This Week in Firearms History:

April 9: In 1865 General Lee agrees to the terms of surrender, ending the American Civil War

April 10: in 1878 Ed Masterson (brother of Bat) is killed in Dodge City; in 1926 Hugh Hefner is born; in 1919 Mexican Revolutionary Emiliano Zapata is murdered in an ambush

April 11: in 1898 President McKinley asks Congress for a Declaration of War against Spain; in 1899 Treaty of Paris: Spain cedes Guam, Philippines & Puerto Rico to the U.S. ; In 1917 the New York State Police is formed.

April 12: In 1861, first battle of Civil War at Fort Sumter; In 1911 Theodore Ellyson becomes the 1st US Naval Aviator; In 1925 trick shooter Joe Bowman is born; in 1945 President FDR dies in office

April 13: In 1570 Guy Fawkes is born; 1743 Thomas Jefferson is born; in 1953 Casino Royale, the 1st Bond film is released in theaters; in 1970 Dan Wesson ships his 1st batch of revolvers; in 2013 The Boston Marathon Bombings

April 14: In 1818 the US Army Medical Corps is created; in 1865 President Lincoln is mortally wounded in Ford's Theater; in 1881 in El Paso, TX, the 4 dead in 5 seconds gun fight takes place

April 15: In 1865 President Lincoln dies; in 1912 the Titanic sinks in the North Atlantic; in 2018 Gunnery Sgt R. Lee Ermy dies at the age of 74

Gun of the Week: Ruger "Standard" Pistol

It should be called "the gun that launched a company" as that is exactly what the Ruger Standard did. Based on a small 22 rimfire copy of the Type B Japanese Nambu, the Ruger Standard hit the market in 1949.

The Ruger was not given the name "Standard" by Ruger, rather that nickname was given to it by gun enthusiasts when Ruger introduced an improved version called the Mark I (in 1951) and then sold the two pistols side by side for 30 years. In 1981 both the Mark 1 and the standard were replaced by the Mark II. Today Ruger is selling the Mark IV version of this gun. Read more here

Cartridge of the Week: 12 Gauge

Before discussing the history of the 12 Gauge shotgun shell, we should probably discuss the terminology. Shotguns do not follow the same naming conventions as pistol and rifle cartridges (with the one exception of the .410 Shotshell). The term gauge actually refers to a measurement of weight. In the case of the 12-gauge, it would take 12 round balls that fit the bore of a 12-gauge shotgun to weigh 1 pound.

The 12 gauge, which has a bore diameter of nearly 3/4", became the most popular size probably because when muzzle loading shotguns were converted to breech loading, the 12 gauge was powerful enough to take down any waterfowl, but also still be "comfortable" to shoot. The 12 gauge is also a devastating self-defense round. Today you can get a 12 gauge in the traditional 2 3/4" as well as 3" magnum and 3 1/2" Magnum.

Gun Quote of the Week:

"If you can't trust people with freedom, how can you trust people with power? - Anonymous

Bubba Gun of the Week:

John Wayne Dankworth submitted his custom scope installation. After not being able to find the correct height scope rings at his local Walmart, he did what any good gunsmith would do, he broke out his grinder and made clearance. He was a finalist for "Optics Installation" in our Second semi-biannual Golden Poop Awards