Single Action Revolvers: Practical Tools that Symbolize the Old West

The handgun in America has been likened to the sword in Europe as a symbol of earlier and simpler times, marked by the individual courage, chivalry, and independent spirit of heroes and rogues alike and there is no better representation of this than the indelible association between the single action revolver and the American west. The mere presence of a Colt Single Action Army revolver, or one of the many copies or clones that have been directly influenced by it, brings to mind legends of the Wild West such as Wild Bill Hickock, Buffalo Bill Cody, Wyatt Earp, Frank and Jesse James, and Billy the Kid: individuals who remain household names, having been immortalized first in Dime Novels and later in Western movies.

Of course, the Colt Single Action Army revolver was not universally carried in the American west and those who have been associated with it in literature and film actually carried other handguns. Wild Bill Hickock carried Colt Navy Models (.36 caliber percussion revolvers), Frank James preferred Remingtons, Jesse James was known to favor a Smith & Wesson No. 3, and Billy the Kid used a double action Colt Thunderer in .41 caliber. However, the Colt Single Action army was vastly popular, amongst civilians and the military alike and the resourceful Bat Masterson purchased many of them which were profitably sold as "Bat Masterson's gun" in the waning years of the Nineteenth Century.

Originally introduced in 1873, it served the U.S. Cavalry until 1892 and it entered the Twentieth Century with official credentials, having been reissued by the U.S. Army during the Philippine Insurrection due to the various failures of the .38 Colt cartridge against the Moros. Even during World War II, it was carried by the likes of general George S. Patton and General Jonathan "Skinny" Wainwright. During the 1950s, the popularity of the Western movies and television series ensured that the classic profile of the Single Action Army would remain synonymous with the American west and during the hiatus in production that occurred between 1940 and 1956, Sturm, Ruger and Company fueled the pent up public demand for single action revolvers by first producing the Single Six and then following with the Blackhawk, modern, nearly bullet proof renditions of the classic Colt utilizing strong investment castings and coil springs rather than the problematic flat springs.

Remaining in nearly constant use since 1873, the popular Single Action Army, which returned to production in 1957, is still produced in the Colt Custom Shop while revolvers which borrow from the design or are largely copies of one variation or another are prolific, produced, finished, or marketed by many companies including: Beretta, Cimarron, Taurus, and U.S. Firearms. The innovative Ruger Single Six, Blackhawk, and variations including the Super Blackhawk, Bisley, and Vaquero remain popular while the simple, sturdy design of the old peacemaker continues to provide the platform for "hand cannons" such as the impeccable Freedom Arms Model 83 in .454 Casull and incredibly powerful Linebaugh customs in mammoth chamberings such as .475 and .500 Linebaugh.

The rugged simplicity of the dependable Single Action Army design allowed it to hold on and remain viable as a defensive weapon, even as it was eclipsed by modern, double action revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. Legendary lawmen such as Frank Hamer and Tom Threepersons, as well as the enigmatic Pancho Villa, successfully relied upon their Single Action Army revolvers well into the age of the Colt 1911 semi-automatic and the Smith & Wesson Military & Police double action revolver. Even today, in capable hands, the Single Action Army and revolvers that reflect its legacy can provide adequate defense against dangerous predators, both two and four legged. Single action revolvers are more than archaic symbols of the past, they remain practical tools that can get the job done.

Surviving Economic Collapse: Ideas Regarding Food and Shelter

Back in April, as governmental shutdown was looming, I wrote an article entitled "Who Will Bail Us Out?" and I noted that "With lost jobs, diminished incomes, decreased purchasing power, and rising prices (especially on food and fuel), many of America's middle class have slipped into the ranks of the working poor...." With financial crises reported around the globe, I grow less optimistic regarding any significant economic recovery in the near future and I cannot help but consider the possibilities of economic collapse and strategies for surviving it.

When cost of living increases and wages remain static (or are even reduced), there is less disposable income which affects quality of life, impeding necessary purchases, and curtailing the ability to prepare for a long term crisis. Hyper-inflation will exacerbate this and American households that already struggle from paycheck to paycheck could rapidly be thrust into the squalor of "Hoovervilles" reminiscent of the Great Depression in the event of economic collapse and the disruption of traditional safety nets provided by an already overloaded system. Sadly, their more affluent neighbors would often be unlikely to hold on for more than a couple of months longer.

As difficult as times already are for many families, now is a prudent time to prepare for a serious economic crisis if you have not already began doing so. In the event of such a crisis, necessities like food and shelter could be difficult to acquire and maintain. I have always believed in keeping plenty of food on hand and having a pantry well stocked with non-perishables. This practice, which I inherited from grandparents who lived through the Great Depression, has enabled me to easily withstand inconveniences like power outages and inclement weather; it has also allowed me to address unforeseen expenses by not having to make weekly visits to the grocery store. In order to better prepare in the face of uncertainty, I have steadily increased the amount of non-perishable food that I keep on hand and I have become quite mindful of sales, promotions, and coupons that extend my purchasing power. I have also simplified my lifestyle to better stretch my hard earned dollars.

Lately, I have focused upon purchasing non-perishables that are modestly priced, have a relatively long shelf life, and lack the bulk of canned goods. Such items include Ramen noodles, instant potatoes, powdered gravy mix, muffin mix (the type that only requires water and can also serve as pancake mix), powdered milk, rice, dried beans, oatmeal, grits, and boullion cubes. Perhaps not sufficient as an exclusive diet, such foods are filling and only require water to be prepared. They can be served by themselves, used in more complex recipes, and accompany meals to stretch the supply of other foods.

In the event no crisis should arise, these foods will be consumed in due time and do not represent a waste of resources. Since these non-perishables are more easily carried and stored in confined spaces than more bulky canned goods, options for mobility, whether by foot or vehicle can be retained. Mobility allows you to more easily quit an area that has become inhospitable and shelter is as much a requisite as is nutrition if this option is employed and compromise could be necessary. While I enjoy camping, taking to the woods and pitching a tent does not represent a suitable, long term scenario for survival for me. However, a tent will cover basic, short term needs for shelter and they are especially useful where low cost, primitive camping is permitted. I once knew a fellow who lived comfortably in a tent in a modest campground through a southern winter after being confronted with a sudden bout of domestic bliss.

In contrast to a tent, a motor home or a camper trailer can provide more comfortable and convenient mobile shelter over a longer period of time while offering amenities including air conditioning, provided that electricity is available. Last year, I bought a 1972 Pace Arrow motor home that is in remarkably good shape and I have been getting some work done to it in order to use it. Originally purchased with short and long term camping in mind, I have begun to regard it as a survival vehicle that could provide living quarters and access to a more attractive geographic area in the event of a disruptive crisis.

I do not view the Pace Arrow as a bug out vehicle to be used in the midst of chaos. It is just too big, slow, ungainly, and fuel hungry for such an adventure. However, I do see it is a strategic option since it will integrate into camping environments in which many already live full-time at low cost. This is part of my justification for increasing my supply of non-perishables that store well in confined spaces for significant periods. The motor home is not a panacea by any means but it is the ultimate in a portable shelter equipped with a fully stocked kitchen that could provide useful options if we are presented with a severe crisis.

None of us possess a crystal ball that reveals the future and some regard preparedness as the height of paranoia. Economic collapse has been forecast many times over and, as of yet, we have fortunately avoided it. Even if such a disaster is not forthcoming, contingencies for surviving situations filled with doom and gloom allow for smaller crises and inconveniences to be taken in stride. Your non-perishables and mobile shelter can be just as useful for a sudden fishing trip taken in response to an impromptu visit from the "in-laws" as it is in avoiding the ramifications of a full fledged emergency.

The Coin Test: A Simple Measure of Accuracy for Defensive Handguns

Accuracy is a vague and ambiguous term that is often grounded in the perspective of the individual shooter. I have seen deer hunters enthusiastically satisfied with pie plate sized groups, varmint hunters aggravated by minute of angle, and handgun shooters captivated by "combat accuracy" which is probably most consistently defined as the ability to keep hits well within center mass while firing rapidly. For those who are not particularly good shots, "combat accuracy" may be considered the ability to simply hit a B-27 style silhouette at the average "combat range" of seven yards. Sometimes "combat accuracy" is used to extoll the virtues of defensive handguns that will not group into a paint can at twenty-five yards off of a bench rest.

I believe that accuracy is an important virtue that defines the worth of a firearm and the skill level of a shooter. Likewise, I believe that a deliberately placed shot is more valuable than speed in defensive situations. A combination of both is desirable but speed without accuracy has proven fatal for as long as handguns have been carried in pockets and holsters. Thus, I am unwilling to settle for sloppy and ill defined standards of accuracy when more is available in a reliable package. Thus, when I shoot most handguns from either a rested or prone position, I want groups that are under three inches at twenty-five yards and better if I can get them.

A simple measure of accuracy that I have adopted for most defensive handguns is what I refer to as a coin test. Offhand, at three yards, I expect to be able to consistently hit a dime sized target; at five yards, a nickle sized target; and at seven yards, a quarter sized target. I make an exception for ultra compact "mouse guns" with miniscule sights and a very short radius and use a playing card at seven yards as a benchmark (I guess this is my version of "combat accuracy"). Perhaps this standard originates from the influence of precision inherited from shooting Bullseye back in the Nineties but defensive handguns that will not meet this simple measure of accuracy do not suit me.