356 



RECREATION 



load and get the same ballistic results as with the 

 .32-40 black powder load. — Editor. 



About Holsters 

 Editor Recreation: 



I notice in this month's number (February) of 

 your magazine that one of your readers writes that 

 he objects to the creaking noise made by new 

 leather. 



Any first-class gun store will make a belt and 

 holster after his own ideas, if he is willing to pay 

 them for their extra labor. To rid the leather of 

 the creak, and to darken a light tanned leather, he 

 could use either neat's-foot oil, or "3-in-i." 

 Either of these oils applied liberally with a small 

 brush will do the work. Besides, neither of them 

 will soil any cloth which it comes in contact with. 



I also notice in one of the current magazines that 

 some one makes the positive statement that a 

 magazine gun cannot jam. As I have never had 

 any experience with a gun of this sort, I can't speak 

 on my own hook relative to it, but it was due to the 

 jamming of the action of a magazine gun a year 

 or so ago that one of the most notorious bandits 

 of the present age was captured. The gun failed 

 him at a critical moment and the result was defeat 

 for him. 



Would the action of a S. A. Colt jam? Nix-ee. 



E. M. Crafton. 



Chicago, 111. 



out cylinder, but if we cannot get the whole apple 

 we should be contented if we get the meat, and not 

 make too much fuss about the skin and the core. 



Westerner. 



The .41 Colt in Single Action 



Editor Recreation: 



Although I am not a subscriber to Recreation, 

 I purchase it regularly each month, and the re- 

 volver controversy has interested me so much as to 

 make me venture a few suggestions in the hope 

 that they may prove of some value. 



The single-action Colt Frontier model revolver, 

 adapted primarily for the .44 and .45 calibres, 

 was introduced when there was need for a weapon 

 of great stopping power. But the settlement of 

 the West and the disappearance of the bad man 

 and the wild Indian have rendered so powerful a 

 weapon unnecessary. Many bad men in the West 

 now claim that the .41 long is powerful enough to 

 kill a man quickly at the distances at which such 

 shots are usually taken. It is only natural, there- 

 fore, that there should be a demand for a similar 

 weapon of lighter frame and smaller calibre. 



Most of your correspondents insist on a swing- 

 out cylinder. Now, the making of an entirely new 

 frame would probably involve more expense than 

 the sale would warrant. If the manufacturers are 

 asked to do too much, they will do nothing. 



The .41 Colt double-action revolver has a frame 

 of the same relative weight for the .41 long car- 

 tridge that the Frontier model has for the .45. It 

 has practically the same shape of handle, and is 

 bored also for the .38 cartridge. 



If the Colt Company could be convinced that 

 there would be a sufficient demand, I am confident 

 they would speedily modify this model, by chang- 

 ing it to a single-action with a hammer trigger and 

 guard of the same style as those of the Frontier 

 model. 



This revolver, of course, would not have a swing- 



Trie Ail-Around Rifle 



Editor Recreation: 



Have read so much in Recreation regarding 

 the small calibre rifle, that, not knowing the con- 

 tributors personally, I scarcely know where to 

 get off. 



I want a rifle and would like to have it come as 

 near as may be to performing the following stunts 

 (of course, taking for granted it is properly cared 

 for and properly held): Kill a deer, coon, fox, 

 chuck, turkey, chicken, rabbit — and cat (Thomas). 

 One that will shoot H. P. smokeless powder. 



One that can be reloaded with a miniature 

 charge for target. 



One that the shells can be reloaded with ordi- 

 nary ease. 



Your advice on the kind and make (S. S. or re- 

 peater) would be appreciated, but the main 

 question is, "What calibre?" 



Thanking you in advance for your kindness 

 and expressing good wishes for Recreation, I 

 beg to remain, Roy Boffenmeyer. 



Cleveland, Ohio. 



The all-around rifle has not yet been produced 

 and until it appears you must be content with 

 an approximation. For instance, why not try a 

 .25-35, or a .25-36, or a .30-30. Any of these 

 will be found very fairly satisfactory. Most 

 shooters, excepting for purely target work, now 

 favor the repeater. — Editor. 



"Point Blank" 



Editor Recreation: 



Will you kindly let me know the " natural point 

 blank" of a Winchester .25-20 rifle, using the 

 regular and high velocity cartridges, also at what 

 limit good shooting can be done with the .25-20, in 

 combination with front globe and Lyman Com. 

 rear sights. 



The notches in the Marble and Lyman rear 

 sight each add what distance toward a target at, 

 say, 200 or more yards ? H. Harrity. 



Brooklyn, N. Y. 



I am obliged to ask you a few questions in re- 

 turn. What do you understand by the natural 

 point blank of a rifle? There is, of course, no 

 such a thing as a point blank; the very instant the 

 bullet leaves the muzzle it begins to fall, but it is 

 possible to assume an artificial point blank by 

 defining the distance above or below the line of 

 sight the bullet must be within in order to satisfy 

 the requirements of the case. 



With regard to the distances that good shooting 

 can be done with a .25-20, that also is a matter 

 of opinion. There should be no difficulty in keep- 

 ing a .25-20-86 in a 8-in. bull, shot from a rest on 

 a perfectly calm day at 200 yards. Would this 

 satisfy you? Our own limit to the .25-20 would 

 be about 100 yards, as at that distance it is pro- 

 portionately more accurate than at 200 yards. 

 The notches in the Lyman and other rear sights 



