SHOOTING IRON

The Colt SAA revolver only served officially for the U.S. Cavalry between 1873 and 1892, which begs the question of what other handguns served American...

My very first reloading manual, Lyman’s Reloader’s Handbook #45 (1967), is still on my desk. Along with it is their new one, #51 (2022). Handbook #45...

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.

Among avid single action revolver shooters there is a sub-genre of handguns well respected but often misunderstood. Those are the Colt Conversions of cap &...

There is one handgun in my racks, however, that gives me a warm fuzzy feeling every time it’s in my hands. It was made by the now-defunct United States...

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.

There is much hoopla in the firearms press about the new .30 Super Carry and the handguns being built for it. I don’t own one of the pistols, have never...

Not long into my shooting career I realized not all revolvers were equal in terms of closely putting bullets near one another on paper targets. Many years...

I’m going to detail why I like the .44 S&W Russian. At least I like it in this one particular revolver.

In my personal opinion, the most practical Colt SAAs are the Shorties. I have three right now: the “Sheriff’s Model” mentioned above, a .45 with a 3...

S&W Model 10 Military & Police .38 Specials are point and shoot, home guns. No more practical, down-to-earth, no-nonsense handgun has ever existed.

My love affair with Colt Single Action Army sixguns started in 1968. Like someone separated from a loved one for a long time, I have renewed my acquaintance...

Anyone who has studied the history of military handguns must wonder how some ordnance officers formed their concepts of ideal handguns.

As odd as it may seem, some of the Colt SAA’s most popular chamberings have been developed by Winchester; as in Winchester Center Fire or as we know them...

I’m nothing if not impetuous. A few years back I got it in my head a shiny nickel-plated Colt 1911 would suit me, so I bought the first one encountered.

Firepower of Old West revolvers is one of the most misrepresented historical aspects of that era.

I’ve been searching around for a good method to carry a handgun if I’m not wearing a belt.

It’s odd how some things stick in your mind and others fly away as in a stiff wind.

Back in the 1970s, during the years I lived in and around Yellowstone National Park, I became friends with a Mississippian named Jim Shumaker.

Recently a fellow asked me when I became interested in guns. My reply was … I was born with it.

Recently on an Internet website a fellow asked me, “Do you have a barbeque Colt?” I replied, “Um, No, I don’t think so.”

It amazes me how many shooters — young and old — talk about their .44 Specials or .44 Magnums without having a clue as to their ancestry.

Finding a Colt Buntline from first year production still with its original albeit nearly destroyed box definitely tripped my trigger.

With my writing career nearing 50 years (full time since 1981) with over 2,000 printed features and columns I’m bound to have made mistakes.

In the spring of 1984 I was preparing to fly to Southern California to participate in my very first End Of Trail cowboy action match. I had only one misgiving.

My dictionary says “accouterments” are military accessories. I love the word because to me it seems like a combination of accumulate and collect,

Back in 1973 a friend and I got it in our heads we should take a couple saddle horses and my trusty steed “Duke” as a pack horse and head south.

Back in the first years of this century a fellow contacted me saying he was putting a replica of the Remington Model 1875 revolver into production and he...

Last summer for the first time in my life I thought I might have to use a gun to defend myself.

A little-known fact among modern handgunners is the Hi-Power was truly international in both manufacture and usage. FN had Hi-Powers in full production for...

The vast majority of handgun shooting competitions nowadays are geared to speed. That’s understandable. It’s fun to do and fun to watch. There’s...

What did I mean about the “first time?” The .45 Colt’s first term of service was 1873 to 1892. The revolvers had 71/2" barrels and the issue loads as...

When Woodrow Wilson’s administration declared war on Germany on April 6, 1917, the American military was woefully unprepared. Regarding handguns, American...

The Webley MKVI certainly fits the criteria British ordnance people evidently set for their service revolvers: big, ugly, underpowered and top break. I...

Being as how we’re around the centennial of America’s involvement in World War I, his Editorship Roy gave me the go ahead to cover some combat handguns...

When the United States entered World War I on April 6, 1917, the standard sidearm for the US Army, Navy and Marine Corps was the Model 1911 .45 Auto. The...

At times readers ask me, “Why doesn’t Handgunner have many load or group charts?” My response is, “Because we think they are next to worthless.”...

I like bullets. I’m speaking of actual bullets and not loaded ammunition, which the idiots in the news media continually and mistakenly call “bullets.”

One perk of being a gun’riter is there’s a never-ending array of things to write about. While many choose to be on the “cutting edge,” I look...

In regards to handguns, the British often don’t get things right. Well, they usually don’t get things right. Oh, heck, they almost never get things...

His Editorship, Roy, emailed me concerning a forthcoming auction item he had seen advertised. It is listed as the only completely intact Colt SAA .45...

My dreams — good or bad — are vivid. Late in 2015 I had to undergo open heart surgery. Still under the effects of anesthesia a night or two after the...