present prior to the modern versions. These older forms of loaders were in the configuration of the “moon” clips for the World War I era 1917 Colt and Smith & Wesson revolvers. Even prior to that, the exchange of cylinders in
revolvers could expedite a reload bet- ter than trying to load cap-and-ball- type wheel guns. Today,
full-moon
and partial-moon clips, speed load- ers of all makes and the production of higher than normal (usually five or
six rounds) capacity revolvers, like the Smith & Wesson 627/327 8-shot revolv- ers all add a different dynamic to the carry of revolvers for personal defense.
The Caliber The older revolving guns were
made in both smaller and larger cali- bers, ranging from .36 to .44 calibers. History records well the successes and failures of the small calibers and the replacement of caliber guns, as in one example, the conflict with Moro Tribesmen of the Philippine Islands. In all of these historical recordings a single caliber is very prevalent; that being the .45 caliber in all its varia- tions, from the Single Action Army to New Service Models and the afore- mentioned Colt and Smith & Wesson 1917 models. The Colt Single Action is a true
The new Model 22 Smith & Wesson .45 caliber revolver. This factory engraved pair is serial number 0 and serial number 1 of the reintroduced Model 22.
A true big-bore re- volver from the World War I era, even today they remain fight stoppers.
icon of American history, the west- ward expansion and the military issue .45-caliber model is well remembered, even though civilian models were on the marketplace first. The R. Gra- ham, J. Kopec and C. Moore study of the Colt Single Action Army Revolver is an excellent source, if not a defini- tive work, and if you were really inter- ested in the Colt SAA .45 you would do well to research this book. Moving forward in time, the in-
creased popularity of the Single Ac- tion Shooting Society — whatever its weak or strong points — has in fact brought many new shooters into the fold and many of these new shooters partake in the single-action system. At my initial exposure to the S.A.S.S.,
62 AMERICAN HANDGUNNER • 2011 SPECIAL EDITION
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180