Clapp on Handguns: Gun Digest 2017

by
posted on October 5, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
gundigest_clapp_3.jpg

The latest edition of my favorite gun periodical—Gun Digest, now in its 71st annual edition—is now in bookstores. and still as interesting as ever. The original edition was conceived in a big Chicago sporting goods store during World War II and the concept was sound enough as to warrant another 70 versions. As always, the 71st is as timely as all the others. This is a book for the true gun enthusiast, as it offers catalog summaries of all major and most minor gun companies, plus optics, ammo, reloading tools and a lot of related material. There are also survey articles on what's new in shotguns, revolvers pistols, rifles, etc. A guy could get pretty well up to date with most everything going on the commercial arms field by reading through this thick (about 600 pages) volume. The true delight of the Gun Digest has always been in the selection of specific articles that flesh out the table of contents. 

This year's book is no different.  As a handgunner, I am always most interested in articles concerning the “belt guns,” as Colonel Askins often called them. There are several gems in this year's digest—like the lead piece on the Pistol '08 (Luger) with a catchy title and John Taffin's nicely illustrated take on Colt's New Frontier. Sometimes I think that John must own about 10 percent of Colt's total production of Single Actions. Other guns are not ignored, either. Old friend Stan Trzoniek surveyed the Remington autoloading shotguns and Wayne Van Zwoll gave us a bunch of reasons why they keep on introducing new cartridges in 6.5 mm.  Something for everyone has always been the rule with the Gun Digest

Last year, when I reviewed the last Gun Digest, I commented enthusiastically about Charley Petty's piece on "King Gunsight custom handguns," and Charley won the John Amber prize. This year, I am going to be equally laudatory about Garry James' piece on the "Guns of the Light Brigade." Always the history buff, Garry combines that interest with his love of guns to produce many fine articles over the years I have known him. That's about 28 years and he was hard at it well before I blundered my way onto the staff of Guns & Ammo. He even shot the carbine that was the major arm of those gallant Britishers whose lives were wasted, but revered in the Tennyson poem. 

Another great issue and congrats to Editor Jerry Lee.           

Latest

Mossberg 940 Pro New Models 01
Mossberg 940 Pro New Models 01

Mossberg Introduces SPX & Professional Models To 940 Pro Tactical Line

Mossberg has expanded its popular 940 Pro Tactical shotgun line with SPX and Professional models, with each adding a slate of upgraded components and accessories designed to enhance the shotgun's capabilities.

Preview: Streamlight Sidewinder X

This high-output, multi-fuel, military-style light with a tilting head is perfect for hunters and home defenders looking for more than just a handheld light...

The Armed Citizen® July 4, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

A Guide To Double-Stack 1911s

The 2011 brings double-stack capacity and modular upgrades to the 1911 platform, but not every wide-body 1911 out there earns that name.

Legislators Enjoy Afternoon Of Clays With Benelli USA, Among Others

A bipartisan group of Maryland state legislators met with firearm industry manufacturers and representatives for a day of clays shooting while also attending discussions on the positive economic impacts of the shooting sports.

2025 Ammunition Product Of The Year: Winchester .21 Sharp

For continuing to innovate, particularly in a corner of the ammo world that has seen very little recently, we named the Winchester .21 Sharp as our Ammunition Product Of The Year.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.