Is there anything sexier than a hand-fitted, American-made 1911? Well, yes. Jessica Rabbit, for example. I know it’s a cartoon, but seriously. And don’t judge me too harshly; that movie came at an impressionable time in my youth. But as far as pistols are concerned, I am going to have to say no. The folks at Roberts Defense up in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, are absolutely doing it right. Yes, sir: 1911s and cheese curds. I love that state.

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Win a Roberts Defense SuperGrade 2-Tone 1911 Valued at $2,390!

The classic look of the 4.25-inch-barreled SuperGrade 2-Tone in .45 ACP just does it for me. Not to mention that it’s stuffed with match-grade components, Heinie SlantPro tritium sights and black Cerakoted hardware. The checkering on the grip panels, frontstrap and backstrap is sharp and offers great control, but it isn’t so pronounced that these surfaces will turn into flesh graters after a full day at the range.

The true Videki-designed trigger has a snappy 3.5- to 4-pound pull weight with a tight reset. Combined with the hand-polished feed ramp and aforementioned Heinie sights, you get a super-reliable platform that is as pleasurable to shoot as it is accurate. I have never felt that I am great at testing a weapon’s accuracy from a benchrest, yet I was able to keep my groups in the 1.25-inch range with this pistol.

Another aspect of what Roberts Defense does that I like: Aside from the logo at the rear, the company keeps its slides unmarked. The lack of a name or model designation milled into the sides maintains the clean, sharp-looking Cerakote finish.

Do you want this gun? Of course you do. And the best part about it being a giveaway is that you don’t have to justify it to anyone with whom you share a checking account. All you need is a little room in your safe and a little room in your heart.

To enter the sweepstakes, visit PersonalDefenseWorld.com/roberts1911, and for more on the gun itself, visit RobertsDefense.com.

This article is from the September/October 2018 issue of Combat Handguns Magazine. To subscribe, please visit OutdoorGroupStore.com.

Roberts Defense SuperGrade 2-Tone Specs

The post Sexy Supergrade: Roberts Defense SuperGrade 2-Tone (Giveaway) appeared first on Personal Defense World.

Smith & Wesson is amping up its M&P Shield M2.0 series, launching a new M&P45 Shield M2.0 pistol that comes with an integrated Crimson Trace red or green laser.

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Chambered in .45 ACP, the M&P45 Shield M2.0 with an integrated Crimson Trace laser has all the bells and whistles of the M&P Shield M2.0 pistol, including a slim profile and 18-degree grip angle for a natural point of aim. This particular model features two laser modes and ambidextrous laser activation.

The gun also features a 3.3-inch barrel; light, crisp trigger; and an aggressive grip texture. In addition, this pistol ships with two magazines: a seven-round extended grip mag; and one six-round flush mag. It’s also available with or without a thumb safety.

Hyped in the presser as being a solid choice for those looking for a concealed carry gun in a larger caliber, the M&P45 Shield M2.0 with an integrated Crimson Trace red laser has a MSRP of $499. The model with the green Crimson Trace laser is available at $549.

Smith & Wesson acquired Crimson Trace a couple of years ago in a deal worth an estimated $95 million.

See the features and specs below.

For more from Smith & Wesson, go to Smith-Wesson.com.

M&P45 Shield M2.0 Integrated Laser Features

• Integrated Crimson Trace red or green Laser
• Incorporates the design features of the M&P M2.0 line of firearms.
• Aggressive grip texture for enhanced control.
• New M&P M2.0 crisp trigger with lighter trigger pull.
• Tactile and audible trigger reset.
• Extremely thin and lightweight – can be comfortably carried all day.
• M&P’s patented take-down lever and sear deactivation systems allow for disassembly without pulling the trigger.
• Includes 2 magazines:
• One 6-round magazine.
• One 7-round extended grip magazine.
• Optimal 18-degree grip angle for natural point of aim.
• Armornite durable corrosion resistant finish.

M&P45 Shield M2.0 Integrated Laser Specs

• Caliber: 45 Auto
• Capacity: 6+1, 7+1, 8+1
• Barrel Length: 3.3” (8.4 cm)
• Overall Length: 6.5″
• Front Sight: Steel – White Dot
• Rear Sight: Steel – White Two-Dot
• Action: Striker Fire
• Grip: Polymer
• Weight: 23.2 oz / 657.7g
• Barrel Material: Stainless Steel – Armornite Finish
• Slide Material: Stainless Steel – Armornite Finish
• Frame Material: Polymer
• Purpose: Concealed Carry, Personal Protection

The post S&W Launches M&P45 Shield M2.0 With Integrated Laser appeared first on Personal Defense World.

Those interested in a beautiful and historical handgun should check out the Auto Ordnance Custom Case Hardened 1911.

The Custom Case Hardened 1911 is a GI series 1911, in all of its original glory, that has been updated with a case-hardened finish. Therefore, this gun provides a look and a feel that would make any gun owner proud

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“Taking a classic 1911 to the next level without diminishing its history is no easy feat, but adding an even more classic finish formally raises the bar,” said Auto Ordnance in its announcement. “Auto-Ordnance has done just that with the new GI Series 1911 with case hardened finish.”

Case hardening produces distinct and unique patterns of color on metal. As a result, the guns are practically works of art with its swirling finish.

In addition to the finish, this Auto Ordnance 1911 is a historical version of Browning’s masterpiece. This .45 ACP comes with a 5-inch barrel, with a blade front sight and drift adjustable rear sights. It also has standard beavertail and thumb safeties, as well as checkered woods grips featuring the “US” military logo.

Auto Ordnance has long built functioning replicas of historical firearms, including the iconic “Tommy” gun. They also make versions of the M1 Carbine and multiple custom GI 1911s.

Auto Ordnance Custom Case Hardened 1911

Action: Semi-auto
Caliber: .45 ACP
Barrel: 5″
Weight: 39 oz.
Length: 8.5″
Safeties: Thumb safety, grip safety, firing pin block
Sights: Blade front, rear drift adjustable for windage
Magazine: One 7-round
Grips: Checkered Wood Grips with U.S. Logo
MSRP: $1,327

For more information about the Auto Ordnance Custom Case Hardened 1911, please visit auto-ordnance.com.

The post Auto Ordnance Unveils Custom Case Hardened 1911 Pistol appeared first on Personal Defense World.

There are many shooters who believe self-defense begins with a “4” and ends with a “5.” However, they also want a compact pistol. Because of this Smith & Wesson has introduced the M&P 45 2.0 Compact.

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The Smith & Wesson M&P 45 2.0 Compact in .45 ACP comes with all of the features of the M&P 45 2.0, along with a 4-inch barrel. These include a lower bore axis for reducing muzzle rise, as well as an 18-degree grip angle for a natural point of aim. It also features an aggressive grip texture for control and the much lighter 2.0 trigger. The trigger even has both tactile and audible trigger reset for faster follow up shots.

This striker-fired semi-auto also comes with four interchangeable palm-swell inserts for customizing feel, along with two 10-round magazines. Even better, its rigid embedded stainless steel chassis reduces both flex and torque during use. It’s also available with or without an ambidextrous thumb safety, and it even has an accessory rail for attaching lights and lasers.

Additionally, the pistol’s steel white-dot front sight and dual white-dot rear sights provide natural aim and quick follow up shots. The polymer grip is matte black, while the stainless-steel barrel and slide feature a black Armornite finish.

Since its introduction, the M&P 2.0 pistol series has long been popular with both law enforcement and civilians. And now, larger-bore advocates have a compact version in one of the most popular calibers in the country. However, the M&P 2.0 is also available in both 9mm and .40 S&W, which provides ample choices in a self-defense handgun.

For more information about the Smith & Wesson M&P 45 2.0 Compact, please visit Smith-Wesson.com.

Smith & Wesson M&P 45 2.0 Compact Specs

Caliber: .45 ACP
Action: Striker-fire semi-auto
Barrel Length: 4″
Overall Length: 7.2″
Weight: 28.2 ozs.
Frame: Stainless steel
Finish: Armornite
Grip: Polymer
Front Sight: White dot
Rear Sight: White two dot
Capacity: 10+1
MSRP: $569

The post Smith & Wesson Brings Power to EDC With M&P 45 2.0 Compact Pistol appeared first on Personal Defense World.

Davidson’s Gallery of Guns has introduced a NRA-themed Ruger SR1911 handgun.

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Described in the press release as a “modern take on the timeless American single-action classic,” the frame of this special edition .45 ACP pistol sports a red anodized finish. Meanwhile, red laminate grips feature the NRA logo. In addition, the black nitride slide boasts an engraving of the NRA seal and text of the Second Amendment on the left side. Fixed Novak 3-dot sights are also included. A five-inch barrel; 39 ounce overall weigh; and an overall length of 8.67 inches round out the features here.

This gun ships out with a seven-round and an eight-round magazine. The gun and mags come in a custom NRA box and sleeve. Each pistol is given an NRA4 serial number prefix.

Davidson’s Gallery of Guns touts the special edition Ruger SR1911 as the latest extension of its support for the NRA. The company also supports the NRA Saturday Night Concert at the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, The NRA Foundation, and NRA Ring of Freedom events.

“Davidson’s and Gallery of Guns has been a longtime supporter of the NRA,” said Bryan Tucker, CEO of Davidson’s, Inc. “Having the opportunity to provide our dealers and consumers with NRA licensed products is truly an honor.”

MSRP on this model is $1,039.

For more, visit galleryofguns.com.

NRA Ruger SR1911 Specs

The post Davidson’s Gallery of Guns Unveils Special Edition NRA Ruger SR1911 appeared first on Personal Defense World.

For years, Federal’s Hydra-Shok has been one of the most reliable expanding bullets on the market. However, not long ago Federal changed the design, bringing out Hydra-Shok Deep ammunition. Even better, shooters will soon find .40 S&W and .45 ACP rounds to go with the 9mm ammo first introduced.

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So why change it? The answer is both simple and two-fold. First, customers have increasingly desired rounds that score high in the FBI ballistic testing protocol. Second, in the 30 years since Hydra-Shok appeared, gelatin tests and field reports have expanded the general knowledge of the terminal performance of bullet metals. This made it possible for Federal to re-design Hydra-Shok bullets to deliver even better penetration in the FBI tests. Now buyers have a choice between original Hydra-Shok and Hydra-Shok Deep ammunition, depending upon how they define their needs for penetration.

Hydra-Shok Deep

Hydra-Shok Deep was designed to penetrate an average of 15 inches in bare 10-percent ballistic gelatin, which is midway in the 12 and 18 inches of desired penetration in the FBI tests. The FBI developed its tests protocols after the April 11, 1986, shootout in Florida. In this incident, Special Agent Jerry Dove fired a 9mm bullet into the right arm of Michael Platt. However, it failed to penetrate far enough into his chest to reach his heart. Platt then went on to kill two FBI Agents, including Dove, and wound several others.

This incident, along with the fact that assailants rarely present predictable angles of fire during gunfights, the FBI determined that a bullet needs to penetrate at least 12 inches into tissue. This ensures that vital structures would be compromised enough to cause the likelihood of reasonably quick incapacitation. They went on to establish a maximum depth of 18 inches to help guard against collateral damage due to over penetration. By designing Hydra-Shok Deep to penetrate 15 inches in bare gelatin, the new bullet gains a 50-percent improvement in minimum penetration over the old Hydra-Shok. It also provides a 70-percent better performance in the five FBI barrier tests.

A New Bullet

Federal used a unique design on the new Hydra-Shok Deep bullet. Looking at a loaded cartridge reveals a new folded appearance in the hollow point opening, with six deep skives cutting into the jacket and a broader conical Hydra-Shok post in the center of the hollow-point cavity.

The wider post drives tissue fluids into the six “pockets” formed by the jacket’s skives in the bullet’s nose and causes rapid expansion when the bullet hits the target. At that point, something that can’t be seen looking at the loaded cartridge comes into play. The lower half of the bullet has two separate cannelures around its circumference that firmly control expansion and lock the jacket to the core. Additionally, these cannelures help retain the bullet’s weight for consistent penetration.

A lot of research went into this design and the results are dramatic when the bullet is fired into gelatin. The bullet begins to expand immediately, transferring a great deal of energy within the first 8 inches of penetration. Then, it stays solidly together as it penetrates another 7 inches in a straight line. This is excellent performance for both law enforcement and civilian applications.

A New Choice

Ballistic testing indicates that Federal’s new Hydra-Shok Deep ammunition performs very consistently. It also presents an exciting new high-tech personal protection choice for users of 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. We were able to fire some of the new Hydra-Shok Deep ammunition loads at the Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous, where they performed well. More in-depth tests will be forthcoming.

Now at some point, Federal might bring out more calibers, but for now they are sticking with the most popular ones for defense. This makes sense for the market.

Hydra-Shok Deep Ammunition

• 9mm: 135 grain — $27.95/20-round box
• .40 S&W: 165 grain — $31.95/20-round box
• .45 ACP: 210 grain — $33.95/20-round box

For more information about Hydra-Shok Deep, please visit federalpremium.com.

The post Why Federal’s New Hydra-Shok Deep Ammunition Is Optimal for Defense appeared first on Personal Defense World.

Back in 2004, I purchased a Para-Ordnance P10. The 1911 is my favorite pistol platform, and I naturally gravitate toward those with higher capacities because I want as much firepower as possible. Hell, I’d carry a rifle everywhere if it were practical. I’d started with a larger P14 Limited and was very satisfied with it until I really settled on Commander-sized pistols because of their speed, handling and balance. So, to round out my stable, I also wanted a compact, hence the Para P10.

Out of the box, the P10 delivered good combat accuracy, an acceptable trigger and ran reliably. However, I thought the cycling was a bit choppy with Federal’s 230-grain Hydra-Shok JHPs. I called Para and discussed this with one of the company’s gunsmiths. Then, I ended up sending it in to fix the cycling issues. It came back from the shop running as smoothly as I’d hoped.

In stock form, the P10 is a handy little 1911. It has a stainless-steel slide and frame, making it substantial enough to effectively grip while carrying 10+1 rounds of .45 ACP ammo. Despite that capacity; however, the gun has a relatively small footprint for concealment. All told, the P10 has a 3-inch barrel, an overall length of 6.5 inches, a height of 4.5 inches and an unloaded weight of 31.5 ounces. And if you’re wondering about the handling qualities of such a small, stubby pistol, I shared the same concerns — until I shot an IDPA match with the P10 after having shot the P14 consistently before that. Much to my surprise, I really couldn’t tell the difference in my shooting performance during the match. In my experience, the little P10 handles just fine.

Accurate Upgrades

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One night, while perusing 1911s on an internet forum, I came across Mike Cyrus of Accurate Iron in Jones, Okla. After a bit of good-natured banter, Mike made a suggestion. He said, “You need to get your hands on an Accurate Iron pistol.”

Mike gave me his phone number, and we discussed a custom project. My candidate for customization was the little Para P10. I told him I wanted a checkered frontstrap, an action job and tuning for reliability. I left the rest up to him. So, I sent the gun away and waited a few weeks for it to return.

Upon Return

One thing that became apparent when I got the pistol back is that Mike is a master metal worker. The checkered frontstrap I’d requested was there; he’d cut out a small section and then TIG-welded a 20-lpi replacement into position before blending it flawlessly into the frame. In fact, it looks like a factory job. (Remember, this pistol was made long before Para started offering checkered frontstraps.) The beavertail grip safety was also re-fitted and blended into the frame. Also, grooves were added to the memory bump.

Mike flattened the top of the slide and gave it serrations to help reduce glare. Mike also gave the whole pistol a carry-bevel treatment with French cuts along the slide. The ejection port was also lowered and flared, and the old GI-style extractor was retained but tuned. Finally, Mike replaced the sights with a set of Dawson Precision fiber-optic units. The rear unit has a ledge for one-handed slide racking.

Mike polished the barrel and gave it a deep crown. He also modified the slide stop and installed an Ed Brown thumb safety. Additionally, he beveled the magazine release and re-cut the Smith & Alexander arched mainspring housing I’d added to make it flat. Then Mike tuned the pistol for reliability and installed a Cylinder & Slide Super Match trigger with a crisp break. Due to Para’s proprietary sear spring, the slot for the C&S spring was re-cut in the grip frame.

Mike cleaned up the exterior of the pistol, removing any casting and machining inconsistencies, before giving the entire Para P10 a black nitride finish. When I got the pistol back, I only made one more change: I had my brother, Greg, inlay a set of Para medallions into the grip panels.

Back In Action

When the P10 came back, it had improved aesthetics and the pistol’s feel had changed. This was mainly due to the checkered frontstrap, which provides an outstanding gripping surface. Another feature that became obvious while dry-firing was the vastly improved trigger. With about 0.13 inches of take-up before hitting the “wall,” and barely perceptible creep, the trigger breaks at a crisp 2.75 pounds. There’s also no discernable overtravel.

During my first range session, the pistol cycled smoothly with all of the ammunition I tried. Additionally, the improved grip made a noticeable difference in controlling muzzle flip. Whether firing slowly from a bench or rapidly during drills, I didn’t experience a single hitch in functioning. Firing from a benchrest at 25 yards, the pistol shot to the point of aim or slightly lower. Acquiring the fiber-optic sights in daylight was quick and natural.

Accuracy

Using Champion VisiColor targets to shoot five-shot groups, the top performers of the day were Winchester’s 230-grain Ranger JHPs and Black Hills’ 230-grain FMJs, which created groups measuring 1.38 and 1.75 inches, respectively. These were followed by CorBon’s 185-grain +P DPXs at 2.25 inches, Winchester’s 230-grain FMJs at 2.44 inches and Federal’s 165-grain Guard Dog FMJs at 2.5 inches.

A little work with pepper poppers and cardboard targets revealed that the pistol to deftly put rounds on target quickly and easily. And the Para P10 was a ton of fun to shoot. However, I would almost prefer an extended magazine release because operating the current one is a bit awkward for me due to my large hands and the pistol’s tiny grip area. But, then again, conventional wisdom is that larger magazine releases have drawbacks on defensive handguns. I still lean toward wanting one, perhaps with a very heavy spring to avoid unintentional activations.

It isn’t as easy to reload the P10 quickly thanks to its stubby grip frame, but the stock mag well has a cavernous opening that coupled with the truncated profile of the double-stack mags, facilitates relatively easy loading.

Little Extras

Speaking of unintentional activations (or deactivations, as it where), one of the things I’d requested of Mike is that the thumb safety be very positive in clicking “on” or “off.” Anyone who is a fan of cocked-and-locked carry knows how annoying it can be to find your thumb safety has worked its way to the disengaged position during carry. Thankfully, the new Ed Brown safety is just what I ordered; it locks into each position positively and stays there until deliberately switched.

One lesson learned in this experience is that you must be specific in what you want unless you truly don’t care. In fairness, all I told Mike is that I wanted a checkered frontstrap, an action job and reliability tuning, leaving the rest up to him. I like arched mainspring housings, as flat ones tend to point the pistol low for me. But Mike elected to transform the arched mainspring housing into a flat one. However, I will say this: He did an excellent job with it. It looks like it came from Smith & Alexander that way and was flawlessly blended into the frame.

Parting Shots

The Para P10 is a very practical pistol for concealed carry. Its diminutive dimensions, large bore, 10+1 capacity, good handling characteristics and reliability all contribute to it being one of my favorite carry pieces. With Mike’s expert smithing, its features have been enhanced and refined.

Unfortunately, sometime after I got the P10 back into my hands, Mike shut down his operation. Only time will tell if this talented gunsmith will choose to get back into the game. I sure hope so, because this pistol is just one example of his skills.

Custom Para P10

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• Caliber: .45 ACP
• Barrel: 3 “
• OA Length: 6.5 “
• Weight: 31.5 ozs. (empty)
• Grips:  Polymer
• Sights: Fiber-optic
• Action: SA
• Finish: Black nitride
• Capacity: 10+1
• MSRP: N/A

For more information about the Para P10, please visit para-usa.com.

This article was originally published in Concealed Carry Handguns 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Transforming an Old Para P10 Pistol Into a New .45 ACP Workhorse appeared first on Personal Defense World.

Everyday, the Baltimore police try to stop and catch criminals. Like every big city, police stay very busy trying to get guns off the streets. However, not very often do they come across a suspect with a vintage Luger pistol.

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On Nov. 28, 2018, Baltimore police announced on Facebook that they had arrested a suspect in possession of drugs and a loaded handgun. They discovered the 16-year-old suspect in the 3400 block of Edmondson Avenue, located in the Southwest District of the city. Police charged Robert Crawford as an adult. However, at no point did police seem to realize the significance of the pistol they discovered.

Vintage Luger Pistol

Georg Luger designed the Luger pistol as an improvement of the Borchardt Automatic Pistol. It is considered a toggle-locked, recoil-operated semi-automatic pistol. Also known as the Parabellum Automatic Pistol, numerous companies produced various Luger models over the years, starting around 1900. Companies actually produced it in various calibers, but it is best known for being the first pistol to fire the 9mm Luger round.

Germany adopted the pistol early, using it in both World Wars. The United States also considered the Luger at one point, but instead choose the 1911 in .45 ACP. However, American soldiers greatly desired the Luger because of its uniqueness. Lots of soldiers brought them home from the wars.

Today, shooters consider Luger pistols to be collector items, particularly vintage Lugers produced in the early 1900s. These guns are actually quite hard to find. Additionally, Lugers command high prices. Even pistols in poor shape can cost $1,000 or more. Guns containing lower serial numbers can cost more than $10,000.

Now it doesn’t look like the Baltimore PD knows what it has in evidence. Nor, did the young suspect realize that the gun he was carrying was valuable. Even in the poor shape shown in the photo, that handgun could have been sold for a decent amount of money. Also, it is kind of sad that this piece of history will probably be destroyed. Hopefully, police will find the owner, or auction this vintage Luger for collectors.

The post Baltimore Police Arrest Drug Dealer With Vintage Luger Pistol appeared first on Personal Defense World.

Sig Sauer has been raising the bar for handguns and airguns for years. Well, just three years for the latter, but the company has come further in those three years than some established airgun manufacturers have come in twice that time.

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Sig has one objective with its CO₂ models: to build training guns that are also suitable for the general consumer market. The company started late in 2015 by introducing an airgun version of the P226 MK25 used by Navy SEALs, then followed up with five more CO₂ pistols between 2016 and 2017. In 2018, Sig unveiled two We The People 1911s — one in .45 ACP and the other a match a matching 4.5mm (.177) CO₂ version.

Breaking Ground

It’s rare to find a company that makes its own centerfire weapons and airguns. Quite a few companies license their names to other manufacturers, but Sig Sauer designs and builds its own CO₂ models. And both of these American-made We The People pistols have custom features and antiqued finishes that help them stand out from their brethren.

The CO₂ model is a breakthrough design that exemplifies forward thinking within the airgun industry. In fact, it’s so close to the centerfire version that, unless you take note of a couple of differences, the two guns are almost indistinguishable from the left side. From the right side, the same is true physically, but aesthetically, the difference is revealed by the air pistol safety warning on the frame. (Even Sig has to play by some established rules.) Regardless, the attention to detail is evident in the CO₂ model’s construction, and the airgun’s only other tell is the absence of an extractor at the back of the slide. Sig could have made this a finely molded-in piece like the authentic-looking external extractor arm, but the slide does have the correct lowered and flared ejection port.

sBeyond that, the Sig We The People airgun is true to the centerfire model in all its operating features, including the ambidextrous thumb safety. The models also have matching front- and backstrap treatments, custom aluminum grip panels with 50 total embossed stars, hammers and competition-style triggers. Both guns share dovetail-mounted white-dot sights (though the .45’s have tritium inserts) and unique distressed finishes.

Distressed finishes are a personal preference. Aged finishes are actually common on reproduction pistols and rifles from the Civil War era as well as the mid to late 20th century, and people pay extra for it. So, Sig has actually picked up on a very popular trend among enthusiasts who want the look of an older gun but none of the mechanical wear. You’ll also find that each gun has “SIG SAUER 1911” and “1776” engraved on the left side of the slide, and “We The People” on the right, with the same depth and detail. On top you’ll see 13 stars set in a circle to represent the 13 colonies. In short, the CO₂ model is as close to the .45 as it can get without firing .45 ACP rounds.

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Training Duo

Training with your concealed-carry handgun can make the difference between being a survivor or a statistic. Of course, no one is going to carry a BB gun for protection (unless you’re up against a gang of ground moles), but proper training can be costly in terms of time and ammo. Sig has always had this in mind. That’s why all of its airguns are based on current-production centerfire weapons. But this drive has never been so well expressed as with this Sig We The People duo.

Training with an accurate understudy for your centerfire handgun is absolutely worth the price of the air pistol. Law enforcement has been embracing this idea for a while, and for those who agree that there is simply no substitute for a .45 ACP, the centerfire Sig We The People 1911 has everything perfected right down to pulling the trigger. Of course, the difference between firing the 4.5mm and .45 ACP Sigs is about the same as jumping off your front porch and parachuting out of an airplane. But, to continue the parallel, everything is the same until you jump. That is what makes the new Sig CO₂ model the best 1911 training gun thus far. And when you pull its trigger, you are spending a fraction of a cent. You can’t say that when you fire a Federal 230-grain Hydra-Shok JHP.

The CO₂ model isn’t a quiet air pistol. It’s probably a little louder than most blowback-action airguns, and the slide delivers a decent kick when it reciprocates. Not as much as a .22, but enough to get a feel for shooting a handgun. And this gun uses John Moses Browning’s design with slight internal modifications to accommodate the CO₂ firing system, which includes an additional lightly wound recoil spring around the barrel.

As part of training, setting and releasing the thumb safety on a 1911 is essential, and the safeties (and slide stops) work identically on both of these guns, with the same feel and resistance. Some 1911 airguns allow the slide to move with the safety set, but not the Sig We The People model.

My test airgun’s trigger pull averaged 5.7 pounds with 0.187 inches of take-up, moderate stacking and a crisp break. The trigger reset at about 0.175 inches — another plus for the CO₂ model. The .45’s trigger pull averaged 6.28 pounds with 0.125 inches of take-up, light stacking and a crisp break. Its reset takes 0.125 inches.

Where the triggers differ is in resistance; manually cocking the hammer on the centerfire model requires more effort than the air pistol, as with racking the slide, but this is to be expected since the airgun’s hammer is lighter than a centerfire pistol’s, as is the recoil spring resistance. Finally, fully loaded, the .45 ACP model is just a bit heavier than the airgun. The former is all steel and the latter haves an aluminum slide and frame, but the difference won’t take anything away from the training experience.

Range Performance

I test-fired the CO₂ and .45 ACP models at 25 and 75 feet, respectively. The former sends its 4.5mm rounds downrange at an average velocity of 329 fps, versus the .45’s 850 fps with Sig 230-grain FMJs, so there isn’t much of a matchup there.

Right away I noticed that the recoil on the .45 ACP model is remarkably manageable due to its size, weight and balance. It is one of the smoothest-handling .45s I have come across in quite some time. At the same time, the CO₂ model is easily one of the smoothest-handling BB-firing 1911s I’ve tested.

As for accuracy, it is hard to compare the two guns for obvious reasons. But the 4.5mm airgun delivered pretty good results. Shooting at a full-sized B-75 cardboard silhouette targets, my best-five shot group off-hand measured 0.51 inches. My entire 10-shot group was only 1.56 inches. At 75 feet, the .45 ACP’s best five-shot group was just 2.75 inches wide. Shooting 10 rounds at 50 and 75 feet produced a group measuring 3.13 inches.

At the end of the shooting tests, I came away with absolute certainty that the CO₂ version is a perfect training pistol for Sig’s .45 ACP We The People 1911, or any full-sized or compact 1911 pistol. And that is as much as anyone can ask from an airgun. Sig Sauer has you covered.

For more information about the Sig We the People guns, visit sigsauer.com.

SIG WE THE PEOPLE

• Caliber: .45 ACP
• Barrel: 5 inches
• OA Length: 8.7 inches
• Width: 1.4”
• Height: 5.5”
• Weight: 41.6 ounces (empty)
• Grips: Aluminum
• Sights: SIGLITE night
• Action: SA
• Finish: Distressed
• Capacity: 7+1
• MSRP: $1,481

SIG WE THE PEOPLE CO₂

• Caliber: 4.5mm
• Barrel: 4.5 inches
• OA Length: 8.5 inches
• Width: 1.4”
• Height: 5.5”
• Weight: 35.2 ounces (empty)
• Grips: Aluminum
• Sights: Three-dot
• Action: Blowback, CO₂
• Finish: Distressed
• Capacity: 17
• MSRP: $120

This article was originally published in Combat Handguns January/February 2019. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Testing the SIG We the People .45 Against the CO2 Model appeared first on Personal Defense World.

Shooters like the Shield so much that Smith & Wesson has now brought out the Performance Center Ported M&P Shield M2.0 pistol. Coming from the S&W Performance Center this gun contains well-thought out features that make this gun even better. And, its available in all three calibers — 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP — that shooters love for self defense.

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“When we launched the Ported M&P Shield in 2015, it was an instant success,” said Tony Miele, General Manager of the Performance Center. “While the popularity of the M2.0 platform continued to expand, we knew we needed to develop a Performance Center pistol with M2.0 enhancements, and the M&P Shield felt like the natural place to start. This new pistol features a ported barrel and slide direct from the factory, as well as all of the M2.0 enhancements and multiple sight options: a homerun for every day carry.”

To start, the company ported the barrel and slide for reduced muzzle flip. However, it didn’t stop there. The gun also features aggressive grip texture, front slide serrations and a Performance Center-enhanced M2.0 trigger. This trigger ensures a light and crisp trigger pull, every time.

In addition to caliber, shooters can also choose their sights. The new Shield comes with either HI VIZ fiber-optic sights or Tritium Night Sights. Both provide excellent target acquisition in low light conditions, but the Tritium also cost more.

Additionally, the Performance Center Shield M2.0 ships with a Performance Center-branded Tipton Compact Pistol Cleaning kit, which includes bore brushes, a cleaning rod and everyting else needed after a day at the range.

Performance Center Ported M&P Shield M2.0 Pistol

• Action: Striker-fired semi-auto
• Caliber: 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP
• Barrel Length: 3.1″; 3.3″ for .45 ACP
• Overall Length: 6.1″; 6.5″ for .45 ACP
• Frame: Black polymer
• Slide: Stainless steel
• Finish: Armornite
• Sights: Tritium or HI VIZ
• MSRP: $623; $539 with HI VIZ sights

For more information about the Performance Center Ported M&P Shield M2.0, please visit smith-wesson.com.

The post FIRST LOOK: The Performance Center Ported M&P Shield M2.0 Pistol appeared first on Personal Defense World.

When Federal introduced its Syntech Ammunition line, the company claimed these rounds kept guns cleaner and reduced barrel wear. Now the company has expanded the line with three new Syntech loads — Defense, PCC and Training Match.

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The company first launched Federal Syntech ammunition as a way to reduce wear caused by metal contact between the bullet and barrel. The polymer-encapsulated prevents metal from touching the barrel. This also eliminates both copper and lead fouling, as neither touches the barrel. Additionally, Federal used specialized, clean-burning powders and an exclusive Catalyst primer. Together, these components keeps guns cleaner, which means more and better shooting. Additionally, not having a copper jacket minimizes splash-back when shooting steel targets. This makes shooting safer, especially in competition environments.

Federal Syntech Ammunition — Defense

Syntech Defense features a hollow-point bullet that separates into three segments and a deep-penetrating core on impact. The core penetrates 12 to 18 inches into ballistics gel and heavy clothing. This, of course, is critical for self defense, especially in winter when heavier clothing is typically worn. Additionally, the three segments each create secondary wound channels, which adds to the terminal effect. The company produces Syntech Defense in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP.

Federal Syntech Ammunition — PCC

Federal designed the PCC ammunition to run flawlessly in pistol-caliber carbines, particularly in competition carbines. In fact, the company optimized the velocity and accuracy of the loads for carbine-length barrels. These loads also have a bullet profile that provides reliable feeding and accuracy in a variety of platforms. Syntech PPC is available in 9mm 130-grain loads.

Federal Syntech Ammunition — Training Match

Training Match ammo benefits shooters by providing the same velocity, trajectory and point of impact as equivalent Federal Personal Defense HST and Tactical HST duty ammunition. This allows shooters to train with loads that match self-defense loads at a significantly lower price. Training Match is available in two 9mm loads, as well as in .40 S&W and .45 ACP.

For more information about Federal Syntech ammunition, please visit federalpremium.com.

The post Federal Syntech Ammunition Line Gets Expanded With Three New Loads appeared first on Personal Defense World.

Over the years, companies have made 1911 pistols in a whole lot of ways and with many types of materials. In fact, shooters can purchase Damascus steel 1911s, and one company built a pair out of a meteorite named the Big Bang Pistol Set. However, most folks can’t afford spending that kind of money for a gun, but still want beautifully made 1911, such as the Citadel Madagascar M-1911.

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The Madagascar is basically a 70 series 1911 pistol. As such, it features a 5-inch barrel and 8.87-inch overall length. However, this gun comes with some improvements over the original 70 series guns. This includes an ambidextrous thumb safety, beveled magazine well, extended slide stop and extended beavertail grip safety. It also comes with a lowered and flared ejection port and skeletonized hammer and trigger.

So, this 1911 pistol already comes in one of the most popular series with numerous upgrades that shooters prefer. And it also comes in both the original .45 ACP caliber and the increasing popular self-defense round of 9mm.

However, the most interesting feature of the Madagascar is its gray Cerakote slide. The Cerakote provides a durable finish that will last for years. Additionally, the company laser etched the Cerakote to give it a Damascus steel look. The company also used redwood patterned grips, which contrasts the gray Cerakote.

So, in addition to providing a functional self-defense pistol, Citadel has produced a 1911 that beautiful and different, but at an affordable price.

Citadel Madagascar M-1911

• Caliber: .45 ACP, 9mm
• Action: Series 70 Semi-auto
• Barrel Length: 5″
• Overall Length: 8.87″
• Weight: 36.8 ozs. in .45 ACP; 38.8 in 9mm
• Slide Finish: Cerakote
• Capacity: 8+1 in .45 ACP; 10+1 in 9mm (both come with two magazines)
• MSRP: $959

For more information about the Citadel Madagascar M-1911, please visit legacysports.com.

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The 1911 is one of the most popular pistols in the United States, and has been for more than 100 years. John Moses Browning designed this gun specifically for the .45 ACP round, which is very popular for self defense. However, it also makes a great platform for other calibers, including the 10mm. Additionally, this pistol is extremely customizable, with versions and models to suit anyone’s desires, including the brand new Kimber Rapide.

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Kimber claims the Rapide is a new take on 1911. Of course, it has most of the standard features of a full-size 1911, such as a 5-inch barrel and full-length guide rod. It also has a beavertail safety and a thumb safety. Of course, the beavertail is extended and the thumb safety is ambidextrous, making this pistol good for both right- and left-handed shooters. Additionally, the entire gun is made of stainless steel, featuring Kimber’s durable KimPro II finish in black. However, despite these features being important to most shooters, they aren’t what make the Rapide interesting.

For the Rapide, Kimber developed new stepped cocking serrations. As such, the serrations provide an excellent grip for racking the slide, which features lightening cuts to reduce weight. The cuts provide faster lock time, which allows shooters to more quickly fire followup shots. Kimber also included Kimber Stiplex TM stippling on the frontstrap, as well as G10 WavZ TM grips to provide extra grip retention. It also comes with a skeletonized hammer and trigger, and a match-grade barrel featuring a TiN coating. This give the barrel a gold look that realy stands out against the black finish. To finish it off, the company added Tru-Glo TFX Pro Day Night sights so shooters can find targets in any lighting condition.

In any way, you look at it, the Rapide provides an upgraded version of the 1911, and its available in both .45 ACP and 10mm.

Kimber Rapide 1911

• Caliber: .45 ACP, 10mm
• Action: 1911 semi-auto
• Frame: Stainless steel
• Slide: Stainless steel
• Finish: KimPro II black
• Grips: Gray/Black WavZ G10
• Barrel Length: 5″
• Overall Length: 8.7″
• Weight: 38 ozs. (unloaded)
• Capacity: 8
• Sight: Tru-Glo TFX Pro Day Night
• Trigger: V-cut aluminum; 5 lbs.
• MSRP: $1,490; $1,510 for 10mm

For more information about the Kimber Rapide, please visit kimberamerica.com.

The post WATCH: The Kimber Rapide 1911 Combines Beauty, Function and Speed appeared first on Personal Defense World.

Not long ago, Federal Premium released Hydra-Shok Deep loads in 9mm. Now, the company has expanded the ammunition line with .40 S&W and .45 ACP rounds.

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These new loads feature a more robust center post and a core design. These features allow the bullet to penetrate deeper after going through common barriers. However, it does with without over penetration. In fact, Federal claims the load penetrates 15 inches in bare ballistics gel and through heavy clothing. This is the optimal depth according to FBI standards.

Federal also used a specially formulated propellant and a reliable Federal primer for consistent ignition, as well as consistent velocity. This provides dependable penetration in all situations to stop attacks, which, of course, is the whole point of self-defense ammunition. People should never shoot to kill or to wound, shoot to stop the attack, and good ammunition helps stop attacks.

New Hydra-Shok Deep Loads

The new loads have folded appearance in the hollow point opening. They also have six deep cuts in the jacket and a broader Hydra-Shok post in the center of the hollow point. However, the lower half of the bullet has two separate cannelures around its circumference that can’t be seen. These cannelures help control expansion and lock the jacket to the core, which allows the the bullet retain weight for consistent penetration.

Consistency, of course, is truly important in self-defense ammunition. A load has to consistently penetrate through clothing to be effective, especially in the winter when people wear heavier coats. In the new loads, Federal used 165-grain bullets in the .40 S&W loads and 210-grain bullets in the .45 ACP loads. Both provide the needed weight to velocity ratio, especially with the new design, to penetrate deep enough to stop attacks.

• 9mm Luger 135-grain Hydra-Shok Deep HP: $27.95
• .40 S&W 165-grain Hydra-Shok Deep HP: $31.95
• .45 Auto 210-grain Hydra-Shok Deep HP: $33.95

For more information about Hydra-Shok Deep loads, please visit federalpremium.com.

The post Federal Releases Hydra-Shok Deep Loads in .45 ACP and .40 S&W appeared first on Personal Defense World.

We all love power. From pressing the gas pedal on a car for that extra burst of speed to cranking up the watts on a fine stereo, the adrenaline rush is there in an instant. When it comes to shooting, anything larger than .40 caliber will give you a feeling of excitement, whether it’s shot in a semi-automatic pistol or big-bore revolver.

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Today, with the advent of technology, your preference in weaponry doesn’t seem to matter. For years, many hunters shied away from semi-automatic pistols because they weren’t as accurate and were prone to malfunctions if fed the wrong ammunition. Calibers were a consideration, of course, with most guns chambered for short, smaller cartridges such as the 9mm, .38 Super or .45 ACP.

Today, tolerances have been tightened, and guns like the Desert Eagle, LAR Grizzly and AutoMag V, which go up and into the .50 AE range, get the job done with accuracy and power. But, although the AutoMag was perhaps a great gun when introduced in 1971, it depended readily on .44-caliber handloads crafted from .308 brass, so, unfortunately, it wasn’t accepted by most in the handgunning fraternity.

Revolvers seem to have rallied to the cause for handgun hunting. Looking up from our .40-caliber line in the sand, I’ve hunted with the .41 and .44 Magnums, and although they are a challenge on smaller varmints at longer distances, they can be very effective. They are comfortable to shoot, and you can easily mount scopes on them, too. Although the .41 has taken the backseat to new cartridges, it’s still chambered by Ruger in the Blackhawk series. For most of us, the .44 Magnum is the king of handgun hunting, but with the advent of the .454 Casull, .460 S&W Magnum, .480 Ruger, .475 Linebaugh and .500 S&W Magnum, it seems there’s nothing in the way of big game these big-bore cartridges can’t handle.

Why Use Magnum Handloads?

After choosing your weapon, you must decide whether to use factory rounds or handloads for hunting. If you’re the type of hunter who uses a rifle more than a handgun, factory fodder might be best. Conversely, if you like handgun hunting and spend more time with this challenging sport, handloading is the only way to go. Tailoring your shooting with magnum handloads allows you the freedom, for example, to use .44 Special-type loads for small game and heavier .44 Magnum loads for larger or more dangerous game.

Cost is another factor, especially when shooting rounds like the .500 S&W Magnum, for example. These cases and bullets cost more, but the main ingredient — powder — takes up the lion’s share of the cost. A .44 Magnum round using a 240-grain bullet takes 24.5 grains of Winchester 296 to reach a maximum of 1,400 fps. With the .500 S&W Magnum and a 300-grain bullet, you must double that amount — 49.8 grains of the same powder — to reach this round’s full 2,000-fps potential. That’s a lot of extra propellant to yield a velocity only 43-percent greater than the .44 Magnum’s.

What You’ll Need for Magnum Handloads

Except for size, I’ve had no difficulty handloading the larger automatic or magnum cases for use in the field, and the usual practices apply. Starting with a good press, make sure you buy for quality, not price. Over the years, the press will sustain a lot of stress, especially when doing full-length sizing or heavy-duty crimping on larger cases. The same applies to a die set. A top-quality die set from Lyman, Hornady, RCBS or Redding will last for years. A few of the original die sets I purchased some 50 years ago are still going strong. Finally, because we’re mostly dealing with straight-walled cases, you should get a tungsten insert.

If you’re loading magnum handloads for a new gun, fresh cases are the order of the day. Purchase them in lots of 250 or more. They last a long time during normal loading conditions. Check the end flap of each box or container for the same lot number. I would stay away from bargain, second-hand or used cases, as you’re dealing with high-performance, high-pressure magnum calibers.

Primers are next, and for the most part, you will be dealing with slow-burning powders, so I’d opt for the magnum-type of primer for complete ignition, which then leads to better accuracy. When setting the primer in the case, make sure it’s level with the rim or bottom of the case. Never mix primers, and for safety around the loading bench, keep them in the original packaging for later reference.

Today, handloaders are blessed with a multitude of powders to suit every hunting need. Working with our big bores, both classics and newer products come to mind. For the most in velocity, new powders such as Hodgdon Lil’Gun and Alliant’s Power Pro 300-MP or Power Pistol will do the trick, but Accurate No. 9, Alliant 2400, IMR 4227, Winchester 296 and Hodgdon H110 are all worth trying. For smaller .40-caliber rounds in autopistols, consider Hodgdon’s Longshot, CFE Pistol or HS6; Alliant’s Blue Dot, Bullseye, Power Pistol or Unique; or Accurate No. 5. Just starting out? Grab a pound of Unique, H110 or Alliant 2400 and have at it.

Bullets demand a tome to themselves. Looking through the various loading manuals, there are dozens of designs, all made for a specific job. The best thing is to read various resources and combine their information with the type of game you intend to hunt. Then pick out one and load it to various power levels, checking for the best accuracy at the terminal end.

Reloading Time

With that settled, it’s time to reload. The first task is to run your new cases through the tungsten sizing die to bring them to a unified level for loading and rid them of oblong case mouths, for example. After that, check each for its overall length against the manufacturer’s specifications. Trim if necessary, then chamfer the inside and outside for the next step.

Belling (or expanding) the case mouth adds a bit of a flare so the bullet can enter the case without destroying the top portion. The best way to check this is to insert the bullet, and if it does not sit on the case, move the handle down more to allow the expanding die to enter the case a little. With larger cases, you should only allow a small bit of the bullet base to enter the case, as you don’t want to destroy the friction-fit between the bullet and case as you push them together.

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Priming is next. All you need to do is make sure the primer is fully seated in the primer pocket. For a bit of weatherproofing, a drop of a quality thin, clear lacquer around the periphery of the primer is good insurance on an expensive hunt. Later on, you can do this to the bullet/case juncture after the bullet is seated, again for weatherproofing.

Pick your powder, check the loading manual for the charge weight and check each on the scale. Never — and I mean never — take anything for granted when it comes to charging the case. Fine-grain propellants will let you drop a uniform charge into each case when the weight has been checked. However, it’s my policy to check every 10th charge to make sure nothing has moved. As a reminder, never try to identify any powder by its appearance. Fast-burning powders will, for example, destroy any gun with a double charge; if you’re not sure, get rid of it.

Bullet seating is easy, and I have my way of doing it for foolproof results. After priming and charging, I seat each bullet to the cannelure and place it back into the loading tray. When all is done, I move one cartridge to the press, remove the seating stem and turn the die down until I feel slight resistance. This will indicate the crimping part of the die is meeting the assembled case. Then I continue to turn the die down in very small increments until I’m happy with the crimp. The best way to check this is to hold the finished case up against a light. At this point, you should see a perfect rounded, inward curve where the case meets the cannelure.

Finish by recording the load on or in the cartridge box. Then, if you have a chronograph, take everything out to the range and observe your hard-earned results at various hunting distances. Keep track of the groups, record everything and get ready for your hunt. You can thank me later.

This article is from the September/October 2018 issue of Combat Handguns Magazine. Grab your copy at OutdoorGroupStore.com.

The post How to Roll Your Own Magnum Handloads and Boost Your Performance appeared first on Personal Defense World.

A few years ago, Federal Premium took ammunition in a new direction. Instead of using a copper jacket, the company coated a lead core bullet with a synthetic jacket for its Syntech ammunition. This new jacket practically eliminated metal fouling. The ammo was also extremely accurate and reliable. Federal has now introduced Syntech Defense loads.

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In addition to a polymer coating, this self-defense line features a bullet engineered to break into four sections. As it enters the target, three petals break off to create wound channels to around 6 inches. The penetrating core travels between 12 and 18 inches deep, including through heavy clothing. This is quite different from standard hollowpoints that mushroom, creating a single large wound cavity. And the bullets do this without any metal to metal contact with the barrel.

Like all Syntech loads, an advanced polymer jacket eliminates lead and copper fouling. The jacket also reduces damaging heat and friction in the barrel. Federal even used its exclusive Catalyst primer for hot, reliable ignition without the use of lead. Even better, Federal used a different color polymer on the defensive rounds. While this doesn’t seem like a big deal, it creates a quick reference for telling these rounds apart from the others.

Federal Syntech Ammunition

Now we have not had the opportunity to test these rounds. We have, though, shot the Syntech rounds, including the Syntech Action Pistol loads. Those loads are extremely accurate and reliable. And Federal produces a wide variety of loads for different applications. This includes loads specifically designed for training, carbines and competitions. And now Federal covers self defense.

Available Syntech Defense Loads

• 9mm Luger Syntech Defense, 138 grain, 20-count / $19.95
• .40 S&W Syntech Defense, 175 grain, 20-count / $22.95
• .45 ACP Syntech Defense, 205 grain, 20-count / $24.95

For more information, please visit federalpremium.com.

The post Federal Changes Defensive Ammo With the New Syntech Defense appeared first on Personal Defense World.

When I obtained my first concealed-carry permit, I didn’t really own any handguns designed for everyday carry. I had big, full-size pistols and revolvers. But I was mostly getting it because my home state, at the time, required a permit to carry a loaded handgun in a vehicle. Later, I decided to start actually carrying, and began looking for a more compact pistol. I ended up purchasing a Kimber Ultra Carry in .45 ACP.

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I chose .45 ACP, in large part, because of the Clinton rifle ban. If I could only carry so many rounds, I figured bigger was better. Also, the .45 ACP has a long history of putting attackers down, hard. Then I decided I wanted that round in the gun for which it was originally intended: The 1911.

Since this was the 1990s, there weren’t that many choices. The main ones available were a few custom choices, which were way out of my price range, and Colt. However, this was during a time when Colt was having some issues with the public, both because of policy and reliability of its newer guns. This also caused used Colt 1911s to increase in price, particularly the Commander and Officer models in which I was interested. That’s when I heard about Kimber putting out semi-custom 1911s, containing many of the features I desired.

Kimber Ultra Carry

After a lot of research, I ended up purchasing a officer-sized Kimber called the Ultra Carry for less than $700. The all-steel frame and slide featured a matte black finish, while the barrel and skeletonized hammer were shiny stainless. It also came with an skeletonized aluminum trigger that broke cleanly at around 5 pounds. This gun was beautiful, compact and powerful, which was exactly what I was looking for in a carry gun.

However, I wasn’t completely happy with this pistol at the time. It put rounds right where it was aimed, but it had some feeding issues, particularly with hollowpoint ammunition. I even considered selling it and looking for something else. I didn’t, though, because a friend, who had a lot of experience with 1911s, explained it needed a break-in period. He told me to keep shooting full-metal-jacket rounds through it, and it would eventually run right. In my early 20s, I didn’t know that precision pistols needed a break-in period. It took around 600 rounds for this pistol to start reliably running the way it should. Since then, I have carried this .45 ACP daily in multiple states, to the point that I have even worn out a holster.

Outside of cleaning it, the only thing I have ever done to this 20-plus-year-old pistol is add some Crimson Trace Lasergrips. Today, it can handle any type of .45 ACP load, from self-defense hollowpoints to cheap reloads without any problems. It has scratches and signs of holster wear, but still fires every time the trigger is pulled.

When I Don’t Carry the Ultra Carry

My Kimber Ultra Carry is my EDC gun. In fact, the only time I don’t carry this pistol is when I’m testing another gun designed for concealed carry. I’ve always figured that if I’m reviewing a concealed-carry pistol, I should be willing to use it as it is intended. However, before I trust a test gun with my life, I always put a few hundred rounds through it to ensure reliability. If it hiccups at all, I keep putting rounds through the gun until I’m convinced it can do its job.

This is something gun owners need to remember. Firearms sometimes require a break-in period, particularly guns with tight tolerances, such as 1911s. And if you’re going to rely on a gun to possibly defend your life, you must know that it will fire every time, regardless of brand or make.

Now there are a lot of great guns on the market, with polymer guns being very popular with shooters. However, I’ve always been a bit old fashioned, which is why I prefer a gun and caliber that dates back more than 100 years. I like many of today’s compact 9mm pistols; I’m currently testing a Taurus G2S that’s showing real promise. But when it comes to everyday carry, I want a gun and round that can stop an attacker regardless of the type of ammunition used. For that I chose the Kimber Ultra Carry in .45 ACP.

For more information about Kimber 1911s, please visit kimberamerica.com.

The post Why One Gunwriter Carries (Mostly) a Kimber Ultra Carry in .45 ACP appeared first on Personal Defense World.

A while ago, law enforcement officers obtained a new hollow-point round that performed extremely well in FBI protocols. Regular folks can get hold of this self-defense ammunition now that Speer Gold Dot G2 loads have hit the civilian market.

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Speer made the announcement at the National Rifle Association’s Annual Meetings in Indianapolis. In fact, the company claims this ammo provides the ultimate performance for self-defense because of an exclusive nose design. The hollow-point is a shallow dish filled with a high-performance elastomer. This elastomer gets forced into engineered internal fissures upon impact to start the expansion process. Basically, this results in better expansion. In fact, Speer claims it provides extremely uniform upset and penetration. 

It also comes with exclusive Gold Dot construction that virtually eliminates core/jacket separation. This means more penetration as it expands, which is probably why the ammunition performs so well in FBI protocol tests. Speer claims that this ammunition scores over 400 on the test. This means G2 penetrates between 12 and 18 inches through a variety of barriers. These barriers include sheetrock, plywood, windshield glass and even steel. Penetration depth is important as rounds need to puncture far enough to cause damage to organ, but not pass through and potentially harm innocents. 

Now, Speer designed this ammunition for full-size pistols. Those who prefer carrying compact or subcompact should look elsewhere for a self-defense load. This load works best coming out of pistols with 4.5- to 5-inch barrels. However, Speer does provide loads specifically designed for shorter barrels.

Speer Gold Dot G2 Ammunition

• 9mm Luger 147-grain Gold Dot G2, 20 count — $28.95
• .40 S&W 180-grain Gold Dot G2, 20 count — $30.95
• .45 ACP +P 230-grain Gold Dot G2, 20 count — $32.95

For more information, please visit speer-ammo.com.

The post Speer Gold Dot G2 Self-Defense Ammunition Now Available to Civilians appeared first on Personal Defense World.

In the 1980s, an Austrian company popularized a semi-automatic pistol that utilized a frame and internal components made from polymer. Such a radical concept shook many handgun traditionalists to their very cores, and they were quick to voice their disdain for these so-called “Tupperware pistols.”

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The traditionalists scoffed at the idea that a “plastic” pistol could stand up to extensive use and reiterated their belief that handguns should be made from real steel, or at least aluminum alloy. To my experience, the most vocal of these naysayers were 1911 fans, many of whom believed that no improvements in handguns had been made since 1911.

Well, it wasn’t the first time they were wrong, and it probably won’t be the last! The advantages provided by polymer technology are numerous, but the most prominent regard production costs, weight and durability. Polymer frames are produced through an injection molding process that is faster and cheaper than machining metal. Thus, pistols so equipped weigh less, even when loaded, than metal- framed 1911s of the same size and class, making them much more practical for all-day carry. Lastly, despite dire predictions to the contrary, polymer-framed pistols have proven that they can stand up to extensive use as well as, if not better than, metal-framed pistols.

As these things tend to happen, once the advantages of polymers became apparent, a few companies began offering 1911s with polymer frames. So, for this “Battle Royale,” I obtained the American Tactical FXH-45, EAA Witness Elite 1911 Polymer and Rock River Arms (RRA) 1911 Poly.

Polymer 1911 Contenders

All three of these pistols have similar characteristics. They are all single-stack 1911s chambered for the .45 ACP; their controls are all located in the “proper” positions; and they all have skeletonized hammers and beavertail grip safeties. The American Tactical FXH-45 has an extended, ambidextrous thumb safety while the EAA and RRA have standard, single-sided safeties. As for sights, the EAA and RRA have black dovetailed sights while the FXH-45 has a fiber-optic front sight and a black, notch-style rear.

As far as their construction, all three utilize steel or stainless steel slides, but only the FXH-45 has front cocking serrations as well as lightening cuts near the muzzle. Their polymer fames contain separate steel or hardened alloy inserts with rails that the slides reciprocate on while providing strength and rigidity to the frame. The FXH-45’s frame has finger grooves on the frontstrap, while the RRA’s is checkered, and both feature checkered mainspring housings. The EAA has a smooth frontstrap and a serrated mainspring housing.

Both the EAA and FXH-45 have rails on their dust covers for mounting lights or other tactical accessories. And unlike most polymer-framed pistols, they all have separate grip panels that can be replaced with any grips designed for the 1911 platform.

Range Rules

As is our SOP, my wife, Becky, and I test-fired each pistol from an MTM K-Zone rest at 15 yards. All three 1911s shot to the point of aim and produced groups ranging in size from 1.6 to 2.3 inches, which is on par for most of 1911s I’ve shot over the years right out of the box.

Afterwards, I disassembled, cleaned and oiled each pistol—the only maintenance they received. If one malfunctioned, we would attempt to correct the problem at the range. If we were unable to do so, the offending pistol would be scored up to that point and then put aside while we finished testing the remaining guns.

I then proceeded to round up the “usual suspects” to help me run these .45s through their paces. As a confirmed “1911-aholic,” my friend Richard Cole could not wait to get his hands on the test guns, and while my friend Dick Jones displayed his usual nonchalance about the whole affair, he admitted he was really looking forward to hitting the range. We discussed which types of drills would be the best way to test the pistols and settled on the following.

Steel Plate Drill

From 10 yards, the shooter engages a rack of six 8-inch steel plates. The score consists of the total time for four runs plus a five-second penalty for any plate left standing.

“V” Paper/Popper Drill

This drill involves two rows of three IPSC targets angling away in a “V” shape at 5, 10 and 12 yards with a Birchwood-Casey popper placed in the middle at 8 yards. The shooter lifts his pistol and double-taps the left-hand targets before shooting the popper down. He then performs a combat reload and reengages the right-hand targets in the same manner. The drill is repeated twice more with the score being the total time for the three runs plus a five-second penalty for any misses.

Sgt. York Drill

This drill attempted to simulate the famous feat where Sgt. Alvin York took out seven charging German soldiers with a 1911 pistol. The shooter lifts the pistol and engage seven steel targets at distances ranging from 8 to 20 yards. He then performs a combat reload and engages them a second time. The drill is then repeated with a one-handed grip. The score consists of the total time for both runs plus a five-second penalty for any misses.

In the end, each shooter had to fire a minimum of 94 rounds through each pistol with a total of 292 rounds from all three. Our test ammo consisted of Federal 220-grain Syntech TSJ rounds as well as Black Hills 230-grain FMJs. The Target Barn provided ISPC cardboard targets and Competition Electronics gave us a Pocket Pro shot timer. Finally, as in previous “Battle Royales,” each pistol was graded on a 1 (worse) to 5 (best) scale in seven categories: reliability, ergonomics, trigger control, recoil control, sights, off-hand accuracy and reloading ease. These were then added together to give each pistol a final score in each category,
with 15 being a perfect score.

In-Depth Results

Reliability

The RRA pistol ran flawlessly the entire time, but we had one failure to return to battery with the EAA. We experienced a number of failures to chamber and two failures to eject with the American Tactical FXH-45. Applying some oil remedied the situation.

Ergonomics

All of us disliked the finger grooves on the FXH-45’s frontstrap, and its radically undercut triggerguard tended to pinch our middle fingers. The EAA’s smooth frontstrap came in for criticism, as did its safety, which required an inordinate amount of effort to use. Thanks to its thicker over-molded grips and checkered frontstrap, the RRA pistol won here.

Trigger Control

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Since we’re all used to shooting tuned 1911s, none of the triggers on the test pistols lived up to our expectations. That being said, the FXH-45’s was quite gritty and heavy, which caused us to throw shots high and right on the plates and farther targets.

Recoil Control

Our feelings in this category essentially duplicated those in the ergonomics category.

Sights

Since we’re all in our 60s, the FXH-45’s fiber-optic front sight was greatly appreciated. Why the EAA had white dots on its rear sight but none on the front sight escaped us. But to rectify this, we used a marker pen to black out the offending dots. The RRA’s generously sized ledge-style rear sight and sharply serrated blade front sight provided a sharp sight picture for fast targeting.

Off-Hand Accuracy

While all three proved suitably accurate, having to use “Kentucky” windage and elevation with the FXH-45 led to its lower score.

Reloading Ease

Magazines routinely failed to fall free with the EAA and FXH-45, forcing the shooter to pull them out, a situation that was worse with the blued magazines. We rarely encountered this problem with the RRA pistol, and its beveled magazine well made for fast, smooth reloads.

Note: 15 is a perfect score for each category while 105 is a perfect total score.

While all three pistols displayed traditional 1911 features, both good and bad, when I asked Dick and Richard which was their favorite, they chose the RRA. Dick said, “It had wonderful sights, a damn good trigger and was easy to reload. Just a fun pistol to shoot.” Richard said it was the “best of the bunch. It feels solid, and I really liked how the thicker grips improved handling and recoil control.”

I also chose the RRA pistol. Despite its lack of a fiber-optic front sight, the sights were good. I also loved the checkered frontstrap and the fact that it was the only pistol with a beveled magazine well.

We came away from this “Battle Royale” with a good opinion of polymer 1911 pistols. While I’m sure this concept still makes traditionalists out there cringe, you can expect more and more “plastic” 1911s to hit the market in years to come. It’s just inevitable!

American Tactical FXH-45

• Caliber: .45 ACP
• Barrel: 5 inches
• Overall Length: 8.7 inches
• Weight: 27.5 ounces (empty)
• Grips: Polymer
• Sights: Fiber-optic front, black rear
• Action: SA
• Finish: Matte black
• Capacity: 8+1
• MSRP: $600

For more information, visit americantactical.us.

EAA Witness Elite 1911 Polymer

• Caliber: .45 ACP
• Barrel: 5 inches
• Overall Length: 8.58 inches
• Weight: 32 ounces (empty)
• Grips: Polymer
• Sights: Dovetailed
• Action: SV
• Finish: Matte black
• Capacity: 8+1
• MSRP: $598

For more information, visit eaacorp.com.

Rock River Arms 1911 Poly

• Caliber: .45 ACP
• Barrel: 5 inches
• Overall Length: 8.7 inches
• Weight: 32.64 ounces (empty)
• Grips: Polymer
• Sights: Front post, ledge rear
• Action: SA
• Finish: Parkerized
• Capacity: 7+1
• MSRP: $1,025

For more information, visit rockriverarms.com.

The post Battle Royale: 3 Polymer 1911 Pistols Square Off in Hybrid Range Test appeared first on Personal Defense World.

To really make the September/October 2019 “1911 edition” of Combat Handguns truly special, we had the Remington Custom Shop create a one-of-a-kind R1 Commander worthy of a gun giveaway. But that’s not all. As with our previous “Fully Loaded” offerings, we’re giving away a ton of other gear, too, including a Versacarry holster, ammo and more.

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1. Custom Remington R1 Commander

What started life as a stock production R1 Commander has been transformed by the master gunsmiths at the Remington Custom Shop into a prime example of balancing form and function that every fan of the 1911 platform will respect.

The machine-engraved frontstrap and flattop add just the right amount of flair. Meanwhile, the undercut triggerguard, ambidextrous thumb safety, beveled slide stop, blended mag well, extended mag release, custom VZ G10 grip panels, enhanced beavertail grip safety and front slide serrations make it easy to run this Remington.

The Novak front night sight, GI-style rear combat sight, skeletonized hammer and tuned trigger come together to make this 1911 shoot with speed and precision. The two-tone Cerakote finish is subtle and pleasing. This isn’t a BBQ gun that wants to live in a safe. It’s a custom shooter that desires to be carried.

2. Versacarry Gun Belt

Versacarry’s new handcrafted Compound Series holsters combine the look and feel of premium water buffalo leather with the strength, form and adjustability of Kydex. The Kydex is layered within the leather, marrying the best of both worlds for security, comfort and looks. But this special rig—which includes a sturdy belt, a holster and a magazine pouch—is etched with “R1” and the Combat Handguns logo, making it truly unique. Of course, like other Compound Series OWB holsters, you can adjust the retention. Versacarry also includes a raised protective backing and an 18-percent forward cant for improved drawstrokes. It’s a perfect match for your new Remington 1911.

3. Remington Squeeg-E Handgun Cleaning System

This soft-sided, water-resistant case includes everything you need to keep your handgun running clean. The kit includes .22, 9mm/.357/.38, 10mm/.40 and .44/.45 caliber Rem Squeeg-Es, matching bronze bore brushes, a 6-inch aluminum cleaning rod with a handle and revolver brush adapter, a two-sided nylon cleaning brush, a 1911 bushing wrench and a brass pin punch. The cleaning kit also comes with Rem Oil and Rem Action Cleaner. Why? Obviously to make sure your new custom pistol is clean and lubed for a long time to come.

4. Remington & Barnes Ammo

When your life is in danger, the self-defense rounds you carry can make the difference. That’s why we’ve included two of the best .45 ACP loads on the market in this gun giveaway. Remington’s Golden Saber Black Belt ammunition features the Mechani-Lokt belt, which firmly locks the jacket to the core and controls expansion for better terminal performance, and the spiral nose cuts ensure reliable controlled expansion. The Barnes TAC-XPD load uses all-copper projectiles with deep hollow points that expand, penetrate and perform with the best in the business.

*No purchase required. Open to U.S. residents only and void where prohibited. Prizes worth $2,775. Sponsored by Remington and Versacarry. Starts 7/2/19 and ends 9/2/19.

The post GIVEAWAY: Win a Remington R1 1911 Pistol, a Versacarry Holster & Ammo appeared first on Personal Defense World.