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Bryant Ridge's Analysis: When it comes to revolvers in the US, the “Big Three” of Colt, Smith and Wesson, and Ruger remain strong. However, in the 1970s, 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 continu …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Colt .22 Target Model is a semi-automatic pistol chambered in .22 Long Rifle, built to compete with the popular Ruger Mk I-III series. Manufactured between 1995 and 1999, its relatively short production run makes the Colt .22 Target both scarce and highly collectible among firearm enthusiasts. This pistol is packed with standout features that set it apart. Its 6-inch bull barrel is equipped with a ventilated rib, enhancing both accuracy and cooling during extended sh …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Ruger Old Army is a black-powder percussion revolver introduced in 1972 by the Sturm, Ruger company and manufactured through 2008. Models were made with a 7.5" and a 5.5 inch barrel. The Ruger Old Army revolver is unusual in that, unlike most percussion revolvers on the market, it was not based on a historical design but was a modification of Ruger's Blackhawk model, which was itself based upon the cartridge-firing Colt Peacemaker. The Old Army revolver accordingly i …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Detonics Combat Master was the first truly small and compact 1911-pattern pistol to be produced in significant numbers. Its introduction marked a milestone in concealed carry firearms, quickly gaining popularity, especially among law enforcement, for its diminutive size, exceptional quality, and powerful .45 ACP chambering. The Combat Master received further fame when Don Johnson’s character, Sonny Crockett, was seen carrying one in a leg holster on Miami Vice, …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Colt Pocket Nine was made for one year only, in 1999, and approximately 5000 were produced. It was discontinued for a variety of reasons, the most important being Major General Keys, USMC (ret) took over Colt and started to divest the company of civilian litigation-prone products and focused on the production of military and law enforcement products, of which there was a huge backorder. Additionally, the gun was the subject of a lawsuit by Kahr Firearms for copy …