Greetings from SHOT Show 2025! I spent the day at Industry Day at the Range with my photo team, Gene Whisenand, Alex Frampton and my wife Karren. One of these days, I will keep track of the number of rounds we send down range. Today, our count included pepper balls, pellets and arrows, some of which I will cover in the next installment. Right now, I need to share the word of the day with you.
The word of the day is REVOLVER.
The days leading up to SHOT Show Range Day hinted that this would be a big year for revolvers — and I was right. Over the past few years, there has been a notable resurgence of quality revolvers in the U.S., and for good reason. Revolvers can deliver powerful projectiles in compact packages. Many shooters find them safer to carry than semi-automatic pistols, while others, like me, appreciate their versatility. A good revolver can fufill both defensive and outdoor trekking roles.
Diamondback Firearms
First up was the Diamondback Firearms SDR (Self Defense Revolver). Diamondback has three new models that share similar features, including a 2" six-shot 9mm +P that takes full moon clips. Since full moon clips offer the quickest reload for this kind of gun, I put some rounds through it. This SDR weighs 21.2 oz, has a push button cylinder release and a target crown.
The double action pull was smooth and consistent, and it was easy to squeeze off six accurate rounds and add a quick reload. The gun is small enough for AIWB or pocket carry. It is perfect for officers whose primary handgun is a 9mm.
The other SDR models are .357 Magnum. One has a 3" barrel and polished stainless finish. The other has a 2" barrel with a black nitride finish. They boast similar dimensions and features.
Up close, the quality is quite evident. SDRs have low-profile fiber optic sights and feel great in the hand. Diamondback has a unique, fully captured crane link and assembly, which can be removed from the frame with the push of a button. This allows the user to clean the gun much more easily.
Colt’s Manufacturing LLC Viper and Anaconda
Growing up in the era of revolvers, the Colt Python was regarded as the “Grail Gun” of the revolver. People who bought Colts generally bought them for life. The Colt Viper is similar to the Python without the full lug design under the barrel. To me, this revolver represents the EDC era of Colt in this decade. It has a concealable profile, rearward pull cylinder release and full stainless construction.
Back when I used a revolver in competition, for a very, very short time, there was a trigger action style that everyone wanted because one could go smoothly from target to target on a plate rack. The Viper has this action.
Sometimes I will try out a revolver in single action to ensure that the trigger pull won’t factor into accuracy testing. I just shot the Viper double action. It’s that smooth.
I shot an Anaconda too. That’s their 44 Magnum version. I have very little time behind an Anaconda, and it was refreshing how well this big gun handled the 200 grain Magtech (44 Special) rounds we were shooting.
Smith and Wesson
S&W has revived the Models 10, 19 and 36 without the locking mechanism that plagued the late 80s and early 90s. They are like the original models, which represented the beauty of the revolver. I’m a Model 36 fan, and I could recognize this gun blindfolded. The classic Smith & Wesson revolvers are making a comeback, reclaiming their status as the movie stars of the revolver world, complete with their deep blue finish and wooden grips.
I didn’t get a chance to shoot one on the range, but, between my friends and I, we own several, and shoot them all the time. We know how they run: without fail.
Kel-Tec PR57
Kel-Tec introduced the PR57, a semi-automatic, clip-fed, rotary locking barrel that holds 20 rounds of 5.7x28 ammo. It weighs 13 oz, and I demonstrated I could crank out all 20 rounds accurately in only a few seconds.
I know what you’re thinking. I listed a semi-auto under “revolvers.” Hear me out. One of the reasons we pick revolvers over autos is their lack of dependency on magazines. One can feed loose rounds or speed-loaded rounds into a revolver without worrying about carrying magazines. It sounds like the PR57 is an auto, but it is really an improved revolver, or a “revolver on steroids” as Jake from Kel-Tec called it.
The PR57 weighs under 14 oz. It shoots a round that is fairly effective. It is extremely easy to shoot. It field strips on the fly and DOES NOT REQUIRE MAGAZINES. Instead, one locks the slide to the rear and stuffs loose rounds into the top. There are also stripper clips for bulk-loading them quickly.
The PR57 is optic-ready. Kel-Tec is even introducing a holster for it.
This is what I anticipate: This gun is so simple and inexpensive that it will turn out to be a common EDC for a lot of users. It is lighter than any 5.7 gun on the market today. Kel-Tec is well known for making products that are end-user serviceable and customizable. All of us are going to get this gun.
That’s all for this session. I have more to report from the range, so look for it.
