Revolver rants

American Handgunner, July-August, 2006 by Tony Huffman Henry

I really enjoyed Clint Smith's article on the revolver (Realio, Check, May/June 2006), but they're not just for the old guys. I'm only 38 and have a real love for the wheely. Sure I have autos, but the revolver is my CCW and I always have more fun with them. Sometimes I even carry a--Gasp!--five-shot!

A.B.

Schodak N.Y.

After reading Clint Smith's article on revolvers, I was compelled to contribute some input. When I started my law enforcement career in the '70s revolvers were standard issue. My first issue gun was a Colt Trooper .38 and 158-gr. RN lead was the norm. Due to my military exposure and NRA bull's-eye shooting I was permitted to carry a Colt MK IV series 70.45, but I ran into a snag when sent to the academy--no autos! A department-issue S&W Ml9 accompanied me and it was learning time anew. After 12 weeks of training I gained an appreciation for the wheel gun and won the class top-gun award. While not having the panache of my 1911 the .357 was certainly accurate and DA shooting was fun. After changing departments a few years down the road the issue S&W 686.357 was mandated. When the 9mm craze arrived, accuracy suffered. "But, I have 16 rounds and 32 more on my belt," was the standard answer to misses. It was a lot like the M16 mentality one encountered in the military.

Now retired, I can carry what I want when I want. A 1911 seems to always be near but my fun/carry guns are big, blue and hold six rounds. My last four purchases have been an S&W M25.45 Colt, S&W M57 .41 magnum, S&W M22 .45 ACP and an S&W M28 .357. While carrying them I know I'm well armed and can hit whatever needs to be smacked--and it will stay smacked. And besides, as per HR218, I qualify whenever my old department does. It's very satisfying to watch the reaction of the new breed as "That old guy with the revolver" cleans their Glock-driven clocks.

Tony Huffman Henry

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