Sub-Calibers ! 9MM & .40" S&W in GLOCK 20 10MM ?

 Just call me "irresponsible":

I did something very dumb once (- only once ?): Many years ago I had both my Glock 17 9mm and my Glock 20 10mm on the bench at the firing -line and several loaded magazines for each. - I was comparing the two calibres split-times on a standard exercise of two low-centre shots and one higher (! - in New Zealand we are strongly discouraged from naming targets or target parts as relating to body components) on IPSC targets. - I picked-up the G20 - slapped in a mag and 'bang' - but the gun didn't cycle and I thought "Uh Ohh - I've cocked up my reloads again". So, dropped the mag, racked the slide, and - " what the f**k is that?"

          Yeah, - You've guessed it right -'that' is a 9MM shell that's been fired in a 10MM gun.

Now, coming forward - down the range the other weekend with Jxx & 'Cutters' - we were having a laze, sitting around - swigging chilled coffee and chewing the cud - and I 'fessed-up'  that I'd probably done more stupid things than they had - and told the tale about how mathematically - nine does go into ten at least once.

*WARNING WARNING*

*DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME*

  - I am only telling you what we did: This is NOT in any way a suggestion or instruction - DO NOT do anything like this - Got it ?

Well, things being how they are, and even 'past-their-best', overweight old farts still have a sense of adventure, - and there being, right there to hand a 10mm, a 9mm, and a .40" Glock - guess what happened next !

 1/-  The left-hand case is a 9MM fired in a Glock .40"S&W.
 2/-  The right-hand case (with the small split) is a 9MM fired from a Glock 20 10MM.
 3/-  And the top shell is a .40"S&W fired in the 10MM G20.

The two 'nines' of course did not cycle the bigger guns - but the projectiles did penetrate the target downrange. - Yes folks - the 9MM projectiles left the 10MM barrels and went through the paper target - but only travelling at around 330ft. per sec. instead of their usual light re-load velocity of 1000ft. per sec. The G17 magazine does not fit in the G20 - certainly it goes in , but tends to drop-out at every opportunity.

- But the .40"S&W round did cycle the 10MM - and eject ! - So we had to try more to determine if you could run a semi-auto 10MM on .40"S&W.

- Now - what's that you are thinking?  "I know that .40" S&W  works in a 10MM Revolver using full-moon clips (a bit like a .38"Special in a .357"Magnum) - soooh?" - But the revolver doesn't rely on the power of the cartridge to operate it - whereas a semi-auto needs a matched power and recoil force to run properly.

- Well the .40"S&W rounds did feed and cycle (& reload) through the semi-auto G20 10MM each time they were tried (using the 10MM magazines) - supposedly 'head-spacing' on the extractor - the primer face of the cartridge being "clipped" in place against the breach face and firing pin by the extractor hook. But they lost about 100ft. per sec. on their normal velocity. We are not sure if that is because of the longer G35 .40"S&W barrel (5.31" against 4.61" G20) or the increased chamber space in front of the round.

** DON'T  DO  IT.**

- Just because it fits is NOT a good reason to do it !

- but it's interesting anyway.

Marty K

.300"AAC BLACKOUT - A Quick Second Look

My Cobber "Cutters" is still working away diligently cutting-down .223" brass and fire-forming it in his bolt-action Remington rifle - while working-up to an optimum silenced sub-sonic load for use on our pistol club range.

The more that I read or watch about this new cartridge - the more I like it. - To the extent that if I won the lotto I'd go buy something in 300AAC Blackout, and a crate of sub-sonics to play with.

                       A VERY GOOD VIDEO EXPLANATION on 300 BLACKOUT:

- Mind you - I'd love to see an AK model built in 300 Blackout with a suppressed barrel - using the AR15 type magazines. - Now that would be interesting to me - as the 'black rifle' is still less than optimum function-wise. - you can't even have an AR with a folding butt-stock.

"Cutters" is composing his story about his experience trying the 300 Blackout for us to post here - meanwhile I'd better think about buying some lotto tickets - as it's hard to win without a ticket.

Marty K

.22" RIM-FIRE Long Rifle.

Putting a priming compound into the rim of a metallic cartridge was first patented in 1831 - and in 1845 Flobert  developed the .22" BB Cap using only the priming compound  (no powder) to fire the low velocity ball. - I had a single-shot target pistol once (a Webley I think) in that chambering and it was a lot of laughs to fire - about as powerful as an air rifle?.

                                                      FLOBERT .22" BB CAP

 -  Victorian Gents used to pop-off after dinner (all that roast meat) indoors at targets mounted in front of heavy drapes, while enjoying their cigars in good company. - The ladies having 'withdrawn'. - No doubt all that blue cigar smoke masked the smell of the "popping-off".

                                             Single Shot Flobert Target Pistol.

The Flobert BB Cap was followed by the .22" Short, .22" Long, .22" Extra Long, and then the familiar .22" Long Rifle that is currently our standard. - The .22" Long Rifle is apparently the heavy bullet from the 'Extra Long' mounted on the same case as the .22" Long.

      Sectioned .22" SHORT, LONG RIFLE Solid, & LONG RIFLE Hollow-Point.

Now I am aware that many shooters regard the .22" R.F. as a near useless and weak muscled round - but there are very good reasons why there are more guns sold in this calibre and more rounds of this ammo sold every year than in all the other calibres put together.(My guess - so don't quote me)

Where shall I start? - It's a round that EVERYONE can shoot comfortably. Learners and indeed experienced target shooters achieve excellent accuracy at close ranges. - The ammunition can be bought in bulk much cheaper than centre-fire calibres. The .22" rim-fire ammunition can be bought in target grades (round nose), Hunting hollow points, High Velocity, -  and Sub-Sonic for discreet use - great through a 'silencer' . - You can even get shot-shell loads and blanks.

Nobody should ever get careless with these rounds just because they are not as loud as centre-fires - they remain fatally dangerous out to nearly a mile down range - and the velocities are not generally high enough to shatter the projectiles - so there can be a risk of ricochet.

                       My Stirling - Armscor .22" R.F. rough use 'utility' Rifles.

 - While ideal for shooting rabbit and possums - this is also the round of choice for putting-down cattle beasts in the outback - and I know for a fact from my childhood that red deer can be taken with a .22" rifle (and that deer liver tastes great fried in Irish butter over a glowing peat-fire long after bedtime when aged nine visiting Eire).

Greg Ellifritz in his Study of Handgun Stopping Power quotes 31% One Shot Stop and Accuracy of 76% for .22" shootings. - For comparison his figures for 9MM are 34% One Shot Stop and 74% Accuracy - and .45ACP at 39% and 85%. - There is nothing in these results that suggests you can laugh at a .22" rim-fire.

Effective range for the .22" rim-fire is limited to 100 yards - because it is difficult to provide for the bullet drop at longer ranges. A 40gn bullet fired at 1100 ft/sec will drop nearly four inches at 50 yards. - Stick to moderate ranges when rough shooting and know where you are sighted-in - and you'll be fine.

Velocity drops-off progressively when shooting from shorter barrels. A 'Stinger' round that makes 1510 ft.per sec from an 18 inch barrel can only achieve 1191 ft.per sec from a 4 inch pistol barrel. - there really isn't much to gain by using high velocity .22" ammo in a handgun. Take a look at the 'Ballistics By The Inch' website - where I got these last figures.

Marty K
After researching & writing 1,036 blogs I've got something NEW to try .. I've signed-up to Patreon. - In over five years I've not made one cent from this .. NOW you can send me a wee support $ - starting from $1. to get all this stuff from New Zealand - over a year that's nearly the price of one Shooting magazine. - Am I worth it?

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=16618870

Brown Bess FLINTS from under the sea:

Over 210 years ago The Earl Of Abergavenny was one of the largest East Indiamen ever built in England - and her captain John Wordsworth was brother of the well known poet William Wordsworth.

 Leaving Portsmouth February 1st 1805, in convoy for protection from the French - she was carrying 160 crew, 150 recruits for the East India Company, 30 Chinamen, and 60 paying passengers bound for Bengal - where her mixed cargo (including 62 chests of silver dollars) would have been exchanged for a load of raw Indian cotton, trade goods and opium for sale in China.

                                                   EARL OF ABERGAVENNY

 - She was not to get far as while still in British waters they were hit by a gale and were separated from the others and had to wait at sea for a pilot - who - shortly after taking the helm at 3.00pm guided her straight onto the rocks of Shambles Bank. - Eight hours later she sank while drifting in Weymouth Bay with heavy loss of life, including the Captain.

Laying in 20 metres of water she was extensively salvaged by John Braithwaite of the Endeavour in September 1805 who kept at the task until he'd recovered all the silver and better than 90% of the cargo - before breaking up the wreck with massive gun-powder charges.

Modern SCUBA Divers got onto the wreck in the 2000s - using "underwater vacuum-cleaners" and brought-up lots of bits'n'pieces including knapped flints being shipped to India for firing Brown Bess Muskets. Many thousands of these flints found their way onto the market and when used on modern repro Muskets have been reported as being of superior performance to modern flints - despite many of them having traces of sea creatures, molluscs etc. attached to their surface.

Flints Brought-up From The Wreck Site Of The " Abbey" in 2009.(lower left)

I read of these flints being used in modern day Australia in a story by Dr. Leo Laden in the Australian Shooters Journal Feb '89. - who maintained that their superior performance would be accounted for by their selected raw materials combined with commercial and military demands of the day. The 200 year old flints definitely seem to produce stronger sparks, for longer, across a wide face.

- Not everything that is old is past its use-by date eh!

Marty K

United Nations WMD 'RULES' Gun Law

UNODA - the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs has since 1978 published a series of 23 Multilateral Treaties attempting to control and limit the use of all the various 'Weapons of Mass Destruction'.

                   That would be us then (NZ) right at the top of this UN Globe image.


New Zealand ratified these most worthy Treaties in 10 April 1981, and we sporting shooters have been told that the increasing limitations on the lawful use of our rifles, shotguns, and pistols imposed by Police and Customs regulation are as the direct result of our good-thinking Government seeking to apply the content of these ratified UNODA Treaties to reduce and eliminate (where possible) the shocking attacks on civilian populations composed largely of defenceless invalids, women and children.

This does somewhat ignore the fact that possession, use, and movement of government owned weapons and explosives is completely outside of any controls that might be attempted by either Police or Customs Border Protection activity.

 - What if any - illegally held automatic weapons carried by the un-permitted personal security guards of visiting presidents/politicians/Celebrities - have been impounded by our border guards?

Please forgive my suspicious nature - but I kinda doubted that the UN had gone to such lengths to stop me importing - for example - a new firing-pin spring, (or a five round magazine) for my rim fire target pistol.

On a scan of these various Protocols - it seems that the most pertinent to us shooters might be: CCCW - Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.

         UNITED NATIONS LIMITS THE USE OF THE MOON AS A WEAPONS BASE.

  The other protocols specify the use of Celestial Bodies (The Moon etc.), outer space, the sea bed, Nuclear, Chemical, Biological, Cluster Bombs and other bulk means of wreaking mass destruction used by government forces - all outside of the general club target shooting range or local hunting tracts.

Now, CCCW does include specifically: Mines, Booby Traps & Other Devices, Incendiary Weapons, Blinding Laser Weapons, and the explosive remnants of war. The text clearly states that such items are "not to be used against concentrations of civilians".

                                               Vietnam Era Cluster Bomblet

Basically - these United Nations PROTOCOLS are aimed at restricting the freedom of governments or military forces to using such indiscriminately lethal horrors only against legitimate military targets and preventing them using such killing machines against defenceless civilians (collateral damage?) on fear of subsequent court action and punishment.

I haven't managed to find any reference to my sporting equipment used for paper-punching and hunting wild game or pests in the Protocol texts.

 - Can it be that our democratically elected government has mistakenly deflected and re-directed limiting protocols - aimed at controlling use of Weapons of Mass Destruction by them - towards the lawful users of civilian sporting arms ?  - Surely not.

Marty K

G & A "Monster Magnums"- DESERT EAGLE .50AE

In all fairness I should start by declaring here that I don't fantasise about big guns. I've long had a disrespect for that clunky ugly great-big lump - the 'Desert Eagle' - especially when they resort to gold-plating it to make it seem attractive. And I should also fess-up that I do regard 'G & A ' as my favourite US reading on guns. (- 'New Zealand Guns & Hunting' is our best local Magazine by far.)

Twenty years ago in 'Guns & Ammo' dated March 1994 Jan Libourel wrote a piece testing three big semi-auto handguns in .50" AE. - as always the photography was sensational, the writing accomplished and the information was presented fully.

                                                         .50"AE with a .32"acp.

 - Sadly for the guns makers and despite every attempt by Libourel to be polite - the facts emerge that all three pistols - Desert Eagle, Grizzly 50, and Automag V, proved seriously unreliable and in dire need of 'de-bugging'.

Nominal bullet diameter of the .50AE had to be held to .500" to comply with US BATF Title 1  regulation - to exceed that measurement would have declared the gun a 'Destructive Device'. (-as opposed to self-destructive?)
-Fired from a six inch barrel the 300grain load .50AE makes 1,500 ft. per second and delivers 1500 ft.lbs. of energy. A big punch from any handgun - but there are bigger.

              .500S&W, .50 Beowolf,, .50AE(looking reasonable next to the others)

- Don't take me the wrong way here - I may be enjoying the mickey-taking - but no way would I like to ever look down the muzzle of one of these massive clumps of metal - it's just that they are too big to carry, too big for target shooting, too expensive to shoot in practice, too big in the grip, Too heavy and too expensive to buy as a decoration. - And they recoil far too much for wimpy old me to ever enjoy. - And they don't like unjacketed lead bullets.

I was wondering if they ever got the pistols to function better. From a look around the net it seems that the answer is NO. - And I still recall the angry frustration of the only D. Eagle owner that I've shot near - when his gas piston operated gun forcefully dis-assembled itself again when fired on the range (It was like a drag-racer - a rebuild after each 5 second run!). - Adding insult to injury the damn things seem to still throw the hot brass at your face.

                                             VIDEO BY A WORLD CHAMPION

                    
                 Now - just trying to be fair - Jerry Miculek shows that the gun can be used - quote "that's a handful".

- take a look at him shooting five rounds of .500 S&W Magnum in a revolver too - in his own words "Brutal".

                                       A Desert Eagle ZIP-GUN Clone.

I guess that as an experiment - someone had to try it. - Three or four rust-free plated ones tied together might hold a light dinghy on a good bottom.

Marty K
After researching & writing 1,036 blogs I've got something NEW to try .. I've signed-up to Patreon. - In over five years I've not made one cent from this .. NOW you can send me a wee support $ - starting from $1. to get all this stuff from New Zealand - over a year that's nearly the price of one Shooting magazine. - Am I worth it?

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=16618870

Ray Mears - Rifles and Edged Weapons:

I've been watching Ray Mears " Northern Wilderness" on our 'basic' "Free to Air TV" and really enjoying it as it does seem to be full of great wild scenery and honest practical advice - not a single "You've got to eat this bowl of slugs with anteater vomit or you'll be voted-off" - moment!

I've even noted the earlier arctic explorers names and found historic free e-books for my Kindle: ' Narrative of an Expedition to the Shores of the Arctic Sea in 1846 and 1847'  and 'A Journey from Prince of Wales Fort in Hudsons Bay to the Northern Ocean in the Years 1769,1770,1771,..'

Anyway, Ray Mears TV docos are worth watching when you have more than a passing interest in overcoming difficulties to thrive - but - I did maintain my usual doubts as it all might have been passed through the political correctness filters and censored to remove any positive firearms useage.

However, now reading Rays ' MY OUTDOOR LIFE'  I can fully report that the man is real and he tells that he has designed and made knives that suit his needs, the Woodlore Knife, that he now has made in batches by artisans,

 - a specific folding saw that he lends to students - and he has had design input into an axe made by Gransfors called the Small Forest Axe.

BUT.. He uses a specific big bore rifle Blaser R8 in .416 Remington Magnum

                                                       .416 Remington Magnum

 straight pull bolt-action mounting a Schmidt-Bender Sniper Scope 3-12x50 for hunting big game - and when used for self-defence in the bush he fits the big-bore with a red dot Aimpoint sight. - And he hunts.

                                                 Blaser R8 Professional.

Now - Not for one second am I stating that anyone should rush-out and buy these afore mentioned items - as they may not suit your needs at all (what would you use a .416" Magnum against in New Zealand?), or due to balance or heft or any number of variations - But the point is that the man isn't just a TV Presenter - a "talking head celebrity" -  He has walked the walk, lived outdoors - used the tools and worked out just what he needs to do the job well. - So next time when you see a Ray Mears Documentary advertised - give it a try as it may well be the real stuff that you've been waiting to see.

Marty K
After researching & writing 1,036 blogs I've got something NEW to try .. I've signed-up to Patreon. - In over five years I've not made one cent from this .. NOW you can send me a wee support $ - starting from $1. to get all this stuff from New Zealand - over a year that's nearly the price of one Shooting magazine. - Am I worth it?

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=16618870

PISTOL NEW ZEALAND - new shooter welcome.

I had a look at the Pistol New Zealand website to see how well we are presenting ourselves as lawful licensed target shooters here - and I really was quiet impressed by the content - I think that the video clip is a good look at the various kinds of competition shot here.

If I had my "druthers" (as in ' if I could -  I 'drather..') - I'd be so happy if every single shooter introduced a couple of new shooters and got them hooked into signing-up and getting their licence. How about you try it next fine weekend?

                                           PISTOL NEW ZEALAND VIDEO.

The action style competion is fun to watch - but the precision ISSF style and muzzle loading doesn't score well as a spectator sport. - Like watching a game of Chess - the viewer sees not-much-at-all happening - slowly! - whereas for the actual shooters (or Chess players) - there is high tension and excitement (or the anguish of another loss!) from deep concentration on a task demanding skilled application and focus.

There are some Eighty Pistol Clubs active around New Zealand - all happy to welcome new shooters and help teach the safe use of handguns, and help with the Police licensing procedures. - I've been a Pistol shooter here for nearly 26 years - and I seriously believe that nowhere else can you mix with a safer or more responsible group of men and women. - And it is fun and exciting. - If you have the interest you can stretch your head by looking at re-loading and ballistics, gun-smithing, historic enactment. - they are not really difficult once you gain experience by trying with a mate/mate-ess.

                  A Margolin 'MUM' .22 R/F s/a Pistol - Beautifully made in Russia
                                - Cheap to buy used - and plenty accurate too.

I really do recommend handgun target shooting to everyone - young & old. It can be just for fun recreation or for intense competition. - Low cost with .22 Rim-fire ammo and a second-hand pistol - or high-tech with a tuned powerful centre-fire semi-auto 'race-gun' - complete with sophisticated optical aiming systems.

                                  A 'tricked-up' and costly specialist 'Race-Gun'

A few hours on-range making noise while punching holes in paper is very quieting and relaxing therapy in good company!  I think I used this quote in an earlier Post - " Shooting well is simple - it's just not easy"!!

Marty K
After researching & writing 1,036 blogs I've got something NEW to try .. I've signed-up to Patreon. - In over five years I've not made one cent from this .. NOW you can send me a wee support $ - starting from $1. to get all this stuff from New Zealand - over a year that's nearly the price of one Shooting magazine. - Am I worth it?

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=16618870

Pardini ISSF: Border Protection At Work - TWO Magazines Impounded by Customs.

A most respectable white haired senior shooting friend - ex-service senior officer material - decided that he would like to develop his skills in ISSF (International Shooting Sport Federation) precision pistol shooting. - This is straight arm, one handed, very slowly focused, sideways stance adopted and special flat-soled shoes and optical blinkers worn - ultra-precise paper punching. - These guys have even been known to take heart medication to slow-down their pulse.

This is the Olympic and Commonwealth Games styled competition that rewards the amateur who peaks on the day - with a short recorded burst of his National Anthem - a posy of flowers, - the award of an imitation Gold - Silver, or even Bronze Medal and maybe a ticker-tape parade through the Capital City and a heroes welcome home to his parched farmland.

I have seen an ISSF exponent drive to the range, - extract his ISSF pistol from its lockable container, adjust his clothing and stance, raise his unloaded gun one-handed to eye-level and slowly 'dry-fire' the empty piece five times (lowering it each time between clicks) - re-pack his equipment and quietly depart - not a shot fired. A serious sport.

Commanding Officer (Retired) Xx chose well and selected his bulky new tool in a minor caliber from a range of available specialist equipment:

                                 Pardini ISSF Pistol with One FIVE Round Magazine.

The Italian made tool uses a magazine that holds only five rounds of small calibre rim-fire target ammunition - so Xx decided that he would like to have four of these - to yield some continuity to the paper punching sequence and to ensure that any faulty magazine might readily be isolated. The gun has a single sided anatomical grip (orthotic?) that is adjusted to be a 'glove-fit' to the shooters strong hand.

To obtain this sporting arm the fully licensed and properly endorsed Xx had first to request a "pinkie" (Form LE-2/1 Application For Permit To Procure A Pistol) from his Club Secretary (valid for one month) completed with his personal details confirming and certifying that he was a current paid-up member qualified, licensed, and endorsed to possess such item.

This document then has to be carried to the nearest Police Firearms Office where it is checked and exchanged for a blue 'Application For A Permit To Procure..' which is in turn completed with the shooters details and intended purchase information (make, model, calibre, serial # etc.) and then exchanged for a further (pink) 'Permit To Procure A Pistol, Restricted Weapon Or Military Style Semi-Automatic Firearm' (Form POL67C 07/03) - valid for 30 days - a copy of which must be given to the supplier/Agent at transfer - and a second copy returned to the Firearms Office, with the freshly bought firearm, for checking type and serial number - for registration to that shooter.

The supplier or importing agent (an annually licensed Firearms Dealer) meanwhile having applied for a Permit To Import with multiple copies,(valid for twelve months if granted) - one of which is supplied to CUSTOMS at the Gateway Port as proof that The Police have authorised the importation. Then the Agent orders the selected equipment from the Factory in Italy - who in due course completes the order and their export documentation and - ships the package under security.

                                              New Zealand Police Flag
- Are you with us so far?

When the package landed at the New Zealand importing gateway port - its content was checked against the Permit To Import and to the ongoing delight and fulfilment of the Cone-headed Customs erik - he discovered that an unknown person had mistakenly entered the number 2 as the quantity of magazines - rather than the required 4. (- What might have resulted if they had erroneously used Blue ink instead of the stipulated Black ink?)

                                         New Zealand Customs Service Photograph.

This tale relates of-course to another planet far away and not to our own green & blue globe - So when you read that 'Cone-Head' excitedly messed into his under clothing - ecstatic that he had, at a stroke, contributed directly to the United Nations Convention / Policy of reducing and eliminating Weapons of Mass Destruction such as nuclear weapons, nerve gas, cluster bombs, fuel-air explosives, and barrel-bombs, - you will no doubt sympathise. - And understand that 'Cone-Head' erik also had a vision of being patted on his head by his superiors - recognition, a promotion and subsequent pay-rise.

                                                     'CONE-HEAD' erik On Duty.

Xx was notified that his consignment had been impounded and would be released once the two illicit imports had been destroyed. All reasoned appeals to Customs, Police, Importer, and others were quashed. The offending magazines would not be held until either the existing paperwork might be amended or new paperwork might be generated. - They would be destroyed. (EXTERMINATE - EXTERMINATE - EXTERMINATE).

Even if re-applicationed, re-permitted-to-procure, re-import-permitted, re-ordered - they were doomed to the crusher. I can see 'Cone-head' erik equipped with a brand new lump-hammer and freshly procured sharp & shiny spade, gleefully crunching the contraband and burying the broken shards deep in a secret location - or perhaps chartering a motor-launch to sail beyond the 3 Mile Limits for burial at sea.

 - To have been flown around half the Globe to end-up here, shattered and interred, is a stupid waste. But perhaps the war-torn women and children of Syria and Somalia should be told that they can now sleep easier at night.

Xxs two further extra magazines have been re-ordered.

Marty K.
After researching & writing 1,036 blogs I've got something NEW to try .. I've signed-up to Patreon. - In over five years I've not made one cent from this .. NOW you can send me a wee support $ - starting from $1. to get all this stuff from New Zealand - over a year that's nearly the price of one Shooting magazine. - Am I worth it?

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=16618870

HISTORY: TRANTER & Kerr Patent REVOLVERS:

William Tranter (1816-1890) made thousands of Adams revolvers in England before modifying that design to produce his own beautifully made cap & ball revolver on the Adams frame (Tranter was related to Adams). I read that Tranter was also a founding member of BSA - Birmingham Small Arms, UK in 1861.

                                 TRANTER FIRST MODEL D/A REVOLVER 1853.

The 1st Model had a most interesting Double-Action trigger system (1853) using two triggers - that he developed jointly with James Kerr** - the lower, outer trigger rotated the cylinder and cocked the hammer - then the trigger inside the guard fired the shot with a light pull. - The hammer had no need of a cocking spur. This first model was sold as the 'Tranter-Adams-Kerr' . These revolvers could be fired by first cocking with the outer trigger -then "single-action" - or the shooter could pull both triggers together double-action when in a hurry - using two fingers.

These double-trigger revolvers were issued to New Zealand troops for use in the Bay Of Plenty campaign in the Hau Hau wars 1864-1868 - but were said to be disliked - as in hasty use the troops tended to pull the big bottom trigger and forget that they also needed to use the smaller one to fire the shot.

Tranter also made more conventional single trigger cap & ball revolvers and from 1863 he secured the patent for rim fire cartridges in England and built guns for these on the same frame:

Tranters are said to have been popular with the Confederacy Army during the US Civil War.
From 1868 Tranter started manufacture of centre-fire cartridge revolvers. - Tranter retired in 1885 having built revolvers for the British Army to use in the African Zulu Wars. Rod says that Tranters were also popular for civilian use in NZ and were issued to The Armed Constabulary in .450" calibre - imported in 1880 and stamped N80Z on the side of the frame.

His guns are found in various calibres and cartridge types .36, .44, .50, .450 Adams and the formidable .577".

                               .577" Tranter with .45"ACP - That would hurt!

                                Video of a lovely late Centre-Fire TRANTER by Rigby.

** James Kerr went with Adams to the London Armoury Company in 1856 where his Kerr Patent Revolver was built. Robert Adams was Kerrs cousin. - Seven of these unusual 5 shot .44" calibre revolvers were held by the New Zealand Colonial Defence Force in 1863 and were used by the Forest Rangers in the Auckland Province area against Maori 'Rebels'.

                 KERR PATENT REVOLVER - with distinctive side-mounted hammer.

Tens of thousands of Kerrs Revolver were sold to the Confederacy (and some to The Union) in the US Civil War.

                                     Good Youtube Video of Kerr Patent Revolver

The London Armoury Company only lasted one year after the American Civil War ended - having lost their best customers - and dissolved in 1866.

Wikipedia is great - and 'Life is Good'.

Marty K
After researching & writing 1,036 blogs I've got something NEW to try .. I've signed-up to Patreon. - In over five years I've not made one cent from this .. NOW you can send me a wee support $ - starting from $1. to get all this stuff from New Zealand - over a year that's nearly the price of one Shooting magazine. - Am I worth it?

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=16618870

HISTORICAL EARLY NEW ZEALAND FIREARMS:

One major affect of white Europeans arriving in New Zealand as whalers and sealers from around 1792 - was the introduction of firearms to the 'stone-age' warriors of the aggressive Maori tribes.

 - Up till then we New Zealanders had managed to kill, enslave and eat each other perfectly well with hand tools made from wood and 'greenstone' (jade - pounamu).

Mere (or patu) Pounamu (greenstone): more than a 'club'

 - used for jabbing and striking.

 Once the pakeha (- white foreigners) joined in the commerce, and 'energetic politics' of New Zealand with cannon, swords, and muskets - it didn't take long for the wiley warriors to appreciate the forward steps made possible by powder and steel.

 For treachery, slavery, torture, killing of prisoners and burning of villages the maori were the equal of the British invaders, and often better tacticians - but cannibalism was rather more developed within the tribes than with the seamen - who depended more on weevely hardtack biscuits as a staple food - which might explain their constipation, pasty complexions, and overall poor physical condition.

The first recorded use of muskets in inter-tribal warfare was 1807 when Ngapuhi armed with muskets were defeated by Ngati Whatua who ambushed them - using traditional weapons - and no doubt plundered their muskets, powder and balls before enjoying the "Sunday Roast" from their 'Hangi' earth-ovens.

                Smooth Bore Flintlock 'British Land Pattern Musket

 -  Known as a "BROWN BESS"

Hongi Hika leader of Ngapui worked it all out very quickly and travelled to England with missionaries in 1820 where he met and did a 'guns for land' deal with Baron de Thierry at Cambridge. Returning to New Zealand Hongi Hika used his new and powerful musket-equipped army to enslave thousands of enemy tribesmen - putting them to field work producing cash-crops that he traded to passing ships for more guns. History suggests that he may have killed approx. 20,000 of his enemies before they got their 'equalisers'. It is also suggested that these 'Maori Wars'(1807-1845) might equally be called 'Potato Wars' as it was the value of these new cash crops that paid for the weaponry advances.

Hongi Hikas personal firearm was a silver mounted flintlock fowling piece (later converted to percussion cap) given to Hongi by George IV in 1820. -King George also gave a suite of armour to Hongi, but sadly he was not wearing it when shot and wounded in 1827 - he died the following year.

                       1827 Painting of The wounded Hongi Hika by Augustus Earle.

From 1838 / 1839 the British Ordnance System started converting these smooth bore Muskets to use Percussion Caps - known as the 1839 Pattern.

The LAND WARS or NEW ZEALAND WARS (1845-1872) were a long series of battles between Maori and the invading land-hungry Europeans. - Some were British Military, some were New Zealand Forces, Local Militia, and some were just bands of aggressive greedy settlers (Rifle Volunteer Groups) - but all were seeking ownership and control of lands that Maori rightly considered to be theirs. At the peak - some 4,000 Maori warriors were giving 18,000 pakeha troops a difficult time by using carefully located fortified villages (pas) and anti-artillery bunkers, trenches, palisades, and guerrilla tactics in dense bush.

In 1868 the Royal Irish Regiment landed in New Zealand armed with the Snider-Enfield .577" 

 SNIDER-ENFIELD RIFLE

                          M1866 Snider-Enfield Artillery Carbine - shot on range.

The Callisher and Terry breech-loading bolt-action Carbines used a paper cartridge and came into use in New Zealand in 1863 with the NZ Forest Rangers.

Callisher and Terry - Breech Open.





                                                  Callisher and Terry Carbine.

Regarding handguns, an unknown number of London made Adams- Beamont cap and ball revolvers were used during these extended conflicts. The Revolver was patented in 1856 and was built in London for military use in 54 Bore - .442" Calibre.

                     Adams-Beaumont (or 'Beaumont-Adams') .442" Percussion Revolver.

These were very good quality revolvers and strongly competed with the products from the Colt factory in England - forcing it to close. These, with Tranters and Colts are highly prized today.

This 1851 Model Colt Navy s/a was one of fifteen given as prizes in Taranaki in 1865.

Major G F von Tempsky (1828-1868) of the Forest Rangers equipped his men with the best arms he could obtain for bush warfare - and had 30 large 'bowie' knives forged from spring-steel (taken from cart springs) and thoroughly trained his troops in knife fighting.

                   Only known Von Tempsky Original 'Bowie' Knife from Waikato Museum.

This knife was originally two inches longer in the blade and has a horn handle attached with brass rivets and a steel guard.- Current blade length 222mm (8.75 inches). These large knives were used for 'bush-bashing' as well as fighting.

von Tempsky gave this last known remaining example to his batman Private John Higginson shortly before the battle at Te Ngutu o te Manu where von Tempsky was killed by a shot to the forehead.

              Painting "Von Tempskys Death at Te Ngutu o te Manu"(1868) by Kennett Watkins

Von Tempsky was much respected by the maori and was not eaten - rather his body was placed on a funeral pyre in the centre of the marae for burning.

If you have the time and the interest - there is plenty of recorded history from the 'New Zealand Wars" and indeed the earlier 'Maori Wars'. - A good starting point is as usual 'Wikipedia'. 

Marty K
After researching & writing 1,036 blogs I've got something NEW to try .. I've signed-up to Patreon. - In over five years I've not made one cent from this .. NOW you can send me a wee support $ - starting from $1. to get all this stuff from New Zealand - over a year that's nearly the price of one Shooting magazine. - Am I worth it?

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=16618870

.22" WMR Rimfire Magnum - Useful:

 The .22" WMR is a very useful wee round - if only it was cheaper to buy.

It was introduced by Winchester in 1959 - but they didn't sell a gun in that chambering until 1960. - S&W, Ruger, and Savage all beat Winchester to the market there.

                                 22"LR, .22"WMR,  5.7x28mm,  5.56x45MM (.223")
                                                 (We're all '22's together!)

I picked this photo above to make the point that the AR15/M16 .223" really might be called a "mouse gun" when you observe that its bullet diameter is the same as the cheap as chips .22" Rim-fire - But its power is in a different class altogether. - Just look at the case sizes.

 -The .22WMR at 369ft.lb. with a 40gr pill gives more than three times the energy of the .22RF at 104 ft.lb. - But the NATO 5.56x45MM (.223") gives hugely more at 1,325 ft.lb.

The 22Mag  (WMR) is obviously a bigger rim-fire case than the .22" long rifle RF - being longer and slightly fatter - but it is also made using thicker, stronger brass to safely operate at higher pressures. The 22Mag can send its bullets off at over 2,000 feet per second from a full length rifle barrel and around 1,500 fps from a typical handgun. - So flatter shooting and harder hitting.

RUGER Model Ninety-Six in .22"WMR

Optimum barrel length for highest velocity in 22 Magnum, (.22"WMR) is around 18 to 19 inches'
- Optimum barrel length for velocity for .22" R/F Long Rifle is variously quoted as 14 to 16 inch.

Note: We are considering only velocity here - Shorter barrels will in general give a louder report as the gasses will exit at higher pressure.. High velocity gasses may overtake the bullet leaving the muzzle and slightly unbalance the path causing a loss of accuracy - this is another good argument for adding a silencer or 'sound moderator' - as these work by reducing the gases escape velocity and lowering its pressure.

 You really shouldn't think that you can safely use RF in WMR chambers despite the smaller 'Long Rifle' .22" going into the WMR chambers (It does not fit). If such double use is wanted you can buy some brands of convertible revolver with swappable cylinders. This interchange seems to work OK despite the difference in bullet diameter: The 22WMR bullet is .224 of an inch and the .22 Rim-fire is .223" diameter - so the bullet fit in the rifled bore must be somewhat compromised. - "Little John" rightly reckons that the compromised  rate of spin in the rifling would be more important than the slight bore  diameter difference.

     22 Long Rifle with 22WMR Ball, Hollow Point, and Polymer Tipped 'varmint' round.

The .22" WMR  is a very useful medium range 'Varmint'  and small game rifle cartridge available with various design projectiles weighing 30, 40, and 50grains. Excellent here for stretching the distance you can expect to hit rabbits effectively - but the ammunition while cheaper than centre-fire is still much dearer than .22 long rifle R/F - and can't be reloaded.

In America the 22WMR is held by some to be quiet a useful self defence calibre for very compact (sub-compact) handguns and 'Derringers' rather than the .22" Long Rifle R/F - but there really isn't much difference in velocity between the two rounds out of a two or three inch barrel (but the 22WMR will be much LOUDER!)

                                     North American Arms (NAA) Five shot Revolver.

- & Look at the size of this barrel below!:

            Ruger Single Six Convertible Revolver with 9.5 inch barrel - That's pretty !

If you enjoy technical questions about ballistics and barrel lengths - The place to start has to be the Web-Site "Ballistics By The Inch" - BBTI - they have measured the velocities of the common calibres 'inch-by-inch' and put it all up on-line in table form. - Brilliant. - They've even had a look at the polygonal rifling versus 'land & groove' performance.

Marty K
After researching & writing 1,036 blogs I've got something NEW to try .. I've signed-up to Patreon. - In over five years I've not made one cent from this .. NOW you can send me a wee support $ - starting from $1. to get all this stuff from New Zealand - over a year that's nearly the price of one Shooting magazine. - Am I worth it?

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=16618870