It’s ironic that one of the best revolver cartridges is descended from an auto pistol. It’s also ironic that it’s one of the least known and least popular revolver cartridges. But that’s the way it is with the .45 Auto Rim (.45 AR). Even the cartridge development was backwards. Usually revolvers introduce new cartridges or and are redesigned for existing ones , in this case the revolver existed for 4 years before the cartridge was introduced.
This happened, because the in 1917, the United States declared war on the Central Powers. We were short of weapons of all types. We had the best combat handgun in the world, the Model 1911 .45 Automatic, but we did not have enough, nor could enough be made in time. Smith & Wesson chambered their large N frame revolver for the 45 ACP cartridge used in the Model 1911 pistol. Since the .45 ACP does not have a rim, it did not extract from double action swing out cylinder revolvers. A spring steel half moon clip was developed to hold the cartridges and engage the extractor. A collateral benefit was ease in loading or speed loading in combat situations. Both Colt and Smith & Wesson chambered their revolvers for the war effort and thousands served in the trenches with distinction.
After the war, a number of surplus Colt and Smith & Wesson Model 1917 were available, as well as post war production from Smith & Wesson. The .45 Auto rim cartridge was introduced in 1921 as a way to lead the revolvers with a conventional cartridge without the using the half moon clips. The .45 Auto Rim is exactly that a 45 ACP with a large thick rim. It can be hand loaded using .45 ACP data but it can handle 250 gr. bullets as well as full wad cutter designs.
Handguns chambered in .45 Auto Rim usually possess uncommon accuracy, easy to hand load, shoot well with cast bullets, have mild recoil. It may be unloved, but it’s a winner.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The AZSA link to us.
Special thanks to The American Zoot Shooters Association (AZSA) and a hearty welcome to visitors from the AZSA site. The AZSA has added Old School Guns to their links. This is an honor for me and I hope it will generate interest in classic firearms and their use in Zoot Shooting. It’s great to have a shooting sport that focuses on these great pre 1939 guns and a very interesting and romantic era in our history. The 1920s and 1930s had it all, great guns, great cars, great movies, great radio, and great fashion. It also had the Great Depression, which gave rise to some of the most exciting criminals and lawmen in our history. I have a feeling this is going to be great.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Thompson Model 1927A1
I always loved the gun that made the 20s roar. I grew up watching “The Untouchables” on TV. Robert Stack as Elliot Ness was my hero. Of course, if I had been of drinking age, I might have had different priorities! A long time ago, the prices for the original full auto Thompsons went way out of sight and my price range. I resigned myself to one on the long barrel semi auto M1927A1. Boy I’m glad I did. When I saw the machining on the finned barrel and the deep blue in the compensator I was very impressed. Overall quality was very high. It was like taking a trip back in time.
That was over 15 years ago, and I’m still crazy about the M1927A1. I have found a few things I would correct, the wood was not as contoured on the vertical grip as are the originals, the butt stock is more like the later M1 Thompson, and the rear sight was not the Lyman adjustable site that was on the original Model 1928 Thompson. So, I bit the bullet and changed out the site for an original Lyman, the butt stock and vertical grip will be addressed at a later date. The Lyman sights can be found for about $200 as of this writing. If you need one, get it now, they won’t be around forever.
There is no felt recoil, and the Model 1927A1 is very accurate. It fires the legendary 45 ACP cartridge and happily, it digests lead round nosed bullets without a problem. The hardest job is loading the magazines. The 50 round drum is a hoot, but it really is heavy. Since the Model 1927A1 fires from the closed bolt position, removing the empty drum is difficult and required the use of an metal “ third hand” device available from Auto Ordnance. The price is $7.00 and here’s the link; http://www.tommygunshop.com/cgi-bin/itemdetail.asp?itmid=295
The Thompson is big, heavy, beautifully made, and a classic in every sense. I can’t think of a gun that is more fun. Kahr Arms, which now owns Auto Ordnance, makes a couple of versions of the Model 1927A1. They include the standard model, a lightweight model with an aluminum receiver, a WW II military model and pa parkerized “Commando” model with black wood. There is also the factory made short barreled rifle(SBR) that can be purchased with additional BATF-E paperwork (in most states). The cost of this SBR is $2,500, a lot less than the conversion cost for a standard Model 1927A1. Very fun!
That was over 15 years ago, and I’m still crazy about the M1927A1. I have found a few things I would correct, the wood was not as contoured on the vertical grip as are the originals, the butt stock is more like the later M1 Thompson, and the rear sight was not the Lyman adjustable site that was on the original Model 1928 Thompson. So, I bit the bullet and changed out the site for an original Lyman, the butt stock and vertical grip will be addressed at a later date. The Lyman sights can be found for about $200 as of this writing. If you need one, get it now, they won’t be around forever.
There is no felt recoil, and the Model 1927A1 is very accurate. It fires the legendary 45 ACP cartridge and happily, it digests lead round nosed bullets without a problem. The hardest job is loading the magazines. The 50 round drum is a hoot, but it really is heavy. Since the Model 1927A1 fires from the closed bolt position, removing the empty drum is difficult and required the use of an metal “ third hand” device available from Auto Ordnance. The price is $7.00 and here’s the link; http://www.tommygunshop.com/cgi-bin/itemdetail.asp?itmid=295
The Thompson is big, heavy, beautifully made, and a classic in every sense. I can’t think of a gun that is more fun. Kahr Arms, which now owns Auto Ordnance, makes a couple of versions of the Model 1927A1. They include the standard model, a lightweight model with an aluminum receiver, a WW II military model and pa parkerized “Commando” model with black wood. There is also the factory made short barreled rifle(SBR) that can be purchased with additional BATF-E paperwork (in most states). The cost of this SBR is $2,500, a lot less than the conversion cost for a standard Model 1927A1. Very fun!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Up swing in activity!
This blog is catching on. Feel free to leave comments or become a follower and get the latest information. Here are some places on the web I go to get information.
For Zoot Shooting and the 1920s-1930s lifestyle I go to:
www.zootshooters.com
www.thefedoralounge.com
http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/mens_victorian_clothing.php
http://kahrtalk.com/american-zoot-shooters-association/
For Cowboy action and Western History:
www.jessejames.org
www.cascity.com
http://www.sassnet.com/forums/
For military rifles and pistols:
www.jouster.com
www.gunboards.com
http://luger.gunboards.com/
For single actions and black powder:
www.singleactions.com
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/index.php?
For Zoot Shooting and the 1920s-1930s lifestyle I go to:
www.zootshooters.com
www.thefedoralounge.com
http://www.gentlemansemporium.com/mens_victorian_clothing.php
http://kahrtalk.com/american-zoot-shooters-association/
For Cowboy action and Western History:
www.jessejames.org
www.cascity.com
http://www.sassnet.com/forums/
For military rifles and pistols:
www.jouster.com
www.gunboards.com
http://luger.gunboards.com/
For single actions and black powder:
www.singleactions.com
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/index.php?
Monday, October 18, 2010
I took the plunge and joined the Zoot Shooters.
A few weeks ago I wrote about a new shooting sport centered on fun and enjoyment called Zoot Shooting. I took the plunge and joined and I can’t wait to get started, first match for me will be in the spring. The emphasis is on 1920s-1930s costuming and the fun of shooting some classic firearms like the M1927 Thompson and the Model 1911. However, there are a large number of great classic firearms that fit the period and cost a lot less. Some great values are .38 special revolvers made by Colt and Smith & Wesson; these can be found with at used gun counters all over the country at attractive prices.
As long as it is mechanically sound, these guns with some finish wear will look and perform great in Zoot Shooting. The list is too long to name but the number of firearms available as pre 1939 style is immense. Of course the gun can be of later manufacture as long as it is in approximate 1939 configuration. There is a place for revolvers and semi autos, and I think there is no clear advantage to either. For CAS shooters, the usual cowboy guns (revolvers and rifles) will work just fine, in fact so will some of the leather.
For rifles, the Thompson is available and reasonably affordable; Winchester Model 92 clones are plentiful and comparatively inexpensive. A few of the more interesting choices would be the Winchester M1907 semi auto rifle and stocked Mauser or Luger pistols.
Zoot Shooting has not yet added stages or defined in the rules which shotguns might be eligible. Cowboy double barrel and lever shotguns and the Winchester 1893,1897, 1912, would seem logical, along with Remington, Stevens, and Ithaca offerings could be very interesting.
I think the best advice is to assemble the guns now, and avoid the rush later on.
www.zootshooters.com
As long as it is mechanically sound, these guns with some finish wear will look and perform great in Zoot Shooting. The list is too long to name but the number of firearms available as pre 1939 style is immense. Of course the gun can be of later manufacture as long as it is in approximate 1939 configuration. There is a place for revolvers and semi autos, and I think there is no clear advantage to either. For CAS shooters, the usual cowboy guns (revolvers and rifles) will work just fine, in fact so will some of the leather.
For rifles, the Thompson is available and reasonably affordable; Winchester Model 92 clones are plentiful and comparatively inexpensive. A few of the more interesting choices would be the Winchester M1907 semi auto rifle and stocked Mauser or Luger pistols.
Zoot Shooting has not yet added stages or defined in the rules which shotguns might be eligible. Cowboy double barrel and lever shotguns and the Winchester 1893,1897, 1912, would seem logical, along with Remington, Stevens, and Ithaca offerings could be very interesting.
I think the best advice is to assemble the guns now, and avoid the rush later on.
www.zootshooters.com
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
The Great War
The trenches, a cold, wet, muddy world of barren landscapes, where the air was filled with poison gas, and angry steel tornados. Death, heroism, and desperation were everywhere. The trenches were the inspiration for Tolkien’s middle earth. A barren pitiless world, it was a model for Armageddon. A whole generation was lost there. It was hell on earth, which we can only imagine or see in nightmares. The Great War, it touched lives around the globe, it changed the physical and political face of two continents. It was the graveyard of several empires.
I have several guns from the Great War. Their history is unknown, except for one. I know its history; it was there in the trenches. I know this because my Grandfather carried it “Over There” and back. It’s been in our family since it was issued to my Grandfather, an Army Officer, in early 1916. He was part of the Army of the West, whose last operation was the pursuit of Poncho Vila after the infamous raid on Columbus, New Mexico.
This pistol stayed with my Grandfather from the heat and dust of Mexico to the mud of France, and 30 years beyond. It’s really in remarkable shape considering its journey through an incursion into Mexico and two World Wars. The pistol is a testament to Colt’s manufacturing and of course, John M. Browning’s timeless design. This particular one was made in 1914, almost 97 years ago. The pistol’s wear and scars bear witness to the desperate circumstances of the war. It barked at the enemy, and was in my Grandfather’s hand when he was grazed by a machinegun bullet. Now, it sits in a quiet and admired retirement. But make no mistake, it can still kick out 7 rounds of 45 ACP was well as it did in 1918. The very few people who I let view ot hold it ask me how much it’s worth. Of course, it’s priceless.
I have several guns from the Great War. Their history is unknown, except for one. I know its history; it was there in the trenches. I know this because my Grandfather carried it “Over There” and back. It’s been in our family since it was issued to my Grandfather, an Army Officer, in early 1916. He was part of the Army of the West, whose last operation was the pursuit of Poncho Vila after the infamous raid on Columbus, New Mexico.
This pistol stayed with my Grandfather from the heat and dust of Mexico to the mud of France, and 30 years beyond. It’s really in remarkable shape considering its journey through an incursion into Mexico and two World Wars. The pistol is a testament to Colt’s manufacturing and of course, John M. Browning’s timeless design. This particular one was made in 1914, almost 97 years ago. The pistol’s wear and scars bear witness to the desperate circumstances of the war. It barked at the enemy, and was in my Grandfather’s hand when he was grazed by a machinegun bullet. Now, it sits in a quiet and admired retirement. But make no mistake, it can still kick out 7 rounds of 45 ACP was well as it did in 1918. The very few people who I let view ot hold it ask me how much it’s worth. Of course, it’s priceless.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
People are Reading and Watching!
This blog has had an increasing number of page views since its inception in late august. We’re up over 600! If you like what you see please comment. If you disagree please comment also. I love the classic firearms of years past and I like to recall their times and adventures. Please recommend us to others! I believe there is a whole world of great guns that have been pushed to the background by modern tactikool fads. Somehow a U.S. Krag Carbine excites me more that a TAPCO cluttered AK.
I also believe that while firearms serve a serious purpose, guns should also be fun, a connection to history and our nation’s exciting past, and a bridge to the next generation of shooters. Take a kid shooting! After safety and marksmanship fundamentals, encourage them to shoot the guns of history. Even in a video game infested world, the real thing still has magic. They will remember these times for life.
I also believe that while firearms serve a serious purpose, guns should also be fun, a connection to history and our nation’s exciting past, and a bridge to the next generation of shooters. Take a kid shooting! After safety and marksmanship fundamentals, encourage them to shoot the guns of history. Even in a video game infested world, the real thing still has magic. They will remember these times for life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)