on the firing line, is continually being urged by all quarters of the shooting fraternity. Still, many totally disregard the warning of what could happen to one or both eyes by a single ignition malfunction. The rifle shooter is probably more conscious of this problem. With a cheek against the stock the eye is not more than six inches from the lock. This is close enough to sustain eye injury from ruptured caps, flint fragments or gas escapes under high pressure. The pistol shooter, with gun extended at arm's length, doesn't face the same chance of injury. Yet, on the pistol line, one is frequently the recipient of ruptured cap or flint fragments on either the arm or face. Almost all revolvers spit lead or cap fragments from one or both sides of the cylinder. Seldom does one find a flint pistol that contains its flint fragments near the confines of the pan. Occasionally this flying debris is delivered with force enough to lacerate the skin. What about the eye?
Glasses fulfill at least three primary functions: protection of the eye against accidental injury from flying fragments, provide optical correction for seeing the sights clearly and for modification of light. What should one look for in the selection of glasses for shooting? First let's consider the frames. Since they'll probably last through a number of prescription changes they should be durable. Because frames are subject to contact with salty pres piratio n select a gold fiIIed metal or a plastic frame that will not be susceptible to corrosion. A sweat-bar between the lenses will hold the frames off the face serving to re duce moisture condensation with changes in temperature and humidity. Select frames that permit the use of wide lenses providing good peripheral vision as well as side protection from flying fragments. Soft flexible ear grips are a must. They will better hold the frames in place well up on the bridge of the nose.
Leading optical manufacturers have developed glasses reengineered colors designed for use in different light conditions. The yellow lenses accen tuate visibility, on dull days, by cutting through haze. The darker tints, in amber to gray, tend to reduce eye strain in in tense brightness. These same tints are available in optical grade plastic lenses and provide excellent eye protection as well. The modern plastics are highly impact resistant, with stand shattering and offer considerable resistance to high temperature. However, like the coated lenses of the camera, their surface can bescratched. Acquiring glasses that provide proper optical correc tion, with the addition of tints that enhance visual acuity or protect from glare is certainly a worthwhile expenditure. However, first priority should be given to protection from flying fragments.