When Smith & Wesson introduced their Model 69 Combat Magnum revolver in .44 Magnum back in 2016, there were a few RevolverGuys out there who wondered if S&W skipped a model number. The shooting world already knew about the popular Model 67 Combat Masterpiece Stainless, and now we had the new Model 69 Combat Magnum in .44, but shouldn’t there have been something in the middle? A Smith & Wesson Model 68, perhaps? Continue reading “Missing Link: The Smith & Wesson Model 68”
The Speed Beez Speedloader Review
The search for the perfect revolver speedloader continues. I’m willing to try pretty much anything to find that balance of speed, comfort, concealment, and logistical feasibility (cost and availability). This week I am trying the Speed Beez speedloader. Continue reading “The Speed Beez Speedloader Review”
Safariland Split-Six & DeSantis Second Six Pouches
Recently I had occasion to visit Prescott, AZ. I was invited out to tour the Ruger factory Mike Wood was invited out to the Ruger factory and he was gracious enough to ask me to tag along. During the rest of our time there we did some shooting and did the “mall crawl” through many of the local gun stores. A lot of them had bins of used grips, pouches, nylon holsters, and miscellaneous magazines. There aren’t many guys that enjoy rooting around through stuff like that, but I do, and apparently Mike does, as well. I found some pretty interesting items, but nothing as cool as a beat-up pair of Safariland Split-Six pouches! Continue reading “Safariland Split-Six & DeSantis Second Six Pouches”
Ammo Evolution: .38 Special Treasury Load
When I was a young man in the 70s, my brother and I spent a lot of time on police ranges, because our dad was an officer and rangemaster for the California Highway Patrol (CHP). As “range rats” of the highest order, we gladly took care of the chores that none of the officers wanted to do, such as posting targets, policing spent brass, issuing ammunition, and so forth.
In between relays, we got to shoot a bit ourselves. Mostly it was with our .22s, but sometimes we shot our dad’s duty gun (a 6” Python) with the hot .38 Special cartridge issued by the Patrol. This cartridge, known as the “Treasury Load,” is frequently confused with the more popular “FBI Load,” and there’s a lot of misconceptions about it in the shooting world. Therefore, I thought the RevolverGuy audience might enjoy it if we explored this interesting bit of revolver history and set the record straight on it. Continue reading “Ammo Evolution: .38 Special Treasury Load”
A Gen-X’ers Review of The DeSantis Speed Scabbard
Ok, guys, I have a confession. I’m one of those shifty, self-centered, good-for-nothing Gen-X’ers. It’s true. In addition to the other flaws inherent in this condition, I am also one of those guys that doesn’t really know leather. Sure I like the smell of it, but beyond that I’m pretty much lost. Take a look at the photo below. Does that look like a guy that knows the first thing about leather? Nope! So when Gene DeSantis offered to send me DeSantis Speed Scabbard, I said “sure!” but I knew I had to get smart on animal hide pretty quickly.
Continue reading “A Gen-X’ers Review of The DeSantis Speed Scabbard”
Grip Gripes: The Pachmayr Presentation Grip
As most of you regulars probably know, I grew up on the Marine Corps’ MEU(SOC) .45, a custom 1911A1 issued to a handful of Marines. In my day this gun came with a Pachmayr wrap-around grip that covered the front strap with a thin layer of checkered rubber. With this memory in mind, and memories of a good set of Pachmayr revolver stocks I once owned, I recently purchased a Pachmayr Presentation grip to replace the Hogue finger-grooves on my 686.
Continue reading “Grip Gripes: The Pachmayr Presentation Grip”
The 5-Star Firearms Speedloader Review
It’s speedloader time again! A few weeks ago I reached out to 5-Star Firearms to ask for a sample of their loaders to review. They got back to me promptly and got a package on its way. I’ve had three or four weeks to play with these things, so here goes my review of the 5-Star Firearms speedloader. Continue reading “The 5-Star Firearms Speedloader Review”
Am I Crazy? The Revolver Equation
Am I crazy? As you know I’ve been carrying a J-Frame revolver for almost two years now. I really enjoy this little round gun. I can almost literally forget it’s there, but it’s actually fun to shoot. I’m intimately familiar with it and I can run it pretty hard. However, lately I’ve begun to feel that I’m operating at the top of the gun’s capability (with my 686 on the other hand, I doubt I will ever feel limited by the revolver). I have also begun to feel like maybe it’s time to move back to something a little more capable. With this in mind I’ve been looking at other revolvers.
Thoughts On the Partial Revolver Reload
In a previous post, Justin introduced the idea of the Partial Revolver Reload Drill for shooters who use the popular strip-style loaders (Speed Strip, Tuff Strip, Swift Strip, etc.), and I think it’s such a good idea that I thought I’d spend a little time discussing the concept. Continue reading “Thoughts On the Partial Revolver Reload”
Flying with Firearms: Delta Airlines CAGPT
Several months ago I wrote an article about flying with firearms for Lucky Gunner. I travel often and usually bring along a revolver, so I consider myself reasonably informed about air travel with firearms. I guess I’m late to the party, because I just learned of the Delta Airlines CAGPT program. If you haven’t flown with firearms in a while, you might think twice before booking a ticket with Delta. I know I’m not the first person to write about this issue, but I do have a few observations from a recent travel experience. Continue reading “Flying with Firearms: Delta Airlines CAGPT”