Revolvers Archives - The K-Var Armory

Revolvers: The Joe Friday Gun

Among the first police procedural dramas was Dragnet. Dragnet and Joe Friday were down to earth and presented the facts well. As a child, I enjoyed the series very much. Dragnet still has much to recommend. Professionalism and results are valued. Later, many of the prima donnas and flawed characters in TV shows were less interesting. Few would have lasted a minute in any agency I worked for. [Read more…] about Revolvers: The Joe Friday Gun

My Favorite .45 ACP Big Bore Revolver

The focus of this report is more the cartridge than the handgun, but the revolvers that chamber the cartridge are linked to the .45 ACP’s popularity. The Smith and Wesson 1917 .45 ACP revolver was a legendary handgun to a young man reading everything he could about handguns, but an ordinary handgun in the shops during the 1970s. The 1917 isn’t rare today, but it is no longer as cheap as it once was either. My first .45 ACP revolver was purchased for less than $100. [Read more…] about My Favorite .45 ACP Big Bore Revolver

Gun Test: Taurus 692 Multi-Caliber Revolver

The newest Taurus revolver is among the most interesting and innovative the company has manufactured. The Taurus 692 is a double action revolver with a swing out cylinder. There is a single-action option, useful in a field and trail revolver. This handgun features a seven-shot cylinder, giving the relatively compact Taurus .357 Magnum an advantage over traditional six-shot revolvers. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Taurus 692 Multi-Caliber Revolver

Handguns: Size Matters — More can be More

When choosing a handgun, the analogy to a vehicle—something most of us use every day—is useful. We all understand the term “dead weight.” That is the weight of the bed or truck (or the support structure in architecture), but that’s not what we are looking at today—when unloaded. Live weight is the truck loaded. The handgun, ammo, holster, and spare gun load add up quickly in live weight. Sticks of copy and reams of paper have been slugged during this discussion and we now offer bytes by the millions. The thing is, while there must be room for personal choice, there is a bottom line for performance and quality. If you like a small car you can easily drive in the city that’s fine. But you cannot pick up a dining room set with it. [Read more…] about Handguns: Size Matters — More can be More

Smith and Wesson Versus Colt — Old Iron at its Best

When Samuel Colt invented the revolver as we know it, he turned the handgun world on its nose. Most handguns were horse pistols or pocket guns similar in design to rifles, they were simply shorter. The Colt revolver had to be designed to stabilize the firing hand to allow thumb cocking and to present the sights for proper aiming. Either way, this article details Old Iron at its best! [Read more…] about Smith and Wesson Versus Colt — Old Iron at its Best

Gun Test: Heritage Rough Rider

For many of us, the .22 revolver is an inexpensive handgun to coax young shooters into safe handling and marksmanship. While I like a high grade .22 revolver as much as anyone, a handgun that costs less than $200, but delivers good service, is appealing. The Heritage Rough Rider is among these. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Heritage Rough Rider

Top 5 “Small” Carry Choices for Arthritic Hands

As we all know, none of us are getting any younger. My birthday is rapidly approaching, and I will barely remain under 50 years of age. I like to think that I am still close to my prime; but I can certainly see how my parents are no longer near their peak. This is very evident with my mother’s arthritic hands. [Read more…] about Top 5 “Small” Carry Choices for Arthritic Hands

Gun Test: Ruger GP100 10mm

The story of revolvers chambered for self-loading cartridges is a long one. Smith and Wesson and Colt supplied revolvers chambered for the .45 ACP revolver cartridge during World War I. The .455 Webley caliber double action revolvers in production for the British were re-chambered to .45 ACP and a moon clip was developed to allow chambering the rimless .45 ACP. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Ruger GP100 10mm

Review: Smith and Wesson L Frame Revolver

As a young shooter, I began firing centerfire revolvers using a Smith and Wesson K frame. I later owned several N frame .357 Magnum revolvers and the K frame Combat Magnum .357 Magnum. I handloaded my own ammunition and learned a great deal about marksmanship and handguns with the Smith and Wesson. [Read more…] about Review: Smith and Wesson L Frame Revolver

Top Carry Pistols for Small Hands

One thing I noticed while working in a retail gun store, was that many people disregard ergonomics for new shooters. This was especially evident regarding carry pistols. I will state for the record, the best way to determine a good carry gun, is to personally handle the guns. This first step will immediately tell you which guns do not fit your hand. Once the list has been narrowed down, rent the remaining guns and let the mechanics of shooting tell you which is best. [Read more…] about Top Carry Pistols for Small Hands

S&W Model 27 Classic — The First Magnum Revolver

When the .357 Magnum cartridge was introduced in 1935, Smith and Wesson chambered the cartridge in a deluxe, large-frame revolver. The new handgun was in some ways a development of the .38-44—a heavy frame .38 Special. However, in other ways, the target-sighted magnum was unique. Either way, the revolver cost more than $65 at a time when a new Ford V 8 cost $810. The .38-44 cost about $35 dollars. Useful handguns were available for $20. The fit, finish, and accuracy of the new revolver was exceptional by any standard. The .357 Magnum was the first of many expensive, but custom grade, factory handguns. [Read more…] about S&W Model 27 Classic — The First Magnum Revolver

Snubnose Magnum Revolvers — Pocket Power

With the growing abundance of concealed carry permits, as Americans exercise their rights and commons sense, and with a political climate that currently nurtures such progress, armed citizens are flexing their political muscles and choosing to be responsible for their own safety. [Read more…] about Snubnose Magnum Revolvers — Pocket Power

Python: Colt’s Best Revolver

At times, the gun companies listen—especially when bread and butter and prestige are on the line. Otherwise, the competition will come in and steal that bread and butter. Kimber saw the need for a factory 1911 with good features and shook up the market. Everyone else had to catch up. American companies did not listen to the police call for double action only automatics. They had the cop market sewn up for 100 years. Glock came along and dominated that market. [Read more…] about Python: Colt’s Best Revolver

How to Choose a Handgun

Everyday, we are bombarded with the freshest information. We hope the information is legitimate, and we weigh our alternatives. Choosing an option involves a mix of assessments and choices colored by innate biases and too often, flawed assumptions. [Read more…] about How to Choose a Handgun

Gun Test: Ruger LCR .357 Magnum

Revolvers are often times not at the top of someone’s list for a CCW (Concealed Carry Weapon). In the early 2000s, CCW gun manufacturers started making .380s, then 9mms, and later, .40 and .45s. The revolver, the sidearm for police for over a century, got no love. That is until the Ruger LCR (Lightweight Compact Revolver) was released in 2009. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Ruger LCR .357 Magnum

Gun Test: Smith and Wesson Model 69 .44 Magnum

As a long time user of Smith and Wesson revolvers, I am excited to see the things the company is doing these days. One of the most interesting handguns to come along in some time is the Model 69 .44 Magnum. This is a 5-shot .44 Magnum revolver built on the L frame chassis. It features a square butt grip and four-inch barrel. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Smith and Wesson Model 69 .44 Magnum

Gun Test: Charter Arms Pitbull in .45 ACP

The newest model in the Charter Arms Pitbull series can share ammo with your .45 ACP without using moonclips! I’ve always liked large frame revolvers chambered in .45 ACP. I like the idea of being able to fire the same cartridge as my 1911 and other .45 ACP pistols, in a revolver. The problem I’ve had with these revolvers is an on-again, off-again relationship with moonclips. You need moonclips to quickly load and reload these big bore revolvers. The problem is clip bend or break. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Charter Arms Pitbull in .45 ACP

A Case for the Modern Revolver

Contrary to what you may see in a lot of the popular firearms media these days, the revolver as a self-defense tool is not dead. In fact, there are quite a few options available these days for those seeking a revolver for home defense, concealed carry or recreational shooting. But why would you choose a revolver when there are so many semi-automatic pistols available these days? Well, let me explain why you should consider one. [Read more…] about A Case for the Modern Revolver

New Handguns for 2018

In an age when everything plastic rules, a handgun made of steel with a design more than 100 years old still drives the market. We are talking, of course, of the fabled 1911, and a third of the new guns that follow are based on this legendary platform. That’s not to say that there is no interest in itty-bitty pocket pistols, and it’s clear the revolver is not the antiquated firearm many assume. In fact, when it comes to new handguns for 2018, there is a good mix of old, new, plastic, and steel, with a wheelgun or two thrown in for good measure.
[Read more…] about New Handguns for 2018

The .45 Colt — From Cowboy to Action to Self-Defense

There are convincing advocates of individual handgun cartridges. Legendary writers such as Skeeter Skelton and Bill Jordan carried the .357 Magnum professionally and felt it was the ideal outdoors and personal defense cartridge. Elmer Keith favored the .44 Special, but then, when he got the .44 Magnum, he was vocal in praises of this cartridge too. There are individuals who use a variety of calibers for certain chores, and then there are those that choose a handgun caliber early on and use it for a lifetime, but who is championing the .45 Colt? [Read more…] about The .45 Colt — From Cowboy to Action to Self-Defense