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Whimsical FakeSome handguns were just downright wonderful. They were put together better, finished prettier and shot more accurately than most of their contemporaries or anything made today. These fine old handguns were made in the era when American production quality surpassed Swiss watches. Handguns like the Colt Peacemaker, S&W Triplelock, Colt New Service, Ruger's Blackhawk .44 Magnum and Colt 1911 have all achieved legendary status. At least that's what you'll have read if you follow the writings in gun magazines for over 40 years like I have. Heck, I've even written such stuff myself.
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To be honest those handguns weren't all that great. I know, because I have several samples of each. The greatest thing most have going for them is they are no longer made, which in turns makes them desirable. Tell someone they can't have an item and watch it turn into a collector's piece overnight.
Now, I'm not saying the above handguns were bad. They all have their good points. But they all, indeed, had their bad points. That they were "wonderful" shouldn't be considered a legend--it should be considered a myth.
Huh?
Here's a good example. Pre-World War II S&W N-frame revolvers are considered the "best of the best." For several years I owned one of the Heavy Duty .38-44s, which meant it was chambered for .38 Special, but intended for those odd .38-44 high pressure loads that came out in 1930. Such loads were actually the precursor of the .357 Magnum. The dual digits meant the caliber was .38 but they were only intended to be fired in .44 frame-sized handguns.
My particular Heavy Duty was shipped from the factory in 1931 and was in beautiful condition, with 90-percent or more of its bright blue finish remaining, with perfect lock-up and timing, and with nary a bit of pitting in its 5" barrel or chambers. So last summer I determined to do a reloading project using it and a Colt SAA .38 Special of about 1960 vintage since it was also rated safe for those high pressure .38 Special/.38-44 type loads.
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That Heavy Duty would not group any load under 3" for 10 shots at 25 yards. The Colt SAA put some of the exact same loads into 1 1/2" groups. Furthermore, I also have a 1950s vintage S&W Outdoorsman .38-44, which is the same basic handgun as the Heavy Duty except it carries adjustable sights instead of fixed ones: That post-War World II Outdoorsman shot tings around the pre-World War II Heavy Duty, with most of its groups being less than 1 1/2".
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OK, let's carry this matter a step further--in each direction. I mean let's compare pre-World War I Smith & Wesson N-frames to brand new Smith & Wesson N-frames. No American revolver has the mythical aura of the Smith & Wesson Hand Ejector 1st Model, commonly known as "triple-lock." That's because Smith & Wesson fitted it with a third lock, which secures its crane to frame when the cylinder is closed. It was introduced in 1908 and dropped in 1915. Some consider it the finest revolver ever made, and indeed its fit and finish is unsurpassed. I have two; one a target sighted version with 6 1/2 barrel and the other a fixed sighted one with the very rare 4" barrel. Neither one is especially accurate. In fact my 2004 vintage S&W Model 21-4 "Thunder Ranch Revolver" shoots better than both. It's true you can actually see yourself in the fine finish of good condition Triplelocks, but I've never needed to use my revolvers as shaving mirrors. I shoot them, and not being a world class handgun shot I need them to be ac
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