Since we’ve been skimming the historical end of the spectrum I thought going into a minimum of depth about the actual handguns (and some rifles/shotguns) common to our purpose of self defense and carry might be both fun and appropriate. This will be a minimum of depth article of subject matter.
- I will cover Handguns: revolvers and semi automatics from Civil War to current day
- I will cover Bolt Action and semi automatic rifles of the 20th century and present day eras
- Lever action rifles are post civil war to present in their availability to the firearms market
- Shotguns both Pump Action and Semi-Automatic (with a nod to side by sides)
Before I get started I want to make some mention of both imports and kits as they are available and are made by many hobbyists. Kits, are mostly in the form of black powder weapons as far as handguns are concerned. I know of no major manufacturer offering center fire handguns to be built as kits. I’ll note here that if you order the “Parts House” catalogs from places like Brownells or Caspian you can order the parts to make your own 1911 style pistols. (I highlight these because even though you can do this; you operate in a huge grey area of legality as far as Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is concerned). Changes to laws went into effect during the Clinton ‘GUN BAN ERA’ and after 9-11 at BATFE that have strict guidelines and procedures regarding “manufacturing of firearms” and what defines a manufacturer and the meticulous restrictions and requirements and records keeping that are mandated by the Federal Government. Some parts can only be bought and sold through FFL holders and are transferred during sale just like a whole gun. That is why the majority of complete kits are black powder. They don’t fall under those particular guidelines as “modern firearms “. This presents a problem in that the “gun control” folks are always harping on about what is called the “Gun Show Loophole”. At Gun shows you can buy complete sets of parts for AR/M-4 style rifles from many vendors and you can also find parts for semi auto pistols in 1911 and Glock styles. Frames, slides, barrels, all internal parts and even bake on finishes. The hook here is that all rules apply. Frames for pistols have to have a BATFE purchase form filled out and the same with some of the AR parts. You buy these parts as “stripped” upper and lower receivers and “stripped” frames and slides, and buy everything else separately to go in on and around them. Here’s the deal for anyone looking to do this. If by some chance you were to assemble a firearm and you did not register it with the BATFE with a legitimate serial# for each individual part required and or one serial number for the entire firearm (stamped at your expense on various parts of that particular weapon)and you happen to get stopped by BATFE agents doing a range sweep or at the local gunsmith you took it to, to have finished and tuned up; guess what happens?
Yep, they seize the gun and possibly arrest you and the gunsmith for violating Federal law by illegally manufacturing unregistered firearms, and illegally transferring unregistered firearms, and for not having a firearms manufacturer’s license, place of business, and books required. You’re certainly going to go to court over it and many months and possibly years will pass before you or if you ever get your project gun back. If not that, say you get stopped by the local Police and they run the numbers on your gun. OOOOPS!!!! There are no numbers on the gun. Wanna guess what’s next?
Then there is the whole “shade tree gunsmith” thing. Ever built a firearm before? Understand and know about head spacing or how to do it? Proper chamber dimensions? Spring tension, chamber pressure and peaks and drop offs to tune gas systems or unlock breeches safely? Trigger tuning safety? Bluing firearms? Hot or cold blue?
Chamber leades? Save yourself a world of headaches (and money) and buy assembled weapons from major manufacturers and let the warranty take care of any problems.
IMPORTS:
Many major manufacturers import their guns in parts and assemble them here with some parts made here. Cimarron markets their line of Old West style guns but they are in reality, Pietta, Pedersoli, Uberti, models from Italy. They are finished here as per the laws. Springfield Armory has always been an importer. Their famous 1911 A1 pistols were for years of Brazilian manufacture and some of their parts are still Brazilian made and assembled here in the S.A. factory (their XD line is Croatian). Springfield Armory has not been the U.S. Govt. Springfield Armoury for many many years. Some of the Manufacturers get by the (or add to) the confusion by adding U.S. or U.S.A. to their corporate name. Beretta USA, PARA USA, Springfield USA, etc etc. In the Clinton “Gun Ban” years firearms manufacturers were given time to set up factories here in the U.S. to assemble their firearms and some (I’m not sure exactly which ones or how many) American made parts were required for manufacture here. Beretta, Springfield, Para, Taurus, Glock, SIG, Cimarron Arms, FNH all have plants here in the States now. This includes all types of firearms mentioned in this rant!
REVOLVERS:
COLT: single Action revolvers for cowboy type competition are being manufactured under the Colt name again (I know not where). I would look for Colt to reissue some “classics” as Smith & Wesson is having a lot of success with their re-issues of old revolvers. Look for Python, and Detective Special and Police Positive models.
I don’t know where as the original Colt factory is where U.S. Fire Arms manufactures/U.S.F.A. builds their line of Colt clones and Cowboy guns.
SMITH & WESSON is still based in Springfield Massachusetts. They build revolvers in both production and custom shops (Performance Ctr.). They manufacture revolvers in calibers from .22 to .500 S&W. S&W utilizes different frame sizes in their line. J Frames are the small frame revolvers and are most noted for the 5 shot .38 special revolvers and hammerless versions that are as popular as ever. They as are all S&W revolvers can be had in blue or stainless finish as can most of the production line of Smith & Wesson.
K,L Frame models are geared more toward the .357 magnum and .38 special +P guns like the models 19 and 686, 66, 60 etc.
The N Frame or large frame starts with the .357 magnum and goes to .44 Magnum and .45 ACP. A lot of the N Frames are now being re-issued in Smith’s “Classics” series. What’s old is new again and higher priced.
The X Frame is for the serious handgun hunter and no caliber in this frame size is a good choice for self defense or concealed carry. Calibers of 454 Casull,460 Ruger or S&W or 500 S&W are serious hunting /outdoor guns or “BEAR” guns. In my mind to use these cartridges for self defense borders on irresponsible as over penetration is a reality with them not an anomaly. They are extremely difficult to control for follow up shots.
S&W has a Performance Center line that has all kinds of feature laden models across the frame spectrum and caliber spectrum.
Old West/Cowboy style guns are available from a few sources besides those mentioned above. Cimarron Arms, and Uberti and Traditions have them from Civil War era black powder to center fire models.
STURM RUGER has both Single Action firearms in their Blackhawk and Vaquero, and New Army and Single Six lines, and standard and lightweight double action revolvers in their hot sellin LCR and SP series. Calibers run from .22 long rifle through 44 Magnum and 45 Long Colt and .460 Ruger, across the board, and they also have huge frame hunting and “BEAR” guns in their Redhawk series
TAURUS: “The JUDGE” and Raging Bull series of large revolvers are their main large caliber defense revolvers, but they have a very popular line of small 5 shot .38 Special and .357 Magnum revolvers that have been around for quite some time. I believe they have discontinued their Cowboy gun. The Judge series has taken the self defense world by storm and are an ever expanding series to include a 2 ½” barreled model and a “carbine” version. ROSSI is now owned and marketed by TAURUSUSA./TAURUS INTL.
CHARTER ARMS is back after a long nap and selling their small and medium framed revolver line that runs up to .44 S&W Special in caliber. They are marketing them in stylish (?) frame colors, of pink, gold red etc.
My apologies to anyone I missed in the lineup, but that pretty much covers the majors in revolvers. They are not cheap in manufacture or price. Taurus/Rossi are the low end price wise but not by too much. Certainly worth looking at though.
SEMI AUTOMATIC HANDGUNS:
Where to begin:
COLT-SMITH & WESSON-KIMBER-PARA USA-SPRINGFIELD ARMORY USA-TAURUS USA-REMINGTON
Are all major US manufacturers who market production lines of their own models of the John Moses Browning model 1911-A1 .45 A.C.P. pistol in every possible configuration imaginable at every price level.
AND THAT DOESN’T COUNT THE SEMI CUSTOM OR CUSTOM HOUSES THAT PUNCH THEM OUT UNDER THEIR OWN NAME!! But these are the major houses here that offer standard production listings.
GLOCK-TAURUS-S&W-SPRINGFIELD ARMORY–RUGER; all offer striker fired polymer framed pistols in all sizes and all common semi auto calibers. GLOCK is the pioneer here and sets the standard.
SIG-BERETTA-RUGER all still offer traditional double action semi automatic pistols of both steel/alloy and polymer frame construction; with hammers and de cock safeties.
There are so many makes and variations of semi autos, it’s hard to keep track much the same with the 1911’s out there. THERE’S A TON OF EM FOLKS! Knock your lights out pickin one.
PUMP ACTION SHOTGUNS
Although there are several companies that market pump guns and self defense or tactical shotguns, there are two universally accepted names and models:
The REMINGTON Model 870 is the industry standard for pump action shotguns. No doubt.
The MOSSBERG Model 500 runs an almost tie and very negligible second to the 870. They are both seen in Military units and Police cars and homes across the country and in the war zones.
Yes; I know about Bennelli, and HK etc. but according to 2 of the largest firearms distributors (Davidson’s & Lew Horton Distributors) these two sell in the millions as opposed to thousands.
SIDE BY SIDE : They’re still out there
SEMI AUTOMATIC SHOTGUNS:
I HAVE VERY LITTLE EXPERIENCE WITH THESE FIREARMS!
That said, I have fired several REMINGTON MODEL 1100 and BROWNING MODEL FIVE shotguns only in the hunting and skeet domains. I have no experience with these as defensive shotguns and have not seen any in Police hands.
I know that there are specialized models of “tactical” semi auto shotguns from Bennelli, HK, Beretta, and others that are highly thought of but I have no experience with them. They are also very expensive!!!!!! I’ll stick with a pump thank you.
RIFLES
SEMI AUTOMATIC RIFLES:
Again; where to begin!!!!!!!
According to polls taken at the 2010 S.H.O.T SHOW (Shooting Hunting Outdoors Trade Show the Industry port of entry annually for firearms and industry) by The National Firearms Retailers Assoc.
In the United States the AR-15 is the top selling semi automatic rifle, with M-4 carbine models outselling the full sized rifles .
RUGER , has its Mini 14 series and it’s been around for many years but can’t match the panache of the AR’s out there. I’ve owned one. They’re great rifles. A scaled down Garand action.
REMINGTON: 8400 semi auto and the R series hunting rifles are regular production rifles and are very expensive.
Makers of AR/M-14 models are:
- SMITH & WESSON
- BUSHMASTER
- D.P.M.S.
- COLT
- SIG
- ROCK RIVER ARMS
- HK
- RUGER
- STAG ARMS
- DOUBLE STAR
- ETC.,ETC.,ETC.,ETC.
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY USA has the market cornered in the M1A1/M14 market and their carbine version called the S.O.C.O.M. they also have the M1A GARAND model in their production lines.
Apologies again to the folks at HK, and FNH USA, or Bennelli and who so ever else, but the above makers and models out sell these particular companies semi automatic rifles across the board. I do suspect we’ll see a change there though as the FNH USA, S.C.A.R. has passed most of the US military testing phases and is in the final stage of testing for acceptance as I write this. I think we’re gonna see it accepted as the new military issued combat rifle very soon, and when I was last at Collector’s Firearms in Houston; their sales staff said sales of it were booming in civilian guise and that they are hard to keep in stock (I saw 3 of em so salesmen aside?).
BOLT ACTION RIFLES: Mauser and Remington/Winchester style actions
WOW!!
REMINGTON, RUGER, MOSSBERG, MARLIN, WINCHESTER (Japanese), WEATHERBY, SAVAGE, SMITH & WESSON, BROWNING
Budget models, field models, “Tacticool” models, varmint models, collector grade models are available from these established manufacturers and have been in these lines of American firms for years. They run the gamut price range wise, so again, knock yourself out picking one out.
LEVER ACTION RIFLES:
WINCHESTER, MOSSBERG,MARLIN. These I have experience with. Cowboy guns from Cimarron, Rossi, Puma, Uberti etc. are readily available.
Well that’s quite some laundry list of the Majors and a scratch of the surface of products. Feel free to submit questions about specific models or makers and I’ll get the info if I don’t know it. Cause I don’t know all of the products on the very large retail firearms market. That’s for sure.
Your Instructor... EDDIE OUT
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