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Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Winchester Model 1894 rifle, also known as the Winchester 94 or Model 94, is a lever-action repeating rifle that was designed by John Browning in 1894. It originally used two metallic black powder cartridges, the .32-40 Winchester and .38-55 Winchester, but in 1895, it became the first rifle to use the smokeless powder round, the .30 WCF (Winchester Center Fire), which later became known as the .30-30. The rifle was produced by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company u …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Colt New Frontier is a remarkable single-action revolver that first made its debut in 1961, with a design that would go on to define an era of revolver craftsmanship. Revived after a long hiatus since Colt ceased production of single-action revolvers during World War II to focus on military arms, the New Frontier was introduced with the intention of providing a high-end, target-sighted variant of the iconic Colt Single Action Army. Named after the slogan popularized …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Winchester Model 70, often called "The Rifleman's Rifle," is a legendary bolt-action sporting rifle that has been a cornerstone of American hunting and shooting culture since its introduction in 1936. Known for its superior craftsmanship and reliability, the Model 70 features an action similar to that of Mauser rifles, a design developed from the earlier Winchester Model 54. Originally produced by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company from 1936 to 1980, the Model 70 …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Smith & Wesson Model 59 is a historically notable double-action semi-automatic pistol, produced between 1972 and 1981. It was developed as an evolution of the earlier Model 39, incorporating a wider frame to accommodate a high-capacity, 14-round double-stack magazine—an innovative feature at the time. Initially designed to meet U.S. Navy requirements for a large-capacity combat pistol, the Model 59 directly descends from the Model 39 and shares lineage with …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Browning Auto-5—commonly referred to as the A-5—is a landmark in firearms history and widely recognized as the world’s first truly successful semi-automatic shotgun. Designed by the legendary John Moses Browning and introduced in 1905, the Auto-5 revolutionized shotgun technology and set a performance standard that would endure for nearly a century. Produced continuously until 1998, its innovative long-recoil operating system and unique design earne …