The Gun Digest – 2011 | |
| Table of Contents | |
| John T. Amber Literary Award | 3 |
| Introduction | 4 |
| Features | |
| TR's “Big (Fire) Stick” by Tom Caceci | 8 |
| The Innovative Winchester Model 59 by Bernard H. DiGiacobbe, M.D. | 14 |
| The French Service Revolver Models of 1873 and 1874 by Raymond Caranta | 18 |
| The N-Frame S&W Revolver by Paul Scarlata | 22 |
| The Mighty (?) 9mm Rimfire by Phillip Peterson | 28 |
| Smith & Wessons of the Great War by Tom Osborne | 32 |
| The Mossberg Brownie (1919-1932) by Jack A. Myers | 40 |
| The Ars of Olympic Arms by Steve Gash | 44 |
| On the Trail of “Small Deer” with Allyn Tedmon by Clarence Anderson | 50 |
| Custom and Engraved Guns by Tom Turpin | 56 |
| The “Other” Autoloaders by Nick Hahn | 66 |
| Unusual Remington Military Rolling Block Rifles by George J. Layman | 70 |
| The Bull Dog Pack: Variations of the Breed by Gordon Bruce | 76 |
| Life Begins at .40 by Dr. George E. Dvorchak, Jr. | 86 |
| A Robert Hillberg Cornucopia by Robert Hillberg | 91 |
| Resurrection of the .500 Jeffery by Tom Tabor | 98 |
| The Old & Newer Winchester Model 88 Rifle & Carbine by Bernard H. DiGiacobbe, M.D. and George E. Dvorchak, Jr. M.D. | 103 |
| The Colt 1911: The First Century by John Malloy | 108 |
| The .38 S&W: The Little Round That Refuses to Die by David J. LaPell | 118 |
| The West and the Gun by Jim Foral | 122 |
| Light Cartridges for Deer by L. P. Brezny | 129 |
| All About the .45 Auto Rim by Robert H. Campbell | 134 |
| The Return of the Krieghoff Luger by Jim Dickson | 140 |
| Rifle Sights of Iron and Their Management by Sam Fadala | 146 |
| Military Rifle Accuracy: A Comparison by John T. Butters | 150 |
| The Top 20 Cartridges by Wayne Van Zwoll | 156 |
| An Inside Look at an American Classic: Speer Bullets by Steve Gash | 166 |
| The Smallest Revolvers by Jeff Quinn | 170 |
| Buying Bullet Alloy on the Internet by Kenneth L. Walters | 173 |
| The “Other 1911” – The Winchester 1911 Shotgun by John Malloy | 178 |
| Reports From The Field: | |
| Revolvers and Others by Jeff Quinn | 180 |
| Rifles by Tom Tabor | 192 |
| Semi Auto Pistols by John Malloy | 202 |
| Guns and Gear for Women by Gila Hayes | 216 |
| Muzzleloaders by Wm. Hovey Smith | 224 |
| Optics by Wayne Van Zwoll | 232 |
| Shotguns by John Haviland | 246 |
| Airguns by Tom Caceci | 256 |
| Editor's Picks by Dan Shideler | 266 |
| Gunsmithing Products by Kevin Muramatsu | 270 |
| Handloading by Larry Sterett | 274 |
| Ammunition, Ballistics and Components by Holt Bodinson | 284 |
| One Good Gun | |
| Pappy's Squirrel Gun by Steve Gash | 292 |
| My Nine Lives Mauser 98 by Andy Ewert | 297 |
| My Sporterized Mauser – At Last by Harvey T. Pennington | 300 |
| Only One by Andy Ewert | 307 |
| Marlin's 1894-CL Classic by John W. Rockefeller | 312 |
| The Mossberg 146B by Eric Matherne | 316 |
| Testfire | |
| The New S&W Shotguns by Dr. George E. Dvorchak, Jr. | 318 |
| The 4″-Barrel .45 Colt Ruger Redhawk Revolver by Jim Dickson | 322 |
| The Model 392 Benjamin/Crosman Air Rifle by Chris Libby | 328 |
| Pocket Parabellum: The 9mm Kel-Tec PF-9 Pistol by Jim Dickson | 332 |
| .22 LR Ammunition: CCI Standard Velocity by Mike Thomas | 336 |
| The Lyman Plains Pistol by Chris Libby | 342 |
| Ballistics Tables | |
| Average Centerfire Rifle Cartridge Ballistics & Prices | 348 |
| Centerfire Handgun Cartridge Ballistics & Prices | 355 |
| Rimfire Ammunition Ballistics & Prices | 358 |
| Shotshell Loads & Prices | 359 |
| Catalog of Arms and Accessories Contents | 361 |
| Handguns | |
| Autoloading | 362 |
| Competition | 387 |
| Double Action Revolvers | 390 |
| Single Action Revolvers | 398 |
| Miscellaneous | 404 |
| Rifles | |
| Centerfire – Autoloaders | 405 |
| Centerfire – Lever & Slide | 414 |
| Centerfire – Bolt Action | 419 |
| Centerfire – Single Shot | 434 |
| Drillings, Combination Guns, Double Rifles | 440 |
| Rimfire – Autoloaders | 442 |
| Rimfire – Lever & Slide Action | 445 |
| Rimfire – Bolt Actions & Single Shots | 446 |
| Competition – Centerfire & Rimfire | 450 |
| Shotguns | |
| Autoloaders | 454 |
| Slide & Lever Actions | 460 |
| Over/Unders | 464 |
| Side-by-Side | 471 |
| Bolt Actions & Single Shot | 474 |
| Military & Police | 476 |
| Blackpowder | |
| Single Shot Pistols – Flint & Percussion | 478 |
| Revolvers | 479 |
| Muskets & Rifles | 481 |
| Shotguns | 489 |
| Airguns | |
| Handguns | 490 |
| Long Guns | 492 |
| References | |
| Web Directory | 497 |
| Arms Library | 511 |
| Directory of the Arms Trade | |
| Manufacturer's Directory | 541 |
Why You Can Trust Gun Digest
Since 1944, Gun Digest has been a trusted authority on firearms, shooting and shooting gear, delivering expert firearms reviews backed by nearly a century of experience. We go beyond standard reviews, combining hands-on independent gun testing, in-depth research, and expert insights from industry professionals and manufacturers.
Our reviewers are the bedrock of our testing and come from a comprehensive cross section of the shooting world. Their diverse backgrounds include law enforcement professionals, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and life-long firearms enthusiasts. In addition to being firearm experts, we are also thorough journalists adhering to the strictest standards of the profession.
For our readers, this means objective, unbiased reviews, free from outside influence. Our priority is to provide the information you need to make informed decisions—whether a firearm or piece of gear is a must-have investment or one to pass on.
Find out more about our Editorial Standards and Evaluation Process
