Jim, can we get a tutorial?

[Scott Tschirhart]

On your use of a pistol rest?

I’ve never used one and I’m curious about it.

[JimT]

Not sure about "tutorial" but here are some photos .... I have been using this old thing since about the turn of the century.

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Outers Pistol Perch ... adjustable in many directions ...the front fork can be raised or lowered .. the entire platform can swivel on the base .. the angle of the butt rest can be changed up and down ... the butt rest can be raised or lowered ..

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I don't shoot the pistol in this position. I don't like the recoil hammering the ivories into the butt rest and I would never rest the butt when testing ammo capabilities ... but some people do and that's ok.

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This is the basic position I use it.

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I started out more than 60 years ago using shooting bags on the hood of the pickup. You did not rest the pistol on the hood as the heavy recoiling ones chip the paint off the hood. Don't ask.

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How I hold using the bags ... about the same hold as using the Pistol Perch.

[weiler]

Jim, that Linebaugh Ruger remains one of my favorite custom revolvers and stories

[JimT]

Jim, that Linebaugh Ruger remains one of my favorite custom revolvers and stories

Thank you.
It holds a special place for me also.

[Walt]

I normally shoot handguns offhand at steel gongs but the rare times I want to shoot from a rest for testing accuracy I use a Ransom Universal pistol rest. It's built like a bank vault, the front rest is adjustable for elevation and for distance from the rear pad. The pads are replaceable and are made of quality material. Despite being made of aluminum, it's surprisingly heavy (over 6 lbs) and stable.

There's no question that placing the barrel of almost every firearm on a rest has an effect on point of impact. I only use a rest to determine group size and shoot offhand to figure out point of aim.

[Bill in Oregon]

Paint chips and blast marks! Been there and done that. I agree with Walt that resting the barrel on the rest affects point of impact, and I try to rest the front edge of the receiver in the notch like Jim is in the third photo.
One other lesson that I have learned the hard way is to have something soft under both elbows if shooting off a concrete bench, as the recoil of a powerful handgun will drive both into the surface they are resting on, which quickly destroys my concentration.

[JimT]

..... the recoil of a powerful handgun will drive both into the surface they are resting on, which quickly destroys my concentration.

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[Scott Tschirhart]

So you put the bottom of the frame on the forks?

Thanks. The photos help a lot.

[JimT]

So you put the bottom of the frame on the forks?

Thanks. The photos help a lot.

Yes. It keeps from putting pressure on the barrel that might affect the point of aim. Shooting off sandbags or shooting bags I don't worry about it and have never noticed it affecting my guns. But the harder forks can possibly affect it.

[1894cfan]

If shooting off sandbags, I'd suggest using a section of thick leather on top of the sand bags so the powder blast out of the barrel/cylinder gap isn't cutting into the bag. HTH

[Woodsloafer2]

Good tip on covering the bags. I was shooting off the hood of truck over bags and walked down to check the target. Turned around to walk back to see the small flames of the bag on fire.

[JimT]

If shooting off sandbags, I'd suggest using a section of thick leather on top of the sand bags so the powder blast out of the barrel/cylinder gap isn't cutting into the bag. HTH

Hot .357's are especially hard on bags!

[JimT]

Good tip on covering the bags. I was shooting off the hood of truck over bags and walked down to check the target. Turned around to walk back to see the small flames of the bag on fire.

so .. in addition to shooting glasses and hearing protection a small fire extinguisher might be handy ...

I love your story! I have blown holes in the bags but never set one on fire! That's a first.

[Bill in Oregon]

Cap and ball revolvers are also good at flame-cutting sandbags -- and staining a whole bunch of stuff black.

[Ysabel Kid]

Cap and ball revolvers are also good at flame-cutting sandbags -- and staining a whole bunch of stuff black.

So true... and so worth it!

[yooper2]

If shooting off sandbags, I'd suggest using a section of thick leather on top of the sand bags so the powder blast out of the barrel/cylinder gap isn't cutting into the bag. HTH

Definitely a must! I use old shot bags full of corn for shooting bags. When I first my 357 Maximum Ruger I set out to do some load testing off a bag and at the first shot I was suddenly in a big cloud of corn dust! The blast from the cylinder gap cut that old shot bag like a razor blade.


Eric

[Scott Tschirhart]

I wish I could find a pistol perch. Apparently they have been discontinued.

I have a cheap plastic rest that I will try.

[oldebear1950]

I have three pistol rests, that I have used over the years. One is a homemade wooden one with leather padding, the other two are plastic. One is red the other is grey,
I use the homemade wooden one the most, and have had it for about 40 years, maybe longer, as I had it when stationed in Kodiak, Alaska. I was last there in 1986, and retired from the US COAST GUARD in 1989 and had it then.
Still works great. I used it sometime in the early 1980s when I had a couple of contender pistols, one in 30-30 and the other in 35 REMINGTON

[oldebear1950]

i also have one of the caldwell pistol rests