Range Report on the 'Big 5 Sports' IBM

Some earlier information on the IBM is in this thread:

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=35946&page=2

I've had the IBM cleaned up and ready to go for about 6 weeks. Shooting it had to wait a while due to a pretty serious snow and ice storm that hit my area in mid to late January. Had a nice day today, so made the 20 minute trip "up to the hills" to give it a try. Had a FTF on the first round, but evidently was a bad primer because there was a good enough dent in it. After that it went much better and I found that it shoots a little lower than my CMP S'G', and windage only took about (3) clicks to the right to get centered on the target. After some practice, I decided to get out my "25 yard M1 Carbine Targets" and found out I had just one with me. I wanted to post a "good result" so started getting a little nervous. About the time I was placing the target, another guy drove up and wondered how long until I was going to be finished. I told him I just wanted to shoot 7 rounds at this target and then try a dozen or so at 50 yds. He was wanting to sight-in a Remington 270, and decided to wait until I was done. Anyway, I messed up and was way low on my first shot, but the rest went about where I wanted them. My hold was "top of post at the bottom of the black." I was sitting in my old lawn chair and resting my elbow on my knee, so maybe could have done better, not sure. On the 50 yard target, I got all 12 shots into about 3-1/4" while the other guy looked through his scope and told me where they were hitting. I had (3) consecutive hits on a 1-1/2" orange target spot for a bull, so I was really pleased! This IBM might be the best shooting carbine in my small collection. The trigger pull is between 4-1/2 and 5 pounds and it's sure easy to shoot compared to the old S'G' with the dogleg hammer and the 22 coil spring. - Bob

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Bob,
You and that lawn chair did some pretty good shooting. Have you tried shooting prone?

Nice shooting Bob.
After cleaning up the IBM looks like you have a great shooter!.....Frank

Sweet!

I wish I could get a 4 1/2lb trigger on mine. They are about 6-7. Move back to 100 and see what it does with an SR1. Looks like you will hold the 9 ring easily.

Thanks guys! I don't think I ever tried prone unless it was when I was a kid - The ground in Northern Oregon hardly ever dries out. These "guys" in the attached picture are pretty good at busting balloons sitting, or prone. This picture was taken about 4 years ago, so they are both about ready to try the carbines - maybe when they get to come up for spring vacation in March. Can anybody id the BB gun on the right? It was made in 1954. - Bob

P.S. - The lighter trigger does seem to really help. It's just the way it came from Big 5. It does have an M2 sear, and it's my only carbine that has one. I know they are made a little different. I'm going to make up a spare trigger housing with the later parts to try on the other guns - want to see if it makes a difference on how they shoot. It will be easy to swap in and out without having to tinker with the existing parts.

Daisy pump!! It was my first gun. Got it for X-Mas, and no I didn't shoot my eye out with it. I did learn how to shoot birds out of the apple tree with it. Brings back memories, I wish I still had it.....Frank

I had one too. But I ricocheted one off a walnut into the neighbors sliding glass door. My butt hurt for a week.

Bob, that looks like a memory with the grandsons. I like it.....Frank

It took a lot longer to load too. But I always wanted one of those because the pump was cool. They were also way more powerful. The modern BB guns are real poor performers compared to our days.

I love to see those kids out plinking away. We need more of that.