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”
Tag: .357 Magnum
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 Journey to My Holy Grail Revolver–the S&W Registered Magnum
How many times have you said or heard, “If only this gun could talk about its past.” Where has it been, who owned it and what has it done? Continue reading “The Journey to My Holy Grail Revolver–the S&W Registered Magnum”
High Desert Cartridge Company’s Revolver Ammunition
A while back, Steve Shields, the proprietor of High Desert Cartridge Company, sent a sample of every revolver load he manufactured, ranging from .32 Long to .45 Colt. His revolver line focuses on reasonable, practical loadings as Mike detailed in his recent article. Continue reading “High Desert Cartridge Company’s Revolver Ammunition”
My LAPD Revolver Journey
. . . From Colt to S&W, and from Inspector to Cop
In 1961, New York Hardware Store, at 5th and Hill Streets, was a short two block walk from my part-time Saturday job parking cars in downtown Los Angeles. New York Hardware had a nice gun section with rifles, shotguns, and handguns. Continue reading “My LAPD Revolver Journey”
High Desert Cartridge Company
I was shooting a “ball and dummy” drill at the 2024 Pat Rogers Memorial Revolver Roundup when I first met Steve Shields. Continue reading “High Desert Cartridge Company”
Colt’s New Viper
Colt introduced a new revolver back in 1977 and called it the Viper. It was released with the intent of maximizing the D frame platform. It was a .38 Special, built with a four-inch barrel to coax the most velocity from that chambering. Continue reading “Colt’s New Viper”
Colt’s New Blue Python
The Colt Python has a special kind of gravitas that resonates with many people. It’s revered for its capabilities as a competition gun and a defensive weapon, for hunting, and for sheer enjoyment as a recreational shooter. My generation of peace officers almost universally regarded it as the “Cadillac” of duty revolvers. Continue reading “Colt’s New Blue Python”
Range Report: The RIA AL3.1 .357 Magnum
I recently had the opportunity to test two (relatively) new guns from Rock Island Armory. One was the AL22M in .22 WMR. The other, and the subject of this review, is the RIA AL3.1 .357 Magnum revolver. Continue reading “Range Report: The RIA AL3.1 .357 Magnum”
Thoughts On The Compact Service Revolver
I recently spent some time carrying a bigger revolver than I normally carry, and the experience reminded me how small details can make a big difference—often out of proportion to their size. Continue reading “Thoughts On The Compact Service Revolver”