Week 42 2023

 This Week in Firearms History:

October 15: In 1834 Democrats in Philidelphia attempt to take over an election to prevent the anti-slavery Whigs from maintaining control; in 1917 Mati Hari is executed for espionage in France. 

October 16: In 1859 abolitionist John Brown leads a raid on Harpers Ferry Arsenal; in 1860 the patent for the Henry Rifle is issued; in 1964 China detonates its 1st atomic bomb.

October 17: In 1835 The Texas Rangers law enforcement division is formed; in 1931 Mobster Al Capone is sentenced to 11 years for income tax evasion.

October 18: In 1855 the Beesemer steel making process is patented; in 1871 Pres. Grant suspends Habeas Corpus during prosecutions of the Ku Klux Klan; in 1948 gun maker Carl Swebilius dies.

October 19: In 1453 the Hundred Years War ends; in 1867 the U.S. takes formal possession of Alaska; in 1926 John C. Garand issued patent for the M1 Rifle.

October 20: In 1803 the U.S. Senate ratifies the Louisiana Purchase; in 1818 the 49th parallel is drawn as the boundary between the U.S. and Canada; in 1874 Ed McGivern is born; in 1944 U.S. Forces under Gen. MacArthur return to the Philippines.

October 21: In 1797 The USS Constitution ("Old Ironsides") was launched in Boston Harbor; in 1805 Admiral Horatio Nelson beats the combined navy of the Spanish and French at the battle of Trafalgar, he is mortally wounded during the battle and dies at 4:30pm.

Gun of the Week: Dan Wesson Arms 44 Magnum

The story of the Dan Wesson Arms 44 Magnum has many beginnings. We could discuss the introduction of the .44 Magnum in 1956, the design of the Dan Wesson 44 in the late 70's or the start of Dan Wesson Arms in 1968.

Dan Wesson Arms was founded by Daniel B. Wesson II, the great grandson of the co-founder of Smith & Wesson. 

DWII worked at S&W until the company was sold to Bangor Punta in 1963. DWII had already been thinking about venturing out on his own and when he met Karl Lewis and saw his revolver design, the ball started rolling.

Dan Wesson Arms created their 1st gun, a 357 revolver in 1968 based on Lewis' designs. In 1980 they introduced a much larger framed 44 Magnum. Originally only available in blue, the stainless model came along soon after.

The gun was unique in that the barrels were easily interchangeable and adjustable; this gave the guns very good accuracy/precision as the proper barrel to cylinder gap could be easily maintained. It also meant that the guns could be sold (and were often sold) with extra barrels, ranging from 2" to 15" long.

Dan Wesson revolvers are also part of a small group of guns to be given a separate page in reloading manuals as they can be loaded to higher pressures than most of their competitors, a testament to their strength. Read more here.

Cartridge of the Week: 460 S&W Magnum

The 460 Smith & Wesson Magnum is one of two cartridges developed for the S&W X-frame revolver.

The story of the cartridge goes back to 1873 when the 45 Colt was created. The 460 & 45 Colt share the same bullet diameter and 45 Colt as well as 454 Casull ammo can be safely fired in a gun chambered for the 460 S&W Mag.

Developed in 2005 by lengthening the 454 Casull case, the cartridge can send a 300 grain bullet at more than 2000 fps. The cartridge is capable of taking any game in North America and is chambered in a few long guns including the Ruger No.1, the Thompson Contender Encor and the Big Horn Armory rifle.

Gun Quote of the Week:

Bubba Gun of the Week:

Another contender from our 1st Annual Golden Poop Awards for Excellence in Gunsmithing is this Glock 17, submitted by Nacho Caliente of El Infierno Mexico, he calls it his "Stove Top M17".

Gun Sticker of the Week:

This week's gun sticker was found on ebay.....I think it needs to explanation.... 

Gun T-Shirt of the Week:

This weeks t-shirt is from triggered prints