ARTV Preview: Walther Arms, Taurus G3X and Italian Bodeo Revolver

by
posted on April 12, 2022
** 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. **

Walther Arms is one of the most well respected and oldest German firearm manufacturers on the market. Founded by Carl Walther in 1886, the company has a rich history of firearms development and manufacturing spanning more than a century. For this week's feature, we go to Walther's post-World War II factory location in Ulm, Germany, to see how it makes its firearms today.

A print of the old Walther factory in Germany before it moved to its present location.

For Rifleman Review, we test out the striker-fired, polymer-frame Taurus G3X, a 9 mm pistol with a shorter barrel and slide like the G3c, but with a larger grip frame. This allows the G3X to be utilized for concealed carry, while also delivering the magazine capacity and full grip of a larger pistol.

The Taurus G3X 9 mm pistol.

Later, we examine the history of the Bodeo, or Model 1889, revolver, which served Italian forces throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A double-action revolver with a six-round cylinder chambered for a 10 mm cartridge, the Bodeo is unique for its folding trigger shoe and lack of a trigger guard. It was produced from 1889 to 1931 and was even issued to Italian troops in World War II.

The Italian Bodeo Model 1889 service revolver.

To watch complete segments of past episodes of American Rifleman TV, go to americanrifleman.org/videos/artv. For all-new episodes of ARTV, tune in Wednesday nights to Outdoor Channel 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. EST.

Latest

IHTOG French MAS49 1
IHTOG French MAS49 1

I Have This Old Gun: French MAS-49

Despite being early adopters of several semi-automatic rifles for military use, the French army took several decades to work out a standardized semi-automatic rifle for general service use. The rifle that finally came to being was the MAS-49.

Polite Society Industries Launches with Complete Suppressor Line

"An armed society is a polite society," goes the famous quote, which is also the inspiration behind Polite Society Industries, a new suppressor manufacturer that now has a complete line available to consumers.

NRA-ILA Names Smith & Wesson Official Partner of the 2026 NRA Gun Bus Battleground Tour

Iconic American firearms maker Smith & Wesson will join NRA-ILA on the road as nation's leading firearm group turns out voters ahead of the 2026 midterm.

A New Armed Citizen Survey That is Endlessly Fascinating—and Politically Incorrect

The 2026 National Firearms Survey conducted by William English of Georgetown University estimates that armed citizens in America use their guns 2.2 million to defend themselves or others.

Review: Heckler & Koch VP9CC

HK’s new VP9CC offers VP9 features in a micro-size pistol.

Former Barnes Bullets CEO Randy Brooks Passes Away

Randy Brooks, former president and CEO of Barnes Bullets, passed away on Aug. 27 peacefully in his Mona, Utah, home.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.