Posts
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The Killer Bee Project: Dry Run
No matter how a project starts, one can expect there to be some number of remaining open questions and conflicting conclusions as you cross the finish line. No one, outside of mathematics, gets certainty in knowledge, so do not expect such here. The best that can be done in this case, for this particular kind of knowledge, is careful running of an experiment multiple times; refining techniques, and iterating as needed.
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The Killer Bee Project: Introduction
Current (2025) CMP Service Revolver rules are silent with regard to style or weight of projectile to be used for the match. So long as the revolver is chambered “from 9mm/.38 Special to 45,” the shooter is free to select either a lead, coated lead, or jacketed bullet in whatever weight they choose in whatever profile they choose. This is quite unlike the NRA Distinguished Revolver ammunition requirement, where a 38 Special, 158 grain round nose or semi-wadcutter bullet, is de jour.
As a result of the wide latitude in the CMP rules, I started working on what I have been calling “The Killer Bee Project.” Initially, the hope was to create a new load that would do three things:
- Be accurate.
- Be (very) low-recoil.
- Be appropriate for new shooters.
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How To Examine A Revolver
At the conclusion of the 2024 Georgia Regional, after the $100 bills were randomly drawn and awarded, the prize table was picked over for treasures, and everyone had their fill of fried chicken, you’d think it would be time to say goodbye, pack up, and head home. But not this year!
By sheer luck, the shooters assembled were invited to an impromptu “All Things Revolver” class presented by Sgt. Dan Byrd and Sgt. Jason Gregoire of the AMU. Gregoire presented his part of the class first, with tips about how to train for the CMP Service Revolver event. The second portion of the even was hosted by Byrd, who is a gunsmith-turned-shooter on the Precision Pistol team. His recent accomplishments include the Presidents 100 and is a member of the AMU team that won the Gold Cup Trophy at the 2024 Nationals.
When these guys talk, it pays to listen.
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Timed/Rapid Fire Grip Technique Video
Sgt. Jason Gregoire, of the Army Marksmanship Unit (located at Ft. Moore, GA), is the 2023 Georgia State Match Pistol Champion & Match Winner, and also won the CMP Service Revolver match at the 2023 National Trophy Pistol Match & CMP Championships at Camp Perry, OH.
Additionally, he is a CMP Distinguished 22, Service Pistol, Service Revolver and Air Pistol shooter, along with having earned his Distinguished Revolver badge from the NRA. In addition to being in the 2600 Club of both the NRA and CMP, he was the Presidents 100 match winner in 2022.
Jason, having the heart of both a true competitor and teacher, was kind enough to video, in profile, his technique for shooting timed and rapid strings using his revolver. The video is below:
A couple of points to note:- In order to make ready for his next round, you'll note how quickly he moves his trigger finger away from the trigger after recoil.
- Watch the move he makes at the backstrap when he is manipulating the hammer between shots.
Thanks to Jason for sharing his technique! -
How To Grip a Revolver for Single Action Shooting
Much of today’s literature about pistol shooting focuses on action shooting disciplines (e.g. IDPA, NRA Action Pistol, USPSA) and semi-automatic pistols. This isn’t surprising; with the advent of modern machining techniques and design, such pistols are very competitive, both in price and for sport, in addition to other benefits such as ergonomics and reliability.
Revolvers, long the friend of the lawman, cowboy, and outlaw, began to lose market share in the mid 1970s, and while the gun press still writes the occasional article that “this is the year of the revolver,” it is unlikely that we will see any such resurgence of the wheel gun, unless perhaps semi-auto pistols are regulated in some way to influence sales.