Pistols Archives - The K-Var Armory

Gun Test: Ruger GP100 10mm

The story of revolvers chambered for self-loading cartridges is a long one. Smith and Wesson and Colt supplied revolvers chambered for the .45 ACP revolver cartridge during World War I. The .455 Webley caliber double action revolvers in production for the British were re-chambered to .45 ACP and a moon clip was developed to allow chambering the rimless .45 ACP. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Ruger GP100 10mm

Why Everyone Should Own a 1911

I own a quite a few different guns. What can I say? I’m a big gun guy. One of my favorite firearms is my 1911—a pistol I think everyone should own. Perhaps, I am a product of my environment, I live in Utah and in the northern part of the state, there is a city named Ogden. Ogden was home to John M. Browning, who invented the 1911 pistol. In fact, many people consider Browning to be the brains behind the modern design of semiautomatic pistols. [Read more…] about Why Everyone Should Own a 1911

Review: Smith and Wesson L Frame Revolver

As a young shooter, I began firing centerfire revolvers using a Smith and Wesson K frame. I later owned several N frame .357 Magnum revolvers and the K frame Combat Magnum .357 Magnum. I handloaded my own ammunition and learned a great deal about marksmanship and handguns with the Smith and Wesson. [Read more…] about Review: Smith and Wesson L Frame Revolver

The Arsenal SAM7K-04: New Features on a Proven Pistol

There were many innovative and exciting new products at the 2019 SHOT Show that have already put a dent in my annual firearms budget. However, not all innovation needs to be groundbreaking. Rather, sometimes innovation simply takes something that is already great and adds something simple that makes it better. That is what I found in the new Arsenal SAM7K-04 Pistol. Many of you have probably already shot or own an Arsenal SAM7K pistol and, like me, know the quality of the craftsmanship and reliability that is inherent in all Arsenal products. But, Arsenal has now made this great pistol better by integrating a picatinny rail on the back of the receiver, so now you can attach your favorite accessories. Whether that means using the included sling swivel or finding a compatible brace, the potential for enhancing this pistol just became exponentially greater. [Read more…] about The Arsenal SAM7K-04: New Features on a Proven Pistol

Top Carry Pistols for Small Hands

One thing I noticed while working in a retail gun store, was that many people disregard ergonomics for new shooters. This was especially evident regarding carry pistols. I will state for the record, the best way to determine a good carry gun, is to personally handle the guns. This first step will immediately tell you which guns do not fit your hand. Once the list has been narrowed down, rent the remaining guns and let the mechanics of shooting tell you which is best. [Read more…] about Top Carry Pistols for Small Hands

Gun Test: Glock 43X — Slimline

Glock introduced two exciting, and well designed, pistols at the 2019 Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show, with an official January 2 launch date for the Glock 43X and Glock 48. Concealed carry is a very important part of the market. Glock’s service pistols are renowned worldwide for reliability and combat ability. The Glock 17, Glock 19 and other models are widely respected. In concealed carry, the search was on for a viable improvement over both the Glock 19 and the Glock 43. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Glock 43X — Slimline

Smith and Wesson — Almost Heaven

Smith and Wesson revolvers have been a part of American history for more than 150 years. These remarkable handguns offer real utility in hunting, personal defense, and target shooting. One of my friends refers to his tuned J frame .38 as a ‘little piece of heaven.’ I feel much the same away concerning my modest battery of Smith and Wesson revolvers. [Read more…] about Smith and Wesson — Almost Heaven

First Look: Taurus TX22

I stopped by the Taurus booth at the Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show to see what might be new. Taurus has been a leader in innovative products. I have had good luck with several Taurus revolvers and semi-auto pistols in the past, so I was hopeful for 2019. The Taurus TX22 is a new, mid size .22 Long Rifle target pistol that weight 17.3 ounces, and sports a 16-shot magazine. A 10-round version is also available for individuals living in jurisdictions mandating such nonsense. The Taurus TX22 pistol will invariably be compared to the new Kel-Tec CP33, so let’s get right to it. [Read more…] about First Look: Taurus TX22

S&W Model 27 Classic — The First Magnum Revolver

When the .357 Magnum cartridge was introduced in 1935, Smith and Wesson chambered the cartridge in a deluxe, large-frame revolver. The new handgun was in some ways a development of the .38-44—a heavy frame .38 Special. However, in other ways, the target-sighted magnum was unique. Either way, the revolver cost more than $65 at a time when a new Ford V 8 cost $810. The .38-44 cost about $35 dollars. Useful handguns were available for $20. The fit, finish, and accuracy of the new revolver was exceptional by any standard. The .357 Magnum was the first of many expensive, but custom grade, factory handguns. [Read more…] about S&W Model 27 Classic — The First Magnum Revolver

Review: Glock 48 9mm

One of the great revolutions in handgun manufacture is the polymer frame, striker-fired revolution. Glock led the way and still dominates the market. Arguably, Glock remains first with the most. I should note that I am not the greatest Glock fan, but I certainly am not a Glock basher. The Glock is, in my opinion, the baseline gun for personal defense and a great choice for many shooters. The Glock is as reliable as a handgun may be, easy enough to use well, and chambers popular cartridges. The Glock 48 follows this tradition. [Read more…] about Review: Glock 48 9mm

Gun Giveaway: Kahr Arms CT380 Basket Weave

Quality, performance, and fit are all top considerations when deciding where to spend your hard-earned greenbacks on a new pistol. However, when it to comes to Second Amendment supporters, there is a fourth element that is considered with every purchase and that is the people behind the product. It takes more than a manufacturer making a quality product, we want a manufacturer that is as passionate and true to the Second Amendment and the gun toting population as we are. [Read more…] about Gun Giveaway: Kahr Arms CT380 Basket Weave

SHOT Show — New Products 2019

The SHOT Show (Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade) in January of each year not only signals the beginning of a new year, but a whole round of product launches to fill our dreams, wish lists, and for a lucky few, gear closets and gun safes. Firearm sales have been rather lackluster as of late, so it is not much of a surprise that manufacturers focused more on expanding existing lines to include new colors and calibers more than completely new introductions. However, that is not to say the industry did not put out some new must-have models! On the other hand, the optics and accessories categories are teeming with new offerings to give your old gear a new look.
We scoured the SHOT Show floor for some of the best new offerings and will bring you a new list each day, so stay tuned. [Read more…] about SHOT Show — New Products 2019

Snubnose Magnum Revolvers — Pocket Power

With the growing abundance of concealed carry permits, as Americans exercise their rights and commons sense, and with a political climate that currently nurtures such progress, armed citizens are flexing their political muscles and choosing to be responsible for their own safety. [Read more…] about Snubnose Magnum Revolvers — Pocket Power

Gun Test: Walther Creed 9mm Pistol

The face of Walther is far more than just a legacy of James Bond’s Walther PPK but a company offering real innovation. The company has leapt into cutting edge designs, which some gun buyers get right away, such as the fabulous little PPS M1 and M2. Other designs are a bit tougher to understand for the seasoned shooter… that is until they handle them. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Walther Creed 9mm Pistol

Top AR Pistol Braces

AR pistols have been around for a long time. They have been great range toys and a fun way to turn money into noise, if you didn’t mind the spray and pray method of shooting. Let’s face it, not all of us have or can use both hands well. Some of us use a cane, have had a stroke or tangled with an IED to the detriment of our hands. [Read more…] about Top AR Pistol Braces

Python: Colt’s Best Revolver

At times, the gun companies listen—especially when bread and butter and prestige are on the line. Otherwise, the competition will come in and steal that bread and butter. Kimber saw the need for a factory 1911 with good features and shook up the market. Everyone else had to catch up. American companies did not listen to the police call for double action only automatics. They had the cop market sewn up for 100 years. Glock came along and dominated that market. [Read more…] about Python: Colt’s Best Revolver

Glock G43X: Rumor or Truth?

We all know how much value there is in a good rumor, and personally, I would not put to much stock in them. On the other hand, there has been more than a bit of watercooler talk among gun writers that Glock is going to introduce the Glock G43X at the 2019 SHOT Show in late January. [Read more…] about Glock G43X: Rumor or Truth?

The Classic: Browning Hi-Power

A few months ago, FN recently announced the Browning Hi-Power pistol was being discontinued from manufacture. In the perfect handgunning world, all pistols would have the mix of history, performance, and collector interest of the Fabrique Nationale Hi-Power. While Hi-Power pistols may be valuable and collectible, they fire the same readily obtained 9mm cartridge as many of your other favorites. [Read more…] about The Classic: Browning Hi-Power

SIG TACOPS 1911 — The Ideal 1911 for the Rest of Us

There is no more recognizable handgun than the 1911 .45. This iconic handgun has set the pace for combat excellence for over 100 years. Reliability, practical accuracy, fast handling, and knock down power are coupled with excellent human engineering. There are now many variants in size and caliber, but the original Government Model steel-frame handgun with a 5-inch barrel is arguably the most reliable and the best suited to combat use. The SIG TACOPS 1911 (Tactical Operations) handgun is a result of the intense development of the original 1911 design. [Read more…] about SIG TACOPS 1911 — The Ideal 1911 for the Rest of Us

Bersa BP9CC Box to Match Review

For those who may be unaware, Patrick E. Kelley is one of the nation’s top 3-Gun shooters and dabbles in gunsmithing. This not only gives him a unique peek into how a gun works, he can squeeze every bit of performance out of on the range as well. To test new firearms, Patrick does not simply take it to the range once or twice, or even form his opinion by taking it to the range for several trips. Instead, Patrick takes it out of the box, loads the magazines and proceeds straight to match! The gun’s performance dictates what happens next. In this video, Patrick gives the Bersa BP9CC pistol a go at the range. [Read more…] about Bersa BP9CC Box to Match Review