Ammunition

Heavyweight Bullet Choices for Personal Defense

There is only one reason to fire at another human being, and that is to stop a threat. The threat…Read More >

Firearms

Review: Ruger GP100 Wiley Clapp Model

Some shooters regard revolvers as dinosaurs. Since the introduction of the first reliable self-loading pistols well over 100 years ago,…Read More >

Safety and Training

Tactical Mistakes and Myths — One Author’s Observations

Next to food, clothing, and shelter, the need for self-defense is prominent in our genes. You did not make many…Read More >

Traditions revolver with white grips and engraving

Firearms

Review: Traditions Engraved Revolvers

The Single Action Army has a storied history. Originally called the Top Strap revolver, the Peacemaker in civilian sales (and the Model P internally at Colt) and later the Frontier Six Shooter when chambered for the .44-40 cartridge, the Colt SAA was the most rugged, reliable and powerful cartridge revolver of the day.

Firearms

Range Report: Ruger GP100

While modern self-loading handguns are as reliable as a machine can be, the revolver is more likely to fire after long-term storage while loaded. You may leave the revolver at home, ready, and it will come up shooting. The revolver may also be placed against an adversary’s body and fired. EIther way, many feel comforted by an extra round or two at the ready.

Firearms

Going Old School

Whether you are a collector or an accumulator, you have an eye for a new gun you simply cannot pass up. There have always been more cheap guns than good ones, but in the ‘Old days’ we knew the difference. While they may not be the latest polymer or new take on an old design, ‘Old School’ guns still have a place the heart of many shooters.

Traditions Bill Tilghman revolver and Fiocchi ammunition

Firearms

Review: Traditions Bill Tilghman Revolver

Hand engraving is expensive. Few shooters in the old west era carried engraved firearms, but some did. During the gangster era Frank Hamer—the man who killed Bonnie and Clyde—carried Old Lucky, an engraved SAA .45. Bill Cody and a very few well-heeled shooters carried such revolvers. Today however, while you are not likely to be a famous gunman, you can own a fine, engraved revolver for traditions such as the Bill Tilghman Single Action Army.

Reloading

Loading for the .45 Colt

I have used most of the popular old west calibers at one time or another, including the .32-20 and .41…Read More >

Firearms

Review: Taylors and Company Cattlebrand Revolver — Single Action Army

Lawmen such as Lone Wolf Gonzullas, Tom Threepersons, and Frank Hamer carried the SAA long into the previous century. Today, we have first quality revolvers (and plenty of cheap competitors) that will serve well. These revolvers are affordable, and in my opinion, also among the most useful, smooth handling, and accurate SAA types ever manufactured.

Firearms

Review: Marlin’s Big Lever Action and the .444 Cartridge

The .444 Marlin is basically a lengthened .44 Magnum revolver cartridge. However, the .444 Marlin is far more powerful than the .44 Magnum. While the .44 Magnum is a fine brush gun, and well suited for hog hunting at moderate range, the .444 Marlin can be a true big-game rifle. The .444 hasn’t replaced the .30-30, but it has enjoyed some popularity with the lever-action crowd. The introduction of the Marlin .45-70 rifle—or reintroduction, as it may be called—cut into the .444’s popularity considerably.