Reeder #5 Improved

     Notes: Based on the “#5” design of Elmer Keith (which was itself an improvement of the #3 Featherweight of Harold Croft), the Reeder #5 Improved is ultimately a derivation of the legendary Colt Single Action Army.  The Reeder #5 Improved is primarily a replica of Elmer Keith’s #5, with the basic lines and grip shape of the Elmer Keith revolver.  However, Reeder replaced the pivoting cylinder pin lock with one made by Belt Mountain, with an hourglass-shaped head.  Reeder used an adjustable rear sight of his own design, and a removable front Patridge-type sight which is adjustable for elevation.  The grip angle and shape are reproduced, but the butt is extended 9.5 millimeters to accommodate larger hands. The #5 Improved also has a half-cock safety in addition to a safety catch.  The hammer has a curved spur reminiscent of the Ruger Bisley Vaquero.  The barrel is heavy and octagonal.  The frame and barrel are both beautifully engraved.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This revolver is not available in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Reeder .45 Backpacker

     Notes: This revolver is a modification of the Ruger or Colt Vaquero revolvers.  The gripframe is replaced with one of lightweight aluminum alloy; the rest is stainless steel.  The Backpacker is trimmed and honed to be as light in weight and handy as possible, with as much metal as possible removed while still maintaining reasonable strength.  The barrel is also chopped somewhat.  The sights are modified to be non-snag and the hammer is also trimmed somewhat.  The grips are of black Micarta.  While the use of +P ammunition is not recommended in the Backpacker due to the light weight of the revolver, the Backpacker can fire it.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon does not exist in manufactured form, though similar modifications have probably been made by individuals.

Reeder 510 Hunter

     Notes: Based on the Ruger Bisley, this revolver is a custom modification done by Gary Reeder primarily for customers who send in their Bisleys to Reeder’s shop for modification.  The primary modification is to change the chambering of the revolver to Gary Reeder’s custom .510 GNR round, a huge magnum pistol round with just a bit more stopping power than the .500 Linebaugh (not enough extra to reflect in game terms, unfortunately) and better range.  This change in chambering involves modification of most of the Bisley’s components except for the gripframe itself, and in particular the barrel and cylinder.  Reeder will make the barrel to any length desired, but the best seller has a 7-inch barrel; some possible representative barrel lengths are shown below.  The grips are replaced with a “Gunfighter Grip” in red cherry and the barrel used is a heavy octagonal barrel; Reeder’s shop typically also puts custom engraving on the modified revolver.  A Field Grade version is also available, which does away with the fancy grips and engraving; it is identical to the standard version for game purposes.  The finish is a weatherproof finish which Reeder calls “Vapor Honed,” though conventional bluing (matte or polished) or stainless steel finished are also available. Small parts like controls and the trigger are polished, and the trigger is set back and tuned to require only a gentle pull weight.  If blued, the small parts can be given a contrasting stainless polished finish.  In real life, a 510 Hunter will run you somewhere from $1400-$2000; prices below are definitely game prices.

Reeder BMF

     Notes:  This weapon was built to see just how big a cartridge could be stuffed into a medium-sized revolver and still fired safely and with some degree of comfort.  To this end, Gary Reeder invented the .500 Maximum round.  One of his comments was that he was trying to produce a “King Kong equalizer.”  He wanted the largest sixgun he could make and still be manageable to some degree.  Firing the .500 Maximum cartridge from this gun still requires a tremendous degree of strength and concentration, however.  The recoil is described as Difficult, but manageable.  The BMF (not what you think, says Reeder; it stands for “Best Made Firearm”) also fires .500 Linebaugh and .500 Smith & Wesson Magnum.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon, and the .500 Maximum cartridge, do not exist.

Reeder Skorpion

     Notes: This revolver has its roots in the old Colt Survivor (later called the Colt MC, for Multi-Caliber, due to patent infringement problems over the Survivor name), and the Phillips & Rogers Medusa (itself a modified Smith & Wesson K-Frame revolver).  The Skorpion, like the Survivor/MC and the Medusa, is a revolver which can chamber virtually any sort of 9mm/.38-compatible cartridge in its chambers. Gary Reeder started this time with the Medusa; the Skorpion, like the Medusa, has computer-designed chambers with a series of tapers within an overall tapering chamber.  The chambers also have spring-loaded claw which protrudes into the chambers, enabling the Skorpion to use both rimmed and rimless ammunition.  The ejector spring is located outside of the ejector rod.  The Skorpion uses a solid barrel/cylinder shroud block that gives the barrel a squared profile (a Wiseman barrel); this also incidentally gives the Skorpion a surface for some pretty elaborate engraving (along with the cylinder and top strap).   The cylinder and frame are finished in Black Chromex, while the barrel is finished in Silver Chromex.  The cylinder is engraved with a gold-inlaid scorpion on two sides.  The rear sight is a Gary Reeder custom adjustable sight, while the front sight is dovetailed and may be replaced with other sights of the customer’s choice (it is normally a simple ramp).  While the Skorpion is available, it is made only to special order for customers who can afford the high real-world price of the weapon.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: This revolver does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Remington New Model Army Revolver

     Notes: This is one of the last cap-and-ball designs purchased by the US military.  The Remington has a solid frame.  This gave it better accuracy, so it was well liked by the troops.  It was second in popularity only to the 1851 Navy Colt, both during and after the American Civil War.  This .44-caliber revolver was not quite as powerful as the Walker Dragoon, even though they were the same caliber; the cylinder was shorter, so less powder could be loaded into it.