170 ???

[Pitspitr]

I gotta question about the 170 rule and the top breaks, specifically the Schofield models.

When you release the latch if you don't catch the barrel it will break the 170 degree plane. In my opinion it's moot point, given that you've just ejected all the (empty) cases. But what I want to know is how SASS and NCOWS interprete the rule in reguards to Schofields and this should be THE place to ask.

[Will Ketchum]

I agree with you.  In fact with the breech open the most dangerous place is behind the cylinder and not in front of the barrel since if a round were to fire while opening the action the bullet would stay in place and the case would become the projectile .

With that said SASS doesn't agree and mandates that when opening a break top we grasp the barrel with off hand on top trip the latch and rotate the revolver over so the barrel is pointing up and the breech down.  With a little practise it becomes almost second nature and works quite well.  Still kind of anal in my opinion.

Will Ketchum

[Pitspitr]

Still kind of anal in my opinion.

Mine too!

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[John Smith]

I agree with you.  In fact with the breech open the most dangerous place is behind the cylinder and not in front of the barrel since if a round were to fire while opening the action the bullet would stay in place and the case would become the projectile .

With that said SASS doesn't agree and mandates that when opening a break top we grasp the barrel with off hand on top trip the latch and rotate the revolver over so the barrel is pointing up and the breech down.  With a little practise it becomes almost second nature and works quite well.  Still kind of anal in my opinion.

Will Ketchum

I can't seem to locate that "mandate" in the SASS shooters handbook or ROI or ROII publications.  Can you point me toward it?

[Will Ketchum]

John, I am both a RO 1 and a RO2.  I don't think break actions are specifically covered but when various ROS have called me on it they mention having a part of one's anatomy in front of the muzzle

Will Ketchum

[John Smith]

I too am an ROII, thought perhaps I had missed something.  I remember how the British taught to empty the Webleys (and Enfields), by holding the barrel/cylinder horizontally, (facing downrange), and dropping the grip/frame down vertically.  I've shot Schofields for years, and never had an unloading table officer call me on my technique.

[Will Ketchum]

I too am an ROII, thought perhaps I had missed something.  I remember how the British taught to empty the Webleys (and Enfields), by holding the barrel/cylinder horizontally, (facing downrange), and dropping the grip/frame down vertically.  I've shot Schofields for years, and never had an unloading table officer call me on my technique.

Your way is the way SASS wants to do it.  I have shot break tops since before there was a SASS.  I always tripped the latch and let the barrel fall.  This did point the muzzle a bit towards me but the breech end of the cylinder pivoted away from me.  This, for me is the preferred position should a mis-fired round go off after the action is opened.  I have seen a round in a Browning A4 MG cookoff with the breech open, the bullet stuck in the bore while brass acted like a mini grenade Not something I want to experience with the breech pointed at my head

Now I merely grasp the barrel, rotate the gun 180 degrees on it's axis and open the action and point the barrel straight up which dumps the empties either on the ground or the unloading table.

Will Ketchum

[John Smith]

An A-4 cooking off a round is a far cry from a hang fire in a Schofield.  My actual question was concerning your statement about SASS "mandating" how to manipulate a Schofield, I don't think SASS has ever addressed this.

[litl rooster]

It's the same technique they recommend for a derringer

[John Smith]

It may be the same technique they "recommend" for a derringer, but SASS has never spelled out how to manipulate a S&W unloading it.

[litl rooster]

It may be the same technique they "recommend" for a derringer, but SASS has never spelled out how to manipulate a S&W unloading it.

  even if SASS spelled it out there would be a thousand interpetations to what it meant

[Will Ketchum]

It may be the same technique they "recommend" for a derringer, but SASS has never spelled out how to manipulate a S&W unloading it.

John, although I am a SASS RO 2 I honestly can't remember if they did or not.  I do know that a couple of our local RO2s insist that you don't sweep yourself with the open muzzle.  I go along just to not make waves although I think it's silly

Will Ketchum

[Montana Slim]

My simple take on the procedure:

If the break-open firearm were to contain live rounds, it would be my sincere preference to open with the cylinder up and extract the cartridges manually from this orientation, rather than flip-it over and dump them out. Especially over rock or concrete. If I know their all "fired" it would not matter to me.

Regards,
Slim

[John Smith]

The way I learned a long time ago was to point the pistol downrange with the barrel horizontal, grasp the barrel with the left hand, open the barrel latch and allow the frame/grip to move down vertical.  The barrel remains horizontal pointing down range, no twisting, turning, just easy unloading.