American Handgunner May/June 1978

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE OUTSTANDING AMERICAN HANDGUNNER AWARDSLEATHER-COVEREDTEST R L BORE

When America was a younger country, thebetter craftsmen all made their geardependable. It had to wear well, to performin lonely dangerous situations where therewas no chance of repair or replacement.For many people, these are somewhatsofter times, and some manufacturer'sproducts seem to reflect the modern age.They make their holsters quick, fast andcheap. But not Bianchi. At Bianchi, wemake gunleather the Old West way - as ifyour life depended on it. Our holsters arefamous for their perfect gun-to-leather fit.They're carefully tooled and crafted fromthe finest leathers; and the large amount ofhand labor that goes into each holsterreflects the pride we feel in making ourproducts right. Sure, the best costs a littlemore . . . but what kind of price could youput on your life?For further information on our completeline of gunleather and law enforcementproducts, see your authorized dealer orsend $1.00 for our 1978 color catalog.Write Bianchi Catalog Offer, 100 CalleCortez, Dept. AH5, Temecula, California92390.The best's worth reaching for

Colt service.Our network of Authorized Colt Service Centers is broader than that of any handgunmanufacturer in the United States.These Service Centers observe the highest Colt standards. They guarantee you genuineColt parts' the qyality of highly skilled craftsmeny and the precision engineering thatmakes every Colt worthy of its name. That Colt legend means unparalleled reliabilityyaccuracy and goodlmks.We've invested over 140 years in creating and refining Colt superiority. Our AuthorizedService Center network is just one of the ways we're working to maintain the quality thatbefits a legend.LImportant product and service literature accompaniesevery Colt sale; be sure to ask for yours.

#:, THE AMERICANp-HANDGUNNERMAYIJUNE, 1978VOL. 3 NO. 3-1 1CONTENTSFEATURESGeorge E. von RosenPublisherINTRODUCTION TO HANDGUN SILHOUElTE SHOOTING .............. Elgin Gates 22HAMMERING THE OMC BACKUP ................................... J. B. Wood 24SAFETY FOR THE S&W REVOLVER .............................. Massad Ayoob 27HIDE COVERED HANDGUN GRIPS ............................... Russ Gaertner 28THE LIlTLE MATCH THAT COULD ............................... Massad Ayoob 32THE SSK MAGNUM PAK ..........................................A. H. Staff 35PISTOLSMITH PROFILESRON POWER-CUSTOMIZING THE S&W .......................... Masad Ayoob 38ARMAND SWENSON-MASTER OF THE -45 AUTO ................. Walter Rickell 44TOOLS OF THE GUNSLINGERS ................................ George Virgines 48THE CUSTOM SHOP ........................................... .John Osgood 50TEST REPORE BIANCHI'S PISTOLERO RIG ...................... Michael Barach 54COMPLETE GUtDE TO UN-LOADING .............................. Gordon Stark 60Cover Photos: Ron Power revolver by John Hanusin. Audie Murphy's custom.45 done by Armand Swenson, photo by Walter Rickell.DEPARTMENTSINDUSTRY INSIDER ... Massad Ayoob 6 COP TALK ............ Massad Ayoob 18PISTOLSMITHING ........ Geo. Nonte 10 HANDGUN LEATHER .....Jerry Ahern 58HANDGUN HUNTING .. Geo. Bredsten 16 TAKING AIM ........ Karl Bosselmann 66Jerome Rakusan ...................... EditorHerbert Gates ..............Associate EditorRobert C. O'Quinn ..........Associate EditorSydney Barker .................. Art DirectorArt ProductionBenton Covert ...............Bill Bauer ................. Advertising SalesMichele Somers ......... Advertising ManagerNancy Grove .........Advertising ProductionT.A. von Rosen .......... Production DirectorAlbert Eskinazi ...... Subscription/CirculationSUBSCRIPTION OFFICE: D. Bennett, 591 Camino de la Reina, Suite 200, San Diego,CA. 92108 (714) 297-8523EDITORIAL OFFICES: J. Rakusan, 591 Camino de la Reina, Suite 200, San Diego, CA.92108 (714) 297-5352)NATIONAL ADV. OFFICES: 8150 N. Central Park Ave., Skokie, Ill. 60076 (312)675-6010WEST COAST ADV. REPS: Media Sales Associates, 12121 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 207,Los Angeles, 90025 (213) 826-8341EAST COAST ADV. REPS: Buchmayr Associates, 19 Birch Rd., Darien, Conn. 06820(203) 655-1639THE AMERICAN HANDGUNNER IS pubhshed bl-monthly by Publishers' Development Corp., 8150 N. Central Park Avenue, Skokie, lll~no~s60076. Second class postage paid at Skokle, Ill. 60076 and at additional entry offlces. SUBSCRIPTIONS: One year (6 issues) $9.95. Slnglemonthly copies $2,00. CHANGE OF ADDRESSES: Four weeks' notice required on all changes. Send old address as well as new. CONTRIBU-TORS submlttlng manuscripts, photographs or drawings do so at their own risk. Materlal cannot be returned unless accompanied by sufficientpostage. PAYMENT WIII be made at rates current at time of publication and will cover reproduction in any or all AMERICAN HANDGUNNERMagazine editions. ADVERTISING RATES furnished on request. Reproduction or use of any portion of this magazine in any manner, wlthoutwritten perrnlsslon, is prohibited. All rights resewed. Title to this publication passes to subscriber only on delivery to his address.. .AMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAYIJUNE 1978, . : %-, .-. >.*'.. ,, L 4 %:,:

FOUNDATION, INC.30016 S. RIVER ROAD MT. CLEMENS, MICHIGAN 48045As promised, things are picking up. Several newsworthyitems should be brought to the attention of those who havenot yet signed up as members.First, we have now completed work on our membershippackage (illustrated below) which includes: a 10" x 14"membership certificate; a wallet size membership card; adecal for car or home and a 3112" multi-colored shoulderpatch for your shooting iacket. All of this is in addition tothe one year's subscription to The American Handgunnermagazine, Quite a package for only $15.00.There are several other special programs in the planningstage, programs that will be available only to membersof the OAHA. The first of these will be the offering oflimited edition handguns. While several handguns are beingconsidered, we would welcome suggestions from readers.What kind of special edition handgun would you liketo see?Also in the planning stage is a program whereby Foundationmembers will be able to bid on unique handgunitems from the collections of well known enthusiasts.Specially built handguns actually used by past recipientsof the Outstanding American Handgunner Awards are be-ing considered. How would you like an opportunity toown such items as Elmer Keith's personal Single Action orGeorge Nonte's custom Skorpion auto? While theseparticular guns may not be offered, those that will be aresure to have equal significance. Keep reading, and iust assoon as any of these proiects are finalized, you'll readabout it here.Membership in the OAHA Foundation has been increasingrapidly since its introduction in this magazine, and thesupport has been appreciated. With these new programs,I'd like to see the membership double, even triple in thenext several months. If you are a member, or are iust ioiningthe organization, you can help this drive by tellingyour handgunning friends all about the present benefitsand the plans for the future. If every member signs up iustone more member, that's the answer to our goal of doublingmembership. Why not give it a try-peak up at thenext-club meetini or handg"n match and we'll make theOAHA "Twice as Great in '78."YES, I want to become a member of the OutstandingAmerican Handgunner FoundationEnclosed is $1 5.00 for annual membershipwhich includes a year subscription to TheAmerican Handgunner MagazineI am already a subscriber to The AmericanHandgunner; enclosed is $1 0.00 for my annualmembership(Note: Life and Endowment memberships are available,please write for details)Mail to:OUTSTANDING AMERICAN HANDGUNNER FOUNDATION30016 S. River Rd., Mt. Clemens, MI 48045NAME ......................................CITY .....................................STATE ................ ZIP ..................

This volume thoroughly explores all thefacets of the various military and civilianmodels, from use, disassembly,maintenance and detail repair to historyand accessories. With nearly 50 pagesand nearly 40 clear illustrations, thisvolume is undoubtedly the most comprehensivework in print on these pistols.Instructions on how to take it down tothe last pin for inspection and repair,how to zero it, virtually every aspect ofthis arm is covered in finely illustrateddetail. The best source of Hi-Power informationavailable."The Browning HI-POWER Pistol". . . $2.95mmm=-==m=DESERT PUBLICATIONSDept. AH Cornville, AZ 86325I have enclosed $-. Please rush me. copy (5) of:"The Browning HI-POWER Pistol"ADDRESSCITY STATE- ZIP-,M500 CHRONOCRAPII VELOCITY TEST YOUR RELOADSWRITE FOR FREETEST REPORT:CUSTOM CHRONOGRAPH Co.3518-A 1st Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107Hctndgun Grip forchampionsMolded plasticHEAL WOOD nowEngineered countours make your hand partof your gun.The best for Lawmen. Combat. Field -TargetAlso - Cartridge boxes, powder funnel,primer flipper.FITZ P.O. Box 49697 L. A ., Coliiomia 90049U. S. A.NEWS FROM MANUFACTURERST'S that time of year again. The NSGAI show is coming up, and all the 1978goodies that have become closely guardedsecrets are approaching the great unveilingin Houston. Industry sources are moreclose-lipped than ever. I hate this time ofyear.Gotta dig for scraps. .. lessee.. . did Ialready tell you Colt was planning on a sixinch Diamondback? OK, then, nevermind, you knew already. What else ...There's always the bad news, of course.Security Industries, according to the insiders,is dead. We knew that the plantclosed up a few months ago, right afterthis column came out announcing thatcompany's planned move to Alabama, butwe were keeping our fingers crossed, eventhough that padlock and the poster on thedoor signed by the sheriff looked kind ofominous.Joe Lee, president of Security Industries,has been unavailable for comment.His fine little stainless-steel "J-frame" .38and .357 snub nose guns were never famousfor great workmanship. But Lord,they were slick. Trouble was, some productionruns would come through sparklingand perking, and others would have ahigh number of guns that were out oftime.What went wrong? Probably a lot ofthings, but one we can point to is cheap labor.Joe never was able to get a goodskilled craftsman team together, and peoplepaid minimal wage or less produceequivalent quality goods. Joe had hopedto go someplace where labor was bothcheap and good, and apparently couldn'thold out long enough to make the transition.The death of a fine or potentially finehandgun is sad news, and we go into itonly because there may be a few lessons tothose who follow. We hear through thegrapevine that an established firm had offeredto buy Joe out, not only keeping himfor life as a high-salaried managementBy MASSAD F. AYOOBemployee, but offering permanent jobs tohis two capable sons. The price offeredwas said to have been excellent in additionto the sinecure jobs and perks. Joe turnedit down, probably out of pride; a companyyou build from nothing is precious to you,and you don't let somebody else adopt it,even if they do promise to take better careof it and still give you visitation rights.Will the Security revolver be reborn?,Some of us had hoped so, but it looks increasinglydoubtful. The auction of themanufacturing layout should be over bythe time you read this, and the several industrypeople I've talked to are convincedthat the Security production line will besold piecemeal to this firm that needs aBridgeport lathe or two, and that one thatcould use a milling machine.Ironically, a cabal of well-financed gunbuffs that wanted to try and buy Joe backout of receivership and re-establish theplant in northern New England, with himstill at the helm, wasn't able to get throughto him because he secluded himself whenthe financial roof caved in. For consumersthe word is, it would be a good idea tohold onto any Security Industries revolveryou have, because it will eventually be acollector's item. A good one is an outstanding"user's" gun as well. This writerhas three, and carries his Security PolicePocket Magnum, a Chief-Special-size357 in stainless, more often than hismodel 60 or his Detective Special.On to better news. A new Massachusetts-basedfirm, Yankee Hill MachineCo. 20 Ladd Ave., Northhampton, MA,01060 is coming out with a new line ofgun cleaning gear under the Kleen-Boretrademark. They're also planning on gettinginto the firearms industry full blast(forgive me, puns are an occupational hazardfor gun writers.) Muzzle-loaders willbe their entree. They've already, accordingto arms-industry whispers, beenawarded a contract for three hundred specialcharcoal-burners that will be used toAMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAYIJUNE 1978

efurbish an historic Canadian fort.Nothing definite yet, but word is thatCharter Arms is thinking of upgrading acouple of its revolvers. One will be their6" .357, which would sport a vent-rib andprecision adjustable sight if companymanagement takes the plunge. The otherchange would be a "factory custom" Bulldog.44 with superslick action, maybe aheavy barrel or a standard one with a ventrib, and classy adjustable sights. A hardchromefinish like the one on the outstanding"Backpacker" special edition ofthe Bulldog, might also be part of the asyet un-named deluxe -44. Larry Kelly theMag-Na-Port honcho whose special-editionrevolvers have always been so popular,got exceptional rave reviews with hisslicked up, ported, and plated Bulldog,and a factory gun with the features we describedabove should be a terrific seller.After all, since there is no competition in asmall -44 Special, price won't be much ofan object.The big news in ammo for the past yearor two has been the Treasury Load, thehigh performance .38 Special cartridgeWinchester-Western has produced forcertain U.S. government agencies. Notavailable for public consumption, it probablywill never be; it is what is known byinsiders as a "Q Load," a round made upsolely for a single buyer who is going touse a lot of it. We should note that Treasurypeople don't use mild .38 wadcuttersfor practice, and train their people entirelywith hot duty ammo. Until it went outof business, Treasury (and Secret Service,and most of the government cops exceptFBI) used only Super Vel for practice orduty.The Treasury loads we've seen aremade up on Government-headstampedcases, and are in effect well-designed 110-grain .38 special semi-jacketed hollowpoints,loaded to quasi--357 magnum velocities.What incidents have occurredwith Federal agents using this ammo arenot available to reporters, but word fromthe Feds we know is that the stuff performslike dynamite. Remember the individualwho vaulted the fence and chargedthe White House some months ago? Hewas dropped like a stone by a single .38Treasury Load through the &ht chest.Speaking of the' Treasury Load, "conventional"law enforcement agencies areeager to try it, California Highway Patrolhas adopted it as their standard load; Thatfamous and trend-setting law enforcementagency had allowed its men to carry 6".38s and .357s of their choice for years;we scooped the rest of the industry in thiscolumn~severa1 months ago when we reportedthat the agency was buying its mena new gun designed expressly for them;' * -: the Smith & Wesson Model 68, a 6" ad-. justable-sight -38 Special in stainless steel.

^ '.t..st4,..cility and determine how long it might bebefore you can expect the gun to be returned.Frankly, we're quite pleased to seeS&W display this increased concern forshooters and professional gun-handlers. Imust admit that in the past there havebeen times when I have wondered if somemanufacturers reallv gave a damn about "what happened to a gun after it was sold.It may well be that these two modificationprograms herald a new era in S&Wcustomer relations. If so, I certainly extendmy hearty congratulations.a a aOver the years I have received morethan a few reports of Colt GovernmentModel pistol malfunctions resulting fromthe gun being dropped or struck sharply.The results range from a noticeably indentedprimer to inadvertent firing. Themost recent reports involve two guns inthe same police department which firedwhen dropped on pavement, even thoughbeing carried in "condition two" with around chambered and the hammer fullydown. I mightaadd that I have on morethan one occasion duplicated this malfunction,and that it is not entirely un-known among knowledgeable pistolbuffs~reference to it has been made inshooting literature long, long ago.. ,, Actually, the "inertia type" firing pin,long acknowledged as a very effectivesafety device in and of itself, is the culprit.This pin is spring-retracted and is normallyheld to the rear by its spring, its headsolidly against the firing pin stop or, if thehammer is fully down, against the hammerface. The nose of the pin is thus containedwithin the slide and protrudes to. strike the primer only when the head of*** the pin is struck a sharp blow by the hammer,giving it sufficient inertia or momentumto overcome the force of its retractingspring. This is great except that itis possible for the pin to acquire forwardmomentum in other ways, and if it acquiresenough, it will set off the primer.That momentum can be acquired in eitherof two ways; first, and most probableis when the gun is dropped and the muzzlestrikes a hard surface such as pavementwith the bore generally perpendicular tothe surface struck. The probability of thisNU-LINE GUN"UNDER RIB'PPC GUNS BUILT 1 BULL BARRELSHANDGUNBARRELSREBOREDHANDGUNCYLINDERSRECHAMBEREDCUSTOM TOP RIBS MADECUSTOM UNDER RIBS MADEJAY SCOTT GRIPSSEND LARGE SASECOLT PARTS $10 00 MIN ORDER FOR BROCHURES&W SIGHTS INSTALLED6" Python Barrels $45.00 prepaid.H E WNS3727 JENNINGS ROADST. LOUIS, MO. 631211-314-383-3907AMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978rFits the followingColt 45 Automaticoetonic 45smith 8 Wesson 39 and 59Smith 8 Wesson 36. Chief Special andother small frame revolversSmith 8 Wesson Model 10 and other. . ' ,.~~ly".~ . \. e -=I .I , >,\ ,.. ' .&-'&A- f'? .+.3;*>,p4;:*;ztical replacement for the holster.BROWNE & PHARR MAKERS

happening is increased if the firing-pinspring happens to be a bit weak~and inour experience this is often the case. Whathappens is that the gun comes to anabrupt halt while the firing pin tends tocontinue forward of its own momentumand-if the impact is hard enougkvercomeits spring and strike the primer; thismay only mark the primer lightly, or itmay fire it. The other way is actually justopposite in that the gun is dropped andstrikes a hard surface on its hammer spurand/or grip-safety tang; if the hammer isfully down and the impact is sharpenough, the firing pin can rebound off thehammer face, perhaps with sufficientforce to overcome its spring and strike theprimer. The probability of the firing pinacquiring enough energy in this fashion toactually fire a primer is slight; but onesuch incident was reported to me about adecade ago.It isn't common knowledge, evenamong .45 Auto buffs, but forty-odd yearsago Colt began equipping the G.M. serieswith a firing-pin safety just to prevent suchoccurences. Unfortunately, this was justbefore WWII, and when wartime productionof the big .45 began, the safety wasdeleted. It was not reinstated after the war,most likely for economic reasons. Thisautomatic safety functioned in such amanner that the firing pin was mechanicallylocked to the rear (in its retractedposition) at all times except whenthe trigger was deliberately held to therear. Obviously, the presence of this safetywould prevent the malfunctions just described.At present, there isn't any practical andeconomic way to fit a firing pin safety tothe G.M. pistol-though I know of at leastone custom pistolsmith who is developingjust such a device for after-market installation.The first step you can take towardprevention is to make certain that the firing-pinis not weak; if in doubt, replace itwith a new one from Colt (not one from asurplus-parts dealer which, may be wellused).A more effective step in this directionis to obtain from Wolff Spring Co.(Box 232, Ardmore, Pa. 19003) an''Extra-Power" firing pin spring and installit in the gun. This spring is stifferthan the factory supplied-item and substantiallydecreases the probability thatdropping the gun will cause the primer tobe struck by the firing pin. You'll immediatelybe able to tell the difference betweenthis spring and the stock item, andit costs but little. The Wolff spring ismade stiffer, but not so stiff as to causeignition problems, providing that themainspring is full strength; if the latterhas taken a set from use, or is kinked, orhas been shortened in an effort to reducethe trigger pull and cocking effort, thenthe hammer blow may not be heavyenough to overcome the Wolff firing pinspring and produce consistent ignition.Again, if there exists any doubt at all, Isuggest replacingthe . . mainspring with anew one, also from Wolff. Wolff is alsothe major source for all manner of handgunreplacement springs, both modifiedand standard. I've used them for manyyears with complete satisfaction.While no such item is currently available,a lighter-weight firing pin would alsohelp, but too much reduction in weightwould cause ignition problems unlesscompensated for by a more powerfulmainspring producing heavier hammerblow.Quite frankly, I would like very much tosee Colt do a little imaginative work inthis area-a few minor modifications tothe ignition system of the G.M. wouldmake a fine gun even betterin regard to safety.ByGEORGEBREDSTENHANDGUN CARTRIDGES FOR BIG GAME-PART IllHE .38 Special handgunlcartridgeT combination can be very accurateand, with proper loads, powerful enoughto take Category I: A big game. Althoughacceptable loads can be fired through themedium frame revolvers, the better .38Special loads should be fired throughlarge frame revolvers; e.g., the Colt SingleAction Armv or the S&W 38/44 Outdoorsman.However, these revolvers arenot only scarce, they are also heavierand/or bulkier than some of the .357 Magnumrevolvers currently available. Onecould load maximum performance .38Special ammunition that would be safeONLY in the T/C Contender or .357 Magnumrevolvers, but the practice cannotgenerally be recommended. Thus, formost big game handgun hunting purposes,the .38 Special can be consideredas having been superceded by the .357Magnum.Whenever the .357 Magnum is mentioned,either favorably or unfavorably,there often follows some of the strangestdemonstrations of rationalization likely tobe witnessed this side of a mental institution.Many .nowhandgunners and evensome handgunners of limited experiencecontinue to believe the .357 Magnum tobe a hand held piece of ordnance havingthe power of a howitzer! Even well knownhandgunners are sometimes given to makingodd utterances. For example, one authorrecently wrote that he considers the.357 Magnum to be suitable for use onanimals to but not exceeding the size ofpeccary. Thus far each of,,& would re-. -spect-if not agree with-the man's opinion.However, in another publication, thesame author describes a jaguar huntwhere he carries and intends to use a Colt.38 Super.Now an adult jaguar would have to besuffering from extreme malnutrition orsome other debilitating affliction not toexceed the size of an adult peccary (Collaredor White-lipped species), and whilethe .38 Super is a fine handguncartridge-neither as appreciated nor aspopular as it perhaps should be-it is ballisticallyinferior to the .357 Magnum. If itis not odd that individual bias can somehowenhance the capability of a favoritecartridge to the degree that the cartridgecan perform beyond its potential, 'tis certainlyconvenient!Although many different .357 Magnumloads have been and are being used totake big game, handgun hunters reportingbig game kills to ABGHA indicate a decidedpreference for bullets (cast and/orjacketed) of from 140 to 175 grains. Thefavored jacketed bullets include the Speer140 gr. HP, the Sierra 150 gr. JHC,,theRemington 158 gr. SJHP (B22938), andthe W-W 158 gr. JHP (B3574HP). Themore popular cast bullets include theHensley & Gibbs (H&G) numbers 43 and51; the Lyman numbers 358156,358429,358439 and 358477. A few handgunhunters reported using the Remington125 gr. SJHP (B22866), the Sierra 125gr. JHC or the Speer 125 gr. JHP, andlisted performance as satisfactory only ifbroadside shots were made directly into*' Â ¥ 7, , AMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978

Model 254Â¥Â¥^t'^v " ., v '. ?*'w.*, .- ',,- d \ , . ',? .. . -.a c rPlain Lined $32.95Basket Lined $34.95' '. .85wuts; IL : What do I get for my money? Whatam I payi - For? Wouldn't brand " X be just as goodand cost less?1. LEATHER SELECTION: Selecting only the finest, Patentedfull grain hides from the tanner. (You can't make a silk-2purse from a sow's ear).2. STITCHING: Tough, durable nylon cord, lockstitchedfor ultimate strength. (Did you know tannic-acid in leather deteriorates cotton or linen thread?).3. SST-SAFARILAND SIGHT TRACK: Patented feature onlySafariland can offer. Vinyl channel protects sights of your gun.4. MOLDING: 20 tons of pressure forces holster to exact4configuration of gun you wish to carry, assuring exact fit.35. LINING: Guns are damaged by acid emitted by leather, especially Patented tIduring hot humid days. Elk Suede lining eliminates this acid danger as wellas reduces slippage to almost zero.6. SNAPS: Unique "Snap-Guard" precludes metal snap from contacting or scratching finish of gun.7. REAR WRAP-AROUND: 254 Holster for large auto-loading pistols. Features Safariland's exclusiveSight Track and Rear Wrap-Around &welted design for maximum strength.8. JACKET SLOT: Belt Loop reinforced with 14 guage steel and double row stitched with nylon.Design allows wearing jacket between holster & belt loop. Available only on 254 & 229.All Models shown feature same high quality advantages &engineering designs for which Safariland is noted.Prices shown are for lined holsters only, Plain or Basket. Cal. res. add 6% 10% shippingSend for our complete 1978 catalog. $2.00Model 229Plain Lined $30.95Basket Lined $32.95Model 29 Model 9 Model 11 A Model 10APlain Lined $24.95 Plain Lined $31.95 Plain Lined $31.95 Plain Lined $28.95Basket Lined $27.95 Basket Lined $34.95 Basket Lined $33.95 Basket Lined $30.95Patented-.,%. FROM THE COMPMI~Y THAT CARES1941 S. Walker, Dept. F, Monrovia, CA. 91016rPatentedPatented

For quick andeasy referenceAMERICANHANDGUNNERMAGAZINEBINDERSProtect your AmericanHandgunner Magazines foryears to come with thishandy "MAGAZINE COL-LECTOR." The attractiveleather-like vinyl binder willhold up to two full years ofThe American Handgunnerand can stand either horizontallyor vertically on yourshelves. Available in eitherred or black with gold trim,the binder is 8Y2" deep,11V2" high, and 4" wide. Itshandy label holder makesidentification easy. For quickand easy American Handgunnerreference, ordervours today!2 for $5.954 for $1 0.956 for. $1 4.95Min. order two. Be sure and specify color.Mail to: AMERICAN HANDGUNNERMAGAZINE BINDERS,591 Camino de la ReinaSan Diego, CA 92108Ithe thorax (lung cage). When other typesof shots were tried, these bullets gave erraticperformance.Based on reported performances as wellas ~ersonal experience, there is little questionthat the H&G number 43 and the Ly-, man number 358429 are the bulletswhich produce the best all around results.These bullets almost always give completepenetration regardless of the angle for theshot, and as a result game generally travelsless distance than when similarly hit byother types of bullets that do not normallygive complete penetration.Interestingly enough, when only broadsidethorax shots are considered, the castLyman-Keith 358439 SWC HP gave thebest reported bullet performance on biggame. This bullet generally penetratessomewhat deeper and also causes greatertissue destruction than that of jacketedhollow point bullets of similar weight.Mention is made that there are two versionsof this bullet. One has the hollow extendingdown to the crimp groove,whereas the other has the hollow extendingdown to the lubrication groove. It isthe latter version which has proven to bethe more effective on big game.Despite rumor and gossip to the contrary,Hercules 2400 is and continues tobe the most popular powder for full power.357 Magnum loads. Most handgun huntersreport using from 14.0 to 15.5 grainswith either cast or jacketed bullets. Acheck on two of the more popular reportedloads gives the following: Using theSierra 150 gr. JHC over 15.5 grs. of 2400in R-P .357 Magnum cases and theCCI 550 primers gave an average instrumentalvelocity of 1288 fps from a sixinch Ruger Security-Six revolver. Theother load uses the Lyman-Keith 358439SWC HP over 15.0 grs. of 2400 in W-W357 Magnum cases and the CCI 550primers to give an average instrumentalvelocity of 1376 fps from a four inchS&W Model 19 revolver. Both of theabove loads give under four inch groupsat 50 yards, and under 10 inches at 100yards-factory iron sights and field shootingpositions.At this point it is appropriate to mentionthe fact that not all .357 Magnum revolverscan use the H&G number 43 orthe Lyman numbers 358429 and 358439bullets. When loaded in .357 Magnumcases so as to be crimped in the crimpinggroove, the overall length is too long topermit cylinder rotation; e.g., the ColtPython or the S&W Model 27. If thehandgunner decides he will use one ormore of these very fine cast bullet designsin his, for example, Colt Trooper MK 111,he has three options. First, he may use,357 Magnum cases and seat the bullet soas to be crimped just over the front drivingband. While this will result in a loadedcartridge having an acceptable overalllength; pressure will be higher and thesharp corners will be rounded so as to reducethe terminal efficiency of the bullet.Second, he may trim cases that amountwhich will permit the bullet to be seatedand then crihiped in the crimping groove,yet still not exceed cylinder length. Sinceloads that are a safe maximum using regular.357 Magnum cases are or can be inthe shortened cases, if not dangerous, atleast unnecessarily abusive to the handgun;it would be prudent to make an ap- -propriate reduction in the powder chargeused. Third, he may seat and crimp thesebullets in .38 Special cases using powdercharges that are safe to shoot only in .357Magnum revolvers. This also requirescareful load development and one needsto remember that the .38 Special case wasNOT designed to be used with loads thatdevelop the working pressure of the .357Magnum. Furthermore, a very dangeroussituation exists if someone would inadvertentlyattempt to use such loads in a .38Special revolver.For the handgunner who wants to usemore effective cartridges, any of the followingwith the proper ammunition canbe used. If only commercial ammunitionis to be used, two of the better choices arethe .41 Magnum and the .45 ACP. Bothgive excellent accuracy and have amplepower for this type of big game. Whenhandloaded ammunition is to be used, the.44-40, .44 Special and .45 Colt are allfirst rate choices. Some may wonder whythe .44-40 is included, because until fairlyrecent it was a moribund cartridge. However,there now appears to be an increasfnginterest in this cartridge among handgunhunters, and the "Dakota" Single Actionis one revolver currently available in.44-40 chambering. Other cartridges suchas the .357 Herrett, the .357 Auto Mag,the .44 Auto Mag, the .44 Magnum andthe .45 Berserker are also quite suitablefor such game. Yet when one considersthe comparative accuracy, power and performanceof various cartridges togetherwith the size and weight of different handguns,it would be difficult to select a significantlybetter choice than the .44 Special.(Continued on page 16)NameAddressCity State ZipAMOUNTQUANTITY- COLOR__ ENCLOSED-14 AMERICAN HANDGUNNER 6 MAY/JUNE 1978

no contest! As soon as you mention "huntn"you eliminate the whole field of also rans.with the only sports pistol which was designedhunting. Pick your range and target (100 yardsvarmints or big game) Contender offers a cart-I/gun/scope combination that will out performthe best of them. Contender offers 21 different interchangeablebarrels for such cartridges as .22 Hornet, .222Rem., .256 Win., .357 Mag., .44 Mag., .30/30 Win. It evenoffers the "top two wildcats", .30 and .357 Herrett, whichare not about to be beaten by standard factory fodder.Hell no! We're not humble - but we're not wrong either.Write and see!THOMPSONICENTER ARMSROCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03867

A MUST FOR THEGUNAND CARTRIDGECOLLECTORU.S. CARTRIDGESANDTHEIR HANDGUNSby Charles R. SuydamHere is the new edition of the mostinformative book ever printed on thesubject of what guns use which cartridges.U.S. CARTRIDGES ANDTHEIR HANDGUNS shows, bothphotographically and with good textsupport, the cartridge guns producedand many rare, unusual andnot often seen cartridges that arenow used since a great number ofAmerican and foreign made gunshandle ammunition no longer available.Available in softback andhardback.Softback Hardback-., . , $9.95 $1 4.95THE AMERICAN HANDGUNNER591 Camino de la Reina San Diego, CA 92108Please send copy (ies) ofU. S. CARTRIDGES ANDTHEIR HANDGUNS. Enclosedis $Ã‘Ã plus $1.00 postage andhandling per copy.ADDRESSCITYSTATEZIPIf Colt does in fact reintroduce theirvery fine Single Action Army and/or theirNew Frontier in this caliber, if Rugerwould chamber their Blackhawk Modelfor it, or if S&W could be convinced ofthe need to reintroduce their Model 24-many a handgun hunter would then havethe opportunity to obtain and use whatsome very experienced handgun huntersstill consider to be the best handgun cartridgefor big game hunting.Whatever the choice, it should be suchthat adequate performance can beachieved under or during less than idealhunting conditions. It is suggested that theconscientious and responsible handgunhunter select a cartridge of from about 40to 45 caliber which can be used in a handgunthat is both practical to carry andshoot. It is true that what may be practicalto carry and shoot for one person may bea ludicrous choice for another, but whenthe weight and size of any handgun beginto approximate that of a carbine, one beginsto question thelogic of such a choice.Book Review:ALASKAN HUNTER, ,by Roy F.Chandler. Bacon and Freeman Publishers,Box 411, Deer Lake, Pennsylvania17961 1977. $16.00As the title suggests, this is a book abouthunting in the 'great land.' For the mostpart, the writing techniques are informalyet the author conveys his thoughts verywell. Many amusing and interesting anecdotesabout himself, a friend or a huntingassociate are used to illustrate and emphasizeimportant points. Most species ofAlaskan big game are given adequate discussion,and there are chapters devoted tosuch topics as scopes/binoculars; knives;camping; wild game meals; and a briefbut excellent chapter on hunting philosovhv.Although Mr. Chandler is primarily arifleman hunter, there is material withinthe book that pertains to handguns andhandgun hunting. However, one tends tobecome somewhat skeptical about thedepth of the author's handgun huntingknowledge as well as his ability of realisticallyrelate an accomplishment. In thisrespect Mr. Chandler demonstrates arather sophomoric attitude, even thoughhe has undoubtedly taken some big gamewith the handgun. Two examples of thisapparent attitude are manifested on pages37 and 71 respectively:"I was surprised, for example, thatmy .44 Magnum pistol, which uses aKeith type 240 grain lead bullet castpretty hard with tin and antimony,out penetrated my .300 Weatherby at50 and 75 yards.""I shot and killed a running caribouwith one shot through the spine frommy Ruger .44 Magnum at 165 paces.I did not and still do not consider thisa great feat. I personally know a numberof pistol shooters here at Ft.Greely th.@. cp~lt),~othe.s~me with ,"ease." * - .'Â ",, -"'; ', ',*r .'..' . LAny experienced handgun hunter, whohas actually used a full power Keith loadin any of the larger sixgun calibers to takebig game, already knows what Mr.Chandler "recently and surprisingly" discovered;i.e., bullet penetration in biggame is significantly greater for the sixgunthan for most rifle bullets.Now I have witnessed some mighty fine ,handgun shooting by some truly expertfield shooters, and have even been fortunateto make a few good shots myself,but I know of no handgunner who can hitrunning game in the spine at around 150yards with one shot! As a matter of fact, Iknow of no responsible rifleman who willmake such a claim. Such shooting canonly be nonchalantly accomplished as amatter of routine over the sights of a typewriter!To this reviewer's mind, one of Mr.Chandler's most noteworthy comments ishis emphasis on using a cartridge havingadequate power for the species beinghunted. This represents a welcomedchange from the usual drivel of so manywriters who bleat words to the effect thatall a person need do is use a firearm thatcan be shot accurately. Because one canshoot a .30-06 accurately does not meanthat the cartridge is a suitable choice forlarge big game under all conditions. Mr.Chandler sums it up succinctly by saying:"Learn to use the right kind of rifle or stayhome!"All in all, ALASKAN, HUNTER is abook that can be recomm'ended and it is abook any hunter will find generally bothinformative and interesting-Geo Bredsten

-THE MAGNIFICENT CLASSICTHE ENGRAVING WORLD HAS BEEN WAITING FORChapter 1 -DESIGN& LAYOUT- what i s good layout.. . drawingscrolls, leaves, flowers, mythological figures, ribbons, borders. . . enlarging basic scroll into design. . . transferring to steelChapter 2 - MATERIALS - listing/photos of engravers' tools.. .how they work.. . how to sharpen & maintain cutting edge.. . goldfor inlays/how to buy.. .how to plan/make your own vise/toolsChapter 3 - ANATOMY - effect of muscle & limb on "look" ofanimal.. . drawings/picturesof biggame/small game/fowl/birds/dogs/bear/cats in many poses. .. good vs bad animal engravingChapter 4 - LETTERING - Gothic, Roman, Old English, Scriptalphabets.. .laying out letters.. . tools to cut.. . nameplates,monograms, initials .. . designinglbuildinglusing tool sharpenerChapter 5 - The CAMERA, ANOTHER TOOL - use to enlarge/reduce patterns, layouts, designs.. . transferringpatterns.. .fordoing animal/human studiesto engravefmm.. . trace/copy figuresChapter 6 - BEGINNING TO ENGRAVE - tools to use.. . howtomake cut.. . howto hold tools for different cuts/effects/shading/movement in pattern. . .how to hold hammer.. . floorplates to copyusing engravers vise.. .using hand gravers.. .practice platesChapter 7 -ADVANCED ENGRAVING - shaping special gravers/ .tools.. . gold wire borders, outlines, scrolls.. . gold wire inlay/sheet goldinlay/repousse gold inlay.. . hindfinishing high reliefengraving.. . numerous floor plate designs.. . scroll platesChapter 8 - The GRAVERMEISTER - complete introduction, discussion ofthisnewtool.. . control, versatility, work capabilitiesTHE ART OF ENGRAVING brings to the reader - for the firsttime ever - a complete, authoritative, imaginative and detailedintroduction and training in the art of gun engraving. It is asupremely unique .book, for not only does it sweep aside themystery which has surrounded engraving throu& the centuries,but it factually, simply and in laymen's terms tells you how toengrave. Unlike so many so-called "instruction manuals", TheArt of Engraving does not assume you know anything about engraving.You start at the beginning by learning to draw scrolls &layouts, then cut practice plates until you are sure enough ofyour ability to actually proceed to designing a pattern, transferringitto agun and cutting it into the steel. Whether ou wantto learn to engrwe now.. .think you might like to in de future. . .or simply wish to broaden our knowledge of the art to beable to better judge the wik otothers (as you will learn to tellthe good from the bad- and know why), this is the book for you.Deluxe First EditionA Magnificently beautiful book. Deluxe hard-boundcloth covers.ecial way to lie flat on your bench. Printed on the:%: idyfinished coated paper available (so exceptional aspecial mill-run was made). Extensive use of color throughouthighli ts designs/illustrations/pictures. Absolutely no effortspare ? to make it an instant classic as a work of art in its ownright as a book -not withstanding the almost mind-boggling pro"fusion of drawings, photographs, illustrations, designs,layouts,technical information, instructions, details and steps given toteach you to engrave.Complete - Authoritative208 extremely handsome 8% x 11 pages. Over 1378 photographs,drawings, designs, layouts, illustrations. Hundreds of examplesof master engravers' work to show specific s les, handling ofdesigns, useof different techniques and the ef ? ect they achieve.Thoroughly cross-referenced index with over 600 entries makelocating a specific tool, design, letter, technique fast and easy.Comprehensive listing of important & useful reference books ofdesign, engraving, metal work. Complete names & addresses ofsuppliers of all the tools, equipment, precious metals, books,that are discussed and used throu&out the book.Enclosed please find a check or money order (or in full payment for copies ofI "The Art of Engraving" at $19.95 each, plus 52e per copy for postage and handling. III1MAIL CHECK OR M.O. TO:GUNS MAGAZINEISENDI NAMFBOOKS TO:I

PoRk. COPTALKCOMBAT STANCES FOR POLICEecades, American police and defense-mindedcivilians have beentaught that in a close-quarters firefight, itwas best to shoot "from the hip," and theonly real debate was the "FBI Crouch"versus the Bill Jordan school of "don'tmove anything but your gun-hand.Lately, however, serious thinkers havecome to accept the idea of using bothhands and eye-level aim even at ranges ofseven yards and less. This approachmakes mucho sense.As a policeman and a combat weaponsinstructor, I have had the opportunity tointerview and tape record a large numberof cops and troopers who have survivedshootouts. Most of them were trained toshoot from the hip, crouching or other-Turret stance is favored for accuracy by PPC shooters.Shown is John DeChellis, National Champion in 1974.wise, at close-range; training tells, andmost of them did the same under pressure.The result was that, time and again,they would utter the phrase: "I can'tunderstand how I missed him that close."Most of them were relatively goodshots. Many of them were interviewed byme only after they had recuperated fromgun and knife wounds. Typical was themetro patrolman who wore an honestlyearned Expert badge and missed threeshots from the hip at his assailant, at arange of three and a half feet! His assailant,however, had raised his gun, takena quick aim, and shot the officer an inchto the side of his heart. I play the tape recordingof that officer's remembrances tomy ~olice classes, and they never fail toshudder when he tells of the aftermath ofthis close encounter.Clearly, hip-shooting doesn't work terriblywell in real life. It's great on the firingrange, when the target is a paper silhouettethat obligingly stands still for you, andwhen you have time to get your feetplanted and your body indexed to the targetwhile the rangemaster is droning hiscommands. But it doesn't work on thestreet because, without your feet plantedjust so and without sights, there is no wayto index your aim at your opponent! Ifyou must turn offcenter to fire, the gunnow swings at the end of a pendulum thatis your arm, a pendulum loose on threejoints (shoulder, elbow, wrist), and themuzzle will probably go by him before youfire.Jeff coder and his free-style combatshooting disciplines proved as early as the1950's that the difference in speed betweena one-hand hipshot and a two-handroughly aimed one, could be measured inmilliseconds. Yet the hit percentage isenormously increased.Though hip shooting at seven years andless is still taught to most of our police,forward-thinking instructors generally realizethat it is obsolete. Even the Smith &Wesson Academy with its advanced butFBI-influenced methods, now permits studentsto bring the gun up to chest level atclose range, where the gun can be visuallyindexed in the periphery of the shooter'svision.The real choice in a combat stance is nolonger one hand versus two; it is theWeaver stance versus what Col. Coopercalls the "Fairbairn Isosceles" position,which I prefer to recognize as the "McGeeTurret" stance.Contrary to common belief amonghandgunners, the Weaver stance is notmerely a two handed hold. Properlyexecuted, one stands with the feet about18 inches apart, with the foot on the nongunhand-sideslightly forward. The elbowof the supporting hand is sharply bent tocreate a springy recoil-absorber effect.The gunhand pushes the pistol forwardinto the support hand, which pushed backagainst it, both with about forty poundspressure. The elbow of the gun arm is.Â¥. .AMERICAN HANDGUNNER * MAY/JUNE 1978* .

Ibent in the "pure" Weaver stance, thoughCooper's highest-achieving student, formerWorld Champion Ray Chapman, prefersto lock the elbow of his shooting arm.While not quite as precise in slow-fireaccuracy as the locked-wrists-and-elbowsof the PPC competition shooter, theWeaver stance does permit more accuraterapid fire with a full-power gun, due tothat shock absorber effect of the bent elbows,and the forward-and-backward pressureexerted on the grip.The McGee Turret position pays nogreat attention to foot position, on thetheory that when you go for your gun inthe face of imminent danger, you don'thave time to do a quick dance-step andget into position. The elbows are locked,with the arms straight out, at eye level orslightly below. The entire torso locks rigidly,in effect becoming a gun turret thatpivots at the hips. While Fairbairn mayhave been the first to put this method intoa manual, the man who popularized it inthe United States was Lt. Frank McGee,head of the NYCPD Firearms Section.Frank had analyzed thousands of gunfights,and come to the same conclusionthat I and others arrived at later: hipshootingdidn't work, and the best chance for aquick, instant hit was a swiftly-taken twohand hold at eye level.An advantage of the turret position isthat it works quite well even when urgencyor darkness prevent you from seeing yoursights. With the arms locked in front ofyou in an isosceles triangle, and your upperbody muscles rigidly tense, your headturns where your eyes look, and the gunautomatically follows. If there really issuch a thing as "instinct shooting," theMcGee stance achieves it most effectively.It is also easier to learn and train with.The Weaver stance, though highly effectivefor a committed shooter who practicesheavily, won't be quite natural forsomeone who only qualifies a couple oftimes a year. The exact alignment of thebent arms is something that the individualwill have to fumble for. But thrusting thearms all the way out in front and lockingthem is quick, easy, natural.While the top free-style shooters favorthe Weaver stance, most of the ace PPCshooters use the locked-elbow turret position,even though no part of their courserequires them to face an off-center target.There are, however, some notable exceptions.Record setting police combatshooters like Jim Cirillo and Frankie Mayboth bend their elbows slightly whenshooting, though their arm contours areparallel to each other, not asymmetrical asin the Weaver stance.It is significant that the free-style shooters,who are going mainly for time, useWeaver's brainchild, while the PPC shooters,who are holding unhurriedly on the X-ring, by and large favor the isosceles hold.The first is better for fast shooting of hardkicking guns, and the second is moresteady and precise. What puts me in favorAMERICAN HANDGUNNER, of the latter for police and civilian self defensetraining is that it is more natural andeasy to learn, and probably more effectivein darkness.Either is vastly superior to shootingfrom the hip in either the FBI or the Jordanstyle. It worked for Bill because he wasand is a superb and highly practiced shot,who by dint of his experience and his superbreflexes and coordination learned tomake a bullet go where he wanted it towithout really indexing his body, his feet,or his gunsights. Few of us can learn to"think a bullet home" in the same manner.The FBI crouch, modified to bothhands,eye-level or point-shoulder shooting,still has its good points. Many peoplefind that the crouch somehow lets themget the gun up and "on" quicker, myselfincluded, and many find that it balancesthem better. Standing straight up with a.45 or a Magnum at the end of your arms,it is entirely possible to be pushed slightlyoff-balance by the recoil, especially ifyou're standing on an uneven surface.Real-life shootouts oft unfold in ice-coveredalleyways and sidewalks, and on tene-ment staircases, and a rookie who hasnever shot anyplace but a paved firingrange may learn the hard way that balanceis more important than anyone told him.IWeaver Stance or McGee Turret? Thechoice is yours, but predicate that decisionon what's most natural for you. Trythem both, extensively, on surprise targetsat different angles, and not just plantingyour feet and facing down range. Each hasits good points and bad. And either willprobably save your life more effectivelythan a "shot from the hip" when the chipshit the table quick and a fast hit is youronly hopeof survival.El DORADO$~~ÃTop quality cowhidw, s t d reinforced, toft leathermed. SPECIFY: nome 6 model of gun, caliber, bandlmgth. ACTUAL lirawr.mmt wh-r. worn. Choice of Plain,iikttweav, or Floral.. . Black. Brawn or Natural color.Return in 10 days for dund if not satisfied (when ordering''add 11.75 for ihinnmo . . Colil. Re,. odd 6% SÃ§lÃ Toul--- --COMBAT PISTOL WORKThe finest custom work on all handguns.Action work, throating, spe-cial sights, hard chrome. Send1SASE for orice list. LAWRENCE &FOR SHOOTERS!Rugged new lens gives you unparalleled clarity,yet is virtually unbreakable and won't scratch*!ooting optics industry, are %ht of glass, resist scratching,and- are viftually unbreakable. Semi-distortion free glasses.Available in six colors withnanasome reinforced carrying case.Dealers inquire.ruction eliminates glareend frad interference. High reliefa ym of Sight Savingadjustable bridge keeps. Plastic tipped earpiecesable, secure fit.- Wftether ribu're a target, benchrest, porting Opticser, law enforce- 842 Broadway, mpt. AH^ter, you'll shoot New York, New York 10003WUer, safer,

ITA LOOK AT FULL-LENGTH SIZINGBy DAN COTTERMANshould be noted by all who reloadhandgun cartridges-especially themagnum types-that resizing dies are machinedinternally so as to introduce asmall amount of taper in the body of theresized case. The result is a case dimensionthat is slightly larger near the head orweb area than at the mouth. The taper isintentional, not accidental, because if thedie were machined so as to reduce thecase to a maximum amount for its fulllength it would tend to rest on the bottomof the chamber and bulge irregularlywhen fired. Also worth noting is the factthat, in the event just cited, the bulletwould not be positioned in correct alignmentwith the forcing cone in the chamberwith the result that more bullet upsetwould occur to detract from accuracy.Another unfavorable feature of resizingstraight-sided cases to the same overalldiameter lies in the web area's resistanceto diameter reduction. If, considering theforegoing, a case were to be resized withouttaper, a bulge would appear at thejunction of the wall and the web.If you have a resizing die that does notproduce a slight taper in magnum revolverhulls it is a good idea to resize nomore than a distance that is equal to thedepth to which you intend to seat the bullet.An exception will be found in reloadingfor a revolver cylinder whose chambersvary in diameter. In this instance fulllengthresizing to minimum chamber dimensionswill be necessary.Though not a particularly strong concernwith straight (though not parallel)walled cases, the matter of concentricityof the reloaded cartridge becomes importantwhen we consider so-called bottleneckedtypes. These are, almost withoutexception, handloaded for an ever increasingnumber of single-shot handguns. which is well represented in theThompson/Center Contender series aswell as Remington's XP-100 and numerouscustom creations.Bottle-necked or shouldered ammospills over into handloading for autoloadersand revolvers, too. However, concentricityis of more critical importancewith some of the longer rounds used in thesingle shots where the likes of the .222Remington, .25-35 Winchester, .30-30Winchester and others mav be customloaded for long-range performance.Unfortunately, a number of handloadershave the wrong idea-or no idea atall-about the concentricity of loaded car-tridges and how it should be checked. Weare indebted to Fred Huntington ofOmark-RCBS for information regardingconcentricity and experiments. The methodsof manufacture used by RCBS andother makers of quality reloading dies issuch as to render eccentricity in the neckof full-length resizing dies extremely unlikely;however, RCBS undertook testingof both factory and handloaded ammo inorder to determine relative degrees of eccentricity.The results are fascinating andrevealing.The ammunition was placed on a precisionsurface plate in a V-block. Then, usinga dial indicator sensitive to l/10,000thof an inch, an average bullet misalignmentof 2'/2/10,000 (.0025-inch) was discoveredto exist in a sample of fortyrounds in two different calibers. To balancethe test, a set of full-length resizingdies was taken from stock, a cast beingmade for a preliminary concentricitycheck. The results indicated less eccentricitythan was found in the samples offactory ammunition. However, when thesame dies were used to handload a testsample of empty cases, the same .0025-inch average eccentricity was noted.The fact that ammunition may showsome tiny eccentricity of bullet alignmentmay be attributed to such factors as brass"memory" or spring-back and possibly toa lack of concentricity in case neck wallthickness. The handloading tool manufactureraccepts the responsibility for makingfull-length resizing dies as accurately asmachining techniques will allow and generallymeets the r ponsibility admirably.feThe manufactur r cannot, however, takethe blame for a lack of uniformity in cartridgecases.Other significant anomalies may presentdifficulties. A loaded round will lie atthe bottom of the chamber and, whenfired, will expand upward. Since its centeraxis was not in line with the axis of thechamber, it will take on a shape that is not(Continued on page 64)No. 345 Championship Rip"The practical rip for the practical pistol shooter"P.O. Box 446 * Arcadia * Ca. 91006

The barrel sighting rib andejector rod housing ire arugged, integral unit, madeof eat-treated stainless orchrome molybdenum steels.The rear sight provided ondt,,frngap: Security-Six models is ad-Note: With the trigger re- justable for windage and eleleasedand transfer-bar with- vation.drawn below the firing pin,the hammer nose rests directlyon the frame and cannotcontact the firing pin.FIELD STRIPPED VIEWThese are the revolvers created by Ruger engineers who In addition to traditional Ruger quality and dependablestarted with a fresh sheet of paper and an unlimited performance, the shooter enjoys the advantages of thebudget! There is nothing in the design of these Ruger durable stainless steel mechanism parts, even in standarddouble action revolvers which is there simply because blued models."it has always been done that way"; nothing which reflectsa commitment to outmoded production methodsor obsolescent factory facilities. Representing a significantimprovement in design, these revolvers incorporatecreative Ruger engineering, sophisticated manufacturingix Revolver intechniques, and superior materials.The Ruger design philosophy of strength, simplicity,and ease of maintenance has been applied throughoutthe design of these revolvers. Composed of a series ofintegrated subassemblies, the Ruger double action revolvercan be field stripped to its basic components inseconds, without the use of tools. The entire lock mech- Police service-six Reanismis installed through the bottom of the gripframeas a unit, permitting the use of solid frame side-wallswhich contribute to the great strength of these revolvers.The complex milled-out frames and delicately fitted sideplatesof other double action revolvers, and the difficultiesof maintenance and weaknesses inherent in olderdesigns are eliminated entirely.The finest materials are used in Ruger double actionRuger Speed-Six Revolver withrevolvers. Music wire or stainless steel coil springs arecompact round butt in 357 Magusedthroughout and frames, cranes, cylinders, and barrelsnum para'bellum 38 Special (blued model and 9 only) mmare of heat-treated stainless or chrome molybdenumcalibers with fixed sights.Choice of 2%" or 4" barrel insteels. Most of the small internal parts of all models ofblued finish or stainless steel.Ruger double action revolvers are made... ,;p.:RUGER, Security-Six, service-Six, and Speed-Six are registered /.* U. S. tyemarks ,.: yy' .'- - FOR YOUR COPY OF A FREE ILLUSTRATED CATALOG OF ALL RUGER FIREARMS, WRITE DEPT. AHSTURM, RUGER & Company, Inc.Southport, Connecticut 06480 U. S. A.ALL RUGER FIREARMS ARE DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED IN RUGER FACTORIES IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA:1,',;:.,F..'Â¥.Â¥ /.,:;

ANDGUN silhouette shooting has en- Cooper, Dean ~rinnetl,'' Hal Swiggett,H joyed a brief but swift-moving his- .J. D. 'Jones and others. Match Directorsany other shooting were Dale Miller, Dutch Snow and Jurras.tion and Club de Auto Mag Interna- oe&itted. Shootinewas fr&style; . - offtionale,the event was titled; t he First Na- han~~itting, kneeling or rone. ~tional Handgun Metallic Silhouette The basic'match was orty shots, tenCham pionship. - each at the four banksof silhouette targets,On hand for the match were well known in five shot strings. Each contestant firedpistol shooters and writers such as Jeff . one shot at each target in the bank, thenrrepeated the'course of fire for a total of.forty 'shots. A total of \ifty-three shooterscompeted ip this match.. The seeds wereplanted,-although they w'uld take a fully k to properly gemiilate.-Three iignificani tournaments were,held in 1976. John' Adams, one of ttecompetitors at Tucson, formed the WesternHandgurtMetallic Silhouette Associationwith Ray Chapman and held what waspalled the Western Regional 'championshipsin San Fernando, Calif. Ron Ricci,of Medford, Massachpetts, held the firstEastern Regional championships at CampCurtis Guild in Reading, Mass. over theLabor Day -weekend with- ninety-tho registeredshooters. % . '. ..Less than a month later, on' October1-2-3, the 1976 National Championships.'

Angeles range in San Fernando hastricky, cross-canyon terrain. Theturkey and ram targets are visiblein this panoramic photograph.were held in El Paso, Texas. The title ofthe tournament on the program. read:1976 National Hunting Handgun SilhouetteChampionships. It was hosted by theFort Bliss Rod & Gun club and sparkpluggedby the late Tom Beall, one of the1975 Tucson competitors. Fifty-sevencompeted in the matches. -Basic rules of the 1976 championshipswere similar to the Tucson match with afew important exceptions. Any pistol ofany caliber was allowed, the only restrictionbeing a sight radius not to exceed 15inches and an overall weight not to exceed4% pounds.Led by John Adams, who proposed theidea, a group of interested shooters held ameeting during the El Paso match for thepurpose of forming a nationwide association.Representatives were on hand fromall areas where handgun silhouette shootingwas active from Canada to Mexico.Well known pistolems such as GeorgeNonte, Hal Swiggett, Lee Jurras andothers were on hand.With Ray Chapman as moderator, thefirst order of business was to select aname. I made the motion which was unanimouslyapproved: International HandgunMetallic Silhouette Association, thusIHMSA.John Adams was elected Executive Directorfor the 1976-1977 year and a severmember council was appointed to serve asan advisory committee.All the previous matches were hashedover and every idea that anyone had wasaired and discussed The primary desire ofall hands was to create a standard set ofrules so any shooter could attend a matchanywhere in the country, knowing hecould use his same equipment and shootby the same rules.It was obvious to everyone at the meetingthat the major problem developingwithout a set of standard rules waa that inview of the rapid progress and interest inhandgun silhouette shooting, plus a lackof information on the subject, clubs hereand there would simplyreach up in the airand bring down whatever kind of local'rules or regulations they could in order tosponsor a match. After a couple years bfwildcat matches, a shooter wishing tocompete in, say, five different matchesaround the country would have to havefive different guns to shoot by five differentsets of rules.Thus, the major decision was the creationof two categories, a stock productionclass open to all handgunners and an unlimitedcategory to encourage the developmentof long range handgunning toitÃ ultimate degree, the only two limitationsbeing a 15-inch sight radius and amaximum weight of 4+ pounds. No scopesights to be allowed in'either category.Three more months would pass beforethe germinated seeds would fully sproutand then burst forth in full bloom.The first match sanctioned by IHMSAwas held on January 8-9, 1977 at the Angelesrange in San Fernando, California,and suddenly it was a madhouse race. TheExecutive Director's office was beingswmped with membership applicationsand requests for match dates from all directionsincluding Alaska, Canada, Aus-(Continued on page 68)Left: In windstorms, targets arenailed to wooden stands; bulletshes are , the.n scpnei-d , as hits.T --t . ., , , , r ' I r i ---D. . . IRight: Competitor fires at 200meter rams during 1976 NationalChampionships, in El Paso, Texas.AMERICAN HANDGUNNER 0 MAY/JUNE 1978

The OMCA Preference for an Outside Hammer Sparkedthis Interesting Gunsmithing JobVER the past two years, the OMC0 Back-up has gained wide acceptanceas a second or off-duty pistol for the policeman,and as a first-line gun for otherswho can legally carry a concealed firearm.Produced by Harry Sanford of Auto-Magfame, this little stainless steel .380 is madeby Ordnance Manufacturing Corporation,a subsidiary of TDE Marketing Corporation(11658 McBean Drive, El Monte, CA91732). Its performance and featureshave been well-covered, in GUNS and inother magazines. When I first examinedone of these nistols. I was imnressed bvthe clean design, and such good featuresas the separate breech block, recessedsafety lever and trigger bar, and other finepoints.A few months ago a friend who owns anOMC Back-up commented that while hewas well-satisfied with the gun, he wishedWOODit had an external hammer. The manualsafety of the OMC blocks the sear, and italso has a grip-type safety, so carrying it"cocked-and-locked" is not all that dangerous.My friend, however, apparentlyhad been too long under my influence,and carrying with hammer cocked over alive round made him nervous. So, with theOMC, he just carried it with a full magazineand emntv , , chamber. If a serious socia1situation arose, he would have to cyclethe slide before the first shot. Since theBack-Up has a pivoting internal hammer,I suggested that it might be possible toconvert it to an external hammer. If so,the hammer could be gently let down on achambered round, and would need only tobe thumb-cocked for the first shot. Myfriend handed me the OMC and said "Tryit!"Making an entire new hammer mighthave been the best wav to go. but Ithought it could be done by just 'makingan extension piece, using the originalhammer. So, I drilled and tapped the topof the hammer to take a headless 6-48screw, and mated this to a small block ofstainless steel with a vertical measurementthat brought its top edge level with theouter top of the slide.Next, J cut a slot the width of the hammerand extension in the top of the slide,down the back, and continued the cut intothe back of the frame. The separatebreech block has several adequate bearingsurfaces for strength, but just to be extra-safeI left a small top bridge at the rearof the breech block, and cut the extensionpiece to clear this. The slide cut neatly removedthe rear sight notch, but the deeprounded groove ahead of the sight can stillserve as a "combat sight," and anyway,who's going to use this pistol for serioustarget work?The flat top of the hammer extensionwas deeply cross-grooved to match the topof the breech block, and the edges wereleft sharp to give a good thumb-grip. The' 1

'\tI6Inext step was to reshape the top rear portionof the slide to allow thumb contactthrough the entire arc of the hammer.Rather than just rounding it off, I decidedto keep it in line with the symmetry of theoriginal design, and cut it flat on top, witha wide bevel at the rear.The OMC has a full-reach firing pin.That is, when the hammer is down, the tip; of the firing pin protrudes through the' . breech face. My original intention was toconvert it to an inertia system, so the hammercould be fully lowered on a liveround. Since the extension added mass tothe hammer, it should deliver a heavierblow, and the firing pin could be shortenedto an inertia type, right? Wrong. Fortunately,I made the new shorter firing pinfrom scratch, and saved the original. As itturned out, I needed it.Here's what went wrong: The originalfiring pin in the OMC is very small, andvery light. To function properly, an inertialfiring pin must have a certain amountof weight in itself, and the close proximityof other pans in the Back-up would notallow a larger, heavier firing pin to beNo. it's not a rare variation,just an OMC Back-up 380 withan outside hammer, shown herewith the hammer at full cock.Comparison of the customized OMC withexternal hammer an unaltered original.AMERICASpur of the new hiv.,..ier extension comiu.. jerilously close to the shooter'shand at full recoil and those with fleshy hands may have some problems.. .. .

Customized OMC below barely showsthe added hammer extension whichis partially hidden by the slide.just to the rear of the magazine release,and installed a screw to extend into a holein the bottom of the grip safety piece,locking it in the depressed position. If anyonewanted it to function again, simply removingthe screw would restore its operation.Finally, we took our new creation out tothe range, where it ran flawlessly throughtwo boxes of .380's. It was noted thatwhile we had no difficulty, the spur of thehammer extension during recoil cameperilously close to the shooter's hand, andsomeone with more flesh in that areamight possibly be nipped by it. Even so, Ithink it worked out well. The manual safetyfunction is unchanged, and having one"up the spout," as the British say, makesthe first shot available by just flickingback the hammer. In regard to the cost,any competent gunsmith should be able todo this alteration for around fifty dollars.I think it's important to point out thatthis entire job falls into the experimentalcategory, and I don't feel that a hundredrounds would come anywhere close tobeing a definitive test. Could the screwmountedhammer piece break off? Coulda sharp blow on the spur break the sear orsear step, allowing accidental firing? Unlikely,but anything is possible. So, if youdecide to try this conversion, keep inmind that neither the writer nor GUNSMagazine can be held responsible if somethinglets go. It was an interesting endeavor,and my friend was pleased with it, butat the present time it'sstill being tested.Clearance below hammer in frame allows hammer "whip"' during recoil.used. Secondly, the hammer extension,while adding some weight, also slowed thefall of the hammer. The result of thesecombined factors was a series of misfires.As they say, back to the old drawingboard, and my compliments to the OMCengineers for a finely-balanced full-reachsystem.Since the cocking spur of my hammerextension was well-shrouded against beingaccidentally struck from the rear, I finallysettled on cutting a semi-safety step on thelower front of the hammer, to hold it atrest a small distance away from the headof the firing pin. This was not a true safetystep, as trigger pressure would still dropthe hammer. The movement, however,was only about a sixteenth of an inch, andin repeated tests would not even dent aprimer. With this semi-safety step, theoriginal full-length firing pin could beused, and there were no more misfires.At this point in the proceedings, myfriend asked if there were some simpleway to cancel the grip safety. I drilled asmall hole in the bottom of the grip frame,Small screw on altered gun (right)cancels operation of grip safety.AFRICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978

onSmith &' and I ThumbedÂ¥ÂThe Salely 01 MyWesson RevolverBy MASSAD F. AYOOBwHO among us hasn't read thatphrase somewhere in a novel?Something like an Evan Hunter-Ed Mc-Bain 87th precinct thriller, real taut, reader-grabbingpolice procedural stuff, andsuddenly the whole effect goes down the: drain when you come to the part where"Carella thumbed off the safety on hisSmith & Wesson .38 revolver."Well, that will never bother me again.That's because, as I sit here pecking this'out with one finger, my other hand is toy-'*. ing with the thumb safety on a Smith &8 Wesson Military & Police Model 10 .38Special revolver.I'm enjoying it immensely. Just think:to my knowledge, at this moment, I amthe first gun writer who has thumbed offthe safety on a revolver. You know, thatlittle square latch behind the cylinder on aSmith & Wesson; the one where if youpress the safety too hard, the cylinder fallsout.I am talking about the R-F revolversafety conversion, invented and producedby Frank Murabito of R-F SportingGoods, 64-14 Myrtle Avenue, Glendale,New York 11227. It is a simple conversionof the Smith & Wesson revolver'slockwork, actuated via the thumblatch.Frank explains the concept thus:"For some time, I had been aware ofthe existing dangers of revolvers not havingany safety device. As an inventor,sporting goods store owner, and gunsmithby hobby, I would hear many stories ofguns being discharged accidentally or byan enraged person turning the gun on itsCylinder latch can still be usedto open cylinder, but author hadfound it possible to move it up' to "safe" position accidentally.owner. I thought this type of situationcould be avoided by developing a positivesafety."Many ideas crossed my mind, but hadto be abandoned because they were toocomplicated, too expensive, or interferedwith the basic shape of the grip."One day, doing some action work on aSmith & Wesson, the proverbial Edisonlightbulb appeared over Frank Murabito'sdetermined head. "I found that, as Ipulled the thumbpiece (cylinder latch)back, if I stopped in the middle position(Continued on page 51), . .' . , .Above: This looks like any other Model 10 Smith & Wesson, but the . .photo on left shows latch is actually a safety, shown here on "safe."

Base for the new grips was made from scrapl/d-inch hardwood plywood and rough sanded.Wood glue is applied to panel and slightly .!oversize piece of hide is pressed in place.The Beauty of These Grips is Only Skin DeepBut Their Functional Quality is Unique.ANDGUN grips are usually fashionedH from wood or plastic. PersonallyI've always preferred wood, because thesubtle flow of fine wood grain is more attractivethan the finest plastic, to mymind. I've been making my own grips foryears, and well-dried woods can be shapedand finished precisely with ordinary tools,as plastics cannot. Unfortunately, woodhas its drawbacks, too.I've made grips from French andAmerican walnut, rosewood, and tigerwood.As I recall, years ago I paid only adollar or two for my first pistol grip blankof French walnut with a fine grain figure.If you've priced blanks lately, you knowthat $10 is areasonable price for just fairwalnut or rosewood, and a really fineblank may run to a double sawbuck andmore. A slip of the router or drill at thewrong time, and the blank and all of yourtime and work go into the waste bin.Great as fancy wood grips are in appearnceand utility, if properly inletted,shaped and finished, wood may warp orbecome dented and scratched, especiallywhen carried in a holster. On heavy-recoilinghandguns, thin grips often crack andsplit. So when I heard about the leathercoveredstocks used on rifles by Tikka ofBy V. R. GAERTNERFinland, I began thinking.Leather is tough enough for coats, saddies,holsters and boots. It can be very attractive,and its surface should provide asecure hand hold. Besides its obvious advantages,the cost of leather is not muchof a factor. An old jacket, suitcase, orladies' handbag might be recycled at noexpense. The grip forms themselveswould not require as much care in themaking and sanding, since they will becovered. Even cheap plywood should beusable, and stronger than solid woodacross the grain.Having decided to try the idea, myquestions were: can leather or hide be attachedpermanently to plywood, and can itbe made to cover smoothly the complexcontours of handgun grips without expensiveforming machinery? The solutionsturned-out to be easier than I expected.Leather is as diverse as the animalsfrom which it comes. Years ago, I wasgiven an unusual reptile skin, that of aJana Ring lizard from South America,used for shoes before its hunting wasbanned. The skin had not been tanned,but it was scraped thin and supple. Thinkingthat water would make the skin moreworkable, I soaked a small cutting. Thiswas a disaster, the hide shrank and becamerubbery, rather than flexible. Ondrying, it thickened and stiffened.The original skin proved to be ideal formy purposes, however, having a spotteddark pattern on the back fading almost towhiteon the underbelly (the edges of theopened skin) with finely spotted darkstreaks suggesting finger memory grooveson handgun grips. Semi-auto grip panelsseemed to be the simplest type to demon-IGlue is applied to the top edge andbevel to hold down the loose flap.28 AMERICAN HANDGUNNER

Lizard skin is smoothed over the tacky glue coating on the outer face ofthe panel. Hard finger pressure is used to obtain a smooth, tight surface.varnishing.Once I was satisfied with the panelshapes, I checked to be certain that the'/winch thickness of hide would not overlapthe frame edges or interfere with safe- , .ty operation. Next I cut two pieces oflizard skin, slightly larger than the grips;The darker gray section with cream-coloredrosettes seemed best suited to the'.45.Glueing was simpler than I had anticipated.I applied a uniform coating ofElmer's Professional Carpenter's Glue, aresin emulsion in water which penetratesinto wood and leather pores and dries to atough film resistant to both moisture andoil. It also strengthens and hardens woodin the process.The curved surface of one grip wascoated, as well as the bevels uncoated.This film of glue was allowed to soak intostrate the idea.I chose a Colt's Gold Cup .45 (old- i model), because I like plain grips on thissight-ribbed target gun. Not wanting tosacrifice the original checkered woodgrips, I made new ones from scrap piecesof '/-+inch hardwood plywood. Since theywould be covered, the grip forms had tomeet only two requirements: correct sizeand shape, and "glueability," i.e., theymust accept the glue being used. For reasonswhich will become clear, I planned touse a white wood glue, ruling out plasticgrips.The grips were roughed out with a bandsaw on the pattern of the factory grips.The screw holes were drilled, then recessedon both sides with square-cuttingwood drills which were a bit oversized.The holding surfaces were rounded andbevelled at the top and bottom with amedium-grit sanding drum in a drill pressand left rough to accept the glue, ratherthan being fine-sanded by hand forthe wood for a few minutes and becometacky, but not to dry. Where the glue becamedull in porous spots, a second lightcoat was applied to give a uniformly shiny,tacky coating.Then the hide was pressed over theglue, smoothing it down firmly out towardsthe edges and around behind thegrips on each side. I continued to smooththe hide against the wood and hold it withhard finger pressure for 10-15 minutes,when the covering was tight and firm.Excess hide is trimmed off of panel back. This isdone before glue hardens and excess glue is removed.and handsome vyon-slip handhold.$&$&/YAMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978. ,%- iN'T^-?

Right hand Auto-Mag grip was madefrom fir plywood and fitted to the gunbefore covering with the hide.Auto-Mag grips require cuts in thepanels and are thus weakened. Thewood was hardened with epoxy glue.Strong finger holding is the best method Ifound for applying the hide. With a razorblade. I nicked the excess hide at the cornersbefore proceeding to glue the top andbottom flaps. Again glue was applied tothe wood, allowed to become tacky, thenthe hide pressed down smoothly and helduntil tight, making sure there were noloose areas or creases.The dry hide seemed to absorb themoisture from the glue and a bond resultedquickly, while the hide shrankslightly and tightened to give a smoothsurface. Before the glue had hardenedcompletely, I used a razor blade to trimthe excess hide flush with the back surfaceof the grip, removing the bead of glue atthe same time. If this was done auicklv.J 2 ,the job was easy. The hard glue required asteel cutter in a Dremel tool.Having trimmed all the edges flush, Itried the grips on the gun. It might beasked whv I did sim~lv fold the hidearound the edges and glue it there. Theanswer is that the grips would be held outof contact with the metal frame and thetightened screws might split the wood orloosen. Furthermore, creasing of the hideunderneath would make for a loose fit.Grips need positive, uniform wood/metalcontact.Finally I added a line of glue to the cutedge of the hide to harden it. The edgewas smoothed against the grip and againtrimmed flush if necessary. A solid wearresistant,finished grip resulted. The samesteps were used on the other grip.The grip screw holes required finishing.The four holes were opened through thehide from the back with a sharp drill, thena little glue was placed under the loosehide around the hole recess, and it waspressed down into the recess with atapered dowel the diameter of the screwheads.The lizard hide has a pebbled surfacewith a scaly appearance. The grain issomewhat like fish scales and gives a solidshooting hold without further treatment.However, I felt that it should be sealedagainst moisture, dirt and oil. A singlecoat of the two-part epoxy marine varnishI use on my wood grips (Valspar Poly-Aqua) was applied. Most of it soaked intothe hide, hardening it without objectionableslickness. It also seemed to deepenand sharpen the natural pattern attractively.The resulting grips are, in my opinion,the most unusual, beautiful, and functionalI have ever seen on a handgun.They are also the finest I have ever used. Ican fire a clip of hardball without havingthe .45 shift a fraction of an inch in myhand. My palm is not irritated as it wouldbe by checkering. The .45 result was soencouraging that I decided to pose thetoughest challenge any grip material canface~the Auto Mag semi-auto.I have both the .44 and .357 barrel assembliesfor the Auto Mag, and both recoilmore powerfully than any other semiauto.That's natural enough, since eithercaliber ~roduces up to 30% more muzzleenergy than a full-house .44 Magnum revolver.The .44 AMP muzzle has beenMag-Na-Ported to cut down recoil andparts breakage, but there is still plenty ofkick left. This means that a secure hold isvital but any roughness punishes theshooter's hand.The second ~roblem with AMP grips isHide over the screw holes is cut ina star pattern, glue is applied andthen pressed into hole with a dowel..', >The hide grips give the Auto-Mag an even more striking appearance thanusual, andthey have worked out well in. . all of author's shooting tests.- . 4. % .'l . .,. ,, ^,. A , ' 7 , I.. . ;.njl^.~ll.:.._++'. ..".rt-'L a%& AMERICAN HANDGLINNE MAY/JUNE 19784 , 'Â¥.'^p"f

In covering the Dan Wesson, leather is first The finished Dan Wesson grip with its suede covering. Thisglued to thumbrest line and around to the provides a soft feelingÃ‘bu very solidÃ‘grippin surface.flat section on back to avoid any wrinkles. Shown here the suede is left natural, but it may be sealed.that the panels must be undercut to allowfree movement of the safetylslide releaseand holdopen on the left side and for thetrigger bar on the right. At the same time,they must be thin, because the grip frameis massive and only a large hand can encircleit firmly, even with the thinnest grips.Auto Mag buffs use strong, fine-laminateplywood with contrasting cross-plieson the rounded contours. This is somewhatgaudy to my taste, though it solvesthe breakage problem which I have experiencedwith solid walnut grips. A lizardhide grip set would test the toughness ofthe skin and determine whether its surfacecould provide secure holding on thispowerfully recoiling semi-auto.For the grip forms, I glued together anold split left walnut grip, then stripped offthe marine epoxy varnish with a non-waxypaint remover (Zip-Strip) and sanded thesurface with a medium-grit paper toroughen it. The back of the grip had beencoated with epoxy compound, but I tapersandedto give '/ic-inch clearance at theedges.The right grip was made especially to becovered with the hide. I used ordinary firplywood, Vi-inch thick, made the reliefcuts on the good side (the back of thegrip) and drilled and recessed the gripscrew holes. i coated the back, includingthe relief cuts, with a thick film of thewood glue and let it dry thoroughly, toharden and strengthen the soft plywood.Next, I cut two sections of the lizardhide patterned to conform to the shapeand flow of the grips. These pieces weremirror images, the dark-spotted back ofthe hide lightening to narrow fingers on anearly white background. Most commercialhides and leathers are not so striking,tractive, complementing the all-stainlesssteel AMP design.The details of glueing and trimmingwere almost identical to those given forthe .45, but it was not necessary to cut thehide at the corners because the edges weretapered, not square as on the .45. However,the excess hide was cut in severalspots to relieve the pull of one area on anotherduring glueing. A smooth, tight coveringwas obtained easily. After trimmingand glue-hardening the edges of the hide,the three shallow screw holes were drilledthrough from the back and the hide glueddown into the recesses with dowel pressure.The fourth screw hole was deeperbecause it was located on the upper surfaceof a shallow thumbrest. Therefore nodrilling was done, but star-shaped cutswere made to form little flaps of hide,which were then glued to the side of therecess.Finally, the Auto Mag grips were epoxyvarnishedto protect them. The finishedgrips were fully as fine as I could haveasked, both in appearance and utility.They provide a comfortable, solid holdand a striking appearance. I have firedover two boxes of full-power handloadsfrom the .44 AMP with no discomfort andnotedno tendency of the gun to twist orshift in the hand.Other semi-autos should offer no problems,using the same methods. Reptileskins are"my favorite type, and I plan totry a rattlesnake skin on single-action revolvers.Other hides and leathers can beused, but they should be thin and suppleand easily stretched if they are to be appliedto deeply curved grips.Semi-autos are not difficult to coverwith hides. but revolvers offer tougherexample I could find: the one-piece DanWesson M15 grip. For this trial I picked abrown-dyed suede, purchased at a TandyLeather shop for 40 cents. Tandy can supplyexotic hides such as alligator and ostrich;these are actually imitations on cowhide,but they should be usable.I had shaped the Dan Wesson grip fromthe blank (walnut) supplied with the DWPistol Pac. I overdid the sanding, leavinga sharp edge of the receiver tang stickingout to irritate my hand's web. Later I successfullymade a better walnut grip, so theold one was expendable. I stripped off theepoxy finish and sanded the surface toroughen it for the glue. I also tapered andrelieved the edges so that the coveringwould make a flush fit.Applying the carpenter's glue as usual, Icoated only the flatter portion of the leftside, around the back and up to the line ofthe thumbrest on the right (I am lefthanded).When the glue was uniformlyshiny and tacky, the leather was pressedon with smoothing finger pressure, pushingthe leather forward firmly on bothsides.When the glue had dried enough tomake a good bond, I cut off the excessleather on the thumbrest side (the right)so that it reached just past the verticalcenterline in front. This flap was thenglued in place. Before the glue was completelydry, I cut a straight, square line .down the center of the grip front from .trigger guard to butt, then stripped off theexcess leather and scraped off the still-soft*glue. Surprisingly, the leather easily .formed to the curved grip to give a -smooth, wrinkle-free fit. Probably the:,moisture of the glue again helps here. : . .The trick then was to fit the loose flap^ %' -1-'

The . r I. .Little Match That Could,. ,Eastern Silhouette Regionalwmetallic silhouette handgun shooting began inHEN 1975, most everybody figured it to be a Westerner'sgame. It was there, after all, that metallic silhouette riflematches had always been most popular.Accordingly, when a metallic silhouette handgun match wasannounced in Massachusetts, a thickly populated state withsome of the most ardent concentrations of anti-gun sentimentanywhere, a lot of gun people didn't take it too seriously.That first match was held on Labor Day, 1976. I missed it becauseit was in conflict with Doc Burgess's NSL money shoot inLaramie, but when I got back East, the whole handgunning fraternitywas still buzzing about the success of the Eastern SilhouetteRegionals.I made the '77 event, also a Labor Day affair, and found outhow much water had gone under the dam since that first shoot.Fact is, in terms of popularity and good will, the water underthat dam amounted to a flood.The tournaments are sponsored by the Massachusetts MagnumChapter of the American Big Game Handgunners' Association,which is headed by George Bredsten, American Handgunner'shunting editor. George's group doesn't coordinatematches, however; the Mass. Magnum Chapter's events are conductedunder the auspices of the International Handgun MetallicSilhouette Association.Ron Ricci of the MMC, an avid handgun hunter and Auto-Mag aficionado, learned of Lee Jurras' ground breaking handgunsilhouette shoots in the Southwest, and the proverbial lightbulb flicked on above his head.This was during that black period for Bay State pistoleroswhen Question Five was on the ballot, the referendum to banBy MASSAD F. AYOOB

private ownership of handguns in Massachusetts.Question Five was doomed tofall in the polling booths with a crash thatwould jar the nation's whole anti-gun network,but Ricci and the other Massachusettsshooters didn't know that yet, andthey were hustling for all they were worthto fight Question Five by spreading theword that handgun ownership was awholesome thing.In Ricci's eyes, a handgun metallic silhouettematch was made to order as a vehicleby which the public could see thesporting value of pistols and revolvers.With ranges out to 200 yards, there was anexciting challenge, and the spectacle ofthe steel targets going down in a puff ofdust with a distinct "clang" had the kindof audiovisual pizzazz of which spectatorappeal was made.Now, Ron Ricci had never run a shootingmatch, or even helped to run one, inhis life. Neither had anyone else in theMass. Magnum Chapter. They played it byear.The first step was getting IHMSA approval,which was quickly forthcoming,along with some good advice and completesets of rules and target specs. Rongave the dimensions to a friend who owe2him a couple of favors, and MMC's firsiset of silhouettes was soon completed.Two complete sets would be used in thatfirst match.A range was vital. They needed someplacewith plenty of distance (hard tccome by in a densely populated state)plus lots of parking and spectator area.They chose Camp Curtis Guild in Wakefield,Mass., a fine military range complexthat also hosts FBI training, State andRegional hi-power rifle championships,and other major shoots. The range was securedfor a small honorarium fee, butthere was only one weekend open onCamp Curtis' busy schedule; Labor Day.Figuring what the heck, they grabbed it.Ron had wisely contacted a number ofveteran tournament sponsors for advice,and several, including this writer, hadwarned him that a holiday date might cutinto his attendance, since most shootersfind it easier to get away from a "regular"weekend, the holidays usually being reservedfor family outings. Our predictionsof doom were to turn out wrong-manyshooters simply brought their familieswith them to enjoy Camp Curtis' spacious,wooded, picnic-ground atmosphere.. Meanwhile, the MMC-ers blitzed themedia-local, regional, and national.By the time Labor Day rolled around,scarcely a handgun shooter in the Northeasthadn't heard of the event. Someninety-one turned out on the weekend.Coached by his dad, Dale Small won big at the Eastern Regionals.Ron Ricci (left) and Bob Zwirzpresent first place trophy t~Skip Talbot, open class winnerSkip Talbot, National Champ, with his 7mm wildcat custom XP-100.4MERlCAN HANDGUNNER MAYIJUNE 1978

'0.shooting positions for each successiveevent, but the contestants kept increasingin the same proportion.Turnout was down slightly for the LaborDay match; 180 signed up. "The magnitudeof an Eastern Regional Championshipscared off a few of the new shooters,"Ron noted, "but they'll be back.''The '77 Eastern Championships were agreat take-in even if you weren't shootingyourself. Skip Talbot of Fallon, Nev. tookthe open with a 37 out of 40 downed withone of his own custom silhouette guns onan XP-100 action. Skip was thus far theonly shooter in the short history of thesport to sledge down all 40, and he cameclose to duplicating the feat on the Massachusettsrange. He was later to clean astraight 60 at the Nationals. Elgin Gates,the famed big-game hunter who all butgave up that sport to devote himself toIHMSA shooting, was also in the thirties. . r.(which, at this stage of the sport, is like "being in the bullseye 2600 club). John .Towle of Conway, N.H., generally consideredthe top gun in the Northeastern area,was shooting below par due to a severehand injury incurred just days before thetournament. John is also a silhouette gunbuilder, and his pieces and Skip's, among '1others, will be highlighted in a future ,IHandgunner article. , 3Dale Small, a 17-year old Bay Stater, 4swept both Production Class and the Hi 4Resident title by KOing 27 metal crit-;3ters with his stock Ruger Super Blackhawk.44. Dale, who had fired maybe 2004shots in prior silhouette matches, had 4never shot competition of any kind beforethat '76 Labor Day event. In this respect,qhe was like a majority of the metallic silhouettepistoleros. According to Ron, agood 60940 just aren't into any other type(Continued on page 56)John Towle has dominated mostof the Eastern shoots. His gunis an XP-100 firing a .a58 W.Many more came just to watch. Theyfound, as their Southwestern Counter-, parts already had, that metallic silhouette, . , . , handgun competition is an eminently. .;-. "watchable" sport. Several stayed the en-.* .,tire weekend, mingling with other hand-.-,, gunners from all over the region and?' . . . checking out the displays of the handgun?- 1 manufacturers who had donated prizes tohelp put the project over.;, '# ,A bullseye Master, Skip Clark of NewHampshire, took that first event with 17sJ< -:- . hits out of 40 with the same customized-' .45 Colt auto and match hardball ammo,: he uses in bullseye leg matches. His prizesI '*'were an Auto-Mag and a Ruger -357. Severa1other handguns were given out.,A.. rf % - By spring of '77, Question Five was past,, " '..'history, but metallic silhouette handgun-& < ''* ning in the Northeast was a story that had3.%;'

H,ere's the recipe for a limited edition (only 300) that willmake TIC Contender fans reach for their wallets and developa rash while waiting for their guns to be delivered.Take one ThompsonKenter Contender frame, add threemagnum barrels, a Maxi-Mount and a LeupoId M8-2X scope asyour basic ingredients. Then, put all of these components intothe hands of master craftsmen and you'll have one of the sweetestsingle shot combo packs to come along the pike.The SSK Magnum Pak is the brainchild of J. D. Jones, Presidentof SSK Industries, Dept. AH, Rt. 1, Della Drive, Bloomingdale,Ohio 43910. If you're interested in obtaining one of thesesure-to-be collector's items, all you have to do is send J.D. a$200 deposit, which will be immediately acknowledged, andyour serial number will be assigned. Out of state sales onlythrough FFL holders. Serial numbers will be SSK 001 through300. As soon as your Magnum Pak is ready for shipment, you'llbe notified to remit the balance of the $700 total price. That'sright, $700Ã‘ lot of money, but not when you consider whatyou'll get. Here's a run-down on the entire package:Open up the solid, lockable Hawk, Int. case and you'll find theTIC Contender all dressed up with the new rust resistant Metalifefinish. Each of the three 10" bull barrels has its own foreend,and there is a .41, a .44 and a .357 Magnum barrel in theset. Each of these barrels is Mag-Na-Ported and cut to acceptthe Maxi-Mount which is readily interchanged from barrel tobarrel or with iron sights. Though the barrels are finished withmatte Metalife, the rear sights are blued. The receivers are finishedin Metalife SS, giving the appearance of polished stainlesssteel. Furnished with the set is a Maxi-Mount and LeupoldM-8-2X scope. The stocks furnished are the Herretts "Controller''pattern that work wonders in taming the magnum calibers.Those are the things you can see when you open your MagnumPak. The added bonus comes when you settle down toshooting. The smoothness of the action, which has been vaporhonedand adjusted, has to be experienced to be believed, andaccuracy of guns already made up and tested exceeded the expectationsof J. D. Jones and others who were present.By the time you read this, many of the 300 guns will alreadybe sold, and if you want the feeling of owningsomething special, you had better act now.7-

Above: This .45 Commander shows theaesthetic appeal of the work done byArmand Swenson. The group, fired offhand,is testament of his accuracy.ft: Ron Power made this specialPPC gun for Jim Collins. This gunwas a S&W award for a 1976 PoliceMatch. In case you wonder about theslab side, Collins likes it, Poweri.t:On the following pages you'll find two interestlegabout two roost interesting peopleer and Armand Swenson.The first is a technical treatk on how a cusf i. revolver is made-by the man who prodwwinning guns year after year-Ron Power.Following that is some background on anotherworld reknown pistolsmith-Armand Swensonof California..: ".Both of these men have given us innovationsin design and craftsmanship that have inspiredistolsmiths throughout the world. American& andgunners have voted these specialists topsin their field, and that is why we dedicate thisspecial feature section to them-EditorPower photos by John Hanusin; Swensonphotos by Walter Rickell.

By RON POWER as told by Massad F. AyoobIt seems that every day brings word across a guneditor's desk of yet another gunsmith or hobbyistwho is now specializing in custom Smith & Wessonrevolvers. Many of them do good work.We sent our handgun editor Massad F. Ayoob tostudy in the shop of the master, the man againstwhose guns every other custom S& W is judged. RonPower of Independence, Missouri is the acknowledgedleader in the field of custom, slick-actwned,tightly-refitted, heavy-barrelled Smith & Wesson revolvers.Ayoob spent several days with Power, study-ing his techniques, from selection of the basic revolverspecimen to the finishing touches of whatmay be the finest custom wheelguns now available.If testimonial is needed, be advised that almost allof the champions at the '76 Combat Nationals usedPower Custom S& Ws, including Jim Collins.Power Custom guns run the gamut from PPCcompetition revolvers; to heavy caliber metallic silhouetterevolvers; to hunting revolvers with accuracy,range, and recoil control that exceed anythingelse available; to serious gunf+ng tools.n this series, Power outlines the basicsI of selecting a prime specimen of theCombat Magnum (or any other Smith &Wesson revolver), and then basically refiningthat instrument for the maximumpossible fit, accuracy, and smoothness.POWER ON TESTINGCYLINDER ALIGNMENTThe first thing to do in making sure thateach of the chambers line up properlywith the barrel is to plug-strike. The plugstrikedevice is a rod that's .349" or .350in diameter. Hold the gun with the muzzleup, pull and hold the trigger, then dropthe plug-strike down the barrel and see ifit goes ihto the chamber without snagging.This makes sure the gun meets factoryspecs, and a lot of custom gunmakers aresatisfied with that, but my customers expectmore accuracy from my guns thanfrom anybody else's, so I have to go somewhatfurther.I use a punch to number each chamber,"1" through "6." Then I'll take six 158-grain round nose lead .38 Special factoryloads, and lightly scratch-mark the side of38Power, left, explains method ofcylinder alignment to Mas Ayoob.each bullet. These are also numbered ''1"through "6", and inserted in the correspondinachambers. I'll fire all six into a1 water tank, which permits me to recoverthe bullets without any out-of-the gun deformation.Each cartridge had beenplaced with the scratched number at 12o'clock, so that this part of the bullet hitsthe top edge of the forcing cone with eachshot.From this, I can tell which chambers, ifany, are off just about to a thousandth ofthe inch. Which part of the bullet is deformedtells me a lot, too. For instance, ifthe bullet shows rub marks at 6 or 7o'clock, that probably means the frame issprung a little and gaping open at thecrane juncture.POWER ON CORRECTINGCYLINDER END SHAKEEnd shake is the back and forth movementof the cylinder inside the frame. Endshake has to be minimized or you aren'tgoing to get consistent ignition shot toshot, and in really bad cases, you'll havemisfires.AMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978

My approach to curing end shake isn'treally a new idea, it's just an updated one.I knew guys ten years ago that would put apiece of shim stock inside the cylinder betweenthe end of the yoke and the front ofthe cylinder to set the end shake back. Imade a die to stamp my washers out ofround feeler gauge stock, two thousandthsand four thousandths of an inch thick. I'llput a .004" piece in to start when I'mworking on a Smith with end-shake, andreassemble the cylinder until the ejectorrod is good and tight, sometimes using atorque wrench that lets me know just howmuch pressure I'm using so I can getmaximum tightness without stripping thethreads or breaking the rod.I use a yoke alignment tool, a spud thatI'll drop in through the frame and see if itgoes right into the opening in the framethat's created when you hold back on thecylinder latch, when I reassemble it withthe yoke but without the cylinder. I want itto be rubbing on the left side a little bit,which shows me that when the action is inmotion and the cylinder is turning, therewill be a little tension helping to hold theyoke closed in proper alignment.From there it's a matter of reassemblingand trying the gun out, againand again; sometimes I'll have to add another.002" washer. The thing to rememberis, once you get it adjusted right, don'tdisassemble the cylinder group, or thosewashers may not get back in right, especiallyafter they've been seated with a fewhundred rounds of test firing.End-shake, if it isn't taken care ofproperly, can lead you to ruin your owngun. End shake can let the cylinder moveforward to where the front of the cylinderis rubbing on the rear of the barrel, and alot of people who really don't understandthe mechanism will try to cure it by filingdown the back end of the barrel, and thatjust ruins the revolver. If you've done thisto your own gun, about all you can do tofix it is take the barrel out, set it back onecomplete turn, and start all over.POWER ONCHAMFERING CHAMBERSChamfering the edges of the chambermouths is a good idea for any seriousshooting because if allows you to reloadmore smoothly and quickly, especiallywith speedloaders. I use a 40' angle, that Iput on with a special reamer that has astop on it, but a careful man who knowswhat he's doing can perform this with aDremel Moto-Tool. You can't go anydeeper and stay safe and functional, becauseif a guy is going to put a heavy handloadthrough there, you want to make surethat the brass case is supported by solidsteel all the way around. The safest'measurementon a Model 10 is a chamfer 40thousandths deep and sixty thousandthswide.POWER ON S&W MAINSPRINGSI don't like to alter the mainspring con-In the Ransom Rest is a PPC gun built on M-19 frame; left is aDouglas barreled .45 ACP on M-25; right is PPC gun on M-13.figuration. What I will do is polish it, notshave it down or anything, but polish it toremove the toolmarks. This prevents thespring fracturing at some future time dueto heavy-use fatigue, since if it were goingto break, the toolmarks would be a startingpoint for the fracture. But you have tobe sure not to polish to the extent of thinningthe spring or of changing the dimensionsto any significant degree.POWER ON SELECTINGA CUSTOM BARRELI stay with the Douglas Premium barrel,for the quality and consistency. Now,Douglas won't furnish these barrelsthreaded; that's something the pistolsmithhas to do for himself. One mistake that alot of beginners make is to put the barrelon backwards. The bore is cut from oneend, and you have to go with the grain ofthe metal; which end of the blank youthread to the gun makes a very real difference.Douglas Premium barrels aremarked with an "XX" and that is alwayson the rear end of the barrel. There's alsoa slightly larger diameter step on the rearend.You've got to get that end in place, sothat the bullet is travelling in the same directionin which the bore was "ironedout." Going "against the grain," you'll no-AMERICAN HANDGUNNER * MAY/JUNE 1978

Two strategically placed empty cartridge cases can sharply reduce stresson cylinder components during disassembly, as Power explains in text.tice a tendency to foul the bore quickly,especially with heavy loads.One-inch diameter is about right. Someof the 'smiths are using 'Is" or 15/~e" barrels,and one is using an inch and a sixteenth,but the top shooters tell me theone-inch diameter is just about right forhandling characteristics in a six-inch barrelon a Combat Magnum or other "K"frame Smith & Wesson.A tot of PPC shooters like a one-in-tenhch twist in their wadcutter guns, but beyondfifty yards, they're losing something.I think one-in-fourteen is just as good for awadcutter within fifty yards; it's better beyondfifty, and it gives more optimum stabilizationof 158-grain ball .38 ammo, andof hotter loads.The Combat Magnum comes withS&Ws standard .38/.357 twist of one turnin IS3/4", and there's really nothing wrongwith that. One-in-fourteen is about as lowas you can go with a round-nose bullet; aone-in-ten would L'overstabilize" the projectile.A person using faster bulletsshould have a slower twist.In terms of pure accuracy potential, Idon't see that much difference betweenone-in-ten, or -twelve, or -fourteen, or-eighteen, when you're shooting wadcutterammo. The advantage of the Douglas Premiumbarrel is the quality and consistency,and the added weight, more thanthe choice of twists.To give you a frame of reference, agood S&W barrel will hold wadcutter bulletsin 21/zr' at fifty yards from a machinerest. I've seen some that would group infive to eight inches. With a Douglas Premiumbarrel, I wouldn't let it out of myshop if it didn't stay in one and threeeighthsinches. Of course, this assumesthat the rest of the gun is properly in tune.POWER ON COMBAT MAGNUMACCURACY WITH 38 LOADSThe ideal gun to build a full-house con--version on is the Model 13, the .357 Militaryand Police; my next choice would beeither the Model 10 .38 or the CombatMagnum. The fixed-sight frames for theheavy barrel " K frame guns allow you toput a BoMar rib on with more pleasinglines, and I like the thicker, more rigidtopstrap, though it's not really necessary.The good thing about the Combat Magnumcylinder is that, being counterbored,it's easier to bevel and adapt for quick re-loading. Of course. the fact that it's cer-'2tified safe with Magnum loads makes youfeel a little more comfortable about shootingreloads in case somebody made a mistakeat the loading bench and gave you asuper-hot one.All things considered, the Combat Magnumis an ideal basis for a full-house PPCconversion: the onlv shortcoming is that "when you remove the rear sight to makeroom for the BoMar rib, you'll leave a littleopen notch showing. I hear a lot ofpeople talk about how the longer jumpthrough the chamber in a .357 cylinderwill hurt accuracy with .38 wadcutterammo, but in all my benchrest testingwith all makes and models of guns, I'venever noticed a difference. That's an interestingconcept, but I don't think it carriesover into reality. A lot of championshipshave been won with worked-overModel 19s.POWER ON MODIFYINGTHE HAMMER NOSEFor ultimate consistency in ignition,you want the firing pin to hit in exactly thesame place-on the primer every time,especially if you've gone to the trouble toget the cylinder lining up just so. The bestway to ensure this is to spring-load thehammer, the way the factory does now onthe Model 66.On a regular 19, you can remove thehammer nose, cut a groove in back of it,and install a very small, weak spring inthere, cut to the same dimensions as theS&W factory does on "N" frame hammernoses. Use the smallest spring you canfind that will fit.I put a spring-loaded hammer nose inall of my custom guns. The regular designallows the firing pin to sometimes ding theframe at 12 o'clock. You can grind out thetop of the frame at that point with thesmall attachment on a Dremel tool, or ,with a Carbaloy cutter. The trouble withgrinding it out is that it's awfully easy to gotoo far and wind up with an elongated firingpin hole. You want to grind out theframe where the hammer goes through;about ten-thousandths on the top and onboth sides of the hammer, so that no panof the hammer can possibley rub on theframe when it drops.POWER ONDISASSEMBLING THECOMBAT MAGNUM CYLINDEROn any Smith & Wesson, if you've got agood, tight, well-aligned cylinder, youshould leave it alone. You shouldn't takeit down any further than removing thecylinderlyoke . . assembly as a whole forcleaning.If you do disassemble the cylinder,make sure you're unscrewing the ejectorrod in the right direction. See if there's anuncheckered '1s'' band of metal betweenthe length of the rod and the part that'sknurled; if it's there, it was manufacturedsince around '58. and has a left-handthread; otherwise it's a right-hand threadand you have to unscrew it counter-clockwise.When you take apart a Smith & Wessoncylinder assembly, you'll notice thatthe extractor is supported in thecylinderby a groove down the middle of it, and twosmall retainer pins. A little secret a lot ofgunsmiths use is to put two empty shellcasings in the cylinder, by each of thosepins; that helps keep the extractor in line,and prevents stress being placed on thosetwo pins that could damage them if the cylinderwas empty.NOTE: This part has dealt with modificationsthat require a definite degree of gunsmithingskill. They are not for the uninitiated;the guy who's a shooter ratherthan a gunsmith will find them of technicalinterest, and can use them as a guidein instructing a pistolsmith as to the modificationshe desires.In the first part of this article Rontouched briefly on some points regardingthe selection of the heavy barrel. In thispart, the master gunmaker goes into thesubtle details of fitting the barrel to theframe.POWER ON SEQUENCEI prefer to complete the barrel installationbefore I go on to slicking up the action.So much of accurizing the revolverdepends on the cylinder's relation to thefinal barrel, that adjusting it for the foursteaAMERICAN HANDGUNNER 1 MAY/JUNE 1978 *Â¥"

or six inch factory tube that you're goin totake off anyway can be a meaninglesswaste of time. I'll just remove the cylinderassembly, take the barrel, pin out, and unscrewthe original barrel. You should,however, have headspace and cylinderalignment taken care of beforehand.When you're putting a barrel on or takingif off, whether it's a Smith or a Douglas,you should always use a specialwrench. I made mine myself, and I haveone each for "K" and "N" frames. Theyfit exactly the contour of the front of theframe. You're putting a lot of stress onthat frame when you clamp the barrel in avise and start unscrewing it, and if youdon't have a wrench that perfectly fits andprotects the frame, there's good chancethat you'll spread the frame, or spring it.You should also have special barrelblocks in the vise, wooden blocks cut to fitthe shape of the barrel: one for the Douglas,and one for the factory barrel. Don'tuse any more muscle than you have to.Once the factory barrel "breaks" loose, itusually unscrews easily.Headspacing and basic "Convertability" of the gun should be accomplishedbefore barrel work is done; cylinder tightening will take place later.A .38 round, with number etched. on side of bullet, is inserted inchamber stamped with same number.One check for cylinder alignment.Starting with the Douglas Premium barrel,if the gun is going to have a six-inchbarrel, I'll cut the blank to a little over6". You should always figure on the barrelbeing bad right at the point where theystart to cut the rifling, so plan on cutting ahalf to three quarters of an inch of barreloff each end and throwing those piecesaway.The reason is that you have to allowfor the time it took the rifling machine toget straightened out and startcutting per-. , . A 8fectly true* :;, :. , ': ..-$' * ,POWER ON A $' ,,ACUTTING THREADS *Before- you start cutting, measure thelength of the barrel extension, while thebarrel is still out of the frame. I take thismeasurement from the front of the frameto the front of the cylinder with a depthmike. This usually runs about .800" or alittle more, though some guns go as muchas .809" (for .38 Special). Figure .006"for the barrel cylinder gap. Some peoplelike a tighter gap, like .003" or .004", but1 think that's a little too snug in case youhave to go 250 rounds in a match withoutcleaning. Lead will accumulate, and yourcylinder may start to hang up. I can accept.005 or .007, but anything approaching.008 or more is going to cause a lot of spitting..006 is the ideal to go for.Get the diameter of the shank for eachindividual frame. Most K frames runaround .547 average. .Some may be aslarge as .550, or as small as -540. In orderto get a perfect fit on threads, the shankdiameter should be same diameter as thatof the barrel hole in the frame. 'So, when you're measuring the barrelextension, figure on that .006" gap andtreat it as .007" because you're going tohave a little "crush" there as you tighten itup later. You'll gain a thousandth of an. - '.inch as you torque in the barrel.-,Measure the length of the threads from'" :the shoulder of the barrel. The threadlength will be about .615" on the shank.The diameter of barrel extension protrud-ing through frame is .512j1. This is a little ".bigger than factory, and gives more '? 'strength in the forcing cone. I cut my I"threads on a lathe, one at a time, 36 "El" ,threads to an inch, and I'll clean them out Â¥ .'and finish fitting them with a small three- ,-corner file.Since the front end of the S&W frameis not 100% supported, it's a good idea tocut a little relief on the shoulder of thebarrel where it will meet the frame. Therelief should be even, and between .002"and .003".The barrel also needs to be throated atthe forcing cone area. I use a specialthroating reamer that I run about '/id'deep, with plenty of oil on it and runningthe lathe at slow speed for a nice smoothcut Then I put a 30Â chamfer on the backedge for the forcing cone. I'll then polishout the barrel, usually with a Dremel tooland soft abrasive rubber tip. This givesyou a slick, mirror-like finish that's lesslikely to lead up on you.During the fitting, put the barrel intothe frame just snug. You don't want it tobe more than hand-tight With the frameout of the barrel, you can observe that atone point, the frame surrounding the bar-ICAN HANDGUNNER * ~IAYIJUNE 1978

-. . 4,.bJ ~lhre1 area is only .025" or .030 thick, be-- tween threads. If you've got a barrel that'sgoing to be too tight, and you screw itright on in there, you'll spread the frameout and make a little bulge at that point(under the barrel) and when you put yourcylinder yoke back in, it's going to bindBe sure that everything in that area isper clean, no metal filings or grit or anying,before you start gently screwing thebarrel in. I usually put some heavy greaseon the barrel extension before I put it in.Some people don't think it makesmuch difference with revolvers, but I kindof go along with the old rifle-shootingtheory that the closer to 100% bearingsurface you have between the threads ofreceiver and barrel, the more inherent accuracythe finished gun is going to possess.It makes the receiver more rigid. It'sa small thing, but a really fine custom,precision gun is dependent on a lot ofthese little things.As I mentioned earlier, make sureyou're not putting the barrel on backwards,as a lot of PPC gun builders havedone. On a Douglas Premium barrelblank, there's always an "XX" on the endthat should go into the frame. Thereshould also be larger-diameter step onthat end.POWER ON CREATINGTHE FRONT LUGSome really fine scores have been shotwith Douglas barrel guns that didn't havea front lug installed, but I still have to believethat the underlug is necessary forproper lockup and maximum accuracy.The cylinder is turning counterclockwise,and the pressure of the hand is forcing itleftward, pushing the yoke away from theframe and endangering lockup and alignment.You can see it for yourself by puttinga little oil between the yoke and theframe once you've got the barrel out, anddry firing the gun. As the cylinder turns,you'll observe the oil seeping out from thejuncture of the yoke and the frame. This isbecause the yoke is moving slightly underpressure with no front lockup to keep it inthe proper position.You'll have to install the lug yourself. Idon't know of any source of Douglas barrelswith the lug already fitted. Those of uswho build them all the time find it takesabout an hour, even when you've got theprocedure down pat and you're using thebest equipment. This is one reason somePPC makers have built their guns withoutthe lugs: it's a very meticulous and timeconsuming job. A lot of people buildingjust one gun for themselves might want toseriously consider having an expert do itfor them. It'll probably be quite expensive,and they should be sure to have areally proficient PPC-gun builder doingthe work, because it's very easy to make amistake with it if you haven't done it before.(I don't take these assignments myself,and now build only complete conversions.)I screwed up more than once beforeI got the hang of fitting the front lug.After I centerpunch the underside ofthe barrel to mark the centerline of the extractorrod, I put the yoke back in the gunwhile the barrel is still on. Then I'll take ascribe and mark the outside edges of theframe on the left and right sides. This willshow me how much of a bevel to make onthe back of the barrel so it will come perfectlyflush with the frame.Make the extractor rod groove with a5/~e" end mill. Length of the slot is 2.420";depth into the barrel should be .1901'.Power, using a series of carefullyfitted .002" and .004" washers,alleviates excess cylinder end play.Mill the full length of the groove in onecut; then go back to the front of thegroove and measure back toward theframe an inch (to allow for the underlug)and mill that same .190 depth out to theleft surface of the barrel to create clearancefor the extractor rod.Now you remove the barrel, and cutand crown it to the proper length. For aPPC gun, since the rules forbid anythinglonger than 6", I'll cut the barrel to about.010" short of that length. That's becausesome officials will measure the barrelfrom the muzzle to the face of the cylinder,and I want to allow for that .006" barrel-cylindergap. I use the same tool I usefor crowning the barrel, to shorten it tothe right length. I counterbore the barrel,cut the bevel on the outside of the barrel.and then I lap the muzzle approximatelysix turns each way, with lapping compoundon a round brass knob. You canalso use emery paper over a round surface.Once you've got the muzzle lappedabsolutely true, you're ready to cut thats/le" slot.In text, Power explains use of hisspecial tool to determine cylinderline-up characteristics on a M-19.AMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978

I use about a45' bevel on the outsideedge of the barrels, and a 90' counterbore.I leave the muzzle exactly squareacross, and of course the lapping of themuzzle will knock off any machine errorsthere. I leave it flat across, like a benchrest rifle muzzle, because I think thatmakes for maximum accuracy. Some peopledish out the crown to 11' to allow foruniformity in the escaping gases, but mytests haven't shown this to improve accuracyin the revolver. The counterboring,I believe, is for strictly the protectionof the muzzle.To make the lug, I use Vie'' key stock,and put the hole for the lug bolt exactly inthe center.Once you've got your barrel finishedand your dimensions all right, you can installthe barrel on the frame. Be reallysure that the threads are super-clean, becauseeven the smallest bit of metal filing,if it gets caught in there with those finethreads, will ball up and not only ruin yourthreads but bulge the frame in the barrelarea.I put my barrels on with a torquewrench. Torque in to approximately 50foot-pounds. We then mark the exact centerof the barrel and use that as our guidelinefor milling out the 5/~e" slot for the extractorrod and underlug. You then wantto file the bottom part of the barrel extensionat the same angle the top of the yokeit,.. Is milled; a look at a factory barrel will'give you a guide to the proper angle. For, , this, I use a 6" file with the teeth on theedge rounded off and that side of the fileso I won't leave any "tracks" onthe frame. About four good strokes will doit; it's awfully easy to take too much off.The end of the key stock is rounded andmatched to the radius of the milled slot inthe barrel. Then I cut it to exactly oneinch long. The crosspin hole in the lugbolt should be cut with a size 50 drill bit,and you can use .073" wire for the crosspinitself.Now, you silver-solder the lug on. I'vehad excellent luck with Welco #5 silversolder, which is also good for stainlesssteels. I flux the metal and apply the solderto it. With Welco #5, be especiallycareful not to have your flame directly onthe flux area. Once the solder has been indirectlymelted, set your underlug absolutelylevel in the solder, clamp it on, andgo all the way down the bottom of thegroove and all the way back up. Blow theexcess solder off with an air hose, whichwill save you from having to clean it laterwith emery paper and file, but be extreme-" " - -safety glasses! One good thing about thistype of solder is that the bluing solutionwill attack it, removing the excess solderand then bluing evenly over where it was.The result is an underlue with perfect fitand no soldering marks around it, whichwill look like it was machined out of thesame piece of metal as the barrel.The crosspin is a tapering pin made outof size .073 wire, driven in left to right anddressed off flush. The bolt is made out ofstainless steel, and will be installed later.Now, as you prepare to put the barrelon the frame for the last time, make surethe barrel is polished and that you'vedressed off all the tool marks on the insideof the frame. You don't want any burrsthere, or any of the raised metal that issometimes left there after the serial andmodel numbers have been stamped, especiallythe last number near the edge of theframe.Screw the barrel in carefully, andtorque it up to where the Vie" ejector rodslot is lined up exactly with the correspondingpart of the frame.Now, the underlug bolt itself is '/id'stainless steel. I like to keep the pointidentical in size and shape to that on a factoryS&W bolt, though I do prefer thewider 3/1e" bolt body, and the bigger crosspin.When fitting to the extractor rod, I liketo allow about .020" clearance betweenthe end of the extractor rod and the backof the lug housing. You want it to fit sothat the edge of the bolt is camming onthe outside edge of the bevel at the headthe end of the rod will makeuclosing thecylinder difficult. Try to duplicate the factorybevelling, and polish the surfacessmooth with emery paper. The bolt shouldbe long enough to use the factory boltspring, which will save you a lot of work.When you're fitting that front lug bolt,be careful not to leave it really sharp at theend where it contacts the extractor rod,because if you do it can mushroom withwear and tear and eventually freeze thegun up. Just put a slight bevel on thatsharp corner, and you can save yourself alot of problems in the future.The bolt will have to be fitted by hand,rather than to textbook dimensions. Thetrue test of proper fit is that you should beable to close and lock the cylinder by placingyour thumb at the rear of the cylinder;if the lug and bolt have been fitted right,the ejector rod will cam the bolt properlyand then lock into place.You are now ready to tighten the cylinder,true up the ejector rod, and install theBoMar sight rib. These steps will belooked at in detail in futureinstallments of this series. . -^. *,NOTE TO THE READER: ~hisseries'is byno means a do-it-yourself number. Thetechniques mentioned and illustratedhere are subtleties designed to be put intouse only by the skilled and experiencedpistolsmith. Those who aren't into theirown "heavy" gunsmithing should, however,find the insight into the master'stechniques edifying and enjoyable in itself.I know I did.-Massad F. Ayoob'Â¥'Barrel under lug is shown here invarious stages of completion. Atleft is completed gun with the lugand its locking bolt installed.AMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978. .,

Master Of The coltProfile of a Craftsman, Innovator, Perfectionistand a .45 Customiser of ReknownwHEN the words "Custom Combat.45 Auto" are mentioned anywherein this world, there is one name thatcomes to mind, Armand Swenson. In thepast 10 years he has written the book onthe subject and, although his work hasbeen copied by others, many feel that hehas yet to be equalled. I have seen workthat you might say is as good as theSwede's, but it was still not a Swenson.When you commission Armand to do ajob, you not only deliver your Colt GovernmentModel or Commander to him forsafe keeping (maybe up to two years) butyou are entering into an experience. For,Swenson is an American Tradition-it'sthat simple.The two questions most asked Swensonire: "Have you always worked on the .45iuto?" and "Are you from Sweden?'Tomswer the last question first, "No." He isa native Californian (a rare breed thesedays) born in Oakland in 1916, into afamily of artisans. By the time he was ayoung man in the 1930's he was a professionalboxer on the Northwestern Circuit.Always having an interest in the sea hetook up yacht design and building as atrade which was utilized during WorldWar I1 in special projects.After the war, Armand turned to anotherlove, riflesmithing, full time. Thiswas in Seattle, where he operated a customrifle shop, building fine hunting andbenchrest rifles. Armand held quite a fewNorthwest benchrest records. Some of thefinest custom rifle work and stock makingare in his past when, at the same time, hewas also designing and building seacraft.One of the most famous which he had amajor part in creating was the Hydroplane,Miss Bardal 11.In the late 50's, Jefferies Yacht Companybrought Armand to Southern Californiaas their chief designer and duringthat time he built some of the most seaworthy vessels turned out by that com-By WALTER L. RICKELLpany. As he worked at yacht building, hetreated rifles and pistols as his hobby,which slowly worked into the business thathe now operates.A turning point in his career cameabout at the urging of a friend in the early60's. Armand shortened a GovernmentModel '/a inch more than the Colt Commandermodel and the "Bob Cat" wasborn. From there came the other Swensontrademarks such as the squared-off triggerguard, S&W 'K' model sight installation,checkered front and backstraps, mattedA Colt Gold Cup featuring justabout every Swenson modification.top of the slide, ambidextrous thumbsafety, and last but not least that famousSwenson Accuracy. But to answer the firstquestion, Armand did not start seriouswork full time on the .45 auto until themiddle 60's when he just, flat out, becamesnowed under with orders for customwork.When Swenson first came back to Californiahe located his shop in Gardena andthis is where all the developments that arenow commonplace in the combat pistolfield were designed and perfected. Designingmajor alterations of the old warhorseModel 1911 was not a simple taskbut took considerable machining andwelding skills, plus an absolute understandingand mastery of aesthetics. Thislatter trait is very important, for we haveseen fine ideas and developments masterfullyput together that bordered on genius,but lacked the aesthetics to make it lookappealing and saleable. This, Armand has,as evidenced by his past experience in alteringmilitary actions, bending and alteringbolts, checkering bolt handles, alteringmilitary triggers to crisp, short traveland, last but not least, that eye and skill ofthe stockmaker-not merely finishing aturned piece of wood but carving it from asolid plank that he sometimes selectedfrom a standing tree.This mastering of the techniques of thegunsmith's trade qualified Armand well totackle the conquest of the .45 auto. Theimpact of Swenson was so profound thathis work became known as "Swensonizing."Even though most of his work is on the.45 auto and Armand calls the placeSwenson's .45 Shop, he does do work onother guns, such as the Browning Hi-Powerand some revolvers, mostly for HardWhite Chrome plating.Let's take a closer look at some of theSwenson trademarks. Probably the mostnoticeable is the Hard White Chrome finish.This was not an original idea by anymeans, but he was the first gunsmith that Iknow of to apply this well known finish tofirearms. It has been used for years in theautomotive and aircraft industries to cutfriction in pistons, cylinders and in otherareas where a long wearing, friction freeAMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978

tandai 'd accuracy set up by Swenson. The Government Model1s given full house treatment and fitted with a .22 conversionunit and a .38/44 barrel and bushing for multi-purpose use.surface was needed. The secret of thetechnique is not the chrome itself but thepreparation of the surface, which must beflawless. The surface is hydro-honed withdiamond dust to prepare it for the mattefinish. When the chrome is applied it isonly Yioths to 5/~oths of '/ioooth of an inchthick. Certain allowances are made to allowfor clearances in close fitting areas.The plating is sent to a custom platinghouse which Armand has used for over adecade. The next most popular finish isthe standard old blue job which is all donein the shop. Nearly 90% of the pistols goingthrough the shop are ordered with theHard White Chrome finish.The squared-off trigger guard was pioneeredby Armand Swenson, applyingthe knowledge gained in altering bolts andtriggers on military rifle actions. The techniqueinvolves heating the trigger guard tothe correct temperature, then forging it tothe desired shape and contour. This allhad to be done without disturbing thecharacter of the frame, for heating it toomuch, or cooling it incorrectly, couldcause the temper to be lost or, even worse,.warp the frame.fît. - . -Steps in installing the S&W "K"model rear sight. The commercialslide (right) is milled (center)and completed job is shown at left.After this is done the surfaces are finishedout and checkered to match thefront strap of the frame. This feature is appliedonly to the steel frame models. Thesquared-off trigger guard has done muchto popularize the two-hand hold with thebig auto.Perhaps the most famous Swenson inventionseen today, since it is sold separatelyand assembled on the many stan-ambidextrous thumb safety. For years'.*.Swenson built these by hand. He began byextending the standard thumb safety for4ease of operation. Later, he redesignedthe long safety for the right side of theframe. It utilized the same shaft that extendedfrom the thumb safety through theframe to hold the grip safety in place onthe frame. The early models featured asquare pin at the end of the shaft on theright side of the frame that mated with ablind square hole on the left safety lever.The lever was held in place on the shaft bythe right hand grip panel which had to bealtered to allow the lever to work freelyunder it.Lately, Armand has gone to a stainlesssteel investment casting which featuresthe connecting grip safety pin being assembledby a tongue and groove system.There are several other ways to connectthem, and the above mentioned and everyother system have been patented by Swenson.The unit is sold to the public and requiressome handfitting to insure that thesafety properly engages the sear.Armand also sells the regular extendedthumb safety which is a single unit that replacesthe regular Colt or G. I. version~this goes for $25.00, while the dual purposemodel is around $38.50 in kit form.All are investment cast from highest qualitystainless steel.One of Armand's pioneer features wasthe installation of the "K" model S & Wrear sight on the .45 slide. The techniquehas changed little, with shear pins now beingadded for strength. The sight must beset correctly in the slide for proper frontsight application.Alone with the sight installation is theuucustom stippling or matting on the slide.This not only offers a non-glare surfacebut looks damned good, in my opinion.Aside from the outer cosmetic featureswhich are readily noticeable, all Swenson' Y., ; AMERICAN HANDGUNNEf^tl. ..'i..

One of Armand's personal favorites; anold Model 1911 with the works. Note thefull length rib and the inset rear sight.and none will leave the place until it willproduce those one hole 25 yard groups.Armand Swenson is now located nearFallbrook, California where he lives withhis wife, Irene. Brochures and price list ofall services offered are available upon request.A little hint: self addressed andstamped return envelopes are answeredfirst. This is not a retail store. They do notsell guns. You furnish the basic materialand Armand does his work. Don't be in ahurry-the backlog is 2'/2 years for themost extensive work. But it's worth thewait, and you will be in the most elitegroup of gun owners, the possessor of acustom Swenson .45 automatic.Address all mail to: Armand Swenson,Swenson's .45 Shop, P.O. Box 606, Fallbrook,California92028.-45's are given his famous accuracy treatment.This includes finely fitting all partsproperly to take up the slack and looseness,guaranteeing precise return into batteryeach time a round is fired.Along with the standard work done onthe Government Model and the Commander,Armand also pioneered theshortened versions of the pistol. The firststeel frame shortened pistols were called"Bob Cat." Not too many are made todayat the Swenson shop since the introductionof the steel frame Commander, butsome customers still want a shortenedslide to fit the standard G.I. To accomplishthis, the slide can not be cut in halfand welded together. This is not safe andArmand will not use this procedure, orany that is not safe, in his shop. One problemthat comes with this shortening is thatthe barrel sets up at a sharper angle, thuschanging the point of impact of the bullet.I Another is the lightened slide which haslessweight for it tofunction properly. All thishas to be rebalanced and timed to shootB- properly and safely.I have seen many of these shortened; versions of the .45 and those who own aSwenson job claim that his are the only. ones that function properly and accurately.Accuracy is of the utmost importancein the Swenson shop; he tests each pistolpersonally with match and combat loads-='Although Swenson and pretty muchstandardized the work he does ona .45, this group shows variations'hat gives each gun a unique touch.ii AMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978

TheTools ofHeyday ofWestern Style Fast Draw is Still Aliveand the Equipment is Most UniqueBy GEORGE E. VIRGINESONEof the natural true American ,handgunner sports has to be FastDraw. This sport is, more or less, a traditionalistevent, in as much as it originatesfrom the concept of two gunfighters facingone another as in the days of the oldWest. Historically speaking this rarelyever happens. It was the Western moviesand later the TV Westerns of the early1950's and 60's that really fostered thisidea.Much has been written on the historyand personalities of fast draw but very littleinformation on the specialized gunsand holsters that have developed from thesport. But to understand the custom gunsand holsters that are now being used, youfirst must be acquainted with the techniquesand phases of fast draw. To comprehendthe need for specialization inequipment here are a few excerpts fromthe fast draw rules and regulations;"Only single action revolvers with .38or larger caliber may be used. The minimumlength of the barrel must be 4'1sinches. The trigger and guard may be cutdown, but not through, the trigger shoemay not extend beyond the trigger guardon the side of use, viewed from the rear ofthe trigger guard only, and cylinder slotsmay be deepened but not cut through.The hammer shall hold on full and halfcock when the gun is reasonably jarred.Factory stock hammers are legal. Custombuilt hammers cannot exceed these specifications;extend no more than half inchabove the frame; half inch out of the rightor left of the frame. All parts must be onor in the gun and working. Sights are optional.The holsters must cover 75% of the cylinderand all of the top of the minimumlength barrel when the gun is positionedfor drawing. The holster must be westerntype and worn on a belt around the waistor him. It must not slant more than 45 degreesfrom a shooting.stance.Ammunition requirements are forblanks with powder only, no foreign materialallowed. The shell casing must be offactory length and make. Nothing biggerthan .45 Colt casings will be allowed. Forwax events, factory made shotgun or pistolprimers only, no powder. No buckshot behindthe wax or the wax bullet cut so it willbreak nil. etc"1 ,As in all gun sports, thy gun is the firstimportant item, secondary is the neces-Gil Guerra demonstrates the UpTwist draw. Gil is a top shooteand the chairman of the W.F.D.A.AMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978

An early Ruger .357 Magnum that has been completely customized. Notethe fanning hammer, aluminum barrel bored to .45, shaved trigger guard.sary ammo, perhaps loading equipment,etc. But in fast draw, the holster runs aclose second to the gun.The gun must be a frontier style singleaction type revolver. Back in the earlydays of fast draw the Colt Single Actionwas the most popular; naturally so becauseof its tradition and historical background.When the Colt Company decidedto once again manufacture the old ColtSingle Action in 1955 the only barrellengths available were 5'12 inch and 7'12inch and some of the fast draw boysstarted out with the 5% inch barrel. Becauseof fast draw and its sudden surge ofpopularity, Colt came out once more withthe popular 43/4" barrel and this was widelyacceptable at the time. But just aboutthe same time one of the first authenticcopies of Colt's famed single action wasintroduced by the Great Western Companyof California. In addition to all of thevarious Colt barrel lengths, they also produceda special custom single action justfor fast draw. It had the same traditionaldesign of the Colt, finished in blued andcase hardened with a brass trigger guardand backstrap, and imitation stag grips;all together fine looking handgun. The actionwas custom honed for fast draw andextra deep indexing cuts in the cylinder assuredproper lock no matter how fast thegun was cocked.It was my privilege to test one of theseguns in several contests and exhibitionsand it truly was a fine operating revolver.The price was appealing at the time, itsold for only $89.95 over Colt's Single Actionwhich was then $125.During the early days of fast draw, onedealer, Glauser's Guns of Toledo, Ohio,offered several package deals for theaspiring fast draw enthusiast. One suchdeal, priced at $193.50, offered a GreatWestern .45 single action, a Ojala fastdraw holster & rig, 200.45 caliber emptybrass cases, 100 primers, one Ideal 310Loading Tool, one cleaning kit and freewax and targets. Super and Super Deluxesets were also available.Between the re-issued Colt and the newGreat Western a completely new single actiontype revolver appeared on the market,this was the Ruger Single Action .357Magnum. It became one of the mostpopular single actions available. Therewere no leaf springs, it had all coil springsthroughout, and the price was right at only$87.50. The shooters of fast draw werequick to realize the potential of this brandnew single action Ruger and soon beganto converting and altering it for their purpose.Before going into detail on the extentthat the Ruger was customized, it is necessaryto mention the two techniques employedin drawing a gun from the holster,fast draw style and how as the techniqueprogressed and speed accelerated theneed for a specialized, custom revolverbecame apparent.The original and basic method was simplycalled thumbing. This was accomplishedby first extending the hand aboutfive or six inches forward of the initialpoint of contact with the gun-which inthis case will be the hammer. The hand isbrought back sharply and the hammer iscocked by striking it back with outstretchedthumb before the last three fingerseven touch the grip to make thedraw.In this technique all that was necessaryto put the gun in fast draw shape was tohave the action timed and smooth, lightenedthe hammer spring by filing it thinner,and perhaps deepening the cylindernotches to assure the cylinder would lockand line up every time with the barrel.There is perhaps no other gun sport that isas hard on a gun than fast draw.The second method is fanning, nowcalled "Up-Twist Fanning7'-now themost popular and accepted technique in, ,, ,-.. ,AMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978 , . ' . .fast draw competition. This is consideredthe fastest way to clear leather as witnessedby the fantastic scores accomplishedby the top shooters in fast draw.When bare fractions of hundreds of a secondcan make the difference between winningor losing, one can understand the importanceof doing everything possible,legally and within the rules, to gain thatextra edge.Up twist fanning has replaced thethumbing style, however it also takes agreat deal more practice. In this draw thegun is drawn with the right hand, and thetrigger is depressed as it's drawn. The lefthand is extended across the front of thebody about waist high, with the handopen, palm upward, just forward of theholster. As the gun is drawn the drawinghand turns inward in order to twist thegun sideways and leyel. At the same timethe edge of the left palm strikes the hammerto cock the gun. Contrary to the oldfashioned practice of fanning a single actiontill the chamber is empty, only oneshot is fired at a time in fast draw.With the advent of fanning, the gunsand holsters began to take on a new look.The most popular handgun now beingused in fast draw is the old model Rugersingle action .357, re-built of course. Secondchoice is the Colt Single Action .45with 43/4 inch barrel. There are still a fewGreat Westerns, Dakotas, Hawes gunsbeing used.(Continued on page 56)-- . . . g rby Alfonse. Holster is lined withsheet teflon. Note the deflector.I

IWhere our readers and writers tell usof a custom gunsmith you should know.SHERMAN'S CUSTOM GUNSwALT SHERMAN'S skills at pistolsmithingbecame evident to us atthe Florida Police Combat League Match,August 20, 1977. Using a Python convertedby himself, Walt tied for the secondstage with Jim O'Neill of Clearwater,who used a Smith Model 14 customizedby-you guessed it-Walt Sherman. Waltwon the third stage and then proceeded tolose the aggregate by 2 X's!Walt's specialty is building customcombat revolvers. He began pistolsmithingin the Marine Corps as an armorer,and is currently armorer for the FloridaHighway Patrol. He has also been to Coltand Smith & Wesson factory schools.A typical Sherman custom pistol beginswith a Smith & Wesson Model 10 or aColt Python. He adds a Douglas barrel tothe customer's desired length, Bo-Mar rib,adds a trigger stop and smoothes the trigger,does a complete action job, and re-By JOHN OSGOODblues the entire gun. For the Smith thiswill cost $165, the Colt $180. Either instainless version will add $20. Waltdoesn't mill the barrel on his guns as he,and most other shooters, like the extraweight. If you want the barrel milled,though, add another $15.What does this buy? X-ring accuracyguaranteed, plus one year of functioning."I'll even stretch that one year a bit," saidWalt, as we looked over the Python hehad used in the match. The action was incrediblysmooth and had a pull of about4'12 pounds. His backlog is currently runningsix weeks. A tribute to his skills as asmith and shooter is the fact he is the1977 Florida State Combat Pistol Champion,and rated second in the Governor'sTwenty.Sherman's Custom Guns, Dept. J.O.,9621 Rose Road, Tallahassee,Florida 32301.AMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978

(Continued from page 27)by making a slot in the frame, I could lockthe hammer and cylinder without touchingthe mechanism. I also replaced ascrew on the bolt with a special one madefor the purpose. I machined the thumbpieceto fit the slot and, by puttinga springwasher between the thumbpiece and thenut I could have the thumbpiece swivelfreely. The work was simple, the safetywas positive and most inexpensive."To date, Frank has converted over12,000 revolvers. He does Smith & Wessonsof any frame size for $18, Colts for$25, and will knock off three bucks on eitherif the customer is a nolice officer.The gun he sent me to test was a wellwornS&W Model 10 with 4" heavy barrel.It is in fact the duty gun of a New YorkCity police officer, and the first R-F convertedrevolver to be carried on duty by acop.The safety is engaged by pressing thethumbpiece inward and upward, so therear end is angled toward the hammer.This effectively locks trigger and hammerin the uncocked position. It leaves the topedge of the cylinder latch protrudingslightly above the edge of the frame athammer level; one releases the safety into"fire" mode by brushing it down into thenormal thumbpiece position.It somewhat resembled the specialthumb-safety Model 10s made by Smith& Wesson for elements of French law en-,forcement on special order. These gunsare now much-sought-after collectorsitems, and little known in this country. JanStevenson, who examined them in theirnative habitat, didn't think much of them,and people at S&W have confided thatthere are problems in the gun going safewhen it shouldn't. They weren't any morespecific than that, but I think I know howwhat they were talking about could relateto the Murabito conversion. We'll explainlater.The real point in a Murabito conversion,obviously, is to thwart gun-grab attempts.A secondary consideration is"child-proofing" a gun kept in the home.There are two questions you have to askwith this conversion, and the second andmost important is "Will it make my gunshoot-proof in unauthorized hands?" Theanswer to first question, ("Does it work asit should mechanically?"), is an unqualifiedyes, as far as I can determine. But thatsecond question is more involved.It comes down, in the end, to who it iswho grabs your gun out of your holster.The instinct is to simply pull the trigger,and the chances are greatly in your favorthat the turkey who snatches your R-Fconverted service revolver probably isn'tgoing to be able to figure out how to makeit shoot before you have (a) clubbed himunconscious, or (b) blown him away (orrestored him to a sense of orderly reason)with your backup gun.The problem is, the safety is not in a secretplace. I have met a lot of novices whotook one look at the cylinder latch on thefirst Smith & Wesson that ever sat in theirhand, and pronounced knowingly, "That'sthe safety, right?'If you're out cold orsomething, and that guy has the time tostand around and figure out how to get thegun to work, that cylinder latch is going tobe the first thing he'll monkey with untilthe gun does work. I will be the first to admitthat this is nitpicking; if the gun didn'thave the R-F safety, he could simply shootyou without monkeying around.Likewise, a kid messing with a gun hewasn't supposed to have found will veryquickly realize that the big thing behindthe cylinder on the left side probably hassomething to do with making the gunwork. He was bright enough to find thesupposedly secured gun in the first place,wasn't he?But enough of my kvetching. A drunkor punk who tears your gun out of the holsterin the frenzied darkness of an alleyfightis unlikely to get that safety off beforeyou can deal with him. Out of theconversions done to date, Murabito hasHISTORY OFSMITH & WESSONby Roy G. JinksPresented for the first time are facts,production information, and data on variationsand modifications of all post-1945 SMITH &WESSON firearms, information necessary to everyS & W gun collector. Written by SMITH &WESSON authority Roy G. Jinks, this all newbook carefully 'details the evolution of the companyand step-by-step, describes the development ofeach of their firearms from 1852 through andincluding 1977. Send $15.95 plus $1 .OO forI.........................................................AMERICAN HANDGUNNER591 Camino de la Reina San Diego, CA 921 08Please send ___ copy (iesj of HISTORY OF SMITH &WESSON. Enclosed is $1 5.95 for each book plus $1 .OOfor postage and handling per copy.NAMEADDRESSCITY STATE ZIPAMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978

HI-COMPRESSION22 CAL- PELLET FIRING\\\No Permit Required8 Purchaser must be over 218 FREE: 50 rounds of Reusable 22 CalAmmo and a Supply of TargetsThis high compression air pistol slams eighthard-hitting 22cal. pellets into its target Withoutreloading. Just snap back the bolt, turn thecylinder and you're ready for the next round. Amolded hand grip, long barrel and ring sightprovide unusual accuracy and comfort. On1$9.95 plus 7% for postage and handling - if CODsend $2.00 good will deposit and pa postman thebalance plus COD charges. FREE ammo andtargets included. State age when ordering. Notsold in N.Y.C.-Honor House, Dept. 527AP75 Lynbrook, N.Y. 11563N.Y. Res. add appropriate sales taxTHE LEWIS LEAD REMOVER iSATISFACTIONGUARANTEED$7.95Revolver Cleaning Kit. Removes leading fromForcing Cone, Cylinder, and Barrel. AvailableIn either 38-41-44-45 cal. Brass cloth paches(Pk. 10) $1.50. Order direct or from yourdealer. Check or Money Order.GUN SPECIALTIES INC.College Park, Georgia P.O. Box 31PERSONALDEFENSEBlackie Collins 81 Chris McLoughlinExciting and useful newbook on armed defense. Heavyemphasis on firearms andedged weapons with 234 allnew photographs. Weaponsconcealment and escape andevasion techniques are discussedin detail. This is a largeformat book with 160 pages ofinteresting information andhigh quality photographs. Amust for these days and times.$8.95 Softbound$1 2.50 HardboundSend check or money order to:DefenseP.O. Box 18595many testimonial letters, most or all ofwhich revolve around kids getting theirhands on policemen's revolvers and notbeing able to make them go off. No homicidally-inclinedgun-grabbers have yettried and been thwarted, but I personallyfeel it's only a matter of time.The first speculation that hits the reader'smind is, "Doesn't this defeat one advantageof the revolver, the instant, instinctivefirst shot? How much is this goingto slow up the policeman's or armedcitizen's gun handling in a split-secondcrisis situation?"There may be a slow-up, if the owner ofthe gun has not been trained and drilledin quick-draw-and-fire with it. Many departmentshave trouble enough trainingevery recruit and line officer to get his unmodifiedservice revolver out and firingwith any kind of speed; these are usuallypoorly trained departments, and addingthe step of familiarizing the troops with asafety is likely to slow down the responsestill more.I took to the R-F safety immediately,but I'm a .45 auto devotee, and have spentmany years learning to instinctivelythumb-down the safety of the pistol Idraw. If you are familiar with cocked-andlockedautomatics, the R-F will be perfectlynatural for you. People who shoot onlyonce or twice a year or less will fumblewith it Ironically, it is this type of personwho is likelv to have accidental dischargesuwith their unfamiliar sidearms anyway;their supervisors will think, "Aha, I'll fitall their guns with R-F safeties so it can'thappen," and these undertrained peoplewill be even less able to draw and firequickly and surely, admittedly, they'll alsobe less likely to accidentally fire their weapons.It is significant that a large percentageof R-Fs sales to date seem to bein the notoriously under-trained securityguard sector.Three other problems can occur in actualfiring of a gun modified with the R-Fsafety. One is that the safety is quite likelyto be accidentally engaged as the cylinderis opened for reloading. Most officers aretrained to open the cylinder as they switchthe gun from left hand to right, so the leftcan handle ejection and hold the weaponwhile the more dextrous right hand grabsthe fresh ammo. This means that in manyhands, including mine, the pressure thatopens the S&W cylinder latch will bepushing up as well as forward, and maylock the safety. The reloaded gun will notfire until it is released. (This is unlikely tooccur in an R-F converted Colt, sincemany people will be pulling more backand down on the thumbpiece).Can the safety be knocked upward into"safe" position as the gun recoils duringfiring? I've been told that it did occur withthe French Model 10s with the factory-installedthumb safeties. It is theoreticallypossible, since at the moment the hammerfalls, and while the trigger is stillback, the sareiy can engage if the thumbpieceis bumped into the angled "up7'position. This could happen if you have abig thumb, or place it wrong. It is, however,most unlikely, and if you were tohave this problem, it would certainly showup in practice, provided that you trainedwith full power ammo.Finally, you have to be sure the safetythumbpiece is tilted fully forward and up ,into the no-fire position. The nature of theR-F conversion on the Smith & Wessonmechanism is such that you can push thesafety forward and up lightly, and feel adefinite movement and stop. The gun,however, is still in "fire" mode.In this "false safe" position, the upperedge of the thumbpiece protrudes slightlyover the top left of the frame; it should bemarkedly up and over, and the only wayyou can test for sure is to try to start thehammer back with your thumb and seewhether or not it stops. Don't test the safetywith your trigger finger, since you'll unconsciouslybe expecting the rigid resistanceof a locked action, and are likely toput too much pressure on the trigger if thesafety isn't locked. You don't need me totell you what will happen then.Well, here I've bitched about three orfour different things that could go wrongwith the R-F safety. Now let me tell youwhat's right with it. The release is everybit as natural and foolproof as that on a.45 auto or Browning 9 mm or any automaticof that genre. It is quickly learnedby anyone willing to practice with it, justas is the cocked and locked carry with asingle-action automatic.And it is likely to save lives, and indeed,has already..What we have here is a mechanicalsafety that works as it was designed to, thatis easy and natural for a trained man to releasewith no loss whatever in responsetime to a life-threatening situation. Itbriefly prevents a person unfamiliar withit from firing the weapon. If you're talkingabout a kid left alone with it in your bedroom,or a brawler left alone with it as hestands over your unconscious form tryingto figure out how to shoot you, why then,you've only prolonged the inevitable. Butif somebody grabs it out of your holsterand tries to kill you with it, it is quite likelyto buy you the time you need to rectify thesituation and write Frank Murabito a verynice letter.I'm glad Frank came up with this, andfor the ridiculously low price of $15. I saythat because I've been deeply trained andpracticed in drawing and firing a safetylockedhandgun. I would have seriousdoubts about ordering the modificationon every gun in the department, unless everypistol-packer there was thoroughlytrained with it. I've observed several departmentsthat issue double-action automatics,and have noted that while close tohalf the officers in each organization car-(Continued on page 66) ,. ,.AMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978 ' . ,

NEW! The completely revisedllth edition of the mostcomprehensive firearms reference ever published.Examines arms of 42 nations from 1900-present every chapter completely revised 5new chapters follow small arms developmentssince W.W. II 672 pages well over 2000photosLoading, Firing, StrippingRenowned military scholars consult it to keepcurrent with world arms capabilities ... Facelessmercenaries, they say, use it as a "shoppingguide."And weapons buffs-perhaps like yourselfreadit over and over again just for the sheer enjoymentof being "hands-on" close to the finest inclassic and modern military hardware.The book is Small Arms of the World. Andnow, in its 11th Edition, you get completely revisedchapters ... new sections ... new photographs ...and hundreds of new weapons, many of which. >'. haveonly been whispered about in print until now.4 ~ r uInternationall ~, Small Arms of the World is one of the few? Jweapons references that is truly international inscope. In its more than 600 fully illustrated pages,you'll find pistols, rifles, submachineguns and machineguns from 42 nations. Weapons rangingfrom Astras to Kalishnikovs. Armalites toMausers. Brens to STENS. Hush Puppies to Uzis.They date from the turn of the century right up totoday.Small Arms of the World not onlv examineswell known and widely employed weapons, butalso spotlights obscure and often bizarre arms Itexposesvirtually useless weapons praises trulyoutstanding ones. even points out proofmarksand minor modifications in design that help pinpointdates and places of manufacture For theseof political infighting it takes to get a weaporadopted by the U.S. Armed Forces.1 Name-Act Now for Risk-Free Offer 1 Address IIf you're a weapons buff-someone who ao ureasons, this unique book isan absolute must for predates the thought and technology that goes I City State Zw .any serious collector ,; ,, .J ,-. . * . into engineering small armaments, we guarantee p 4"I. ,, : 5

An Over-The-CounterCombat Rig that PerformsLike a Champion"Pistolero"stitch design through the middle and forBy MIKE BARACHor those handgunners that are caughtF up in competitive combat shooting,the Bianchi leather firm is now offeringtheir new Pistolero combat rig. The outfithas been designed for optimum performanceand comes equipped with a 2'/2"suede-lined belt, newly dehigned holsterwith leg strap, and a quick-draw magazineholder. The holster is made to accommodatelarge frame Colt or Browning autos.The test rig sent to me is typical of Bianchi'squality and workmanship. All toolingand stitching is very well done.The "Pistolero" is available in eithertan or black, with a plain finish being standardin both. The outfit is attractive inboth colors, however I'm rather partial totan. Unfortunately, the basket-weave designisn't available on the rig. It doesn'tmake the outfit perform any better, butwould enhance its looks in my opinion.The rig's fully contoured belt is 2'/2"wide with suede lining on the inside toprevent slippage on the hips while drawing.For good looks, it's given a fancyadded strength it is outline-stitchedaround the edges. The right side of thebelt is indexed for holster placement andonce secured in position with the two retaining-screws,is motionless.Author found the Pistolero rig comfortable whilepracticing on his self-constructed combat course.Entire rig presents a rugged, neat appearance. Overallquality of leather, stitching and workmanship was tops.54 AMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978

The newly designed holster boasts ametal reinforced sight channel, Auto-Flexgun retainer, full leather face and lining,and last but not least a leg strap. The holsteris well designed, being very rigid forboth strength and protection as well as offeringa snag-free draw. It is angled slightlyfor increased speed in clearing the gunfrom the top of the holster. Bianchi's reinforcedmolded sight channel (metal lined)is, no doubt, a very good feature for combatshooting as the front sight is betterprotected and it also uses the channel as aguide way as the gun slides in and out ofthe holster.The Auto-Flex gun retainer is a newidea that utilizes molded surgical rubbermade much like the conventional safetystrap. The Auto-Flex is, however, a littleshorter and because it is made of rubber,stretches, applying tension that securelyholds the gun in the holster. The Auto-Flex retainer slips over the auto's cockedhammer serving as a safety. In order toiconvince myself of the safety of the gunwhile cocked with the Auto-Flex in position(over the hammer) I pushed in on the? Colt's grip-safety and forced the triggert back with a small screwdriver. The hammerwas held back by the retainer anddidn't so much as start to move. There'sThe Grip w.,,J magazine pouch holdstwo spare clips securely, yet theycan be withdrawn with little effort.no doubt in my mind of the safety theAuto-Flex offers. It likewise holds the gunvery securely in the holster, even if onewere to go as far as to perform backwardsomersaults.(There is usually some formof rigorous movement required atmatches to insure the safety of the holsterbeing used) I've been accustomed to theleather safety straps oil my other huntingand combat holsters, but the Auto-Flex isstronger due to the tension applied and inmy opinion safer than the leather type, butI must admit that I had some difficultyusing it. Naturally, it's newness had a greatThe Pistolero combat rig comes complete with holster, leg strap.belt and Grip Clip magazine holder. Author's Gold Cup is shown.Auto-Flex strap ,- of suiy,calrubber. It holds pistol in placeand blocks hammer from firing pin.deal to do with the awkwardness I experienced,but the tension does make a differencein replacing it over the hammer. Itrequires more force to stretch it over thehammer and this is where I ran into somedifficulty with it I believe that once a personhas become thoroughly familiar withthis stretch-type retainer no major handlingproblems would arise. I'm certainthat the inconvenience of becoming ac- ..customed to it through practicing would be 'outweighed by its ability to positively holdthe aim " in the holster as well as affording "protection against accidental firing.As far as leg-straps go, there's little tobe said of them other than that 1 personallyprefer to have one on any type of quickdrawrig, as it's a good feature. Having theholster remain next to the leg while drawinghelps speed and I don't know of a bet-ter way than the use of the leg-strap., . . ~The last accessory of the "Pistolero"~outfit is almost as important as the holster.Bianchi's "Clip-Grip," as it is called,enables the user to very quickly remove afresh magazine and ram it home with littlethought or effort. The "Clip-Grip" incorporatesan adjustable tension screw tohold the magazines as loosely or tightly asone desires. The magazines are separatedapproximately 3/4' by a round bushingmade of rubber. The "Clip-Grip" is notstationary and may be positioned anywhereon the belt.I've been using the Pistolero Combatrig for a good while now and other thanthe difficulty I had getting used to theAuto-Flex gun retainer, I'm very happywith the outfit's looks, styling, and over-allperformance. The rig fits me well, andthus is comfortable while running throughthe course. My Gold Cup slides in and outof the holster with some resistance but it'snothing to be greatly concerned about, asthe holster is still a bit tight from beingrather new.All in all, the "Pistolero" is a lot of rigfor the money. It's available at your localdealer or direct from Bianchi,retailing at $89.95.'$MERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978

SPEED SAFETYFOR THE BROWNING HIGH POWERCompetition Proven Design By James W. HoagBlue-$23.00 Hard Chromed-$25.00(California Residents add 6%)Dealer Inquiries InvitedH & D PRODUCTS8523 Canoga Ave. Unit CCanoga Park, CA 91304BON OR STAINLESS STEEL.' Send 50C and no. 10 SASE for price lists.CROWN CITY ARMS P.O. BoxCortland, NY 13045 607/753-0194LUIN uc I EL I insorderP. 0. BOX 53Mesquite, TX 75149f ~ prepared!': eII H you believe that civilization may be on a short fuse which 1could easily be ignited by Ter~orism Monetary Collapse. FoodShortages Nuclear Attack or Blackmail and Thermonuclear 1I Accidents you should read SURVIVAL GUNS I1 Illustrations 458 5'4 x 8'4 Pages -Partial Contents: Choosing Defense and Hunting Handguns 1I Shotguns & Rifles Modifications and Maintenance SpecialPurpose Weapons Accessories Learning Practical Shoot-ing * Ammunition * Handloading and MoreSPECIAL BONUS: Personal Survival Batteries of BradAngler. Jell Cooper. Col. Burt MillerPlease send ine - copy(ies) @ $7.95 plus 65C (per book) for postage and handling. Send to: GUMS, Book Dept., Suite 200,II591 Cimhw do h RUna, Sin Dlqo, U 921UII56I II Iof competition, and never have been; theyjig this stuff, though, because of its novelty,practicality, and challenge. Of the rest,it's mostly bullseye shooters, with surprisinglyfew transplanted combat pistolbuffs. That surprised me. I'd have figuredihat combat shooters, being more accus-:omed to oractical and varvine , courses ofL.Eire, would eat this stuff up, but at least uphere, it doesn't seem to be the case.With each competitor, the word goesrippling out to another club, anotherclique, another circle of friends who sharei love for handgunning. Looks like Ronand his group have created something big.What was their secret? How did peoplewho'd never run a shoot before brine " off acoup that set attendance records in thetoughest place in the country to find peoplewith pro-gun feelings?I've talked with some of the principalpeople involved, and I'd have to say it waspure hard work, dedication, and believingin the handgun sports. Ron and countlessvolunteers, and their wives, spent untolddays working to make silhouette shootinga success here, and the answer to theirsuccess lies somewhere in the unrecordedlog of those tedious hours.The sporting press in the Northeast,and the gun press nationally helped, too.Less can be said for the conventionalmedia in the Bay State, most of which isnotoriously anti-gun, but at least one TVstation ran a long and favorable spot onthe event on a sportscast.Advice for others who want to startfrom scratch and, so to speak, shoot for asuper-successful match? "Round up allthe volunteers you can," advises Ron."Get plenty of target sets. Reach out to themedia with news releases and pictures.We do most of our own, though areasportswriters and nationally-known gunwriters like J. D. Jones and Bob Zwirzhave helped us out enormously. Try tohone your target-setting operation realsharp; our target-resetters ' are the onlyones who get paid for working, and its almostnothing, but they do a super job andwe couldn't run a smooth match withoutthem."If you're in the Northeast, you ought tocheck out the next Mass. Magnum Chaptertournament. The '78 schedule is notready, but you can find out by writing theMass. Magnum Chapter at P.O. Box 53,Medford, Mass. 02155.And that ain't the only place in the areayou can get your feet wet in this new sport.Since Ron's first shoot, many clubs havesprouted in the Northeast, all running silhouetteshoots and most to IHMSA rules,though some have developed their owncourses. That strikes me as a healthy stateof affairs even though a few IHMSA peoplefeel the newcomers should be followinga more doctrinaire line.This magazine and its sister publicationswill be running more articles on silhouetteshooting and how to choose theright guns and loads. We'll also be watchingthe phenomenon Ricci and his groupstarted in the Northeast.And the next time some people comeup and tell us they're going to put on asuper shootin' match, even though they'venever run a tournament before, I thinkwe're all gonna takea little more serious!TOOLS OF THE FAST DRAW GUNSLINGERSA typical Ruger conversion is as follows;the cylinder is bored to .45 Colt caliber;the cylinder is long fluted to reducethe weight; deeper notches are cut in thecylinder and the lead-ins are lengthened.An aluminum barrel replaces the old barreland it is fitted with a chrome plated rifledsteel sleeve. The hammer is a typicalraised fanning style, straight up, ratherthan the conventional curved type.(Continued from page 49)touch is a chrome plating as this simplifiescleaning, especially when using blackpowder.To give an idea of the customizingavailable and the cost, John Phillips ofPhoenix, Arizona, who specializes in fastdraw gunsmithing, offers the following.The prices mentioned are subject tochange;New stainless steel cylinders, 'The sights are removed and the top any caliber $50'strap, which is normally flat, is filed Bore cylinder to .45 caliberround. The trigger guard is ground down Deepen locking notch leads$10$8$70spring is shortened by clipping off six Build fanning hammer (on youron the right side to make it narrow andthinner. Internally, the main coil hammerin cylinderMake rifled aluminum barrelcoils. A block in the grip housing func- hammer) $2utions as a stop for the main spring plung- "Tune action $20er, it takes the backlash out of the ham- Six stainless steel cases, former. A hardened block is installed in the shotgun primers or .22 blanks $15frame beside the locking bolt, this pre- Cut down and reshape topvents battering of the bolt slot in theframe. Usually, the hand and triggerstrap (Ruger) $20A number of the "twisters" are usingsprings are shortened and all surfaces custom grips that are oversize with bellhonedfor smoothness. The finishing bottom and a distinct palm swell on theAMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978,Â¥ --

~~ ~right side. Several pairs noted were madefrom crown stag using the natural crownfor the bell-bottom.Another innovation used by various fastdraw shooters has been to take a .22 cali-.her Ruger Single Six or Colt FrontierScout and install a .38 caliber barrel andthen bore the front end of the cylinder to.38 approximately half way, which leavesthe back end of the cylinder still a .22. It isthen loaded cap & ball style with .38 RedSets in the face of the cylinder: .22 Win-chester blanks are used for Thissame method has been used to create thefollowing combinations 22/38, 22/9MM,22/45, & .357/45.Holsters were gradually modified tokeep pace with the changing techniques offast draw. Without a doubt, Arvo Ojala,whose name is noteworthy in fast draw history,made the first steel lined holsterswhich made fast draw truly fast. His holsterrigs were made for the traditionalists;Andy Anderson, another California holstermaker improved and modified theOjala type. He was one of the originatorsof the "walk & draw" type holster whichwas worn higher on the hip. Still anothernoted Californian holstermaker for fastdraw is Alfonso Pineda who has kept upwith the constant changes of fast draw. Hismost popular holster now is the Alfonso#2 or "Improved No. 2" or, what he callsthe "Black Cat." It is worn higher aroundrALL WEATHERDEPENDABILITYThe stainless steel .22and .25 caliber pocketautomaticsoffer the bestprotection against thecorrosive influences ofwater, humidity, and evenhand perspiration. Thesepistols are accurate,well-balanced. comoact andsimple to clean. ~astactionthumb safeties andcycolac grips are standard.Also available in nickeland blue finishes.Mag. Size WeightCapacity in inches6 4% x 3% 13 oz.At all fine sporting goodstores and gun shops. Or forcatalogue, please send $.25s sterling armsSterling Arms Corporation4436 Prospect StreetGasport, New York 14067the waist and the holster sets out almoston a fender away from the body giving thefanner more clearance to draw.A few of the shooters who are handywith leather have created their own holsters.One such "Top Gun," Bob Arganbrightof St. Louis, Missouri, who is ahighly competitive shooter, has madesome fine "JayHawker" fast draw holsterswhich are in demand by many of the fastdraw fans.Common to all sports are the gadget accessoriesthat "needed," some are good,and others so so. One of the early items offeredwas a metal deflector that attachedto the bottom of the holster. It flared out. .'effective and only cost $2.89. -*iThere is no doubt that fast draw advancedrapidly as a highly competitivesport and the guns, holsters, and equipmentused are as sophisticatedas in any other shooting sport.NOTE: Grateful thanks to two fine sportsmen,Gil Guerra, Sr. and Bob Arganbrightfor their cooperation and assistance withthis article. Anyone interested in FastDraw and/or the equipment may contacteither Gil Guerra, Sr., 1192 E. 13th St.,Upland, Calif. 91786 or Bob Arganbright,4704 Upshaw St., Northwoods, Mo.63121.from the holster and the prime purposewas to deflect the wax bullet or blank awayfrom the lee if the gun is fired in the hol- fister, whichdoes happen. This is a goodsafety item and still being used.The cylinders seem to be the main ob-jective for gadgets. One such unique itemwas called "Pistol-lite Cylinder" for singleaction handguns. This was a plastic fullsize cylinder that contains batteries and abulb and when used registered on a tar-get-with the same accuracy and swiftnessas a bullet-a 1" dot at 15 feet. It was supposedlygreat for practice but it never becamepopular. Still another gadget was ametal adapter plate that fit over the backof the cylinder and allowed the use of .22blanks in a large caliber cylinder. It wasI resist corrosionCLEANS, LUBRICATES &PROTECTS ALL LEATHERORDER TODAY!!8 oz. CAN $2.00 PPD16 oz. CAN $3.00 PPDCALIF. RES. ADD 6% TAXZIP AEROSOL PRODUCTS21320 DEERING COURTCANOGA PARK, CA. 91304 *- *MERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978 57

IGenuine walnutstocks for allphases ofhandgunningSTATE PISTOL LAWSllooklct dcscrll~iiig Intest pistol reuulatlous vr-Iiilnlll~ to ~nhssessl~ig, currying. nnil purchasing orhand gnus for all states $2.00.FEDERAL GUN LAWSJtuoklct o~iLilnli~~ Intent federul Inws concemlni;Iliriiriiix Sl.00.

-ân ankle holster'for a four-inch S&WModel 19, another friend had a customerwho wanted one for a Combat Commander.Even if the potential wearer isbuilt like the proverbial brick house, anycylinder gun larger than a Colt DetectiveSpecial, and on rare occasions a 2'/2"Roundbutt 19, should not be carried in anankle rig. Even the short tubed CombatMagnum and the Dick are a trifle large.My own common sense tells me nothinglarger than a Chiefs Special.The reasons for this are legion. To beginwith, once the gun is bolstered, it presumablywill be worn. A lopsided ankleweight running close to or over twopounds gets damned uncomfortable. Tryrunning or even walking a long distanceand the problem is more dramatic.Another factor relating to size of thegun is the size of the butt. Even a roundbuttJ-frame Smith makes quite a bulgeunder a trouser leg. The bigger the handle,the worse it looks.In the automatics, nothing larger than aPPWS or PP sized gun should be worn..25 autos like the Bauer or Sterling or theOMC Backup .380 make even betterchoices. One thing rarely considered byankle rig purchasers is that ankle holsters,like shoulder holsters, demand a certaintype of clothing to work properly. With ashoulder rig, a sportcoat, windbreaker,loose-fitting shirt or sweater must alwaysbe worn and this even in the hottest seasons.With an ankle rig, straightleg trousersof current design invite detection. Itis obvious why ankle holsters weren'tmuch in vogue during the 1950s in an eraof highwater, straight-pegged, tight-fittingtrousers.To be used properly, ankle rigs must beworn with flared, slightly longer cut trousers.The bigger the flare, the better. Ifyou tend towards very conservativeclothes, an ankle rig is a poor bet mostlikely.Ankle rigs also demand a certain careof movement. If you are in the habit ofcrossing your legs a lot, make sure to crossthe unarmed leg unless you want to advertisea gun.To wear an ankle holster properly, severalthings must be kept in mind. If youare right handed, the rig should be affixedto the left leg, the gun always to the insideof the leg. The ankle holster should alwaysbe attached at the slenderest part of the. ankle, this to keep it from riding downand to minimize bulge. It should be attachedsnugly, but not tightly, rather likeone ties a pair of boots for the field. Noankle holster should be considered unlessiCUSTOM HANDGUN STOCKSPresentation grade stocks of fancy American& exotic woods for discriminating shooters.SUPERIOR CRAFTSMANSHIPIllustrated brochure $1.00ROBERT H. NEWELL55 Coyote St. Los Alamos, N.M. 87544AMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978*.. ' -' . ,.,FULL HOUSE By Ron PowerP.O. Box 1604Lucy ChamblissWinner of 6 National Woman's PistolChampionships; 3 Bullseye, 3 CombatMember of U.S. International ShootingTeam. 1970Awarded NRA Police Distinguished BadgeNo. 44; Member P.M.A. Advisory BoardOld World Craftsmanshipcoupled with moderntechnology and designproduces the finest targetrevolvers availableDealer in Hogue Grips437.50 plus $1.50 postageK & N Frame-small, medium, largeWrite for Power Custom brochure

7 .can be just as damning as a gunthat's not supposed to be there., The handiest method of attaching anankle rig is through the use of ~elcroy themale hook-female pyle arrangement usedinitially in braces and used so successfullyby Safariland as belt fasteners and withsome holsters and assorted gear. Thoughother ankle rigs are available and Safariland,mentioned above is to my knowledgescheduled to come out with one aswell, the four makers whose rigs were inspectedand tested are Bianchi LeatherProducts (100 Calle Cortez, Temecula,Calif. 92390), Jackass Leather (920Waukegan Rd., Glenview, 111. 60025),Universal Leather Products (Drawer35747, Tulsa, OK. 74115) and Old WestLeather (2244-2 Main St., Chula-Vista,Calif. 92011).The Bianchi rig is constructed of a slickfinished, durable smooth cowhide, flexibleand sturdy in appearance and utility.The holster and ankle strap are lockstitchedtogether. The ankle strap is paddedwith a sheeps-wool material, apparentlya high grade synthetic. It cushionsthe holster well and provides no irritationto skin. Ankle holsters tend to get -a bit warm on the leg, especially in summermonths, but by their very nature thiscan't-much be helped. The holster portionof the rig features a thumbsnap retainer.Best of all, the thumbsnap is metal reinforced-afeature vital to consistent heavyduty reliabillity. The holster is partiallymolded and available for most sensibleankle holster guns. The strap is secured tothe leg by means of two Velcro strips, thusproviding easy adjustment and a quickon/off feature.Old West's ankle hftlster is nearlyidentical to the Bianchi model. Made inMexico of American materials, the OldWest line offers quality in finish and constructionwhich is not to be ignored. I ownseveral Old West belts and an Old Westfield holster, all of which I am enormouslyrf '...,. .,, . . . -.-, ,.....,.,., -... . ,..*:., ... ..,,.... , ,~.,;.-,.'Ãˆ'%;Â¥^wt >;?,- .:,-,, ';'Â ' ." 6. . .. .. . ,. . . , . -A*,::.'. ,.A.!.,,,,; ,,,., . . .:-.. .. . . - .,. . .. .- ' ....* ..- , "'. , . ',< ,!, . , ...,.ha~ov with in terms of aooearance . and inch rise. For small eunsI., ,.serviceability. the-pants holsters with spring steel clips, ;The Jackass ankle rig is a true two part such as those from Bucheimer-Clark, 'system. It consists of an elastic bandage Safariland, Bianchi and others work acwhichis secured to the lower calf with Vel- ceptably. The Bianchi Defender series,cro retainers and Velcro pile strips run- saddle leather holsters meant to be wornning vertically spaced along the entireouter surface of the bandage. The wetmoldedthumbsnap holster is attached toa tape of Velcro hooks. One takes the holster,positions it where-desired on the leg,then wraps the Velcro hook tape around gun will ride properly, butt rearward.the elastic bandage, thus attaching to the But, ankle holsters and boot-top carryVelcro pile strips. The system works reli- aside, one other method of leg carry is ofablyand offers a great deal of flexibility in fered, this, to my knowledge, only by Bipositioning.Also, additional tape strip anchi at this time. It is the Bianchi # 11equipped holsters can be purchased for Leg Holster. This is an ingenious device,different guns and used with the same recommended to be worn with high topbandage.boots but suitable for use without bootsThe Universal Leather holster is per- with the right sized gun and flaredhaps the most uniquely constructed ankle trousers. The leg holster is made of a suprigof the lot. The ankle bandage features ple leather, two pieces sewn together, thea fleece lining and has perforations in the top piece made with a slit. The gun is inleatherto allow for skin ventilation. The serted into the slit and the tension of theholster attaches to the bandage by means holster itself molds the leather over theof one-way paratroop style snaps. The gun making a safety strap unnecessary.same holster can be attached to a Coupled with this, the gun rides deep inshoulder holster harness or used as a belt the leather.holster. The holster itself features a The # 11 Leg Holster is designed to bethumbsnap and both the holster and ban- worn on the off-gunhand leg, the upperdageare constructed of soft, durable, at- most of the two thick surgical elastictractive black bull llama leather. It is not straps encircling the leg above the calfcowhide. but actually bull llama hide. It muscle, the lower strap just below it, thehas an attractive grain and texture, great gun riding against the calf muscle andflexibility and the black dye is waterproof. shin bone. The straps are secured byIt also has a lifetime guarantee to the orig- means of multiple sets of paired snaps toinal purchaser under normal conditions. allow for adjustment The rig is comfort-For leg carry, the second most popular able, easy to put on and take off and conmethodwhen a holster is used involves ceals my J-frame revolver well. Withsewing or otherwise securing a holster in- something like a Bauer .25, the gunside a boot top. Knives like the superlative should be virtually invisible when wornGerber MKI survival knife work well this properly. In fairness, it takes slightly longwayand so can small, flat handguns. A er to raise your trouser leg to get the gungeneral rule of thumb is the higher and than to snatch it from an ankle rig. Howtighterthe boot, the thinner the ordnance. ever, no leg carry-except perhaps theA cylinder gun can carry well in a Welling- boot-top arrangement-should be usedton style boot, a flat midframe or small for anything other thanframe auto in something with an eighteen- a back-up gun.''-1outside the pants but featuring a spring , ' 'i 1steel belt clip, would make superlative 4 ~ ,boot holsters. But, with this latter type ofleather envelope, a right-handed personshould order a left-handed holster so theiI>I,t - .',+:; , ACOMPLETE GUIDE TO UNmLOADING ,By GORDON R. STARKIFconfession is good for the soul, the years, I had a rather solid feeling of con- your own loads:condition of my soul should be en- tentment. My mistakes were few and gen- 1. Never begin with maximum loadshanced immensely before this piece is erally of a minor nature; i.e., failing to bell regardless of how often tested byconcluded. No one enjoys admitting mis- sufficiently, seating a bullet too deeply or other shooters.takes, but by so doing, we can often help spilling a mite of powder on my humble 2. Never assemble more than 5 or 6others avoid making them, especially bench. Nothing of a serious consequence rounds of an untried load.when their lives are concerned. Thus, my had transpired whatever. Then, one fine Let's explore the logic of the aboconfessing a colossal boner might well be day, I blew it and blew it big. First of all, what is maximum to onin order in this day of increasing activity in By way of background, I'd-like to em- may not be maximum to another.handloading. phasize the two cardinal tenets that should this admonition carefully as it is a twHaving reloaded pistol cartridg g up street Thousands of modern pistols are60 AMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978. .

currently manufactured for older calibersand these late production models are oftencapable of handling rounds vastlysuperior to those offered in original factoryform. Because these are older calibers,the implication is inherent that manyof thousands of tired or ancient pistols arestill in the hands of shooters and as such,must never be used with anything but therelatively mild loads factory produced orcarefully duplicated by the handloadingfraternity. Excellent examples are the .38Specials and .44 Specials but there areothers.No sensible publisher of a loadingmanual is ever going to be guilty of listingflaming hot loadings in his volume unlessthey are accompanied by bold print disclaimerscautioning against use in all butthe most modern, heavy duty weapons. Bycontrast, pistol editors and contributorswith the highest credentials frequentlywrite of loads that in their guns have givennear-magnum readings. Usually, thesearticles carry suitable warnings but sometimesthey don't and that's where we becomealarmed. Thus, when a favorite authorwaxes enthusiastically about a hoaryload for an old, venerable caliber, youshould instantly take this to mean maximumin his gun. The other side of thecoin (or street) is that of a load known tobe safe in virtually any gun chambered forthe round when in fact a more modernversion is capable of hotter loads.Okay, let's suppose you're completelyagreed that for any old pistol you'd be willingto work up to maximum or, better still,avoid even approaching such loads altogetherbut, since your piece isthoroughly modern in every respect, youcan skip the reduced loads and go directlyto the maximum, right? WRONG!Given a modern' pistol, you might startout at a higher level but do not push maximumloads through your piece for openers.Failing to heed this advice, at leastmake an attempt to grasp the second tenetregarding the number of untried loadsyou'll prepare at one time. Please, foryour sake, the sake of frienddfellowshooters and the gun itself, do not trymore than 5 or 6 rounds of a new concoction.Results could be expensive at theleast and disastrous at the worst.By limiting yourself to 5 or 6 rounds,you may rapidly discover the load is unsatisfactoryor downright dangerous.Then, with really very little inconvenience,you can back off considerably andgradually work up to that point whichgrants a rewarding amount of power andaccuracy sans danger to yourself orothers. Would that I had followed thesetruly sensible and uncomplicated rules!Since I have no cause to blame anyonebut myself, I will not reveal the publication,its most distinguished authorlawthority or the specific load which led meto great alacrity in cranking out an unholyloading for a very popular caliber. Sufficeit to say I was dazzled with his results andAMERICAN HANDGUNNERl , MAY/JUNE 19784 Most-Asked estions Abou.Police Radar ?Â1. How many ndar tnps are In operation? Thousands -peed Traps. . .and 2,000 are added nationwide monthly2. Over 6.5 mIMon spndlng tickets were Issued In 1977- Why wM even more be Issued In 19787 Cities andstates, to qualify for Federal roadway funds are enforcingspeed limits by issuing tickets (mostly in citiesand suburbs at speeds ranging from 30-45 m.p.h NOTonly on the highways.)3. What does the law say about radar detection?Nothing. It's Ie alto own and operate a detector.4. Why own a &r detectat/ A detector helps you drivedefensively and avoid expensive speeding tickets thatadd "points" on your license and raise insurance.SPECIAL DIRECT-TO-YOU PRICELONGRANGER X BANDplus $2 95 shipping ahandling (111 residents add 5Thousands sold nationally at $129.95Handles 98% of all frequenciesLONGRANGER X & K BANDS *2995 plus $2 95 shipping &handling(Ill residents add 5% sales tax)Handles all freauencies -Recfttee R d-Send just $1 .OO to coverpostage and-handling for yourtrial size can of LPS #1 andLPS "1001 USES" book.Send today to LPS. . . and how the new LongRanger "EarlyWarning System" detects police suwelllanceequipment before It detects you . . .The advanced microwave antenna detects signals atseveral times the distance the radar will begin clockingyou, even when signals bounce off cars, against hills andfrom buildings.To alert you, a blue light flashes on and a buzzer soundsas you approach the radar unit.Equipped to mount on dash or clip onto visor - plugs intocigar lighter (no batteries needed). Has over twice rangeof models that cost much more.-One year limited warranty. Try it for 10 days. Yoursatisfaction guaranteed. Compact: only 1x2~8 inchesweightjust 8 ounces. Order now!ACCURACYsad fftteyde yunt&corrosion.Credit card orders call BOO-621 -8318. Illlnoie residents call 800-972-8308. Ordering b telephone uvestime -speeds your order! send your checkor money order, or charge preference to:Anrrlcsn Products American Express'5550 N. Elston Ave. Master Charge-Tested by H P White LaboratoriesUS Patent113808943

decided to go all out for this "spectacular"load.Having brewed 300 rounds, (you read itright, 300) I found myself itching to showthe world what an awesome creation I hadproduced by' taking a vintage caliber andgaining near magnum results. Oh, was Iever in for a surprise.When I literally closed my eyes and &itmy teeth to cut loose the first round, thegun went off and so did I. The heavyframe revolver slammed into my palm sohard I honestly thought it was going righton through my hand. "Some load," I mutteredto myself while bravely bracing forthe second shot. Some load, indeed. Bythe time the cylinder was void of liverounds, I was totally shattered.Upon opening the cylinder, I was horrifiedto find that my ejector rod, even whentapped rather hard, wouldn't budge thoseempties. The cases were, for all practicalpurposes, cemented to the cylinder wallsand had to be hammered out. Ah, did thatstop me? Did I get the big picture? Hellno. Stupido here decided that since thegun wasn't in pieces, the loads were justsuper hot and shouldn't be used too often.INot to be deterred, I fought my waythrough the balance of two boxes of thesehomemade honeys, each time, poundingout brass with a sense of vengeance. I wasbullheadedly determined they would notbe wasted, come hell or high water. Afterall, who wants to throw away $40.00 worthof ammo? On the other hand, who wantsto throw away the remains of an impossibleto find revolver or watch a handcome off at the wrist? Finally, the lightwas beginning to dawn.Dimly, yes. Slowly, yes. But, it was beginning.Under no circumstances would Ifire the remaining 200 rounds. I could,however, salvage the components. How?By merely disassembling them. A qualitybullet puller could be had for less than$15.00 and would more than pay for itselfafter "de-activating" about 75 rounds.And so, the decision was made; your tightwadscribe dug into his equally tightpocket and staunchly parted with the necessarybucks thereby making "OperationSalvage" possible.Now, a minor psychological block hasto be overcome when a disassembly processis involved. Specifically, we like to' MINIATURE GUNSandARMS RELATED COLLECTIBLESBUY - SELL - TRADE - SEND $1 .OO FOR CATALOG #A;?*, P-38TOM MAUA "K", BOX #6, WINFIELD, IL. 60190 U.S.A.3% Long$5.00 PPD.Holsters of QualityWithout the ExpenseAvailable for Most /Popular ModelsSend for Free Brochurebelt slide, inc.~ o 10 d Dept. AH-2, Box 15303, Austin, TX 78761 ~ o 12 dSTOCK NO. DESCRIPTION PRICE1070 Walther pp,ppk/s[New Models] .221r..32acp..380$26.501073 Browning Hi-Power. Model P-35.9MM Para ... 26.500972 Colt Bisley Model Single Action .......... 31.501075 Colt Single Action Army[Pre-WW II Models]. 26.50..........0971 Colt Single Action Army[Post WW II Models1 . . 26.501072 Colt Peacemaker, New Frontier .22 26.500973 C t gov't.M/1911 auto.comdr..ace.gold cup. etc 23.000974 Col Python, other off. pol. Old model Frames MagnaStyle . v ........................ 32.50............................0975 Colt Python, other off. pol.[stand size replaces factorywood] 26.501071 Ruger Bearcat Single Action .22 .......... 26.500980 Ruger Single6,Blackhawk[New modelsXR3-RED] 26.501074 Ruger Single 6. Blackhawkfold models XR31 .. 26.500978 Ruger Super Blackhawk. .............. 31.50Highquality genuineSTAG once again avail- 0979 Ruger Security 6, Pol. Serv. 6, Square Butt. ... 27.50able and at REASON- 0983 Smith & Wesson, "J" Frame Round Butt .... 26.50ABLE prices! Cashier's 0984 Smith & Wesson, "J" Frame - Square Butt .~... 26.500985 Smith & Wesson, ::K" Frame Round Butt. ... 27.50checks, MO's, & COD0986 Smith & Wesson, K" Frame - Square Butt. ... 27.50requests with orders 0987 Smith & Wesson, "N" Frame . Square Butt. ... 28.00shipped same day re- 0988 Smith & Wesson, Model 39 ............. 46.50ceived. Include $1.50Bona Fide Dealer Inquires Solicited.per order to all 48 states.Best Ivory Grips AvailableSOUTHERN GUN LACHANGE, INC.Manufacturer of "Outrider Brand Grips"3288 LA VENTURE DR., P.O. BOX 80802, CHAMBLEE, GA 30341, 404-455-1481think of ourselves as "creators," not "destroyers."Fair enough, but this block caneasily be dispelled when you realize you'renot destroying anything. Actually, unlessyou loaded with one or more componentsof an absurd nature, you're not destroyinga single thing. However, in order to retainyour sanity, these simple steps should befollowed:SET UPYou will need separate boxes for extractedbullets and empty cases. You willalso need a can for the powder recovered;preferably, the one it came in. Finally, apiece of medium thick cardboard to beused as a funnel.Unless your loading bench is extremelyrigid, avoid using it altogether. Whenpounding your bullet puller, you require asurface area that's firm but padded. Aconcrete floor is fine but be sure to use anold "T" shirt or wiping rag as a cushion toprevent the mallet from hitting solid cement.Having laid out your containers andfunnel, you're ready to begin.,,1. '' kSTEP 1 ,.If you're right handed, hold the collet /' ,with your left hand and gently, very gently,feed the cartridge into it with the righthand. If your manual dexterity favors theleft hand, merely switch mitts for the entireexercise.Since the collet is by far the weakestlink in the bullet puller, it is extremely importantthat in feeding the cartridge to it,every reasonable attempt is made to keepthis feeble piece intact. Of the entire unloadingprocess, the most exasperating encounteris having the collet fall apart withits delicate pieces flying in all directions.By feeding the cartridge in a smooth, evenmanner, you can eliminate, or at least reduce,collet collapse.STEP 2Once seated in the collet, you can placethe cartridge into the aperture atop themallet. This, of course, presumes you'vealready removed the cap. Check your colletto ensure a good seal around the cartridgerim and then replace the cap byturning it to a snug position.STEP 3Grasp the mallet and strike it smartlyagainst your cushioned concrete. This isrepeated until the distinct sensation ofbullet and powder tearing loose can bothbe heard and felt. The number of blowswill vary but three to five usually suffice.With good fortune, a mere two can do thejob.STEP 4You may now remove the cap and slowlytilt the mallet onto your homemade funnel.Ease bullet and powder from the malletto prevent same from winding up on62 AMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978'

your floor. Remember, the idea is tosalvage everything you can..., ,Â¥STE 5 CASE-GARD~rnrnoTo remove the empty case from the collet,h lace index and middle fingers of theleft hand under the collet and draw thecase with an even pull of the right hand.STEP 6Blow residue, if any, from the case anddeposit the brass in the box reserved for it.Rescue the dethroned bullet from yourcardboard funnel and free it of all powder.If it's a hollow point, chances are excellentthat several kernels of powder are in thehollowed section so merely tap to free it.The bullet can now be placed in its appropriatebox.STEP 7After four or five unloadings, you'll findyour folded cardboard funnel rather fullof powder. In an unhurried fashion, pourslowly into the can and resume the malletoperations. You'll be pleasantly surprisedto find you've recovered all but a few penniesworth of powder when your task iscompleted., . CONCLUSIONAs this is written, I have had but the onemishap requiring use of the bullet pullingprocess. The work is tedious, tiring and attimes discouraging. To unload 200rounds took me a total of four hourswhich were rather evenly divided to avoidwear and tear on nerves and body. Asexpected, expertise took hold after the. first 50 rounds were processed. After all,this is an assembly line operation even ifdone in reverse!All 200 cases came through surgery inbeautiful condition while the bullets werejust slightly marred; certainly not enoughto warrant discarding. As a matter of fact,only close inspection would detect any illeffects at all. As for the powder, I wouldsay my total loss could not possibly haveexceeded a dime's worth. How does thatgrab you for a first time salvage operation?To summarize, never use hot loads unlessyou have prudently worked them upto safe levels. Never prepare more thanhalf a dozen untried loads. This is for yoursafety, the well-being of your pistol andavoidance of needless re-work. However,if you pull the goof of the year as I did,don't come unglued. All is not lost Spenda few dollars to get a bullet puller and taketime to do the job right. You'llbe thankful you did.AMERICAN HANDGUNNER l MAY/JUNE 1978P9S DOUBLEACTION 9mmWallet*Extra-round Carriers for Handgunners. .- fMTM Molded Products Company5680 Webster Street 0 Dayton, Ohio 45414m uP9S DOUBLEACTION 9mml 10 rounds of 9mmparabellum punching power-* Weighs two poundsReliable-accurate0 Also features polygon bore anddelayed roller-locked slide.HK4 DOUBLE ACTION ,380 wU.22 LW.32calJ.25 cat.\NEW 6 and 12, plus 18 round models,for all popular calibers, protectyour ammunition from dirt andmoisture.Also available for riflemen, in calibersfrom .22 rimfire to .375 Mag., See "our (ACffl Dealer, or send for FREE catalog todayÃ‡ 7. .- .'Ãr e -OUBLE ACTION .45 cal.l A real big game stopper!8 rounds instantly ready l Weighsless than two pounds Polyqon - -bore insuresP9S DOUBLE ACTION A5 cal.HK4 DOUBLE ACTION 380cal.l.22 LFU.32 cal.l.25 cal.l The perfect backup gun4 guns in one.0 Shoots the high lethality .380 cal.(9mm short) cartridgel Converts to low cost .22LR in secondsl Kits for .32 and .25 cal. also availablel Perfect for the backpacker. Lightweight(16.902)Art your defter Â¥bou all of the exciting new H6Kguns or write tor our 20-page color catalog. PIemInclude $2.00 for pol* and handling.Heckler & Koch, lnc.933 N. Kenmore St., Suite 218Arlington, Va. 22201

USE LIKE A MARKING [TOUCH ~ ~ \ L l I k l ~ ~FOR SMALL NICKSAND SCRATCHES.it easy to touch up smaland scratches. Instant1duces a dark, rich bCat. #lo78let-Aer Corp., Paterson. N. J. 07ACCURIZEOWN .AS AUTO. COÃ‘Ã‘ANdEWEDITIONFIREARMSINVESTIGATIONIDENTIFICATIONAND EVIDENCEBy Hatcher, Jury and WellerThe classic reference book of the ballisticstrade is now available in a newprinting to ballisticians and tool markexaminers. This is a limited edition of1000 copies.This outstanding reference work encompassesmany ballistics and tool marktopics, including: a history of firearmsidentification, modern firearms manufacture,firearms and cartridges tool marks,photography in investigation of firearmscrimes, firearms identification laboratoryequipment, investigation of firearmscrimes, laboratory investigation and proceedingsin "no gun" work, automaticweapons and rifle identification.1000 Limited Editions Only!Orders processed by postmark!AMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAGAZINE591 Camino de la Reina San Diego, CA 92108Enclosed is my check for ___ copy(ies) ofFirearms Investigation, Identification and Evidenceeach at $22.50 plus 50C postage andhandling. Allow six weeks for delivery.NameAddresscityState7ip-I did not say I'd never had one of them embarrassin accidentalshots. I have and my tail was in a crack just like yur describin.But you'll manage to come out all right, too, after you go beforethe town council next week and explain how you shot theTV in the police department squad room last Tuesday.You say the chief's too busy bein mad right now, and youcould reason with him if he'd speak to you. Who woulda everthought somebody'd be dumb enough to put that throw-downgun in the evidence locker with a round in the chamber? Andyou get it out to clear it beforegivin it to the judge, tho a .25 cal.bullet through the 19 inch Quasar ain't exactly clearing procedure.Something like that happened to Jesse Clinton, you rememberhe was the police champion a few years back at Jackson. Takesa big man to tell about himself, him bein a national champ andall, the way Jesse told me he'd shot a .38 round through the basementceiling. But there it was, he said, stickin up through thewood floor in the bedroom upstairs. Jesse's wife, May, she's areal good humored Mississippi lady, called down the steps, justreal calm and told him, "Jesse, if you're trying to kill me, justcome on up and do it, don't sit down there and shoot through thefloor."If you get a chance before they fire you, or tar and featheryou, tell those folks what Frank McNally up at that NYPD says'bout them accidental discharges. "Nat," he told me, "if youhandle guns every day, make your living round firearms, sooneror later you're going to let one go accidentally. Just be sure thatmuzzle's in a safe direction and while you may be embarrassed,you or somebody else won't be dead. Anybody tells you theynever shot one they didn't mean to, either doesn't handle manyguns-orhe's a liar."If that's good enough for New York City, with 90 firearms instructors,Green Pond PD should figger out someway to overlooktheir one instructor blowing up the TV.^latANDLOADINGthe mark on the head is at the bottom.(Continued from page 20)Fire several rounds in the manner justprescribed. You will find that in most instancesthe bulge will occur at the oppooncentric.Prove the foregoing statement site side of the case. To complete the test,i yourself by taking a gun whose fired fire another short string of markedases show a slight amount of bulge. Use rounds. This time, however, chambernce-fired cases that have no previous each round with the mark at the top of theigns of bulging, then mark the case head chamber. Fire the gun in a fully invertedi indicate the point at which the bulge is position. Again, the bulge should occur onccurring with relation to the chamber. the side opposite the mark. If bulging is'lace the round in the chamber so that severe accuracy and case life will be af-AMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978

fected. It's time to trade or rechamber.If you've a desire to check bullet concentricity,use a surface plate, V-block anddial indicator, as described. Don't be ledinto believing that you can learn anythingconclusive by visually observing cartridgesas they are rolled across table tops,plates of glass (which are not level unlessprecision ground) or other supposedly"flat" surfaces.The .0025-inch eccentricity indicatedin the tests is relatively insignificant. If,however, bullet offset within the handloadedround is appreciably greater, performancewill quite definitely be affected.It is also true that such factors as bulletspin balance~as determined by a combinationof bullet weight-to-length ratio,velocity and twist rate-and barrel qualitywill have an appreciable effect on performance.The handloader should be aware that,of all the components in the nomenclatureof items necessary to produce customammo, the loading dies are the most preciselymade. They are rarely at fault in anyproblem of inaccurate shooting.We have dealt thus far with full-lengthresizing dies. It is, nonetheless, a goodidea to mention the fact that, through nolack of precision in manufacturing, aneck-sizing die is capable of turning out around with an eccentrically seated bullet.The difficulty, more often than not, arisesfrom a slight misalignment between theshell holder and the die body. This can becaused by grit or a particle of powder inthe groove of the shell holder. Misalignmentcan also be caused when, in the caseof a tilted press, the case is able to tipslightly in the shell holder.If you neck-size your cases it is preferableto use a press that can be so adjusted(or is designed) so as to stand vertically.The RCBS Rock Chucker and RCBS Jr.,as well as a number of "H" type presses,are suited to vertical bullet seating. Verticalpositioning will minimize case tippingduring neck sizing. It should, however,be realized that no amount of correctalignment will compensate for theproblems attendant to the handloading ofirregularly drawn or misshapen cases.The handloader who is looking for giltedgedaccuracy from a handgun mighttake something from the book of thebenchrest enthusiast. These scrupulousindividuals will start with perhaps 200cases, firing them in small lots while allowinga cooling interval between shotstrings. Each time a shot goes out of themain group, that particular case is discarded.Then, with a minimum of 50tested cases, the search for the ultimatecombination of components and weightsbegins. It should be apparent that a questfor the ultimate in precision handloadscasts a responsibility on the experimenterto exercise the same care in assemblinghis ammunition as was used in the manufactureof his dies and loadingcomponents.. - ,. ,."NOBill Jordan tells it like it is inhis fascinating book about gunfighting, how to do it and whatequipment to use. Informativeand exciting reading.l GUNSl LOADSa LEATHERa FAST DRAW,COMBAT SHOOTINGGUNFIGHTINGSfteeMtgaw~ - All GUNS readers will receive aIpersonally autographed copy. Order yours today, and, , 1I - order one for a friend! 1I Please send me __ copy(ies) @ $6.50. plus SO$ (pel II book) for postage and handling.IIAMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978,65I

(Continued from page 52)ried their guns on safe when on duty, fewif any ran their qualification runs startingwith the guns in the locked mode. If yougo to something like the R-F, you have tohave training.If I'm straddling the issue, it's becausethere are two sides, and I can identify withboth of them. In closing, let me tell youthis: I am a police officer, and normallycarry a cocked-and-locked .45 automaticboth on duty and off. I am thinking of goingback to the revolver for a number ofreasons which are not germane to this article.If I do, that gun won't hang on my SamBrowne belt until it comes back fromFrank Murabito with an R-F safety.I'll carry that revolver in a supposedlysnatch-proof holster* Bianchi Model 27 .or Judge, a Bucheimer-Clark breakfront,or a Smith & Wesson Security Plus-butI'll still want a police duty gun that will besecure on the night when somebodystronger and meaner than me tears it outof my hand in a confrontation. Contingencieslike that are one reason I carry athumb-safety-locked automatic in the firstplace, and if I go to the wheelgun, it willbe comforting to have that same addedsoupcon of safety that will take the otherguy off-guard for a vital moment or three.Anyone who cares enough about theguns they own and carry to be reading thismagazine in the first place, can appreciatethat. To them, I recommend the R-Frevolver safety conversion. I recommendit with the safety locked when up, off whendown; Frank can make it the other way,but it's unnatural. Incidentally, he's sellingfranchises for the process all over thecountry, and can probably give you thename of someone in your area who can doit as competently as he can,and quicker.ing present. It solves nothing. I believe itwas Jeff Cooper who stated magnificentlywhat should be an epitaph for this contrivance,and I'll try to quote as exactly asmemory will permit: "It (the double-actionfeature) is a solution to a problemthat does not exist." God, that's beautiful!What follows is not directed to drawingroom discussions, parlor game playing,arm chair gunfighters, nor paperbackbook agents. I'm trying to put it wherepracticality lies. We are in the worst socialconditions this nation has ever seen, andthey are going to get much worse, so let'snot waste time discussing funny littlegadgets and oddball frills that complicateobjectives. Let's decide on highest qualitytools, and have them produced.Concerning the automatic pistol, the1911 Colt-Browning is the finest yet de-By KARL BOSSELMANNvised for a thoroughly reliable self-functioningpistol, and has proven itself theworld over, time after time, for its genius.HIS brief article is meant to be com- small guns. There lies no compro- There is no excuse for law enforcementplementary to that entitled "What mising caliber between .357" and ~ersonnel to be denied this excellent side-This Country Needs" by Claud Hamilton, .429".arm, save for the reasons of stupid and/orwhich appeared in the Nov/Dec issue of"The AMERICAN HANDGUNNER This void, which exists in each typeotherwise incompetent management. Ifthe civilian populace objects to seeing theMagazine. Mr. Hamilton covered well our handgun in the same approximate caliber hammer of the weapon cocked, then use aproblem void in defense handgun cali- range, makes absolutely no sense, and holster with a half flap so the horrible littlebers, and it is the solution of this problem should be corrected, not in a few years, nasty is covered. But we're not really talk-I wish to further discuss, and offer a simi- but now!ing about a full-sized handgun, we're trylarbut differing answer.Hamilton's basic choice of caliber is ex- ing to fill a gap for a powerful pocket sizecellent, and is what has been needed for auto., FACT: In automatic pistols for defense, many years, but in other areas, I must take The Colt Lightweight Commander has- - the Colt .45 auto is the best we've exception to what he has stated. A hollow proven to be the most reliable of all thegot, but the pistol itself tends to point bullet is not the answer. It has been undersized .45 automatics (the future willbe on the large side for conceal- proven time and again that the most pre- tell concerning the new Detonics,ment, and the cartridge falls a bit dictable and reliable bullet type is .the Thomas, etc.). With an added benefit ofshort on penetration. The 9mm jacketed soft point with much lead ex- lesser weight due to the alloy frame, there$and 38 Super cartridges both posed. As for the handgun, a Smith & is a great potential here for development.have tremendous penetration, but Wesson Model 59 is certainly not the arm What I propose is reducing exactly in prolackstopping power.for this project in my estimation. portion, this pistol, by at least 20% inAnother item mentioned was a double- overall size for this new .400 caliber car-: In snubby revolvers, the .38 Spe- action feature for the automatic pistol. tridge. It would result in a no-nonsensecia1 and .357 Mag. lack stopping I'm continually surprised at the number pistol of time-tried design, that would bepower also, and the .44 Special of individuals who feel this is necessary. In compact, light, and powerful.moves a bit slow besides promot- realistic situations, this feature is just not But wait! Bosselmann has not finisheding complaints of recoil in the needed, and creates problems just by be- yet!/ AMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978

We also desperately need a revolver inthe 'snubby category, of the same cartridgeMr. Hamilton describes in his articlefor the automatic pistol. Many individualsare not mechanically minded, orhave the opportunity nor desire to becomeextremely proficient with a handgun.Women, especially, tend to fragmentin a life-and-death situation when theneeded firearm ceases to function. Intothese hands, an autoloader should not beplaced. Therefore, what I propose, isanother tried and true design, this oneproving its worth in the last century.For this second project, I have in minda stainless, five-shot, double-action, breaktoprevolver, that is as close in size to theSmith & Wesson Model 36 as is possibleto get. With present technology and metals,an excellently made revolver of thisfine type can be produced. This proposedarm is highly feasible, and is desperatelyneeded.Now, dear readers, you have beenshown the cake, and what follows is the icing;but the fork you'll have to reach foryourself. The above two pistols have beencontemplated for some time, and lastweek I contacted a well-known domesticarms manufacturer for proposed production.The interest shown was great! Nowhere is where you come in. Re-read thebrief descriptions stated above, and writeme, stating explicitly how these appeal toyou. Tell me what you do and do not like.The final developments of the above twohandguns rests in your powers of persuasion.If hundreds, preferably thousands, ofletters are not received, this project stopshere. Send correspondence to:BosselmannP.O. Box 1058Sedona, AZ 86336I've got the designs, and we have a very interestedmanufacturer.Let's go!- TYLER'S "T GRIBETTER SHOOTINGwith this improvedcast Aluminum GripADAPTOR ForCOLT and S & WMODERN Revolvers DURABLE. 'PRACTICAL-EASY TO INSTALLTHREE ATTRACTIVE FIN S COL RSPolished or Black $4.50; ô% $4.7%CLEANS & DECREASESALL FIREARMSTYLER'S TRIGGER SHOEORDER TODAY!!Durable liaht weiaht cast aluminum for Colt. S & W8 oz. CAN $2.00 PPDand many other modern pistols, rifles and shotguns.POLISHED $3.50 BLACK $3.50 GOLD $3.7516 oz. CAN $3.00 PPDI A T YOUR FAVORITE DEALER or SEND DEALERS NAME. CALIF. RES. ADD 6% TAXSend*Fully make Guaranteed & model *Prompt of gun No Postpaid C.O.D.'s Deliveryplease.*Send for Cataloa *Dealer lnauir~es WelcomeZIP AEROSOL PRODUCTSGenuine stag-lvopbra 6 rosewood gun grl sDEFT. HG-581 Lee Loaders-Bu let Molds-Gun ~ccessorfk21320 DEERING COURTCANOGA PARK, CA. 91304Hand-made Holsters 6 Belts. Leather 6 ClarinoMELVIN TYLER MFG. AND DIST.1326 W. Brlnon Rd., Oklshomi Clty, okl8. 73114Detonics ..." Y3",--.GUNS & AMMO MAGAZINE: ". . . it is a gun that a shooter will be able to rely on with utter confidence."'. . . The Detonics is an enaineer's dream." "The Detonics .45 on our cover is thesmallest pistol of its type available. It's short action, and low recoil make ita most desirable gun for self-defense, and law enforcement.IGUN WORLD: "Proof sitive that tent performancecan berked in a petite pacE^ge!""The &tonics) usad in Gunorld's tests showed flawless functioning."GUN WEEK: "...TheDetonics .45 is exceptionallyeasy to carry and conceal. The balance of thispistol is excellent. . ." ". . . (the Detonics) is capableof functioning well with unusually stiff reloads...SOLDIER OF FORTUNE: "Workmanship is flawless. Theoverall Im ession of the Detonics is that of a beautifullyfitted solid weapon." "Disassembly is sheer simpiicit"The betonics is a no-nonsense, very compact and powerfulweapon."LAW & ORDER: "...it impressed us as a functional, easy-to-control handgun. Compact enough tocarry any dace you can oack a snub 38. it offers vastly - suoariw . fireoower and sto~~ino .. -. Dower. andhigher rate of accurate rapid fire."GUNS: "Overall this little gun is ing to be an impact on the market for the ofessionai gunhandler.The small size and large punch afforded by the Detonics gun make it one of the most attractive forcombat carry. Believers in the superiority of the .45 ACP cartridge for defensive firepower will rejoicethat a well built, compact concealment gun is available at last."SHOOTING INDUSTRY: ". . .absolute functional reliability, stopping power, rapid-fire controilabilityand the impressively persuasive appearance of the .45?-only hei ed to make the Detonics a most interesting entry into the field'of corn ct, but extremelyIpowerfulhandguns, which todays law enforcement environment indicates. (the Ftonics) could well be themost effective law enforcement handgun developed in the last 65 years.. .PELLETFIRING22 CAL.SNUB-FREE: Targets and 50 reuseable pelletsThis hard hitting target pistol looks and feelslike the famous snub nosed revoiver in useby most detectives. The cylinder swings outto take eight 22 caliber pellets and eachrevolver comes with its own FREE suppl oftar ets and 50 rounds of reuseable pellets.only $3.95 plus 50f for postage and handling.Your money promptly refunded ifou're not completely satisfied. Not sold in& ew York City.Honor House Dept. 527DR75 Lynbrwk, N.Y. 11563THE POLICE CHIEF: "...the unioue and brand new aDLIr0ache~ to aain small size and low-recoil. havePOPULAR GUNS: "it is the smallest .45 caliber iocked-breech, single action autoloader available,and this alone gives it tremendous appeal.. . the Detonics pistol performs remarkablywell . . .This one isgood.THE POLICE MARKSMAN: "A fistful of firepower.. . Accura was excellent.. . disassembly isvery simple and extremely fast.. .new found techniques such as the recoil buffer system and ac.curacy product cone barrel centering system make this automatic an excellent choke.. .Thishas to be the ultimate in an undercover, compact .45 automatic.DEALERS PLEASE NOTE: The Detonics .45 Is now available from top handgun, sportingoods, and law enforcement equi meni distributors nationwide. For information and afist of distributors contact: ~etonks .45 Associates, 2500 Seattle Tower Building,Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 624-9090.AMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1978 67

INTRODUCTION TOSILHOUETTE SHOOTING(Continued from page 23)tralia and the rest of the states. IHMSAwas on the move!Members came pouring in at an averageof over 100 per month and not a weekwent by without another club or organizationjoining with IHMSA to participate inthis dramatic new handgun game.In one short year, just under 100IHMSA matches have been sanctioned includingstate, regional and Internationalchampionships. The membership roster isnow over 1,400 with no sign of a letup.Total individual entries were in excess of6000. It is an achievement of whichIHMSA and its officers and directors arejustly proud.The decision to create a stock productiongun category proved to be right. Fully85% of the competition is within this category.Likewise, the decision to create anUnlimited class also was correct Moreprogress in long range handgunning as regardsloads, techniques and equipmenthave been made in 1977 than since thehandgun was invented.New rules were voted in at the Executivemeetings held in conjunction withIHMSA's International Championshipson October 22-23-24 at the Angeles rangein San Fernando. Most important was theapproval of a modified production categorywhich opens IHMSA competition tothe &tire spectrum of handgunning. Thegame is now open to all comers from theSaturday afternoon plinker with has overthe-counterpistol to the highly modifiedand exotic unlimited guns with whichfeats of long. range handgunning havebeen performed that hardly would haveseemed possible a year ago.NRA, heretofore involved only in highpower rifle silhouette, has joined forceswith IHMSA in working out compatiblerules for handgun competition, and willsanction their own handgun silhouettewatches in 1978. NRA will recognize twomajor divisions of handgun competitionin the sport, the same long range big boretype that IHMSA specializes in, and ashort range pistol category using smallertargets at shorter ranges.For instant information on IHMSA, twostamps will bring you a copy of "The Silhouette,"IHMSA's bi-monthly publicationwhich will give you everything youever wanted to know about handgun metallicsilhouette shooting. The Silhouette,Box 1609. Idaho Falls. Idaho 83401.For information about ranees holdingHANDGUN METALLIC SILHOUETTE ASSOCIATIONRanges & Match DirectorsARIZONAPhoenix, Black Canyon RangeTom Fradenburg4525 W. SunnysideGlendale, AZ 85304CALIFORNIAFresnoBert Stringfellow7223 East MuscatFresno, Cal. 93725OjaiBill Kramer61 2 Redwood St.Ojai, California 93030OrovilleJim LaPorte2555 Oak Knoll WayOroville, CA 95965 .San Fernando (,Los Angeles)John AdamsBox 1358Manhattan Beach, CA 90266COLORADOAurora (Watkins, CO)Ron Newberg1650 Paris No. 201Aurora, CO 8001 0CONNECTICUTStanfordFred Schonborn orEnzo Del BroccoConnecticut HMSAStanford, CT 06902INDIANABloomingtonWilliam C. HerringR.R. #7 - BOX 627Martinsville, IN 461 51KANSASGreat BendRon RadkeBox 166Great Bend, KS 67530HutchinsonRoger EnnsCentral Kansas Gun ClubBox 584Hutchinson, KS 67501LOUISIANASt. BernardDiane Zufle232 Lafayette St.Gretna, LA 70053MAINEAugustaJ. 0. GilbertCapital City R & P Club,HampdenRobert LermondMRA Box 255Bangor, Maine 04401MASSACHUSETTSNew BedfordRoger Goyette234 Wood St.New Bedford, Mass. 02745RandolphTom McCarthyAmes R & P Club20 Gold StreetRandolph, Mass. 02368ReadingRon RicciP.O. Box 53Medord. Mass. 02155MISSOURISpringfieldDale & Peggy SilerOzark Shooters, Inc.171 9 College St.Springfield, Missouri 65806NEVADACarson CityRick BrighamBox 1806Carson City, NV 89701FallonTom Lammel1225 Gummow Dr.Fallon, Nevada 89406NEW HAMPSHIREOssipee ValleyJohn TowleBox 497, Route 16Conway, N.H. 03818HooksetDick Riley .Riley's Sport .Shop, Inc.1475 Hookset Rd,Hookset, N.H. 03106NEW MEXICOArtesiaLee JurrasP.O. Drawer FHagerman, N.M. 88232NEW YORKMonroeJoseph Beranbo41 6 First St.Newburgh, NY 12550OHIORichmond- .HÃ Bruce Cassidy

OKLAHOMANormanBob BarnettOklahoma Shooters Supply930 N. Flood@>orman, OK 73069.%PENNSYLVANIAJackson CenterJack ParkerBox 54Jackson Center, PA 161 33WapwallopenBob Hess346 Washington St.Freeland, PA 18224TEXASEl PasoJim McGinnis6552 Scott St.Ft. Bliss, TX 79906Desert SandsFletcher KeltonP.O. Box 26321El Paso, Texas 79926OdessaJesse ~ailey,~r., Pres.3720 N. Texas Ave.Odessa, Texas 79762MansfieldMike StimsonRt. 2 - BOX 227-AMidlothian, TX 76065UTAHSalt Lake CityStan Nash, Pres.Utah Handgunners Assoc.1002 Elm AvenueSalt Lake City, UT 841 06VERMONTBristolEdd Cook65 Milton Meadows'Milton, VT 05468CANADAFt. SaskatchewanTerry HouseP.O. Box 3038Ft. SaskatchewanAlberta, Canada T8L 2T1SaskatchewanRay Dexter1662 102nd St.North BattlefordSaskatchewan, Canada S9A 1 HISpecial note: If unable to reach any ofthe parties listed herein for silhouettematch information for the states ofMaine, Vermont, New Hampshire, NewYork, Connecticut or other easternstates, please call Bob Zwirz, IHMSA'sEastern Executive Director, (203)544-821 3.THE HANDGUN MARKETClassified ads 25$ per word insertion including name and address. Payable in advance. Minimumad 10 words. closing date Sept./Oct. 1978 issue ton sale July) is ~oril15. Print carefully and mailto THE AMERICAN HANDGUNNER Magazine, 8150 No. central Park Blvd., Skokie, I1 60076.BOOKS -~ -NEW PALADIN CATALOGÃ‘Comprehensiv list of U.S.and foreign books: guns, unusual weapons, knife fightinr r l o waare, explosives, demolition, ordnance, seEefense, technical manuals, field croft, survival. Many unusualhard-to-find books. Send $1.00 for fascinatin catalog.PALADIN PRESS, Box 1307-TF, Boulder, Coforodo80306.Order these fabulous books from our extensive book clublArt of Engraving by Meek. $19.95; The Book of Colt Engravingby Wilson. $39.95; The Book of Winchester Enri n g by Wilson $39.95; Pistolsmithing by Nonte,14.95; No Second Place Winner by Jordan $6.50; GunsmithKinks by Brownell, $9.95; The Book of the RifleOlson, $9.95. Allow 504' postage and hondling for eachbook, cash with order. Allow 6 weeks for delivery. Orderfrom American Handgunner Classified Books, 8150 N. CentrolPark. Skokie . IL 60076. .. ."SURVIVAUGUERRILLA WARFARE"Ã‘BOOKS/MANUALS"SURVIVAL" FREEZE DRIED FOODS BY CASEIUNITSI.CAMPING PACKAGES. LARGEST CATALOG AVAILABLE.FREE: WRITE KEN HALE (AH-FO), MCDONALD, OHIO44437.STATE PISTOL LAWS latest pistol carrying, purchasinetc., regulations for dl states and FEDERAL GUN 4both booklets $3.00. POLICE EQUIPMENT CATALOG $1.00.Schlesinger, 415 East 52nd St., New York, NY 10022, DepartmentE.FREE, Become Part Time Gun Dealer At Homel Details, A&plication Forms Free With Purchase of Dealers Directory250 Wholesalers and Federal. Fireorms Lows; $3.00, ClassI License Details, Forms, Laws; $2.00, Your State GunLows; $1.50, How To Obtain A Concealed Gun Permit;$1.75, Fireorms Classified Relics (526 New List- $2.00,How To Make Legal Explosive Bullets; $2.00, Free Catalog,Reddick, 1925G Abbott, San Diego, CA 92107AVAILABLE NOW, the New MERUSURVIVAL CATALOGfrom Phoenix Associates, featuring hard to find military sciencebooks on guerrilla warfare, demolitions, FM's, surviml,weapons, and self defense. Plus top quality mili-torylporo-military and survival equipment for the rofessional.Order the MERUSURVIVALCATALOG from phoenixAssociates, P.O. Box 693, Dept. HG, Boulder, CO 80306,for $1.00 Refundoble with first order.. - ...-., .. .HANDGUNNERSÃ‘Ar vou satisfied with vour shootinaabilit ? Do you get to the shooting range ck often as youwould like? Follow the nmctice techniaues shown in thishandgun shooting manual and you can vastly improve ourshooting ability in on amazingly short time. Send $4.06 to:Henmor, Box 238, Richardton, ND 58652FORT FIZZLE BOOKCOMPANYB~&O~ Firearms, ReloadingGunsmithin Fishin More. List 254'. Dept. 2,2000 Lister St., Las guces, N^M. 88001.UNUSUAL BOOKS. Crime, locksmithing, police manuals,survival, guerilla warfare, self-defense, unusual moneymakingopportunities, and much, much morel Hundreds oftitles! Unique catalog $1.00. Loompanics, Box 264-E, Mo-COLLECTORS - ---- - - - - --NAZI WAR SOUVENIRS1 Illustrated catalog $10.00 bill (refundoble).Disco, Box 331-H, Cedarburg, Wl 53012.PATTONS HISTORIC SPEECHÃ‘Suitabl For Framing ForOffice/Den. A Collectors Item. $3.00 Postpaid. W. Conville,P.O. Box 7933, Philadelphia, PA 19101Original 1865 Smith & Wesson "Baby Russian", All OriginalParts, Also Original Enfield Bayonet. For Info. andPrices Write: Pat Martin, 2436 24 St. R.d., Greeley, Colo.80631. $300.00 Or Best Offer.GUNS & AMMUNITIONWANTED: Olympic Pistol. Mint Pistol. P.O. Box 1147,Brownsville, TX 78520.FOR SALEGUN EQUIPMENT"GUNS, TEAR GAS, HANDCUFFS, POLICE EQUIPMENT BYMAIL, NO PERMITS REQUIRED. SEND $1.00 FOR CATALOGTO: LAW ENFORCEMENT PRODUCTS, 5200 S. SAYRE, CHI.&-CAGO, ILL 60638." *'RUGER OWNERS: Nine Shot .22 Automatic Pistol Magolinewith free Thumb Saver45.40. Walnut Target Gripsfor .22 Automatic~say with or without "A-100" stampedleft side of pistol frad6.75. Add $1.00 for hondling.Oversize revolver rips in stock Write for details. Person's,Box 292, Bethel, ?T 06801GUNSMITHING , >.. .. I-.Police Combat revolvers built on Smith & Wesson. Schoni\ ,: \Tool, 309 13th Avenue West, West Forgo, North Dakota58078.Your S&W M-28 Converted To 45 Colt, 44 Mog, 44 Spl.,44/40, 41 Mag, 38/40. David Woodruff, Box 5, Bear, Del.10701General And Custom Pistolsmithing. Specializing In CaliberConversions On N-Frame S&W Revolvers. Write ForFurther Information-Trulock Firearms, 3 East Broad Avenue,Whighom, Georgia 31797.GUN BLUEIN Wrofessionol Results With GunsmithsMethods. Complete Blueing Instructions. R & S Engineering,Box 708, Moravio, N.Y. 13118, . .,:, b '^* ^*.'Â¥':KNIVES & SWORDSKNIVES, SWORDS, BADGES. 75t TO $75.00. FREE CATA-LOG. KNIFETRADER. 6434 RADFORD. N. HOLLYWOOD.MISCELLANEOUS.-.. *'', "'"BEER CAN MORTAR. Comolete information and detailedinstructions, no complica;ed machinin ran e to 1000d Information on burstin pro'ectifh inchuded. Send4.00. Pioneer Industries, #ox !36, 14A Hughey St.,Nashuo, NH 03061.PYROTECHNICAL: NOW AT IAST, detail constructioncedures and formulas on many pyrotechnical devices f%Blockbusters to Roman Candles. Parts and chemical service.For catalog send $1.00 to Pioneer Ind., Box 36, 14AHughey St., Nashua, N.H. 03061.REMEMBER THE OLD ASH CANS. MB0 etc? Complete detailedinstructions on above and many others. Send $3.00to: Pioneer Ind., Box 36, 14A Hughey St., Nashua, NHninAi ----. .FIREWORKS. MAKE YOUR OWN ROCKETS, MOs, FOUN-TAINS, MANY MORE. EASY INSTRUCTIONS $3.00.MICHAELS, 323 S. Franklin, #804, Chicago, IL 60606.FREEIII POLICE INVESTIGATIVE SCHEMATICS, BOOKS ANDEQUIPMENT LISTINGS QUIMTRONIX BOX 548-HG SEAT-TLE, WASHINGTON 98111.INTELLIGENCE LETTERÃ‘ESPIONAG ASSASSINATIONMERCENARIES, KARATE. SAMPLE-$1.00 OR $9/12 IS-SUES. HORIZONN, BOX 67, ST. CHARLES, MO 63301.VINYL BUMPERSTICKER proclaiming: "GOVERNMENT-Public Enemy No. 1" $1 eoch/3 for $2. H-G Enterprises,Dept. H, Clarklake, Mich. 49234.CRIMEFIGHTERS Send $1.00 (Refundable) For Our NewPolice CataloB-PEC Dept. AH9, 9889 Alondro, Bell-flower, Calif. ?0706.100-CARD ADULT BIBLE GAME . . .I Entertaining1 Educa.tionoll $1.00. Scriptgames, 5837-J Stewart, Sylvonia, OHA3540URBAN TERRORISM IN PHILADELPHIAÃ‘A Inside ReoorOn How It Is Happening And Why. $2.00 Per copy.' W.Conville, P.O. Box 7933, Philadelphia, PA 19101."HOMICIDE INVESTIGATIONÃ‘2 000 eo Ie willb*murdered in the United States this year. Quahied investiotorsneeded. Complete home study course by mail. Send9.95 to National Academy of Homicide Investigation,5200 S. Soyre, Chicago, Ill. 60638."BAZOOKAS, Grenades, Silencers and hundreds of otherimprovised weapons are easy to build with simple handtools when you have THE POOR MAN'S ARMORER. TheONLY magazine of IMPROVISED WEAPONRY1 12 lsmesfor$10.00 Bulk Moil, $13.00 1st Class. Send to: Poor Man'sArmorer, Dept. AH, Box 586, Eureka, CA 95501.OPTICS

'.I .. 8 ' . . . the only magazine of its kind in the handgun market,'.?' '\pÂ tl- ' Unlike any other publication appearing on newsstands today, THE AMER-ICAN HANDGUNNER is a pioneer in its field. Currently a bi-monthlypublication, THE AMERICAN HANDGUNNER is a sure shot in your aim->,-..- towards total knowledge of the handgun market. With feature articles that ''cover combat and self-defense shooting, hunting, reloading, collecting andpistolsmithing, THE AMERICAN HANDGUNNER is unchallenged in itseditorial excellence. Subscribe now, for a one of a kind opportunity.i s THE AMERICAN HANDGUNNER. -I . *';>. ,- ,- % , . 591 Cammu de la Reina San Dieeo, CA 92108. . , r a1 ' \I 0 $9.95 enclosed. Please send me a full year1 . subscription (6 issues) to THE AMERICAN, HANDGUNNER - & =-I^ $4:i1 . ., - -. , ., , 4,.1 i:. NAMF .:-2,I .:I Î *;ADDRESSCITY

-22 Long Rifle 01 22 Win. MaulYou'll have two superb sporting calibers with H&R'snew Model 676 convertibles.. .Authenticwestern styling, each is fitted with 2 cylinders, quicklyconvertible to use either .22 Long Rifle or -22Win. Magnum cartridges. 6 shot single-actionor double-action, side ejector.Available in a choice of&, 5%,7% or 12 inch barrels, eachModel 676 is handsomely finishedwith highly polished antiquecolor-cased frame, blue-btar '-dinders and barrel.Harrington & Richardson, lnc.'ustrial Qowe Gardner, Massachusetts 01440

and sohot we call itWhen your 22 has to do more than it used ing? Because when you're producing cartridgesto do, load it with new Xpeditecthis hot, you'd better make surethat everythingThese are the hottest 22 Long Rifle cartridges . is right. So we've done our testing in the lab to' *we've ever produced. 30 percent faster than a high make sure that you get the performance you want' , velocity 22 Long Rifle. That kind of speed trans- Â in the field. That's the kind of care you have a right. laces into flatter trajectory. And more impact at t h d to expect when we put our name on the box. And+ target at usual rimfire ranges. Combined wit that's tkkind we give you., new bullet's diamond shape cavity, thja is one If you'd like to know more, write for your 48that's really hard-hitting.page inche ester sporting arms and ammunition, - These are also the most t catalog. Send 50^ to nchester Catalog, P.O. Boxi22's we've ever intr+?ced. 'il 456, Mt. \T--n -I, New =rk 10051.) trademarks of Olin Corporation.

American Handgunner May/June 1978

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?