Vintage Photo- Target Practice

[horsesoldier03]

The photo attached below not only shows a day of simpler times, it also demonstrates the change of public opinion towards gun safety. What once may have been considered simple and mundane now gets more attention. Here several soldiers gather outside a barracks and conduct target practice, using the barracks as a backstop.

[jnyork]

Wow, look at the guys downrange on the porch!

[bdhold]

is it duck or jump?

[Gobblerforge]

As long as everyone does as they are supposed to, no problem.
Gobbler

[Old Time Hunter]

Wonder what year it is? Those look to be Trapdoor's and that .45-70 would carry quite well under that building, hope no one is on the other side.

[jhrosier]

They're being safe. The window over the target is open so a stray shot won't break it.

Jack

[Gary]

Here's how the Chinese do it...

[bcp]

Probably gallery practice loads with the target on a bullet trap.

Gallery practice reloading kit shown here:
http://www.trapdoorcollector.com/reloadingkits.html

Bruce

[Cimarron Red]

Neat stuff! I'd love to know where the photo was taken.

[horsesoldier03]

The photo is from Fort Riley, Kansas, that building is still there today and is located near the cavalry parade field. Not sure on the year but I will try to find out. I am speculating that it was in the late 1880s or early 1890s.

[Old Time Hunter]

Here's how the Chinese do it...

Great...now I need another keyboard!

[Gobblerforge]

Here's how the Chinese do it...

I don't care how hard times are. Some jobs you just got to say no to.
Gobbler

[Borregos]

Interesting picture, I like the shooter's stance

[redhawk]

The men on the porch trust the man behind the gun more than I have ever trusted another shooter.

[Cimarron Red]

horsesoldier03,

Thanks very much for the information!

[RIHMFIRE]

Here's how the Chinese do it...

THAT CRACKS ME UP....

[KCSO]

This is gallery practice and they are shooting round balls with 4-7 grains of powder for a charge. This was common in the 1880-1900 period and just about every base had a spot for gallery practice.

[Rusty]

When our dept. was starting it's SWAT team they were out practicing one day and the powers that be thought it would be a good idea if the snipers could practice on a moving target. They took a standard silhouette target and stapled a 1X2 to the back of a cardboard backer. Another deputy was given the task of going prone behind the earthen berm and moving the target. When the first round was fired it hit dead center splintering the 1X2 and sending a piece of jacket material at a 90° straight down and hit the target holder in the arm. CEASE FIRE!!!

On to plan B