More Great Guns

The Big Bores

Let's get it out of the way first, shall we?

The 1911 is arguably one of the world's greatest guns.  Ol' Slab Sides is in it's 101st year and the Colt 1911 pattern automatic has been made in at least 7 different calibers, not to mention wildcat cartridges. It served as our country's standard military sidearm for over 70 years and has equipped thousands of police officers around the nation.

Today there are more makers of the 1911 style pistol than you can shake a stick at. Armscor (Rock Island/Hi-Standard), Baer, Colt, Ed Brown, Kimber, Para-Ord, S&W, Springfield, Sig-Sauer, Wilson and more.  The genius of John Moses Browning keeps living on and on. There is no question it's one of the most recognizable pistols in the world.

GLOCK 23

As much as I dislike combat tupperware, the Glock 23 has earned it's place as a Great Gun.  It's exceeded only by the Glock 30 in .45 ACP.  The .40 S&W Glock 23 beats out it's sub-compact sibling, the Glock 27, only because it can be carried as both a duty gun and a carry gun.  Like the entire Glock line, it is incredibly reliable and functional.  All it lacks is beauty. 

Ruger Super-Blackhawk

When it comes to sheer power and durability, the Ruger Super Blackhawk is hard to beat. This

single-action six-gun can take down almost any game on our continent.  It's a favorite for hunters looking for an accurate and powerful handgun.  It's natural pointing ability makes it a winner in fast shooting with .44 Specials and it rides nicely in a western style hip holster.  Coupling the single-action revolver with the nearly atomic-fired .44 Magnum was a masterful marketing coup.  It combined the popular .44 Magnum with the traditional single-action look and feel.

Smith & Wesson Model 29

It's obvious that the large Smith & Wesson needs to be here. It rode to fame in the movies with Clint Eastwood's portrayal of Dirt Harry in the 70's and has remained popular ever since.  Based on S&W's large "N" frame, the S&W Model 29 is the double-action choice over the single action Ruger Super Blackhawk.  It's been made with barrels from 3" to 8 3/8" and even in stainless steel as the Model 629.  It's a hunting gun or, due to the double action trigger and swing-out cylinder for faster reloading, it can be a self-defense gun too. 

Colt and S&W Models of 1917

During the first World War, the U.S. came up short of sidearms for officers and other soldiers who didn't need to carry the 1903 Springfield rifle.  The Colt 1911 production could not

supply our troops with sidearms.  The military contracted for a revolver as a "stop gap" which led both S&W and Colt to produce similar revolvers.  These large frame revolvers were equipped with a  5-inch barrel and a lanyard ring.  The guns used half-moon clips to secure the rimless pistol cartridges.  These sturdy revolvers were popular with those who carried them and many prefered them over the new 1911 pistol.  

Many of the 1917's still in inventory when WW-II came upon us were issued to the British commonwealth countries.

In both post war periods, surplus guns were purchased at low prices and "customized" by bobbing the barrel or removing the hammer spur to make a big-bore carry gun.  This historical revolver was popular enough that Smith & Wesson re-issued it in 2005 in its original configuration, with optional nickel and color case-hardened frame finishes.

If you have your own favorite great gun, let me know by using the email link below. Tell us why it's a great gun.

Also, if you know of a gun that's a real "sleeper" -- a gun you bought that far exceeded your expectations, please drop me a line about it too.

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