Sunday, January 26, 2014

Firearm Forum Question: How to Grip a Single Action Revolver - Cowboy Action Shooting

Ask A Firearms Question:
I would like to see a video on the correct method of Shooting a Cowboy Single Action Revolver.
Note: This post is the second part of your question in a separate Topic on this Firearms Forum.
Thank you Darth Vader's Nemesis.

Answer:
Blog Administrator -
Please see the Youtube Video below on the correct method for handling and shooting a Single Action (Cowboy Style) Revolver:



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Key Search Words: Correct Method for Holding and Firing a Single Action Revolver, Cowboy Fast Draw, CFDA, Quick Draw, Fastest Gun Alive, National Fast Draw Championships, Dry Firing a Handgun, Ruger, Colt, Uberti, Beretta, Davidsons, Lipsey, Revolvers, Revolver Cylinders, Interchangeable Cylinders, Single Action Revolver, Double Action Revolver, Cowboy Shooting, Fast Draw, Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk, Redhawk, Vaquero, Bisely, Cimarron, Cowboy Action, Champion Shooting, SASS, Weapons, Gun Repair, S&W, Smith-Wesson, Remington, Chiappa, Cabelas, Bass Pro Shops, USA Midway, Sportsman Warehouse, Firearms, Target Shooting, Gunsmith, Physics of Shooting, Competition Shooting, Gun Rights, Outdoor Shooting Range, Twitter, Pinterest, Indoor Shooting Range, NRA, GOA, 45LC, 45 ACP, 9mm, 22 Caliber, 22LR, 22 Magnum, 32, 38, 357 Magnum, 41 Magnum, 44 Magnum, 45 Long Colt, 454 Casull, Blank Rounds, Dummy Rounds, Wax Bullets, Italian Made, Russian Made, USA Made, Firearms Forum, Firearms Discussion Board, Q-n-A, Youtube Videos, Pictures, Cleaning Your Weapon, Safety First, Damaging Your Weapon, Handguns, Gun Parts, Spinning a Revolver Cylinder, Blued Finish, Matt Finish, Stainless Steel Finish, Nickel Plated Finish, Wood Grips, Plastic Grips, Ivory Grips, Pearl Handle Grips, Hollywood, TV Shows, Movies, Old West, Westerns, John Wayne.

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Friday, January 24, 2014

Firearm Forum Question: How to Properly Fast Draw Your Cowboy Single Action Revolver

Ask A Firearms Question:
I would like to see a video on the correct method of Fast Draw.
Note: You had 2 questions in one, so I will break them down and post the 'Topics' separately.
Thank you Darth Vader's Nemesis.

Answer:
Blog Administrator -
As requested see the Youtube Cowboy Fast Draw Single Action 45 Long Colt Video Below.








Official Video from: Cowboy Fast Draw Association:



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Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Firearm Forum Question: What’s the Difference between Gun Powder, Black Powder, and Smokeless Powder

Ask A Firearms Question:
What’s the Difference between Gun Powder, Black Powder, and Smokeless Powder?
Thank you Baghdad Willy.


Answer:
Blog Administrator -
See the full explanation below.










Gunpowder:
Invented by the Chinese, also known since the late 19th century as black powder, was the first chemical explosive and the only one known until the mid-1800s. It is a mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate (saltpeter). The sulfur and charcoal acting as fuels, while the saltpeter works as an oxidizer.
The formula for basic Gunpowder is as follows:
75% saltpeter (5 parts)
15% softwood charcoal (1 part)
10% sulfur (2/3 of 1 part)
These ratios have varied over the centuries and by country, and can be altered somewhat depending on the purpose of the powder. For instance, power grades of black powder, unsuitable for use in firearms but adequate for blasting rock in quarrying operations, is called blasting powder rather than gunpowder with standard proportions of 70% nitrate, 14% charcoal, and 16% sulfur; blasting powder may be made with the cheaper sodium nitrate substituted for potassium nitrate and proportions may be as low as 40% nitrate, 30% charcoal, and 30% sulfur.

Black Powder:
Improvements were made my DuPont around 1863 and changed the formula of gunpowder used in ammunition and explosives due to the high cost of importing saltpeter.
Chemists developed a process using potash or mined potassium chloride to convert plentiful sodium nitrate to potassium nitrate. This process was sensitive to things like moisture, humidity, and conversion and the process had to be tightly controlled to get a quality product.
The term black powder was coined in the late 19th century, primarily in the United States, to distinguish prior gunpowder formulations from the new smokeless powders and semi-smokeless powders.
Black Powder continued to be refined by grades through 1970 for use in replica firearms.

Smokeless Powder:
In 1911 DuPont developed semi-smokeless powder for Winchester for the use in 22 and 32 caliber firearms. This was known as Lesmok Powder.
The development of modern smokeless powders is the name given to a number of propellants used in firearms and artillery which produce negligible smoke when fired, unlike black powder which they replaced. Smokeless powder can only be produced as a pelletized or extruded granular material. Alfred Nobel invented a smokeless propellent called ballistite. It was composed of 10% camphor, 45% nitroglycerine, and 45% collodion (nitrocellulose). Over time the camphor tended to evaporate, leaving an unstable explosive, known commonly as dynamite.
Unlike basic gunpowder invented by the Chinese, modern smokeless gunpowder formulas vary depending on use: Firearms, Artillery, or TNT.
Making modern smokeless powder is very dangerous and requires controlled environments, knowledge of explosives and chemistry.

Important Safety Note: If you are reloading your own ammo, buy the recommended smokeless powder and primers for the type of caliber or gauge your are making.

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Sunday, January 19, 2014

Firearm Forum Question: Dry Firing a Cowboy Six Shooter, Single Action Revolver

Ask A Firearms Question:
I have a Ruger Blackhawk 38/357 with interchangeable 9mm cylinder. I bought this a few years back and mostly shoot 9mm now because of the cost of ammo. I also have a cowboy fast draw holster.
My question is: Can I dry fire my Ruger Single Six Blackhawk Revolver without damaging it?
Thank you Las LaRue.

Answer:
Blog Administrator -
The answer for RUGER Cowboy style revolver Owners is Yes.
Dry firing a Ruger will not harm the handgun, and that's straight from Ruger. I once owned the Blackhawk, and currently own the Vaquero which both were dry fired repeatedly.
I know a lot of Colt cowboy shooters and they generally use dummy rounds in their Single Action Revolvers.
Uberti and other Colt Clone knockoffs I would recommend you use dummy rounds.
Note: The Caliber on a Ruger does not matter on dry firing.


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Friday, January 17, 2014

Firearm Forum Question: Spinning and Slamming Shut a Revolver Cylinder

Ask A Firearms Question:
My question involves the art of spinning a revolver cylinder and slamming it shut as shown in so many Hollywood movies and TV shows, Does this hurt the cylinder or revolver? I own a Smith & Wesson 357 Magnum Revolver, I just love the sound of the cylinder spinning fully loaded then flipping my wrist and slamming the cylinder shut.
Thank you Norman Wojablanski.

Answer:
Blog Administrator -
Wow, lets break this question down into three parts as follows:
1) The act of spinning a revolver cylinder either single or double action will not harm the firearm. However, you should not do this loaded. I always spin my empty cylinders after cleaning to make sure they are properly lubricated. I also recommend pointing the weapon down on a 45 degree angle when spinning the cylinder.
2) Slamming the cylinder shut either empty or loaded will harm the firearm. The revolver shown above has a pivot arm (yoke or crane) that holds the cylinder, you weaken the arm and the push rod by slamming it shut. In some firearms you may also damage the latch that opens the cylinder. This may also wear down the grooves on the cylinder.
3) Your firearm is NOT a toy, so don't treat it like one. Real firearms are dangerous and replicating Hollywood action scenes in movies and TV shows reflects a real lack of respect for your firearm. The cylinder either empty or loaded should be closed with just enough pushing force to lock it into place.
Personal Safety Note: I always keep all my loaded revolvers with one empty cylinder which rests in the firing position. Never point a firearm in the direction of any person or object.


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Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Firearm Forum Question: Different Style, Types, and Configurations for Rifle Stocks - What is Your Preference and Choice

Ask A Firearms Question:
I would like to see more on Rifle Stocks, types, options, etc. can you do a question and forum discussion on this?
Thank you Randy Jensen.

There are so many Rifle Stock configurations on the market today and have come so far from World War 2, I would like to know what other people like as a stock in design, type, material, and configuration.
Thank you Paul Simms.

Answer:
Blog Administrator -
I have collected some different styles of Rifle Stock configurations that date back to WWII to present for both combat and hunting.
Personally I prefer the more traditional rifle stock for my hunting rifles and shotguns.
In combat weapons, such as assault rifles, I like the modern version because it's easy to add accessories and the weapon is lighter.
I have included pictures below of a variety of types of rifle stocks and configurations from WW2 to present, what's your favorite?

Traditional Rifle Stocks for Hunting and Military:





Modern Hunting or Sniper Rifle:



Collapsible and Folding Rifle Stocks:


Modern Assault Style Rifle Stocks:












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Sunday, January 5, 2014

Firearm Forum Question: Brass Cased Ammo versus Other Metals

Ask A Firearms Question:
Any opinion on using 9mm aluminum cased ammo? Any concerns either short or long term? 
Thank you Tom Hoole.

Lose Brass Casings -

Answer:
Blog Administrator -
To answer your question the Aluminum cased ammo will not harm your firearms either in the short or long term use. Aluminum Cased Ammo, along with Steel and Steel Coated, and Nickel Plated Brass for Rifles and Handguns can be used, most shooters prefer Brass because they can be reloaded. Most Steel and Aluminum cannot be reloaded because they do not possess the correct qualities for reloading. Manufacturers generally use boxed primers, this renders the casing unusable for reloading. Also Aluminum which can be reloaded is not generally sold by most manufacturers except CCI. Aluminum shell casings degrade and they must be inspected thoroughly before using as a reload. Nickel coated brass, however can be reloaded. The firearm still requires a thorough cleaning after each shooting session. Brass is still the most common shell casing along with lead for bullets. Steel and Steel Coated Ammo is what is referred to in America as plinking ammo. Almost all of it is manufactured in either China, or one of the former Soviet Bloc countries.
Steel cased ammo is lighter than brass so for military use the lighter weight steel ammo allows the soldier to carry more rounds per weight, conversely steel cased ammo is more susceptible to weather conditions and contamination, this is why they are varnished. Steel is cheaper to make than brass or other ammo, i.e. Aluminum or Nickel coasted brass. NATO weapons have less weapon tolerances than the former Soviet Union or Chinese weapons, this can cause extraction and ejection problems (jamming) with American and NATO manufactured firearms as the gas propellent on steel case ammo can blow back into the chamber causing problems.
I shoot steel cased coated ammo all the time in my Cz made AK-47, but rarely in my USA made 223/556.
Shotgun Shells are either Paper or Plastic. Most ammunition companies have moved away from paper shotgun shells because plastic is better for reloading. Either one can be used without harming the shotgun. Brass is generally used at the end of the shotgun shell.

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