Gratuitous Gun Photo Day

Pistolero

Earlier this year, while everyone was scrambling to find ARs and magazines, I stayed on the sidelines. I did spend some more on SCAR mags but otherwise sat this current madness out. I have nearly everything that I need so I wasn't looking for much. I did find this little gem at a great price back in February. I couldn't turn it down.

It's a 1931 vintage Colt Detective Model in .38 Special. I don't know its history but some past owner knew their guns, and knew exactly what they wanted in a carry gun.

The hammer spur has been removed so it won't snag on clothing but the top of the hammer has been checkered so you can still cock it single action if you want to. Originally this revolver had a square butt grip but the back has been rounded into an almost bird's head shape. The bottom halves of the grips have also been ground down. When new they flared out at the bottom now they gently roll back towards the frame. They feel great in your hand. Of course the action is smooth a silk.

I think in the next few months I'll have to get out all my old .38s and make a day of it.

From the vault - Smith & Wesson Model 1950 .45 Target

The aptly named Smith & Wesson 1950 .45 Target Model was chambered in .45 ACP (with a small number produced in .45 Colt) and with its 6-½ inch barrel, Patridge front and adjustable back sights it was well suited to the task. But it seemed shooters preferred a heavier barrel gun for target or competition use. S&W would give them what they wanted with the Model 1955 (later Model 25), which was basically the same design but with a heavy contour barrel. Although the 1950 .45 Target would stay in production (as the Model 26) until 1961 sales were never spectacular with only 2768 reportedly made in the eleven year run.

I purchased this Model 1950 "Pre 26" in early 2000. Having left the factory in 1955 it had just turned 45 years old and by that time this fine old revolver had been modified just as you see it. Reportedly it had belonged to a competition shooter in Florida and the gun's alterations would seem to support that. The modifications included action work, oversized grips and the removing of the standard back sight and replacing it with an optical one. This sight is an illuminated (no batteries needed) cross hair type produced by Thompson Center and together with the action work makes this gun exceptionally accurate. This revolver is more than capable of cutting one-hole groups all day long. The double action trigger pull is lighter than stock but it was really intended to be fired single action and that has been brought down to a very light 2 ¼ pounds. With the crisp trigger, heavy frame, hand filling grips and long barrel it is a true pleasure to shoot.

I didn't own this very long the first time before stupidly selling it to my brother, a decision I regretted for quite a while. After several years of my relentless pestering he eventually sold it back and now it has become part of my "permanent" collection. I don't normally name my guns but if I did I think this would be something like "The Smith & Wesson Model 1950 Buck Rogers Commemorative Edition." It just looks like it belongs in one of those Buck Rogers or Flash Gordon serials, or maybe if they brought back Firefly to TV. If they did that I would gladly loan them this revolver for the duration, free of charge...

Information from the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (3rd Edition) by Jim Supica & Richard Nahas

What he said

"…we have the short-barreled 3-½ -inch .357 Magnum that is absolutely the most business-like looking sixgun ever made available. Dirty Harry did not originate 'Make my day!', the 3-½-inch .357 Smith & Wesson Magnum did!" John Taffin

2010 Year in Guns

This year I did a lot of buying and selling of guns, most of it was done in an effort to rid my collection of a lot of non-shooting "collector" handguns that filled my safe. At the beginning of 2010 I had several of them that I hadn't shot in a long time and even a couple that never were shot at all. Those guns are all gone now and the rifles and pistols I replaced them with are working tools, not collector pieces. I can't say that I will never buy another collector gun but I can say I will never own another "Safe Queen." I will never again own a gun too "nice" to shoot. Over a year ago I also began an effort to simplify my gun collection by reducing the numbers of different calibers in my collection, I continued that program in 2010. Eventually I got it down to these eight calibers - .22LR - .38 S&W Special - .357 S&W Magnum - 9x19mm - .45 ACP - 5.56 NATO (.223 Remington) - 7.62 NATO (.308 Winchester) and 12 Gauge. I also own a rifle each in .30-06 and .303 British but I already had plenty of surplus and commercial ammo for them. Since I knew that I don't really shoot either very much and didn't need to purchase any more ammo I decided to go ahead and keep both rifles, but I won't be buying more ammo for them. I have only kept what I consider the best combination of affordable, available and "useable" ammunition and the guns chambered for them. Every round that I now own (except the aforementioned) I have at least a couple of guns that use it. Doing this has definitely made my life easier, I have more storage room and have really decreased my headache factor. The official numbers for 2010 are - 9 guns bought (1 Gift) and 9 guns sold. I didn't go shooting this year near as much as I wanted, but then that's true of every year.

Pictured above is what I consider my best purchase this year. A Smith & Wesson pre-war "Non-Registered" .357 Magnum. This smooth old revolver shipped as shown with blue finish, Magna grips and a 5-Inch barrel with a gold Call front sight. According to the historical letter this gun originally shipped to an Inspector in the Virginia ABC in December of 1939, and yes it's one great shooter!

From the vault - Smith & Wesson Model 4566

From deep within my gun safe comes another treasure...I've always had a soft spot for third generation Smith & Wesson auto pistols, especially in .45 caliber. A model 4506 (fixed sight) was the very first S&W I ever owned. Over the years I would buy one and then after a while sell it, but it wouldn't be too long before I would regret it and buy another. I have owned several of the big .45s over the years, a couple each of the 4506 and 4516 models, a 4567 and my only current one, the 4566 in the photo above. I've never had a problem with any of mine; all have been very solid, dependable pistols. If there has been any issue at all it would be with the heavy double action trigger pull that I always thought was one of the series' only flaws. I bought this one at a low price in '06 and after shooting it a while decided that it was a "keeper". For once I decided to send a gun off for a little custom work, this one got sent to Novak for a trigger and reliability job (was plenty reliable already) and I have been quite happy with it ever since. The DA trigger is as smooth as silk and the modifications made on the gun turned it from an excellent pistol to an exceptional pistol. Every once in a while I'll think about selling it. It's a one of a kind in my collection and requires special mags, holsters etc. that won't work with any other gun that I own. But every time I do consider getting rid of it I quickly change my mind, it's just too good a gun to ever let go...

From the vault - Smith & Wesson Model 27-7

From deep within my gun safe comes another treasure...Produced in limited quantities in 2000 the Smith & Wesson Model 27-7 has several features that distinguish it from other Model 27 revolvers made before or since. The 27-7 was special ordered from S&W by the sporting goods distributor Bangers. Each revolver was custom built by the S&W Performance Center (PC) and wears their emblem instead of the normal Smith & Wesson logo. Each revolver was hand assembled and tuned, and delivered in a PC aluminum carry case. The 27-7 was limited to only 200 copies ever made, 100 with a 4-inch barrel and 100 with a 6-½ inch barrel. Produced in a special serial number range, all had a high polish blue finish, a round butt grip frame and had square butt conversion target stocks. The Model 27-7 was the first 27 produced as an 8-shot capacity revolver and could be loaded conventionally or with special moon clips that were also supplied. The 27-7 also has the distinction of being the only 8-shot Model 27 ever made without "The Lock".

I had a chance to purchase one of these when they originally came out but stupidly passed on the opportunity. Later on I realized just how dumb I was and started looking for another. Unfortunately they rarely come up for sale so it has been a long wait. I finally got my chance to get this one in a trade. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet but the action is smooth as glass, easily the equal of my Colt Python. And holding two more rounds of .357 Magnum gives the edge to the big S&W. Not to worry, a shooting report will be forthcoming.

wilsonblogclassic® Originally posted Saturday, July 25, 2009

70 years ago todayOn this day 70 years ago, Tuesday, July 25th 1939 my Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver shipped from the factory. The gun was special ordered with the 3 ½ inch barrel (the shortest available barrel length), blue finish, humpback hammer, Magna grips and a King red bead front sight with "U" notch white outline rear sight. Further, it was specified that the gun be sighted in at the factory using .357 Magnum ammunition at a distance of 25 yards and using a 6 o'clock hold. The revolver was ordered by Sutcliffe Hardware Co. Louisville Kentucky. It is not known if the .357 was ordered for a specific individual or to use as company stock.