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PISTOL AND REVOLVER SHOOTING




  Pistol and Revolver Shooting


  BY A. L. A. HIMMELWRIGHT


  _Illustrated_


  OUTING HANDBOOKS

  _Number 34_


  NEW YORK
  OUTING PUBLISHING COMPANY
  MCMXVI




COPYRIGHT, 1904, BY The Macmillan Co.

COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY A. L. A. Himmelwright

COPYRIGHT, 1915, BY OUTING PUBLISHING COMPANY

All rights reserved

Fully Revised




PREFACE


Interest in pistol and revolver shooting has increased very rapidly in
recent years and particularly since smokeless powder has been introduced.

The revolver and the magazine pistol now constitute part of the regular
equipment of army and navy officers and cavalry troops. Regulations
governing practice shooting with these arms have been issued and adopted
by both branches of the service and by the National Guard of the various
States. In the National Rifle Association and in the various State rifle
associations that have recently been organized, pistol and revolver
shooting has an important place, and the matches provided are largely
patronized. In the numerous civilian shooting clubs scattered throughout
the country pistol and revolver shooting has become extremely popular, and
in many cases the majority of the members practice more frequently with
the smaller arms than with the rifle.

Practice with the pistol and revolver affords training in sighting, steady
holding, and pulling the trigger, which are the essential features of
rifle shooting also. On account of this relation, and the fact that skill
with these arms can be instantly utilized in rifle shooting, the
development of marksmanship with the pistol and revolver assumes national
importance.

While numerous standard works have been written on the subject of rifle
shooting, there is comparatively little information available on pistol
and revolver shooting. The object of this volume is to supply practical
information on this subject. The author has attempted to treat the subject
in a clear and concise manner, keeping the size of the volume as small as
practicable and so as to be conveniently carried in the pocket. Particular
pains have been taken to give sound advice and elementary instruction to
beginners.

The author extends his grateful acknowledgments to Baron Speck von
Sternburg, Messrsr. J. B. Crabtree, John T. Humphrey, William E. Carlin,
Chas. S. Axtell, Walter Winans, Walter G. Hudson, Ed. Taylor, J. E.
Silliman, M. Hays, and the various arms and ammunition manufacturers
referred to herein, for valuable assistance, suggestions, information and
_data_ in preparing this volume.

A. L. A. HIMMELWRIGHT.

_Stockholm, N. J._




CONTENTS


  CHAPTER                                     PAGE

     I. INTRODUCTORY AND HISTORICAL             13

    II. ARMS                                    17

   III. AMMUNITION                              37

    IV. SIGHTS                                  62

     V. SHOOTING POSITION                       67

    VI. TARGET-SHOOTING                         70

   VII. TARGETS                                 86

  VIII. TARGET PRACTICE                         94

    IX. REVOLVER PRACTICE FOR THE POLICE        99

     X. PISTOL SHOOTING FOR LADIES             107

    XI. CLUBS AND RANGES                       111

   XII. HINTS TO BEGINNERS                     122

  XIII. RELOADING AMMUNITION                   147

        APPENDIX                               167




ILLUSTRATIONS


  Smith & Wesson.38-Caliber Revolver}
  Colt Army Special Revolver         }              FACING PAGE 22
  Smith & Wesson.44-Caliber Revolver}

  Colt New Service Revolver            }
  Smith & Wesson Russian Model Revolver}               "    "   24
  Colt Single Action Revolver          }

  Webley & Scott "W. S." Model Revolver}
  Webley & Fosbury Automatic Revolver  }               "    "   26
  Colt Automatic Pistol                }

  Parabellum or "Luger" Automatic Pistol}
  Webley & Scott Automatic Pistol       }              "    "   28
  Mauser Automatic Pistol               }

  Smith & Wesson Pistol      }
  Remington Pistol           }                         "    "   30
  Stevens Pistol, Gould Model}

  Adolph Weber Pistol          }
  Gastinne-Renette Pistol      }                       "    "   32
  Colt Automatic Target Pistol }
  Colt Police Positive Revolver}

  Smith & Wesson Hand Ejector Revolver     }
  Smith & Wesson Double Action Perfected   }
  Revolver                                 }           "    "   34
  Smith & Wesson Safety Hammerless Revolver}
  Smith & Wesson Pocket Revolver           }

  Colt Police Positive Target Revolver}
  Stevens Diamond Model Pistol        }                "    "   36
  Colt Automatic Pocket Pistol        }

  Colt Automatic Pocket Pistol          }
  Savage Automatic Pocket Pistol        }              "    "   38
  Smith & Wesson Automatic Pocket Pistol}

  Military Sights                                          PAGE 62

  Paine Sights   }                                  FACING PAGE 63
  Patridge Sights}

  Lyman Sights               }                         "    "   64
  The Wespi Searchlight Sight}

  Walter Winans, C. S. Axtell, Thomas
  Anderton                                             "    "   68

  John A. Dietz, E. E. Patridge, Sergt. W.
  E. Petty                                             "    "   72

  J. E. Gorman, R. H. Sayre, A. P. Lane                "    "   76

  J. H. Snook, George Armstrong, P. J.
  Dolfen                                               "    "   78

  Standard American Target                                 PAGE 87

  U. S. R. A. Combination Target                            "   88

  The International Union Target                            "   89

  Target L. (U. S. Army)                                    "   91

  Combination Set: Revolver, Pistol, Utensils,
  and Case                                                  "  109

  Details of Alternating Targets, Pit, etc., for
  50-yard Range                                             "  114

  Details of Booths at Firing Line, "Trolleys,"
  and Butts for Gallery Ranges                              "  117

  Shooting Gallery of the Crescent Athletic
  Club, Brooklyn, N. Y.                            FACING PAGE 120

  Correct Manner of Holding the Revolver               "    "  124

  Correct Position of the Sights in Aiming at
  the Target                                              PAGE 128

  Showing the Travel of the Line of the Sights
  About the Bullseye in Aiming                              "  130

  Moulding Bullets                                          "  151




PISTOL AND REVOLVER SHOOTING




CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTORY AND HISTORICAL


Pistol shooting has been practiced ever since "grained" gunpowder came
into general use. It is only recently, however, that it has developed into
a popular pastime and has been recognized as a legitimate sport.[1]

The useful and practical qualities of the pistol and revolver have been
developed almost wholly during the last half-century. Before this period
the small arms designed to be fired with one hand were crude and
inaccurate, and were intended to be used only at short range as weapons of
defense. The single-barreled muzzle-loading pistol has, nevertheless, been
part of the army and navy officer's equipment since the sixteenth century.
These pistols were of large caliber, smooth-bored, heavy, and unwieldy.
The load was a spherical bullet and a large charge of powder. Enough
accuracy was obtained to hit a man at 15 to 20 paces, which was deemed
sufficient. The usefulness of these arms in action was limited to the
firing of a single shot, and then using them as missiles or clubs.

The pistol in early days was considered a gentleman's arm--a luxury. It
was the arm generally selected for duelling when that code was in vogue,
the contestants standing 10 to 20 paces apart and firing at the word of
command.

The development of the pistol has been contemporaneous and closely
identified with that of the rifle. With the grooving or rifling of the
barrel, the accuracy was greatly improved and the arm adapted to conical
bullets. Although numerous attempts were made to devise a multishot arm
with flint, wheel, and match locks, it was not until the percussion cap
was invented that a practicable arm of this character was produced. This
was a "revolver" invented by Colonel Colt of Hartford, Conn., in 1835, and
consisted of a single barrel with a revolving cylinder at the breech
containing the charges, the mechanism being such that the cocking of the
piece after each discharge revolved the cylinder sufficiently to bring a
loaded chamber in line with the barrel.

The greatest advance in the development of firearms was the introduction
of the system of breech-loading, employing ammunition in the form of
cartridges. This principle rendered the operation of loading much simpler
and quicker, and vastly improved the efficiency and general utility of the
arms.[2]

The present popularity of pistol and revolver shooting is due, no doubt,
to recent improvements in the arms and ammunition. The arms are now
marvels of fine workmanship, easy to manipulate, durable, and extremely
accurate. With the introduction of smokeless powders, the smoke, fouling,
and noise have been reduced to a minimum. The effect of these improvements
has been, not only to increase the efficiency of the arms, but also the
pleasure of shooting them.

As a sport, pistol shooting has much to commend it. It is a healthful
exercise, being practiced out-of-doors in the open air. There are no
undesirable concomitants, such as gambling, coarseness, and rough and
dangerous play. In order to excel, regular and temperate habits of life
must be formed and maintained. It renders the senses more alert and trains
them to act in unison and in harmony. But, above all, skill in shooting is
a useful accomplishment.

Anyone possessing ordinary health and good sight may, by practice, become
a good pistol shot. Persons who are richly endowed by nature with those
physical qualities which specially fit them for expert shooting will, of
course, master the art sooner than those less favored; but it has been
conclusively shown that excellence is more a question of training and
practice than of natural gift. Some of the most brilliant shooting has
been done by persons possessing a decidedly nervous temperament; but those
of phlegmatic temperament will generally make more uniform and reliable
marksmen.

It is much more difficult to shoot well with the pistol or revolver than
with the rifle. The latter, having a stock to rest against the shoulder
and steady one end of the piece, has a decided advantage in quick aiming
and in pulling the trigger. The former, without a stock and being held in
one hand with the arm extended so as to be free from the body, is without
any anchor or support whatever, and is free to move in all directions.
Consequently the least jar, jerk in pulling the trigger, puff of wind, or
unsteadiness of the hand greatly disturbs the aim. Intelligent practice
will, however, overcome these difficulties and disadvantages to such a
degree that an expert shot with a pistol or revolver under favorable
conditions can equal a fair shot with a rifle at the target up to 200
yards. When the novice essays to shoot the pistol or revolver, the results
are generally disappointing and discouraging; but rapid progress
invariably rewards the efforts of those who persevere, and when once
thoroughly interested in this style of shooting, there comes a fascination
for it that frequently endures throughout a lifetime.




CHAPTER II

ARMS


The term "pistol" is frequently applied indiscriminately to the
single-shot pistol and the revolver. A marked distinction between these
arms has gradually been developed.

The pistol is now recognized as a single-shot arm, adapted for a light
charge and designed to secure extreme accuracy. Its use is limited almost
exclusively to target and exhibition shooting.

The modern revolver is an arm with a revolving cylinder holding five or
six cartridges, which are at the instant command of the shooter before it
is necessary to reload. It is designed for heavy charges, and is a
practical and formidable weapon. Revolvers are made in great variety, and
adapted for various purposes, such as military service, target shooting,
pocket weapons, etc. The best grades of pistols and revolvers may be had
at a reasonable price. The cheap grades with which the market is at all
times flooded should be avoided. They are incapable of doing good work,
and frequently are positively dangerous, on account of being made of
inferior materials.

The magazine or automatic pistol is the latest type of hand firearm. It is
a multishot pistol in which the mechanism is operated automatically by the
recoil. Pulling the trigger is the only manual operation necessary to fire
successive shots until the supply of cartridges in the magazine (usually
six to ten) is exhausted. The first models were introduced about 1898.
These had many defects and objections, such as failure to function
regularly, danger in manipulation due to insufficient safety devices, poor
balance, unsightly lines, etc. Nevertheless the advantages of this type of
arm over the revolver for military purposes in effective range, rapidity
of fire, accuracy, interchangeability, etc., were soon recognized and
manufacturers were encouraged to improve and perfect them.

Practically all the mechanical defects referred to have been corrected,
the balance and the lines improved, and safety devices introduced so that
these arms are now well adapted for military use and are rapidly
superseding the revolver as service weapons in the United States army and
navy. A synopsis of the severe tests leading to the adoption of a magazine
pistol by the War Department of the United States government may be found
in the Appendix.

_Military Arms._--The revolver and the magazine pistol are used for
military service. To fulfill the requirements these arms must be strong,
very durable, and withstand a great amount of hard usage without becoming
disabled. The effectiveness, or "stopping power," is of prime importance.
The caliber should be large, the bullet should have a blunt point, and the
powder charge should be sufficiently powerful to give a penetration of at
least six inches in pine. There was a tendency some years ago to reduce
the caliber of military revolvers. While this resulted in increased
velocity and penetration, and reduced the weight of the ammunition, it did
not improve the stopping power of the arms.

The ineffectiveness of the.38-caliber service revolver charge was
frequently complained of by the officers and men serving in the Philippine
Islands. This was due to the light powder charge and the conoidal shaped
point of the bullet. To remedy this weakness.45-caliber revolvers were
issued for the Philippine service, and a new.45-caliber cartridge
designed to which magazine pistol manufacturers were invited to adapt an
arm. Unfortunately this new cartridge, which is now the service
ammunition, has also a conoidal pointed bullet, is not well proportioned,
and consequently develops only a part of its stopping power possibilities.

The sights must in all cases be very substantial, and solidly fixed to the
frame or barrel. The trigger pull varies from 4 to 8 pounds, the barrel
from 4 to 7 1/2 inches in length, and the weight from 2 to 2 3/4 pounds.
Ammunition loaded with smokeless powder is now invariably used for
military service.

The service revolvers still in use in the United States army and navy are
the Smith & Wesson and Colt, both.38 caliber, and taking the same
ammunition. They have passed the prescribed series of tests as established
by the United States government,[3] and as improved and perfected
represent, without doubt, the highest development of the military
revolver.

These arms, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, have solid frames, and the actions are
almost identical, the cylinder swinging out to the left, on a hinge, when
released by a catch. The shells may then be extracted simultaneously by
pushing back the extractor rod. The Smith & Wesson has an additional
hinge-locking device in front of the cylinder. The Colt has an automatic
safety lock between the hammer and the frame, permitting discharge only
when the trigger is pulled. Apart from these features there is very little
difference between these arms.

The Smith & Wesson.44-caliber Military Revolver is the latest model of
the large caliber revolvers. Its action and general lines are the same as
the.38-caliber military, but it is a larger, heavier, and more powerful
weapon.

Other excellent military revolvers are the Colt New Service and the Smith
& Wesson Russian model, usually in.45 caliber and.44 caliber,
respectively. The ammunition for these arms was formerly loaded with black
powder; but smokeless cartridges have been adapted to them, which give
slightly increased velocity and the same accuracy. (See Fig. 4, facing p.
24.)

The Smith & Wesson Russian model has a hinge "tip-up" action, with an
automatic ejecting device. The action is operated by raising a catch in
front of the hammer. It is easy to manipulate and, on account of the
accessibility of the breech, the barrel can be readily inspected and
cleaned. This arm is single action. (See Fig. 5, facing p. 24.)

[Illustration: Fig. 1.--SMITH & WESSON 38 cal. MILITARY REVOLVER Six
shots; 6 1/2 inch barrel; weight, 1 lb., 15 oz.]

[Illustration: Fig. 2.--COLT ARMY SPECIAL REVOLVER Six shots; 6 inch
barrel; weight, 2 lbs. 3 oz.,.38 cal.]

[Illustration: Fig 3.--SMITH & WESSON.44 cal. MILITARY REVOLVER. Six
shots; 6 1/2 inch barrel; weight 2 lbs. 6 1/2 oz.]

The action of the Colt New Service is similar to that of the.38-caliber
revolver shown in Fig. 2, with a solid frame. It is double action.

The Colt Officer's Model is identical in every respect with the Army
Special except that it is fitted with adjustable target sights and may be
had with lengths of barrel up to 7 1/2 inches.

The foregoing arms, with good ammunition, are capable of making groups of
ten shots on a 3-inch circle at 50 yards.

The Colt single action Army is the most popular belt or holster weapon
among ranchmen, cowboys, prospectors, and others. It has a solid frame,
simple mechanism, and is exceedingly durable and reliable. The arm is
operated by opening a gate on the right-hand side, back of the cylinder.
The cartridges are inserted in the cylinder through the gate, the cylinder
being revolved by hand until the respective chambers come opposite the
gate. In the same manner the shells are ejected by pushing the extractor
rod back into each of the chambers. (See Fig. 6, facing p. 24.)

The Smith & Wesson Schofield Model,.45 caliber, was formerly a United
States service weapon. The ammunition for this arm, while less powerful
than the.45 Colt, was admirably adapted for military service, and had
much less recoil.

The Webley & Scott W. S. Model revolver is an English arm of much merit.
The caliber is.455. It has a hinge "tip-up" action, with an automatic
extractor very similar to the Smith & Wesson. (See Fig. 7, facing p. 26.)

The service weapon adopted by the Joint War Office and Admiralty Committee
for the British army and navy is the Webley & Scott "Mark IV," or "Service
Model," revolver. This model is almost identical with the W. S. Model,
except that the barrel is 4 inches long and the weight is 2 lbs. 3 oz. On
account of the short barrel, the accuracy of this weapon does not equal
that of the W. S. Model.

Another English arm is the "Webley-Fosbury" automatic revolver. The recoil
revolving the cylinder and cocking the hammer, it can be fired as rapidly
as the automatic pistols. It is chambered for the.455 service cartridge
loaded with 5 1/2 grains of cordite. This arm has been introduced since
1900. (See Fig. 8, facing p. 26.)

Among the leading magazine or automatic pistols used for military service
are the Colt, Luger, Webley & Scott, Savage, Mauser, Knoble, Bergmann,
White-Merrill, Steyr, Mannlicher, Mors and Bayard. Most of these arms were
tested by the United States government[4] previous to the adoption of the
Colt as the service weapon of the U. S. Army and Navy. (See Fig. 9, facing
p. 26.)

The Luger has been adopted as the service weapon by Germany, Switzerland,
Portugal, Bulgaria, Holland, and Brazil. (See Fig. 10, facing p. 28.)

The Webley-Scott (.455 caliber) was adopted as the service arm by the
British navy in 1911, and the.32-caliber (weight 1 lb. 2 oz.) is now the
adopted arm of the London City and Metropolitan police forces. (See Fig.
11, facing p. 28.)

In most of these weapons, including the Colt, Webley & Scott, Luger, and
Steyr pistols, the cartridges are inserted in magazines which feed them
into the breech through the handle. In the Mauser pistol the cartridges
are supplied through clips from the top and forced into a magazine located
in front of the trigger. (See Fig. 12, facing p. 28.)

The magazine pistols can be fired at the rate of about five shots per
second. These arms equal the best military revolvers in accuracy.

Many persons believe that the magazine pistol will soon supersede the
revolver for general use. While this may be the case eventually, it is not
likely to occur within the next few years. The magazine pistol is more
complicated, and consequently more difficult to learn to shoot with and
care for, than the revolver. On account of the special problems to be
solved in the mechanism, many of them balance poorly and the trigger pull
is almost invariably long and creeping. The novice will also find it
difficult to avoid flinching in shooting these arms, on account of the
recoil mechanism, louder report, etc. The line of sight being considerably
higher than the grip, if they are not held perfectly plumb, or in the same
position at each shot, the shooting is liable to be irregular. The cost is
more than that of a good revolver. Until these undesirable features can be
remedied or eliminated, the revolver will probably remain a popular arm.

_Target Arms._--For target purposes the greatest possible accuracy is
desirable. To obtain this, many features essential in a military arm are
sacrificed. Delicate adjustable sights are employed, the trigger pull is
reduced, the length of the barrel is increased, the charge reduced, etc.

[Illustration: Fig. 4.--COLT NEW SERVICE REVOLVER Six shots; 5 1/2 inch
barrel; weight, 2 lbs., 8 oz.;.45 cal.]

[Illustration: Fig. 5.--SMITH & WESSON RUSSIAN MODEL REVOLVER Six shots;
6 1/2 inch barrel; weight, 39 1/4 oz.;.44 cal.]

[Illustration: Fig. 6.--COLT SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER Six shots; 5 1/2 inch
barrel; weight, 2 lbs. 6 oz.;.45 cal.]

[Illustration: Fig. 7.--WEBLEY & SCOTT "W. S." MODEL REVOLVER Six shots;
7 1/2 inch barrel; weight, 2 lbs., 7 oz.;.455 cal.]

[Illustration: Fig. 8.--WEBLEY & FOSBURY AUTOMATIC REVOLVER. Six shots; 6
inch barrel; weight, 2 lbs., 10 oz.;.455 cal.]

[Illustration: Fig. 9.--COLT AUTOMATIC PISTOL. Seven shots; 5 inch barrel;
weight, 2 lbs. 7 oz.;.45 cal.]

The most accurate arms available at the present time are the single-shot
pistols manufactured by Smith & Wesson, Springfield, Mass., The J. Stevens
Arms & Tool Co., Chicopee Falls, Mass.; Fred Adolph, Genoa, N. Y. These
pistols are furnished in calibers from.22 rim-fire to.38 central-fire.
The barrels are generally 10 inches in length and the trigger pull 2
pounds. In the latest approved form these pistols are of.22 caliber
specially bored and chambered for the rim-fire,.22 caliber long rifle
cartridge. This is a light, clean, pleasant shooting charge, and may be
fired many times with very little fatigue. Pistol shooting with arms of
this caliber is rapidly becoming a popular pastime for ladies as well as
gentlemen.

The Smith & Wesson pistol has a tip-up action and an automatic extractor.
It is made of the best materials and with the greatest care. The fitting
and workmanship are superior to that of any other machine-made pistol. The
action is similar to that of the Russian Model revolver. (See Fig. 13,
facing p. 30.)

The Stevens pistols were formerly furnished in three models and for many
years they have enjoyed merited popularity for target shooting among the
leading marksmen. This pistol is now supplied only in the No. 35 or
"Offhand Target Model," which like the earlier models has a tip-up action
and an automatic extractor. A small knob on the left side is pressed to
release the barrel and operate the action. (See Fig. 14, facing p. 30.)

The Remington pistol has an exceedingly strong action, and is the only
machine-made pistol with an action adapted for regulation.44,.45, and
.50 caliber cartridges. It has a large handle and a heavy barrel. The
action is operated when the hammer is at full-cock by throwing back the
breech-block with the thumb, simultaneously ejecting the empty shell.
Unfortunately the manufacture of these weapons has recently been
discontinued. (See Fig. 15, facing p. 30.)

The Adolph-Weber pistol designed by M. Casimir Weber, of Zurich,
Switzerland, is a high grade hand-made arm that can be supplied by Mr.
Fred Adolph in accordance with any specifications that the marksman may
desire. Fig. 16 illustrates it conforming to the rules and regulations of
the U. S. Revolver Association. It has a strong, durable, tip-up action
resembling in principle that of the Stevens, and when closed the barrel is
securely locked in position by a cross bolt, actuated by a button on the
left side. (See Fig. 16, facing p. 32.)

[Illustration: Fig. 10.--THE PARABELLUM OR "LUGER" AUTOMATIC PISTOL Eight
shots; 4-5/8 inch barrel; weight, 1 lb., 13.4 oz.;.30 cal.]

[Illustration: Fig. 11.--WEBLEY & SCOTT AUTOMATIC PISTOL Eight shots; 5
inch barrel; weight, 2 lbs., 7 1/2 oz.;.455 cal.]

[Illustration: Fig. 12.--MAUSER AUTOMATIC PISTOL Ten shots; 5 1/2 inch
barrel; weight, 2 lbs., 7 1/2 oz.;.30 cal.]

The Adolph-Martini is a weapon _de luxe_ that has been produced in the
same manner as the Adolph-Weber, in which the action of the Martini rifle
has been employed. It has double set triggers and is highly ornate.

The Adolph "H. V." is a.22 caliber pistol adapted for a special high
velocity cartridge developing a muzzle velocity of 2,000 ft. per second
and an energy of 623 foot-pounds.

With good ammunition all these pistols are capable of placing ten shots
within a 2-inch circle at 50 yards.

A very accurate pistol for gallery and short-range shooting is made by M.
Gastinne-Renette of Paris and used in his gallery in that city. These are
muzzle-loading and are very tedious and inconvenient to manipulate. For
this reason they have not become popular. A few of these arms have been
made up as breech-loaders, with a tip-up action similar to the Stevens,
but operated by a side lever under the hammer and chambered for the.44
Russian cartridge. In this form with gallery charges the pistol has given
very good results. (See Fig. 17, facing p. 32.)

The revolver is not quite as accurate as the pistol, on account of the
necessity of having the cylinder detached from the barrel. If the pin on
which the cylinder revolves is not at right angles with the end of the
cylinder, there will be more space between the cylinder and the breech
end of the barrel in some positions of the cylinder than in others. The
result will be varying amounts of gas escaping from the different chambers
of the cylinder, and consequently irregular shooting. The accuracy of the
revolver depends largely, too, upon the degree of perfection in which all
the chambers of the cylinder align with the bore of the barrel at the
instant of discharge. When the chambers do not align perfectly, the bullet
enters the barrel eccentrically and a portion of it is shaved off. This is
fatal to accuracy, especially when smokeless powder is used. Imperfect
alignment of chamber and barrel is also a frequent cause of the "leading"
of the barrel. Some very ingenious mechanical expedients are used in the
best revolvers to reduce to a minimum the wear of those parts which
operate and hold the cylinder in position.

The revolvers generally used for target shooting are the military arms
already described, with longer barrels, chambered for special cartridges,
fitted with target sights, special handles, and other modifications to
suit the whims and tastes of individuals.

Some of these modifications are distinctly advantageous. One of the most
recent fads is to skeletonize the hammer by boring away as much metal
as possible and to increase the tension of the main spring. The combined
effect is almost instant response to the trigger pull.

[Illustration: Fig. 13.--SMITH & WESSON PISTOL Ten-inch barrel; weight, 1
lb., 8 3/4 oz.,.22 cal.]

[Illustration: Fig. 14--STEVENS PISTOL, GOULD MODEL Ten-inch barrel;
weight, 1 lb., 10 oz.;.22 cal.]

[Illustration: Fig. 15.--REMINGTON PISTOL Ten-inch barrel, weight, 2 lbs.,
8 oz.;.44 cal.]

The best and most experienced shots are careful to keep the modifications
of all their arms within the rules and regulations of the various national
organizations,[5] in order that they may be used in the annual
competitions and other important events. These organizations control the
pistol and revolver shooting, and conduct annual competitions. "Freak"
arms which do not comply with the rules are not allowed in the
competitions, are seldom practical, and have little or no value other than
for experimental purposes. Target arms are generally used for trick and
exhibition shooting.[6]

_Pocket Arms._--The most extensive use of the revolver as a pocket weapon
is for police service. Special arms are manufactured to meet the
requirements. These weapons are generally similar to the military
revolvers, but smaller in size and adapted for lighter charges. All
projections, such as sights, hammer, etc., must be eliminated or minimized
so as not to catch in drawing the arm from the pocket or holster. The
barrels are usually from 3 to 5 inches in length, the trigger pull 4
pounds and the caliber.22 to.38. The larger calibers are much preferable
for the general purposes of an arm of this character. The difference in
weight is slight, while the power and effectiveness of the large calibers
is important and a great advantage.

The pocket arms shown in Figs. 18 and 19 are practically reduced sizes of
the military arms shown in Figs. 1 and 2. They have solid frames and
actions identical with those of the military arms. The Smith & Wesson is
made only in.32 caliber but the Colt may be had in.32 or.38. Both are
double action.

The Colt Police Special is similar in model to Fig. 18 but is slightly
larger and heavier and can be had chambered for the powerful.38 caliber
Special, or the.32 caliber Winchester cartridges.

The Smith & Wesson Double Action, Perfected, is an improved model of this
popular pocket weapon, having a double locking action. (See Fig. 20,
facing p. 34.)

[Illustration: Fig. 16--ADOLPH WEBER PISTOL Ten-inch barrel; weight, 2
lbs. 2 oz.;.22 cal.]

[Illustration: Fig. 17--GASTINNE-RENETTE PISTOL 10-3/16 inch barrel;
weight, 2 lbs. 6 oz.;.44 cal.]

[Ill