The original Colt Kodiak was an Anaconda-sized revolver chambered in .44 Magnum. It was produced in 1993, in limited numbers, and featured a nonfluted cylinder and a Mag-Na-Ported barrel. About 2,000 were manufactured, most sporting six-inch barrels. Far fewer were made with four-inch barrels. Colt’s new Kodiak is a faithful reproduction of the original. Continue reading “Colt’s Kodiak 2.0”
Category: Revolvers
Lipsey’s Exclusive John Taffin Ruger Flattop Perfect Packing Pistol
We were diminished on March 10, 2025, when we lost Mr. John Taffin, one of America’s finest gun writers, and an enthusiastic proponent of all manner of revolvers, particularly those of the big bore variety. Continue reading “Lipsey’s Exclusive John Taffin Ruger Flattop Perfect Packing Pistol”
Sheriff Max’s .357
Mid 2022, West Texas. Retired Dallas PD Captain Eddie Walt was browsing GunBroker when he happened across an ad for a 3 ½” Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum – what collectors call a “pre-27.” The opening bid seemed reasonable enough. Continue reading “Sheriff Max’s .357”
A Shooter’s review of the Manurhin MR 73
It’s funny how, despite the immense French contributions to American Independence and influence on our ways of thinking, most Americans tend to scorn France. Continue reading “A Shooter’s review of the Manurhin MR 73”
A Tale of Two Calibers
A few months ago, I came across an article here on RevolverGuy.com about converting a S&W Model 544 revolver into a .44 Special. Continue reading “A Tale of Two Calibers”
The Smith & Wesson Revolver Model No. 3
First seen in 1870, Smith & Wesson’s No. 3 revolver beat the arrival of the Colt Single Action Army revolver by three years. The No. 3 was a large single action revolver with a cylinder holding six cartridges, and its hammer could be cocked by the thumb of either hand. Continue reading “The Smith & Wesson Revolver Model No. 3”
2026 SHOT Show Debrief
RevolverGuy was back in Vegas again this year, hitting the ranges and hiking the floors of the 2026 SHOT Show, to bring you the latest news from the revolver world. Continue reading “2026 SHOT Show Debrief”
Lipsey’s Exclusive S&W 686 Plus Mountain Gun
The four-inch Smith & Wesson Model 686 (aka the Distinguished Combat Magnum) is one of my perennially favorite revolvers and my friend, the .357 Magnum is one of my perennially favorite cartridges. Which, now that I think about it, is probably why Mike tapped me to write this one. Anyhow, today we’re going to discuss the latest iteration of S&W’s flagship L-frame revolver: the Lipsey’s Exclusive S&W 686 Plus Mountain Gun. Incidentally, I’m also going to give you guys a backstage glimpse into my writing process. Continue reading “Lipsey’s Exclusive S&W 686 Plus Mountain Gun”
The M13 Aircrewman Revolver, Part II
In Part I of this series, we discussed the U.S. Air Force’s early interest in aluminum-framed revolvers, and their experience with prototype/development test samples from Colt and Smith & Wesson. We pick up the story in this second part, with the delivery of Aircrewman operational test samples from the two companies, which would eventually lead to the procurement of the M13 Aircrewman revolver. Continue reading “The M13 Aircrewman Revolver, Part II”
The M13 Aircrewman Revolver, Part I
One of the many pleasant surprises of the 2024 Pat Rogers Memorial Revolver Roundup was my first brush with a unique piece of U.S. Air Force (USAF) history—a destroyed Smith & Wesson M13 Aircrewman revolver. Continue reading “The M13 Aircrewman Revolver, Part I”