The Wheel Gun
The Joseph Brazier “Wheel Gun” reaches back some 20 years ago. Our design engineer Karl Lippard designed this gun called the “Combat UC” or “Combat Under Cover” in answer to a FBI problem back then in Florida which contributed to the loss of some agents in a gun battle with determined and very experience adversaries.
The problem? The problem was issue revolvers that were difficult to fire and almost impossible to reload or fire from the weak hand.
What does that mean? Well it means death…..
In a combat situation one has to consider all eventualities. Such as being shot for instance. Wounded in a manor in which a “Weak Hand” must come into play to save your life…or the lives of others.
In this case we had agents wounded who could not reload their weapons. In the case of the wheel gun, or revolver if you prefer, it is difficult to fire in the best of cases and to reload you almost need two hands.
The pistol selected as a basis for modifications to meet the criteria as a “Combat” revolver for Joseph Brazier was a Model 65 Smith and Wesson. The caliber: .357 magnum. And, if the law enforcement restricted its officers from .357 use, then the old .38 plus P’s were the second choice.
The Model 65 did have some deficiencies in that the trigger was often rough and pulls up to 12 pounds were not uncommon. But, the gun was malleable. It could be improved and with this model being made of stainless steel, the frame could be altered to another configuration to meet the demands of a professional under service conditions.
Let’s take a look at the alteration.
First, it was necessary to have a trigger pull that was clean and could be shot by a small woman. Next the spur hammer is bobbed as there is no practical application for single action in combat. For once you have cocked a hammer and not used the gun, the condition becomes dangerous. And if the hammer is allowed to be put down, where does that chamber go? A bad habit that could cost you your life.
So now you have a double action gun, a Brazier trigger and no hammer spur. What next?
Well, what time of year is it? Is it cold perhaps or do you wear gloves all the time? Gloves….?
Wearing gloves offers another problem in that the trigger on most guns do not allow access. So the motorcycle officer always is at a disadvantage until…he takes his gloves off. Therefore the Joseph Brazier Combat UC has a rebated trigger bow to allow access. All sharp edges of the trigger are removed from both sides, carefully by hand.
What about adjustable sites and those “glow in the dark” kind we see so much of today? Well, there are two types of firearms, those that are “defensive” and those that are “offensive “. What then IS a law enforcement weapon? Yes, it IS an offensive weapon. And an offensive weapon is reactionary. It’s sudden use. Anything that requires more than “instinctive focus” is a death sentence. The Combat UC has fixed non-reflective sights.
The grips selected were the Pachmayr rubber grips because they work. They provide great purchase to the bare sweaty hand or in the grasp of a glove.
One of the inherent problems too with any wheel gun it the cylinder lockup. Many are not square to the bore and shear lead when the gun is fired. That largely is a timing issue and all Combat UC’s are adjusted in timing to eliminate that accuracy problem of bullet shaving from the cylinder to barrel. And to aid in reloading, simple chamfering of the chambers solves most of that issue. The other being weak hand loading was another reason why the Smith & Wesson left opening cylinder, was selected. Our choice but again one that might save you life.
So as a composite, the Combat UC passes the test as it did 20 years ago as the most Combat worthy revolver pistol we know of. Guaranteed to fire and function properly for a lifetime of service. This Combat UC having past it’s shooting test today deploys to Denver, CO. We wish it a long life and God speed.
Look for the 3″ barreled sidearm not in your gun shop but where the metal meets the man. In the holster of a man who knows his business. A man who chose the Joseph Brazier Combat UC.