American Handgunner March/April 1981

tiny targets at long range, but that is theirprime virtue. You see, ever since Remingtonmarketed the first XP in 1963 I've felt,well, to be frank, that they're ugly. Theyjust don't look like a pistol. Not to mentionbeing big and clulpsy.Now the Thompson/Center Contenderlooks like a pistol, and with the new Herrett-designedwood, or some ofthe customstocks, they have their own kind ofbeauty.But I've had uneven success with them onthe range. Some shoot, some don't. I've aSuper 14 that shoots real well, but itchanges point of impact as it heats up.Custom-barreled Contenders offer betterconsistency, but weren't quite what Iwanted.With BATF's restrictions on buildinghandguns from rifle actions, there isn'tmuch left to choose from. Actually, onlyone, and few, if any, have experimentedwith it as a basis for an unlimited gun.The action? Navy Arms? replica ofRemington's first single shot pistol,' therolling block. Designed in the blackpowder era, the replicas have been updatedto the smokeless age with modernsteels and heat treats, and are chamberedfor the .357 mag and the .22LR.After sometime spent hanging out ingun shops studying the pistol, and pouring(Continued on page 61)Above, completed Roiling Block pistolwith hammer cocked, and block closed.Below, pistol Is opert, ready to load.