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Changes are Coming- To filter the inevitable spambots and internet fools, we set up Visitor Comments to be approved before they are displayed. I check that a couple of times a day, approve nearly all and reply to most of them. Just yesterday, we discovered Comments aren’t displaying properly. The theme apparently did not keep up with web browser advancements, so it will be changed. Please bear with us. We appreciate the good folks who still visit here and we appreciate your input.

“Nine-tenths of tactics are certain, and taught in books: but the irrational tenth is like the kingfisher flashing across the pool, and that is the test of generals. It can only be ensured by instinct, sharpened by thought practicing the stroke so often that at the crisis it is as natural as a reflex.” ~ T. E. Lawrence 

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The Sixgun Journal is a compilation of articles written by me, Steve Sargent. They are intended to assist novice users of firearms in general, with an emphasis on Single Action Revolvers and 1911 pistols. There are also several articles on firearm safety, marksmanship and related topics. I hope you find something of interest or value to you. Now let’s get the lawyer crap out of the way:

Legal Disclaimer

Since the concepts of personal responsibility and common sense seem to be all but dead in these dawning years of the 21st century, it is probably prudent for me to make a few points here.

This site offers sensible discourse on the safe, sane and lawful use of firearms, for recreation, hunting and self-defense. This isn’t Disneyland. Trees die to make targets, and really nice sets of grips. Animals die to make food, or when they threaten the safety of people or domestic animals. They also die from disease, over-population and starvation when people don’t hunt them. Predatory people have to be shot sometimes too, to prevent them from hurting or killing other, innocent people. This happens because the bad people have made a conscious choice to engage in conduct that is harmful to others, and in the process they expose themselves to the lawful use of deadly force. Unpleasant business, but the choice is theirs. They can certainly choose to avoid the reprehensible conduct that exposes them to it.

Reading about this stuff will not cause your children to be born naked and toothless. They are born that way anyhow. But if you are squeamish about any of these subjects, you would be better off somewhere else.

YOU and YOU ALONE are responsible for the lawful and safe application of any information or ideas, which you glean from my writings. You are responsible for determining what is lawful and safe wherever you are, at any given time. Possession of handguns, for instance, is legal where I live. I am told that there are still places in this nation where the simple possession of a handgun is a felony offense. What is legal in here in Missouri won’t necessarily be legal in “New Yawk Sitty”, or anywhere else. Don’t cry to me if you get your tail in a wringer because you didn’t ask somebody, like BATF, your local Prosecutor, or your state Attorney General, before engaging in a course of conduct that turns out to be illegal. One more time- YOU and YOU ALONE are responsible for the lawful and safe application of any information or ideas, which you glean from my writings.

Reloading data– you will occasionally find here specific reloads that I have used, that were safe in my guns, using my components, with me putting them together carefully. These reloads may be unsafe in your guns, especially if you don’t put them together carefully. Wanna reload? Buy manuals from the people who make the equipment, powder and components. Many offer a handbook for free. Then, start at the lowest powder charge listed and work your way up, observing the guidelines that they offer. There is absolutely no excuse for building an unsafe reload. For my money, the single best source of reloading information on the web is

 http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp 

Thank you for looking in. Be careful, and have fun. You really can do both if you follow a few simple rules and use the common sense that the Good Lord gave you.

PS- I am not responsible for “typos”. You would have to see me typing to fully appreciate this. See the first sentence, in red, at the beginning and end of paragraph five.

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31 Comments

  1. Josejose Salas

    February 23, 2012

    I hope you can help me, just bought a Virginian Dragoon special, 44 magnum. 16 April 1974, was wondering what the sun looking symbol is on the left side of the weapon under the cylinder is. It is in excellent condition and I paid 300$ for it?

  2. keith mckinley (3shots)

    February 24, 2012

    Wow ! I’m glad your back on the web. I though sixgun journal was gone. I have enjoyed your articles . Jethro bodine ballistics lab is a favorite.

  3. Mike

    October 1, 2012

    Hey if you need photography done I would be happy to do it for you. I am not Ansell Adams, I can do a decent job. I have the filters that will cut the glare off your guns. Cool website, too. I enjoyed reading your aricles.

    • Sarge

      October 6, 2012

      Thanks Mike. I’ve looked at some of your photography on the web and it is very good.

      My guns are all pretty common stuff- but when a certain friend of mine gets his Reeder in… now that’s a different story. I figured you’d like to take those photos yourself and I’d be glad to use them, if you will.

      Thank you for the compliment and I’m glad you enjoyed your visit here. See you in a day or two if I don’t get rained out.

  4. 336bl

    November 21, 2012

    Thank you for your blog–your opinion is important–much blessings–Happy Thanksgiving… 🙂

  5. Sarge

    November 23, 2012

    Thanks, 336bl. Happy Thanksgiving to you and thank you for stopping in.

  6. M. A. Larson

    November 30, 2012

    I have just inheirited a hand gun and the story is that a family member bought it stolen 35 years ago as a teenager and his father took the gun away at that time. Now both of them have passed this past year and now I have the gun. What am I to do? Can it be sold legally? Help me please!

    • Sarge

      November 30, 2012

      To knowingly possess a stolen firearm is a felony, in most jurisdictions. If it was stolen then it is stolen now and the only thing you can do with it ‘legally’ is to take it to the local police station. Explain the situation to them, ask them to run it through NCIC and hope for the best.

  7. C. Anderson

    December 9, 2012

    I am looking for the takedown/disassembly tool for the S&W380 sigma. I can not find them anywhere. I heard you might be the one to ask. I would like to order the slides also.
    Thanks

    • Sarge

      December 20, 2012

      There are only a possible sources that come to mind. Numrich, Ebay and S&W themselves.

  8. Todd Shoup

    June 17, 2013

    Sarge,

    I saw an old post and you had said if the person needed help getting parts for a S&W 380 Sigma to let you know and you would help. I could really use some help finding a new Frame for mine. It has chiped right at the rear pin and I’m afraid to shoot it. I would really like to find a frame to replace it.

    Hope you can help,

    Todd

    • Sarge

      June 18, 2013

      Hi Todd,

      The only advice I can give in that regard is to contact Smith & Wesson directly.

  9. Don Neuharth

    January 19, 2014

    Sarge: I happened across your website quite by accident. It is refreshing to find your dose of common sense and traditional values in this all to politically correct world. Thank you. Know that you are not alone!
    dn.

  10. Sarge

    January 22, 2014

    Thank you, Don. Share our site with your friends because you never know… this ‘common sense’ thing just might become an epidemic 😉

  11. Verna Little

    June 15, 2014

    Hello there I just got a 22 today and it has Williams
    On it iI cancan’t tell you what the first name on it is
    But I do know it is a 3t on it and the s/n is r 217400
    And it was made by Sears roebuck. Could you help me fined out who mad it and what it is worth. And what year it was made. I thank you very much if you could help me out thank you so much I have looked on every web page and I can not find it again think you. Mrs little.

  12. Sarge

    June 16, 2014

    Hi Ms. Little. I believe what you have there is a Winchester Model 190, rebranded with the Ted Williams stamp for catalog sales. The rifles were produced between 1967-1980 and total production including the Model 290 (nicer wood/stamped checkering) is around 2,150,000.
    Ted Williams 3T

    I’d been looking for a .22 and with the current ammo stupidity, I wanted something that would shoot Shorts, Longs or Long Rifles interchangeably. The 3T/Model 190 is so marked and says it will handle them all. I’ve shot 190’s few over the years and remembered them as good, accurate .22’s designed to fit a grown-up. I was glad to find one at a decent price, in very good condition. Mine wilkl do this at 50 yards using Federal 36 grain bulk HP.
    50 yards with the Ted Williams 3T

  13. Mike Bandeko

    August 9, 2015

    Hey old man have you seen that Ruger is doing a dealer exclusive for Lipseys in a stainless steel Super Blackhawk Bisely in 480 and 454?

    • Sarge

      August 14, 2015

      I did indeed Mike. But I am told they want Nine Hunnerd Dollurs fer it!

      • Mike Bandeko

        August 15, 2015

        I would love to have one in a 7 1/2” Hunter model. Either caliber.

  14. Evelina Lilleberg

    April 14, 2016

    Wow! This can be one particular of the most helpful blogs We’ve ever arrive across on this subject. Actually Magnificent. I am also an expert in this topic therefore I can understand your effort.

  15. Ralph Aydelotte

    July 27, 2017

    Have you worked up a load in 45 Colt using the MBC 225 gr TC? What do you think about the MBC coated 45 Express 215 gr WFN for use in the 45 Colt?

    • Sarge

      July 27, 2017

      Hi Ralph. I have in fact loaded the MBC 225 grain ‘Flathead’ over 7.2 grains of HP38 and as I recall, it just broke 950 fps (from a 4 5/8″ Vaquero) and made overlapping holes at 25 yards.

      That 215 grain Express is basically a SWC and it should work fine but will print substantially lower at 20+ yards than 255 grain loads. My ‘keeper’ 45 Colts always wear fixed sights zeroed for 255’s and that’s primarily why I never load lighter for bulk loads.

  16. James

    January 27, 2018

    Read where you say you’d had a Hawes .44 mag and that you’d buy another if possible?
    I recently came across mines and it’s in fairly decent condition… Was wondering if there may be any interest still?

  17. HENRY LANCE

    February 24, 2020

    Thank you so much for the great review of the extended grips from Texas Grips. I just happened across this article and was very excited to see a review of how well they performed in actual use. Do I have your permission to add a link to your article on my website and Facebook page? I would love to share this information with potential customers.
    Thank you,
    Henry Lance
    Texas Grips

    • Sarge

      February 25, 2020

      Sure thing Henry and you’re welcome. I found your extended grips to be a big improvement for the New Model Rugers.

  18. Michael Bandeko

    August 31, 2020

    You still alive and kickin’? I haven’t seen ya in awhile.

    • Sarge

      September 1, 2020

      Yes Sir. We planted a big garden this year and the SOB ate way too much time. You doing OK there?

      • Michael Bandeko

        September 15, 2020

        Yep, just hiding from the plague. Spent last winter in the desert shooting coyotes.

  19. Bill Peel

    December 3, 2021

    I guess I’m late to this party.
    I really like this site and content…being a “dyed in the wool” .45 Colt fan.
    My favored load is the RCBS 255 SWC or Lyman 454424 over 6 grains of Alliant Red Dot. Have shot this load nigh on 30 years.

    • Sarge

      December 6, 2021

      Welcome to the fire Bill.

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