After reading through this thread, I decided to give it a try on my revolver. Must be doing something wrong because I can't get the gun to fire...

Happy April 1!!! :cowboy:

 

Not fanning, but used to hold the trigger down on my Winchester 62 while working the pump. I could empty that rifle about 2 shots sooner than my cousin could his semi auto.

 

That was a cool video.

 

These are finely specialized shooters shooting the pistol equivalent of dragsters, only good for a few runs before they have to be rebuilt or replaced.

I have no interest in learning to do it, can't ever see outside of a few competitions where it would be practical in daily life.

 

As mentioned, I have read about Wild Bill always taking careful AIM.
Hitting the target is way more important than sending bullets down range in a hurry!
Of course if you can do both great but most of us should stick with careful aiming....

One of the things I've read attributed to Wyatt Earp was it isn't the first shot in a gunfight that matters, it is the first accurate shot.

 

I used to do it with my trusty Mattel "Fanner 50's." I could hit the wall every time with those plastic bullets...until I lost them all.

It's been a while since I read his book, but I seem to remember Elmer Keith talking about fanning as a serious technique. He also spoke of modifying the gun, changing the hammer, removing the trigger and such. He called them "slip guns."

He referred to a local guy, John Newman, as being especially talented with the slip guns. I recall that from Sixguns.

 

I always wanted to be able to shoot a lever gun just like Chuck Conners in "The Rifleman." Wasn't too far off when I was a kid shooting at deer with my model 94. I could empty that rifle pretty fast. Never hit anything though those first few seasons.