By all rights, the .356 TSW should have killed the .357 SIG in childbirth. Since it could use 9x19mm magazines, the .356 TSW would have offered a much higher ammunition capacity in many models over the fatter .357 SIG, which required .40 S&W type magazines. Alas, it was not to be. Just as the .356Continue reading “The Sad Saga of the .356 TSW”
Category Archives: Historical
Connecting the Dots: From the .338-378 KT to the .338 Lapua
Not long after the .338 Lapua was introduced, Ross Seyfried quickly wrote of the uncanny similarity of the new cartridge with his mentor’s .338-378 Keith-Thomson, albeit without the latter cartridge’s belt. It appears that Seyfried was closer to the truth than most imagine. The .338-378 KT was based upon a shortened .378 Weatherby case neckedContinue reading “Connecting the Dots: From the .338-378 KT to the .338 Lapua”
The Matewan Massacre
I wrote about this bit of local history back in 2020 for the 100 year anniversary for it but that was on the LooseRounds website which is now pinning for the fjords as Hognose was wont to say. Over the weekend I went back to the yearly anniversary event to check it out again. TheContinue reading “The Matewan Massacre”
Browning, the Gun Wizard
By Edward C. Crossman, 1918 Old John Browning has produced the finest machine guns for our army ever invented AMERICA has finer guns in the AA Browning light and heavy type than any nation now at war. While the members of Congressional military committees vapored and fumed that blue print guns never killed an enemy,Continue reading “Browning, the Gun Wizard”
Colt Factory AR15 Finishes
The Colt firearms in these photos belong to a friend of mine and fellow collector. You get a look at various finishes/camouflage patterns used by Colt over the years. Here is his description… “The top rifle is a new acquisition and is a hunting camo made by ‘Vista’. Serial states it was a Colt VPContinue reading “Colt Factory AR15 Finishes”
Ed McGivern’s World Record-Setting .38 SPL
RIA is about to auction of McGivern’s most famous 6 gun. I’ve seen a lot of his collection at the NRA museum in DC but they did not have this one that I can recall. Seems like they did at the time but that was back in 2010. They sure don’t make’em like him anymoreContinue reading “Ed McGivern’s World Record-Setting .38 SPL”
Unertl Bv20
One of the later Unertl scopes is the Bv20. A smaller more compact optic for those who apparently wanted such a thing. In 20X it wasn’t as popular. My first Unertl was a Bv20 and I can’t say I cared for it much. The focus was in the rear instead of the head like normalContinue reading “Unertl Bv20”
Dr. Franklin W. Mann: Father of Ballistic Science
Doctor Franklin W. Mann, author of the seminal treatise on ballistics: “The Bullet’s Flight” is for most of us a mysterious figure in shooting history. Working on his experiments in relative isolation for many years, he was not one to seek the limelight; his interest was science, not fame or fortune. A contemporary and close friendContinue reading “Dr. Franklin W. Mann: Father of Ballistic Science”
FBI Solicitation No. RFP 4756 – 10mm Pistols (1989)
This excerpt of the FBI’s 1989-vintage Request for Proposal (RFP) is being reposted as a historical footnote to my main article on FBI pistols. Note how the RFP was written to exclude every existing pistol on the market, including those with slide-mounted decockers, non-steel frames, and striker-fired designs. The new pistol was really doomed toContinue reading “FBI Solicitation No. RFP 4756 – 10mm Pistols (1989)”
Early History of the Match/Competition AR-15 and M16
The M16/AR-15 rifle’s introduction to formal competition started at the Small Arms Firing School (SAFS) at Camp Perry in 1967. While the previous year’s SAFS allowed for merely familiarization fire, the 1967 SAFS actually provided two training matches. At the time, the rifle was considered more of a novelty than a serious competitor. However, theContinue reading “Early History of the Match/Competition AR-15 and M16”
Scattered Shots 