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2 months ago | 
truewestmagazine.com | Phil Spangenberger
The single best and most economical arm for hunting and defense in the Wild West was the double-barreled shotgun. At the sign of trouble, the mere sight of a shotgun ready for business is more threatening than almost any other arm.
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Oct 13, 2024 | 
l8r.it | Phil Spangenberger
In the discussion of firearms of the fur trade era, handguns are usually given a back seat and are seldom mentioned in any detail. In reality, though, the trappers and traders placed a great value on them.
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Oct 13, 2024 | 
truewestmagazine.com | Phil Spangenberger
In the discussion of firearms of the fur trade era, handguns are usually given a back seat and are seldom mentioned in any detail. In reality, though, the trappers and traders placed a great value on them.
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Aug 11, 2024 | 
l8r.it | Phil Spangenberger
Did frontiersmen of the Old West fully load their single-actions or did they leave an empty chamber under the hammer? Experienced shooters realize that when revolvers like the 1873 Colt Single Action Army (SAA) and other 19th-century-style six-shooters like the Remingtons and Smith & Wessons are loaded with six cartridges, the hammer’s firing pin rests on the primer of the cartridge under it. A sharp blow against the hammer, perhaps caused by dropping the gun, could cause it to fire.
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Aug 11, 2024 | 
truewestmagazine.com | Phil Spangenberger
Did frontiersmen of the Old West fully load their single-actions or did they leave an empty chamber under the hammer? Experienced shooters realize that when revolvers like the 1873 Colt Single Action Army (SAA) and other 19th-century-style six-shooters like the Remingtons and Smith & Wessons are loaded with six cartridges, the hammer’s firing pin rests on the primer of the cartridge under it. A sharp blow against the hammer, perhaps caused by dropping the gun, could cause it to fire.
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Jun 10, 2024 | 
l8r.it | Phil Spangenberger
At the conclusion of the Civil War, the Spencer Repeating Rifle Company had sold more than 100,000 military arms to U.S. forces. Although the company enjoyed great success during the war, such massive production of guns worked against it in the postwar years. Many thousands of Spencer military surplus rifles and carbines were being sold for far less than the company’s sporting rifles. Spencer had literally produced himself out of the postwar market, and by 1868 the company had failed.
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Jun 10, 2024 | 
truewestmagazine.com | Phil Spangenberger
At the conclusion of the Civil War, the Spencer Repeating Rifle Company had sold more than 100,000 military arms to U.S. forces. Although the company enjoyed great success during the war, such massive production of guns worked against it in the postwar years. Many thousands of Spencer military surplus rifles and carbines were being sold for far less than the company’s sporting rifles. Spencer had literally produced himself out of the postwar market, and by 1868 the company had failed.
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Apr 16, 2024 | 
truewestmagazine.com | Phil Spangenberger
When we think of Confederate revolvers we generally envision six guns like Leech & Rigdon, Spiller & Burr or the revolvers of the Dance Brothers. Of course, almost any handgun of the period of the War Between the States certainly could qualify, since so many rebel soldiers used whatever guns were available to them. With the exception of battle prizes, Colt’s revolvers would not normally be considered as Confederate.
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Apr 16, 2024 | 
l8r.it | Phil Spangenberger
When we think of Confederate revolvers we generally envision six guns like Leech & Rigdon, Spiller & Burr or the revolvers of the Dance Brothers. Of course, almost any handgun of the period of the War Between the States certainly could qualify, since so many rebel soldiers used whatever guns were available to them. With the exception of battle prizes, Colt’s revolvers would not normally be considered as Confederate.
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Feb 20, 2024 | 
truewestmagazine.com | Phil Spangenberger
Single Action, Double Action? One of the many enigmas to newcomers in the Western gun world is the description of operating a “single action” (SA) versus a “double action” (DA). Why are two actions required of the shooter to fire a single-action revolver while only a single act is needed to get the same result from a double-action wheel gun?
