Tom Bullins Pistolcraft Class/ Advanced Revolver Training

Jesse · 09-08-2007, 06:25 PM

I just finished an excellent class taught by Tom Bullins of Trigger Time (Trigger-Time :: Home). The class was Tom's Pistolcraft 1 class (Trigger-Time :: Course Description). The class was suppossed to be a basic course in the art of pistolcraft, but the class was WAY more than I bargained for. When Tom spoke to me on Friday he asked what handgun I would be bringing. I told him I would be shooting either a GP100 or S&W 686 4" .357 Magnum; (both of these revolvers take the same speedloader and fit in the same holster). Tom told me to bring 400 rounds of ammo so I split it- 200 .357 magnum and 300 .38 special rounds. The .357 rounds were 125 gr. JHP and JSP as well as Winchester 110 gr. JHP USA. The .38 rounds were 130 gr. Winchester ball USA. I started the day using my GP100 and 110 gr. .357mags. We shot from the ready 12 shots. this allowed Tom to assess my ability, accuracy, and to make sure the revolver was shooting to the point of aim. Tom made some suggestions: changing my grip and modifying my ready position the low level rather than pointing toward the ground. Both improved my speed from the ready when shooting the target.
We then trained in the following:
- one shot from the ready, followed by two and three shots from the ready
-one shot from the draw, followed by two and three shots from the draw
-timed shots from the ready
-timed shots from the draw
-corrections through examination of what was taking the most time in my presentation from the ready and from the draw
This proved to be the most informative part of the timed excercises. I was using too much time in the gripping part of my draw and was not working my trigger stroke smoothly. I was jerking the trigger to gain speed. Tom showed me ways to correct both. We then incorperated the same drills on large dot targets and picture targets. As I switched to the 125 gr. JSP .357 mags whe trained in the following:
-speed reloading both FBI and Stressfire techniques
-reload with strong hand and off hand
-2 styles of one hand shooting
-the same styles with the off hand, one handed
In the off hand, one hand shooting drills the revolver was placed on the ground with the strong hand. Upon command, the revolver was picked up with the off hand by using a combat style crouch. I used the S&W 686 for these drills. After several one, and two shot drills shooting steel 10X10 and 8X8 targets, we broke for lunch.

jerry · 09-08-2007, 06:28 PM

Sounds like a good education. I still need a good combat wheel gun. It would be cool to learn from an expert.

JMax · 09-10-2007, 05:03 PM

I suggest looking into ICORE for revolver matches in your area to practice your skills. You will find that most shooters are shooting moon conversions with 7 round 686's or 8 round 627 PC revolvers. One seldom encounters a GP100, this game is dominated by S&W. My club runs a retro match each year (last weekend w/speed loaders only with much fun).

Jesse · 09-12-2007, 06:18 PM

ICORE is an excellent way to hone your revolver skills. The full moon clip is the fastest reload possible for a revolver. I would suggest that if you carry moon clips as reloads for your revolver, look into a very strong carrier that can withstand the impact of the ground should you have to take cover or go prone in a hurry. I say this because I have seen bent moonclips freeze up revolver at the range. They completely lock the cylinder into the revolver not allowing it to turn.

JMax · 09-14-2007, 02:50 PM

I use the moon clip holders that have a metal center post and spring clip and a nylon center post and metal clip for the 45. Haven't bent a clip in 4 years at the IRC and numerous local ICORE matches. They do get bent when they are hanging over the edge of the clip holder.

09-08-2007, 06:25 PM	#1
Jesse Administrator Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,945 Images: 2	Tom Bullins Pistolcraft Class/ Advanced Revolver Training I just finished an excellent class taught by Tom Bullins of Trigger Time (Trigger-Time :: Home). The class was Tom's Pistolcraft 1 class (Trigger-Time :: Course Description). The class was suppossed to be a basic course in the art of pistolcraft, but the class was WAY more than I bargained for. When Tom spoke to me on Friday he asked what handgun I would be bringing. I told him I would be shooting either a GP100 or S&W 686 4" .357 Magnum; (both of these revolvers take the same speedloader and fit in the same holster). Tom told me to bring 400 rounds of ammo so I split it- 200 .357 magnum and 300 .38 special rounds. The .357 rounds were 125 gr. JHP and JSP as well as Winchester 110 gr. JHP USA. The .38 rounds were 130 gr. Winchester ball USA. I started the day using my GP100 and 110 gr. .357mags. We shot from the ready 12 shots. this allowed Tom to assess my ability, accuracy, and to make sure the revolver was shooting to the point of aim. Tom made some suggestions: changing my grip and modifying my ready position the low level rather than pointing toward the ground. Both improved my speed from the ready when shooting the target. We then trained in the following: - one shot from the ready, followed by two and three shots from the ready -one shot from the draw, followed by two and three shots from the draw -timed shots from the ready -timed shots from the draw -corrections through examination of what was taking the most time in my presentation from the ready and from the draw This proved to be the most informative part of the timed excercises. I was using too much time in the gripping part of my draw and was not working my trigger stroke smoothly. I was jerking the trigger to gain speed. Tom showed me ways to correct both. We then incorperated the same drills on large dot targets and picture targets. As I switched to the 125 gr. JSP .357 mags whe trained in the following: -speed reloading both FBI and Stressfire techniques -reload with strong hand and off hand -2 styles of one hand shooting -the same styles with the off hand, one handed In the off hand, one hand shooting drills the revolver was placed on the ground with the strong hand. Upon command, the revolver was picked up with the off hand by using a combat style crouch. I used the S&W 686 for these drills. After several one, and two shot drills shooting steel 10X10 and 8X8 targets, we broke for lunch. __________________ Jesse www.gunandgame.com

09-08-2007, 06:28 PM	#2
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,899 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	Sounds like a good education. I still need a good combat wheel gun. It would be cool to learn from an expert. __________________ I'm a down home back woods redneck

09-12-2007, 06:18 PM	#4
Jesse Administrator Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,945 Images: 2	ICORE is an excellent way to hone your revolver skills. The full moon clip is the fastest reload possible for a revolver. I would suggest that if you carry moon clips as reloads for your revolver, look into a very strong carrier that can withstand the impact of the ground should you have to take cover or go prone in a hurry. I say this because I have seen bent moonclips freeze up revolver at the range. They completely lock the cylinder into the revolver not allowing it to turn. __________________ Jesse www.gunandgame.com

09-10-2007, 05:03 PM	#3
JMax Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 66	I suggest looking into ICORE for revolver matches in your area to practice your skills. You will find that most shooters are shooting moon conversions with 7 round 686's or 8 round 627 PC revolvers. One seldom encounters a GP100, this game is dominated by S&W. My club runs a retro match each year (last weekend w/speed loaders only with much fun).

09-14-2007, 02:50 PM	#5
JMax Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: SoCal Posts: 66	I use the moon clip holders that have a metal center post and spring clip and a nylon center post and metal clip for the 45. Haven't bent a clip in 4 years at the IRC and numerous local ICORE matches. They do get bent when they are hanging over the edge of the clip holder.