Day Two of the Fest also saw us shooting into clear ballistic gel. For the self-defense 5.7 rounds, 12- to 14-inches of penetration was about the average.

First, this is a high-quality 1911, chambered in .38 Super, and is very accurate. This reliable semi-automatic action sports a first-class trigger, fine sights, and many more positive features.

The Witness2311 Hunter 10 is a solid choice for my handgun hunting of deer and hogs. I found a holster and many excellent 10MM ammo types to match up with the Hunter 10.

I took several seconds to curse myself, then took a breath, realigned my red dot sight on my target, and shot once more.

The P8 4x proved itself an extremely functional optic for close-quarters applications, including home defense, but with the ability to go long when needed.

The Thrive HD is also a first-rate option for recreational shooters, plinkers, and handgun hunters who need a compact red dot featuring a sharp reticle and long battery life.

The Maven B.3 provids sharp, clean images, with controls that adjust quickly. All this in a small package that weighs just over a single pound and fits into my hand.

With so many new and updated handguns on the market, a first-rate pistol can receive a media blurb or two and then disappear from the larger discussion. One such pistol?

I made my ten-shot groups from a rest at 12 yards at my outdoor range. Perfect day, sunny and 63 degrees. The Force 22’s iron sights popped nicely.