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.

The Smith & Wesson Model 19 and Model 66

Perhaps, back in the day, I simply read too many articles authored by Bill Jordan and now I'm somewhat of a throwback. I still regard the double action revolver as an effective defensive tool, I still believe that the .357 Magnum with a 125 grain jacketed hollow point bullet is an excellent defensive cartridge, and I still highly regard the Smith and Wesson Model 19 and its stainless steel brother, the Model 66.

The Smith & Wesson Model 19 and Model 66 provide a good balance between being light enough to carry comfortably while being heavy enough to remain controllable during rapid fire, even with 2.5" and 3" barrels. They are accurate and they are sufficiently rugged when .357 Magnum cartridges are occasionally fired but the majority of shooting is done with .38 Special cartridges. Sadly, these revolvers received undue criticism when they were pushed beyond their limitations with heavy diets of magnum loads that they were never intended to digest. The Smith & Wesson Model 19 and Model 66 have now been discontinued for several years.

The Beretta 950 Minx and Jetfire

The Beretta 950 is a blowback, single action pistol that was produced between 1952 and 2003. In .22 Short, it is known as the Minx and in .25 ACP it is known as the Jetfire. Originally produced without a mechanical safety, one was added to facilitate importation following the Gun Control Act of 1968 and models including the safety are known as the 950 BS. These little pistols are still widely available used at bargain prices and they are often carried for defense.

The Beretta Minx and Jetfire are of good quality, surprisingly accurate for their diminutive size, fun to shoot, and they are easy to carry in a trouser pocket or tucked over a sun visor. These qualities and the modest cost of .22 Short ammunition makes the Minx one of my favorite mouse guns. Over the years, I have often carried a Minx which not only accounted for itself during impromptu plinking sessions but proved useful for dispatching snakes and other vermin.

Although I am a fan of the Minx, it is less reliable than the Jetfire because of the rimfire ignition of the .22 Short cartridge. Rimfire cartridges are more prone to misfiring than are centerfire cartridges and this is fact, not theory. If you shoot enough rimfire ammunition, you will encounter misfires which may or may not ignite following a double strike. With most semi-automatic pistols, a simple jam clearing drill will remedy a misfire and keep the pistol in operation. This is not the case with the Minx or the Jetfire because their design does not include an extractor.

To clear a misfire from a Beretta 950, it is necessary to tip the barrel. Usually, a loaded cartridge will fall free of the chamber due to the weight of the bullet, but if it does not, it must be either plucked or poked out. Thereafter, a fresh cartridge can be loaded into the chamber or the action can be closed to allow the slide to be racked in order to chamber a fresh round from the magazine. This is a minor inconvenience on the range and even when shooting at a snake some distance away; however, in a defensive situation, this awkward clearing regimen can prove fatal.

The Beretta Jetfire is a better choice for defense than the Minx because misfires are less likely to occur with the centerfire .25 ACP cartridge. However, they are still a possibility and a stoppage caused by a misfire should be carefully reflected upon before either are employed for defense. Likewise, it should be noted that neither the .22 Short nor the .25 ACP offer much in the way of stopping power and any ballistic differences between the two cartridges are more academic than practical. In other words, both are weak cartridges, good shot placement is essential, and the significant possibility of either failing to stop an assailant should not be discounted.

Another point that should be considered before selecting either the Minx or the Jetfire as a defensive pistol is the single action design. Single actions must be cocked before the first round is fired. The design of the Beretta 950 did not originally include a safety; rather a half cock notch on the hammer was provided instead. The safety on the 950 BS is somewhat of an afterthought that I do not particularly trust and I find it small and awkward to use. Thus, for me, the Minx and Jetfire are not suitable for "cocked and locked" carry as is standard for single actions like the Colt 1911 A1 and Browning Hi-Power.

The Beretta 950 Minx and Jetfire are good quality pistols that are still available at bargain prices even though they have been out of production for nearly a decade. They are fun to shoot and the Minx makes a better shooter due to the affordability of .22 Short ammunition while the Jetfire is a better choice for defense due to the more reliable, centerfire ignition of the .25 ACP cartridge. Before selecting either for a defensive application, the limitations of both their designs and the cartridges for which they are chambered should be carefully considered.

The Mossberg 500 Special Purpose Persuader for Defense and Survival

Hurricane Katrina provided a glaring example of the jeopardy that can become present when typical municipal services are disrupted by a natural disaster. A successful terrorist attack could cause a man-made disaster of greater proportions, resulting in even lengthier disruptions of services. Current economic turmoil and political tension present realistic concerns regarding civil unrest and images of the mayhem of the Los Angeles Riots of 1992 easily come to mind. In such situations, a reliable and effective firearm could be invaluable to the preservation of self and family. Those who have not included a firearm in their emergency or “survival” preparations due to tight, recessionary budgets should consider the Mossberg 500 Special Purpose Persuader.

Introduced in 1961, the Mossberg 500 has proven itself to be a reliable pump action shotgun that remains popular with hunters and law enforcement agencies alike. With the addition of a metal safety, metal trigger guard, and bayonet lug, the Mossberg 500 became the 590A1 which is used by the U.S Military. In its Special Purpose Persuader form, the Mossberg 500 provides a proven, no nonsense, defense ready 12 gauge platform with an 18 inch cylinder bore barrel, three inch chamber, five shot magazine (with 2 and ¾ inch shells), and a bead front sight that can occasionally be purchased new for under $300 and for substantially less when found used. This is quite a bargain, considering the well regarded effectiveness of the twelve gauge shotgun as a short range defensive weapon (about twenty-five yards with buckshot and about forty yards with rifled slugs shot with a bead sight).

While primarily configured for defense, (i.e. as a “riot gun”) the Mossberg 500 Special Purpose Persuader does have the flexibility to take a variety of game from squirrels to deer with proper ammunition within the modest effective ranges provided by its cylinder bore and bead sight. Some, who interpret survival as foraging for food and living off of the land, may criticize these limitations. However, for most, survival will mean either weathering the storm until services are restored or evacuating to a safer location, perhaps to the homes of friends or relatives, as quickly as possible. In either instance, taking game will be happenstance at best, dictated by opportunity, circumstance, and individual hunting skills (or lack thereof). Thus, while the option to collect game could be valuable, the primary purpose of a firearm that is incorporated into emergency preparations (especially if only one firearm is available) should be defense and the Mossberg 500 Special Purpose Persuader is well suited for this role.

Sometimes, the Mossberg 500 Special Purpose Persuader comes with a pistol grip that can be optionally installed in place of the butt in order to convert it to the more compact, Cruiser version. Some will be tempted by this because it looks “cool”, allows the shotgun to be stored in a tight space, and perhaps even carried in some duffel bags or backpacks. Unfortunately, this greatly compromises the effectiveness and utility of the shotgun by rendering it awkward and best suited for extremely close ranges. A better solution which provides a compact package without sacrificing serviceability is a folding or collapsible stock as manufactured by Knoxx SpecOps and ATI, respectively.

Shotguns are occasionally recommended for the unskilled and chosen for defensive applications with the erroneous belief that all that is necessary is to point one in the general direction of the target, pull the trigger, and the scattering shot will do the rest. Nothing could be further from the truth and it is quite possible to miss with a shotgun, even at very close range. Shotguns require the same commitment to safety and the acquisition and maintenance of fundamental marksmanship skills that are necessary for the effective use of any firearm. Additionally, if a pump action shotgun such as the Mossberg 500 Special Purpose Persuader is chosen for a defensive application, combat loading from a shell carrier is a skill that must be learned and practiced so that the shotgun can be kept in action in the event that the magazine runs dry.

The Mossberg 500 Special Purpose Persuader is a proven design that is reliable yet inexpensive enough to be acquired despite the constraints of a lean budget. It offers the flexibility necessary to provide for both opportune foraging and effective self defense in emergency situations, provided one develops the skills necessary to effectively use it. The Mossberg 500 Special Purpose Persuader should not be overlooked as a viable tool for self defense and survival, especially if one is limited to just a single firearm.

Double Barreled Shotguns for Defense

Double barreled shotguns are not considered ideal defensive weapons amongst "experts" of all levels because of their limited fire power. The double barrel provides only two rounds of ammunition before reloading is necessary while pumps and semi-automatics generally have a capacity of six rounds (one in the chamber and five in an unplugged magazine). However, old yet serviceable double barreled shotguns are found in many homes, often having been handed down through the family, and their usefulness as a defensive tool should not be discounted.

Whether considered ideal for defense or not, any serviceable firearm at hand is better than being unarmed in the face of an emergency. In the case of double barreled shotguns, two rounds of buckshot will provide a very substantial response to an attack, provided they hit the target. One 2 and 3/4 inch round of 00 buckshot for a 12 gauge shotgun provides nine .33 caliber pellets and one 2 and 3/4 inch round of number 3 buckshot for a 20 gauge shotgun provides twenty .25 caliber pellets that are delivered all at once.

Double barreled shotguns provide five advantages that mitigate their perceived deficiencies: 1. They are very simple to operate which is an advantage to someone who is not a firearms enthusiast and regular shooter. 2. Effectively two guns in one, their robust actions are unlikely to suffer broken parts and, if they do, both barrels are not likely to fail. 3. Double barreled shotguns will never jam. 4. Short barreled coach guns with 20 inch barrels or less are handier in confined spaces than are pumps and semi-automatics because the length of their actions provide a shorter overall length. 5. Psychologically, the twin muzzles, which scream "shotgun", are quite intimidating, underscoring street knowledge of the devastating damage that a "gauge" can affect on flesh and blood. These advantages allow them to defend the homestead just as well now as they did one hundred years ago.