While on a visit this summer to the Magnum Research facility in Pillager, Minnesota, we had a chance to delve into the background on the BFR revolver. 

The BFR that we know today, a modern single-action revolver made to strict tolerances and hand-fit to completion, was the brainchild of Jim Tertin, a professional bench gunsmith. Approached by Magnum Research in 1999 to flesh out the concept of an extremely accurate large-bore wheel gun, Tertin started his Contract Manufacturing, Inc. as a one-man operation in a 900 sq. ft. shop in Brainerd, Minnesota, and the first production guns were delivered to Magnum Research – who had the exclusive rights to distribute them – on Jan. 10, 2001. The serial number prefix then was "JT."

The initials BFR originally stood for “Brainerd’s First Revolver.”  This later morphed to “Biggest Finest Revolver," and finally after the 2010 acquisition by Kahr Firearms to "Big Frame Revolver." Nonetheless, Tertin and his first employee, Brett Pikula, have been along for the ride for the past 20 years. 

Rifle Calibers in a Revolver?

 

BFR revolver
Running something like this in a wheelgun makes a certain sense under the right circumstances. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)


Initial calibers for the BFR were .45-70 Government followed shortly after by a host of fat lever-gun rifle rounds such as .30-30 Win., .444 Marlin, and .450 Marlin. 

"Rifle calibers in a handgun are extremely practical for a number of reasons," explained Tertin. "You get a lot of horsepower, and the ammo is lower-cost than the high-performance handgun ammo." Availability is also a factor, with Tertin explaining you can get .30-30 or .444 Marlin "at any sporting goods store," whereas something like .50 AE is a little more expensive and harder to find. 

Added to this were big-bore revolver calibers like .460 S&W Mag. and .500 S&W Mag., while short-cylinder guns in .22 Hornet, .44 Mag., .45 LC, .454 Casull, .475 Linebaugh, .480 Ruger, .480/.475 Linebaugh, .50 AE, .500 Linebaugh, and .500 JRH have made catalog appearances. Going past that, custom BFRs have been chambered in stout calibers all the way up to .458 Win Mag (dubbed "Maxine") and some chambered in wildcat rounds such as Jim's own .475 Tertin. There is an example floating around in .35 Winchester.

Single action with a five-shot cylinder, the BFRs are made of stainless steel and have used a variety of grips over the years. In general, they have a fixed front sight and rear adjustable sights. While the brushed steel finish is standard, they do offer specialty models with engravings or other finishes. 
 

BFR revolver
There is a lot of steel in the BFR. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
BFR revolver
A lot of steel. 

 

The guns are capable of great accuracy, regularly showing up at International Handgun Metallic Silhouette Championships, where they ring steel out to 200 meters.

Keeping traditions alive


By 2005, Tertin and Pikula, working from an expanded workshop that is home to Magnum Research today, switched gears and took positions with the larger company, but BFRs are still made in much the same way as they were originally. Each BFR is made by one person, and they take ownership of the fit by signing their name under the grip. 

"Each person is responsible for the gun that they make," explained Pikula. "That's why we have them sign the underside of the grip." 
 

BFR revolvers
BFRs are made by a small crew of dedicated employees that, in many cases, have been crafting the guns for years. (Photo: Paul Peterson/Guns.com)


The quality holds up despite the abuse the revolvers endure in the firing process. Pikula said that, while Magnum Research occasionally has to replace service parts on Desert Eagles, such as springs, BFRs are much more forgiving. 

"Basically, there is nothing that can go wrong on it," Pikula said of the BFR. "If it does go wrong, we'll fix it, we'll repair it. That gun should last for 100 years, no question."
 

BFR revolver
A 20th-anniversary BFR in .45-70. (Photo: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

 

Banner image: Paul Peterson/Guns.com

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