Australian & New Zealand Handgun

Aim true with Handgun
Welcome to the 2012 edition of Australian & New Zealand Handgun. We are so pleased to present this, the 10th edition, to you. Who would have thought that despite 10 years of restrictive, ineffective and at times, very frustrating handgun regulations, buy-backs, hand-ins and politics that we would still be publishing this magazine? Well, we did, of course!

As this edition of Handgun and indeed all before it demonstrates, recreational revolver and self-loading pistol shooting is a legitimate, relevant and enjoyable pastime. It is also something that we seem to do very well, with shooters from Australia and all over the Pacific region often gaining a place on the podium at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games and many other international Action Match, Target Pistol, Handgun Metallic Silhouette and Single Action shooting events.

First up in this magazine, Media Officer Rachael Andrews debunks a few of the ‘statistics’ and catchcries perpetuated by anti-firearms groups, and discusses why self-loading pistols are important not only in the target shooting scene, but also for Australia’s future sporting successes. We also gain an international perspective from British pistol shooter Georgina Geikie, who talks about recent regulation changes in her country and the difficulties she faces in participating in her chosen shooting disciplines.

We have reviews on Kimber’s Team Match II self-loader, Walther’s LP400 Carbon air pistol, Smith & Wesson’s 686 Competitor weighted-barrel revolver, a shooting rest, handgun bags and cases and much more.

In our Historical section, Dick Eussen provides a comprehensive account of the evolution of handguns and cartridges, from the earliest flintlock and percussion cap firearms, to various wartime innovations, right up to modern-day sporting calibres and cartridges. History and do-it-yourself enthusiast Geoff Smith also offers two stories about some projects he has recently undertaken: namely, to create a flintlock duelling pistol and how you can make your own replacement pieces for old and collectable firearms.

Remember to enter our competitions for your chance to win a C-More pistol sight, Plano double pistol case or SSAA Store range bag, and enjoy all that this magazine has to offer.

Here’s to another 10 editions of Handgun!

Tim Bannister
Managing Editor