Well - here's a loada junk!! The ''RG'' seemingly came in many guises as far as name goes - the supplier adding their own label. Quite how or why ''Puppy'' got chosen is not known!

A weak, pot metal based gun - this is for cheapskates and as for reliability, not to be trusted too much. Add to that the 22 short cal and you have a pretty feeble gun, which is kept out of pure interest and curiosity.

A passable example of the genre - although as most know these were churned out en masse and cheaply way back. This one is a shooter although hardly tight! Ammo is way too pricey but reloading helps that if need be!

These small revolvers are beautifully engineered. They are of course ''mouse'' and nothing more. I do believe though that this when set up with the magnum cylinder (my norm) - it is still of some use and so an easy BUG to 'lose' in the smallest of pockets. It is said that the ..22 WMR muzzle velocity is close to that of a .22lr from a rifle - so approx 1200 fps.

Despite a diminutive size in large hands, it is quite easy to operate accurately - at close ranges of course. Strictly SA only and to reload the cylinder pin is removed and whole cyinder unloaded and reloaded out of the gun.

This is included for reasons of nostalgia. It was "lost" back in 1997 in UK when the Gov decided regular size handguns were out - but it represented a useful platform for practice as it was about same weight as a .38. The grips were home made from mahogany.

Not the usual pic' style and it was in fact taken over 15 years ago. I took pic's of most of my then handgun collection but - that was UK and in 1997 they went. Crazy!

Anyways, I included this because it was in most ways the ideal light snub in .22lr. The grips made it feel much larger and were comfortable beyond description. Sadly this specimen was old when I picked it up and very sloppy, particularly the crane assembly, to the point that DA was not at all reliable because it would lock up. SA however was fine and it was a fun gun to shoot.

As single action 22's go, this has to be a favorite for many. Classic style and nicely finished (except for the ''manual'' stamped into side of barrel!). Great to shoot, as well as economical.

The gun is actually designed primarily to shoot the .22 WMR round and does that well - using the purpose made cylinder. It still shoots well however with the .22lr though the other cylinder, despite the bore being a thou larger than needed. The only downside, which applies to all SA revolvers, is the fiddle involved with unloading and loading - just a bit tedious.

This newer version scores over the early Single Sixes in as much as it is safe to carry on a loaded chamber - having a transfer bar system. The early ones were only really safe carried on an empty chamber.

Ruger has found a solid following for this gun, and while this is the .357 version - has made it for .22lr and also 9mm, tho that has ceased production. Although there is a 3" barrel option this does for me make the ideal carry snub configuration.

It is for sure hardly the lightest snub but is very strong and so well able to handle a diet of hot loads - added to which being stainless is very tolerant of summer sweat! The Crimson Trace grips make it more versatile in my opinion. The trigger is not up to ''Smith'' standards, particularly when new but most people find with use, including plenty of dry firing, that it smooths quite well.

The Model 19 has for a long time been quite a classic 38/357 and is built on the "K" frame. It will handle full magnum loads capably but I consider a sustained diet of those will over time tend to loosen it beyond what seems fair.

This "dash 3" is still showing the classic pinned and recessed construction, whereby the chamber mouths are counter-bored to accept the case rim - and the barrel is pinned into the frame.

This "N" frame Smith and Wesson .357 Magnum is my own favorite for proportions. I like the 4" and even the 6" but I consider this 5" barrel the ultimate length for overall balance and aesthetics.

Being a 'dash 2" this is pinned and recessed, meaning the chamber mouths are counterbored to accept case rims and the barrel is secured to the frame by a pin. The "N" frame is strong and will accept hot loads well, although I tend to prefer using reduced loads for quantity shooting. This gun pleases my eye every time I see it!

Here is an example of the classic Smith and Wesson "N" frame Model 27. Being a "dash 2" this is pinned and recessed, meaning the chamber mouths are counterbored to accept case rims and the barrel is secured to the frame by a pin. The "N" frame is strong and will accept hot loads well, although I tend to prefer using reduced loads for quantity shooting.

This long barrelled version is not very totable compared to shorter versions but I fancy there is a small gain in accuracy, as well as providing the benefit of a very nice long sight base. It does make for a very fine long range shooter.

The "N" frame Smith and Wesson M28 is what might be called a "simplified" Model 27. Not however simplified all that much really - most differences are with narrower trigger and different hammer spur. This "dash 2" is pinned and recessed, meaning the chamber mouths are counterbored to accept case rims and the barrel is secured to the frame by a pin. The finish is not the deep blue luster of a M27.

This example has tho been quite extensively 'tweaked'' and has a very nice trigger job, bobbed hammer and, a subtle chamfer added to chamber mouths, the better to facilitate speedloads. So - it is for DA only but, is very sweet to shoot even with hot loads.

The 686 is built on the "L" frame and is perhaps one of the best all round Smith and Wesson .357's - it's main competition being the Ruger GP-100. That is probably the stronger gun.

However, I do know some history on this gun, which was that it was shot a lot and carried, by a friend I sadly never met, Bob Ford from Las Vegas - he sadly died June 24th 2006, not even in his 60's. He offered it for sale back in about 2005 and although I knew it had shot many 100's (probably 1,000's) of very hot .357's ..... decided to get it. It in a sense replaced the same model I had had to give up in UK in 1997.

I used my old 686 for PPC and made a barrel weight to add on - and have managed to utilize the same with small relief changes on this 686. It adds 15 ounces and drops POI by 6 full inches at 25 yards - so sights need reset. That coupled with light target 38 loads make for a great controllable platform. It shows quite marked flame cutting on the top strap but that is self- limiting and overall the gun is still plenty tight enough. Smooth as smooth trigger.

This is a gem. The K-22 Masterpiece, a "K" frame built on the square butt, eventually became the Models 17 and 18 after 1957 - and this gun dates back a ways before that as what might be called a "pre K-22".. Not 100% - probably 95-98% - pretty good. A delight to shoot.

The grips have medallion inserts but are smooth - whereas the walnut checkered 'magna' grips were the norm later on.

Another example of the old "throwaway" guns made early in the 1900's. This one had languished and corroded and was minus two springs. As an excercise it was made functional and does shoot but ........ purely for novelty interest and hardly stellar performance! A cheap piece of history.

This is only included as an interest item - and the pic was posted within a discussion thread on a forum. I believe this was one of the stronger H&R offerings and would quite like to find one.

I am not a huge fan of Taurus but have to say, this S&W "clone" was absolutely stellar, right out the box. The trigger is as good as if it had been worked on and the gun shoots well - in fact it is the gun my wife shoots best with.

I replaced the factory rubber grips with some Butler Creek grips and these fill the hand just a shade better and the gun balances beautifully. It is a seven shot however and try as I might it still phases me! It will take hot loads but I confine this to .38 Spl mostly and these days the gun sits idly by as a handy house gun. Good looker too I think.

Well - here is an old friend! This has obvious holster wear and even some slight corrosion pitting from sweat along grips line of frame. Not surprising as it was a very first carry piece for many months.

It's I think one of Taurus's best and well up there with even Smith steel snubs. I found the Hogue grips a great benefit and although only 38 Spl caliber, it was and still is a good shooter and quite controllable too. It will still see duty now and again - if only as a BUG in the truck or car.

If interested about the size of this (typical of most "J" frame snubs), against a Makarov then check out this page also.