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You are here: Home / Archives for Reviews / Pistols

Pistols

Learning to Custom Fit a 1911 — You Got This!

It will come as no surprise to the readers that America has a love affair with the 1911. I can’t think of any other firearm that has lasted 100 years, with all its fundamental design principles intact. For that matter, I can’t think of any product design that has lasted 100 years without major change. However, there is a big difference between an off-the-shelf 1911 and a custom fit 1911. [Read more…] about Learning to Custom Fit a 1911 — You Got This!


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January 30, 2020

Filed Under: 1911, How To, Pistols Tagged With: Custom 1911, Gunsmithing, Pistolsmith

Colt Single Action Army

Some handguns give you a 1,200-psi adrenaline flow just handling them. Others are as exciting as a dance on broken ground. The Colt Single Action Army is among the former. The Colt is an icon in the truest sense, and iconic handguns, and the use they have been put to in times of war and trouble, are immensely interesting. [Read more…] about Colt Single Action Army


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January 28, 2020

Filed Under: Colt, Pistols Tagged With: .45 Colt, Colt, Frontier Six Shooter, handloading, Peacemaker, Revolvers, single action, Single Action Army, single action revolvers, Winchester

Arsenal SAM7K-44: The Ultimate Defensive Pistol

When the AR and AK pistols were first introduced, many of us thought “Well hey, they are rifles, so how can they be pistols?” My friend Darrel points out that many of my generation are used to the Shockwave-type shotguns being illegal, and the same goes for the SBR. However, the AR and AK pistol are different breeds, particularly when you consider the Arsenal SAM7K-44. [Read more…] about Arsenal SAM7K-44: The Ultimate Defensive Pistol


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January 15, 2020

Filed Under: Anything AK, Pistols, Reviews Tagged With: 7.62x39 mm, AK pistols, ammo, Arsenal, Hornady, Tula, Wolf Ammo

Gun Test: North American Arms Pug

I do not wish to damn this little gun with faint praise. The North American Arms Pug is a tiny revolver that is well made of good material and reliable. I have never seen anyone have trouble with the revolver as regards reliability, and it has been in service for decades. The problem is the same as its appeal—its size. [Read more…] about Gun Test: North American Arms Pug


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January 10, 2020

Filed Under: North American Arms, Pistols Tagged With: .22 LR, .22 Magnum, Concealed Carry, Home Defense, Hornady, Hornady Critical Defense, NAA Pug, personal defense, Revolvers, single action revolvers

Lead Bullets In the Glock? You Bet!

It seems like it was only a few years ago that the Glock pistol was introduced to America. There were changes coming, and the Glock was a big step up from .38 caliber revolvers. However, police agencies transitioning to the Glock didn’t always go well, through no fault of the pistol. While lead bullets were not a concern at that time, reloaders quickly realized the potential downfall due to leading issues. [Read more…] about Lead Bullets In the Glock? You Bet!


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January 10, 2020

Filed Under: Glock, How To, Reloading Tagged With: 9mm, 9mm reloading, Bar Sto barrels, Glock, Glock 17L, handloading, Home Defense

Colt Python — The World’s Finest Revolver

One thing I have learned is that as things get older, they get meaner—and sometimes age brings respect. The Colt Python and I were each born in the 1950s. I am too young to remember the 1950s, but I find it interesting that such an advanced revolver was introduced over 60 years ago in 1955. [Read more…] about Colt Python — The World’s Finest Revolver


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January 9, 2020

Filed Under: Colt, Pistols, Reviews Tagged With: .357 Magnum, .38 Special, Colt, Concealed Carry, double action revolvers, Galco, handloads, Home Defense, Hornady, hunting, personal defense, Python, Revolvers, Target Shooting, XTP

Surplus Beretta 92S: A Retired 9mm With a Lot of Fight

Surplus has different meanings depending where you are in the world. Surplus firearms in the U.S. means extra, on hand, or dated equipment. In other countries, it could mean scrap metal. I try to avoid the latter, but I am always on the lookout for a diamond in the rough and thought I’d look at the Beretta 92S. I have seen these advertised by a variety of online gun sellers. This 9mm is an early generation of 92FS, so it is more of a European gun than the 92FS that definitely has U.S. influence. This is what I found with this old pistol. [Read more…] about Surplus Beretta 92S: A Retired 9mm With a Lot of Fight


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January 7, 2020

Filed Under: Pistols, Reviews Tagged With: Aguila, Beretta, Hornady, SIG Sauer Ammunition

Legend Reborn: Colt Resurrects Classic Python Revolver

On New Year’s Day, American handgunners were treated to news for which they had been waiting more than 15 years: the Colt Python has been resurrected! The legendary Python revolver is one of the most recognizable handgun models ever produced, thanks to appearances in films and on television. [Read more…] about Legend Reborn: Colt Resurrects Classic Python Revolver


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January 3, 2020

Filed Under: Colt, Pistols, Reviews Tagged With: .357 Magnum, Colt Python

Gun Test: Charter Arms Professional .32 H&R Magnum

The Charter Arms Professional is a small-frame revolver with a three-inch barrel, hand-filling grips, double-action/single-action mechanism, good sights, seven-shot cylinder, and a nice finish. Open the cylinder by pushing the cylinder release forward, and you will see a seven-shot cylinder chambered in .32 H&R Magnum. The pistol uses the classic Charter Arms steel frame, but the finish is a modern black nitride. I cannot see any problem with the durability of this finish. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Charter Arms Professional .32 H&R Magnum


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December 28, 2019

Filed Under: Ammunition, Charter Arms, Pistols, Reviews Tagged With: .32 H&R Magnum, Black Hills Ammunition, Buffalo Bore Ammunition, Charter Arms, Concealed Carry, double action revolvers, Home Defense, Hornady Ammunition, Hornady Critical Defense, personal defense, Small Game

Gun Test: Taurus 692 Multi-Caliber Revolver

The newest Taurus revolver is among the most interesting and innovative the company has manufactured. The Taurus 692 is a double action revolver with a swing out cylinder. There is a single-action option, useful in a field and trail revolver. This handgun features a seven-shot cylinder, giving the relatively compact Taurus .357 Magnum an advantage over traditional six-shot revolvers. [Read more…] about Gun Test: Taurus 692 Multi-Caliber Revolver


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December 24, 2019

Filed Under: Pistols, Reviews, Revolvers, Taurus Tagged With: .357 Magnum, .38 Special, 9mm Luger, double action revolvers, handloads, Home Defense, hunting, personal defense, Revolvers, Target Shooting, Taurus

Tactics: Holsterless Handgun Carry

For years, most of us have counseled concealed carry handgun carriers to choose a proper holster. A holster keeps the handgun stable and angled for the proper draw. Just the same, who am I to go against 200 years or more of holsterless tradition? After all, Wild Bill Hickock packed his revolvers in a tightly-woven sash. [Read more…] about Tactics: Holsterless Handgun Carry


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December 23, 2019

Filed Under: How To, Pistols, Self Defense, Tactics Tagged With: Colt, Concealed Carry, CWP, double action, Glock, hammer fired, Home Defense, personal defense, Revolvers, self-loaders, SIG, single action, Smith and Wesson, striker fired

Taurus Model 856: Long Live the .38 Snubnose

Snubnose revolvers are viable options when deciding what type of self-defense firearm to purchase. Easy to use, easy to conceal, and no empties lying on the floor afterward. The Taurus Model 856 is a newer snubby with a capacity of six rounds, versus the typical 5 rounds of the Model 85. [Read more…] about Taurus Model 856: Long Live the .38 Snubnose


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December 19, 2019

Filed Under: Pistols, Reviews, Taurus Tagged With: .38 Special, Concealed Carry, Revolvers, Snubnose, Taurus

Accuracy in Handguns

Over the decades, I have researched handguns and used the terms practical accuracy, intrinsic accuracy, and absolute accuracy. Firing from the benchrest is important and always interesting. However, absolute accuracy isn’t as important as the practical accuracy we may coax from a handgun. [Read more…] about Accuracy in Handguns


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December 17, 2019

Filed Under: How To, Pistols Tagged With: Accuracy, Federal Cartridge Company, Fiocchi Ammunition, handguns, Home Defense, hunting, personal defense, Target Shooting

Round Butt vs. Square Butt (Revolvers That Is)

When choosing a double-action revolver, the shape of the handle makes a great deal of difference. The primary difference is between round and square butt grip frames. Smith and Wesson offers only one grip frame (round) in modern revolvers, while conversion grips allow the use of either round or square butt grips. Understanding the how and why of grip design will allow you to make the best choice for different chores. [Read more…] about Round Butt vs. Square Butt (Revolvers That Is)


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December 15, 2019

Filed Under: Pistols Tagged With: Colt, Hogue, Home Defense, hunting, Pachmayr, personal defense, Revolvers, Round Butt, Ruger, Smith, Square Butt

Gun Test: SIG Sauer P225A 9mm

Not long after the introduction of the SIG Sauer P220 9mm handgun, SIG began modifying the handgun for other duties. The pistol was chambered in .38 ACP Super and .45 ACP for the American market. It was also re-designed into the compact P225 for German police use. After years of carrying the ineffectual Walther PPK in .32 or .380 ACP, the German police were none too keen on packing the full-size SIG P220 pistol. The compact P225, somewhat different from the SIG Sauer P225A, was a happy mix of excellent features that included a smooth double-action first-shot trigger, good sights, excellent accuracy, and soon-to-be legendary reliability. [Read more…] about Gun Test: SIG Sauer P225A 9mm


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December 9, 2019

Filed Under: Pistols, Reviews, SIG Sauer Tagged With: 9mm, Concealed Carry, Double Tap Ammunition, Galco, Gorilla Ammunition, handloads, Hornady, personal defense, SIG

Handguns: Size Matters — More can be More

When choosing a handgun, the analogy to a vehicle—something most of us use every day—is useful. We all understand the term “dead weight.” That is the weight of the bed or truck (or the support structure in architecture), but that’s not what we are looking at today—when unloaded. Live weight is the truck loaded. The handgun, ammo, holster, and spare gun load add up quickly in live weight. Sticks of copy and reams of paper have been slugged during this discussion and we now offer bytes by the millions. The thing is, while there must be room for personal choice, there is a bottom line for performance and quality. If you like a small car you can easily drive in the city that’s fine. But you cannot pick up a dining room set with it. [Read more…] about Handguns: Size Matters — More can be More


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November 29, 2019

Filed Under: Glock, Pistols, Revolvers, Self Defense, Smith and Wesson Tagged With: .38 Special, 9mm Luger, Citadel, Commander Model, Concealed Carry, CZ, CZ P10 C, Glock, Government Model, Guncrafter, Model 60, Officers Model, Revolvers, self-loading pistols, SIG P220, SIG Sauer Ammunition, Smith and Wesson

Springfield Hellcat: The CCW Game Changer

The issue in the past was if you wanted high capacity in a striker-fired handgun, you had to accept a bulkier gun. This compromise made it more difficult to accept a high-capacity pistol as an everyday CCW. SIG Sauer started the trend of the micro-compact, high-capacity CCW pistol a few years ago with its P365. I had an opportunity to shoot several magazines through the P365 back in 2018. I must admit, I was very impressed. It seemed almost beyond physics that a gun that small could hold 10 rounds of 9mm. I could tell that gun would change everything when it came to concealed carry—until I came across the Springfield Hellcat… [Read more…] about Springfield Hellcat: The CCW Game Changer


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November 25, 2019

Filed Under: Pistols, Reviews, Springfield Tagged With: 9mm, CCW, Concealed Carry, Hellcat, SIG Sauer, Walther

K-Var’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sales Feature Popular Products at Insane Savings!

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are sure to break new sales records across the nation and K-Var.com is ready to do its part. In addition to over 100 of our most sought after and popular products being heavily discounted, K-Var will be featuring Golden Ticket items. Golden Ticket items will feature some of our most requested products and offer savings well below our cost in most cases. However, you’ll have to be quick, as each Golden Ticket item will have a limited quantity. Arsenal AKs and concealed carry pistols, magazines and optics at prices like these is unheard of! [Read more…] about K-Var’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sales Feature Popular Products at Insane Savings!


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November 22, 2019

Filed Under: Gear, Optics, Pistols, Rifles Tagged With: Arsenal, Black Friday, Brown Bear, Burris, Cyber Monday, IWI, KCI Magazines, Kel-Tec, Lee Armory, Steyr, Taurus, VEPR

Guncrafter: The Best 1911 You Will Ever Own

When you look over the many quality 1911 handguns available today, the word “best” is difficult to qualify. Let’s just say if Guncrafter isn’t the best, it is certainly one of the best of the best two or three. After all, “best” is subjective and may refer to the handgun that suits your needs and your style the best. Quality isn’t as subjective, but some have a more difficult time recognizing quality. [Read more…] about Guncrafter: The Best 1911 You Will Ever Own


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November 12, 2019

Filed Under: 1911, Pistols, Reviews Tagged With: .45 ACP, 1911, Gun with no name, Guncrafter Industries, Home Defense, Nightingale Gun Leather, personal defense, SIG Sauer Elite, V-Crown JHP, wound potential

Sterling Silver Grips and Other Additions to the 1911

Ever since men first began to form weapons from metal, we have adorned our weapons with some type of decoration. Several have come up with something that marks their style or gives them a unique trademark. Some of the great gunners of the past smoked a cigar, others wore a Stetson, and many favored ivory grips. I have always liked custom grips for the 1911. The plain plastic or wood grips are rather utilitarian. Recently, I came across a set of silver grips that were unrivaled. [Read more…] about Sterling Silver Grips and Other Additions to the 1911


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November 5, 2019

Filed Under: 1911, How To Tagged With: 1911, Bar Sto precision, Colt, custom, Federal Cartridge Company, Fiocchi, Hornady, personal defense, Target Shooting

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