It was kinda the gigglesnort.
I've used neither giggle nor snort here, not even sarcasm.
The photo, without either explanation or context, I took as an attempt to illustrate the FBI reload.
If that was you in the photo, I was not deriding you personally, I was commenting on what I saw as real world deficiencies displayed, for those here who may not be aware of the finer points.
I gave my background, I gave my opinion, and I gave my reasons for that opinion.
I also made no snide comments about anybody who does choose to use that method.
The FBI has been known to cling to less-efficient techniques long past their expiration dates.
Anybody who prefers that FBI reloading technique makes their own choice.
My orientation has never been competition, as you may have guessed.
I've personally had split cases during firing (in new ammo), bulged cases, and variations in tight chambers, not to mention witnessed officers bind up their guns under the very moderate stress of range training by using the thumb instead of the punch.
In 99% of those cases, punching, rather than thumbing, would have cleared the gun more reliably than thumbing.
I have no reservations about the relevance of the sporting use of revolvers, and in no way do I dismiss the experiences of those who do compete.
I merely say, again, that not all competition techniques translate well to the real world, defensive engagements involve lead going in more than one direction, we don't all use light target loads carefully inspected before a match, and there's more at stake in a defensive scenario than merely losing a few points, or a match, or even creating a slowdown on the Saturday afternoon firing line at the range while you de-jam your revolver.
All that said, during a basement clean-up last night found the May 1986 issue of Guns & Ammo where-in Bob Shimek introduced the brand new Ruger GP-100.
Fun to re-read that one.
Denis
