Smith & Wesson is well known for the J, K, L, and N frame platforms. But what about the forgotten M frame? Behold, the .22 Hand Ejector! Introduced in 1902, it was the spiritual successor to Smith & Wesson's first revolver, the Model 1. (1/5)

Last weekend's range trip got rained out. No worries ... this goodie from Smith & Wesson just arrived, upping the stakes for this weekend's trip! #smithwesson #smithandwesson #smithandwessonpartner #22X #22LR #pewpew #rimfire #rangeday

Mmmmm. Look what I'm taking to the range this weekend. #rangetime #rangeday #pewpew #357magnum #38special #revolver #revolvers #frenchguns

Canadian-born brothers Henry and Louis Hammond were the namesake of this oddity from the Connecticut Arms Company: the Hammond "Bulldog" pistol. Holding a single round of .44 rimfire and loading with this curious swiveling breech (which the Hammond brothers had patented) ... 🧵

Smith & Wesson and Lipsey's absolutely hit it out of the ballpark with the Model 610 Mountain Gun. This embodies everything that S&W is: one of the world's most iconic revolver frames (the N frame dates back to 1908!), the 10mm Auto cartridge (Jeff Cooper is smiling down on us) ... 🧵

The Radom P64: When Polish engineers saw the elegant Walther PP and said 'Hold my vodka, we can make this uglier AND weaker.' This 1969 communist brick is about to prove that sometimes the best guns are the ones that look like they were designed by committee. Range day incoming! 🔫

Plot twist: a Norinco Type 54 ChiCom just landed in my hands and I'm not mad about it 👀 Looks like it was finished with a cardboard budget, but the build quality is solid and that modular FCU? Those crafty Soviets were playing 4D chess decades ago. Now just waiting for Tok ammo to feed this beast 🔥

A Remington R51 cheaper than Applebee's for 2. Famous last words: The internet is exaggerating. The internet wasn't exaggerating. It makes farm equipment look ergonomic. Shoots like a shopping cart going down stairs. 10/10 would not recommend unless you enjoy suffering. #BuyerBeware #9mm #GunFail

This 1984 @Smith_WessonInc Model 10 probably spent a few decades on duty. Grip worn nearly smooth from endless draws, but drop some oil in and watch it stack bullets at 25 yards. Peak reliability never goes out of style. #smithwesson #smithandwesson #smithandwessonpartner #38special #rangetime

Finally put this WW2-era Colt Commando through its paces 🎯 Smith & Wesson pushes, Colt pulls—like stepping off a plane in a foreign country where everything's backwards. This beauty came straight from the original family, untouched since the postwar era. 🧵

Texas Department of Corrections didn't mess around in '81. Smith & Wesson Model 65 with gonçalo alves grips. .357 Magnum thunder in a K-frame package. Fixed sights: all business. This is what "institutional badass" looks like. 💀🔥 #smithandwessonpartner #smithandwesson #357magnum #lawenforcement

No, you're not seeing things—this is a COPPER-PLATED Smith & Wesson New Model 3! 🔥 One of only TWO ever made by the factory, shipped to Philly in February 1904. The wild copper finish? Inspired by Walter Winans, an Olympic shooting gold-medalist who basically invented being cool with a revolver. 🧵

In 1911 California gun dealer Phil Bekeart had an idea. Take Smith & Wesson's .32 revolver → chamber it in .22 LR → add target sights = INSTANT SUCCESS 🎯 The .22/32 Heavy Frame Target was born and today's Models 317, 63, & 43C carry that legacy. #smithwesson #smithandwesson #smithandwessonpartner

Plot spoiler: I didn't attend a Coldplay concert over the past week. Just a lot of range time with this Smith & Wesson PC1911 chambered in God's Caliber. #smithwesson #smithandwesson #smithandwessonpartner #M1911 #45ACP #GodsCaliber #rangetime #pewpew

Found this 1942 Colt Commando and it's got CHARACTER. 🔥 Timing puts it right in the sweet spot for both Army and Defense Supply Corp shipments, and there *might* be an OSS connection. The barrel wear tells me this baby saw action - no safe queen here!

Nambu 14 range report: Fed her some Bannerman ammo and she purred like a kitten 🐱 FDR-era springs still going strong but ordered backups from Wolff (trust but verify, right?). Trigger pull could tow a trailer but accuracy was a chef's kiss 👨‍🍳💋 #VintageGuns #ClassicFirearms #HistoricPistols #MilSurp

🔫 Finally took the Coonan .45 to the range and OH BOY was that a plot twist! Looks like a 1911? ✅ Shoots like a 1911? ❌ That linkless barrel hits different - snappier recoil that'll catch you off guard if you're used to the classic 1911 clickety-clack. Not bad, just... weird? 🧵

A friend found grandpa's Ruger Mark II in the attic. "Can you check this out for me?" Everyone acts like early Mark pistols are rocket science to disassemble (and reassemble). They're not. It takes patience, sure, but it's no worse than a 1911. 🧵

1860s ammo game was BRUTAL. Two of these cartridge companies didn't survive the decade. The other two? Early Union Metallic before they dominated the market. All made .22 rimfire for the Smith & Wesson Model 1. (Yes, that's a .44 DA in the pic—sue me, I didn't have a Model 1 lying around.)

Weekend revelations from a spontaneous Smith & Wesson shootout: Had revolvers with 6, 7, and 8-round cylinders side by side. The difference is striking—that 8-rounder absolutely dwarfs the 6. More capacity = more bulk for carry, but damn if those extra rounds don't feel good.

Still thinking about the yesterday's range trip and the gun in the middle. 🔥 The new Smith & Wesson Model 19 is everything a revolver should be - no internal lock, buttery smooth trigger pull, and that classic full square butt grip that just feels right in your hands. 🧵

Accidental triple threat at the range today! Packed the 586 L-Comp, forgot about the 327 TRR and Model 19 hiding in my bag. Three Smith & Wesson frames, three cylinder capacities, three barrel lengths—all fed the same .38 Special diet.

Plot twist: The Smith & Wesson Model 19 Carry Comp has a bigger brother, and he lifts. 💪 Meet the 586 L-Comp - 7 rounds of .357 thunder, beefier build, and a compensated barrel that says "muzzle rise? not today." Only 1.7oz heavier but 100% more confidence.

🔫 The Smith & Wesson .32 New Departure (1888-1940) was a groundbreaking top-break revolver that earned its name from S&W's departure from traditional grip safety designs. Featured automatic ejection, smooth double-action trigger, and became a popular choice for both civilians and law enforcement.

✨ It’s been a minute, my friends — and what a ride it’s been! One of the highlights? Last week’s Smith & Wesson Collectors Association annual symposium, where the world’s finest Smith & Wesson firearms came together under one roof. If you missed it... well, you missed history on display.

Simple, straightforward, and tack-drivingly accurate—the Ed Brown Classic Custom. It never fails to deliver ... and after 12 years and at least 4,000 rounds down the pipe, it still doesn't miss a beat. #edbrown #M1911A1 #45ACP #rangetime #tackdriver #pewpew

I really, really like shooting this Smith & Wesson Model 327 TRR8. 8 rounds in the wheel is a lot of fun, and it's dead nuts accurate. The rubber grip it came with was fine, but this Pau Ferro Hogue seemed befitting. #smithwesson #smithandwesson #smithandwessonpartner #38special #357magnum #8shots

Ruger Mark IV. All of the goodness of the earlier Ruger target pistols, but field stripping it takes seconds and detail stripping it doesn't make you want to hurl it across the room. What's your target pistol this weekend? #rangetime #ruger #markiv #22lr #targetshooting #plinking

Shooting this Clark custom Colt 1911 was a mixed bag. The bull barrel locks up tightly, and the compensator adds a good bit of heft that helps absorb recoil. But the Wilson Combat sights need some love. #colt #colt1911 #45acp #projectgun #targetshooting #rangeday #pewpew

Finally had a chance to shoot this early postwar Smith & Wesson .38-44 Heavy Duty revolver from 1947. No surprise that the heft of the N frame did a splendid job of absorbing the recoil. The action was supple in all of the right ways, and I was surprised at how good (1/2)

Back around 2002, I bought my first revolver: a Smith & Wesson Model 60. That was the revolver that taught me much of what I know about revolver shooting. I regret that I sold it some years later to help with a house downpayment. #smithwesson #smithandwesson #smithandwessonpartner #sundaygunday

A brand new no-lock Model 36. Thank you, Smith & Wesson. #smithwesson #smithandwesson #smithandwessonpartner #38special #snubbie #sundaygunday

Been a lot going on lately, so it was great to get out to the range with this Smith & Wesson Model 19. Great to see no-lock revolvers coming back into production. #smithwesson #smithandwesson #smithandwessonpartner #model19 #38special #357magnum #kframe #revolver #revolvers #pewpew

Not just any Smith & Wesson M&P40C, but one from the personal collection of Ed Brown. Ed sadly passed away last September, and his family is now selling off some of Ed's guns. This was good of a deal to pass up. #smithwesson #smithandwesson #smithandwessonpartner #edbrown #edbrown1911

This "chopped up" Colt 1911 came on my radar a few weeks ago for a pittance. My eagle eye spotted the "Clark's" signature on the barrel ... and sure enough: it's a full Jim Clark compensated bull barrel build on a 1984-vintage Colt Mark IV Series 80 chassis. (1/2)

Back in 2002—long before I was an arms historian and interested in these things—I bought my first revolver. It was a Smith & Wesson Model 60. That was the revolver that introduced me to recreational marksmanship, to competitive shooting, to reloading, and to the culture in general. (1/3)

"Firearms in American History, Volume II" was written by Charles Winthrop Sawyer, who was one of America's earliest historic firearms experts. Dr. Sawyer's collection was extensive, and his books offer a glimpse into early firearms scholarship (what us history nerds call "historiography"). (1/3)

Getting to shoot this IMI Jericho 941FS was a comedy of errors. First, the seller accidentally sent the wrong magazine with it. In my impatience I ordered a mew magazine for it and discovered that the polymer-frame 941 magazines _do not_ fit the steel frame 941s. (1/5)

Hi there! Last week I had a lovely trip to see the good folks at Smith & Wesson, and more good stuff should be coming from that trip shortly. In the meantime ... I had an early Mardi Gras celebration at the range yesterday with these two gems along: (1/3)

Quiet day at the range today with this Smith & Wesson Model 327 TRR8 and some .38 Special hand-loaded with 148 grain hollow base wadcutters. Back in 2002 when I started reloading, I was using nothing more than a Lee Precision "Classic Loader" kit, a bit of case lube, and a brass hammer. (1/3)

I've had a love/hate relationship with the CZ75 platform, but those IMI Jericho 941FS wandered along and I figured I'd give it a shot! For a pistol with a 3.8" barrel, it clocks in at a hefty two pounds (without magazine and ammo). And I'm not crazy about the ergonomics of the controls. (1/2)

Finally got the Palmetto State Armory Dagger Compact out to the range yesterday. The place was absolutely swamped with people (was there a gun show nearby?), but I squeezed off about a hundred rounds to give it an initial workout. (1/4)

Back in the day when I was a wee little thing and just starting out in firearms journalism, Palmetto State Armory was the first company that agreed to send me something to write about. I'm still grateful that they took that chance on me. (1/3)

So I'm going about my day and minding my own business, and this message comes in out of nowhere. I mean, who wouldn't want to see me displaying historic firearms in an attractive swimsuit? I'm not sure if I should go with 1 piece or 2 piece. #swingandfail #miss #spam #rubbish #swimsuits #gunporn

I took this little Spanish "Vesta" to the range and was surprised how much fun it was to shoot. It was one of the many Colt 1903 Pocket Hammerless knockoff pistols made in the early 20th century in the Eibar region of northern Spain, and this particular one bears the star marks of ... (1/3)

Here's a nice way to start the day. Smith & Wesson prewar .38 Military & Police Target at the range, pushing 158 grain .38 Special LRN loads. No surprise that the bullseyes were well shredded. #smithwesson #smithandwesson #smithandwessonpartner #38mp #38special #leadroundnose #rangetime #pewpew

This serendipitously popped up ... a nice prewar Smith & Wesson .38 Military & Police Target. The "Target" refers to this revolver having an adjustable rear sight and a large Patridge front sight, unlike the M&P's usual fixed rear sight and half-moon front sight. (1/3)

Yes, we have accumulated snow on the ground here in Louisiana. No, I'm not happy about it. In an earlier post I talked about distrubutors. Phil Bekeart was one such distributor, who in 1911 asked Smith & Wesson to produce a batch of .32 Hand Ejector revolvers chambered in .22 LR. (1/6)

I love it when I go to the range and someone leaves expensive targets up! Especially ones that don't have a lot of shots in them, and all of the colored patches are unused. This Smith & Wesson Model 617 is the perfect Sunday plinking revolver. Fitted with a 4" barrel and a large rubber grip .. (1/3)

Growing up in the middle of a sugar maple forest has endeared me to blonde colored woods. I love that Ruger offers the venerable 10/22 rifle in birch, and I think the stainless looks great on top. What's your 10/22 story? #ruger #ruger1022 #22lr #pewpew #pliking #rangetime #rangeday #rifle #rifles