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Bryant Ridge's AnalysisSmith & Wesson introduced the first Model 66 in 1970. Labeled as a Combat Magnum, the revolver was chambered for the potent .357 Magnum. Built on the company’s K frame, the guns offered a balance of relatively lightweight and good durability. The gun was very similar to the popular Model 19, though with a stainless steel frame instead of one made of carbon steel. While the Model 19 remained a hot ticket with shooters and police departments, the Model 66 gained its foll …

Bryant Ridge's AnalysisThe Ruger Vaquero is a six-shot single-action revolver manufactured by Sturm, Ruger & Co. It is based on the New Model Ruger Blackhawk frame and was introduced in 1993. The revolver comes in blued steel, case colored, and a gloss stainless finish. These finishes are available with wood, hard rubber, simulated ivory, or black micarta grips and fixed sights. The demand for a more traditional single-action revolver arose with the popularity of Cowboy Action Shooting. It c …

Bryant Ridge's AnalysisWhen it comes to revolvers in the US, the “Big Three” of Colt, Smith and Wesson, and Ruger remain strong. But in the 1970’s a new company emerged and attempted to challenge these three (Smith in particular) with an innovative new design. This company was Dan Wesson and the Model 15 was that design. Founded in 1968 by Daniel B. Wesson II after the acquisition of his family company by conglomerate Bangor Punta, Wesson sought to create a company to continue the tradition of i …

Bryant Ridge's AnalysisThis example is a King Cobra Legacy Edition. The Legacy Edition was made in extremely limited quantities, with only 1,000 being produced. By the early 1980's the buying public had made it clear that they preferred stainless steel revolvers, so in 1986 Colt upgraded the Trooper Mark V to stainless steel and changed the barrel to a full under lug shrouded type. Other then the barrel profile and use of stainless, the gun is the same as the Mark V. Colt named the new model the …

Bryant Ridge's AnalysisFreedom Arms is a firearms manufacturing company based in Freedom, Wyoming. They are known for producing powerful single-action revolvers. The company was founded in 1978 by Wayne Baker and Dick Casull with the aim of producing the Mini revolver and later a revolver chambered in Casull's powerful .454 Casull chambering. The Model 83, a 5-shot revolver, was the result. Apart from their revolvers, Freedom Arms currently makes a single-shot pistol. The Freedom Arms Model …