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April Model 64 and Taurus 856

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BrokenolMarine
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April Model 64 and Taurus 856

Post by BrokenolMarine » Mon Apr 14, 2025 12:22 am

Well, the health and weather finally decided to play well with others and I was able to get down on the range. I decided to make it a snubbie day, and took two six shot snubbies to the range. As has been my policy, I don't overdue it. I shot 36 rounds from each. I decided to start with one of my old Patrol Department Guns, a Sergeant's Issued Snubby I was able to buy when we made the move from the Model 64 revolvers to the Glocks. This 2" gun was issued to the Sergeants and the Chief when they were in Suits for Duty Wear or Off Duty.

01 model 64 2.jpg
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I started firing slow fire at ten yards and fired two six round strings staging the trigger for each shot. The twelve rounds looked good, so I moved up to seven yards and fired twelve rounds double action, rolling through without staging, smoothly firing the six shots but not rushing, getting a point of aim before letting the rounds go downrange. Smooth Double action. The twenty four rounds looked good to me.

02 64 ten and seven yards.jpg
02 64 ten and seven yards.jpg (952.99 KiB) Viewed 3134 times

I moved up to three yards and fired twelve rounds rapid fire, shooting the six rounds as fast as I could bring the sights on target. NO crisp clean sight picture, what we taught in the Academy was a "Flash" Sight Picture. I was Very Pleased with the outcome.

03 64 three yards twelve rapid.jpg
03 64 three yards twelve rapid.jpg (1.46 MiB) Viewed 3134 times

I haven't shot in months and I was happy, more than happy, with the group. All those years of competition and continued practice paid off. I'm sure the groups would open up at longer distances, but these are snub guns. I'll shoot at longer distances the next time on the range with the other guns. :lol:
6 x
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.

I don't look back at the things I can't do anymore with regret, I just look forward to the things I still can.

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BrokenolMarine
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Re: April Model 64 and Taurus 856

Post by BrokenolMarine » Mon Apr 14, 2025 12:34 am

Next up, I repeated the same steps with the Taurus 856. This is the Six Shot Version of the Model 85, which is their clone of the Chief's Special.

04 taurus 856.jpg
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I started with six shots at ten yards and the group was nice except for one shot called high. I had done a trigger job on this gun, sorta. :roll: Basically I replaced the springs because the factory trigger was awful, well over 15 pounds double action. I was staging the trigger, as in the ten yard stage with the 64, and one of the shots "Really" surprised me.

05 856 ten yards first six.jpg
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The next six at ten yards weren't perfect, but not bad. I had a couple out. My back was beginning to bother me, but this was a side effect of being stuck in the chair for the last six to eight weeks due to weather and ... gimpy. :? I hope to improve over the summer.

06 856 ten yards twelve total.jpg
06 856 ten yards twelve total.jpg (733.89 KiB) Viewed 3134 times

Moved to the seven and fired another twelve shots. Nice. They felt good.

07 856 seven yards add twelve more.jpg
07 856 seven yards add twelve more.jpg (561.62 KiB) Viewed 3132 times

At three, rapid fire, the little Taurus shot rather well. The grips control the recoil and stick in your hand. I like the little gun. I would carry it, if I didn't have the Smith 340 .357 scandium.... :twisted: (The Beast.)

08 856 three yards add twelve rapid.jpg
08 856 three yards add twelve rapid.jpg (594.41 KiB) Viewed 3132 times

My only complaint is that black sight. I can't see it. So, after cleaning this evening, I am painting the sight with my Orange Testors Paint. :twisted:

00 orange Testors paint.jpg
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I'll be back on the range again soon, hopefully.
2 x
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.

I don't look back at the things I can't do anymore with regret, I just look forward to the things I still can.

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daytime dave
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Re: April Model 64 and Taurus 856

Post by daytime dave » Mon Apr 14, 2025 7:25 am

Very nice shooting marine. Ragged holes are the best.
A nice smooth Smith and Wesson always satisfies.
I have no experience with a Taurus. No gun shops I frequent carry them.
0 x
Some days I'm Andy, most days I'm Barney........
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BrokenolMarine
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Re: April Model 64 and Taurus 856

Post by BrokenolMarine » Mon Apr 14, 2025 8:31 am

Much less new than a used Smith for a comparable model. Trigger was heavy to start out, but added the spring kit and I was golden. I think that follow along is here on the site. I'm pleased. Miss T switched back to the 642 Airweight due to the weight of the two, no other reason.
0 x
You can tell a lot about the character of a man...
by the way he treats those who can do nothing for him.

I don't look back at the things I can't do anymore with regret, I just look forward to the things I still can.

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Hatchdog
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Re: April Model 64 and Taurus 856

Post by Hatchdog » Mon Apr 14, 2025 10:07 am

That’s really nice shooting with both revolvers and that poor VSP2007 file folder sure had a bad day. :lol:
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North Country Gal
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Re: April Model 64 and Taurus 856

Post by North Country Gal » Mon Apr 14, 2025 10:59 am

Great report and great shooting. Good to see you out shooting. Keep it up.
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fortyshooter
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Re: April Model 64 and Taurus 856

Post by fortyshooter » Tue Apr 15, 2025 7:09 pm

You did very well BM!!! Looks like it shoots like my little Ruger LCR 357!
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