Pistol and Revolver Shooting Part 21

Fifty rounds from each pistol were fired deliberately into a b.u.t.t to observe the operation. The two pistols functioned normally. The Savage pistol ejected the empty sh.e.l.ls upward and to the front, while the Colt ejected upward and to the right and rear. The velocity of each pistol was measured at twenty-five feet, and the mean of five shots was: Savage, 849.4 ft. per second; Colt, 828.0 ft. per second. Two targets of ten shots from each pistol were made for accuracy at seventy-five feet, using a muzzle rest, with the resulting mean radii of dispersion: Savage, first target 1.97?, second target 1.97?, mean 1.97?; Colt, first target .89?, second target .82?, mean 0.8555?.

Three magazines full of cartridges were fired from each pistol at a target six feet by two feet, 100 feet distant, to test the rapidity and accuracy.

The firing was begun with the chamber empty and three full magazines for each pistol with it on the table. Results:

Savage Colt Time 35 sec. 28 sec.

Number of shots 24 " 21 "

Hits 22 " 21 "

Mean radii 7.27 " 5.85 "

The pistols were next fired for rapidity by the same persons into a b.u.t.t at short range and no hits considered: Savage, 24 shots, time 16 sec.; Colt, 21 shots, time 12 sec. In all the above tests the pistols functioned normally.

The two pistols were then thoroughly examined, oiled, and fired deliberately 6,000 rounds each, being cleaned thoroughly, examined and oiled after each 1,000 rounds. Wherever examination showed the least sign of deformation it was noted. Each pistol was fired 100 rounds and then was allowed to cool while the other was fired, giving each pistol at least five minutes to cool. Firing was not begun after cooling until the hand could be placed on the slide over the barrel without discomfort. There was an interval of about two seconds between shots in the same magazine when the pistol functioned normally.

During the firing of the first 1,000, in 1h. 29m., the magazine of each pistol dropped about an inch, due to the fault of the operator. Second 1,000, in 1h. 48m., the Colt functioned perfectly; while the Savage missed fire once, jammed twice and had trouble with the bolt twice. Third 1,000, in 2h. 2m. the Colt functioned perfectly; in round 2,924 the bolt stop of the Savage broke. Fourth 1,000, in 2h. 1m., the Colt functioned perfectly; with the Savage there was a slight jam and two misfires, the bolt stop was upset. Fifth 1,000, in 2h. 6m., the Colt functioned perfectly; the Savage magazine dropped five times, the bolt stop was further upset and there were two cracks in the bolt. Sixth 1,000, the Colt again functioned perfectly, and there were five misfires with the Savage, two jams, fourteen failures of the bolt to counter recoil fully, and a breakage of the bolt lock spring. Minute examination of the Colt pistol after this test failed to show any broken parts, the only defect being a minute bulging of the frame near the front end of the grooves and a slight upsetting of the bolt stop where it strikes the magazine follower.

The pistols were then fired five times as single loaders in a recoiling rest with cartridges in which the powder charge was increased to give a calculated chamber pressure of twenty-five per cent. greater than normal.

The Colt pistol functioned normally. The sear of the Savage broke at the fourth round. A new sear was inserted, also a new sear spring, broken in removing the broken sear. The removal of the broken sear was difficult on account of the design of the pistol, and other parts were deformed in removing the breech plug. Upon rea.s.sembling, the pistol functioned normally in the fifth round. Each pistol was fired in a recoiling rest one round, in which the primer had been thinned so as to be pierced by the firing pin. Afterward two rounds were fired automatically. Both pistols functioned satisfactorily. The pistols were then disa.s.sembled, cleaned, and thoroughly examined. Both were found to be in good condition, with no broken parts. All misfire cartridges were examined and no defects found.

The shock of recoil of the Savage was found much more severe than of the Colt. The experienced operators who fired several thousand rounds in the endurance test, in alternate five hundreds, estimated the fatigue of firing 500 rounds with the Savage equal to firing 2,000 rounds with the Colt.

"Of the two pistols the board is of the opinion that the Colt's is superior, because it is more reliable, the more enduring, the more easily disa.s.sembled when there are broken parts to be replaced, and the more accurate. It equals in these qualities the Colt caliber .45 revolver, model 1909, while being superior to that arm in balance, safety, rapidity, accuracy of fire, and interchangeability. The Colt pistol embodies all the features considered essential, desirable, and preferable by the board of officers convened by S. O. 305, W. D., Was.h.i.+ngton, December 28, 1906, except that there is no automatic indicator showing that the pistol is loaded or indicator showing the number of cartridges remaining in the magazine. There are, however, a few riveted parts, and the board is uncertain whether the pistol would function properly with non-jacketed bullets. The board therefore recommends that Colt caliber .45 automatic pistol of the design submitted to the board for test be adopted for use by foot and mounted troops in the military service in consequence of its marked superiority to the present service revolvers and to any other known pistol, of its extreme reliability and endurance, and of its fulfillment of all essential requirements."

This report was approved March 23, 1911, by Col. S. E. Blunt, Ord. Dept., U. S. A., commanding Springfield Armory, Ma.s.s.

APPENDIX V

GUNSMITHING, REPAIRS, RELOADING EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, ETC.

Occasionally a firearm becomes disabled by the breaking of a spring or some other part of the mechanism. All the manufacturers carry a stock of duplicate parts and any broken or worn-out part can be obtained promptly from the makers of the weapon and the replacement made with a screwdriver and a few drifts. When any of the parts become worn, the simplest and most inexpensive course to follow is to subst.i.tute new parts in the same manner.

The most frequent source of difficulty is the wearing light of the trigger-pull. This may also be corrected by the subst.i.tution of a new hammer and a new trigger; or an experienced mechanic can generally correct the difficulty with an oil stone. Inexperienced persons are liable to ruin the parts if they attempt to do this work themselves.

The barrels of the weapons after long use, especially in the open on camping expeditions, etc., become rusted or they are worn out by extensive use so as to require renewal. In such cases a new barrel may be ordered from the maker of the weapon, which should be sent to the factory to have the subst.i.tution made and the necessary fitting and finish properly executed. In the case of high-priced barrels, and especially where the barrel is part of the action, it is sometimes less expensive to have a good gunsmith bore out the interior of the barrel and insert a new sleeve instead of replacing the entire barrel.

Very often the marksman will conceive an idea or invent an improvement which will add to the convenience in manipulation or usefulness of the weapon, the reloading tools, etc. As he becomes interested in the sport he may want to try special sights, a different shape of trigger guard, matted trigger, and various other modifications and refinements, thinking they may improve his shooting. Without the necessary mechanical skill to execute their ideas successfully all such special work should be intrusted to a competent and first-cla.s.s mechanic who is equipped and prepared to execute work of this character in the best manner. The following are the names and addresses of a few of the leading manufacturers and gunsmiths, with a brief statement as to the character of work that each undertakes and specializes on:

SMITH & WESSON, Springfield, Ma.s.s.

This company maintains a repair department, but undertakes repair, reblueing and replating only on arms of their own manufacture. A limited quant.i.ty of special work is also undertaken, provided it meets with the approval of the manufacturers as being useful, desirable, and in nowise a detriment to the weapon. All repair and special work is executed in the order in which it is received, and as a limited force is engaged in this department a delay of a week or more sometimes occurs before the work can be begun. In case of general repairs the cost of same is quoted before repairs are started.

COLT PATENT FIREARMS MANUFACTURING CO., Hartford, Conn.

This company maintains a repair department devoted exclusively to arms of Colt manufacture. Estimates of the cost of repairs are quoted before work is begun. Special work, reblueing and replating, is also executed in connection with Colt arms.

WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO., New Haven, Conn.

Reloading tools, bullet molds, bullets, sh.e.l.ls, primers, etc.

UNION METALLIC CARTRIDGE CO., Bridgeport, Conn.

UNITED STATES CARTRIDGE CO., Lowell, Ma.s.s.

THE PETERS CARTRIDGE CO., Cincinnati, Ohio.

Sh.e.l.ls, bullets, and primers.

H. M. POPE, 18 Morris Street, Jersey City.

Manufacturer of the famous "Pope" barrels for rifles, revolvers, and pistols. New barrels furnished for any of the leading makes of target arms. Pope graduated automatic powder measures and reloading tools.

Telescope mountings. Special work and fine repair work of all kinds.

J. E. WILBURN, 403 Riverside Ave., Spokane, Wash.

Specializes on very accurate and high-grade pistol and revolver barrels of .22 and .38 caliber. Fine repair work of every description.

IDEAL MANUFACTURING CO. (Marlin Fire Arms Co., Successors), New Haven, Conn.

Reloading tools, powder measures, bullet molds, bullets, etc.

H. H. KIFFE CO., 533 Broadway, New York City.

J. P. DANNEFELSER, 19 Warren Street, New York City.

Carry a full line of smokeless powders for rifle and pistol ammunition.

(Nearly all the sporting goods dealers in the large cities carry a stock of black and smokeless powders.)

THE END

APPENDIX VI

ADDENDA AND CORRECTIONS

_Add to first paragraph page 25_:

The Colt Automatic Pistol is now supplied with the automatic grip safety in all models. This prevents the discharge of the weapon unless properly held.

_Insert before last paragraph page 29_:

The latest addition to the target arms is the Colt .22 cal. Automatic Pistol. It has a longer barrel than any other automatic pistol and is fitted with adjustable sights. It has good balance and the long distance between the sights makes excellent work at the target possible. (See Fig.