Revolvers

First introduced by Colt in 1873, nicknames associated with the legendary Single Action Army revolver include Peacemaker, Frontier Six-Shooter, Model P, and the Hog-Leg. The design was rapidly adopted by the U.S. Army and used extensively during the Indian Wars period. Colt's SAA was also used by lawmen, outlaws, cowboys, and other famous characters who helped to shape the legend of the American West. There were three manufacturing time periods for the Single Action Army or Model P as the factory called it. The original production, known as the First Generation, was manufactured from 1873 through 1940. This run totaled 357,859 revolvers (including the Bisley and SAA Target models). After a lull of 16 years, in 1956, the Second Generation SAA was introduced. This run continued until 1978, when engineering changes, denoted by the letters "SA" after the serial number, gave us the Third Generation SAA, which is still being produced.

The child-proofing of guns is not just desirable, it's the law. Here are some effective, but inexpensive, locks you can make in your shop.

Sturm, Ruger & Company’s new Ruger GP100 Match Champion is a six-shot revolver designed with the competitor in mind. With its ergonomic enhancements and tuned action, the Match Champion delivers fast, accurate shots and takes the popular GP100 to the next level.

Taurus is introducing an unusual revolver in 2014, the 85 View, a radical departure from the typical snubnose 38 Special. The +P-rated View has an exclusive clear-view Lexan sideplate that reveals the inner workings of the firearm.

Sturm, Ruger & Co. will extend special pricing to the athletes and teams of the Scholastic Pistol Program (SPP).

Sturm, Ruger & Company’s LCRx is the newest variation in the Lightweight Compact Revolver (LCR) line. Chambered in .38 Special +P, the LCRx features an external hammer that allows it to be fired in single-action mode.

Here are new videos added to GunReports.com the week of December 26: World Champion Jerry Miculek speed-shoots the 500 Magnum, the JM Mossberg 930 12 gauge, and a Smith & Wesson M&P-15.

Gun Tests Magazine has named the Charter Arms Pitbull 9mm Luger as the publication’s “Best in Class Revolver” for 2013.

The National Rifle Association recently sold its one millionth copy of the NRA Guide to the Basics of Pistol Shooting. Known as the Basic Pistol handbook, the guide is a comprehensive resource on responsible pistol use and is the foundation of NRA’s popular Basic Pistol and FIRST Steps Pistol Orientation courses.

We tested three single-action revolvers suitable for Cowboy Action shooting in an August 2012 showdown. All chambered in the most common CAS competition caliber, 357 Magnum, the choices were the Ruger New Vaquero NV-34 No. 5107, $719; the Heritage Manufacturing Big Bore Rough Rider RR357CH4, $500; and Cimarron's Evil Roy No. ER4104, $770.

BrassFetcher.com has done an eye-opening comparison of the terminal effectiveness of FMJ vs JHP bullet designs from handguns chambered in 22 LR, 25 ACP, 32 ACP, 380 ACP, 9mm Makarov, 9mm Police, 38 Special, 9mm Luger, and 45 ACP.

Three handguns recently tested in Gun Tests magazine are now listed for auction on GunBroker.com by the FFL owner, Winkle’s Great Guns of Houston, Texas.