The Sentinel

No, this isn't some sort of political post, this is about a new revolver I just bought.

A Hi-Standard Sentinel, Model R-103, with 6" barrel, in the best "Shaft" tradition, nickel-plated, of course. It's got some "flash".

It can also hit a target. Here is the second target I shot, gun rested on the table, shooter sitting down, single action, just thinking "one hole", taking my time at 50 feet indoors:

That was using some fairly old CCI Blazer standard-velocity ammo.

Then I went to a Weaver crouch, still taking my time, although I got them out in 30 seconds:

OK, so far, so good. Let's try pounding the 9 shots downrange QUICKLY:

Hmmmm. Opens up the pattern a bit, but they were all downrange under 10 seconds, and damn near minute of bowling pin!

Of course, it's not ALL good news. Yes, I got the gun for a decent price, well under $200. Yes, the action is tight, but predictable, BUT, no, I don't have a clear sight picture, even standing under a strong light and shooting towards a well-lighted target. This weapon was supposed to have a fixed rear sight on it, but instead, it has a small adjustable sight with an invisible white "U" on the rear. The black front blade is of little use against a dark bull. These sights are NOT for old eyes, and I will have to find something better. There's a transverse dovetail for the rear sight. The front sight is a tallish blade which could be modified to take a bright overlay, or a white dot.

Work in progress, but I got the revolver to teach newbies with, and it's fine for that purpose now. Give them basic discipline at the line with this, then graduate to the Hi-Standard M-103 Sport King pistol, and in a thousand rounds or so, I can make a useful pistolero or pistolera out of most anyone, on the cheap.

At Johnson Creek Gun Club, a very learner-friendly place, I'm ready to go. Anyone wanting lessons in basic handgun, just give me a shout. I don't REALLY need an excuse to go to the range, but if I did, coaching a new shooter fills THAT bill.

Comments

[GUYK]

Now that's pretty good shootin'! Back in the winter when I was up at Catfish's place I practiced to where I could do that at fifty feet with all of my pistols and my revolver...but learning to do it with .45acp cost me some bucks! And made my wrist sore.

[steve]

my dad bought a r-101 back in '60 or '61; my bother owns it now & has been squirrel hunting with it for nearly 40 years -- & he don't miss many. i found a r-101 in a pawn shop here in florida, back in '99, and bought it for a C-note. they're dang good guns and, although the trigger pull is a bit much when firing double-action, both guns are very accurate when fired single-action. i must agree with you, though, that "old eyes" might have trouble sighting in a dark environment (i'm 59)....enjoy your sentinel.