American Handgunner March/April 1981

Attention!(C(OMBAlSHOOTERS·Now you can purchase theaccessories you need in oneconvenient place. We offer:Kings Extended Safeties 18.50Ambidextrous Safeties 34.50H. & D. Extended SlideReleaseRecoil BuffersExt. Mag ReleaseExchangeMicro Sights (melted& Blued)King-Tappan SightsMMC-Bat Cross SightsBeavertail Grip SafetiesLong Match Trigger (with19.509.9515.0011.0029.0029.0021.0016.00backlash adj.) 10.45Wolff 18 1 12 Spr. Kit 4.00MK IV Recoil Spring 1.00Magazines (Colt) Blue 13.00taka SS Mags 15.00Mag Pads .50Pachmayr Grips (combat) 17.50Pachmayr Mainspring Housings(flat) 9.95Colt Commander Hammers 13.00MK IV Barrel and BushingSetsBianchi Chapman Hi-RideHolstersIPSC Hat Pins44.5035.957.50We have considerable experiencein performing IPSC style modifications.We are here to stay, and wetake pride in doing first class workat reasonable prices - inquire at theaddress below for particulars.We are pleased to be associatedwith Colts Ptd. Firearms Co. as anauthorized Warranty Revair Station,andwe carry a wide variety ofColt Parts.We offer a complete money back.guarantee -- if you are not 100%satisfied, your money will be cheerfullyrefunded,Forwa·rd correct remittancein cash, check or M.O. alongwith 10% or $2.50 to:SHOOIISTSUPPLY6225thBelle Fourche, SD 57717C.O.D. 's Welcomeor call your Visa and Masterchargeorders to(605) 892-2822SIGHT SETTINGSLUCY CHAMBLISSNRA COMBAT REVOLVER IMPRACTICAL;BIANCHI CUP BARRICADE WORTHWHILENRA Combat Revolver scores continuealmost perfect and the .courseof fire for those above the Sharpshooterclass continues to be mechanical. DavidWiegel, Orlando, Fla., fired a 1496-110Xlast July, dropping 4 points only in the 50yard match. His groups all looked like theyhad been fired from 7 yards. Dave's beenal4S0 shooter about 3 years, but fi,nally withthe help ofhis Travis Strahan revolver, puttogether this outstandillg score in the wiltingFlorida heat and humidity. It is not myintention to detract from the magnificentscores being fired now by men such asDavid, however, NRA Combat Revolvermatches at present, many police believe,have all the training value of bench-restshooting. It seems those who speak theloudest, and most often, want the possiblescores and absolutely no change in courseof fire. Well thought-out, sincere competitorssuggestions continue to be ignored.·Time will tell how badly no updating oftime or positions will decrease entries inthe future.Entries have declined already in manycombat matches, maybe due to budgetcuts, lay-offs, or an expensive, not toopractical course of fire. Meanwhile, amatch suc~ as the Bianchi Cup Match,covered by most shooting magazines; includingthe NRA's, grows and seems to beinspiring imaginations ofshooter and gunsmith.It is an honor to even be invited toshoot the Bianchi. The $9,200 to the winnerin cash and merchandise, as well ascash to 6th place, gives the incentive andmeans to shoot, even ifnot subsidized by adepartment.BIANCHI CUP. BARRICADEOne detail I noticed in the Bianchi Cupmatch, is the type barricade used, it solvesthe problem oftraining the shooter to keepfeet and body behind cover. If it is not tooexpensive, and doubt if it's much morethan keeping those lines· painted, thatboarded-in square· trains the shooter tolean around his protection.For the past several months, I haveaveraged a call a day from women whowant to learn to shoot. They either did notlive in our town when our police departmentoffered at least two such coursesannually, or they were playing golf ortennis. Too bad, as our city no longerprovides such shooting courses. ManyAmericans are beginning to regret shoot- .ing has not been one of their sports and arequired skill they disciplined themselvesto learn for their protection. The popularityofrunning makes you wonder iftheyhope to outrun the aggressor rather thantaking a defensive stand.The fear of lawsuits for anything hasaffected the use of many fine militaryshooting ranges in the U.S.-ranges builtwith our tax dollars and facilities we en"joyed in the past. I understand fewer andfewer base commanders can accept theliahility connected with letting civiliansuse the ranges. It does seem, however,given the right priority and exposure, theNRA could find a pressure point or a legalsolution so again we all coUld enjoy theseranges so well located geographically andof superb competition quality.30'S HANDGUNNERSReading Lee Echol's "Handgunners ofThe 30's" in the November-December issuewas like a visit with this shootercomedian.I did not meet Lee until theMid-WinterMatches of1951, where he wasthe NRA Referee. Smitty. Brown, ofTampa, a neighbor of only 50 miles away,had told me about Lee, but nothing coul~compare with meeting the gentleman inperson. Lee, Charles Askins, Smitty, andHarry Reeves, (though Harry had to bemore serious to keep his national-internationalchampion edge for the Detroit P.D.),they knew handgunning. Don't ever sellthem short on mental .training, perseveranceand contagious enthusiasm fortheir sport. Their personalities and friendlinessattracted hundreds to pistol shooting.Also, never forget, these men wereprobably the best one-handed .38 revolvershots this country ever produced. theycocked that standard action job revolver,for the' 5 shots in 10 seconds rapid-firematch, so fast you almost couldn't se·e theirthumb move. Try that if you don't ,thinktheir scores were remarkable!ROBOT PROFESSIONALSWhen this likeable type drifted from thematches and ranges and the robot professionalcame, I think that's when amateurhandgunning started to die a little. That'swhen many stopped going to the clubrange for an afternoon of relaxation andfun. Golfor tennis claimed them, and mostdamaging to our sport, their youngstersalong with them. Pistol silhouette matcheshave brought some ofthe fun back, but are(Continued on page 26)14 AMERICAN HANDGUNNER· MARCH/APRIL,1981