Fundamentals of Double Action Revolver Shooting

Fundamentals of Double Action Revolver Shooting - National Archives and Records Administration 1975-04-28 - ARC Identifier 4523715 / Local Identifier 330-DVIC-27541 - Department of Defense. Office of the Secretary of Defense. (09/18/1947 - ). Synopsis: Explains fundamentals of handling double action revolvers. Illustrates various positions, correct grip, methods of aiming and sighting. Shows how to acquire confidence, speed and marksmanship. Emphasizes the necessity of having great respect for the deadliness of the revolver. Simulated gun battles afford tips on boosting the chances of survival when "playing for keeps" with the underworld.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• archives.gov
• public.resource.org

[schizoidboy]

If I have a question it is how much of this is translatable to modern day shooting? Looking at some of the techniques used here I am reminded of what I read in a bodyguarding manual which requires the shooter to use one hand rather then two to support the weapon. Also I see elements of point shooting here as well.

[1000Fights]

This video is a great way to learn good shooting techniques outside of the revolver class of pistol shooting. This was a delight to see and I hope I can apply these skills with percision in the military.

[Makingnewnamesisdumb]

@1jimmarch Sure. The most interesting thing about that, though, is that the only time a two handed grip is ever used is in the prone position. You might think they would at least mention a standing two hand position. I don't know if they expected too much or if the guide is just incomplete.

It's interesting that you mention he was never injured in the line of duty, though, I wonder if that explains their idea that you can shrug off a bullet and quickly change hands.

[1jimmarch]

@Makingnewnamesisdumb: I'm not arguing! The point is that Brice had this kind of speed and the FBI tried to clone Brice - and it didn't work! Look, Brice was doing solo felony takedowns of the sort they now use a whole SWAT team for. He did it again and again, with no injuries and a perfect win/loss ratio. The guy was a freak. When they tried to clone him using his techniques, it was a massive failure. Two-handed eye-level shooting works best for us "mere mortals".

[Makingnewnamesisdumb]

@1jimmarch Sure, it adds time, but the majority of LEOs do not have that kind of speed and I don't know how many of them are dying in the street because they couldn't shave off those miliseconds in training. Competition, recordsetting and trick shooting is also a much different world from self defense handgunning. You can tell the techniques in this video are designed to be relatively practical for combat, and maybe they aren't outdated but they do assume a certain higher level of proficiency.

[1jimmarch]

@Makingnewnamesisdumb: We don't have any videos of Brice in action that I know of. But search youtube for "Bob Munden", who is likely even faster, at least on the first shot! Studying Munden you can see how raising the gun to eye level would absolutely add time! Brice was probably quicker in terms of shot-to-shot speed, possibly somewhere up near where Jerry Mikulek is today (also worth looking for here on youtube). Brice also had decent reload speeds with a DA revolver vs. a single action.

[Makingnewnamesisdumb]

@1jimmarch It's interesting to see how the techniques and technology have changed over the years. LEOs would never carry their weapons in holsters like that and wouldn't dream of firing without using the sights. Does it really take THAT much longer to lift your gun from waist level to shoulder level that you would have to train to be good with this? And I think even Brice would benefit from 2 handed holds.

Assuming you'll be able to calmly switch hands if you're shot is a bit much, also.

[1jimmarch]

These techniques were invented and originally pushed by the FBI's best shooter ever, "Jelly" Brice starting in the 1930s. They work great if you're a natural point shooter like Brice. Most people aren't and even if they drill to a point where this works on a range, it will come unglued under combat. The Modern Technique and later involving sighted fire and two-handed holds works a hell of a lot better for mere mortals who aren't Brice.

[Tm0g762]

This is too cool! Thanks for posting!