New California-Compliant Revolvers

In an unexpected move from a beleaguered firearms industry that’s struggling to keep up with record-breaking demand, two major brands announced new, California-Compliant revolvers today, to the delight of citizens trapped behind the Golden Curtain.

Taking a cue from their ever-popular Centennial-series,  Smith & Wesson introduced a Model 442 derivative with a distinctive cylinder, chambered for a single round of .38 Special.

RevolverGuy obtained this grainy, smuggled photo from a mole at Smith & Wesson who swore us to secrecy until the embargo was lifted. We’re eager to see how long the firing pins last on these guns, since they will impact hardened, carbon steel four times for every single time they strike a soft primer.

Smith & Wesson spokesman Yukon T. Beserius noted that the new “Model 442 Point-Two” was inspired by the state’s complex gun laws, which exempt single-shot pistols from certain onerous restrictions. “It’s the perfect gun for the California shooter who wants to ensure they don’t run afoul of California’s complex laws on capacity limits,” said Beserius, who noted the new, compact revolver would be legal in every jurisdiction, “except San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, and all the other bat guano-crazy cities where guns are reserved for the criminal class.” We won’t be surprised, here at RevolverGuy, to see future models aimed at the Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and City of Austin, Texas markets, as well.

RevolverGuy has learned that Smith & Wesson worked with several aftermarket accessory manufacturers, prior to the product launch, to ensure the gun would be supported in the marketplace. The aluminum craftsmen at 5-Star have added an appropriate speedloader to their catalog, and Crimson Trace has announced a special version of their excellent LaserGrips will be available soon, with a 1.21 gigawatt laser that should, “help to make up for the limited capacity,” according to a spokesman. The new grips will come with a special, insulated, oven-style mitt, made from flame-resistant Nomex, which separates the trigger finger from the other three to facilitate shooting.

The Crimson Trace team has been hiring, and it sounds like the new blood has brought some fresh ideas to the mix.

Not to be outdone, the fine folks at Ruger announced their competing design for the California Sweepstakes as well.

The new, Ruger “Safety Hammerless” is a bold departure for the company, not only for its use of a single action Blackhawk as the basis for a self defense gun, but for its adoption of a model name that was once used by a competitor.

The new Ruger “Safety Hammerless” will be chambered in .45 Colt, .357 Magnum, .22 Jet Ackley Improved, .45 GAP, and .357 Sig. Image courtesy of RevolverGuy S. Bond.

Historically-minded RevolverGuys will recall the “Safety Hammerless” moniker was once used by rival Smith & Wesson in the late 19th to early 20th Century to describe a series of .32 and .38 caliber top-break revolvers with a grip safety that was designed to prevent small children from being able to fire the revolver.

Well, it’s 2021 now, and the state of California seems hell-bent on forcing manufacturers to produce firearms that are designed to prevent not only children, but anyone, from firing them.   In response to demands from the  enlightened legislature of the Golden Bear State, Ruger has modified their popular Blackhawk design with a special, bobbed, California-only hammer, that will reduce the potential for both intentional and unintentional discharges. “We thought it was kinda dumb,” said Ruger spokesman Watt Ever, “but, I guess it makes sense to loony politicians who also think they can tax their way into prosperity, bless their hearts.”

Regarding the perceived trespass on Smith & Wesson’s intellectual property, spokesman Ever explains that Ruger’s Legal Department consulted with Smith & Wesson over using the classic name, and received their permission to bring it back for the special project.  “Ah, what the heck, sure, go ahead” they reportedly said, in response to Ruger’s request. In an era where classic product names like “Military & Police,” “Cobra,” and “Bodyguard” are routinely recycled like yesterday’s soda cans, I guess we shouldn’t be surprised here at RevolverGuy, but we must admit it took us back, at first.

The two new firearms will be added to the California Department of Injustice’s ever-shrinking List of Approved Books Roster of Handguns Certified For Sale in the coming years, after Smith & Wesson and Ruger pay the customary extortion money fees and submit five sacrificial lambs samples for the destructive “safety testing” that has saved so many violent gang-bangers from being harmed, when their Lorcin and Jennings autos fell from the waistband of their sagging pants.

Stay tuned to RevolverGuy for more updates, and keep smiling.

*****

BONUS:  RevolverGuy would like to give a huge attaboy to Hornady Mfg. for their April Fool’s “production update” video. Great job, guys!

Hornady Production Update, 1 Apr 21

 

Author: Mike

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Mike Wood is a bonafide revolver nut, a certified law enforcement instructor in handgun, shotgun, patrol rifle, less-lethal, and diversionary device disciplines, and the author of Newhall Shooting: A Tactical Analysis, the definitive study of the infamous, 1970 California Highway Patrol shootout in Newhall, California. Mike wrote the "Tactical Analysis" column at Police1.com for 8 years, and enjoys teaching both armed citizens and law enforcement officers.

26 thoughts on “New California-Compliant Revolvers”

  1. Glad to see the frame lock remains intact on the 442.2, cuz safety!

    I think that in the not-too-distant future, the CA-Compliant list will just be Nerf guns.

  2. Mike,

    By Golly, you sure did hammerless this to the wall! If I can get that 1-round Ruger in .357 mag, then my ammo shrinking worries will be over.

    Ya done good.

    WGJ

  3. Mike,
    Thanks for the laughs!
    It’s said good humor always has an element of truth. You hit the nail on the head. We have to laugh to keep from crying at the lack of sense of some politicians.
    Jim

  4. You jinxed me! Right after reading this humor piece, my 642 soiled the sheets
    during dry-fire practice. Trigger moves about 3/16″. On its way to Springfield
    as I type.

    They’re gonna git us one gun at a time.

    Thanks for the laugh?

    1. Oh crud! Sorry Bill! Well, maybe it’s a blessing, because you discovered it before you REALLY needed it.

      Must have been something in the water, yesterday. Another friend contacted me with photos of a freshly broken firing pin in his 640! Yikes!

      1. That’s why we carry two, right?

        Move to Kansas, brother. It’s a shooter’s paradise!
        For now?

  5. Mike thank you , you made my day.

    I do feel sorry for all, the good folks out your way and pray that once again sanity and common sense will reign in California.

    Tony

  6. Good job! Glad to see California finally understanding the 2nd Amendment. Shout out to Ruger and Smith/Wesson for their flexibility in such trying times.

  7. I already saw modified single-chamber revolvers.

    British armorers has modified some Taurus 73 (.32 S&W Long) revolvers to hold only one .32 Auto cartridge. That was intended for veterinary use. The Brit gentlemen wanted to assure that those guns could be not used for any other purpose.

  8. Great stuff Mike. I was truly laughing out loud while reading this.

    I can certainly relate being located on the opposite coast (MA).

    Sadly I feel like this is where we are headed. Well at least there will be some incredible accessories for these new models. 🤣🤣

    Be well and Happy Easter.

  9. Hmmmm…..I think I’ll stick with my 1851 Navy over the “new” Smith! Good “reporting,” Mike 😉

    1. I think this is the perfect job for the old colt camp perry target model. The original single shot revolver

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