Loading stand for the Single Shot Pistol

**MR. GADGET** · 01-18-2017

I see they plan to make it a rule for the single shot pistols, that you must use a stand.

Why is it needed?
Who makes them?

Going to need some size and weight to them and not be falling over making it a danger to use having the gun fall over loaded.

Think about how much the bench moves with all the people loading a rev at the same time.
There is really no weight to the back of these guns, more to the front and taller.

Is this proposed to fix a problem? Can people not do it safe or what?

**Michael Bodner** · 01-18-2017

Jon,

Simple physics: If the gun is front-heavy, while in an upright orientation, it would tend to tip over the stand (or fall out). thus, the base of the stand needs to be much wider than our 'usual' stands and the grip of the gun needs to be more constrained (ie: held in place) verses the small notch we tend to use now.

You're a smart guy, design one and start selling it!!

-Mike

"Single shot pistols wobble, but they won't fall down" (Sorry Weebles....)

**John Holland** · 01-18-2017

There is an inherent danger when using a loading stand with a single shot pistol, and that is breaking the stock at the radius of the bend of the grip. This can be done by simply "thumping" it down into place on the stand.

When I competed with SS Pistol I merely held the pistol around the stock circumference at the barrel band with one hand. It was held with the muzzle at the height of my musket for extreme safety purposes. I simply opened a pre-measured charge with my free hand and poured the charge down the barrel. I then picked up a pre-lubed ball from a container and placed it in the bore, followed by picking up the ram rod from the loading/firing bench and pushed the ball home. All the while the pistol is still held upright with the other hand. I then rotated the pistol 90 degrees to be parallel to the ground and pointing at the backstop. I then put the hammer on half-cock and placed a cap on the nipple. This is followed by moving the pistol to my shooting hand, which did all the smart work because my non shooting hand is as dumb as a brick, then I pull the hammer to full cock and do my best to hit the target backer!

Summary - I don't feel a loading stand should be required, optional use as it is now, yes, but not required.

**Mike McDaniel** · 01-18-2017

I agree with John. There's no need for a stand. It's a convenience at best. I'll use one with my percussion and flintlock target pistols...sometimes. Didn't bother for the last World Championships, it's too much trouble to drag around.

**MR. GADGET** · 01-18-2017

If I read the new rule from the copy I got it stated you must use it.

Like you John I loaded mine the same way I did the musket and never a problem.
Very easy I also used all my musket leather to hold caps, bullet, powder.
Thats what made it so fun, walk to the pistol range with gun in soft case and a target you are ready to shoot.
Did not need a shooting box, scope, stand or anything.
Kind of fun and the way it should be.

**John Holland** · 01-18-2017

Mr. Gadget is correct, it doesn't have to be that hard!

**MR. GADGET** · 01-18-2017

Have we also given up on the horn for the pistol range.
I see the command is now Fire. So you hold the gun down resting on the bench and wait for the command to fire.

**Michael Bodner** · 01-19-2017

BTW: Its a proposed rule change. Explain your issues to your Team Commander then to the Regional Commander and get them during the discussion of the motion to express these concerns and get the issue voted down....

-Mike

**MR. GADGET** · 01-19-2017

Originally Posted by Michael Bodner

BTW: Its a proposed rule change. Explain your issues to your Team Commander then to the Regional Commander and get them during the discussion of the motion to express these concerns and get the issue voted down....

-Mike

Have all ready.
Wanted to get more clear info and feeling of those like John that shoot them.

**Jim Leinicke 7368V** · 01-19-2017

Originally Posted by MR. GADGET

Have all ready.
Wanted to get more clear info and feeling of those like John that shoot them.

Why do you need a loading stand for a horse pistol??? Wake up, Board. We have been shooting these things for three years out in the West, in team competitions, loading from cartridge out of our cartridge boxes, and we found the event just like the smoothbore musket event. It works just fine. As is so often the case, the guys pushing for another rule have no idea what they are talking about.
Jim Leinicke 7368v jjb