Gun Collectors Club • Article Index

Articles from the Gun Room

A two-column index of collecting notes, range reports, gun care articles, history pieces, and personal stories from years of writing about old guns.

By Greg CookUpdated June 15, 2026Collector reading room
Organized gun cabinet with handguns, ammunition, and holsters

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Gun collecting is not one narrow subject. Some articles are about handguns and long guns, some are about range trips and maintenance, and others are about the business, tax, storage, and family questions that come with owning a collection over time.

This page brings those longer articles together in one place. Each card links to the original page, uses a representative image from that article, and carries the page description or a close summary of the article’s lead.

Bill Jordan themed article image with Border Patrol, revolver, and Model 19 references

Bill Jordan

A profile of Bill Jordan, the Border Patrolman, exhibition shooter, writer, and practical revolver man whose ideas helped shape the Smith & Wesson Model 19 Combat Magnum.

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Elmer Keith themed article image with revolver, handgunning books, and magnum cartridge references

Elmer Keith

A collector-focused profile of Elmer Keith, the rancher, gun writer, handloader, bullet designer, and driving force behind American magnum handgunning.

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Gil Hebard Guns patch with Smith & Wesson revolver and shooting reference book

Gil Hebard

A profile of Gilbert Burnside “Gil” Hebard, champion pistol shooter, mail-order handgun innovator, shooting author, and patriarch of American pistol culture.

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R. L. Wilson firearms historian article image

R. L. Wilson: Firearms Historian

A look at R. L. Wilson’s influence on firearms history, Colt scholarship, collector publishing, and the way serious collectors learned to study important guns.

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Colt Series 70 1911 Government Model

Modern Handguns

A brief overview of handgun development, from early revolvers and Colt’s Single Action Army to Browning’s semi-automatic pistols and modern polymer-framed designs.

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Author holding an old Colt Python

The Gun Blog

A personal note on redesigning the site, publishing the Gun Collectors Club by hand, and keeping the hobby alive without depending on outside advertising.

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Gun cabinet before cleaning

Gun Cabinet

Organizing and cleaning a gun cabinet, with practical observations on storage, accessories, ammunition, and the satisfaction of putting the collection back in order.

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Browning Citori made by Miroku

Miroku Corporation

The story of Miroku, the Japanese maker behind many Browning shotguns and Winchester rifles, and its reputation for quality and craftsmanship.

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Business or hobby illustration

Guns, Taxes & Terminologies

A collector’s look at the line between hobby and business, why terminology matters, and how gun collecting can raise practical tax and recordkeeping questions.

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Taylor and Zack showing a range target

Range Reports & Videos

Range-day notes and videos, with reminders about firearm safety, accuracy, precision, and real experiences shooting old and collectible guns.

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Modern derringer pocket pistol

Pocket Pistols

A historical overview of pocket pistols and derringers, from Henry Deringer’s early work to the enduring appeal of small defensive handguns.

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Author with SIG Sauer P320

U.S. Service Sidearm

A Sunday afternoon reflection on the U.S. military sidearm transition, the author’s long-standing affection for the 1911, and a second look at the SIG Sauer P320.

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Clock template for concealed carry positions

Left is Right

A right-handed shooter experiments with a left-handed holster, small-of-back carry, draw position, and the practical limits of internet advice.

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1952 Colt Detective Special

The Obama Years

A personal look at the 2008–2016 gun market, rising prices, record demand, and the handful of guns added to the collection during those years.

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1946 Smith & Wesson K-22 Masterpiece

The Boom Years

A post-war look at the American gun industry from 1946 to 1964, with Baby Boom-era context, changing production, and collectible examples.

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Cleaning an old revolver with Barricade

Caring for Old Guns

Two rules for caring for old guns: use the right products and use the right methods, especially when handling delicate old finishes.

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1960 and 1976 guns displayed together

1960 Meets 1976

A nostalgic article connecting two guns from the collection with the music, memories, and historical backdrop of 1960 and 1976.

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Author holding Colt Officer's Model Double Diamond

Colt Double Diamond .45

A collector’s look at the Colt Officers Model .45 Double Diamond, its commemorative background, and why it became a carry-worthy favorite.

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Two Colt Cobras displayed with a lion sculpture

Old Carry Guns

A personal answer to which old guns get carried most often, with thoughts on comfort, concealment, practice, and favorite Colt carry guns.

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Collector Guides

Prefer to browse by firearm category? Start with revolvers, semi-automatics, rifles, and shotguns.

Open Collector Guides

Product Reviews

See product reviews written from personal use and full-price purchases rather than paid placements.

Open Reviews

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