Vintage Hopkins & Allen 1895 Single Shot in .32-20

This review details the Hopkins & Allen Model 1889 Mauser, a crucial firearm for Belgium during WWI. It covers the unique contract circumstances, manufacturing challenges faced by Hopkins & Allen, and their eventual bankruptcy and acquisition by Marlin-Rockwell. The video highlights distinctive H&A production details and the rarity of original, unmodified examples due to post-war refurbishments.

The Chichester 'Pocket Shotgun' is a rare firearm combining a .38 caliber revolver action with a 28-gauge smoothbore barrel, manufactured by Hopkins & Allen. It features a detachable shoulder stock and a unique eye shield that doubles as a peep sight, protecting the shooter from debris. Factory modifications indicate it was produced as intended, not an aftermarket assembly, though its practical utility was limited, leading to low historical sales.

The Hopkins & Allen XL Navy is a .38 Rimfire single-action revolver, a smaller variant of the XL 8 Army. Despite sharing design elements with Merwin & Hulbert and featuring a notable 1875 'safety cylinder' patent, its production was limited due to the brand's association with lower-quality firearms. With an estimated 2,700 units produced across the XL series, it's a rare collector's item.

This review delves into the Winchester Model 1895, John Browning's final lever-action design for Winchester. Key features include its exposed hammer, smooth trigger, unique two-piece lever, straight grip stock, crescent buttplate, and a 28-inch barrel. It notably uses a box magazine, distinguishing it from tubular designs, and was produced from 1895 to 1931.

The Hopkins & Allen XL-6 is a rare .41 rimfire, 5-shot revolver notable for its early spring-loaded swing-out cylinder, a feature patented by Samuel Hopkins. Unlike other XL models, this design allowed for faster loading and extraction. Despite its advanced mechanism, the high production cost likely limited its market appeal, as Hopkins & Allen primarily targeted the budget firearm segment.

The Hopkins & Allen XL No.8 was an ambitious attempt to enter the high-end revolver market, directly challenging the Colt SAA and Smith & Wesson Model 3. Despite its quality construction, influenced by Merwin & Hulbert designs, it failed commercially due to the company's reputation for inexpensive firearms. Production ceased in 1885, making these revolvers rare today.

This video compares buckshot and birdshot for home defense scenarios, highlighting their effectiveness and penetration characteristics. At close range, both are lethal, but birdshot offers a safer option due to reduced over-penetration risk through interior walls. The Remington 870 is featured as a suitable platform.

This video provides a detailed guide on how to field strip a 1911 pistol, presented by Roy Huntington of American Handgunner. It covers the essential safety checks, step-by-step disassembly including bushing rotation and slide removal, and a reverse reassembly process. An alternative 'cheat' method is also demonstrated for quicker disassembly, along with tips on using bushing wrenches and a strong emphasis on firearm safety rules.

This video showcases a museum-quality, first-generation 1873 Colt Single Action Peacemaker revolver discovered via metal detecting in Arizona. The firearm, manufactured in 1875, exhibits significant authentic patina and wear, including a thin muzzle from holster carry, indicating heavy historical use. Its discovery among homestead ruins highlights its deep burial and preservation.

This guide advocates for a '5-minute clean' approach to modern firearms, emphasizing that intensive cleaning is often unnecessary and can cause premature wear. It details a streamlined process focusing on essential areas like the barrel chamber and slide rails, using minimal solvent and oil. The video also warns against common mistakes like over-oiling magazines, promoting efficient maintenance for reliable function.