Author: Mike

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Mike Wood is a bonafide revolver nut, a handgun, shotgun, and patrol rifle-certified law enforcement firearms instructor, and the author of Newhall Shooting: A Tactical Analysis, the definitive study of the infamous, 1970 California Highway Patrol shootout in Newhall, California. He also wrote the "Tactical Analysis" column at Police1.com for 8 years.

All About The .38 Special +P and .38 Special +P+

The most common question about revolver ammunition right now is, “where can I find some?” The demand-induced shortage which began in 2020 is still very much with us, and finding some ammunition—of any sort, as long as it’s the right caliber—is foremost on the buyer’s mind.

However, when we’re not in the middle of an ammunition crisis, RevolverGuys can be more particular about choosing bullet weights, styles, brands and velocities.  As they ponder the available choices out there, one of the most common questions that arises concerns the “+P” and “+P+” flavors of .38 Special ammunition. RevolverGuys—particularly new ones–will commonly ask, “can I shoot .38 Special +P (or +P+) ammo in my gun?”

Continue reading “All About The .38 Special +P and .38 Special +P+”

SK Custom Grips

When you grab a fistful of revolver, the interface between man and machine begins with the grips (or “stocks,” if you’re a Colt guy) on the gun.  The shape of the frame certainly has significant bearing on how the gun will feel in your hand, but a good set of grips can make it feel like an entirely different beast. Continue reading “SK Custom Grips”

Kimber K6s Fixes and Mods

I got my hands on the brand-new Kimber K6s revolver at the 2016 SHOT Show, and was immediately impressed with the package. They managed to combine a good trigger, great sights, and a six-round cylinder in a package that was hardly larger than a five-shot J-Frame—what was not to like? Continue reading “Kimber K6s Fixes and Mods”

RevolverGuy 101: Dos and Don’ts

We’ve been talking a lot lately about the tremendous surge in demand for guns and ammunition, that began in the Spring of 2020. It’s the biggest gun story of the past year, and it certainly affects all of us as consumers of guns and ammunition. Continue reading “RevolverGuy 101: Dos and Don’ts”

Revolver Gunsmith Roundup, Part II

This is the next installment in our survey of revolver gunsmiths, which is designed as a resource for you, the reader.  It’s our hope that you’ll discover some names you weren’t familiar with before, and learn a little more about the ones you already knew. Continue reading “Revolver Gunsmith Roundup, Part II”

Pointing and Bore Axis

I was having a “campfire conversation” with RevolverGuy Dean Caputo, recently, about the handling characteristics of various handguns. At one point, we were busy comparing the pointing characteristics of some popular snub revolvers, and we discovered that we shared a mutual appreciation for the “pointability” of the J-Frame revolver. Continue reading “Pointing and Bore Axis”

Jeffrey Custom Leather Moon Pocket

The 9mm Ruger LCR made quite a favorable impression on me when I reviewed it here in these pages more than two years ago. It had a very good trigger, the sights were well-regulated, and it packed a powerful punch.  When it was loaded with ammo that featured lighter projectiles and/or a good crimp, it was extremely reliable, and its light weight and snag-free design made it easy to carry and draw from concealment.

There was one problem that I didn’t solve to my satisfaction though, and that was how to carry spare ammunition for it. Continue reading “Jeffrey Custom Leather Moon Pocket”