Recent content by Will in Montana

My wife found mine! My wife, who doesn't really know a Triple Lock from a Taurus, bought my Hammerli (mine is serial number 186X) at a small gun shop in Tucker, GA, back in 1996. The owner of the shop knew me, and he knew I didn't have one. I've enjoyed shooting mine--even with long CB...

I love the old Smiths, and to have the handgun/rifle pair is an incredible find. I have a 3XX Triple Lock, same caliber and configuration, and it's long been a favorite. Good shooting, Will

.41 Special Model 586 Some years back I had Jim Stroh (Alpha Precision, in GA) recut and rebore a .357 Magnum Model 586 to the .41 Special wildcat caliber. This makes for a nice size bigger bore double action revolver (210-grain bullet running at 1,000 feet per second, at reasonable pressures)...

I have S92302, but it's not quite as pretty--and no box. It served on a ranch in eastern Montana (I bought it at a small shop in Billings in the mid-'90s), and although the finish is a bit worn (more on the right side than on the left) it's still nice and tight and shoots extremely well with...

I started carrying 5-inch Smith & Wessons in 1974, when I first entered law enforcement in Georgia. Back then, the only factory 5-inch guns that were even remotely available were the Model 27s, and I still have my first one. I can't even remember who made the duty leather for it, at the time...

Back in the late 1970s, the DeKalb County (Georgia) Police Department armed its officers with bright blued 4-inch Smith & Wesson Model 25-5s. There were over 400 officers working there at the time, and the order must have included several extra revolvers for "spares" or to equip new officers...

I prefer the M&P to the SD (although I've never owned and SD, I've shot several of them), and I have several M&P variations (compact, standard, long slide, 9mm and .40--but no .45). I like the ease of fitting the backstraps while at the range, and I've found I like different sized backstraps on...

Check those chambers in the Model 627, Barrie. The last one I saw was an 8-shooter. I don't have a 627, but I do have a couple of the Scandium/Titanium 327s, and they're 8-shooters. The all steel Model 627 is much more pleasant to shoot, though. I have the standard, 6-shot Model 27s, and...

I do love my .44 Specials. I own several S&W .44 Specials--the earliest is a Triple Lock with a 3-digit serial number--and I always snatch up any new ones Smith brings out. I have the 296 (the "pocket gun" that's too big for a pocket), the 396 (an excellent "packing gun" for the field), and...

Full-length vs. Neck-Size vs. Small-Base dies Depending upon the rifle I'm loading for (and I load for match-grade bolt guns and several brands of ARs), I use different die sets. If I'm loading for a specific bolt gun--and only that bolt gun (.223 Remington marked barrel)--I use neck-size...

I'm new to the forum, but I've been a Smith & Wesson collector and shooter since I first entered law enforcement in 1974. In 1992, I shot a perfect score at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA with a Smith & Wesson Model 19, and I'm a member of the FBINA "Possible Club." Since then, I've...