Blog

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: Smith & Wesson’s dominance in the .357 Mag. market changed forever in 1955; however, when Colt introduced its first revolver chambered in .357 Mag: the Python. By all accounts, Colt executives also considered this to be the finest revolver the company produced at the time. No expense was spared in the manufacturing process, from the revolver’s timing and lock-up to its Royal Blue finish, this would be the pinnacle of Colt’s manufacturing prowess and …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The firearm is chambered in a .22 Long Rifle and is equipped with a 6° profile barrel designed for precision and accuracy. However, due to its export status, detailed specifications are scarce, and no examples have been found in the United States. This particular model, identified by the product code 170066, is known as the "Target Champion," with approximately 235 units manufactured and exported to Wischo in Germany between 1995 and 1996. Additionally, another varia …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Colt Detective Special, first introduced in 1927, quickly became an iconic revolver known for its compact design, reliable performance, and strong association with law enforcement. It was developed as a variant of the Colt Police Positive Special, which had been one of Colt's most successful revolver designs. The Detective Special featured a 2-inch barrel and was specifically aimed at police detectives and undercover officers, providing them with a small but powerful …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Smith & Wesson Model 57, introduced in 1964, is a large-frame, double-action revolver chambered for the powerful .41 Magnum cartridge. Designed primarily for law enforcement, the Model 57 was created to fill a perceived performance gap between the .357 Magnum and the .44 Magnum. This new caliber, advocated by firearms experts Elmer Keith, Bill Jordan, and Skeeter Skelton, was intended to offer better recoil control and more manageable stopping power than the .44 …

Bryant Ridge's analysis: The Smith & Wesson Model 27, initially introduced as the Registered Magnum in 1935, holds a significant place in the history of revolvers, particularly within the .357 Magnum category. Featuring a large N-frame, carbon steel construction, and a robust six-shot cylinder, it was designed to handle the powerful .357 Magnum cartridge, which was a revolutionary advancement in its time. The Registered Magnum was a custom-order revolver, allowing for a variety of barrel len …