March/April 1983 - American Handgunner

INDUSTRY INSIDERJERRY RAKUSANWELL-KNOWN REVOLVER MAKEREYES AUTOMATIC PISTOL MARKETXthis is written (early November),there is little hard news about thehandgun industry; most of the manufacturersand importers are holding off anyannouncements until the 1983 SHOTShow in Dallas, early in January.There are, however, some interestingtidbits that we will pass along, just as weheard them. The most exciting one comesfrom a spokesman for Detonics. The successof its mini-.45 has given the companyconfidence in the market, and it'll be offeringseveral new handguns in 1983. The firstis a full-size .45, probably in several configurations;full IPSC style and stark streetdress. Next will come a pocket 9mm, saidto be just a hair bigger than the .380 BackUp, in double-action.Detonics will, I predict, raise a few eyebrowswith its offering of a moderndouble-action, top-break revolver in stainlesssteel, and featuring interchangeablebarrels in calibers from .357 to .44 Mag-6num. All will be introduced at the SHOTShow, but deliveries probably will be staggeredthroughout 1983.that there shortly should be a scattering ofguns in dealer's hands.In Miami, there is also movement afoot.We hear that Taurus of Brazil will be settingup its own distribution of revolversand auto pistols that have been importedby International Distributors. Word alsoout of Miami is that we should watch for alook-alike of the Beretta Minx chamberedfor the .22 Long Rifle cartridge.WHERE ARE THEY NOW?Still among the missing-at thiswriting-are the Wildey 9mm and .45Magnum gas-operated pistols, the Eagle.357 Magnum (reportedly being made inIsrael) and the Arminex Tri-Fire auto. Thelatter has been seen in the Phoenix area,but we're not sure if these guns are furtherprototypes, or actual production models.The rumored rebirth of the .380 IndianArms into the Guardian-SS is still a rumor,as far as we are concerned. The.45 double-action from Sterling appears to be on aback burner; same goes for the Mossberg.We look for a well-known manufacturerof revolvers to announce a couple of newauto pistols in the near future. The pro-prietor ofthis firm has been nosing aroundEurope, and has looked at a couple ofmodels of both rimfire and centerfirepistols that he feels will fit into his line.RUGER INTERNATIONAL?A British handgun magazine, quoting aGerman handgun magazine, tells an intriguingtale of a French 9mm revolverthat utilizes a French cylinder and barrelmated to a Ruger double-action frame.The reasons for this odd marriage were notgiven; but a couple of these would, I'msure, bring a sweet price on the U.S. collectormarket.Those sharp cracking shots you mayhave., heard were fired from productionguns from Coonan Arms. You'll recall allthe fuss about the Coonan .357 Magnumautoloader a year or so ago. Well, some ofour spies have actually s"hot the gun, andclaim the report from this fire-breathing Watch for our report on the SHOT Showdragon is awesome. First guns, we are told, in the May-June issue. It should .....are going to investors; but we are also told clear up a lot of the haze. ~AMERICAN HANDGUNNER· MARCH/APRIL 1983