The Ruger Bearcat is one of those little revolvers that looks almost too pretty to be useful until it starts punching tidy clusters in the target and riding unnoticed on a belt all afternoon. Small, light, and elegant, it has been a favorite trail gun and plinker for generations. To understand why such a tiny…
Category: Pistols
Czech Weapons Systems CSV-9: Retro-cool!
The CSV-9 is a Czech made 9×19 pistol caliber platform that blends a compact, quad-rail chassis with a striker-fired, direct blowback action. It entered the United States in small numbers through Four Peaks Imports and has found a niche among shooters who want a compact 9 mm pistol that accepts Glock pattern magazines, offers generous…
The 1911 Pistol Legacy: Fierce Warrior for over 100 Years
Additional Historical DetailFor the Second World War, Union Switch & Signal, Ithaca Gun Company, Remington Rand, and Singer (yes, the sewing machine company) produced the pistol in large quantities. In total, WWII manufacturers produced approximately 1.9 million pistols. The 1911 continued to serve through the Korean War and Vietnam War, only officially replaced in 1985…
Savage 1861 Navy Revolver: A Bold Union Sidearm
The American Civil War brought with it a flood of innovation in firearms design, and few weapons better illustrate the era’s mechanical ambition than the Savage 1861 Navy revolver. Its double-trigger design, unconventional profile, and mass production at a time of national emergency mark it as one of the most intriguing—and misunderstood—sidearms of the conflict….
PSA Dagger Review 2025 — Value Shooter’s Choice?
Introducing the PSA DaggerThe Glock-style pistol market is crowded, but none match the value and versatility of the Palmetto State Armory Dagger. Available in Micro, Compact, and Full-size variants and aimed squarely at CCW users, range enthusiasts, and first-time gun owners, the Dagger gives you a durable, optics-ready 9mm platform that punches far above its…
The Colt M1902 Pistol
The M1902 Pistol: Development, History, and UseThe Colt M1902 pistol holds a important place in firearms history as one of the earliest successful semi-automatic handguns. Designed by John Moses Browning and manufactured by Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company, the M1902 was an evolutionary step that led directly to the notable M1911. While never formally adopted…
The Colt Third Model Dragoon: A Firepower Precursor
Introduction to the Colt Third Model DragoonThe Colt Third Model Dragoon is one of the most well-known percussion revolvers of the mid-19th century. A symbol of rugged frontier firepower, it played a significant role in shaping American military and civilian handgun use during the 1850s. Designed as an improvement over its predecessors, the Third Model…
Deringer: A Journey Through American Firearms
Deringer: A Historic Journey Through American Firearm InnovationHenry Deringer Jr., an American gunsmith, is best known for his iconic pocket-sized pistols that are an integral part of American history, embodying the spirit of innovation, practicality, and rugged elegance that defines the era. This article explores the founding of his workshop, the arms he manufactured, his…
North and Hall: The Birth of Interchangeable Parts
IntroductionFew names in early American firearms history are as significant as Simeon North and John Hall. These two men—working largely independently—pioneered the technological advancements that would forever change firearm manufacturing. Simeon North, a Connecticut-based gunsmith, played a crucial role in developing the first truly interchangeable parts system for pistols, while John Hall, a gifted inventor…
Colt 1860 Army Revolver: History, Specs, and Legacy
Introduction to the Colt M1860 The Colt 1860 Army revolver is one of the most well-known firearms of the American Civil War era, widely regarded as a masterpiece of mid-19th-century firearms engineering. Designed by Samuel Colt, this revolver combined firepower, reliability, and portability, making it a favorite among Union soldiers, lawmen, and civilians during and…