Shooting at the trigger of a loaded rifle fixed in a rest, the shot from the rifle breaking a ball on the shooter’s head, is also another form of the lever apparatus.
I think that in stage performances there should be a committee of shooting men appointed by the audience to see that the shooting is genuine and not trick shooting.
CHAPTER XIX
SHOOTING IN SELF-DEFENCE
This chapter is written entirely from the technical point of view as a branch of pistol shooting, while the legal aspect of the question is treated by law experts in the Appendix of my larger treatise, The Art of Revolver Shooting. Fortunately, however, in the great majority of cases, the object of protecting oneself—or, what is more important, protecting someone else—is attained without actually shooting. The mere fact of being armed is generally sufficient, and in many cases wearing the revolver openly or having it in one’s hand, even unloaded, suffices. As Polonius says: “Beware of entrance to a quarrel, but being in, bear’t that the opposed may beware of thee.” But, if shooting has to be done, everything depends on getting the first shot.
I am not dealing with the ethical aspect of the case; and, putting that aside, if you can take your adversary unawares, and “get the drop on him” before he gets it on you, you have a great advantage.
A short-barrelled pistol is best if it has to be concealed, but of as big a calibre as you can carry without its being too bulky and showing in your pocket. If there is no necessity for concealment, carry one six inches in the barrel.
Some prefer a large-bore army revolver, with the barrel cut down to two inches. I am assuming that the shooting will be done at a distance of only a few feet, and without aim in the ordinary sense of the word.