The evolution of the .44 Magnum

I don't have much confidence in the idea that we humans evolved from pond scum but I know for certain that firearms and ammunition have evolved through the ages to give us the wonderful products we use today. I want to tell you the story of how we have gotten the guns and cartridges we have today, describing the advancements made that have resulted in the products we use today, one gun and/or one cartridge at a time. This column will do that with the .44 Magnum cartridge.

I will begin with the immediate predecessors to the revolvers we have today. They were the Colt and Smith & Wesson "cap and...