TAFFIN TESTS: THE .41 SPECIAL …JOHN TAFFIN In 1899, Smith & Wesson introduced the .38 Special in the first of what is now known as the K-frame series, the .38 Military and Police. In 1930, the .38 Special was “Plus P’ed" and chambered in the larger sized, now N-frame, Heavy Duty. Five years later, in […]
TAFFIN TESTS: THE .41 SPECIAL Read Post »
In the May/Jun issue of AMERICAN HANDGUNNER, Editor Cameron Hopkins made the following observation: “There is a tendency to deny reality when reality hurts. Denial is the mind’s immediate reaction to adverse conditions that one simply does not want to acknowledge. In tactical situations, it can be a killer. In business it can be equally
TAFFIN TESTS JOHN TAFFIN For a number of years now the battle has been ongoing between those who cling to the tried and true, slow moving but heavy bulleted .45 ACP and the fast stepping, but relatively lightweight 9mm. There are those who would have us believe that the best 9mm is as good as
THE .41 ACTION EXPRESS Read Post »
…JOHN TAFFIN At one time hyphenated cartridges were the norm. One could have .44-40’s, .40-65’s, .38-55’s, and .45-70’s, as well as so many that have long disappeared from the scene such as the .40-82, .45-65, .45-125, and .50-110. The hyphen served a purpose as the first number indicated the caliber, the second, the powder charge,
MARLIN’S “NEW” .45-70’S Read Post »
TAFFIN TESTS: THE .40 S&W JOHN TAFFIN SMITH & WESSON NEWS RELEASE: “Smith & Wesson is very pleased to announce that the California Highway Patrol has selected the new .40 S&W Model 4006 as the agency’s duty sidearm. …According to the California Highway Patrol’s Weapon Test and Evaluation: `This weapon exhibited the best performance during
1869. 1873. 1907. 1935. 1956. 1983. Now if you are a real big bore sixgun fan you can immediately identify these numbers.
RUGER’S .454 SUPER REDHAWK Read Post »
TAFFIN TESTS THE .38 SPECIAL …JOHN TAFFIN Smith & Wesson has made and continues to make some of the most beautiful revolvers in the world. Beginning in the 1860’s with the various American, Russian, and Schofield Models, Smith & Wesson began a tradition of building reliable as well as esthetically pleasing revolvers. The tradition almost
MARLIN’S LONG RANGE COWBOY LEVERGUNS THE .38-55 IS BACK!JOHN TAFFIN At the SHOT Show two years ago it was my privilege, along with Bob Baer and Brian Pearce, to meet with three of the top brass from the Marlin Firearms Company. Baer had set up the meeting through Marlin’s Tony Aeschliman, so the three
The .38-55 is Back! Read Post »
TAFFIN TESTS: THE .30 CARBINE …JOHN TAFFIN I’ve been a long time fan of the Ruger Single Action sixgun. My first sixgun was an early Ruger Single-Six with the old-style flat loading gate. Then the big bores beckoned and it has been a long-time love affair with the Blackhawk since I bought my first .357
Bowen Classic Arms .327 Federal Magnum Custom Sixguns By John Taffin Looking back over my 50 plus years of shooting sixguns I see a long list of heavy-duty cartridges being introduced; the .44 Magnum, .41 Magnum, .454 Casull, .475 Linebaugh, .500 Linebaugh, .480 Ruger, .500 S&W Magnum, .460 S&W Magnum, .500 Wyoming Express, and
Hamilton Bowen’s .327 Federals Read Post »