[Ill.u.s.tration: Figure 80. Combination Set.--Smith & Wesson .38-Cal.

Revolver, .22-Cal. Pistol, Utensils, etc., in Case.]

Any of the target pistols referred to in the text under the subject of Arms (except the Remington pistol, which is a very heavy piece) are suitable for ladies' use. A very serviceable and handsome combination is furnished by Smith & Wesson, which consists of their regular target pistol with a 10-inch barrel and an interchangeable .38-caliber revolver barrel and cylinder, fitting to the same stock. These are furnished in a special case with cleaning rods, etc., making a complete and attractive set. The .22-caliber Smith & Wesson Hand Ejector with a 6-inch barrel and .22-caliber Colt Police Positive Target revolvers are also well adapted for ladies' use.

It is well to begin practice with a .22-caliber pistol, as this is a light and very pleasant charge to shoot, and the tendency to "flinch" is reduced to a minimum. After a fair degree of skill has been developed with the .22-caliber pistol reduced charges with a revolver may be tried and from this stage the practice shooting can progress to the regulation full charges. It is desirable that ladies should have a little practice with the revolver with full charged ammunition, so as to be able to manipulate it with sufficient confidence and skill in case of necessity.

CHAPTER XI

CLUBS AND RANGES[14]

Whenever three or more persons in any locality are interested in rifle or revolver shooting, a club can generally be organized and additional members secured. If the business affairs are properly and conservatively managed, much pleasure will result for the members at a nominal cost.

Approximate ideas of the cost of constructing and maintaining ranges and indoor "galleries" can generally be obtained by communicating with the officers of existing clubs. In preparing the Const.i.tution and By-Laws, that of the United States Revolver a.s.sociation will be an excellent guide.[15] The secretary-treasurer of that a.s.sociation will be able to give valuable a.s.sistance to new clubs.

The first requisite of a shooting club is a suitable range. A 50-yard range adapted to pistol and revolver practice can be constructed at a comparatively small expense. At the firing point a room or house should be provided with booths at least three feet wide with openings facing the targets. A substantial b.u.t.t must be supplied behind the targets to stop the bullets, including the wildest shots. This should be an earthen embankment, or may be a natural uninhabited hill with a steep slope toward the range. The range should be measured and laid out by an engineer, or other competent person using a steel tape. A pit at least 8 feet deep should be dug for the safe accommodation of the markers, and provided with a safely shielded side entrance. The uprights and other target framing should set against the back side of this pit. The width of the pit from the framing toward the firing point should be 5 feet, and the length should be made about 3 feet for each set of alternating targets. The alternating target frames to which the targets are to be attached may be of wood with heavy canvas stretched over them. The frames should be at least 30 inches square and should be so arranged that they can easily be moved up and down between the vertical posts in grooves or slides, like "double-hung" window sash, and so as to balance each other by means of cords running over pulleys located in the posts at about the height of the bottom of the target when in its highest position, the cords being attached to the lower corners of the frames.

They should be so adjusted that when one target is at the top and in position to be fired at, the other is at the bottom of the pit. Over each set of alternating targets and attached to a cross piece at the top of the uprights should be placed large numbers from 3 to 10 inclusive, for marking each target. A roof or shelter should be erected so as to shade the target and keep out the rain. Suitable timbers or steel plates should be provided to protect the slides or grooves between the targets from damage by wild shots. Steel plates are sometimes placed a short distance behind the targets, slanting forward at the top, to positively stop the majority of the bullets, but these must be far enough behind the targets or inclined sufficiently so that the spatter of lead will not injure the men in the pit. If possible, have the targets so located that they are due north of the firing point.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Figure 81. Details of Alternating Targets, Pit, etc., for 50-Yard Range.]

Such a range is operated as follows: A marker is sent into the pit for each target to be operated; paper targets having been pasted to the canvas on the frames a sufficient length of time previously so as to be dry. The marker pulls down one of the targets which raises the other into the firing position. As soon as the shot is fired, the marker, using a 10-foot rod with an iron disc 2 inches in diameter fastened on the end as a pointer "spots" the shot by placing the disc over the bullet hole, and then pointing to one of the numbers over the target corresponding to the value of the shot. The disc on the pointer should have one side painted white so that it can be easily distinguished when covering shots in the bull's-eye.

The scorer at the firing point then scores the shot as indicated by the marker. The marker then raises the target at the bottom of the pit in position for the next shot, which brings the first target down into the pit where the marker covers the bullet hole with a paster. This operation is repeated for each shot.

Where a score of ten consecutive shots is to be made on each paper target without covering the bullet holes with pasters, as in the United States Revolver a.s.sociation Matches, the target is fastened to the frame with double pointed carpet tacks and left in the firing position until the ten shot score is completed, each shot being "spotted," marked, and scored as fired. When the score is completed, another paper target having been placed on the alternating frame in the pit, the latter is raised promptly ready for the next score.

In large cities it is often necessary to provide a suitable range for target shooting indoors and by artificial light. Such a range is designated a "gallery." The standard range is 20 yards for the revolver and pistol, and 25 yards for the rifle. The arrangement at the firing point is practically the same as in the case of the 50-yard ranges, the booths being at least 3 feet wide. On account of the small size of the target and the short distance, it is feasible to move the target back and forth, from the firing point to the b.u.t.t by "trolleys" operated by a hand wheel, the latter being located generally at the left hand side in the booth at the firing point. The "trolley" carriage consists of a heavy steel spring clamp holding a cardboard target (about 9 inches square) at the top edge of the target, the carriage being supported by a No. 8 or 10-gauge wire stretched from the firing point to the b.u.t.t, at a level of about 2 feet above the line of fire. The supporting wires are attached to the wood-work at the firing point by means of eye-bolts, which also regulate the tension of the wires. The trolleys are operated back and forth by an endless braided cord pa.s.sing around angles over pulleys screwed to the wood-work of the booth, and around the hand wheel. A steel plate with the lower part inclined away from the firing point 20 or 30 degrees is placed about 12 inches back of the targets to stop the bullets and prevent them from gouging out the wall or wood-work behind. By deflecting the plates as described, the spatter of lead is directed downward, and thus prevents damage to the wood-work around the targets. A suitable background behind the targets may be provided by white or light gray paint, or by a suitable fabric.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Figure 82. Details of Booths at Firing Line, "Trolleys,"

and b.u.t.t for Gallery Ranges.]

If the splatter of the bullets mars the targets, a shield of 1-inch boards can be erected and maintained between the target and the steel plate.

The lighting may be accomplished by a line of gas jets or electric lights about 2 feet in front of the targets and at the same distance either above or below them. At least two jets should be used to light each target, otherwise the flicker of the gas jets makes the light unsatisfactory. The reflectors should be of tin or other metal, polished or painted white.

Gla.s.s is too fragile for this purpose. Heavy timbers or steel plates must be provided to protect the lights and piping from wild shots. A telescope is mounted in each booth to enable the marksman to see the location of shots in the bull's-eye.

When floor s.p.a.ce is limited the rifle ranges can sometimes be located over the revolver ranges, or the latter, if the range is in a cellar, may be depressed by constructing a pit of a suitable depth at the firing point.

The booths for rifle shooting and the operation of the targets are practically the same as already described.

It is best to complete all the work at the target end of the range first.

After the location of the targets is definitely fixed the position of the firing line can be determined by making the distance from the target to the firing point two inches in excess of 20 yards or 50 yards as the case may be. The slight excess distance does not affect the shooting appreciably, but it is important in order to avoid any possibility of having scores disqualified in case the range should be questioned and later be checked or verified and found "short." It is desirable whenever possible to have the ranges of the standard lengths especially if matches with other clubs are contemplated.

The table for cleaning arms, and for tools, should never be placed near the booths, but on the opposite side of the room, to avoid congestion at the firing line.

The floor on which the contestants stand at the firing line must be firm and solid, so as not to vibrate or move when others walk about in close proximity. A concrete floor covered with a carpet or rug of firm texture is excellent.

In indoor shooting smokeless powder and reduced charges are always to be preferred. When artificial ventilation is provided, some shooting may be done with black powder ammunition, but the range soon fills with smoke, rendering the targets indistinct and the atmosphere unpleasant. Gallery practice is very valuable, as it enables one to preserve good form in the winter months, in localities where it is too cold to shoot with comfort and pleasure out-of-doors.

The following simple rules should be printed and posted in conspicuous places in every shooting range or gallery:

RULES

Arms shall be unloaded until the contestant is at the firing point.

Loaded arms shall be handled with the muzzle pointing toward the targets.

Automatic arms shall be used only under the personal direction of the Shooting Master.

Contestants are requested to use the greatest care in handling arms at all times.

The authority of the Shooting Master in charge shall be absolute.

The rules of the United States Revolver a.s.sociation shall govern all match shooting.

The above rules must be strictly observed and will be enforced.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 83. Shooting Gallery of the Crescent Athletic Club, Brooklyn, N. Y.]

The Walnut Hill Range of the Ma.s.sachusetts Rifle a.s.sociation is one of the best 50-yard revolver ranges in the country. A well-equipped gallery of up-to-date design is that of the Crescent Athletic Club, Brooklyn, N. Y.

CHAPTER XII

HINTS TO BEGINNERS[16]

_Selection of Arms._--There is no single arm that can be used advantageously for all cla.s.ses of shooting. It is therefore necessary in the first place to decide for what purpose the arm is to be used. A careful perusal of the text under "Arms" and "Ammunition," will be of a.s.sistance in reaching a decision. The next step is the selection of the arm. As already stated, the cheap, unreliable, and unsafe arms are to be carefully avoided. It is preferable to buy a second-hand arm of a reputable manufacturer, if in good condition, than a new one of inferior make. Second-hand arms frequently have defects that cannot be detected by the novice, and, if obliged to buy a second-hand arm, it is advisable to ask some expert shot to a.s.sist in making the selection. The price of the best grades of pistols and revolvers is, fortunately, within the reach of almost every one, and, if at all possible, new arms should be purchased.

In any case, whether a new or a second-hand arm is to be chosen, it is well to examine and handle all the different models of the best makers.

The fit and feel of the arm are very important. Select an arm that feels comfortable, and which, when properly held, fits the hand so that the first joint of the trigger finger just touches the trigger when that part of the finger is bent at right angles to the barrel.

The correct manner of holding the pistol or revolver is shown in Fig. 84 and ill.u.s.trates how the hand should fit the arm. Note particularly the position of the trigger finger and the thumb. The trigger finger in this position acts directly backward in pressing the trigger, and the thumb a.s.sists materially in steadying the piece. If the piece is too large for the hand, the trigger finger will be more or less extended, and will pull side-wise to a greater or less degree, and thus increase the difficulty of fine shooting. Fig 84a ill.u.s.trates the approved position of the thumb when the locking catch interferes with the extended thumb. The fit of the arm is much more important, and has a vastly greater effect upon the results than fine distinctions between the merits of the different arms. Any of those named are excellent and are capable of shooting much more accurately than they can possibly be held by the most expert shots. A man with a large hand will probably find the Remington pistol or the Colt New Service revolver best suited for him; another with a hand of medium size will find the S. & W. pistol or the S. & W. Russian Model revolver most desirable; while another still, with a small hand, may prefer the Stevens pistol or the .38-caliber military revolver, either the S. & W. or the Colt.

If an arm is wanted for steady use, select the plain blue finish, and wood handles; elaborate engraving and gold, silver, copper, or nickel finished arms are handsome and pleasing, but, if much used, become burnt and discolored where the powder gases escape, and soon become unsightly. A blued finish is also to be preferred when shooting in the sunlight. Most arms as offered on the market have hard rubber handles. These become smooth and slippery when the hand perspires, and are not as desirable as wood handles. A few expert shots prefer pearl handles.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 84.--Correct Manner of Holding the Revolver with Thumb Extended]

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 84 a.--Showing Thumb when Locking Catch Interferes with Extended Position]

The trigger pull should have the smallest possible travel and be smooth and positive. The smaller the travel of the hammer and the more rapid its action, the quicker will be the discharge after pulling the trigger.

If the trigger does not pull smooth and "sweet," or becomes "creepy" from wear, it should be corrected by a skilled gunsmith. While the rules allow a trigger pull of 2 pounds for the pistol and 2 pounds for the target revolver, many expert shots prefer to have their arm pull from to 1 pound more. The rules also allow 7 and 8 inch barrels for the revolver. Many of the experienced shots prefer to have their revolvers balance near the trigger, and are of the opinion that the extra length of barrel above 6 inches does not offset the disadvantage of poorer balance. In the pistol, however, the length of the barrel is invariably 10 inches. Accuracy in aiming is lost very rapidly as the distance between the sights is reduced below 7 inches.

For target shooting, the .22-caliber pistols will be found admirably suited for beginners. The charge being light, there is less liability to "flinch," a fault easily and most invariably acquired when the novice begins shooting with a heavy charge. The practice in aiming and pulling the trigger with these arms is excellent training and a first-rate and valuable preliminary to the more difficult and practical work with the revolver.