Tag: Ruger

The Great Revolver Frame War – Part I

Back in the days before drastic, fantastic, plastic pistols ruled the day, companies like Sturm, Ruger and Smith & Wesson were locked in a battle to decide who would be crowned the King of the double action revolver market. The distinction was important, as the double action revolver represented the largest segment of the commercial and law enforcement handgun markets. Continue reading “The Great Revolver Frame War – Part I”

The Making of a RevolverGuy: My First Revolver

My first gun, not surprisingly, was a .22 rifle.  That seems to be where most of us start out, because it’s a lot easier to teach a youngster how to shoot a rifle than it is a handgun.  I always had a lot of fun with that rifle, but the time came when I wanted to shoot a handgun, instead.  I didn’t know it quite yet, but I was ready to take my first steps as a RevolverGuy. Continue reading “The Making of a RevolverGuy: My First Revolver”

A RevolverGuy Tribute to Skeeter Skelton

Skeeter Skelton once wrote that the only way to improve upon the Smith & Wesson Model 24 .44 Special would be to make it in stainless steel.  Soon after, S&W presented the Model 624, a .44 Special N-frame made from stainless instead of carbon steel.  I happened to have read Skeeter’s words a few days prior to walking into a local gun store that had a 624 in their used gun display.   It had the 4-inch barrel (6.5-inches was an option) and was wearing Pachmayr rubber grips.  The price was right with no box or papers and I became the new owner of my first .44 Special. Continue reading “A RevolverGuy Tribute to Skeeter Skelton”

The Ruger GP100 Match Champion

If you’ve been reading this blog for any length of time you’ve doubtlessly noticed that with the exception of Steve Tracy’s recent article, I haven’t given Ruger much love. That changes today! After Mike and I visited the Ruger factory in Prescott, we were generously offered access to T&E samples of Ruger revolvers – an offer we wasted no time taking them up on. The first gun I wanted to get my hands on is the one reviewed here: the GP100 Match Champion. Continue reading “The Ruger GP100 Match Champion”

Ruger Review: The .44 Special GP100

The .44 Special cartridge is an enigma.  Many knowledgeable handgunners can’t understand its attraction.  But, for the same reason that revolvers are still made in .38 Special, even though that round will fire in a .357 Magnum, the .44 Special round carries on, even though it can be fired from a .44 Magnum as well.  Some shooters opt for a .44 Magnum knowing full well that they’re more likely to fire .44 Specials most of the time.  Having a gun that fires multiple chamberings is a sound idea and a concrete way of looking at things, especially if cost keeps one from purchasing multiple firearms.  Continue reading “Ruger Review: The .44 Special GP100”