Among the multitude of autoloading handguns that a shooter has at his or her disposal, John M. Browning’s most famous pistol design still remains a perfectly viable choice, well over a century after it appeared. The M1911 and the M1911A1, of the First and Second World Wars, respectively, showed the effectiveness of Browning’s brainchild, as well as the new cartridge designed for it: the .45 ACP, or Automatic Colt Pistol. The ACP marked a return to a .45 caliber sidearm for the military, as the M1892 revolver – firing a .38 Long Colt cartridge – didn’t have the power level that soldiers needed, and the Philippine Insurrection brought that quickly to light.
Federal
Show First
Stoner’s Space Age Shoot-Off—The M16A1 Versus the AR-180
BY Will Dabbs Updated: October 20, 2017ArmaLite began as a tiny little division of Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation in the early 1950’s. Fairchild built a variety of trainer and transport aircraft during and after World War II. Their most recognizable creation was the 1970s-era A10 Warthog ground attack fighter. Gene Stoner was the chief bottle washer at ArmaLite, and their mandate was to contrive the most technologically advanced military firearms designs on the planet. With a modest team of engineers, a few resources, and a remarkable excess of vision, these guys first strived to apply cutting-edge aviation technology to the development of small arms. Their efforts changed the way the world makes guns.
The Ultimate Training System: Swinging Into Action with Action Targets
BY Clay Martin Updated: October 14, 2017As we age in the firearms world, it is often easy to forget the challenges presented to someone new to shooting. I live in the West with miles of public land. I have my own pile of steel and targets from when I ran a training company. So while I am normally not a user of indoor ranges, I was excited to see the new system Action Targets is installing across the country.
A 26-Round 12 Gauge: Benelli M2 XRail
BY Clay Martin Updated: October 6, 2017What would you think if I asked you about a Benelli M2 with a 25 round capacity? Work of science fiction? Only if micro mini shells have been introduced? Did I smoke rock this morning? Such a thing exists and it’s brought to you by our friends at Roth Concept Innovations (RCI).
The Great Cartridge Debate: .308, .30-’06, 6.5 Creedmoor & More
BY Phil Massaro Updated: November 21, 2023We’re all guilty, each and every one of us, myself included. We’ll be at a summer barbecue, or sharing a beer at the local pub, or sitting around the campfire, and the cartridge debate will begin. And, once it begins, you’re bound to hear all sorts of boastful claims, insistent arguing points, hand-me-down tales of perfect, flawless performance in the hands of various uncles and grandsires, and all sorts of reasons why any other cartridge than the metallic hero receiving adoration at that moment is a silly, wasteful, childish design. Sometimes you’ll hear – possibly simultaneously if the crowd is large enough and the tongues are loose – that old cartridge should be put out to pasture.
High Threat Concealment Quick Response System: P320 X-Five with 84 Rounds On Tap
BY Clay Martin Updated: September 26, 2017Several years ago, the first article I wrote for Guns America was about the VTAC Brokos Battle Belt. In a full tactical scenario, that model is hard to beat. But it does have limitations. The bulk that makes it comfortable with full up armor and the weight of charges and hand grenades are fine for [...]
SIG Goes Quiet — Save Your Hearing: Why It’s Smart To Buy A Can.
BY Clay Martin Updated: September 23, 2017With the Hearing Protection Act being heard on Capitol Hill this week and the introduction of the Maxim50, suppressors are front and center in the shooting community. SIG Sauer has been marketing themselves as the “ total systems provider”, and that is proving more accurate by the day. This week, we finished the hard part of getting a suppressor. The waiting game.
When Bears Attack — Top Sidearms to Carry in Bear Country
BY Phil Massaro Updated: September 22, 2017As an outdoorsman, I enjoy being afield in all sorts of capacities. While hunting is one of my favorite pastimes, fishing and hiking are a wonderful means of spending time with friends and family and living in close proximity to both the Catskill and Adirondack mountains, there is ample opportunity for both of those activities. I am also, by trade, a Professional Land Surveyor, so my work hours are often spent in the remote wilderness areas.
A Match Made in CCW Heaven: S&W M&P BodyGuard 38 CT with Federal HST
BY Clay Martin Updated: September 21, 2017This week, I got my hands on the M&P Bodyguard in .38 Special from our friends over at Smith and Wesson. What is the big deal, you may ask, with a .38 Special J Frame that was actually released six years ago? Well, there have been a couple of updates, but the biggest deal is what we found to feed it.
Rimfire Shootout: Savage B Series .17 HMR vs. .17 WSM
BY Clay Martin Updated: September 14, 2017In our .17 HMR vs .22LR shootout, the .17 HMR was the clear winner. So the obvious question is, why not go to .17 WSM ( Winchester Super Magnum) instead of .17 HMR?