1873 Cattleman... Clint Eastwood style

[brewskzilla]

So I have watched all the westerns where the cowboys use both hands to "rapid fire" their peacemakers... I thought "BS..."
Then I tried it...
I couldn't believe that it actually works as well as it does! Accuracy is comparable at close range, and it's alot of fun! Of course I can't do it as fast as "the man with no name" but one shot per second aint bad for a beginner, and it really speeds up the quick-draw shot! You have to wear a glove on your left hand to keep from "slipping off" but I suppose that's why Clint wore that leather brace on his hand in those movies.
Plus, the .45LC is a bad-a$$ round...:cowboy:

[nevada]

I've never tried it (Vaquero 44-40) but have heard that the lockwork needs to have work done to it to keep from damaging it when fired that way.

It always looked bad in the movies, a favorite scene of mine is at the end of Quigly Down Under when he takes out the ranch owner and his two henchmen. "I never said I didn't know how to use one. I just said I didn't have much use for them." or pretty close to that.

So now when they take your cetme away and toss you a SAA, you're still good.

[h&ktexan78]

No videos of you showing us an example? :icon_biggrin: Sounds like fun, I have always wanted to do it.

[jfowl31]

I assume you're talking about "fanning" a single action?

I here from most that it will damage just about any gun..... with that said, my brothers and I have fanned thousands and thousands of rounds through my dad's old Ruger single six and its never skipped a beat.

I wouldn't make a big habit out of it, but it is fun to run a cylinder out doing it for sure.

Just FYI, it only works on single action revolvers, not double action. The trigger has to be reset for every hammer strike on a double action.

[Schultz]

Bob Munden comes to mind if your looking for videos he can do wonders with a six gun.

[flint_knapper]

here is link to an 'ol boy that can spin'em!

http://westernshootinghorse.ning.com/video/taylors-co-tip-of-the-week

[Schultz]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYdkt7yIFLY

[brewskzilla]

Okay, that guy was freakin awesome!

[CrossFire]

The card trick is straight up good shooting but the two ballons are a little different. They used the "blanks" used for mounted shooting.
The mounted guys(and 'Gals') use special blanks that rely on burning powder to break the ballons.:2pistol:
You still need to get the powder stream to the target but it's not exactly like hitting it with a bullet.
There is another fast fire method that used a two hand grip and cocks the gun with the left thumb. Not quite as fat as fanning but doesn't hurt the gun.

[brewskzilla]

I've seen that one demonstrated. Actually, this pistol is rapidly becoming my favorite... And it's just so damned pretty... But it's not as pretty as my '58 Remmington "Confederate model" Brass framed new army revolver...

[Buelligan]

I have seen where the hammer has been flattened and filed smooth for FANING . I have tryed it wirh my cap&ball pistols . You have to squeze the nipples to make them tight or they will lossen and jam the C&P pistol. I have even fanned my S&W mod 10 with better results .

[Smokehouse69]

Well I've got a "real" cowboy pistol... it was owned by a deputy sheriff in DeWitt county Texas. I bought it at an estate sale for $40.00, it is a Belgian copy of the Smith & Wesson Double Action First Mod.
It is pretty beat up and probably 40% of the nickel plating is gone. It is .44-40 or as it says on the top of the barrel "44 WINCHESTER CARTRIDGE."
The hard rubber grips are crumbling and the bore is pretty rough, but the action works perfectly, I have never fired it. I'm sort of shy of trying a modern .44-40 cartridge in something that was designed for black-powder.
I wouldn't want to try and "fan" this rascal, it takes about 30 lbs of force to cock the darned thing, once it is cocked the trigger pull is very light. Pulling the trigger again for a follow up shot is pretty tough too.

[Schultz]

These are original Colts however considering the age i don't dare try to fan them.
:cowboy:

http://www.militaryfirearm.com/Forum/picture.php?albumid=7&pictureid=28

[brewskzilla]

Wow! Those are in wonderful shape to be that old!

[jdowney]

I can't really see how fanning could damage the pistol. Might be a little harder on the springs, just maybe wear out the little thing that rotates the cylinder (called the hand if I remember correctly) a hair faster, but in a modern gun I wouldn't give either a second thought.

[Schultz]

Wow! Those are in wonderful shape to be that old!

Thanks Brew. They were my Fathers He loved his pistols.

[brewskzilla]

I have seen where the hammer has been flattened and filed smooth for FANING . I have tryed it wirh my cap&ball pistols . You have to squeze the nipples to make them tight or they will lossen and jam the C&P pistol. I have even fanned my S&W mod 10 with better results .

I wouldn't dare try to fan the Remmington. The spring is really stiff, plus I use it for "precision" pistol shooting... Cap and ball it may be, that nine inch barrel makes for a pretty accurate shot. That and (blush) I use 30grain pyrodex pellets in it. That way you know your loads are all the same. But pinching the caps before installing them is essential... I only forgot once.

[CrossFire]

Well I've got a "real" cowboy pistol... it was owned by a deputy sheriff in DeWitt county Texas. I bought it at an estate sale for $40.00, it is a Belgian copy of the Smith & Wesson Double Action First Mod.
It is pretty beat up and probably 40% of the nickel plating is gone. It is .44-40 or as it says on the top of the barrel "44 WINCHESTER CARTRIDGE."
The hard rubber grips are crumbling and the bore is pretty rough, but the action works perfectly, I have never fired it. I'm sort of shy of trying a modern .44-40 cartridge in something that was designed for black-powder.
I wouldn't want to try and "fan" this rascal, it takes about 30 lbs of force to cock the darned thing, once it is cocked the trigger pull is very light. Pulling the trigger again for a follow up shot is pretty tough too.

You're right to never run modern smokeless (the stuff just a fad anyway) thru it but if it is mechanicaly sound you should be able to load 44-40 BP rounds and give it a try.
I gave an old BP era Colt SAA and it still gets a few rounds of BP once in a while.

[Schultz]

If you can find "Cowboy loads" they are much weaker and should run fine in older models Colts and S&W's. You would be suprised how many CASS shooters use original six guns.