AR's Top 10 Handguns (page 5)

Changes to the gun’s original design have been relatively few. The internal extractor gave way to an external type fairly early on, and the safety eventually became more generous in dimension and ambidextrous. Also, investment cast frames, said to be stronger for the later .40 S&W versions of the pistol, replaced the forged and machined frames used in earlier guns. Variations, some rare, have included tangent-sighted models that accept detachable shoulder stocks, experimental aluminum-frame and large-caliber models and licensed copies with shortened slide/barrel assemblies.

But, overall, as with most true classics, the Hi Power simply soldiered on as Browning originally conceived it, earning the trust of groups as diverse as the German Wehrmacht, the armies of Britain, Canada, Greece and Nationalist China, and countless law enforcement agencies and civilian shooters worldwide. It remains in production today by Fabrique Nationale.

In the retrospective of the “wondernine wars” of the 1980s and the following advent of polymer-frame pistols, many have relegated the steel-frame and walnut-stocked Hi Power to the category of quaint but outmoded designs. Although there may be an element of truth in that sentiment, the Browning Hi Power nonetheless possesses a quality of design, feel and workmanship that compel some individuals to trust it as the best nine a man can carry and to cherish it as one of the world’s truly great handguns. —Brian C. Sheetz, Senior Executive Editor

No. 10: Smith & Wesson Registered Magnum Revolver, 18 Points

The post-World War I era, through Prohibition, the Depression and other trials, saw the rise of a new class of criminal in American society. Well-armed villains, such as Dillinger and Capone’s henchmen, used firepower and V-8 Fords on their crime sprees. At the time, most federal and local law enforcement agencies issued medium-frame .38 Spl. revolvers. A quest for more firepower ensued, and by the early 1930s luminaries such as Elmer Keith and Philip Sharpe influenced Smith & Wesson leadership, and—with Winchester cooperating in ammunition development—went to work on a new platform.

The result was what many firearm experts consider the high-water mark for American revolver-making when in 1935 S&W ushered in the magnum era with the remarkable Registered Magnum. Making its debut amid the Great Depression at $60, this was an immensely expensive gun. But it was unique, as each purchaser was issued a certificate of registration that matched a number engraved on the revolver. Consumers could choose between stocks, hammer, sights, trigger, finish and barrel length.

Smith & Wesson expected the Registered Magnum to be more of a niche offering, which is reflected in its price and craftsmanship. The topstrap and barrel rib exhibit checkering that is proof of a master engraver’s touch. The wood-to-metal fit is meticulous; the bluing is unmatched, deep and rich; the timing boarders on perfection. These qualities, present throughout the entire S&W line during this era, are rendered to their fullest measure in the Registered Magnum.

The revolver was nothing short of exquisite, and the cartridge itself was truly revolutionary. With performance that well exceeded the .38 Spl., the .357 S&W Magnum became the most significant challenge in law enforcement to the decades-long dominance of the medium-frame .38s until the advent of the 9 mm Glock 17. With higher velocities and more downrange energy, the .357 Mag. revolutionized handgun hunting. A hit with lawmen, hunters and shooters, the .357 Mag. launched the magnum age—one that has yet to dissipate.

With demand drastically outpacing production capability, approximately 5,500 Registered Magnums were produced from 1935 to 1938; in 1939 production was standardized, and the process of registration was eliminated, forever setting a finite production amount for this pivotal revolver.