In September of 2016, Springfield Armory launched a new marketing campaign aimed at “honoring and supporting those who wake up every day determined to protect what they have and those who are forward-thinking, independent and believe that safety is their responsibility.” The second part of the announcement was that, on Nov. 1, 2016, the company would unveil a “new product unlike any other from Springfield Armory.” A new website was launched to bring attention to the new product.  That website, defendyourlegacy.com, featured independent young people with active and athletic lifestyles. Catchphrases from the Twitter universe were overlaid on their photos. Then the wait for the new product began, complete with the site’s countdown clock. Speculation abounded as to what the new firearm was going to be. Given the CrossFit and Tough Mudder photos on the site, many speculated the Springfield Saint would be a small .380 or maybe a 9mm personal-defense pistol to compete with the Glock 43 and the S&W M&P Shield. I had read a number of the online posts before I signed an extensive non-disclosure agreement and was “read in” on the project. One comment I remember seeing was, “Would Springfield really get into the AR market?”

Taking Charge

Of course, as you can see, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” I was quite surprised that, even in the hours before the official release, there were no leaks. For the record, Springfield Armory, and those who were given an early preview of the Springfield Saint at a writer’s event in Las Vegas, did a great job at keeping this project under wraps. I’m glad everyone understood that “non-disclosure” means just that! Kudos to all those involved in the writer’s event in and others who were read in early.

When the Saint rifle was announced, the blogosphere blew up with a wide range of comments. Some questioned why we needed another AR. One commentator mentioned that “Springfield was 15 years late to the party!” The most common response that I read was, “It is just another AR.”

• RELATED STORY: Rob Leatham Talks New Springfield Models at SHOT

While these are legitimate comments—and from one perspective, accurate—they miss the overall context in which Springfield launched the Saint. Springfield Armory has set out to change the narrative and redefine firearms ownership and personal responsibility. Is it a clever marketing campaign? Yes. The new website defines legacy as “the willing and capable who refuse to give into the growing plague of believing somebody else is going to do it for me.” In other words, Springfield is attempting to get us, and a new generation of shooters, back to our roots.

So why an AR? According to Springfield’s marketing department, CEO Dennis Reese wanted to do an AR for several years, but the timing was just not right. Now all of the pieces have fallen into place and Springfield Armory is in the AR business. And it partnered with Bravo Company Manufacturing (BCM) for a number of components, including the stock, pistol grip and forend. BCM has a reputation for being a solid company that produces some of the best rifles and parts on the market. In addition, it places a high value on patriotism and providing employment to veterans. This partnership enabled the Saint to be equipped with quality parts while keeping the price competitive.

From my perspective, there is no more maligned and hated rifle in the industry than the AR. In the minds of the left, the AR is evil by design, appearance and intent. Several years ago, there was an attempt to redefine the AR, and similar designs, as “modern sporting rifles.” To the left, that is like putting lipstick on a pig. It is still a pig. The assault rifle bans of previous years were centered on appearances, such as the dreaded bayonet lug, the evil flash suppressor, and the obnoxious and deadly pistol grip that protruded conspicuously below the centerline of the rifle. And, let’s not forget those evil “clips” that hold too many bullets! I think most of us “gun people” will agree that all of the political hyperbole had an impact on many in our country, especially young people. So I really applaud Springfield Armory for setting out to change this narrative and specifically appealing to a younger generation of shooters.

Saintly Details

I received my test sample three days before the official release. Each Springfield Saint comes in a very nice hard case with buckle latches and sturdy hinges. The top of the case features raised Springfield Armory and Saint markings. As for the rifle itself, I was immediately impressed with its fit and finish.

The upper and lower receivers are made of 7075-T6 aluminum that has been Type III hardcoat anodized. A nice addition is the Accu-Tite tension system in the lower receiver, which helps hold the upper and lower together tightly for greater precision. As for the upper, the 16-inch barrel is manufactured from chrome-moly-vanadium steel with a 5.56mm NATO chamber and a 1-in-8-inch, right-hand twist rate. The barrel has also been Melonited for durability and corrosion resistance.

The Springfield Saint is a traditional direct-impingement rifle with a mid-length gas system and an A2-style gas block and front sight. Surrounding the barrel and gas system is BCM’s new PKMR handguard, which is low profile and offers textured panels for positive support-hand control over the rifle. KeyMod slots are located in the 1 and 11 o’clock positions for accessories.

The Saint is also equipped with a Springfield Armory low-profile, flip-up rear sight that offers dual apertures and 0.5-MOA windage adjustments via a small knob. Internally, the M16 bolt carrier group is machined from Carpenter 158 steel, and the bolt is shot peened and magnetic-particle (MP) inspected.

The lower receiver has some nice upgrades, including BCM’s six-position Gunfighter stock and Mod 3 pistol grip. Another nice touch is the safety selector, which has pictographic markings. The magazine and bolt releases are standard AR, but the trigger is surprising. Springfield selected a single-stage trigger and then applied nickel-boron to the fire control components. The trigger on my test rifle broke cleanly at 7.19 pounds with no creep or grit. However, the pull weight felt much lighter due to the trigger group’s quality parts and nickel-boron coating.

• RELATED STORY: Top 14 Home Defense Carbines On The Market Today

Shortly after the embargo was lifted, but prior to hitting the range, I stopped by two of my local gun shops to let a few friends get a first look at the rifle. Interestingly, in both shops, customers had seen the press releases and had come in and asked about the Saint. This was their first look at the rifle, and everyone was impressed with the quality and selection of parts. The most positive comments regarded the trigger and BCM furniture. At 6.69 pounds unloaded, the Springfield Saint is reasonably lightweight and well balanced. The angle of the BCM Mod 3 pistol grip was also mentioned as a positive.

Baptism By Fire

When it was time to hit the range, I installed an Aimpoint PRO (Patrol Rifle Optic) on the Saint. Featuring a 2-MOA dot, the PRO is powered by a single 3-volt lithium battery. Aimpoint’s advanced circuitry gives the PRO a run time of up to 30,000 hours on the seventh daylight setting. To test the carbine at 50 yards, I also installed the new Aimpoint 3X-C magnifier. The 3X-C was designed to provide the commercial market with a quality magnifier at a very reasonable price point. The 3X-C features centering adjustments and a dioptric adjustment. Aimpoint offers a quick-detach/flip mount for the 3X-C to give the shooter more options. The 3X-C also makes an excellent monocular.

For the formal range testing, I selected Hornady’s 55-grain TAP Urban load along with Federal’s 55-grain Sierra GameKing HPs and Winchester’s 50-grain Ballistic Silvertip rounds. The Hornady TAP Urban load was developed for law enforcement, and it’s my first choice for personal defense. The Federal and Winchester loads are sporting rounds that are suitable for hunting. The Saint was 100-percent reliable with these three loads as well as a magazine of M855/SS109 (green-tip) military ball ammunition. The accompanying chart reflects the test results.

From a shooter’s perspective, the Springfield Saint was a lot of fun. I easily engaged 10-inch steel targets out to 300 yards using the Aimpoint PRO and 3X-C magnifier. My 50-yard groups were less than 0.5 inches wide, and the magnifier enabled me to use a bullseye. I installed a Leupold 2.5-8x36mm Mark 4 MR/T scope for the 100-yard testing. At that range, my five-shot groups were all under an inch. I even reached out and managed three hits out of five attempts on a 14-inch steel plate at 400 yards.

Into The Future

I contacted Chad Dyer at Springfield Armory about where the company was headed with the Defend Your Legacy program. I specifically asked if a 300 Blackout or .308 Winchester Saint might be in the future. Now, I will admit that I didn’t expect a direct answer, and I didn’t get one! But Chad did say that “much more is being developed, not just with the Saint, and 2017 will be a big year for Springfield Armory.” I guess we will have to wait until the 2017 SHOT Show to see what is next.

• RELATED STORY: 13 New Guns We’re Really Excited About for 2017

Speaking of the Defend Your Legacy program, something on the website that caught my attention: “A legacy is defined by choices, and only limited by the ability to defend it!” This a strong statement that leaves little room for compromise. Springfield Armory has indeed started a new chapter in the life of the company, and it is far more than “just another AR.” I look forward to seeing where this new initiative takes the company and the firearms industry as a whole. In the meantime, I think I will hit the range tomorrow with the Springfield Saint rifle in hand. There are some steel plates that need some attention.

For more information about the Springfield Saint, please visit the Springfield Armory website or call 800-680-6866.

This article was originally published in ‘Ballistic’ Spring 2017. For information on how to subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Modern-Day SAINT: Hitting the Range With Springfield’s First AR appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The original quote was from a commercial for E.F. Hutton, a giant stock brokerage firm in the 1970s and 1980s. In the early 1970s, a young man named Bill Wilson started working on guns in the back of his father’s jewelry store. He was shooting in competitions but wasn’t pleased with his stock guns. Soon he was working on other shooters’ guns and the business grew. In 1977, the fledgling gunsmith opened the doors of his own shop. That was the beginning of what is now Wilson Combat, located in Berryville, Arkansas. Since that time, the business has grown from a one-man shop to a corporation that employs 60 people and builds a wide variety of pistols, rifles and shotguns. The company is best known for its extensive line of 1911s, which now includes five categories and, by my count, a total of 53 specific models. You almost need a play card to keep up with the offerings.

Wilson Combat values the feedback its gets from its customers and keeps track of current trends in the industry. The two trends that have influenced the company the most are the explosion of concealed-carry firearms and the increase in the popularity of 1911s chambered in 9mm.

Why The Nine?

During a recent email exchange, Bill made the following comments: “As to the popularity of 9mm 1911 pistols, we’ve seen this trend happening for several years now due to customer demand and focused a lot of development time on learning how to build the most functionally reliable 9mm 1911 and especially on the design of our 9mm ETM magazines, which I believe to be the best on the market.”

• RELATED STORY: First Look – Wilson Combat Unveils EDC X9 1911 Pistol

Bill attributed this trend to the lower cost of ammunition when compared to .45 ACP rounds, lower recoil and reliable 10-round magazines. In addition, Bill noted the greatly improved terminal performance of modern 9mm personal-defense loads. He also stated, “At Wilson Combat, we’re getting close to 50/50 in regards to the .45s versus 9mms we build, and 9mm magazine sales continue to increase monthly, so the demand for a 9mm 1911 has legs.”

I have to agree with Bill on all of these points. Recently, I was fortunate to receive one of Wilson Combat’s new X-TAC Elite 1911s in 9mm. Like many shooters who “grew up” on the .45 ACP 1911, years of shooting has taken a toll on my hands and elbows. Ken Hackathorn and Larry Vickers, while still devoted to the 1911, will readily admit to shooting 9mm 1911s during teaching and training events. After spending a couple of days on the range with the X-TAC Elite, I came to understand their enthusiasm. As I was completing my evaluation, Wilson Combat announced a new model, the Sentinel XL. I quickly requested a sample for testing.

Upgraded Sentinel

Wilson Combat’s Sentinel pistols feature subcompact frames and are available in seven different configurations. I asked Bill what led to the Sentinel XL. He stated that his wife, Joyce, has carried a Ms. Sentinel for several years. The Ms. Sentinel is an aluminum-framed pistol that is 4.8 inches tall and 7.2 inches long with a 3.6-inch barrel. Weighing just 26.8 ounces, the Ms. Sentinel is a great compact 9mm with many upgraded features. However, short guns are harder to shoot and, make no mistake, Joyce Wilson is a shooter. Bill noticed the difference when Joyce shot a 4-inch-barreled Compact model. So, Bill dropped a 4-inch barrel and a correspondingly longer slide on the Sentinel frame and the XL was born. The longer slide allows the Sentinel XL to be offered in 9mm, .38 Super and .45 ACP.

To quote Joyce Wilson, “I carry every day, and while I have access to almost anything available, my gun of choice is the Sentinel XL. Its shorter frame makes the whole package more concealable while still being as easy to shoot as my range pistol. I haven’t found a better combination for my needs. I carry my Sentinel XL because it functions flawlessly. Luckily I’ve never had to use it on anything other than a feral hog or snake, but I know I can depend on it if I need it. I love my Sentinel XL. The longer slide helps my aging eyes see the sights better, and the weight is perfect for all-day carry as well as controllability while shooting.”

When I unpackaged the Sentinel XL, I was a little surprised at how compact it was. The Sentinel is a full half-inch shorter than Wilson’s compact frame. As one would expect, the Sentinel XL exudes the quality and class that Wilson Combat is known for. The fit and finish are superb, and the slide-to-frame fit feels like glass on glass. The little pistol is also loaded with features.

Starting with the frame, the frontstrap and mainspring housing sport 30-lpi checkering. The base of the triggerguard is also undercut so shooters can get a higher grip on the pistol. To aid in concealment, Wilson has equipped the Sentinel XL with its smaller Concealment Bullet Proof beavertail grip safety. The ambidextrous safety is Wilson’s Tactical model, and though it has smaller levers than many designs, it’s fully functional. The solid, medium-length trigger is equipped with an overtravel stop, and my test sample’s broke cleanly at 4.22 pounds. In keeping with its concealed-carry design, the magazine release is shortened and rounded. Wilson also contoured the magazine well and countersunk the slide stop. Ultra-thin black cherry grip panels set off the Sentinel XL, and they feature Torx-head grip screws, pewter “WC” medallions and a unique checkering pattern.

The slide has Hi-Power-style carry cuts, and the bottom edge has been chamfered. The top of the slide has 30-lpi checkering to reduce glare, and the rear of the slide has 40-lpi checkering for the same reason. The match-grade, stainless steel barrel, flush-cut with the end of the slide, has a reverse crown. The barrel is also fluted, which looks nice and helps reduce weight. The hammer is Wilson’s Concealment hammer, which is designed to work with the Concealment grip safety. This combination works very well. The Sentinel XL uses a single, flat-wire recoil spring and a stainless, full-length recoil spring guide rod.

The Sentinel XL comes standard with a green fiber-optic front sight, but other options are available. The rear sight is Wilson’s Battlesight, which features a deep U-notch for fast acquisitions. The leading edge of the rear sight also features a shelf that enables positive one-handed cycling. Finally, two 8-round Elite Tactical magazines are included with each pistol.

Ready To Protect

On the range, I was pleased with how well-mannered the Sentinel XL was. We tested the compact pistol with three loads from Wilson Combat as well as a subsonic load from Gorilla Ammunition, which was extremely soft shooting.

I tested the pistol’s accuracy at 25 yards. And let me just say that I cannot match the capabilities of the Sentinel XL. I will admit that attempting to shoot tight groups with a bright green fiber-optic front sight is not that easy. In an attempt to properly measure the pistol’s inherent accuracy and minimize shooter error, I shot from a seated position, resting the pistol between my knees. I fired a 10-shot group with each load and measured the best five shots. The three Wilson Combat loads all created sub-2.5-inch groups while the Gorilla group measured 2.75 inches.

• RELATED STORY: Wilson’s Way – 13 Questions with Bill Wilson of Wilson Combat

After shooting the required tedious groups, I broke out a 25-yard Bullseye target and shot a modified Hackathorn “10-10-10” drill, where you fire 10 shots in 10 seconds from 10 yards. Given the eight-round capacity of the Sentinel XL, I modified the drill to fire eight shots in eight seconds, from 10 yards. I shot the drill twice for a total of 160 maximum points. Two of my shots wandered into the 9-ring and three went into the 8-ring to lose 10 points. The longer sight radius of the Sentinel XL, when combined with the fiber-optic front sight, enabled me to establish a good rhythm to score well on this drill. My times were 7.47 seconds on the first run and 8.02 seconds on the second run. I’ll take that all day long. The Sentinel XL was also 100-percent reliable during the range testing. I noted that the ejected cases were all in a neat pile, which indicated that the extractor and ejector were properly fitted and tuned.

Sentinel XL Versatility

I have been in the gun-writing business for over 30 years. I learned long ago that you can’t keep every gun you test. But after running the Sentinel XL, I’m very tempted to call Wilson Combat with my credit card number on hand. Besides, my CPA says I need some additional business write-offs! In the meantime, I foresee the Sentinel XL finding its way into my daily carry routine.

Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 4 inches
OA Length: 7.6 inches
Weight: 27.6 ounces (empty)
Grips: Black cherry
Sights: Fiber-optic front, Battlesight rear
Action: SA
Finish: Armor-Tuff
Capacity: 8+1
MSRP: N/A

For more information, visit wilsoncombat.com or call 800-955-4856.

This article was originally published in ‘Pocket Pistols’ Spring 2017. To order a copy, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Subcompact 1911: Shooting the Wilson Combat Sentinel XL appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The American kestrel (Falco sparverius) is the smallest and most common falcon found in North America. But despite their size, they are accomplished hunters that will often hover in flight before diving in on their prey. The Kestrel is also the name of one of Nighthawk Custom’s newest pistols. I recently received a stainless Nighthawk Kestrel for evaluation and was immediately taken with the gun. The Nighthawk Kestrel could be considered the first cousin to my Heinie PDP Commander. In fact, Richard Heinie assisted in the development of the Kestrel and the Lady Hawk.

The Nighthawk Kestrel Takes Flight

The Kestrel is based on Nighthawk’s forged frame and slide, which are machined in-house in the company’s recently expanded shop. My test sample was an all-stainless pistol that had been carefully blasted to a matte grey finish. The finish was so smooth and uniform that it could be mistaken for hard chrome.

I immediately appreciated that the Kestrel is a true Commander-style pistol with a 4.25-inch barrel and a traditional bushing and recoil spring. When I field-stripped the pistol, I found the inside surfaces as clean as the exterior, and I couldn’t detect any machining marks. I also liked the clean slide; it was void of any markings except the Nighthawk logo on each side, behind the cocking serrations.

• RELATED STORY: Built for Fighting – The Nighthawk Costa Recon 1911

What makes the Nighthawk Kestrel different is that it is based on the same frame as the Lady Hawk. Nighthawk designed the Lady Hawk around a newly configured frame that reduced the overall circumference from the standard 1911 frame. The frontstrap and mainspring housing have been thinned to reduce the front-to-back dimensions. In addition, the Kestrel comes standard with ultra-thin Alumagrips. When combined with the high-cut frontstrap and beavertail grip safety, the grip is amazingly comfortable. Heinie Signature scallops are applied to the frontstrap and mainspring housing. These provide a nicely textured surface for adequate control without being abrasive.

The operating controls of the Kestrel are classic Nighthawk, and they’re machined from tool steel. The extended beavertail is precisely fitted and features a speed bump for positive engagement. The edges of the single-sided thumb safety have been beveled, and the paddle is contoured.

The slide stop is one of my favorite designs, with a cleanly polished ledge that is relieved for a positive purchase. The mainspring housing is perfectly contoured to the frame, and the butt is slightly rounded, eliminating the sharp edge that can dig into the shooter’s palm. The trigger is Nighthawk’s three-hole match trigger. The trigger pull on my test pistol averaged a clean 4 pounds with no creep or grit. Finally, the magazine well has been beveled to aid in fumble-free reloads.

The top of the slide has been serrated, as has the rear of the slide. A Heinie SlantPro rear sight is matched with a dovetailed front sight. Both front and rear sights feature Straight Eight tritium capsules for the “dot on a dot” sight picture. The 4.25-inch, match-grade barrel is mated with a match bushing and then crowned with a deep recess. The recoil spring plug has been engraved with Heinie’s logo and gives tribute to his contribution to the design.

I wanted to compare the diameter of the Nighthawk Kestrel’s frame to my Heinie PDP Commander. I cut a ribbon of paper and then measured the diameter of the center of the frame, just below the grip safety. I also measured the diameter at the base of the frame. I found that at the center of the grip, the Kestrel was 0.3 inches smaller than the PDP Commander. At the base of the frame, the Kestrel was 0.2 inches smaller. Knowing that some of this was due to the PDP Commander having thicker grips, I broke out the calipers and measured the frame of both pistols between their frontstraps and backstraps at the base of the grip safeties. I found that the Kestrel was smaller by 0.1 inches. While this does not sound like much, when combined with the thin stocks, the difference is noticeable, especially to shooters with smaller hands.

Drilling .45s

On the range, I tested the Kestrel with three premium self-defense loads and one FMJ ball load. Gorilla’s Silverback FBI load features a 230-grain solid-copper hollow point (SCHP) that provides tremendous expansion. This load is designed to meet the penetration requirements of the FBI’s protocol. It was also the softest-shooting load, averaging 756 fps and producing a 1.3-inch group at 25 yards.

Sig Sauer recently joined the ammunition market, and its V-Crown JHP line represents the company’s signature duty and personal-defense rounds. For this test I used Sig’s 200-grain V-Crown JHPs, which averaged 840 fps and produced a group that measured 1.50 inches.

• RELATED STORY: Shoot the Lights Out with the Nighthawk Custom Shadow Hawk

I used Aguila’s 230-grain FMJs to break the Nighthawk pistol in. However, I wanted to see how this load stacked up against the personal-defense loads, and I was surprised when the Aguila load averaged 757 fps with an extreme spread of only 25 fps. This consistency allowed me to shoot a 1.25-inch group at 25 yards.

Just prior to receiving the Nighthawk Kestrel, I saw a press release announcing that Super Vel was back in business. I reached out and was expedited a sample of its ammunition for this article. Space does not allow me to cover the story of Lee Juris and how, in the mid-1960s, Super Vel changed the rules when it came to personal-defense and duty ammo. However, as with the original load, this newest Super Vel load features a 185-grain JHP that averaged a screaming 1,121 fps. Even so, the Super Vel round produced a 1.5-inch group at 25 yards.

I shot a modified “10-10-10” drill at the very end of the range day. For those who are not aware of this drill, it is one of Ken Hackathorn’s signature training drills. It is shot from the 10-yard line using a 25-yard NRA Bullseye target. Starting from a low-ready position, the shooter is required to shoot 10 rounds in 10 seconds. It is the perfect drill to test both speed and accuracy. Since I was loaded with only eight rounds, I dropped my time to eight seconds. This is a drill that, while on the surface seems very easy, can really ruin your day if you aren’t prepared. My best score with the Nighthawk Kestrel a 92 out of 100. I was pretty pleased with this, especially since I was having to adjust to the thinner grip panels and frame,

Carry Ready

On several occasions, I carried the Kestrel in either an older Milt Spark’s Summer Special or a 55BH rig. The Kestrel was extremely comfortable, and I appreciated the contoured thumb safety and nicely rounded beavertail.

As with all of my evaluations, I attempt to share the pistol with my closest shooting friends to get their feedback. To a person, they were impressed with the fit and finish of the Kestrel. If I were to purchase a Kestrel, I’m not sure I would retain the Alumagrips. I found that under speed, the pistol would torque slightly. This could probably be corrected with a better purchase and more range time. That is an easy fix, if needed, and the only negative I could find with the pistol. It was 100-percent reliable with all four loads as well as an assortment of other miscellaneous rounds that I had taken out of carry rotation over the last year.

Nighthawk has another winner on its hands. To quote the company’s website, “It fits your hand like Dad’s old hammer and carries like Grandpa’s pocketknife.” I could not have said it better myself.

Caliber: .45 ACP

Barrel: 4.25 inches

OA Length: 7.85 inches

Weight: 36 ounces (empty)

Grips: Alumagrips

Sights: Tritium front, Heinie Straight Eight SlantPro rear

Action: SA

Finish: Stainless

Capacity: 8+1

MSRP: $3,695

For more information on the Nighthawk Kestrel and the complete line of Nighthawk Custom pistols, visit nighthawkcustom.com.

This article was originally published in “Gun Buyer’s Guide” 2017. To order a copy, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Slim & Trim 1911: Testing the Nighthawk Kestrel .45 appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The name Wilson Combat needs no introduction. In business since 1977, Bill Wilson and his talented group of gunsmiths have made Berryville, Arkansas, the center of the universe for many fans of the 1911 pistol.

Several years ago, during a writer’s event, I had the pleasure of spending two days at Wilson Combat. During a tour of the company’s facility, Ryan Wilson made a point of introducing us to Vic Tibbets, the manager of the custom shop. Vic and a select few gunsmiths are responsible for all of the custom builds. Vic is also responsible for building any order for a Supergrade 1911.

For those who are not familiar with the Wilson Supergrade, it built in the “Supergrade Cell” by Wilson’s most experienced and skilled pistolsmiths. Each one is built by a single pistolsmith with no restrictions on time and effort. Tibbets will tell you that they are as close to perfection as is possible by human hands. Very few Supergrades are built in a year, and they immediately become collectables. However, some find their way to the real world and become working guns. This article is the story of one such pistol.

Bob’s Build

The subject of this article is a Tactical Supergrade Compact that was built for a customer in 2003. Due to the nature of the customer’s job, he wishes to remain anonymous. To keep things simple, I will call him “Bob.”

I spoke to Bob by phone to learn the history of this pistol. It turns out that Bob’s job takes him to many of the world’s hot spots. He said that while he depended on a rifle the majority of the time, the Tactical Supergrade Compact was always with him. It is also his primary carry pistol when he is home in the states. Other than that, I can’t tell you much more about Bob. However, the folks at Wilson Combat vouch for him, and that is good enough for me.

• RELATED STORY: Xtreme Beauty – Testing the Wilson Combat EDC X9 Pistol

Bob’s Tactical Supergrade Compact was built on one of Wilson’s compact carbon-steel frames. The frontstrap is cut high and, along with the mainspring housing, features 30-lpi checkering. The High-Ride Bullet Proof beavertail grip safety is precisely fitted and blended to the frame. Bob also ordered his Supergrade with an ambidextrous Bullet Proof thumb safety, which features a unique hammer pin that holds the right-side lever securely without using the right-side grip panel. As with all Bullet Proof parts, the beavertail and thumb safety are CNC-machined from a billet of steel. The Bullet Proof slide stop is also machined from solid bar stock, and the critical areas are reinforced. Wilson also installed its one-piece Bullet Proof magazine well, which is expertly blended into the frame.

The top end of Bob’s Supergrade includes a carbon-steel slide and a conical, 4-inch, match-grade, stainless steel  barrel. A full-length guide rod is paired with a reverse plug. The top of the slide features 30-lpi serrations between the front and rear sights.

The rear sight is Wilson’s plain black Battlesight. Bill Wilson designed the Battlesight with a wide, deep U-shaped notch for optimal sighting in low-light conditions. The forward edge has a ledge for slide manipulations while the rear of the sight sports 40-lpi serrations to reduce glare. The rear of the slide itself has 40-lpi serrations to match those on the Battlesight. Interestingly, the pistol was originally fitted with a fiber-optic front sight. According to Wilson’s records, the purchase price for the pistol in 2003 was $5,045.

Tactical Supergrade Compact Overhaul

In late 2016, after 14 years of constant carry, Bob sent his Tactical Supergrade Compact back to Wilson Combat for an overhaul. When he returned it, most of the original finish had been worn off from good honest carry. As the photos here show, the corners of the slide and most of the edges were worn down to the bare metal.

The pistol was assigned to one of the Supergrade Cell’s pistolsmiths, who completely disassembled the pistol and conducted a thorough inspection of each component. In reviewing the build sheet, I immediately noticed that none of the internal parts were replaced.

Most of the work was done on the slide and frame. Careful hand-filing and polishing removed all of the nicks, dings and scratches. Any dings in the checkered frontstrap or mainspring housing were cleanly reshaped by hand. The same attention was given to the serrations on the top and rear of the slide. All of the external and internal parts were carefully inspected to ensure they were within specifications and then prepped for refinishing. Bob elected to replace the original sights with a set of Wilson’s three-dot tritium units.

• RELATED STORY: Concealed Carry Masterpiece – Wilson Combat’s X-TAC Elite Compact

Each step was undertaken with care to ensure that, when returned, Bob’s gun would be as good, if not better, than when it was brand new. The entire gun was then refinished with Wilson’s Armor-Tuff, a coating that was developed to provide a non-reflective finish with optimum corrosion protection and enhanced lubricity. The Tactical Supergrade Compact was given a black slide and a gray frame.

In the end, Bob’s Tactical Supergrade Compact was as good as new. The talented pistolsmith spent over 10 hours on the project, but it was well worth it. I hope you will take the time to really examine the before and after photographs provided by Wilson Combat. The photos reflect Wilson’s commitment to building—or in this case, rebuilding—the finest 1911 possible. And where is the pistol now? The last time I attempted to call Bob, his number went straight to voicemail. I can only guess that he was indisposed—as in, out of the country.

If you are interested in a Supergrade 1911, full-sized, Commander and Compact models are available. Each is made to the customer’s individual specifications and is truly a work of art. To see all the options and models, visit Wilson’s website at wilsoncombat.com.

This article was originally published in ‘Ballistic’ Summer 2017. To order a copy, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Mega Makeover: Restoring a Wilson Combat Tactical Supergrade Compact appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The term “classic” is defined by the Oxford dictionary as “judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind.” I can think of no better description of Colt’s Model 1903 and Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless pistols. When introduced, the Model 1903 was an immediate success, and well over half a million were produced. Chambered in .32 ACP, the Model 1903 was adopted by the U.S. military and was issued to general officers. The NRA National Firearm’s Museum, located in Fairfax, Virginia, has an excellent display of Model 1903 general officer’s pistols, including the pistol issued to General Douglas MacArthur. Colt later introduced the Model 1908 in the more potent .380 ACP caliber. These pistols remain extremely popular to this day. Colt has even partnered with U.S. Armament to produce a new production of the Model 1903.

• RELATED STORY: Retro Firepower – U.S. Armament’s Colt Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Cylinder & Slide and spend a couple of days with my good friend, Bill Laughridge. On a cold and gloomy Nebraska Saturday, Bill and I were knocking around the shop when he decided he needed to do an inventory of his personal firearms. (In reality, I think the sole purpose of this exercise was to torture me!) As we opened the first drawer of a blueprint file cabinet, I saw a number of pistols that caught my eye. However, none captured my attention like two pristine Colt Pocket Hammerless models. One was a Model 1903 and the second was a Model 1908. Bill explained that he had always been enamored with the little guns. His next statement caught me by surprise. Bill said, “Too bad Colt never made one in .45 ACP.”

A couple of years went by before I received a call from Bill. He asked what I thought of upscaling the Model 1908 to fire the .45 ACP. I was immediately enthralled. Bill went on to explain that he thought he could use an Officer’s Model frame and a Commander-length slide as the foundation for the build. If anyone could figure this out, I knew it would be Bill. I also knew that it would either be done correctly or not at all!

Model 1908 To Model 2008

To quote Bill, “The greatest problems to overcome were making a slide and frame that would conceal the hammer and the internal extractor that the 1911 was designed with. The advent of the external extractor for the 1911 pistol solved the extractor problem, but the manufacture of the slide and frame was still the problem. Welding additional pieces of metal onto the slide and frame and re-machining them was not a good option, as the welding would ruin the heat treatment in the slide and frame. Re-heat treating the parts was not an economical option. It suddenly came to me that the additional metal parts could be silver soldered on without destroying the heat treatment in the slide and frame, and I have one of the best silver solder experts working with me in the shop, Chris Hagemann. I approached Chris about the project, and he thought that he could solder the parts together without any problems.”

Bill started off with a Caspian Commander-length slide with an external ejector and an Officer’s Model frame. He then set out to “graft” an extension onto the rear of the slide and redesign the hammer to function inside the extension. He also had to design a new mainspring housing, grip safety and recoil spring plug. The recoil spring plug had to fit flush with the end of the slide and the contour of the barrel. Then came the barrel. Bill designed a conical barrel that did not require a barrel bushing but had the uniquely shaped extension past the end of the slide. Due to the enclosed slide, the firing pin had to be modified. The greatest problems to overcome were making a slide and frame that would conceal the hammer and the internal extractor that the 1911 was designed with.

Every few weeks, as the prototype was being built, Bill would send me a few teaser photos and we would talk on the phone about the project. The project was not without its challenges, but Bill was able to solve every problem. Once the prototype was completed, Bill needed to crunch the numbers and contact the manufacturers to see if the project was actually feasible. Bill drafted the blueprint drawings of the parts and set about finding vendors for items that he could not produce in-house. His first call was to Caspian for the frame and slide. Caspian found that it could modify one of its frame molds to include the rear extension. The company also signed on to machine the slides with the rear extension to conceal the hammer. Bill is quick to point out that without Caspian’s assistance, the project could have never gone into production. Bill Jarvis agreed to manufacture the uniquely profiled barrel. Internally, Bill used Cylinder & Slide’s billet alloy steel hammer, sear and disconnector. Bill retained the 1911’s traditional frame-mounted magazine release.

Pocket Big Bores

The end result was the introduction of the Cylinder & Slide Pocket Model 2008. Due to the substantial investment of the specialized components, the first production run included 50 pistols. The majority, “Historical” variants, featured original-style fixed sights. These guns were master polished on both the rounds and the flats before bluing. The extractor, thumb safety, magazine catch, slide stop and grip screws were finished in a high-luster niter blue. The result was absolutely stunning.

The markings on the C&S Pocket Model deserve a special comment. Bill worked to find a font that replicated the original Colt markings and a size that was proportional to the size of the pistol. The right side of the slide is marked “C&S AUTOMATIC” with a second line that is marked “CALIBRE .45 ACP HAMMERLESS.” On the left side of the slide is the manufacturer’s marking with “CYLINDER & SLIDE FREMONT NE USA” on the top line and “POCKET MODEL M2008” on the lower line. The markings are crisp and add to the appearance of authenticity. It looks like a Model 1908!

However, Bill also recognized that there was a market for everyday carry and personal defense. Therefore, he also offered the “Standard” model, which featured Novak low-profile sights, a three-hole aluminum trigger and a Cylinder & Slide extended thumb safety. In addition, the Standard model has a matte blue finish with only the slide flats being polished.

In 2016, Bill started the process to build a second run of 50 Pocket Models. I recently received one of his Standard models for evaluation. As with the Historical models, the Standard model is shipped in a cardboard box that is stamped with the C&S logo and company information. A line is also provided for the model and serial number of the pistol. This is a very old school touch. Opening the box, I found that the pistol was wrapped in corrosion-inhibiting paper, another nice touch.

A closer examination found that the Pocket Model was built to the same high standards as every other custom C&S pistol I have tested. The slide-to-frame fit was void of any play, and the slide cycled like glass on glass. The lockup was very tight, and I was glad I ran a box of 230 FMJs through the gun to break it in. The enclosed slide provided a very clear and uncluttered sight picture, something I had not thought about. The extended thumb safety is contoured so that, when in the “fire” position, the lever lays parallel to the slide. The speed bump on the grip safety ensures that positive contact is made with a proper grip. The trigger broke cleanly, averaging 4.44 pounds with no overtravel. Finally, the rounded butt prevented the corners of the shortened frame from digging into the palm of my hand. Although the hammer is concealed, the manual of arms for the Pocket Model is the same as any other 1911. The single exception is that there is no way to manually lower the hammer.

Standard Testing

Since this Standard model is designed for personal defense, I selected three modern defensive loads for this evaluation. Perhaps the most unique is Gorilla’s Silverback 230-grain FBI load. The bullet is a solid-copper projectile that is machined on a Swiss lathe. The projectile has a very distinctive waist and is pre-scored for rapid and controlled expansion. The Silverback was the mildest shooting of the three loads, averaging 750 fps. I also tested Hornady’s proven 185-grain Critical Defense FTX load, which averaged 984 fps. My final test load, Sig Sauer’s 200-grain V-Crown JHPs, averaged 867 fps. All of the loads were reliable in the Pocket Model, with the Gorilla load being favored due to the lower velocity and soft shooting characteristics. Also, the pistol’s three-dot Novak sights were more than adequate for the testing.

So, is the Pocket Model worth the price? Setting aside the classic appearance, the Pocket Model is a modern and reliable pistol built with quality and proven parts. It is a specialty pistol that requires a substantial investment to own. However, it is no more expensive than mid-level pistols offered by Nighthawk Custom and Wilson Combat. The Pocket Model fits the hand, conceals well and shoots like a dream. It is certainly a pistol that I would carry on a daily basis in my Milt Sparks Summer Special IWB rig. The design also makes it an ideal pistol for appendix carry for those who favor this method of concealment.

• RELATED STORY: American Beauty – Cylinder & Slide’s Modern Classic Pistol

If I could change anything, I’d probably opt for a plain black rear sight and a gold bead front sight. I would also prefer a solid, medium-length trigger. The three-hole unit just doesn’t look right to me. Finally, I would have to invest in a set of politically incorrect ivory grip panels! Even being an everyday-carry pistol, the lines of the pistol are begging for some engraving. I may not spring for full coverage, but it would take an already gorgeous pistol and make it stunning.

I want to thank Bill and the C&S crew for allowing me to grab one of the first Standard models out of the second run for this evaluation. While I have tested a lot of neat pistols over the years, this one was special.

C&S Standard Pocket Model 2008

Caliber: .45 ACP

Barrel: 4.38 inches

OA Length: 7.88 inches

Weight: 39 ounces (empty)

Grips: Walnut

Sights: Novak three-dot

Action: SA

Finish: Blued

Capacity: 6+1

MSRP: $4,000

For more information on the Pocket Model 2008, visit cylinder-slide.com or call 800-448-1713.

This article was originally published in ‘Pocket Pistols’ Spring 2017. To order a copy, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Cylinder & Slide’s Pocket Model 2008: A Colt Model 1908 in .45 ACP appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Started in 1990 by Mike Noel, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL, Blackhawk became a leader in the tactical equipment market. In 2010, ATK — now Vista Outdoor — purchased Blackhawk. Since that time, Blackhawk’s market share, along with the number of products, has expanded tremendously. Those products include Blackhawk suppressors, which enter a crowded and competitive market.

RELATED STORY — 2017’s New Suppressor Lineup Is Insanely Versatile

In October of 2017, Athlon Outdoors hosted its first-ever Rendezvous at the gorgeous Gateway Canyon Resort in Gateway, Colo. Over the course of three days, the event brought together some 15 contributors with dozens industry partners. The Rendezvous proved to be a huge success for everyone that participated and set a new standard for industry events. It was there I got my hands on a number of Blackhawk suppressors.

Vic Ziliani was Blackhawk’s representative at the Rendezvous and gave me a complete rundown of Blackhawk’s suppressors.

Blackhawk Pulse (.22LR)

The Pulse is a rimfire suppressor rated for .22LR in full auto, .17 HMR, .22 WRM, and .22 Hornet.

With an overall length of 6 inches, a diameter of 1.02 inches, and weighing 5.3 ounces, the Pulse 22 is a class leader. According to company test data, the Pulse metered 114 dB.

I had an opportunity to shoot the Pulse on a Savage B22 bolt gun. The Pulse was one of the quietest .22LR suppressors I have shot. The ringing of the 50-yard steel was louder than the sound of the shot.

MSRP for the Pulse is $389.95.

Blackhawk Barrage (5.56mm)

The Barrage is 6.5 inches in length, 1.49 inches in diameter, and weighs 12.6 ounces. Manufactured from Stellite, stainless steel, and aircraft grade aluminum, the Barrage is both light and durable.

According to the Blackhawk website, the Barrage reduces the sound signature of 5.56mm to under 136 dB. The Barrage features a QD mounting system and Blackhawk’s limited lifetime warranty.

We ran the Barrage on the Savage MSR-15 Recon with good results. As is typical with range days, the majority of the guns on the line were not suppressed. However, between relays, I was able to get a few rounds off without wearing ear protection. The Barrage sounded good to the ear as I owned the 300-yard steel plates.

MSRP for the Barrage is $699.95.

Blackhawk Gas Can (7.62mm)

The Gas Can is a 7.62mm suppressor. Rated for calibers up to .300 Winchester Magnum, it is one of the big boys in the Blackhawk lineup.

The Gas Can is only 6.3 inches in length, making it one of the shortest .30 caliber suppressors on the market. The diameter comes in at 1.62 inches. The Gas Can weighs in at 13.2 ounces and is available with either a direct thread or QD mount. According to the website, the Gas Can reduces the sound signature of a 7.62mm to 136 dB.

We ran the Gas Can on a Savage MSR-10 and enjoyed banging steel out to 400 yards with no issues.

MSRP for the Gas Can is $1,049.95.

Other Blackhawk Suppressors

While not on display at the Athlon Outdoor Rendezvous, Blackhawk also offers the Smoke Stack, a .45 ACP suppressor, and the Mini Boss, which is designed for 9mm and 300 Blackout.

The Smoke Stack is 8.2 inches inches in length, 1.37 inches in diameter and weighs 10.1 ounces.

Blackhawk designed the Mini Boss to compete with other compact suppressors. It is 5.3 inches in length, 1.62 inches in diameter, and weighs 10.6 ounces.

Finally, Blackhawk offers the Carnivore for the .300 Winchester Magnum and the Wrath for chambering’s up to .338 Lapua Magnum.

According to the website, both the Carnivore and the Wrath reduce the sound signature of all calibers to well under the 140 dB rating.

RELATED STORY — Hot Holster Pick: The BlackHawk TecGrip

I enjoyed my first outing with Blackhawk suppressors and look forward to spending more time on the range with them.

For more information, please visit Blackhawk.com.

The post How Do Blackhawk Suppressors Stack Up Against the Competition? appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Since opening its doors in 2004, Nighthawk Custom has grown to become a premier manufacturer of custom 1911 pistols. Two years ago, Nighthawk stepped outside the box and collaborated with Browning to offer a customized Hi-Power. This became an unqualified success, with demand outstripping the supply. In 2016, Nighthawk announced another collaboration, this time with Korth of Germany. The announcement was greeted with enthusiasm from revolver aficionados, many of whom were intrigued by the unique design and German engineering. Of the three models now available—the Super Sport, Mongoose and Sky Hawk—the little Sky Hawk revolver interested me the most. I immediately requested one for evaluation. Unfortunately, it was the last model to be imported, so I had to wait for my sample.

The Sky Hawk revolver is a modified version of Korth’s 9mm Sky Marshal. According to Korth’s website, the Sky Marshal is offered with either a 2- or 3-inch barrel. The most obvious difference between the Sky Marshal and the Sky Hawk is the profile of the leading edge of the frame. The Sky Hawk’s frame has been scalloped to produce a sleeker and lower profile. The other noticeable difference is the absence of the accessory rail on the side of the frame and barrel on the Sky Hawk.

Bird Of Prey

The Sky Hawk revolver is shipped with a padded hard case, a Korth speedloader and a thorough instruction manual. The photos in the manual show a Sky Hawk with the modified frame profile but a 3-inch barrel. A call to Nighthawk’s CEO, Mark Stone, revealed that the Sky Hawks are imported with a 3-inch barrel in order to meet the requirements of the BATFE’s point system. Nighthawk then cuts and re-crowns the barrel. The Sky Hawk is also chambered in 9mm and uses a unique cylinder star and ejector that eliminates the need for moon clips. I found it interesting that a machined aluminum dowel is also included, presumably to remove stuck cases or projectiles.

Since this is an imported pistol customized and sold by Nighthawk, the BATFE requires very specific markings. “Mfg. Korth Germany” is engraved on the right side of the barrel while “Nighthawk Custom Berryville, AR USA” is engraved on the right side of the frame, just above the trigger. The Nighthawk logo is on the right side of the frame, and the Korth logo is etched on the left side, under the cylinder release. The serial number is a steel insert that is located on the right side of the frame, just under the barrel. Overall, the markings, while a little busy, are tastefully done and meet the import requirements.

Every part of the revolver is machined from either billet steel or aluminum. The Sky Hawk has a monolithic frame that is machined from 7075-T6 aluminum and includes the barrel shroud. The AISI 4340 stainless steel barrel is threaded inside the shroud and extends approximately 0.3 inches. The Sky Hawk weighs 19.86 ounces unloaded and has an overall length of 6.3 inches and a height of 5.12 inches.

• RELATED STORY: Nighthawk-Korth Revolvers – The Wheelgun Has Landed

The dimensions make the Sky Hawk slightly shorter in length than my S&W Model 442, but 1.25 inches taller in height. The best overall size comparison is a 2.5-inch-barreled S&W Model 66/19. Like a Smith & Wesson, the Sky Hawk’s cylinder rotates in a counterclockwise direction, and the cylinder release is pushed in a forward/upward direction.

Externally, the Sky Hawk revolver features a robust rear sight that is adjustable for windage and a gold bead insert in the front sight. The front sight is replaceable by removing a setscrew in the face of the barrel shroud. The hammer features two lightening holes. The trigger is polished and contoured with no offensive serrations or sharp edges. The double-action (DA) trigger pull averaged 10.4 pounds while the single-action (SA) pull averaged a crisp 4.18 pounds with minimum overtravel.

A Hogue Monogrip with finger grooves is installed for good control and better traction. The butt of the frame also has a recessed pin for the use of a lanyard. Finally, all of the edges on the Sky Hawk have been softened or radiused. The aluminum frame is finished in matte black hardcoat anodizing while the steel cylinder is coated with a DLC finish.

Rolling Forward

So what makes a Korth so special? I can tell you that I wasn’t going to pop the revolver’s sideplate to find out. To answer that question, I called Allen Wyatt, Nighthawk’s resident Korth expert. Wyatt is the lead gunsmith on the project, and he traveled to Korth’s factory in Germany to learn the ins and outs of the pistols.

Allen explained that the Korth action features a roller on the trigger that comes into play when the pistol is fired in DA mode. Instead of friction between two flat surfaces, as on a Smith & Wesson, the roller engages and rides on the hammer tongue. This results in a very smooth action. The roller can be changed out to provide a “two-stage” trigger with a very distinct wall before it breaks. Other internal design features include an adjustable trigger return spring that can be tuned with a tensioner without compromising reliability.

Wyatt also went into detail describing the ejection system. First, each round sits in a fully machined chamber, as with a semi-auto pistol. Second, the ejector features six retracting fingers, one for each cylinder or chamber. As the ejection rod is depressed, the fingers extend to engage the rim of the cartridge. Interestingly, the ejection rod does not rotate with the cylinder, as on an S&W.

My first impression of the Korth was based on a lifetime of shooting S&W revolvers. When I first dry-fired the Sky Hawk revolver, my impression was that the action tended to stack and did not feel consistent. After the first range trip, I sat down to diagnose what I was feeling. I determined that the timing on the Korth locks the cylinder much earlier than on an S&W. This results in a tactile bump and an audible click in the action. Also, unlike an S&W, after the cylinder locks, the Korth has a longer trigger pull before it breaks. This difference was a distraction that was easily overcome once identified. I initially found that the Korth action was very tight, but it smoothed up with several range trips and dry-firing sessions.

Trigger Time

On the range, I tested the Sky Hawk revolver with nine premium personal-defense loads with a wide range of bullet weights and velocities. The Sky Hawk handled all of the loads with ease, and the Hogue rubber grip did an excellent job of absorbing recoil.

My shooting impressions were very positive, and the Sky Hawk attracted a good bit of attention on the range. I did find that the Super Vel 90-grain +P JHP cases tended to stick in the tight chambers of the cylinder. But I used the provided dowel to punch them out without any issues. This reinforces the need to test any ammunition before carrying it for personal defense. The Gorilla and Federal loads were two of my favorites, and the Sig 147-grain V-Crown JHPs and Speer 147-grain Gold Dot HPs were also easy shooting.

• RELATED STORY: Hot Wheels – 23 New Revolvers Hitting the Marketplace in 2017

For the required accuracy tests, I shot the Sky Hawk revolver in DA mode from 15 yards. All of the groups were tighter than 2 inches. But I did experience one serious ammo-related issue. When using the new Federal American Eagle 115-grain Syntech training ammunition, I had a projectile back out of the case under recoil. This load features a polymer-encapsulated bullet, and the factory crimp was not sufficient to hold the projectile under the recoil of a revolver. This isn’t an issue with semi-automatic pistols—it is endemic to revolvers. The same issue has been observed with S&W’s small-framed .357 Magnum wheelguns.

Next, I shot several drills from various ranges until I exhausted my ammunition supply. Engaging a steel silhouette from 45 yards proved easy as long as I did my part. I shot a sub-4-second Bill Drill from 7 yards and placed every round inside the A-zone. I did find that the ejection rod only extracted approximately 0.13 inches of the 9mm case, so I had to rely on gravity to complete the full ejection process. Even when the muzzle was held in a vertical position, there was no guarantee that all six spent cases would fall free. I should note that this is not isolated to the Korth and the same issues apply to the popular S&W J-Frames and other snubbies.

Making The Grade

Due to the lack of a proper holster, I wasn’t able to carry the Sky Hawk revolver or do any presentations at the range. But, overall, I was impressed with the design and engineering of this model. The Korth line is certainly unique and has appealed to those loyal to the Nighthawk brand.

Some months back, I had the opportunity to visit with Nighthawk’s Mark Stone to discuss the Korths and other projects the company has in the works. Mark asked for my impression of the revolvers, and especially the Sky Hawk. My comments were “mostly favorable,” however, as Mark knows, there is always a “but.” In this case, I softly castigated him for a $25 rubber grip on a premium revolver that costs $1,699! The Sky Hawk deserves a set of Hogue Bantam grips in rosewood or cocobolo.

Based on the interest generated at the SHOT and NRA shows this year, Nighthawk Custom seems to have another winner in its lineup. Given the timely import process, I suggest that anyone interested in a Sky Hawk get their order in, or better yet, buy the first one you see.

Sky Hawk Revolver Specs

For more information, visit nighthawkcustom.com.

This article was originally published in “Pocket Pistols” 2018. To order a copy, go to outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Wheelgun Test: The Nighthawk-Korth Sky Hawk Revolver appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Fresh to start 2018, Glock has unveiled its all-new Glock 26 Gen5 pistol.

Also joining the G26 Gen5 on Glock’s new release list are the G34 Gen5 MOS and the Glock 19X.

Concealing with the Glock 26 Gen5

The pistol features most of the Gen5 improvements that were introduced in the G17 and G19 in 2017. These include the Glock Marksman barrel for improved accuracy, no finger groves on the front strap and an ambidextrous slide stop.

RELATED STORY

Glock 34 Gen5 MOS: The Latest Competition-Ready Glock Pistol

New nDLC coating covers the slide for enhanced durability and resistance to corrosion.

The G26 Gen5 also incorporates the improved fire control design for improved trigger pull and reset.

Due to the compact size of the frame, the G26 Gen5 does not have the flared magazine well found on the larger Gen5 models.

The pistol features a 10+1 capacity.

“It’s one of my favorite guns to carry,” says Shane Cooley, captain of Team Glock. “I go back and forth between the G26 and the G19, depending on what I’m doing for the day. But the G26 is hands down one of my favorite to carry and it’s easy to shoot.”

For more information, please visit US.Glock.com.

Look for a complete review and range testing in a future issue of Combat Handguns magazine. To subscribe, please visit OutdoorGroupStore.com.

The post Glock 26 Gen5: New Subcompact Ready for Concealed Carry appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Glock has unveiled its competition-based Glock 34 Gen5 MOS. Glock designed the optic-ready pistol for speed and accuracy.

The G34 Gen5 MOS sees its release alongside two additional new pistols from Glock: The Glock 26 Gen5 Subcompact and the Glock 19X.

RELATED STORY

Glock 26 Gen5: New Subcompact Ready for Concealed Carry

Glock 34 Gen5 MOS — Bred for Competition

The G34, long slide, is very popular with competitive shooters and the Gen5 features will be a welcome improvement.

Glock has made the G34 Gen5 available only in MOS configuration, according to Shane Cooley, captain of Team Glock.

“This one, I have to say, I’m probably the most excited about,” Cooley says. “It’s our Glock 34, which is what I compete the most with. So now I finally get to take a Gen5 out to the range for all of our competitions.”

As with the other Gen5 guns, the 34 has the improved nDLC finish, Glock marksman barrel, flared magazine well, ambidextrous slide stop and no finger grooves.

“I really think [the marksman barrel] is going to be a great additional to the pistol,” Cooley says. “I’m incredibly excited to get out and compete with it.”

The G34 Gen5 MOS ships Jan. 22.

For more information, please visit US.Glock.com.

Look for a complete review and range testing in a future issue of Combat Handguns magazine. To subscribe, please visit OutdoorGroupStore.com.

The post Glock 34 Gen5 MOS: The Latest Competition-Ready Glock Pistol appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Something amazing happened at the 2017 SHOT Show. On the evening of Jan. 16, the American Pistolsmiths Guild (APG) inducted its newest members. Five talented gunsmiths from Nighthawk Custom were inducted into this prestigious organization. To my knowledge, having five gunsmiths from a single company instated at the same time has never happened before. This year, that honor was awarded to Shawn Armstrong, Bryan Cheney, Steven Cox, Travis Gregory and Allen Wyatt. In addition, Mark Stone, Nighthawk’s CEO, was inducted as an associate member of the Guild. To understand the significance of this honor, the Guild has only 66 current members in good standing.

The APG was founded in 1977 by 11 of the best gunsmiths in the country to “promote a standard for quality, honesty and workmanship in pistolsmithing by ascertaining the competency of anyone before they are recognized and admitted to the Pistolsmiths Guild.” To be admitted into the Guild, a pistolsmith must build two guns for submission. To quote the APG website, “the Guild sets the gold standards for work, products and business procedures as each member has gone through the rigorous grading, scrutiny, observation and critical examination in order to become a member.” To be sealed by the Guild is a lifetime honor.

I was able to visit Nighthawk’s facility, in Berryville, Arkansas, right before SHOT and got a sneak peek into what these amazing gentlemen were building. All were excited, and a little nervous, about the final judging of their work. One of the gunsmiths I met was Bryan Cheney. I was impressed by his enthusiasm, creativity and insatiable drive for perfection. Bryan had designed a very unique and creative 1911 as one of his Guild guns. It was different enough that I asked Mark Stone if I could get first crack at it for an evaluation.

To appreciate the gun, you first must appreciate the pistolsmith. Bryan is 28 years old and has already been at Nighthawk for nine years. His story is one of determination and purpose. Mark Stone hired Bryan to start in the prep department where he learned the basics of the 1911. In Bryan’s words, “Seeing my peers work and the skills they had drove me to better myself in everything I did. My time in prep really shaped my future at Nighthawk.” As would be a pattern, Bryan was determined to be the best at what he did. His hard work paid off and, after three years in the prep department, Bryan was offered a position in the build department.

On the Cutting Edge

What makes Nighthawk unique is its “one pistol, one pistolsmith” concept, something Mark Stone introduced several years ago. It was not an easy undertaking, as it took a lot of time and resources to implement and get right. According to Bryan, “When I started, I soon realized that in order to build a pistol, I needed a combination of many skills, including hand filing, manual machining, welding and an understanding of general metallurgy. I had decent welding skills, and my hand skills were getting better by the day, but machining was new to me.”

RELATED STORY

Slim & Trim 1911: Testing the Nighthawk Kestrel .45

One of the things that Stone did was bring in some of the best gunsmiths to evaluate the quality of Nighthawk pistols and mentor the gunsmiths. This included Richard Heinie, Bob Marvel and Bill Laughridge. Heinie and Marvel both have had a close relationship with Nighthawk and have collaborated on signature models. Bryan had an opportunity to learn from these masters. The time was well spent. He was mentored in-house by Shawn Armstrong, who helped Bryan start on the right foot.

In the build department, competiveness was driven by both quality and the production demands to fill orders. Armstrong continued to mentor Bryan and realized how much potential he had. But there was one problem: Bryan needed to slow down to refine his work. Bryan remembers the conversation. “I took his advice seriously and I started to slow down and focus on making my bevels even straighter, taking my surfaces to a higher polish, and double and triple checking the fit and function of the build.” It was this attention to detail that resulted in Bryan being assigned to build the first Nighthawk Bob Marvel model. Over the next several years, Bryan was involved in a number of special projects, including Nighthawk’s customized Browning Hi-Powers.

In 2016, with the support of Richard Heinie, Bryan, along with the other four gunsmiths, set out to build two uniquely custom pistols to submit to the American Pistolsmiths Guild. The pistols had to reflect each gunsmith’s vision, creativity and attention to detail. Each pistol would be examined “under a microscope” for fit, machining and finish.

Tri-Cut Details

Now the pressure was on for Bryan to design and execute his vision for a clean and unique signature pistol. So, he elected to start with a tri-cut Commander slide that he had used on several other builds. Five wide cocking serrations were machined at a 15-degree angle to provide a positive gripping surface. The spacing and angle were also visually attractive and blended with the overall theme. Dual ports were machined on each side of the slide, at the same 15-degree angle, and merged with relief cuts to serve as forward cocking serrations.

The ports tastefully show off the match-grade, stainless steel bull barrel, which has a deeply recessed crown flush-cut with the end of the slide. A full-length guide rod and bowtie plug keep the front of the slide very clean. In keeping with the theme, the slide was left void of all markings, and the sights include a tritium front and a Heinie Straight Edge Ledge rear unit.

The full-sized frame includes the new high-cut frontstrap that is standard on all new Nighthawk pistols. Bryan used the standard machined beaver-
tail grip safety, thumb safety and slide stop on the Tri-Cut. In keeping with an edgy design, he also selected a flat aluminum trigger. The magazine release was beveled at an angle to provide a more positive surface. Finally, the pistol’s frontstrap and mainspring housing received the same tri-cut treatment as the slide.

During the build, Bryan came up with a new stippling pattern and process. The pattern was described to me as resembling the flow of water in a river. This new pattern was first applied to the top ridge of the slide, the bottom of the slide stop, the magazine release and the face of the flat trigger. In addition, the stippling treatment was applied on the frontstrap and carried continuously to the base of the underside of the triggerguard. The entire pistol was then dehorned and finished in an attractive black nitride finish. The final touches were the thin tri-cut aluminum stocks.

The pistol I received is the production model of the Tri-Cut Carry. The pistol immediately reminded me of the F-117 stealth fighter. With its sharp angles and black nitride finish, the pistol seemed to absorb light and presented an all-business pistol built as a fighting gun. The fit and finish, both inside and out, was clean and free from flaws. As with other Nighthawk Custom pistols, the frame-to-slide fit was almost seamless and had a “glass on glass” feel. Also, being a 9mm, the Tri-Cut has a reduced-strength recoil spring, making the slide easier to operate. This is a significant benefit for some shooters.

The faceted tri-cut frontstrap and mainspring housing, combined with the tri-cut stocks, give the pistol a different feel in the hand. Most of those who handled and shot the Tri-Cut Carry were complementary of the contours and feel of the pistol. The large angled flats on the leading edge of the stocks worked well with the tri-cuts. The trigger on our test pistol also broke cleanly, averaging 4.3 pounds.

Rounds Downrange

On the range, we broke in the Tri-Cut Carry with Federal’s new American Eagle Syntech ammunition—a new training load that features a polymer-coated bullet to eliminate copper and lead fouling. The round also has a lead-free primer formulation and clean-burning propellants to minimize powder fouling and debris. The 115-grain Syntech load was 100-percent reliable and averaged 1,097 fps. When shot off-hand at 25 yards, the Syntech load produced a 1.75-inch group. I quickly became a fan of this new load and look forward to using it on future projects.

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For the rest of the evaluation, I selected three premium loads that ranged from 90 to 124 grains from Federal, Gorilla Ammunition and Super Vel. The Tri-Cut Carry ate every load we fed it without a single bobble or malfunction. On the range, I appreciated the pistol’s sights as well as its well-designed controls. The arched slide release and rounded safety were easy to engage without being obtrusive. As with other Nighthawk pistols I have evaluated, the fit of the beavertail was seamless and blended to the frame. Without being overly critical, it was hard to find anything on the Tri-Cut Carry that I didn’t like or would change.

Making Waves

It is always a risk for a company to step away from tried-and-true designs. But Mark Stone and Nighthawk Custom saw potential in Bryan Cheney’s vision. The end result is a new 1911 that reflects that vision as well as the pride of having Bryan inducted into the Guild. This is one very special pistol that represents far more than the sum of its parts. It represents the heart and soul of a 28-year-old gunsmith who had a goal.

Bryan would be the first to tell you that this would not have been possible without the support of many people. So, in part, the pistol is also a tribute to those who have encouraged, mentored and supported Bryan during this journey. That list includes the four other pistolsmiths who also shared the special night in Las Vegas with Bryan. Look for the Tri-Cut Carry and other new Nighthawk Custom models on your dealer’s shelves.

For more information, visit nighthawkcustom.com.

Nighthawk Tri-Cut Carry Specs

Nighthawk Tri-Cut Carry Performance

*Bullet weight measured in grains. Velocity measured in fps by chronograph. Accuracy measured in inches for three 5-shot groups at 25 yards.

This article is from the 2018 issue of “Gun Buyer’s Annual.” To order a copy, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post All the Right Angles: The Story of Nighthawk’s Tri-Cut Carry Pistol appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Of all the firearms I have owned over the years, a .44 Magnum wasn’t one of them. Even at the height of the “Dirty Harry” craze, I never got around to buying one. That was until a couple of years ago. I walked into a local shop at lunch and walked out with a Smith & Wesson Model 629 Mountain Gun. Honestly, I hadn’t planned on it, but the deal was good and I had cash in my pocket. I took the 629 Mountain Gun to the range a couple of times and then it was relegated to the back of my gun safe. Sure, it was an OK pistol, but it lacked sex appeal. Thankfully, that all changed after sending the pistol to Cylinder & Slide for a makeover.

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Some 25 years ago, I attended the last U.S. Secret Service pistol match at the Service’s Beltsville, Maryland, facility. That’s when I first met Bill Laughridge, the founder of Cylinder & Slide and pistolsmith extraordinaire. What followed was a lifelong friendship that has resulted in both of us being guests, or rather family, in each other’s homes.

When Bill visits my home, it is not uncommon for my son and several of my friends to sit around the kitchen table to learn about the nuances and history of the Model 1911 platform. If we ask politely, he will even work on a gun or two and complain about my rudimentary tools! My son and I have very fond memories of “Uncle Bill’s” visits and always look forward to his next trip.

Of course, Bill “made his bones” by becoming one of the best 1911 gunsmiths in the world. His customer list spans from royalty and military personnel to farmers and cops who have an appreciation for John Moses Browning’s masterpiece. Cylinder & Slide also does some of the best Browning Hi-Power work in the country. Until his recent semi-retirement, Bill even found time to travel around the country and teach a 1911 gunsmith course where students would build their own guns under his tutelage. I hope that one day, before Bill completely hangs it up, I can attend one of his courses.

Wheelgun Work

Cylinder & Slide also specializes in wheelguns and, while not known by many, the company was a Colt and Smith & Wesson warranty station for many years. In fact, during Colt’s heyday, Bill was, and still is, probably one of the best gunsmiths in the county to work on a sick Python. Bill also designed a line of Cylinder & Slide revolver parts, with several being very unique. For example, several years ago, Bill designed a fixed rear sight to replace the adjustable unit on Smith & Wesson revolvers. The Cylinder & Slide Extreme Duty is highly visible and durable, and it can be added to a topstrap without any machining. When Smith & Wesson introduced the now-defunct Nightguard series, the company selected the C&S Extreme Duty rear sight for the guns.

So when I decided to have my Model 629 Mountain Gun slicked up, I placed a call to Uncle Bill. If my memory serves me correctly, I caught him right after he had climbed off his tractor at his Nebraska farm. Did I mention he is semi-retired? Whenever I send a pistol to C&S for custom work, I pretty much give the company free rein to show off what it does best. This was the case with the Mountain Gun. Bill and I went over the basic list of offerings and then added a few enhancements.

The work order on the Model 629 Mountain Gun listed 18 specific custom modifications that the C&S shop performed. The trigger was radiused and polished, and an overtravel stop was installed. A basic action job included replacing the springs and polishing the internal components. The cylinder was the focus of several custom procedures. Each chamber was polished, and the front of the cylinder was chamfered. Each chamber was also numbered, and the chamber mouths were chamfered for easier loading.

For a more positive lockup, two ball detents were installed in the trigger yoke. The shop also checked the cylinder timing, the yoke for end shake and the headspacing. The yoke was also reamed to eliminate drag. The throat of the barrel was recut and polished, and the muzzle received an 11-degree crown.

I specifically requested an Extreme Duty rear sight, which was paired with a pinned Patridge front sight blade with a gold bead. The entire pistol was bead-blasted to provide a soft matte finish. However, I could not resist adding a little bling to the project and had the cylinder flutes and the screws polished. Bill also sent the hammer and trigger to Robar and had them treated with NP3. I owe a big thank you to Freddie Blish for expediting the work order!

There were two other items that I had done when C&S returned the pistol. First, I called Ken Kelly at Mag-Na-Port and asked if he could expedite porting the barrel. Ken, ever the gentleman, returned the pistol to me in record time. The final accessory was a set of custom grip panels. I wanted to retain the classic S&W appearance but have grips made of a fancy-grade wood. After doing some research, I decided on a set of Culina custom walnut grip panels in the traditional target shape with the S&W medallion.

Magnum Thunder

My range time with the 629 Mountain Gun was pure fun. It had been some time since I had evaluated a big-bore revolver, and I had almost forgotten my love for wheelguns. I reached out to the great folks at Hornady and asked for two .44 Magnum loads and one .44 Special load. The two magnum loads were 225- and 240-grain XTPs that averaged 1,364 and 1,254 fps, respectively. Both were stout, but they weren’t uncontrollable.

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Having shot the Model 629 Mountain Gun prior to sending it to Mag-Na-Port, I can attest to the effectiveness of the ports. I would subjectively estimate that the ports reduce the recoil and muzzle rise by 30 percent or so. The 180-grain, .44 Special XTP load was a sheer joy to shoot, and it reminded me of shooting 148-grain wadcutters out of a K-Frame. The accuracy tests were conducted off-hand from 25 yards. As expected, the Mountain Gun was exceptionally accurate, with group averages in the 1.25-inch range.

Carrying a 41.5-ounce handgun for an extended period of time can be a challenge. This is especially true when hunting in cold weather when garments are layered and heavy coats are needed. I contacted Woody Dixon at Gunfighters, Inc., in Pershastin, Washington, who sent me a Kenai chest holster to evaluate. The Kenai is a modern rendition of the old military tanker holsters. The rig is molded from heavy Kydex and provides positive retention along with maximum durability and service life. The Y-harness goes over the non-support shoulder, with a retention strap that wraps around the chest. The straps allow the harness to stretch, making it very comfortable, while the elasticity eliminates any shifting or play.

The end result is a classic custom wheelgun that is suitable for an elk hunt in the backwoods of Montana or a BBQ in southern Texas. I may have an opportunity to hunt hogs this coming year, if the hunt happens, the C&S Mountain Gun will be my handgun of choice. I would probably replace the Culina grips for the Hogue Monogrip that came with the pistol for the hunt. Just can’t see dragging beautiful wood through the swamp.

When I got the 629 Mountain Gun back, it spent a few nights at my bedside gun. Having spent much of my life carrying revolvers, it felt good to have a big-bore wheelgun at my side. Even with the popularity of full-capacity polymer wonders, the big-bore wheelgun still has a place. I must admit that the good folks at Cylinder & Slide know how to dress up a revolver. If you happen to have one of those “antique” guns the old-timers talk about and want to make it special, give Bill Laughridge and Cylinder & Slide a call. Thanks Bill!

C&S S&W Model 629 Mountain Gun Specs

C&S S&W Model 629 Mountain Gun Performance

*Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity measured in fps by chronograph and accuracy measured in inches for best five-shot groups at 25 yards.

For more information, visit cylinder-slide.com.

This article was originally published in the March 2017 issue of “Combat Handguns.” To subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post 629 Mountain Gun Review: Cylinder & Slide Modifies a S&W Classic appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

When Springfield Armory unveiled the Saint late in 2016, the blogosphere blew up. Some asked, “Why do we need another AR?” while others applauded Springfield for bringing a really cool rifle to the market. While it is another AR, the Springfield Saint is not just another AR!

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Springfield Armory is setting out to change the narrative about black rifles and redefine firearms ownership and personal responsibility. The company even launched a new website, defendyourlegacy.com, for “the willing and capable who refuse to give into the growing plague of believing somebody else is going to do it for me.” Springfield’s aim is to get us, and a new generation of shooters, back to our roots. We have no need to apologize for firearms ownership, regardless of what a firearm looks like.

According to CEO Denny Reese, Springfield Armory wanted to do an AR for several years, but the timing wasn’t right. It is Springfield’s goal to be a long-term and serious competitor in the AR market. For the Saint project, Springfield Armory partnered with Bravo Company Manufacturing (BCM) for a number of components. BCM has a reputation for being a solid company that produces some of the best rifles and parts on the market. In addition, the company places a high value on patriotism and providing employment to veterans. This partnership enabled the Saint to be equipped with quality parts while still being competitively price.

As with other ARs, the Saint has a lot to offer in the personal and home-defense role. The rifles are lightweight, easy to handle and have very little felt recoil. This can be important for those who are new to firearms or smaller-statured shooters. The adjustable stock allows the length of pull to be quickly and easily adapted to the individual shooter for a more comfortable fit. The manual of arms is relatively simple, and the controls on an AR are not complicated. When it comes to ammunition, most major companies offer loads that are designed to provide effective terminal ballistics and reduce over-penetration. Adding a basic red-dot sight and a white light completes the package.

Specs

The Saint comes in a very nice hard case with buckle latches, sturdy hinges and four locations for security locks—an important feature for securing the rifle. As for the rifle itself, I was immediately impressed with its fit and finish.

The upper and lower receivers are made of 7075-T6 aluminum that has been Type III hardcoat anodized. A nice addition is the Accu-Tite tension system in the lower receiver, which helps hold the upper and lower together tightly for greater precision. As for the upper, the 16-inch barrel is manufactured from chrome-moly-vanadium steel with a 5.56mm NATO chamber and a 1-in-8-inch, right-hand twist rate. The barrel has also been Melonited for durability and corrosion resistance.

The Saint is a traditional direct impingement rifle with a mid-length gas system and an A2-style gas block and front sight. Surrounding the barrel and gas system is BCM’s new PKMR handguard, which is low profile and offers textured panels for positive support-hand control over the rifle. KeyMod slots are located in the 1 and 11 o’clock positions for accessories.

More Details

The Saint is also equipped with a Springfield Armory low-profile, flip-up rear sight that offers dual apertures and 0.5-MOA windage adjustments via a small knob. Internally, the M16 bolt carrier group is machined from Carpenter 158 steel, and the bolt is shot peened and magnetic-particle (MP) inspected.

The lower receiver has some nice upgrades, including BCM’s six-position Gunfighter stock and Mod 3 pistol grip. Another nice touch is the safety selector, which has pictographic markings. The magazine and bolt releases are standard AR, but the trigger is surprising. Springfield selected a single-stage trigger and then applied nickel-boron to the fire control components. The trigger on my test rifle broke cleanly at 7.19 pounds with no creep or grit. However, the pull weight felt much lighter due to the trigger group’s quality parts and nickel-boron coating.

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Range Setup

When it was time to hit the range, I installed an Aimpoint PRO (Patrol Rifle Optic) on the Saint. Featuring a 2-MOA dot, the PRO is powered by a single 3-volt lithium battery. Aimpoint’s advanced circuitry gives the PRO a run time of up to 30,000 hours on the seventh daylight setting. With the PRO in place, the Saint weighed about 7.25 pounds.

For the formal range testing, I selected Hornady’s 55-grain TAP Urban load along with Federal’s 55-grain Sierra GameKing HPs and Winchester’s 50-grain Ballistic Silvertip rounds. The Hornady TAP Urban load was developed for law enforcement, and it’s my first choice for personal defense. The Federal and Winchester loads are sporting rounds that are suitable for hunting. The Saint was 100-percent reliable with these three loads as well as a magazine of M855/SS109 (green-tip) military ball ammunition.

While not necessary for inside a home, those who live in rural areas may have a need for a magnified optic. So, I paired the PRO with Aimpoint’s new 3X-C magnifier for testing at 50 yards. Aimpoint designed the 3X-C to provide the commercial market with a quality magnifier at a very reasonable price point. The 3X-C features centering adjustments and a dioptric adjustment. Aimpoint offers a quick-detach flip mount for the 3X-C to give the shooter more options.

Storage

From a shooter’s perspective, the Saint was a lot of fun. I easily engaged 10-inch steel targets out to 300 yards using the Aimpoint PRO and 3X-C magnifier. My 50-yard groups were less than 0.5 inches wide, and the magnifier enabled me to use a bullseye.

There are several options for storing a carbine inside your home. One option is to have a loaded magazine seated, a round in the chamber and the safety on. A second option is to have a loaded magazine seated with no round in the chamber. The last option is to keep the loaded magazine separate from the rifle but easily accessible. In addition, there are various safes and locking devices that are available.

One of the new security products I found interesting is the Hornady RAPiD Safe AR Gunlocker. In the past several years, Hornady has taken RFID technology and applied it to home security safes. The AR Gunlocker fully encloses the rifle and can be mounted horizontally or vertically. Foam inserts allow the AR Gunlocker to accommodate two long guns, and a 1,500-pound cable enables the unit to be tethered to a solid, fixed object for additional security. The AR Gunlocker can be opened by using a RFID wristband, a key fob, a key pad or an RFID sticker placed on your cell phone or other items.

Home Defense

As with any other firearm, if you select to use the Springfield Saint for personal defense, I would highly encourage seeking appropriate training and becoming familiar with local laws and regulations. Once you’ve mastered the basics, move on to more dynamic drills. Practice shooting from a kneeling position both over and around cover to replicate shooting while kneeling behind a bed. Moving from one gunfire station to another will reinforce manipulation of the manual safety and muzzle control. As your confidence and skills improve, extend the ranges of the targets and use a shot timer.

While it is not recommended that a citizen “clear” his or her house, there may be a need to move to a children’s bedroom or a blocking location. Practice moving through your residence with the Saint rifle, first with the lights on, and then in the dark. When possible, utilize existing lights and minimize the use of any weapon-mounted light. Finally, if possible, practice at a range during low light. Shooters always seem surprised at how much smoke the white light illuminates.

Defend Your Legacy

Home defense is a very personal decision that can be influenced by many factors, including the presence of children, guests, your home’s layout and applicable laws. For that moment where you or your family is facing a violent threat, the safest tactic is to remain in a fixed location and call law enforcement. In this situation, the Saint is a far better option than a handgun.

There is a quote on the Defend Your Legacy website that caught my attention: “A legacy is defined by choices, and only limited by the ability to defend it!” This is a strong statement that leaves little room for compromise. Springfield Armory has indeed started a new chapter in the life of the company, and the Saint is far more than “just another AR.” I look forward to seeing where this new initiative takes the company and the industry.

Springfield Saint Specs

Springfield Saint Performance

*Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in fps by chronograph and accuracy in inches for best five-shot groups.

For more information, visit springfield-armory.com.

This article was originally published in ‘Personal & Home Defense’ Spring 2017. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Why the Springfield Saint Is an AR Worthy of Home Protection appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Smith & Wesson introduced its Model 19 Combat Magnum in November of 1955. It quickly became the queen of S&W’s revolver line.

The Model 19 was a work of art with sleek lines and featured either a deep luster blue or a brilliant nickel finish. The walnut stocks were hand fitted and the internal parts were polished and fitted by real gun smiths. Options included a 2.5-, 4- or 6-inch barrel, a wide target trigger and hammer, a red ramp front sight, and a white outline rear sight blade.

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According to legendary Border Patrol officer, Bill Jordan, it was the perfect gunfighter’s revolver. However, as time progressed, the demand for revolvers was replaced by the craving for polymer wonder nines. Much to my disappointment, in 1999, Smith & Wesson discontinued the Model 19.

Model 19 Revival

At the 2018 NRA Annual Meetings, Smith & Wesson reintroduced the Model 19 in two models: the Classic and the Carry Comp.

The Model 19 Classic features a 4-inch” barrel and retro Magna stocks. It also has a bright blue finish and will appeal to those wanting a retro revolver.

Meanwhile, the Model 19 Carry Comp is a Performance Center model designed as the ideal personal defense fighting revolver.

Model 19 Carry Comp Features

The Performance Center Model 19 Carry Comp is based on an updated K-frame design. At the heart of the Carry Comp is a 3-inch barrel that features a single chamber PowerPort. The actual barrel of the Carry Comp is 2.5 inches with the integral comp adding an additional half-inch.

The new Model 19 features a number of improvements over the original guns; one of which is a ball/detent locking system for the cylinder crane to strengthen the lockup.

The Carry Comp retains traditional Smith sights with a fully adjustable rear sight and a pinned front sight that features a tritium insert. Smith & Wesson’s Performance Center tuned the trigger and installed an over-travel stop.

In addition, the Performance Center rounded the profile of the hammer to reduce the profile for concealed carry.

The double action is smooth with no grit while the single action breaks cleanly at 5 pounds. The stocks are a composite wood material that are similar to boot stock. I noted the actual frame is a round butt shape that allows for more compact stocks.

On the Range

Being an old wheelgunner, I immediately took to the little Carry Comp.

On first examination, I found that the factory stocks were not well-fitted to the frame. They also didn’t fit my hand well. A quick call to the great folks of Crimson Trace solved the problem. I replaced the factory stocks with a set of CTC LG-306 Lasergrips. I have used CTC stocks for more than 20 years and have a great appreciation for them.

As I found, the rear sight blade is significantly shorter and the notch shallower than on a vintage 19; this made indexing the front sight a little more difficult.

On the range the Model 19 Carry Comp handled even the heaviest Magnum loads reasonably well.

I shot both the Speer Gold Dot 125 gr. GDHP and the Federal 158 gr. Hydra Shok Magnum loads. The Gold Dot averaged 1,264 fps while the Hydra Shok averaged 1,144 fps. These are stout loads, but manageable.

I shot the Carry Comp next to an older 3-inch S&W Model 65 in an attempt to judge the effectiveness of the compensator. Subjectively, I would estimate that the Carry Comp has about 30 percent less muzzle flip than the Model 65. The Speer .38 Special +P 125 gr. Gold Dot was much more controllable and pleasant to shoot.

All of the loads produced sub-2-inch groups at 25 yards, as long as I did my job.

For more information, please visit Smith-Wesson.com.

S&W Performance Center Model 19 Carry Comp Specifications

• Caliber: 357 Magnum; .38 Special
• Capacity: 6
• Barrel Length: 3 inches
• Overall Length: 8 inches
• Front Sight: Tritium Night Sight
• Rear Sight: Black Blade Adjustable
• Action: Single/Double Action
• Grip: Custom Wood and Synthetic Included
• Weight: 34.1 ounces
• Cylinder Material: Carbon Steel
• Barrel Material: Stainless Steel
• Frame Material: Carbon Steel
• Finish: Glassbead Black
• MSRP: $1,092

The post FIRST LOOK: S&W’s Performance Center Model 19 Carry Comp Revolver appeared first on Personal Defense World.

For over 40 years, Wilson Combat has been the leader in custom 1911 pistols and parts. Over the years, the company has also branched out to other areas that Bill Wilson had an interest in, such as AR-platform rifles in 14 different calibers, including Wilson’s proprietary 7.62×40 WT. A few years ago, Bill’s interest in the Berretta 92 led to Wilson Combat offering a line of enhanced and customized 92s like the Brigadier and Centurion. However, Bill had very little interest in doing any work on Glock pistols. In fact, he actively resisted working on Glocks—until now, that is. Bill recognized that a large percentage of shooters own Glocks. There are also those Glock shooters who want to enhance their pistols in a tasteful manner.

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As with other projects, Wilson did not enter this one half-hearted. A lot of research went into what modifications were popular and would fit with the Wilson Combat philosophy. There would be not be any holes cut in the slide or compensators. The Wilson Combat Glocks had to be tastefully functional and practical. The next challenge was making the work affordable while ensuring the quality was up to Bill’s standards. The decision was to automate as much of the work as possible. This required building fixtures, writing code and programing lasers. Only when everything was in place, and met Bill’s approval, did Wilson Combat open its shop for Glocks. The end result is an a la carte build sheet that gives customers some 88 options.

Last year, I had the opportunity to visit Bill at his ranch in Texas. He was kind enough to give me a guided tour of his vault. One of the things he showed me was a prototype of a Glock 19. I decided, then and there, that I would get one of my own Glocks to Wilson’s Berryville, Arkansas, plant as soon as I could. In recent years, my daily-carry pistol has been a Glock 19 Gen4. With the exception of 10-8 Performance sights, the pistol was kept exceptionally stock. I also had a second G19 Gen4 set up as a spare. I decided to send this backup G19 to Wilson to work its magic.

The Work Begins

I knew I wanted the pistol to reflect Wilson Combat’s quality, aesthetics and performance. My build sheet was not all inclusive but included the most popular options for a personal-defense/carry pistol. I also added a few cosmetic options.

The slide received the most extensive work. Wilson added seven forward cocking serrations that were exact replications of the factory rear cocking serrations. The serrations on the left side of the slide are cut around the original Glock markings. The end of the slide was radiused in a manner similar to the new Gen5 models. The top of the slide was machined with 28-lpi serrations from the front sight to just in front of the rear sight. The Wilson eagle logo was also etched on the top of the slide here.

While reliable ejection has never been an issue with any Glock pistol that I’ve owned, I went ahead and had Wilson Combat lower and flare the ejection port. The sights were replaced with a tritium front sight and one of Wilson’s U-notch rear Battlesights.

The company also wanted me to evaluate one of its fitted match barrels, so that was added to the build sheet. I opted to have the muzzle finished with a deep reverse crown and flutes machined along the exterior. I also requested a second barrel that was threaded for a suppressor. Finally, the slide was finished in gray Armor-Tuff.

Wilson’s signature 1911 grip panels have featured a Starburst pattern for several years, and the company reproduced the same pattern on the grip of the Glock. The work is done with a laser and is very clean and consistent. I selected to omit having the thumb pad stippled but did have the base of the triggerguard cut high. Wilson also upgraded the fire controls with Apex’s excellent Glock Action Enhancement Kit, which included a new trigger bar and machined aluminum trigger. The new trigger broke cleanly and weighed 5.25 pounds on average.

Apex Predator

On the range, the flat face of the Apex trigger allowed me to position my trigger finger more consistently and immediately solved my problem of pushing shots to the left. The Starbust grip stippling provided more traction than the factory texturing. This was especially noticeable when running “Bill Drills” and other rapid-fire strings.

Formal testing consisted of shooting the custom G19 with three of Wilson’s premium personal-defense loads. I started with the 95-grain copper TAC-XP load that is optimized for compact pistols. Despite averaging 1,273 fps, this load was soft shooting and is ideal when over-penetration is a concern. The next load, 115-grain +P TAC-XPs, is my favorite, and I normally load it in my daily-carry guns. Here it averaged 1,092 fps. Finally, the 124-grain +P XTP HPs averaged 1,163 fps. All three loads produced five-shot groups well under 2 inches. I had several three-shot groups that were well under an inch before I ruined things with a flyer. Needless to say, the Wilson Custom G19 is more accurate than I am.

Next, I ran my standard drills with the G19. The Hackathorn “10-10-10” drill is deceptively difficult. It calls for starting at a ready position and engaging an NRA 25-yard bullseye target from 10 yards with 10 shots in 10 seconds. The challenge is to remember the fundamentals and not let the clock beat you. My best run was a 96 with four shots in the X-ring. The shot I pulled into the 8-ring really aggravated me!

Hitting a reduced-size IPSC steel silhouette from 50 yards proved to be rather boring. So I moved up to 25 yards and concentrated on headshots. While that proved more challenging, if wasn’t difficult when I stayed on the front sight and focused on trigger control. I’m not sure if my increased accuracy is due to the trigger or the match barrel. In any case, my performance with the pistol was significantly better than with a stock G19.

I also ran the G19 with Sig Sauer’s excellent SRD9 suppressor using Super Vel’s 147-grain Hush Puppy ammunition. This ammo averaged just over 900 fps and, even with the SRD9 suppressor, proved 100-percent reliable. This proved to be a lot of fun, especially when ringing steel. While the Wilson Battlesight did not clear the suppressor, I was able to make solid hits by shooting with both eyes open and superimposing the sight on the target.

Daily Carry

After an initial range trip, I shelved my stock G19 and the Wilson custom became my everyday-carry pistol. Recently, the rig that gets the most use is Raven Concealment’s Hackathorn Signature Series holster. The rig is only available for Ken Hackathorn’s “go-to” handguns: the G17, G19, 1911 and HK VP9. The holster’s shape is similar to a leather holster and lacks the square profile of many Kydex rigs. At Ken’s request, the standard OWB belt loops have been replaced with 1.5-inch drop loops. A double magazine pouch with the same belt loop configuration rounds out the set. The set is in limited production and will set you back around $150.

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Raven recently announced that it was transitioning to an injection-molded line of holsters called the Perun. The Perun is now the company’s flagship OWB holster and is designed for maximum concealment. This is accomplished by the modular belt loops adding to the curvature of the holster. In addition, the holster is fully ambidextrous and can be set up with a 0- or 10-degree cant. It is also compatible with slide-mounted reflex sights. With a retail price of $40, I plan on ordering several.

So, after 60 or so days of carrying the Wilson Combat G19, and close to 500 rounds downrange, I have come to a few conclusions. First, the Starburst stippling works well without being overly aggressive for concealed carry. I have also come to like the contour of the Wilson rear sight and its U-notch. This is the first Glock I have owned with forward cocking serrations. I now find myself wanting them on my other carry Glocks. They really do make a difference. As previously noted, the Apex trigger has improved the consistency of my trigger placement, thus improving my accuracy. Also, after several hundred presentations from the Raven holster, there are no significant wear marks on the slide. Finally, the gray slide over the black frame is very attractive.

A Cut Above

Some of the popular Glock shops still do stippling and other work by hand. This can result in inconsistent quality and be expensive. I found that Wilson’s modifications are extremely reasonable. For example, the Starburst frame treatment is $139 while the cocking serrations and slide serrations are only $75 each. The gray Armor-Tuff finish for the slide was $100, but for those who would like to have the entire pistol refinished, the cost is $350. This is considerably less than some other shops.

And there is more good news, Wilson Combat is now accepting work on the 9mm Glock 43. Mine went out yesterday. No one has ever accused Bill Wilson of half-stepping anything, and he certainly has a winner with his Glock customization packages, even if he doesn’t personally like the gun! If you’re interested, visit the Wilson Combat website, click on “Custom Work & Finishes” and then select “Glock Customization.” Then a PDF build sheet will load, showing all the options that are available. You’ll be glad you did!

Wilson Combat Glock 19 Gen4 Specs

Wilson Combat Glock 19 Gen4 Performance 

*Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in fps by chronograph and accuracy in inches for best five-shot groups at 15 yards.

For More Information

WilsonCombat
wilsoncombat.com

Glock
glock.com

Raven Concealment Systems
rcsgear.com

This article was originally published in “Concealed Carry Handguns” 2018 #211. To order a copy and subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Gun Review: The Customized Wilson Combat Glock 19 Gen4 appeared first on Personal Defense World.

Sig Sauer has a long history of service with the military and law enforcement communities. For many years, the Sig Sauer P226 has been the pistol of choice for the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Group, or SEALs. The Sig P229 in .357 SIG is the issued pistol for the U.S. Secret Service and the Federal Air Marshal Service. Sig pistols are also extremely popular in the commercial market because shooters appreciate their quality and robust designs.

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This past year, I visited Sig’s factory in New Hampshire. The manufacturing facility was impressive and used the latest CNC technology. While touring the display room, I was drawn to the P229 Legion pistol. The P229 is the follow-up to the P228 and, like its predecessor, it’s a mid-sized pistol with a double-stack magazine and traditional double-action/single-action (DA/SA) fire controls. In short, I immediately knew I wanted to review this superb pistol.

Joining The Legion

Sig introduced its Legion program back in 2015. It’s essentially a line of enhanced pistols with a customer loyalty program. Those who purchase Legion products can enroll in the program by registering online with Sig. Then they’re eligible for Legion-branded accessories and other program discounts. It’s Sig’s fraternity for professional users.

I received a P229 Legion for testing and was impressed. It’s finished in a proprietary gray PVD coating—an attractive color unique to the Legion series—and features custom G10 grip panels with Legion medallions.

On the slide, I immediately noticed the X-RAY3 day/night sights. The front sight has a tritium insert surrounded by a luminescent green capsule. The rear sight has traditional tritium two-dot inserts that offer a distinct contrast to the front sight. The rear sight also features a forward cocking ledge for single-handed manipulations. The Legion logo is engraved on top of the slide, just ahead of the rear sight.

Fitting the Legion

In terms of ergonomics, the Sig P229 and P228 have always felt good in my hands. The contour of the backstrap helps negate the size required of a typical double-stack pistol. But the P229 Legion’s aluminum-alloy frame features several enhancements over the standard P229. These are functional and attractive, and include an extended Elite beavertail that, combined with the X-Five undercut frame, allows for a higher purchase on the pistol. The frontstrap also has more aggressive checkering to match that on the bottom and front of the triggerguard.

Mechanically, the P229 Legion features an enhanced, polished action, as well as a custom Grayguns P-SAIT trigger. This trigger features a shorter reset and an adjustable overtravel stop. The DA trigger on my test pistol was long but smooth, with slight stacking near the end. I couldn’t measure the DA pull with my gauge, but in SA mode, the trigger broke cleanly at 4.5 pounds with minimum overtravel.

Finally, field-stripping the P229 Legion is safe and easy. After removing the magazine, manually lock the slide to the rear. With the slide locked to the rear, rotate the takedown lever downward. The slide stop is then released, and the slide comes off the front of the frame. One warning: You should maintain control of the slide to prevent it from launching across the room.

Practice Make Perfect

I decided to pull out all the stops with the P229 Legion and dug deep into my ammo locker. I tested it with eight different loads. Regardless of bullet weight or velocity, the P229 ate it all without missing a beat. When shooting from a benchrest at 25 yards, my groups were less than 2-inches wide on average.

However, I found it challenging to transition to a DA/SA pistol. Thankfully, after several hundred rounds, I felt like I was beginning to get the feel for the gun. The DA trigger pull was heavy and long, but I adjusted my grip and increased my concentration on the front sight. I then ran some of Ken Hackathorn’s “10-10-10” drills, where you fire 10 shots at an NRA Bullseye target at 10 yards in 10 seconds.

On my first run, I pulled the first two rounds into the 8-ring and put three shots in the 9-ring. I scored a 93 in 7.41 seconds. The second time, I scored a 96 in 9.25 seconds, with the first shot hitting 8-ring and two in the 9-ring.

Determined to improve my DA skills, I set up the NRA Bullseye target at 7 yards. I started from a high-ready position and fired 10 DA shots with a par time of 1.5 seconds for each shot. The third time I ran the drill, I scored a 96, with one round in the 8-ring and two rounds in the 9-ring. So, although I improved, if I were going to carry the P229 Legion for personal defense, I would work on this drill more. I would also move from 7 to 10 yards. However, I noticed that the high-visibility front sight on the P229 Legion was easy to index and track during recoil.

Quiet Riot

As perfect as the Sig P229 Legion is, I decided to up the game by ordering a threaded barrel as well as Sig’s SRD9 suppressor. This refined suppressor is 7.2-inches long, 1.38 inches in diameter and weighs 9 ounces. Sig builds the from Grade 9 titanium and the baffles from stainless steel. Even better, the baffles can be removed for cleaning or replacement. According to Sig’s technical data, the SRD9 meters in the 128-decibel range with subsonic ammunition.

With the suppressor in place, I loaded a magazine with Super Vel’s subsonic 147-grain Hush Puppy rounds. I didn’t have access to sound testing equipment, but the SRD9 was, to borrow a term from a friend, “hotel room rated.” I tested five subsonic loads that ranged from 123 to 147 grains. The 124-grain Federal American Eagle Suppressor load averaged 1,031 fps and was slightly louder than the heavier 147-grain subsonic loads. However, it’s an economical load, and I’m glad Federal is offering such a silencer-specific load. The P229 Legion was a joy to shoot with the SRD9, and I quickly exhausted my supply of subsonic ammo.

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Available in 115-, 124- and 147-grain loads, Sig’s premium V-Crown ammunition is ideal for personal defense. As noted, the V-Crown 147-grain load is not designed to be subsonic, and it averaged 1,200 fps. For a subsonic personal-defense load, I’m a fan of Gorilla’s 135-grain Silverback SCHPs, which averaged 886 fps and were extremely quiet. In previous tests, this Gorilla load has also proven to penetrate and expand reliably. The Speer Lawman and Super Vel Hush Puppy loads averaged 980 fps and 919 fps, respectively. This is really the sweet spot, and they performed well.

One-Stop Shop

The P229 Legion is only one of 10 variants of the P229 that Sig offers. These include the P229 RX, which is set up with a ROMEO1 reflex sight, and the M11-A1, a commercial copy of the M11 pistol issued to specific American military units.

The Legion series also includes the full-sized P226 and P220. Like the P229, the P226 Legion is available in 9mm, .357 SIG and .40 S&W. For those needing a larger caliber, the single-stack P220 is offered in .45 ACP and 10mm. Both share the same features and enhancements as our test P229.

Sig has always been trusted by those who go into harm’s way. The Legion series takes this to a new level with, in my opinion, the latest P229 taking the lead. The P229 is the ideal concealed-carry pistol, and when combined with the SRD9 suppressor, it ranks very high on the coolness scale. For those who already own a Sig pistol, you can order a threaded barrel and other accessories from the company, including pistons and thread protectors. As you can see, Sig truly is a one-stop shop. For more information, visit sigsauer.com.

Sig Sauer P229 Legion Specs:

• Caliber: 9mm
• Barrel: 3.9 inches
• OA Length: 7.4 inches
• Weight: 34.4 ounces (empty)
• Grips: G10
• Sights: X-RAY3 day/night
• Action: DA/SA
• Finish: Legion gray PVD
• Capacity: 15+1
• MSRP: $1,413

Sig Sauer P229 Legion Results:

Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in fps by chronograph and accuracy in inches for best five-shot groups at 15 yards. 

For more information about the Sig Sauer P229 Legion Pistol, Please visit sigsauer.com.

This article is from the September/October 2018 issue of Combat Handguns Magazine, on sale now. Grab your copy at OutdoorGroupStore.com.

The post Running the Enhanced Sig Sauer P229 Legion Pistol Suppressed appeared first on Personal Defense World.

The old saying, “what’s old is new again,” has never been more true that in the firearms industry.

Some 35 years ago, Dornaus & Dixon, in consultation with Jeff Cooper, set out to build the perfect combat pistol. The Bren Ten was based on the CZ-75 and introduced, to the world, the 10mm cartridge. The original load by Norma pushed a 200 gr. projectile at 1,200 fps or so, with light projectiles running even faster. This was a definite upgrade from the revered .45 ACP.

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While the Bren Ten did not last long, the cartridge was embraced by handgun hunters and, for a short period of time, was the duty round for the FBI.

In the past couple of years, the 10mm has seen a resurgence. The latest manufacturer to enter the 10mm market is Springfield Armory.

Springfield just announced two models of its popular XDM series of pistols in 10mm. We were fortunate to receive an example of both models before the formal release.

The Springfield XDM 10mm Build

Springfield based the new models on the proven XDM platform.

As with other XDM models, the new 10mm features a polymer frame with interchangeable backstraps, an accessory rail and a very ergonomic grip.

Safety features include a grip safety, a striker status indicator, and a loaded chamber indicator.

The XDM’s barrel is hammer-forged and, like the slide, is finished in Melonite.

Forward and rear cocking serrations, along with an ambidextrous magazine release, make the XDM very user friendly.

Those who have had trigger time behind any of the XDM pistols can attest to the great trigger and minimal reset.

The 10mm models are available in two configurations: A 4.5-inch and a 5.25-inch barrel length. Both models utilize the same full size XDM frame and have a magazine capacity of 15 rounds.

Both versions also weigh in at 31.2 ounces with the slide cut on the top of the 5.25-inch model removing weight.

The shorter 4.5-inch version has an overall length of 7.7 inches. It features a fiber optic front sight and a low profile combat rear sight.

Meanwhile, the 5.25-inch version had an overall length of 8.3 inches. This version features a fully adjustable rear sight and a fiber optic front sight. Again, it also features a large relief cut in the top of the slide.

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Range Time With the Springfield XDM 10mm Pistols

In order to meet the editorial deadline for the launch announcement, we were limited to one range trip. I want to express my appreciation to the great folks at Vista Outdoors (Federal/Speer) for expediting the ammo request for this article.

During our brief outing, we ran Federal’s 180 gr. Hydra Shok and Speer’s 200 gr. Gold Dot through both guns.

Out of the 4.5-inch model, the Hydra Shok averaged 1,022 fps, while the Gold Dot averaged 1,020 fps.

As expected, the 5.25-inch model produced slightly higher velocities, with the Hydra Shok averaging 1,050 fps and the Gold Dot averaging 1,060 fps.

Both pistols handled the recoil well, in part, due to the specific recoil spring developed just for the 10mm. I also appreciated the ergonomics of the XDM’s full-size grip.

Muzzle rise was certainly more significant in the shorter gun, but not unpleasant and controllable using the proper grip.

The weather prevented us from formal accuracy testing, but we did wear out an IPSC vitals steel target from 15, 25, and even 50 yards.

It should be noted that Springfield tested the models with the same Hydra-Shok ammo to the tune of 10,000 rounds. The result? Zero malfunctions.

Be sure to watch our full range test of the Springfield XDM 10mm.

Look for a complete evaluation and review of the new Springfield XDM 10mm pistols in an upcoming issue of Combat Handguns Magazine.

For more information, please visit Springfield-Armory.com.

Springfield XDM 10mm 4.5-Inch Specs

• Caliber: 10mm
• Magazines: Two, 15+1 Mags
• Barrel: 4.5 Steel, Melonite Finish/Hammer Forged; 1:16 RH Twist
• Sights: Fiber Optic Front; Low Profile Combat Rear, Steel
• Frame: Black Polymer With Changeable Backstraps
• Slide: Forged Steel; Melonite Finish
• Recoil System: One Piece Full Length Guide Rod
• Length: 7.7 inches
• Height: 5.75 inches
• Grip Width: 1.2 inches
• Weight (empty): 31.2 ounces
• MSRP: $652

Springfield XDM 10mm 5.25-Inch Specs

• Caliber: 10mm
• Magazines: Three, 15+1 Mags
• Barrel: 5.25 Steel, Melonite Finish/Hammer Forged; 1:16 RH Twist
• Sights: Fiber Optic Front; Fully Adjustable Target Rear
• Frame: Black Polymer With Changeable Backstraps
• Slide: Forged Steel; Melonite Finish
• Recoil System: One Piece Full Length Guide Rod
• Length: 8.3 inches
• Height: 5.75 inches
• Grip Width: 1.2 inches
• Weight (empty): 31.2 ounces
• MSRP: $779

The post FIRST LOOK: The Springfield XDM 10mm Pistol Has Arrived appeared first on Personal Defense World.

There is no more iconic name in firearms than Beretta. In 1985, the Beretta 92FS was adopted as the service pistol for the United States military. Designated the M9, the Beretta served until it was replaced, in 2017, by the SIG M17.

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The new Beretta APX pistol is a polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol influenced by the Modular Handgun System program. At the recent 2018 Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous, I had the opportunity to shoot the new APX Centurion and the APX Compact.

The APX series of pistols is designed around an internal Fire Control Group that is the serial numbered part. Operating controls are conventional in nature with a trigger safety, an ambidextrous slide stop and a reversible magazine release button. The pistol comes with three modular backstraps to adjust the grip size to the individual user.

Unique to the APX pistols is an automatic striker blocker that actually extends out the top of the slide when the pistol is fired. The most striking feature of the APX is the large cocking serrations that extend the entire length of the slide. White, three-dot, sights are standard but Tritium night sights are an option.

Breaking Down the Beretta APX

The APX has a unique take down process. There is a recessed striker deactivation button located on the right side of the frame, behind the slide stop. This button must be depressed before the take-down lever can be rotated and the slide removed from the frame. The design eliminates the need to pull the trigger prior to disassembly.

In addition, APX pistols can be configured with a thumb safety, loaded chamber indicator and a magazine disconnector safety that prevents the pistol from being fired without a magazine.

Both the 9mm Centurion and the 9mm Compact feature a 3.75-inch barrel. The difference between the two is the size of the frame.

The Centurion is 5.2 inches in height and uses a 15-round magazine, while the Compact is 4.8 inches in height and uses a 13-round magazine.

The Centurion is almost the identical size of a Glock 19; the Compact is approximately a half inch taller than a Glock 26.

The trigger on the Centurion averaged 7 pounds, while the trigger on the Compact averaged 7 pounds, 3 ounces. Both triggers were smooth and comparable with my Gen5 Glock 19. I did notice that the APX trigger was significantly wider than a Glock.

Beretta textured the front and backstraps on both pistols, which provides a positive gripping surface.

Running the Beretta APX Pistols

On the range, both pistols ran well with a variety of ammunition. The bore axis of the APX helped with recoil control and the short reset on the trigger made follow-up shots easy.

The short time we had with the APXs did not allow me to obtain any holsters; however, the good news is that Beretta has an extensive line of holsters on its website.

Both pistols are well suited to concealed carry. I tended to gravitate to the Centurion, since my daily carry pistol is a Glock 19. The grip of the Centurion allowed me to obtain a full purchase, and the Centurion pointed well for me right out of the box.

The Compact, being a little shorter, did not fit my hand as well. In addition, with the medium backstrap insert, the Compact tended to point higher than the Centurion.

The Beretta APX is a pistol that is feature rich and ideal for military units, law enforcement agencies and the commercial market. I came away impressed with the features, ergonomics, and the available options.

For more information about the Beretta APX line, please visit Beretta.com.

The post Exploring 2 Beretta APX Pistol Variants for Concealed Carry appeared first on Personal Defense World.

Last year, I was with Mark Stone and the Nighthawk Custom crew when Mark asked what I thought about the company building a Nighthawk double-stack 9mm. My first thought: Why? While my experience with double-stacks was limited, I knew that they could be temperamental and unreliable.

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Also, at the time of the discussion, the market was still somewhat depressed, and I questioned the wisdom of investing in a totally new project. Also, I wasn’t the only one that felt that way. Several Nighthawk employees had the same concerns. But I’ll be the first to admit that I was wrong.

The company recently launched the Nighthawk double-stack, not as a new pistol, but as an upgrade to any of its 5-inch-barreled, single-stack 1911s. The upgrade only costs $650. And for this review, Nighthawk sent me a Falcon Double Stack. Opening the green Nighthawk case, I found a sleek, all-black pistol that exuded stealth. In fact, everything was black except the markings and tritium inserts in the sights.

Nighthawk Custom introduced the Falcon back in 2011, and I’ve been fortunate to review both the Government and Commander versions. The Falcon represents a blending of old-school design and modern quality in a very clean, functional and attractive pistol. As with all Nighthawk pistols, the Falcon is the result of hours of hand-fitting precision-made parts using old-fashioned files and sanding sticks.

Flying High

The Falcon slide is machined from a forging at the company’s facility in Berryville, Ark. The slide is a traditional Government Model configuration with a match-grade, 5-inch barrel, as well as a traditional bushing and recoil spring system. The frame and slide are fitted and then hand-lapped for that glass-on-glass feeling. Nighthawk makes all internal parts to specifications from quality tool steel. In other words, for those who are concerned about such things, there are no metal-injection-molded (MIM) parts in any Nighthawk pistol.

The Falcon comes with an extended, single-side thumb safety, a beavertail grip safety and a low-profile slide stop. The solid match-grade trigger is precisely tuned for a clean trigger pull that breaks at an even 4 pounds.

The treatments on the slide are a departure from other Nighthawk models. Traditional cocking serrations have been replaced with eight ball-radius cuts to provide a positive but less abrasive texture. Three more ball-radius cuts have been made along the top of the slide to help you acquire the dovetailed tritium front sight. The Falcon also features a Heinie Ledge rear sight with its own tritium insert and a vertical leading edge that can be used as a cocking surface. The back of the Heinie sight has 40-lpi serrations to reduce glare, just like the rear of the slide. The most striking feature of the Falcon, however, is the bevel treatment applied to the front of the slide. The Hi-Power-style cuts are attractive and functional because they aid in re-holstering the pistol.

Frame Details

Having limited experience with double-stack 1911s, I spoke with Allen Wyatt, Nighthawk’s lead gunsmith. He walked me through what separates the company’s double-stack design from competitors. For example, the frame and grip were designed from the ground up by an outside vendor to Nighthawk’s specifications. This allows Nighthawk to utilize its slides, internal parts and other components. To increase reliability, Nighthawk uses a Wilson/Nowlin-style feed ramp. Also, the company designed and manufactured a new grip safety and mainspring housing for this program. Each Nighthawk double-stack comes with two stainless STI magazines.

The frame is made from steel while the grip is made from 7075-T6 aluminum. The wraparound texturing consists of a series of small circles that cover the frontstrap, side panels and mainspring housing. The flared magazine well includes a lip on the frontstrap. The beavertail is precisely installed and blended, and it’s void of any unnecessary play. You’ll also notice a flat, machined-aluminum trigger with an integral overtravel stop. The triggerguard is squared and undercut so you can get a higher grip on the pistol. Finally, the slide stop and thumb safety are standard Nighthawk parts, and the dust cover has a Picatinny rail.

Overall, the Falcon Double Stack is a large pistol. However, the grip feels good in the hand. Out of curiosity, I put calipers to the frame to compare it to my daily carry pistol, a Glock 19 Gen4. The Falcon’s frame is 1.28 inches wide at the base of the triggerguard while the G19 is 1.2 inches. Measuring from the frontstrap to the backstrap, both the Falcon and G19 are exactly 2 inches. Granted, the length of the frame and slide make the Falcon significantly larger than the G19, but I was surprised that the actual grip measurements were almost identical.

At The Range

On my first trip to the range, I ran as many different loads as possible through the pistol, from Super Vel’s 90-grain +P JHPs and 147-grain Hush Puppy suppressor rounds to a mix of loads from Aguila, Federal, Hornady, Sig Sauer and Speer. The Falcon Double Stack ate everything with ease. Also, with an unloaded weight of 36 ounces, it stayed on target. The frame texture provided a positive gripping surface without being overly abrasive. I also appreciated how easy it was to load the 17-round STI magazine.

On my second trip to the range, I made mincemeat of a steel silhouette starting at 15 yards and working back to 45 yards. I even managed a few headshots from around the 40-yard line. The white-ringed tritium front sight was easy to track, and I liked the purchase the flat trigger allowed. The shots broke cleanly, and the reset was clean and predictable. And while I knew I was shooting a wide-body 1911, the overall handling was outstanding.

As is my custom, I let as many friends and associates examine and shoot the Falcon Double Stack to get as many opinions as possible, and every person that held and shot the gun came away impressed.

For serious testing, I shot the Falcon off a bench. At 25 yards, most of my groups were around 2 inches and would have been smaller had I not ruined things with a called flyer. All loads were very soft shooting given the Falcon’s 36-ounce weight and 12-pound recoil spring. I also ran several hundred rounds of Aguila 115-grain FMJ and Federal American Eagle 115-grain Syntech TSJ training ammo. Both of these loads were easy shooting and made quick splits easy.

Many Missions

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To be honest, not being a competitor, I had never given much thought to owning a double-stack 1911. In the past, I have either carried a standard Government Model 1911 or a high-capacity Glock 19. So where does the Falcon Double Stack fit in? First, with a light, it would make a great home-defense pistol. Second, it also offers a very viable alternative for members of the law enforcement community who favor a 1911 but also appreciate the high magazine capacity of today’s striker-fired models. I’m even sure some out there would try to carry this gun concealed. Finally, there are those among us who just like the “cool factor” of owning a high-quality 1911 that shoots a lot of relatively affordable rounds.

Whatever category you find yourself in, the Nighthawk Double Stack has a lot to offer, as would any model given the double-stack upgrade. The quality, fit and finish of my test pistol lived up to what I have come to expect from Nighthawk Custom.

For more information about the Nighthawk Double Stack, please visit nighthawkcustom.com.

Falcon Nighthawk Double Stack

• Caliber: 9mm
• Barrel: 5”
• OA Length: 8.58”
• Weight: 36 ozs. (empty)
• Grip: Polymer
• Sights: Tritium front, Heinie Ledge rear
• Action: SA
• Finish: Perma Kote
• Capacity: 17+1
• MSRP: $3,745

This article was originally published in Combat Handguns November/December 2018. To order a copy, please visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Falcon: The Nighthawk Double Stack 1911 You’ve Been Dreaming Of appeared first on Personal Defense World.

This is not your father’s Ed Brown. For those too young to remember, in 1988, Oldsmobile had a marketing campaign that proclaimed, “This is not your father’s Oldsmobile.” So the phrase, although not original, is fitting for the new Ed Brown Special Forces Suppressor Ready Commander.

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With the SRC, Brown recognizes the popularity of suppressors and also the increase in the use of red-dot optics in personal-defense handguns. I asked John May, Brown’s marketing director, about the driving force behind the new model.

“Part of our legacy has been stepping outside the box to offer our customers unique and timely pistols,” he said. “One of the early examples is the Kobra Carry. If you think about it, the SRC is just us continuing to live up to our legacy. Also, with the company celebrating our 50th year in business, the SRC is just one in a line of several pistols that will pay tribute to that history.”

The Road So Far

The company’s story is one of struggle, success and dedication. In 1968, Ed Brown opened Brown’s Gun Shop as a part-time gunsmithing operation. Ed became a world-class gunsmith and a ranked shooter in IPSC and other competitions. In 1991, the American Pistolsmiths’ Guild named Ed Pistolsmith of the Year.

Through the years, Brown grew the business into a highly successful enterprise. To many pistolsmiths, Brown parts became the standard by which others were measured. Brown’s secret was that his employees were machinists and engineers. They understood specifications and taking a part from an engineer’s drawing to production. Attention to detail, maintaining tolerances and efficiency were in their DNA. They manufacture every component to exacting tolerances that can only be attained through dedicated engineers using quality CAD/CAM processes. That allows Brown to design its own parts and improve on many original parts. Brown engineer parts for performance.

The Ed Brown way is the roadmap for the company’s success. In 1992, Ed incorporated the company and formed Ed Brown Products. The company has more than $15 million invested in CNC capability to ensure vertical integration. This ensures that the company does not depend on outside vendors for critical components. Ed Brown pistols are void of any MIM or cast parts. The company backs every part on every pistol with a 100-percent lifetime warranty. That’s not just a marketing slogan; its printed on every owner’s manual and shown on the company website.

In fact, they machine frames and slides from forgings on multiple fifth-axis CNC machines. Additionally, the company CNC machines the hammers, sears, disconnects and other internal parts from bar stock.

“Our conformance is verified on a coordinate measuring machine that is so sophisticated, approval was necessary from the Department of Defense before it could be purchased and installed,” Travis Brown, Ed’s son, said.

The company even has a Swiss screw machine to make stock screws in house. Also, master craftsmen assemble every pistol to ensure each meets the standards set by Ed.

In 2010, Ed retired, turning the business over to his sons, Travis and Wade. Travis has spent 20 years in the business in sales, operations, finance and other management roles. He holds an MBA, is a CPA and was deeply involved in growing the business the past 12 years. Wade has been with the business since 1998 and has an extensive background in engineering and gunsmithing. As Brown’s chief gunsmith, he has been heavily involved in research, development and new products. He’s also responsible for overseeing all production, training and quality control.

Next-Gen Commander

The new Ed Brown Special Forces SRC is the next iteration after the 5-inch Government Model. It’s a true Commander-style pistol with a 4.25-inch threaded barrel and traditional bushing. The frame and slide, along with all other components, are machined in house at Brown’s facility in Perry, Mo. The slide features front and rear cocking serrations and ball end cuts that are perfectly flush with the end of the dust cover. Also, the top of the slide is flattened and serrated with 40 lines per inch. The SRC slide features a machined French border and two flutes that are machined in the top of the slide, forward of the ejection port. This gives the SF SRC a unique appearance. The slide has also been machined for the mounting base for the Trijicon RMR II. Brown finishes the slide with a set of high-profile Trijicon suppressor sights with tritium inserts.

The frame of the SF SRC model is high cut and features a nicely fitted, evenly contoured beavertail with a speed bump and Brown’s legendary Memory Grooves. The single-side extended thumb safety is serrated and contoured to lie parallel to the slide when in the off position. The ledge-style slide stop is serrated to match the thumb safety. A three-hole match trigger has an adjustable overtravel stop. The gunsmiths also applied Brown’s signature Chainlink III texture to the front strap and mainspring housing. Chainlink III consists of offset rows of small round dimples that are machined in a 21-line-per-inch pattern. Another nice touch, often overlooked, is the finely checkered magazine-release button. The stocks on the SF model are gray G-10 with a snakeskin pattern manufactured by VZ. Each Brown pistol comes with two nine-round OEM magazines with a large bumper pad.

More Special Features

The magazine well on our sample pistol is Stan Chen’s Gen2, which is a new addition to Ed Brown’s parts line. The Gen2 is a one-piece mag well/mainspring housing machined from bar stock. The design allows for the widest possible mouth without any increase in width or overall height of the pistols. They accomplish this by shortening the frame by 0.3-inch before installation. The mag well also features Side Impact Reinforcing Tabs that fit against the sides of the frame. The two tabs provide lateral support and prevent the mag well from twisting. In fact, this is one of the best designs on the market and makes speed reloads extremely easy, even during stress.

The most prominent feature on the SRC is the Trijicon RMR Type 2. Trijicon redesigned the new Type 2 RMR and upgraded electronics to increase reliability. Trijicon machines the body of the Type 2 from 7576-T6 aluminum and designed it to absorb impact and divert stresses away from the lens. Features also include a button lockout, battery-conservation mode and the ability to mount the optic on multiple platforms.

At the range, I found that rapidly indexing the RMR was easy. In fact, it was significantly easier than on my Glock MOS or several other red-dot-equipped pistols I’ve shot. I attribute this in part to grip angle of the 1911 and my many years running various 1911 pistols. The Trijicon Suppressor sights provided an excellent sight picture for initially indexing the red-dot and use as backup iron sights. The trigger on our test pistol broke cleanly at 4.5 pounds. Also, the Chainlink II texture allowed for a positive purchase without the abrasiveness found with some textures.

How’d She Shoot?

We tested the SRC with five loads ranging from 115 to 147 grains. The pistol ran flawlessly with every round we tried, with and without a suppressor. Velocities averaged 1,291 fps for the SIG V-Crown 115-grain JHP to 985 fps for Super Vel’s 147-grain FMJ Hush Puppy load. Shooting from a bench rest at 25 yards, groups averaged .75 inch to just more than 1.5 inches. I found I was far more confident shooting groups with the RMR than with iron sights. The advantages of the red-dot were evident when I shot a .75-inch group with no flyers.

I shot all groups with the AAC TiRant 9S suppressor installed. The TiRant 9S is a shortened version of the TiRant 9 originally designed for a military special-operations unit. The 9S is 5.07 inches long and 1.38 inches in diameter, and weighs 7.6 ounces. Although reasonably effective when shot dry, AAC designed the 9S to be shot wet for maximum effectiveness. In tests conducted by Silencershop, the unsuppressed sound signature for a 9mm 147-grain subsonic load was 156.7 decibels. When it tested the TiRant 9S dry, it recorded a 15.1-decibel reduction, or an average of 141.6 decibels. In wet configuration, the 9S is capable of a sound reduction of 27 decibels. Readers should note that AAC has discontinued the 9S and replaced it with the TiRant 9M. The 9M is a modular suppressor that lets you configure it in 8- or 5.84-inch lengths.

With or without the suppressor, the SRC was a joy to shoot. The all-steel gun absorbed the recoil of the 9mm rounds. However, the positioning of the RMR might present compatibility issues with some holsters. I found the SRC would not fit in my classic Sparks’ 55BN but fit into my Raven Phantom Kydex rig. The Chen magazine well also made reloads hard to miss, even in the dark. The overall fit and finish lived up to Brown’s reputation for quality and attention to details.

You might ask, “What makes the Brown SRC different from other suppressor-ready 1911s on the market?” First, the company manufactures every component of the pistol — with the exception of the magazines, springs and stocks — in house. This lets Brown be in full control of the manufacturing process and quality control. Second, the company is so confident in the quality and durability of its pistols that it offers a limited lifetime warranty that’s one of the best — if not the best — in the industry. Finally, 50 years of experience have allowed the company and its products to mature, making the company more efficient and the products better.

Brown recently revamped its website and now offers the ability to spec out your dream pistol online. In fact, the company offers more than 100 options that provide a virtual smorgasbord of features and options. As May said, maybe it’s time to “take another look” at the lineup of Ed Brown products. For more information about the Ed Brown Special Forces Commander, visit edbrown.com.

Ed Brown Special Forces Commander Suppressor Ready

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• Caliber: 9mm
• Barrel: 4.25”
• OA Length: 8.25” (w/TB)
• Weight: 38 ozs. (empty)
• Grips: Black and desert sand G-10
• Sights: High-profile Trijicon/Trijicon RMR
• Action: SA
• Finish: Gen 4 Polymer
• Capacity: 9+1
• MSRP: $4,425 with Trijicon RMR Type 2

This article is from the September/October 2018 issue of Combat Handguns Magazine, on sale now. Grab your copy at OutdoorGroupStore.com.

The post Gun Test: The Suppressor-Ready Ed Brown Special Forces SRC Pistol appeared first on Personal Defense World.

In April of this year, I was fortunate to be invited to an event hosted by Taurus USA and held in Bainbridge, Georgia. But what was Taurus doing in South Georgia, and not South Florida? It turns out that Taurus is moving its operations and manufacturing headquarters to Georgia. The event allowed everyone in attendance to see the company’s new 200,000-square-foot facility. And while the plant itself was still under construction, we were all impressed with the future plans for the company. By the end of this year, the plant should be fully operational and provide more than 300 jobs for Bainbridge residents.

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The rest of the event was held at Southwind Plantation, a five-star bird-hunting facility just outside of Bainbridge. During the event, we tested a wide range of Taurus products, from the company’s excellent Model 856 revolvers to the Raging Bull, a massive wheelgun chambered in .454 Casull. But my favorite boomer was the new Raging Hunter in .44 Magnum.

Hunt Ready

The Raging Hunter is the little brother to the Raging Bull, and it shares the same general design and profile. However, the Hunter is built on Taurus’s large frame while the Bull uses the extra-large frame. To get the statistics out of the way, the Raging Hunter is 15.75 inches long, 7.1 inches tall and weighs in at a hefty 55 ounces unloaded. And like the Raging Bull, the Raging Hunter has a secondary cylinder-locking feature located on the crane. To open the cylinder, both the thumb latch and cylinder lever must be depressed at the same time.

My test revolver came with a striking two-tone finish, with a black barrel shroud and cylinder paired with a matte stainless frame. Taurus offers an all-black version as well. And as would you’d expect on a pistol this size, the large rubber grip has a cushioned insert to help absorb recoil while the exterior texturing and finger grooves provide plenty of traction.

The Raging Hunter uses a two-piece barrel assembly, with the barrel shroud being made of aluminum. This reduces the revolver’s weight and improves its overall balance. The barrel is also ported like the Raging Bull’s. Unlike some designs that feature large ports, the Raging Hunter’s barrel has eight small ports, with four on each side.

Optics-Ready Revolver

In terms of iron sights, the revolver has a fixed Patridge-style front post while the rear sight is fully adjustable for windage and elevation. However, Taurus, recognizing that many handgun hunters use either red-dot sights or magnified optics, has also equipped the Raging Hunter with a Picatinny rail that runs along the top of the barrel. The rail has 13 slots, providing shooters with plenty of space and options to fit their needs.

Taurus is committed to safety and has equipped all of its current-production revolvers with a trigger transfer-bar safety. The transfer bar prevents the hammer from contacting the frame-mounted firing pin unless the trigger is depressed. In addition, it makes lowering a cocked hammer much safer.

When I first unboxed the revolver, I was impressed with its overall fit and finish. The dual cylinder latches were easy to manipulate, with the forward latch being operated by the left thumb. The action on my sample Raging Hunter was smooth, with a single-action (SA) trigger pull that broke cleanly at 7.69 pounds. While this sounds heavy, it is actually a very clean trigger that feels much lighter than it weighs.

Range Time

There are more .44 Magnum loadings now than ever before, and for this test, I chose two proven loads from Federal Premium and one from Speer. The first was Federal’s 240-grain Fusion soft-point load, which uses a bonded bullet to provide good terminal performance on medium-sized game out of a shorter pistol barrel. The Fusion load averaged 1,469 fps at the range with an extreme spread of 56 fps.

Next up were Federal’s Hydra-Shok rounds. The Hydra-Shok brand has been synonymous with personal defense and terminal ballistics since 1989. This .44 Magnum load uses a 240-grain jacketed hollow point (JHP) with the line’s signature center post. It’s essentially an ideal load for small- to medium-sized game where significant penetration is not required. The Hydra-Shok load averaged 1,376 fps with an extreme spread of 30 fps.

Speer’s Gold Dot bullet is a proven design in all calibers and has a superb reputation in the law enforcement community. As expected, the 210-grain Gold Dot load I tested was the hottest of the three, averaging 1,570 fps out of the of the Raging Hunter’s 8.37-inch barrel.

The Taurus Raging Hunter handled these three loads in fine fashion. Make no mistake, as with any .44 Magnum pistol, the recoil was significant. Still, the Raging Hunter’s ported barrel and grip design made the felt recoil quite manageable. Using the factory iron sights, I shot all three loads from a bag rest to see what accuracy I could obtain. And as you can see in the accompanying table, all three loads produced sub-1.5-inch groups. Shooters also have the option of shooting milder .44 Special loads. A load like Federal’s 200-grain lead semi-wadcutter hollow point (SWCHP) ammo, at 870 fps or so, would be a kitty cat in the Raging Hunter.

Hog Hunting

Taurus has a unique team concept when it comes to new product development, testing, marketing and sales. The marketing team is completely integrated into every aspect of the company. An added benefit is that the marketing team is made up of shooters and hunters who understand the needs of the customers. In addition, many of Taurus’ employees are shooters and hunters.

Prior to the official launch of the Raging Hunter, Taurus hosted a hog hunt for a number of employees and media representatives. Two engineers from the company even participated in the hunt. This enabled the design team to test the Raging Hunter under actual conditions to ensure that the design and implementation would meet expectations. And for this situation, the Taurus team took advantage of the accessory rail and mounted TruGlo red-dot sights on the Raging Hunters.

The hunt consisted of both stalking and hunting with dogs. The Raging Hunter had to be accurate enough for long-range shots while still being well suited for dynamic close-quarters shots. When four dogs bay a large boar and the fight is at your feet, you must be able to make the shot without hitting the dogs, another hunter or even yourself. How dynamic was the hunt? One employee, while attempting to film a shot, was actually bitten by a charging hog.

In all, the group put down 12 hogs on the hunt, which lasted a day and a half. To quote one Taurus employee, “The .357 Magnum performed well, but there is no replacement for displacement. The .44 Magnum is the go-to cartridge for hogs and larger game.”

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Parting Shots

I would have liked to take the Raging Hunter out for a hunt in a more dynamic environment. However, my hunting opportunities are very limited. Before I left the range, I did take some snap shots at a couple of targets from 20 or so yards. The revolver’s weight and balance stabilized it and made my shots easy.

Taurus is making great strides, and the move to Georgia will only enhance the company’s line of products. I am only two hours or so from Bainbridge and look forward to another visit when the plant gets up and running. For more information, visit taurususa.com.

Taurus Raging Hunter Specifications

• Caliber: .44 Magnum
• Barrel: 8.37 inches
• Overall Length: 15.75 inches
• Overall Weight: 55 ounces (empty)
• Grip: Rubber
• Sights: Front post, adjustable rear
• Action: DA/SA
• Finish: Black, stainless
• Overall Capacity: 6
• MSRP: $920

Performance: Taurus Raging Hunter

Load: Velocity, Accuracy

• Federal 240 Fusion: 1,469, 1.50
• Federal 240 Hydra-Shok: 1,376, 1.00
• Speer 210 Gold Dot: 1,570, 1.25

Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in fps by chronograph and accuracy in inches for best five-shot groups at 25 yards.

This article is from the November-December 2019 issue of Combat Handguns magazine. Grab your copy at OutdoorGroupStore.com. For digital editions, visit Amazon.

The post Taurus Raging Hunter: A Revolver With Pure .44 Magnum Power appeared first on Personal Defense World.