We spend a great deal of time discussing modern firearms here at Tyrant CNC because that is what we are crafting and fabricating improved components for. Firearms like the AR-15 platform as well as popular handguns like SIG Sauer, Glock, Springfield, and more. What about other less-discussed platforms like revolvers though? Let’s take a short stroll through history to see where revolvers have been over time and where they might be headed in the future.
To begin this wheelgun Ted talk, we’re going to really go back to the beginning. We are talking about when the Chinese invented gunpowder around 1,000 AD. Ironically enough, some alchemists were trying to make an elixir for immortality and stumbled upon gunpowder instead – lucky us! This led to “artillery shell” type fireworks still in use today, and primitive single-shot, black powder rifles and pistols. With a percussion action and a piece of flint, a shooter could volley one round at a time at an enemy. This was a significant advantage over archery in combat, but people still weren’t satisfied and looked to increase the rounds they could use. This led to very squirrely concoctions and inventions like 4-barrel derringers and even weirder things. Eventually, inventors stumbled upon a slightly more refined handgun in a revolving, 6-barrel black powder handgun – a black powder revolver!
Extremely crude at their inception, but effective enough to continue to drive innovation. Soon, instead of packing gunpowder, a patch, and a bullet down the “business” end of a barrel, modern closed-case cartridges started being invented. Modern cartridges made for significantly faster reloading and helped alleviate some of the inconsistencies of hand-pouring gunpowder. So, we were well on our way to something we might be familiar with today.
With modern cartridges, there was a renaissance of revolver design and production. You had the advent of top-break revolvers, single-action cowboy-style six-shooters, and even more modern swing-out cylinder revolvers. Over time, it was found that the best and safest lock-up designs were single-action (Example – Ruger Single-Six) or single-action/double-action (Example – Colt Python). People had a modern cartridge, a reliable and refined platform to fire it from, and advancements in metallurgy and metalwork made for better quality revolvers.
Now, let’s jettison ourselves to the last 20 years. Modern accouterments like optics plates for micro red dots, night sights for hunting and self-defense, and Picatinny rails underneath barrels and/or barrel lugs exist for flashlights and a multitude of other accessories. All of the tech and Gucci accessories you can get for your Glock you typically can find for a revolver (significantly fewer options and you have to hunt harder for them, but they do exist). So, there you have it! The Chinese searching for immortality brought us revolvers; who knew! As much as I love my modern guns, I do love a wheel gun, too. In the end, make sure to get out there training, honing your craft, and getting reps with your firearms, and Tyrant can help you along the way with some rad accessories. Until next time, continually check out our blog, join our newsletter, and watch the website for new and exciting updates! As always, let us know all your thoughts in the comments below. We love it when you participate in our articles and keep the conversation going!
