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Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Colt Single Action Army (also known as the Model P, Peacemaker, M1873, Single Action Army, SAA, ) is a single-action revolver with a revolving cylinder holding six metallic cartridges. It was designed for the U.S. government service revolver trials of 1873 by Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company, today Colt’s Manufacturing Company, and adopted as the standard military service revolver until 1892. It is perhap …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Colt Diamondback revolver, introduced in 1966, was designed to be a premium, small-frame revolver resembling the highly regarded Colt Python but scaled down. Built on Colt's "D" frame, which was also used for models like the Detective Special, the Diamondback was equipped with high-quality features such as a long, grooved target hammer, target-style walnut grips, and the Colt Accro adjustable sight. Its barrel, inspired by the Python, was produced on the same machine …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: Fit Feel, Finish, Features, and Functions. There have been a number of changes to the PPK design over the years. Some would call them refinements; others would say perversions. Yet most will agree that the .22 long rifle PPK is a different animal entirely from the original PPK design. This PPK/S has a longer grip, a lighter slide, and several changes internally to make it function as a rimfire pistol, such as a different extractor, firing pin, hammer, strut ass …

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 …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Smith & Wesson Model 29 is a six-shot, double-action revolver chambered for the powerful .44 Magnum cartridge. Manufactured by Smith & Wesson, the Model 29 was initially introduced in 1955 and became iconic after Clint Eastwood’s portrayal of "Dirty Harry" Callahan in the 1971 film Dirty Harry. At the time of its release, the Model 29 was the most powerful production handgun, though it was eventually surpassed by firearms chambered for even larger …