(TFT) Re: TFT Digest V3 #203

[JohnDHamill@aol.com]

Justin wrote:
>You are correct on the raiders and their use of multiple 
weapons but also many a cowboy carried extra cylinders for their guns
,already 
loaded with cartridge, for somewhat speed loading.  I'll have to disagree 
with you on the revolvers accuracy except at close range.  Most gunfights 
were fast, furious and happened within 10 to 20 yards from each other because
the gunfighters understood the weapons limitations.  Most gunfighters of 
the period would tell you though that it was not speed that won gunfights but
the iron will to draw and take steady aim.  Hollywood Westerns be 
darned!!!!!!!!!!

 

Yours in Cidri and owns a .44 Army Remington(aka Remingtons 
ripoff of the Colt),

Justin<

I also owned several cap and ball revolvers (a couple of Remingtons, and several Colts, including a Walker, all reproductions of course, if only I could afford originals!), and for aimed fire have never seen a problem with their accuracy. It was only when I tried to "cowboy" with them, and rapid fire them, did I see a drop in accuracy, albeit a significant one. The same holds true for modern pistols, as long as you only try aimed fire, they are pretty accurate, once you start rapid firing you lose any accuracy inherent to the weapon. In game terms, one shot per turn, as an aimed shot, should get the same Dex minus as missile weapons do. Only when they are rapid fired should they get the  -1 per hex Dex minus of thrown weapons. I did forget to mention the spare cylinders, I had several myself (for the Remingtons), and they make reloading much faster, though simply pulling a new revolver is still faster.
Not all Westerns are equal in showing weapon handling, you're right. One that comes to mind is a little known early '80s movie, called Barbarosa, starring Willie Nelson and Gary Busey. There is a scene where Nelson is being attacked, he turns to face his oncoming attacker, plants his feet, and as his opponents bullets are raining around him, he takes careful aim and guns him down. A typical gunfighter movie demands characters with ludicrous Dex's as they make rapidfire shots, at multiple targets, within the space of a turn.
Now all this conversation on these weapons is making me want to run a western campaign, thanks guys... :-)

John Hamill
JohnDHamill@aol.com

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