You can add Kroger and L.L. Bean to the growing list of companies revising their gun age requirement after Parkland; both will no longer sell firearms and ammunition to anybody under 21.

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Kroger, a supermarket chain, sells firearms and ammo at 45 of its Fred Meyer locations around the country. The company says it stopped selling “assault-style” rifles years ago, but they were still available on special order in Alaska locations. That special order option is now ending, too. Read Kroger’s full statement below.

Kroger Statement

Kroger’s vision is to serve America through food inspiration and uplift. In response to the tragic events in Parkland and elsewhere, we’ve taken a hard look at our policies and procedures for firearm sales.

We follow all state and local laws regulating the sales of sporting-related firearms at our select general-merchandise Fred Meyer stores.

Recent events demonstrate the need for additional action on the part of responsible gun retailers. We are raising the minimum age to 21 to purchase firearms and ammunition in all of our Fred Meyer locations that sell firearms. We stopped selling assault-style rifles in our Oregon, Washington and Idaho Fred Meyer stores several years ago and we will no longer accept any special-orders of these weapons in Alaska. Through Restock Kroger, we have a robust space optimization effort underway in many of our stores, including Fred Meyer locations. As we refresh stores we are often transitioning gun departments due to softer demand and changing customer preferences.

We believe these are common sense steps we can take immediately that are in line with our values and our vision.

L.L. Bean Raises Gun Age Requirement

Meanwhile, L.L. Bean announced in a tweet—see below—that it would also no longer sell guns to anybody under the age of 21. The company only sells firearms at its flagship store in Freeport, Maine. As CNNMoney notes, L.L. Bean also doesn’t sell hunting rifles or ammo on its website, but certain accessories like rifle bags are available online.

In the wake of this shooting we have reviewed our policy on firearm sales, and we will no longer be selling guns or ammunition to anyone under the age of 21. ^kw

— L.L.Bean (@LLBean) March 2, 2018

Earlier this week, both Dick’s Sporting Goods and Walmart announced they would raise the age requirement to 21 for those buying guns in their stores.

The post Kroger, LL Bean Join Dick’s & Walmart in Raising Gun Age Requirement appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Kahr Firearms Group has teamed up with Outlaw Ordnance on a limited run Magnum Research Desert Eagle 1911 CSS pistol.

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This custom Desert Eagle 1911 CSS has the words “We The People” deep laser engraved on the left side. In addition, a portion of the Second Amendment is engraved on the right side. Specifically, it says, “Our right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.” Furthermore, around 40 signatures from the Constitution are engraved on the grips.

The “We The People” Desert Eagle 1911 CSS sports a Cerakote finish in black and titanium. A clear coat finish is applied to the pistol. It also has titanium controls and a matte black frame. Chambered in .45 ACP, the gun features a 4.33-inch bushingless barrel. It weighs in at 33.9 ounces and boasts an overall length of 7.87 inches.

Rounding out the features on this custom gun are a skeletonized magazine hammer; extended magazine release; extended thumb safety; checkered, flat mainspring aluminum housing; and a stainless steel full length guide rod.

“God started us on this journey together, and although we’ve been faced with many challenges, it has been truly amazing. We’re blessed to work with large and small companies, celebrities, veterans, and have even personalized firearms for families of fallen heroes. It’s an honor to work with the companies of Kahr Firearms Group on these projects,” custom engravers and finishers Outlaw Ordnance said in a statement.

The initial production run of the “We The People” Desert Eagle 1911 CSS will be limited to 50 models. It ships out with two 8-round magazines. The MSRP is $1,225. Specs are below. For more, visit shopkahrfirearmsgroup.com.

Magnum Research “We The People” Desert Eagle 1911 CSS

• Action: Single
• Caliber: .45 ACP
• Capacity: 8
• Barrel Length: 4.33” Bushingless
• OA Length: 7.87”
• Slide Width: 1.28”
• Height: 5.25”
• Weight: 33.9 oz
• Finish: Matte Stainless Steel
• Grips: Grips engraved with approximately 40 signatures from the Constitution
• Sights: High profile sculptured rear sight, drift adjustable for windage. Dovetailed front sight blade with horizontal serrations.
• Trigger Pull: 3-4 lbs
• Magazines: 2 – 8 Round

The post Kahr Reveals Custom MRI ‘We The People’ Desert Eagle 1911 appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Kimber presented its Ultra II line of mini 1911 pistols nearly two years ago, and these handy little guns—6.8 inches long overall, 25 ounces in weight, and chambered in 9mm or .45 ACP with 3-inch barrels—have quickly caught on with those seeking highly concealable single-action autoloaders. A special “dressed-up” version was unveiled to the shooting public earlier this year called the Kimber Onyx Ultra II.

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The moniker is appropriate, as an onyx is normally a black gemstone with white bands. The slide on the Kimber Onyx Ultra II pistol has a shiny, deep black PVD coating over polished stainless steel with cut scroll engraving. It’s truly a gemstone of a pistol. Smaller parts like the grip safety, ambidextrous thumb safety, slide release and magazine catch are also coated in black PVD. The aluminum alloy frame wears a satin silver finish, and the thin, ball-milled Micarta grips are black in color.

Gem Of A Nine

I tested a 9mm Kimber Onyx Ultra II that arrived in a black plastic carrying case lined with foam rubber and included a safety lock, a takedown tool and a detailed owner’s manual.

The pistol’s fixed sights are dovetailed into the slide, and both the front blade and Tactical Wedge rear sight are fitted with tritium inserts for enhanced low-light shooting. The 3-inch, stainless steel, match-grade barrel has a 1-in-16-inch twist rate and is precisely fitted to the slide, so no separate barrel bushing is used. An integral lug at the breech end of the barrel incorporates the feed ramp and holds the barrel link. Beneath the barrel, the concentric recoil spring, with a full-length guide rod, is held in place by a recoil plug at the muzzle. The firing pin is inactive until the grip safety is fully depressed.

The grip safety itself is an extended beavertail design to protect the web of the hand from the oval-shaped, Commander-style hammer. Below that, the mainspring housing is flat but rounded at the heel to help with concealability. The mainspring housing and frontstrap are ball milled for a more secure hold during rapid-fire shooting. The magazine well is beveled for faster reloads, and the magazine catch is located in the usual position. A stainless steel, flush-fitting Kimber magazine is provided, and it has witness holes on both sides and a patented follower for feeding reliability.

The pistol’s ambidextrous thumb safety levers are extended for easy manipulation, but the slide release is strictly G.I. A match-grade, solid aluminum trigger with a 4- to 5-pound pull weight comes standard from the factory.

Holster

Overall, my test pistol’s fit and finish were first class. This compact 1911, as mentioned earlier, has no barrel bushing so disassembly is a little different than normal. If you purchase one of these pistols, make sure you carefully read the instructions in the manual.

As this is a mini 1911, I wanted to use a holster with minimal weight and bulk but would still conceal well, so I chose a Yaqui Slide rig from Andy’s Leather. This is an outside-the-waistband (OWB) holster designed especially for the 1911 pistol, and it represents simplicity at its finest. The open top has no retention straps, snaps, etc. Instead, the fit alone keeps the gun in the holster. It will fit belts up to 1.75 inches wide and will accommodate a 1911-style pistol with any slide length due to its open bottom. Made of top-grain leather and lock-stitched for durability, it is available in black, chestnut or walnut brown for right- or left-handed shooters.

Taking Aim

I tested the Kimber Onyx Ultra II with three loads: HPR’s 115-grain HyperClean JHPs, PMC’s 124-grain Starfire JHPs and Winchester’s 147-grain PDX1 HPs. After measuring the velocity results from the Kimber’s 3-inch barrel, I turned to the accuracy portion of the evaluation, firing three 5-shot groups from a bench using a sandbag rest. Not surprisingly, the best group of the day measured 1.01 inches with the HPR load; it also had the best group average at 1.35 inches. The PMC load came in a fairly close second with an average of 1.96 inches while the Winchester PDX1 had a 2.18-inch average.

Kimber sent me a total of three magazines. I loaded each of them with six random 9mm rounds for a practical shooting evaluation on a humanoid target. At 3 yards, I drew the Kimber from the Yaqui Slide rig, fired six rounds with my strong hand only in a point-shoulder stance, reloaded, transitioned the Kimber to my support hand and fired six more shots. I reloaded, performed a threat assessment and worked the gun back into the holster. This is my normal reholstering routine, as I’ve never seen an instance where extra points are awarded for the first shooter to get his or her gun back into the holster. Shooting and immediately going back to the holster is a bad tactic.

More Testing

Moving back to 7 yards, I drew the Kimber and fired two rounds into the center-mass of the target, assessed the threat area and stayed in the “high search/ready” position with the pistol out and slightly lowered, remaining in my isosceles stance. Then I fired two more double-taps in the same manner, before reloading once again. From the same distance, I fired a “body armor” drill—two center-mass shots and one to the head. I did this twice before reloading again.

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Finally, at 15 yards, I took a position behind a barricade and shot two rounds from my support side while standing, two from my strong side while standing, then crouched and fired two rounds from the strong side while kneeling. In the end, all 30 of the rounds I fired stayed in the scoring area of the target.

Ultra Grade

From the first round to the end of the evaluation, I did not experience a single hiccup. The Kimber Onyx Ultra II was a pure pleasure to shoot, and even though it’s small and light, I didn’t have any control issues during rapid-fire. This 9mm was just plain fun. I’m sure the 9mm loads would be more than capable of doing their job given proper shot placement.

The sights were easy to pick up quickly, and the extended thumb safety was very positive to use. Empty magazines dropped freely, even during fast combat reloads. The only negative I might mention is the left grip panel came a little loose during testing. If that’s my biggest complaint, then this gun passes my testing with flying colors. I don’t think I’d have any qualms about packing the Kimber Onyx Ultra II as a primary concealed-carry handgun.

Kimber Onyx Ultra II Specs

Kimber Onyx Ultra II Performance

*Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity measured in fps by chronograph and accuracy measured in inches for best five-shot groups at 10 yards.

For more information, visit kimberamerica.com.

This article was originally published in “Pocket Pistols” #186. To subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Gun Review: The 9mm Kimber Onyx Ultra II Pistol appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Kriss USA—best known for its Vector submachine gun—is aiming at collectors by launching Edelweiss Arms. This new division imports and sells curios, relics and antique firearms.

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The presser indicates that Edelweiss Arms specializes in Swiss firearms. Furthermore, the company will utilize “strategic partnerships” throughout Europe to put high quality and “historically significant” guns into the hands of discerning buyers.

“This is an exciting new venture for our business, and we’re looking forward to providing some value to the collector’s market in the United States,” said Kriss USA marketing manager Tim Seargeant. “Edelweiss Arms is positioned to provide the discerning collector in the United States unprecedented access to some of the most pristine condition antique and C&R firearms from Europe. Additionally, our Edelweiss Arms website is designed to streamline the decision making and ordering process, to reduce the guess work that is traditionally associated with shopping for collector’s pieces.”

Edelweiss Arms Products

A quick look at the Edelweiss Arms website reveals enticing initial offerings, starting with a variety of Schmidt-Rubin rifles. In addition, there are also Waffenfabrik Bern (W+F Bern) and Deutsche Waffen Munitions Fabriken (DWM) Lugers.

Other handguns include Sig P210 pistols and the P49; that’s the Swiss military version of the P210.

The company also offers antique firearms. You don’t need a FFl to transfer those models. In short, it looks like there’s something here for everybody. To learn more, visit edelweissarms.com.

The post Kriss Launches Edelweiss Arms Division for Curios, Relics & Antiques appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The Walther PPQ SC pistol was announced at SHOT Show this year. Our friend Graham Baates recently had the opportunity to test this new subcompact in the wild. Watch the results above.

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Baates starts off the video with a quick full-mag test. He then tests a number of loads to see which bullet shape & weight will work in the gun, including Freedom Munitions’ 165 gr hush, Browning BPT 147 gr FMJ, Federal HST 124 gr, Speer Gold Dot 124gr +P, Wolf 115 gr steel case, Hornady American Gunner XTP 115 gr, Hornady Critical Defense Lite 100 gr, Inceptor RNP 84 gr, and Liberty Civil Trainer 65 gr.

After that, Baates takes five shots from seven yards using Nosler 115 gr Match. He wraps up with his overall impressions.

Chambered in 9mm, the Walther PPQ SC features a 3.5-inch barrel with polygonal rifling and a 1:10″ twist. It comes with a 10-round flush fitting mag, a 10-round magazine with a finger extension, and a 15-round subcompact magazine with a grip extension sleeve.

“Overall … very excited about the PPQ SC,” Baates says. “The P99 AS for me was just a little too small in the hand to be comfortable. I think if I were to go back or have that opportunity again, [the PPQ SC] might have been my choice for a subcompact, double stack carry gun. And between this short mag for carry and this longer mag for either winter carry or if you’ve got better concealment, range use or training, it’s a winner.”

See the specifications for the Walther PPQ SC below. For more on the PPQ SC, visit waltherarms.com.

Walther PPQ SC Specs

• Model: 2815249
• Caliber: 9mm
• Barrel Length: 3.5 inches
• Trigger Pull: 5.6 pounds
• Trigger Travel: 0.4 inches
• Capacity: 10 rounds/15 rounds
• Overall Length: 6.6 inches
• Height: 4.4 inches
• Safety: 3 Auto
• Width: 1.3 inches
• Weight Empty: 21.2 ounces

“Graham Baates” is a pen name used by a 15-year active U.S. Army veteran who spent most of his time in the tactical side of the Intelligence community including tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Post-Army, Graham spent some time in the 3-Gun circuit before becoming a full-time NRA Certified defensive handgun instructor and now works as an industry writer while curating a YouTube channel on the side.

The post Why the New Walther PPQ SC May Be 2018’s Best Subcompact Pistol appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Sig Sauer’s Advanced Sport Pellet (ASP) airgun lineup just got a little bit bigger with the unveiling of the new X-Five model.

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Based on Sig’s X-Five Competition pistol, the CO2-powered X-Five ASP fires .177 pellets. It features a single action only trigger and ambidextrous safety. In addition, it sports an adjustable rear sight; Picatinny rail for mounting accessories like a laser or tactical flashlight; and a full metal slide and frame with realistic blowback action.

The X-Five ASP also comes with a cam lever CO2 loading port for fast loading of the 12-gram CO2 cartridges. The airgun shoots up to 430 fps, but the velocity vary depending on temperature and altitude.

In the presser, Sig says the weight and feel is essentially the same as the pistol’s centerfire counterpart, making it good for training.

“The new Sig Sauer X-Five air pistol is an outstanding training tool as are all of our Advanced Sport Pellet airguns,” said Joseph Huston, Vice President and General Manager of the Sig Sauer Airgun Division. “Airguns allow for more flexibility as to where you can shoot, such as your back yard, and more and more professionals are buying airguns for this very reason. Airguns are also perfect for teaching beginners firearms safety and the fundamentals of shooting.”

Shipping out with one 20-round Rapid Pellet Magazine, the X-Five ASP is available in silver/black and solid black. The MSRP is $139.99. See the specs below. To learn more, visit sigsauer.com.

SIG SAUER X-Five ASP Air Pistol

The post Sig Sauer Reveals Its New X-Five ASP Air Pistol appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

John Moses Browning’s .380 ACP, developed for the Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless, has soldiered on for more than a century. It’s been used mostly in underperforming full-metal-jacket (FMJ) form until about the past 20 years—and with much ho-hummery among defensive handgun buyers. Pistols chambered for it tended to be comparatively sizable and almost as heavy as some smaller 9mm handguns. The caliber has been an also-ran largely for those reasons. With advances in effective bullet designs and tiny pistols, however, it’s catching up. Balancing an efficient JHP bullet with moderate power and low recoil in a light gun that carries extremely well in a pocket or purse, the combo is not intimidating to shoot. It’s small enough to actually carry instead of being left at home because of weight or bulk.

It’s difficult to say which drives what—smaller pistols driving ammunition makers to higher performance levels, or high-performance ammunition driving gun makers to smaller pistols. Either way, the race in premium defensive ammunition development has positioned the humble .380 ACP well. Some of the better loads rivaling standard 158-grain .38 Special lead round nose (LRN) ammo in terminal effectiveness. And that’s from a thin pistol no longer than 5 inches stem to stern, weighing less than a pound fully loaded.

To see how modern .380s have evolved to keep pace with the defensive ammo they’re chambered for, I’ve tested three of the best on the market from Ruger, Smith & Wesson and Remington.

Ruger LCP

The oldest and smallest of the three pistols tested here—and the lightest at just less than 10 ounces empty—the Ruger LCP was introduced in 2008. It was Ruger’s first entry into the subcompact market. A polymer-framed seven-shooter when fully loaded, the Ruger LCP instantly attracted heavy interest among Ruger fans. It remains one of the company’s best sellers. Not that much bigger than some .25 ACPs available, the pistol is extremely concealable as a primary carry or backup gun. Its popularity has increased to the point where Ruger offers a number of variants. This includes one with a laser, those with carbon or stainless steel slides, and a variety of color schemes.

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The standard Ruger LCP features fixed sights; MIM hammer; short extractor; slide-lock lever; 2.75-inch barrel; textured grip surfaces, and no manual safety. It also features a reinforced plastic trigger; pull-out takedown pin; left-side magazine-release button, and a partially cocked double-action firing mechanism. Rounding out the features are a loaded-chamber window above the extractor; dual recoil spring with a steel guide rod; black-oxide slide finish above a black polymer frame and a six-round, blued-steel magazine. The Ruger pistol ships in a cardboard box with one magazine, a manual, a padlock, a black nylon zipper case and two magazine baseplates. One baseplate is flat and the other has an extended finger rest.

M&P Bodyguard 380

In 2010, Smith & Wesson took a leap onto the polymer pocket-gun bandwagon by introducing two new Bodyguard models—one a five-shot .38 Special revolver and the other a subcompact seven-shot .380 ACP pistol. Of the two, the .380 rode that wagon the hardest. The current M&P Bodyguard 380 line comes in any color you want, provided you want basic black, but you have a choice of six variants, including those with iron sights, red or green Crimson Trace lasers, a natural stainless slide or a darkened stainless slide, and a thumb safety or no thumb safety.

The base model, at almost 12 ounces unloaded, has a stainless slide on top of a polymer frame. It comes with a long extractor; alloy trigger; MIM hammer; slide-lock lever; 2.75-inch barrel; manual safety (or not); double-action-only (DAO) setup; two stainless six-round magazines; swivel-pull takedown pin; left-side magazine release button; windage-adjustable sights made of steel; a dual recoil spring with a steel guide rod; textured grip surfaces with one-and-a-half finger grooves; and two loaded-chamber indicators with a hole in the barrel hood and a window above the extractor. This S&W pistol ships in a cardboard box with a manual; padlock; black nylon zipper case and two magazines—one with a flat baseplate and one with an extended finger rest.

Remington RM380

The newest of the three pistols, Remington introduced the RM380 in 2015. It’s a much-modified version of the design acquired when the company bought Rohrbaugh Firearms and its small 9mm R9 pocket pistol design in 2014. The original Rohrbaugh was an expensive, almost-handmade pistol with a short-lived recoil spring. Remington’s redo retained the concealability and adapted the gun to mass production methods. It also extended the life of the recoil assembly and decreased the caliber and manufacturing costs. As of this writing, only one version of the RM380 is currently available, but if market demand supports it, I’d expect to see at least a couple of others down the road.

The 12.2-ounce Remington is also the heaviest of the three test pistols. This is because of its wider aluminum frame and thicker, heavier stainless steel slide. It comes with fixed sights; 2.9-inch barrel; long extractor; steel trigger; MIM hammer; no manual safety; ambidextrous magazine release; slide-lock lever; textured grip; DAO trigger pull; push-out takedown pin; dual recoil spring with a steel guide rod; two steel six-round magazines and two loaded-chamber indicators with a hole in the barrel hood and a thin window above the extractor. There is no manual safety. This .380 ACP also ships in a cardboard box with a manual, a padlock and two magazines—one with a flat baseplate and one with a finger rest.

Trigger Time

The Bodyguard and the RM380 use true DAO triggers, which means the hammers are never cocked, and they need a deliberate trigger pull to fire. Some carriers consider that a form of safety device, similar to a double-action revolver. I’m among the group that believes no manual safety is needed with a DAO model. As a beneficial side function of the DAO trigger, the design includes a double-strike capability. This lets you keep clicking after a misfire without having to do a “tap-rack-bang” drill to clear or re-cock a tiny pistol. That’s not very easy to accomplish.

The Ruger LCP uses something of a semi-DAO action. Racking the slide leaves the hammer half-cocked, with the shortest trigger travel of the three. It has a shorter pull than a true DAO model but a longer pull than a single-action pistol. That means it has no double-strike capability, though. If it clicks, you must use the tap-rack-bang to get back in the game, and that takes time, two hands and some fiddling.

At the range, the Ruger LCP was easiest to work with trigger-wise. The Bodyguard came in second, and the extremely long, stacking pull of the RM380 made it difficult to deal with for accuracy testing. And it was the slowest of the three by far in rapid-fire speed dumps. With light .380 bullets, and correspondingly lower energy figures compared to more powerful pistols and calibers, one theory of close-in defensive use with these pocket pistols is to smartly empty the gun on target. If that’s your plan, the Remington’s trigger is a definite handicap. Overall, the LCP is the quickest for speed and the best for accurate aimed fire. The Remington trails the pack in both areas.

Sighting Systems

Does anybody care about sights on pocket pistols? I mean, it’s point and pull, right? Wrong. For most scenarios in which these pistols would be considered useful, target sights on such distinctly non-target guns are not absolute requirements. But as the Tueller drill taught us more than 30 years ago, a determined man with a knife at 7 yards can be standing on your toes in 1.5 seconds. You can’t wait until he’s within hip-shooting range to commence firing. Sights—even small sights—have a place, and they matter.

Although none of these pistols shot precisely to the point of aim out of the box, the S&W’s windage-adjustable sights provide at least some room to center a preferred load, and they’re the tallest and most visible of the three. Conversely, the fixed sights of the Remington and Ruger can’t be knocked out of alignment, and they’ll stay where they came forever. They’re also snag-free, and the back of the rear S&W sight is sharp enough to potentially grab a covering pocket holster or lining during a draw. The winner? It depends on your preferences.

Ergonomics

These models have small grip areas, and they’re not one-size-fits-all deals. Larger hands won’t like the smallest, the Ruger LCP, and the flat magazine floorplate allows only a one-finger hold on the abbreviated pistol, even with smaller mitts. The M&P Bodyguard 380’s grip extends down almost a quarter-inch farther, but even there, with its finger groove, it’s still pretty much a one-finger proposition, unless you have the skinny digits of a 4-year-old. The largest grip, the RM380’s, adds another eighth of an inch in length, and with its undercut triggerguard I can get two fingers wrapped around it using the flat floorplate (three using the extended floorplate).

The .380 ACP is a mild caliber to shoot, but it produces some muzzle rise in these tiny pistols. You’ll have to choose between comfort and concealability. The flat-bottomed magazines are fractionally more compact, but not enough to outweigh the control added by the extended finger rest versions—at least for me.

More Details

All of the triggers are smooth-faced, and all the grip areas are well textured and hold still under recoil. The S&W slide lock sticks out enough from the slide to function as a slide release, if you insist. The Remington and Ruger levers are far too small and inaccessible to use as a slide release under pressure (don’t even bother), and the Ruger can be manually locked open via that miniscule lever. However, the Ruger slide does not lock open after the last round is fired. The other two do, and that Ruger feature might be a no-go for some potential buyers.

The Remington’s ambidextrous magazine release button and larger grip dimensions would probably tip the scale for others. It fits more hand sizes, and it’s altogether a more lefty-friendly package, using that button and over-handing the slide instead of trying to thumb the slide release on loading or tap-rack-banging. Advantage: Remington.

Takedown

Most of these pistols will live in the carry-lot/shoot-little category, but eventually you’ll at least need to evict spiders and dust bunnies, and the takedown process is similar on each but not equally convenient.

The M&P Bodyguard 380 uses essentially the same swiveling pin as its full-sized M&P cousins. You manually lock the slide open and swivel the pin down about 95 degrees. You then pull it out and slide the top half forward off the frame rails—no tools are required. The LCP has a mushroom-headed pin that has to be pried out with something like a screwdriver, with its slide locked open. I’ve never been able to get one out with just a thumbnail.

The RM380’s straight-shafted pin is hidden inside the slide, and it can’t be accessed through its holes without some sort of tool, such as a paper clip, to push it out through the left side. It also takes some back and forth on the frame to line up the holes, and you have to manually keep those holes aligned with the frame and slide under recoil spring pressure while you poke the pin in or out. Locking the slide leaves them well separated. For simplicity and ease of disassembly, the S&W takes the cake.

First Shots

I know. These guns are not built for counting points on paper targets. But like the sight issue, accuracy can be a factor. If you’re considering a tiny gun as your only CCW, would you not want to know what it’s capable of if you must push the distance envelope?

Most print reviews hold this class of gun to a 7- or 15-yard standard, but I wanted to see what the test samples might accomplish during controlled situations at 25 yards. That meant shooting each of the guns off a rest during bright sunlight, with six .380 ACP loads that ran from FMJs to one of the newest bullet designs. Firing five-shot groups of each load through each pistol, I was surprised at what they managed with the loads they liked.

Accuracy Results

The 100-grain FMJ load from Black Hills was a disappointing washout at that distance in the Remington and Ruger, with the results spreading out more than a foot and not worth recording. That load performed best—8 inches—with the S&W. However, Black Hills’ new 60-grain, all-copper Xtreme Defense ammunition produced the best group of the day through the Remington RM380, at 2.25 inches. Winchester’s 95-grain PDX1 JHPs came in second, at 4 inches through the S&W M&P Bodyguard 380, and the other loads ran from 4 to 9 inches in their best groups.

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Remember, a sample of one is not binding across the board, and these results came from my samples, my hands and my eyes. Your mileage might vary, good or bad. Just remember that these little pocket pistols can handle human-sized silhouette situations farther than many people believe. Also note that all of the pistols shot high at 25 yards, with many rounds going higher than 12 inches above the point of aim. Straightest shooter? Too close to call.

The Verdict

These guns were reliable with all of the test loads. The only misfeed stoppages occurred while trying to chamber rounds using the Remington slide lock as a release and not sling-shotting the Ruger’s slide hard enough. Also, I had two misfires with a Sig Sauer load in the S&W, one of which lit up on a second strike. Ejection ran from mild and consistent in the Bodyguard and RM380 at 2 to 10 feet to wild and inconsistent (as expected) in the Ruger LCP at up to 30 feet. That doesn’t affect dependability and only matters when it’s time to chase the brass. The Remington has an annoyingly sharp edge above the trigger on the right side, and the S&W typically needs its magazine release depressed to fully seat a magazine.

These subcompacts are good buys as candidates for their intended role. If you’re in the market for a pocket .380, there’s no best among them. It’s just a matter of choosing the features you consider most important for your needs and finding a load that plays well with it. My choice? The S&W, but that’s just because it works best in my hand, and I prefer its trigger over the other two. Your choice is up to you, and I wouldn’t consider any of the three a bad one.

Ruger LCP, S&W M&P Bodyguard 380 and Remington RM380 Specs

This article was originally published in “Concealed Carry Handguns” 2017. To order a copy, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post 380 Pistol Battle: Ruger LCP vs. S&W Bodyguard 380 vs. Rem RM380 appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

As you know by now, several retailers have “re-evaluated” their gun policies in the aftermath of the Parkland shooting. But one company is now looking at its relationship with gun manufacturers: BlackRock.

Last week, BlackRock—the world’s largest asset manager with more than $6 trillion under management, according to Reuters—posed a series of questions to the three publicly traded firearms companies: American Outdoor Brands (which owns Smith & Wesson, Crimson Trace and Gemtech), Ruger and Vista Outdoor (Savage Arms, Federal Premium, BlackHawk, CCI). BlackRock is the top shareholder in AOB and Ruger, and it is the second-biggest shareholder in Vista. The questions were as follows:

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BlackRock Questions

American Outdoor Brands has now responded to these questions. With regard to the first question, here’s what they said:

Conclusion

AOB finished up its nine-page response by stating that existing laws should be enforced and NICS should be fixed. It also said the “the challenges of acute mental illness in our society” needed to be addressed.

The post American Outdoor Brands Responds to BlackRock Questions on Guns appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

In case you haven’t heard, Full Conceal makes folding Glock pistols. In the video below, they demonstrate part of the process of creating a folding Glock 23 Gen3.

Basically the concept is to give you the benefits of a full-size pistol—it comes with a Magpul 21-round magazine—while maximizing concealment with its cell phone footprint.

The Vegas-based company kicked things off last fall with its folding Glock 19. It followed that up shortly thereafter by introducing a folding G43. Now Full Conceal is offering a gunsmith service that converts your factory Gen3 and Gen4 Glock 19/23/25/32/38 into a Full Conceal M3D configuration.

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Full Conceal M3D Folding Glock Conversion

The process is simple. Once you order the conversion option, Full Conceal sends you a shipment package. The package includes a box and protective wrapping for the frame and a prepaid USPS shipping label. You then box up and ship out the frame.  Full Conceal describes what happens next:

Upon receiving your frame, we inspect and take pictures to send to you so you know how the frame arrived prior to the M3D conversion.  We then use a CNC machine mill to accurately cut your frame, grip, and make room for the latch and folding trigger. Then by-hand, we meticulously remove all the plastic fuzz and sand down any sharp edges (using razor blades and sandpaper).  We replace your factory Glock trigger shoe with our proprietary folding trigger shoe (aluminum), add hinges (steel) to grip, add the latch mechanism (aluminum), and add the folding trigger guard (steel/aluminum). We essentially custom fit all the parts, have our Quality Assurance Department check it, photograph it finished, and send it back to you.

Magazine

While the Full Conceal M3D comes with a Magpul 21-round magazine that, when folded, sits flush with the front of the pistol, the conversion option does not. But the company says all factory and 3rd party Glock mags are compatible. The rule of thumb is that any mag that is the same size or larger in height than what your Glock originally came with will work:

For example, in the case of the Glock 19 (9mm), the standard magazine is the 15-round (or 10-round in some states), therefore, any magazine of equal or greater height (mag body wise) will be compatible such as a Magpul 21-round or a Factory Glock 33-round magazine. In the case of 9mm, the Magpul 21-round magazine is the maximum height for maximum round capacity while still being self-indexing.  

Note: Remember that the M3D is design to have the magazine go up (to make a rectangle) and will stop at the base plate of the magazine (so even if you have a mag-well extender), it will still stop at the top of that base-plate.  Therefore, if you want to have more capacity and want to make a rectangle footprint, you need to get a magazine with the mag-body that is long (ie – a Magpul 21-round magazine or Factory Glock 33-round magazine)

The Full Conceal M3D conversion can be had for $749.

Folding Glock 23 Gen3

Check out the video below to see a Glock 23 .40 S&W get converted. For more, visit fullconceal.com.

The post WATCH: Full Conceal Turns Factory Glock 23 Into a Folding Glock 23 appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

In truth, you can’t guarantee that an accidental or negligent discharge will never happen, just as you can’t guarantee you’ll never be in a car crash. That’s up to the vicissitudes of fate. However, can you address the typical causes?

Absolutely. And an ounce of prevention is always worth a ton of cure.

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At this point, there’s almost always a semantic argument over “negligent” vs “accidental” discharge. Some argue that any discharge that wasn’t intentional is negligent and there’s something to be said for that. Others may insist otherwise.

With that all aside, here are five tips that should keep you from ever suffering a negligent discharge, if followed.

The First Laws of Gun Safety

As we all know, the first of Col. Cooper’s 4 Laws of Gun Safety is to treat all guns as if they are loaded, even if you know that they are not. Following this axiom doesn’t physically do anything for you — or for that matter anyone or anything — it inculcates a mindset.

Specifically, a mindset that guns need to be handled with care. Guns are neither evil nor good; they are merely objects. They have, however, great destructive potential if used with evil intentions or without care. Therefore, they should be accorded the appropriate level of respect.

The Third Law of Gun Safety

Then you have the third of Col. Cooper’s 4 Laws of Gun Safety: Keep your finger off the trigger unless you’re ready to shoot. Granted, the wording changes depending on where you read it, but the gist is always the same.

You’ve seen “Black Hawk Down,” right?

This point doesn’t really need much elaboration — guns generally don’t go off if you don’t touch the trigger.

Avoid Negligent Discharge? Avoid Excessive Handling

Perhaps a corollary to the first rule would be “don’t touch the gun unless you have a reason to do so.”

Think about it this way: the longer your commute, the greater the chances you’ll be in a car accident. There are more cars on the road that you’re in proximity to, longer exposure to inclement weather and so on. That means more chances for you or someone else to make a mistake or for conditions to cause an accident.

Similarly, the more you handle your gun, the more chances there are for something to go wrong. It should go from the safe into a secure concealed carry holster with adequate trigger guard protection and retention. It shouldn’t come out except for cleaning, placing it into the safe, to safely fire at the range, or if you need to use it in defense of yourself or others.

If you aren’t engaged in holstering your carry gun, storing it or otherwise using it in an appropriate manner, you should leave it alone. The more you handle it, the more chances there are for something to happen inadvertently.

Just ask this guy:

Holster with Care

You also need to take great care while holstering. The most popular handgun of today is the poly-framed striker-fired compact or subcompact. Glocks, Smith and Wesson M&P pistols, and so on and so forth are the pistols being put in safes and in concealed carry holsters more often than anything else. Design features on these pistols include passive trigger safeties and lighter trigger pulls than the double-action revolvers and double-action autos.

In other words, all that needs to happen to discharge the pistol is for the trigger to be touched and pulled, and the trigger is easily pulled. This has led to a number of accidental/negligent discharges.

One of the most common types? Gun go in holster; gun go boom!

What happens is something snags the trigger while holstering the pistol. This can be a wilting edge of a leather holster that’s past its prime, or a piece of clothing that gets into the holster after drawing the pistol. The gun goes in the holster, something snags the trigger and now the paramedics need to get involved.

How does one keep this from happening?

By taking care while holstering. Check the holster before inserting the pistol, and make sure that it’s clear of obstructions while inserting the pistol.

Check and/or Clear Before Touching the Trigger

There are a number of reports of officers shot in police stations or officers having accidental discharges while cleaning duty weapons, often of the poly striker variety, because the trigger has to be pulled to strip the gun for cleaning and lubrication. This has also happened to civilians. The pistol isn’t checked before the trigger pull … and guess what happens.

The same thing can happen with any gun, let alone the Glocks and similar pistols, so don’t get the impression that the author isn’t down with the tactical tupperware.

There’s a quasi-substantiated rumor out there that famed gun writer, quickdraw specialist and Border Patrolman Bill Jordan accidentally shot a colleague in a similar fashion. The story goes he was demonstrating dry-fire techniques, but then sat the gun down and got up to do something else. Someone reloaded the pistol without telling him, and he resumed the dry-firing only for the gun to go off … fatally striking a fellow agent in the next office.

Terry Kath, the guitarist for the band Chicago, was a known gun collector. One night while entertaining a friend, he picked up a handgun that, unbeknownst to him, had a round in the chamber though it contained an empty magazine. He pointed it out, put it to his temple and pulled the trigger.

Any time you’re going to touch the trigger without intending to shoot something, check and clear first. This will prevent an accidental or negligent shooting.

If you carry smart, and treat your firearm with the respect it deserves, that will go a long way toward preventing a negligent discharge.

About the author: Sam Hoober is a contributing editor for Alien Gear Holsters, a subsidiary of Tedder Industries.

The post 5 Key Steps To Preventing an Accidental or Negligent Discharge appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The time I spent working behind a retail gun counter was some of the most fun I ever had. It was enjoyable, frustrating and incredibly educational. People honestly need good solid advice when buying a first handgun, and the interaction was rewarding. To help this process along, it is a good idea to start with a solid game plan:

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Do Your Homework

Just like buying a car, it is best to have some idea of what you want, what it will do and what it should cost prior to buying. Gun publications like this one are a good start, but take a good sampling. The Internet is a huge asset. You just have to cut through the marketing fluff to get to the facts. When you do this, some incredibly useful information can be gathered.

Find The Right Store

Try and find a gun shop where the staff is knowledgeable. That may be a smaller store, it may not—both might have knowledgeable staff ready and eager to assist you. Don’t assume anything about the store based on its size or its location. And don’t be in a hurry. Make a few trips to several different shops and find someone you can trust.

Get Range Access

If possible, find a reputable store with a range. It is one thing to handle a firearm over the counter and another to actually shoot it. Most stores with a range will have firearms for rent. It is really helpful to shoot the same gun or something similar before you buy it.

Know Your Budget

Have a budget or at least a pretty firm limit. You often get what you pay for with guns; more expensive guns can mean higher quality. But do you need what the extra dollars buy? Be prepared to buy a cleaning kit, a holster, a gun case and the ammunition to practice and carry the gun. These aren’t “extras”—they’re necessary.

Meet Your Needs

Know what the gun is for before you get there. Is it for home-defense alone, concealed carry, or both? Who will use it? Will you actually carry it? What is your skill level? How much gun can you really handle? Above all, be realistic about what you need and what you can handle.

The more you know about your needs and limitations, the better they can help. A competent and knowledgeable counter person working with you can make this a positive and enjoyable experience, setting you off on the right foot. It may be the most important step for buying your first handgun, so take the effort to make it a good one.

This article was originally published in “Pocket Pistols” #186. To subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Buying Your First Handgun: 5 Tips From a Former Gun Store Associate appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Sig Sauer makes the broadest line of defensive pistols in the U.S. The most diminutive Sigs are represented by 32 variations of three different models: the P290RS, P238 and P938. The P290RS and all but one of the P938s are chambered in 9mm, while P238s are chambered in .380 ACP. All are no wider than 1.1 inches, with a footprint no larger than 5.9 inches long and 3.9 inches high using flush-fit magazine. This makes each pistol concealable even within the palm of your hand.

Besides easy concealment, there are other characteristics that are important in a concealed-carry pistol, like tritium night sights, a stainless steel slide and a rust-resistant stainless or aluminum frame, as close-to-body carry can expose these guns to sweat. All of these pistols can also be safely carried in a proper holster with a round in the chamber.

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I have tested each of these models, and they have several reliability and design features that make them very good personal-defense pistols when small guns are warranted. For example, the P290RS uses a one-piece molded polymer frame instead of two plastic clamshells screwed together. The night sights are made of steel, not plastic, and are mounted in dovetail slots, allowing them to be replaced or adjusted. Flat recoil springs with longer service lives than round wire springs are used, and the guide rod is made of steel, not plastic.

The replaceable grips are made from high-quality materials, and finally, the longevity and popularity of these Sigs gives you a wide array of choices in holsters and accessories to fit them, from lasers to grips.

P290RS Nitron

The P290RS Nitron is the slimmest Sig at 0.9 inches wide. It’s also 5.5 inches long, 3.9 inches tall and weighs only 16.4 ounces. It holds 6+1 rounds of 9mm ammo in the flush-fit mag and 8+1 rounds in the extended magazine. The Nitron designation refers to the matte black corrosion-resistant finish on the steel parts. The one-piece polymer frame has slide-out grip panels, and Sig offers replacements with different colors and textures. The P290RS also has rounded edges all over. It also has a bobbed hammer that fits nearly flush with the rear of the slide, offering nothing to catch onto your clothes for a snag-free draw.

The P290RS is double-action-only (DAO) design with a long trigger stroke that resembles a revolver fired in DA mode with a specified trigger pull weight of 9 pounds. This pistol also has a re-strike capability (hence the “RS” in its model name). The hammer will cock and fall each time the trigger is pulled without needing to rack the slide to reset the trigger. This allows the shooter to re-strike a primer if it does not fire on the first strike, an unlikely occurrence with quality ammo. For me, the real advantage of the RS is much easier dry-fire practice without needing to rack the slide after each trigger press.

Long-stroke triggers with relatively heavy weights are certainly more difficult to keep on target than light, short triggers. However, my personal experience with the P290RS showed that the smooth trigger stroke and grip design allows rapid shots with very good practical accuracy. My accuracy was even better when using the extended eight-round magazine, which affords a full grip.

P238 Series

The P238 is easily one of Sig’s best-selling pistols. With a selection of 19 models, there’s a P238 for just about anyone’s preferences and purposes, ranging from a practically styled backup piece (the SAS model) to a pistol with panache (the Rose Gold model). This .380 ACP pistol is 1.1 inches thick at its widest point (the slide lock lever), 5.5 inches long and 3.9 inches tall. Most variants feature durable aluminum frames and weigh less than a pound. The frame materials are aluminum or stainless for the HD version, which weighs in at 20.5 ounces unloaded.

The P238 is a single action with a left-side lever safety allowing for “cocked and locked” carry with a round in the chamber. The gun holds 6+1 rounds in its flush-fit magazine, and the trigger breaks at 7.5 pounds. And though it resembles a 1911, the P238’s operation is different. The chamber can be cleared with or without the safety applied, while the 1911 only allows the chamber to be cleared with the safety in the “fire” position. For left-handed shooters, a right-side safety lever can be installed for $100 by the Sig Custom Shop.

P238 Variants

Sorting through 19 variations to find what P238 is best for you is easy once you know how they differ. The principle differences are in the finish of the frame, slide and controls, the type of grips and whether you want cocking serrations on only the rear of the slide or both the front and rear. The Equinox model features a green fiber-optic front sight for day use and a tritium insert for night firing. In addition, the Equinox also has a two-tone slide.

Grips options include wood (walnut, laminate, rosewood), aluminum for the newest “We the People” model, G10 or, my favorite, a Hogue one-piece wraparound rubber grip with finger grooves. All of the grips are designed with a textured surface to provide a slip-free hold.

P938 Series

The P938 is a 9mm version of the P238 that also holds 6+1 rounds in its flush-fit magazine. Though the two essentially share the same basic design, the P938 has a larger aluminum frame with a slightly longer barrel and slide, a heavier recoil spring and an ambidextrous thumb safety. This pistol is 1.1 inches wide, 3.9 inches tall, 5.9 inches long and weighs 16 ounces unloaded.

The P938 comes in 12 variations, and like the P238, there’s a mix of the practical and flamboyant styles. There’s also a .22 LR variant for plinking that has a longer slide and barrel as well as a fully adjustable rear sight. And my favorite variant, the Emperor Scorpion, has a threaded barrel for mounting a sound suppressor, front and rear slide serrations, and flush-fit and extended magazines.

Deep-Cover Options

Because the Sig P290RS, P238 and P938 pistols are small and svelte, there are many different carry and holster options out there. Note that Sig Sauer sells several holsters that have the benefit of being extensively field-tested by the Sig Sauer Academy’s instructor staff.

A shoulder holster is a good choice for those who wear a jacket that is too short to conceal a belt-mounted holster, or need to draw from a seated position. The shoulder rig is typically used for much large handguns, but a horizontal rig like the leather X400 from Kirkpatrick keeps the pistol well concealed yet accessible.

OWB

Strong-side OWB holsters are among the fastest to draw from. Sig’s own molded plastic holster fits the P238, P290RS and P938 like a glove, but Galco, DeSantis and others also offer effective options made with leather. If your Sig is a backup piece or if you want something accessible when seated in a car, consider a cross-draw OWB rig.

IWB

There are many choices to suit personal preferences, but I prefer IWB holsters with as much material separating my body and the pistol for better comfort and moisture control. Some designs like the Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.0 also offer adjustments for cant and ride height. The Cloak Tuck can also be mounted off-body, secured to places like under a table or desktop, on a bedside or under a dashboard using the docking clips.

Ankle

Ankle holsters are a prevalent method for carrying small backup pieces. Light, flat-profile pistols like these Sigs are very comfortable to carry in such a manner. Drawing from an ankle rig requires the correct technique to achieve a fast, smooth presentation, and don’t assume that this method works equally well with every pair of pants. I find the Sig Sauer, Galco Ankle Glove and the DeSantis Die Hard models to be very comfortable.

Belly Bands

Ideal for the gym, jogging and while wearing a T-shirt, belly bands are typically made of elastic nylon with sewn-in pockets. These machine-washable holsters are surprisingly comfortable. Get one in a color that won’t easily show through the intended over garment so it isn’t noticeable. The Galco UnderWraps belly band comes in tan or black and can hold two pistols and two magazines or a badge, a knife, etc.

Garter Holster

With a skirt or dress, a garter holster can offer very effective concealment for these lightweight, compact Sigs. Furthermore, there are not many options in this niche, but two that offer very different designs and materials come from Can Can Concealment and DeSantis. Keep in mind that this holster’s comfort and ability to keep from slipping down your leg are vital.

Corset Holster

Your choices for corset holsters are also limited, but these are more stylish. The Can Can Concealment corset holds two pistols and has a slot for a knife or extra mag in the back/kidney area while those from Dene Adams put the pistols in front. Your clothing and body shape need to be considered. For instance, back carry allows you to wear an open-front jacket that shows the fashion details of the corset, but sitting in a chair could be uncomfortable. Also, learn how much of the pistol’s grip protrudes above the fabric because reaching into the corset to draw your pistol is time consuming and very difficult under stress.

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UnderTech UnderCover specializes in clothing that has integral sewn-in holsters. The company’s broad product line includes men’s and women’s jackets and vests that don’t scream “I am packing heat!” like the shoot-me-first photographer’s vest. The T-shirts are made of compression fabric for a tight fit and have a sewn-in elastic pocket under each arm with retention straps for a secure fit, making them ideal for the gym or jogging.

Signature Steel

Small guns have the unique advantage of being carried discreetly in a jacket or pants pocket. The holster and gun should be the only thing carried in that pocket. Holsters should hide the outline of the gun, keep itself from coming out of the pocket when the pistol is drawn and keep the pistol in the proper orientation so you can grasp it quickly. Many designs are available, but the most intriguing is the new DeSantis Pocket Shot for the P238.

This particular pocket holster allows the pistol to be grasped and fired while it’s still in the holster. In fact, it has no material surrounding the slide to impede its functioning. It also negates the risk that drawing the pistol from your pocket will carry the holster with it and cause a problem.

Sig P238 Equinox, P238 Rose Gold & P290RS Nitron

For more information on the pistols, visit sigsauer.com.

This article was originally published in “Pocket Pistols” 2018. To order a copy, go to outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Slim & Sexy: Sig’s P290RS, P238, P938 Pistols & Their Holsters appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Century Arms is now shipping out the Canik TP9SFT handgun. This model was developed in response to consumer demand for a suppressor-ready TP9-series pistol.

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Chambered in 9mm, the Canik TP9SFT sports a threaded 13.5x1mm left-hand twist, match grade barrel. It also includes Warren Tactical suppressor-height sights, with a fiber optic front sight. In addition, Century Arms says the barrel and sights will soon be available for those who own a TP9SF and want to upgrade it for suppressor use. Meanwhile, a load chamber indicator comes standard, as does the striker status indicator; reversible magazine release; enhanced single action trigger; and Picatinny rail for accessories.

“The TP9SFT is a natural evolution for the Canik TP-Series with the increased interest we’ve seen relating to suppressor ready platforms,” said Jason Karvois, Century Arms’ director of sales, said in a statement. “We listen to our customer base and are focused on offering the variants that they are looking for.”

The TP9SFT ships out with one 18-round and one 20-round magazine. A polymer holster with a paddle and belt attachment is also included. So too are two interchangeable backstraps; cleaning rod; brush; magazine loader; plastic carrying case; and a limited lifetime warranty.

MSRP on the Canik TP9SFT is $519.99. Features and specs are below. For more from Century Arms, go to centuryarms.com.

Canik TP9SFT Features

• Threaded barrel 13.5x1mm LH
• Dovetail sight cuts compatible with aftermarket sights
• Warren Tactical suppressor sights with fiber optic front sight
• Match grade barrel
• Loaded chamber indicator
• Striker status indicator
• Improved single action trigger
• Reversible magazine catch
• Cerakote over nitride
• MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail
• AFC magazine coating

Canik TP9SFT Specs

• Sku: HG4067-N
• Color: Black
• Caliber: 9mm Luger
• Capacity: 18/20+1 rds.
• Barrel: 4.98″
• Overall Length: 8.09″
• Height: 5.92″
• Width: 1.3″
• Weight: 1.68 lbs. unloaded

The post The Suppressor-Ready Canik TP9SFT Pistol Is Now Shipping appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Being able to protect yourself and your loved ones is something every woman must consider today, when no one is immune from the dangers of life. How you choose to do that is a very personal decision and requires learning what’s involved so you can make the best choice for you. It’s becoming more common for women to carry a firearm for personal protection, but the decision to carry one concealed should not be made lightly. You must be ready mentally and physically to take on this awesome responsibility. Once the decision is made, however, you are granted a feeling of empowerment and confidence.

When you decide to carry a firearm concealed, you must consider several things to make it feasible and effective. First, you need to be comfortable handling a firearm and be a competent shooter. This requires training and then more training. If you aren’t willing to put in time on the range, then concealed carry isn’t for you. Second, you need to be aware. Being plugged in to what’s going on around you allows you to react in a timely manner or possibly avoid the troubling situation altogether.

Pick Your Gun

Which firearm you decide to carry is an important first step in carrying concealed. Choose wisely, as you may need to depend on it to save yourself or a loved one. Many indoor ranges let you “try before you buy” to assist you in your purchase. Comparing different models will open your eyes to the huge impact even a small change in design can make. Choosing a pistol that your hands can comfortably manage makes all the difference when it comes to being confident with your weapon.

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For a firearm to serve you well, it must fit your hands and be comfortable to shoot. If it doesn’t match these two basic criteria, you will hesitate to train and your skill level will suffer; something you don’t want to discover when faced with an assailant. Personally, I carry a Glock 19 in a Galco Tuck-N-Go inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster. The Glock 19 is the right size for me, and it feels good in my hands. It’s also comfortable to shoot. My hands aren’t rubbed raw by harsh edges. This makes range time more enjoyable, which means I’ll spend more time training, allowing me to improve my skills.

The Galco holster is quality leather that becomes more comfortable over time, and it’s easy to conceal with everyday clothing. I also like carrying a full-sized firearm because it comes with a standard-capacity magazine. If I need to draw my weapon in self-defense, I don’t want a smaller-capacity magazine limiting my efforts.

Optimum Carry

Once you’ve determined the firearm that’s right for you, you need to decide how you’ll carry it. You basically have two choices for everyday carry: on body or off body. If you choose on-body carry, then you’ll need to dress around your handgun. Remember, “concealed” means no one should see anything—but don’t “over-conceal,” either. You still need easy access if your firearm is going to be of any use to you. Fortunately, the firearms industry has some unique and creative ways to help women carry concealed. From traditional belt holsters to more discreet bellybands to bra and ankle holsters, there’s a holster for everyone.

The concept of concealment has even crept into the fashion world by incorporating concealment options into shirts, shorts, leggings, jackets and even underwear. With today’s choices for conceal carry, it’s much easier for women to keep a sense of style and still carry a firearm. A word of advice when considering your options: Invest in a good-quality holster that covers the trigger and is form-fitted to your specific handgun. This will allow for good retention and smooth, easy access. Now is not the time to scrimp just to save a few dollars.

If you decide that the off-body option is for you, then you have a plethora of choices in the way of bags, purses, backpacks, fanny packs, planners and more. Whichever method you choose, you must be in control of it at all times. Think of it as an extension of yourself. If a strap is available, wear it across your body so the bag can’t be grabbed from your shoulder. Be sure your firearm is holstered properly to ensure there’s no chance of a stray object getting inside the triggerguard. Also, your weapon should have its own dedicated space with a built-in holster so you’ll have easy access. Ideally, it should be positioned muzzle down, ready to draw and engage the threat.

Dry-Fire Practice

Now it’s time to gain some carry confidence. Owning a firearm doesn’t make you an expert shooter. Reading about it and watching videos doesn’t count, either. If you plan on using your firearm for personal protection, you must commit to becoming proficient with it. That translates to training. Sorry, but there’s no other way to get comfortable with handling your firearm than trigger time.

You can begin at home with dry-fire practice. With your pistol chamber empty, the magazine removed and your ammo secured in another room, you can begin building muscle memory, good habits and confidence in the comfort of your own home. When dry practicing, your body is developing routines that will over time become second nature. I can’t stress the importance of this procedure enough. You’ve committed to carrying, so don’t stop short by skipping this important step. Practice drawing from your concealment holster, present toward the target, press the trigger, do an after-action assessment and reholster.

Remember that practice makes permanent. How you practice is how you will perform if the need ever arises, so practice with focus and intent. Short practice sessions done frequently will reap greater rewards than longer sessions done infrequently. If you’ve never handled a firearm before or are a novice gun owner, get professional training before beginning your dry practicing. You don’t want to create bad habits that have to be broken later.

Live-Fire Practice

Now that you’ve become comfortable with handling your firearm by practicing at home, it’s time to hit the range. Live-fire practice allows you to apply what you have done at home and get used to the action and sound of your handgun. For women who are new to shooting, this may be a difficult step, but you will gain skill and confidence through repetition. Again, shorter practice sessions done frequently will speed up this process. This is the trigger time you need in order to build confidence and accuracy.

You will see how well your at-home practice has been by evaluating your point of aim and point of impact. You should hit what you aim at. Evaluate your shooting honestly and be willing to put in the time to improve at home and at the range. Besides going to the range on your own, consider taking handgun classes. You’ll learn something new in every class.

Carrying Concealed – Know Your Limits

You’ve taken many steps to reach this point of becoming a proud, competent concealed carrier. But now you must accept the fact that you may not be allowed to carry everywhere you want to go. Although we have the Constitutional right to keep and bear arms, that right is being tested and pushed to the point of absurdity in some areas. Unfortunately, bad people don’t follow the rules. In fact, people intent on harming others often consider the possibility of their victims being armed or not and choose “soft targets” where guns are banned.

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Mass killers have talked and written about their desire to attack gun-free zones. They understand a gun-free zone offers them a greater chance of achieving their goals. Police can only respond to a situation; armed citizens can provide an on-the-scene layer of protection should a shooter open fire. There are many examples of where permit holders have stopped and or prevented mass shootings, although there was little to no national coverage.

Campus carry has also become a hot topic throughout colleges and universities as the majority prohibit the carrying of firearms on campuses. Following the Virginia Tech shooting in 2007, college campuses became the poster child for how dangerous gun-free zones can be. There are a growing number of people who recognize the potential danger of campuses being gun-free zones and are trying to persuade colleges to allow students to carry firearms concealed. They don’t want to become victims trapped in a classroom. Although there has been pushback with this, there has also been some progress. One example is the University of Texas at Austin. In 2016, they implemented a policy that allows license holders to carry concealed on campus.

Other Options

So, until carrying concealed is more widely allowed, what can you do when you’re not allowed to carry your firearm? Don’t let that stop you from protecting yourself. Your purse can hold a myriad of self-defense tools. It’s your own personal toolbox that happens to accentuate your outfit and hold your belongings. A cell phone’s hard edges make it a great weapon when used on soft targets like the face. Tactical pens can also serve as handy self-defense tools. A kubaton is a straight piece of metal, plastic, or wood about 6 inches long and often on keychains. It is extremely useful when you need to poke or compress sensitive areas of the body. Its rigidity makes it extremely effective in applying the needed pressure to encourage someone to leave you alone.

Of course, you may also want to consider carrying pepper spray like the PepperBlaster from Kimber, which allows you the added protection of distance. Carry when you can, but if the need for protection arises and you don’t have your firearm, reach for anything that will serve as a weapon and give them a fight they won’t forget.

Self-protection can take many forms, and more and more women are choosing to carry firearms. It begins with choosing the right gun, deciding how you’ll carry it and then training to use it effectively. The options available today for women to carry concealed make it possible to maintain a stylish, professional look even when carrying. All of your time and effort in becoming a competent gun owner is rewarded with the comforting feeling of empowerment and confidence.

This article was originally published in “Concealed Carry Handguns” 2017. To order a copy, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post 6 Things Women Need to Know Before Carrying Concealed appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Walther rolled into IWA OutdoorClassics 2018 showing off two new variants of its Q5 Match and PPQ M2 Q4 TAC pistols; both will now be offered standard with a Shield RMSc red dot sight.

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The Shield RMSc sports a 4 MOA dot and is mounted directly onto the slide without an adapter plate. This naturally gives it a much lower profile. Meanwhile, these pistols also sport Tungsten Gray frames; black triggers; and standard 3-dot steel sights that serve as a backup. In addition, the Q5 Match Combo is available with three 15-round magazines. The PPQ M2 Q4 TAC Combo comes with one 15-round magazine and two 17-round magazines.

According to the product listing under the exhibitor section on IWA’s website, both models will be available from dealers starting in June. Pricing isn’t available.

First announced in 2016, the Walther Q5 Match is a competitive shooting gun. It comes with an integrated optics mounting system with adapter plates for Trijicon RMR, Leupold Delta Point and Docter red dots. The PPQ M2 Q4 TAC was unveiled last fall. It comes out of the box with a barrel threaded in 1/2×28. It also features the same mounting plate system as the Q5 Match. Both models sport a PPQ Quick Defense Trigger. Below, check out the specs for the Q5 Match and PPQ M2 Q4 TAC.

For more information on Walther, visit waltherarms.com.

Walther Q5 Match

• Caliber: 9mm
• Barrel Length: 5 inches
• Trigger Pull: 5.6 pounds
• Trigger Travel: 0.4 inches
• Capacity: 15 rounds
• Overall Length: 8.1 inches
• Height: 5.3 inches
• Safety: 3 auto
• Width: 1.3 inches
• Weight (Empty): 27.9 ounces

Walther PPQ M2 Q4 TAC

• Caliber: 9mm
• Barrel Length: 4.6 inches
• Trigger Pull: 5.6 pounds
• Trigger Travel: 0.4 inches
• Capacity: 15 rounds
• Overall Length: 7.8 inches
• Height: 5.3 inches
• Safety: 3 auto
• Width: 1.3 inches
• Weight (Empty): 25 ounces

[h/t AllOutdoor]

The post Walther’s Q5 Match, PPQ Q4 TAC Pistols Now With Shield RMSc Sight appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

If there’s one thing that can be said about Kahr Arms, it’s that the company produces a compact semi-auto for the concealed carry needs of just about every shooter. In fact, Kahr produces three sizes of compact pistols with approximately 70 different variations. There are so many variations of the Kahr design that one could easily get confused trying to determine what is compact versus subcompact, etc. So, let’s be practical and simply define compact from the perspective of concealed carry. A “compact pistol” is one that can easily be concealed inside the waistband (IWB) or in a large pocket.

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This definition includes semi-auto handguns with barrels under 4 inches, magazines that hold seven or fewer rounds and weigh less than 23 ounces. To me, any pistol that meets these criteria has to be considered compact when today’s average service pistol has a 4-inch barrel, a magazine that holds at least 10 to 15 rounds and a weight of somewhere between 26 and 35 ounces. By these criteria, even the larger Target models from Kahr are really in between compact and full-sized. Therefore, all of the handguns made by Kahr Arms can be seen to closely adhere to the mission that Kahr CEO Justin Moon defined when he set out to design the ideal concealed-carry pistol in the early 1990s.

Kahrs Made To Order

One thing that can be said of Kahr Arms’ pistol lineup is that the buyer has quite a large number of features and calibers to choose from. You can literally get a personalized pistol from the factory. To begin with, compact Kahrs are chambered in four of the most common personal-defense cartridges used in semi-automatics: .380 ACP, 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. There are two main series: the Premium Series and the Value Series. The difference between the Premium and Value Series pistols is important to some buyers. However, there is no difference in terms of reliability or durability. The Premium pistols have polygonal rifling; dovetailed steel front sights; two magazines with flush floorplates; and a higher grade of decoration. The Value Series pistols have conventional rifling, pinned polymer front sights and come with one flush-floorplate magazine. Both grades have good reputations for accuracy and quality.

The main differences are simply the price and level of finish.

Details

Another area of variation is found in the material from which the pistols’ frames are made. The first Kahr pistols had steel frames. Today some models are still available with frames made of stainless steel, but due to customer preference, most Kahrs now come with polymer frames. The barrels are also made of stainless steel and come in eight different lengths between 2.58 and 4 inches depending upon the caliber of the gun and the size of the frame. The slides are stainless steel and may be silver, black, “titanium” or bronze in color. Not all slide finishes are available in every caliber or frame size.

There have also been a few Kahrs with blue polymer frames. Lastly, there are a variety of sights to choose from. Kahrs can have open sights, tritium night sights, laser sights and red or green fiber-optic sights. Given these variations, a buyer is likely to find a Kahr pistol that can fit his or her needs and tastes.

Of course, there is a limit to the number of variations available in a production handgun. For example, all Kahr pistols have the same basic design. In addition, they all have slides machined from 416 series stainless steel; low bore axis to reduce felt recoil; striker-fired ignition system; smooth double-action-only (DAO) trigger that breaks at approximately 6 pounds; striker block safety; offset feed ramp that reduces slide width; and a slim profile grip. The net result is a very flat semi-auto that tends not to print through a shirt or pocket.

CW380 & PM9

It would take many pages to describe every possible Kahr model. Therefore, I asked my friends at the Florida Gun Exchange to go through their inventory and provide a Kahr in each centerfire caliber to give you some idea of the range of variability available in Kahr’s lineup.

The CW380 is a Value Series pistol in .380 ACP that’s only 3.9 inches tall, 4.96 inches long and 0.75 inches wide. It has a 2.58-inch barrel with conventional rifling. It holds six shots in its magazine and one in the chamber. An optional seven-shot magazine with a grip extension is also available. The pistol weighs only 11.5 ounces with the empty flush-fitting magazine in place. These dimensions make it the smallest and lightest Kahr, and a natural for pocket carry. White bar-dot sights come standard, and tritium sights are available.

Part of the Premium Series, the 9mm PM9 is 4 inches tall, 5.42 inches long and 0.9 inches wide at the slide. This pistol has a 3.1-inch barrel, which, given the 9mm’s pressure curve, gives up very little in velocity and bullet energy to a 4-inch-barreled gun. It’s ammunition capacity with the flush-fitting magazine is 6+1 rounds. An available extended magazine with a finger extension holds one more round for a maximum capacity of eight shots. The PM9 is a bit larger than the CW380. However, it comes in at a very light 15.9 ounces with an unloaded flush-fitting magazine. The standard pistol comes with Kahr’s white bar-dot sights; however, the PM9 shown has optional night sights.

CM40 & CM45

The CM40 is a Value Series .40 S&W that has the same dimensions as the PM9, except the slide is only slightly wider at 0.94 inches. Given the wider slide and larger diameter of its 3.1-inch barrel, the weight of this .40-caliber pistol is 1 ounce more than the PM9 with the flush-fitting magazine in the gun. However, 17.7 ounces is still very light for a pistol chambered in this powerful caliber. Because of the larger diameter of the .40 S&W cartridge, this pistol’s flush-fitting magazine holds one less round than that of the PM9; however, Kahr also makes an extended six-round magazine with a finger extension, giving a CM40 with an extended magazine a total capacity of seven shots.

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This Value Series CM45 in .45 ACP is the largest of Kahr’s “Micro” pistols. It is 5.79 inches long, 4.49 inches tall and has a slide width of 1.01 inches. The barrel is 3.14 inches long. Weighing 19.3 ounces with the flush-fitting magazine in place, it is also the heaviest of the CM-series Kahrs. This increase in size is due to the larger architecture of the .45 ACP cartridge and the fact that Kahr has kept the capacity of the CM45 the same as the CM40. As with the other three pistols described here, there is an optional extended magazine with a grip extension.

Range Testing

I had a chance to shoot a CM40 some time ago. I found it to be a handy little pistol that was both reliable and accurate. Despite its small size and short sight radius, the little pistol could be counted on to consistently make headshots at 7 yards and center torso hits at 15 yards. The .40 S&W recoil was surprisingly mild due to the low bore axis of the pistol and the ergonomic shape of the grip. And this pistol’s ability to deliver rapid hits on target at close range was very impressive in light of the .40 S&W’s reputation for recoil. In CQB situations, it would be a formidable tool for neutralizing a threat.

As with the 9mm., the fast pressure curve of the .40 S&W cartridge allowed the CM40 to deliver velocities only about 10 percent below the velocities expected from a full-sized pistol with a 4-inch barrel. This clearly gives the 9mm and .40 S&W an advantage over cartridges that operate at lower pressures when it comes to short-barreled handguns. This ability to conserve velocity and energy in short barrels pays off in bullet expansion. Expansion tests I conducted indicated that every hollow-point bullet fired from the CM40 expanded fully. Overall, the CM40 was an impressive pocket pistol that delivered more stopping power than a traditional snub-nose .38 in a slimmer, trimmer and, in some cases, lighter package.

Concept Kahrs

In 2017, Kahr Arms introduced some additional features on some of the compact pistols, which means that there will be even more choices for the consumer. Four models—the CM9093TU3, CW3833TU3, CT3833TU3 and CM4543TU3—boast three-dot sights; Pachmayr Tactical Grip Gloves and tungsten Cerakote-finished slides; slide stop; and triggers. Given the past success of Kahr’s pistols, their quality, reliability and the company’s continued commitment to provide new choices to its customers, it’s safe to say that these compact Kahrs won’t be driving off into the sunset anytime soon.

Kahr CW380, PM9, CM40 & CM45 Specs

For more information, visit kahr.com.

This article was originally published in the spring 2017 issue of “Pocket Pistols.” To order a copy, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Compact Kahrs: Examining the Kahr CW380, PM9, CM40 & CM45 appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Century Arms has put out a souped-up version of the Canik TP9SA dubbed, appropriately, the TP9SA Mod.2.

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Developed after getting feedback from military, LEOs and recreational shooters, the TP9SA Mod.2 is a 9mm striker-fired pistol with a 4.46-inch barrel and a single action trigger that allows for fast follow-ups.

Enhancements on the gun include a flat top slide for enhanced sight acquisition, and a top-slide-mounted button for disassembly.

Similar to other TP-series models, the Mod.2 sports Warren Tactical sights. These sights direct the user’s eyes to the front sight, offering up faster acquisition and target transitions, Century says. Meanwhile, the grip features an aggressive stippling pattern for less-than-ideal conditions.

“The TP9SA Mod. 2 is the next evolution of our time tested, proven, and incredibly popular TP9SA,” Jason Karvois, Century Arms Director of Sales, said in a press release. “With a refined slide profile, new Warren Tactical sights, enhanced decocker, and a retail price of $399, the new and improved SA Mod.2 is sure to continue to be one of our most popular models.”

This gun is available in a black or flat dark earth Cerakote finish. It ships out with two magazines.

The magazine capacity is 18 rounds, or 10 rounds for restricted states. It also comes with a polymer holster with a paddle and belt attachment; two interchangeable backstraps; cleaning rod; brush; magazine loader; plastic carrying case; and limited lifetime warranty.

Like Karvois said, the MSRP on the TP9SA Mod.2 is a very affordable $399. See the specs and features below. For more on Century Arms, visit centuryarms.com.

TP9SA Mod.2 Features

• Comes with industry standard dovetail sight cuts that are compatible with a large variety of aftermarket sights
• Warren Tactical sights with rear U-notch and white dot front
• Match grade barrel
• Top-slide-mounted disassembly button
• Flat top slide for better sight acquisition
• Loaded chamber indicator
• Striker status indicator
• Improved single action trigger
• Reversible magazine release
• MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail
• AFC magazine coating

TP9SA Mod.2 Specs

• Color: Black or FDE
• Caliber: 9mm Luger
• Capacity: 18+1 rounds (10+1 also available)
• Barrel Length: 4.46 inches
• Overall Length: 7.5 inches
• Height: 5.7 inches
• Width: 1.35 inches
• Weight: 1.78 pounds unloaded

The post Canik Soups Up TP9SA with New TP9SA Mod.2 Pistol appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

World War II conjures up images of Adolf Hitler, the Blitz, Stalingrad, D-Day, and Atomic bombings over Hiroshima and Nagasaki. But while our men fought that epic conflict overseas, the women supported the war effort by bolstering industry at home. A new custom gun from Auto-Ordnance, the “Victory Girls” 1911, pays tribute to those women.

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Using a 1911A1 GI in .45 ACP as its base, the Auto-Ordnance Victory Girls 1911 boasts a deep cut laser engraving of a pin-up girl on the right side, and an updated “Rosie the Riveter” character on the left. Both sides of the frame also sport the star roundel used by the U.S. Army Air Corps. In addition, the gun sports a worn look via its two color Cerakote finish of Armor Black and Gunmetal Grey. Furthermore, the checkered wood grips have a US property logo.

The Auto-Ordnance Victory Girls 1911 features a five-inch barrel; seven-round magazine; overall length of 8.5 inches; blade front sight and windage-adjustable rear sight.

This gun was developed as part of a collaboration between Kahr Firearms Group and Louisiana-based Outlaw Ordnance. Kahr previously worked with Outlaw Ordnance on its Magnum Research “We The People” 1911.

The Victory Girls 1911 made its debut at SHOT Show in Las Vegas earlier this year, and it is now shipping. The MSRP is $990.

See the specs for the Auto-Ordnance Victory Girls 1911 below. For more information about Auto-Ordnance, visit auto-ordnance.com.

Auto-Ordnance Victory Girls 1911

• Caliber: .45 ACP
• Barrel: 5″ Standard
• Length: 8.5″ Overall
• Weight: 39 oz
• Sights: Blade front, rear drift adjustable for windage
• Grip: Checkered Wood Grips with U.S. Logo
• Magazine: One 7 Round

The post The Auto-Ordnance Victory Girls 1911 Pays Tribute to Women of WWII appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

“Ten shots quick!” was the advertising ploy of Savage Arms of Utica, N.Y., when it rolled out its new .32 ACP semi-automatic pistol in April of 1908. Actually, if you carried a round in the chamber, as recommended back in the day, you had a 10+1 capacity, which was two cartridges more than any other handgun at the time. The staggered or double-column magazine was also a unique feature back then.

During that era, the Savage Model 1907 was considered a pocket pistol and intended for use in self-defense or law enforcement. The little pistol was an offshoot of the larger Savage Model 1907 in .45 ACP (later called the Model 1911), which was designed to compete in the military trials for a new .45-caliber, semi-automatic service sidearm. The Savage pistol ended up being the only competition to the Colt Model 1911, but ultimately, it could not beat the Colt during a shooting endurance test in March of 1911. Savage named its .32 ACP autopistol the Model 1907 in reference to the patent date of the gun’s design: April 25, 1907.

Savage Beginnings

The Savage 1907 was an interesting pistol, and the owner of the company, Arthur W. Savage, was also quite interesting. A Briton born in Jamaica in 1857, he had a religious upbringing, but longing for adventure, he moved to Australia in the mid-1870s, where he lived with the natives for about two years, became a sheep-shearer and even worked as a hotel bouncer in Brisbane. In 1879, as a cattle station manager, Savage married and, with one child in tow, moved to England for a year in 1884 before returning to Jamaica, where he managed a banana plantation. In 1886, he and his family moved to New York City, where he worked for a publisher of scientific materials, a position that seemed to stimulate his inventiveness.

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With countries such as Great Britain and the United States moving away from single-shot military rifles, Savage labored on a design for a repeating rifle. By the early 1890s, the Savage family had relocated to Utica, New York, where Arthur became manager of the Belt Line Railroad. In his free time, he continued working on his rifle and came up with a lever-action concept that included a rotary magazine that allowed the safe use of pointed spitzer-type cartridges. The design evolved into the well-known Savage Model 99, an earlier version of which had competed against (and lost to) the Krag-Jørgensen in an attempt to become the U.S. service rifle in 1892.

Savage End

Pocket pistols were becoming more popular in the early 20th century, so in 1906, Savage obtained the rights to a design patented in 1905 that led to military (and later commercial) versions of the Model 1907. About that time, Savage sold some of his Savage Arms shares, resigned as general manager and moved to California to pursue an orange-growing venture. The next year, he started a tire company. His first wife died in 1919. He remarried, but his second wife died in 1922.

Meanwhile, Savage continued to dabble in firearms. He had a short-lived .22 rifle and also took a contract during World War I to produce slides for Colt 1911 pistols. Savage and his four sons tried their hands at various other enterprises, such as oil wells, gold mines and brick, pipe and tile manufacturing. The family also ran a municipal water company for a time.

Finally, after developing a painful, incurable cancer, Arthur W. Savage, the adventurer, entrepreneur, inventor and arms-maker—a man who had always controlled his own destiny—took his own life in September of 1938.

Gun Details

Arthur Savage likely had little to do with the Model 1907 pistol. The plan for the handgun was based on E.H. Searle’s November 1905 patent (and a later April 1907 patent) that covered the pistol’s design, operation and staggered magazine.

Although production was slow at first, the Model 1907 pocket pistol looked to have the qualities of a successful product. Like the larger military version, the smaller pistol had only 34 parts and no screws to hold it together, and it was easy to disassemble without tools. It used the same twisting-barrel/delayed-blowback mechanism as the .45 pistol. It was chambered for the .32 ACP cartridge, which was popular at the time and considered a fairly potent round. With its 71-grain FMJ bullet moving at about 900 fps, it would penetrate 5 inches when fired into stacked 0.875-inch soft-pine boards from 15 feet, a standard test at the time.

That was good performance compared to the .32 S&W and .38 S&W cartridges, which were also used in small-framed pocket revolvers of the period. The .32 S&W launched an 85-grain lead bullet at about 705 fps to penetrate 3 inches of pine boards. The .38 S&W propelled a 146-grain lead bullet at 685 fps and would penetrate 4 inches of pine boards. Further, the Savage Model 1907 allowed 11 shots compared to the typical five offered by many revolvers of the time.

More Features

The Savage 1907 also had something that the mostly square-sided autoloaders like the Colt didn’t have: an Art Deco look. The front portion of the slide was round, encircling the barrel and recoil spring, which were fluted back to the rear portion of the ejection port, where the widely spaced and well-defined slide serrations began. The rear end—the breech plug—was pinched and enclosed the lower part of the cocking lever (the part that looks like a hammer). The grip frame flowed gracefully down through the well-rounded front- and backstraps, which held checkered, hard-rubber grips in dovetailed slots. The unique magazine catch was on a lower, rounded part of the frontstrap, where it could be activated by the little finger or ring finger. It had the only exposed pin on the pistol.

The sights were low in profile but not too bad for a gun from that time. The only other control was the small combination safety/slide stop on the left side of the frame, below the rear sight. The fit and finish were first rate, and overall, the Savage Model 1907 had an unusual yet pleasing appearance.

Personal Model

My Savage Model 1907 was made in 1914. It’s in very good condition, with 95 percent of its polished blued finish and the mottled colors on the casehardened trigger readily visible. The gun has experienced little wear and tear. The grips are in great shape, with the Savage emblem at the center. A legend has arisen regarding the Native American profile in full headdress used as the company logo. It’s said to be that of an Indian chief who obtained several Savage rifles for his tribe and was so impressed that he offered his likeness to be used as an endorsement. One of the grip panels on my gun is slightly brown, which is common on these pistols because of oxidation or ultraviolet exposure.

The variation tables in Bailey Browner’s book Savage Pistols identify my pistol as a Model 1907 Modification No. 2. One of the features on that variation is the large, stylized Savage logo on the frame above the left grip panel. “SAFE” is stamped on the upper frame, above a half-moon slot, and “FIRE” appears lower on the grip frame. The ejection port was also cut to allow a view of the barrel breech, letting the shooter verify if there was a round in the chamber. The extractor, which runs along the barrel from the front to the rear of the port, also protrudes slightly when a cartridge is chambered, providing a visual and tactile indicator.

This particular variation is also marked on the top of the slide with “Cal. 32” and “7.65 .M-M.” The 10-round box magazine has four rounded, rectangular witness holes and two magazine catch slots in the front.

Savage Ads

At first, the Savage ads for the new pistol stressed the “10 shots quick!” and “Aims as easy as pointing your finger” slogans. However, accolades soon flowed into the company from notable users such as William F. Cody, firearms expert E.C. Crossman, former outlaw Al Jennings, William Pinkerton of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, W.J. Burns of the Burns International Detective Agency, lawman-turned-sportswriter W.B. “Bat” Masterson, and Major Richard Sylvester, president of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

In one of the Savage ads, Masterson said, “A tenderfoot with a Savage Automatic and the nerve to stand his ground could have run the worst six-shooter man the West ever knew right off the range.” By writing to Savage, you could obtain for free a short booklet authored by Masterson, The Tenderfoot’s Turn, a tome about Old West gunslingers. Also available for the asking was another booklet titled It Banishes Fear, which was a combination promotional brochure, catalog, technical manual and user’s guide written in the vernacular of the period. It’s worth reading. Savage ads appeared in such popular periodicals as Life, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Weekly, Field & Stream and The Saturday Evening Post, among others. The times certainly have changed, haven’t they?

Breaking It Down

As mentioned, taking the Savage Model 1907 down for cleaning is uncomplicated. Unload the gun and double-check it for safety. Then, retract the slide fully and put the safety lever on “safe” to lock the slide in position. Turn the breechblock containing the cocking lever (hammer) clockwise about 45 degrees, and then, squeezing backward on the cocking lever, fully rotate the breechblock 90 degrees, which lets you pull it straight back and remove it from the slide. With a firm grip on the slide, move the safety to “fire” and pull the trigger. The slide can be moved forward off the frame. The barrel can then be removed. Reassembly is in the reverse order, but you must squeeze the cocking lever hard as you reinsert the breechblock, and make sure you put it in the same way it came out. Reversing the direction will get it stuck.

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Here’s another situation to be aware of. Because the gun lacks pins and screws, most internal parts in the frame are held in place by gravity and fiction. A tip I saw was to use a wooden clothespin to hold the parts in place while you clean the pistol, clamping the pin over the dust cover of the frame through the triggerguard. I found this out the hard way when I first took the gun apart.

Rediscovered Treasure

Another item of interest is the website rediscovered-shooting-treasures.com, where you can obtain replicas of the Model 1907’s factory box, owner’s manual and other items. I ordered a cardboard box that came with a textured black exterior and a plain white interior. There’s an orange label on the right end of the box top and a caution label on the lid. Inside the lid is another period label, and you get a gummed label you can apply inside the box with information on your pistol. I also got the Savage owner’s manual. It’s made to look aged, and it even helped me with reassembling the pistol. You can also get a reprint of Masterson’s The Tenderfoot’s Turn, and of course, I had to have that.

Range Testing

A while ago, I won a box of Remington .32 ACP 71-grain FMJ cartridges in a raffle. But having nothing to shoot them in, I kept them in my ammo locker just in case. But I finally got the chance. I took the Model 1907 to my favorite outdoor range and, loading the magazine to capacity, set up some bullseye targets at the 10-yardline.

Shooting with a sandbag rest from the bench, even with the miniscule sights and my 59-year-old eyes, I shot a few decent five-shot groups with the Remington ammo. The best measured 1.64 inches, and the average was 1.98 inches—not too bad for a gun over 100 years old.

I also did some plinking at a couple of hanging bowling pins. The impacts of the little .32 ACP slugs made them twitch and turn. I used all but 11 rounds from the box of Remington ammunition and did not have any malfunctions. The recoil was negligible and rapid firing was easy.

The old pistol was a pleasure to shoot, and I’m now among folks such as Buffalo Bill and Bat Masterson who were ardent admirers. The old Savage ads—“10 shots quick! As easy as pointing your finger!”—weren’t that far off!

Savage 1907 Specs

This article was originally published in “Military Surplus” 2018. To order a copy and subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Ten Shots Quick: Looking Back at the Savage 1907 Pocket Pistol appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

You wanted Sig P365 holsters? You’re gonna get Sig P365 holsters; DeSantis Gunhide has no less than 20 of them ready to accommodate the gun.

Sig P365

Released earlier this year, the Sig Sauer P365 is a 9mm striker-fired, micro-sized pistol. The gun features a patent-pending, narrow-neck, modified double-stack magazine holding 10 rounds flush and extended. It also holds one in the chamber for a full capacity of 11 rounds. That’s almost a 50 percent capacity increase over other guns in its class. An optional 12-round extended mag also gives this micro gun a full-size 13-round capacity. In addition, the P365 measures one-inch wide; 5.8 inches long; and 4.3-inches tall. The barrel length is 3.1 inches. It tips the scales at 17.8 ounces with an empty mag. In other words, it’s smaller and lighter than other guns in its class.

The Sig P365 also features a fully-textured polymer grip; slim line rail; stainless steel slide with front and rear serrations; generous undercut triggerguard; and SIGLITE night sights.

With features like that, coupled with the fact that this is a new Sig, manufacturers like DeSantis are quick to offer holsters for the gun. See the rundown on the available DeSantis Sig P365 holsters below, via the press release.

For more information, visit desantisholster.com.

Sig P365 Holsters

#019 Mini Scabbard

Basic doesn’t have to be boring. The Mini Scabbard gives you all the essentials of a great holster: tough construction, precise gun fit and minimal printing. Your weapon’s security is assured thanks to pin-point molding and a customizable tension device. Accommodates belts up to 1 1/2″ wide. MSRP is $62.99.

#028 Cozy Partner

This holster features a tension device and precise molding for handgun retention. A memory band retains the holster’s shape for easy one-handed re-holstering. 1 1/2″ split belt loop is standard. Must be worn with a belt. Belt loops are NOT adjustable nor available in smaller sizes. MSRP is $81.99.

#085 Thumb Break Mini Slide

Premium saddle leather, double seams and a highly detailed molded fit, make this exposed muzzle, tight fitting, two-slot holster a great choice for your favorite pistol. It features an adjustable-tension device. Belt slots are 1 3/4″ wide. MSRP is $74.99.

#086 Mini Slide

This holster features double stitched seams and precision molding. It is designed to meet the needs of plainclothes professionals preferring a tight riding holster without a thumb break. The Mini Slide is fitted with a tensioning screw and 1 ¾” belt slots. MSRP is $71.99.

More Options

#155 Criss-Cross

This is not your father’s cross-draw! Wear it while you’re driving or walking around town. You can deploy your firearm instantly from this well concealed platform. The Criss-Cross is made from premium American cowhide and is molded for the new micro handguns. They are all fitted with adjustable tensioning devices, so you can have it your way. The belt slots will accommodate belts up to 1 1/2″ wide. MSRP is $53.99. 

#159 Osprey

The Osprey is a trailing slot OWB/IWB holster. The belt slots will accommodate belts up to 1 1/2” wide. The IWB strap is cant-variable and easily removable without tools. Available for medium and large autoloaders. Available in premium Tan saddle leather. MSRP is $69.99.

#115 E-Gat Slide

This is a basic neutral cant concealment OWB holster that works equally well on the strong side and cross draw. The E-Gat Slide works with both revolvers and autos and is offered only in BLACK-finished top grain leather. MSRP is $34.99.

#139 Top Cop 2.0

This holster features an adjustable tension device and a reinforced opening for easy one hand re-holstering. The leather is molded to exquisite detail, and the rugged polymer paddle is adjustable for cant and locks down securely. A twin-slotted synthetic belt attachment is sold separately. MSRP is $74.99.

From Nylon Mini-Scabbard to Sof-Tuck

#M67 Nylon Mini-Scabbard

This is a sturdy, lightweight and trim concealment holster made for a large variety of handguns. It features an adjustable tension device and is precision molded from ballistic nylon and thermo-formable materials. It will accommodate belts up to 1 ½.” Retail price is $39.99.

#062 Apache Ankle Rig

This holster has a wide, elasticized leg band that largely eliminates the unwanted rocking motion commonly associated with ankle holsters. It is constructed with elastic and has a sheepskin lining with a snap thumb break. Optional #C14 Calf strap is available. MSRP is $57.99.

#014 Die Hard Ankle Rig

This holster is built from top grain saddle leather and finished on the outside with a super tough PU coating. This combination of materials was originally designed for Federal Law Enforcement with longevity and performance as primary concerns. The smooth leather lining protects the gun’s finish and offers a quick, silky draw. The Die Hard Ankle Rig features a tough top grain leather lined holster with a conventional thumb break that has been attached to a neoprene leg band. The leg band is both padded with foam and lined with sheepskin. A calf strap (C14) and boot extender (C15) are optional. MSRP is $88.99.

#106 Sof-Tuck

This is an IWB/Tuck-able holster with adjustable cant. It can be worn strong side, cross draw or in the small of the back. It is built from soft, no-slip suede and reinforced at the top with premium saddle leather to aid in re-holstering. MSRP is $33.99.

Insider to Tuck-This II

#031 The Insider

For concealment with comfort, the Insider contains design features to minimize bulk. It is made with a heavy-duty spring steel clip positioned high for deep cover. The leather is soft and un-molded. MSRP is $28.99.

#033 Dual Carry II

This holster features our Tuck-able 360 degree ‘C’ clip for unlimited positioning adjustment in the IWB mode. Made of soft non-molded leather with thumb break and integral belt loop for OWB carry. Optional J clip is available at extra cost. MSRP is $34.99.

#N87 The Pro Stealth

Made of heavily padded 1050D black senior Ballistic nylon and lined with slick pack cloth, this holster comes with a 1 3/4″ sturdy, powder coated black spring clip. It keeps this beauty securely anchored to your belt. The clip may be removed and inserted on opposite side for left hand carry. A spare magazine pouch is standard for auto loader models. Optional thumb break is available separately, style N99. MSRP price is $38.99.

#M24 Tuck-This II

This holster is built from heavily padded 1050D black senior Ballistic nylon and lined with slick pack cloth. The tuckable 3600 clip can swing from cross draw to FBI-strong side carry, and even the small of the back. The tab allows the shirt to be tucked down in between the gun and trousers affording nearly total concealment. Auto loader versions of this holster will have a magazine pouch built into the front holster spine. MSRP price is $43.99.

Final Options

#127 Inside Heat

This is a barebones minimum IWB holster built from black saddle leather. The precise molded contours provide the weapon retention. The top is reinforced to ease re-holstering and the powder coated spring clip holds it securely to your belt. It is only available in black saddle leather in both right and left-hand models. MSRP price is $38.99.

#N38 The Nemesis

Immobility wherever you are mobile. That’s the Nemesis solution for pocket carry. Once in place, your gun will not move even when you are out and about. This stubborn grip is made possible by a material so technologically advanced, it may be the most viscous in all concealed carry. By contrast, the inner surface is covered in slick pack cloth for the ultimate low friction draw. Best of all, the carefully designed foam core means you’ll have to squint to ever see a print. MSRP is $25.99.

#M44 Super Fly

Like a fly on the wall, the pocket holster’s exclusive rubberized fabric helps you stick to your guns. Once positioned for carry, Super Fly will not budge in your pocket. A clever removable outer flap removes lines and better disguises your firearm. Body reinforcement is achieved with a special polymer. And the interior’s slick pack cloth coating ensures quick draws on the fly. Super Fly is available in separate custom back or front pocket designs. MSRP is $39.99.

#111 Pocket-Tuk

This is a dual-purpose pocket and tuck-able IWB holster. The clip can rotate 360 degrees to fit any carry position. The reinforced mouth aids in re-holstering, and the suede construction helps keep it all in place. Each Pocket-Tuk is supplied with a hex key to facilitate clip removal for pocket use. MSRP is $29.99.

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