In 1985, notable sixgunner and gun scribe John Taffin joked with some shooting buddies about a week-long range trip where the participants would be limited to bringing a maximum of two firearms. It started as a fanciful notion, but the idea was too good to dismiss, so Taffin and friends soon found themselves planning the first trip, which came to be known as the “Shootists Holiday.” Continue reading “Guns of The Shootists Holiday”
Author: Steven Tracy
Steven Tracy is a retired police officer after 30 years of service and has been a firearms enthusiast since birth. He was a certified firearms instructor for his department for 28 years. His father and grandfather were shooters and collectors before him, so it’s pretty much in his DNA. Steve’s firearms interests lean toward blued steel and walnut, while nickel-plating, ivory handles, and tasteful engraving make him even happier. From old guns (he has fired the 300+ year-old Blunderbuss that hangs above his fireplace) to the latest wondergun – handguns, rifles, and shotguns – he likes them all. Retired to a log cabin in the Volunteer state of Tennessee (“Patron state of shooting stuff,” as the character Bob Lee Swagger stated, in the movie, Shooter), he keeps busy shooting cottonmouths, armadillos, and beavers that invade his property.
The Shootists Ruger Bisley
I sat down next to Peter Caroline at a big round table during breakfast in the SHOT Show media room several years ago. Peter has one of those super friendly demeanors that we often find in the gun world. We introduced ourselves and chatted as we ate. While we waited for the main show floor to open, we became aware of our shared interest in vintage firearms. Continue reading “The Shootists Ruger Bisley”
Guns that Got Away: Steve
When I think of the guns that got away, I remember attending gun shows with my dad. My father went through periods of gun collecting that focused on certain types of guns. At one point he was into German made Walther PPK pistols. A particular seller had a dozen PPK 7.65mm pistols on his table. They were all nice. One was priced much lower than the rest. It had an odd cloisonné medallion on its left grip panel. When my dad inquired about it, the seller said, “Yeah, someone must have glued that on there. I don’t know what it’s supposed to mean, but it ruins the value of the gun. That’s why I have it priced so cheap. I think if I tried to get it off there, I’d ruin the grip.”
A Special Fitz: My Fitz Colt Official Police
My dad subscribed to many of the gun magazines back in the mid-1970s and I’d leaf through them, pausing to read a story when something special caught my eye: a Fitz Colt. One article in particular featured a photo of a stubby revolver with a short barrel, a short grip, a bobbed hammer, and a cut away trigger guard. That last feature was the most intriguing to me. Continue reading “A Special Fitz: My Fitz Colt Official Police”
New for 2018: SHOT Show Revolvers
The 40th annual Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show was held at the Sands Expo Center inside the Venetian resort in Las Vegas this past January 2018. The massive event was attended by over 60,000 industry professionals and two of your RevolverGuy cohorts. Mike Wood certainly looked professional, especially at the Kimber shooting range stall as he took notes from Kimber’s engineers. This was my seventh SHOT Show, so at least I was able to keep the huge grin off my face…most of the time. Let’s make it at least 60,002 professionals. Continue reading “New for 2018: SHOT Show Revolvers”
A RevolverGuy Tribute to Skeeter Skelton
Skeeter Skelton once wrote that the only way to improve upon the Smith & Wesson Model 24 .44 Special would be to make it in stainless steel. Soon after, S&W presented the Model 624, a .44 Special N-frame made from stainless instead of carbon steel. I happened to have read Skeeter’s words a few days prior to walking into a local gun store that had a 624 in their used gun display. It had the 4-inch barrel (6-inches was an option) and was wearing Pachmayr rubber grips. The price was right with no box or papers and I became the new owner of my first .44 Special. Continue reading “A RevolverGuy Tribute to Skeeter Skelton”
Ruger Review: The .44 Special GP100
The .44 Special cartridge is an enigma. Many knowledgeable handgunners can’t understand its attraction. But, for the same reason that revolvers are still made in .38 Special, even though that round will fire in a .357 Magnum, the .44 Special round carries on, even though it can be fired from a .44 Magnum as well. Some shooters opt for a .44 Magnum knowing full well that they’re more likely to fire .44 Specials most of the time. Having a gun that fires multiple chamberings is a sound idea and a concrete way of looking at things, especially if cost keeps one from purchasing multiple firearms. Continue reading “Ruger Review: The .44 Special GP100”