It would not be entirely unfair to say that I am a sucker for concepts. At least when it comes to guns. But a concept has to make sense to me.
I’ve bought into Cooper’s Scout Rifle concept in a big way.
One concept that ended up not making sense to me, was the “car gun” or “truck gun”. I actually did buy into this, and bought a relatively cheap (at the time) Marlin lever action in .30-30 (the poor man’s assault rifle) to use as a “car gun” when Texas instituted legal protection for guns in cars.
But the more I thought about it, the odds of being able to fight my way out to my car, grab my rifle, and go back in to confront the big bad seemed slim. If I’m already at my car, why am I not getting out of there? And it also seemed like a recipe for a rusty or stolen gun. I’m not the only person who feels that way. (I still have that Marlin, now outfitted with XS ghost ring sights.)
Another concept that makes sense to me is the late (and I feel a pang when I say that) John Taffin’s “Perfect Packin’ Pistol”.
That’s a pretty expansive definition, but I understand where he’s coming from. My old Smith and Wesson Kit Gun is, to me, a perfect packin’ pistol for things like casual walks in the woods, plinking at cans, and maybe shooting a vicious squirrel should the occasion arise. It fits easily in a pocket. And if I had to…the mere presence of a firearm, without a shot being fired, often serves as a deterrent. Or something like that, as the “Armed Citizen” column puts it.
As the linked article notes, Lipsey’s and Ruger are introducing a special John Taffin Tribute Perfect Packin’ Pistol. (I hope you can read the article: I am a Handloader subscriber, but it comes up okay for me even though I’m not signed in. I’m using a link I got in a Wolfe Publishing email.)
When I saw that, I kind of wanted one. I still kind of do. But I walked into my gun shop one Saturday, and…
Ruger New Model Blackhawk Flattop in .45 Colt, with a .45 ACP cylinder and 4 5/8″ barrel, shipped in 2013. It was pretty much new in box with all the paperwork (as best as I can tell). No, those grips are not ivory: I believe they are “synthetic ivory”, also known as “plastic”. But they look nice. I think the whole gun looks nice.
This is pretty much the same gun as the Taffin Tribute, with (I think) three differences:
- It doesn’t have the “JT-” serial number.
- It doesn’t have the “fancy walnut stocks”. That’s not a problem. If I really want to dress it up, there are plenty of people who make fancy stocks out of various woods.
- The big thing is that it has the standard Ruger grip frame (the XR3, I believe) instead of the “Bisley” grip frame on the Taffin. (Texas Grips has a good illustration of how the grips differ between the various Ruger frames.) I understand that some folks prefer the Bisley grip frame for heavy recoiling Rugers. The good news is, as best as I can tell, you can buy a Bisley grip frame and replace the XR3 for fairly short money. I think you also need to replace the trigger and hammer as well: but if I decide I want to do that, I think it can be done for under $300 plus some not terribly complicated gunsmithing.
(This gun is also blued, not stainless steel like the one in the illustrations. But per the provided specs, Lipsey’s/Ruger do plan to offer a blued version. And as you know, Bob, I do prefer blued guns.)
One of the nice things about the Ruger is that it is designed and built to take heavier loads than, say, a vintage Colt Single Action Army from the 1920s. Ruger recommends +P ammo in the .45 ACP cylinder. The Hornady reloading guide (11th edition) has two sections for .45 Colt: one for “revolver” and one specifically for Ruger and Thompson/Center handguns. Hodgdon adds Freedom Arms to that list. You can get some thump out of this gun with the proper loads, though you do give up some velocity with the shorter barrel. “I would not hesitate to take moose and even grizzlies with this gun and cartridge. It really is that good with proper loads.”
I really like the way this gun looks and feels. Of course, the proof is in the shooting, and I haven’t shot it yet. I still have to do my taxes and prepare for a trip and other things. But I’m taking the Friday before and Monday after my birthday off, and I hope to get some range time at least one of those days.
If everything checks out when I shoot it…well…I’m thinking about sending it off to Bowen Classic Arms. At the very least, a “standard issue” package seems like a swell possible addition. (And I don’t think Ruger/Lipsey’s does those mods on out-of-the-box guns.) Perhaps some nice custom grips. I’m not thinking elephant ivory, but perhaps Goncalo Alves? For sure, a good looking holster, and I have met an engraver whose work I like…
…I may just have found my barbecue gun. Yes, it is weird for a Smith and Wesson fanboy to carry a Ruger as his barbecue gun. But thinking about it, perhaps barbecue guns are like ties. I believe most people have more than one tie, so why not more than one barbecue gun if your budget permits?
I don’t think I can get this done before the first wedding this year. Or the second wedding. But perhaps by the third, whenever that happens.
And I’ll think of John Taffin every time I wear it, and say a prayer in the Catholic tradition for the repose of his soul.
Serendipitously I picked up a new gun this week also. I traded a couple of guns that I didn’t use to my twin brother for a 30/40 Krag, a sporterized version that had a nice peep sight and a VERY nice wood stock with well done checkering on both the grip area and the front part.
I had one from my dad that was the actual carbine version that I gave to one of my sons, and this was sort of a tip of the hat to my dad’s memory.
The 45 Colt/ ACP Ruger was also promoted by Survival Guns author Mel Tappan. His preference was the ACP cylinder with Pachmayr grips in a Milt Sparks holster.
Tappan was the first one I saw to suggest loading by thumbing ACP cartridges from a Colt Government Model magazine.
I make a similar point with my new shooting students. We are training for defensive use of pistols. Generally, 3 yards – 3 seconds – 3 shots (as stated by Hickok45). Get for proficient at getting getting the gun presented and if necessary the first good hit in seconds at short distances. Measure the distance from your bedroom door to the first hard corner in the hallway. It’s not that far. If he is yelling at you from across the parking lot, get in your car and leave. Call the police when you are clear. Remember that you will have to be explaining to 12 registered voters who could not avoid jury duty why you had to make a very long pistol shot.
Pigpen51: Wow. I’ve never had a chance to handle a Krag, but I’ve heard about them. That sounds very, very cool. I would love to see photos if you’re willing to share them.
CM Smith: You know, I’ve read Survival Guns, and I think I have two copies of it, but I didn’t remember Tappan recommending the Ruger. I will have to go back and take a look. (Mel Tappan died when I was still in high school, much too young.)
Sid: Thank you. That’s sound advice, and I appreciate you confirming that I’m not crazy.