Colt M13 Aircrewman Revolver: So Light it was Unsafe
This video dives into the history and design of the Colt M13 Aircrewman, a lightweight .38 Special revolver issued to the US Air Force in the early 1950s. With an aluminum alloy frame and cylinder, it weighed only 11 ounces, making it exceptionally light but potentially unsafe with standard ammunition. Colt developed a special low-pressure M41 loading for it. Due to the hazard of accidental firing of regular .38 Special rounds, the Air Force recalled and destroyed most of the 1189 units produced. The video highlights its rarity and the inherent design flaw that led to its short service life.













