Fast draw

D

dahermit

New member
I have been having a ball practicing fast draw with my recently acquired S&W 66-4. I have been shooting about 100 rounds, every day, double tap after a fast draw, at a steel 12" diameter steel plate about 12 yards distance. Draw, double-tap, re-holster, draw, double-tap, etc. (Three draws per full cyclinder.). This is all just for fun; the 66-4 is not my carry gun.

I am beginning to feel like, "Just a punk kid with a fast gun, trying to make a reputation for myself." (albeit, a 69 year-old "kid".) I think it started when I became engrossed in watching the cable series, "Justified".

I am using a minimalist scabbard, but want to cant the gun back a little. There is a real shortage of fast-draw holsters for this gun...I am becoming resigned to the fact I may have to make one. Having given my leather-working tools away in '86, I will have to buy them again.

I was quite successful making my own holsters in the early eighties, gave them away with the guns I was selling and on one occasion, could not get the buyer of a gun to believe the holster was home-made. I told him to look for a maker's mark...few would sell a holster without a makers logo on it somewhere. I do not know if he ever was convinced. Anyway, it may be time to buy the leather to make a holster for this gun.
SW66-4.jpg
 
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Good for you, sir. Keep at it, tho I'd recommend that you work with your carry if you do carry. I practice with my auto.

I have a S&W 60-4 that looks like that. Well, maybe not quite that shiny. And only five rounds. But I love it anyhow.
 
Good for you, sir. Keep at it, tho I'd recommend that you work with your carry if you do carry. I practice with my auto.

I have a S&W 60-4 that looks like that. Well, maybe not quite that shiny. And only five rounds. But I love it anyhow.
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My carry is a .38 snub in my right-front pocket. Not much of a fast-draw situation. My "fast draw" is for fun only.
You talk'en to me??!! :D
 
Don't let yourself get too grooved in on that "draw, double tap, holster" routine. Finding yourself with a holstered gun when you realize the double tap didn't do the job could be embarrassing.

Jim
 
Payden, That is along the lines I was thinking. I want that lowered front (near rear sight) for clearance when drawing and the open trigger.
I make a construction paper templete using the gun when designing a holser. It helps with figuring out how the holster will hang on the belt also (unless I use a square, sewn-on belt loop design...depending upon the purpose).
I will be wanting a backward cant on the fast draw rig.
 
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Don't let yourself get too grooved in on that "draw, double tap, holster" routine. Finding yourself with a holstered gun when you realize the double tap didn't do the job could be embarrassing.
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Keep in mind that it is for fun...I will not be facing a real opponent (round steel gong).
 
i have seen somewhere(can't remember exactly where) a holster that is open carry that is hinged that lets you litteraly lets you shoot from the hip.
 
BTW, no matter the holster, a good bit of time can be hacked off by properly "prepping" the trigger before the gun's actually at full presentation.
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Being only for my own amusement, I think that I shall forgo "prepping" the trigger, least I prep a round through my foot.
 
Back in the 80's I had a Ruger 44 Blackhawk
5" brl and a Hunter holster and belt.
I stood in front of the bedroom mirror-
gun unloaded of course and attempted to fast
draw.I dropped the gun on the floor and that was the
last time I attempted to play Cowboy :o
 
Get a couple more targets so you have 3. Practice drawing and hitting the center one first, then left and right. Or hit the right one first then the left one and then the center. Mix it up. Place each plate at different distances and heights. One of my favorite stages from the Steel Challenge is called Triple Threat and it is a good workout for learning to draw and hit fast. Having a friend call out "right" or "center" just as you draw will teach you how to get on a target fast. Hopefully. And forget about "prepping" the trigger. That's completely unneccessary for DA shooting and is an advanced technique for pros trying to cut thous. of a second off their time. I would also not recommend getting into the habit of reholstering when you finish a pair or the whole set. You should go to "low ready" and scan left and right before you reholster. If you ever get into competition you will have a RO right behind you and be required to unload and show clear to him before you reholster. Failure to unload and show clear will get you a disqualification. If I'm at a range by myself (not competing) and wearing a holstered gun I want it to be loaded and ready all the time. If it's empty it might as well be laying on the bench with the action open.
 
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dahermit,

If you wish to master fast drawing, and hitting your target, here is what I do.

1. Just use a plain beltside holster, even if your revolver's barrel sticks out of the bottom.

2. When you draw, look into the mirror and make sure your gun is draw just at the same angle the cant of the hoister angles the gun (else it will bind and slow you down.)

3. Make sure you get a perfect grip everytime and the weapon is pulled strait out till the muzzle clears the leather.

4. NO NOT PULL THE TRIGGER WHILE DRAWING. Unlike Bill Jordan and his 'Jordan holster' a true concealment holster and coat may very well bind a bit and if you are pulling that trigger while you draw the binding will slow you down enough so you end up shooting yourself (or as I say, 'Barny Fifing' yourself.)

If that photo of the M66 4 incher above is yours, the Rogers/Safariland grips are PERFECT for that.

I also have solid metal 'look-a-likes' of my carry guns and I use those in the house to draw, that way preventing a AD/ND.

Oh, and get a weak side version of your holster and practice from that. Be able to draw fast left or right handed.

Deaf
 
Dont want to jinx you , but i have 2 great uncles both shot themselves in the leg with 22s at the same time doing quick draw when they were young. The bullet was found still in one of them years later during an unrelated trip to the doctor my uncle was ready to take that secret to his grave with him rather than tell Grandmother he'd shot himself, and so was his brother. I still think thats a funny story been laughing at it since i was told by my grandad.
 
Crankgrinder,

They shot themselves in the leg cause they pulled the trigger while drawing. You DON'T touch the trigger till the gun clears the leather. If you start on the trigger before that you will find ANY hangup that slows the draw won't slow your finger. Others do the reverse and holster their gun with their finger on the trigger, with the same results.

The trigger is the 'go' button. Don't touch the trigger till you want it to GO.

Yes Bill Jordan did advocate starting on the trigger while drawing, but Bill had an open top Jordan holster and no concealment. Even then.... it's not a wise idea.

Deaf
 
oh yea i know it. hillarious though to think about it. Right after that i always get a picture of "cheddar bob" from the movie 8-mile in my head. I like quick draw i think it is very practical. you have a nice rig there just thought id share a laugh.
 
I have finally gotten around to buying the tools and leather to make my quick-draw rig. Remember, it is for fantasy quick-draw, not real self defense. It is strictly for fun.
To refresh your memory, this is the gun I am using, a S&W M19-4, (Edit: whoops! Model 66-4 not 19-4),round-butt, after-market grips as shown in the picture:
SW66-4.jpg


This picture shows the back-ward cant of the holster to enable not breaking (bending) the wrist as one draws.
001-3.jpg


This picture shows the deep "V" cut-out on the front of the holster to allow the barrel to clear the holster faster.
002-3.jpg

This last picture shows the extra thick welt under the trigger guard I employed to act as a secure stop to keep the gun from jamming into the holster and subsequently giving up a light pull on the gun when drawing.
003-2.jpg

Note: This is the first holster I have made since the late seventies or early eighties and I am having to re-learn the skills I once possessed. In other words, I made some cosmetic mistakes that I will address if I make any more holsters.
I tried it out today, and it seems to work very well for quick-draw.
 
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Make a nice cross draw holster. It's always fun to practice cross draw and cavalry draw when playin around with your quick draw. I do it with my pietta 1858 rem. 8 inch barrel cap and ball.
 
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