10/4/16_Range Report_SP101

[PT7]

I wasn't going to shoot the SP101 .357 Magnum revolver today. I had different plans, which unexpectedly got cut off at the pass!

I got an early start with the purpose of shooting before the forecasted late afternoon rain moved in. I did make that, and the cloud cover and brisk wind provided a pleasant, cooler 76* range time.

My plan.
To go to my LGS and pick up my new Bond Arms Snake Slayer IV (BASSIV) derringer....it came in! Had my .357 Magnum, .38 Spl, and .38 Spl + "P" ammo ready in my range bag, plus two home-made targets. With the new BASSIV I was going to shoot at the MO range, Parma Woods.

"The best laid plans......" You know the rest of the story.
The LGS owner brought my derringer to the counter, and I opened the box. It looked really cool with the Rosewood grips and 4.25" barrel.
Ah, here is where the OOPS happened. The gun was shipped with the wrong caliber barrel! I had ordered a .357 magnum/.38 spl, and this gun had the .45LC/.410 calibers. So the re-order is happening.

Revolver always tags along.
All was not lost. No matter where I shoot, the SP101 comes along as an EDC. So I had it, as usual, and plenty of ammo. Off to Parma Woods!

Goal.
Since the SP101 was not supposed to be in action, I had to create a goal. I remember that in my last Range Report for the revolver I noted that I needed to work on better control of my sights. So went after that, and had quite good results!

As you glance at these four targets, here is what I did. I shot off hand, standing, at 7 yards and 15 yards. The sight approach I used totally today was to keep both eyes open, allow the revolver's front and rear sights both to blur, and focus on the target. In his book, Gun Digest Book of the Revolver, Grant Cunningham states that when you keep your focus on the target, you're "looking through the sights." He is a long-time wheel-gun guy, and said that for years he considered this type of sighting to be "heresy." But part of the motivation to consider this approach was the onset of elder eyes. I'm there also, and I've found this sighting technique really works well for me. So let's see what the targets show.

Target One [Both of these splash targets are 6" diameter].
Distance of 7 yards, shot 15 rounds using .38 spl + "P" reloads built by my son-in-law.

Ouch-ouch-ouch! My first shot of the day was high and 1.25" off the target....not the way I like to start. Then remaining 14 POIs were good.

Target Two
Distance of 7 yards, shot 15 rounds using .38 spl, Herters 158gr FMJ. Results of 15/15 in target.

Target Three

Distance of 15 yards (only time I shot this far today), shot 15 rounds again of the .38spl + "P" reloads. Results of 12/15 in the 8" plate/3" orange dot, and three POIs in the cardboard. I can see that I'm moving in closer & closer on that bull at this distance. (Could it have been the wind?) Will keep on practicing.

Target Four

Moved back to 7 yards distance to finish out the range time. Shot 10 rounds of .357 Magnum, Freedom Munitions 158gr XTP. 10/10 in the 6" target.

Take Away.
Hey, hey, hey! I didn't send any rounds directly into the woods, missing the broad side of a barn! That is always an extra plus.

Shooting with both eyes open and "looking through the sights" is going to be my regular routine now. Although I have tried this on/off for a while now, today the plan all came together (no cigar in mouth like Hannibal). I even shot more relaxed, and the eyes felt comfortable and natural staying open. Since it was fun resulting in some good POIs, I'll keep with it.

That's the revolver range story for October 4th.
I wonder what kind of range report I'll have when I first shoot the BASSIV with its O/U barrel configuration? I'm looking forward to it!!
Have a great day, Everyone!

[White Squirrel]

I have heard of keeping both eyes open, but not what you describe as "looking through the sight". Looks like it worked well for you.

[RanchRoper]

Nice targets and great report! Good job.

[CT_Shooter]

Your shooting and range reports continue to blow me away! Thanks, PT7, for passing along good information and for sharing those great targets.

I hope that new barrel arrives quickly and in the proper caliber!

[RetiredSeabee]

Glad that you had a back up gun. Sorry to hear about the Bond, but now we have another new gun report to look forward to.
I don't think I have ever consciously thought about whether I keep one or both eyes open when shooting a handgun. I know for rifles and my Mare's Leg I close the left eye.
I will have to be aware of it next range trip.
It certainly seems to work well for you.

[Sir Henry]

I usually close my non-dominant eye but not always. When I shoot my BB gun I keep both eyes open because I can "see" the BB flying through the air. Another time I keep both open is shooting a rifle/pistol with a 1:1 power scope. It works great because you can see a wide field of view with your naked eye while seeing the target in the scoped eye.

Let us know how you like the Bond. I have two frames and four barrels. The triggers can be tricky. TGR taught me how to pull the trigger back and down.

[PT7]

I didn't know you have two of the Bond derringers, SH.....cool. What are your four barrel calibers? On my first one I had a .357/.38 Special barrel, which BA swapped and let me trade even-up for the .45LC/.410 that came with the gun. Then I got a 9MM second barrel.

I bought my first one in December 2012, just about a month or so before BA re-designed the hammer and trigger on the derringer. I had the older style on my new derringer, and that trigger (the "pull back and down" movement) was a bear for me to operate. So I opted to have BA re-fit mine with the new design, and it was a vast improvement. This new one, of course, will have that configuration, too. Here is a good review of that re-design on GunBlast, with some great comparison pictures: http://www.gunblast.com/BondArms.htm

So when did you buy your frames? If it was before December 2012, you have the older design. But I'd think you can still send the frame in to BA and they will re-fit yours, too. I think the cost for me (of course, 4 years ago) was only $50. Well worth it.

I already know I will like the Snake Slayer IV model I ordered. I regretted selling my first derringer, and finally was able to replace it. Basically, the BASSIV that I'm getting is the same as my first Snake Slayer model; just has a longer barrel with it. Going from the original 3.5" to a 4.25" barrel, again in .357 Magnum/.38 Spl. BTW, I just got my second barrel from BA today. It's a 3" in .22LR caliber. Thought it would be fun to shoot that caliber --- as a SA partner to my SGC!

Looking forward to getting it....soon I hope. And I will post pictures along with my first Range Report.
Sure glad to see you posting again. Take care.

I usually close my non-dominant eye but not always. When I shoot my BB gun I keep both eyes open because I can "see" the BB flying through the air. Another time I keep both open is shooting a rifle/pistol with a 1:1 power scope. It works great because you can see a wide field of view with your naked eye while seeing the target in the scoped eye.

Let us know how you like the Bond. I have two frames and four barrels. The triggers can be tricky. TGR taught me how to pull the trigger back and down.

[Sir Henry]

I have a Cowboy and a Texas and the four barrels are: 22 Long Rifle, 357 Mag/38 Special, 45 Colt / 2.5" .410 and a 45 Colt / 3" .410. I bought them used and I'm sure they are older than 2012. I've never shot 357 Mag but limit it to 38 Special. Same with the 45 Colt as I've only shot .410 in it. But the .22LR gets the most action.

[PT7]

Neat BA collection!

Couple of curiosity Qs, SH.
~~My .22LR barrel is 3"; what length is yours? Is it pretty accurate to shoot with that barrel length? I got mine specifically to match caliber with my SGC, so I will probably give that barrel a lot of action as you do.

~~How do you like shooting the .410? What do you shoot -- different shot sizes, or maybe even slugs? And what is the distance you're at for the .410? How is recoil on the caliber?

I think there are about 16 calibers to choose from, which fit the frame. I may look at another barrel down-the-road. Right now, not sure which caliber that might be. The BA derringer sure is a well-built and interesting firearm to have. I hope to learn to shoot it well...my second time around!

A trivia comment. Interesting that Bond Arms has acquired Boberg Arms. They are now getting the bullpup pistol ready to market. I've read a little about the acquisition on the Boberg forum. Many of current Boberg owners are somewhat unhappy about the change, not knowing if Bond Arms will have the good CS level they believe came with Boberg. My experience so far with BA CS is that it is pretty good. (Cannot compete with Henry CS though in my opinion!!). The acquisition change caught me by surprise, and even more of a surprise when I found that the bullpup is such a spendy firearm! Always something happening.

I have a Cowboy and a Texas and the four barrels are: 22 Long Rifle, 357 Mag/38 Special, 45 Colt / 2.5" .410 and a 45 Colt / 3" .410. I bought them used and I'm sure they are older than 2012. I've never shot 357 Mag but limit it to 38 Special. Same with the 45 Colt as I've only shot .410 in it. But the .22LR gets the most action.

DSCN0942.JPG

[Sir Henry]

The .22LR and 357/38 barrels are both three inches and I have two 45/410 barrels; one is three inches and the other is four inches. I have a wide assortment of .410 shells as I also have a Winchester 9422. A few years ago I drove down to TX and stopped at almost every Walmart along the way looking for .22LR ammo. None had any but they all had .410 so I bought my limit of three at everyone. Some didn't have limits so I would buy all they had. I have a Walmart road map which listed the address for every store in the United States so there weren't many I passed. I now have several thousand rounds in .410.

When I shot the BA I think I just used the Remington in the box that is upside down and I think I only shot it a few times. Its not really practical or fun while the .22LR is a blast.