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.
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.
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.
I have used most of the popular old west calibers at one time or another, including the .32-20 and .41…Read More >
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.
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.
The Smith and Wesson 625 JM is a big burly revolver that has many good design features. This stainless steel revolver features fully adjustable rear sights, a post front sight with a brass insert often referred to as a gold bead, a full underlugged barrel, and a smooth trigger action.
Firing an old handgun that once belonged to someone 100 or more years ago is like shaking hands with the past. We just like to get the feel of the implements of the day. However, our overwhelming concern must be safety. There have always been more cheap guns than good guns, and some were none too safe even when they were new.
I have been shooting since I was nine years old. My grandfather taught me firearm safety and the .22 rifle.…Read More >
Our author began exploring a packing handgun for a specific scenario. The bottom line criterion was that the pistol must be completely reliable, accurate enough for personal defense and taking accurate shots at an adversary behind cover, and powerful enough for defense against both biped and quadruped threats. Vehicle penetration was important, and so was penetration against heavy bones. Springfield’s XD in .357 SIG quickly rose to the top of the list.