The Shootist Archives - Page 4 of 6 - Mississippi Sportsman

April 30, 2026

As a result of the design improvements in tactical handgun ammo, there are many excellent self-defense rounds on the market that (according to the manufacturers) now overcome the problem of failure to expand.

The much maligned “9”

November 1, 2011 Gordon Hutchinson

It happened again at an afternoon barbecue a few months ago. A new acquaintance commented he was looking at buying a new pistol. […]

Few accessories can help you produce tiny groups like a Caldwell Lead Sled. This is one of several sighting devices on the market that practically remove the human error from sighting in a rifle.

Lead sled and sighting in: Less chore, more fun

September 27, 2011 Gordon Hutchinson

Every profession and every hobby has countless accessories, geegaws and knickknacks that supposedly make it easier to reach the final objective or goal — whether putting a ball in a hole or a projectile in a certain place on an animal or target. […]

Shown is a Harrington & Richardson Handi-Rifle with a stainless barrel and laminated wood stock. This particular
rifle is outfitted with a BSA “Catseye” scope, and is in .45-70 caliber — an accepted caliber in many states that have primitive weapons seasons.

The H&R Handi-Rifle; It’s a deer stomper

August 31, 2011 Gordon Hutchinson

I was fighting the morning commute when my cell phone rang. I knew it had to be Carlos. It was deer season — and he calls me at the same time almost every morning to talk about deer, guns and hunting. […]

This app, downloaded to the author’s Droid smart phone, performs just like an expensive electronic timer.

Shoot fast … slow

June 27, 2011 Gordon Hutchinson

A group of us used to make a circuit of three different monthly PPC (Police Pistol, Combat) matches. At least, those who had the time and really got into the competitive spirit made the circuit. […]

The Ruger LCP in .380 ACP moved the earth when it was introduced, and caused a nationwide shortage of its ammo, a short 9MM round. The most frequent request heard by Ruger from its customers was to take the LCP to the next level, and make it in full-sized 9MM. The result: a palm-sized version of the LCP is called the LC9.

Pocket Rocket — Ruger’s new LC9 Compact Pistol

May 31, 2011 Gordon Hutchinson

A couple of years ago, at the Louisville NRA convention, I wandered over to the Ruger booth to watch Randell Pence, national sales manager for Ruger Firearms, doing a land-office business. […]

Both of these guns are aluminum-framed, hammerless .38 Special five-shot revolvers, and have been excellent choices for self-defense for years. Shown below the Airweight is S&W’s newest, a totally redesigned revolver known as the Bodyguard.

The Bodyguard .38 Special Smith & Wesson reinvents the revolver

April 28, 2011 Gordon Hutchinson

There are so many innovative handguns hitting the retail shelves these days, it’s hard to stay ahead of the curve when you’re a gun writer.

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Arms Trade Treaty facts are still alarming

December 27, 2010 Gordon Hutchinson

After my September column on the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty, two readers took me to task for an alarmist statement they said caused the entire column to be suspect. […]

If ratified by the Senate, the United Nations Small Arms Treaty would supercede the Constitution.

U.N. Small Arms Treaty a real threat to U.S. gun owners

August 31, 2010 Gordon Hutchinson

Several times a week, I receive internet warnings that scream the present administration plans to circumvent the Second Amendment to the Constitution. […]

The Taurus PT709 Slim is an excellent compromise between too small and just right for a 9MM pistol. Here the Taurus is shown in the middle between the ubiquitous Ruger LCP on the bottom and the popular Glock Model 19 on top.

PT 709 Slim: a self-defense pistol worthy of the name

May 27, 2010 Gordon Hutchinson

David George DeMersseman was 54 years old, an insurance executive and on a road trip. He was sitting in a Waffle House on a major thoroughfare next to an entrance/exit off Interstate 12 in my town, having an early breakfast or a late dinner — the newspapers didn’t specify. […]