Bill Jordan and The S&W Evolution

"In this country we are fortunate that we have available to us the finest double action weapons made in the world: The .357 Combat Magnum; the heavy frame .357 Magnum and the .44 Magnum, as manufactured by Smith & Wesson; the Colt Python, and Three Fifty Seven models. Better guns cannot be bought at any price, anywhere. You can't go wrong with one of these hanging by your side." –Bill Jordan, No Second Place Winner, 1965

Modern defense revolvers of many breeds, and those who favor them, owe a debt of gratitude to the lasting legacy of lawman Bill Jordan, none more than fans of Smith & Wesson K-frames.

If you practice shooting .38 specials with your .357 magnum, thank Mr. Jordan.

His influence on wheelguns is so pervasive that it is hard to believe nearly 30 years have passed since he died in 1997. Thankfully, his books remain in print so younger generations can benefit from his ageless advice.

Six foot six inches of lean, sincere, and serious gunman, the former U.S. Marine Corps. Colonel served 28 years with the U.S. Border Patrol, 1940-1971, when his fast-gun skills fit with a Wild West atmosphere that lived on in that remote corner of the United States.

In “No Second Place Winner,” Jordan discusses his theories on defensive shooting posture, using concepts that were ahead of his time. Rather than crouching or other “tactical” or Hollywood stances, he advocated standing erect and focusing on using only the hand, arm, and shoulder movements necessary to make a quick, accurate shot. Anything else was a waste of time, to his way of thinking.

Solid advice from a man recorded drawing and hitting a target in .27 of a second.

From gun leather to grip to performance downrange, Jordan inspired innovation. He collaborated on the design of a holster widely used by law enforcement officers in its day, known as the “Jordan” or “Border Patrol” style.  He collaborated in designing grips for heavy-caliber double-action revolvers, known as the “Jordan Troper,” first in wood and made by Herret’s, but made in later years in polymer by Pachmyr.

In 1963, he collaborated on the creation of the .41 Magnum.

For all his days, Jordan favored a double-action revolver for law enforcement duties. At age 83, he disparaged the 1990s trend toward semi-autos issued for law enforcement due to unreliability and added risk in case of misfire.

His most renowned influence in wheel gun history is likely his urging of Smith & Wesson to adapt its long-successful K-frame (its smaller medium frame) for the .357 Magnum.

The .38 Special, in his estimation, was underpowered for law enforcement duty, and a more ideal combination would be the smaller frame with the bigger punch of the .357 Mag.

He envisioned carrying the revolver with .357 Magnums but using .38 Special loads for practice. That vision gave rise to the K-frame .357 Combat Magnum, also known as the Model 19 and the Model 66 in stainless steel, which are still in production today.