Search results for: "colt"

Mr. Murphy Visits

[…] occurred in late 1956. I had one of the first of the brand new 2nd Generation Colt Single Actions; mine happened to be a 71/2″ .45. I had not yet started casting bullets and my reloading press consisted of the Lyman #310 Tong Tool. I found some 230-grain-cast .45 ACP bullets and purchased a Lyman Powder Measure. This particular measure had a scale on the bottom of the drum, as well as sliding-adjustment bars on top. It also came with a chart for setting certain charges. At the time I was still a teenager and definitely in my stupid period, so instead of using the chart as a reference then checking my charge with a powder scale, I skipped the last step. Those 230-grain lead bullets were loaded over what I thought was a proper charge of DuPont’s #5066. When I fired the first round, the 71/2″ reared back and pointed straight up at the sky. I was smart enough to know something was definitely wrong, but dumb enough to make the wrong option to correct it. Instead of pulling the other 49 rounds, I shot them all as fast as I could. I guess I thought shooting them fast would get rid of them quickly enough that nothing would happen. I was without a doubt watched over that day, as I did not hurt myself, or that brand new sixgun. I continued to reload — after I bought a powder scale. Over the years I’ve loaded for virtually everything, and have an inventory of well over 300 bullet molds. For use with the .44 Special and everyday working loads in the .44 Magnum, Keith bullets are molded from wheel-weights and then lubed and sized. During the winter, I purchased a goodly supply of new brass, including 3,000 rounds of .44 Special. I decided to load these in groups of 500, using various Keith bullets in different sizes, and with my three standard .44 Special powders of Unique, Universal and Power Pistol. The priming punch on my progressive press was sticking and often had to be released by hand, making the first 500 an exercise in frustration. After those first 500 rounds, I replaced the priming punch and everything was running so smoothly I got careless, lazy, negligent and stupid. >> Click Here AHND11col2 November/December 2011

Three Old Reliables

[…] And 5.0 grains with a 250-gr. bullet in either the .44 Magnum or .45 Colt makes for an accurate and pleasant shooting midrange load. By John Taffin >> Click Here AHSO12col Handgunner Sept/Oct 2012 Cover

“Factory” Low Recoil .45 ACP Loads?

[…] fps. For my test guns, since the query was about comfortable loads in the Colt Lightweight Commander, I went with my 45-year-old Lightweight Commander and a 5″ Kimber Custom CDP II with an alloy frame. I found the 200-grain loads over 5.0 grains of WW231 quite comfortable, and felt like I could shoot as many rounds as I wanted to without having to spend several days resting my hands. While I don’t want to get into the argument concerning carrying handloads in a self-defense pistol I felt factory loads should be an option. I carry handloads in the field but factory loads on pavement. Would it be possible to come up with factory low recoil .45 ACP loads, which would reliably function in a standard 1911 or Commander — without replacing the recoil spring? To this end I contacted Tim Sundles at Buffalo Bore and Mike McNett at DoubleTap. Both men agreed to see what they would come up with, although they were skeptical about the possible results. Both men also went the extra mile, and I thank them both for their willingness to work with us. By John Taffin >> Click Here AHND12col Handgunner Nov/Dec 2012 Cover

Handgun Esthetics

[…] before falling to an American good guy shooting a S&W Military & Police .38 or Colt Model 1903 or 1908 Pocket Pistol. Going back even farther to black and white movies on late shows, European or Asian bad guys sometimes would pull out Broomhandle Mausers. They were ugly too, but at least you wouldn’t mistake one for any other handgun. Some Flash? In fact, fancy after-market grips were probably the most common way professional gun-toters of a past era personalized their handguns. Used to be I always took note of what cops were carrying in their holsters, whether they were giving me a traffic ticket or just sitting at a donut shop. Those wearing stock, as-issued handguns, I would have bet couldn’t hit a bull in the butt at a dozen paces. When I saw a cop’s handgun with fancy grips, my estimation of their ability grew a notch or two. If the handgun was engraved or had some sort of fancier finish then I figured he must be a “pistolero.” I might have been wrong but those were my initial impressions. I’d like to know what our Editorship, Roy, packed in his 20-year career. Might be interesting, eh? (Check out the Insider in this issue! -Roy) Nowadays, all cops have big, square, black pistols. No fancy finishes, no custom grips, no pride of possession. Nothing to indicate which of them might even be a good shot. Well, some carry 1911s nowdays and I’ll bet some of those are gussied-up a bit. Usually a cop with a 1911 in his holster is a gunnie. As far as handgun esthetics goes, I’m glad I grew up in a bygone era. By Mike “Duke” Venturino >> Click Here AHMJ13_col AH MK 2013

Search results for: "colt"

Mr. Murphy Visits

Three Old Reliables

“Factory” Low Recoil .45 ACP Loads?

Handgun Esthetics

Dry-Firing Facts

Favorite .38 Bullets

A Marauding But Civilized Gang of .32s

The Miracle Maglula

Springfield Armory’s 9mm Range Officer

Double Or Single Action?