Subscriber Only Archives

Winchester Model 1873 Carbine 534255141 45 Colt

Subscriber Only Robert Sadowski - August 4, 2025

Lever-action rifles are woven into the fabric of our American culture. Many of these rifles were high tech when first introduced, offering rapid firepower. They were adopted by the military, used by lawmen and outlaws alike, and to this day are used by hunters and Cowboy Action shooters. Like all designs, however, older levergun designs were discontinued as newer and better leverguns were built. The thing is, you can’t put a good levergun down, to turn a phrase. Many great leverguns ceased production with their original makers only to be resurrected into production by other manufacturers that tweaked the design using newer, better materials, adding safety features, and chambering them in modern cartridges. Interest in the Old West and Cowboy Action Shooting prodded manufacturers to bring back production of these old rifles. Three of these resurrected rifles include the Henry New Original Henry, the Marlin Model 1894 Classic, and the Winchester Model 1873 Carbine.

Smith & Wesson 642 AirLite 103810-2 38 Special

Subscriber Only Bob Campbell - August 4, 2025

We have tested several 38 Special snubnose revolvers over the past few decades. As a direct result of this experience, we have isolated areas of the greatest import in making the 38 snub most effective. The trigger action must be smooth, the sights useful, and the stocks should be hand-filling grips that limit recoil. The role of the 38 Special as a backup handgun must be considered as well. This is a light, but formidable, firearm carried just in case. The snubnose revolver will easily survive in an ankle holster, where other types may not ride in this carry position and come up shooting. Whether in a primary carry role on the belt or in a pocket, or as a backup on the lower leg, a concern with nearly every snubbie is capacity. While the snubnose 38 usually has five cartridges, five rounds isn’t very many, so being able to put them where they’re needed is paramount.

Smith & Wesson Ultimate Carry 642 13995 38 Special

Subscriber Only Bob Campbell - August 4, 2025

We have tested several 38 Special snubnose revolvers over the past few decades. As a direct result of this experience, we have isolated areas of the greatest import in making the 38 snub most effective. The trigger action must be smooth, the sights useful, and the stocks should be hand-filling grips that limit recoil. The role of the 38 Special as a backup handgun must be considered as well. This is a light, but formidable, firearm carried just in case. The snubnose revolver will easily survive in an ankle holster, where other types may not ride in this carry position and come up shooting. Whether in a primary carry role on the belt or in a pocket, or as a backup on the lower leg, a concern with nearly every snubbie is capacity. While the snubnose 38 usually has five cartridges, five rounds isn’t very many, so being able to put them where they’re needed is paramount.

Smith & Wesson Performance Center Pro Series Model 640 178044 38 Special/357 Mag

Subscriber Only Bob Campbell - August 4, 2025

We have tested several 38 Special snubnose revolvers over the past few decades. As a direct result of this experience, we have isolated areas of the greatest import in making the 38 snub most effective. The trigger action must be smooth, the sights useful, and the stocks should be hand-filling grips that limit recoil. The role of the 38 Special as a backup handgun must be considered as well. This is a light, but formidable, firearm carried just in case. The snubnose revolver will easily survive in an ankle holster, where other types may not ride in this carry position and come up shooting. Whether in a primary carry role on the belt or in a pocket, or as a backup on the lower leg, a concern with nearly every snubbie is capacity. While the snubnose 38 usually has five cartridges, five rounds isn’t very many, so being able to put them where they’re needed is paramount.