Before starting an article, experienced writers first decide who their audience is. If I were writing this piece for a print magazine I would probably spend a good deal of time explaining why lever-action rifles are worth considering for personal defense. And then I would spend a good deal of time telling about all of the various makes and models that are available to today’s shooters.

The guys at Dodson Guns in Alpine, Texas are aware of my wheelgun affliction, especially when it comes to Ruger single actions. Occasionally they will notify me when a used hogleg wearing the famed Phoenix bird brand shows up.

Lon Parker was an Arizona cowboy. His extended family settled and ranched in southern Arizona near Nogales. In fact, nearby Parker Canyon is named for the family. And, like a lot of the Parkers, Lon served in law enforcement. He was a deputy sheriff for a time and also a Nogales, Arizona, policeman.