One hand

[lnewby]

 I would like to know if anybody shoots a single action revolver with one hand? This would also include loading and unloading. I wear a prosthesis on my right arm, I shoot left handed. Been handloading for 35 years, bought my first Contender in 1986. Not a great handgun shot, but I'm really just there for the enjoyment. The single action revolver is appealing to me, I realize I would be slow at loading and unloading, but as I said, I'm there for the enjoyment. So all you single action shooters, anybody have any thoughts?      lnewby

[Scibaer]

yes i shoot my BH .45LC one handed. with less then hot loads its not a issue at all.
now loading it i had to think about, i opened the gate and rotated the cylinder and loaded it.
 it was slow,  i laid my BH on my leg , while sitting, it worked out ok for loading
 to unload, i opened the gate, rotated the cylinder and then picked up the BH at the muzzle and dropped out the case
very slow but possible. now a stuck case or needing to use the ejector would be very difficult.
 i would practice the load/ unload procedures many times before i used live rounds.
thats my late nite 2 cents
glenn

[mcwoodduck]

I think you could use a schofield.
I have one of the new copies.
It easily opens against your leg.  It was designed to be reloaded on horse back one handed.
The star extractor will dump all 6 out at the same time.  makes a nice neat pile on the shooting table.

[gcrank1]

One of the deputies in Clint Eastwood's movie 'Unforgiven' seemed pretty adept at his gun handling as I recall. You've probably seen it, but I remember being impressed, even though I had no special reason to focus on him.

[tacklebury]

I would like to know if anybody shoots a single action revolver with one hand? This would also include loading and unloading. I wear a prosthesis on my right arm, I shoot left handed. Been handloading for 35 years, bought my first Contender in 1986. Not a great handgun shot, but I'm really just there for the enjoyment. The single action revolver is appealing to me, I realize I would be slow at loading and unloading, but as I said, I'm there for the enjoyment. So all you single action shooters, anybody have any thoughts?      lnewby

I often shoot one handed with target level/defense loads.  Good practice if you ask me.  I have had many opportunities to take off hand shots that I cannot get my rifle into position for using this.  I rarely do it with heavy H110 loads as they really spin the gun on you, but in hunting scenerios you have so much adrenaline flowing, often you don't notice the recoil and can maintain the grip.  With 900-1000 fps .45 colt or .45 acp loads I have no problem keeping accuracy up to 25-30 yards.  Much past that things get iffy.

[mcwoodduck]

I think your question is more about loading and unloading the handgun.
Working a loading gate can be done one handed, but I think you would have problems the ejector rod.
Here are a couple pictures of me with one hand opening the No3.

[Frank V]

I shoot a SA pretty regularly with one hand. I haven't practiced loading or un-loading with one hand. It can be done, but would require more time & practice to do it.
The Schofield might be a good suggestion, & they are pretty nice looking revolvers. I'm sure with a little practice you could reload a SA Colt style revolver with one hand. Good shooting, let us know what you decide.
Frank

[NickSS]

Though I have two hands I have practiced loading and unloading my Uberti 45 colt clone a lot with one hand.  To unload I hold the revolver vertically with my fingers on the cylinder with the butt resting on the shooting bench.  I rotate the cylinder and the shell drop out usually if they don't I slide my hand up until my fore finger reaches the ejector and pull it down to eject the shell.  To load I rest the revolver on the bench muzzle down range and insert one cartridge then I roll the revolver on the bench till the cylinder indexes so I can insert the next cartridge and so forth.  As for shooting one handed I do that all the time and shoot about as good one handed as two handed but just not as fast.  You really have to control your grip and trigger pull one handed to get good results.

[lnewby]

  Thanks for your replies, always receive good information here. I recently had the opportunity to shoot a Blackhawk at the local range. A very patient gentleman spent some time with me letting me shoot his 44. What a joy to shoot, loading and unloading was a different story. Have to think about this a little bit. Generally, I have been able to improvise and make most things work. That Schofield looks interesting, but I really like the looks and feel of a Ruger. Thanks again.     lnewby

[Keith L]

 I have been thinking about the stands we used to use for loading black powder pistols.  One of them could help with unloading, but not much good for loading.

[mcwoodduck]

I have been thinking about the stands we used to use for loading black powder pistols.  One of them could help with unloading, but not much good for loading.

What if you flip the gun over.
And put the barrel where the heal of the BP revolver goes.
Or flip the stand
May need to modify the stand a little.

[gcrank1]

FWIW, just seems like another 'gadget' to have to carry along and manipulate. Youve already got a lap, one good hand and the gumption to get out and do stuff, so youll find a way. Ive found that the fewer extras I have to mess with, the better (KISS principle at work....sounds like a good b-sticker or t-shirt).

[Groo]

Groo here
 Open the gate-- line up the cylinder--push the ejector rod head against something [table ,post,box,holster,belt]
 rotate cylinder repeat-- to load put in belt or holster [or on table] line up the cylinder- put in cart-
 rotate cylinder -- repeat...
 Mod of a drill from thunder ranch for da revolvers...

[Brett]

I shoot my SS one hand often, that's no problem.  Unloading and loading is a different story.  Flipping the loading gate open with the thumb of my shooting (right) hand is no problem.  As someone suggested you could line up the chambers by manipulating the cylinder with the fingers of your shooting hand then use the edge of the shooting bench or even the top edge of your holster to work the ejector.  To load the revolver try slipping the barrel into your wasteband or belt with enough of the cylinder exposed to turn it with your fingers. 

One of my brother's good friends lost his left arm up to the shoulder in a motorcycle accident many years ago.  He has developed ways of working around his handicap and there is nothing I know of that he can't do.  One of his passions is turkey hunting and he is darn good at it.  With a little ingenuity and practice I see no reason why you could not enjoy shooting a SA revolver as much as the next guy.  Good luck to and have fun. 

[44 Man]

If you are talking about loading and unloading a single action one handed; I think a 'bullseye' ejector rod head would be great help.  44 Man

[Greeenriver]

It can be done, and with a little practise, maybe even be done well. I've had a sugury on my rt hand and wrist, and currently cannot use it for shooting. I've been doing a little shooting with my left hand, including loading and unloading one handed. At first, it was , "dificult". to say the least, but with some usage, has gotten easer. Notice, I said, "Easer", NOT easy!! I am able to "Trap" the revolver with the loading gate open with my other arm against my body, rotate the cylinder to load, and fire, then open the loading gate with my shooting hand thumb and rotate the cylinder with my shooting hand and push the ejector rod head against anything near to unload. It sounds more complicated than it is, really. But it can be done.

Something I never thought of before, but usefull if a person was wounded on one hand and needed to reload. Maybe it's something we all should work on a bit. Just a thought. Been trying it with my SAA's, the one DA I own, and a couple Semi-auto 1911's to see how I could do a reload if it was necessary. it's possable, but not real easy.

Greeenriver

[mrussel]

  Thanks for your replies, always receive good information here. I recently had the opportunity to shoot a Blackhawk at the local range. A very patient gentleman spent some time with me letting me shoot his 44. What a joy to shoot, loading and unloading was a different story. Have to think about this a little bit. Generally, I have been able to improvise and make most things work. That Schofield looks interesting, but I really like the looks and feel of a Ruger. Thanks again.     lnewby

 Could you make something to affix to either the bench where your shooting or perhaps your prothesis to hold the gun muzzle up for loading and muzzle down for reloading? Then you could operate the gun with your other arm to reload and load.

[gcrank1]

Was just thinkin', take a friend to lend a 'hand'. Its always more fun with 2 and coffee & pie afterwards.

[choctaw]

A black powder revolver reloading stand would be a good starting place. With some modification it could fit your needs nicely. 



http://www.curtrich.com/frontiersmen3.html

[mrussel]

Was just thinkin', take a friend to lend a 'hand'. Its always more fun with 2 and coffee & pie afterwards.

 Certainly that can be a good idea,but some people prefer the independence of doing it themselves even if there is another person there that can help them.