Crossfire December 2018

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Ring It Up

In the August issue, Dave Anderson paints such a convincing picture for Ruger’s American Rimfire Compact in .22 WMR, “Rimfires Rule the Roost!” that I had to put together my own “farm rifle.” One problem I’m having is identifying the scope rings he used on the Redfield scope. Any information would be most helpful.
Mike Hori
Via email

Mike, the rings are from Weaver, made to clamp on the 3/8″ grooves commonly seen on rimfire rifles. They are made to fit a 1″ diameter scope tube as on the Redfield. Sometimes these rings are referred to as “Tip-Off” rings — I assume because if you wish to remove the scope, it’s only necessary to loosen the mounting screws and then tip the scope to one side. Rings and scope have performed very well. I haven’t had to touch the adjustments since initial sighting. Hope you’ll be as pleased with the rifle as I am. —Dave Anderson

Old Colts

Massad Ayoob’s October column on old Colts reminded me why I carry a 1969-vintage Colt revolver in this age of compact Wondernines. My dad, who turns 90 this year and retired from the NYPD as a Captain back in 1988, carried an old Detective Special for well over 50 years. As a kid, I have fond memories of him taking me to shoot it at Rodman’s Neck police range by our home on City Island. Now, every time I strap mine on, I picture him strapping his on, and it gives me a special connection to a special time with my very special dad.
Dave DiGregorio
Via email

Magnumized Model 10?

I’ve read with great interest the many historical articles you have provided on Colt and S&W wheelguns in every issue. Likely you have already covered this topic, I’d appreciate information on certain S&W Model 10-6s that were returned to S&W for retrofit from .38 Special to .357 Magnum (i.e. barrels, cylinders, combat triggers, hammers). I’ve found scant information on this topic, but from what I can gather, a few 10-6s were returned by NYPD (or NY State Police) for this retrofit, and now, a few “factory” .357 10-6s do exist in the public domain. I sent a note to S&W some time ago, but never received a response.
S.A. Haley
Via email

“We’ve asked our two Smith wheelgun gurus, John Taffin and Mas Ayoob, about this. John referred us to this from the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson 4th Edition: “Around 3,000 10-6s were in .357 Magnum, including around 1,200 for the NYSP with 4 heavy pinned barrel … Frame marked 10-6, .357 Magnum on the barrel.” According to Mas, those NYSP guns may have actually pre-dated the Model 13 .357 K-Frame. —Payton Miller”