Got my new AH today. At first I wasn't sure which magazine it was as there was not a 1911 on the cover, but 3 J frames! I have been a subscriber for 35 years or so and I can count on one hand the number of times a revolver has been on the cover.

The J frame article is by one of our members, a Massad Ayoob. In addition to that article there is another excellent article on a felony takedown gone real bad, real fast. Mr. Ayoob, as usual, does a first class job of telling a difficult story.

I hope he will weigh in here and give us a few more insights.

There is also a link to the forum in Mas' J frame article.


Jim

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Big bullets leave big holes

I just visited with Alex Hamilton of Ten Ring Precision in San Antonio abut a week ago. He writes an article for AH on gun smithing. Great guy and a fine pistol smith.

Dwight

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Veritas et Humanitas

Get the heart meds - S&W revolvers on the cover of AH!!! Will wonders never cease. I used to subscribe but since I don't own and have never owned a 1911, it seemed pretty counter-productive.

Human nature is such that we tend to write to express anger more often than to express satisfaction. If you like what an editor does, give him some positive reinforcement. Email address for Roy Huntington, editor of American Handgunner, is [email protected]. The J-frame piece was Roy's idea.

I bought last Saturday and read it over the weekend, a bunch of great stuff in it. I did like the take down article, it shows what can happen really quick.

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Stan

Mas is totally right about this. I once asked Col. Chas. Askins why he wrote those stories proclaiming the .30/06 or the .45 auto to be obsolete. He said that it was purely to get readers angry enough to write to his editors, to prove that his material was being read. It's the angry ones who are the ones likely to write.

Nonetheless, I won't write something like that, because it makes all readers think that I did it for that reason, or that I'm dumb, or hard up for something to write.

T-Star

I've been a subscriber to AH for a decade or more. There is a lot more than just 1911s covered in their magazine - John Taffin does plenty of revolver stuff. It has articles by what I consider to be the best in the business on SD: Mas and Clint Smith.

I really like American Handgunner...to the point of actually subscribing. They like to put bottom feeders on the cover, but that OK by me. I don't carry a 1911, but it's a rare range trip that doesn't include at least one. I enjoy reading about guns of just about any sort, so I'm easy. It was nice to see those Js on the cover though.

I want to say something about Massad Ayoob, and perhaps this is the place. If not I apologize in advance.

All gun writers attract some negative comment. However, over the years I have seen on the Internet posts, articles, and general rants, which have attacked Mr. Ayoob's honesty, character, and goodwill. Some of the statements made about him or his writing have left me breathless.

Mr. Ayoob has, as far as I know, handled these comments with a calm and a dignity that I fear would be far byond my capability.

I am pleased that FMG Publications continues to feature his work.

Charles

yes, I too have been a subscriber ( and was a Member) way back when it started out as the Outstanding American Handgunner awards........always good articles, and some awesome photography.
Thank you Mas, for another excellent job, and for putting the proper prospective ,causes and results, in the sad outcome of the two slain officers,Dptys.,Skip York, and Burt Lopez of the Okaloosa County Sheriffs office ( so their names will never be forgotten...)
Yes, if you want to "see" other stuff printed, and articles done, you must contact the editors, they do try .................
all in all, one of the finer editions we've read...........

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dan
NRA Benefactor,PMA

Roy has been written... and I will be subscribing.


Jim

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Big bullets leave big holes

I agree. I am a San Diego native and was in law enforcement there for 36 years, the first 5 with the SDPD, then the next 31 with the SDSO. Many early stories, articles and range sessions were accomplished at the old Sheriff's 'A'. Roy is ex-SDPD as I recall. I still possess the first ever issue and have had a continuous subscription since. Of my myriad of firearms subscriptions, AH is my favorite. It is loaded with a variety of articles and related information and is the only magazine I read from from cover to cover. It is clearly the most comprehensive of them all, IMO. Yes, there are generally more 1911 related stories and ads, but plenty of other things are covered with regard to handgun ownership. However, I do admit I too found it refreshing see Smiths on the cover.

I too, very much like both AMERICAN HANDGUNNER and GUNS magazines. They have uniformly interesting writers and are "fair and balanced" in the fact that they cover all types of firearms. Well worth the subscription price.

Mr. Ayoob, You are exactly right. I apologize. Sarcasm was inappropriate. It is good to see articles on revolvers, and I appreciate that.

Following Mr. Ayoob's advice, I sent an e-mail to Roy Huntington, saying that he had made a lot of people on this forum very happy with the J frame cover. At most, I expected an automated response, or more likely, nothing. This is what I recieved. You had better believe, I'm impressed.
_____________________________________________________________

Thanks for your many kind words, Charles. I've always been a revolver fan and after taking the helm of Handgunner, made it a point to gear more editorial toward wheelguns. The response has been great, and it seems that indeed, "Wheelguns are still realguns!"
Thanks for taking the time to tell me. I read every reader e-mail personally and it's always enjoyable to stay in touch with fellow shooters. We do try to do things differently at our magazines and I know the staff writers work hard to deliver solid info, take good pics and do it all with a sense of humor!
After all ... we're supposed to be having fun shooting, ain't we?
Adios,
Roy H.

P.S. I don't spend much time on any forums since my daily grind is pretty full. But I'd consider it a favor if you mentioned on the S&W forum we chatted? I'd like to make sure the members realize I listen, and always appreciate their comments to me at [email protected]





Roy Huntington
Editor, American Handgunner Magazine
Welcome to American Handgunner


CHECK OUT OUR NEW ON-LINE DIGITAL EDITIONS
AT Welcome to American Handgunner!

If memory serves, Roy Huntington is also an editor who doesn't like hearing gripes about The Lock. Upsets his advertiser, I guess...

Nevertheless, he seems to genuinely care about guns, which I'm not convinced that all editors of gun and outdoor titles do.

I've also enjoyed Mike Venturino's work at, "Guns" on WW II items, although he is too often less informed than he should be. I think he may be learning as he goes.

Of course, if I wanted to know about Old West guns, Mike is the first guy that I'd ask!

T-Star

Roy personally answered my email also, nice to see that they just dont go into a junk bin.
Reaffirms my faith in people a little bit.


Jim

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Big bullets leave big holes

No problem at all Tennexplorer.

If sarcasm was a felony, I suspect that a bunch of us would be having this conversation in the prison exercise yard.

Feedback much appreciated,
Mas

Mas,

I've known tennexplorer for almost 40 years. He's a great guy. He even owns a couple of semiautos. While he doesn't own a 1911, IIRC, he shot Expert with one during a earlier life.

Burt, was that the left foot or the right foot you stuck in your mouth?

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Love that magazine, and GUNS too. I just sent Roy an E-mail thanking him.

Alex did a fantastic action job and sight regulation on a little Ruger Bearcat I carried on the trapline for years. I was the only person who knew where the dang thing shot, I swear if someone took it from me and tried to use it they would have missed, wink wink.

Mr. Hamilton put it right on the money and the action does not feel like a Ruger anymore, a good thing

What a great article I really enjoyed the new direction AH went. It was also very nice of them to post it online for those of us that don't subscribe can read it. Now that I know the quality of the work I am considering a subscription! Thanks for the email Mas, I sent Roy my thanks!

I'd like to chime in on Massad Ayoob. I've been reading his articles for years - I remember an article he did on Bill Jordan back in 1975(?) when I was in high school. I've always enjoyed his articles and find them informative. I also believe that we have similar tastes in firearms. Anyway, a story. A buddy of mine attended one of Mr. Ayoob's classes in Texas in the 1990's. At the conclusion of the class, he told Mr. Ayoob that if he was ever in San Antonio to look him up - he'd be welcome at his home. Well, Mr. Ayoob's flight was cancelled or delayed so he called my friend. My buddy picked him up and they spent some time together. How cool would that be? To have some cold ones with Massad Ayoob while talking about guns. It always makes me feel good to find out that someone that you respect for their knowledge or ability is a good guy.

Uh, both. Pretty well up to the knees. Got to stop reading Sipowicz's posts.

What did I do?

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Thirty characters. Exactly...

"If memory serves, Roy Huntington is also an editor who doesn't like hearing gripes about The Lock. Upsets his advertiser, I guess..."

Not so, T-Star --- Roy published an article by Charles Petty dismissing the brouhaha about the IL, and, after publishing a bunch of letters/emails riled and railing against both the article and the lock, he also published my letter-to-editor concurring with the esteemed Mr. Petty, dismissing the matter as a "tempest in a teapot." Roy has also published at least one, maybe more, of my tongue-in-cheek emails calling out editorial gaffes of his personal commission. We met a few years back at a SHOT Show, and he is in person every bit the personable fellow who chats with you in his email replies and takes an interest in his readers' feedback.

Tip of the hat to Mr. Ayoob for both articles in the current issue of AH, and shame on everybody who faults AH for being inordinately oriented toward 1911's, but delight in castigating Mike Venturino for his non-1911 content.

In addition to Mas' fine article, don't forget to read Mike Venturino's "A Special That Is Special" in the same issue.

Buck

I've subscribed to AH for many years and it is my favorite magazine. While 1911 pistols do appear with regularity in the publication, I find it well balanced overall. Their staff of gun writers is second to none.

Mas, as usual, great job with the J Frame article.

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195th Session FBINA

Mas, I love your work and I've followed your advice since I was first getting interested in Self Defense guns.

I think American Handgunner is the best.

There is plenty of "filler" on line, but I still like something to ponder and re-read until it soaks in. Only a magazine lets you do that in the car while you're waiting for your wife, or some quiet time at home.

Ichi Nagata made me want to be a gun photographer, and that's how I finished my career.

E mail sent to "His Editorship". Thanks for dropping in once in awhile.

Bill "depicts"

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S&WCA #2018

My momma warned me about people like that.

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Centennial Every Day

Just an update, I mentioned earlier I sent Roy an E-mail. This morning there was a very nice one from him waiting for me. I'm impressed, and honored.

Here in the UK, I subscribed to AH from 92 - 08 - over 10 years after they banned handguns here. I let it lapse for some reason - think I tried to renew online, but it didn't work or something. Interesting the comments about 1911s on the cover which used to come up a lot in the letters section: the first gun on the cover when I started subscribing was an SAA, whilst the one after that was a Python (an article by Mas) doubly interesting because I'd bought one the year before, and enjoyed reading how good it was! LOL!

For me, AH is a rarity - an interesting gun magazine - the American one's can be boring and repetitive, but you should see the British ones where the only interesting things might be the guns for sale in the adverts...

Many, many moons ago, when I was a budding young police officer, I wrote to Massad asking for some advice on gear selection. He responded to my letter with a personal letter of his own, and gave me some excellent advice. Since this was pre-internet (and pretty much pre-PC computer), that took some effort. He is the real deal.

Thanks for sharing all the great information about AH! I placed an order for a subscription this morning....

spricks

"Ichi Nagata made me want to be a gun photographer, and that's how I finished my career."

Mr. Nagata must be the Ansel Adams of gun photographers. I have worked as a photographer and dabbled at it for years. It may seem simple to take pictures of guns and such, but it ain't that easy to make them look as good as Mr. Nagata does. He is an artist!

Dwight

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Veritas et Humanitas

Just saw this thread and had to post.

Massad Ayoob has always been my favorite gun writer and AH is my favorite gun publication, (I also like John Taffin). Most gun mags are now nothing more than gun "pamphlets" as they're so thin with so few articles, (and most of those are about 1911's), and even though AH is a bi-monthly publication, I feel you get your money's worth.

As far as AH loving and writing about 1911's, what gun publication nowadays doesn't? They all fill their magazines with endless articles about them and usually ones that are in the $2,000.00+ range.

I have to admit, I don't care much about 1911's even though I owned one years ago and I qualified with one when I was in the Marine Corps back in the 1960's. They don't "float my boat" but I would never slam anyone because he or she loves them and they do have a proud history in our Armed Forces.

When I come upon another 1911 article when I'm reading one of the gun magazines I subscribe to, I sort of yawn and just turn the pages and go on to the next article.

As an aside, I sure wish AH would do more articles on .22 rimfires. They are all the rage now with ammo costs being so high and people are discovering how much fun they are to own and shoot.

Anyway, great article Mas, (The Okaloosa County Cop-Killings: The Inside Story), as it kept me spellbound the whole way through and kudos on the J article!

You know what's funny? I've been a member here since 2007 and never knew Massad Ayoob was also a member !

Anyway (off topic here) back in '89 when I was a youngin', I remember getting "Sig Quarterly" and also "Guns&Ammo Handguns" magazines. I would go right to Mr. Ayoobs articles and read them. I was a big Sig fan (and still am) and it's all I looked forward to. I purchased the book "The gun digest of Sig Sauer" written by Mr. Ayoob not too long ago. Really enjoyed that book. Perhaps one day i'll meet the fella.

ok, thread derail over.....please continue.

I learnt of this website and that Ayoob was a member on Evan Marshall's "stopping power forums", so thought I'd visit.





(better shut up, don't wanna paint myself as an Ayoob groupie!)