REVOLVERS

The first sixgun John Gallagher ever built for me was several years ago and it’s my Big Little Sixgun — actually a big sixgun shooting a small...

Look again. These are both fully functional guns, a Colt Single Action Army and an 1851 Navy.

When picking up the No. 5, the first thing noticed is the deceptive lightness of the gun. You’d think it’s going to be heavier, but due to the balance...

The 1950s began with the introduction of Smith & Wesson’s 1950 Target Model in .44 Special and .45 ACP and ended in 1959 with the advent of Ruger’s...

The gun I’d want would need to fill several niches to be useful. It would have to be concealable for self-preservation, while needing to be powerful...

Brothers and sisters believe me, when a handgun blows up in your hands it will ring your chimes! That doesn’t necessarily mean it will physically hurt you.

Before the Colt Peacemaker? Before the Colt Peacemaker there was a whole boatload of other Colt single action revolvers.

The Colt Detective Special was introduced in 1927 (some sources say 1928) at the suggestion of the legendary “Fitz” (J.H. Fitzgerald).

The .44 Special was my first true sixgun love and as I have gotten older I find myself returning to it more and more. Ben Forkin certainly helped fuel my...

If you're like me, you may have accumulated a decent enough collection of guns before you realize — aw, hell — you don't love all of them equally. Not...

The British have never been ones to march in lockstep with the rest of the world, and a little evidence of that is their choice of handguns in World War II.

This juxtaposition of old-school sixgun thinking, with up-to-date technology and design ideas has virtually given us a new category of arm — the Modern...

All in all the Taurus Gauchos are pretty decent single actions. They shot well, handled well, and are a combination of both traditional and modern.

Then as now, the .357 Blackhawk is two sixguns depending upon one’s perspective. First, a Blackhawk, or any other Ruger for that matter, can be purchased...

Sometimes when we can’t find what we’re looking for we have to have the aid of a good gunsmith. I sent a 7 1⁄2" .44 Special off to David Clements to...

The brand of snubby you carry may be less important than its configuration. You want to have a gun that is built and shaped for your particular needs.

In a hands-on scuffle, a short barrel could do you some favors, especially in a bar in the Old West. In this First Look, Nic Lenze shows you the...

In 1851, just nine years after the Hayes Big Fight, Samuel Colt showcased the Navy Colt at the Crystal Palace Exposition in London.

In the mid-summer of 2020, I spotted a very fine-looking SAA with its 5 ½" barrel clearly stamped .38 Colt. By its serial number, the Colt dated to 1899,...

Though likely gone forever, New Frontiers seem to be readily available at gun shows, and the really good news is they are not regarded as highly by...

Taylor’s & Company launched the TC9 Series of 9mm pistols which includes four reproduction models of the 1873 Cattleman revolver.

Hitting four rams out of five shots was becoming regular. The 5.5” Ruger Bisley mid-frame flat top was impressive with its accuracy potential.

A Perfect Packin’ Pistol — Beater Gun style.

One or both of these double action Ruger .44 Magnums are sure to find favor with those who wander off the beaten path; or even those who simply like to...

In 1836 Sam Colt came up with the first truly practical and workable revolver, the Colt Paterson. This revolver was a five-shot affair with a revolving...

When I decided I wanted a custom .45 Colt single-action sixgun for heavier loads, a Ruger New Model was sent off to Jim Stroh. He was recognized by his...

The handguns I wish I’d never bought.

Have you ever wondered if porting your barrel will affect your bullet's velocity? Find out if it does with Roy Huntington, two revolvers, and his trusty...

The New Service was introduced in 1898, ten years after Colts first swing-out cylinder Army and Navy models. It was basically a large frame version of the...

Over the years I’ve tested dozens of .45 autos, but never subjected any older revolvers to a formal test. The logical conclusion is to construct a test...