Not long ago at the gun shop, I was lamenting on some simple facts of life. I have little time to shoot the firearms I really love. The Savage 99 rifle and Colt SAA revolver are among these. My friend Clay asked what I would be shooting if I had the time and on my own dime. I didn’t even have to think about.
Having owned several $3,000-$5,000 precision rifles, the quest for accuracy can be expensive. The goal of this build was a rig with fine, precise accuracy with a price tag most shooters could afford. At full MSRP this complete ready to shoot setup is under $1,800 including gun, optic, rings, and magazine and easily delivers sub-.5-inch 100-yard groups—all day long.
The 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge roared on the scene as a long-range shooter’s dream. Target shooters raved about its ability to bust a bullseye at 1,000 yards, without the punishment normally associated with long range cartridges. So, it was of little surprise with plinkers and hunters pleaded with manufacturers that they too wanted accuracy without punishment. If this sounds like you, here are our Top 10 6.5 Creedmoor rifles.
Not long ago, at my favorite shop, the conversation turned to Colt 1911 handguns—as it often does. One of the guys commented that his Colt 1991 was a ‘pretty accurate’ piece. He wondered what the pistol would shoot like with a .200 crosspin and a barrel bushing with only .001 clearance rather than .003. Another fellow said, ‘Y’all are talking about the 1991A? That’s the entry level Colt, correct?’ It is, and the latest Colt 1991A1 is a capable, reliable, and accurate handgun.
The trend in handguns has been toward increased capacity. Many revolver designs have even gained a cartridge or two. However, high capacity doesn’t always mean greater efficiency. A smaller grip than is possible with high capacity handguns may make for more comfortable shooting and less stress in trigger reach. There are jurisdictions that limit magazine capacity. While we do not agree with this law and find the restriction onerous and un-American, the law must be respected until we can change it. I am not going to be a test case, and if your head is screwed on correctly, you will not either.
Among the happiest times I have had when shooting is the time I have spent with single action revolvers. Those true to the Old West in appearance and function are my favorites. When properly finished and well fitted, the single action revolver is a joy to own and use.
The buying public is voting for revolvers and buying them in great numbers. Fueling the new trend, Ruger offers a seven-shot version of its popular GP100. Ruger offers longer barrel versions, but the 2.5-inch version is, in the author’s opinion, among the finest combat revolvers ever manufactured. There are many who appreciate tradition, and others, who simply trust revolvers. There are many good points considering revolvers.
The 1911 is arguably the sexiest gun to ever grace mankind. It feels perfect in the hand, recoil is an afterthought while firing. The 1911 manual of arms is akin to ballet. Graceful yet deliberate. When you hold a 1911, you feel as if you’ve just stolen Zeus’s Lightning Bolt. The sheer weighted balance of the 1911, reassures its master that when called upon, it can surely beat a man to death! The 1911 was forged from steel and wood, dug from the earth and formed by John Browning.
Someone said there are two types of artists, the revolutionary and the plagiarist. While this is a little harsh, there is some truth in the statement. The revolutionary is the one who ushers in a major change in the field. There are artists and inventors who stand head and shoulder above the rest. Samuel Colt built on very little that came before him. This solidly set his legacy as a pathfinder.
During a recent range session, I brought along two of my favorite handguns. The six-inch barrel Colt .357 and SIG Sauer 1911 each feature fully adjustable rear sights. These sights allow the shooter to account for windage and elevation, and to fine tune the sights to the individual loading. There are many different bullet weights in each caliber, and they do not fire to the same point of aim.
I don’t mind finding coal in my stocking—well coal black actually although flat dark earth magazines are not bad either. Of course finding AR mags in your stocking is like finding batteries. I wonder what the long, narrow box marked “Adult Signature Required” could be for the fourth day of Christmas?
The first handgun I fired was an old Smith and Wesson Victory Model with fixed sights. It was some time before I progressed to a Smith and Wesson with click adjustable rear sights. A movable front sight is a recent addition I find very modern. While the adjustable sight is a must have for competition and hunting, for personal defense it isn’t needed if you know how to use fixed sights and zero the piece.
The Ruger 10/22 is the .22 everyone wants, everyone keeps, and everyone can afford! Along with the Colt 1911 handgun, the Remington 700, and Browning A5 shotgun,
In military and LE circles, a PDW (Personal Defense Weapon) is a compact, select fire weapon that falls somewhere in-between a submachine gun and an assault rifle. In civil terms it means a semi-automatic vision, more than likely with a pistol with a brace. It means a SIG Sauer MPX-PSB.
One evening, Grayson H. and five of his friends decided they wanted to go catch a 7 p.m. movie at the Central Mall in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The mall was overly crowded, so they parked about 100 yards from the door and walked to the ticket counter.
About 18 months ago, I decided it was high time for me to try my hand at 3 Gun. Life was good; I carved out some range time and found a friend to attend with me. He had some experience running matches, so he helped me kit up and learn some practice drills. We had a great time, even if he consistently smoked my stage times.
The revolver illustrated in these pages is a rare piece with only 15,000 made from 1951 to 1961. It is more rare than any Colt Python variation but doesn’t command the prices the snake guns do. Yet, the Colt .357 is perhaps as accurate as the Python and offers a shootable piece of history for less money than the snake guns.
I am certain that I will never be accused of failing to make an honest comment when needed. As an example, some years ago a friend owned an Uzi carbine and thought it was the best thing in the world for home defense. I disagreed completely. The trigger action was too heavy to allow good hits, and it was difficult to get hits with on the combat range.