Question regarding "Quick Draw"

[Bob Wright]

I was watching some video of quick draw contests. These are solely speed contests with either blanks or wax bullets, and are entirely impractical for any other application, as the guns are so highly modified as to nullify their use with live ammunition.

But I noticed that after firing, some shooters had an exaggerated movement after firing the shot. One shooter swept his gun downward in an arc so the muzzle was straight down and slightly behind him. Another shooter had sort of a "twitch" rotating the gun almost ninety degrees away and back to vertical.

This led me to question what caused this, nerve reaction or ............what?

I know some on this forum are into this sport, and maybe can answer my query. No criticizing the sport, just a learned answer would be appreciated.

Bob Wright

 

[caryc]

I have no idea. I have never done or seen the movements you are talking about. Can you give a link to this video?

 

[Bob Wright]

Took me awhile to fine what I was talking about, not the one I originally saw, but close:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0rZiYuBs84

At 2:32 into the video, the shooter in the paisley shirt.

This is the one I found first. The shooter at about 2:29 into the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g11oE_nxWSU&t=65s

Bob Wright

 

[Dave P.]

That's not my game but it looks like they are using the holster to support
or help rotate the barrel up into the firing position. I think you're just seeing
the "follow through". Thinking the gun is being pushed down on at that
point.
Dave

 

[pisgah]

Ever seen some of the stuff a pro baseballer will do when stepping up to the plate?...

 

[Bob Wright]

Ever seen some of the stuff a pro baseballer will do when stepping up to the plate?...

You mean they knock the mud off their boots with the barrel of their six shooters?

:roll: :roll:


Bob Wright

 

[Mus408]

I like the guy that leans all the way back! Could you fire a "normal" revolver that way?

 

[Doc Holliday]

All show.

 

[caryc]

Took me awhile to fine what I was talking about, not the one I originally saw, but close:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0rZiYuBs84

At 2:32 into the video, the shooter in the paisley shirt.

This is the one I found first. The shooter at about 2:29 into the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g11oE_nxWSU&t=65s

Bob Wright

I've never seen the Thunderbirds (a Canadian Club) shoot before. Different clubs have different rules. But I've never seen it allowed to have your hand on the gun before the draw. Some are even using a twist draw which a lot of clubs don't allow.

I don't know how they got away with having their hands on the gun shooting in WFDA, unless the rules have changed. To me, that's kind of chicken shick.

 

[caryc]

All show.

That's why the Cowboy Fast Draw Association was formed. Not much modification to the guns or holsters at all.

 

[caryc]

I like the guy that leans all the way back! Could you fire a "normal" revolver that way?

It's a contest for speed. Could you beat that guy?

 

[caryc]

All show.

Yeah, I imagine you being Doc Holliday could out draw them any time.

 

[Doc Holliday]

"Fast is fine, but accuracy is final" - Wyatt Earp.

 

[bogus bill]

There was a story about I believe Hugh O`brian challenging Audie Murphy to a fast draw contest. Murphy said okay, but with live ammo!

 

[caryc]

"Fast is fine, but accuracy is final" - Wyatt Earp.

Most people think that firing those blanks at the balloons is like shooting a shotgun. It really isn't. You really do have to be aiming at the target to hit it.

And how about when they are using wax bullets? You don't think they have to be accurate? Make a video and show it to us when you can do better. Besides, I've heard that Wyatt Earp used his gun more to smack people around than to fast draw.

 

[Doc Holliday]

"Fast is fine, but accuracy is final" - Wyatt Earp.

Most people think that firing those blanks at the balloons is like shooting a shotgun. It really isn't. You really do have to be aiming at the target to hit it.

And how about when they are using wax bullets? You don't think they have to be accurate? Make a video and show it to us when you can do better. Besides, I've heard that Wyatt Earp used his gun more to smack people around than to fast draw.

Good for him, most people could use a good smack.

 

[caryc]

"Fast is fine, but accuracy is final" - Wyatt Earp.

Most people think that firing those blanks at the balloons is like shooting a shotgun. It really isn't. You really do have to be aiming at the target to hit it.

And how about when they are using wax bullets? You don't think they have to be accurate? Make a video and show it to us when you can do better. Besides, I've heard that Wyatt Earp used his gun more to smack people around than to fast draw.

Good for him, most people could use a good smack.

I see you avoided my questions.

 

[Doc Holliday]

What questions?

 

[caryc]

What questions?

Well, first you said "it's all show". Indicating there is no skill to it or accuracy needed. Then you came up with that quote "Fast is fine, but accuracy is final" - Wyatt Earp.

So do you honestly think fast draw shooters don't have to be accurate? And if there is no skill to it, do you think you could do better?

Don't you think a wax bullet has to hit the target to break it?

Those questions.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Cisco is as fast as anyone I've seen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiHgNXxIcuo Set the world record, I'm not sure if it still stands.

 

[caryc]

Have a look at Howard Darby. That draw at the end with five balloons is pretty showy all right.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOfr6hU5fic

 

[coach]

No discussion about quick draw would be complete without a mention of Bob Munden.
It looks to me he hovers his hand just above the grip. Like his wife said, you can’t see the gun come out of the holster.
https://youtu.be/v5WjkI5FuP0

 

[caryc]

No discussion about quick draw would be complete without a mention of Bob Munden.
It looks to me he hovers his hand just above the grip. Like his wife said, you can’t see the gun come out of the holster.
https://youtu.be/v5WjkI5FuP0

I didn't mention Bob Munden because he refused to adhere to WFDA rules about gun modification so he never officially held the world title. No doubts about his talent though.

 

[gramps]

No mention of Ed McGivern? https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_McGivern
gramps

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Well Let me add this. No quick draw /showmanship would be complete without a mention of my friend and yes I can call him a Friend Joe Bowman. He did a lot of what others did but with a lot more style and humbleness.
RIP Joe "The Straight Shooter"

 

[pi2]

Related subject:

Years ago someone on this forum mentioned a video of a guy who put a circle on a board (fence I think)... stepped back a few feet/yards, drew and threw a knife at the circle.... then drew a revolver and shot a hole in the circle (centered naturally) into which the thrown knife immediately stuck.

An amazing feat I would like to see if anyone can resurrect the video.

I have searched for the video unsuccessfully.

 

[Kevin]

Cary: in your picture of the wax bullets, the the cases primer side up? Why are they off center? And the cases on th right in the picture? Have the primer holes been drilled out and enlarged?

 

[PriseDeFer]

pi2...here you go, Cisco's your man...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBaxL0TTtNE

...and then there's this....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWnh83-TDxE

 

[caryc]

Cary: in your picture of the wax bullets, the the cases primer side up? Why are they off center? And the cases on th right in the picture? Have the primer holes been drilled out and enlarged?

On those cases with the off center holes, they are for using .22 cal blanks as the propellant. They are off center so that the firing pin on a center fire gun will always hit the rim of the .22 cal blank. They're made for wax bullets. They work very well.

On the other cases, they are drilled to accept #209 shotgun primers as the propellant. They also work well. No need to press in the primers, they are just a drop in fit as are the .22 cal blanks in the others.

The gun you see below is a 22/38. It started life as a single six. The barrel is now aluminum with a rifled steel .38 cal insert in it. The forward end of the cylinder is reamed out to .38 cal to accept .38 cal wax bullets. The back end of the cylinder is left at .22 cal to accept .22 cal blanks. It's a fun gun to shoot. You just shove the wax bullets into the cylinder and load up the .22 blanks and it's ready to go. It has a fanning hammer on it.

 

[Dave P.]

How accurate are the wax bullets?
Could you hit a Jack Russell terrier at say
25 to 30 feet? What kind of damage would it
do to the hypothetical Jack Russell?
Thinking either .38 or .45 cal.
The little bastard seems impervious to a Daisy
BB gun.
Dave