I'm Super excited!

[Charles Isaac]

I don't recall reading of an M1899 S&W being used on a GAF firing line-this may be unprecedented!

[Pitspitr]

I think you may be correct.

I know Col. Diamond has a fairly early S&W K-frame but I don't think it's an 1899. Considering they only made 2,000 of them for the army and another 1,000 for the navy it's something you're probably not going to see very often.

[Niederlander]

You DO realize the way to make the best impression is to shoot it double action with one hand, right?!

[Delmonico]

Until he gets a better trigger on it downrange may be the only safe place.

[pony express]

Doesn't look like I'm going to have a chance to shoot it this weekend.

I checked my stash, had 20 LC and 10 SC, loaded with 125 gr bullets, 2.5 and 2.1gr Bullseye. Bring it on down, at least fire off a few with it, maybe even shoot a stage.

[Pitspitr]

Oh, I'm bringing it!

I've bought 100 rounds of Blackhills cowboy rounds and may have another 150 here by then too.

I figure I can shoot most of the match with what I have. I'm bringing my newer, nickel Smith too. If I run out of 38 Colt I'll shoot the newer one with 38 special.

[Pitspitr]

You DO realize the way to make the best impression is to shoot it double action with one hand, right?!

Yes, I do realize that, I'm just not sure I'm man enough. There I said it. 

Until he gets a better trigger on it downrange may be the only safe place.

That may be right  I may be able to adjust the trigger a little by then. We'll see.

[Charles Isaac]

You DO realize the way to make the best impression is to shoot it double action with one hand, right?!

Yes, I do realize that, I'm just not sure I'm man enough. There I said it. 

Shooting ANY pistol double action one handed for score makes a great impression, but shooting a Colt's New Service one handed in double action for score makes the best impression!

And I'm not sure I'm man enough to do that!

For those that may not know-by all accounts, Ned Niederlander can hammer a Colt's New Service one handed double action!

Now THAT'S "Bring'n on the Heat!" WOO HOO!

[pony express]

But, Ned had Colt's New Service sized hands! Not many do.

[Pitspitr]

Yes, he does, doesn't he?! 

[Niederlander]

That helps!  You have to have pretty long fingers to grip that thing AND properly reach the trigger.  Big gun!

[Charles Isaac]

I think I would at least try to shoot a Colt's New Service one handed double action with Ned Niederlander, but with Colonel Drydock shooting his Colt's Army Special two handed, well, now I'll be toast on at least two counts!

My nature is by no means overly competitive, but I want to at least try to place as well as possible.

[Pitspitr]

Well, I shot it tonight. (All 1 handed I might add   )
First 5 shots single action a group I could cover with my hand but about 8-9" high and 2 inches left.
Second 5, double action all over the place.
Last 5, double action and I could cover it with my hand again. Slightly right and about 6-7" high.
All this was at 15 yds.

So not great by any means, but I'm not disappointed either. I am pleased to see that I can shoot it well single handed in spite of the heavy trigger pull.

A lighter bullet leaves the barrel faster and therefore hits lower from a pistol, right? I may have to get some 150 gr bullets.

[pony express]

Sounds like minute-of-steel cowboy accuracy, and most of the targets this weekend will be standard SASS type, BIG and CLOSE. But sometimes there's things like plate racks and the dreaded Texas Star, that are a bit smaller. Don't know exactly what it'll look like this time, we got rained out on our setup day yesterday, and they're planning to set it all up on Sat afternoon now, and I'll be out of town then. Family "mini vacation" to Branson Friday and Sat, arrive back home Sat evening, then up early and off to the range Sun.

[Pitspitr]

Well, I shot a my first match with it.

When I missed a target it was me and not the pistol. The thing that really surprised me was that with as heavy as the trigger is, I never noticed it during the match.

[Charles Isaac]

Well, I shot it tonight. (All 1 handed I might add   )

Show Off!! 

A lighter bullet leaves the barrel faster and therefore hits lower from a pistol, right? I may have to get some 150 gr bullets.

This is actually a very common misconception Sir! (Aren't I tactful?)

It has more to do with recoil and a heavier bullet will usually generate more recoil so the bullet leaves the barrel with the line of sight higher above the original aiming point.  Now, take into consideration a .357 Magnum.

A 158 gr launched with a .357 Magnum load will land higher on the target than when the exact same gun is fired with .38 Specials and the exact same bullet, but a lighter (and less recoiling) powder charge.

[Pitspitr]

I had the general concept correct in my mind, just didn't word it properly. Any way if I can find a load that recoils less it should hit lower. Trailboss might be the ticket. Although; ...I didn't seem to have any trouble hitting the target with it, anyway last weekend.

[pony express]

You could try some 125gr, that should lower it. But remember, our targets at COWS are only at about 7-8 yards, you need to be able to hit the odd 30-40 yard one too.

[Charles Isaac]

Well, I have to say this actually is pretty exciting for me-I can't remember the last time, if ever, that I have heard of someone buying an M1899 Army Smith & Wesson and actually firing it-I do hope to see this pistol some day!

[Pitspitr]

Well, I might not shoot it either if it were mint and therefore worth about 5 times what I gave for this one. As it is, it has ALOT of holster wear and almost no finish left so I doubt that shooting it will harm it's value.

Tell you what. I'll make sure I have plenty of ammunition loaded so that when you're here next summer you can try it out. Just remind me.