SHOOT a HANDGUN for a New, Identical Gun and Shipped It Reveals the Expert's Way to Use Your Handguns Safely, Effectively and Within the Law

'IT By Massad Ayoob • Photos by Roger Andrews

GUNS Magazine and the Colt Python were born in the same year. They had much in common in the span from 1955 to 1990: -Both would be the flagships of their respective fleets, with GUNS being the mainstay of the Publishers Development Corporation magazine group and the Python, a steady good seller, becoming a trademark of Colt quality. - Both would be widely imitated. A slew of publications would copy the format of the general interest gun magazine, while Dan Wesson, S&W and eventually even Ruger would follow the ground the Python broke with its unique barrel silhouette. But none would achieve quite the style and elan of the original. - Both would spawn progeny in more than the shadow of their own image. GUNS' most successful offshoot would be AMERICAN HANDGUNNER, but GUNS ANNUAL and HANDGUNNER ANNUAL would also prove their worth. Similarly, the King Cobra was intended to be an economy-priced, kick-around gun that hefted like a Python, and the late, lamented Diamondback was a miniature Python of .22 TO ENTER CONTEST: Use a postcard (no envelopes) and follow sample. Send to Address. ______,.- ___ GUNS Magazine, GOM January, POS 33333 , San Diego, CA 92103-0994. City, State, Zip Mail before February 1, 1990. Limit 1 entry per household. CIRCLE ANSWERS MONTH: (A) (8) (C) (0) QUESTION OF THE MONTH: I plan on spending the following IF I win, on shooting sports products Dealer ______over the next 12 months: $0 to $250 Address. ______AlB $251 to $500 C $501 to $700 City, State, Zip ______D $701 to $1000 E) $1000 and up Phone # (

QUESTION FOR INFORMATION ONLY; ANSWERS HAVE NO BEARING ON YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING. WINNERS CHOSEN BY RANDOM DRAWING. Contest void where taxed or prohibited by law. Winners must comply with all federal and local laws. Contest open to U.S. residents only. Employees and agents of Publisher's Development Corp. not eligible. No purchase necessary. Winners will be notified by REGISTERED MAIL on official letterhead. The Python's comfortable, hand-filling grips contribute to the gun's superior out-of-the-box handling qualities. The .41 size frame and cylinder make the Python an ideal compromise in carrying comfort and heavy-duty magnum performance. Even at twice the price of the competition, a Python is worth the investment. . and .38 Special persuasion on the Detective D calls Royal Blue, and of the stainless Python Ultimate as . frame. well. It is a hand-Iabor-intensive process that finishes with a - Fnally, both would go into the year 1990 as healthy grit as fine as flour that creates this finish. It is almost uni- and successful as at any time in their history. versally considered the standard of the industry. Roll the double action trigger back and fee) its lightness. What is it about the Python that makes it such a great The long throw of a Colt trigger on DA gives the mecha- seller? At prices in the $800 range, it sure ain't ease of pur- nism a mechanical advantage that allows a lighter pull than chase. You can buy two Ruger GP-100s or Smith and any competitive DA revolver. My favorite 411 Python has a Wesson L frames for the price of a single Python, and get a DA stroke of about seven pounds. It amazes people who few dollars change. The Python justifies its price tag with handle the gun and they almost invariably ask, "But will it subtle advantages. Some of them are tangible. Some of go off?". The answer is yes: this particular specimen has them dwell in the mystique of the revolver than gun had ti:lousands of Magnums through it and has never mis- experts have almost unanimously declared to be the fired on any cartridge. Every spent casing ever punched "Rolls-Royce of the Sixguns". out of its glassy smooth chambers has borne a deep, per- fectly centered firing pin indent. QUALITY FACTOR The ventilated rib gives the gun a well-earned look of dis- "Quality" and "Colt Python" fit together naturally in any tinction. Yes, the 686 and the GP have sight ribs too, but word association test. Hold the gun to the light and let the solid and unvented. Does the vented rib really dissipate reflections gleam across the b

42 GUNS' 0ANUARY 1990 sure, but a traclition as important to the connoisseur as weapon retention advantage if your assailant grabs the bar- the way the non-bearing' surfaces inside a Rolex watch rel of your Python and you pull it back firmly. are still polished glassy smooth. These sights have enough range of adjustment that you can use the neck hold at 50 yards on a police silhouette tar- AVAILABLE FEATURES get, coming down ten or so clicks first so the bullets will No other production revolver gives you the range of drop into the X-ring located in the solar plexus area. This finishes that are optional with the Python: non-reflective is a match-winning trick for police combat shooters that matte stainless, lustrously polished stainless, Royal Blue was first developed by Bill Jordan when he coached the or factory nickel. Barrel lengths include 21 h", 4", 6" Border Patrol team. Very few other production guns have 11 and 8 • sights which allow this advantageous maneuver, and those For many, the most important option is the Elliason continued on page 63 sights. The factory-standard Accro is a good micrometer sight but the Elliason is great. The adjustments are finer than any I've seen factory-fitted on any other production revolver in the world; the' sight picture is classic and perfect; and the under- cut, high patridge front post that comes with it no only gives a uniformly excellent sight picture under most light conditions, but its sharpness gives you a The standard factory Acero sight is a good feature but the optional Elliason gives a near perfect sight picture.

GUNS • 43 Colt Python continued from page 51 that do, llike the S&W 586, lack the Elliason's precise adjustments and super-solid click detents.This is important for those who shoot in NRA Police Distinguished or Police Service Revolver competition, where barrel and sights must be installed at the factory that made the gun and be available on a production basis. Until the 586 came out, even diehard S&W fans switched to the Python for these events.

ACCURACY FACTOR Muzzle Velocity: No double action factory produced COMPETITION 940 feet per second revolver has ever exceeded the Python in accuracy. Only the Dan Wesson has READYI even equalled it, and the guns aren't Fo, the serious NEW really in the same class. The DW • Competition shooter • Hunter 56-Field Target Special Model 15 has a .38-size cylinder like a • "Plinke," Adult Air Rifle K frame Smith and isn't suited for con- SCOPE & MOUNT stant Magnum pounding and its big SOLD Designed to go straight from the box into field target brother, the Super Mag, is the size of a SEPARATELY competition shooting. "Competition Ready" features include horse pistol. The Python, on the other - Adjustable trigger - Stippled stock - Barrel weight hand, with its .41 size cylinder packs -Adjustable cheek piece • Stock suitable for right or left handers easy in a hip holster yet is a true heavy- duty .357 that gobbles magnum loads with equanimity. What makes the Python so accurate? DIVISION OF SIR INDUSTRIES, INC. Revolver aficionados cite three reasons. Dept. 8010 5622 Engineer Dr Huntington Beach CA 92649 (714 } B9B 7535 One is the rifling twist: one turn in 141...-______inches compared to the industry standard of 1 in 18.5 inches. The Python's twist is particularly effective in stabiliz- locks the cylinder absolutely motion- The third accuracy advantage with ing the 148-grain hollowbase midrange less as the hammer begins to fall. the serpent is in its special boring. The wad cutter used in bullseye, Cylinder play is now at virtually abso- interior of the barrel tightens about a International Centerfire and Police lute zero. Result: better chamber-to- thousandth of an inch from the forcing Revolver competition. bore alignment, fewer misshapen pro- cone to the muzzle. This squeezes the Second, the Python is the one sur- jectiles that have been shaved going bullet into the rifling for enhanced sta- viving revolver using the century-old into the forcing cone, and a more con- bility. This factor is particularly signif- Colt lockwork concept of the second centric projectile with a more stable icant with lead bullets; 158 grain cylinder hand. This part rises and flight. roundnose in Distinguished and

The author carried this 4" Python as a duty revolver off and on with A Bill Laughridge-tuned Python sans grips showing the altered two different pOlice agencies and also used it to win two state mainspring design. An ideal revolver for PPC, Distinguished, NMSS service revolver matches. or International CF competition. GUNS • 63 Police Service matches, wadcutters in PPC, and the cast bullet reloads of The American Custom Gunmakers Guild and your choice in production revolver metallic silhouette or small game The Firearms Engravers Guild of America hunting. This writer's acquaintance with the Invite you to attend the Python goes back aways. I shot a bor- rowed one, a 6" belonging to my 6th NATIONAL friend Tom Stackpole, to shoot my first police combat match and win my CUSTOM GUN EXHIBITION first PPC trophy. Unable to afford one at the time, I had ace pistolsmith Nolan Santy install a tube of that FEBRUARY 3 & 4, 1990 length on my 83/8" hunting gun, a Nugget Hotel, Reno, NV model 27, S&W's entry in the deluxe .357 sweepstakes. Saturday 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. My interest in the serpent was renewed when I was visiting the great FINEST COLLECTION OF GUNMAKERS AND handgun hunter Hal Swigget at the ENGRAVERS ART EVER ASSEMBLED. fabled y. O. Ranch in Texas. I tried Hal's 6" Python, tuned by Jerry Moran, and promptly fell in love with For details contact: it. The affair was made permanent Custom Gun Exhibition, clo Jan Melchert when I was able to kill a running 220 Division, Northfield, MN 55057 (507) 645-8811 Corsican ram at a measured 76 yards with it, double action. Since Hal's Python was emphatically Not For Sale, I went home and scraped up the bucks SHOOT A HANDGUN for a new, identical gun and shipped it Reveals the expert's way to use your handguns safely, effectively and within the law. It off to Moran. describes, with helpful illustrations, the accepted techniques of shooting, and shows you how What I got back became my to choose the best handgun for your particular needs. Learn how and where to shoot, the favorite revolver, period. The double care and cleaning of your weapons, firearms responsibility, what ammunition to purchase, action stroke was a whisker over and much more. Features detailed photos of popular handguns plus seven pounds, yet Jerry's subtle alter- a special chapter on defensive pistol shooting. SHOOT A HANDGUN ation of the internal geometry made it is the complete manual of handgun instruction that you'll refer to 100% reliable with magnums. I used again and again. Inc"ludes a glossary of handgun terms. Make it part of your home library now! Only $8.95 plus $1.00 for postage and this revolver to take First Master at handling. HANDGUNNER BOOKS, Dept. 24-G10, the FOP National Shoot the following 591 Camino de la Reina, Ste. 200, San Diego, CA 92108 year, 1977. _ _ _ Send me acopyofSHOOT A HANDGUN. Enclosed find $8.95 A year later we got a new Chief of plus $1.00 for postage and handling. Police who came from a major _ _ _ Charge my Credit Card Visa MC Number Exp. Date Initials _ _ Eastern city that is known for its ______rather hidebound traditionalism in its ADDRESS ______selection of patrol weapons. Horrified CITY---:-----,-,----_---:-___ that his firearms instructors were carrying cocked and locked .45s, he initi- ated a revolver-only policy. I reverted to my first service sixgun, a 1955 Target S&W 4" in .45 ACP. Before long, however, el jete mandated a standard caliber, .357 Magnum. I wanted the best there was. I sent my Python back to Jerry Moran to be refitted with a 4" barrel and I carried this superb revolver until things got even more draconian and we were all .' Artists, Stuntmen, Western Movie Pes- ordered to carry the issue revolver, a Yes they exist! We have dates, loca- Smith 66. Shortly thereafter I grew up and left the agency, soon to become tions, interviews and more. Plus - offer- affiliated with a more enlightened ing the largest selection of unique department that now issues .45 autos. western products (steer skulls, badges, But the Python did not wither away posters, prints, movie star photos, in my gun cabinet. I taught a class and more). Free Details. Sample with it occasionally and when training Copy $5. 1 Year Subscription $15 rookies on my department (which (4 Big issues . plus special sales issued .357s until 1988 with autos sheet with 25-40% savings on optional for the demonstrably highly skilled) wore the Python as a sort of western symbol of a rite of passage on nights when I was "graduating" this or that especially promising officer. I also continued to shoot it in service 64 GUNS • revolver matches and had the good .... YOUR fortune to win the New Hampshire clamps to the back of your For the final ultimate Police Officers Association annual blade to gIVe you ... edge... conquer the subject shoots with it in 1988 and 1989. I also PEFECf ANGLE!! of steellng easily. PERFECf CON1ROL! shot it one year at Bianchi Cup. PERFECf EOCES! EDGE n:Sn:R...... $ 7.95 Alas, I've been unable to find Jerry YOU an get the !lame edge T t d d ttin c.:J we used to oet the world es an gra e any cu g Moran for some time. Fortunately, record' consiatently. edge. there are other top revolversmiths VIDEOIII who specialize in the I frame Colt. Q TIlE CUB How to Sharpen Your GUIDE..... $9.95 Knives to a True Razor One of the greatest, Fred Sadowski of For blades under 4". Edge...... $19.95 Denver, was lost to us through his au PROFESSIONAL untimely death a few years ago. You KIT...... $29.95 Add shipping can count the remaining masters on • Get professional results and handling. with this complete kit ... your fingers. includes 1 GuiCie, 1 Super Minnesota residents add II: Fast Cutting Coarse !-rone 6% state sales tax. The best in my book is Reeves and 1 Ultra Fine FInishing Jungkind of Texas. Long one of the Hone with adjusting MONEY BACK wrenches and complete GUARANTEE. top grandmasters in PPC, Reeves is an a instructions. instructor with the Lone Star State's .... Book of IT! 11800 541 Department of Public Safety. Because so many champions won with his full- house PPC guns, Reeves' rep is main- ly as a builder of target revolvers RAZOR EDGE SYSTEMS, Inc whose hammers fall so lightly that P.o. Box 150 • Dept. CU • Ely, Minnesota 55731 only mild primers will be ignited. 1/800 541-1458 Actually, Reeves' $150 super duty job is virtually equal of Moran's. It has the same smooth, one-stage, straight- through DA pull of about seven pounds. Thanks to the magic of the Colt action, DA and SA pulls are both Adjustable Neck Sizers and Bullet Seaters achieved without trigger backlash, something virtually impossible on other makes of revolvers. Both dies have micrometer caps for precise setting. Unique inter- changeable bushings assure exact sizing and seating to your The gun Reeves built for me was a chamber and case; bushings fit both dies. Available for neck-only or 4" Python, but I had a 21/2 inch tube neck/shoulder adjustment in all popular calibers and wildcats. installed by Brad Lewis of Hookset, Also available in 7/8-14 threaded dies. The newest addition to our NH. Reeves doesn't do rebarreling line are SAKO PPC rifle dies. Send $1 for catalog. these days and also won't work on a gun another pistolsmith has touched. NEIL JONES CUSTOM PRODUCTS This Jungkind gun is 100% reliable R.D.1, Box 483-A, Dept. G Saegertown, PA 16433 with Magnum primers. (814) 763-2769 Why a 21/2 inch? I needed a gun for snub-nose revolver matches, many of which forbid the 3" length of the special-run Combat Python now ® prized by Colt collectors. FIRST BLOOD®AND How smooth is the Jungkind FIRST BLOOD®PART Ir Python? I'd acquired it for the belly RAMBO gun match at the NRA Police Revolver AVAILABLE AT LAST! Licensed reproductions of the actual knives National Championships in Jackson, Mississippi, but when I had to cross it used by Sylvester Stallone in the films "First Blood" off the calendar because of a conflict and "Rambo: First Blood Part II." with a seminar for the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers, Reproduced From The Actual Knives I just had to shoot a match with it. Used By Sylvester Stal/one In The gun and I headed for the Boston The Films FIRST BLOOlJID Gun and Rifle Club. and FIRST BLOOlJID PART 1/ The first run was draw and dump two gunloads at a 7 yard silhouette in RB·2 - RAMBO® FIRST BLOOD® PART II. 25 seconds, a giveaway that sort 'of 15'1," Overall. Features A 10" Stainless Steel Blade. warms you up for the hard part. As I RB·1 - RAMBO®FIRST BLOOD®. stroked the trigger I found myself 14" Overall. Features A 9" Stainless Steel Blade. savoring the smooth roll of polished FROST CUTLERY steel against polished steel. It was sort of like rapture of the deep. P.O. BOX 21353 The target turned when I still had CHATTANOOGA, TN 37421 two rounds in the gun. The Jungkind 615/894·6079 or 899·6484 Python was so controllable that I was able to still rip a .38 slug into the 7 1·800·251· 7768 ring as the target pivoted away, but WE ACCEPT VISA, MASTERCARD & AMERICAN EXPRESS one more ten-point round was still in © 1989 Carolco. All Rights Reserved. the cylinder for me to eat. Still, the 66 GUNS • revolver shot so tight that I came in second by a point after blowing thir- teen points. The snub Python, with a short barrel that's hard for a burglar to grab at close quarters but a hand-filling grip and sweet controllability, makes a fine choice as a home defense gun. My eldest daughter, a Colt fan like her TELEPHONE mom, is already casting covetous NOVA glances at this super-slick wheelgun Electronic Restraints Recording Device and her mastery of Parent Management is such that I may not have it much longer, so I'll shoot as many belly gun matches with it as I can, while I can. Any Python fan owes it to himself to run a few gunloads through a lungkind custom. At the other end of the scale is the longest factory Python, the 8". Mine All of your telephone conversations can be is a stainless matte finish, and the 50,000 VOLTS OF POWERI Defend yourself automatically recorded on your tape recorder. against any attacker by instantly "scrambling" the Connecting this device will automatically turn your most accurate revolver I currently nervous system causing immediate, but recorder on when the phone re-reeiver is lifted off own. The first day I tested it, the gun temporary paralysisl A light touch to the body will the hook, record both sides of the conversation put three Federal Match .38 wadcut- drop an attacker to the ground a helpless "blob" with crystal clarity and then turn the recorder off of jello. Effective even through many layers of ters into a cluster that measured .450" and await the next phone usage. It will also record clothing, a Nova is not lethal in any way and the tones or pulses of the outgoing calls, enab- center to center. At 100 yards with completely safe to the user. Nova restraints are ling you to determine the dialed numbers if factory iron sights, it holds 31/2" with the best self·defense devices money can buy. necessary. Completely silent functioning with no These are the "stun" guns that others try to copy clicks heard on the line. Federal 158 grain lSP .357 Magnum but can never succeed. Why accept cheap ammo and 23/4" with its 4x Bausch imported substitutes that mayor may not work. TI5 ...... Phone Recorder ...... $39.95 and Lomb scope in a Leupold mount. Only Novas are guaranteed for 2 years and only Unhappy with the heavy stack in Novas are in use by over 600 law enforcement agencies around the world. Two models KNUCKLES the action as it came out of the available: The original XR5000 which includes a box-the worst I'd felt on a Python-I NiCad battery and charger or the new Spirit which Paperweights sent it to Colt's Custom Shop. In the includes a long·life lithium battery with sufficient old days when Ted Tedford ran that power for 300 takedowns. operation, the tune was specified for NV1 ...... Nova XR5000 Kit...... $89,95 guns that would shoot .38 wad cutters NV2 ...... Nova Spiri!...... $137,95 only, since in the 70s the full-boat action job was done almost entirely for CAP-STUN PPC shooters. But long before Al Delohn retired as head of the opera- Spray Weapon These "Knuckles" are cast in the original size of the infamous "Brass Knuckles". We have two tion in 1989, the factory had realized models available: A lightweight aluminum and the that today's Python shooter was into original weight brass. Magnum Force. BR1 ...... Brass Knuckles ...... $12.95 My gun is 100% with .357s-in fact BR2 ...... Aluminum Knuckles ..... $7.95 that's all I now shoot in the 8"-and the crisp single-action pull is comple- Cap-Stun is the instantly non-lethal WIRETAP mented by a smooth DA of 8 or so weapon using oleoresin capsicum derived from pounds that builds resistance very, hot peppers as its active agent. Designed to DETECTOR very slightly as the trigger stroke replace chemical Mace and all other tear gas approaches the moment of truth. In a aerosols. Propellent blend and valve design provide the proper spray pattern so effectively to recent Intensive Revolver Skills class, safely subdue all attacks. Cap-Stun has been I had the students shoot this gun at a proven superior to Mace, CN and CS tear gas in torso silhouette at 100 yards, partly so that it WILL control a drunk, psychotic, dogs as well as drug abusers. Cap-Stun acts as an they could use the 4x sight as sort of inflammatory agent rather than an irritant like the an oscilloscope to measure the tear gasses. Mucous membrane areas will inflame smoothness of their own trigge r instantly to prevent all but life support breathing movements. All were required to fire as well as dilating the eyes so the attacker is Keep your ielephone conversations private I Fan- double action, and all hit the 100 yard physically blinded temporarily. Cap-Stun is tastic double-check tap detector is easy to instalj. completely safe to use with no harmful Alerts you of bugging device or if an extension is target. Like my other Pythons, this aftereffects. Each Cap-Stun comes complete picked up. No other phone detector comparable Colt Custom Shop job has never mis- with a: leather holster in price with features ours offers I Comes com· fired. LP1 ...... 314 oz Cap-Stun ...... $15,95 plete with modular jack and instructions. Rounding out my personal battery LP2 ...... 2 oz Cap-Stun ...... $22.95 ST1 ...... Tap Detector ...... $79.95 is a 6" tuned by Bill Laughridge of BIG CATALOG - $1.00 CATALOG FREE WITH ORDER Cylinder and Slide Shop. Bill is in my Satisfaction Guaranteed! Dealer Inquiries Invited: opinion the world's best P-35 Browning 'smith, one of the top choic- CHARGE CARD ORDERS: Visa - MasterCard - Am Express es for a 1911, and he also does a darn CALL TOLL FREE: 1-800-527-4434 • in Arizona 1-602-371-1023 nice Python. Few gunsmiths do so well with so many different designs. MAIL IN ORDERS: Send check, money order or charge card information to: A custom gun, like a portrait, GUARDIAN SECURITY PRODUCTS Dept. GN 1 reflects the author's philosophy. It has 8350 North 7th Street • Arizona 85020 GUNS c.JANUARY1880 67 A-SQUARE®: not been lost upon Laughridge that wheelgunners who like straight- through triggers gravitate toward the S&W design and those who prefer to "brake" the trigger with a two-stage pull traditionally find the Colt mecha- nism more adequate to their style. Thus, Bill leaves the two-stage trigger in his rendition of the Python, making the stroke very light and ultra smooth The Bottom Line in and retaining the superb single-action Knock-Down Power break. Rifles: Rugged, Reliable, Powerful, Controllable, Accurate. Chambered for 29 different cartridges including the .416's, .458 Lott and .500 A-Square®. THE ACTION! The gun is a famous Ammunition: Enhances performance of all rifles. ( FRONT LOOP PULLS AWAY a6 you 6hoot - WON T BLOCK Available in 45 different calibers, including YOUR SCOPE OR SIGHTS. won 't classic, a conversation the .416's plus British Double Rifle. Interfere wrth QUICK SHOTS! piece that brings with Bullets: Patents Pending Monolithic Solid®: Penetrates straight it a high level of pride and deep. Available in .284", .308", .323", .338", .366", .375", .409", .416", .423", of ownership . .458", .468", .475", .488", .505", .510", .585". Dead Tough®: Controlled expansion with deep penetration .. 375" and up. It is super accurate and utterly reli- Lion Load®: Special purpose bullet for able, and as I write this I'm preparing maximum shock and tissue destruction. to use the gun in a wistful attempt to Stops cats cold . .338" and up. regain my title in the handgun event for free brochure write or call: of the New Hampshire State Turkey A-Square Co., Inc. Shoot Championship, a traditional Dept. G hunter's match that involves deer tar- Rt. 4. Simmons Road. Madison, IN 47250 Phone (812) 273-3633 FAX (812) 273-3649 gets and places them at 50 yards for pistoleros. Iron sights are required and the superb Elliason sights Bill PAGER HOLSTER installed on my Python should stand me in good stead. The Elliason sights aren't quite BoMars but come damn close. I find they work better on revolvers than on autos, and exceed any other adjustable revolver sights offered by a factory today in terms of precision and ability to ruggedly hold and return to its adjustments. Since this is a factory FITS: DAVIS DERRINGERS option, it can be used under NRA BAUER. BROWNING .25 AUTOS rules in tournaments like the FREEDOM ARMS .22LR, 1 n BARREL N. AMERICAN ARMS .22LR. ,'/." Distinguished match at the Police 216-678-3023 $19.95 plus $1.50 S&H, or two for $34.95 Revolver Nationals, International The purchaser is responsible for complying with all 1-800-544-11 02 applicable local, state. and federal laws. Centerfire and whatnot. I have them SPLIT SECOND SECURITY, INC. G-S SALES PANY on my 4", too, and will retrofit them to P.o. BOX 16142-A. HOUSTON. TX. 77222 P.O. BOX 514· DEPT. G. KENT, OH 44240 my 2 1/2" when I can afford it. Interestingly, the low-mounted standard sights on my 8" seem to suit my vision better with that kind of sight radius. Try both, but I suspect you'll end up sharing my preference for BRASSCATCHER* Colt's Elliason option with an under- "It's the handiest on the market" cut Patridge post complementing on the front end. $14.95 The Python is a styling classic and The BRASS CATCHER· fits on your hand, not on not just because it was the first your handgun. No more clumsy distractions. Specifically revolver to be produced with a ribbed designed for Browning, Colt, Mac 10, Uzi and other popular barrel and full length underlug. We semi-autos. The BRASS CATCHER· adjusts for either top gunwriters went gaga over the radius or right side ejections. Recommended for right hand shooters. cuts on the front of the new Mountain rendition of S&W's 629 .44 Magnum. Send check or money order to: That feature lightens the weight a bit, GAGE MANUFACTURING makes holstering much easier and 663 West 7th 51. San Pedro, CA 90731 No C.O.D. smoother, saves wear on the gun- leather, and supposedly makes clean-

SB GUNS • IMPROVE YOUR PERFORMANCE ing the cylinder easier, It also reduces COUN TERFEIT GUNS the chances of cylinder bind after a FULL-SIZE PRECISION METAL REPLICA MODELS long period of shooting leaves powder These working mocels 01 classic firearms look, feel, weigh debris buildup above the forcing cone and handle like the originals and consist of over 30 blued, machined-metal, hand-assembled parts. You can spin the on the frame. The Python has had cylinders, work the slide actions, release the clips and field- this useful radius at the front of the these mocels. cylinder right along_ Colt's Python is expensive, no bones about it. It goes twice or more ISRAELI UZI the price of a competitive revolver w/loldlng Metal stock with the same style of barrel and size DELIVERED 01-705M ...... $209 PPD FULLY of frame and cylinder. But consider COMPLETELY ASSEMBLED what you're getting for your money. SAFE! The gun is a famous classic, a con- t!!'" - / - -' • / __ 'A SEND $2.00 versation piece that brings with it a V FOR CATALOG . high level of pride of ownership. It is CUSTOM KNIFEMAKER'S SUPPLY unexcelled for accuracy, and that accu- M1921 Post Office Box 30B-GM racy comes from costly manufacturing THOMPSON EMORY, TEXAS 75440 01-700 . processes like a bore that tapers

toward the muzzle and the double GOV 'T. . 45 CHOOSE A WINNER cylinder hand that must be precisely AUTOMATIC handfitted by master craftsmen. Its 01 -300 . long action allows the person who wants maximum performance to achieve the smoothest, lightest pull of any revolve r known to mankind, though it does take custom work to achieve. Shipped in When ordering It is the only gun now produced compliance by mail: gth - with Federal that allows an optimum single action 357 Specify waist 10112" law. Not $99.95. POLICE size, gun trigger pull AND a super BACKLASH MAGNUM Available make, bbl. shipping 01 -108 . length & caliber. & handling. FREE double action stroke AT THE to California Texas residents please inquire. SAME TIME. While I'm a double- Residents. add Sales Tax. Send $3.00 for catalog. action-only advocate, I've left all four AMERICAN SALES & MFG. of my Pythons DA/SA. One reason is Military Collectibles BOX 677G LAREDO, TX 78042 that for NRA competition, the gun HISTORIC REPRODUCTIONS DIV. OF J . K. INC. FREE catalog 01 military collectibles: must have a single action pull of a cer- Replica Guns, Suits of Armour. Swords, tain weight. The other is that with a WW2 Daggers, Helmets, 8ayonets, Etc. 8" GERMAN LOCKBLADE SURVIVAL KNIFE $9.99 • 8111.delocl/. Rohal. very expensive gun you want maxi- JAPANESE WWII OFFICER'S SWORD. An exact replica featuring cloth braid hilt, mum versatility to get your money's brass Menuki, metal olive-drab scabbard with scabbard latch, sharpened stainless worth and for most people, that means steel blade and traditional military single action at long range and double fittings. Length: 38" Blade: 27.5" TIGER" opens with fl ashing steel and locks automa ti cally in ope ned Weight: 2.7 Ibs. poslllO n. The razor sharp hlade IS of fin est Sol ingen steel. A1 w;JYs sharp. ft!a dy for use In the g,reat outd oors. Overall length 8" , si ze d osed 4". gun action in close. (Officer's Shin-gunto-Steel Replica) ha ndles. A precIsion made G erman sportskmfe. order severa l. Sati s- (16) 05-370 ...... $260 PPD fact Ion guaranteed. Send check or money order. After getting my 8" back from the $9 .99 plus $1.50 postage-Knife Catalog 254: Colt Custom Shop and preparing for LEN COMPANY, BOX KFG-101 Brooklyn, NY 11214 the BuckMasters World Championship tournament in Georgia, I discovered I shot it better DA than BULLWHIP SA at the 100 yards-and-in BuckMaster distances, and trained to shoot the match that way. When I got there though, I found myself shooting .. .. •• from treestands in awkward positions Handmade In the U.SA-. a superior quality. genuine where I couldn't lock my wrists for working sted revolving handle. Thick. top grain Forged Solingen steel w/5.5-inch, single-edge latlgo' leather. eIght pla1t taperlng to four. complete proper DA control, and was most blade. RZM marked, dated 1937. Checkered black with nylon cracker. Ideal for stock yard use, grateful that the perfect SA pull was grip with enamel HJ emblem. Black metal scabbard adventure. survival. Available in: 6' - $96.50. and belt loop. Manufactured from original WW" dies. Instructions included. Shown with BullwWp Belt there when I went to Plan Band 07-09 '...... $39 PPD Carrier $12.50 ea. Include $3.50 shipping & thumbed the hammer for each shot. o FREE Color catalog of • handling. Colo. res. add 3% sales tax. Me & Visa Militana , Replica Model Gun s, • accepted. Send card no .• expo date. and phone or Don't let all the clones fool you, Stage Prop Guns , Hlstonc • call 303-530-1857. P.O. Box addresses include Swords , Suits of Armour, phone. Send name and address with check or The Python, like this magazine, is one Flags , Medals, Badge s & More ., money order to: of a kind. It is fitting that they share ______1 THE LEATHERSMITH the same anniversary. FINE LEATHER GOODS, DEPT. G 7369 PARK PLACE, BOULDER. CO 80301 All of the above custom Pythons I COLLECTOR 'S ARMOURY NOW AVAIlABLE: Australian kangaroo leather qualify as "stock" under NRA and I 800 SLATERS LANE , DEPTGM bullwhips and stock whips. Send S 1.00 for brochure. I BOX 59 , ALEXANDRIA , VA 22313 ISU /UIT rules. Contact the master SEND : ______'smiths at the following addresses: •D MONEY ORDER D CHECK ENCLOSED Colt Custom Shop, PO Box 1868 Credit Card Orders: 1-800-544-3456 Ext. 515 USERS REPORT OVER 1,000,000 GUARANTUD FOR 200,000 • NAME ______lONG LIFE • NO SCRATCHING • NO GALLING Hartford, Conn. 06101; Reeves • MANUFACTU RED BY Jungkind, PO Box 4087, Austin, Tex. •I ADDRESS ______'1)(e & ?!(h. (34,. 78773; Bill Laughridge, Cylinder and I CITY ______CARBIOt CARBOLOY (TRAOI M"'I Slide Shop, PO Box 937, I ""I I STATE/ZIP ______P. O. Box 226 • Covina, Calif. 91722 Fremont, Neb. 68025. .. __ . MONEY BACK (LESS POSTAG E) IF NOT SATISFIEO __ _ GUNS c.JANUARY1880 68