Ronald Reagan's Favorite Guns

[countertop]

In Peggy Noonan's wonderful book When Character Was King: A Story of Ronald Reagan she includes much discussion of Ronald Reagan's love of firearms and the great outdoors and how there were few things he liked better than just plinking away, along on his ranch, with his impressive collection of firearms.

We know now, through news accounts, that he owed at least a .45 handgun. But what kind of revolvers did he have.

Has anyone heard/seen/read about Reagan's collection of firearms and the guns that excited him. Being a cowboy, I assume he had an impressive collection of old Henry and Winchester lever actions, as well as more than a few Garands. But I don't know for sure.

Does anyone know where I can get this kind of info?

 

[tcdrennen]

Read a story just today about Reagan, as a young actor in Hollywood, being threatened with disfigurement by acid (extortion or something, didn't get the details.) He took to carrying a "S&W .32"revolver everywhere, from when he got up in the morning 'til he went to bed at night.

Then there's the woman who claims he saved her from his second story room one night by leaning out when he heard a mugger threaten her on the street below as she walked home; he's supposed to have said 'let her go or I'll shoot you right between the shoulders.' What his weapon was isn't stated.

 

[Diggler]

I just got an NRA press release about Reagan, and that he owned an AR-15.

 

[Kharn]

tcdrennen:
From what I read, the weapon Reagan used to save the nursing student was an unloaded '.45 automatic revolver', so maybe a Colt or S&W 1917 New Service? It wasnt loaded, so Reagan's plan was to throw the pistol at the assailant if he didnt run off.

Kharn

 

[Benjamin]

.

 

[Trebor]

Most of the accounts I've read of Reagan saving the nurse said he used a .45 Auto. I believe it was govt issue from a ROTC program or some such. I have seen one reference to it being a .45 Revolver, but I believe the person who wrote that version of the story was wrong.

Reagan also owned a Gyro Jet pistol. There's an article on the Small Arms Review web page somewhere that shows a letter Reagan wrote to the inventor of the Gyro Jet asking where he could get more ammo for the pistol. The ammo was long out of production by then, but since Reagan was then Governor of California, the inventer sent him a few rounds from his private stash.

 

[Diggler]

It's strange, but good to see a firearm on an airplane!

 

[Destructo6]

I know he had a Gyrojet of all things.

The Honorable Governor
Ronald Reagan
1660 San Onofre
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Dear Governor Reagan,
I am sending you under separate cover
twelve rounds of “precious†13mm Gyrojet
ammo.
We all have a great deal of respect and
admiration for you - and for these and many
other reasons, I have broken into my special
stock pile of ammo.
Respectfully (signed) Bob
ROBERT MAINHARDT

Dear Mr. Mainhardt:
I didn’t realize that you’d be reducing
your own personal supply. You were very kind
to do this. I am more grateful than I can say.
Thanks, too, for the literature on MBA.
I enjoyed reading of the many products although
at times I felt I was in a science fiction
world.
I’ll guard my gyro-rockets carefully and,
again, my heartfelt thanks.
Sincerely, (signed) Ronald Reagan

 

[another okie]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=85983

 

[Nightfall]

That picture seems so weird to me... a US president with a rifle, on a plane, with happy men and women around him smiling... must have been a different era. Foreign to me!

 

[tex_n_cal]

and don't forget - Nancy's "teeny little gun" which sounds like a .25 auto.

And since I haven't written it anywhere else, I will add, "May God Bless Ronald Reagan's soul"

 

[atek3]

Reagan owned an AR-15 but supported the 1994 AWB...hypocrite!

atek3

 

[k8ysv]

Reagan owned an AR-15 but supported the 1994 AWB...hypocrite!

Why? Because Sarah Brady said he did? You believe everything she says? Her AND Katie Couric?

 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

Reagan owned an AR-15 but supported the 1994 AWB...hypocrite!

Nancy Reagan didn't support it, and her husband was the intended target of the assasination attempt.

Regards,
Rabbit.

 

[spartacus2002]

My new justification for owning a .45 pistol:

"if it's good enough for the Gipper, it's good enough for me!"

 

[seeker_two]

When I went to the Reagan Museum in March, I saw one of his engraved S&W M-29 .44 Magnums on display....


When he told Congress to "Go ahead. Make my day", he MEANT it...

 

[twoblink]

So the Gipper said to Gorbie... "Do you feel lucky? Well, do you? PUNK!"

hehehhe

50% Ronald Reagon 50% Alex P Keaton made me a Republican in the haydays..

Then I started making an income and became a Libertarian on April 16th...

 

[twoblink]

So the Gipper said to Gorbie... "Do you feel lucky? Well, do you? PUNK!"

hehehhe

50% Ronald Reagon 50% Alex P Keaton made me a Republican in the haydays..

Then I started making an income and became a Libertarian on April 16th...