the Pistols were, in order of shooting, 1rst Generation Colt SAA in .38 cal, Smith and Wesson Model 60 3" pro, Colt Frontier in .22, and Freedom Arms Premier in .22. The Colts have 5 1/2" barrels, the FA has 4 1/4" barrel.
I started with the Marlin at 25 yards, using CCI mini mags and shifted to blazer bulk lead solids. Shooting the Marlin really convinces me that these half century old eyes are at the point where I need help for shooting. With my reading glasses on, the front sight is clear but the target is so blurry, that I can't maintain a repeatable hold. As a result, the groups were about 2-3 inches at 25 yards. I felt I let the rifle down because clearly it was more capable than this. I tried a few tubes of ammo with my glasses off and I could see the target normally, but the blurr of the front sight was difficult to center. Same results, about 2-3 inches at 25 yards. I just may have to consider going to a scope on this rifle before I get to small game season.
I shot the Colt in .38 next. Most of the shots went into about 4 inches but were low and left. Since this pistol is being sold, I didn't try to modify the front sight and didn't try different loads in it. It was nice to shoot a 125 year old pistol and it handled very well.
Shifted to the Model 60 3-Pro. This pistol shot very well. At 15 yards, 2 inch groups, 5 shots each, in all five target spots. The front sights were very visible and the pistol handled very well. I would highly recommend this Pistol. There is a review of this pistol at gunblast: http://www.gunblast.com/SW-60Pro.htm. I think it and this pistol are right on for the niche it fills.
then on to the Colt frontier. I really didn't want to like this pistol. I bought it here and because I have the Feedom Arms, I didn't want to keep this pistol. WELL, too bad Mike because this pistol Rocks. I shot at 15 yards with this pistol and the first shots were dead on in elevation, and a bit left. I adjusted the sights and then spent the next 45 mins shooting this pistol in and just drilling the target spots. On my targets, there are four outer 2inch diamonds. By the time I was done shooting this pistol, I had basically shot out those spots. A great little pistol.
Last Pistol I shot was the Freedom Arms. Wow, I was really surprised with this pistol. The Colt shot rings around the FA with the two brands of ammo I had with me. I shot around a bit with this pistol, sights needed to be moved several times. Eventually it got sighted in but the groups were in the 3 inch range at 15 yards The sights were very visible and the largest most visible of any of the firearms of the day but this pistol is certainly the most expensive of the firearms I had there today and was the most disappointing. I need to get a bunch of different ammo and find out what it is that makes this one tick.
