Bonnie & Clyde’s Final shootout $5.95 OUTSIDE US $9.50 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009 ® REFINED POWER GRP/GRP RECON TauruS 4 . 5 1911 NI
Super Hawg.Super Shooter Super Hawg Pictured: Single-Action, Only the SUPER HAWG from Para delivers: You get more velocity and m
Cover Photo: Chuck Pittman, Inc. Volume 33 • Number 6 • Issue 202 NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2009 48 48 TURNBULL RESTORATION ROY HUNTIN
52 DEPARTMENTS 30 THE AYOOB FILES MASSAD AYOOB The death of Bonnie and Clyde. 42 BETTER SHOOTING DAVE ANDERSON Weak-hand basics.
board of directors Thomas von Rosen, CEO; Thomas Hollander; Randy Moldé; Marjorie Young PUblisher & editor Roy Huntington Managi
SPEAKOUT liars YOUR FORUM TO PONTIFICATE, PONDER AND PROBE So the truth finally comes out. I knew in my gut there was no way 90-
SPEAKOUT polymers, but now my feet are back on the path of the rightious as my polymers gather dust and my wheelguns collect wea
No, Probably Not. Witness the destructive power of the Taurus Judge 3” MAGNUM. The most overwhelmingly successful revolver in re
SPEAKOUT controlling, problem-solvers. They have to be to maintain flight safety. These characteristics are developed through tr
SPEAKOUT with in his “Gun Room.” That old Colt served my brother well and for a long while. He was the only deputy in the county
SPEAKOUT immediately. I remain convinced, while the hardware can be interesting, without knowing the people and the stories surr
Special. The thought of shooting a cartridge that was the “pet” of folks like Skeeter, Elmer and other notables is the best part
SPEAKOUT cartridge ever owned a .44 Special? I own a S&W 696 and it’s a neat little gun, but it doesn’t get out much. My .44 Mag
“live” with their thoughts about a test gun, hunt, competition — or you just never know exactly what you might get! I’ve even ba
SPEAKOUT state stretches for hundreds of miles north to south and the changes along the way are dramatic. I will grant you that
the NRA has said or done you will hear some people say they will not join. This is incredibly shortsighted. There is only one th
WINNINGEDGE Dave Anderson SOLID ADVICE TO KEEP YOU AHEAD OF THE COMPETITION A HisTory LEssoN he city of Liége, Belgium has long
John Connor GUNCRANKDIARIES TM EXCUSES, ALIBIS, PITHY OBSERVATIONS & GENERAL EPHUS f American nurses are our “Angels of Mercy” —
“Rewrites the small-frame revolver book.” American Handgunner, May/June 2009 (Roy Huntington) “In the world of revolvers, this g
Big SightS & S recall the blasphemy at the introduction of the seven shot .38/.357 handguns. Old guys freaked, and the tactical
John Taffin HANDLOADING SAGE ADVICE FROM THE HANDLOADING GURUS Hornady, Sierra, and Speer all offer excellent jacketed bullets f
Massad Ayoob “SLow DAnce on The KiLLing grounD”: The DeAThS oF Bonnie AnD cLyDe Situation: Made celebrity criminals by the Depre
PISTOLSMITHING BUILDING FROM Start with a good quality basic gun for your dream project (like this Springfield Armory model), ra
Pure Adrenaline from Smith & Wesson. Burn through all the ammunition you want with the new M&P15-22. The authentic Military & Po
CARRYOPTIONS Sammy Reese FROM CLASSICS TO CUTTING EDGE IN CARRY METHODS Lawman Leather hen I was growing up there was nothing co
COPTALK Massad Ayoob AnAlyzing A few days before writing this, I stood at the site where two law enforcement officers had been s
TAFFINTESTS John Taffin Guncrafter Industries chambered in .50 GI (left) and .45 ACP. Note the heavier barrel in the .50 GI. THE
electing barrel length is often a major problem for the average shooter. The vast majority select middle of the road length barr
“America’s Choice in Recoil Reduction, Tools and Accessories” Taming Tough T/C Recoil. Upgrade the comfort, style and performanc
BETTERSHOOTING Dave Anderson WEAk HAnd? n shooting parlance the “strong” hand is the hand in which you normally hold and fire th
Mike “Duke” Venturino SHOOTINGIRON TM Photos: Yvonne Venturino THUMB BUSTIN’ MUSINGS FROM THE DUKE A Writer’s Worst full time wr
! W E N A stunning breakthrough in personal defense ammunition design. Concealed carry and personal defense ammunition is redefi
THE SIXGUNNER April 3, 1936 Roy Huntington, Editor American Handgunner Magazine John Taffin Dear Roy: ell I was wrong! When work
Khaki Digital Foliage Camo Khaki Main compartment and hydration compartment can accept CCW accessories #0431 SITKATM GEARSLINGER
Turnbull Resto ration Benchmark Preservation And Craftsmanship: plus a bit of magic Roy Huntington 48 WWW.AMERICANHANDGUNNER.COM
An abject lesson in finishes. The top right photo is the factory hot blue job. The top left photo is Turnbull’s color-case harde
The only magic in these pictures comes in the form of craftsmen at the Turnbull shop, there’s no “photoshop” involved. The photo
It’s not just about handguns. Here is a trio sure to warm you up. A Turnbull customer’s Ruger No.1 after their magic, and Roy’s
Many of Taffin’s .44 Specials are even older than he is; this is a 1926 Model. The is special! John 52 sTill John Taffin . 44 Fi
r Ranch .44 Special Smith & Wesson’s Thunde un. sixg se fen -de self is a superb This Triple-Lock .44 Special left the factory 1
men South Western law the especially preferred .44 Special in such sixguns as these Smith & Wesson Models 1926 and 1950. Handloa
Colt New Taffins latest .44 Special, a well. Service Target Model, shoots Heavy duty 4" .44 Specials from Smith & Wesson from bo
.30 Carbine Duke also found the Ruger Blackhawk would shoot some cast bullets accurately. Trash Vs. Terrific? This is the array
The AMT, while not up to Duke’s quality standards, at times delivered very creditable groups. This is the sort of group delivere
With some loads, usually the German made factory loads, the Ruger Blackhawk was capable of very fine accuracy. New Speer .30 Car
One of the problems Duke experienced in loading the .30 Carbine for the Ruger Blackhawk revolver was that occasionally the hamme
GRP Recon 60 GRP / WWW.AMERICANHANDGUNNER.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009
Recognizing Quality niGhthawk custom N ighthawk Custom’s rapid success in earning a place among the top custom 1911 makers has b
GRP Recon GRP / niGhthawk custom 62 WWW.AMERICANHANDGUNNER.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009
WWW.AMERICANHANDGUNNER.COM 63
Five rounds at 25 yards with Nighthawk Custom GRP Recon, Black Hills Ammunition 230 gr. JHPs. Group measures just over 1" outsid
niGhthawk custom its rails and there is no perceptible play, yet, neither is it too tight. It’s right. One of the enduring myths
66 WWW.AMERICANHANDGUNNER.COM • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2009
niGhthawk custom GRP /GRP Recon “ I no longer believe there has to be a tradeoff between accuracy and reliability. Accuracy is a
XM-18 Gen III C Pat Covert Photos: ChuCk Pittman, inC. Modular Kubaton Deluxe Set ustom knifemaker Rick Hinderer’s career has be
Flame This was in a volunteer organization so the knifemaking was still full time, even though because of the size of our dept.
The C Bud Johnson ops have them. Old time retired cops have more and better ones. Not guns, but something almost as good — stori
Bright Lights aNd JohN CoNNor www.safariland.com BeautifuL BLades What’s Not to Like? Left: Celebrated knife designer Bob Lum pa
Left: Safariland’s RLS — Rapid Light System — lives up to its name, coming off a belt, pocket or strap-clipped position to secur
Duty-ReaDy Taurus’ PaT CasCIo PT 1911 raIl-Gun The Taurus PT 1911 stainless steel model is ready for any activity, be it militar
BLACKHAWK! Target on left was the norm with most ammo tried. Target on the right, was 1.5". Gun is capable of match-grade accura
WIN! P226 9mm Pistol The P226 embossed on the grip assures the genuine product! HANDGUN OF THE MONTH SIG SAUER Conversion Kit! 7
The frame rail allows lasers, lights and accessories to be clamped on quickly and easily. Train with the .22 LR unit for cost-ef
HANDLOADING Continued from page 28 work in currently manufactured Marlin 1894s which are Ballard rifled, and they also shoot wel