As he explores the significant contributions made by Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., to a realm of handgunnery that combines modern engineering technology, specialized hunting skills and cultural arms heritage, author Max Prasac contagiously conveys his enthusiasm for revolver shooting to believers and beginners alike in the GunDigest Book Of Ruger Revolvers.
Beginning with Ruger’s original wheelgun offering, the rimfire Single-Six, the author explores the development of the company’s center-fire single-actions-the Blackhawk, Super Blackhawk and Convertibles-along with the Old Army blackpowder revolver, the early double-actions such as the Security-Six, Service-Six and Speed-Six and the later double-actions such as the Redhawk, Super Redhawk, GP-100 and SP-101. Along the way he shares photographs of rare prototypes and factory processes, the latter as they occur today at Ruger’s Pine Tree investment casting operation where the guns’ frames and other components are poured into shape from molten metal. Useful asides, such as the single-action grip frame comparison table and background on cartridge standouts-the .357 Maximum, .44 Rem. Mag., .45 Colt, .454 Casull and the recently revived .480 Ruger-lend the work tremendous value as a bookshelf resource.
While it is difficult for any work to be completely “definitive” as the book’s subtitle suggests, the Gun Digest Book Of Ruger Revolvers nonetheless has much to offer and should satisfy the legions of Ruger revolver fans. The book’s 254-pp., 8½"x11" hardbound format includes generous use of color photography, making it a welcome addition to the coffee table or to the bookshelf of anyone who appreciates either revolvers in general or the unique approach to their manufacture by one of the firearm industry’s giants.
Price: $24.
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