Earlier this year the Springfield XDE hammer-fired DA/SA single-stack 9mm pistol hit shelves. Now the lineup for that concealable gun has been expanded to include a model chambered in .45 ACP.

• RELATED STORY: Hammer Time – Range Work with the Springfield XD-E

Like the 9mm version, this new .45 ACP model sports a one-inch-wide polymer frame. It also includes what Springfield calls a “Low Effort Slide” that requires 27 percent less effort to rack compared striker-fired options in the same class. The external hammer allows you to “see and feel gun mode,” Springfield says. The double action trigger sports a trigger pull that’s smooth yet long and deliberate, while follow-up shots from the single-action trigger are touted in the presser as being light, crisp and accurate.

The Springfield XDE features an ambidextrous thumb safety/decocker and magazine release. Meanwhile, the anti-slip texturing on the grip surface provides more comfort and control for the end user. Furthermore, this package includes a fiber optic front sight sight and white-dot rear sight; 3.3-inch hammer-forged Melonite treated barrel with a 1:16 twist; and a dual recoil spring system managed by a full-length guide rod.

In addition to the standard .45 ACP model, Springfield is also offering a version with a Viridian E-Series laser. It features ambidextrous operation and a dual attachment system that clamps onto the trigger guard and accessory rail. If you need to repair it, it’s easily removable.

The Springfield XDE ships out with a 6-round magazine with a pinky extension and a 7-round mag with the grip extension. It also ships with an interchangeable flush base plate.

“Our customers told us they’d like the fight-stopping power of a .45 ACP, with the easy racking ability of our XD-E Series,” Springfield CEO Dennis Reese said in the press release. “The new XD-E .45 gives them exactly what they asked for: a no-compromise pistol that offers multiple safety modes for peace of mind no matter how you choose to carry.”

The standard Springfield XDE in .45 ACP is available at a MSRP of $568. If you want the model that includes the Viridian laser, the MSRP jumps up to $598.

• RELATED STORY: Smooth Operator – Springfield’s EMP CCC 4-Inch Pistol

For more information, go to springfield-armory.com.

The post The Springfield XDE Is Now Available in .45 ACP appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

I’m a big fan of large Smith & Wesson N-Frame revolvers because they generally chamber big, powerful cartridges. The N-Frame originated with the .44 Special, and it’s been used for every early magnum handgun round. World War I saw the N-Frame chambered for .45 ACP military service ammunition, and this caliber has remained popular over the years in various service and target revolver configurations. One of the latest .45 ACP N-Frames to hit the market is the result of a collaboration between the Smith & Wesson Performance Center and the fertile mind of renowned firearms instructor Clint Smith.

Clint served in the Marine Corps in Vietnam and returned stateside to become a law enforcement officer. He’s also the former dean of instruction at the American Pistol Institute and the founder of Thunder Ranch. Thunder Ranch was designed to showcase new firearms training facilities and equipment while providing expert instruction. Given this wealth of experience, when Clint assists in the design of a firearm, you can bet it will perform as intended.

Built For Fighting

I first saw the Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 325 at a local gun shop and was immediately struck by its business-like appearance. With the exception of the forcing cone area at the rear of the barrel, the whole thing is a subdued matte black. As mentioned, it’s built on the S&W N-Frame, but the weight is held down to 30.7 ounces because the frame is scandium alloy. The cylinder is stainless steel with the extractor star left “in the white.” The lockwork is steel. The hammer and trigger are color casehardened but still subdued.

The revolver’s trigger has a smooth face and trigger stop while the hammer is a semi-target-style unit with a teardrop-shaped spur that’s been deeply checkered. The S&W Performance Center has tuned the action for a smooth, if not especially light, double-action (DA) pull and a clean 4.15-pound single-action (SA) pull.

More and more, S&W has adopted the two-piece barrel concept for many of its revolvers. An over-barrel shroud encloses the thinner rifled portion of the 4-inch barrel and is secured by a nut that’s flush with the muzzle. Both the shroud and barrel are made of stainless steel. The tension exerted by this arrangement can have a positive effect on accuracy, and the barrel-cylinder gap can be set more precisely. The shroud on the Model 325 looks sort of hexagonal in shape with flats and a sculpted cut that merges into the front sight ramp.

The front sight itself uses a replaceable gold bead. An integral lug also protects the short ejector rod and has a detent for the spring-loaded ball on the front of the cylinder crane, which forms the forward locking point. The bottom of the shroud is drilled and threaded for an accessory rail that is provided with the revolver.

• RELATED STORY: Gun Review – Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 986

The cylinder crane is made of carbon steel, as is the cylinder release latch. Three pins on which the action operates were left “in the white” to contrast with the matte black finish. Above the cylinder release is a small hole for a key that can lock the hammer. Below the cylinder release is the Performance Center logo, and on the right-front portion of the frame you’ll find a laser- engraved Thunder Ranch logo.

Attached to topstrap is a click-adjustable rear sight. And finally, like many of S&W’s modern wheelguns, the grip frame has the universal round-butt L/N-Frame dimensions, and the Model 325 is provided with a synthetic Hogue Monogrip with pebble texturing on the sides. The grip fit my medium- sized hands very well and provided a secure hold while helping to absorb felt recoil.

My test gun came in a Thunder Ranch Gun Rug made of OD green nylon with a zipper enclosure. Along with the accessory rail, S&W included five moon clips, two keys for the hammer-lock safety, a padlock with a flexible hasp for safe storage, an instruction manual and a DVD titled “The Smith & Wesson Thunder Ranch Defensive Revolver Review & User Guide.” It’s narrated by Clint Smith, and the man knows of what he speaks. I’ve taken a class from him and can tell you that he’s both interesting and engaging. In other words, this DVD is well worth a viewing.

To carry the Model 325, I used an older Askins Style Convertible holster from Uncle Mike’s. While it’s no longer available, this scabbard has belt slots on both sides as well as an adjustable thumb-break retention strap. It fit the Model 325 well, and I paired it with a 0.25-inch-thick, 1.4-inch-wide Versacarry gun belt. To carry the loaded moon clips on my belt, I found a cartridge slide works rather well.

Making Thunder

I chose four different .45 ACP loads from Federal, HPR, Precision Delta and Remington to test the Model 325. These rounds ranged from practice ammo to match-grade fodder. And after obtaining some velocity figures with each load, it was time to measure the revolver’s accuracy.

Due to the revolver’s 4-inch barrel and target sights, I tested it at 25 yards from the bench using a sandbag rest for support. The rear sight took some adjusting, as it came in the lowest possible position, which provided for some very low groups. So, I adjusted its elevation and a little windage, too. Then I fired three 5-shot groups in SA mode using each of the test loads. The tightest cluster, measuring just 1.85 inches, came with the HPR 185-grain JHP ammo. This load also had the best group average at 2.24 inches. Second place went to the Precision Delta 230-grain FMJs at 2.25 inches. These two cartridges also shot close to the point of aim, but I had several light primer strikes with the Precision Delta ammo. This only happened during the chronographing and accuracy testing portions of the evaluation.

This is a Thunder Ranch revolver, which means it’s built for serious defensive purposes. With that in mind, I ran the Model 325 through a U.S. Customs & Border Protection combat qualification course. I donned the gun belt and loaded all five of the moon clips with a mix of the .45 ACP test ammo. I loaded one clip in the gun and kept two clips on my belt using the cartridge loop slide. I put the other loaded moon clips in the left-front pocket of my BDUs.

Shooting commenced at 3 yards, where I drew the handgun and fired “point-shoulder” using only my strong hand against a red B-27Q silhouette. After the final shot, the revolver was reloaded, placed in my support hand and fired until empty, then reloaded again. Once an area threat assessment had been performed, the handgun was worked back into the holster and secured. This final process was used in all of the course stages. There’s no award for getting the gun back into the holster the quickest, and you also need to make sure you keep an eye on the threat area even when you’re reloading and reholstering.

• RELATED STORY: 5 Titans Who Influenced Revolvers, Ammo & Handgun Shooting

Moving back to 7 yards, I drew the Model 325 in an isosceles stance, acquired the sights and fired two rounds at the center-mass of the target. After assessing for threats, I lowered the gun into a low-ready position, then raised it again to fire two more rounds. I repeated this one more time, reloaded, assessed the area for threats and reholstered the gun. From the same distance, I drew the S&W Model 325 revolver and fired two shots center-mass and one to the pelvis in what’s termed a “body armor drill.” I repeated this string of fire before reloading, assessing and reholstering.

Next, I stepped back to the 15-yard barricade. After drawing the handgun, I fired two shots using the sights from the left side of the barricade, two shots from the right side while standing and two shots while kneeling. I reloaded, reassessed and reholstered.

All of my shots stayed within what might be called the “K-zone” of the silhouette target. The two lowest shots were from the body armor drill. A similar drill has two center-mass shots and one to the head, but that is a much smaller and usually moving target, so some recommend the pelvis shot, which may break bone and cause the subject to fall.

Throughout the evaluation, I had no malfunctions that could be attributed to the Model 325. All of the combat shooting was done in DA mode, and using a proper technique, I had no trouble ejecting the spent brass using the short ejector rod. It’s very convenient to have all the spent brass within the moon clip, and I also found the moon clips made reloading fast and easy. The bead front sight made getting on target a snap, and the Hogue Monogrip helped control recoil and muzzle flip for fast follow-up shots. The holster worked well, as did the cartridge loop slide for carrying extra loaded moon clips. I felt this phase of the testing was more than satisfactory.

Top Shelf

A fellow gun writer recently told me, “You can’t fall in love with them all, Bill.” But I’ll admit that I like the S&W Performance Center Model 325 Thunder Ranch revolver very much. Its weight and balance are very good. The sights are easy to see, the grip fits my hands well, and loading and unloading with the moon clips was quick and positive—a real confidence-builder. This gun also shoots a cartridge that has a good performance reputation in the world of self-defense and can be had in many different configurations. So, in short, I’d say this sixgun is a top-shelf fighting handgun.

Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 325 Thunder Ranch Specs

For more information, visit smith-wesson.com.

This article is from the November/December 2017 issue of  “Combat Handguns” magazine. To order a copy and subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Rolling Thunder: S&W Performance Center Model 325 Thunder Ranch appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Kimber continues to roll out new products as the year winds to a close, with the latest offering being the Kimber Stainless 1911 Long Slide.

• RELATED STORY: Gun Review – The 10mm Kimber Camp Guard 10 Pistol

Chambered in both .45 ACP and 10mm, the Kimber Stainless 1911 Long Slide sports what the presser calls “Kimber’s signature modern-classic style,” and it’s built from quality raw materials that are machined and hand-crafted into the 1911.

The Stainless Long Slide features a six-inch barrel and slide hand-fitted to the stainless steel, 1.28-inch wide frame with a Satin silver finish; dovetail mounted rear adjustable target sight and front red fiber optic sight for fast sight picture acquisition; beveled magazine well; match-grade trigger; and scallop/checkered rosewood grips with the Kimber logo. The gun also has an overall weight of 42 ounces with an empty magazine; height of 5.25 inches; length of 9.7 inches; and an aluminum trigger with a factory setting of four to five pounds.

If you want to go the .45 ACP route—which features a 7-round magazine capacity—you’ll have to shell out $1,055, while the 10mm model of the Kimber Stainless 1911 Long Slide with an 8-round capacity has a suggested retail price of $1,075.

• RELATED STORY: 3 Great Holster Options for the Kimber Micro 9 Pistol

To learn more, head on over to kimberamerica.com.

The post New Gun: The Kimber Stainless 1911 Long Slide in .45 ACP & 10mm appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

If you were to set out to build the ultimate defense pistol, the criteria you’d use would be determined by your knowledge of the platform, shooting experience and manufacturing expertise. While almost any firearm factory can build a 1911, it is doubtful that any of them could build a gun comparable to the Wilson Combat X-TAC Elite Carry Comp. Bill Wilson’s experience as a gunsmith, world-class competitor and 1911 builder is unmatched. Every feature of this pistol was included with one purpose: to give its user every advantage in a lethal encounter.

Featuring a compensator designed to reduce muzzle rise and help get more rounds on target faster, the X-TAC Elite Carry Comp has an overall length of just 8.1 inches while being just 5.1 inches tall. Though it is not a gun designed for competition shooting, it is dedicated tool created with the intent that its user would not finish second place in a gunfight.

The more time I spend with the X-TAC Elite Carry Comp, the more I have come to appreciate not only the quality of the gun, but also the thought and deliberation that went into its design. Things like beveling the slide edges, or flat-topping and serrating the slide top, or machining the frontstrap and mainspring housing with the X-TAC pattern, which will lock a shooter’s hand into a firing grip better than any style of checkering or stippling. Or the fluting on the barrel hood, which gives residue a place to go rather than allowing it to cause a stoppage. While some of these features may seem small and insignificant, they add up to make this pistol a world-class defensive tool.

Elite Carry Comp Features

Designed for carry, the X-TAC Elite Carry Comp uses a frame that is shortened by about 0.5 inches. I have large hands and didn’t even realize it was a compact frame until I looked at its magazine. The frontstrap offers room for all three fingers, and the mainspring housing/magazine well adds about 0.25 inches to the rear of the gun, giving the shooter a very comfortable grip.

Machined from carbon steel, the pistol’s frame should provide a lifetime of trouble-free shooting. The beavertail grip safety’s tang has been shortened so it won’t print when concealed, and it also possesses a palm swell for shooters, like me, who shoot with their thumb on top of the thumb safety. A Wilson Combat concealment hammer is also used for its smaller profile. Machined from tool steel, its light weight provides for faster lock times.

• RELATED STORY: Xtreme Beauty – Testing the Wilson Combat EDC X9 Pistol

Normally I am not a fan of ambidextrous thumb safeties on carry 1911s. Over the years, I’ve had a number of custom 1911s and sometimes discovered in the course of normal activity that something would brush against the right-side lever and disengage my safety without my knowledge. But the Wilson Combat Tactical Bullet-Proof safety engages and disengages crisply with 5 pounds of pressure, and the levers are of trim dimensions. Standard models come with single-sided safeties, too.

The trigger pull on my test sample was set at 4 pounds. For a trained professional or 1911 aficionado, 4 pounds is just about ideal for a defense gun. I hate to use the old tired expression that “it breaks like a glass rod,” but it’s absolutely true in the case of the X-TAC Elite Carry Comp. The pull was very consistent and made shooting groups a joy.

A carbon-steel slide is used on the X-TAC Elite Carry Comp, and the aggressive X-TAC pattern texturing is used instead of cocking serrations. The top of the slide is also serrated to reduce glare. The X-TAC Elite Carry Comp uses an original-style internal extractor and also has a lowered and flared ejection port. Wilson places a heavy bevel on the bottom of the slide to prevent a sharp edge from cutting skin or an expensive holster. The back of the slide sports 40-lpi serrations, and even the concave back of the rear sight is serrated to prevent glare.

Designed by Bill Wilson, the rear Battlesight has a wide, deep U-shaped notch for low-light sighting. Two setscrews secure the sight in its dovetail, and the only complaint I had with this pistol was the sight is so tightly fitted that it took a lot of effort to drift it for windage in its dovetail.

Up front is a bright green fiber-optic sight. The housing the green optic sits in provides a sharp sight picture for precise shots. With just a little bit of ambient, light the rod glows a florescent green and certainly attracts the eye’s attention.

What sets the X-TAC Elite Carry Comp apart from any other defensive 1911 is its barrel system. Wilson Combat machines the barrel and compensator from one billet of stainless steel, so there is no way the compensator will work loose or otherwise make the gun inoperable. There is no bushing, and a reverse recoil spring plug is used to capture the recoil spring. The barrel is of standard configuration and is not fully supported. It is, however, beautifully throated and well polished to feed just about any bullet nose profile. The fitting of the barrel is as good as I’ve ever examined. The compensator sits perfectly flush against the slide front, and there’s not an iota of movement when pressing on the barrel hood or twisting the compensator. Even the flats of the compensator and the slide match up flawlessly. The barrel is 4 inches long, and the compensator adds another half-inch of length.

Finally, the X-TAC Elite Carry Comp is coated with Wilson Combat’s rugged Armor-Tuff finish. My test sample wore a non-reflective satin black finish, but other colors are available. The finish is designed to protect against corrosion and abrasions, and it has a lubricity factor that requires less oil.

How It Runs

It’s one thing for a company to boast about its gun’s accuracy, but it’s another thing entirely for a manufacturer to guarantee accuracy. Wilson Combat guarantees 1.5-inch groups at 25 yards. That’s a heck of a feat for any gun, but then again, the X-TAC Elite Carry Comp is one heck of a gun!

I set my Shoot-N-C targets up at 25 yards and fired all of the five-shot groups from a seated rest, utilizing a Millett BenchMaster for support. The groups were nice and round without vertical or horizontal stringing. The excellent sights and crisp trigger made shooting groups almost effortless.

• RELATED STORY: Subcompact 1911 – Shooting the Wilson Combat Sentinel XL

I also took the gun on several desert outings to shoot steel targets. The compensator plays a significant role in reducing recoil. Even 200-grain CorBon +P rounds were comfortable to shoot. I am hesitant to even list my split times, as that is more a factor of the shooter’s skill and I am several years removed from being an active USPSA competitor. However, shooting an MGM BC Zone target at 15 yards, my split times averaged 0.21 seconds with the Wilson compared to 0.25 seconds with my normal full-sized, steel-framed competition 1911. And 0.04 seconds might not seem like a lot, but it’s actually 16-percent faster, and for self-defense, I’ll take every advantage I can get. Also, the compensator is more effective with the lighter bullets pushed at higher velocities. Ruger’s ARX load felt like a light 9mm load, and the Federal Guard Dog rounds were very soft shooting.

During my testing and daily carry, I used Wilson Combat’s Practical holster. Designed to be used as a concealed-carry or competition rig, it is built to last a lifetime. Constructed from a leather/polymer laminate, the holster is rigid and possesses a sight track for unhindered draws. It has a durable back plate contoured for comfortable carry, and it’s adjustable for cant. Users can adjust the screw for retention, and its low front cut will ensure the fastest draw possible. It sits a little lower on the belt than most concealed-carry holsters, but this position provides for a more natural drawstroke. This was my first experience with the Practical and it has become a new favorite of mine due to its speed and comfort.

Work Of Art

It isn’t often that I’m treated to the opportunity to evaluate a gun of the X-TAC Elite Carry Comp’s quality. Every minute spent shooting this gun was a joy, and examining its workmanship was like appreciating a work of fine art. Wilson Combat’s attention to detail and flawless machining work make the X-TAC Elite Carry Comp well worth its price tag. It truly is a gun that shoots as good as it looks, and it’s certain to give its user every advantage in a lethal encounter.

Caliber: .45 ACP, 9mm

Barrel: 4.5 inches

OA Length: 8.1 inches

Weight: 38 ounces (empty)

Grips: G10

Sights:  Fiber-optic front, Battlesight rear

Action: SA

Finish: Armor-Tuff

Capacity: 7+1

MSRP: $3,850 (.45 ACP), $3,960 (9mm)

For more information, visit wilsoncombat.com.

This article was originally published in “America’s Handgun Model 1911” 2017. To order a copy, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Gun Test: Wilson Combat’s X-TAC Elite Carry Comp .45 appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

When Sturm, Ruger & Company introduced the SR1911 in 2011, it quickly proved to be a very reliable, well-made and reasonably priced 1911-style pistol in .45 ACP. The public clearly liked it, and for a while it was very hard to get one. Within two years, Ruger introduced a Commander model and, more recently, a Lightweight Commander. Given its record of success, it’s no surprise that Ruger just introduced the new SR1911 Target model to round out its line of 1911s, and it’s a good one.

Zeroing In

As its name implies, the SR1911 Target is a classic target pistol. Like many other target 1911s, this SR1911 has a 5-inch barrel; a Series 70 firing mechanism; a long, skeletonized target trigger with an adjustable trigger stop; a BoMar-style adjustable rear sight; and a steel frame with dimensions that are very similar to many other full-sized 1911s.

On the other hand, the SR1911 Target also differs from the standard 1911 target pattern in several important ways. First, it has a matte stainless steel finish instead of a polished blued steel finish. In addition, it has deluxe checkered G10 grips instead of custom wood grips. It also has a Commander-style hammer, a full-strength recoil spring, a beavertail grip safety, a raised magazine release button, an ambidextrous thumb safety, a lowered and flared ejection port, a ramped front sight and a beveled magazine well. These features make the SR1911 Target as well suited to IDPA and IPSC matches as it is for shooting Bullseye competitions. Sadly, not that many people shoot in Bullseye matches anymore, and to sell well in today’s market, a target 1911 has to be usable for all types of competition, not just Bullseye.

• RELATED STORY: Remastered Ruger LCP .380 – A Look at the LCP II

In addition, the SR1911 Target has features that are only found on Ruger 1911s. The Target model uses an ultra-light titanium firing pin to help prevent an unintended discharge if the pistol is dropped. In addition, if you’ve ever had a 1911 plunger tube take off for parts unknown (and I have), you’ll appreciate the SR1911 Target’s integral plunger tube, which cannot be separated from the pistol like the older-style staked tube can.

Another interesting element of the pistol’s design is the fact that the slide and bushing are machined from a single piece of bar stock. Ruger states that this enhances the pistol’s accuracy. It also has a swaged barrel link pin to help eliminate any play in the lower lockup as the barrel moves in and out of battery. This also helps the barrel return to the exact same position each time it cycles—another feature promoting inherent accuracy.

The Unboxing

It’s one thing to have a lot of nice features, but a target pistol must be made well to be both accurate and reliable. There are no do-overs in IDPA, and the last thing a Bullseye shooter wants to do is slow the line down shooting alibis. Have lots of alibis and you may soon find yourself being “invited” to call the line instead of shoot on a frequent basis.

The first things I look for when I field-strip a gun for a bench evaluation are tool marks (especially in out-of-the-way places), scratches, spots or an uneven finish, roughness in the bore, an uneven crown on the barrel, a loose fit between internal parts, sharp edges and poorly conformed parts or lines. I found nothing inside or outside on the SR1911 Target indicating poor workmanship. On the other hand, if I used this gun for practical shooting, I would take a small file and round the ears on the rear sight, as they were a bit sharp for clearing stoppages rapidly.

I reassembled the pistol and examined its action to determine how well the slide fit the frame, to assess the weight and smoothness of the trigger pull, and to check the ease with which the sight adjusted. In addition, I assessed the smoothness with which the major controls operated, the fit and operation of the hammer and grip safety, and the fit of the magazines in the magazine well. Everything fit and worked very well. The slide movement was smooth, and there was only a barely perceptible amount of play between the rear of the slide and the frame. The trigger pull had some roughness and creep. On the other hand, the trigger consistently broke at 4.25 pounds. Overall, the trigger was decent but not as exacting as those in more expensive .45s.

Running The Ruger SR1911 Target

I bench-tested the SR1911 Target at the Big 3 East Training Center to measure its accuracy and velocities. I also used it to fire an Army “L” course during the weekly Bullseye match at the Flagler Gun & Archery Club. Four loads were chosen for testing: CCI’s 230-grain Blazer Brass FMJs, Freedom Munitions’ 230-grain Hush RN ammo, Black Hills’ 200-grain semi-wadcutters (SWCs) and, since the SR1911 Target has a standard 1911 recoil spring system and can also be used for personal defense, Sig Sauer’s 230-grain V-Crown JHPs. The pistol’s reliability was very good with the loads using JHP and RN bullets, but there were a couple of failures to feed with the Black Hills SWC load, which uses rather short, blunt, 200-grain projectiles.

To test the pistol’s accuracy, I fired three 5-shot groups with each load at 25 yards. The bench testing indicated that the SR1911 Target tended to shoot tighter groups with the Black Hills and Freedom Munitions loads. Overall, groups fired from the bench were 3 to 5 inches in size. Some groups would have been smaller, but there was a tendency for an occasional flyer to open up the groups. I measured the velocities using a Competition Electronics ProChrono chronograph. The Black Hills ammo was the fastest load, and the most powerful was the Sig Sauer ammo, which left the barrel at 867 fps and generated 384 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle.

• RELATED STORY: Patriotic Defender – Ruger’s American Compact Pro 9mm

I competed in the Army “L” match by running the SR1911 Target pistol through three stages with just my strong hand. The “Slow Fire” stage involved firing 10 shots at 25 yards in approximately five minutes. The “Timed Fire” stage, also fired at 25 yards, involved shooting two 5-round strings, each one in 15 seconds. The target was then moved up to 15 yards for the “Rapid Fire” stage, which also involved firing two 5-round strings, each one in 11 seconds. The total possible score was 300-30X. My total score was 283-13X, with the individual stages being very close in score: 93-4X for Slow Fire, 96-6X for Timed Fire and 94-3X for Rapid Fire.

This test clearly demonstrated that the SR1911 Target could be fired accurately, quickly and consistently under stress, which is the intended use of a target pistol. Finally, I did a little informal shooting at steel plates. The pistol proved capable of consistently hitting steel out to 25 yards.

The Ruger SR1911 Target is clearly a well-made pistol that performed well for me in Bullseye competition. Even better, its $1,019 price tag is quite reasonable for all the features that this pistol offers.

For more information, visit ruger.com.

This article was originally published in “Combat Handguns” July/August 2017. To order a copy, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Right-On Target: The Ruger SR1911 Target .45 ACP appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The term “classic” is defined by the Oxford dictionary as “judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind.” I can think of no better description of Colt’s Model 1903 and Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless pistols. When introduced, the Model 1903 was an immediate success, and well over half a million were produced. Chambered in .32 ACP, the Model 1903 was adopted by the U.S. military and was issued to general officers. The NRA National Firearm’s Museum, located in Fairfax, Virginia, has an excellent display of Model 1903 general officer’s pistols, including the pistol issued to General Douglas MacArthur. Colt later introduced the Model 1908 in the more potent .380 ACP caliber. These pistols remain extremely popular to this day. Colt has even partnered with U.S. Armament to produce a new production of the Model 1903.

• RELATED STORY: Retro Firepower – U.S. Armament’s Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Cylinder & Slide and spend a couple of days with my good friend, Bill Laughridge. On a cold and gloomy Nebraska Saturday, Bill and I were knocking around the shop when he decided he needed to do an inventory of his personal firearms. (In reality, I think the sole purpose of this exercise was to torture me!) As we opened the first drawer of a blueprint file cabinet, I saw a number of pistols that caught my eye. However, none captured my attention like two pristine Colt Pocket Hammerless models. One was a Model 1903 and the second was a Model 1908. Bill explained that he had always been enamored with the little guns. His next statement caught me by surprise. Bill said, “Too bad Colt never made one in .45 ACP.”

A couple of years went by before I received a call from Bill. He asked what I thought of upscaling the Model 1908 to fire the .45 ACP. I was immediately enthralled. Bill went on to explain that he thought he could use an Officer’s Model frame and a Commander-length slide as the foundation for the build. If anyone could figure this out, I knew it would be Bill. I also knew that it would either be done correctly or not at all!

Model 1908 To Model 2008

To quote Bill, “The greatest problems to overcome were making a slide and frame that would conceal the hammer and the internal extractor that the 1911 was designed with. The advent of the external extractor for the 1911 pistol solved the extractor problem, but the manufacture of the slide and frame was still the problem. Welding additional pieces of metal onto the slide and frame and re-machining them was not a good option, as the welding would ruin the heat treatment in the slide and frame. Re-heat treating the parts was not an economical option. It suddenly came to me that the additional metal parts could be silver soldered on without destroying the heat treatment in the slide and frame, and I have one of the best silver solder experts working with me in the shop, Chris Hagemann. I approached Chris about the project, and he thought that he could solder the parts together without any problems.”

Bill started off with a Caspian Commander-length slide with an external ejector and an Officer’s Model frame. He then set out to “graft” an extension onto the rear of the slide and redesign the hammer to function inside the extension. He also had to design a new mainspring housing, grip safety and recoil spring plug. The recoil spring plug had to fit flush with the end of the slide and the contour of the barrel. Then came the barrel. Bill designed a conical barrel that did not require a barrel bushing but had the uniquely shaped extension past the end of the slide. Due to the enclosed slide, the firing pin had to be modified. The greatest problems to overcome were making a slide and frame that would conceal the hammer and the internal extractor that the 1911 was designed with.

Every few weeks, as the prototype was being built, Bill would send me a few teaser photos and we would talk on the phone about the project. The project was not without its challenges, but Bill was able to solve every problem. Once the prototype was completed, Bill needed to crunch the numbers and contact the manufacturers to see if the project was actually feasible. Bill drafted the blueprint drawings of the parts and set about finding vendors for items that he could not produce in-house. His first call was to Caspian for the frame and slide. Caspian found that it could modify one of its frame molds to include the rear extension. The company also signed on to machine the slides with the rear extension to conceal the hammer. Bill is quick to point out that without Caspian’s assistance, the project could have never gone into production. Bill Jarvis agreed to manufacture the uniquely profiled barrel. Internally, Bill used Cylinder & Slide’s billet alloy steel hammer, sear and disconnector. Bill retained the 1911’s traditional frame-mounted magazine release.

Pocket Big Bores

The end result was the introduction of the Cylinder & Slide Pocket Model 2008. Due to the substantial investment of the specialized components, the first production run included 50 pistols. The majority, “Historical” variants, featured original-style fixed sights. These guns were master polished on both the rounds and the flats before bluing. The extractor, thumb safety, magazine catch, slide stop and grip screws were finished in a high-luster niter blue. The result was absolutely stunning.

The markings on the C&S Pocket Model deserve a special comment. Bill worked to find a font that replicated the original Colt markings and a size that was proportional to the size of the pistol. The right side of the slide is marked “C&S AUTOMATIC” with a second line that is marked “CALIBRE .45 ACP HAMMERLESS.” On the left side of the slide is the manufacturer’s marking with “CYLINDER & SLIDE FREMONT NE USA” on the top line and “POCKET MODEL M2008” on the lower line. The markings are crisp and add to the appearance of authenticity. It looks like a Model 1908!

However, Bill also recognized that there was a market for everyday carry and personal defense. Therefore, he also offered the “Standard” model, which featured Novak low-profile sights, a three-hole aluminum trigger and a Cylinder & Slide extended thumb safety. In addition, the Standard model has a matte blue finish with only the slide flats being polished.

In 2016, Bill started the process to build a second run of 50 Pocket Models. I recently received one of his Standard models for evaluation. As with the Historical models, the Standard model is shipped in a cardboard box that is stamped with the C&S logo and company information. A line is also provided for the model and serial number of the pistol. This is a very old school touch. Opening the box, I found that the pistol was wrapped in corrosion-inhibiting paper, another nice touch.

A closer examination found that the Pocket Model was built to the same high standards as every other custom C&S pistol I have tested. The slide-to-frame fit was void of any play, and the slide cycled like glass on glass. The lockup was very tight, and I was glad I ran a box of 230 FMJs through the gun to break it in. The enclosed slide provided a very clear and uncluttered sight picture, something I had not thought about. The extended thumb safety is contoured so that, when in the “fire” position, the lever lays parallel to the slide. The speed bump on the grip safety ensures that positive contact is made with a proper grip. The trigger broke cleanly, averaging 4.44 pounds with no overtravel. Finally, the rounded butt prevented the corners of the shortened frame from digging into the palm of my hand. Although the hammer is concealed, the manual of arms for the Pocket Model is the same as any other 1911. The single exception is that there is no way to manually lower the hammer.

Standard Testing

Since this Standard model is designed for personal defense, I selected three modern defensive loads for this evaluation. Perhaps the most unique is Gorilla’s Silverback 230-grain FBI load. The bullet is a solid-copper projectile that is machined on a Swiss lathe. The projectile has a very distinctive waist and is pre-scored for rapid and controlled expansion. The Silverback was the mildest shooting of the three loads, averaging 750 fps. I also tested Hornady’s proven 185-grain Critical Defense FTX load, which averaged 984 fps. My final test load, Sig Sauer’s 200-grain V-Crown JHPs, averaged 867 fps. All of the loads were reliable in the Pocket Model, with the Gorilla load being favored due to the lower velocity and soft shooting characteristics. Also, the pistol’s three-dot Novak sights were more than adequate for the testing.

So, is the Pocket Model worth the price? Setting aside the classic appearance, the Pocket Model is a modern and reliable pistol built with quality and proven parts. It is a specialty pistol that requires a substantial investment to own. However, it is no more expensive than mid-level pistols offered by Nighthawk Custom and Wilson Combat. The Pocket Model fits the hand, conceals well and shoots like a dream. It is certainly a pistol that I would carry on a daily basis in my Milt Sparks Summer Special IWB rig. The design also makes it an ideal pistol for appendix carry for those who favor this method of concealment.

• RELATED STORY: American Beauty – Cylinder & Slide’s Modern Classic Pistol

If I could change anything, I’d probably opt for a plain black rear sight and a gold bead front sight. I would also prefer a solid, medium-length trigger. The three-hole unit just doesn’t look right to me. Finally, I would have to invest in a set of politically incorrect ivory grip panels! Even being an everyday-carry pistol, the lines of the pistol are begging for some engraving. I may not spring for full coverage, but it would take an already gorgeous pistol and make it stunning.

I want to thank Bill and the C&S crew for allowing me to grab one of the first Standard models out of the second run for this evaluation. While I have tested a lot of neat pistols over the years, this one was special.

C&S Standard Pocket Model 2008

Caliber: .45 ACP

Barrel: 4.38 inches

OA Length: 7.88 inches

Weight: 39 ounces (empty)

Grips: Walnut

Sights: Novak three-dot

Action: SA

Finish: Blued

Capacity: 6+1

MSRP: $4,000

For more information on the Pocket Model 2008, visit cylinder-slide.com or call 800-448-1713.

This article was originally published in ‘Pocket Pistols’ Spring 2017. To order a copy, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Cylinder & Slide’s Pocket Model 2008: A Colt Model 1908 in .45 ACP appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

There has never been a time in history where handgun consumers had more high-quality choices. Not all that long ago, you could count your options on two hands—some would argue one. But now there are dozens of quality products, providing years of reliable enjoyment, practical protection and personal satisfaction. Whether you’re looking for simple out-of-the-box usability or masterful customization, there is something out there for every buyer. Improvements in construction, machining and materials have never been better. Touring the floor of the SHOT Show earlier this year only solidified this belief, and I noticed a strong emphasis on personalization and customization.

Custom Touches

Firearms have been customized at every level since they were first introduced to the world. Gun owners have altered their firearms’ stocks, grips and other aspects to personalize them. Manufacturers have also offered everything from custom coatings to masterpieces of artwork in the form of engraving. You might find rifle stocks with precise carvings and pistol grips sporting checkering, engraving, even jewels.

But custom metal engraving has been the most popular, and it’s often the most amazing enhancement. Touring personal and public museums, the level of craftsmanship can be astounding. Hunting scenes, landscapes or even simple scroll work often take firearms to a whole new level. Some are valued as works of art, and many are given as gifts to heads of state. For collectors and admirers alike, engraving remains a popular draw for many shooters.

• RELATED STORY: 4 Accessories to Trick Out Your Smith & Wesson M&P Shield

Several masters are still out there, producing stunning engraving by hand. But, like many specialties requiring decades of training and experience, hand engraving is becoming a lost art with each passing year. Today, wait times for projects are often measured in years, and the finished guns cost several times what they originally cost. If you are looking for collector’s value and rarity, it’s worth it. Firearms like these are investments, with prices to match. Unfortunately, average gun owners have been left out of that market—at least until now.

Modern computer-aided machining has progressed exponentially in the last 10 years. While it lacks the touch of a master engraver, it remains pretty impressive and looks pretty good. Some of the early attempts handled by other manufacturers were less than impressive, but I recently got my hands on a machine-engraved gun that looks really nice. Just as importantly, you get that custom look at a fraction of the cost and without a lengthy wait time.

Smith & Wesson is now offering a few revolvers and a 1911 with quality machine engraving, making it easier for shooters to get their hands on a new gun to show off at their next BBQ.

Engraved 1911

For what’s simply called the “Engraved 1911,” Smith & Wesson starts with one of its proven SW1911 E-Series pistols in .45 ACP. These 1911 pistols have proven very popular over the years, with many features often seen on custom pistols.

Made from stainless steel with a bead-blasted matte silver finish, the Engraved 1911’s slide features three-dot sights and serrations on top to reduce glare. You’ll also notice horizontal serrations on the rear of the slide for the same reason. Smith & Wesson’s fish-scale-like cocking serrations are found at the front and rear on both sides.

Both the frontstrap and mainspring housing are checkered for enhanced traction. The laminate E-Series grip panels also provide a nice look and another level of control. The frame also sports a now-common extended beavertail grip safety as well as a crisp, clean single-action trigger.

All together, the Engraved 1911 comes in an engraved wooden presentation case that would look good on display on any shelf, and Smith & Wesson includes two 8-round magazines.

Now for the engraving. You’ll notice scroll engraving on the slide flats as well as on a few small areas of the frame. And looking closely, this engraving is pretty impressive for being done by a machine. It’s clean with few imperfections and a consistent depth. Running my fingers across the engraving, I didn’t feel any burrs or imperfections.

While the overall pattern is similar, each side is adapted to the contours of the pistol. Even the small patterns on the frame are slightly different on each side, such as around the magazine release. This is significant because hand engraving is never precisely duplicated on both sides of a pistol—it’s part of the artist’s touch.

Several people handled my test pistols—some at my local gun shop and a few at the range—and they all commented on how nice the Engraved 1911 looked. Even a couple of collectors with many works of art already in their possession said it was a beautiful .45 ACP.

No Safe Queen

It’s pretty rare to find a collector who will run one of their engraved pistols very hard. Some will carry them, and the pistols might get used on occasion, but most of these guns live in climate- controlled safes. However, thanks to machine engraving and the resulting low price for this pistol, you can work this pistol pretty hard without cringing too much.

At the range, the Engraved 1911’s accuracy was pretty solid—about what you’d expect from a factory pistol—with my best group measuring just outside 1.5 inches using Federal’s 230-grain HST ammunition. All of the self-defense ammunition I tested created groups tighter than 2 inches at 25 yards using a bench and a WieBad Tac Pad as a rest. Shooting groups at 10 yards off-hand, the Engraved 1911 created an ever-larger hole with all of the self-defense ammunition. The accuracy results were very similar using mostly 230-grain FMJs from Prime Ammunition, Remington and Federal.

• RELATED STORY: Winning the Day – Smith & Wesson’s SW22 Victory Pistol

My first Smith & Wesson E-Series .45 ACP has been a workhorse for years. Starting life with a laser, I’ve since replaced its sights, grips and a few internal components, but it’s run well over 10,000 rounds over the last few years. It remains one of the few box-stock 1911s in my collection that consistently passes Hilton Yam’s duty 1911 test protocol, thanks in part to its external extractor. While this feature is either loved or loathed by shooters today, one thing is certain for me: It works. And this gun often goes with me as a backup in training classes where a .45 ACP 1911 is required. This engraved model worked just as well, suffering no failures to feed, extract or eject with several types of ammunition.

I used several magazines along with those supplied by the factory. My eight-round magazines from Wilson Combat and D&L Sports proved the most reliable. Both are rugged and nearly bulletproof. With one of the factory magazines, the slide did not always lock back after firing the last round, but I never had this issue with the other factory mag during the testing. Both of the 10-round magazines I used from Chip McCormick and Wilson Combat worked fine, but they would sometimes stick in the magazine well on occasion rather than drop free.

After a few hundred rounds, the white-dot front sight tended to fade a bit, but I also have older eyes and tend to equip my 1911s with large orange-dot sights instead. This is something to consider as Smith & Wesson continues to use a proprietary front sight cut on its E-Series 1911s. It limits your choices, although most shooters won’t have any issues with the white-dot sights. Tritium sights are also available from the factory as well as Trijicon, XS Sight Systems and Dawson Precision.

One Of A Kind

While I didn’t exactly abuse the Engraved 1911, I also didn’t baby it. I carried it in a leather holster for several days and ran it from both nylon and Kydex rigs at the range. Nothing seemed to affect the engraving. After training with it, the slide and frame were very easy to polish and clean.

The thumb safety was a bit loose for my preferences, but I also prefer a safety that is a lot stiffer on carry pistols than most other shooters would want. The grip safety had just the right amount of tension, and the pistol never rattled when it was carried. The trigger pull weight was in the 5-pound range with proper take-up, allowing for solid sear engagement. Overall, the trigger was pretty crisp with very little overtravel. Finally, the aggressive frontstrap checkering really locks this pistol in your hands.

If you are looking for a proven 1911 that will also turn heads at the range, this is an excellent choice. Smith & Wesson’s E-Series has proven itself over years of use, and the engraving adds a really nice touch. The Engraved 1911’s stainless steel construction also makes it a great starting platform for further upgrades, and the MSRP of only $1,219 keeps it within just about anyone’s reach. If you are looking for something at a reasonable price with proven reliability and a touch of class, make sure you take a close look at the Smith & Wesson Engraved 1911.

Caliber: .45 ACP

Barrel: 5 inches

OA Length: 8.7 inches

Weight: 39.1 ounces (empty)

Grips: Wooden laminate E-Series

Sights: Three-dot

Action: SA

Finish: Matte silver

Capacity: 8+1

MSRP: $1,219

For more information, visit smith-wesson.com.

This article was originally published in “Combat Handguns” September/October 2017. To subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Touch of Class: The Smith & Wesson Engraved 1911 appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The “VIP” in Nighthawk VIP here stands for “Very Impressive Pistol,” and we couldn’t agree more.

This heirloom-quality Nighthawk 1911 in .45 ACP is dripping with some of the finest upgrades, which include a classic antique nickel finish, a crowned National Match barrel, a 14-karat gold bead front sight and giraffe bone grips. (Yeah, giraffe bone.)

RELATED STORY — Nighthawk Tri Cut Carry: Cutting-Edge Style, Match-Grade Performance

All of the engraving here is done by hand. The frontstrap and mainspring housing, as well as the “memory bump” on the beavertail grip safety, all have matching vertical serrations.

To complete the package, the gun comes in a custom cocobolo presentation case.

RELATED STORY — Kimber K6s CDP: PDW’s ‘Gun of the Month’ for September 2017

MSRP on the VIP is $7,995. Sure, the price might be steep, but you’d be hard pressed to find a better 1911 to pass down to your children and their children.

For more information nighthawkcustom.com)

The post Nighthawk VIP Pistol: PDW’s ‘Gun of the Month’ for October 2017 appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Anyone who peruses gun magazines is aware of two major trends in the American handgun scene: the popularity of polymer-framed pistols and the resurgence of interest in the 9mm Parabellum cartridge. Every handgun manufacturer of note now offers “plastic” pistols chambered for Georg Luger’s cartridge.

And while there is still a vocal group of traditionalists who bemoan these developments, they are slowly but surely being brought over from their insistence upon “real steel and walnut” pistols to accept the advantages of modern polymer technology.

But when it comes to the 9mm, most of these traditionalists refuse to budge from their belief that “bigger bullets are better bullets” and continue to champion the .45 ACP cartridge for defensive purposes.

While the firearms media is awash today with stories of the 9mm cartridge and the polymer- framed pistols chambered for it, we felt that we’d follow the beat of a different drummer and compare a selection of polymer-framed pistols chambered for the iconic .45 ACP cartridge. While there are a number of polymer 45 pistols on the market today, print space and time limits resulted in us restricting ourselves to a quartet of the newest and/or most popular of the breed: the Smith & Wesson M&P45 M2.0, the Glock 21 Gen4, the Ruger American Pistol and the Springfield Armory XDM 4.5″.

Settling The Score

These polymer 45 ACP handguns all contain similar features, which makes it easier to compare them. They’re all striker-fired with polymer frames, steel slides, high-capacity (10- to 14-round) magazines, interchangeable backstraps, ambidextrous or reversible controls, accessory rails, durable/high-tech finishes, similar disassembly processes and fixed sights.

To see if any one provided advantages over the others, we decided to run them through a series of defensive-type drills. So as to have the input of several shooters, I obtained the assistance of my friends Dick Jones and Richard Cole, both of whom are competitive shooters, CCW permit holders and fans of the .45 ACP. After much discussion—and argument—we decided the following drills would give us of us a basic understanding of each pistol’s positive and negative features:

• Modified El Presidente: Lift the pistol and double-tap each of three targets at 7 yards. Perform a combat reload and repeat. Run the drill two more times.
• FBI Drill: Lift the pistol and fire two body shots and one headshot on a pair of targets at 7 yards. Reload and repeat. Run the drill two more times.
• One-Handed Drill: Lift the pistol and engage three targets at 5 yards with two rounds each, firing all of the rounds with an unsupported (one-handed) grip. Run the drill three more times.

Make-up shots would only be allowed for misses. This meant that each shooter would fire a minimum of 96 rounds from each pistol for a total of at least 384 rounds.

Aguila Ammunition provided us with a quantity of 230-grain FMJs sufficient to our purposes. This high-quality, Mexican-made ammunition performed admirably, and we did not experience a single ammo-related malfunction. To have something to perforate, the Target Barn kindly supplied us with cardboard IPSC targets. All of the drills began with the shooter holding the pistol at the low-ready position.

• RELATED STORY: 3 .45 ACP Pistols to Use on Your Next Whitetail Hunt

Each shooter graded each pistol on a 1 (worse) to 5 (best) scale in seven categories: reliability, ergonomics, trigger control, sights, off-hand accuracy and ease of reloading. These were then added together to give each pistol a final score. So as to level the playing field a bit, I installed the medium- sized backstrap on each pistol.

A few days before we met at the Piedmont Handgunners Association range in Southmont, North Carolina, I tested the four polymer .45 pistols for accuracy by firing them from an MTM K-Zone rest at 50 feet. All four shot to the point of aim and showed they were capable—with careful nursing of their triggers—of producing five-shot groups in the 2-inch range, which I felt was an impressive performance for service type handguns. I then disassembled, cleaned and oiled the pistols, which would be the only maintenance they received during test-firing other than wiping off visible grit or residue with a cloth. If a pistol choked, the shooter would attempt to clear the malfunction and, if possible, keep on shooting.

The Battle Begins

Taking turns, we each proceeded to fire the four polymer 45 ACP pistols, alternating them so as to allow them to cool off (it was a hot, humid day with the temperatures in the upper 80s). While one person shot, the other acted as a range officer and changed targets while the third loaded magazines, an onerous task made easier thanks to Brownells providing us with a pair of UpLULA magazine loaders. As we shot, my wife, Becky, took photos that, with editing, would hopefully make us all look very skillful.

We began shooting about at 11 a.m. and continued, with a 30-minute break for lunch, until 2:30 p.m. By the time the smoke cleared, we had sent almost 1,200 rounds of hardball ammunition downrange and were very glad to have brought along a ground sheet for the ejected cases to land on. And all three of us freely admitted to having sore hands.

Before I go any further, I want to mention that during this excessive expenditure of ammo, all four of our test pistols functioned flawlessly. That’s right. We did not experience a single malfunction despite the fact that they all were new-out-of-the-box pistols, each using five different magazines, and the pistols got quite dirty.

Despite protests from my two compatriots, both of whom are avid reloaders, I informed them that we had to score the pistols before they could police up the brass. With the help of Becky and her pocket calculator, we added up each pistol’s scores, and they finished as follows:

A bit of explanation of these results is in order. As for reliability, what can I say? They all ran like gangbusters. Ergonomics and recoil control are closely related, and the results mirrored each other. The S&W’s new grip texturing got a big thumbs up from all three of us, as it greatly aided in recoil control. As can be seen by the close scores, the shape of the Springfield and Ruger grips were well liked. While the Glock’s grip provided a secure purchase, two of us have relatively small hands and found the grip a bit too fat for positive control. Even though I felt the Ruger was the heaviest recoiling of our quartet of test guns, I fired my best targets with it. Go figure.

Trigger control was a subjective call. Richard Cole, an avid 1911 shooter, did not care for any of the pivoting triggers while Dick Jones and I both have extensive experience with the Springfield and Glock. The Ruger had a heavier trigger pull than the S&W and Springfield, and we all felt that the Glock’s was the grittiest of the four and had the worst let-off.

• RELATED STORY: 9mm vs .40 vs .45 – Which Chambering Has More Stopping Power?

As for sights, it was unanimous that the Springfield’s red fiber-optic front sight provided the best sight picture and the fastest target acquisitions. None of us are fans of the three-white-dot sighting arrangement, and we also felt that the Glock’s white-outlined rear sight produced a blurry sight picture. Dick Jones said that if we had brought along a black marker pen and blacked out the offending dots and outline, we all would have shot better.

Accuracy was another four-way tie, although several of us freely admitted to purposely firing slower and more carefully with pistols whose sights/ergonomics we found problematic. My excuse is that I always tend to fall into “USPSA mode” and shoot too fast, and I’m sticking to it.

As for ease of reloading, we all found the S&W’s magazine release to be the most positive in operation while the Glock’s was the largest and easiest to acquire, but its polymer magazines did not always drop free and on occasion had to be pulled out. The ambidextrous magazine releases on the Springfield and Ruger proved problematic as Dick and Richard both hit the right-hand release on occasion when acquiring a grip, dropping loaded magazines. I found inserting a fully loaded magazine into the Springfield with the slide forward required an inordinate amount of effort, which twice led to me dropping loaded magazines during combat reloads.

And The Winner?

After we were finished, I queried my friends as to their top choice of the four. Dick Jones said he was torn between the Springfield and the Smith & Wesson while Richard, despite his freely admitted dislike of all their triggers, chose the S&W. Me? Well, since I own several of them and have used them for competitions for years now, my money goes on the Springfield.

In conclusion, we found our four polymer 45 ACP pistols all provided more than sufficient reliability, accuracy and positive handling features for a service-type autoloader. You wouldn’t go wrong with any of them, so my recommendation is to try all of them and choose the one that handles and shoots best for you.

Polymer 45 ACP Pistol Specs

For More Information

Glock
glock.com

Ruger
ruger.com

Smith & Wesson
smith-wesson.com

Springfield Armory
springfield-armory.com

This article was originally published in “Combat Handguns” November/December 2017. To order a copy and subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Tests & Scores of the 4 Most Popular Polymer 45 ACP Pistols appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The Wilson Combat Pinnacle Pistol brings with it a very deep conversation. Before we get there, a quick philosophical note.

“Life is too short to settle for less than spectacular.” That is a phrase I was taught early on and I have done my best to adhere to it. Whether it be food, drink or even guns, I have tried to stay with the best.

The reality for most of us though is the real cost of “spectacular.” While a bottle of the Macallan Lalique 62-Year Old Single Malt Scotch is certainly spectacular, it is also $30,439. So, we must learn to deal with different levels of spectacular. The question I always get when I talk about this subject is, “Is it worth it?” Well, that depends.

RELATED STORY — Concealed Carry Masterpiece: Wilson Combat’s X-TAC Elite Compact

This question was raised again during a very interesting conversation on guns. The conversation quickly turned to price and in turn, ultimately to 1911s.

While the market is full of a variety of handguns at different price points, high-end 1911s still hold the title of “priciest guns.” The specific gun in question is the aforementioned Wilson Combat Pinnacle Pistol.

The pistol is based on Wilson Combat’s Classic Supergrade model and is completely detailed inside and out with “a full suite of options specially selected by Bill Wilson.” The reason the Pinnacle jumped into the discussion is because this nice 1911 from our friends at Wilson Combat comes in at a breath less than $8,000.

So the question was, ”Is it worth it?” Before we can render judgment, let’s take a closer look inside.

The Details

The Wilson Combat Pinnacle 1911 is expertly hand fitted and finished by a Wilson Combat Supergrade Pistolsmith. To the uninitiated this sounds like someone assembling a gun. That is like saying Salma Hayek is just cute. This is an understatement of epic proportions.

Pistolsmiths are as much artists as they are mechanical geniuses. This is especially true in the 1911 realm.

Following the fitting an application of spectacular hand engraving in a traditional classic scroll pattern is applied. Like the pistolsmiths, hand engravers are artists and are also becoming rare. After hand engraving, a Master Pistolsmith will then further hand detail and finally apply a rich, deluxe blue finish.

From the blued-steel trigger and spiral-fluted guide rod to the custom burl walnut grips, there are several minor and unique differences from a typical Supergrade.

The immaculate hand engraving of the Pinnacle is expertly applied over the complete pistol by renowned firearm engraver Wayne D’Angelo. D’Angelo is one of the world’s foremost engraving artists and his attention to detail is legendary. He is the former chief engraver for Smith and Wesson and contract engraver for Colt. Wilson Combat is proud to work with him on this project.

The Pinnacle is truly Wilson’s pinnacle of craftsmanship and in the world of bespoke, custom pistols it truly stands alone.

That Trigger Though

While the looks of the gun are stunning, the function is just as great.

The Pinnacle has the same trigger heritage as the Super Grade. It is a spectacular trigger with a butter smooth press and short clean reset. Simply one of the finest 1911 triggers available.

“Is it Worth it?”

So with that we need to answer the question. Without hesitation I will say, “Yes.” The gun is absolutely worth $8,000. My reason for this belief is straightforward: This gun is as much, if not more so, a work of art as it is a handgun. This is an heirloom piece and they are only being made in very small numbers.

Ultimately, it is an investment piece for those of you looking to one day expand your bottom line.

RELATED STORY — Xtreme Beauty: Testing the Wilson Combat EDC X9 Pistol

I would also point out one very important thing in this discussion: The question is whether the gun is worth the price on the tag. Many people conflate this with, “Can I afford it?” That, my friend, is a totally different measurement. Honestly $8,000 for a pistol is not an easy purchase for most. However, I would say that if the gun is indeed in your price range, that you would be well served to invest in this fantastic gun.

For more information on the Wilson Combat Pinnacle, please visit WilsonCombat.com.

Wilson Combat Pinnacle Specifications

• Caliber: .45 ACP
• Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds
• Barrel Length: 5 inches
• Overall Length: 8.7 inches
• Sight Radius: 6.6 inches
• Height: 5.6 inches
• Width: 1.3inches
• Weight Empty: 36.6 ounces
• Weight Loaded: 45 ounces
• Accuracy Guarantee: 1 inch at 25 yards
• MSRP: $7,995

The post Is the Wilson Combat Pinnacle Pistol Really Worth $8K? appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Earlier this year the Springfield XDE hammer-fired DA/SA single-stack 9mm pistol hit shelves. Now the lineup for that concealable gun has been expanded to include a model chambered in .45 ACP.

• RELATED STORY: Hammer Time – Range Work with the Springfield XD-E

Like the 9mm version, this new .45 ACP model sports a one-inch-wide polymer frame. It also includes what Springfield calls a “Low Effort Slide” that requires 27 percent less effort to rack compared striker-fired options in the same class. The external hammer allows you to “see and feel gun mode,” Springfield says. The double action trigger sports a trigger pull that’s smooth yet long and deliberate, while follow-up shots from the single-action trigger are touted in the presser as being light, crisp and accurate.

The Springfield XDE features an ambidextrous thumb safety/decocker and magazine release. Meanwhile, the anti-slip texturing on the grip surface provides more comfort and control for the end user. Furthermore, this package includes a fiber optic front sight sight and white-dot rear sight; 3.3-inch hammer-forged Melonite treated barrel with a 1:16 twist; and a dual recoil spring system managed by a full-length guide rod.

In addition to the standard .45 ACP model, Springfield is also offering a version with a Viridian E-Series laser. It features ambidextrous operation and a dual attachment system that clamps onto the trigger guard and accessory rail. If you need to repair it, it’s easily removable.

The Springfield XDE ships out with a 6-round magazine with a pinky extension and a 7-round mag with the grip extension. It also ships with an interchangeable flush base plate.

“Our customers told us they’d like the fight-stopping power of a .45 ACP, with the easy racking ability of our XD-E Series,” Springfield CEO Dennis Reese said in the press release. “The new XD-E .45 gives them exactly what they asked for: a no-compromise pistol that offers multiple safety modes for peace of mind no matter how you choose to carry.”

The standard Springfield XDE in .45 ACP is available at a MSRP of $568. If you want the model that includes the Viridian laser, the MSRP jumps up to $598.

• RELATED STORY: Smooth Operator – Springfield’s EMP CCC 4-Inch Pistol

For more information, go to springfield-armory.com.

The post The Springfield XDE Is Now Available in .45 ACP appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

I’m a big fan of large Smith & Wesson N-Frame revolvers because they generally chamber big, powerful cartridges. The N-Frame originated with the .44 Special, and it’s been used for every early magnum handgun round. World War I saw the N-Frame chambered for .45 ACP military service ammunition, and this caliber has remained popular over the years in various service and target revolver configurations. One of the latest .45 ACP N-Frames to hit the market is the result of a collaboration between the Smith & Wesson Performance Center and the fertile mind of renowned firearms instructor Clint Smith.

Clint served in the Marine Corps in Vietnam and returned stateside to become a law enforcement officer. He’s also the former dean of instruction at the American Pistol Institute and the founder of Thunder Ranch. Thunder Ranch was designed to showcase new firearms training facilities and equipment while providing expert instruction. Given this wealth of experience, when Clint assists in the design of a firearm, you can bet it will perform as intended.

Built For Fighting

I first saw the Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 325 at a local gun shop and was immediately struck by its business-like appearance. With the exception of the forcing cone area at the rear of the barrel, the whole thing is a subdued matte black. As mentioned, it’s built on the S&W N-Frame, but the weight is held down to 30.7 ounces because the frame is scandium alloy. The cylinder is stainless steel with the extractor star left “in the white.” The lockwork is steel. The hammer and trigger are color casehardened but still subdued.

The revolver’s trigger has a smooth face and trigger stop while the hammer is a semi-target-style unit with a teardrop-shaped spur that’s been deeply checkered. The S&W Performance Center has tuned the action for a smooth, if not especially light, double-action (DA) pull and a clean 4.15-pound single-action (SA) pull.

More and more, S&W has adopted the two-piece barrel concept for many of its revolvers. An over-barrel shroud encloses the thinner rifled portion of the 4-inch barrel and is secured by a nut that’s flush with the muzzle. Both the shroud and barrel are made of stainless steel. The tension exerted by this arrangement can have a positive effect on accuracy, and the barrel-cylinder gap can be set more precisely. The shroud on the Model 325 looks sort of hexagonal in shape with flats and a sculpted cut that merges into the front sight ramp.

The front sight itself uses a replaceable gold bead. An integral lug also protects the short ejector rod and has a detent for the spring-loaded ball on the front of the cylinder crane, which forms the forward locking point. The bottom of the shroud is drilled and threaded for an accessory rail that is provided with the revolver.

• RELATED STORY: Gun Review – Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 986

The cylinder crane is made of carbon steel, as is the cylinder release latch. Three pins on which the action operates were left “in the white” to contrast with the matte black finish. Above the cylinder release is a small hole for a key that can lock the hammer. Below the cylinder release is the Performance Center logo, and on the right-front portion of the frame you’ll find a laser- engraved Thunder Ranch logo.

Attached to topstrap is a click-adjustable rear sight. And finally, like many of S&W’s modern wheelguns, the grip frame has the universal round-butt L/N-Frame dimensions, and the Model 325 is provided with a synthetic Hogue Monogrip with pebble texturing on the sides. The grip fit my medium- sized hands very well and provided a secure hold while helping to absorb felt recoil.

My test gun came in a Thunder Ranch Gun Rug made of OD green nylon with a zipper enclosure. Along with the accessory rail, S&W included five moon clips, two keys for the hammer-lock safety, a padlock with a flexible hasp for safe storage, an instruction manual and a DVD titled “The Smith & Wesson Thunder Ranch Defensive Revolver Review & User Guide.” It’s narrated by Clint Smith, and the man knows of what he speaks. I’ve taken a class from him and can tell you that he’s both interesting and engaging. In other words, this DVD is well worth a viewing.

To carry the Model 325, I used an older Askins Style Convertible holster from Uncle Mike’s. While it’s no longer available, this scabbard has belt slots on both sides as well as an adjustable thumb-break retention strap. It fit the Model 325 well, and I paired it with a 0.25-inch-thick, 1.4-inch-wide Versacarry gun belt. To carry the loaded moon clips on my belt, I found a cartridge slide works rather well.

Making Thunder

I chose four different .45 ACP loads from Federal, HPR, Precision Delta and Remington to test the Model 325. These rounds ranged from practice ammo to match-grade fodder. And after obtaining some velocity figures with each load, it was time to measure the revolver’s accuracy.

Due to the revolver’s 4-inch barrel and target sights, I tested it at 25 yards from the bench using a sandbag rest for support. The rear sight took some adjusting, as it came in the lowest possible position, which provided for some very low groups. So, I adjusted its elevation and a little windage, too. Then I fired three 5-shot groups in SA mode using each of the test loads. The tightest cluster, measuring just 1.85 inches, came with the HPR 185-grain JHP ammo. This load also had the best group average at 2.24 inches. Second place went to the Precision Delta 230-grain FMJs at 2.25 inches. These two cartridges also shot close to the point of aim, but I had several light primer strikes with the Precision Delta ammo. This only happened during the chronographing and accuracy testing portions of the evaluation.

This is a Thunder Ranch revolver, which means it’s built for serious defensive purposes. With that in mind, I ran the Model 325 through a U.S. Customs & Border Protection combat qualification course. I donned the gun belt and loaded all five of the moon clips with a mix of the .45 ACP test ammo. I loaded one clip in the gun and kept two clips on my belt using the cartridge loop slide. I put the other loaded moon clips in the left-front pocket of my BDUs.

Shooting commenced at 3 yards, where I drew the handgun and fired “point-shoulder” using only my strong hand against a red B-27Q silhouette. After the final shot, the revolver was reloaded, placed in my support hand and fired until empty, then reloaded again. Once an area threat assessment had been performed, the handgun was worked back into the holster and secured. This final process was used in all of the course stages. There’s no award for getting the gun back into the holster the quickest, and you also need to make sure you keep an eye on the threat area even when you’re reloading and reholstering.

• RELATED STORY: 5 Titans Who Influenced Revolvers, Ammo & Handgun Shooting

Moving back to 7 yards, I drew the Model 325 in an isosceles stance, acquired the sights and fired two rounds at the center-mass of the target. After assessing for threats, I lowered the gun into a low-ready position, then raised it again to fire two more rounds. I repeated this one more time, reloaded, assessed the area for threats and reholstered the gun. From the same distance, I drew the S&W Model 325 revolver and fired two shots center-mass and one to the pelvis in what’s termed a “body armor drill.” I repeated this string of fire before reloading, assessing and reholstering.

Next, I stepped back to the 15-yard barricade. After drawing the handgun, I fired two shots using the sights from the left side of the barricade, two shots from the right side while standing and two shots while kneeling. I reloaded, reassessed and reholstered.

All of my shots stayed within what might be called the “K-zone” of the silhouette target. The two lowest shots were from the body armor drill. A similar drill has two center-mass shots and one to the head, but that is a much smaller and usually moving target, so some recommend the pelvis shot, which may break bone and cause the subject to fall.

Throughout the evaluation, I had no malfunctions that could be attributed to the Model 325. All of the combat shooting was done in DA mode, and using a proper technique, I had no trouble ejecting the spent brass using the short ejector rod. It’s very convenient to have all the spent brass within the moon clip, and I also found the moon clips made reloading fast and easy. The bead front sight made getting on target a snap, and the Hogue Monogrip helped control recoil and muzzle flip for fast follow-up shots. The holster worked well, as did the cartridge loop slide for carrying extra loaded moon clips. I felt this phase of the testing was more than satisfactory.

Top Shelf

A fellow gun writer recently told me, “You can’t fall in love with them all, Bill.” But I’ll admit that I like the S&W Performance Center Model 325 Thunder Ranch revolver very much. Its weight and balance are very good. The sights are easy to see, the grip fits my hands well, and loading and unloading with the moon clips was quick and positive—a real confidence-builder. This gun also shoots a cartridge that has a good performance reputation in the world of self-defense and can be had in many different configurations. So, in short, I’d say this sixgun is a top-shelf fighting handgun.

Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model 325 Thunder Ranch Specs

For more information, visit smith-wesson.com.

This article is from the November/December 2017 issue of  “Combat Handguns” magazine. To order a copy and subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Rolling Thunder: S&W Performance Center Model 325 Thunder Ranch appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Kimber continues to roll out new products as the year winds to a close, with the latest offering being the Kimber Stainless 1911 Long Slide.

• RELATED STORY: Gun Review – The 10mm Kimber Camp Guard 10 Pistol

Chambered in both .45 ACP and 10mm, the Kimber Stainless 1911 Long Slide sports what the presser calls “Kimber’s signature modern-classic style,” and it’s built from quality raw materials that are machined and hand-crafted into the 1911.

The Stainless Long Slide features a six-inch barrel and slide hand-fitted to the stainless steel, 1.28-inch wide frame with a Satin silver finish; dovetail mounted rear adjustable target sight and front red fiber optic sight for fast sight picture acquisition; beveled magazine well; match-grade trigger; and scallop/checkered rosewood grips with the Kimber logo. The gun also has an overall weight of 42 ounces with an empty magazine; height of 5.25 inches; length of 9.7 inches; and an aluminum trigger with a factory setting of four to five pounds.

If you want to go the .45 ACP route—which features a 7-round magazine capacity—you’ll have to shell out $1,055, while the 10mm model of the Kimber Stainless 1911 Long Slide with an 8-round capacity has a suggested retail price of $1,075.

• RELATED STORY: 3 Great Holster Options for the Kimber Micro 9 Pistol

To learn more, head on over to kimberamerica.com.

The post New Gun: The Kimber Stainless 1911 Long Slide in .45 ACP & 10mm appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

When it comes to guns, I’m not much of a sentimental guy. I prefer to use them, not collect them. Not that there’s anything wrong with collecting firearms. But nothing sits in my safe for long. I use the guns consistently, sell them or give them to friends as gifts. There have been a few exceptions, but I don’t really own anything that commemorates dates or events, for example. All of my early service pistols are long gone, and when I retired from my local police department, I kept my sidearm only because it was already a personally owned gun.

But this sentiment changed recently when I acquired a Colt 1911 commemorating Gunsite’s 40th anniversary. While it’s no safe queen and I plan on using it, I bought it to commemorate a particular accomplishment: completing the rather arduous task of becoming a Gunsite Academy instructor in May of 2016. That’s not something most people can say, let alone those working primarily as gun writers. Most do it the other way around—work for years at Gunsite and write while there or upon retirement. But after spending over two decades teaching and training police officers and others to shoot, I was prepared for the challenge. It was hard work, but it was worth it, and the Colt Gunsite 1911 seemed like the perfect choice to remember it.

Cooper & Colt

Colonel Jeff Cooper always saw the 1911, when properly configured, as a “most useful” fighting pistol. This goes all the way back to the beginning of the American Pistol Institute (API) in 1976, long before the proliferation of pistols suited to carry and duty work we have today. And his creation, now known as Gunsite Academy, has been running continuously for over 40 years, in the same place, training shooters of all levels to use a variety of firearms. No other training entity that I am aware of comes close.

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Over the years, much has been attributed to Cooper—some of it more fiction than fact—but there is little doubt that he saw the .45 ACP 1911 as an excellent pistol.

For one to be adequate, he maintained that it had to have “sights you can see, a trigger you can manage and a complete dehorning job.” In the November 1987 issue of “Guns & Ammo,” he described the Gunsite Service Pistol (GSP) as meeting those requirements. It was equipped with some of the best parts available at the time, including a 3.75-pound hand-tuned trigger and a high-visibility front sight, and the exterior was completely dehorned.

There have been several Gunsite models over the years built by a number of makers using different parts. Over time, two other features seem to have stuck, short triggers and thin grips. The first pistols used Springfield Armory base guns, but the most recent builds have started as Colts, and my personal gun falls into that latter category.

40 Years Strong

This particular pistol is part of a limited production run. Only 100 units are available through the Gunsite Pro Shop. Each gun comes with a 40th anniversary challenge coin and a knife from either Blade-Tech or Strider.

The base gun is a Colt Government Model Series 70 with a stainless steel frame and a black-coated slide. All of the enhancements are then added at Colt based on Gunsite’s specifications. The slide has “API Gunsite 1976” on the left side in gold lettering and “Gunsite Academy 2016” on the right. The Gunsite raven logo can also be found at the rear of the slide on the right, and the Rampant Colt logo is on the opposite side.

The slide houses a .45 ACP, stainless steel, National Match barrel using a standard bushing and a standard recoil spring plug. The Novak front sight sports a tritium insert surrounded by a large white ring, and the rear sight is a black Novak unit with a square notch.

The frame has a high-swept beavertail and an undercut triggerguard to promote a high grip. The frontstrap is serrated, and the mainspring housing, a Smith & Alexander unit, has 30-lpi checkering as well as an integral magazine well funnel. The Gunsite logo is also etched into both of the thin rosewood grip panels.

As for its controls, the customized 1911 features an extended, left-side-only thumb safety, a grooved and extended slide stop and a checkered magazine release. The Commander-style hammer is paired with a short trigger tuned for a 4-pound pull.

All together, my pistol is completely dehorned for carry and exhibits a quality fit and finish. Finally, it came with two 8-round magazines from Colt with metal followers and extended polymer basepads.

Desert Testing

Given this pistol commemorates not only the 40th anniversary of Gunsite but also my addition to the staff, a special holster was in order. So I contacted Rob Leahy of Simply Rugged Holsters to craft a complete carry rig from handmade leather.

My first experience with the Colt Gunsite 1911 came during a media event at Gunsite where we mostly used Black Hills’ 230-grain FMJs in various Wilson Combat and Colt magazines. I also tested the gun substantially back at my home range before using it to teach a 350 Pistol class. The grip panels were the only things I changed; thin grips are great for most shooters, but I have rather large hands. So I purchased similar full-sized grip panels at the Gunsite Pro Shop and installed them with standard grip bushings.

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And while this Colt Gunsite isn’t a fully custom build, it was very accurate. Using a bench and a shooting bag for support, my best five-shot group came with Sig Sauer’s 200-grain V-Crown JHPs, but most of the other loads produced groups tighter than 2 inches at 25 yards. Many were closer to 1.5 inches. That is about as good as it gets for me outside a fully customized pistol and target loads.

Most of my groups at shorter distances were touching or close. Rapid-fire strings at 7 yards were all inside a fist-sized cluster, and off-hand groups at 10 to 15 yards were just slightly larger. Shooting from behind cover, I was able stay on 6-inch steel targets at 25 and 35 yards pretty easily. So this 1911 is undoubtedly more than capable of performing in a fight.

Over the course of a day at Gunsite and a few range visits back home, there were no failures to extract, eject or fire. The gun was simply reliable. One caveat, however: Using Black Hills’ new 135-grain Honey Badger ammo required running the slide hard on the first round. Locking the slide to the rear and using the slide release would cause a hang-up on the ledge of the bullet.

Using the Simply Rugged holster inside my waistband, the Colt carried very comfortably. The holster’s reinforced mouth made it easy to get the gun back into the holster, where it was held tightly—but not too tightly. The pistol’s dehorning was evident, as it didn’t snag on or print through my clothing. The gun also carried well outside the waistband. Of course, I’m probably not going to roll around in the mud with this rig, but I’m sure I’ll carry it.

No Safe Queen

Over the course of testing, I was able to alter my finger position and do pretty well, but these short triggers tend to beat up my fingertip. I will probably install my favorite flat trigger. Other than that, there is nothing I’d really to change to put this pistol to work. My guess is many will buy this Colt Gunsite and never use it, but that’s not my style. I’ll drag it out on occasion, but not enough to wear the laser engraving away.

I chose the Blade-Tech knife because it’s a bit larger than the Strider and is more geared toward combat, but it will stay in the case with the challenge coin, matching instructor hat, my certificate and the factory magazines.

While this Colt Gunsite is a commemorative pistol, it is well equipped to come out of the box ready to fight. My guess is that Jeff Cooper would probably want it that way. I never met him, but he was a mostly practical kind of guy. At least that’s the impression I get when talking to those who actually knew him and trained with him.

Colt has done a fine job on this pistol; it worked well and never malfunctioned while being accurate and comfortable to shoot. Whether you’re a Gunsite fan looking for a collector’s item or just a great pistol, make sure you check out the Colt Gunsite 1911. It will serve you well either way—just like Gunsite and its founder, Jeff Cooper.

Colt Gunsite Specs

Colt Gunsite Performance

*Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in fps by chronograph and accuracy in inches for best five-shot groups at 25 yards. 

For more information about Colt, visit Colt.com. For more information about Gunsite Academy, visit Gunsite.com.

This article was originally published in “Handguns Buyer’s Guide” 2018. To order a copy, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post King of the Hill: The Colt Gunsite 40th Anniversary Edition 1911 appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

You’ve no doubt seen photos of the Heizer PKO-45. You’ve probably even read some reviews. But if you’ve been wondering when you can actually get your hands on one, you now have your answer: Heizer Defense has confirmed that the pistol is finally shipping to distributors.

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Touted as the slimmest semi-auto .45 ACP out there with a width of 0.8 inches, the Heizer PKO-45 was first introduced at SHOT Show 2016. The gun weighs in at around 25 ounces and is made of stainless steel, with no plastic or “mimed parts” to be found anywhere, the company says. It features a fixed-barrel-under-the-guide-rod configuration, which reduces felt recoil. It also boasts a snag-free design; internal hammer/single action; and a front strap safety with an additional ambidextrous thumb safety.

“We are excited that the truly innovative PKO-45 is shipping. It sets the bar even higher for conceal carry,” Tom Heizer, Senior VP of Heizer Defense, said in a statement. “The PKO-45 is another step in our product extensions and it is only the start of many more to come.”

“It is exciting to see the PKO-45 shipping, and I am especially thrilled for the Hedy Jane Empowered line, geared for women,” added Heizer VP Hedy Heizer Gahn. “Shipments are readily available, chambered in the .45 ACP, with a 9mm version coming soon!”

The gun has a 5+1 capacity with a flush magazine and a 7+1 capacity with an extended magazine. The MSRP is $899.

For more information, visit heizerdefense.com.

The post The Heizer PKO-45 Pistol Is Finally Shipping Out appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Personal defense is the single greatest impetus behind new firearm purchases in America. America’s moral compass spins faster than a Mississippi Delta ceiling fan, and the media reminds us daily, typically in the most gruesome of terms, of the innate sinfulness of man. In the face of ever-worsening threats to our homes and our families, Americans are exercising their constitutional rights to self-defense in ever-greater numbers.

In 2015, we Americans bought just shy of 20 million new firearms. That’s about 55,000 for every single day of the year. While Americans are indeed visiting their local firearms emporia in record numbers seeking firearms with which to secure home and hearth, I would assert that, by and large, we are actually doing the whole thing wrong.

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The handgun is and always has been the hardest of all firearms in common use to master. What are at once a pistol’s major strengths turn out also to be its most compelling weaknesses. A handgun’s small size necessitates power limitations and miniaturized controls. Additionally, shoot long enough and you will inevitably see somebody’s stubby little muzzle inadvertently wander around to point at something soft, fragile and innocent.

The answer to this conundrum is the pistol-caliber submachine gun. Most European police agencies discovered long ago that the combination of pistol cartridges and a carbine chassis provides the best balance of control, reliability and effectiveness for a defensive firearm. Alas, the prejudices of the unenlightened conspire to keep these superb little weapons out of the hands of most American civilian shooters. However, Flint River Armory now produces a truly nifty smoke pole that offers all of that subgun chic, power and safety in a package that transfers without undue governmental interference.

All For The .45

The .22 LR is a hoot to shoot, but I once saw a poor unfortunate man in an urban ER who took sixteen .22 rounds to the lower extremities during a drug deal gone almost comically wrong. His opposite number escaped to peddle his illicit pharmaceuticals elsewhere, but we presumed him to have been armed with a Ruger 10/22 or similar equipped with an extended magazine. Our luckless miscreant actually survived to continue making the world a better place upon his ultimate discharge from the hospital. The point being, if you want to be taken seriously in an armed encounter, then you’d better bring a serious gun.

The .45 ACP cartridge was the product of the veritable wellspring of firearms awesomeness that resided within the peerless mind of John Moses Browning. The story is by now well known, but old John Moses thought up the .45 ACP as a counter to the Philippine Moro tribesmen, themselves some of the first radical Islamic terrorists the U.S. military had the displeasure of meeting in combat. Against this enemy in the early 20th century, the old .38 revolvers of the day, throwing simple round-nose bullets, were found to be terribly wanting.

Browning assessed the 115-grain 9mm bullet that our European friends were just beginning to field and, in typical American fashion, simply doubled it. The subsequent 230-grain .45 ACP round soon earned a reputation as a proven stopper. Nowadays, as those thumb-sized cartridges typically push high-tech expanding bullets, their downrange effectiveness is literally unprecedented.

Flint’s Take

The good folks at Flint River Armory set out with the goal of developing the most effective personal-defense weapon (PDW) ever made. The CSA45 is designed and built entirely in America by Americans, and is indeed a remarkable piece of work. Built around monolithic 6061-T6 aluminum receivers, the CSA45 weighs a mere 6.56 pounds unloaded with a 16-inch barrel. The gun runs from a locked-breech, short-stroke-piston-driven action and feeds from a proprietary 25-round, stainless steel magazine. The company also offers a sexy short-barreled rifle (SBR) version with a 10-inch tube. The gun is available in a variety of colors thanks to the miracle of Cerakote.

The collapsible stock telescopes over the receiver for a perfect inline distribution of recoil, and there is plenty of railed real estate for anything you wish to mount. The controls will be familiar to anyone who has ever hefted an AR. The charging handle reciprocates with the bolt on the left side, and the required cocking force is trivial.

While all of that boilerplate comes straight off the Flint River Armory website, what is not so easily captured is the originality and unfiltered coolness of this gun. You can’t swing a dead cat without hitting somebody who is putting together AR rifles in his or her basement and declaring them to be God’s gift to the armed American. What Flint River Armory has done, however, is design and build something truly new, innovative and effective.

How Does It Run?

In a single word—wow. Chances are you have never shot anything like this. The .45 ACP pistol cartridge thumps hard downrange while remaining utterly tamed by the piston-driven, gas-operated action. The gun lacks the penetrating snap of a high-velocity rifle and spits those big fat slugs out with monotonous reliability. The top-quality 25-round magazine will keep you in action long after the threat has grown non-threatening.

Doubles and triples are easy, even on the move, and the chassis maneuvers like a Jack Russell terrier on speed. The lower parts kit is standard AR, so the trigger feels like an old friend. With some quality tactical glass atop the upper receiver, the CSA45 utterly dominates indoors. I topped the receiver with a Holosun optic and built up the ultimate home-defense weapon, just like the Flint River guys said I could. The same rig as an SBR would be all the more extraordinary.

I tried five different loads through the CSA45 and printed five jagged holes at 20 meters off of a simple rest. The CSA45 is clearly an optimized close-combat tool. However, this sweet-shooting gun will drop your rounds right where you want them out to the limits of the cartridge.

There were two stoppages in the first magazine, but after that it ran flawlessly. The bolt locks to the rear when the gun is empty. Give the charging handle a go and the bolt runs forward. The double-stack magazine tapers to a single-stack at presentation, but I still got it loaded easily without a tool.

There is no conceivable circumstance wherein anyone might make a legitimate self-defense shot at more than about 20 meters, but that didn’t stop me from loading up a magazine or three and trying my hand at some serious ranges. Out to 200 meters and beyond, the CSA45 becomes more mortar than carbine, but the exercise is simply great fun. It really is tough to describe how smooth this gun is in action. I’ve never shot anything quite like it.

True First Responder

Whether the CSA45 sits in the back of your closet, behind the seat of your pickup truck, in the trunk of your squad car or in a bag in the minivan during the cross-country trek to grandma’s, literally nothing you can buy in America without a tax stamp will perform better for defensive applications. The CSA45 clearly isn’t a pistol, but it kind of isn’t a rifle, either. This gun is a carbine in the purest sense and is literally perfect for home defense.

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When you hear the glass breaking downstairs or get swarmed by rioters run amok on the freeway is not the time to be pondering your self-defense solutions. With a little forethought and practice, the prepared American can legitimately inoculate themselves against highwaymen, burglars and similar unpleasantness. A Flint River Armory CSA45, along with a couple of spare magazines, brings peace of mind not to be found in a conventional handgun or smartphone.

With negligible exceptions, cops are hardworking, dedicated public servants who armor up every day putting their lives on the line to help keep us safe. However, if life really goes sideways, what they are really best at is catching the guy who killed you. For those critical first few minutes when you face the threat alone, a single Flint River Armory CSA45 in the hand is infinitely better than a dozen police officers on the phone.

A 9mm version of the CSA carbine is currently in the works, and pistol variants are available as well. However, the .45 ACP offers proven downrange performance, controllable penetration and reliable functioning, all in a compact and maneuverable platform. A .45 ACP Glock 21 is an indisputably fine handgun, but the CSA45 is hugely easier to learn and run safely. For female shooters, kids first learning the art or old geezers like me with callouses on their trigger fingers, the CSA45 is a fresh solution to the thorny question of personal protection. With the CSA45, Flint River Armory really did build a better mousetrap.

Flint River Armory CSA45 Specs

Flint River Armory CSA45 Performance

*Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in fps by chronograph and accuracy in inches for best five-shot groups at 20 meters. 

For more information, visit flintriverarmory.com.

This article was originally published in “Personal & Home Defense” #204. To order a copy, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Gun Review: The Flint River Armory CSA45 Carbine appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Those of you familiar with the weird but kinda cool-looking JARD 68 pistol caliber carbine bullpup released in 2017 will be interested to learn that the Iowa-based company is offering up a new featureless model designed specifically for California residents.

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Chambered in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP, the California-legal JARD J68 comes with an overall length of 30.25 inches with the pinned and welded extended brake and a featureless grip installed. The gun includes a 17-inch barrel and comes with a top Picatinny rail for accessories. It also utilizes a Target trigger and sports M-LOK compatible slots in the chassis.

The JARD J68 weighs in at 7.5 pounds in 9mm and features an ambidextrous bottom ejection, safety, magazine latch and charging handle. The gun is fed from Glock magazines.

Available in either black or tan, the featureless JARD J68 for California residents can be bought for $957.06. Once you throw in $22.85 for shipping and handling, you’re still coming in at under $1,000 for an odd, yet somehow appealing (and by all accounts very solid and reliable) pistol caliber carbine bullpup.

To learn more about the J68 and the other products JARD makes, head on over to jardinc.com. Watch the video below to see the standard J68 in action.

[h/t The Firearm Blog]

The post New: The California-Legal JARD J68 Pistol Caliber Carbine Bullpup appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Illinois-based Devil Dog Arms (DDA) has released its new DDA 1911 pistol lineup for 2018.

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Chambered in 9mm (10+1 capacity) or .45 ACP (8+1 capacity), the DDA 1911 series is available in 3.5-inch, 4.25-inch and five-inch Standard or Tac Rail models with a three-slot Picatinny rail forward of the trigger guard. The heat-treated and machined frames are made from 4140 domestic investment cast steel with 22LPI front strap checkering and DDA’s NBD grips. The slide is heat-treated and machined from domestic billet steel and features a custom flat top/45 degree design with oversized front and rear serrations.

All DDA 1911 models boast match-grade, heat-treated, button rifled and double stress relieved barrels machined from 416 stainless steel and hand fitted to a match grade barrel bushing. Other standard features include a 3-hole aluminum trigger with a 3.5-4lb trigger pull, and Kensight DFS fixed white-dot sights.

“It’s truly an honor to launch such a unique interpretation of the classic 1911 design,” Tommy Thacker, DDA president and CEO Tommy Thacker said in the press release. “Every detail of this distinguished platform has been researched and engineered to provide shooters a unique blend of classic function, modern reliability and accuracy. America has waited over 100 years for the DDA 1911, and this pistol is worth the wait.”

The DDA 1911 is available in either black or FDE, with limited selections available in two-tone stainless steel and full nickel boron coated configurations. The presser doesn’t list the MSRP.

For more information about Devil Dog Arms, visit devildogarms.com.

The post DDA 1911: Devil Dog Arms Unveils 1911 Pistol Lineup for 2018 appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Nighthawk Custom is introducing its new Ladyhawk 2.0 pistol for 2018.

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Chambered in both 9mm and .45 ACP, the Nighthawk Ladyhawk 2.0 is a commander-sized 1911 with a 4.25-inch match grade barrel. The Pistol has been souped up with custom finishes and grips to appeal to the female demographic.

The Ladyhawk 2.0 is available with a slide and frame that’s either coated in DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) or upgraded to stainless steel and polished. Meanwhile, the controls and barrel boast a Rose Gold TICN finish. In addition, the grips are made of custom Obsidian, Abalone, and Zinc. Nighthawk says that while these materials have been used in products like jewelry and knives, it’s the first time grips such as these have been offered on a 1911.

The MSRP for the Nighthawk Ladyhawk 2.0 starts at $4,695. Get the full rundown of features and specs below.

For more information, visit nighthawkcustom.com.

Nighthawk Ladyhawk 2.0 Features

• Finish: DLC with Rose Gold TICN finish on controls and barrel
• Grips – Custom Obsidian, Abalone, and Zinc
• Forged commander size frame and 4.25″ barrel (also available with an officer size frame)
• Match grade 9mm barrel (also available in .45 ACP as a no-cost option)
• Heinie Slant Pro Straight Eight Tritium night sights
• Thinned front strap and mainspring housing
• Serrated slide top
• Scalloped front strap and mainspring housing
• 40 lines per inch serrated rear of slide to match rear sight
• Shortened slide stop and beveled frame
• Crowned barrel flush with bushing
• Lightweight aluminum Nighthawk Custom tri-cavity trigger
• New ultra hi-cut front strap
• Completely dehorned for comfortable carry
• Heinie recoil spring plug

Nighthawk Ladyhawk 2.0 Specs

• Frame Size: Commander
• Caliber: 9mm, .45 ACP
• Light Rail: No Rail
• Safety: Single
• Height: 5.4″
• Overall Length: 7.85″
• Width: 1.40″
• Slide Width: 0.92″
• Grip Thickness: Thin
• Weight (Empty): 36 oz
• Sight Radius: 5.76″
• Barrel Length: 4.25″
• Magazine Capacity: 10
• Rear Sight: Heinie Straight Eight Slant Pro
• Front Sight: Tritium
• Finish: DLC and Rose Gold

The post New for 2018: The Nighthawk Ladyhawk 2.0 Pistol appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Springfield has unveiled its new XD-S Mod.2 pistol for 2018.

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Chambered in .45 ACP, the XD-S Mod.2 offers up a number of new upgrades. First, the shooter’s grip will be higher up on the gun, closer to the bore axis, which boosts control and reduces recoil. When you combine this with the thinner beavertail, the comfort factor is upped from the standard XD-S.

The next upgrade to note is the enhanced grip texturing, which gives the end user a solid feel and secure hold—a must in defensive situations. The grip—the width of which is just .975 inches—also includes the company’s longer Posi-Wedge serrations making the slide easier to grab and rack.

The XD-S Mod.2 also comes with an SA front sight with Ameriglo’s Pro-Glo green tritium in a yellow luminescent circle, paired up with an SA tactical-rack serrated steel rear sight with a U-notch for easy target acquisition in low-light scenarios. The enhanced short-reset and consistent trigger, the company says, make this gun a solid choice for defensive carry.

The latest version of Springfield’s XD-S boasts a slim, single-stack frame that is 6.5 inches in length and under five inches high. Meanwhile, the pistol features a 3.3-inch, Melonite treated hammer-forged steel barrel with a 1:16 twist. Dual springs and a full-length guide rod help manage the gun’s recoil and “keep rounds on target without punishing the shooter’s hands,” the presser says. The pistol also comes with a loaded chamber indicator.

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The XD-S Mod.2 ships with a flush-fitting 5-round mag and one 6-round mag with Mid-Mag X-Tension. These magazines, when empty, give the gun an overall weight of 21.5 ounces and 22.5 ounces, respectively.

Springfield has announced three versions of the XD-S Mod.2. One with a fiber optic sight (MSRP: $568), one with a tritium night sight (MSRP: $618) and one with a red Viridian laser (MSRP: $598).

Check out the specs and a video below. For more on the gun, visit springfield-armory.com.

XD-S Mod.2 Specs

• Caliber: .45 ACP
• Magazines: 1 5-round, flush fitting/1 6-round with Mid Mag, Stainless steel
• Barrel: 3.3″ hammer forged, steel, Melonite/1:16 RH twist
• Sights: Fiber ofptic front & tactical rack serrated white dot rear
• Frame: Black polymer with enhanced grip texture
• Slide: Forged steel, Melonite finish
• Recoil System: Dual captive recoil spring with full length guide rod
• Length: 6.5″
• Height: 4.4″ with flush mag/5″ with Mid-Mag
• Grip Width: .975″
• Weight w/Empty Mag: 21.5 oz with Flush mag/22.2 oz with Mid-Mag

The post VIDEO: Springfield Unveils the XD-S Mod.2 Pistol in .45 ACP appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.