It was a package of modifications, with the cutaway feature already being somewhat commonplace. The cutaway remains, however, the most notable and controversial of the alterations, and has inspired a safer—and surprisingly durable—version of the speed-oriented modification. It may have another name, but I’ve always called it the “Half Fitz.” 

Over sixty years ago a cowboy from Idaho began writing about his use of heavy bullets in single action revolvers. It has taken nearly that long for the idea to become generally accepted among the shooting public and the ammunition manufacturers. And truth be told, there are many who still have not gotten the message. At least now there are some ammunition companies who regularly produce heavy bullet loads for the big-bore sixguns. 

Some years ago, Ed Martin, cow boss for the Shannon Estate Ranches, and I were taking a bit of a noon rest in the ranch’s Elk Horn pasture. My attention was drawn to a pretty good sized rock over on the side of a hill, about 175 to 200 yards away. Naturally, that got me to thinking about long-range shooting with a handgun.

Make no mistake about it, good single actions deserve good gun leather. By the way, anyone who would carry a classic single action in a kydex holster clearly has loose morals, does strange things to innocent furry creatures, probably has outstanding warrants, and votes Democrat.

Rare is the revolver that doesn’t need a little tweaking to better suit our wants and needs. We’ll save the full-on customs for another day. Today, let’s talk a little about some essential work and small custom features that turn an okay gun into a mighty nice piece of artillery that hits where we’re aiming.

The working gun is many different things to many different people. But amidst the sea of usin’ guns, there are a few constants that I believe all should adhere to. Reliability, accuracy, and sufficient power for the intended task. Now, before we jump in with both feet, I’ll have you know, dear reader, I am not in law enforcement nor private security and have no background in any such profession. I am a ranch cowboy. But, I am an enthusiast with a genuine need for a solid side

On or before October 10, 1918, the Cameron County Sheriff William T. Vann got word that Delgado was going to cross a load of mescal at Los Tomates Bend not far from Brownsville. Vann put together an arrest team made up of a couple of his deputies, two customs officers, Texas Ranger Captain W. W. Taylor, Ranger Sergeant Delbert Timberlake, and Ranger Private Frank Hamer.

Shane’s last article on choosing one handgun for personal defense got me to thinking. And I admire his honesty when, at the end of the article, he gave the nod to a good single-action revolver. It may come as a shock to some but, in this day of high-cap plastic guns, there are quite a few savvy handgunners who prefer a good single action when their life is in danger. They like single actions and shoot them well, so why not carry one for defensive purposes?

Ohio pistolsmith Andy Horvath had gotten hold of this particular Mod. 28. In addition to rechambering it to .41 Special, He did a perfect tuning job on the action and then refinished it in an attractive blue finish.

Tim Sundles and I were prowling around his beautiful Buffalo Bore Game Preserve and talking about guns and hunting and the usual stuff like-minded folks discuss when we get together. Tim posed one of the age-old questions, “if you could only have one handgun for personal defense, what would it be?” “One that does it all, hunting and personal defense?” I asked, with the wheels already turning in my head.  His reply, “Just personal defense.”

Even though I was a young city policeman, I liked to spend as much time as possible over at the sheriff’s office. The deputies, as a group, were a good bit older and had a lot more experience; I figured I just might learn something useful by hanging around them. One of my favorites was Buster Gibbs.

It’s funny how we associate certain smells or things with memories and people. Having spent a lot of time around my mother’s parents as a child growing up, it’s not surprising I have plenty of fond recollections of them. My granddad and I had a special bond, and we grandkids all called him Pawpaw.

Why would you even think such a thing?  Don’t you know that plastic pistols and high-capacity magazines revolutionized the world?  Where have you been?  Are you some sort of Daniel Boone throwback?  Well, I can share my thinking on the subject with you although I have to tell you right up front that I’m not an operator...don’t have any tattoos...don’t even have any tactical underwear or other super-hero outfits.

I’m not a gun collector. Oh, I’m sure 'nuff a firearms enthusiast, but I don’t collect in the sense of obtaining an organized representation of specific makes or models of guns. Some folks collect Colt Single Action Army’s, maybe only 1st Generations, maybe all. One guy I know collects old Winchester lever actions and further specializes in the Trapper Models.

The story goes that author Ned Buntline (real name Edward Zane Carroll Judson Sr.) wanted to express his thanks to some of the Kansas lawmen who had been the inspiration for some of the books that he wrote.

This Colt 1851 Navy, serial number 1388131E, is one of a pair carried by James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok (1837-1876).  During his lifetime, Hickok was a Union Army scout, a deputy U.S. Marshal, the sheriff of Ellis County, Kansas, and the city marshal of Abilene, Kansas.

The idea of a .41 caliber revolver cartridge has been around longer than a lot of folks expect. Probably the most popular was the .41 Long Colt which was designed for the Colt 1877 Double Action revolver that is best known by its nickname, the Colt Thunderer.

As a life-long western historian...with amateur status...I’ve always loved to look at the old frontier photos. But one thing that will kind of ruin your appreciation of cowboy movies and TV shows is the lack of guns showing on regular citizens. Of course, with pictures of frontier lawmen you saw all kinds of sixguns...

Nothing makes me shudder and cringe like being introduced as a firearms expert.  To tell you the truth, I’ve met very few real experts in the firearms industry.  Ken...

Robust. Strong. Sturdy. Sound. All these words are fit for describing Colt’s New Service double-action revolver. The New Service was an evolution of sorts of Colt’s first revolver with a swing-out cylinder...