BIRDS OF PREY - Jeffersonian

upon my return to the States — and a
reliable mailing address!
GySgt Eric D. Smith
CLR-2, Communications
Operations Chief
Gunny, thanks for your kind words. But
more importantly, thanks for all you
and our other GIs do to keep the rest of
us safe here at home. And hurry back,
safely! Until then, spread the word: you
can read the complete issues of Handgunner,
GUNS, American COP and
Shooting Industry using our very cool
digital online editions. Just go to their
respective Web sites (ours is www.americanhandgunner.com),
click on the digital
edition and once it loads you can turn
the pages, click on ads and hot-links and
enjoy your favorite gunzines until you
get home to friends and family. As my
dad used to tell me when I was a cop:
“Shoot back first.” RH
And …
How I do love it when John and Mike
go at it like this. I’ve followed Mike’s
writing for more years than I care to
admit to. I’ve never had the pleasure of
talking with him but I’d sure like to sit
over a cup of coffee and visit with him.
Years ago I had the pleasure to exchange
a couple of letters with John and can say
he’s a real gentleman. Bottom line I have
the highest respect for both of them.
I’ve got to side with John on this one,
though. The 44 Special is special. Back
in the 1980s I managed to pick up all
three barrel lengths when S&W reintroduced
the Model 24s. The 3" version was
the only less than satisfying one, but the
4" and 61/2" were real gems. I’ll never
forgive myself for letting that 4" go in a
weak moment. With Skeeter Skelton’s
load I’ve never had a .44 Special that
wasn’t an outstanding shooter. Now days
my .44 Special shooting is handled with
a flat top .44 Ruger. The same Skelton
load shoots just as accurate as always
and is pleasant to boot. I’m sure John
would agree there are few things that
just seem as right as a walk through the
countryside with a single action on your
hip chambered in .44 Special.
Rick Holbert
Baton Rouge, LA
Caliber Confusion
I’m 62 years old, a college graduate,
served as a Naval Officer during the
Vietnam conflict and operated a successful
business for most of my adult
life. I say this not to blow my own horn
but to give you an indication I have at
least some brains. I started carrying a
handgun about five years ago. For all
intents and purposes, I’m a novice when
it comes to the shooting arts and sciences,
but I’ve never been able to find
any articles or explanations regarding
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