Experience with Weapons

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Resp:
The plate is called a 'loading gate' (for unloading also). I bought one in 1969 and still have it. You are correct with the dates of mechanical changes. Whether one had a Colt or a Ruger, you ALWAYS loaded/carried only five ctgs, and lowering the hammer on an empty chamber!!! The Rugers were patterned after the Colt Single Action of 1973; hence the four hammer clicks to cock (one click for each letter of 'Colt'). As people who couldn't read, or didn't take the time to learn by asking an authority on the use of such pistol, they experienced a discharge by lowering the hammer on a 'live' cartridge . . . and it went bang . . . when you didn't want it to.
How To Load Five Cartridges: pull hammer back two (2) clicks; open loading gate, rotate cylinder. Load one ctg, skip one chamber (leaving it unloaded), load four ctgs. On the last loaded ctg, leave the ctg showing (see it through loading area) and cock the hammer. The empty cylinder will now be under the hammer. While you have your THUMB on the hammer, pull the trigger (holding it back) while you lower the hammer. The revolver is now safe to carry. I routinely carry a Single Action and have practiced this method as the boys did who began using this pistol in 1873. A little practice and you can do it in the dark. Practice with fired 22 (or 44s, etc) cases until you get the procedure down.
 
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CLARIFICATION: always after loading last ctg, pull hammer all the way back to full cocked position, as only bringing the hammer all the way back . . . will the cylinder rotate to an empty chamber under the hammer.
 
Resp:
The BHP is a fine 9mm pistol. With the appropriate ammo, I would not feel undergunned. Since you are familiar with it, you should be able to increase your skill with it fairly quickly. Repetition on a regular basis (15 rds) is better than a single outing where you fire 50 rds. You are looking for muscle memory. I taught my daughter over a 4 yr period. First with a 4 inch bbl 38 rev, with the last year shooting the BHP. She has never fired over 30 rds in one outing. She shot sitting only the first time out. She shot almost once a month (she was in college and found it to be a great stress reliever). I do not teach 7 yard shooting anymore, as it gives a false sense of skill. My daughter shoots two handed, slow fire. The second to the last time out, she fired 12 rds, bringing her hands down at 45 deg when she was getting tired, then resumed her two handed (Weaver stance) at a man shaped target . . where she put 11 of the 12 rds in the Ten Ring, and 9 of those were in the X ring! She was 31 at the time. Three young men, who were shooting at 7 yards . . . stopped shooting to watch her finish cutting out the center! Hint: if you feel/believe you are about to shoot a bad shot . . . Stop! Remember, you want your muscles to work with your mind, until they become one. It takes time, but it can be done. We used to shoot 60 rds at a man shaped target from 7 yards out to 50 yards with a 4 inch double action revolver, timed fire. The best I ever did was a score of 542 out of 600 points, tying for 3rd place out of 44 shooters in 2001. I always fired double action! It can be done. I didn't believe how accurate a revolver was, but after watching a friend shoot a 595 out of 600 . . . well I had a lot of work (shooting) to do. Volume will not get you there, repetition (untired) where the brain recognizes muscle memory is most important. Go for it.
 

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