How to Grip a Single Action Revolver - Cowboy Action Shooting

World Champion cowboy action shooter Jim Finch, a.k.a. "Long Hunter" offers tips and advice about cowboy action shooting in this excerpt from the DVD, "One on One with Long Hunter." Learn how to properly grip your single action revolver. #LetsGoShooting #NSSF
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[@emrackuo]

Recoil in real life: 1.5 % Recoil in video games: 142%

[@rgbgamingfridge]

@@fishfood8711 do you always talk like that to kids on the internet?

[@Vajrapani108]

@Bustopher McCumbus hey, don't talk shit about hollow knight!

[@dou3e137]

@@fishfood8711 I mean usually .357 or .44 are extremely exaggerated in games but definitely not 142% more

[@fishfood8711]

@@dou3e137 true

[@fishfood8711]

@Bustopher McCumbus you should play a game before judging one, wtf do you think don’t judge a book from it’s cover means?

[@rawbagle]

I love the look of a short barreled single action revolver.

[@IrFan-su7en]

Really ? I just thought they're ugly

[@thatoneuglykid8456]

Yup

[@swagatron8571]

I have one a ruger wrangler the barrel is 4 5/6 inch i have to agree they are pretty

[@gabebeaty1957]

You and me both

[@grzegorzbrzeczyszykiewic3338]

@@IrFan-su7en I like the longer 7 inch barrels so much more, it especially looks great on 45LC caliber revolvers, anything less than 4 inches looks stubby and ugly .

[@chief5604]

Are we gonna ignore the fact that this guy shots much faster than Arthur and John combined

[@rohinkaushal2434]

He will never be able to reload as fast as Arthur and John tho

[@TheCommanderSpitz]

Considering Dead Eye it’s probably the same speed.

[@jessesdomain444]

And micah

[@jessesdomain444]

@@rohinkaushal2434 nobody can spawn bullets in their hand like them two

[@aquilonianace4791]

@@fullsendabeerforme2988 Haters gonna hate

[@michaelhicks5150]

Leave it to a cowboy to present the easiest, most no nonsense way to do something. I have watched countless videos, and this one lays out great technique in just a couple of minutes. Thank you.

[@Abhinay_Limbu]

His voice confirms he is from the West

[@peeweebarney]

Howdy......more of a Texan accent.

[@senor7303]

is that hank hill lol

[@markussantos3304]

southern

[@rubyus7332]

Long Hunter is from Texas.

[@hauntedpredator]

Not from the west....he IS the west

[@Liberty4Ever]

The NSSF consistently has very informative tutorial videos that demonstrate the all important fundamentals. The videos are the perfect length. Any longer and the basics would be lost in the details, and overall there would be less useful information conveyed. It also helps to have the common sense instruction provided by competitive shooters who obviously know their craft very well.

[@CaptainTrips28]

well ill be damned. I just bought two ruger vaqueros as my first CAS guns, and this is actually works quite nicely! had a hell of time doing it the wrong way, lolol

[@michalurbanful]

Greeting from the Czech Republic! :) I've just got my first single action revolver (Ruger original Vaquero) and can't wait to test it out. The ranges are closed here now because of the coronavirus so I'm checking things out on YT. Thank you, this is very informative stuff! :)

[@bjornegan6421]

how is ammo availability over there in your neck of the woods?

[@michalurbanful]

@@bjornegan6421 No shortages here. I can only speak for mine and my friend's calibers but 9mm, .38, .375 and .22lr are available in stock without increase of price. And I didn't hear about any other calibers being out of stock. But there's only 300 000 guns among our 8 500 000 adult citizens so I guess there was no real danger of shortages. Even though more people were buying guns and going through CCW classes. Surprisingly, gunshops were open during the lockdown as well (so that gamekeepers could restock - there's overpopulation of certain species). How's your situation now?

[@cascadianrangers728]

Fantastic advice, especially thumb on back of shield and hammer flicking! Who doesnt wanna be a gunfighter

[@resistradio4489]

Anyone interested in starting a NEW "Old West" shooting competition. Pre and post 1873 (cap and ball / cartridge) categories with traditional calibers and loads for speed and accuracy? Period costuming optional but not required.

[@Platano_macho]

Where about am located in California?

[@whiteroseproject7207]

That is a fantastic idea you seriously need to pursue this

[@txxr542]

I have been griping my revolver wrongly when I shoot and came across this video and putting the thumb next to where the trigger pulls back , really does help !

[@EverythingisFire]

How convinient. I just picked up my first single action revolver(actually, first revolver ever) a few days ago! It's a Cimmaron 1872 Open Top and what a beaut. it is.

[@floridagirl9064]

I got my first revolver as well just a couple days ago. s&w 442 & Its my favorite gun ever. This gun sure put me right in my place LOL

[@EverythingisFire]

@@floridagirl9064 That thing looks sweet. It's their light-weight frame so I'm assuming it kicks with +p?

[@floridagirl9064]

@@EverythingisFire ohhh ya. Definitely lol. I only did 10 rounds of +p. It was a lot for me. I hadnt shot a small gun in over a year so it whipped me right into shape lol. Im keeping 90 in it right now

[@FishCalledRen]

9 years later someone replied and he answered back

[@EverythingisFire]

@@FishCalledRen I don't even remember replying 6 months ago 😂

[@DroftheDeep]

Good stuff. Only have autos, so I'm thinking Jim's hands are calloused up like crazy. Unbelievably fast the way he cranks that single action.

[@mechanizedMytha]

"you're pretty good!"

[@SANDEVISTANDOGGO]

part 5 soon

[@mechanizedMytha]

Yassine Snow i know right? seen the preview today?

[@StationaryGamingReal]

Revolver Spin Spin Spin Spin Ocelot.

[@jinreitsung7833]

*about to pass out* Pretty ... *hand gesture* good ?

[@scouttrooperhh-1487]

Excellent comment

[@kaialoha]

Since the pointer finger cannot be used in the SAA the next best thing is the thumb point as they are one unit biomechanically. Natural point as well as recoil control. Excellent evolved technique. Thank you.

[@WhenToastersAttack]

I wish there was a video like this for shooting a SA revolver chambered in .44 Mag.

[@thelonerider9693]

Thank you! New to this and while I can keep shots in the black of a 6 inch circle one handed out to thirty feet (only shot the six shooter twice so far, range is a far drive away) they are all over that circle. This is the kind of advice I wish more folks gave to us new folks.

[@stevelucier8346]

44 years since I first started hunting and never owned a revolver. Now I'm going after the fun stuff. Starting with a 41 magnum lever and hope to follow with a single action 6" + revolver. I am small and have problems with my hands so calibers like 44 mag are just a little too much and I want a matching lever / revolver set with big game stopping power. Seems the thumb on the side of the stop might work for me as my left hand is less than half the size of my right. Thanks for the tips!

[@imwatchin7770]

41 mag is a great caliber, much over looked. But be aware it does have some nice recoil to it also.

[@darthbas1100]

Does this apply to cap and ball revolvers as well the frame is a bit different then the later peace makers and Colt 45's. I have a 1851 Navy Brass Frame chambered in 44 from Pietta and a 1858 New Army, I found with these I cannot really reach the hammer with one hand with out pointing the barrel up and there is a bit more blow back due to the caps and lack of shield.

[@curtismalaise3515]

BEST INSTRUCTOR IVE SEEN.THANK YOU

[@factorybear5264]

I can’t afford a 45. Is a Ruger Wrangler a good start?

[@blitzkrieggaming7685]

Absolutely!

[@staffitup]

I bought a heritage rough rider which was a little bit cheaper than the wrangler and It feels just as good

[@kelakakku]

Maybe a pellet or bb gun? I bought a 200€ bb SSA just to fiddle around but now I want to shoot it.

[@hopalong1910]

"Long Hunter", Do u hold the trigger back and keep it there while you fan the hammer? I love your videos. I'm a fan of yours.

[@HircineDaWolf]

you can see him pull the trigger, unless your gun is modified to do so that can break it and create timing issues, his may be

[@callmesai4274]

Got my first single action revolver yesterday and when I want to aim at something it almost feels like I'm just pointing at it with my hand. With my Simi auto it takes me a little longer to line up the sights.

[@javiervalenzuela8284]

I think about it too much with anything not a revolver. They have to be short or my aim is off. With revolvers I just feel it.

[@KaiTakApproach]

Great advice. I am a demon with a Sig, fast and accurate, but a soggy pumpkin with my new SAA. I needed this video.

[@markstengel7680]

Thanks for your experience and advise. 👍

[@bradscott4048]

I just picked up a Cimmaron Bad Boy. I'm gonna try the thumb technique with mine. I'm trying to feel the gun, how I need to shoot it and it's just biting the hell out of my hand. The trigger guard hits my middle finger, somewhere on the back of the gun tends to bite my finger webbing between my index and thumb... It's like trying to break a wild stallion that cooperates at times, but makes it a point to make sure you know it's still wild. I'm sure once I get the handling down, I'll be able to nail the target every time. I know it takes practice, but man is this thing kicking me! I'll get it figured out by deer season, I'm sure.

[@1MrErling]

excellent advice indeed! Thanks from Norway ( .44 Mag.) !

[@petfrogg]

Really interesting grip...

[@silvertheelf]

Video games recoil on revolver be like “that thing is 100 miles away now” Real life recoil be like:

[@rastagoobers8567]

Those are cowboy loads, very light and barely any recoil. If he ran straight forward 45 or .357 rounds he wouldn't be able to do it as well as that

[@bini2851]

He’s not even shooting the actual.40 caliber

[@enjoypool4052]

Thank you for the videos. What brand revolver is that?

[@terryholloway9930]

Thanks for this just started shooting my sa again they not easy this helped me a lot

[@grantnagle4375]

Thanks. Just what I was searching for.

[@rubyblooddemonking]

I have shot two single actions and they both come out low and to the left, ive got a lot of experience shooting pistols already, so im wondering what im doing wrong with my grip. Or is there a different way to aim with the fin sights?

[@EnglandRemoval]

Low and to the left means there's some kind of flinching or grip issue going on, typically. The grip mechanics aren't too similar to that of a semi, since they're smaller and typically also differently angled. You'll probably just need to relearn isolating your trigger finger again. As far as I know with your sights, I'm not sure about your sights, but try to get it so you hit roughly the same spot every time, and adjust your point of aim until it goes where you want it to.

[@SchizophenicMongoloid]

With your index finger in front of the trigger guard, is there any worry that the escaping gasses will burn or mangle your finger?

[@TheTrinityKid]

Next time you shoot, see if you are resting your trigger finger on the top of the trigger guard, up next to the frame. If there is any weight on that finger, your aim can move up to three inches at twenty yards. A tighter grip with your pinky and ring fingers on the handle might help. I have the same problem, so, ya' ain't the only one out there.

[@kennethrisner8648]

2 questions. 1. are those 22's? 2. arent you running the risk if getting your finger hurt by holding it that close to the barrel cylinder gap?

[@mad555max]

light loads, barely enough powder to send the bullet downrange..

[@kennethrisner8648]

point taken

[@pamundson9]

Looks like. 357 ruger blackhawk 3 screw. Or 44

[@katzhunter4473]

Could I use this grip on a S&W model 500?

[@300zxdriver]

Rails Life if you want a broken thumb

[@Bob5mith]

You could ... at least once.

[@hydra-hellfighter2156]

NO

[@KnifeCrazzzzy]

Anyone know what fun this was? A beauty, awesome tips!

[@longjohn7992]

Thanks I needed those for my game 😊

[@Yosemite-George-61]

Great lesson, thanks for sharing !

[@jeffreyelliott622]

So it is ok to dryfire any single action revolver with the firing pin on the hammer . And is ok to spin the cylinder loaded or unloaded for I've seen the late great Bob Munden do so plenty of times with his colt 45's ..

[@drake8065]

You should never dryfire a single action Army colt you can the damage it

[@scjshealy]

You can buy snapcaps in about in caliber on amazon. That will let you dryfire without damaging your firearm

[@gumecindogarcia1070]

I trained with a 22 then upgraded to a 45 colt. My point shooting should be reliable. Waiting for our turkey season to end in about an hour to start training some again. Country living helps shooting skills. Out here we keep a shot shell up front for snakes and such

[@RobRoy4890]

Great Stuff. Not much I haven't been doing already. Been shooting Single and Double action revolvers lets just say a LONG time. I'm always open for improvement however. I wish he would have mentioned GRIP PRESSURE. How tight you hold the revolver I get tight enough not to drop the fool thing in the dirt, and also what caliber and load and bullet weight. All of which result in FELT RECOIL. What I was Hopeing for was in comparrison to the grip you use on a PISTOL. PISTOL TIGHT- REVOLVER LIGHT?

[@tjmooremusic]

is your revolver solid steel? what ammo are you using?

[@Mach1rulz]

I can't keep my thumb on the recoil shield and operate the hammer with other hand, hammer drags on thumb.

[@CHEECHMUN]

I just bought my gun Mar. 5, 2020 and fired 50 rds. My hammer requires a lot of force to pull back. I can not come close to your speed. Does it have to wear in, or does it need a trigger job? It's a .357 with a Beasley grip. Thank you.

[@tituspullo6685]

same with black powder revolver for the fast shooting?

[@steelgila]

Great tips from a real pro but, I ain't dry firing my Uberti Frontier .44 like that without snap-caps or one of those plastic rings. Isn't he worried about busting that hammer mounted firing pin?

[@stevenwatkins3634]

Basically gives u consistent grip,so u will have better accuracy,high on the grip!!!

[@waltergrant7991]

Thanks, good video, learned something here

[@josealzaibar5274]

Question. Is your index finger always pulling back on the trigger?

[@daviddewilde8041]

Hello, Nice video. I've been trying the thumb méthode for a few weeks ( it helps with recoil) but I'm having trouble to fully cock the gun. My thumb won't bend enough. I've got farmer hands 😂

[@mattytripps]

doesnt putting your thumb on the recoil shield cause it to get burned?

[@spaldingpickers120]

Thanks for the vid. Very helpful

[@Lonewlf7676]

I have a Pietta 1873 SAA in .45LC that shoots low and quite a bit to the left. I know I can fix the elevation with a bit of judicious filing on the front sight. What might I do however to correct the windage to point of aim?

[@nicklubrano8011]

I believe you can have someone physically rotate your barrel so it lines up better with your point of impact.

[@adamalford1167]

Can anybody explain to me what John Wayne's grip was where he wrapped his hand around the hammer? He did it a lot!

[@drake8065]

Can you explain it a little bit better

[@adamalford1167]

+Drake he held the grip higher up on the grip and dropped his thumb all the way over the hammer. He did it in almost every movie I've ever seen him in. Its like his hands were too big for the gun but they weren't.

[@drake8065]

That's something I haven't noticed, interesting, I have to check it out thank you.

[@opie7afe]

seems like this would be the right video to ask, i was shooting a .38 special yesterday and a few weeks ago at the range was a S&w model 10 had good fitting grips in my hand, was holding wrist and arms firm and all that but i am just horrible with accuracy, good with a rifle(depending on rifle) ok with a semi automatic pistol, with a revolver single or double action i just cannot hit squat, im not having a flinch issue, holding it right. thinking i may be pulling the pistol with my trigger pull.

[@linkl_6641]

Yeah exept they don’t have fucking trigger safty.

[@unheardpoet9071]

You are so lucky I've been wanting to get my hands on one of those colts

[@ColoradoStreaming]

Check out the Uberti Cattleman Colt Replicas. They are pretty good and about $500 to $700 depending on the finish etc.

[@kajetandziebaj6405]

Woah that looks awesome, I'm gonna do that.

[@NickPech]

It's a single action pistol, so unless the hammer is cocked there is no real danger of the firearm going off. Plus it had been safety checked and it was done in a safe area. I'm not really sure why I'm responding to your comment, as I'm sure you already know all this.

[@Schtevs]

This is not true. A non-cocked single action, fully loaded with 6 rounds can shoot by itself, for ex. because of external shock/vibrations. Modern replicas with "retractable firing pin" are more safe.

[@TheHarleyhillbilly]

Is this the same guy who does action work on the Smoke Wagon SAA that is sold by Taylor's & Co. I got one of the Runnin" Irons in 3-1/2" barrel .45 Colt had it tuned from Taylor's man is it smooth! Got the Smoke Wagon in a .357 Mag 5-1/2" on the way, also being tuned I thought someone had told me Jim is the one who does the work?

[@axessdenyd]

Also, back in the old west, they didn't do much two handed shooting. Everyone, including the military, taught a one handed pistol grip until Clint Smith started his competitions and found out what worked better.

[@vicp9395]

Many thanks. It works!

[@ommaigod]

Good video. Jim appears to have larger than average hands; i'm not sure that variety of grip options would be available to a person with average to small hands.

[@__Jp]

the bullet hitting the target has a satisfying sounds

[@ritesideofthefence5857]

Can the same practice be applied to a Blackhawk ?

[@danlucas1497]

Very helpful

[@georailrogers2757]

Can I do this with a ruger wrangler????

[@pilot4prophet]

My only concern with the advice offered here is using the thumb against the recoil sheild. As a speed advantage for competition, OK, but this transmits the recoil load right back through bone and cartiledge of the thumb. Why sacrifice your joints for a few points? Sorry, I'll let my guns rock in my grip, compressing cartiledge is dumb, especially if you shoot a lot.

[@sumflow]

So, in the duelist we want the thumb against the recoil shield?

[@AZPatriot]

I would think being a single action, he does not worry about that when he draws the weapon... But I DO agree that having finger on trigger when it is drawn goes against everything I know or have been taught about Firearm safety... LOL

[@SANDEVISTANDOGGO]

You're pretty good!

[@cgm0826]

is he holding down the trigger the whole time?

[@sumflow]

Jim how come we don’t see anyone else shooting with the thumb against the recoil shield in any Western movies?

[@allenpeters9155]

I like your advice

[@mrRickie20]

IT'S HIGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON

[@FigFirearms]

mrRickie20 sameeeee

[@TheSaladTozzer]

yes lmao

[@pesxtube511]

mrRickie20

[@pyropug0188]

*BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG* SEXTUPLE KILL

[@Joshohoho]

Thank you for this video!

[@mypetvelociraptor]

Awesome 👏

[@paulwang2604]

I finally learned how to shoot revolver

[@Kamamura2]

Rugged cowboy/gangsta hybrid grip for those gritty days when them Lincoln boys just keep on comin', with no reb'inforcements in sight. Yep, son, those were the days, gun in hand kept on screaming, so blazing hot you could light up those chain-smoked cigarettes without slowing down yer rate of fire. We piled'em mountains high, yet they kept on saying our cause lost. Some justice.

[@thenegotiator3896]

That is a beautiful gun

[@alexfresel6198]

Great, thank you very much!

[@StaySafeStaySoggy]

This guy is a straight G

[@rednecman19]

well I shoot with one hand, they do that cause they are moving quick and need to get lead out without taking their time. that's my opinion on it. I shoot one handed because I just like getting lead down range

[@abialo2010]

my SAA is chambered in 44 mag. Id like to see you put your thumb there and not get hurt

[@swdfsdft]

abialo2010 You don't shoot competition with full bore .44mags. You shoot with the lightest load that will meet the power factor. A man'd have to be a damn fool...

[@danhantheman]

+abialo2010 no such thing as a SAA 44 mag

[@abialo2010]

Dan Han I own one. Made by EAA. Called the bounty hunter. SAA clone

[@swdfsdft]

Uberti makes em too, dan

[@MrMd5555]

what the firearm is chambered in is not what makes the model. The action, and design determines that. the clambering is simply a diameter of the bore and chamber. see 1911 for perfect example.

[@nolanhistory77]

I thought it was "Cody Conagher" He has exclusive rights and licensing by taylor's & Co. to sell the smoke wagon from taylor's & Co. Tuned right out of the box, and he does the action job for the comanchero series 1873 rifle tuned right out of the box. I bought my smoke wagon(Deluxe edition) from "The cowboy shop" cody conagher's site boy is it smooth, I abandoned my ruger vaqueros for the smoke wagon, it' looks better than the vaquero's and smoother than the vaquero's.

[@1885win]

Thumb on back of frame helps me with my big hands.

[@jamesalvarado3961]

Dats some fancy shooting there.

[@master_of_blinchiki]

I literally searched for "fat cowboy with a gun" and this was the first search result.

[@dcselwitz]

PERFECT !!! THX !!!

[@T-MJP]

Such wisdom

[@texasgunslinger5996]

I watched this and I'm wondering what about a left handed I'm a lefty not so much a right handed the is problem with me

[@pamundson9]

Good video like ur style

[@jackmeholf5565]

Good vid!

[@24elkbass]

And what about the pinky? Hook? Not hook? Bigger grips? Anyone?

[@jillcarlson180]

I kept focusing on his finger on the trigger the entire time. It has been hammered into my head you do not have your finger on the trigger unless you are ready to shoot..

[@carpenter1274]

You are definitely fast. 👍👍

[@alexcaruso8766]

0:11. Made music with a revolver...nice.

[@kylewood8327]

Nice tips even if you don’t cowboy shoot!

[@sumflow]

The consensus now, or in the 1880s?