The Lost Art of The Revolver

On March 12 we have a one day revolver class. Now some of you neophytes out there may be handy with the semi-auto but how about when your ubiquitous little bullets are launched from the confines of a carbonized, ordnance steeled cylindrical device manually cycled and triggered at lightning speed such that…”shot after shot was fired so fast…the barrel streamed fire?” Are you handy with the steel? You know iron boy? Slap leather, fan the hammer, drag iron, throw-lead, launch lead pills? This is phraseology long since relegated to the dim dusty past and yet, it was a simpler time (cue soft music) which evoked a kindler (sic), gentler era when hardened suspects stood a fighting chance and when counting rounds may have made some sort of sense.

A time when there were no bullet buttons on the frame, no reduced cylinder counts, no optics, no weapons lights and nothing save steely nerves and a steady hand to guide otherwise errant bullets into their target. This is an era when men lived hard by the cane-breaks of the Rio Bravo waters, ate cold lizard meat for breakfast washed down with diesel oil topped off with a rattlesnake venom aperitif’ and asked for more. When the Western sun closed down steel blue eyes narrowed over leather skin and the trigger finger was itchy hot, set – and ready to go, a real ring-tailed Vinegaroon that could whip its weight in bobcats if ever there was one. Yup…that’s the era of the revolver alright! When men were men and the sheep ran scared.

The first third of the day will be devoted to LAPD revolver training circa 1976 when ‘Uncle Scotty’ first threw on the badge and a .38 Special and went forth into the restless night to fight crime, uphold justice and preserve the honor of all things living both foreign and domestic. A time when anyone could fire you for any reason in the Academy and you had to take it. When an unclean revolver would get you ‘choked-out’ on the Academy field. When re-loading with pure lead bullets in Hogan’s Alley dark-stained your fingers, fortified your blood, strengthened the heart and kidneys and sharpened the mind and improved the vision. “A time when a bullet hole wasn’t disgusting and when crime was the good crime unlike the bad crime we hear of today. (From Neil Simon’s The Cheap Detective) A decade when the bullet lube melted in the noonday LA smog smearing the face and discoloring the shirt a time when ‘burning powder’ really meant something as flashing steel ripped fast from within polished leather and fire poured forth. When the city set you out with 18 rounds of .38 caliber crime defeating, pulse pounding, heart racing, perspiring oiled bullets with which to quell all crime and infractions being perpetrated by scofflaws and persons of low moral fiber. A time when a ticket for ‘no gloves in the glove-box’ really meant something and the judge saw no problem in this.

The last two thirds of the day will be devoted to really learning how to reload as rapidly with a revolver as with the semi-auto. To go to distance, defeat multiple threats and ‘race’ the cylinders. You will experience all things revolver like never before! You will learn that the revolver can and has been used to great effect in the past and you can do so as well. You will walk away with the skill sets bound to impress others with your knowledge on and subsequent application of, the ‘triggernometry’ relative to the revolver. This class is a sure-fire recipe to future success in your life.

Don’t be the only one on your block that doesn’t know the revolver! Don’t be left behind! Don’t be embarrassed at social gatherings. Learn the lingo, phrases and insider terms of true ‘revolverites.’ Don’t be left out of the conversation. Be the one who is called upon when the chips are down and your input is appreciated. Be the first at the water cooler with inside information on all the latest and revolver techniques. Don’t be a ‘sissy-Mary’. Learn the wheel gun and join the ranks of San Francisco Police Inspector Harry Callahan…”Uh-uh I know what you’re thinking… did he fire six shots or only five….”

We have plenty of revolvers and speed loaders for rent and plenty of bullets to hone your already perfected skills!

See you there
‘Uncle Scotty.’

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One Response to The Lost Art of The Revolver

  1. Gregory Topp says:

    Uncle Scotty,

    I’m looking so forward to the class. I’m sure that Charlie Varga will be there with me in spirit.

    I know it’s blasphemy, but I prefer the Highway Oatrolman or Combat Masterpiece to the 1911 or Glock.

    The gang at The Shootist tells me to bring a case if malted adult beverage for any transgressions that I may make while under your care.

    Can’t wait to shoot some wheelguns!

    ~CWO3 Greg Topp, USMC

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