Revolver speedloaders appeared not long after the first top-break and swing-open cylinder revolvers hit the market in the late 19th Century. Here is their history.
Author Archives: D.E. Watters
Small Arms Historian
Ross Seyfried’s Swenson Combat Commander
In 1981, Ross Seyfried was the last man to win the IPSC World Shoot using a non-compensated pistol in open competition. While that feat was accomplished with a Pachmayr Combat Special built on a full-sized Colt Government Model, Seyfried cut his teeth in IPSC shooting with today’s featured pistol. This is the pistol he usedContinue reading “Ross Seyfried’s Swenson Combat Commander”
Patton and the M1 Garand
Most of you have probably never read Patton’s comments of the Garand in context with his views on infantry tactics.
Rust Never Sleeps
“Attention is respectfully invited to Captain Leefe’s suggestion of a metal oil bottle. The magazine rifle is a small machine demanding more intelligent care from the soldier than the Springfield rifle. Certain working parts must be kept lightly oiled. The old idea that the soldier’s piece must not show, at inspection, any signs of oilContinue reading “Rust Never Sleeps”
Colt Sleeved Barrel Experiment
Alas, I don’t have access to the Colt letter on this experimental project. It appears to be Lawman Mark V fitted with a Dan Wesson-style sleeved barrel. The great irony here is the latter system was patented by a former Colt employee, Karl R. Lewis, who also helped design the original Colt Mark III revolverContinue reading “Colt Sleeved Barrel Experiment”
Totally Tubular! – The GEA “Cyclone” and the PMC Ultramag
We have another pair of projectiles today: one AP and another looking for a purpose. The story starts with US Army ordnance engineer Abraham Flatau. One of his earliest experiments with tubular projectiles came about when he was trying to develop an improved grenade launcher projectile. The issue 40x46mm grenades had a high trajectory andContinue reading “Totally Tubular! – The GEA “Cyclone” and the PMC Ultramag”
A Brief History of FBI Semiauto Pistols
After the Miami/Dade Shootout of April 11, 1986, the FBI was not completely satisfied with the commercially available pistols in 9x19mm and .45 Auto.
Vintage Super Vel Ammunition Ads
In lieu of another data dump, here is a photo gallery of vintage Super Vel ads from 1967 to 1984
ASP “SWT” Ruger Revolver Conversion
For Forty-Four Friday, I thought that I’d mention the rare Armament Systems & Procedures (ASP) .44 Special conversions of Ruger Service Six and Speed Six revolvers. Given that they lost one round in cylinder capacity after the conversion, one wag dubbed them the “Fast Five.” Supposedly, only 96 of these conversions were completed, with theContinue reading “ASP “SWT” Ruger Revolver Conversion”
Garand and the SPIW Concept #1
Mythbusting time: This is NOT the Garand T31!
