N WESSON's PISTOL R:: EVOLVER DESIGN-A Critique

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N WESSON'S PISTOL r:: EVOLVER DESIGN-A Critique

PISTOLSMITHING COMBAT SHOOTING POLICE TRAINING GUNS and the LAW WORK WITH THESE TOP HAND-GUN SHOOTERS IN SUPPORTING YOUR SPORT!

OUR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To stimulate and honor LEADERSHIP in the Handgun Fraternity; To develop and promote the Advancement of the Sporting use of HANDGUNS; To edify and increase the knowledge of the public toward a better understanding of the historical and cultural significance of the HANDGUN, as a Sporting Arm. It is OUR belief that channeling the sporting and competitive instincts of man thru the lawful use of handguns cannot help but increase his stature.

COL. CHARLES ASKINS BILL JORDAN San Antonio, Texas 1 Shreveport, Louisiana Second Annual 1976 Winner ------Award Winner I OUTSTANDING AMERICAN HANDGUNNER AWARDS FOUNDATION, INC. P.O. BOX 846 - 419 NORTH VIRGINIA. ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO 88201 0 ENDOWMENT MEMBER S500.00 0 CONDITIONAL LIFE $25.00 dn. Credit allowed for Life and Charter Balance due in four quarterly payments of Memberships. $25.00 each.

-\ LIFEMEMBER S125.00 ANNUAL MEMBER S Total Amount Enclosed 0 Cash / Check Bill my credit card below. SIGNATURE Card # Expiration Date Bank Americard Master Charge Interbank # 1 1 1 1 Name .- Address

City THE AMERICAN

Adv. 6150 North Central Park Ave., Skokie, Illinois 60076 Edit.

Well, here it is! A magazine just for handgun shooters!

Over the past several years my desk, as editor of Guns Magazine, has been laden with letters from readers asking for more handgun material in the pages of Guns Magazine. We tried, for the past year or so, to satisfy these requests, but not at the expense of those readers who are interested in rifle and shotgun articles, or those who are firearms collectors. The time came, with so much going on in the handgun field, that it became impossible to cover all of the handgun happenings in the limited space available in Guns Magazine. Thus was born "The American Handgunner."

At the first editorial meeting of the staff of The American Handgunner and several well known gun writers, it became apparent that there are just too many handgun subjects to be covered, even in a magazine devoted entirely to the one-hand gun. "You must have a regular column on combat shooting." "The holster is as important as the gun - you must cover these regularly." "Handgun hunting is important, too - how about a regular column in each issue?" The suggestions went on and on until such time as we had a list that would have dictated a book, not a magazine. The selection of columns and articles in this first issue is a combination of what we thought you would like and a test sampling to get reader reaction to specific themes.

After this first issue, I suspect we will be getting many suggestions, criticisms and, I hope, some compliments. We invite them all. As a matter of fact, we invite reader participation in all aspects of the magazine. All of the handgun knowledge is not only among the writers we have, but also among our readers. If you have shooting, gunsmithing or reloading tips, why not share them with the other readers. We'll pay for them at our regular rates. If you have story leads, let us know, and we'll get a reporter to the scene if it fits in with our editorial concepts. In short, we want The American Handgunner to be your magazine, giving you the information you want. But we have to hear from you before we can do this. I'll be waiting for your letter!

Cordially yours,

THE AMERICAN HANDGUNNER

J( J. Rakusan Editor THE AMERICAN

SEPTEMBERIOCTOBER 1976 George E. von Rosen Vol. 1 No. 1 Publisher CONTENTS FEATURES

.357 MAGNUM BULLET TESTS ...... Mike Barach 15

THE DAN WESSON PISTOL PAC ...... Clair Pees 18

THE DYNAMIC DUO...... Bob Tremaine 20

CHARTER ARMS' LATEST BULLDOG . . . .George C. Nonte 22

HIGH STANDARD'S MARK IV ...... James D. Mason 24

THE HAMMERLI MODEL L20...... James D. Mason 26

~MOOTING. SPORTS I SECURITY ARMS' .357 MAGNUM SNUBBY ...... Massad Ayoob 29 CHUCKBUSTER SUPREME:

TIC'S CONTENDER IN .218 ...... J. D. Jones & Mike Barach 32

RAY VIRAMONTE'S BICENTENNIAL .45 ...... 36

HANDGUN PROFILE BONUS SECTION: WALTHER'S P-38 IMPACT & ORIGIN ...... Dennis Riordan 39 THE P-38 FOR COMBAT . . .

FIELDSTRIPPING THE P-38 ...... Donald M. Simmons 47

.45 REVOLVER CONVERSIONS ...... George C. Nonte 52

.44 BULLDOG MAXIMUM EFFORT LOADS ...... George C. Nonte 56 DEPARTMENTS

THE PISTOLSMITH ...... G. C. Nonte 6 TAKING AIM ...... C. S. Hamilton 59 WORTH REMEMBERING . . . . .Bill Jordan 8 LEATHER ...... Jerry Ahern 62 I THE COMBAT COURSE Mason Williams 11 . GUNS & THE LAW ...... J. W. Giles 66 WHAT'S NEW ...... 68 Jerome Rakusan ...... Editor Michele Somers ...... Advertising Promotion Herbert Gates...... Associate Editor Anna Cale ...... Advertising Production Thomas Parrett ...... Associate Editor T. A. von Rosen ...... Production Director Sydney Barker ...... Art Director Albert Eskinazi ...... Circulation Director Bob Schenck...... Art Production W. R. Lighthall ...... Subscription Manager Bill Bauer ...... Advertising Sales SUBSCRIPTION OFFICE: D. Bennett, 8150 N. Central Park, Skokie, Ill. 60076 (312)675-5611 EDITORIAL OFFICES: Jerome Rakusan, 8150 N. Central Park, Skokie, Ill. 60076 (312) 675-5602 NATIONAL ADV. OFFICES: 8150 N. Central Park Ave., Skokie, Ill. 60076 (312)675-6010 WEST COAST ADV. REP.: Jess M. Laughlln Co., 711 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, Ca. 90005 (213)383-7697. EAST COAST ADV. REPS.: BUCHMAYR ASSOCIATES, DARIEN, CONN. 06820 (203)655-1639 Copyright 1976 by Publisher's Development Corporation. THEAMERICANHANDGUNNER is puolished bi-monthly Dy Publishers Development Corp 8150N Central Park Avenue Sfiokie Illinois60076 Second class postage paid at SkoKie, Illinois and at additional mailing offices SUBSCRIPTIONS One year (6 issues) 57 50 Single monthly copies 51 50 CHANGE OF ADDRESSES Four weeks notice required on all changes Send old address as well as new CONTRIBUTORS submitting manuscripts photographs or drawingsdo so at their own risk Material cannot be returned unless accompanied by sufficient postage PAYMENT will be made at rates current at time ol publication and will cover reproduction in any or all AMERICAN HANDGUNNER Maoazine editions ADVERTISING RATES furnished on reouest Reoroduction or use ol anv oorlion of this maaazine in anv manner, without written permission, is prohibited. All rights reserved. Title to this publication passes to subscriber only on delivery to his address.

AMERICAN HANDGUNNER . * ..~~P,T&~~ER.CARTRIDGE COMPANY'S WEAPONS OF W.W. II MARTIAL PISTOLS COLLECTION OF FIREARMS by C.W. Sawyer This collection of firearms was one This book gathers together pertinent of the most famous arms collections by EJ. Hoffschmidt data and illustrations of all signifi- in the U.S. Auctioned during the re- cant U.S. single shot martial pistols cession of the 1920's, the collection and WoHaTantum IV ever manufactured. All famous mak- includes firearms from every U.S. ers are covered and are traced with war from the Revolution to WW I. descriptive text. Each arm is described in detail in- A definitive work of over 200 fully cluding the auctioned price. illustrated pages of German WW II 5x8; 101 pages; $5.00 weaponry including small arms 6x9; 142 pages, $6.00 . weapons and ammunition, antitank, antiaircraft, light and heavy field GERMAN MILITARY UNIFORMS guns, tanks, self-propelled guns, AND INSIGNIA 1933-45 BICENTENNIAL SPECIAL command cars, prime movers, Uniforms of the American, British, armored cars, trucks, rockets, Contains a wealth of hard to find information about German military uni- French and German Armies in mortars, mines and grenades. Each the War of the American Revolu- weapon is described in detail with forms, insignia, and ranks gathered editorial description, schematic together from a multitude of authen- tion by Lt. Charles M. Lefferts. drawings and actual specifications tic sources and compiled into one The only available text on the uni- concerning construction, operation book for the first time. forms used by all armies in the Amer- and special features. 6x9; hundreds ican Revolution. 8x11 ; 212 pages; over 200 of illustrations; 6x9; 292 pages; illustrations; $10.00 227 pages; $10.00 50 uniform platen; $10.00

GUNS MAGAZINE BOOK CLUB 8150 N. Central Park Skokie, IL 60076 Check enclosed for $ . Please forward the following book(s) to:

NAME Quantity Title Price U. S. Cartridge Co. $6.00 U. S. Single Shot Martial Pistols $5.00 CITY German Combat Weaoons $1 0.00 Gr. Military Unif. $1 0.00 STATE ZIP Uniforms $1 0.00

Allow 6 weeks for delivery Even when the burr appears to be very slight, it can cause trouble, even more so when heavy loads are fired in rough, pit- ted, or dirty chambers. The problem is also accentuated when there is dirt or unburned powder accumulation under the extractor, causing it to ride high in the cylinder. It occurs this way: when the cartridge is fired, the case head is first driven forward against the cylinder and/or extractor by the firing pin; as gas pressure builds up in the case, it is driven hard back against the recoil shield; the burrs penetrate the primer cup a distance equal to their height. Normally, then, gas pressure drops, the case contracts, becomes loose in the chamber, and as the hand rotates the cylinder, the primer rides free of the burr. RECOIL SHIELD MAINTENANCE But, if anything resists forward movement AVOIDS REVOLVER MALFUNCTIONS of the case (dirty chamber, soft case, elevated extractor, etc.), the burrs will hold fast in the primer and interfere with cylin- VERYBODY who owns and uses smithing." (Available from Guns Maga- der rotation. This will also occur if the E even a single handgun, will eventual- zine Book Club). burrs are unusually high or jagged. ly want (and need) to do at least minor re- Good books and time spend studying While the burrs are most common in pair and maintenance. The work isn't all them-that's all you need to get started. well-used guns, they do sometimes occur that difficult if one is prepared with a bit Given that preparation you'll be able to in new ones. Just recently, I loaded a of knowledge and a few appropriate tools understand and do all the jobs we'll be de- brand-new gun, fresh from the factory, -but without those commodities, even scribing through this column in the and its cylinder would rotate only with dif- removing a sideplate to clean out bureau- months and years to come. ficulty because of firing-pin-hole burrs. drawer dust and sock lint can be an appal- And, incidentally, dry-firing produces ling task. Recoil Plate Burrs those burrs just as quickly as shooting live Handguns are really rather simple Do you have a well-worn revolver that ammunition. mechanisms. They don't have too many cycles fine when it's empty or filled with The burrs are easily seen and felt, but parts, and you can usually see how they fired cases, yet produces difficult cylinder also indicate their presence by scratches work without too much trouble. They pre and drag marks away from the firing pin so simple, in fact, that nothing more than dent, opposite the direction of cylinder ro- a punch and screwdriver is needed to tation. completely disassemble and repair (or For all the trouble they cause, the burrs even rebuild) some autos. If revolvers are are easily removed. If they are very high, a bit more difficult, it's more a matter of cut them down with a flat, needle file, but critical fit than design; they, too, are sim- stop before the file touches the main part ple to understand. of the recoil shield. Then take a large, flat, There are a few simple, low-cost things soft Arkansas stone and remove the re- you can do to learn more about your mainder. Keep stoning right down to the handguns. Those things are also necessary surface of the recoil shield, smoothing out preparation-homework, if you will-for any irregularities or tool marks that are doing your own repairs and modifications present. Don't stone a groove there, just later. lightly smooth up the surface to reduce Get some good books, then study the friction as case heads pass over it. types of guns that interest you most. A The result of all this should be free, good book, may seem expensive at first, smooth cylinder rotation, even with the but it will last through your lifetime and heaviest loads. However, there is one will always be ready to refresh your other problem that might be combined memory or answer your questions. For ex- Firing pin bushing is pressed in and can with burrs. If the gun has been fired exten- ample, if the Colt .45 auto intrigues you, loosen enough to be the cause of malfunc- sively with heavy loads, and if the recoil there is no better explanation of its parts tions. shield was a bit soft from the start, there and their function than that found in the rotation when fired? Almost invariably may be a shallow recess around the firing old U.S. Army training manual devoted to this is caused by burrs on the recoil shield, pin hole. This is caused by the pounding it. The brown paperback is available in re- around the firing pin hole. It's not com- of case heads there, and the imprint will print form from purveyors of military ref- mon with those modern guns that contain look just as if a case head had been erence material. For broader coverage of a separate firing pin in the frame. It oc- pressed slightly into some soft material. many handguns, you'll find it hard to beat curs mainly with guns having the firing This can interfere with cylinder rotation, the "NRA: Handgun Assembly" from the pin pivoted loosely in the hammer. Those the case rim catching on the lip of the in- National Rifle Association. It contains op- pins rub on the edges of the hole as they dent. Seldom does this indentation be- eration and disassembly instructions, ex- pass through to reach the primer, and this come so deep that polishing the edge of it ploded parts views, and some historical contact eventually raises a burred ridge in the direction of the cylinder rotation data on each of the dozens of makes and around the hole. It may encircle the hole won't cure the problem. models covered. If you really want to dig uniformly, or cover only a small segment. If such a dent is too deep to polish out, deep into repair and modification, you If the latter, it's usually at the bottom of there are several ways to repair it. One is might even consider my book, "Pistol- the hole. to have the depression filled by heli-arc 6 AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1 976 welding, then file and polish smooth and flush with the recoil shield. Another is to simply cut a close-fitting disc of steel shim stock and silver-solder it in place, then dress it smooth. Both methods require re- drilling the firing pin hole from the rear. A third method requires careful machine-shop work, and the cost can be justi- fied only in a fairly valuable gun. It requires first cutting a recess deep into the recoil shield, obliterating the depression. Then a tool-steel bushing is made and threaded, pressed, staked, or soldered in place. It must then be dressed off and polished, and the firing-pin hole redrilled. Actually, a fair number of guns~in- eluding the venerable SAA Colt-were sometimes made with a hardened bushing pressed into the face of the recoil shield to prevent both of the problems we've described. Excessive shooting sometimes loosens those bushings. Minor looseness can be cured by careful staking around the perimeter of the bushing, but it's best to have a new one made oversize, clean out the hole to match, then silver-solder it in place. Generally, when recoil-shield repairs of the type described are accomplished, it's a OTOY with Roy Baker's Patented good idea to fit a new firing pin. It should be carefully matched to its hole by stoning

Roy Baker's exclusive, original and patented three-slot PANCAKE Holster design does some things no other holster can do. For one thing, only Roy's, the oriffid PANCAKE, has the three belt slots necessary to give you all three of these optional wearing positions:

Vertical position, Butt forward, Cross-draw regular draw. "FBI" position. position. No other holster can offer this flexibility for carrying your pistol under varying conditions. Then there's the placement of those slots. Note how the PANCAKE rides high, nestling your iun in the recessed waist area of your body. It's out of your way, even when sitting . . . out of sight, and comfortable. Unburned powder granules can compact One other thing. Those dual slots contour your PANCAKE. When you tighten beneath extractor and may simulate a bur- your belt, it form-fits the PANCAKE to your hip, snug and close. And those dual red shield. slots give you two anchor points on your belt for better gun-weight distribution; plus a rigid holster positioning that hate to be experienced to be appreciated. You can experience that unique PANCAKE feeling at your local gun dealer. Or or polishing; any area which makes hard you can read all about it in a new %page brochure by Roy Baker, the PANCAKE contact inside the hole should be relieved. maker. Send for it now. It's free. Youll see why we're the fastest growing holster As a final operation, the tip should be pol- company in America, with PANCAKES for all modem sidearms . . . for police, ished smooth, and hemispherical. Protru- sportsmen or just plain plinkers. FILL OUT AND MAIL THIS HANDY COUPON FOR YOUR FREE PANCAKE BROCHURE:

sion (beyond the recoil shield) is not criti- ~~ cal, but about .060" is required for posi- To Roy Baker, P.O. Box G., Highway 132 tive, consistent ignition. Much more than The PANCAKE Maker: Magnolia, Ark. 71753 that may lead to pierced primers with hot Roy, your PANCAKE (501)234-1 566 holster looks flat good, in more Patents 3,731,858; loads. ways than one. Please rush my HOLSTERS 2355346.0;161,230. Any recoil-shield work will remove at free brochure by return mail. v Others pending. least some finish, leaving bright metal. A The Serious Holster With the Funny Name. dab of touch-up blue will cover it, but case-head friction will soon wear through Name it Best just live with the brightness unless Address an overall refinishing job is in City State Lip the works anyway. AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1976 7 THE WORTII RfmfmBf RlnG A BONUS BOOK EXCERPT

GUNFIGHTING SAVVY FROM BILL JORDAN'S CLASSIC IN ITS FIELD: NO SECOND PLACE WINNER

he most difficult of all firearms to fined to any specific style or method. It Tlearn to shoot accurately is the hand- ranges from fast point-blank hip shooting gun. It must be supported by the hands to single action fire from a rest at long alone at one point, as compared with the rifle where shoulder and hands form a three point support. The slight radius is so short that any error of alignment is magni- fied tremendously out at the target. This short radius combined with instability of hold make it critically sensitive to any movement caused by pulling the trigger. Originally it was not designed as a precision weapon. Its sole purpose was to be a close range mankiller. In these days of scope sighted handguns chambered for single and double action automat- high velocity, super accurate, small cali- ics and revolvers - in natural leath- ber cartridges, this purpose has become ers and hi-gloss blacks. largely obscured. But the fact remains un- changed. It was designed for self defense at close to medium ranges. It is in this role that the handgun has greatest interest to the lawman. The only dependable way to learn to shoot a handgun is to start with deliberate, aimed, single action fire at a bull's-eye target until the fundamentals of trigger FAST AC TION squeeze and sight alignment are thor- BELT AND HOL oughly mastered. Only then should the Authentic styles like those used by famous men of the West. Matched holster shooter concern himself with fast double and belt combinations. Holster skirt and action shooting. Good habits well learned pouch have an interliner that gives per- manent form retention. In plain leather stay with us for years. Bad habits seem to or beautifully carved fufl flowered leath- stay forever. Double action shooting, with er. For all caliber ammo. its long trigger movement and 15-20 HUNTER OFFERS HIGH QUALITYILOW PRICES pound pull is infinitely more difficult than Holsters for Automatics and Revol- single action where a three pound pull will vers. Cartridge Belts, Rifle Scab- trip the trigger with no perceptible move- bards and Cases, Shell Bags and ment. Since the secrets of single action Carriers, Clip Holders, Cartridge target shooting have been discussed in Boxes, Slin s, Police Holsters, .Sam ~rowne%elts. reams of print, I will write here only of the THE HUNTER COMPANY double action "combat" style, with the 3300 West 71st Ave. comment that the single action funda- Westminster, Colo. 80030 mentals should be learned first. Jordan's lightning move: over almost be- Combat shooting, so called, is not con- fore it begins. AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1 976 range. Its nature is governed by the situa- shoulder until they bring it to a halt. You -- tion, with range the greatest single factor should be able to feel full strain against in determining the method to be used. these muscles. The gun will be very little THE OUTRIDER Speed is a second limiting factor. There is above belt high and you will be surprised one common denominator. Its purpose is at how smoothly it fires when it hits the to get a disabling hit upon an opponent end of the line. I believe the reason that before he can do the same to you, regard- this method is so accurate is that swinging less of how you go about it. Style is strictly the gun forward towards the target gets secondary to effectiveness. you in alignment and the pull of the shoul- First, let us consider a range of from 0 der muscles stopping you at the same time to 3 ~ards.At such close distance, which takes care of the elevation problem. Be we will call hip shooting range, the shot sure that you reach out to the limit. A try can be fired at utmost speed and a hit or two will tell you from the feel just what made on a reasonable sized target without is meant by the above. It is similar to the the necessity of stopping the gun and con- important trick of aerial shooting, where QUALITY sciously bringing it into alignment. The you must extend your arm as fully as pos- shot can be fired as part of the draw-as sible toward the target to straighten your soon as the gun clears the holster and is elbow. The big difference is that here the Browning Hi-Pwer (P-35) .9mm rocked into line. At such close ranges elbow is bent and the reaching toward the Colt Bisley Model Single Action Colt Slngle Action Ãˆnn "aiming" is solely by feel. The wrist is re- target is with the shoulder muscles. Colt Peacemaker .22 or New Frontier .22 laxed and may be turned for firing in any From 7 to 15 yards the gun should pre- Colt Gov't. Model (Also Commander) Rum Bearcat Sinile Action .2? direction. Accuracy, of course, as at any ferably be held with both hands, particu- ~uferSmile 6, Biackhawh (new ~odels, range, is inversely proportional to the larly if more than one shot is to be fired. It Ruger Single 6, Blackhawk (OH Models, ..Riiior -.-. -Suurblickhawk -. -.- .- - ... .-.. .. speed with which the shot is fired. If you can be fired from belt level at the forward Smith 6 Wesson I Frame Round Butt Smith 6 Wesson I Frame Square Butt will pick up a revolver, close your eyes, part of this range if speed seems of top im- Smith 6 Wesson K Frame Round Butt Smith 6 Wesson K Frame Square Butt Smith 6 Wesson N Frame Square Bull

Please include $1.00 for shipping and insurance THE OUTRIDER, INC. 3288-B Laventure Dr. Chamblee, GA. 20241 404-455-1481 Dealers Inquiries Invited

A pet Combat Magnum with dehorned hammer spur and Jordan grips.

portance, but should be brought up fully into the line of sight, even though the 1 and wiggle it around you will find that you sights are not actually used, as the dis- JAC ASSOCIATES 1750 ~ernle~ Box 3355.H Santa Monica, Ca. 90403 can actually feel the location of the end of tance increases. . the barrel. This feel is more pronounced From 15 to 25 yards the gun should be with long barrelled guns or with shorter, brought up fully into the line of sight. A say 4", heavy barrels. It is at its weakest thing to remember here is that in bringing with a "snubby," which can be compared the gun up you should consciously bring it to pointing your fist as opposed to point- up barrel high. This allows you to get your JORDAN HOLSTER ing your finger. With practice you get this sights or the barrel aligned more quickly BYDONHUME finger pointing feel as soon as you have than if the barrel was low so that the front - - - . - - - the weight of the gun in your hand. Accu- sight is obscured . . . in which case it will P - -z& racy can be extended to seven to ten yards have to be tilted into view, the front sight using this method if there is a definite "picked up" and then lowered into the pause for full awareness of the feel, but it rear notch. A needless waste of time. Fir- Hand Stitched is most valuable for those few occasions at ing can be single or double action. At Jordan Holilir and Him Bdl close range where you really need to hur- these distances speed and accuracy are ...... are unsurpassed for not likely. At the forward edge of this style, efficiency and comfort ry- and produced by expert crafts- From 3 to 7 yards, for want of a better 15-25 yard boundary, looking down the men Who give each item the personal touch. name, let's call it the gun throwing barrel should be sufficient and faster. As The Jordan holster is constructed method. Here you must start slowing the distance nears the 25 yard mark it is from heavy saddle leather. Metal in holster extends into Belt Loop. Welt and plug down as the distance increases. (If you better than you consciously, even though are hand stitched with waxed linen thread. Give knew you had the time, bringing the gun roughly, look through the sights and align gun size, make and barrel length. For double action only. up to eye level would be best at any dis- them. The gun can either be shot with one The River Belt is fully lined with heavy cast tance over 5 yards.) This method is simi- hand or held in both. The two handed buckle. Give waist size. Catalog$1.00 Postage Paid, Bonafide dealer in- lar to an underhand knife toss from level hold, while of more advantage to the less quire on letterhead. Oklahoma residents add with, and beside the hip. The secret of ac- experienced shooter, won't hurt anybody's 2 % curacy is to carry the toss forward against shooting, particularly if a series of shots DON HUME LEATHER GOODS the pull of the muscles in the top of the are to be fired. BOX 351 DEPT. G, MIAMI, OKLA. 74354 At over 25 yards shooting should be de- system of double action trigger control. is always a possibility of firing before liberate, aimed, single action fire, taking One of these theories is that the trigger ready due to going past the stopping point. advantage of any rest available or holding should be brought quickly back to a point Additionally, I think that a person would the gun with both hands for added steadi- just short of firing and then deliberately be more apt to flinch under the pressure ness. Hits without aiming at 25 yards and squeezed off from that point. In the other of a gun fight if using this method. The beyond, where the strike of the bullet can- system the trigger is pulled straight straight through pull is much faster and not be observed, are mostly accidental. through without hesitation. Personally, al- more positive. Due to the construction of In any of the above methods of firing, though I have seen fine shooting done the weapons, a Colt lends itself admirably the one most important item is, of course, using the first method, I favor the second to the two stage method while the S&W is trigger control. Particularly in double ac- style for the following reasons: The system the better for a one staee'2. ~ull. tion fire great care must be taken to exert of a two stage pull appears to me to have Another question which is often asked straight back pressure smoothly with the no appreciable speed advantage over sin- concerns the correct hand and trigger fin- trigger finger only. Pressure on one side of gle action fire, inasmuch as a trained ger position for double action shooting. the trigger or squeezing with all the fin- shooter can cock a revolver about as fast Needless to say, the best position is the gers will make the gun move on let-off as the hammer can be moved back by the same one used in single action fire, with and you will have a miss. This is necessary double action method, if the double ac- the exception that the thumb should not even when "digging out." You must con- tion shooter is concentrating on stopping ride high but should be curled firmly trol the trigger. In this connection there that movement before the gun fires; it is down onto the second finger. The revolver

are two schools of thought as to the best not as accurate as single action; and there should be a continuation of the straightw line of the forearm and the trigger should be contacted at a point midway between the tip and first joint of the index finger. This is the best position, but unfortunately we are restricted in these matters bv the size, shape, and strength of the hands. Very few people have sufficient power in KEN STEGGLES ACCESSORIES the trigger finger to use the position described above to deliver a smooth double Handmade in England, ultra-hi quality accessories for your cased sets. Each piece finished to perfection by action pull. Most are compelled to place Mr. Steggles and stamped with his own cartouche. For the second joint on the trigger in order to a complete listing and prices on pull it smoothly. This, unless the hand is these expertly made accessories, very large and the finger unusually long, send tor Dixie's parts catalog today. Still only $2.00. requires that a grip much further around NEXT 3 ISSUES S3 00 to the right than is desirable be taken in P. 0.Box 130 Dept. 50 order to properly position the finger. If ^ GUN POWDER LANE you have the hands for it, use the orthodox I IN I,INC. UNION CITY,TENNESSEE 38261 grip and pull. If you don't, improvise the best possible grip that will allow you to make a smooth, straight back pull on the trigger. Remember-the trigger pull is the important item-not the grip. As a matter of fact, when drawing and firing quickly, one is seldom skillful or lucky enough to get a perfect gripwhich matters very lit- SAFETY VAULT tle if the trigger is properly controlled. Practice, of course, is the ultimate secret. HANDGUN DISPLAY CASES For distances up to 7 yards, wax bullet loads should be used. They give you the Beautifully-built cases for all sizes and types of handguns. Finished in himil- answers without any of the danger of fast late sculptured Spanish Oiik work with live ammo. with solid brass hardware. One last suggestion: For 90% of your Has built-in changeable com- practice, draw from the holster and fire one shot. It's that first shot that is important and it is the one most difficult to place accurately. Don't practice "hosing" your shots, depending on seeing hits to get you on target. You learn nothing from this and you are lost if you can't see the strike of your bullets. Your crutch won't work at night or with no background to mark your favorite weapon. shots, and then you will be in bad trouble. The first shot is all important, and if it is 7 x 4% x 2V2" . . . . S-27.95 in, the others will follow. 8 x 5% x 2%" . . . . 29.95 GRIFFIN CASES, Oquossoc, Maine 04964 For the other lo%, if you are concen- 9% x 6% x 2%" . . . 31.95 Please send me, postpaid, case, Dept. AH-$76 Size -Quantity Price trating on that first shot and it goes in you 12x7%x3" . . . . . 37.95 Three Gold Initials -Price $1.00 will have no difficulty with the rest of the 14%x 7% x 3" . . . 42.95 Please send free color brochure. burst. Your wrist and forearm will stiffen 12% x 10 x 3" . . . . 43.95 automatically for recoil control. And 16%x 11% x 3% . . . 79.95 Name above all, take all the time necessary but Check or Money Order Address - don't dawdle. Remember, "speed's fine, must accompany order. City- State. Zip but accuracy's final"-if you are given time to display it! AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1976 techniques. When Ed McGivern developed the PPC back in the middle 1930's for J. Edgar Hoover and his FBI it was a step in the right direction. Now, forty years later they continue to teach it by rote. The newer Tactical Revolver Course is similar and a hesitant step forward but neither really are capable of doing the job efficiently. Ask any professional lawman what the basic or primary Police Weapon is and he will probably tell you that it is the l8", riot, pump, 12 gauge shotgun. The revolver IS an emergency, last ditch weapon. The revolver is a close combat firearm and yet both the PPC and the TRC include fifty and sixty yard firing with a re- A RATIONAL POLICE volver. Officer after professional officer has confirmed my fundamental opinion FIREARMS COMBAT COURSE that the revolver should not be used at distances over twenty five yards. Beyond that-go get a shotgun! The time and ef- By MASON WILLIAMS fort spent attempting to teach an officer to hit at,fifty and sixty yards with a revolver believe that around thirty per cent of members of their Police Department at- would be better employed giving him an today's younger police officers are ei- tend FBI firearms schools that they are intensive, in-depth course in shotgun therI college graduates or have earned de- highly trained and competent firearms shooting. Such a course would include grees in police specialties. They attend men. NOT SO! right and left hand barricade, assault, re- schools that teach them the latest in fin- Do you sincerely believe that a veteran loading while moving, shot patterns at gerprinting, photography, criminology, taxicab driver would make an ideal race close range and at sixty yards, slugs, pene- law and all the other courses that cover driver? Obviously not. The two types of tration, care and maintenance of the shot- the training of the modern officer. As one driving are entirely different. They require gun and other practical combat informa- officer told me recently "they even teach vastly different skills and training meth- tion. Many courses have been developed us how to tear up a traffic ticket!" ods. The same applies to shooting. As an by competent and experienced persons Unfortunately, firearms training re- example, I recently spent three weeks and these shoiild be studied and the best mains almost a taboo subject and the offi- working with a man who is possibly one of features of each brought together into per- cer probably receives less instruction in the most knowledgeable combat shooters haps three or four courses of fire that this subject than in any other police mat- in one of the largest Police Departments combine the use of both shotgun and ter. Why? in the country. After twenty years of train- handgun. We can plink at tin cans all our lives ing by Department firearms instructors, The PPC and the TRC both require the and be lousy shots and know nothing he remains alive because of his inherent officer to carry his ammunition in his

about firearms, and yet too many people reactions and his instinctive ability to do trouser pocket. Fifty or sixty rounds believe that because a man shoots a hand- the right thing. He is not alive because of stuffed into a trouser pocket. I have gun quite a bit he should make a good the training given to him by the Depart- watched many veteran officers reach for firearms instructor. We can spend several ment. The Police Commissioner bleats their pockets in order to reload their re- years and many thousands of dollars and happily about how well trained his men { volvers when under stress even though become good enough to fire acceptable are, attends all the funerals of officers their ammunition is carried in belt loops slow fire, International Match, fifty meter killed and then threatens to take away or pouches on their belts. I have watched scores and remain incapable of under- their weapons because they do not know officers grab for their ammunition pouch- standing the requirements of Police Com- how to use them. It is a rough deal for the es and dump ammunition all over the bat shooting. Too many politicians and taxpayer who is afraid to walk the streets street. Why? Because they have never politically active Police Chiefs and Com- and who is receiving less and less protec- been trained to reload from a pouch. They missioners believe that because a man tion for his tax dollar. Just what is wrong were trained to reload from their pockets. holds an NRA handgun rating he should with police firearms training? I have watched men fire the PPC and prove to be an excellent firearms instruc- Too much of today's handgun training TRC using specially tuned and built re- tor. Too many people believe that because is based upon slow fire, target shooting volvers with 6" barrels that cost a couple AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1976 of hundred dollars and come through with excellent scores that they proudly take back to their Departments. When these same men go on the street they carry a factory service revolver that they fire perhaps forty times a year. Is this logical? And yet this has become an accepted fact of life in police training and matches. Let the men kke home go:d scores. Let them memorize the courses of fire so that they have everything down to the last second. ktthem practice and practice until they can go "clean" on both the PPC and the TRC. This is Police Combat Training? These men are not taught even the most basic fundamentals of ballistics. What is wrong with teaching a man the differences between the dozens of various loadings that are sold in stores and issued by departments. How about showing him bullet expansion in Duxseal and penetration and velocity? Are the training agencies and instructors so afraid that the American Po- lice Officer will some day commence to question the training and ammunition given to them in the past that they want to maintain the present status quo regardless of the ever increasing number of deaths/ among police officers? Is this why the! average officer is put out on the range twice a year whereas he studies courses in criminology, social work or similar subjects for hours every week? Why not wipe out all alibis and delays and excuses during handgun training. Of- ficers become obsessed with the idea that if something happen- misfire, a jam or they scrape their hand or it rains-that they are entitled to an alibi and a re-fire. Unfortunately, these .men are not being trained to be gentlemen target shooters. Handgun and ammunition not included. They must learn to correct these problems Quality and pride of workmanship from under stress as they would be forced to do the 19th century still exists today in in a real fire fight. Pelson French FittedTMhandgun cases I have listened to instructors telling the at a price you can afford. Constructed officers that "you must learn to fire your entirely- by- hand of the finest woods and handgun with the grip that is on it. Learn materials available, each case is to shoot with it as it is. Grip size is not im- custom fitted to each individual portant." They might just as logically tell model of handgun. Then plush officers that they must wear only one type lined in contrasting velvets and and size of shoe. If their feet do not fit the covered with a rich looking leather- shoes-that's the officer's tough luck. He ette. Completely American made, must learn to walk and run in those shoes. these cases are available for all Real logic, isn't it? modern Colt, Smith & Wesson, Ruger, Auto Mag, Luger, But enough of complaints and criti- High-Standard, etc. at W5.00 each. Also authentic repro- cism. What would I recommend? Teach ductions of fitted percussion revolver cases for both Colt officers how to use the shotgun. That's the and Remington at $85.00 each aAd metallic cartridge first thing. Next, acknowledge the exis- style, such as Colt SAA, Smith & Wesson #Z Army, etc. tence and the importance of the auto- at $75.00 &ch. Please add $2.00 to cover postage and matic pistol for Law Enforcement work handling. California residents add 6% sales tax. DEALER and if an officer carries one, then he Top left, Smith & Wesson #2 Amy model, INQUIRIES INVITED. Write for free full color brochure $75.WTop right, Geman Luger model, 3hould become competent and efficient in showmg the complete line of custom and standa?d fitted $45.WMiddle left, Remington percussion its use through intelligently planned com- model, W.W, And bottom, Colt Single Pelson handgun cases. Also available are custom cases Action Amy 7%" badmodel, $75.00. bat courses. Stop insisting that the officer for custom, rare, antique and special models. Handguns and ammunition not included fire only a revolver during training. SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. with case. Teach the two handed Weaver stance for firing handguns. Eliminate the mental block of firing only at a single target. Put together a revolver course based upon three targets per man and eighteen rounds >fammunition. The officer carries six car- 13918 Equitable Road Dept. Hb - Cerritos, Calif. 90701 (213)926-7751 ;ridges in his revolver and twelve on his 12 AMERICAN I- )GUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1976 belt in either pouches or belt loops. Use this for all training courses. I would go even further and forbid the use of wad notes on handgun associations. .. . cutter or low velocity ammunition for all training courses. Officers would train with OUTSTANDING AMERICAN HANDGUNNER the same ammunition they carry on the There are handgun associations devoted to collecting various street. This concept has been pioneered makes and models, others catering to the handgun target shooter9 and tested and proven feasible by one of and still others founded to promote handgun hunting. All of these the largest State Police forces in the coun- are worthy9but there is one-if I may-that is worthier. --,- The Outstanding American Handgunner Awards were instituted I would set up four basic training by Lee Jurras a few years back-his idea and his money. Now9there courses of fire similar to those described is a national foundation that will be running the awards. You can below: help perpetuate this outstanding pro-gun effort by joining today. 1. 25 yards-draw and fire six shots at The foundation has an ad in this issue that gives complete details. one target. Reload on the run to 15 I am not going to tell you that your membership will save your yards, stop, fire two shots on each of handguns from the greedy legislators, or that your membership will three targets, reload, run to 7 yards stem the tide of the anti-hunters. What I will say is that if the hand- and fire 1shot on target 1,3 and 2 and gun shooters do not support this foundation in great numbers9the then 2,l and 3. Time limit for the nov- pro-gun press that the annual awards receive will be lost, and that ice1minute. will be a damned shame. For less than the cost of a couple of boxes 2. 25 yards-officer faces to the right. of -357 ammo you can show your support for the coming year. On command he turns and fires one If you should decide not to support the foundation, I'd like to know shot on each of three targets, runs to why-please drop me a note. J. Rakusanleditor 15 yards, fires three shots on right hand target. Reloads and fires two shots on each of the three targets." Re- loads and moves down to 7 yards. Hol- sters. Stands with back to targets. On command he turns and fires two shots using turning targets, hit and no hit tar- There are many professional combat into targets 1, 3 and 2. Range Officer gets, kidnappers and hostages and hun- training specialists who believe that it is sets time limit. dreds of other variations. The electronic better for the officer to live and the felon 3. 50 yards-revolver loaded and hol- controls of the Motrain can be so adjusted to die. These professionals believe that the stered. Shotgun held at ready, loaded that both novices and highly trained men safest man on the street is a highly trained with six shell-three slugs and three can be run through. By using such a de- combat shooter whose job is first to pro- 00 Buck. On command he fires one vice, the officer cannot pre-train. He can tect the taxpayer and then worry about slug into each of 3 targets, runs to 25 practice reloading, turning, running, fir- what happens to the felon. Empirically yard line and fires a 00 Buck on each ing and thinking up new courses of fire so they are absolutely correct but there ap- target. Reloading, he fires one addi- that when he goes to the next school his pears to be a great deal of negative pres- tional slug at each target. Puts down reflexes will permit him to adapt instantly sure brought to bear on Departments who shotgun, draws revolver and empties it and effectively to unknown situations. wish to utilize professional combat train- into target 1, reloads fires 3 shots into This type of training would eliminate ing methods. Much of this negative atti- target 2 and 3, runs to 7 yard line as he shooting by rote and would stimulate the tude comes from ~oliceand ~oliticalbrass reloads and then fires 2 shots into each use of new concepts and training methods who exist far above the grubby, grimy, of the 3 targets." Time limit. about 2 resulting in better officers on the street stinking, dangerous daily work that goes minutes depending upon the officers' and a safer city for the taxpayer. Those de- on down on the street. Some of this dis- capabilities. partments whose budgets cannot handle agreement and negative pressure origi- 4. Seven yards-revolver loaded and hol- the superb Caswell installations should in- nates with Federal agencies who jealously stered. Shotgun held at ready loaded vestigate Advanced Training Systems, 12 wish to guard their public image as the with 6 shells 00 Buck. On command Skillman Lane, Saint Paul, Minnesota sole benefactors of small Police Depart- officer fires twice into each target, 55110. ATS builds training systems based ments. drops the shotgun and draws his re- upon turning target holders plus Friend or It is time to dig into these conditions volver and fires six shots into target 1, Foe life size targets plus a complete elec- and attempt to discover just how your reloads, fires 3 shots into target 3 and tronic control system. The cost is still un- local police are trained. Then find out pre- 2, reloads and fires two shots into each der $6,000 for one complete unit. In addi- cisely how much time they actually spend of the 3 targets. Time limit-about tion, clawes would be held to discuss on firearms training and in learning new one minute. revolver grip modifications, holsten, ballis- ways of becoming better combat shots to Obviously, times will vary according to tics, barrel lengths and their effect upon better protect you-the man who pays the an officer's or a class's ability. Those offi- velocities and bullet performance and taxes. If you don't like what you uncover, cers firing automatic pistols would be set other new ideas so that each training ses- go out and do up as follows: the men with seven shot sion would provoke and excite the men. something about it! magazines would fire a total of twenty two shots-3 magazines of 7 shots plus 1 in pistol chamber. The men with fourteen shots magazinesu would fire twentv nine 1 shots-2 magazines of 14 shots plus 1 in -. -. White Laboratories pistol chamber. IMPROVE ACCURACY us. patent U3808943 In my opinion, four of these courses of Z&ee Rdma! w+ $* fire plus two more surprise courses of fire WILL NOT CHANGE BALLISTICS would give the officer his handgun qualifi- cation score. Today we have machines RMS, INC. like Caswell's Motrain that permits the E: 131314694727 Range Officer to program a course of fire 30016~~.RIVER RD. / MT. CLEMENS, MICH. 48M3 AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1976 13 -Gunstock Finishing and Care -Firearm Blueing and Browning @ $1 1.95 @ $6,95 -Gunsmithing -Professional Gunsmithing @ $12.95 @ $12.95 -Checkering and Carving of -Introduction to Modern Gunstocks @ $12.95 Gunsmithing @ $7.95 BOOK DEPARTMENT 1 25$ postage and handling per book 8150 N. Central Park Ave, ~nclosed;i my check for $ (please include 256 per book for Skokie, Illinois 60076 postage and handling). Allow 6 weeks for delivev

" 357 MAGNUM

Noted firearms expert J. D. Jones ab- sorbs recoil from full-house .357 mag. load dur~ngperformance tests. BULLET TESTS MIKE BARACH

ince its conception, optimum bullet excellent. But if bullet choice is inade- where there was more than one powder s weights for the .357 Mag. have quate and its expansion/penetration quali- listed for maximum loads and velocities, caused much controversy among hand- ties are not understood, you're going to the load that most closely equalled Sier- gunners. Each weightlstyle has its advo- end UD on the short end of the stick! Use ra's velocity when fired from my test gun cates who justly defend it against attacks of factory ammo for these tests was ruled was used. Such was the case with both the from others disputing its effectiveness. out because of varying velocity, bullet 125 grainers and the 158 grain bullet. Al- In order to kindle the flame a little, I construction, etc. A velocity and bullet though Unique isn't best suited to the 158 conducted tests of four jacketed bullet standard was needed to compare bullet grain for maximum velocities, it was the weights to prove the 125 grain J.H.C. to effects, leaving handloads as the only al- closest of all powders tested to Sierra's be the ultimate bullet for use in the .357 ternative. 1250 fps velocity. Mag. Forget cast bullets for getting Basically there are four bullet weights . The test gun used was a stainless steel serious about performance - they won't for the -357 Mag.: the 110 grain, the 125 Ruger Blackhawk with a 6'12 inch barrel. cut it! grain, 140-150 grain, and the 158 grain. The gun was left as tuned from the factory Before you begin to place my head on Different manufacturers vary their with the exception of the trigger return the chopping block, let's put the -357 weights but these can be considered as spring being replaced by Trapper Alex- Mag. in its proper perspective. It's a fme standard even though the bullet construc- iou's Bullseye Trigger Spring. Before in- handgun cartridge providing you keep its tion from different manufacturers differ stallation of the Bullseye spring, trigger capabilities in mind. It's suitable for tak- tremendously. The bullets that I used for pull was approximately 80 plus ounces. ing deer-sized game at ranges of 100 yards testing were all of the Sierra line. Veloci- The Bullseye spring lightened it to a clean and with a suitable set-up, some vahints ties for these bullets, as published in the 48 ounces, with almost no creep. At $6.95 to 200 yards. Sierra manual, run 1600 fps for the 110 per kit, the Bullseye Trigger Spring With iron sights in capable hands, the grain to 1250 fps for the 15% the others proved to be a very worthwhile modifica- -357 will do adequately at 100. After 100 at 1500 fps with the 125 grainer and 1350 tion. For more information write: yards you are asking for wounded game fps for the 150 grain bullet. These are Linn (Trapper) Alexiou and possibly a long chase, depending on maximum velocities and loads as taken Trapper Gun Repair bullet placement. The .357 will provide from the Sierra manual. 16746 14 Mile Road adequate performance at close range and Table I. lists the following loads that Frasier, Michigan 48026. as ranges increase, fall off in performance were used in the test, Sierra's velocities, All maximum loads extracted easily and with all bullets. actual chronographed velocities, and the showed no signs of excessive pressure in Accuracy at all ranges with the .357 is muzzle energy for each load. In cases my particular gun. Recoil of all test loads e - AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBERIOCTOBER 1 976 ,I 15 can be termed as moderate with muzzle would be the only bullet to use. It is an ex- tion that it is expanding much too fast for flash being the greatest with both the 125 cellent police choice, but universally it is use on anything but varmints or people. grain loads, and the mildest with the 158 not acceptable. The 110 grain is fine on The 125 grain J.S.P. expanded nicely, grain load. The 110 and 150 grain loads small game, providing you don't want to being uniform and projecting its sides past showed moderate muzzle flash. Approach eat the meat. On boar or deer, it would the base. In some situations where more all loads listed with caution as they may break up too soon causing a nasty wound. penetration is needed, this is the better develop excessive pressures in your gun. However, it doesn't provide enough pene- choice. The 125 J.H.C. expanded very There are two definite theories on tration for all-around field use. At longer well also, giving more expansion than the bullets~onebeing a light weight fast ranges it sheds its velocity faster, thereby 125 grain J.S.P. Neither the 150 nor the moving projectile delivering more shock- losing energy quickly just as it does at im- 158 grain bullets gave very impressive ing power through the properties inherent pact. results, as can be seen by Table 111. These in expansion/hydrostatic shock. The other The 125 grain J.S.P. doesn't quite two bullet weights should be confined to theory being that the heavier, slower mov- measure up to the 125 J.H.C. in respect to shooting engine blocks, foundations, etc. ing bullet is capable of deep penetration expansion. It's more of a penetrator than as they won't expand on anything else. and a full caliber wound channel. Both either of the 110's and the 125 J.H.C. It is They do, however, cut a full caliber hole theories have their merits, depending on definitely more suitable than the J.H.C. in and provide the deepest consistent pene- the situation(s) one expects to encounter respect to penetration. tration in most mediums. along with the capabilities of the car- The 150 and 158 grain bullets are, as At 50 yards the 110 grain expanded bet- tridge. far as I'm concerned, a lost cause for any- ter than all other bullets tested. As it ex- In comparison of the four bullets, Table thing other than rock busting or target pands too rapidly at 10 yards so is the case 11. shows that the 110 grainer's accuracy is shooting. Because velocity cannot be at 50 yards. Again expanding as much as it somewhat below that of the 125 grain and jacked up enough to get them to work, does causes it to break up, losing its even the 150 and 158 grain bullets at 50 1250 fps is only slightly above the penetration and energy rapidly. Tissue yards. Utilizing Sierra's maximum 1000-1100 fps necessary for minimal ex- would probably not break it up, but a sub- velocity loads in this particular gun, the 125 pansion on game. Velocity quickly drops stantial bone would probably stop or grain on the other hand is very accu- below this speed at exceedingly short dis- cause it to break up. The 125 grain J.H.C. rate out to 100 yards. Accuracy may vary tances from the muzzle. expanded more uniformly and conse- somewhat from gun to gun, but in order to Selecting an expansion medium led me quently distributes its energy more reli- be acceptable, three shots should be with- to use sand. Temperature doesn't affect ably. The 125 grain J.S.P. suffers a slight in three inches at 50 yards and six inches its consistency as it does duxseal, and sand loss of exnansion due to its nose confie-a at 100 yards. A suitable high velocity load is a lot less expensive. It offers good resist- uration when compared to the 125 grain providing this accuracy can normally be ance. Consequently, a bullet not expand- J.H.C. It can, however, be used in place of found for most high quality .357's. Hu- ing well in sand isn't going to do much in the J.H.C. with relatively good perform- man error enters the oicture here. At 50 body tissue either. Expansion tests were ance. As Table 111. shows, both the 150 yards, wrist-rest shooting is relatively easy. conducted at 10, 50, and 100 yards. This and 158 grainers produced even less ex- At 100 yards it's a whole different story. gives a very good idea of what to expect pansion than they did at 10 yards. Using iron sights and being unable to out of the bullets from 0-100 yards. Testing bullet expansion at 100 yards focus both sights and the target, group At 10 yards the 110 grainer expanded proves that the 125 grain J.H.C. is a better size is bound to suffer. Considering this, to 1.100 inches and folded beyond its performer than the 110 grainer. The 110 all bullets shot relatively well at 100 yards. base. It couldn't expand much more with- grain core and jacket separated, probably Muzzle energy of the 110 grain exceeds out completely breaking up. Its retained due to insufficient velocity, to give enough all of its heavier adversaries. If we were to weight averaged 92.4 grains. Looking at expansion to peel the lead core and jacket use muzzle energy alone, the 110 grainer the remains of it leads me to the assump- sufficiently to bond them together. The Author chose the Ruger .357Magnum Blackhawk in stainless steel with 61/2-inch barrel as the gun to use in his investigation of the ballistic properties of the various weights and configurations of currently offered .357 bullets.

AMERICAN HANDGUNNER 0 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1 976 Table 1 Bullet Velocity & Muzzle Energy Velocity - Bullet wt. Grs./Powder Sierra Manual Chron. Velocity Muzzle Energy 1lOgr.J.H.C. 19.2-630-P 1600 F.P.S. 1615 F.P.S. 635 ft./lbsy- 125gr.J.S.P. 19.0-2400 1500 F.P.S. 1443 F.P.S. 577 ft./lbs. 125gr.J.H.C. 19.0-2400 1500 F.P.S. 1456 F.P.S. 586 ft./lbs. 15Ogr.J.H.C. 18.1-H-110 1350 F.P.S. 1316 F.P.S. 574 ft./lbs. 158gr.J.S.P. 8.8-Unique 1250 F.P.S. 1250 F.P.S. 548 ft./lbs. Note: All velocities have been corrected to the muzzle. Loads were chronographed at 70 degrees, using Oehler's model 11 chronograph and skyscreens. Approach these loads with caution, as they are all maximum.

Table 2 Accuracy Tests Bullet wt. 50 yd. group 100 yd. group 1lOgr.J.H.C. 3" 63/~" 125gr.J.S.P. I V," 73/4" 125gr.J.H.C. I 314" 5'14'' 150gr.J.H.C. 2'r2" 5" 158gr.J.S.P. 2'f2"

Note: Group measurement was taken from 3 shots at each yardage.

-- Table 3 Expansion Distance 10 yards: Expanded Dia. Overall length Bullet wt. widest point before-after Recovered bullet wt. 1lOgr.J.H.C. 1.100" 500"-.312" 92.4grs. 125gr.J.S.P. 865" 525"-,404" 122.5grs. 125gr.J.H.C. .930" ,555"-,309" 120.5grs. 150gr.J.H.C. ,797" 648"-,415" 146.4grs 158gr.J.S.P. 641" .65 1 "-.427" 153.1grs

Distance 50 yards: 1lOgr.J.H.C. 125gr.J.S.P. 125gr.J.H.C. 150gr.J.H.C. 158gr.J.S.P.

Distance 100 yards: Jacket-Core 415"-Jacket ,746"-,566" 500"-.275"-Core 104.8grs. combined ,606" ,525"-,364" 122.8grs. combined ,651" ,555"-,370" 122.6grs. combined 655" 648"-,424" 147.5grs. combined 610" .65 1 "-.495" 153.3grs. combined

The author compiled these tables as a graphic demonstration of the performance capabilities of various loadings and .357 bullet types.

125 J.S.P. provides good expansion, but begin to open up. It might do well on the fort with my 6'/2" Ruger. It offers speed in not as much or as uniformly as the 125 shoulder blade of an elk or moose, but is drawing, safety, and alternate wearing J.H.C. The 125 J.H.C. was the most reli- most definitely a ooor choice for exvan- positions for individual situations and J & able at all ranges. At 100 yards it expand- sion on game. This is just one example preferences. I believe it to be one of the ed and penetrated well. Consequently, the and I'm sure there are many more such as finest holsters on the market today. If 125 grain J.H.C. has convinced me of its this. you're interested in a rugged, reliable effectiveness at all ranges and situations There is no bulletlcartridge combina- piece of gun leather, contact Roy's that I'd expect to encounter. tion which delivers perfect performance. Custom Leather Goods, Inc.; P.O. Box G, Although I chose sand as a test me- One merely settles for the bullet style/ Highway 132, Magnolia, Arkansas 71753. dium, I in no way try to imply that it weight which delivers the best perform- I personally use only the 125 grain resembles body tissue or that the bullets ance when compared to others of the J.H.C. in my Ruger because of its ability to tested will perform in an animal as they same caliber. Bv no means is the testine" deliver optimum performance. Such may did in sand. There's no doubt that they I've done completely conclusive as to not be the case in other revolvers, but won't! It is merely a medium used to com- bullet performance. It's meant to give an chances are that one bullet make will out, pare bullet performance at varying ranges idea of the capabilities of the bullets test- perform the others. The best way I know' by offering the same resistance to each ed at varying ranges and their use accord- of to find the optimum bullet for your gun! bullet. A logical assumption is that the ing to one's own judgement. Only you can is to conduct some simple tests of ac-. bullet which performs the most satisfac- determine that. curacy and expansion. Don't settle for! torily in a test medium will no doubt Conducting bullet tests involves a good sub-par bullet performance when you can 1 prove to be the optimum performer on an bit of walking from the shooting bench to have an optimum bullet/load combination 1 animal. There are, however, exceptions to the testing medium and back again! I used for your .357 Magnum. this-the .44 Mag. Norma 240 grain jack- Roy Baker's Pancake holster and Model eted expanded very well when fired into H heavy duty gun belt all through the test- sand, but on anything else it wouldn't even ing sessions, noting the rig's carrying com-

AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1 976 By CLAIR REES

ve spent a good part of the last several weeks shooting, testing and generally just having fun with a handgunner's "dream package." This "package" is a full kit of four interchangeable barrels, two switchable grips (and a wooden blank for carving a third), and a .357 magnum revolver frame. all contained in its own fitted carrying case. Called the "Pistol Pac" by its manufacturer, Dan Wesson Arms, Inc., 293 Main Street, Monson, Massachusetts 01057, this highly versatile kit lets you literally tailor a handgun to your own individual tastes. For long-range varmint busting or precision paper punching, there's a barrel fully eight inches long-the super long tube milks maximum velocities from magnum ammo, and gives you ten inches of sighting plane. Or there's a six-inch barrel that's a bit handier for holster wear-or there's the popular 4-inch size, as well. If you like your guns on the stubby side, there's even a two-inch tube you can screw into the big , . . Note clean, uncluttered muzzle of Dan Wesson revolver. Earlier magnum frame. designs had an unsightly locking nut. And make no mistake-the Dan Wes- son .357 revolver is a sizeable piece of tive matte finish) were deeply blued and blank, which is fully inletted for easy in- ordnance. With the long-tom 8-inch bar- polished to a high luster. stallation. rel (which proved to be my favorite) at- There are four other versions of the Of course, building a four-barrel kit tached, the gun tips the scales at a hefty 47 Dan Wesson availablethe model 15-2H complete with extra grips and carrying ounces and measures a full 13'/2 inches (Heavy barrel) with raised, solid rib; the case becomes more expensive if you do it overall. This handgun is made of chrome model 15-2V (Vent rib) with the ejector a piece at a time. A bit of calculation with molybdenum steel throughout, with beefy rod shroud extended just past the rod tip; catalog prices shows that you save about sidewalls and chambers. No question but the 15-2 series, a plain-barreled version; $45 when you buy the 15-2VH 'Pistol Pac' that this gun can digest hot magnum loads and the 14-2 series, which is the service complete rather than purchasing it one without complaint-and its solid heft and model and is the only gun in the lineup piece at a time. For the low-end model, hand-filling grips soaked up recoil so well with fixed, non-adjustable sights. the saving comes to about twenty-eight that full-house .357 factory loads felt Prices range from $455.00 for the com- bucks. Obviously, the guy who wants all more like .38 s~ecials. plete Pistol Pac kit featuring the fancy four barrels to play with will be money The gun I received represented the top 15-2VH model revolver I tested, down to ahead by buying the full kit-while the of the Dan Wesson lineup. Designated the $285.00 for the plain, fixed-sight 14-2 kit gunner who will be happy with but one or 15-2VH series, the gun featured excellent Individual revolvers with a single barrel two tubes can buy just exactly what he Patridge-style fully adjustable sights, while can also be purchased (the top-of-the-line needs, and save the extra money for am- each of the four barrels wore ventilated 15-2VH retails for $205.00 as gun alone, munition or a set of loading dies and the ribs and an ejector rod shroud that ex- while the 14-2 service gun sells for "makin's" to brew his own fodder. (And tended full length to the muzzle a la Colt $130.00), and additional barrels added I'd strongly advise anyone purchasing this Python. All metal surfaces save the top of later on. Four separate grip styles are also versatile handgun to do just that, if he isn't the sighting rib (which wore a non-reflec- offered, in addition to the do-it-yourself already into handloading. This gun is so

AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1 976 much fun to shoot that you'll be halfway during the initial stage of the assembly, alien-head socket wrench sized to fit the through the wife's grocery money before and left the feeler gauge in place until the sight-adjustment screws, and a separate you know it if you're forced to rely on fac- entire assembly was completed.) offset socket wrench that fits the trigger tory loads alone.) One other point worth mentioning-be stop screw set into the base of the trigger. Changing barrels on the Dan Wesson is sure to remove the wrench adapterfrom The manufacturer states that there are easy: First, make sure the cylinder is fully the muzzle after assembly. Otherwise, this "fewer parts than other double-action re- unloaded (naturally). Then fit the hexag- could become lost (or conceivably even volvers" in the Dan Wesson guns, making them "easiest to service." And to make it onal wrench adapter into the muzzle of fired downranee!)." r the barrel already attached to the gun, and Don't get sloppy and try to mate barrel relatively simple for home-repair artists to using the handy wrench/combination tool to receiver without using the gauge, inci- get at the innards, a detailed instruction provided, unscrew the barrel nut. With dentally. On one trip to the range, I was sheet is provided for disassembly of the the nut removed, the barrel shroud assem- startled to be sprinkled with lead shavings lockwork. A parts list and an "exploded bly can be slid forward off the barrel. Fi- when I fired the gun-it turned out my view" drawing accompanies the instruc- nally, the barrel can be unscrewed from eldest son, Richard, had been showing one tions. the frame by hand. of his friends how easy it was to change The Dan Wesson revolver incorporates To attach a new barrel, simply reverse barrels, and he had carelessly reassembled the hammer safety transfer bar found on the process, making sure to slide the .006- the gun without paying any attention to most recent designs, which means that the inch feeler gauge that comes with each the amount of clearance between barrel gun shouldn't go off accidentally, even if gun between barrel and cylinder to estab- and cylinder. If you'll always use the dropped on itshammer. lish proper clearance as the barrel is being gauge, you won't be bothered by this po- I found the trigger on my test sample of screwed to the receiver. (I found that the tential problem. first-class quality. Double action pull was barrel tended to tighten a slight additional One feature I especially like about the smooth, with tension increasing to about amount when the barrel nut at the muzzle Dan Wesson is that all screws are of the 12 pounds just before final letoff. And the was snugged into place. So I usually left a hex- or alien-head type. The combination single-action pull was among the best I've bit of play between barrel and cylinder wrench tool supplied with each gun has an (Continued on page 61)

With 8-bch barrel in place the author achieved near maximum velocity potential.

AMERICAN HANDQUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1 976 - THE DYNAMIC DUO

By BOB TREMAINE

ow that you have read colleague Rees' comments on the N smooth handling Dan Wesson revolvers, here is the icing on the cake! In the near future, Dan Wesson Arms will also offer a new pistol sight, with special bases being made for the Wesson guns. The Precision Reflex Pistol Sight, manufactured by Precision Tool and Machine Co. of New Bremen, Ohio, is not just another optical sight. It was designed for handgun use primarily and as such, it does a helluva job. The sight was developed by Dr. Glen Rickert who began the basic work on the sight in the mid-60s. Last year Precision Tool and Machine Co. acquired the exclusive rights to the basic patent, and then added three more pending patents to the latest design. The sight was developed for more precise under-100- yard handgun shooting, and is meant to replace the original sight of the handgun on which it is installed. For the Wesson guns, two sight mounting systems will be offered: For the ventilated rib models, a sight with a slip-on base, and for ribless barrels, a special base that fits into the milled cut of the rear sight. For the latter, the rear sight must be removed. With the wrench that comes with the Wesson guns and using the larger of the two Allenhead wrenches on the tool, turn out the rear sight elevation screw, then drift out-from right to left-the rear sight retaining roll pin. Be careful not to lose the AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1976 two small rear sight elevation springs. One 8-48 mounting hole sight does not prevent gun wobble or that famous muzzle dance, will have to be drilled and tanned.. for the forward base mounting and combatting that is still in the hands of the shooter. screw, the rear screw fitting into the tapped hole previously oc- On the technical side, the Precision Pistol Sight utilizes the cupied by the rear sight elevation screw. Once the base is seated, light rays of the target image and the image of the crosshairs the Precision Reflex Pistol Sight is simply slipped on it and the which are parallel. The crosshairs are in focus~thatis, they ap- two side plate screws are then tightened. The Reflex Sight is pear to be on the same level as the target, and hence neither the fully adjustable for windage and elevation with a 42-inch max- eye nor the sight itself need to be focused. Providing the sight is imum adjustment at 100 yards. zeroed accurately, it is possible to shoot outstanding groups The RSP-104 Reflex Pistol Sight does not contain any mag- even with the crosshairs not centered in the sight's viewing area nification, and hence eye relief is non-critical, from 0-inch to 36- which has a diameter of 0.562 inches. inch. The overall length of the sight is 2.75 inches, the overall The optical system consists of the reticle, a protective win- height is 1.45 inches, and the weight of the sight without base is dow, an adjustable reticle tube, a first surface aluminum mirror 4.5 ounces, with the base, the entire unit weighs 5.6 ounces. The and a collimating lens. The ambient light comes from the target RSP-104 is parallax-free at 50 yards, and at the same distance, through the window and then through the reticle, forming a pat- the crosshairs subtend 1'12 inches at their intersection. At the tern of light identical to the pattern of the crosshairs. The first moment, several crosshair designs are being tested, and of the surface mirror then reflects that image to the lens which then six I tried, I opt for the horizontal and vertical fine crosshairs re-arranges the light pattern into parallel lines. Because of this enclosed in a circle. The field of view with the sight 24 inches feature, eye relief and eye position are unimportant in the sight. from the eye is 7 feet at 100 yards, and the sight has been tested We placed a standard clay target on top of the target frame at by Dave Dunlap of Precision Tool and Machine Co. at tem- 100 yards, then "walked" the bullet from the bullseye of a stan- peratures ranging from -45 to 210 degrees Fahrenheit. dard 50-yard NRA handgun target up to the claybird, each of us In use, the Precision Reflex Pistol Sight is used the same way taking turns shooting, and adjusting the sight between shots. you'd use a telescopic sight~simplyalign the crosshairs of the Dave Dunlap, who conducted most of the testing and research sight with the target and squeeze the trigger. The optical system for Precision Tool and Machine, is now working not only on of the sight is nitrogen-filled to prevent fogging, and the entire several types of crosshairs, but also on internal coating and construction is extremely rugged and shock-resistant, withstand- coloring systems. A light yellow one worked fine under an over- ing the continued recoil of a .44 Magnum without any trouble. cast sky, but when the sun came out later in the day, the yellow The optics are coated, and the sight should be used with both system was replaced by a magenta one which did surprisingly eyes open. Closing the non-shooting eye, however, does not well in picking up all types of targets, ranging in color from affect the performance of the sight, but of course, your visual black to white and light yellow, as well as deep red. acuity is somewhat reduced with or without sight. The Precision Reflex Pistol Sight for Wesson guns will be Sighting-in can either be accomplished by means of a collima- available from Dan Wesson Arms or your local gunshop. tor, or as in rifle shooting, you can "walk" the point of bullet im- Destined to retail for $69.50, the sight is a boon to any handgun- pact across the target until the gun prints where you want 'er to ner and can be used by anyone who can see the target. A brief print. Rather than clicks, the windage and elevation screws are test in dense spring foliage showed that the sight does define marked with readily visible lines. At 25 yards, moving one or the targets somewhat better than the human eye, but it does not other adjustment by one line moves the point of impact '12 inch. have the light gathering power of a low power telescopic sight. At 50 yards, the movement is 1 inch and at 75 yards, it is 1'12 The Dynamic Duo that I tested, first with Wesson and Dunlap inches. The sight was originally designed for handgun shooting and later on my own range, adds much to the fun of handgun under 100 yards, but test firing with Dan Wesson and Dave shooting. The Wesson guns, without the Precision Reflex Sight, Dunlap, we did most of the testing of the sight at the 100-yard are a vast improvement over the earlier models, and with the range, and I later extended that range to 150 yards. At all dis- new pistol sight, the versatility and usefulness of these fine tances, once properly zeroed, the sight allowed a more accurate handguns is extended immeasurably to hold and made a better sight picture possible. Naturally, the make a truly Dynamic Duo.

The new sight unit is fully adjustable for both windage and elevation. Slated to sell at $70.00, the new sight is a wise investment for the handgunner.

AMERICAN HANDGUNNER 0 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1976 CHARTER'S LATEST-- A

A muzzle-on view of the new Police Bulldog reveals the two-unit construction consisting of true steel barrel and alloy barreVejector shroud joined with capscrew.

By GEORGE C. NONTE

en Doug McClenahan first showed num-alloy shell, a shroud after the Dan whus in 1964 what was to become the Wesson fashion, fitted over a thin-walled, Charter Arms Undercover revolver, few symmetrical, cylindrical, separate barrel. would have predicted the progeny it The barrel proper is threaded into the would spawn. frame in the usual manner, then the After a slow start, the Undercover be- sleeve or shroud-carrying the rib and came the Pathfinder in .22 rimfire, then sight, and the underlug-is slipped over it, the Undercoverette in .32 caliber. An ad- tight against the frame. It is locked in justable rear sight came along, then the place by a socket-head screw in the bot- major revision came in the five-shot .44 tom of the underlug, just behind the lower Bulldog with its necessarily enlarged front corner. The only visible certain evi- frame and cylinder. It is still the smallest dence of this two-piece design is at the big-bore (over .38/.357 caliber) ever muzzle where the division between the made in this country, no bigger than a De- parts can be seen clearly. tective Special .38. Wall thickness of the barrel proper is All versions have featured light weight, about 0.10 inch, more than enough for even the .44 tipping the scales at a mere safety and long life, even with the hottest, 18'12 ounces. This has been carried factory, .38 Special loads. A shallow through in the most recent version of shoulder at the rear of the barrel seats McClenahan's design, the "Police Bull- against the frame, so barrel security is in- dog," .38 Special. This gun follows the dependent of the shroud. Undercover as the S&W Combat Master- Enclosing the extractor rod in the piece follows the M10. Where the Under- underlug eliminates one feature of all cover is a plain, fixed-sight, service gun other Charter revolvers. This is the ability with no frills, the new Police Bulldog has a to unlock and open the cylinder by pulling four-inch, ribbed barrel and an adjustable forward on the extractor rod instead of rear sight. ~ushingthe thumb latch forward. The cyl- The new version looks a lot different inder locking system is not changed, but from the Undercover. Examined closely, the underlug simply prevents grasping the though, it's the same basic gun. The butt head of the rod to draw it forward. The good light, with plenty of time, and against frame (aluminum alloy for light weight) crane is still locked by a conical segment a light-colored background it works okay. and lockwork are all the same. The cast- of the rod seating in a frame cut at the Under less ideal conditions, though, not steel frame differs only in that it is thick- same time the rear end of the rod is seat- enough light can be seen on either side of ened and cut at the rear of the topstrap for ing in a hole in the recoil shield. the front sight for quick alignment. The the adjustable rear sight found on the Standard grips on the Police Bulldog adjustable rear sight is a very simple de- Pathfinder .22. are checkered walnut with the Charter sign. Elevation is provided by a click-de- At first glance, the crane looks the Arms escutcheon-a scroll-in bright tented, vertical screw in the front of the same. Look close, though, and you'll see a metal near the top. Grips are a square-butt moveable leaf, ahead of the elevation finger of metal extending forward to plug enlarged variation of the round-butt bull- pivot pin (horizontal) which doubles for the gap normally left over the extractor dog style issued on the .44 Bulldog. The windage adjustment. Both adjustments rod when it seats in its slot in the frame. shape is quite comfortable, and similar at are rather rough compared to those on This finger is cosmetic, not really func- the top end to the original S&W target Colt and S&W target guns-which is no tional, but it's a nice touch that makes the style. slam, since they aren't intended to be that gun look sleeker. The sighting rib on the barrel shroud is precise. The Police Bulldog sight adjust- The real difference is in the barrel. 0.350 inch wide, with longitudinal serra- ments are okay for zeroing, but not for se- Again, at first glance, it looks different tions taking up the center third. The rib rious target use. than it is. The appearance is that of the sweeps up to form a ramp for the integral Though it appears heavier, the Police classic ribbed, underlugged barrel with front sight blade, which is 0.150 inch Bulldog weighs a mere 19 ounces empty. the extractor rod housed in a slot in the wide. For me, the 0,145 inch width of the Just three ounces less than the 2-inch lug. What you see, though, is an alumi- rear sight notch isn't quite enough. In Undercover .38 and about the same as the 22 AMERICAN HANDGUNNER 0 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1976 3-inch .44 Bulldog. Using an aluminum ticular gun might hang up from cylinder- shroud and a thin-wall barrel keeps the barrel friction in a fast DA burst-how- weight down. If that were a one-piece, ever, that hasn't occurred in our test fir- steel unit, the weight would be several ing. Even so, the barrevcylinder gap is not ounces more. Compared to other four- enough. It should be at least .003 inch inch .38s, it feels a bit muzzle light. This with the cylinder fully forward. gives the feeling of greater jump than Function firing produced no malfunc- heavier guns of similar barrel length. It's tions at all. Extraction was easy with even all relative, though, for jump is less than the hottest commercial loads available. with the standard, 3-inch and 2-inch Recoil was sharp, but not unpleasant; ;he Undercover models. Most discussions of bulldog grips help a lot. During firing, the recoil and jump are meaningless so long barrel shroud was observed closely, in as the levels are tolerable. Other factors view of its attachment by a single, cup- being equal, a lighter gun will jump more point setscrew. The firing of 50 rounds of than a heavy gun; so, one simply trades high-performance ammunition caused the weight for recoil and jump. shroud to creep forward about .005 inch. Our sample gun went through about Apparently, the screw isn't quite enough 250 dry-fire cycles without any real prob- to hold the shroud against recoil forces, lems. An intermittent hard spot in the even though the inertia factor of the light- double-action pull smoothed out. It was alloy shroud is low. While this caused no traced to a burr on one segment of the functional problems, it should not hap- ratchet and mere operation wore it down. pen. I feel the method of securing the Cylinder lockup was good; maximum shroud should be improved. As for the wobble, cocked, was .008 inch, minimum sample gun, I intend to reseat the shroud, only about .001 inch. DA trigger pull went using both the setscrew and cyanoacrylate about 10 pounds; SA pull a crisp 4 adhesive. Then, I know it won't shift at an pounds. Thumb-cocking was smooth and inopportune moment. easy except for the one burred ratchet seg- Due to weather (miserable) our sample ment which caused some hesitation; this was shot for accuracy only at 15 yards in- decreased with use, as already stated. doors. Somehow, in my later years, I don't Close examination disclosed some cos- enjoy shooting the way I once did, when metic roughness on the edges of the ham- the wind-chill factor is around -30'. mer and also some very light freckling on In any event, five-shot strings of the barrel shroud. Edges of the trigger are swaged, solid-base wadcutters and 3.5 sharp and tend to gouge in DA firing. Cyl- grains of Unique produced a single, rag- inder end play runs about .007-.008 inch. ged hole in the target. Shooting was two- The cylinder is spring-loaded forward handed, braced-sitting position. Factory when at rest and bears against the barrel 158-grain RN loads didn't do quite as breech (at least in our sample gun) with well, while high-performance handloads zero barrevcylinder gap. Maximum gaps with the Sierra JHC, 110-grain bullet did with cylinder at the rear of its end play, is about as well as the wadcutters. about .008 inch. In this gun, forward cyl- The only outdoor shooting to date has inder travel is limited by the gas ring been highly informal, beer cans at about against the crane. Theoretically, this par- 60 yards and more were hit than missed,

but none missed by far. In fact, I didn't hit any more with a S&W Combat Master- piece and the same ammunition. All in all, accuracy is entirely adequate at normal handgunning ranges; more than the average shooter can really use. This newest Charter model is a nice little gun. If you like the basic Undercover design, you'll like this one-if you don't like the Undercover, then you probably A profile and top view reveals the clean, tradi- won't like any of the Charters, and there's tional styling of the Charter Police Bulldog. Man- nothing we can do about that. In any ufacturing methods and materials are modern and event, we think it highly practical. will be popular. ^t 23 VERSATILE

-. .* By JAMES D. MASON

igh Standard introduced their improved Sentinel Mark IV H revolver in 1975; this little kit gun deserves a closer look by individuals who want a nine-shot companion revolver or home defense piece. While the basic action has been around for a few years, recent improvements in the Mark IV are noteworthy. A heavyweight barrel, action refinements, and a nice set of combat style grips add up to solid advances. In recent years, High Standard in- herited a number of Colt's top line executives, and this is apparent in the Mark IV model designation and some design features of this handgun. The heavy barrel treatment on the Mark IV is borrowed from the Detective Special design lines, featuring a solid underrib and heavy-wall, constant-diameter barrel section. The crown is

eracefullv" finished with a com~oundcurve. eivins;u u a clean. functional shape that is also a dead ringer for the Detective Special. The front sight blade is a long ramp forged integral with the barrel; it extends from the frame to the muzzle. High Standard's functional click micrometer rear sight is of the standard type, small and neatly tucked into milling cuts in the top strap of the frame. This handgun has a frame of solid configuration that appears to be investment cast; the trigger guard/handle is a single-piece aluminum die casting pinned into mating recesses in the frame. This use of aluminum saves significant weight in this gun; purists will frown on the quality aspect, but aluminum allows guns to be manufactured more easily. Besides, the Mark IV handle is designed as an undersized channel section. It functions as a tenon on which to mount the grips and house the mainspring, so the fact that it is made of aluminum is of little consequence structurally or cosmetically. The grips, too, are reminiscent of the new Detective Special stocks; they are well formed and hand filling, giving a great deal Trim lines, fine combat-style grips and nine shot of shooting control for this small-frame gun. The sample's grip capacity of potent .22 Magnum Rimfire ammo make screw escutcheon was loose and rotated with the screw, making the MK-IV a top choice for hunting, defense or just it impossible to remove the grips. Spanner slots allowed the fun plinking. escutcheon to be held while the grip screw was loosened. A pot of epoxy glue in the bottom of the escutcheon recess fixed this problem. The undersized channel shape of the aluminum handle allows munition economy is not as good as with .22 Long Rifle, the ab-

the grips to be shaped to fit the hand rather than to conform to solute difference in cost is not "great for the averageu shooter. the front and back straps of the gun frame. This is an idea whose And cost per round of rimfire magnum fodder is much less than time has come, and I would predict that enlightened revolver for new factory centerfire ammunition, if the shooter is a non-re- manufacturers will be using this configuration within the loader. decade. Dan Wesson introduced it on their Model 15. Frame The Mark IV has a nine-shot cylinder, making short rotation straps on most traditional revolvers limit hand grip shapes and for indexing between shots; this functional aspect puts little provide an ineffective base that inhibits good functional grip de- mechanical strain on the mechanism. The rather large cylinder sign. The handle-strap idea is an anachronism that somehow lin- capacity is a plus factor where sustained fire is called for in de- gers on from the last century. fensive shooting, adding to the potential of this gun and car- The particular Sentinel Mark IV that I received for testing tridge as opposed to some heavier calibers with only five or six was chambered for .22 WMR. The gun had a four-inch barrel, rounds in the magazine/cylinder. which I preferred to the shorter three- and two-inch versions, A timing check of the Mark IV action revealed one minor de- especially in this potent rimfire magnum round. The WMR ficiency. The short cylinder throw of a nine-shot revolver (40' loses a lot of punch in barrels less than four inches in length. rotation) puts no particular strain on the hand or cylinder stop;

The four-inch tube is about as handy to carry and handle as the but it still reauires cylinder release action before rotation., and., more abbreviated versions. This gun is quite well suited for ideally, indexing should be completed before the hammer is camping, small-game hunting, survival, and defense. While am- fully cocked. The Mark IV test gun did not fully index on any of 24 AMERICAN HANDGUNNER a SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1976 HIGH STANDARD'S MARK IV

protrudes from the center of the cylinder. The arrangement adequately holds the cylinder in alignment with the barrel but tends not to close consistently or easily. To open the action, the grooved ejector knob is gripped between the thumb and forefinger of the left (non-shooting) hand and pulled forward. This motion disengages the latch pin from its recess in the frame and allows the crane to swing out of the frame. Translating the left hand position to hold the gun with the fingers run through the cylinder opening, empty cases are ejected by pressing the ejector rod smartly with the thumb of the left hand. Ejector rod design was intended for .22 LR functioning and is about 5/is-inch short of clearing WMR case mouths from the chamber openings. Chamber openings show ample diameter to eject most rounds, but an occasional tight case will require manual removal after the ejector star is retracted. I experienced no incidence where a sticky case rim worked its way under the star. Shooting the Mark IV was a revelation. This is one of those guns that "grows" on you after using it for awhile. The gun delivered top slow-fire accuracy (1-to 1.25-inch groups at twenty- five yards with CCI Maxi-Mag solids) and gave flawless functioning. Double action trigger pull tension in absolute terms was heavy - 12'12 pounds just to move the action with a 16 pound maximum. This much resistance will disturb most shooters on their first trial. However, accomplished DA shooters are aware that the maximum pull tension is not as important as the characteristic changes in pull tension over the course of the let-off. This heavy DA trigger pull is functional in the WMR version of the Sentinel Mark IV. Reliable ignition with thick, tough brass rims on WMR cartridges., demands a healthv hammer fall. The Mark IV has a relatively long hammer action (approximately 35' DA rotation, 45' SA rotation) and a long mainspring. This helps account for the 12l/2 pounds pressure demanded just to get the hammer to move. However, the long spring minimizes the changes in pull tension needed to fully cycle the action. Also, the lever geometry of the action eliminates spring tension gain near the end of the hammer arc, providing a tension "plateau." At this point in the DA pull, the shooter can hesitate, anticipat- ing hammer fall, to precisely align the sights. The trigger then the nine chambers when the hammer was slowly cocked. This is can be pulled through the last few degrees of arc with no in- an insignificant problem, though, since cylinder inertia always crease in spring tension. caused the cylinder stop to seat during dynamic cycling. This Hammer fall does not disturb the sight picture on this gun. A minor misalignment could be cured by installing a thicker hand full nineshot rapid fire string can be delivered with devastating that would effect the last few thousandths-inch of rachet dis- accuracy well out to twenty-five yards. Again, the author is a placement necessary to engage the cylinder stop without de- trained DA combat shooter, so these results are not going to be pending on rotational inertia. Another critical measure of re- attained without practice*by a less experienced handgunner. It volver timing is the ranging of individual cylinder chambers as must be understood that, although the Mark IV has a rather they alias* with the bore. The Mark IV did not shave bullet heavy DA trigger, the other characteristics of the action are jackets and fired all projectiles into nice round groups, indicat- nearly ideal, complementing the necessary coordinations for ef- ing good, close ranging tolerances. fective DA shooting which rendered outstanding results with The Sentinel has a swing-out cylinder, the crandcylinder tube this gun. is made from a single investment casting that pivots on a pin Application of JB Bore Cleaner (a mild lapping compound) passing through the crane slot from inside the frame. The trig- to the sliding parts of the action resulted in a smooth, honed re- ger guarqhandle assembly has to be removed to gain access to sult after snapping in fifty to one hundred times. (Be sure to this pivot pin. The cylinder is latched by a single pin that fits flush this abrasive stuff out of the action after conditioning.) into a hole in the standing breech of the frame. This spring The few minor drags and hesitations in the DA pull were elimi- loaded locking pin is part of the ejector rod assembly and (Continued on page 64) AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1 976 25 By JAMES D. MASON e firearms world continually turns Tup pleasant surprises. An interest in international shooting recently led me to acquire a Model 120 Hammerli free pistol. This handgun is available from Gil Hebard Guns (125 Public Square, Knox- ville, Illinois 61448) and was designed for the ISU novice enthusiast who wanted a challenging pistol at reasonable cost in order to get into the precision slowfire shooting game. Hammerli has succeeded admirably in this goal with the Model 120. But this is not going to be an article on free pistol shooting. The pleasant surprise mentioned above comes from using the Hammerli to achieve superlative rimfire accuracy in the field mode of shooting. There is nothing like a precision gun to challenge a shooter. And the Hammerli performs like a little rifle. With a simple training program, it will develop practical shooting ability like no other type of pistol. The long 10-inch barrel digests target or high-speed ammunition with equal aplomb, giving substantial rimfire velocities for small game hunting. The performance potential of the gun is great enough to demand the utmost in shooter capacity. A simple training program can be built around this handgun to sharpen marksmanship basics of sight picture, trigger and breath control. Originally, this pistol was designed for a one-handed, deliberate fifty-meter slowfire target event. As such, the use of ortho- pedic grips and hours of deep concentra- tion and practice were needed to produce acceptable results for ISU competition. The ISU free pistol event calls for sixty shots in three hours or one shot every three minutes; it is a real test of shooting capacity as well as of the marksman's patience. Fired in this mode, the free pistol can teach a great deal about highly refined slowhe shooting, even for NRA National Match courses. It is doubtful if a high per- centage of U.S. handgunners would be interested in this international event, however. Fired in two hands, using combat and field handgun stances, the Hammerli imi- tates rifle performance. A long sight base, ring. An attaching screw binds the sight Merit and Wasson types. These devices precision trigger, and ultra-short lock base in place; the assembly can be moved provide a small diameter peep through time provide performance most pistol or removed quickly. which to view the sight picture, effectively shooters are not used to. Readers may The receiver top is grooved, much like stopping down the iris opening of the eye. tend to back away from this idea because domestic rimfire rifles. The factory mi- This technique increases greatly the eye's it is unfamiliar, but a revelation awaits the crometer sight fits on this dovetail. The depth of focus, increasing sharpness of curious handgunner who develops a sighting radius is adjustable from U7/s both front and rear sights and their posi- shooting program around this gun. inches to g3/4 inches by shifting the position relative to the target. For my own use

Physically, the Hammerli is surprising tion of the rear siehtc2 on the dovetail on the 120, the sight radius was set at 14'14 when first seen in the box. The eye is used groove. Many shooters can not make the inches with the rear sight notch aligned to scaling the gun pictured in ads accord- best sight pictures with a long radius. Fo- with the end of the receiver. ing to the size of the trigger-guard opening cusing on the front blade makes the rear The Model 120-1 was ordered, which and the barrel length. The Hammerli notch auite blurred. Shortenine" the radius has a one-niece thumb rest ".srio of oiled guard is very large compared to American helps materially, but also increases the ef- walnut. Palm and fingertip areas are gen- standards, and the barrel is a slender, ta- fects of sighting error. erously checkered. The grip unit straddles pered ten inches. The front sight is a post Shooters can use small iris holes on the frame from the rear, providing an un- type, dovetail-mounted on a split barrel shooting glasses. Gil Hebard sells the broken surface for the hand. Attachment the tight chamber on this gun, fingering an empty case can be an exasperating job, especially for short-tempered Americans used to the amenities of an automatic ejector. The job is best done with the muzzle up to allow a gravity assist. A light finesse gets better results than ham- handed force. This extraction problem appears to be one of those things that just happens in a new design and should be amended by the factory. A second passive extractor finger could support the case until an ejector kicks the empty out of the port. Surely, Americans are a lot more fussy than Euro- peans about such conveniences. However, after the gun was fired over a hundred rounds, opening the action smartly ex- pelled most fired cases, provided the muzzle was elevated and the action was tilted toward the ejection port. An efficient reloading technique developed where the gun was kept in the shooting hand while the left hand operated the lever; a fresh round was hand-fed into the chamber with the left hand, which then closed the action with the palm of the hand engaging the action lever. The gun could be manipulated quite rapidly with this method. The ignition system is the heart of this kind of pistol. We do not have any domestic production handguns that compare with the kind of precision and control provided in the Hammerli 120. The firing pin engages the sear directly (there is no piv- oting hammer) and the closing stroke of the breechblock compresses the mainspring. Firing pin weight is slight, travel is short (.27 inch) and mainspring tension is high. The result is a short, short lock time of .0018-second. This compares to a .0016-second nominal on Hammerli's premier Model 150 free pistol, which sells for about three times as much as the 120. Not bad for the "austerity" model! The trigger is a three-lever affair, completely adjustable in all modes, and can be set between 1.8 and 12 ounces let-off weight. This pull tension is adjustable with a fine screwdriver through a hole in the front strap just under the trigger guard. Trigger design permits either a single- stage or two-stage mode. The two-stage trigger is recommended, especially for is with two screws that fasten to escutch- on a vertical pin. This assembly swings to field shooting, since it allows a degree of eons mounted in the right panel. Evident- the left side of the receiver and is toggle- "feel" for the let-off point. Many shooters ly, a detachable shoulder stock for this linked to the breechblock. Swinging the who are not used to a light set trigger will gun is available in Europe. A lightweight breech lever out rotates the locking piece be frustrated by their first attempts to fire fiberglass unit would make this a dandy from behind the breechblock; further the gun. With a two to three ounce ten- field gun, but it would violate the Federal movement causes the toggle link to re- sion, it takes hardly a whisper to set off the 16-inch barrel, 26'12-inch overall length tract the breechblock rearward in the re- gun. Dry firing with an empty case in the provision for rifles; this is definitely a ceiver. chamber is recommended to condition sticky wicket regarding the BATF. The extractor (a standard hook and tke trigger finger. The Hammerli's mechanical configura- plunger affair) retracts the spent case, but Proper technique with the two-stage tion is quite simple and is different from no ejector is provided. For the first mode is to use the take-up to condition what Americans are used to in a single hundred rounds, the case rim disengages the finger to feel the let-off point. This fac- shot firearm. The receiver is milled from from the extractor just before the case is tor will save many premature shots fired bar stock with a shallow keel rail to mount clear of the chamber. This leaves the case while the shooter refines the sight picture. trigger and frame. Locking is a toggle and sticking out in space from the chamber Later, the trigger can be adjusted to a lever arrangement. The breech lever is at- opening, requiring the shooter to finish single-stage effect for the most precise tached to the locking piece which rotates the job with his pinky and fingernail; With control. I found the two-stage mode best

AMERICAN HANDGUNNER 0 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1 976 27 The author found the model 120 had many applications in the field when used with hunting and combat shooting techniques.

precision use of open sights. On first in- spection, it would appear that the convenient American tip-off scope mounts would fit the receiver dovetail of the Hammerli 120. Not so! Evidently the dovetail is metric and slightly smaller in width and depth than that needed for convenient American systems such as Bushnell Scope Chief or Custom. This is a shame, but can be overcome by drilling and tapping the receiver for blocks or a tip-off adaptor. Ideally, a dovetail adaptor could be made to fit the -male slot on the receiver and provide a male slot on top to fit American systems. with very light pulls and an eight ounce lowpoints, Remington High-speed, Eley Before going to a lot of trouble, though, let-off worked best with the single stage. High-speed, and Winchester Super-X pro- shooters should remember that scopes are In either mode, the let-off is impercep- duced good groups a little less than fifty not a panacea for all sighting problems. tible. Things happen so fast, the follow- percent larger than the best target am- The basic sighting problem is one of visu- through has to be conditioned into the munition. al resolution, not magnification; most firing preliminaries or the shooter will be Firing was done from prone position on open sight guns register about the same unprepared for the discharge. With every- a 10-X shooting mat. A two-hand hold group size as scope handguns at twenty- thing set properly, that quick break and produces near machine rest results. While five yards. Only at fifty yards and beyond fast lock time produce nothing but pin- sights are conventional, the trigger is not. does the optical system improve on the ef- wheels. The guns are guaranteed to pro- The 120 trigger appears to be upside fects of good eyesight. Scopes are subject duce machine rest groups of less than one down. The trigger piece itself is a plastic to their own unique problems, such as inch at fifty meters. If you don't hit what projection molded on an adjustable rod parallax, which can work against precision you aim at, cousin, don't blame the gun! that connects to the primary trigger lever. marksmanship. Use of an iris sighting de- Ammunition performance varies re- The rod can be lengthened or shortened vice mounted on the shooting glasses does markably among all rimfire guns. I found in the lever yoke to suite the individual. about as much as anything to improve that Eley Tenex, Remington Rifle Match, The trigger piece can be rotated left or practical precision pistol shooting. CCI Mini-group, and Winchester T-22 all right to accommodate various hahd hold- The Hammerli 120 is priced at $210, produced five-shot prone groups of ing styles. I prefer the conventional up- which puts it in the same general neigh- around 3/4 inch at twenty-five yards. On right trigger position inside the guard. The borhood with other top quality handguns. fifty yard targets, the best conditions regis- first few let-offs should be dry fired to get The price covers a foam-lined carrying tered 1'14- to 1'12-inch groups. With more a feel for the trigger set. Also, I preferred box and a complete set of servicing took, concentrated practice, these groups can to have the trigger adjusted for the two- including a coated cleaning rod. The gun be reduced in size. Lighting conditions stage pull, as an aid for preparing for the is not out of financial reach for serious have a big effect, and using iris apertures imperceptible let-off. This technique is es- shooters who want to try a different tack will sharpen sight images. This perform- pecially recommended for field work. that challenges their capacity. Shooting ance compares favorably to good plinker Attachment of a low power scope sight this Hammerli is a real experience, one rifle accuracy. Oddly enough, specialty may be recommended, especially for long guaranteed to open new dimensions for pistol match ammunition did not com- distance shooting or where the handgun- field, recreational, and pare well in grouping capacity. CCI hol- ner has an eye problem that precludes serious target work. 28 AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1 976 The Security .357 in profile.

. . . less than you think! By MASSAD F. AYOOB

ack in '35, when S&W and Winches- belly gun. When they had introduced the was totally uncontrollable; (2) muzzle- B ter introduced the .357, a 3'12 inch 4" 38-frame combat magnum in the mid- blast was ear-splitting; and (3) S&W was barrel was considered as close to a snub- sixties, everyone had predicted that it too busy running the guns that had already nose as you were going to get with that would fall apart under the stress of the been pre-sold through their cramped pro- caliber, and things stayed that way 'ti1 the Magnum round. S&W engineers, who duction facility, to introduce many new late fifties and early sixties. Hy Hunter and knew as well as anyone that the violent models, (which is why, incidentally, we his ilk introduced German built copies of force of the .357 was largely exaggerated, don't have a .45 caliber model 39 or 59). the Remington double derringer in .357, stuck to their guns, and it wasn't long be- The stubby -357's that did get into the during the resurrection years of the cow- fore the 19 was the most popular .357 Colt, Smith, Ruger, and Dan Wesson cata- boy guns, and finally, in the mid-sixties, around, its sales approached only by the logs weren't really belly guns at all. They S&W turned out their first 2'12" round- model 28 Hi-Way Patrolman and, in some were full-frame, fat-cylindered service re- butt .357 Combat Magnum. Initially, gun areas, by the Ruger Blackhawk, which was volvers with chopped barrels. Savvy pis- dealers whispered that the guns was so po- really a different gun for a different pur- tol-packers know that the bulk of a con- tent-yet-concealable that it would be sold pose altogether. cealed revolver is in its cylinder and grips, to police only. More than ten years later, The ultimate reduction lay in front of not in its barrel length. They soon realized the company hasn't yet caught up with S&W's product development team. In the that a 4" 19with round butt was more po- market demand. The handful of stainless late forties, Smith had introduced the tent, more controllable, and more accu- snubby Combat Mags that haven't been Chiefs Special, an elongated-frame ver- rate in rapid combat fire than its snubby gobbled up by Federal law enforcement sion of their ",38 short" Terrier. The equivalent (which explains why FBI's agencies are commanding more money Chief was the first 5-shot .38 Special on a SWAT men now carry 4" round-butt 19's. than Linda Lovelace gets for stag parties. .32 frame, and was an instant success. It So do Naval intelligence operatives). Colt had earlier introduced a 2'12" Py- was to be the most popular "carrying gun" People who wanted maximum conceal- thon, to the collective yawns of the shoot- of our time, though the new Colt Detec- ment in a revolver stayed with the 5-shot ers. A Python was for heavy duty target tive Special is now outselling it in some re- Chiefs in their various models, or some- and combat shooting, and for hunting, not gions. times, the Colt equivalent. All were -38's. for concealed carry, everyone knew. So why not make a "J"-frame chief, All were a bit short on fight-stopping pay- Soon the gunshops had snubby .357's with beefed-up metallurgy, in .357 Mag- load. coming out the guzukus. Colt made their num? The market for a mini-Magnum re- MK 111 lawman with a 2" stovepipe bar- God knows, they tried. Reports from in- volver was still untouched. Charter Arms rel, a model that the people in the factory side the factory and elsewhere indicate almost wrapped it up when they intro- called the "Wax Gun" because it blew the that such guns were, indeed, built, several duced their Bulldog. It had been intended wax right out of your ears when it went off. of them on the hammerless Centennial for .357 as well as .44 Special, but the first Meanwhile, the people at Smith & Wes- frame. All agreed that they never saw pro- ones came out in the latter caliber and, son, who had started this whole business, duction for three reasons: (1) Recoil in Bob Green of Charter told me, "We've were quietly working on the ultimate .357 the small frame guns with their tiny grips been too busy keeping up with the de-

AMERICAN HANDGUNNER 0 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1 976 29 mand for .44's to even consider running ,357's yet." In 1975, the market was suddenly filled. Enter Security Industries, Ameri- ca's tiniest revolver manufacturer, who1 two years before had introduced an improved copy of the Stainless Chief Special Model 60 and, without so much as a page of advertising, achieved instant success by word of mouth. The Security Industries .38 had better sights and a better action than its S&W counterpart, if not quite as good workmanship, and the little company in New Jersey was in the black and going strong. President Joe Lee's next project would be the Police Security Spe- cial Magnum: the same ".I"-size five shot revolver with a slightly beefed-up cylinder and frame. The guns is here. I've tested it. So have top combat masters like Jim Cirillo, who helped out with design suggestions. What we have here is a five-shot .357 Magnum with 2'14'' barrel, good-length ejector rod, and grips that can take the massive recoil. We also have what may be the smooth- est action on any double action revolver made today. Actions of Security revolvers are uniformly smooth and light out of the box, better than any other coil spring gun and fully comparable to the leaf-spring S&W "K" actions, if not better. Accuracy on our test sample was superb within close range. The sights were dead on, something you rarely see in a fixed- sight snubby (or, for that matter, in any fixed sight gun built in the past few years.) At seven yards, the gun itself will put all its Magnum rounds in a .50 cal. hole in the absolute center of the X-ring. At 25 ~ards,it's still center but a shade high, in the 10 ring. At fifty, you have to hold for the groin to stay in the chest area, though it still groups well enough for a possible on the Colt silhouette. That's with Mag-~ nums. .38 wadcutters keyhole badly from 25 to 50. But this is not a gun meant for Three stainless steel models, the S&W M-66 top; the Security Arms target ammo or target shooting. .357Magnum Police Security Special; and the Bauer stainless .25 It's meant for rapid, close combat ACP autoloader. I shooting, and to test it for this, we had to consider something grim: when Smith & Wesson introduced their model 66 stain- with full-power magnums in rapid fire. Stainless gets warm quick. By the third less .357 combat magnum, an inordinate This was in our mind when we checked gunload, the revolver was too hot to number of them jammed in rapid fire with out the stainless Security Industries .357. touch. By the fifth, you could smell the un- .357 ammo. Overheating of the stainless And sure enough, the first few rounds mistakable stench of superheated steel. By parts apparently caused some degree of locked the cylinder, though not so tightly this time we had our hands just on the expansion to the gas ring, the little built-in that it couldn't be opened by hand (a lot of wood and the trigger, touching the cylin- washer at the front of the cylinder which the 66's had to be hammered open with der only to slap it out and then back in for contacts the front part of the frame. This mallets). Present were Don Mizner of reloading, for fear of blistering our hands. expansion would lock the 66 up solid with Winchester and Ben Mozrall of the New After firing 70 rounds as fast as we as few as 8 fast shots (never read about Hampshire State Police SWAT team. could reload, we called it quits. The gun that in a gun magazine, did you?). Smith A brush was run through the chambers had not malfunctioned again. In fact, a fi- & Wesson corrected the problem, and to remove anything that might be there. nal five-shot test group indicated no de- new 66's don't seem to jam, but the com- We could find no matter between the gas crease in accuracy. "I don't believe it," pany never released the serial numbers of ring and cylinder or frame. We loaded the said Mizner, who has participated in more the ones that did foul up, so if you buy a gun up with Winchester " + P" 158 grain gun-and-ammo torture tests than he can used one or are issued one your police de- hollowpoint magnums and cut loose remember. "It's still an amazingly tight partment has had for a year or two, check again. group. You'd think that all that overheat- it out with at least a full box of ,357's fired This time, the gun didn't stop. Mizner ing would make it print like a shotgun." through it as fast as you can reload. .38 and I fed ammo into it as fast as we could, I, too, was agreeably surprised. I still Specials don't generate enough pressure and fired as fast as we could pull the trig- don't know what caused that first hangup. and heat to duplicate what will happen ger. Maybe it was a rough spot in the mecha- 30 AMERICAN HANDGUNNER 0 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1 976 nism, or a round that was not fully seated ping Department decided that the gun curity revolver comes with combat grips in the counterbored chambers. should be super-nice for the guy from the that are finger grooved and built out away Later, I repeated the test with a mixture magazine, and not knowing that it would from the back of the frame to protect the of Winchester and S&W + P ammo, and be torture-tested, chopped a couple of web of the shooting hand. Unfortunately, some left-over Super Vel, all in .357. Bul- coils off the mainspring. that buildup on the back of the grip let weight was half 158 (the highest pres- That wasn't necessary. Double action wrecks the pointing capabilities of the sure, since pressure is a function of bullet smoothness is a function of friction-free weapon, since when the gunhand is in its weight), and half 110-gr. This time I was meshing of the moving parts, not of trig- natural position with the wrist, it makes charging the gun with five J-frame speed- ger or mainspring weight. In a combat the gun point way low. This is a gun that loaders sent to me by Bob Switzer of weapon like this, maximum reliability is demands two-hand, point-shoulder firing HKS, which means 4-second reloading. essential, and that means a full-house anyway, and this minimizes the down- Again, a box and a half went through as mainspring. I have a new spring on order pointing tendency since the gunsights are fast as they could be fired; again, there for this piece. When it gets here, I expect within vision and the gun is more aimed were no malfunctions; and again, the last the Security .357 to function as flawlessly than pointed. But in night-shooting, or in 7-yard group, fired medium-slow for accu- as the Security .38 I now carry frequently, the hands of those who still cling to "in- racy, went into one hole. in lieu of a model 60. stinctive hip-shooting" as the way to win Jams had ceased, but misfires did crop My Security Industries Police Security gunfights, this grip design will prove a up. Mizner and I had about three no-go's Special .38 has never failed me in torture handicap. out of the 70 rapid fire and the fifty-odd tests, and I like its big sights and super- Grips are compact (flatter than stan- we fired subsequently in accuracy and re- slick action. It's my present choice as a dard stocks on any gun of this size, and no coil tests. The next 70 rounds produced hideout gun, and when I got it, I retired longer than a square-butt Chief or Detec- another 3 or 4. In a third tryout 50 rounds my Chief Special equivalent to my wife's tive Special). However, its unpolished of half 3-D .38 wadcutters and 50 .357 pocketbook. But now she's got eyes for smooth surface should be checkered to hand loads of maximum proportions gave my Security .38, and once I've checked give a better bite into the controlling us 3 misfires with the target loads, and out my .357 version with the new main- hand: we found that even with the finger eight or nine with the magnums. These spring, she can have it. Of course, this grooves, the butt would twist in the grasp were all due to light firing pin hits. The doesn't mean that the model 60 will be of all but a few accomplished Combat coil had been cut a bit too short for that relegated to functioning as a paperweight Masters who automatically take a death super-light, super-smooth pull. or doorstop. It does mean that I trust Joe grip on any gun they pick up. My gun was one of the first off the pro- Lee's guns to protect me and mine on the There is remarkably little muzzle lift. duction line. Joe Lee tells me that there street whether or not I'm carrying a The recoil is straight back into the hands, have been no malfunctions in any other badge. and it is punishing. After some hundred test. I believe it. My own feeling is that As you can doubtless imagine, recoil in rounds of hot Magnums I notice no imme- some well-meaning fellow in Joe's Ship- a .357 Mag of this size is savage. The Se- (Continued on page 65) -- - .218 BEE to 218 MASHBURN .. *. CHUCKBUSTER SUPREME 1

By J. D. JONES and MIKE BARACH

n 1938 Winchester Arms Company in- I troduced the .218 Bee as a medium- range varmint round driving the 45 grain Hornet bullet at 2,860 feet per second, as compared to the .22 Hornet, which at that time drove a 45 grain bullet at 2,400 feet per second. Later the Hornet load was increased to 2,670 feet per second. Although the .218 Bee attained higher velocities, it was not as accurate as the .22 Hornet; due primarily to originally being chambered in lever action rifles. This hin- dered the acceptance of the .218 by long- range varmint hunters. Even having a greater effective range than the .22 Hornet, the .218's ability to give clean kills was approximately 200 yards. The Bee was first chambered in the Winchester Model 65, which was a relatively low strength lever action rifle. Later Winchester chambered their Model 43- medium strength bolt action rifle for the .218 Bee and continued to do so until the Bee was eventually discontinued on the production line. The .218 was never chambered in a strong bolt action rifle such as the Winchester Model 70. Had it The Bee, with the right gun and an accurate shot, is a good Jack Rabbit cartridge at been, it may have enjoyed more popular- ranges from 125 to 150 yards-here's proof. ity with varmint hunters. Rifles that were chambered for the .218 inal .218 Bee. Maximum velocity for the 'Contender" single-shot handgun. If it Bee were of rather low action strength; .218 Mashburn Bee was 3,300 feet per were not for the very strong TIC handgun, consequently, loads had to be kept at second with a 45 grain bullet. Pressures at testing for the velocities we've attained moderate pressure levels. Maximum pres- this velocity level were also quite high. could never have been possible. sures should never exceed 47,000 pounds This indeed was quite an improvement After receiving the TIC .218 Bee barrel, per square inch in the older rifles as over the .218 Bee. we mounted a Bushnell Phantom 2'12 serious ~roblemscould occur. An exam- For a time the .218 Mashburn Bee was power handgun scope on it, using the TIC ple is removing large pieces of action popular with a segment of varminters; but Contender pistol scope mount. from your head!! all too soon its popularity faded, making Turning our attention to load develop- Not long after Winchester introduced way for more modern high-velocity car- ment for the.218, we started with W-W the .218 Bee, a wildcat enthusiast im- tridges such as the immortal .220 Swift to 296 ball powder and the Speer's 45 grain proved the Bee cartridge by reducing the which no other factory loaded cartridge to bullet. Previous experience with W-W amount of body taper and forming a date has exceeded in velocity. 296 and the 45 grain bullet in the .22 K- sharper shoulder. By "blowing" the case Since its obsolescence, the .218 Bee Hornet suggested it would perform well in out, A. E. Mashburn designed a cartridge was never offered by any major U.S. fire- the Bee case. And it did!! that extracted easily, endured more re- arms manufacturer until ThompsodCen- Our goal was to attain 3,000 feet per loading before cases wore out, and also ter Arms Company of Rochester, New second with a 45 grain bullet. Although gave higher velocities than that of the orig- Hampshire, chambered it in their fine W-W 296 gave the highest velocity in the AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1976 .218 Bee, we couldn't achieve over 2,830 possible that the 50 grain Blitz or Super- Scope magnification is the limiting tac- feet per second with a 45 grain bullet and Explosive type bullet would be useful for tor on long shots. Shooting from 150 still be within safe pressure levels. Inter- larger varmints such as coyotes, but we yards out is difficult since the crosshair estingly enough, some powders such as have had no experience with the 50 covers a standing hog. Killing power is I.M.R. 4198 that perform well in rifles will grainer to verify this. quite impressive and solidly hit chucks not perform well in handguns chambered Since primers play an important role in generally don't move out of their tracks. for the same cartridge. This is due to their the finished hunting round, various We recorded the number of times the unfavorable expansion ratio in short bar- brands were used. The Remington 7'12 cases had been reloaded and on the third rels. proved to be the best in the .218 Bee. The firing of this heavy load, the .218 Bee case Working with W-w 296 and the 45 7'/2's hard cup affords it more resistance would usually separate at the "pressure grain Speer bullet, we recorded the fol- to the high pressures that it is subjected ring" ahead of the rim. The remaining lowing: 14.0 @ 2,678 fps, 14.5 @ 2,790 to. Other brands tended to pierce and portion of the case would stick in the fps, and 15.0 @ 2,832 fps. The 15.0 grain back out of the primer pocket at near chamber and without the aid of an easy- load was considered as practical maxi- maximum or maximum loads. The TIC'S out, removal was almost impossible. After mum as 15.5 grains showed excessive firing mechanism is relatively weak com- extracting the remainder of the case, the pressures and oily increased velocity to pared to that of a rifle and exhibits the walls of the chamber almost always be- 2,900 fps. same primer characteristics as a rifle with came scarred thus requiring polishing. We tried W-W 680 ball powder next, a weak firing pin spring-extruded prim- This is due to the construction of the case still using the 45 grain Speer bullet. Loads ers. The only problem encountered with were chronographed as follows: 15.0 @ the Remington 7'12 was occasional mis- 2,587 fps, 16.0 @ 2,758 fps, and 17.0 @ fires. Part of this is more than likely due to 2,781 fps. The 17.0 grain load was practi- the hard cup resisting the blow of the cal maximum. hammer and firing pin. Another factor We moved on to H-4227 and 1.M.R could also be improper sizing of the case, 4227. We recorded velocities of 2,713 fps which would cause the case to move for- with 15.0 grains of H-4227 and 2,785 fps ward; thereby, "cushioning" the blow to with 15.4 grains of I.M.R. 4227. Case the primer. Cure misfires with a sturdy volume limited testing any further with rubberband wrapped around the hammer these two powders. and scope mount. Since we had no pressure equipment, Comparison of the W-W brass to Rem- we used overall appearance of the prim- ington in velocity tests showed that identi- ers, primer pockets, ease of extraction, cal loads in both makes of cases resulted and action-sticking as determining signs in higher velocities with the heavier Win- of excessive pressure. chester cases. Speer's 45 grain bullet was used in all Reloading for the TIC bottleneck cases loads because of superior accuracy and is simple, but somewhat different from expansion characteristics in the three bar- the commonly used method of screwing rels tested. Any 45 grain Hornet bullet the full length sizing die in until it mates may be substituted, but expansion and ac- with the shellholder. Correct full-length curacy may not be as good as with the die adjustment is a critical factor for the Speer at these velocity levels. TIC .218 and all other TIC bottleneck The 50 and 55 grain bullet weights were case chambered barrels. Instead of setting not extensively tested due to excessive vel- up the full-length resize die to headspace ocity loss and poor expansion. The 45 on the rim as for rifles or straight-sided grain bullet provides the best combination cases, the TIC operates most efficiently by of velocity, accuracy, and expansion. It's headspacing on the shoulder of the case rather than on the rim. The critical headspace dimension is easily controlled by The .218 Mashburn Bee is simply fire- sizing the case to require a sharp motion formed from the .218 (right). to close the action. After the cartridges are fired and formed to the chamber, they should be sized only to the bottom of the case neck, barely touching the critical shoulder area. If the case is sized too much excessive stretching of the brass will result in case separation, which is not dangerous, but rather a pain in the neck. Care should be taken to perform this phase of die adjustment correctly to avoid problems with separations which result in the front portion of the case being mighty hard to remove from the chamber in the standard Bee round. The 15.0 grain W-W 296, 45 grain Speer became our all around standard for groundhog hunting and general shooting. Sighted in at 100 yards, five shots will generally group within 2% inches. At 200 yards, drop is only six inches. This load will definitely do the job on a groundhog The Thompson/Center became a quiet, effi- at 200 yards. After all, it duplicates the cient squirrel gun with the custom-made .22 standard Bee ballistics in a rifle! Long Rifle inserts. 2TOBER 1976 33 When loaded to obtain maximum velocity, the 218 Bee case was subject to excessive stretching which resulted in case separation.

cases after they have been fired twice. The additional expense is insignificant. Cer- tainly some will disagree with me on this point, but how much extra money would they save on additional cases over the next ten years of hunting with reduced loads? A gun and the cartridge chambered for it are only as good as the performance they deliver; whether it be for hunting, plinking, or self-defense. In comparison with the TIC .22 K- Hornet which will drive a 45 grain bullet at a maximum velocity of 2,800 fps with good case life, the .218 Bee has a very marginal edge of only 32 fps. As for performance, they can't readily be dis- tinguished from one another. Case life is exceptionally long in the .22 K-Hornet, even at maximum loadings. We have loaded the K-Hornet cases as many as ten times before the case would wear out. Compare this with the two-three loadings of the .218 Bee. Realizing that velocity limitations due to case design were inescapable in the Bee, we decided that an improved version of the .218 might increase velocity and case life. Blowing out the .22 Hornet to the K-Hornet was successful. The .218 Mashburn Bee just might get 3,000 fps out of the TIC. After talking it over, we decided to send the Bee barrel to P. 0. Ackley and have him ream it out to the .218 Mashburn The .22 Hornet (left) and the ,218 Bee (right) can both be improved by Bee. Three weeks and $25 later we had wildcatting to .22 K-Hornet and Mashburn. the barrel back, ready to test. Fire-forming produced an extremely modem looking straight-sided sharp shoulder case. Re- loading dies for the Mashburn Bee were and accelerated by high pressures. The obtained from R.C.B.S. The full length case head is relatively strong but the walls sizing dies had to have .060 inches taken of the case are thin and weak. To add to off the bottom so it could be adjusted to this the excessive taper and long sloping properly size the case. After that no other shoulder of the Bee, combined with the problems were encountered with the dies. thin walls, make it more susceptible to Setting up the full length die is accom- stretching than a modern straight-sided plished in the same manner as the original sharp shoulder case. Stretching weakens .218 Bee, again being careful not to alter the body of the case, causing it to separate the fire-formed shoulder. just ahead of the rim. Maximum loads A 2 power Leupold scope was mount- speed up this stretching, reducing case ed on the Mashburn barrel with B- life. Square's Contender handgun mount, and I personally can't see reducing the load, Weaver 1 inch tip-off rings. Due to previ- in turn losing velocity, to extend case life. ous experience resulting in broken Reduction of velocity in the TIC .218 Bee "clamp bolts", the originals were thrown to around 2400-2500 fws with a 45 erain away. A 5/az inch drill opened the existing - "< bullet increases case life, but for hunting I 38 holes through the bases and clamps to ac- want all the velocity that I can safely at- cept 5 mm bolts. The 5 mm bolts have yet tain, even at the expense of throwing away to fail. With the scope mounted, we began testing loads. We still had the 3,000 fps figure in our minds. The massive chamber wall of the Thompson/Center pistol handles the high Starting out, two fire-form loads were pressures of the max velocity loads in the used; one for indoor shooting and the oth- standard and wildcat Bees. er for a combination of fire-forming and AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1976 34 I plinking. 5.0 grains of Unique with any 45 locity variation was 53 fps. grain pill. grain bullet will properly form the case at An excellent powder for the .218 Mash- The 55 grain Sierra with 16.5 of W-W a relatively low noise level indoors. 10.0 burn is W-W 680 ball. It's only about 25 680 ran through at 2,677 fps with an ex- grains 1.M.R-4227and the 45 grain bullet fps slower than W-W 296 and exceeds treme spread of 43 fps. 17.0 grains drove form the case without loss and is a little H-4227 velocities by 30 fps. Pressures are the 55 grainer at 2,732 fps, but pressures more interesting outdoors. apparently lower than those obtained with were too high. 16.5 grains of W-W 680 is Sticking with W-W 296 ball powder W-W 2% at equivalent velocities. W-W tops with the 55 grain bullet. and the Speer 45 grainer, we ran the fol- 680 gave the following results still using As with the .218 Bee, the Mashburn lowing through the Oehler Model 11 the 45 grain Speer: 16.5 grains @ 2,792 Bee gave higher velocities in W-W brass chronograph with skyscreens: 15.5 grains fps; 17.0 grains @ 2,872 fps; and 17.5 than in the Remington cases. produced 2,903 fps with an extreme grains @ 2,960 fps. The 17.0 grain load Remington 7'12 primers were also used speed of 25 fps. This load is considered was made maximum as 17.5 gave primer in the Mashburn for the same reasons as practical maximum with W-W 296 in this leakage and hard extraction. in the .218 Bee. barrel. We did achieve 3,051 fps with A note of caution on the W-W 680 After chronographing all the loads and greatly excessive overloads of 296. Pres- loads: Recently the 17.0 grain W-W 680 sorting them out, we took the TIC out and sures were excessively high, primer load with the 45 grain Speer bullet has de- zeroed it in at 100 yards. Using the Speer pockets enlarged, and primers fell out veloped occasional primer leaks. This 45 grain and 17.0 grains of W-W 680, five when the action was opened. Release of could be due to lot to lot variations in shots went into approximately 2'/2 inches. the action and extraction were also ex- powder, higher temperature ranges, varia- This seems to be our optical limit of accu- tremely difficult. The "excessive load" tion in different lots of brass, bullet jacket racy. 15.5 grains of W-W 296 and the tests were conducted safely and without hardness, primers, or any number of other Speer 45 grainer produced about the damage to the gun. But we did achieve variables. No such problems have oc- same size groups. our goal of exceeding 3,000 fps in a hand- curred with the W-W 296 loads. W-W At 200 yards bullet drop is about six gun!! 296 seems to be remarkably consistent inches. At 400 yards hold-over was about Using H-4227 behind the 45 grainer we from lot to lot. 2'12 feet to strike a good-sized rock. Not clocked the loads as follows: 15.4 grains Using the 50 grainer, 16.5 grains of too bad for a handgun! H-4227 @ 2,839 fps and 15.9 grains W-W 680 clocked out at 2,725 fps; 17.0 The little Mashburn Bee has dropped H-4227 @ 2,890 fps. The 15.9 load grains @ 2,813 fps; and 17.5 grains gave six groundhogs and a red fox at distances howed plenty of pressure so 15.4 grains 2,847 fps, but caused primer leaks so we of 50-75 yards. The fox was a 75 yard shot. Ill -4227 became maximum. Extreme ve- used 17.0 grains as maximum with the 50 (Continued on page 65) urn-

HANDGUN PROFILE:

UWM ILLUSTRATED

-, ORIGIhS d

By CLAIR REES < * v-"? . rit. 3.Y THE ORIGlh AND IMPACi 01

T indicator, loc~tp~ ternal hamrnei h at the rear oi the out, the new gun gradually began to reach At full cock, safety release is lifted by field troops. sear, disengaging the automatic safety The P-38 could be fabricated both shown in inset. faster and at lower cost than the Parabel- lum pistol, but the old P-08 was a notori- ously difficult handgun to build. In fact, the P-38's three main parts, barrel, frame, and slide, required an enormous amount hammer, operated by a double action trig- blowbacks. But whatever the specific of machining. Walther's sophisticated ger mechanism. Its slide mounted safety raison d'etre of the gun, its unique nature machine tools could mass produce the operated directly upon the firing pin, and and extreme rarity indicates that it was parts on an interchangeable basis, but the included an automatic decocking lever. It never taken very seriously; work could not be done speedily. Even- was equipped with an automatic hammer Later MP pistols, both with and without tually, P-38 pistols were also made by block to allow safe carry without the use external hammers, were locked breech Mauser at Oberndorf and the Spreewerk of the manual safety. It featured a thumb designs. The lock itself took several forms at Spandau, and component parts were operated push button magazine release, a before its final design became fixed. Early turned out by Belgium's F.N. and Czecho- loaded chamber indicator located directly slide tops were completely open forward slovakia's C.Z., but there was never a above the hammer, and the extractor and of the breech; a bridge was added later to sufficiency of pistols to meet the Army's quick takedown systems of the Walther increase rigidity. demands. Model 8. The PP's ejector doubled in As the work progressed, a concealed Field troops liked the P-38, finding its function to perform as an independent hammer version of the gun was dignified doubl~action mechanism most im- slide stop; it was activated by the mag- with an AP (Army Pistol) designation and pressive, since it appeared to offer a azine follower, holding the slide open to presented to the Army for evaluation. The definite edge in speed. The gun could be signal an empty magazine, and keeping it fact that AP pistols are found in some fired by a pull of the trigger, without the open until a fresh magazine had been in- numbers suggests that they were subjected preliminary of hammer cocking or safety serted and the slide manually released. to field testing, but the Army wanted an release. It could be simply taken down The features of the PP were repeated in external hammer, and a second group of into four large assemblies, none of which the PPK, a smaller sized .32 appearing in MP pistols followed, improved and rede- had to be removed under spring pressure. 1931. Except for a very few early guns, the signed to include this feature. The result The P-38's handsome styling also played a PPK also differed in that its frame was was the Model HP (Heeres Pistol), even- part in its attraction, though it was a large closed at the rear by wrap-around grip tually put forward for Army testing. and somewhat bulky pistol in relation to panels, rather than a solid backstrap. Except for the outside hammer, the gun the power of its cartridge. The bulk The PP and PPK were eventually was similar in principle to the earlier AP, resulted from the pistol's unusual width, offered in .380, .25, and .22LR calibers, but differed greatly in detail. Many necessitated by its peculiar locking block and enjoyed phenomenal sales, but as changes had been instituted with the ob- and the positioning of its dual recoil Germany again moved toward war, the ject of simplification for mass production. springs within recesses at either side of the German Army sought a replacement for For the same reason, steel stampings had frame. Still, it was not unusually heavy be- the obsolescent Parabellum pistol, and been substituted for several of the AP's cause its interior was honeycombed with Walther entered the competition with machined parts. After extensive field test- tunnels and voids, and its skeletonized tenacity and zeal. A great deal of developing in competition with a Mauser spon- grip was closed at the rear by wrap-around ment ensued, whose progress may be sored design, the HP was accepted as the plastic grip panels. traced in specimen handguns bearing the P-38, after the year of its adoption. The 9mm. Parabellum cartridge it fired marking MP (Military Pistol), a designa- Further changes were introduced as the was perhaps the least controversial aspect tion employed by Walther for experimen- P-38 reached the point of mass produc- of the P-38. This round was a carryover tal military pistols of widely varying char- tion. The grip pattern was altered from from the Parabellum pistol, for which it acteristics. checkering to horizontal grooves, as mud had been developed in 1904. In the years Apparently Walther's first thought was could be cleared from them with ease. To since WW-2, most Western Nations have a large scale blowback in the manner of speed and simplify manufacture, the inter- settled upon this round as standard for the Walther Model 6. At least, W.H.B. nal extractor of the HP was replaced with both pistol and submachinegun. Its stop- Smith pictured and described such a gun an external device of the PP type, and the ping power is not impressive, but it is in his book WALTHER PISTOLS. It was safety system was redesigned (with an un- generally considered an adequate killer, a macro PP, with the heavy slide and very fortunate result, as we shall presently see). and its light recoil allows it to be delivered stiff recoil spring peculiar to high powered As these and other problems were worked with acceptable accuracy by soldiers given

An AMERICAN HANDGUNNER 0 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1 976 minimal handgun training. Since much of its design derived from Application of manual safety locks the the Model PP. the P-38 shared several ex- firing pin shown in inset, and forces the cellent features of the earlier pistol. It was lever downward to trip the sear. rather in its departures from the PP design that problems began to appear. The PP style push button magazine release was replaced by a simple butt catch. This was a step backward, since the was so extensively cut away to allow release. earlier type allowed release and self-ejec- passage of the pin itself, plus the hammer Another variance from the PP (though tion of a spent magazine by the firing drop and safety release levers, that only not the PPK) lay in the wrap-around hand alone, and afforded easier insertion two knife edged steel bridges remained to plastic grips. These were afforded no proof a fresh magazine. support the firing pin. Failure of either the tection at the rear, and could be broken in The automatic hammer block safety of safety or the firing pin could cause acci- a fall. The gun might still be fired in the the PP and AP was replaced with an auto- dental discharge, with the possibility of a absence of the grips, but its slip fitted sear matic firing pin safety, located within the full automatic burst in the case of a and hammer pins depended upon grip slide. This change was necessitated by the broken safety. Such incidents have been contact to maintain their positions. Loss P-38's long, heavy firing pin, whose own reported in the past, and can be expected of either pin disabled the pistol. inertia could have caused accidental dis- to increase, as metal fatigue becomes The locations of the extractor and ejec- charge, were the gun dropped upon its more of a factor with the older guns. tor had been reversed in the translation muzzle. A sear operated lever released the The slide recesses for the firing and in- from PP to P-38, so that spent shells were automatic safetv as the hammer reached dicator pins were machined from- the ejected to the left, across the firer's face. full cock, and a cut was taken through the underside of the PP's slide. This work was A faulty ejection through any of several cross shaft of the manual safety to pro- done from the top of the P-38's slide, and causes could result in the shooter being vide clearance for this lever when the slide stam~edsteel cover emolovedx, to seal the struck by a flying case. This was not possi- moved rearward in recoil. Since the auto- opening. The cover itself was an ingenious ble with the PP. matic safety depended upon a spring to affair. Central hooks contacted ledges on The practicality of the double action bring it down into engagement with the the interior of the slide, holding the cover feature has been disputed for many years firing pin, it was not a positive device. down and preventing its rearward move- and will undoubtedly provide a lively Should rust, hardened lubricant, or debris ment. The rear of the cover was flexed up- debating topic for many more. Here the cause it to stick in its disengaged position, ward by the rear sight, which was itself re- P-38 followed the PP system exactly, and its malfunction would not be obvious, and tained by the cover's end. Twin lugs abut- no particular weakness appears to exist. could go undetected for a long period. ting interior slide surfaces flexed the front Nonetheless, there were of necessity more With the automatic safety out of action, of the cover upward and denied it forward parts and more springs than in compar- discharge could occur if the hammer were movement. The front edge-2 of the cover able single action designs, and conse- slipped during single action cocking, or as curved downward to limit vertical move- quently more chances for parts failure to a result of a fall upon either the hammer ment of the signal pin, while two internal occur. or the muzzle of the piece. fingers arrested its horizontal passage to The indicator pin was a well liked As the PP's manual safety was applied, the rear. Despite such cleverness, the feature, but seems rather extravagant and it first locked the firing pin, then inter- presence of the cover allowed moisture to complicated. Since the P-38's extractor posed its heavy cross shaft between the enter the slide, while its exposed position was positioned within easy view of the hammer and the locked pin, and finally rendered it vulnerable to denting and ac- firer, it could have been employed as an released the hammer to fall upon the cidental release through a blow or fall. A indicator in the manner of the Parabellum safety shaft. In the P-38, the manual safety pierced cartridge primer could also cause pistol. locked the firing pin well forward of its the cover to separate from the gun, since In contrast, the independent slide stop head, then dropped the hammer directly gas passing into the slide could lift the was a model of simplicity, and its integral upon it. Therefore, each time the hammer front of the cover and push it forward, ex- axis pin doubled as the trigger pivot. The was lowered by the decocking device, actly duplicating the movements required device was borrowed from the 1911 Colt, both the firing pin and the manual safety to manually remove it. This happening and actually improved upon Browning's received a solid hammer blow. Neither was not unknown, and it was disastrous original in that its release lever was lo- was particularly robust; the sharply cut because all of the internal slide parts were cated farther to the rear, within easy reach shoulders of the firing pin were conduc- retained by the cover, and all could be of the thumb. tive to stress cracks, while the safety shaft blown from the gun at the time of its Other characteristics of the P-38 or*- A1 nated with the gun, and were generally well conceived. The barrel mounted locking block was very strong, and flawless in

Walther could fail to notice the omission

top of the right grip could c scheduled disconnection of and sear. The slide itself was provided with sufficient clearance between its bridge and the barrel top to allow free movement regardless of the cleanliness of the parts. Its cut away design was of great assistance in clearing jams, facilitated cleaning the breech face and adjacent areas, and allowed single loading of the piece, should the magazine become lost or damaged. One of the best features of the P-38 was the takedown system. Field stripping was fast and easy, and all critical areas were fully exposed for cleaning and lubrication. at random have given excellent per- None of the parts had to be removed formances in endurance tests of thou- against spring tension, because the dual sands of rounds. recoil springs were held captive within But the story of the P-38 did not end frame recesses where they could not be with WW-2, though the partition of Ger- damaged during the operation. The many that followed in its wake was dis- springs were virtually trouble free, and astrous for the Walther Company, as they could be inspected whenever the gun Zella-Mehlii was located within the Rus- was taken down. sian zone. Family members and company These were the strengths and weakness- executives fled to West Germany and es of the P-38, as it was made through turned to the manufacture of business WW-2 Less than ideal in several respects, machines, since firearms manufacture its only critical fault was the inherent was outlawed during the occupation weakness of the manual safety. Malfunc- period. Meanwhile, contracts were let with tions and broken parts were actually quite Hammerli of Switzerland for the manu- rare, and most such failures have involved facture of Walther designed match target late war pistols in which quality control pistols under license. As restrictions were had badly slipped. The P38 was able to gradually lifted, Walther began to manu- function over a broad range of ammuni- facture match quality air rifles and pistols, tion loadings, and its feeding and ejection and eventually, firearms. The French systems were very reliable. P-38~chosen Manurhin firm was licensed to produce Model PP and PPK pistols, and a new change, in combination with the new fir- Walther arms factory was constructed at ing pin, will .have ended the problems of Ulm where, in time the postwar P-38 the decocking system., Two views of the P-38 locking block: would go into production. The automatic safety has been restyled upper, engaged: lower view shows Post bellum P-38 pistols out of Ulm are in conformance with the cylindrical firing somewhat different guns. The most im- pin, and the firing pin's retainer pin and portant and least obvious changes involve its hole through the slide have been re- internal design. The flat planes and sharp duced in diameter. shoulders of the old firing pin have been The loop of the firing pin spring, used eliminated. The new pin is circular in sec- to depress the indicator pin, has been re- tion over its entire length, with reductions shaped to bear upon the forward end of and increases in diameter bevelled rather the indicator, rather than its center, in- than square cut. Excepting the notches creasing the spring's leverage. cut in its head for the retaining pin and Other internal changes are of little im- automatic safety, the new firing pin is en- port, except where interchangeability is tirely symmetrical. These changes have affected. Most of the newly designed parts greatly improved the strength (and safety) cannot be used in the old P-38. of the pin. Standard finishes are matte and ; Because that portion of the firing pin polished black, and special finishes and j passing through the manual safety has engravings are available. Markings have .s been reduced in diameter, its channel taken many forms, but all commercial through the safety has been propor- versions include the title P-38. Grip -I tionately reduced. The knife edge bridges panels are diamond checkered, rather have disappeared, substantially increasing than grooved, in a pattern similar but not the safety's strength. Hopefully, this identical to that of the prewar HP. The new frames are machined from aluminum alloy forgings, in lieu of steel. While the balance of the gun has not been substantially altered, its weight has been greatly reduced. Finally, whether for esthetic or econom- ic reasons, the trigger and slide stop are now solid rather than stamped steel parts. They are identical in shape and function to the stampings. The new German Army has adopted the postwar P-38, dubbing it the P-1. It is also the standard service pistol of Sweden, and significant numbers have been purchased for military use by several other European nations. Many postwar handguns have borrowed from the Walther pistol, particularly those emerging during the 1950s, when the influence of the P-38 was at its peak. Unfor- tunately, one of the weakest elements of the design, the substitution of wrap- around grips for a solid backstrap, was the single feature most widely imitated. Be- cause this construction offers light weight and economy of manufacture, it was in- corporated into such diverse handguns as the M51 Beretta of Italy, the Swiss Neu- hausen, the Hungarian Tokegypt, and the Czech VZ-50 and 52. All of these pistols adopted the horizontal grooving of the P-38 grip pattern as well. In addition to the Walther style grips, the Model 51 Beretta employed a pivoted locking block, obviously derived from the P-38. In this gun, it was used in combination with a single underbarrel recoil spring. In 1952, a 9mm. double action auio- matic pistol was offered to the British Army for evaluation. The gun, an experimental model by Webley & Scott, was based upon the P-38 and retained most of its features, but constituted a develop- the decision was made to retain the .45, ing handgun, whose enormous success ment, rather than a direct copy, of the but the Smith& Wesson entry was laterto persuasively argued the case for double Walther. It was passed over in favor of the go into commercial production as the action lockwork and properly designed Browning High Power and subsequently Model 39. The gun employed several con- stamped parts in the heavy duty service dropped by Webley, but the fact that the cepts of the P-38, though it differed pistol. But what may have been the most gun had proceeded as far as it did, tends broadly in the method of their applica- important contribution of the P-38 was to indicate how highly the P-38 was re- tion, and drew heavily upon Browning the originality it demonstrated, its lack of garded in Great Britain. design. dependence upon the locked breech de- The influence of the Walther P-38 has Double action lockwork has been signs of John Browning. The very ex- also been felt in the United States. During widely accepted in Eastern Europe, cellence of the Browning guns has exerted the 1950s, a series of tests was conducted although the new military designs have a stifling effect upon manufacturers and by the U.S. Army to determine whether it been modeled more closely upon the Val- even designers, tending to discourage the would be advantageous to replace the ther PF than the P-38. Western countries exploration of new avenues of develop- Government Model .45 with a 9mm. auto- have proved more reluctant to make the ment. Complacency is ever the enemy of matic of double action design. Although change in service handguns, but the new progress, in any field. Walther's effort these testa were shrouded in mystery, it system has become so popular in police proved that other ways and means existed; appears that one of the guns, the High and commercial pistols, that its extension the P-38 may have been an agent, as well Standard T-3, was developed under a to military models seems inevitable. is a harbinger, direct Government contract. In the end, The Walther P-38 was FA is a fesc . of change. -^ AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1976 At Safariland holster places the P-38 high and close to the body for fast combat work. The concealment is good and with trigger guard and grip fully exposed, gun is easy to draw.

handgun rounds has developed. Recently, however, the metric nine has begun to make inroads into .45 sales, as autoloader-conscious police departments around the country have adopted the con- tinental round in Browning High Powers and double-action Smiths. This move has been given added support by recent test results on police ammunition by the Law Enforcement Standards Laboratories of the National Bureau of Standards. These By CLAIR PEES in Europe as the Colt M1911A1 and its ci- results credit at least two standard 9mm vilian counterparts do in this country, rounds (not counting the Glaser Safety arl Walther's famed model P-38, somehow the Walther P-38 has never Slug, which rated second in overall effec- c adopted nearly 40 years ago as the achieved high regard as a combat hand- tiveness of all ammunition tested) with official sidearm of the German army, is gun among American shooters. considerably more "incapation" power one of the most successful double-action I find this a bit strange, particularly con- than the big .45. pistol designs ever produced. Approxi- sidering the relatively recent interest in While the very idea that the little nine mately one million of these ruggedly built double-action autoloaders and the 9mm may be a more effective combat round guns were manufactured during World Parabellum round itself. For too many than the revered .45 is probably sufficient War 11, and they saw service on every years, the American love affair with the by itself to make certain handgunners front, from the deserts of Africa to the fro- Colt .45 has kept other designs~and faint dead away on the spot, no one could zen Russian Steppes. other cartridges-in the background. now seriously argue that it's a poor choice Today, the P-38 is still in" service as the Most of the centerfire auto pistols sold in for serious social use. European police model P-1, the official handgun of the the United States during the past few dec- forces have used it for years, and it's fast West German, or "Federal Republic of ades have been adaptations of the original becoming standard issue among Ameri- Germany" military forces. Yet in spite of Browning design so successfully used by can law enforcement agencies in several the fact that this battle-scarred veteran en- Colt, and a cult of bigbore enthusiasts who states. joys as much popularity and recognition regard the big .45 as the nee plus ultra of Those who have long scoffed at the . 2 ^-? AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1 976 . ^^ need for a double-action pistol for combat this German-made handgun, but let me lot better. situations are also fast losing their follow- first note its several good points. At 28 ounces, the P-38 is light enough ing. While the "cocked and locked" carry One of the most outstanding features of lo be carried comfortably-yet has they espouse is perfectly safe if the proper the P-38 design is its high degree of relia- enough heft to handle the recoil from a precautions ar; taken, some gunners are bility. Like the 1911, it was engineered to hot-loaded 9. The gun's broad, hand-fill- just plain nervous about toting a cocked function under less-than-perfect combat ing checkered plastic grip also makes this gun around on their hip. Perhaps more conditions, and it has a reputation of pistol very easy to control. As a bonus, I important from a public relations view- being able to "just keep pluggin' away." find the gun a natural pointer-and that's point, some citizens become nervous at And if a jam should occur (usually due important in a close combat situation. the sight of an obviously cocked, hol- to bent or damaged magazine lips), pull- All but a few of the P-38's I've seen stered handgun. ing the slide back to its "locked open" po- have been finished with a blue-black The Smith & Wesson pair of double ac- sition completely bares the inner work- matte surface, which is about as non- tion autos have solved that problem, and ings. There's no fiddling around through a reflective as you can get on a handgun to- is undoubtedly one of the big reasons why side ejection port to free a stuck shell- day. Sights are -sturdy, non-adjustable af- these handguns are enjoying such current you can grab hold of it with both finger fairs that could be improved upon for low- popularity among law enforcement types. and thumb, if need be. light level situations, but are more than With the apparent commercial success of Admittedly, ammo with a lot of lead ex- adequate under most conditions. the S&W models 39 and 59, other manu- posed at the tip can cause feeding prob- The gun can be quickly and easily field facturers have been stampeding to get lems (that's true with any autoloader). I stripped without tools-a must for any into the act, and there are more DA de- ran several boxes of S&W 90-grain jack- para-military weapon-and you won't end signs on gun company drawing boards eted soft points through my P-38 recently, up with any small loose parts to lose. than you can shake the proverbial stick at. and the broad lead tips had a tendency to When the safety is applied, the P-38's Yet for some reason, the venerable mash against the top lip of the chamber. firing pin is locked and the exposed ham- P-38 is very often overlooked when a By fiddling around with the magazine, I mer cannot be cocked (thumbing the safe- shooter goes shopping for a combat weap- was eventually able to get this ammo feed- ty lever to the "on safe" position drops the on. Yes. there are a few "good reasons to ing with a fair degree of reliability-but hammer onto a steel interceptor auto- make a gunner think twice about buying fodder with a bit less exposed lead works a matically). The safety lever itself is large enough to be reached without fumbling, and it clicks easily from the "safe" to the "fire" positions. The double-action trigger pull is fairly long, with pressure building up justhefore the hammer falls. The single-action pull on the models I've fired runs between 4'12 and 5'12 pounds, and is invariably crisp and clean. In a recent test firing of my 9mm P-38, the first shot (fired double action, as in combat) printed at 8 o'clock, some 23/s inches from center bull, while four follow-up rounds (fired single action) impacted an inch and a half high at between 12 and 1 o'clock on the target face. The four SA rounds made a single ragged hole measuring an even inch across; including the DA first shot enlarges the group to 4 inches in size-not half-bad accuracy from a sandbagged rest at 25 yards. Another big plus for the P-38 is the fact that its 9mm combat version has a rimfire twin that matches it almost exactly in size, weight and handling qualities. This means that you can get lots of inexpensive practice in using .22 LR ammo (even standard-velocity fodder has enough oomph to keep the rimfire P-38 operating reliably), and be able to switch to the bigbore model for serious social work. Both rim-

With the 9mm version holstered, Rees prac- tices with the rimfire version, ideal for sharpening up combat techniques or plinking Modern P-38's are highly reliable if fed proper ammunition. Designed to function under less than perfect combat conditions, they have a reputation for reliability.

Open top action of the P-38 gives full access to chamber if improper ammo should jam. fire and centerfire models feature barrels which features Safariland's patented Sight approximately 5 inches long, and a new Track. 23/4 inch "snub" version is now available The P-38 is a very businesslike piece of in the 9mm chambering. The standard shooting equipment, and a single glance model can also be had in .30 Luger. tells you this gun is not intended to be a While the stubby 2% inch model may casual plinker. In fact, its coldly efficient appeal to some, my own preference re- looks could be enough to intimidate-al- mains with the 5-inch standard version. though you surely wouldn't want to rely on The extra 2 inches of the "issue" P-38's that in a combat situation. slender barrel doesn't strike me as posing In action, I find the P-38 fast, accurate any particular concealability problem, and reliable-and the 9mm ammo it di- and it gives substantially improved ballis- gests is certainly adequate to put an oppo- tics. Still, there will undoubtedly be those nent out of action in a hurry. The gun it- who will be delighted with the bob-tail ver- self has proven itself over 40 years of hard sion. use, and its DA/SA capability must All P-38's come complete with a pair of counted as a definite plus for some. 8-round magazines. The magazines are who wears a gun whenever he's on the. held in place by a thumb-operated catch So what's not to like? In my opinL--, at the bottom of the pistol grip. While this the only real drawback to owning a P-38 is is a positive arrangement that will keep its inflated price. At last look, the center- the clip in place, changing magazines can fire P-38's were retailing for a breathtak- be a trifle faster with other autos that fea- ing $340, while the rimfire version sold ture ejection buttons located at the base of for thirty-five bucks more! That's a lot of the trigger guard. money-particularly when you consider The holster most often associated with the much lower price a few short years the P-38 is the European flap-type mili- ago. (On the other hand, these guns are tary model. And while that covered hol- appreciating so fast that the current $340 ster offers excellent protection from the purchase price could prove to be a sound elements, it's not much for speed. Safari- investment.) land is one U.S. manufacturer that offers a Obviously, a gun in this price range modern molded holster to fit the P-38. (particularly an import) isn't about to re- This combat-style leatherwork places the ceive much serious consideration by gun high and close to the body for good budget-minded police forces in this coun- concealment, and keeps the trigger guard try. But for the private individual who and grip fully exposed. The holster has a wants a reliable, natural-pointing defense slight forward tilt to aid in a fast draw. A weapon, I think the P-38 deserves a long, snap-safety strap keeps the gun secure, al- hard look. It is expensivebut it's cer- though this can be folded back out of the tainly good! The P-38 and other Walther way whenever a confrontation seems like- pistols are imported by Interarms, 10 ly. Even with the strap removed, the gun is Prince Street, Alexandria, held securely by the contoured leather, Virginia 22313.

you would then proceed in the same man- the frame. This will release the Hammer ner as above. Drop Lever (29), the Firing Pin Lock Lever (30) and the Hammer Subassembly BARREL GROUP (39, 40, 41, 42). Again with the hammer DISASSEMBLY strut tool, push the Sear Pin (34) from left Hold the barrel group in the right hand, to right, removing it from the frame and with the fingers wrapped around the Bar- also removing the Ejector (31). Leave the rel (1) in such a way that the little finger is Sear (26) dangling in the frame. Now with in contact with the Front Sight (2) and the the trigger pulled fully to the rear by the thumb is resting on the cam surface of the left forefinger, take the magazine follower Locking Block (3). Exerting a downward tool and push down on the Trigger Spring and outward motion on the cam surface (45) and at the same time push outward will release the lock. Withthe Magazine on the projection of the Trigger Bar (25). Follower Tool (52), push on the little leaf See picture R This will snap the bar from of the Locking Block Spring (5) until the trigger subassembly, pulling it from its little end of the spring disappears into the engagement with the sear. The sear can mounting hole in the barrel. This will now be removed by turning its nose up to reveal enough of the bent end of the the top of the frame and pulling it out of spring that the magazine follower tool can the frame from left to right. hook it and pull it from its mounting hole. With the hammer strut tool push the The Locking Block Cam (4) is secured to pin part of the Slide Stop (47) from right the barrel by heavy staking, therefore it is to left and remove it from the frame. not normally removed unless it is neces- Remove the trigger subassembly from the sary to replace it. For this reason we have frame. Set the Takedown Latch (27) at left in the original barrel group the lock- about six o'clock and wiggling it slightly, ing block cam and the front sight. pull it from the frame. During this operation it is a good idea to put the forefinger FRAME GROUP over the front of the frame, as in some DISASSEMBLY cases the Takedown Latch Plunger & Hold the frame group in the left hand Spring (23, 24) have been known to fly, with the left Grip (49) upward. With the although normally they are staked to the For toolless stripping, modify the hammer magazine follower tool unscrew the Grip frame. strut and magazine follower as shown. Screws (50), then remove the grips by Take the magazine follower tool and placing the. nail of the index finger at the place the screwdriver section in the Recoil rear of the grips and pulling upward first Spring (35) coils about midway in the and then backward. With the thumbnail Recoil Spring Guide (32). Pull the recoil remove the Slide Stop and Sear Spring spring backwards at the same time the the Floor Plate (54) is upward and so that (38); and in a similar manner, on the right recoil spring guide is trapped in the for- its rounded end points away from you. side of the frame, remove the Trigger Bar ward position. Holding the spring to the Take the slide group in the right hand Spring (37). rear, remove the guide from the frame. which has its Safety Subassembly (19, 20, The removal of the next three parts can Allow the spring to come forward and pull 21) still in the down or "safe" position and be done in two different ways. The parts it out of its groove. Repeat on opposite use the lower tip of the safety subassembly involved are the Magazine Catch (46), the side. This completes the disassembly of to push the Floor Plate Lock (53) down Hammer Spring (36) and the Hammer the frame group. The only parts which through the hole in the floor plate. See Strut (28). In the first method, with the have not been taken down are the picture A. Hammer Subassembly (39,40,41,42) in Takedown Plunger & Spring (23, 24). The plate can now be slid away from the down position, place the frame with There are also several parts riveted to the you about l/zl', but when this distance has the back of the pistol up in the left hand. frame, which include the lanyard loop, the been covered the floor plate stops. Push Then place the palm of the right hand mounting pin for the slide stop & sear the forefinger of the left hand into the over the Magazine Catch (46). There spring, and the mounting pin for the trig- hole which the moved plate has un- is a distinct order now in the move- ger bar spring. covered. The forefinger can now push on ments of the palm of the right hand, the floor plate lock and the floor plate will and if done correctly, nothing could go SLIDE GROUP DISASSEMBLY be free to continue to move away from more smoothly, but if not, the job can be Take the magazine follower tool and you and off the bottom of the Magazine very hard on the hands and patience. place the screwdriver section under the Body (51). The floor plate lock and the First, the right palm lifts the magazine front lip of the Slide Cover (7). With the Magazine Spring (55) can then be with- catch as you would if you were releasing fingers of the right hand holding the cover drawn from the magazine body. By turn- an imaginary magazine. Second, the catch and the thumb on the magazine follower ing the magazine upright the Magazine is pushed upward toward the left palm. tool, push upward and forward on the Follower (52) will drop out of the bottom. Third and lastly the right palm is snapped slide cover. See picture D. This will The follower will be set aside as a tool and down so that the front end pin of the mag- release it from the slide and also allow the will from now on be called the Magazine azine catch is lifted out of the notches in Rear Sight (9) to be removed. Next pull Follower Tool (52). The rest of the parts the frame. The alternative method is to the Firing Pin Lock Spring (13) out of its will be put into a magazine group pile. push the magazine catch against a soft hole. Take the front end of the Indicator The alternate method of magazine dis- block of wood and using much of the Pin (8) and lift it out of its retaining assembly is to use a loaded 9 mm same motions, release it from the frame. groove and pull it forward out of the slide. cartridge. While this may be expeditious, I This wil1,free the Hammer Spring (36) and Turn the slide upside down and with the feel that during disassembly of a firearm it Hammer Strut (28). The hammer strut will hammer strut tool, poke out the Firing is unnecessarily dangerous to have a load- be retained as a tool and will henceforth be Pin Lock (12) and the Firing Pin Retain- ed round present. However, if this system called the Hammer Strut Tool (28). ing Pin (15). Now, covering the rear end is preferred, the point of the loaded 9 mm With the hammer strut tool, push the of the slide with the palm of the right is used to depress the floor plate lock and Hammer Pin (33) from left to right out of hand, pull upward on the Safety 48 AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1 976 A STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO FIELDSTRIPPING k THE P-38 ^

The toolless stripping is accomplished by first using the safety to release the magazine floor plate lock (A). After removing the magazine catch from the frame, use the magazine follower to snap the trigger bar out of the frame.

The slide cover is removed by pressure of the magazine follower (C). The extractor is snapped out of the frame (D) with hammer strut. The hammer and attendant parts are aligned for assembly with hammer strut (E).

Make sure the smooth side of the indicator pin is up (F) when inserting it. The locking block wil. snap into place under thumb pressure (G). The sear and ejector are aligned with the hammer strut (H) as sear pin is inserted.

AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1976 54 Abb. 26 <;

1 Barrel 12 Firing Pin Lock 21 Safety Plunger 30 Firing Pin Lock 39 Hammer 47 Slide Stop 2 Front Sight 13 Firing Pin Lock Spring Lever 40 Double Action 48 Right Grip 3 Locking Block Spring 22 Frame 31 Ejector Strut 4 Locking Block 14 Extractor Plunger 23 Takedown Latch 32 Recoil Spring 49 Left Grip Cam 15 Firing Pin Plunger Guide 41 Double Action 50 Grip Screw 5 Locking Block Retaining Pin 24 Takedown Latch 33 Hammer Pin Strut Pins (3) 51 Magazine Body Spring 16 Firing Pin Spring Plunger Spring 34 Sear Pin 42 Double Action 52 Magazine 6 Slide 17 Indicator Pin 25 Trigger Bar 35 Recoil Spring Strut Spring Follower 7 Slide Cover Spring 26 Sear 36 Hammer Spring 43 Trigger 53 Floor Plate Lock 8 Indicator Pin 18 Extractor 27 Takedown Latch 37 Trigger Bar 44 Trigger Pin 9 Rear Sight Plunger Spring 28 Hammer Strut Spring 54 Floor Plate 10 Extractor 19 Safety 29 Hammer Drop 38 Slide Stop & 45 Trigger Spring 55 Magazine 11 Firing Pin 20 Safety Plunger Lever Sear Spring 46 Magazine Catch Follower Spring

Subassembly (19, 20, 21), releasing the the spring and plunger don't fall out easily thumb of the right hand at the rear, push- Firing Pin (11) and remove the Firing Pin there is a cutaway section in the firing pin ing inwards. The tail of the extractor will Spring (16). Put the safety subassembly tunnel from which the magazine follower snap into its hole in the slide. midway between "S" and "F' and with tool can pry out the extractor plunger The Safety Subassembly (19, 20, 21) is the magazine follower tool, looking from spring. This completes the disassembly of now placed in the hole in the slide so that the bottom inside the slide, push the the slide group and also the disassembly its operating lever is midway between the safety subassembly out of the slide. of the entire P-38. "S' and 'T" marks. Push it in smartly, Put the slide on a flat surface and with and turn it to the firing position so that the drift end of the hammer strut tool SLIDE GROUP REASSEMBLY only the letter "F" shows. Drop the Firing pushing on the rear pinlike projection of Place the Extractor Plunger (14) into Pin Spring (16) into the foreward end of the Extractor (lo), snap it from its hole in the Extractor Plunger Spring (18) with the groove in the slide with the tail of the the frame. Be sure that the Extractor the small end of the spring going on first. spring upwards and to the rear. Push the Plunger (14) and Extractor Plunger Then slide this subassembly into the cor- Firing Pin (11) into the rear of the slide Spring (18) do not fly. See picture E. Tap rect hole in the slide. Now, take the Ex- with the square rear notch to the right, these two parts out of the slide and this tractor (10) and push with the thumb of away from the safety subassembly, making , completes the disassembly of the slide. If the left hand on its forward face and the certain that the front of the firing pin ,' 50. 'b.. . .< passes through the firing pin spring. Using pin end under the trigger bar notched side Place the Locking Block Spring (5) the magazine follower tool, push the rear of the sear. Guide the pin of the trigger with the long leg downward and inserted end of the firing pin in and secure it with bar into the hole in the upper end of the first into the hole in the Barrel (1).\,Force the Firing Pin Retaining Pin (15) in the trigger subassembly. Now, pull the trigger the upper short leg inward and downward round hole on the slide under the Rear backwards fully as in firing the pistol. into the same hole, using the magazine Sight (9). Place the Firing Pin Lock (12) Using the magazine follower tool, push follower tool. Push the spring in as far as it into the other hole in the slide, then place down on the Trigger Spring (45) and at will go. Reinsert the Locking Block (3) the Firing Pin Lock Spring (13) with its the same time keep pressure on the front holding the barrel in the right hand with larger end into the lock. end of the trigger bar until it snaps into the Front Sight (2) downwards and away Now wind the Indicator Pin Spring (17) place. from the thumb. As you push inwards and onto the rear of the Indicator Pin (8) with Place the Ejector (31) into its slot in the forward with the thumb, the lock will snap the big end of the spring going on last. frame (it is in the correct position when it into position in the barrel. See picture G. Hook the front end of this subassembly stands about Vie" above the frame) and This completes the barrel group reassem- under the tail of the Firing Pin Spring hold it in place by sliding the hammer bly. (16) with the smooth side of the indicator strut tool through the sear and frame from MAGAZINE GROUP pin upwards. Lift the assembly to a posi- right to left. Insert the Sear Pin (34) from REASSEMBLY tion on top of the breech face and far left to right while the left forefinger is enough forward so that the rear of the in- keeping light pressure on the trigger. See The last group to be assembled is the dicator pin can be fed into its retaining picture I. magazine because the magazine follower hole at the rear of the slide. At the same Place the Trigger Bar Spring (37) over tool was being used to reassemble the time, hook the rear of the indicator pin the mounting rivet in the frame, hooking other groups. Place the magazine follower spring with the finger nail and pull it for- the long leg into the small groove in the tool over the small loop of the Magazine wards so that it will be in line with its re- bottom rear of the trigger bar. Place the Spring (55). The small loop should be taining notch in the slide. See picture G. unbent end of the Slide Stop & Sear open to the rear in order to be correctly Push to the rear and allow the subassem- Spring (38) in the Slide Stop (47), forcing assembled. Slide the above two parts into bly to drop under the tension of the firing the coiled section over its mounting rivet. the Magazine Body (51) from the bottom, pin spring. Snap the bent end, with the opening of the with the round end of the magazine Replace the Rear Sight (9) with the bend upwards, over the top of the sear and follower tool corresponding to the round sight notch to the rear of the slide and into its relatively deep retaining groove. end of the magazine. The Floor Plate hold it in the down position against the Hold the frame in the left hand with the Lock (53) is placed onto the protruding Firing Pin Lock Spring (13) with the right left side upwards and as level as possible. end of the spring again, with the round thumb. Place the Slide Cover (7) back Place the Hammer Subassembly (39, 40, end forward. Push the parts until the into the milled slot in the front of the rear 41,42) into the frame with the lower end Floor Lock (53) is at least l/s" into the sight. Pushing backwards with the left under the sear nose and the Double Ac- magazine body. Hold with the forefinger thumb on the front end of the cover and tion Strut (40) over the sear nose. Next, of the right hand the back of the mag- downwards with the right thumb, the add the Firing Pin Lock Lever (30) below azine. Slide the Floor Plate (54) on from cover will snap into its locking notches in the hammer so that you can still see front to rear, removing the forefinger the slide. If added force is required to do through the hole. Now add the Hammer when its pressure is not necessary. This this, the front end of the cover can be hit Drop Lever (29) in the same way. By slid- completes the magazine group reassem- with the heel of a shoe. This completes the ing the hammer strut tool into the same bly. The magazine should be inspected reassembly of the slide group. hammer pin hole from right to left from after each firing because nothing can underneath without turning the frame cause more trouble than a dirty magazine. FRAME GROUP REASSEMBLY over, the last three pieces can be kept in The reassembly of the frame has the alignment. Slip the Hammer Pin (33) into REASSEMBLY AFTER FIELD most parts and requires the longest time the frame from left to right as the hammer STRIPPING of all the groups. Push the Takedown strut tool is withdrawn from the right side. Slide the barrel group into the slide Latch (27) into the hole in the frame from See picture E. Place the Hammer Spring group with the lock in the unlocked posi- left to right with the finger lever of the (36) onto the hammer strut tool in the tion during insertion and then locking latch down. By pulling the lever outwards frame with the upper end of the strut after the barrel is against the breech of the and at the same time pushing strongly on engaging the hammer subassembly. When slide. Slide these two assembled groups the upper part, the latch will snap into the strut is in the correct position, the onto the frame group. Be sure that the position. Turn the finger lever forwards as strut can only be moved backwards far takedown lever is thrown forwards in the far as it will go. enough to make it parallel to the grip of unlocked position and the frame group is Slide the Recoil Spring (35) into its the frame. Put the bottom of the hammer held in the normal shooting position so groove in the frame. Using the thumb, strut tool into the hole in the upper end of that the Ejector (31) and the Hammer push the spring until it is flush with the the Magazine Catch (46). Push downward Drop Lever (29) and the Firing Pin Lock groove and then use the magazine on the upper end of the catch with the left Lever (30) are all down in the frame. In- follower tool to drive the spring into the thumb and push vigorously upward with sert the magazine into the grip and draw groove. The entire spring should be about the right thumb. This will allow the pin on fully back on the slide. Turn the takedown '14" from the beginning of the groove. the magazine catch to snap into its two re- lever to the rear and horizontal and push Now, slip the Recoil Spring Guide (32) taining notches in the frame. Place the the slide stop down, keeping the fingers into the spring. In the same way assemble Grips (48,49) back on the grip section of away from the forward moving slide. Drop the opposite recoil spring guide. Drop the the frame by sliding the leading edge of the hammer by turning the safety down- Trigger Subassembly (43,44,45) into the each grip into their retaining undercut in ward. This completes the reassembly of a frame and align its holes with those in the the foregrip. Hold the grips in place with P-38. frame using the hammer strut tool in- the Grip Screws (50) which are tightened Todav with reloaded 9 mm Lueer.2 am- serted from right to left. Push the Slide by the magazine follower tool. This corn- munition so inexpensive, it is almost pos- Stop (47) in the same hole from left to pletes the relatively complicated frame sible to shoot a P-38 as cheaply as a .22. right. Place the Sear (26) in its oval slot in The shooting of a high powered military the frame from right to left with the sear automatic is a great deal of fun even if just nose upward and the trigger-bar notched BARREL GROUP plinking at side out. Slide the Trigger Bar (25) non- REASSEMBLY tin cans. Two S&W favorites for the conversion to .45 Long Colt are the Model 1917 (top) and the exceedingly rare New Century, or "Triple Lock". The latter is far too valuable in original condition to convert.

DO'S AND DON'TS WHEN YOU. . .

By GEORGE C. NONTE

couple years ago I had a S&W M-58 would be foolhardy unless only light loads the like. All are black-powder designs of .41 Magnum revolver converted to were used. The larger .45 case rims would dubious material and design strength, and .45A Colt. It made a fine gun, and as I often also collide. In addition, opening up the almost invariably cylinders are too short. do to scare up a few dollars for meat, whis- bore to .45 would reduce wall thickness in In those instances where it could be done key, or fun, I wrote an article about it. In the heavily-stressed barrel tenon to a mere mechanically-as with the old, German one way, that may have been a mistake for .040 inch. Not healthy at all. service revolver-the result would have it has gotten me lots of correspondence No, the big, hinged-frame Webley .455 little value and would be restricted to light and lots of phone calls. Most have been can't be converted to .45 Colt. This gun is loads. from people who wanted a good, double- often converted to .45 ACPIAR, but the One fellow wrote about reworking a big- action sixgun for the venerable .45 Colt cylinder is simply too short for the longer bore, hinged-frame, S&W revolver of the cartridge, but either couldn't find or .45 LC cartridge. It would work if you 1880s. Most, not all, have cylinders too couldn't afford a M-58; some wanted to stayed with short-seated or flush-seated, short, but all of those guns are too scarce know about converting other guns they wadcutter bullets, but I don't consider any and valuable for such a conversion. If they happened to own. caliber conversion practical unless it will must be shot, far better to use light hand- I've checked out just about every possi- handle factory-loaded ammunition. loads and simply restore them to the origi- bility and question posed by those letters No, the medium-frame revolvers (Colt nal caliber. and calls. Until someone proves differ- OP and S&W K-frame series) cannot be Another had what he thought was a ently (always a hazard in this business), converted. In theory, I suppose they S&W New Century (Triple Lock) in .455 here is a rundown on what can and cannot could, but only if one used a longer cylin- and wished to convert it. Unfortunately, be done, as a practical matter. der a'la S&W M19, and made a special the gun wasn't genuine, being only a five-shot cylinder and ratchetlextractor. rough external copy using Colt-like lock- CAN'T: That would cost a real bundle of dollars, work made in Spain many years ago. Me- First of all, no, the Charter Arms .44 so as a practical matter, the conversion chanically, the conversion is possible but Bulldog can't be converted to .45 Colt (or can't be made. It would make one hell of a the few Spanish copies of such big sixguns to .45 ACP or .45AR). Chamber walls are gun, though. as I've seen were not, in my opinion, up to adequate in .44 caliber at a thickness of The same goes for most 19th Century the job or worth the expense. Of course, .065 inch. Reducing them further to .045 British and European revolvers cham- the same applies to Spanish and other Eu- inch by opening up the chambers to .45 bered variously to .450, .455, llmm, and ropean copies of Colt SA and DA Frontier 52 AMERICAN HANDGUNNER a SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1976 revolvers. By model designation or number, t following S&W are suitable for conve CAN: sion to .45 Colt: What you can do to obtain a modern, New Century, Triple ~ock,1st DA, .45 Colt covers quite a spread in Hand Ejector, 2nd Mod. Hand methods, makes, models, and procedures. tor (.44 Russ., .44 Special, .3 First, there are two~onlytwo-frame .44-40, .455) sizes suitable for the big .45. Under the M1917 U.S. (.45 ACP) Rampant Colt, we have the New Service, M1926 .44 Military (.44 Special) introduced in 1898 and much improved M1926 Heavy Duty (.38 Special) in 1905. Some 355,000 were made in all M1950.44 Military (Mod. 21) variations and calibers until it was discon- M1950.45 Army (.45 ACP) (Mod. 22) tinued in 1946. Bearing the S&W name, M1950 Target (Mod. 22) (.44 Special, there is the entire N-frame series, begin- .45 ACP) ning with the New Century (Triple Lock) M1955 Target (Mod. 25) (.45 AC first offered in 1908 and changed in 1914. S&W .357 Magnum (Orig.) (. The pre-1905 Colts and the S&W Tri- Mag.) ple Lock are both suitable for the .45 S&W .357 Magnum- (Mod. 27) (.3 Colt. However, the Colt has some internal Mag. The Webley ,455 MK I, .455 MK II and .450 problems that make it less than desirable S&W .357 HiWay Patrolman (M2t revolver cartridges are dimensionally simi- for extensive use; the S&W is, frankly, (.357 Mag.) lar in diameter to accommodate conversion more valuable in its original condition M29.44 Magnum (.44 Mag.) to the desirable .45 Long Colt. and caliber than it can ever be after con- M57.41 Magnum (.41 Mag.) I version. It makes a great .45, but for that M58 .41 Magnum M&P (.41 Mag.) inch. Facing off the rear of the cylinder .., reason, I don't recommend using it. It's fortunate that most common of accommodate the thicker rims, as is often In Colts, after 1905, we have the basic, both Colt and S&W marques, the British done, opens up too much distance be- commercial model found in calibers .38 contract .455's, are also the cheapest, sim- tween cylinder and frame lug. Special, .44 Russian, .44 Special, .44-40, plest, and quickest to convert to .45 Colt. Instead, the cylinder should remain full .38-40, .45 ACP, .357 Magnum, and, of For either gun, the process is the same as length and the chambers should be cut course, .45 Colt of immediate interest. An it is for commercial models in .455 cali- with a reamer shaped to form a counter- occasional .476 will show up, and a fair her. bore for the case rim. Then proper head- number of .455s in the commercial series. Assuming the barrel to be serviceable, space is obtained by making the rim coun- Most common of all, though, will be the simple rechambering does the job. To terbores deep enough that the gun will WWI British contract .455 Service Model maintain original headspace, end play, accept a .006-.008 inch feeler gauge be- and the U.S. M1917.45 ACP. In addition, and cylinderlframe-lug relationship, the tween recoil shield and chambered case there is also the M1909 .45, and the cylinder should not be shortened from the heads. Shooting Master and Flat Top target mod- rear as is often done. The .055 inch head- If the .455 barrel is not good enough, it els in several calibers, and other minor space of the .455 won't accommodate the can be relined to new condition. Alterna- variations. thicker .45 Colt rim. Nominal .455 rim tively, good, used .455 barrels can still be I'd not convert a .476 or any of the tar- thickness is .040 inch, .45 Colt is .060 found, and occasionally .45 ACP barrels get models unless the original barrel an( cylinder were kept so the gun could be re A rechambered cylinder assembly with ratchet/extractor and a turned to its original configuration and rebored or relined barrel are the component parts needed for thc value. The same can be said of any like- .45 L.C. conversion. new specimen, regardless of caliber. Keep in mind that fine .455's and M1917's that were plentiful at $15-$20 fifteen years ago bring $150 and up now; commercial models in other calibers have escalated similarly in value. In the S&W N-frame series, the situation is much the same. Most common are the WWI British contract .455's and the U.S. M1917 .45 ACP. After them, come the .44 Special, .44-40, and .45 Colt, and .45 ACP, Hand Ejector and, after 1926- the "Heavy Duty" .44 Special and .38-44 the "Outdoorsman" .38 Special target gun and the relatively scarce .44 Special variation of the same gun. After 1935, there is the -357 Magnum and none of those pre-war, registered guns in that series should be converted; they are worth far more in their original form. Neverthe- less, the pre-war .357 Magnum makes the finest .45 sixgun of all. After 1950, there came the short-action, N-frame guns, the .357, .41, and .44 Magnums; the 1950.44 and .45 Army, the Highway Patrolman, M1950 and later M1955 Target .45 ACP M1950.44 Target, and last, the .41 Mag num M&P. can still be found. If you should run across a smaller-caliber barrel, it can be rebored to .45 to solve the problem. Though ,454-inch is often said to be the correct groove diameter for the .45 Colt, in truth, most of them run much smaller, and new current-production Colt SA barrels run about .450-.451 or thereabouts, the same as .45 ACP barrels. Many original .455 barrels have that same diameter. So, it becomes apparent that this seeming- ly promiscous shuffling of barrels will not cause any trouble in .45 Colt conversions. This late production Colt I Service with heavy frame is the best Incidentally, a new .45 SA Colt barrel can of the Colt lineup for the conversion into .45 Long Colt. This .38 be fitted to the N.S. by cutting the shoul- Special specimen is a good candidate for the reboring project. der forward; the thread is the same. Incidentally, any beginning lathe opera- tor can turn out a replacement Colt N.S. barrel from a blank, if you prefer that route. The N.S. barrel is symmetrical, without protrusions, while the S&W bar- frame lug back .030 inch to clear the rel is decidedly asymmetrical and copying lengthened cylinder. its underlug is a complex machining op- All other variations and calibers of the eration. Barrel threads and shank dimen- New Service and S&W N-frame may also sions for both are shown in case you care be converted with just a bit more work. Whether the cylinder be .38, .41, or .44, to try making a new tube. Barrel conversion remains much the the throats must first be opened up and Next comes the Colt and S&W revolv- same. Calibers smaller than .45 are best reamed smoothly to proper diameter. ers in .45 ACP caliber, or for that matter, rebored, but relining is also an acceptable This should be .451-.452 inch unless you any commercial variations in that caliber. alternate. The smaller-diameter barrels are using a barrel whose groove diameter The remarks already made about barrels such as the S&W M27/28 are touchy to is greater, in that case, match the throats apply equally here; reline or replace if the reline because so little wall is left to sup- to barrel groove diameter. I prefer to original isn't good enough. port the liner-so they should be rebored ream throats to .450 inch then lap or pol- The .45 ACP cylinder presents a unique instead. ish up to groove diameter. problem in that it is too short to head- New .45 S&W barrels are available to Throats must be ooened un without space correctly for the .45 Colt. Recham- fit the target-sighted models. The Model changing the original alignment-that is, bered cylinders will function well enough 25 barrel can be had through S&W parts the enlargement must be concentric and with .45 Colt cartridges if firing pin pro- channels, while the older and lighter the center radius and center-to-center trusion is great enough, but gross excess M1950 Target barrel can sometimes be spacing must not change. headspace is bad, any way you look at it. obtained from S&W s ecialists. At this Ideally, this should be done on a lathe The simplest method of eliminating this writing, a good supply oF Model 25 ribbed by a first-class machinist, but it can be ac- problem is to obtain a .455 cylinder for .45 barrels is available from Joe DeSaye, J complished on a good, heavy-duty, drill the same gun, then rechamber it as al- & G Rifle Ranch and will fit any N-frame press with minimum spindle runout. ready outlined. The frame lug will have to S&W, though they don't meet the top The cylinder is aligned by a throat- be filed back about .030-inch before the strap quite right on the fixed sight S&W diameter rod in the chuck, and clamped. cylinder can be installed. Some surplus models. Then the rod is replaced by a drill and the parts purveyors still occasionally have Now to the cylinders~eitherColt or bulk of the excess is drilled out, followed .455 cylinders. S&W, both requiring the same treatment. by hand-reaming the last few thousandths Lacking a .455 cylinder, .030-inch of Any of the original calibers smaller than of an inch. steel shim stock may be carefully soldered .45 may be rechambered to .45 Colt. In After the throats are all opened up, the to the rear of the cylinder and extractor to the process, any throat or chamber rough- entire original chamber may have been produce approximately correct head- ness will be cut away, producing in effect a cut away; this will occur in .38 and .357 space. Cut two rings of shim, one to lay new chamber throughout. All Colt and caliber. When working on them, leave the over the extractor, another over the cylin- some S&W cylinders may be recham- extractor in place while cutting the der outside of the extractor recess. Sweat bered with a standard reamer; all S&W throats. It has to be in place during cham- carefully in place with soft solder or low cylinders with chambers counterbored for bering, and it won't allow the reamer to temperature silver solder such as Fusion the case rim must be done the same way, enter if it isn't cut away to throat diameter. G-450-800, available from Brownells. with a reamer that cuts the counterbore si- Don't ream chambers too deep, and take Don't use any more heat than necessary to multaneously with the chamber. Clyrner care excess headspace isn't generated. flow the solder. Then trim away the excess supplies such a reamer in .45 Colt caliber When the barrel has been opened up- shim and rechamber the cylinder; file the which I use. by whatever means-to .45 and the cylin- 54 AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1 976 der rechambered, it remains only to reas- able .45 Colt caliber. At present, Bob is semble and you have the fabled .45 Long concentrating on conversions of the M28 Colt in a modern DA sixgun. S&W, but can do others as well. His proc- I've converted both Colt and S&W ess works equally well on fixed-sight guns, guns in calibers .38, .44-40, .38-40, and but the ribbed barrel he's using doesn't .41 and .44 Magnum to .45 Colt using the look right on such guns. foregoing methods. The most recent was a Bob's price isn't cheap, running .38 Special S&W M20 (.38-44) using a $8-$10 for the complete job on your M1917 .45 barrel and a surplus .455 cyl- gun, but it is the most professional ap- inder-the entire job taking only a couple proach we've seen taken to the job to date. hours. Also, if you want to get more deeply It might be you've picked up an incom- into this and other caliber conversions, plete or defective gun for a .45 conver- pick up a copy of my book, "Pistolsmith- sion. Commercial Colt New Service parts ing" (GUNS Magazine Book Club, can be had only with difficulty from parts $14.95), which offers very detailed treat- specialists. However, British and Ml917 ment of the subject parts fit post-1905 guns and are fairly That covers it, as far as I know. Lots of plentiful among military surplus purvey- big, double-action Colts and S&W can be ors. New S&W parts are fairly available, made into something" not currently avail- but surplus .455 and U.S. M1917 parts able -a good properly fit pre-1950 guns. A military '17 .45 Colt. hammer and barrel may look out of place PARTS SOURCES on what was a M27 .357 Magnum, but BROWNELLS (tools & supplies), 303 they will work, and that is what counts. E. Main, Montezuma, Iowa 92629 The most suitable S&W cylinder and bar- CHRISTY GUN WORKS (parts), rel for replacement/conversion is the .44 875-57th St., Sacramento, Califor- Magnum, but isn't sold to individuals. nia 95819 This ,455 S&W cylinder has an original round However, one can obtain the .38-44 M20 CLYMER MFG. CO. (reamers), chambered to the left of a .45 Long Colt car- cylinder and .45 M25 barrel. 14241 W. Eleven ~ileRd., oak tridge. Deepening the .455's chambers the Since beginning this story, I've been Park, Michigan 48237 amount of case exposed and counterboring talking at length with Bob Sconce, at DE SAYE, Joe, (guns & parts), to correct for headspace is all that need be MMC, down in Deming, New Mexico. Turner, Montana 59542 done. Bob makes those fine MMC Combat MMC (complete conversions), 212 E. Sights for most auto pistols. He has built Spruce St., Deming, New Mexico jigs and fixtures to convert N-frame S&W 88030 revolvers to .45 Colt on a semi-production NUMRICH ARMS (parts), West Hur- basis. As he usually does, Bob has ap- ley, New York 12491 . proached the job differently. He begins by SARCO (parts), 192 Central Ave., Stir- installing a new S&W .45 Target (M1955, ling, New Jersey 07980 Mod. 25) barrel, then carefully gauging SCHUTZEN (reboring), 1226 Prairie S.6.W. MODEL OF 1917 cylinder alignment. He's found that one or Rd., Colorado Springs, Colorado REVOLVER. more chambers is usually a bit out of reg- 80909 ister, so he then corrects this condition by SNAPP (reboring & relining), 214 N. an ingenious lathe-boring setup as the throats are opened up to .45 caliber. Then follows rechambering and (usually) retim- WOODRUFF, David (relining, re- ing, plus any other work the customer chambering & complete conver- might have ordered. The result is a per- sions), 116 Stahl Ave., Wilmington fectly-aligned and timed gun in the desir- Manor, New Castle, Delaware 19720 COLT NEW SERVICE $ MODEL OF 1917 REVOLVERS.

ANHANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER ,976 By GEORGE C. NONTE

The Charter Arms .44 Special Bulldog represents the maximum of defensive stopping power in the minimum package. Loads are conventional lead round noses.

he .44 Special revolver cartridge target than a smaller or similar bullet of WWII-laboratory tests have shown the Twas, for many a decade, the handload- greater velocity. Regardless of the alleged top Keith loads to produce pressures in ing sixgunner's favorite. Introduced in reasons and their questionable validity, the 20,000-25,000 CUP (psi) range. That 1906, the .44 Special was simply a length- the standard .44 Special factory load was is roughly twice the pressure of the stan- ened-case version of the well-known .44 highly regarded. dard factory .44 Special load of then and S&W Russian-and for some inexplicable But this cartridge really produced the now. reason, it duplicated the low-level per- virtues claimed for it only when handload- But with the war-time demise of both formance of that cartridge. Its 246-grain, ed to greater velocity and energy, particu- Colt guns, and the very limited availability round-nose, lead bullet was driven at a larly with semi-wadcutter, lead bullets of of S&W .44 Specials after the war, the mere 770 fps for substantially less energy the type designed by Elmer Keith. First cartridge declined in popularity. Then, than the .45 Colt, .45 ACP, .44-40, and with long-discontinued DuPont SR80 when the .44 Magnum appeared in the other big handgun rounds. It was, per- powder, and later with Hercules 2400, he middle 1950s, the .44 Special was corn- haps, the relatively low velocity level developed loads that drove 240-250- pletely overshadowed. Ardent fans desert- which contributed to the fine accuracy in grain, lead bullets of semi-wadcutter ed it in droves and bought .44 Magnums, those beautifully-finished Smith & Wes- form at velocities in the vicinity of 1200 then promptlyand ironically-loaded son New Century, Gold Seal "Triple fps. That represented an energy increase them down to .44 Special level. Except Lock" revolvers with which the .44 Spe- of nearly 170 percent. The more destruc- for only a few new model Colt Single Ac- cial ammunition made its debut. tive bullet shape made the increase in tions, there haven't been any new .&ISpe- Inlspite of its relatively low perform- lethality actually greater than the increase cial sixguns made for many years. ance level, the .44 Special somehow in mere energy. Now, though, we have the Charter achieved an enviable reputation as a man- Pressure tests were few and far between Arms ".44 Bulldog," a pocket-size, 19- stopper. Some authorities explained this in those days, but it was proven em- ounce, double-action, five shooter that is with the British viewpoint; that a heavy, pirically that the good Colt and S&W re- actually a very slightly enlarged version of slow-moving projectile, of larger caliber, volvers would safely handle the pressures the well-known Charter Arms "Undercov- imparted greater total energy to an animal of those loads. Since then-actually after er" .38 Special revolver of advanced de-

AMERICAN HANDGUNNER 0 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1976 sum. L, As such, being a very small gun-the smallest and lightest .44 Special ever made commercially-the Bulldog presents a new set of handloading problems. Obviously, like other guns, it was designed around the mild, factory loading. Equally obvious is the fact that the factory people knew it would be subjected to heay handloads as soon as it hit the market Therefore, though proofed for factoq loads, it possesses ample margin of safe0 to allow substantial increases in cartridge performance. Naturally, the makers dc not recommend such loads, and assume no responsibility for the gun if they are used. Don't ask Charter Arms for a heavy load recommendation; they won't give it In fact, they will advise strongly against such loads. After shooting several Bulldogs with A selection of loads made up and tested especially for the Bulldog factory ammunition and a wide variety of .44. Consistent expansion was only accomplished with hollow handloads, I've reached the conclusion cavity configurations. that the potency of handloads is limited wadcutter loads can be increased even charges with a corresponding increase more by recoil than by gun strength. Guns more by hollow-pointing the soft, lead bul- effectiveness and expansion. However, have digested with aplomb loads that are let. At the moment, no such bullets or very much greater velocity will reduce ac- positively painful to shoot. Generally molds are available commercially, but curacy, and increase leading with soft bul- speaking, shooting will become quite un- they aren't difficult to prepare. Simply run lets. And, recoil will increase sharply, pleasant before dangerous chamber pres- a center drill into the bullet noise deeply which is what we are trying to avoid. In sure levels are reached. enough that the conical cavity it produces any event, a charge increase of five to With standard, factory loads, the 19- leaves the wall about lJ16-inch thick at the seven percent can be applied if one wishes ounce Bulldog is no more unpleasant in nose. The result resembles the old, British the hand than a lightweight, short-barrel, without seriously effecting the gun's con- "manstopper" .455 bullet, and is more trolability. .38 Special with high-performance ammu- popularly called "cup point" today. If a nition. But, as factory-load performance is If substantially higher velocities are center drill isn't available, a standard '/a- exceeded, it begins to recoil with increas- desired-and this is one approach we ing sharpness, and muzzle jump and inch, twist drill run in (properly centered) took-then different and lighter bullets 'J16-inch past where it begins to cut full di- torque twist the gun badly in the hand. are required for best results. To insure ex- ameter will do as well. This can be done in pansion and maximum energy transfer, , As a consequence, we have taken two a collet on a lathe, or on a drill press using approaches to increasing the combat ef- we still need soft lead-but to prevent grooved hardwood blocks to hold the bul- leading, we need a jacketed bearing sur- fectiveness of the .44 Special in the Char- ter Bulldog. let. The slight weight reduction from the face. drilled cavity will produce a slight gain in First, is to simply load to factory per- While several approaches to bullet de- velocity and similar loss in pressure, but sign can be taken, the wadcutter-profile formance levels, substituting a lead, full, wadcutter bullet of equal weight for the the values aren't significant. cup-point is most practical. The long- Of course, velocities of these bullets can jacket type works well and C-H Tool & round-nose form. Thus a load of 4.5 by stepped-up by increasing powder Die Company (Box "L", Owen, Wisconsin grains of Bullseye or 6.2 grains of Unique, and Lyman wadcutter bullet #429352, The optimum defensive bullet from the Bulldog was shown to be this handles just as nicely as the factory load- 184-grain hollow cavity wad-cutter design from custom cast by but penetrates less and transmits more Tony Sailer. energy because of its shape. Pressures with these loads are in the 10,000 CUE range; quite mild. Recoil of course, is apparently equal to that of the factory load. At these relatively low velocity levels, the wadcutter bullet will not expand- though it may deform slightly-unless cast of dead-soft lead. While this is not normally recommended because of soft lead's tendency to lead the bore, it presents no real hazard for occasional (combat) use. At such low velocities, leading won't occur often if bullets are properly sized and lubricated, and the gun is properly timed and aligned. Accuracy may not be as good as with harder bullets, but at the under-20-feet, typical, gunfight range, nogreat degree of mechanical accuracy is needed. In fact, even a keyholing bullet will be quite close to point of aim at that range. The effectiveness factory-velocity Left, standard factory round nose lead; center, Sailer 184 grain hollow cavity wadcutter; right, Keith-style semi-WC.

head cases) generates 20,000-25,000 CUP which I consider excessive pressure for the small .44 Bulldog. Further, shooting it (which I've done) is distinctly painful A similar load, which is safe in the Bulldog, consists of the Keith bullet and 8.0 grains of Unique. This produces about 60 percent more energy than the factory 7.1 grains of Unique gave inconsistent anc The same bullet driven by 8.2 gr. of Unique load, and recoil is about all anyone cares erratic expansion with the 184-gr. Sailei produced excellent and consistent expan- to handle. cup point wadcutter bullet. sion in duxseal. Any .44 Bulldog owner is going to want some plain-jane, comfortable, plinking and target loads. For this, I like something 54460) makes swaging dies to do the job very nearly as good, but the sharpness of a bit below the recoil level of factory in its Swage-0-Matic (now discontinued), recoil began to fade considerably. Further loads. and other presses. When the C-H cup- reduction to 7.1 grains reduced expansion Lyman's 180-grain, wadcutter point bullet is made in long-jacket form below what we considered satisfactory, #429348 is an excellent fun bullet; quite and 180-185 grains weight, it can be and at 6.0 grains, expansion ceased almost accurate when cast fairly hard and sized to driven fast enough for good expansion entirely. barrel groove diameter. Four grains of from the three-inch Bulldog barrel while I should point out that with this bullet Bullseye or 5.5 grains of Unique drives it still keeping recoil down nearly to factory- we were not concerned with velocity; fast enough for accuracy, but with mini- load level rather with an acceptable balance of ex- mum recoil and muzzle blast. It's nearly This bullet can be driven safely by 10.0 pansion and recoil. Velocity at the levels as comfortable to shoot as mid-range wad- grains of Unique at more than 40 percent that can be safely reached means little if cutters in a snubnose .38 Special Further, greater velocity than the factory load, pro- expansion is inadequate or recoil too se- the flat-nosed wadcutter punches clean, ducing about 45 percent greater energy. vere. So, we simply ignored velocity and big holes in the target with satisfying regu- Recoil is noticeably greater than that of shot for those two factors. Expansion tests larity. It's a lot of fun. On the other hand, the factory load; in fact, it is downright were conducted, as usual in my shop, in with 8.2 grains, it makes a cheap practice unpleasant. Chamber pressure remains room-temperature Duxseal blocks shot at load to prepare for the jacketed-bullet below 15,000 CUP, which is equally 10 feet. load. Recoil and blast are virtually identi- below the pressure at which the .44 Bull- After having a few other people feel the cal, but the bullet doesn't expand. Com- dog is proof-fired at the factory. various loads for recoil, it became appar- paring the cost of jacketed, cup-point bul- The hard-core, wheelgun buff who en- ent that most could handle the 8.2 grain lets to the cost of casting # 429348 clearly joys full-charge .44 Magnum loads won't charge well with a little practice. This was illustrates its usefulness for full-charge find this load impractical, but most practi- to the good, because of its excellent ex- practice. cal pistoleros will. Consequently, we pansion characteristics. While the heavier So after all the shooting and testing, worked backward from 10 grains after loads produced greater expansion, bullets we've settled on a single load that serves first securing a supply of 184-grain bullets begin to fragment and behave erratically the .44 Bulldog's primary purpose best custom-made by Tony Sailer (Box "L", above 9.0 grains, so the 8.2 grain charge That purpose is, of course, defensive use. Owen, Wisconsin 54460). Tony and I does very nicely. It produces maximum Of all our loads that can be handled by the have been in touch for nearly 20 years and expansion without fragmentation. majority of pistoleros, 8.2 grains of he makes all sorts of hard-to-get bullets, Of course, the traditional Keith ap- Unique with Tony Sailer's 184-grain, jack- cases, and loaded ammunition. proach can be taken with semi-wadcutter eted, cup-point bullet is by far the best. At 9.4 grains of Unique, recoil was still bullets of standard weight driven at in- If your Charter .44 Bulldog is for de- excessive for ordinary use, and bullet ex- creased velocities. The so-called standard fense, that's the load to use. It's the most pansion remained quite good. Dropping Keith load of 18.5 grains of 2400 (balloon lethal we have been able down to 8.2 grains produced expansion head cases) or 17.5 grains of 2400 (solid to develop. AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1976 .: and clumsy, slow reloading are certainly not new; what is amazing is that so little has been done so late to try to resolve them! I remember an interesting comment upon this characteristic of revolvers made by a British Army captain friend of mine with whom I served in Korea right after the war there. One day visiting his command post I took him to task for the United Kingdom's (then) recent adoption of a new caliber .380 service revolver not even the equivalent of the .38 Special. While I knew that he agreed with me-he carried a U.S. .45 ACP himself-he made the point that in military action, unlike police work, firing is not so strictly limited and subject to justification and account- ing. He maintained that, were his command post to be put in danger of being overrun, his people armed with the re- LET'S MAKE A BETTER REVOLVER!' volver had been trained to fire single By CLAUD S. HAMILTON rounds to sumress enemv fire. while re- - loading after each shot. 1nthis way, unless merican handgunners are a very although some of them, such as the Sec- confronted with an enemy rush, the shoot- A fortunate lot; unquestionably we en- ond Six (P.O. Box 215, South Laguna, er would always have a full cylinder avail- joy the finest tools available in modern California 92677), did greatly assist in the able. He made an interesting point, but I American revolvers. Found all over the job. All of these devices suffer from the doubt that many law officers would advo- world, they have earned their place hon- basic problem of having to align six rather cate such training. estly through unequalled reliability and loosely held cartridges with the chambers Fragility. Herein lies another serious fine accuracy. of the cylinder. This grows more and revolver flaw in my view. I must admit And yet, if they are to hold their pre- more difficult as wider, flatter pointed to a certain cynicism when I read the ads mier position there are deficiencies which bullets are used. Wadcutters are almost of some of the leading makers who praise, need to be corrected. It is surprising to impossible. on the one hand, the front and rear lock- note, for example, that we do not have a The co-problems of limited firepower ing of the cylinder, and on the other, the revolver today which is as modern in over- , , all design as the .45 Auto Colt Pistol! The basic frame designs of modern revolvers were more or less "frozen" at about the beginning of this century, or a little before. While there have been small changes in lockwork, and many new models, no real changes in design have been made. It has for years seemed to me that revolvers need improvement in: 1) Firepower, 2) Ease of reloading, 3) Fragility of design 4) Human engineering. Firepower. Six rounds capacity is simply not adequate for modern handgun Lack of grip overhang is a liability to fast recovery during use, and certainly not military use. When rapid fire in combat. faced by auto shooters having as many as I fourteen rounds immediately available, the revolver man is at a distinct disadvan- - tage. It is true that he has a great degree of flexibility in choosing the type and power of his cartridge, but this does not overcome the inadequacy of a six round capacity. This is all the more true when coupled with the wheelguns slow rate of reloading speed. Reloading characteristics of revolvers constitute a major problem; it is one which is directly related to environmental conditions as well. By this I mean that the difficulty of reloading rapidly grows with adverse weather conditions and when the shooter is under stress. During the past three years I have experimented with nearly half a dozen makes of so-called speed loaders for revolvers. I did not find The 1911-Al's overhanging frame spur stops the gun from . one that was completely satisfactory sliding down during recoil. ':., 27, %,'* fact that at the point of trigger let-off the rotating hand forces the cylinder clock- wise into oerfect alignment.u Both claims seem to me at least mildly preposterous. To begin with, few if any revolver cylinders are perfectly bored and indexed as they leave the plant.. . this is not an easy manufacturing task even with today's modern methods. I have known fine revolver shots who habitually used certain chambers only because they knew them to give better results than the others in that particular revolver! As if this were not enough, revolvers seem to have another The revolver's weak points include the cyl- perverse quality; if dropped they always inder cuts and the barrel breech. seem to fall on the cylinder. This, of course, tends to spring the swing-out crane and does cylinder alignment no good. A second point applies under the heading of fragility, and this one relates to design. Anyone who has seen pressure-time curves for ammunition knows why shotgun, rifle and cannon tubes are built thick at the breech and taper toward the muzzle . . . this conformation follows the levels of pressure in the tube as the projectile passes down its length. This fact is completely ignored in contemporary revolver design. Examine your revolver. Where is the tube thinnest (and weakest)? At the firing The exposed ejector rod of some revolver chamber and in that portion of the barrel designs is another weak point. which extends through the frame to the cylinder face! And where is nressure in the revolver likely to be the greatest? Depend- ing upon caliber, powder, primer and bullet, probably at some point between the time the bullet is "at rest" in the cartridge and a point an inch down the barrel. All cent models have a shroud tor the ejector put a set of ivory grips on my .45 ACP, that that mass of metal out there in front on rod which solves this problem . . . but by pistol is no longer comfortable in my your favorite magnum is obviously there no means all of his line is so modified. I hand; the ivory grips are thicker than is- either for balance or for looks; it certainly find it appalling that it took forty or fifty sue!) is not making your gun stronger. Is there years to discover and begin to correct this Modern revolvers have two great any wonder that the 9mm Parabellum car- flaw. human engineering defects which ad- tridge, developed in the first decade of My main complaint against contempo- versly effect their usefulness to me. The this century, could be built for pressures rary revolvers follows. first is the positive, downward angle of the in the 30,000 plus range which were only Human Engineering. Consider, if web-to-trigger line which forces me to attained spme thirty years later in Major you will, that we have frame designs dat- bend my wrist downward to align the Wesson's .357 Magnum revolver? ing from 1900 more or less. Frame designs sights. This is not a natural position. It which obviously were developed to please also traps my middle finger behind the And this pressure problem has not been the eye for they certainly were not made to trigger guard where it is sometimes overcome. Some of the finest American accommodate the human hand. For me, bruised when using heavy loads. This magnum revolvers have been known to there are certain critical dimensions and frame malformation can be somewhat bulge their chambers under the indexing important characteristics which deter- corrected by the use of custom grips, but cut making extraction difficult and caus- mine the suitability of a handgun for my this lowers the hand and increases the ing concern about the strength of the cyl- use. These are: movement, and the upward jump of the inders. Many magnum owners today advo- 1) The distance from the web of the revolver on firing. cate use of full power loads only when hand to the trigger. The second fault is the lack of any over- needed, and never for practice, feeling 2) The bulk of the gun between the web hang of the frame over the web of the that their continued use "pounds their of the hand and the trigger. hand; this encourages an upward rolling guns loose." 3) The length from the web of the hand action of the gun in the hand upon firing. A brief final point under the heading of to the base of the butt. Some seem to like this as a way of reduc- fragility. One of our leading makers has 4) The presence or absence of an over- ing apparent recoil; for me it slows down long presented his swing-out cylinder hang of the frame above the web of the succeeding shots and does nothing for re- models with no support or protection hand. coil. It also makes it next to impossible for whatever for the ejector rod which ex- 5) The angle formed by the web-trigger me to maintain the same grip on the re- tends out under the barrel. The first reline and the axis of the bore. volver from shot to shot without pausing volver by this maker that I owned after the 6) The distance from the axis of the to reseat the gun in my hand (or slipping Second World War came to me by ex- bore down to the web of the hand. my little finger under the butt!) In this re- press from a dealer with the ejector rod so I have small hands. For me, even small spect, I find the single action "frontier" badly bent that it would just barely per- variations in these dimensions and charac- style revolvers the worst offenders. form. Fortunately, some of his more re- teristics are very important. (Example: If I During their lives I am sure that no one AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1 976 ever acclaimed George Luger or John THE DAN WESSON PISTOL PAC . . . Moses Browning as human engineers . . . yet they both were consumate masters of Continued from paoe 19 that modern specialty beyond a doubt. I believe that there is a broad consensus which agrees that Browning's .45 ACP ever felt on a revolver, breaking crisply ing 2 to 2l/4 inches across firing single ac- and Luger's Parabellum lead the world in at 3 pounds even. The hammer features a tion with the 8-inch barrel in place. Even natural pointing characteristics. It is inter- serrated, generously wide cocking spur, the stubby 2-inch tube was capable of 25/s esting to note how closely these two inde- while the trigger face measures a broad '/a inch groups at 25 yards. Factory .38 and pendently developed designs parallel each inch across, with smoothly rounded edges. .357 ammo was used throughout the test- other in the dimensions and characteris- Unfortunately, the ejector rod lacks a ing; as I mentioned, I was agreeably sur- tics I have cited: quarter-inch of being long enough to fully prised at how easy this gun was to control, Characteristics1 eject .357 magnum cases. Actually, this is even with magnum fodder. (Of course, Dimensions .45 ACP Luger common of most .38/.357 wheelguns, and sights must be adjusted with each barrel Distance, web- the handloader will find it most conve- change.) to-trigger 29/1~" 25/8" nient to pluck the empties that final 'A This is one handgun that's all kinds of Bulk, web-to- inch. But for combat use, I've always felt fun to shoot. And it's sure to attract atten- that complete one-stroke ejection would tion, wherever it's used. At one shooting trigger 11/4x 29/16" 11/8 x 25/d1 Length, web-to be comforting if rapid reloading was range, at least three people asked me base-of-grip 3" 31/4" called for. where they could buy "a gun like that," Web of hand below My Pistol Pac came equipped with and nearly everyone was fascinated by its oversize target grips and a contoured multi-barreled versatility. bore axis l'/P l'/8" combat grip, in addition to the inletted In my opinion, the Dan Wesson is a qual- Angle, web-to- .r %:. trigger line with 1 ..- - blank that can be carved to whatever size ity gun in every respect. It's a solid, bore (an upward and shape suits your fancy. As for myself, straight-shooting handful that digests even angle) -5O - 5O I found that the combat grips suited my hot loads without complaint,and it has Overhang of frame hand just fine. (One day I'll get ambitious trigger and sighting equipment second to over web of hand Yes Yes and carve up the blank-but I'll probably none. The quick-change barrel and grips Both of these pistols are vastly more end up with something that won't feel-or make things iust that much nicer. "comfortable" in my hand than any mod- look-nearly as nice.) Next weekend, I think I'll just screw the ern revolver. After much thought, I have On the range, the Dan Wesson ac- long 8-inch barrel in place, and head for concluded that the main reason lies in quitted itself very nicely. Using a two- the desert to see how the spring crop of their "bulk"-which is exactly right for handed sandbagged grip, I was able to varmints is coming me-their slight upward angle of the web- shoot consistent 5-round groups measur- along. to-trigger line with the bore, and the fact that a frame overhang is present. Clearly, both these pistols were designed with the human hand in mind. What can be done to overcome these revolver deficiencies? Frame design obviously needs to be revamped; possibly the trigger and grip could be moved to the , FOR COLLECTORS rear of the cylinder altogether and rear- ranged along pistol lines. This, in turn, might permit use of a larger cylinder or one of different design to increase fire- #A913 NAMBUI____ MINIATURE power without losing the splendid reliabil- :2.5 scale MECHANICAL FUNC- ity characteristics revolvers have TIONING model of METAL CON- achieved. I hope that the makers of these STRUCTION. Detachable clip. fine arms will give some dampened barrel action, fires spe- careful study to this problem. cial cup-shaped caps. Pull bolt back and close to cock; pull trigger to fire. Button in grip releases~li~to load. The #A-13 is part of a 19-piece $500each series of exact-scale miniature guns EDITORS NOTE which all function mechanically. We have most models in stock for im- BOX of 80 a The First Eastern Regional mediate delivery. When grouped to- cans Asrf Handgun Silhouette Champion- gather, they create an impressive ships will be held September 4-5 display. We also have many other at the Massachusetts National miniature arms available for the col- lector, from inexpensive pieces to ,. Guard Training Center, Camp hand-made models of museum aual- Curtis Guild, Redding Mass. The ity. WANTED match is sponsored by the Mas- Always Interested In purchasing miniature Send $1.00 FOR OUR LATEST CATA- guns and miniature edged weapons of all types, sachusetts Magnum Chapter of LOG; UNUSUAL ARMS RELATED COL- LECTIBLES, SURVIVAL KNIVESEQUIP- Including very small toy and novelty types, as the American Big Game Hand- MENT AND OTHER HARD TO FIND well as hlgh-quality pieces. ALSO, full size sur- gunner Assoc. For entry infor- ITEMS. vival/mllitsry fighting knives, survival equip- 7I I ment, and unusual arms related collectibles. mation contact the Assoc. at P.O. Box 326, Stoneham, Mass. Buy - Sell - Trade: "Miniature Arms and Unusual Arms Collectibles 02180. Bill Ruger will present Survival Knives and Equipment" awards to the winners. TOM MALIA "K" BOX NO. 6 WINFIELD, ILL. 60190 of the handgun from observation as the prime factor. Obviously, these criteria in many instances overlap, and some holsters are made exclusively for revolvers, others for semi-automatics. BIANCHI (100 Calle Cortez, Temecula, Calif. 92390) Once a lawman John Bianchi found it difficult to get holsters for his personal use which he felt satisifed with-being a southpaw no doubt contributing to the problem. He began to fashion his own designs and make the holsters. As brother officers saw them, they ordered some of the same. Eventually, necessity and hobby grew into a business. Today, Bianchi Leather Products is one of the best known and most widely respected companies in By JERRY AHERN the field. In the area of Speed Holsters, Bianchi TUFFING ORDNANCE in the model variations. selected three, the first of which is the strouser waistband is a fine old Ameri- The waistband carry, though it will al- Model # 3 Plainclothes for 4" barrel Colt can tradition, dating back to Revolution- ways be with us and definitely has its and S&W medium frame double-action ary War days and before. In the Old West, place, is giving over, in light of the realiza- revolvers. Available in tan or black with the usual "town carry" for the Single Ac- tion that next in importance to the gun it- basket weave or plain finish, it features tion Army was under the coat, in the self and the ammo it's fed, is how safely double stitched 13/4" belt loop and is of trouser band on the gun hand side, butt and efficiently it's carried. And, with the molded, strapless construction. High rid- pointing out to the hip. The flat pocket ever widening spectrum of handgun ac- ing with exposed trigger guard, it features autos of the early part of this century tivity, the knowledgeable handgunner is a sight and hammer guard. Made of eight- greatly enhanced this custom, as better realizing that one gun may demand sever- ounce full grain leather, the integral belt than anything before or since, .they lent al holsters. No more than a hunter would loop is lock stitched, as is the seam. High themselves to twixt belt and belly carry. In take a .25 auto afield as primary Kodiak pressure wet molding is used to form the recent times, the marvelously innovative medcine should a police officer carry his holster to the gun. Barami Hip-Grip for revolvers, an auxil- service revolver in the same holster off- Next in Speed Holsters is the Model 5B liary right grip plate with a shelf extending Thumbsnap, using the same high quality duty as on. Rough country or patrolling - from it which hooks over the trouser band - under severe weather conditions makes . .. ,. or belt, has brought impromptu pistol specialized demands on holsters. The rig Bianchi's #14 'Gun Qwik' rig stows PP~S packing to its zenith. best suited to patrol car use may be com- out of sight. Yet, for nearly as long as there have pletely wrong for the officer who walks his been handguns, there have been holsters. beat or the big bore rifleman who takes a In the early days, they were built into a pistol along as a second gun. And, holsters saddle for the big horse pistols. Later, they designed for top speed in Fast Draw are were made of convenient pieces of hide thoroughly impractical for regular wear. and slung onto a belt. Following the Civil And no holster is designed to be used as a War, the most common pistol leather was pistol case when the gun is not carried the military flap holster, with excess (though one pistol case from Kolpin is de- leather excised. As use of a handgun be- signed to double as a holster). came more specialized, knowledgeable Today's thoughtful pistolero may men on both sides of the law demanded change holsters as often as he changes better. Consulting with saddlemakers, loads, and for the law officer, more fre- often bringing them roughly sketched quently than he changes pants. designs, the first custom holsters made to Realizing the impossibility of covering do more than envelope a handgun were every single variation of holsters, we con- born. tacted all the major leather makers and Gradually, these saddlemakers were some of the specialists making custom called upon to make more and more holsters, requesting them to select hol- holsters, giving over increasingly more of sters of their own manufacture to meet their time to this demanding craft. As the following categories: years went by, various design features 1. Speed Holsters: Holsters designed were tried, some abandoned and some with speed of getting the gun into action standardized. By now, holsters were avail- as primary consideration. able in several general patterns for the 2. Protection Holsters: Those de- mass of pistoleros, and in virtually any signed either for maximum protection configuration for the specialist. What has from the elements and accidental happened in recent years in the American damage for police officers or outdoors- holster industry is most phenomenal. men; or, those designed for protecting What before was available on only a access to the gun from all but the custom basis has become the norm. There wearer. are currently more variations of holsters 3. Concealment Holsters: Holsters available for modern production (whether shoulder, belt, inside waist- handguns than there are modern handgun band, etc.) designed with concealment construction and made for all Colt and tween the belt and the holster. A variation S&W double action revolvers in barrel on this design is the New #2800, The lengths up to 6'/ztt.The Thumbsnap de- Judge, with a relieved trigger guard and sign is placed in such a position that it is the familiar Bianchi thumbsnap. The stan- unsnapped by the natural drawing motion dard Break Front model encloses the trig- of the hand, yet remains secure. Available ger guard completely and features a safety in plain or basket, lined or unlined. strap for use across the front of the holster Finally, the Model 1900 Gunfighter, or for over the hammer. available in plain tan or black finish for Next is the Model # 16L Flap Holster, large frame single action revolvers only made for all DA revolvers with barrels with barrels from 43/4t to 7'/ztf.The from 4" to S3/sft,SA revolvers with barrels holster is metal lined with leg and ham- from 4'/4" to 71/zttand large frame semi- mer thongs. Given a muzzle forward cant, autos with barrels from 4" to 5". Avail- it is suitable with two position wear for able in tan or black with plain or basket thumb-cocking or fanning. The three-inch weave finish. Full flap design provides wide belt of billeted design is available in complete protection. A full silicone suede waist sizes from 30 to 46. The holster is lining as well as a snap on belt loop are constructed of seven-ounce leather, two standard. thicknesses, lock-stitched back to back, Perhaps the most obvious sign that in while the belt is of eight-ounce leather. 1974 Bianchi Leather bought out the Cartridge loops are hand fitted through venerable firm of Berns-Martin is the the belt face, the belt itself featuring a cus- change in design of the first of the three tom made stainless steel buckle. concealment holsters offered, #9R Spe- As to protection holsters, Bianchi cial Agent. All the familiar features of the recommends two, the first being the #27 older 9R which made it one of the ack- Break Front, for all medium and large nowledged best shoulder holsters availa- frame DA revolvers with barrels ranging ble are still present Made of lightweight from 4" to 61/ztt.Available in tan or black six ounce leather, lock stitched back to color in plain or basketweave finish, it fea- back and featuring a patented, heavy tures a patented cylinder recess to lock welted cylinder recess and tempered car- and position the revolver solidly. A spring bon wire spring and full leather lining, the provides secure grip of the gun yet a new 9R features not only covered trigger smooth draw. The patented belt loop de- guard but covered hammer guard as well. Bianchi's #6 waistband holster tucks gun sign allows waist length jackets to fit be- To add to its usefulness, it is equipped inside waistband. ., , - . .$#y 5-1 Ã ..A*. MK IV 22 WMR markets for this ammunition. in developing DA revolver handling, or it High Standard's Sentinel Mark IV, in will serve the casual handgunner reliably Continued from page 25 the .22 WMR chambering, will give good for many years as a main gun. For anyone service as a kit gun for sport and survival interested in rimfire handguns, the Mark or for defensive shooting. The Mark IV IV should be given serious can be a first gun for a shooter interested consideration.

nated with this technique, along with about a pound of pull tension at both ends of the trigger action. Pull tension can be reduced further by shortening a few coils off the mainspring. This should be done empirically, removing coils until ignition New .22 Caliber 5-Shot ' failures appear, then cutting a second mainspring about one coil longer and re- NOW AVAILABLE IN installing it. I have not bothered to do this Mini-Derringer !I .22 LONG RIFLE with my own Mark IV, since after smoothing the action, the heavy pull does not seem that noticeable. I cannot say how Small in size.. . sensitive ignition is to shortening the big on power! mainspring on the WMR Mark IV. Accurate! Not The single action factory trigger was a toy.. 'this is the crisp, single-stage, and a safe five and a half pounds. The sight picture stayed rock real McCoy! A quality solid as the hammer fell. The single action firearm, designed hammer arc is rather long on the Mark along the classic lines of IV, and coupled with a heavy spring ten- a 19th Century house pistol, it's sion, provides more than adequate igni- made entirely in the U.S.A. tion energy for the WMR cartridge. The " w heavier spring tension also shortens lock Shoots popular .22 Short time, so it is about the equal to Colt long ammo. Easy takedown. Easy to load. action revolvers. A good follow-through Stainless steel construction. - produced quite good twenty-five yard See one at your nearest groups during prone test firing. Critics have been hard on the Mark IV dealer now! Dealers due to its necessarily heavy trigger pull. Inquire. Send for FREE (6 dl# However, all things considered, this gun color literature! / - offers quite a well-balanced trigger action, very useable for those shooters who will take time to acquire a well coordinated DA shooting technique. (For a detailed North A description of DA shooting, see the author's book, Combat Handgun Shoot- ing, Charles C. Thomas Publishers, Springfield, Illinois.) The use of WMR ammunition in a handgun offers a flexibility not seen from this cartridge when shot from rifles. While rifle velocities push 2000 fps, out of the four-inch barrel of the Mark IV the bullets HANDGUN LEATHER . . . CONTINUED are traveling nominally around 1450 fps. The difference in velocity means that a with compact belt slots for either right or for the fastest shoulder holster draws. The. pistol-fired solid bullet hitting small game left hand use. When the gun is drawn design offers no protection to the gun ex- : will not destroy meat for the pot. The from the belt position, it works identically cept the enclosure of the trigger guard, yet i; WMR gives pistols significantly more to the Break Front models. Made for all is the next best thing in comfort to no - energy than a .22 Long Rifle fired from a small and medium frame revolvers with holster at all. A leather harness and elastic rifle barrel. Used as a survival arm, pistols short barrels, it features a full grain off shoulder strap complete the rig. S chambered for WMR are serious contend- leather harness with adjustable surgical Last of the Bianchi offerings is the ers as all-around choices, since the hunt- elastic back crossover straps. Model #6 Waistband Holster for ing and defensive potentials are so much Next is the Model #14 Gun Quick, revolvers and automatics, from the .38 better than with .22 LR The magnum made for most .32 and .380 autos. It is and .357 DA revolvers to .45 Autos back rimfire ammunition is not much more perhaps the simplest shoulder holster ever , down to -25s; available in suede finish bulky, and it delivers more useable energy devised, consisting of nothing more than a only, rough side out, for friction against from compact, easily-carried handguns. powerful spring clamp fully leather lined the trousers and smooth leather next to The terminal ballistics for hollowpoint and faced, lock stitched with decorative. the gun to protect the finish. A nickel WMR loads will transfer about three hand-laced top. Internal dimples are plated steel clip, replaceable if ever times the energy of .22 LR HP cartridges, featured for positive pistol retention, in- needed, locks solidly over belts up to PA" making the rimfire magnum about corn- ternal slotted construction is featured for wide. Made of five-ounce full grain parable in effectiveness to standard .38 front sight clearance. The Gun Quick car- leather, it's one of the most practical de- Special loads. All of these factors have ries the pistol diagonally and is suitable signs manufactured. helped make the .22 WMR cartridge very I popular in handguns, one of the major NEXT ISSUE: SAFARILAND LEATHER I AMERICAN HANDGUNNER 0 SEPTEMBER40 64 , . , l;li*,,,,;^ SECURITY ARMS .357 MAGNUM SNUBBY . . . Continued from page 31 diate soreness, but for several hours after -ram .38 Special to .357 means sacrificin~ apparent that the Security Industries that there would be a numb tingling in the a large degree of accurate rapid fire con- mini-,357 is suitable for experts only- palm of my shooting hand, mute testi- trol for a small degree of added ballistic that is, for men who can handle .44 Mag- mony to the recoil force it had absorbed. performance. nums with aplomb. An inexperienced Muzzle blast and report are predictably That's with 4 guns. In the 2", we have shooter will handicap himself with this brutal. This is a handicap in any snub two additional things to consider. We gun: he'll get more power into his first .357. In a close-quarters gunfight between know that .357 ceases to be "Magnum" shot, but he'll never be able to deliver walls or parked cars, it can leave your ears when it gets down into the shorter barrel controlled follow-up fire into a second or ringing and your eyes dazzled-a poor lengths, and that a 2'/2" hot .357 delivers third armed opponent. state of affairs if you must count on those less ballistically than a 6" hot .38. How- For the man who can handle it, the Se- senses to help you outwit an opponent ever, a 2" .38 delivers less yet. Many of curity Industries 2'/2", 5-shot .357 is the who has survived the first exchange and is the failures of semi-jacketed "+ P" hol- maximum degree of gunfighting power in now stalking you in the darkness. lowpoint loads to expand and deliver a minimum-size package. But you have to Which brings us back to the basic prac- maximum shock power, have occurred in pay your dues, and that means lots of time ticality of any snubby .357. The Magnum snub-nose .38's. Depending on the load, a in practice to control the recoil, accustom got its reputation for superiority over the short .357 is more likely to push its pro- yourself to the muzzle blast, and make .38 Special in the days when the standard jectile up into the magic 1000-1100 fps sure that the gun won't malfunction. The ,357 load comprised a good Keith bullet area that will ensure bullet expansion, latter is not a slur against this particular and a .38 Special meant an inefficient than is a snub .38. In the belly guns, then, product: it's something you have to do round nose. Today, with high-perform- performance difference between .38 spe- with any gun these days, no matter what ance projectiles loaded into both calibers, cial and .357 is not as marginal as in 4" reputation its brand name carries from the difference in gunfight situations is sur- service revolvers. times gone by. prisingly marginal. I tell my students- Unfortunately, the ,357's decrease in I paid those dues. That's whv I've those allowed to carry Super Vel-type combat-fire controllability is also magni- chosen this as my maximum concealment ammo in their duty guns-that trading up fied in a small-frame revolver. From this gun to carry when my own life is on the we can deduce two things: a snub .357 de- line. For $180, coupled with the trouble- livers more shock power than a snub .38, free maintenance of its stainless steel con- 218 BEE.. . but is even harder to shoot effectively. struction, a lot of other people who spend When you consider how few men can as much time as I do with combat hand- Continued from page 35 shoot qualifying scores with a 2" .38 load- guns are going to make ed even with wadcutter ammo, it becomes the same choice.

The bullel ~~LILICKme: ~IIUUIU~Iaica anu in? was down and dead instantly. On groundhogs, the bullet does even better! Disintegrating upon impact, they never know what hit 'em. The T/C .218 Mashburn Bee is a fine "wildcat." If you own a .218 Bee and enjoy experimenting, give the Mashbum Bee P9S DOUBLE ACTION .45 cal. a try. A real big game stopper! In conclusion a word of caution: All 8 rounds instantly ready Weighs data listed is experimental and maximum less than two pounds Polygon bore insures loads generate high pressures. Do not at- accuracy tempt to work up to these loads in rifles. Delayed To my knowledge, no strong rifles have roller-locked ever been chambered for the Bee. The slide retards T/C Contender is an extremely strong ac- recoil. tion. The loads contained herein are per- P9S DOUBLE ACTION -45 cal fectly safe in our guns. However, too many P9S DOUBLE ACTION 9mm HK4 DOUBLE ACTION .380 variables exist to recommend them to 10 rounds of 9mm anyone. Wildcat chambers vary greatly parabellurn punching cal.l.22 LRl.32 cal.l.25 cal. - and so do the loads they will accept. The Weighs two pounds The perfect backup gun4 guns in one. authors and this publication do not accept Reliable~accurate Shoots the high lethality ,380 cal. responsibility for any damage or injuries Also features polygon bore and (9mm short) cartridge resulting from the improper applications qelayed roller-locked slide. Converts to low cost .22LR in seconds Kits for .32 and .25 cal. also available or misuse of the various loads listed Perfect for the backpacker. Lightweight herein. (1 6.902) The .218 Mashburn is a better looking Ask your dealer about all of the exciting case than the standard .218. Case life is new H&K auns or write for free cataloa considerably better. With equivalent case ~eckler& Koch, lnc. life, the Mashburn version is 300-400 fps Security Arms Co., Inc. faster than the standard Bee. Even if you HK4 DOUBLE ACTION 380 OaU 22 LW-3 don't care about case life or the front half call25 cal 933 N. Kenmore St., Suite 218 of the cases jammed in the chamber occa- Arlington, Va. 22201 sionally, the velocity increase over the (703) 525-3182 standard Bee means nothing in the field. AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/( the pocket of an overcoat carried on the arm, or in a hand basket, or other recepta- cle held by hand. But when one's weapon is in a vehicle in which he is riding, and not attached to his person at all, it cannot be said to be concealed about his person. You can see the difference. Of course, people conceal weapons in their pocket, underneath their coat, inside their shirt, inside a traveling bag, attached to their leg and many other places. How have the courts treated these cases? At the outset, what is the test as to whether or not the weapon is concealed? The test as to concealment is whether the weapon was so carried as to be discernible by oklinary observation; that is whether the CONCEALED WEAPONS weapon could have been so seen by ordinary observation to disclose that it was a By JOHN WARREN GILES pistol. The weapon must be so hidden from general view as to put others off re you carrying a concealed weap- In the early days, at common law, the their guard. In most states, if the weapon A on? If you are, you have a sense of offense of carrying concealed weapons in- is partly exposed to view, there is no con- security in dangerous places and among volved riding or going about, and not cealment within the meaning of the criminals, but are you secure from prose- merely possessing aiweapon. But this is no statute. A person who has a pistol in his cution? longer true under state statutes, for today pocket in such a manner that those stand- Why shouldn't you be able to carry a it is generally agreed that locomotion is ing in full view of his person cannot see it, concealed gun in these days when many not necessary in order for the weapon to is not carrying it in an open manner and streets are not safe at night, and innocent be "carried" within the meaning of the fully exposed to view as required by the older people are being held up and shot? statutes. However, in Texas, you must statute. The states have determined that carrying show that the defendant was moving with Naturally, the vast majority of the cases a concealed weapon is dangerous for the the pistol concealed. In a Texas case, the supports the proposition that a weapon in reason that when people have guns on evidence did not show where the pistol the pocket of the defendant is within the their person and they get angry, they may which the defendant used to hit another provisions of the statute, unless some par- use their gun to kill or maim someone came from, and ftie defendant testified ticular circumstances appear. But not ev- who little suspects they are armed. Seeing that he found thi istol on the ground ery weapon in a pocket means a convic- and knowing a man has a gun on his per- during the strugg! ,'but did not carry it tion. In New York, the conviction of the son is one thing, but a concealed weapon there nor carry it {way. Hence he was not defendant was reversed where the over- can play havoc with one's health if used by convicted. In anot er case the defendant coat of the defendant, was out of his physi- an angry assailant. Of course, it never was would not be guiltyP of carrying the pistol if cal possession for more than two hours, the intention of the lawmakers to hold a he merely picked pp a gun which did not and for at least a half hour, it was hanging person answerable to the criminal law belong to him from the floor of the car in on a peg in the place of business con- who, for instance, carries a pistol in his which he was sitting, and stick it in his ducted by the defendants' father-in-law- pocket to a gunsmith to be repaired, or shirt, at the time the officers who arrested while the defendant was away getting that a gentleman residing in a city who him appeared, the defendant not having something to eat, and a revolver was buys a pistol to be taken to his residence, gone anywhere with the weapon. found in his overcoat pocket by the po- is required to carry it thru the streets In order to convict, must the weapon be lice, who were called in by a mere pretext openly in his hand. The manifest purpose so placed that it will move as the defen- by the father-in-law. In Missouri, it was of these statutes is to thwart the tempta- dant moves? An Alabama case says that held that if the defendant had no intention tion and power to employ such weapons in all the essential elements of the offense to use the pistol as a weapon, then he was assaults upon human beings, which are exist if an interdicted weapon is carried entitled to a discharge, notwithstanding prompted by anger and evil design, and to near the person, and so connected there- the fact that, during the time he and cer- free citizens from the terror of the with that the locomotion of the body nec- tain other young men were shooting at a brandishment of such weapons and to pre- essarily carries the weapon, and so that it mark, he may have placed the pistol in serve life and limb. may be wrongly used when desired, as in one of his pockets so that it could not be

Could this full-flap rig be considered concealment?

AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1976 seen. It is the same story if the defendant carries a deadly weapon underneath his coat. He is usually always convicted. Where the defendant, pursued by police officers, ran across the sidewalk into a cafe, holding one of his hands inside his coat, the officers following a step or two behind him, and when the officers got into the cafe, they saw the defendant pull a revolver out of his clothing, and throw it underneath a cigar counter saying, "I beat you to it that time," it was held that the defendant was properly convicted. But in Indiana, testimony by the state that the defendant held a gun in her hand which she had picked up, and that "she would fold her arms and then it was under her cloak" was held not to warrant a conviction. The defendant testified and the jury believed that she carried the revolver in an uncovered box, and later took it out of the box and held the gun in her hand. Is there any magic in concealing the weapon inside your shirt, overalls, or similar clothing? No, but unless the statute requires that the weapon be carried fully exposed to view, the cases generally hold that a pistol stuck inside the waistband, or worn in a holster attached to your belt, is not carried concealed within the meaning of the statute, altho the result may be different if the weapon is also covered by the coat or shirt of the defendant. Thus, notes on handgun associations. .- - when the defendant was approached by AMERICAN BIG GAME HANDGUNNERS ASSOC. another who had a rock in his hand, the The ABGHA was founded by George Bredsten to serve the specific defendant drawing a pistol from the front needs of the big game handgunners. Its primary objectives are: to of his person, and pointing it at the wit- actively support big game handgun hunting when undertaken in a ness, it was held in Kentucky that the de- legal and sporting manner; to develop an exchange of ideas, opin- fendant did not violate the statute, since it ions, observations and factual data between handgun hunters; to was plain that the pistol was not and could publish data pertaining to handgun hunting techniques, skill, car- not be concealed, but it was stuck in the tridges for the sport, habits and habitat of big game; and to initiate, defendant's belt, where a person in front maintain and periodically update a records system listing the com- of him could and would necessarily see it. parative ranking of big game trophies taken with a handgun. For in- In Louisiana, where the rule is that the formation, write George Bredsten, ABGHA, P.O. Box 1735, Wrangeii, weapon must be fully exposed to view in Maska 99929. (Continued on page 70) --

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AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1 976 Unusual in the handgun business today is to receive a release saying that a certain model is in "full supply." This is the case with the Sterling Model 400, a .380 double action autoloader. The gun PANCAKE WITH LOOPS is available in high luster nickel, priced The latest versions of Roy oaxers fa- at $1 34.95; a stainless steel model will mous Pancake holsters now features be available shortly. Sterling Arms, integral ammo loops fitted snugly be- 4436 Prospect St., Dept. AH, Gasport, N.Y. 14067 CUSTOM .45 SLIDES Do-it-yourself custom slides for the .45 auto pistol are now available in three lengths: long, for the 6" barrels; standard for traditional 5" barrels and "bobcat" for 4V2" barrels. Made of tough 4130 chrome moly steel, these slides have Integral ribs to accomo- date target or combat sights. The 6" version is $105; standard and bobcat are $75. Adjustable sights are $35 extra. A catalog describing these slides and stainless barrels is available from JAC Associates, P.O. Box 3355, Dept. neath the revolver's cylinder bulge; out AH, Santa Monica, Calif. 90403 of the way, yet easily accessible. Full information in a free catalog from Roy's Custom Leather Goods, P.O. Box G, Highway 132, Dept. AH, Magnolia, Ark. 71 753 THOMAS RUGER 9mm REVOLVER The Thomas .45 autoloader is new in concept and fabrication. The magazine HANDCRAFTED PISTOL CASES Recognizing the popularity of the 9mm cartridge, Sturm, Ruger & Co. has in- holds six rounds, the overall length is Pelson has introduced a line of fine troduced their Police Service Six and 6V2". Fixed front and adjustable rear handgun cases at a price that is no in- Speed Six models in this chambering. dication of the quality of the workman- To assure positive ejection of the ship and materials. Cases for most popular modern handguns are priced at $45, custom cases for antique guns or custom guns are $75485. Pelson, 13918 Equitable Rd., Dept. AH, Cer- ritos, Calif. 90701

Sir "IT PARTNER New ~arplugs from Safety Direct are cases a new rimless ejector has been designed for protection and comfort. designed, and thus no devices such as , Only one size needed, self adjusting. half moon clips are required. The sights are furnished. The firing mecha- Made of soft, resilient rubber that is SDA-94 is the Service Six with 4" bar- nism is double action only. Made in the non-toxic and non-allergenic. Safety rel; the SS-92 is the Speed Six with US, the price is $250.00. Alexander . Direct, P.O. Box 8907, Dept. AH, Reno, 23/4" barrel. Sturm Ruger & Co., Inc., James Ordnance Inc., 1066 East Edna Nevada 89507 Southport, Dept. AH, Conn. 06490 Place, Dept. AH, Covina, Cal.91724 ' 68 AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1976 DIRTY HARRY" ,f?I\\ KEY RING . -11 AUTHENTIC * RUGGED WELL MADE * EYECATC

Mauser and Interarms otter a limited secured to a plated edition of the famed Mauser HSc auto pistol. Each of these limited series of 5,000 pistols will be serial numbered in sequence with each pistol showing "2 of 5000," "3 of 5000," etc. Each will bear the American Eagle. These will be the last Mauser HSc pistols produced Buy by Mauser! Many serial numbers have Direct from the Manufactur already been reserved, so orders received now may not have a choice. In- R.D.B. ENTERPRISES terarms, 10 Prince Street, Dept. AH, P.O. Box 312 Alexandria, Va. 2231 3 Fraser, Mi 48026 VRaSpyi. Ina& Trusted,

THE AMERICAN HANDGUNNER: PUBLISHED BY HANDGUNNERS FOR HANDGUNNERS!

by George Nonte

One of the world's best known writers sets the stage for this book which, because of even tighter government regulations, becomes more important to handgun owners every day. The acquisition of skills necessary to do everything from the simple work of touching up a blueing job to the more complicated re- building and accurizing is made easier with the step-by-step advice. Pistols, revolvers and automatic pistols can be fixed, improved, and maintained properly following directions for welding brazing, soldering, hardening, tempering, revolver tun- ing and timing, refinishing and more, completely illustrated with photos and drawings.

I GUNS MAGAZINE I 8150 N. Central Pk Skokie, IL 60076 1 Please forward ____ copy(s) of PISTOLSMITHING. En- closed is $14.95 plus 50$ postage and handling per book.

1 NAMF

STATE ZIP_ I Allow 6 weeks for delivery AMERICAN HANDGUNNER SEPTEMBERIOCTOBER 1976 (Continued from page 67) order not to violate the statute, the ac- cused, wearing no coat or vest, carried a pistol with the barrel and cylinder stuck inside the front waistband of his trousers, leaving the handle and guard exposed. He was convicted. Holding a weapon in the hand does not violate the statute, but in Missouri the defendant was convicted under evidence that he sat quietly in his train seat with his coat off, holding the pistol in one hand, but partially concealed by his vest and pants. The testimony of the state showed that no part of the ~istolwas in open view, and it could only be seen by looking in a certain direction and from a certain point. Altho there is a split of authority on the subject, the majority of the cases support the proposition that the defendants' carrying of a weapon hidden in a bag, bundle, lunch basket, traveling bag or other similar article placed under the arm, is generally sufficient to constitute a violation of the statute. But in South Carolina where the pistol was laced by the defendant in his satchel or suitcase, the statute was not violated since the evidence showed that the defendant did not carry the weapon about his person, either concealed or un- concealed. There are few cases where a person has been carrying a weapon about his leg, but where this has been found, conviction has resulted. Some state statutes provide that you cannot carry a weapon concealed in an automobile under your control. A pistol pushed down behind the cushion of the front seat of an automobile, is being carried in violation of the statute and a defendant who permitted two police officers to unlock the door of his car, while he was standing in a parking lot located across the street from the defendant's 'hotel, and to remove from the previously closed glove compartment, a forty-five caliber revolver, was convicted under the statute. In Florida, a pistol in the glove compartment 'NO SECOND PLACE WINNER" of an automobile being driven by the owner, was held not to be in his personal

Bill Jordan tells~ it- like- it. . is.- in.. . GUNS possession. The court laid stress on the his fascinating book about gun LOADS fact that the words "on" and "about" were fighting, how to do it and what LEATHER not used in the statute, and since the FAST DRAW statute was enacted prior to the advent of equipment to use. Informative COMBAT SHOOTING automobiles, it could not be said that the and exciting reading. GUNFIGHTING state intended to make unlawful the carrying of a pistol in the pocket of an automobile. The dissenting judge said that this Sfrttioi 'S' - All GUNS readers will receive a i statute was designed to put an end to I personally autographed copy. Order yours today, and, pistol toting by irresponsible characters I 1 floating about the country in search of a I order one for a friend! I pretext to shoot someone, and that to 1 1 I Please send me _ copy(ies) @ $6.50. plus 500 (per 1 draw a distinction between a pistol in a I book) for postage and handling. I hip pocket and one in the pocket of an I I automobile was to shield the very class the I Name- ---- I statute was designed to punish. I 1 You can see that the key to this whole 1 Address - I subject is "concealment." Does the public City State--_Zip .- 1 know you have the gun? If you must carry I a gun, get a permit, and if you I GUNS MAGAZINE 8150 N. Central Pk., Skokie, Ill. 60076 I l-Ã‘Ã‘Ã‘Ã‘Ã‘-Ã‘Ã‘Ã‘Ã‘Ã‘Ã‘~~-Ã‘Ã‘--~----- do not, do not carry the gun.

70 AMERICAN HANDGUNNER 0 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1976 Too Ciao .ns.irance cornpan es flon'l ns-re ,oar gdisfrom lneflo, po 1 c dii-; d^ AC as ftu'n r -1 I I c.n rr 1-1 r as T:;cd, [~OtoreI A~.,IIF:~II soale ."oel AMER- CAN~ P STO_ AND RE\.0_1ER ASS-HAhCE ~etore.~-~eecltu sdi ltit-u..~cr r L~~IIII~. gun politicians" attempt to steal ("confiscate") your pistols and revolvers This kind of "ASSURANCE" is only possible through POLITICAL ACTION The American Pistol and Revolver Association is the only Political Action PRO-Handgun Association in America that OPPOSES the "Co-alition for Handgun Control" specifically on the issue of hand guns. By joining today you may have the deciding vote by getting fellow pistol owners to participate in defeating the anti- handgun prohibitionists this November Ifthey haven't outlawed your handguns yet it is because they know that they cannotget away with it before being re-elected Afterthe General Election in November, our politicians will feel free to do whatever they want to do without regard for thevoters that elected them or to please the well-financed special interest groups such as the "Committee for Handgun Control" who would reimburse them for their campaign expenses Therefore our only "ounce of prevention that will be worth a "TON" of cure" will be to elect APRA Endorsed Candidates that we are absolutely sure are solid 100% pro-GUN RITE LETTERSmFROM ACTIVE COMMUNITY CHAPTERS CIRCULATE PETITIONS INFORM VOTERS ENDORSE CANDIDATES INDIVIDUAL PATRON AND LIFE MEMBERS RECEIVE BOOKS, DECALS, BUMPER STICKERS, MEMBERSHIP CARDS, SUBSCRIP- TION TO HOT PISTOL NEWS AND OTHER VITAL INFORMATION CONCERNING LEGISLATION OUR TIME MAY SOON BE RUNNING OUT-WE MAY ONLY HAVE A FEW DAYS LEFT BEFORE THE PROHIBITION OF ALL OF OUR MOST PRECIOUS HANDGUNS IS PASSED INTO LAW BY ACTING NOW WE CAN PREVENT PASSAGE WHICH IS ALWAYS EASIER TO ACCOMPLISH THAN REPEALING LAWS THAT HAVE ALREADY TAKEN EFFECT Freedom is not free-it must be maintained-so let's get really active now and show our elected representatives how much we care about preserving our most important constitutional right Let's remind them that they were elected to represent us and that they took an oath to uphold our US Constitution which guarantees our right (not privilege) to keep and to bear arms (including pistols and ammunitioni

MEMBERSHIP DUES: ASSOCIATE $5, INDIVIDUAL $10, PATRON $25, LIFE $125, SPONSOR $250, ENDOWMENT $500. Please mail today to: THE AMERICAN PISTOL & REVOLVER ASSOCIATION, 512 EAST WILSON AVENUE, GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA 91206. Telephone (213) 247-1 100

Please enroll me as a - MEMBER of the AMERICAN PISTOL AND REVOLVER ASSOCIATION, Inc. I declare that I am an American Citizen, over eighteen years of age, of sound mind, a law abiding citizen and I subscribe to the principles, platform and objectives of the American Pistol and Revolver Association, Inc.

NAME DATE ADDRESS PHONE CITY STATE ZIP CODE OCCUPATION COMPANY