The absolute best gun you can have in an emergency is the one you are carrying. For many though, the idea of carrying a full-size pistol is simply a deal breaker. From the guns being too big for a person’s frame to an unwillingness to make clothing changes to conceal the gun, the challenges are real. In cases like this, I steer shooters towards a smaller framed pistol that still has decent firepower, but also has a smaller footprint than full-sized pistols.
Semi-Autos
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Glock 19 and 17 Gen 5 Unleashed — Full Review
Published: August 27, 2017 { 47 comments }For those of you who are fans of the combat Tupperware, the wait is over! The Glock Gen 5 has arrived. GA team got their hands on the new Glock 19 and Glock 17 Gen 5. Aside from some cosmetic changes and few functional changes, they function just as we come to expect from Glock — flawlessly.
The CZ Shadow 2: A 9mm Mag-Dump Machine — Full Review
Published: August 17, 2017 { 11 comments }The CZ-75 is a legendary handgun design. It is to Eastern Europe what the 1911 is to the west in many ways. The iconic design and silhouette became the ubiquitous standard image of “handgun” on the other side of the iron curtain like the Browning classic Gov’t model did over here.
HK VP9SK 9mm: The Long Awaited VP9 Mini-Me – Full Review
Published: August 16, 2017 { 17 comments }The VP9 is not really all that large a pistol, but it is a full duty-sized gun. And while some folks can and do carry it concealed, I prefer something much smaller for everyday carry. I don’t want my life or my wardrobe to revolve around my carry gun. So, for those of us who are average height and build, and wear normal clothing, a smaller version is much appreciated!
To Port or Not to Port? S&W M&P 9L and 40 Ported Barrels — Full Review
Published: August 12, 2017 { 17 comments }To port or not to port? As with selecting any pistol, there are drawbacks and benefits. For those who are recoil sensitive and like to plink on the range — Smith & Wesson has got something for you. With the release of the M&P 2.0, there is also some other relatively new expansions from the M&P line. This week I got my hands on two very impressive pieces from the Performance Center, the 9L and 40 ported.
SIG Sauer’s Flagship Legion Pistol Goes Big-Bore! The P220 Legion in .45 ACP — Full Review
Published: August 2, 2017 { 13 comments }Introduced at SHOT 2016 for the first time, the Legion faithful have spent about 18 months pacing the floor and clicking the SIG website for the announcement that the pistol will finally be available. Well, the devotees need wear no more holes in their socks – the P220 Legion has arrived.
What’s the Ultimate Sh*t-Hits-the-Fan Pistol? Custom Glock34 G3 — Full Review
Published: July 28, 2017 { 15 comments }Mini red dot sights (RDS) on pistols are not a new thing. Arguably they’re one of the fastest growing trends in the pistol shooting world, but they’ve been around for quite a while. I built my first USPSA Open gun from a Glock 22 in 1995 using a slide-mounted Firepoint mini RDS. Back then, however, [...]
Cold War Mystery Pistol? The Story of the Revolutionary 9mm ASP
Published: July 27, 2017 { 21 comments }The mysterious ASP was the result of some 212 modifications on the stock Model 39. The most dramatic modification was the reduction in the size of both the slide and frame.
New Springfield Range Officer Elite: Operator in 9mm & Compact in .45 ACP — Full Review
Published: July 21, 2017 { 9 comments }I have long been a fan of the Springfield Armory when it comes to 1911s. Much like the Dos Equis beer guy: I don’t always shoot single stacks, but when I do, the odds are high that it’s a Springfield. This week, GunsAmerica got a first look at the new Range Officer (RO) Elite models.
The Return of the King: Single-Stack 1911s in Competition
Published: July 19, 2017 { 20 comments }The evolution and revolution of the 1911 are both alive and doing well. Modern machining and the lessons learned from 30 years of competition means even these classics can get the best triggers, sights, finishes and magazine wells available. These may be the Classic Division guns but they are leaps and bounds better than most of the 1911s of old.









