First impressions are often the most lasting, but that doesn’t mean they are always correct. Case in point, the Ruger Bearcat. I always thought of the Bearcat as more of a novelty as a single action revolver, perhaps something to have around as a training aid for young small handed […]

Having had the opportunity to examine and shoot a good number of AR type firearms, and the opportunity to assemble a few from carefully selected piece parts and subassemblies, I’d have to say that “subtle technological evolution” is a term that best characterizes these types of firearms. Updating changes manifests […]

If I wanted to illustrate why revolvers have remained in high demand, despite the intense marketing  of inexpensive plastic framed autoloaders, I would probably just show them this revolver. The gun projects nostalgia, but it also reflects modern manufacturing technology. It is a gun that fits well into a handgun […]

It’s not like I’ve had a lot of exposure to the .22 Hornet. I’d always intended to own one but, in fact, I’ve had only two contacts with firearms chambered for this round. The first through my fleeting association with B-52’s during the ’66-’70 time frame, when the little fold […]

The first time I read Homer’s epic poems, The Iliad and The Odyssey, a prerequisite to becoming a high school freshman, I thought it was implausible that a city sacking effort could last ten years when the combined allied participation in World War II lasted only five. I did, however, […]

If you caught Part I, you know Batman wrangled free from the Joker and that the Ruger Hawkeye M77 Compact is an unusual rifle – a very light, well balanced, compact, accurate, short barreled gun. Add in a tough, stabile, weather resistant stock and durable stainless hardware and you’ve got […]

The first thing that came to mind when I pulled the Hawkeye Compact out of the bulk shipping carton was where the rest of the gun might be. The box is approximately two thirds the length of the other rifles and it feels almost empty. It took a few moments, […]

I’d been looking for a small .380 ACP ever since I shot a smoked over Colt Mustang. The product of some very clean gunsmithing, the trigger was excellent and the gun shot really well, making smaller than cloverleaf groups at seven yards. I looked around for one of my own […]

I’ve been out of the country for a month, California to be precise, so it’s good to be home and to be greeted with a whole week without a snow storm. I’ve been trying to decide if I want to buy one or two moose hunting lottery tickets for next […]