The RevolverGuy Christmas Wish List has become a tradition of sorts around here, so I figured we’d better keep the ball rolling, especially since you guys gave me a hard time when I tried to skip doing it last year! We’ve actually had quite a few wishes granted by Santa and our pals in the industry in years past, so let’s see if we can talk them into a few more this year, eh?
I’ll start things off with some of the things I’d like to see under the tree, but hope you guys will chime in and share your ideas in the comments below, too. I know we’ve got influential industry friends who read the list every year, so this is your chance to ask them for that Scandium Colt Walker in .32 H&R Magnum, or whatever it is that your eccentric RevolverGuy heart desires.
By the way, would that Walker have a 10-shot cylinder, you think? : ^ )
The List
Anyways, no no special order, here’s my 2024 RevolverGuy Wish List:
A pair of boots. I’d love to see a well-designed pair of boot grips for the Colt Python and Colt Cobra / King Cobra / Viper revolvers. The 2.0″, 2.5″ and 3″ versions of these guns beg to be fitted with a grip that will allow shooters to take the most advantage of their compact dimensions, but there aren’t any production grips that currently fit the bill, as far as I know. The 3″ Colt Python Elite is fitted with a pair of G10 boot grips, but their sawn-off, square bottom needs a good taper and rounding to improve the feel and make them pinky-finger friendly. I suppose Santa’s elves could use them as a starting point for a modification, but it would be really neat to see a rubber grip that could help take the sting out of more energetic loads, because nobody wants to shoot much .357 Magnum with G10 grips. Think about the old Uncle Mike’s-produced, rubber J-frame grip, enlarged to fit the larger Colt frames, and you get the idea. A closed-back option would be even nicer. I think they’d all sell like chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
Get a grip . . . adapter. While we’re talking about grips, how about a broad selection of new-production grip adapters for all the guns we love? Sadly, it seems that Tyler is out of business (the website is still up, but it sounds like nobody is getting their orders filled), and BK Grips can’t keep up with demand, with their products always out of stock. I bought a J-frame and K-frame adapter from the great folks at Robertson Trading Post this year (highly recommended, for their excellent customer service), but they’re not stocking any for N-frames, and you have no color choices (brushed aluminum, only). Wouldn’t it be slick to have a made-to-order source for some new adapters that would fit your classics, and your new guns, too? Want a black adapter for a Police Positive? How about one for a snubby N-Frame, or a silver one to fit Colt’s 2.5″ Classic Python with its walnut service stocks? That would be cool–cool enough to keep frosty from melting, in fact.
Mo’ boolits. We still haven’t recovered from the Great Ammo Panic of the Roaring 20s yet, at least not on the revolver side. There’s more revolver ammo on the shelves than during the height of the panic, but the pickings are still pretty slim for most calibers, especially when it comes to the new darling of the revolver universe, the .32 H&R Magnum. I know our friends at Lost River, DoubleTap, High Desert Cartridge, Federal, and Remington have been working hard to build more of the stuff, but .32 H&R disappears from the shelves faster than Christmas cookies from the kitchen counter when Mom and Dad aren’t looking. We could use several magic sleigh loads of .32 Long and .32 H&R to feed the army of RevolverGuys who have rediscovered these excellent cartridges, and I’d trade all the turtledoves, golden rings, and lords-a-leaping for some .32 H&R Hydra Shok Deep, some .38 Special Gold Dots, and a case of .38 Special Federal Gold Medal Wadcutters!
A new snake. Colt has been very busy lately, introducing a wide variety of Python and Anaconda-based variants (including the Grizzly and Kodiak), as well as the Viper, derived from the King Cobra. It’s wonderful to see the Colt catalog growing again, but there’s an empty stall in the Colt stable that I’d like to see them fill. I see an aluminum-framed Cobra dancing in my head, along with the visions of sugarplums, and think it would be a smash hit for Colt. While I’m the oddball who likes my small frame revolvers to be made of steel, there’s no denying the appeal of a lighter gun for carry. Put a good set of boot grips on it, a high-visibility front sight, and a rear notch that’s opened up to let more light in (around 0.170″ would be nice), and you’d really have a compelling carry gun that could take the Kimber, Ruger, and Smith & Wesson entries head-on. How about it, Colt?
A baker’s dozen. There may be Twelve Days of Christmas, but my list of desired Smith & Wesson reboots keeps growing, and it’s getting crowded on there. I’d REALLY love to see S&W give us product-improved versions (no lock, good sights, good grips, good actions–the “UC treatment”) of the Model 10 (2″ snub and 4″ HB, for a start), Model 12 (an Airweight K is an obvious front-runner!), Model 13 (especially a 3″ RB–the last FBI revolver), Model 15 (2″, 4″ and a K-38-inspired 6″), Model 19 (My favorite revolver! Make a 2.5″ and 4″ please), Model 27 (start with the 3.5″–the “Gunfighter’s Gun”), Model 58 (all rise!), Model 64 (2″, 3″ and 4″), Model 65 (I bet a new 3″ RB LadySmith would really sell), Model 66 (2.5″ and 4″), Model 547 (a good 9mm revolver makes SO much sense, these days), Model 625 (the catalog is bare without a .45 ACP Hand Ejector in there), and the .38 Special-frame Model 640 (the “No-Dash,” non-Magnum 640–my favorite J-frame of all!!). Of course, I’ve got another dozen ideas (including bunches of .22s, .32s, .41s, and .44s), but that would be a good start–enough to keep Springfield humming like Santa’s Workshop for several years!
A short list. Speed Six. Security Six. Service Six. Blued and stainless, please. We really miss having a Medium frame option from Ruger!
Wide rears. Nope, I’m not talking about the fat, jolly old elf, I’m talking about rear sights with bigger notches. One of my favorite features of the new Lipsey’s-Smith & Wesson UCs is the deep and wide, 0.160″ notch in the rear sight that makes it so easy to quickly obtain a good sight picture, and I’d love to see this concept applied on more guns out there, especially the small snubs like the LCRs, J-frames, and Cobras (but the bigger guns, like the Pythons, could benefit from a deeper, wider notch, too). A wider notch is friendlier on old eyes and allows a shooter to rapidly find and align the front sight to make his shot. If manufacturers gave us around 0.010″ to 0.015″ extra room on either side of the front sight, it would be like snow falling in Southtown!
Christmas cookie crumbs. Leftovers from prior lists include: A Safariland Comp loader for the Colt Cobra, Kimber K6s, and Ruger LCR series guns; Some new sources for Magna, Roper, Skeeter, Jordan, Hurst, and Farrant-style grips; A wider, rounded trigger for the Colt King/Cobras; A non-grooved, smooth-faced trigger for the Pythons, and; A six-shot, .38 Special Ruger SP101.
That’s enough from me though, how about you guys? What’s on your list?
Merry Christmas to all!
A no-lock, UC treated -style shrouded hammer J frame (38/638, 49/649) for us guys who like to carry humpbacks but hate locks, tiny sights and serrated triggers!
Of course! It’s the natural progression, and an excellent idea!
Hey Mike, I read your buddy William Bell’s article about Colt’s new Viper a while back. he scored a pair of combat grips from an outfit in South Carolina-Badger Custom Grips- because the factory grips didn’t agree with him. I checked them out and they’re making a boot grip for the new Colt improved D frame! They sent me a set to work with (with a speedloader cut, no less) and they are awesome. They use some really pretty hard woods and laminates, and they are good folks. I will be talking about the boot grips more in the write up I’m about to send you on the Viper. The backstrap is open, so not the best choice for a range day with full house magnums, but these are unparalleled for concealment. They are well done and feel great. They make them for other makes, too. I encourage Revolver Guys to check out their website. badgercustomgrips.com. The logo on their grip oil of a feisty bowl-legged badger holding custom gripped J frames is the best! They sell a t-shirt with that little guy on it, too.
You did an admirable job with this list; you covered the bases. My only add would be to second your call for Safariland to remember us Revolver Guys with that Comp II to fit D frame Colts, Kimbers and Taurus guns. It would be great to see a Jetloader, too. Maybe 5-Star could make an aluminum body Jet Loader style loader for the Colt/Kimber/Taurus? Please? Merry Christmas, Y’all!
Outstanding! See? The list is already working! 😆
I’m looking forward to seeing those, but I’m still hoping for a rubber version, so we can burn up some Magnums without popping a bunch of Advil. 😁
A spring-loaded 5-Star . . . now THAT is a cool idea!
I own a few Badger grips, dating back to when Badger himself ran the operation and would do custom orders.
FWIW, shooting similar K-frame, one with a “standard” Badger boot grip and one with a Spegel boot grip, I noticed that the Badger grip tends to spread the recoil into the web of the hand while the more “Coke bottle” Spegel grip spreads it more into the palm.
Stephen, that’s great feedback, and I appreciate the helpful comparison. I’m even more eager to see these Badger grips now!
I like how Mike keeps things to the bare basics . I’d like to see this 4.25″ barrel nonsense go away. I know it’s for the Crown’s Crybaby to the North, but why do we have to suffer with having to inventory a whole new crop of leather to fit ? Yes, my real 4″ barrel guns will fit in the 4.25″ holsters, but it’s a sloppy fit, and sloppy leather isn’t happy leather.
I still have my 3″ M65, a pair of mint 4″ M15’s along with the rest of the stable of S&W things that shoot a .358″ slug – none of which have the Hole Of The Hildebeeste. A revived and beefed up Model 12, round butt, a 3″ and true 4″ pencil barrel would be a welcome piece to tote for those who like K frames.
How about a .38 Special version of Ruger’s Wrangler ?? Larger frame to accomodate six .38 Specials cartridges, rated for the ole .38 +P+ Treasury loads, but lighter weight than the Blackhawk.
Speaking of Ruger – YES to bringing back a Security Six size frame 6-gun. Use the existing GP/SP lockwork, scaled accordingly, and you’d have a revolver that’s far more useful for daily carry than the overweight GP-100. In both blued and stainless with its original 2.75″ and FOUR inch barrels, this was a real workhorse revolver in its day, and could take far more punishment than the contemporary S&Ws. [ For those younger types who don’t remember the Security Six, it was built on the same frame size as the Colt Mk III Trooper. It took the same M3A speedloaders as the Colt . . . and yes, I’m old enough to remember when Eisenhower was president. ]
Grip adapters fill that niche, particularly for those with very small hands, to give a secure hold on the gun without excess bulk, or for those who don’t really want the extra size larger grips provide. Craig Spegel’s boot grips remain near perfection. I have a set on my S&W M18-4 square butt, and they fit the hand like fine leather gloves. Having that same design concept for the new Colt’s, J, K, and L Smiths, and Taurii revolvers would be nearly ideal
For ammo, I’d be happy with .38 Special plain LSWC and target WC loads being priced on par with generic 9m/m ball. And with regards to ammo companies, a bit of a rant – keep American ammunition manufacturers owned by American companies, not foreign investors. This deal with Vista Outdoors selling America’s ammunition supply lines to Europeans is an abomination. It was bad enough Vista swallowing up CCI, Speer, Remington, Federal, and almost everyone else, but selling out our logistical sovreignty to a stock portfolio is anathema.
YES!!!! No more metric barrels! Make them 4″ like God intended!
And BRAVO about keeping foreign mitts off our ammo supply! The guys in the nice suits think it’s a great idea, but the rest of us know it’s stupid and shortsighted.
Wish I’d thought to list those, myself! Good thing it’s a team effort around here!
+1000 to returning to 4″ barrels! No need to make decades of leather obsolete because of a regulation from a country that doesn’t even allow handgun transfers anymore!
Colt, Kimber and Taurus seem to be filling the gaps left by Ruger and Smith.
You are right JR they are coming on strong.
Have a Merry Christmas.
I’d like a S&W mod 13 as issued to the FBI. I have a grip adapter that would look good on it. Also, the Ruger that is like it (the speed six I think).
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
No lawyer locks on any new S&Ws, please. And a big yes for the return of Ruger’s double-action “Six” revolvers.
Spencer, stay tuned . . . I think we’re starting to turn that ship around. I have a good feeling about January.
So glad to see so much agreement on the Sixes! I know all the tooling was sold to the French, but I think it would be worth the time to reengineer the gun and bring it back.
I’d love to hear more about this “tooling sold to the French” stuff. Were the Sixes the basis for the Manurhin MR88?
And now you’ve gotten me awfully excited about January!
Yes Sir. When the Sixes were discontinued in 1988, the tooling was sold to Manurhin, and the MR88 followed soon thereafter.
If the S&W models 12 & 13 are resurrected, then why not a model 16 that is 327 Fed Mag capable? Or even better, how about an L or N frame that is capable of holding at least 8 or maybe even 10 rounds of 327? Yes, I know that the “model 327” moniker is already taken, but S&W can call it the model 616 instead. Just food for thought 🙂
I think you just made lots of guys smile with that suggestion! Ever since the UC revolvers came out, I’ve been hearing guys ask for large capacity .32s on the N-Frame or L-Frame/GP100. Great idea to resurrect the Model 16 and turn it into a 16-Plus.
Yes! I think Smith and Ruger hurt themselves badly when they discontinued the .38/.357 K-frames and the Security/Speed-Sixes, respectively. With that one weird trick, they removed themselves from the true medium-frame revolver market. The L-frames and GP100s are nice guns, but they’re too heavy to carry all day, every day. (So is the Python.) I’m glad Colt finally stepped into the breach with their new snake guns, even though I’m not really a Colt guy.
Plus, I looked on the Smith website the other day, and they were not cataloguing the 2.75-inch Model 66. What gives? The only real downside of the old 2.5-inch 19 and 66 was the short ejector rod; the new 2.75-inch had the full-length rod. And, yes to going back to the true 4-inch barrels. As I mentioned here before, the alleged reason for adding the extra quarter inch of barrel was to make them sellable in Canada, but since Canada banned the importation of handguns a few years ago that reason has gone away. Seems to me that saving a quarter inch of steel on every barrel would save quite a bit of money. It looks like a no-brainer to me, but then I’m not a highly-paid consultant or executive.
And the 3-inch 13 or 65 is the perfect carry revolver. Bring it back! (It would be nice if it had a replaceable front sight, too, like the Colts have.)
That missing 2.75″ M66 is weird. When I look at the listing for the 4.25″ though, and click on “Related Products,” I see the 2.75″ listed there. Formatting error? Computer burp? A bad choice of web design? I’ll hit up my contact and ask.
The new 2.75″ guns use a yoke lock, instead of locking up on the tip of the extractor rod–I’m wondering if we can use that system on a new 2.5″ gun, and still maintain a full throw on the rod?
The new Colts are great guns, and the King Cobra frame comes close to a Medium size frame, but it’s not quite there–the D-frames are more like a Small-Plus! There really is a shortage of good Medium frames on the market.
In no particular order:
1. Grip adapters–Pachmayr style, please–no hook!–and a second clip to stabilize them against the frame.
2. Sights–flat topped with a nice green tritium donut.
3. Smith and Wesson:
-M12 “retro” +P .38 with a flat latch and a wide notch “traditional” rear and a pinned front so I can
install #2, above.
-M27 with 3.5″ “Patton” style barrel and 8 shot cylinder, flat latch.
-“M58+” in .44 magnum, 3 and 4 inch barrels with fixed rear and pinned front, flat latch.
4. Colt: ++++ on an aluminum Cobra, bobbed hammer, pinned front sight, boot grip with covered
backstrap
5. Ruger:
–Speed, Service and Security Sixes, all with “heavy” barrels, optional bobbed hammer, pinned
front sight, round butt, .357 and 9mm–maybe some convertibles in the mix.
–From the twilight zone: DA/SA Ruger Blackhawk in .45 Colt. Think Webley Express #5.
6. Grips: Boot grips with covered backstraps for those large of mitt.
7. Ammo: Keith style hardcast semiwadcutters in .32, .38/.357, .44, .45. Make ’em soft with a gas check as
an option. (Why no HP? I don’t believe in consistent expansion, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.)
I like that idea about adding a second clip on the adapter, and offering a Pachmayr-style without the finger groove! I must admit though, I’m a little hesitant about an 8-shot M27–not that it’s a bad idea (Lord knows the higher capacity would make it even more useful, and might also improve the timing of the action), just that I’d like a more traditional format. How about we do both, so we can make the practical guys and the historians happy? An M27 and M27-Plus? 😁
Fair enough. The Lew Horton Specials of about 20 years ago were what I had in mind. They show up on that auction website every so often.
Plenty of room in the catalog for both!
Everyone has great lists!! Since I could not find a 3in M13, I picked up a 66-8 2.75in to try and fill that void. It has worked very well for me but I can’t find the “Goldilock” set of grips that I can stick with. I would like a set of rubber closed back boot grips for it. I would also like to see Safariland Comp IIs for the 7rnd 686+. Unless I am missing something, I have not seen Comp IIs in the 7rnd variety. Merry Christmas everyone! Looking forward to another great year of Revolverguy!
Safariland Comps for ALL my friends! Even the 7-rounders!
Agreed on the closed-back boots. We could really use some of those. Almost makes me wonder if I could cut down a set of Pachmayrs as an experiment. Hmm . . .
S&W needs to make a basic airweight in .32 H&R equivalent to the 642. Yes, the UC models are nice and all, but a less expensive model would be nice.
Alternatively, I’d be fine with a Taurus Ultra-Lite in .32 H&R.
The standard 642 is probably still their top seller, so a plain 632 would likely sell, as well. Personally, I’d pay the tariff for the better sights, though!
I would be more than happy on Christmas morning to find my 2 S&W carry revolvers, a 631 snub and a 31-1 with a bored out cyl in .32 mag that have both suffered broken hammer studs, under the tree repaired as new.
A rare malfunction if there ever was one.
Oh,..?… please add peace on earth, good will to men. to my short list.
As for the stocking stuffers a couple thousand rounds of .32 mag half WC & half HPs and a couple dozen Safariland speedloaders for J & K .32 mag Smith revolvers.
God bless and Merry Christmas to all in this house!
I hope you’ll get those back soon, pal! I’ll put in the good word at the North Pole about the ammo and loaders. There should be room on the sleigh for each!
I wish more revolvers would just have a front and rear dovetail for their sights, especially using something common like the Sig dovetails, so we could drop in exactly what we’re looking for.
If my LCR22 could have a set of Dawsons, XS Minimalist, or Proctor Y-notch, I’d be ecstatic.
Also I periodically message Ryan Hamre to ask about making a version of Bianchi Lightning grips to shroud an LCRx or small frame Taurus, just to keep the idea in his mind.
That’s an interesting ask, Kris! I hadn’t thought about those grips in a long time. They kinda belonged to an era when it was more difficult to find a concealed hammer gun. Now that those designs so prolific, I wonder how the grips would sell?
I’d be interested to hear from readers: Do you have an external hammer snub that you’d like to shroud with grips like these, that rise up to cover the hammer arc? Let us know here in the comments, so we can do some market resesrch for Ryan and Kris.
Red Nichols reports that the Bianchi Lightning grips were made to his hand mold and the previous JR wood grips in that pattern were made by Mustang (Bianchi’s friend) for John’s son dba JR Grip. JR = Junior.
Thanks for sharing that! I love hearing about these bits of insider history!
My specific cases for the Lightning-style grips are the 3in LCR, which is only available with an exposed hammer, and the small frame Taurus revolvers. Some of those have bobbed hammers, but not necessarily in conjunction with other desirable features.
And if I’m going to swap the grips for Hamre Forge anyway, it’d be nice to solve two problems at once without trying to source and install a different hammer piece.
Meta requests:
Revolver manufacturers should get really serious about marketing to the great many customers who would be much better off buying a DA revolver than struggling to understand, safely manipulate, and effectively apply the current horde of polymer, striker-fired, high cap nines (especially the de rigeuer sub-compacts).
All the majors should provide routine excellent quality control, quick customer service, and genuine custom shops.
All fixed rear sights should have a deep enough trough to frame the front sight effectively. All front sights should be pinned or dovetailed for easy zeroing or upgrade. All chamber mouths should be chamfered.
Product requests:
I continue to hold out hope that the next S&W UC is a +P three-inch “412” and “612” with a spurless hammer option.
When S&W does away with the lock on all their products they should return to the original contour of the frame. It’s not as egregious as the bent trigger guard on the new Colts, but it’s distracting to us Boomers…
While we’re at it, if Ruger were to reintroduce their Six line they should include a 38 Special +P Speed-Six with an alloy frame.
Kimber could easily release a K6XS Lux with the same drift adjustable sights as they put on their steel models. No reason not to offer a 32 H&R option in their steel and alloy models.
Taurus could offer an alloy 32 H&R 327 PC “Perfect Carry” at a much lower price point than S&W or Ruger. Just saying…
Hey, Henry, I see you trying to hide in the back… Why on earth did you start with a perfectly clean sheet of paper yet design your beefy Big Boy revolver with a DA trigger reach as long as a Colt Python?!! It’s far too long for young people, small-statured people, and even the dudes among us with medium-size hands. What’s done is done, I suppose. Not so fast… The fixed sights are needlessly retro, skinny front blades and tight rear notches that harken back the 1870s! Try joining the 1950s and install at least an 1/8 inch front and a notch cut wide enough to see it in. PS kudos on offering a 10-shot 22 version.
I’m not a Cowboy Shooter but if someone were to recreate the 1877 Lightning with ruggedized lockwork they might create an interesting stir in that goofy sector.
Otherwise, I’m good.
Signed, Krampus
Michael, I should have turned the list over to you from the start! Your Meta requests are gold, and I loved your specific product requests, too.
An Airweight K-frame (your 412/612) makes so much sense that I’m honestly shocked S&W has ignored it for so long–I can’t figure it out. I’d love to see the frame contour return to the pre-lock lines as well, but would be content just to purge the lock.
I was very surprised when the K6xs launched with the integral sights, as it surrendered one of the best features of its steel-framed brother. I guess it was to keep costs down? I strongly agree they should make a version with high profile sights that are properly regulated (that’s one area where the K6xs outshines the K6s–the zero on the aluminum gun is excellent, the steel, not so much).
I hope Henry is paying attention! Excellnt.
Mike, I’ve definitely come to look forward to your holiday lists. They run the gamut of things that I want and provide excellent recommendations that I can only hope that manufacturers pay heed to!
I recently acquired a new production Colt Viper 3″. I love the gun, but I’m still not a fan of the awkward-looking square trigger guard and I’m very much disappointed with the lacking grip selection for the new Cobra/King Cobra/Viper. The factory grips provided with the new Viper put your knuckles directly behind and against the square trigger guard, positively battering said knuckles under magnum recoil. I don’t understand how they released the gun with these grips unless they just didn’t shoot with them for long. This shape of grip worked on the old D-frames because they extended lower in the front against the trigger guard, and the trigger guard was rounded! I still haven’t found a wood set for the new Viper that I actually like, but a good boot grip with a closed backstrap would be a serious contender. Preferably with checkering and medallions. I truly wish Colt would’ve made these compatible with legacy D-frame grips.
More available grip adapters is an always welcome desire. BK gets my money when they’re in stock these days, and I’ve found the Robertson adapters fit better on round-butt frames.
Some more Colts in the lineup is a great wish as well, though my request differs from yours a little. Would it be so much to ask for Colt to bring back the MK III Trooper? They already have the new Python frame. Give me a non-vented/non-ribbed, partial underlug barrel and I’ll be happy as can be. Make the gun in blue and I’ll be over the moon!
+1 on the S&W “innovations.” Every day I shoot my beloved 632-UC I thank Lipsey’s for pushing S&W into developments that they should’ve been undertaking years ago. I’d love to see the UC series features trickle into the rest of the lineup. A 7-shot, no-lock, 327 Magnum, 3″ steel K-frame would make for a magnificent carry piece.
What I wouldn’t give to be able to buy a new-production snub Model 10 or 3″ Model 13 without that ghastly internal lock hole and frame reshape. S&W is sitting on a veritable gold mine of Model history and variations – it astounds me that they continually fail to capitalize on that and furthermore handicap themselves by perpetuating that objectionable lock. Even their recent re-release of the distributor exclusive N-frame Heavy Duty revolver misses the point. They added the unnecessary top sideplate screw back in for no discernible reason, but still refused to ditch the lock and don’t provide some nicer wood grips than sharp and thin Altamont laminates. Anyone willing to pay a premium for this model surely takes issue with this.
I can’t sing the praises of the River Speed/Service/Security Six series enough. They’re fantastic guns that look and balance better to me than the GP100s that replaced them. They’d slot perfectly in the 38/357 lineup too – the SP101 can hold five, the Speed/Service/Security guns hold six, the GP100 can be limited to the 7-shot models, and the 357 Redhawk can hold 8. I spent a few months tracking down a nice, nearly NOS, blued bicentennial Police Service Six on GunBroker recently. I would’ve been much happier giving my money to Ruger directly for a new one!
Perhaps my greatest wish for this Christmas season is that more folks in the right places pay attention to your invaluable insights and stellar recommendations! Hope it’s a Merry one to you and the family, and may Shot Show 2025 bring some pleasant developments for us all!
Thank you Zach! It’s awesome to hear that we’re all tracking with each other, and I know the manufacturers are reading our comments.
I shot the Viper for the first time at the Roundup, last week. I was VERY impressed by the quality of the action, yet disappointed with the sights. The gun shot great, but it definitely deserves better sights! Someone had wisely put a set of rubber Hogues on it, and I secretly hoped they had used the OEM grips as kindling. 😁
The shape of the Cobra/King Cobra/Viper trigger guard befuddles me. I’m not sure why they went with that pattern, either. It was unnecessary. They could have extended the guard as they wanted to, and still maintained a more graceful arc. Perhaps we can nudge them to improve it.
A Mk III Trooper? Yes please, I’ll take two! Great idea! Those old sintered parts in the originals can be replaced with more durable MIM, today.
That new .38-44-inspired Model 20 from S&W definitely shouldn’t have had the lock. I can only surmise that Davidson’s didn’t ask, and S&W didn’t offer, to remove it. Let’s hope that gets fixed on future projects like that.
I think manufacturers are starting to pay more attention, thanks to the power of audiences like this one, the creative and financial horsepower of our friends at Lipsey’s, and the dedicated efforts of our friends at American Fighting Revolver. The gun market is cooling down again, and manufacturers will have to work harder for their incomes next year, so they’ll be looking to satisfy customer demands. I know about some exciting products that are on the way, and I think 2025 is going to be a GREAT year for RevolverGuys!
Ah, and two things I forgot to mention. You’re one hundred percent on the money about rear sight depth. The new Cobra/King Cobra/Viper could use a rear sight that was just a tad bit deeper.
And for the second, another rubber grip manufacturer would be welcome. I love Pachmayrs, but quality and selection have been steadily going downhill under Layman’s ownership. They don’t keep up with new models coming out, and the fit of their new production grips on existing models is fairly poor. They’re still comfy and I love their checkering and medallions though. Hogue Monogrips fit great, but I find them absolutely hideous.
Where’s the Uncle Mike’s/Spegel dream team when you need them? 🙂
I recently bought some new Pachmayr Grippers for a Python, and agree with your assessment! The quality and fit are not as good as they used to be. The Hogues we used on the blued Pythons at the Colt Python Experience were actually pretty comfortable in my hands, but I do prefer a covered backstrap if I can get it.
We’re both thinking the same thing about the Colt sights! The guns deserve better!
I’m in total agreement with your preference for closed backstrap grips.
Well said. These new small frame Colts have the makings of greatness. Fix the non-rubber factory grip shapes, ditch the square trigger guard, deepen that rear sight trough, and widen the face of the trigger a bit, and you’ll have a formidable lineup of excellent revolvers!
They’re truly at 90% already, and it wouldn’t take much effort to push them to 100%!
Regarding covered backstraps: Starting in the 1970s I started putting Pachmayr Compacs on all my revolvers; I’ve never carried a revolver with a naked backstrap. The steel hitting my delicate paws in recoil is decidedly unpleasant. The only revolver I didn’t put Pachmayr Compacs on was my SP101. (No, I didn’t leave the factory grips on; for some reason they twisted in my hand and I ended up putting rounds at 2 o’clock.) I put Hogue Monogrips on it, and they’re fine. They’re a tad bigger than the factory grips, but they’re more hand-filling for me, and the finger grooves fit my fingers perfectly.
I’d forgotten about the old Bianchi Lightning grips. I had a pair on a Model 60 at one time, but I got rid of them because I couldn’t carry the gun in a thumb-break holster or the Jackass Shoulder System I carried my backup in during the winter months. I still think they’re kinda neat, though.
I like reading everyone’s suggestions because so many people here seem so much more well-rounded in revolver stuff than I am. I have my groove (or rut, if you prefer), and it’s fun to read the suggestions of others who have different likes and knowledge bases in Revolver World than I do.
From S&W, something, ANYTHING, in .327 Fed Mag…with a minimum 7-round capacity!
Also, a new organization to take over daily operations of the San Luis Obispo Sportsmen’s Association range, which is set to close at year’s end if nobody steps forward — a massive loss for our local shooting community!
Ricky I hadn’t heard about that. Praying for a solution for you guys! We can’t afford any additional range closures here in CA–so few left, already!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who misses the Ruger Security Six family along with the Colt Mk. III Trooper.
You’re in good company, Sir!
As much as I’d love to see the Ruger Security-Six series return, an easier investment for Ruger would be simply to enlarge the SP101 frame to fit in a six-shot cylinder–sort of like how Taurus created the 856 from the 85. They wouldn’t need to stretch much, and the resulting gun would be a very space-efficient piece, though admittedly probably not as rugged as the original mid-sized Security-Six. With a small six-shot .38/.357, Ruger could compete well with Kimber, Colt, and Taurus.
+1 on S&W returning to the original frame contours for the J, K, & L frames upon removing the locks. The current ones just don’t look right. While they’re at it, fixing the standard ejector rod housing on some of the shrouded models would help, too–some of the ones they have now are rounded like the full-length lugs on the L-frames, and again, that looks weird when the ejector rod shroud is going only partway down the barrel. Make ’em more flat-sided again as in the glory days.
Finally, I’d like to see a 4″ (heck, I’d even take 4.25″ or 5″) adjustable-sight Ruger LCR in .22–basically just a longer-barreled version of their current 3″. That would make a great trail gun.
Fun to see all the great ideas everyone is proposing here! Even if just a few of them happen, it’s a win.
I’ve been hounding friends at Ruger for that six-shot SP101 for years, and I agree it wouldn’t be much of a heavy lift for them to upsize it a bit. Who knows, maybe they’ll come around to it, someday. I’d still prefer a Six, but an SP-Plus would do, and it would allow them to compete in the same size and weight class as the King Cobras, K6s, 856, etc.
A six shot LCR with a 3” barrel could be a good solution, but I’d still like to see the sixes come back.
And one (or) more thing…
Smith & Wesson, the wheelgun renaissance might be ready for a revivification of the “born before its time” Airlite Ti 242.
If that’s too much of a stretch how about shortening the frame on a Governor by an inch or so and the cylinder by an inch and half or more and chambering it for 45 ACP only? Imagine, if you will, the love child of a 1955 Target and a Model 40…
And I want a unicorn pony!
Ho!Ho!Ho!
😂
I’ve long wished for a factory Travis Strahan chopped & channeled treatment on a snub S&W M&P getting the K frame M&P close to Colt Detective Special size.
Failing that, a 6 shot .38 J frame as with the prototype c frame model 73. If Taurus can do it ….
Indeed! A Smith K that mimics a Colt D should be very popular, as it seems the market has moved towards these “Small-Plus” frames since the true Mediums were all but abandoned. Note the success of the similar Kimber K6s, Colt Cobra/King Cobra, Taurus 856, and even the SP101.
You’ve covered so many great ideas Mike and so have the comments by readers.
I really would like a Colt 1849 Pocket chambered in .22lr. Taylor’s or Uberti or Pietta could make one.
Huh, a .22LR Colt 1849 Pocket revolver–that’s a really novel concept. Make one in stainless steel and I’d buy it.
That would be really fun, wouldn’t it?
Yeah, that’s a neat idea. It would be neat in 32 Long (wadcutter only due to cylinder length would be fine with me) or even 32 ACP as well. Beats waiting on a Merwin & Hulbert reproduction… May the Winter Solstice be kind to you and your house.
1. Better fitting Pachmayr and Hogue rubber grips.
2. More exact fit holster options for small and medium frame Taurus revolvers and large frame Charter revolvers.
Grip Adapters.
This is a business opportunity for someone. They could easily be 3D printed. Scan the various revolver frames and you have the inside dimensions. Then design the exterior curve and attachment method. Now you have the product
Now design the web page with model, color, and qty desired, plus payment and shipping information. This goes directly to the 3D printer. The business owner looks at the order and hits print. A hour later you install the attachment method, drop it in a bubble envelope and stick on the printed address label. No inventory to carry other than printing material, labels, and bubble envelopes.
Post the product and you’re done.
Advertise on this website at first and find others. This would work
Brett, you’re onto me. I was hoping to give that segment a nudge! I’ve thought the same for a long time.
There’s also money to be made with table top CNCs making hard-to-find replacement parts for old guns.
Mike
I like your Baker’s Dozen for S&W.
My list would include:
– Reboot the Model 18. 4” K frame 22 LR. Make it blue or stainless, doesn’t matter to me. Just keep it light like the old ones. It is a field revolver and trainer. I deeply regret selling mine.
– fixed sight K frames. Only not so fixed. I really like the geometry of the sights on the UC revolver now that Ive had it a while. I would be happy with a .06 diameter fiber optic front sight and plain black rear. Fit those sights to a 2” model 12, a 3” Model 10 and I’d be thrilled.
– a 3 inch barrel N frame 45 acp. Preferably with an alloy frame. Light weight field gun or daily carry. Fitted with the UC style sights described above
– did I mention the model 12? In 2, 3, 4, and 5 inch barrels. Model 12s are awesome. They carry like a J frame and shoot like a real gun. Install good sights please.
– custom shop. Please figure out how to prevent cylinder stop notch peening on N frames, especially the 45s. Or start selling us replacement cylinders without sending the guns back. Competition revolvers get run hard and that leads to the dreaded skip chamber on the N frames.
– Last but not least, 38 Super 8 shot N frames. They’re rare as hen’s teeth now. The Super is perfect for ICORE because it extracts better than the 38 Special and maintains reasonable pressures (unlike the very popular 38 short colt which is very high pressure to make power factor).
Also, Kudos to the Ultra Carry design and production teams. The little .32 is awesome. My favorite carry revolver. The sights are a blessing. Trigger ain’t bad either. I guess I can sell my Model 31 now.
Absolutely, John, we’re on the same page. Newly revived editions should offer improved sights, and I’m fond of the UC pattern, with a pinned, high visibility front, and a dovetailed, high visibility rear (with an appropriately deep and wide notch).
An Airweight K? Such an obvious choice that it’s really stunning they’ve ignored it so long.
Your thoughts on the N-frames are appreciated. I don’t dabble in those very much, but your recommendations sound like they’re right on the money.
The .22 Caliber Model 18 speaks to me in a way the 617 never has. I think it would quickly become a favorite if it was reintroduced, and I hope S&W would have the historical sense to keep it a six-shot, and resist the temptation to make it hold ten. I’d be OK with them offering both, but I’d want my Model 18 to be traditional.
I think I have all the 38/357 DA revolvers I want (Hah!) I’d dearly love a Blue 4 3/4″ Ruger Bisley in those calibers.
Hey Santa, you were good to me last year. You got the elves at Colt to bring back blued Pythons and an 8″version. Thanks a bunch. If you could get the elves at Smith and Wesson to bring back the model 49 in the classic line. The model 649 coming back would be cool too. I have been very good, just ask my wife. Just don’t ask her how much I spent last year.
Hahaha! Don’t worry Mark. We’ll get Mrs. Claus to distract her!
There’s been a lot of interest in the Humpbacks over in the group chat at American Fighting Revolver, too. I think there’s an underserved market there. S&W would be wise to launch a UC version of the REAL Bodyguard.
My wishes follow most of yours Mike. Like we discussed at the Round Up, I’m definitely in for an updated Speed Six!
One I would add is a new model Police Positive from Colt. Make the sights similar to the UCs – or at least a wider rear notch – , give us 2”, 3”, and 4” barrel options, partner with a good grip manufacturer like VZ so we have a good carry and shooting grip, but keep the looks and manufacturing process simple so they could offer it in a sub $700 price range. Call it by whatever snake name they want, and there is a great new mid range option that almost everyone could easily carry and shoot. Essentially make it the modern equivalent of the original Agents – the lower cost option for folks who can’t buy a $1k Viper or a $1,400 Python, but want a great and reliable fighting gun.
I love it, Cecil! The new Colts have been great guns, but they’re not low cost. Even the Cobra is listed at $999 MSRP (street price closer to $850). A quality, sub-$700 Colt revolver would be very welcome!
And a Speed Six!
I was outbid (as usual) on a gorgeous stainless Taurus 689 4 inch barrel on Gunbroker recently so my Christmas is already ruined. Also apparently the Santa in your picture does not have good trigger discipline. :T
Have no fear, Jeb! I bet a Taurus 608 or Rossi RM64 could do a pretty good job of scratching that same itch, maybe? At least they could tide you over until the next 689 comes up for auction?
Yes, Santa needs a reminder about Rule #3. I’ll leave a note for him by the chimney!
A model 10, snubbie with concealed hammer and Pachmayr boot grips? Yes, please. A “sport” hammer, similar to my Taurus 82; on my model 10. A good set of “coke bottle” wood grips for my Taurus 82 HB SS. Cheap bulk SWC in .38 special.
Oh, and Taurus. Bring back the model 455.
Robert, which was the Model 455? Is it a .45 caliber? I must confess I didn’t do a good job of tracking the Taurus catalog over the years.
More ammo, first and foremost!
Ruger, please, return of the .44 Special jeep, with a four inch option as well as the three, and a 3 inch LCR .32!
And to supplement .32s of all flavors, Rossi or Marlin could make an affordable lever .327 with a compass on it and that thing that tells time!
But Riley, you’ll shoot your eye out! 😆
I’ll second the .44 Spl GP! It boggles me that it disappeared so fast.
The 455s are a .45 ACP. The 445s are in .44 Spl.
Thanks Viejo! I wasn’t tuned in to those, at the time. I’d definitely like to see them return.