Chapter I: Preface

Though my last edition of _Hints on Revolver Shooting_ was published only four years ago, I find it now necessary, owing to the advance of the automatic pistol, to revise it thoroughly and to add new chapters.

Till quite recently, the automatic pistol had many defects, both as to balance and as to safety, chiefly in the latter respect, so that only a very careful expert could handle one without danger to the public and to himself.

This has now been altered, and with safety bolts and external hammers several automatic pistols are quite safe for the use of experts.

They are still very dangerous in the hands of ignorant persons; a revolver is dangerous enough in such cases but the automatic is much more so.

I shall try to explain how any one possessing mechanical knowledge can, by observing certain precautions, safely carry and shoot an automatic pistol. Of course, some men who, for years, have shot small game, and who are good shots, are still very careless in handling a gun. Such men should never touch an automatic pistol.

I have made the above remarks as I do not want to be responsible for any accidents with automatics; and I advise any one not sure of himself to confine himself to revolvers and single-shot pistols.

The automatic pistol is gradually replacing the revolver except as a gallery pistol.

Up to the present no automatic pistol can shoot gallery, or light-charge, ammunition, and the full charge, because of the noise, is very unpleasant in a shooting-gallery.

It is a great pity that the .44 Smith & Wesson break-down model of revolver (shooting gallery ammunition) is no longer made, as it is still the best revolver for gallery shooting.

M. Gastinne Renette, of 39 Avenue d'Antin, Paris, for his gallery, uses them still, together with his duelling pistols of the same calibre and powder charge.

I mention this as he is the only dealer who can now supply the old Smith & Wesson revolvers.

WALTER WINANS.

17 Rue de Tervueren,
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I.--THE AUTOMATIC PISTOL 1

II.--SELECTING A PISTOL 5

III.--CLEANING AND CARE OF PISTOLS 10

IV.--SIGHTS 14

V.--LEARNING TO SHOOT 21

VI.--RAPID FIRING 40

VII.--TRAVERSING TARGET 43

VIII.--GALLERY SHOOTING 48

IX.--TWENTY-YARDS STATIONARY TARGET 52

X.--DISAPPEARING TARGET 61

XI.--STATIONARY FIFTY-YARDS TARGET 77

XII.--TEAM SHOOTING AND COACHING 79

XIII.--SHOOTING IN COMPETITIONS 82

XIV.--DUELLING 85

XV.--SHOOTING OFF HORSEBACK 98

XVI.--PISTOL SHOOTING FOR LADIES 102

XVII.--STAGE SHOOTING 106

XVIII.--TRICK SHOOTING 116

XIX.--SHOOTING IN SELF-DEFENCE 120

XX.--SHOOTING IN THE DARK 131

Automatic Pistol Shooting