H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted December 5, 2024 Posted December 5, 2024 I got to thinking of the opening scene of The Shootist where John Wayne takes out the guy trying to rob him with a derringer with a non fatal, but still incapacitating shot. This got me to imagining a side match for the derringer that is different from typical speed and accuracy ones you typically see. A paper target with an image of bad guy, or even just a sillouette target is set at about 5 feet from the shooter. At the beep, shooter picks up derringer from table and fires 2 shots, one handed, at the target. "Zones" on the target are designated as "Kill" "Disable" and "Flesh Wound" For each kill shot, you get 10 points. For each Disable, you get 5 and for each Flesh Wound you get 3 points. A miss gets 0. Most points wins. Ties broken by timer. I suppose there could be a 4 shot variant if you wanna add a reload. Just a random thought. 8 Quote
Hoss Posted December 5, 2024 Posted December 5, 2024 I’d be willing to try it. I’m not a huge fan of the 2 shots in .47 seconds unless you are starting your own timer. 1 Quote
Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life Posted December 5, 2024 Posted December 5, 2024 Well, after you run this a time or two at your club let us know how it works and you will have your answer. Have you set this up and run it already? I for one appreciate your creativity in developing different scenarios to use unique strategies with various firearms but success will be determined by participation in a match situation. Good luck! Regards Gateway Kid 3 Quote
Larsen E. Pettifogger, SASS #32933 Posted December 5, 2024 Posted December 5, 2024 2 minutes ago, Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life said: Well, after you run this a time or two at your club 2 minutes ago, Gateway Kid SASS# 70038 Life said: success will be determined by participation in a match situation. 4 Quote
Phantom, SASS #54973 Posted December 5, 2024 Posted December 5, 2024 I say shooting a derringer one handed...in a timed event...is a no-no in my book. Phantom 4 Quote
Rev Willy Dunkum, SASS # 61027 Posted December 5, 2024 Posted December 5, 2024 Any derringer? Well one handed with two shots from my American Derringer in 44 magnum may dissuade me from participating.... Rev 2 Quote
Assassin Posted December 5, 2024 Posted December 5, 2024 Sounds like fun, I'm all about doing something different. How about 10 shots on 10 targets with the Derringer and moving down range, 4 reloads would be a hoot. 1 1 Quote
J.S. Sooner, SASS #73526 Posted December 5, 2024 Posted December 5, 2024 We have used a derringer or pocket pistol on stages before. Always load off the clock, started with gun in hand, two handed firing allowed. Just had to hit the cardboard target (very close) and place the derringer on the prop when finished. I wouldn't run a stage with reloads and movement with a derringer. IMO it would be unsafe and present many opportunities to sweep others. Not a good thing to do on the clock. 7 Quote
Sedalia Dave Posted December 5, 2024 Posted December 5, 2024 56 minutes ago, Assassin said: Sounds like fun, I'm all about doing something different. How about 10 shots on 10 targets with the Derringer and moving down range, 4 reloads would be a hoot. One issue with derringers is that those not familiar with them are going to struggle with muzzle control. Without some practice most people will end up breaking the 170 attempting to reload on the clock. 5 Quote
Assassin Posted December 6, 2024 Posted December 6, 2024 You are correct. But, it'd be a lot more fun than just busting a target with two shots. Although, I've seen shooters blow holes in the table attempting to shoot the Derringer as fast as possible. 3 1 Quote
Silver Creek Jack Posted December 7, 2024 Posted December 7, 2024 I like the idea of accuracy being the main focus but agree with Phantom, one handed with a derringer not a good idea. 2 Quote
Big Timber SASS #19724Life Posted December 8, 2024 Posted December 8, 2024 Bach in the 80’s I shot both a derringer and a Pocket pistol matches that were Bullseye matches . Fired on a 10 ring target for score . These matches were at 2 different clubs annual matches in 2 different states . I won them both but they weren’t much fun and totally unexpected Quote
Captain Clark Posted December 9, 2024 Posted December 9, 2024 Having triaged a cowboy that blew off a hunk of his ring finger and wedding ring using wax bullets in a derringer “safety” demonstration at a match, I cringe when the derringer game is played! Quote
Hoss Posted December 9, 2024 Posted December 9, 2024 I wrote a match with a derringer component, off the clock. I provided derringer, loaded it, staged it. Shooter started stage by firing 2 shots at a cardboard cutout. Placed derringer back on shelf. Then got a standby & beep. Was basically their starting line. Gave option of not shooting it at all. I just wanted to give those who had not shot one an opportunity to do so. I think everyone shot it, only one complaint. But it did take a lot of time. Haven’t done it again. with a couple of practice shots I can usually hit Cody Dixon rifle targets with my Bond derringer. 3 Quote
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted December 10, 2024 Author Posted December 10, 2024 It occurs to me that this same side match could be done with a pocket pistol instead of a derringer. It also occurs to me that, with the derringer, a reload is not a good idea. (With the pocket pistol, there is no need.) I did shoot a derringer side match once that had a reload, and I didn't care for it. It's good to get feedback on ideas. That way, if anyone decides to try it, the basic premise is already discussed and perhaps modified to make more sense. Quote
Phantom, SASS #54973 Posted December 10, 2024 Posted December 10, 2024 Introducing into a match a firearm that folks are not familiar with is rather foolish. Do that stuff outside of an actual match. Phantom 1 Quote
Rye Miles #13621 Posted December 11, 2024 Posted December 11, 2024 On 12/5/2024 at 1:31 PM, Phantom, SASS #54973 said: I say shooting a derringer one handed...in a timed event...is a no-no in my book. Phantom This ^^^^ Quote
Assassin Posted December 14, 2024 Posted December 14, 2024 Place the Derringer on the ground, start standing facing up range. At the signal bend over, shooting thru your legs, and shoot the target behind you. Quote
J.S. Sooner, SASS #73526 Posted December 14, 2024 Posted December 14, 2024 3 hours ago, Assassin said: Place the Derringer on the ground, start standing facing up range. At the signal bend over, shooting thru your legs, and shoot the target behind you. Bonus for black powder? What’s the penalty for falling over? Quote
Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474 Posted December 16, 2024 Posted December 16, 2024 We used it off the clock to start the stage. Two hits centre spot, across the card table, on the cardboard shirtfront target got you 5 seconds off your raw time. 2 Quote
Jabez Cowboy,SASS # 50129 Posted December 20, 2024 Posted December 20, 2024 (edited) We start with the pocket pistol loaded with 5, Deringer loaded with two, seated at the table across from you, with out standing, fire all seven shots at a 6 inch plate in the center of the bad guys chest, 7 hits nets you 35 points, and yes some shoot it duelist, I do with my derringer in .45colt and my pocket pistol in.38 S&W. Jabez Cowboy Edited December 20, 2024 by Jabez Cowboy,SASS # 50129 Quote
Griff Posted December 20, 2024 Posted December 20, 2024 I have a Great Western derringer in 38 S&W. It's easy enough to reload and keep it pointed downrange, just grip the bottom of the barrels in the off-hand, unlatch it, swing the grip up, push out the empties, then insert 2 new cartridges, swing the grip back down and latch. I've only shot it duelist... there ain't enough gun to use two hands, (being the same size as the Remington derringer it was copied from). Quote
H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619 Posted December 21, 2024 Author Posted December 21, 2024 7 hours ago, Griff said: I have a Great Western derringer in 38 S&W. It's easy enough to reload and keep it pointed downrange, just grip the bottom of the barrels in the off-hand, unlatch it, swing the grip up, push out the empties, then insert 2 new cartridges, swing the grip back down and latch. I've only shot it duelist... there ain't enough gun to use two hands, (being the same size as the Remington derringer it was copied from). Sigh.... Every time you mention this derringer, I find myself wanting to buy it from you. But I know it's not for sale. I've always wanted a derringer in this caliber. They exist, but are very hard to find. This is my derringer, an RG17. Surprisingly well made considering the company's reputation for cheapness. And accurate enough to shoot soda cans at 15 paces. It's a .38 Special. I load it the same way Griff described, and shoot it that way too. The weird safety is not all that annoying, but does also have a traditional half cock position. Which it must be in to safely load! Other than the safety, it is very much similar to an original Remington in style and size. It was my father's. 1 Quote
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