Guns

When the XD-S was released two years ago, everyone expected that the small .45 ACP would be the first in a long line of sub-compact single stack pistols. Yet there is really very little that can compete with the XD-S. The .45 ACP XD-S has built a solid reputation, broken preconceived notions for the caliber, and set new standards for concealed carry that have yet to be matched. And Springfield is giving them away!

It seems like we are rushed more and more, all the time in our “fast food” culture. That even applies to range time, sadly. It is a lot of fun to rapid fire a polymer pistol and rip through a 30 round mag on an AR. But sometimes you just need to take your time and enjoy some slow-motion at the range. The Ruger Bearcat makes you slow down. This scaled-down single-action rimfire is great for practicing the basics and poking holes in tin cans, but it is more than a novelty.

The Swiss are know for two things, neutrality and precision. There is a lot more going on over there than just those two things, but if you look at history, the Swiss are known for being a neutral country during both World Wars, and for their meticulous precision in things like watches. Swiss neutrality, in fact, could not have been achieved without the precision of the Swiss rifle, called the Schmidt Rubin. There is a famous question: “Why was Switzerland never invaded by the Germans?” The answer is simple. In 1912, the German Kaiser asked a Swiss soldier what Switzerland would do if Germany invaded with 500,000 troops, while the Swiss could only muster 250,000. The soldier answered: “Shoot twice and go home.”

The XD Sub-Compact is one mean little pug. The polymer-framed powerhouse holds 16 rounds of 9mm in its extended magazine, and is still small enough to conceal. But don’t let the Sub-Compact label snow you. This is a hefty little gun. It seems paradoxical, but a fully loaded XD Sub-Compact feels and shoots like a much larger gun.

Many experts agree that the 20 gauge is not only sufficient at the distances most likely to be in play in a home defense scenario– many feel it is a better choice than the traditional 12 gauge. The Escort Gladius 20 gauge shotgun is a purpose built defensive weapon, and is well appointed to serve in that role.

What exactly do you get for the money you’d invest in an Ed Brown 1911? The decision isn’t one you would make on sheer impulse. The Special Forces Carry is one of those rare pistols that is a functional work of art, not because of fancy grips or anything about the finish, but because of the way that all of the pieces come together in a pure union of form and function.

Pocket pistols are not much fun to shoot. Even in .380, they are jumpy and prone to stinging your hand when fired. It’s hard to improve shooting techniques with these little guns. And most are not known for their accuracy. Yet the Kimber Micro CDP defies all of these preconceptions. It is comfortable to shoot, and the accuracy is exceptional for its diminutive size.

Long established firearm manufacturers, with catalogs of full-size models, went back to the drawing board to design smaller, lighter, and more concealable handguns. Some manufacturers executed flawlessly, while other struggled with reliability issues and safety recalls. Diamondback Firearms followed a different path, as is clearly evident in the new full-sized, budget conscious DB FS 9.

I’d put the Sphinx Compact Alpha up against any 9mm I’ve ever fired. It is that capable. The weight of the gun gives it a distinct advantage where it counts. Lighter guns may be easier to carry. Smaller guns may be much easier to conceal. Yet the Sphinx has enough size and enough weight to really make the most out of the platform when it comes out of the holster.