Zen and the Single-Shot Rifle — GMP # 166

This episode of the Guns Magazine podcast explores the enduring appeal of 'archaic' cartridges for modern shooters. Hosts Brent Wheat and Roy Huntington discuss why cartridges over a century old, such as the .44-40, .25-20, and .45 Colt, remain popular and effective. They argue against the 'fear of missing out' (FOMO) driving constant new cartridge development, emphasizing that proven designs offer value, historical connection, and reliable performance. The discussion highlights that these older cartridges are not obsolete but rather classics that continue to serve their purpose.

This video is a tribute to the late firearms writer Mike Venturino, hosted by hickok45. It highlights Venturino's significant contributions to firearms literature, particularly his passion for classic firearms like the Colt Single Action Army, single-shot rifles, lever-action rifles, and World War II era firearms. The video features shooting demonstrations of firearms Venturino favored, emphasizing his expertise and the impact he had on the shooting community.

This guide, informed by Roy Huntington, Editor of American Handgunner Magazine, details the critical differences between buckshot and birdshot for home defense. It covers their physical characteristics, penetration capabilities through walls, and effectiveness at close range. The advice emphasizes choosing a load based on concerns about over-penetration while stressing the universal importance of training, target identification, and using a light for any home defense scenario.

This guide details the field stripping process for a 1911 pistol, presented by Roy Huntington, Publisher of American Handgunner. It covers essential safety checks, step-by-step disassembly, and reassembly, emphasizing techniques to prevent damage. An alternative 'cheat' method for faster disassembly is also demonstrated, along with advice on using specialized tools for tight components.

This video showcases an exceptionally rare find: a first-generation 1873 Colt Single Action Peacemaker, discovered via metal detecting in Arizona. The expert speaker details its museum-quality condition, dating it to 1875, and analyzes the authentic patina and wear, including specific gutta-percha grip details and muzzle wear from holster friction. The firearm's discovery context among homestead ruins adds to its historical narrative.

This guide, presented by Roy Huntington, Editor of American Handgunner Magazine, outlines an efficient '5-minute clean' for modern semi-automatic pistols like the Glock 26/27. It emphasizes that over-cleaning is unnecessary and can cause premature wear. The process focuses on targeted cleaning of critical areas like the barrel and slide rails, with minimal lubrication applied only to high-friction points. Proper function checks after reassembly are also highlighted.