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Robbers Run When Citizen Shoots Back

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Rochester, N.Y. – Police are looking for two men they say tried to rob a 61-year old man on his way home from the store Wednesday night only to have him shoot back with his own gun.

The attempted robberyand retaliation occurred just after 11:15 p.m. on Tubman Way in the city.

Police said when the two approached the victim, one grabbedhim and the other pulled a knife. The victim quickly pulled his own gun and fired at the suspects. His gun is licensed and legally registered, police said.

The suspects ran away. Read more

Source: 13wham.com

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Police: Tire Store Owner Shot Two of Three Robbers

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Miami Police conjured up images of the wild west when they said the owner of a Miami business showed “tombstone-like courage” when he shot and wounded two young men as they allegedly tried to rob his auto tire business.

Now those two are in the hospital and police are on the huntfor a third young man.The shooting reminded neighbor Dylan Terry of the Wild West when he described the barrage of bullets and shots fired.

“Pow, pow, pow, pow, pow, pow,” said Terry, who works at a business next to the tire shop. “I've never been around a shooting like this so I was a little freaked out.”

Police say initially three robbers targeted Okay Auto Tire Service at Northwest 2nd Ave. and 42nd Street sometime before noon Friday. Four people were inside the shop at the time: the owner, the owner's son and two employees.

Police say the owner, identified as Omar Rangel, was being held at gunpoint by 17-year-old Joseph White, who ordered Rangel and his employees to the ground. According to an arrest affidavit, White passed a silver revolver to 27-year-old Dwayne Hudson.

Hudson continued to threaten Rangel with the gun while White rifled through the victims' pockets. A third, unidentified young man “kept going in and out of the business to make sure nobody was coming,” the arrest affidavit reports.

When the robbers weren't looking, 45-year-old Rangel of Miami, who was carrying a handgun in his front pocket, pulled his gun out and shot four times. Read more

Source: cbs4.com

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Botetourt County Man Kills Intruder

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Officials said the resident apparently had little choice but to shoot, although he seemed to show restraint.

TROUTVILLE — Armed with a double-barreled, 12-gauge shotgun, theresident of a Botetourt County home fatally shot an intruder Friday night, authorities said.

A family living in the home heard someone yelling, cursing andpounding on their house about 10:40 p.m., according to a release Saturday from Botetourt County Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle.

A man living there called 911 and secured his family members in alocked bedroom, then loaded the shotgun.

The intruder used a wrought iron patio chair to break a glass slidingdoor and come into the house, and the male resident shot him.

“From what I'm told, he showed some restraint,” Botetourt County Commonwealth's Attorney Joel Branscom said about the shooter.

“But it got to the point where he didn't have much of a choice.”

Stacy Thompson, a neighbor, said she was glad the man who lived inthe house protected his family.

“When I heard someone tried to break in, I was just grateful he had agun to protect his family,” she said. “There's a reason the Second Amendment exists. We support gun rights and we would have done the same thing.” Read more

Source: roanoke.com

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New Mexico No Longer Recognizes Utah’s Carry Permit

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New Mexico won't recognize Utah carry permitsAs the Associated Press reported, “Utah licenses require significantly less training than New Mexico licenses do, state Public Safety Secretary John Denko said…. New Mexico won't recognize another state's license unless its rules allowing people to carry concealed weapons, including training and other provisions, are as stringent as New Mexico's.”

New Mexico’s Department of Public Safety has also begun reviewing carry reciprocity agreements with 18 other states.

Of note, “New Mexico officials say a written reciprocity agreement with Texas will not be changed.”

Source:  NM/Utah, AP 4/25/10:
https://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_14956761

Be sure to check out the The Gun Digest Book of Combat Handgunnery, 6th Edition by Massad Ayoob.  In addition to the tactical aspects of self-defense, Ayoob also covers practical information about selecting a used handgun and the legal aspects of self-defense with a firearm. Learn more

Gun Lobby Believes it Can Gain More Ground for Owners

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Virginia Citizens Defense LeagueThat's the choice that Van Cleave, the leader of the pro-gun Virginia Citizens Defense League, wants to offer state lawmakers next year when the General Assembly reconvenes.

He said he is going to find a legislator to submit two bills to the body representing both positions.

His aim is to force lawmakers to expand the rights of concealed-handgun owners in bars or rescind the current exception that allows law-enforcement officers and commonwealth's attorneys to carry concealed weapons and consume alcohol.

“We're not allowed to drink, but they can,” Van Cleave said. “That's two classes of citizens.”

The proposal comes just days after Gov. Bob McDonnell, a Republican, signed into law a bill repealing the state's long-standing ban on holders of concealed-weapons permits carrying hidden guns into restaurants that serve alcohol. Permit holders will be allowed to enter with a firearm as long as they do not drink alcohol. Read more

Source: Richmond-Times Dispatch

Check out the Gun Digest Book of Concealed Carry. Author Massad Ayoob also covers the expansive accessories market, and provides real-life practicalities for each accessory. He also educates you about concealed carry laws, and how they pertain to you. This is essential information for anyone considering concealed carry. Order Now

Commerce, Jurisdiction and Firearms Freedom Acts

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More to Firearms Freedom Acts than meets the eye.Various states have passed legislation, collectively referred to as “Firearms Freedom Acts.” Though they may vary in the details, a common thread in these acts seems to be that a state considers a firearm to be within its jurisdiction if it is manufactured within the state.

The obvious reason for this common thread is that if a gun entered from another state, the argument that it falls within federal jurisdiction under the Interstate Commerce Clause can be invoked. However, such an argument would be incorrect.

Congress has the power to regulate interstate commerce. Just because a gun crosses state lines does not mean it did so as a part of commerce. Many people move from state to state and take their belongings, including guns, with them. This is not commerce.

Secondly, there is a temporal issue raised by assuming any gun that has come from another state is within the ambit of federal regulatory jurisdiction. As stated, the federal government is empowered to regulate interstate commerce. But what if a gun entered a state as part of interstate trade in say, 1980, and here it is 2010? The gun is no longer the subject of any act of interstate commerce and has not been for 30 years. It is specious, at best, for anyone to believe that any product that ever was the subject of interstate commerce forever remains the subject of federal regulatory control. Read more

Source: lewrockwell.com

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New York Assembly Passes Amendment to Allow Courts to Seize Guns

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From the Bill:

“to amend the penal law, the criminal procedure law, and the mental hygiene law, in relation to authorizing court to revoke the firearms license and seize weapons of certain individuals”

“Firearm, rifle or shotgun surrender order.  Upon entry of a verdict of not responsible by reason of mental disease or defect, or upon the acceptance of a plea of not responsible by reason of mental disease or defect, the court shall revoke the defendant’s firearm license,”

“Issuance of court order authorizing involuntary care and treatment under this article.  In issuing any order or determination under this article that a person is in need of involuntary care and treatment or that there is a need for retention of such person, the court shall revoke such person’s firearm license, if any, inquire of the person as to the existence and location of any firearm, rifle or shotgun owned or possessed by such person and 2 direct the surrender of such firearm, rifle or shotgun…”

Source: Ammoland.com

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Gun Review: Chiappa 1911-.22

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With all the controls in the same places as a traditional 1911, the Chiappa 1911-22 gives you a great platform for training.
With all the controls in the same places as a traditional 1911, the Chiappa 1911-22 gives you a great platform for training.

Training with a full-sized 1911 in .22 has never been easier or more affordable. Brezny reviews the Chiappa 1911-22.

It sells for under $300, shoots like it is worth $600, and will make any handgunner a better shot in short order.

In most cases when turning to the .22 Long Rifle as a training replacement for a larger centerfire round like the .45 ACP, shooters will opt for something like a Ruger Mark III, or swap out the guts of the 1911 .45 ACP for a .22 Long Rifle conversion kit. Those options work, but now there is a third option, a dedicated pistol that looks and works just like a 1911, but fires the .22 LR. Chiappa Firearms makes this option affordable, accurate and dependable.

Chiappa Firearms has just introduced the new and innovative Model 1911-22.  This is not a reworked .45-caliber weapon, but a handgun built from the frame up as a dead look alike to its big brother the Colt .45 1911 Government.   Unlike some other replica firearms, the 1911-22 makes use of its own proprietary “Chiappalloy” frame and steel castings, which moves it well away from the plastic and pot metal guns that are floating around in some circles now a days.  This handgun is a gun, and not a reworked paint ball system, or based on a plastic toy.

Gun Digest Gun Review: The Chiappa 1911-.22
Model 1911-22 Mfg by Chippa Firearms, Ltd 8611-A North Dixie Drive Dayton, Ohio. 45414 1-877-425-4867 www.1911-22.com

With castings built in many cases to the exact specifications found on the Colt 1911 .45 ACP the general feel and balance of this handgun stays very close to the real thing. The gun’s total weight empty is 32 ounces.

Using a soft slide return spring, the recoil mimics the .45, albeit reduced, and pulls the shooter a bit off the sight during the recoil process. Again, maintaining the reasonably close shooting effect (sight off target during firing) of the full-house .45 ACP round, but lacking the obvious perceived recoil.

The model sent for evaluation was the standard fixed sight pistol in a soft blued finish. This handgun carried lazer-cut walnut grips, which I found surprising in a budget handgun. Where was the plastic?   The 1911-22 can also be had in an OD color or a tan and black configuration. Target sights will be offered on future production models.  In the sighting department the basic 1911-22 makes use of an overly high front sight blade against the partridge style square rear fixed sight.

The owner should file down this front blade until proper bullet impact height is achieved.  I found that during some group shooting the gun printed almost four inches low at 20 yards. According to the manufacturer, this low impact is right-on in terms of specifications, and to raise the impact point filing must be done. I elected to not file the front blade, but just understand where the gun printed.  From that point on the 1911 .22 and I got along quite well.

In terms of controls the Chiappa is set up exactly like the 1911 Government. On the left side is the cocked and locked safety, and also the usual slide lock and release lever. The grip safety is built to look like the real thing, but it is a dummy system just to produce the correct grip feel of the 1911 frame design. The magazine release is right where it should be and is positive in operation and nicely checkered. The magazine is a 10-round polymer unit that functioned perfectly through the testing. From all outward appearanced Chiappa maintained the 1911 Government feel, look, and control surfaces with great detail.

The magazine on the 1911-22 includes a feature not found on the big .45 caliber weapon: a small stud protruding from the left rear that acts as a spent cartridge ejector. While this is not at all a standard feature on a 1911 magazine it speaks volumes in terms of how the pistol is designed.

Internally this is not at all a John Browning design. For starters, never remove the left grip on this gun. Doing so could damage the safety system. The manufacturer covers in great detail just how to change grips if it is required, and suggests getting the employing the services of a competent gunsmith for this type of project. Other internal differences include a fixed barrel, so there is no barrel link and differences in the trigger and firing mechanism.

Live Fire Testing

The author turning a pretty nice group with a wide variety of ammunition. The Chiappa 1911-22 did everything it is supposed to do. It is a very affordable and reliable pistol.
The author turning a pretty nice group with a wide variety of ammunition. The Chiappa 1911-22 did everything it is supposed to do. It is a very affordable and reliable pistol.

Shooting the new 1911-22 commenced during late fall 2009 and as such the gun was subjected to some cold winter weather as it was being checked out.  Even with some windy days on the local range the gun returned some good results with a wide sample of ammunition. Winchester 36-grain plated hollow points, and Supreme Xpediter 32-grain, 1640 fps hot shots,  CCI Stingers, Federal Match Target, and general purpose 40-grain rounds were all pressed into service for the test.

At a distance of 20 yards the 1911-22 grouped five rounds in almost every case within .885, and when any flyers were present the problem was operator error not the gun. The largest five-shot group with Winchester 36-grain ammo was .921”, and the smallest was shot with Federal blunt flat-nosed game loads, which produced a very tight .779”.  Shooting almost rapid fire, 10 rounds produced a controlled impact print of 3.19 inches, but again most rounds fell inside a  1.5-inch area.

This gun was very easy to control. Because the 1911-22 will lock back to an open slide, training speed reloads is exactly the same as it would be when shooting a 1911 in .45 ACP.  This is a very important design application even though the 1911-22 is not built as a true .45 Government semi auto.  With a spare mag included with the gun the shooter can train to drop magazines and slam home a fresh single-stack mag during basic handgun defense training.  With budgets as they are now a days this is a major advantage when turning away from the high-priced full-house rounds .45 ACP.

A word in terms of the magazine performance needs to be noted here.  Because the Chiappa 1911-22 uses a lightweight polymer magazine it sometimes will not drop clear by simply hitting the magazine release button. And you might have to strip out the empty mag with your off hand. It happens on occasion but not regularly. Keep the magazine well clean and the magazines in good shape and you should have no trouble. Because the magazine are specific to this pistol, it might pay to contact Chiappa and order some extras..

As an added safety the Chiappa has a locking system built into the right side of the slide just behind the upper slide and vertical grip serrations. A two-pronged key allows you to disable the firearm. Turning the lock a quarter turn raises a barrier that stops the hammer from hitting the firing pin.

Field stripping this handgun even with a fixed barrel is about the same as taking down a 1911 Government .45.  The muzzle retains that very well known plunger and turning retainer that allows the slide to be released by lining up the side latch with the cut in the side. It took a bit of fiddling to get the slide retainer bushing out the front of the slide and the slide must be moved to the rear and then lifted off the front, but field stripping is no trouble.

In general modest cleaning is all that I have administered to the gun I have been testing, and to date even when run though an extensive torture testing regarding many rounds without cleaning, the gun has only failed and stove piped once.  That was early in the test and it has never happened again.  To date more than  500 rounds have been sent down the barrel of the 1911-22 without a hitch.

This gun will not go back to the manufacturer, but has a permanent place in my arsenal of snake killers and general-purpose handguns carried almost every day out here in the wild west.  With the wide range of very effective ammo being produced today in 22 Long Rifle many tasks can be accomplished with the lower cost and cheaper ammunition. The 1911-22 is a perfect delivery system for the budget conscious shooter.

This article appeared in the March 29, 2010 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Gunsmithing Alert: South Bend Offers New 14″ x 40″ EVS Toolroom Lathes

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South Bend offers new lathes for gunsmiths

The South Bend Model SB1012 features:

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Remarkable Features (Click here to download detailed spec sheet):
– Signature South Bend 3 V-way bed constructed of precision ground Meehanite cast iron
– Allen Bradley electrical controls and Japanese-made Yaskawa inverter
– Japanese spindle bearings
– Tailstock barrel moves 6″ without moving tailstock!
– Adjustable feed-rod clutch system for preventing crash damage (great when working close to chuck)
– “On-the-fly” feed-direction controls make it easy to move carriage back-and-forth during operation
– SB1012 features a 5 HP, 220V, 3-phase, 60Hz motor
– SB1013 features a 5 HP, 440V, 3-phase, 60Hz motor

All South Bend machines carry a 1-year warranty. Contact a local dealer for pricing. For more
information on this product or to locate a distributor near you, contact Woodstock International, Inc.
by mail at P.O. Box 2309, Bellingham, WA 98227, by telephone at (800) 840-8420, or fax (800) 647-
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Amazing Video of Attempted Police Shooting

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Video - attempted police shootingHamilton officer cleared in fatal shooting during January traffic stop

Click here to watch the video

HAMILTON – A coroner's inquest found Tuesday that HamiltonPolice Officer Ross Jessop was justified in shooting Raymond Thane Davis to death after the Hamilton man opened fire during a late-night traffic stop in January.

It took a six-woman jury one hour to make its ruling following nearly five hours of testimony, which included a video that showed Davis pointing a pistol inches from Jessop's face and pulling the trigger.

The click of the revolver's hammer hitting a previously fired round was audible in the recording.

Davis fired a second time as the officer fell back and drew his own weapon. Jessop fired his pistol 14 times into Davis' vehicle as it sped away.

One round hit Davis, 36, in the back and he died at the scene.Davis' .41 caliber revolver was recovered from the floorboard of his vehicle. Its hammer was cocked and ready to fire.

Source: missoulian.com
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The NRA Sits on Sidelines of Gun Fight with Feds

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The National Rifle Association has been taking a low profile when it comes to the firearms freedom acts that have been passed by seven state legislatures and spawned a growing legal fight between those states, some gun advocates and the U.S. Justice Department.

The firearms freedom act was first launched last year in the Montana Legislature, pushed by local gun advocates. The law states that guns made and sold within a state's borders are exempt from federal gun control under Congress' authority to regulate interstate commerce.

A lawsuit filed last year by Montana gun advocates following passage of the law argued the state should decide which rules, if any, would control the sale and purchase of guns and paraphernalia made in Montana. The state would then be exempt from rules on federal gun registration, background checks and dealer-licensing. Read more.

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Starbucks Gun Policy Draws Protesters in Denver

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Today about 20 protesters gathered outside the Starbucks at 6th and Grant Street urging the company to ban guns inside the coffee shops.

“I used to hold a lot of meetings at Starbucks, but the idea that I might be at risk worries me, I will choose a gun-free place,” said Mary Kershner a registered nurse who advocates for gun safety.

In Colorado, one of many states that allows the “open carry” of fire arms, companies still have the right to ban the practice within their properties.

Starbucks' policy to follow the local law — allowing guns where it is legal outside — is not new, but in recent months, gun rights activists raised attention by gathering for meetings at Starbucks across the country with their guns.

“It's not a Second Amendment issue, it's a public safety issue,” said Marilee Posavec, spokeswoman for the Denver Million Mom March, a local chapter of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

“They don't allow it in their corporate offices, why should they in the stores?” she said. Read more.

Source: denverpost.com

Be sure to check out the The Gun Digest Book of Combat Handgunnery, 6th Edition by Massad Ayoob.  In addition to the tactical aspects of self-defense, Ayoob also covers practical information about selecting a used handgun and the legal aspects of self-defense with a firearm. Learn more

Arizona to Allow Concealed Weapons Without Permit

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The measure takes effect 90 days after the current legislative session ends, which likely puts the effective date in July or August.

“I believe this legislation not only protects the Second Amendment rights of Arizona citizens, but restores those rights as well,” Brewer, a Republican, said in a statement.

Alaska and Vermont now do not require permits to carry concealed weapons.

By eliminating the permit requirement, the Arizona legislation will allow people 21 or older to forego background checks and classes that are now required.

Supporters say the bill promotes constitutional rights and allows people to protect themselves from criminals, while critics worry it will lead to more shootings as people with less training have fewer restrictions on carrying weapons.

Some police officials are concerned the law will lead to more accidental gun discharges from people untrained in firearm safety, or that shooters in stressful situations will accidentally strike innocent bystanders with stray bullets.

“I know a lot of 21-year-olds; the maturity level is gravely concerning sometimes,” said El Mirage Police Chief Mike Frazier, an Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police board member. “If you're going to be carrying a weapon you should know what the law is and how to use it.”

However, the measure was supported by police unions representing rank-and-file officers, who said their best friend on the streets is a law-abiding citizen equipped to protect themselves or others. Read more.

Source: news.yahoo.com

Check out the Gun Digest Book of Concealed Carry. Author Massad Ayoob also covers the expansive accessories market, and provides real-life practicalities for each accessory. He also educates you about concealed carry laws, and how they pertain to you. This is essential information for anyone considering concealed carry. Order Now

Congress May Vote On D.C. Gun Ban Repeal Next Week

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The bill—H.R. 157, the District of Columbia Voting Rights Act, introduced by the District’s anti-gun delegate, Eleanor Holmes Norton—proposes that the city be authorized a vote in the United States House of Representatives.

NRA members recall that last year, a similar “D.C. House Voting Rights Act” bill—S. 160, introduced by Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.)—passed in the Senate after adoption of Sen. John Ensign’s (R-Nev.) Read more.

Source: nraila.org

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Smith & Wesson’s Classic Model 27 – Part III

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As a little boy, author “imprinted” on this picture of the 3.5-inch Magnum in his dad’s 1948 edition of Stoeger Shooters Bible…
As a little boy, author “imprinted” on this picture of the 3.5-inch Magnum in his dad’s 1948 edition of Stoeger Shooters Bible.

I took a cherry (as-new, apparently unfired) Model 27-2 to the range and set up some NRA bulls-eye targets scaled for the 25-yard distance I was using. With me were three classic loads by three justly famous manufacturers, in as many different bullet weights.

First was the mild .38 Special 148-grain mid-range Match wadcutter load by Federal, which has been called the Gold Standard for accuracy in handgun ammunition. I used an MTM rest and, because this specimen of the Model 27 had the wide target trigger and beavertail hammer intended for single action shooting, I fired it that way. Recoiling with a gentle bump at each shot, the pristine pinned and recessed Model 27-2 put five rounds in 1.15 inches.

After years of shooting them in other lengths, finally got one in 2008. It’s a five-screw pre-27 dating to 1953.
After years of shooting them in other lengths, finally got one in 2008. It’s a five-screw pre-27 dating to 1953.

Curiously, four of the five bullet holes exhibited slight yawing of the projectiles. The best three shots in the group, a measurement that generally factors out enough human error to give me a good idea what the gun could have done for all five shots from a machine rest, was 0.60 inch. All measurements were done to the nearest 0.05 inch.

The most famous “manstopper” in the history of the .357 Magnum cartridge is unquestionably the 125-grain semi-jacketed hollow point. I used Winchester. The uniform group measured 1.25 inches for all five, and 0.70 inch for the best three hits.

158s grain was the original weight of the .357 Magnum bullet, and is still very popular. Black Hills ammo, using Remington’s 158-grain scallop-jacketed hollow point was my choice here. The 27-2 sent the quintet of 158-grain Magnums into 1.70 inches (measured center to center between the farthest bullet holes, like all groups here). The three tightest hits were 0.80 inch apart.

This is par for the course with a Model 27, and I’ve seen some that would put five consecutive shots under an inch at this distance with loads they liked best. Almost from the beginning, the big Smith & Wesson .357 proved itself accurate enough for bulls-eye shooting, and in the 1970s in the early days of IHMSA (the International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Association), the 8-3/8-inch barrel version was often the winning gun on the firing line. In IHMSA, remember, we’re talking about knocking down steel rams at 200 paces, using iron sights.

-screw pre-27 is “barbecue ready” in custom Galco holster and matching dress gun belt.
-screw pre-27 is “barbecue ready” in custom Galco holster and matching dress gun belt.

The tradition continues. In mid-2006, I tested the Smith & Wesson 327 tactical model, introduced at the SHOT Show a few months earlier, flashlight rail and TruGlo red dot sight and all. Two of the loads I used were from the same lots as those I had accuracy tested in the 27-2. The .38 Special Federal Match wadcutters put five keg-shaped 148-grain slugs into 1.65 inches, with the best three in 1.20 inches. With the Black Hills .357 Magnum loads, all five shots were in four fifths of an inch, and within that 0.80 inch five-shot group the best three shots clustered exactly half an inch apart, center to center.

Smith & Wesson built the original large frame .357 Magnum to be accurate. More than 70 years later, their new ones apparently still are.

Shooting the Model 27

Today’s N-frame .357 cylinders hold eight rounds, but the original contained only six narrow chambers. With that little metal cut away, the cylinder was heavy. This had some interesting ramifications as to the gun’s handling and shooting characteristics.

It was, of course, heavy, so much so that Gaylord, famous as a holster maker, called the 3-1/2-inch Model 27 one of “the top heavy trio,” the other two being the 2-inch barrel versions of the S&W Model 10 and the .41-frame Colt Marshal. The Model 27 weighed about 44-1/2 ounces in the short form, and 48 ounces or so with its longest barrel.

That heavy six-round cylinder with its thick walls between chambers made the N-frame Smith a favorite for handloaders who experimented near the edge of red-line .357 Magnum loads. But it also made for a very fast, sure double action pull. Charles “Skeeter” Skelton noted that he particularly liked the feel of a Model 27 in fast double action shooting because the heavier cylinder seemed to gain momentum more quickly from the beginning of the trigger pull, making the end of the pull feel proportionally lighter with less resistance, because the cylinder hand required less mechanical effort to raise for cylinder rotation.

The deep frame gave a high bore axis. Over the years, I and others discovered that the Model 27’s muzzle actually jumped a little more than that of the much lighter Combat Magnum, whose barrel was lower and therefore much closer to the axis of the wrist. However, the weight of the N-frame absorbed more of the rearward kick of the recoil, making it a more comfortable gun to shoot, especially for long strings of fire. (The aforementioned Jerry Miculek began his spectacular competition career with an 8-3/8-inch S&W K-38. He told me he switched to the big N-frame Model 27 with the same long barrel, because his heavy “bowling pin loads” were killing his K-frames.)

The recessed chambers, which began in 1935 and continued late into the epoch of the Model 27, were prized by revolver aficionados. The reason was the exquisite machining that went into them. They served no actual purpose, according to most firearms engineers and experts, other than creating an illusion of more steel support for a high-powered cartridge.

In field use, they actually had a downside. Particles of unburned powder could find their way there as spent casings were ejected, creating a buildup that could prevent full insertion of the next cartridge. This could potentially lock up the gun.

Click here to read part I.
Click here to read part II.
Click here to read part IV.

This article is an excerpt from the new book Massad Ayoob's Greatest Handguns of the World. To learn more, Click Here.

Carry Cuffs off duty or as a CCW?

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Lots of people ask what should be carried off duty or as a CCW holder. The obvious is a pistol. Do you need a spare magazine? It's a point that could be argued. Most gunfights last only a few seconds and include less than six shots. But once the shooting is done, you might want to do a tactical reload as you wait for the authorities to arrive. How about a flashlight? I think that is a big yes… a hand-held flashlight is a great tool. It is lights up the dark, can be used as a force option and can be used to employ combative moves if you need it. So… yes, carry a flashlight.

Now, for handcuffs. They are, quite simply, a pain in the ass. The use of handcuffs requires training. Think about it. Joe Dirtbag comes face-to-face with your pistol and decides to surrender. You order him face down on the ground and decide to move in for the cuffing. This is the most dangerous time in the encounter. You are within arm's reach. You have put your gun away and you don't know what Mr. Dirtbag will decide to do. Unless you are trained and experienced with tactical ground cuffing. Stay back and hold the guy at gunpoint while you wait for the cavalry to arrive.

Do you need a knife? Well, unless you are going to be opening some boxes, I would say no to tactical folder. Don't get me wrong, they are great tools. But my edged weapon is a Ka-Bar/TDI knife. And it will only ever come out of the sheath if I'm locked in mortal combat and feel I can't use any other options.

So… what do you think?

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