pistol

Browning’s History

May 11, 2019 By GunnersDen Leave a Comment

John Moses Browning:

John was born in Ogden, Utah, and was an American firearms designer who developed many varieties of firearms, cartridges, and gun mechanisms, many of which are still in use around the world.

He is the most important figure in the development of modern automatic and semi-automatic firearms and is credited with 128 gun patents—his first was granted October 7, 1879.

He influenced nearly all categories of firearms design. He invented or made significant improvements to single-shot rifles, lever action rifles, and slide action firearms. His most significant contributions were in the area of autoloading firearms. In 1880, with the aid of his brothers, he established his arms factory. (J.M.Browning)

Browning Arms Timeline:

Nov. 26, 1926 JMB died of heart failure at Liege, Belgium.

Sept., 1927 J.M. & M.S. Browning Company was incorporated in Utah with the Browning Arms Company as a subsidiary. It offers a wide variety of firearms, including shotguns, rifles, pistols, and rimfire firearms.

The company was founded to market the sporting (non-military) designs of John Browning, one of the more prolific firearms inventors. Nearly all of John Browning’s designs have been manufactured by other companies, including Winchester, Colt, Remington, Fabrique Nationale de Herstal of Belgium, and Miroku.

They are best known for the Browning BPS shotgun, the A-Bolt rifle, X-Bolt rifle, the Auto-5 semi-automatic shotgun, the BAR semi-automatic rifle, and the Hi-Power 9mm pistol. Browning also manufactures a set of trap shotguns in the Cynergy series.

1951 J.M. & M.S. Browning Company liquidated, and Browning Arms Company became an importer with wholesale functions.

Jan. 1, 1955 A newly created Browning Industries accepted the import functions previously held by J.M. & M.S. Browning Company. Browning Arms Company became the parent company.

1958 Browning Arms of Canada created, 70% Browning owned, 30% FN owned.

1964 Corporate Headquarters relocated to Route 1, Morgan, Utah.

1965 They began negotiations with Miroku Firearms in Japan.

1968 St. Louis sales operation relocated to Morgan, Utah. Warehouse/parts and service moved to Arnold, Missouri.

1977 90% of Browning Arms Company outstanding stock was purchased by FN and Miroku.

Miroku Corporation is a Japanese manufacturer located in Nangoku, Japan. A large part of their business is manufacturing firearms, including shotguns produced for Browning Arms Company. In the UK and European markets those products are sold under both the Miroku and Browning brand names.

Miroku produces arms for Browning, but are much cheaper to manufacture with Japanese labor, but generally accepted as rugged and reliable firearms.

2001: In partnership with Winchester Ammunition, they develop the new 300 Winchester Short Magnum (WSM) cartridge.

2002: The Winchester 300 WSM cartridge becomes a family with the addition of the 270 WSM and 7mm WSM.

2003: Browning and Winchester take the short magnum concept to the next level with the introduction of the 223 and 243 super short magnum. This not only includes these new calibers, but a new class of bolt-action rifle – the super-short action.

2004: The 25 WSSM short-action caliber, (.257 bullet diameter), perhaps the ultimate whitetail deer cartridge.

2005: The 325 WSM cartridge, designed to rival the 300 Win. Mag. and the powerful 338 Win. Mag., is new in three bullet weights. It offers serious power with greater velocity in a lighter rifle.

John Moses Browning’s seminal achievement is the M1911 series handgun. We have a few 1911 reviews on our website from various manufacturers, please feel free to read them.

Dan Wesson Guardian

Rock Island 22 TCM

Zenith Tisas

Detonics Combat Master

Mossberg MC1SC Review

April 9, 2019 By Josh Leave a Comment

Mossberg MC1SC Review —

Mossberg shocked the gun industry earlier this year with the announcement and release of their 9mm striker fired pistol, the MC1SC. We were there at SHOT Show when it was released and were one of the first groups in the entire industry to fire it.

While many folks were confused with why Mossberg would make such a firearm after making nothing but shotguns and rifles for about 100 years, it makes sense to us.

Mossberg wanted a bigger slice of the pie. I can’t say as though I don’t get it. Most of us want a bigger slice of the pie, right?

I’ve got a few hundred rounds of ammo through a couple of these guns, and what follows is my Mossberg MC1SC Review.

I’m a huge fan of anyone displaying innovation in gun manufacturing. In recent years, gun companies have had to try to stand out that much more to win the lion’s share of sales.

What can I say? Mossberg hit a home run here. The MC1 comes with premium options like an excellent trigger at affordable prices not seen in a gun of this caliber before.

And no, I’m not just talking about the shape of the trigger, though I am a fan of its shape, too. It has a short amount of takeup, maybe about a half inch though I haven’t measured it, hits a hard wall, and then breaks with a crisp snap.

It returns back with a click that is both felt and heard during reset.

In hand the MC1SC just feels like it’s supposed to be there. It is almost as if it’s an extension of my body–just the way I like it. This pistol does not come with any backstrap inserts, nor do I feel that it needs them.

It just belongs there.

It is a small gun, though and I do have a hard time getting my entire grip on the gun–even with the pinky extender 7-round mag. Then again I’m 6’4″ and 300 pounds with proper hands to match.

Still, the gun feels right at home in my hand and it shoots great.

Some folks may not like the grip texture that much and while Mossberg calls it an aggressive grip, I don’t really think it is. I’m personally not a huge fan of aggressive stippling on my guns so it’s actually perfect for me.

However, some shooters won’t find it grippy enough for them.

Also take notice of the magazine release which is perfectly positioned and sticks out just far enough to be hit by my thumb. This is something that I have a hard time with on many guns.

You’ve likely often thought that bigger people have less problems. While we can reach the stuff on the back of the top shelf at the grocery store, that’s about the extent.

My thumbs are shaped in such a way that I’m prevented from effectively hitting the magazine release on many guns out there. That’s not a problem, here.

Here is another picture of the magazine release from the other side. It sits flush, here, but is reversible:

There are multiple different models of Mossberg’s MC1SC out there currently: a cross bolt safety model, a base model, a model with night sights, etc. The one they sent out to me is the one with the night sights.

They asked me which I’d like and I offered up “first available” to them. I have to admit that I’m glad I didn’t get the safety model as I wouldn’t use it.

While I do think that the cross bolt safety is an interesting option that is likely more intuitive than a manual thumb safety would have been, it’s just not for me.

I was secretly hoping for the base model in case I loved it so much that I’d buy it from them. That way I could do so at the lowest possible price. I’m happy they sent me the one they did, though. The night sights are of high quality and the rear sight allows for one handed slide racking.

A moment ago I mentioned the sights, and here is a picture of the back of the gun showing off the rear sights as well as takedown:

The dots work well, and the sights do light up nicely in lower light conditions. I have yet to fire it at night though, so I’ll report back when I do.

Takedown is not what you’re used to, but very intuitive. Simply lock the slide to the rear, remove the magazine, check the chamber to make clear, and press the button on the back of the slide (the area with the horizontal lines).

That button/plate then slides downward (and out) allowing the firing pin to slide outward toward the back. Finally, while grasping the slide, release the slide and it comes right off without requiring the trigger pull.

One area where I wish more gun manufacturers put thought into, besides the trigger, is the serrations on the slide. I feel as though there are many people out there who’d benefit from a more aggressive slide serration profile than what many manufacturers are actually giving us.

Mossberg actually has pretty decent, not to mention attractive, slide serrations cut into this slide. They provide a decent amount of grip to help chamber a round under stress, and when not. Overall, I think they put a good amount of thought into this and it shows.

They provide both fore and aft chamber serrations, depending on your preference. Here is an extreme up close shot of the rear serrations:

Where it gets tricky for the MC1 is in support. As of right now, more holster manufacturers are joining up to help the concealed or open carrier with options to carry this gun for protection, but the selection isn’t huge.

For this review, I used two different holsters. I had requested that Clinger send me one of their V3 No Print Wonders, as well as a Desntis Gun Hide holster.

Both companies sent me great options to carry, both are very different, and both have a review coming your way in the very near future. Here is a picture of the Mossberg pistol in the Clinger Holster:

At just over one inch wide (1.03 to be exact) it conceals well. The barrel is 3.4 inches and it’s 4.3 inches tall. Overall, it conceals well. I had no issues concealing this gun on my body at the 3-3:30 position in a Desantis Gun Hide Leather OWB holster and a baggy t-shirt.

The base model has an MSRP of $425.00, and I’ve heard people saying they’ve been picking them up for between $350-375. Overall, this is an affordable gun that seems to be uber reliable up to this point with a few hundred rounds downrange. It ships with two clear, plastic magazines.

The flush mount mag holds six rounds, and the pinky extender holds seven. And, overall, the 19 ounce, empty, gun doesn’t recoil as badly as you think it would shooting any number of ammunition from 115 grain reloads and Federal American Eagle, to 135 grain Hydra Shok JHP ammo.

It handled and felt great while shooting. I even took it out to 20-25 yards and put some rounds on steel one handed. It was great. Again, like an extension of my body.

The only thing I wish it had, was the capacity to hold a few more rounds. Not a deal breaker for me, especially when you take into account that I carry a revolver on a semi-regular basis, but it’d be nice to add a few more rounds here.

Still, I’ll be buying this MC1SC from Mossberg if given the option, even as I send other guns back to their respective manufacturers. This one is too good, conceals too well, and handles too perfect to give back.

Here are some more pictures of the Mossberg MC1SC pistol that I just didn’t know where to put in the review but didn’t want to leave out because I spent the time taking them and adjusting the sizes and whatnot —

Check out our handgun ballistics chart next.

Have you shot the Mossberg MC1SC yet? What did you think about it? Let us know in the comments below.

Glock 48 Review: Did I Convert From 1911?

April 1, 2019 By Joe Roberts 1 Comment

Glock 48 Review —

At Shot Show 2019 Glock showcased their newest pistols, the Silver Slimline G48 and G43X and I never even got in line to shoot them. I honestly passed Glock by for 2 reasons. First, I was completely unimpressed by last year’s reveal of the G19X at Shot Show 2018. For all the talk, it was basically a G19 slide on a G17 frame in Coyote tan color.

Sorry guys, but nothing really earth-shattering here. Second, I am really not enamored by anything made by Glock. I know, I know, Glocks are the most safe, reliable, accurate, greatest, bestest pistol ever made and I am a knuckle dragging Neanderthal because I don’t like them.

I know what you’re thinking, “You must be one of those ‘Cult of the 1911’ guys.” Sorry, I just don’t like Glocks and my opinion has been formed by experience with them.

I am a firearms enthusiast and while I have a deep-rooted affinity for the M1911 pistol I also recognize that it is not the only handgun in the world. I have and currently do own several different pistols and revolvers from many different manufacturers.

Since my trade for almost the last 3 decades has been as a diesel mechanic, I believe in using the right tool for the job. Some pistols are better suited for some jobs than others and even though I have the utmost confidence in what I believe to be John Moses Browning’s seminal work, I also have other handguns that make their way into my every day carry rotation.

I have carried 2nd/3rd Generation Smith and Wesson pistols, Walther PPKs, Ruger and Charter Arms revolvers, and yes even Glocks.

I know that it is sacrilegious for fans of the 1911 to even speak the name of Gaston Glock (and vice versa as well) but even the most devoted JMB follower has to concede that Glock has a well-earned reputation for making ultra-reliable, accurate pistols.

The first Glock I ever purchased was a G30 SF model and I carried it on and off for a few years before I ended up selling it. Since then I have owned a 3rd Gen G23, 4th Gen G21, a G42, and my wife currently has a G43.

All of them shot well, were very accurate, and uber reliable in their stock out of the box configuration.

And while all of them were outstanding pistols in their own right, they all have one thing in common (with the exception of my wife’s G43), they are all gone.

For me, a pistol should feel like a natural extension of my body and the Glocks never did. My G30 was ridiculously accurate and reliable and I wanted to love it, but it never felt quite right in my hand and I was never quite comfortable shooting it.

When the Gen 4 came out I thought that the interchangeable backstraps would solve the problem, that I would finally be able to fit the gun to my hand. I was wrong, so from then on, I swore off Glocks.

Last week I was at my local indoor range for a bit of .45 caliber therapy and as I often do, I did some window shopping after I was done with my practice session. As I was looking at the guns in the case a trio of pistols with a 2-tone finish caught my eye.

For some reason I had gravitated to the G48 that I ignored at Shot Show. The clerk was kind enough to pass one over to me for further inspection and after double checking the weapon was clear, I closed the slide and sighted in on a spot on the far wall.

The pistol in my hand felt right.

I handed it back, thanked the clerk and went on about my day. That evening I started thinking again about the G48 and how it felt. I pushed it from my thoughts and called it a night.

The next morning, I was back shortly after the range opened and after some paperwork and a swipe of my card, I walked out with a brand-new Glock 48.

Initial Inspection and Cleaning

Once I got it home I went through my usual routine of disassembly, inspection, and cleaning. In my opinion, this is not as important for Glocks as it is for other manufacturers since I have never come across a new Glock that came from the factory gunked up with a corrosion inhibitor.

In my experience there really is no cleaning required before firing, but I do an inspection and cleaning on every firearm I acquire whether they are new or used.

The Silver Slimline Glocks have an attractive 2-tone finish with a black polymer frame and silver nPVD coated slide, that also has front and rear cocking serrations.

It comes with standard Glock accessories, 2 ten round magazines, magazine loading tool, cleaning rod, nylon bore brush, and safety lock. Basically, what I have come to expect from Glock, everything you need and nothing you don’t.

The changes that Glock has applied to the Gen 5 and the Slimline pistols are so subtle that I didn’t really notice them until after I had fired 200 rounds through the pistol.

First, the grip texture is nowhere near as aggressive as it was on my Gen 4 G21. The grip texture on that pistol was so aggressive that it made the G21 very uncomfortable to shoot for long periods.

Second, and I am embarrassed to state I didn’t notice it upon my initial inspection, the finger grooves that Glock introduced on their Gen 3 pistols and carried over to the Gen 4 were gone … and that made all the difference.

As stated before, my main complaint with Glock was the feel, they never felt right in my hand.

All the Glocks I had owned up to this point had the cursed finger grooves and were double stack pistols (with the G42 being the obvious exception), and being a 1911 guy, I just assumed that it was because I am so accustomed to the feel of the 1911.

The slim profile and lack of finger grooves make a world of difference in the way the G48 feels in the hand, almost like it was made for me.

Range Day

The next day I headed back to Sportsman’s Lodge, my local indoor range to test fire the G48 to see if it would disappoint me like my previous Glocks had.

I took 200 rounds to the range with me, a mix of Federal American Eagle 124gr FMJ, Aguila 115gr FMJ, Federal 115gr JHP, and Magtech 115gr JHP. I wanted to see how it would perform with different ammunition. Because Glock has a reputation for being highly reliable, I was more concerned with how it would group different ammo than whether it would feed reliably.

The reason I parted ways with my earlier Glocks was due to the way they felt when firing, they never felt comfortable to me. I would constantly have to adjust the pistol in my hand every few shots and after about 50 rounds of shooting the middle finger on my shooting hand would feel sore.

This was due to a ridge left over from the frame molding process that would rub the side of my finger where it made contact with the bottom of the trigger guard. To me it seemed that a company that touted themselves as “Glock Perfection” could do a better job cleaning up the molding flash.

So how did the G48 perform? Well I must say that I was impressed. Not necessarily by the fact that it ate all 200 rounds that I took to the range without a single malfunction, I mean let’s face it, it’s a Glock.

No, I was impressed by the fact that it was comfortable to shoot, with no adjusting necessary and more importantly, no rubbing on my finger. It was also absolutely accurate and reliable, just what you would expect from Glock.

I fired from 10 to 25 yards and the G48 basically fires point of aim, point of impact through all ranges as long as the shooter does their job.

Proper sight alignment, sight picture, and trigger control are paramount to accuracy and if the operator applies them properly then the G48 is definitely a capable weapon. I fired the G48 from the 2-handed, 1 hand strong hand, and 1 hand weak hand holds. I fired sustained slow fire at 25 yards, rapid pairs at 15 yards, and Failure drills at 10 yards.

After 200 rounds I came to the realization that I need to shoot more.

The Glock grouped well at all ranges, and the only rounds that I dropped (and there were a few), I called due to poor trigger control on my part. Grouping at 15 yards showed very little difference between the different kinds of ammunition but that could also be due to the jerk behind the trigger.

Sustained slow fire at 25 yards produced some of the best shooting I have ever done from that range with all but 3 rounds finding their way to vital areas of the target.

Shooting defensive drills at 10 and 15 yards respectively, I found the G48 to be very controllable with very little muzzle flip.

It was easy to quickly get back on target for follow-up shots. Felt recoil was minor for a pistol of the G48s size and weight, a testament to the engineers at Glock.

Conclusion

For a guy who never had much use for Glocks, I must say that I am impressed with what Glock has done with the G48. When I purchased it, I figured that I would shoot it, write the review, and then sell it.

But the G48 has changed my mind. It is an attractive, accurate, and reliable pistol that has earned its way into my carry rotation and may have very well displaced my Colt Commander as my go-to for everyday carry.

Its light weight and slim profile make it perfect for concealed carry, which I am guessing was Glock’s intent. I have often stated that I would never own another Glock, to which they apparently said “Challenge Accepted.” Well not only did they accept the challenge, but they hit it out of the park.

Now if I could only get them to come out with a compact .45 …

Introducing the Mossberg MC1sc at SHOT Show 2019

January 24, 2019 By Josh Leave a Comment

Many folks thought that SHOT Show 2019 would be a flub of the worst kind. I mean, how could we top the SIG Sauer P365 release of 2018? How could any gun manufacturer pull something off that would be anywhere near as good?

Or so the naysayers said.

However, Mossberg heard that call, and answered it with something totally outside the norm for them: A subcompact pistol made for concealed carry.

This isn’t the first time the Connecticut shotgun manufacturer made a concealed carry pistol, as they had a small pocket pistol called the Brownie way back in 1919.

They had a Mossberg Brownie on display at their booth in Vegas at SHOT Show 2019, and it was a cute little thing. I think the name “Brownie” fits it well. I could almost eat it up.

While the MC1sc isn’t going to compete directly with the P365, it doesn’t have to. It’ll fit in a totally different market, and I can say that it looks like it’ll fit in quite well. This new Mossberg pistol looks like it’ll compete with the S&W Shield, the G43, and other guns of that size.

In fact, it almost looks like they’re going right after those guns full steam ahead. And, I think it’s got a fighting chance.

While it may not be the sexiest little pistol on the market, after shooting it multiple times at the Media Day at the Range out at SHOT Show 2019, I can say that it ran great and I’m not the only one. Everyone I spoke to so far this week had nothing but good things to say about it.

Check out our video:

Hopefully you were able to see in the video just how capable it seems to be even with minimal recoil for such a small gun. Even better for me, I was able to hit the magazine release with ease, something that I usually struggle with, with my oddly shaped thumb.

With an MSRP starting at $425, going up from there if you want that Viridian laser model, with a street price likely well under the $400 price point, this is an excellent entry for Mossberg into the pistol market.

Other models includes one with a cross bolt safety for those of you who’d rather have that option, and a model without a safety.

Check out my review, here.

Top 20 Best 9mm Handguns

November 9, 2018 By Josh 5 Comments

One of the questions I get asked most often, usually by folks new to the gun world, is: what is the best 9mm pistol to own? I’m going to attempt to answer that question in just a moment, but remember that what’s best for me, may not be what’s good for you. So, take what I say here with a grain of salt.

As always, if you have anything you’d like to add, please make sure you do in the comments section, at the bottom of this ridiculously long “best 9mm handgun” article (seriously, it’s over 3,500 words and took me several days to write) (usually around midnight after my day-job).

Before we get to the actual list, let’s go over some “housekeeping” issues just so you know where I’m coming from.

Why 9mm?

First, why is this all about the best 9mm handguns instead of .40 S&W, .45ACP, .357 Mag, etc.? Well, one thing we have to understand, is that the people who want to know the answer to this, won’t choose a hand-cannon as their first gun, and quite a few of the people asking me these questions are newer to the game without a lot of firearms handling experience.

My own research has shown that newer shooters generally start with 9mm, and move on from there, as they see fit. Will I do other calibers at some point? Most likely, because those same people will eventually ask other questions concerning other calibers. But for right now, we’ll stick with the best 9mm.

Requirements:

It doesn’t matter what action the gun has, what materials make it up, who makes it (you may find a few surprises here), or if it’s hammer or striker-fired to be included on this list. Meaning that there is a section for the best concealed carry revolvers, as well as other semi-autos.

To be considered as one of the top 9mm handguns, it needs to be reliable. If a gun hasn’t proven itself to be reliable, it is not listed here. Granted, no guns are perfect, and firearm can malfunction. But, what I’m talking about are continuous failures.

Furthermore, only being able to shoot certain kinds of ammo, or requiring to be cleaned after every single range session, are a means for disqualification from this list.

The best 9mm handguns need to be safe. Now, don’t confuse this term with a mechanical safety device. Some of the guns on this list have those, while some do not. Still, others, utilize the use of a passive safety or a lengthy trigger pull. But, having an actual safety device is not a prerequisite for inclusion. What is necessary, however, is that the gun only goes bang when you want it to.

In other words, while any gun can drop-fire, or shoot off a round when dropped from a high-enough position, it should not be a common problem with any of these guns.

Finally, I’ve categorized these top 9mm handguns based on type of gun: Full size, revolver, compact, etc., and are not listed in any particular order. Now, without any further ado, let’s get talking about which guns are on this best 9mm handgun list …

Best 9mm Pistol – Full Size:

This is going to be the longest category filled with a multitude of different types of guns, striker, hammer, DA/SA, etc. The main reason why, is because nearly everyone is in this game. Sure, some gun manufacturers only make sub-compacts (like SCCY, for example) but most of them do make a full-size service pistol, and this is a great place for someone new to this world to start because a big, recoil absorbing gun can boost confidence and is easier to learn on, than a much smaller gun is. For the sake of simplicity, the best 9mm handguns in this section have a barrel size of 4 inches and up, even though some gun makers would consider that to be “compact” in size. Here are the best full size 9mm handguns —

HK VP9 —

The HK VP9 is one of the most ergonomically correct pistols on the market right now. It also just happens to be reliable, accurate, and pleasant to shoot. It comes with many of the features you’d come to expect from a modern-day pistol, like a polymer frame, comfortable grips, an accessory rail, a trigger safety that won’t allow the gun to fire unless pressed, and HK’s charging supports on either side of the slide’s rear serrations. It is not, however, an inexpensive gun, and is easily one of the most expensive guns listed on this best 9mm handgun article, at $719. In my opinion, though, it’s worth every penny. These guys have them in stock, currently starting at about $585.

Barrel Length: 4.09″

Overall Length: 7.34″

Capacity: 10 or 15

Weight: 25.56 ounces (empty)

MSRP: $719

Glock 19 —

The Glock 19 doesn’t need any introduction. It’s one of the most popular handguns in the world, and is renown for its reliability in nearly every circumstance. While Glock was not technically the first one to make a gun of this type (that award goes to the HK Vp70), they perfected their own design with the G17, and eventually with the G19. The G19 is a 9mm, striker-fired, polymer-framed pistol that is known to be uber reliable and accurate. The Glock 19 is one of the most-chosen guns for both on and off-duty police officers, and it’s easy to see why: it’s one of the best 9mm pistols available, even if not the most aesthetically pleasing. These guys have Gen 5s in stock for $559.99.

Barrel Length: 4.01″

Overall Length: 7.28″

Capacity: 15

Weight: 23.65 ounces (empty)

MSRP: ~$600

FN-FNX-9 —

Rarely is a major gun manufacturer standing outside of the spotlight as often as FN is. What do I mean? Well, personally speaking, when most other gun enthusiasts talk about SIG, Glock and HK, my mind drifts to FN. I’m talking about a company that’s been around since the before John Moses Browning invented the famous M1911 with many years of making military weapons. The FNX series, available in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP is one of the best full-size handguns on the market. It’s a hammer-fired DA/SA pistol with a safety/decocker, in a reliable package all at an MSRP of $699. These guys have them in stock starting at $580.00.

Barrel Length: 4″

Overall Length: 7.4″

Capacity: 10 or 17 rounds

Weight: 21.9 ounces

MSRP: $699

CZ 75 —

The CZ 75 is not only one of the most versatile and copied pistols ever made, it also hasn’t changed much since its inception back in 1975. When I say it’s versatile, I mean that it’s configured to be carried cocked and locked like you would carry a 1911, or you can carry it in DA/SA with a long, first trigger pull as your safety. I don’t personally own a CZ 75, yet, but all of my friends who do swear they’ll never sell it. It’s a great-shooting gun, and while large, is quite concealable with the right setup. Some would argue this is the best 9mm pistol of all time, and while I wouldn’t necessarily go that far, it deserves to be here. These guys currently have the compact in stock starting at a decent price.

Barrel Length: 4.6 inches

Overall Length: 8.1 inches

Capacity: 10 or 16

Weight: 2.2 pounds

MSRP: $612

M&P9 —

Smith & Wesson’s M&P series is one of the most popular polymer pistols (say that 5 times fast) on the market. They just released the new 2.0, and so far I’ve heard nothing but good things about it. Personally speaking, I only have limited trigger time behind the 2.0, but this striker-fired pistol is getting great reviews, and I’ve got nothing bad to say about the first model. Overall, it’s a great mid-priced 9mm pistol that gets the job done. These guys currently have the M&P in stock for about $380.

Barrel Length: 4.25″

Overall Length: 7.4″

Capacity: 17+1

Weight: 24.7 Ounces

MSRP: $599

Sig Sauer P320 —

Here is another one that needs no introduction. The P320 was just chosen to be the military’s sidearm of choice until it’s time to replace, yet again. I’m not even sure where to start because the P320 is so modular that you can literally have a compact 9mm pistol one day, and a full-size .45 ACP the next. Some folks don’t see the positive in this, and if you’re one of them that’s fine. But for people who live in a state where it’s a PITA to own multiple guns, having one modular one with different options may be the way to go. There is no doubt that this is one of the best 9mm handguns out there, right now. These guys currently have them in stock starting at $450 depending on the model you want.

Barrel Length: Have it your way

Overall Length: Depends

Capacity: Depends

Weight: Depends

MSRP: Starts at $679

S&W SD9 —

No bells … no whistles … Nope, sometimes you’re broke but need a solid shooter to defend yourself with. If that’s the case, then the polymer-framed, striker-fired SD9 from Smith-Wesson is a great option. The MSRP is right at $389, and the magazines are 16 rounders. This is not a perfect pistol, but it works whenever needed, and is cheap. The trigger is far from the best on the market, but you’ll be able to pick one up for a lot less than the advertised MSRP. That’s a good price for a good gun from a decent gun manufacturer with 16 (+1) potential bad-guy stoppers. This would easily be one of the best 9mm handguns if I had an “inexpensive” category, which I don’t so I’ll stick it here.

Barrel Length: 4″

Overall Length: 7.2

Capacity: 16+1

Weight: 22.3 ounces

MSRP: $389

Best 9mm pistol – single stack:

As the name implies, these are 9mm pistols with a single stack magazine. The ones that fit in here are are not necessarily a pocket nine or a micro-compact, though one of them does have the option to utilize a 3.3″ barrel. I also did not include 9mm 1911s in this section, either, even though they’re technically single stack 9mm pistols. You can find the best 1911 section below. So, what are these good for? Well, if you are unlucky enough to live in a state where there is a magazine capacity ban, a single stack gun makes sense because it carries fewer rounds. Or, if you are just in the market for a super thin gun that conceals excellent, this is a great way to go. Either way, here are the best single stack 9mm pistols —

Kahr CT9 —

The thing with Kahr’s pistols, is that even the “value priced” guns don’t feel cheap. The MSRP on the CT9 is right around the $450 mark, but can be found for much cheaper than that out at your neighborhood FFL dealer. The CT9 is a single-stack, polymer-framed pistol that can be carried concealed and has an excellent trigger. I say excellent because the trigger pull is smooth without any grit or false breaks. I’ve had plenty of time with Kahr’s pistols, and can say that, while they don’t always favor steel-cased ammo, I have never had an issue with brass or even aluminum ammunition.

Barrel Length: 3.965″

Overall Length: 6.5

Capacity: 8+1

Weight: 18.5

MSRP: $449.99

Springfield XDs —

Springfield Armory did just get caught doing something stupid, and that cannot be disputed. Whether it was purposeful or an accident isn’t the point, and this isn’t a politics article. Rather, this is a best 9mm pistol article, and the XDs is a great single stack pistol. Many people call this a pocket pistol or a micro, but I don’t. Available in both 3.3 or 4 inch barrel variants, the passive grip and trigger safeties help ensure the gun doesn’t go bang when it isn’t supposed to. Of course, there is no replacement for a competent, safe shooter, and passive safeties like these have been known to fail from time to time. I do want to say, here, that the grip on Springfield Armory’s XDs is an acquired taste, and isn’t my favorite to shoot. Still, this is a great gun that I would trust my life to.

Barrel Length: 3.3″ or 4″

Overall Length: 7″

Capacity: 7 or 8

Weight: 25 or 26 ounces, depending on mag

MSRP: $599

Best Concealed Carry Revolvers in 9mm:

You didn’t think I’d only have semi-auto pistols on this best 9mm handgun list did you? Feast your eyes on the beautiful simplicity of the revolver, complete with its long trigger pull as a safety feature. There aren’t a lot of 9mm revolvers out there in the world, but those on this list, are of exceptional quality, and deserve to be here. Keep in mind that, while revolvers work well I prefer mine to not require anything extra to work (like moon-clips). There is one on this best 9mm handgun list that does not require moon-clips to function, and you have to wonder: what’s taking everyone else so long to figure out how to make it work? Either way, here are the best concealed carry revolvers chambered in 9mm. Here are the best concealed carry revolvers in 9mm —

S&W Performance Center 986 —

The Performance Center 986 is one of my absolute favorite revolvers. It has a 2.5 inch barrel and a capacity of seven rounds. For a revolver, that ain’t bad. The 986 conceals well, but isn’t cheap. Of course, they can be found cheaper than the $1,129 price tag, but finding one in your local gun shop won’t be an easy task. This isn’t a Glock or an M&P, and you’d likely need to have your FFL dealer special order it for you. Overall, a revolver in SA/DA is a good option for concealed carry, and if aesthetics were graded, this one would get an A+. Of course, it does require a moon clip, which is an issue for me, so I’d stick with one of the rimmed revolvers, like a PC 686 (very similar) that’ll throw .357 or .38SPC down range.

Barrel Length: 2.5″

Overall Length: 7.5″

Capacity: 7

Weight: 31.7 ounces

MSRP: $1,129.00

Ruger LCR —

Much more affordable than the previous 9mm revolver, is the LCR chambered in nine. This snub-nosed revolver has a barrel length of under 2 inches and only weighs 17.2 ounces making it great for pocket carry or deep concealment like a backup on your ankle. Then again, I know plenty of people who carry a Ruger LCR as their every day carry piece. Whatever floats your boat. In this case, floating your boat is a snub-nosed double action revolver with an internal hammer. Keep in mind, also, that smaller snub-nose revolvers can be a handful to hold onto, if you’re not used to shooting, yet. You know what? Scratch that. I’ve been shooting for years and my snubs are still a handful for me whenever a short grip is installed. Opting for a longer one, where your pinky-finger isn’t held out to dry will help tame the revolver that much more.

Barrel Length: 1.87″

Overall Length: 6.5″

Capacity: 5

Weight: 17.2 ounces

MSRP: $669.99

Charter Arms Pitbull —

The Charter Arms Pitbull is an interesting take on the 9mm revolver. While most revolvers that are designed to shoot semi-auto rounds utilize a moon-clip to work properly, the Pitbull does not require anything extra. Thus firming up its reliability as it removes a part that is so easily breakable or bendable. A bent or broken clip can cripple the use of a 9mm revolver. It holds 5-rounds of ammo, down from 6 after a recent (two or so years ago) redesign. Overall, the Charter Arms Pitbull is a reliable offering from a company that doesn’t get the respect it deserves at an MSRP of $502.00. The ability to chamber rimless cartridges alone is enough to get this revolver on my top 9mm handgun list. Everything else is just icing.

Barrel Length: 2.2″

Overall Length:

Capacity: 5

Weight: 22 ounces

MSRP: $502.00

Best Sub-Compact and Pocket Pistols:

I kind of lumped these two best 9mm pistol categories together to save on space because I can tell already that this article is going to be epic (in size, anyway). These are smaller guns with lower capacity, but make up for that fact by offering up excellent concealability. I generally put guns in this section with a barrel length starting at about 3″ and going up to about 3.5 inches. Here are the best small 9mm handguns —

Sig Sauer P365 —

The Sig Sauer P365 is the latest entry to this top 9mm pistol article that I’ve put together, and has caused me to republish this old piece to push back to the front. I’ve got a considerable amount of time with one of these, and some of my counterparts over at concealedcarry.com have 4,000+ rounds through theirs without failure. Sig really hit a home-run here, no matter what your thoughts of them are as a company. Capacity is unmatched in a very concealable package. I know these guns have been hard to get in some areas, if that’s you, these guys have them in stock as of this writing for $499.

Barrel Length: 3.1″

Overall Length: 5.8″

Capacity: 10+1 (or 12+1)

Weight: 17.8 ounces

MSRP: $599.99

Ruger LC9s —

Small enough to fit in your pocket, carry for deep concealment, or use as a backup gun with a decent price point is the Ruger LC9s. This pistol is sort of an upgraded, striker-fired version of their LC9. Instead of a trigger pull so long you could run to China and back before it breaks, the LC9s has a great, smooth trigger that lends itself to great target practice. For a tiny gun chambered in 9mm with 7+1 rounds, that ain’t bad. These guys currently have them at one of the best prices I’ve ever seen at $259.

Barrel Length: 3.12″

Overall Length: 6″

Capacity: 7+1

Weight: 17.2 ounces

MSRP: $479.99

Sig Sauer P938 —

Disclaimer: I have a Sig Sauer P938 that I’m experiencing issues with right now. If you didn’t know, I’m the managing editor for ConcealedCarry.Com, and the review will be getting published over there at some point in the coming months. However, I do believe that this is just one of those lemon issues, specific to only a few of these guns. Still, I’d feel remiss if I didn’t at least mention that I do have a 938 that experiences malfunctions. When it works, it’s a great gun that’s a blast to shoot. Starting in the $800.00 range depending upon your options, this pocket nine is a breeze to shoot, and is aesthetically pleasing. The Sig 938 is a micro compact, hammer-fired, SAO that’ll make 1911 lovers feel at home in a smaller package. These guys have plenty in stock starting at $679 depending on your options.

Barrel Length: 3″

Overall Length: 5.9″

Capacity: 6+1

Weight: 16 Ounces

MSRP: ~ $800.00

Walther PPSM2 —

If you’re in the market for a small conceal carry gun with arguably one of the best triggers on the market, look no further than Walther’s PPSM2. While Walther has been the brunt of a lot of jokes as of late with recent recalls, to my knowledge there aren’t many issues concerning the PPSM2, and I’ve personally not had any issues when firing them. As a an added bonus, I find the PPSM2 to be ergonomically pleasing over many of the other guns on this list of this size. Overall, this is a great option, and, for the price, you really cannot do much better.

Barrel Length: 3.18″

Overall Length: 6.3″

Capacity: 6 or 7 +1

Weight: 21.1 Onces

MSRP: $469.99

SCCY CPX-2 —

I’m about to turn a lot of people off, but hear me out. Just because a gun is inexpensive, doesn’t mean it isn’t reliable. Seriously, I just listed an $800 Sig with reliability issues. Many of the stories you’ve read on SCCY and the problems they face are unfounded. All of SCCY’s pistols are double action only, and come with a 9-pound trigger pull. I do also want to say that, while there are two 9mm models, I only mentioned the CPX-2, which does not have a mechanical safety. With a trigger pull like the SCCY has, I don’t see a need for a mechanical thumb safety. But, to each their own. Either way, don’t let the simple fact that you can pick one of these up for dirt cheap fool you, because they go bang when they’re supposed to. These guys have them in stock for a little over $200, depending on your chosen mode.

Barrel Length: 3.1″

Overall Length: 5.7″

Capacity: 10+1

Weight: 15 Ounces

MSRP: $314

Best 9mm pistol – compact:

For those of us who want more ammo in a small-enough to conceal package, are guns that come in at the compact size. These guns generally have a barrel length in the 3.4-4″ range, and usually hold anywhere from eight to 17 rounds with an extended magazine. Here are the best compact 9mm pistols —

FNS9-c

Stay tuned for a handgun review on this one. FN sent me an FNS9-C in FDE two months ago, and I’m knee deep in it right now. I’ve got enough jacketed lead through it right now to confirm that this is a fantastic pistol, so much so, that I’m going to be buying one when I’m done with the review. It’s easy to conceal and comes with one 12-round magazine and one 17-round mag. I don’t want to say too much about it now, except that it is one of the best 9mm compact pistols on the market, right now, even if I can’t find a holster to save my life. Stay tuned for my review. These guys have them in stock in different variations at $499.

Barrel Length: 3.6″

Overall Length: 6.7″

Capacity: 12+1 or 17+1

Weight: 23.4 Ounces

MSRP: $599.00

Glock 26 —

The G26 has a barrel length of just 3.4 inches, and a capacity of 10 rounds. Then again, Glock’s magazines are interchangeable and I know plenty of Glock owners who carry a G26 with the 10-round magazine while concealing it, with a G17 mag for backup. There isn’t a lot that needs to be said here, it’s a Glock–certainly not the best-looking guns around, but definitely one of the best and most reliable. These guys have a G4 Glock 26 in stock for $499.

Barrel Length: 3.4″

Overall Length: 6.41″

Capacity: 10+1

Weight: 21.7 ounces

MSRP:

Best 9mm 1911:

I know what you’re thinking, 9mm 1911s shouldn’t even be a thing. Well, they are, and some people love them. In fact, I own one from Springfield Armory that I’m going to stick on this list even though it’s bound to piss half of my readers off after the stunt they just pulled. But, it’s one of the best shooting 9mm 1911s I’ve ever seen, and I cannot deny that fact.

Springfield Armory EMP 4 —

As the name implies, the Springfield Armory EMP4 is a 1911 with a 4″ barrel. I feel confident in saying that this is likely one of the best 9mm 1911s I’ve ever fired. Its smooth, short, crisp trigger pull is exactly what you’d expect from a 1911 in the $1,200 price range. I own one of these, well, it’s my wife’s, and it’s a great confidence builder for her because the recoil is low, the pistol is accurate, and the single stack 9mm magazine carries 10 rounds of hollow points. It has an aluminum frame, steel slide, cocobolo grips, fiber optic sights, and the list goes on. It does require a tool for take down, which can be a pain when in the field, but a simple paper clip will do the trick, and I’ve even used one to make sure. As an added bonus, this gun isn’t bloodthirsty for gun oil, like just about every other 1911 I’ve ever fired.

Barrel Length: 4″

Overall Length: 7.5″

Capacity: 10 rounds

Weight: 31 ounces

MSRP: $1179

Conclusion:

That about does it this time around. Which firearms would you liked to have seen included on my top 9mm handgun list? Please let me know in the comments below. I had several others on here that got chopped, due to length, but I may add the TP9 and the G43 back in at some point. Stay tuned, because this may grow over time.

Make sure you check out our USCCA Review, next.

SIG Ammo: A Reliable Choice For Range, Match, And Self-Defense

June 7, 2018 By Terry Nelson Leave a Comment

SIG Match Grade ammo in 308 — **SIG Match Grade ammunition in .308**

Sig Sauer is probably best known for its exceptional line of handguns and rifles. You may have even heard of the Sig Sauer Academy having been around now since the late 1980s.

However, some folks may not know that Sig has been in the ammunition business since 2013. Since its start in Kentucky the ammo part of Sig has now moved to Jacksonville, Arkansas. The ammo division now offers a full line of practice, defensive match, and hunting ammunition along with brass for the reloading enthusiasts.

Although I have yet to try all the offerings of SIG ammo, I have been testing some of their better known ammunition categories.

Practice

The Practice category was my first chance to try out SIG ammo and it did not disappoint. There were zero feeding or reliability issues. Offerings in the Practice ammo line include, 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 380 Auto, 38 Super, 9mm, 10mm, 357 Sig, 40 S&W, 45 ACP, and even .308 FMJ.

SIG provides another choice for the shooter when it comes to reliable training ammunition. The company describes this line as “manufactured to SIG’s exacting standards with durable copper jacketed bullets, solid brass cases, and dependable primers.”

Defensive

Defensive ammo from SIG, also known as V-Crown, is offered in the following; 38 Special +P, 380 Auto, 38 Super + P, 9mm, 10mm, 357 Sig, 357 Magnum, 40 S&W, 44 Magnum, 44 Special, 45 Auto and 45 Colt. New in 2018 is 365 Sig 9mm ammo, developed specifically for the also new SIG P365 pistol, a great combination for concealed carry. As SIG puts it when talking about their defensive line: “From bullet to brass to propellant, SIG V-Crown ammunition establishes a new standard in jacketed hollow point centerfire pistol cartridges.”

Match

SIG manufactures match grade ammo in the following calibers; 223 Rem, 300 Blackout, 6.5 Creedmoor and 308 Win. According to SIG “Our subsonic match rounds deliver increased downrange terminal performance and low noise for suppressed AR rifles, while supersonic rounds offer superior accuracy and minimal dispersion when suppressed.”

I have personally tested their match ammo in 308 Win and can say that it is both accurate and reliable.

All SIG ammo is characterized as Elite Performance — **All SIG ammunition is characterized as Elite Performance.**

Hunting

The hunting line of ammo offered by SIG is one I have not tried as of this writing. It’s available in the following calibers; 22-250 Rem, 223 Rem, 243 Rem, 300 Blackout, 6.5 Creedmoor and 308 Win. Obviously, it’s a good selection.

SIG states that their “HT superior hunting rounds yield consistent 1.8X diameter expansion using an all-copper projectile with optimized nosed geometry and premium nickel-plated shell casings, delivering consistently reliable accuracy for taking down game.” My intent is to try SIG hunting ammo afield, soon.

While I will continue use of other brands of ammunition that I have employed over many years of hunting, training, competition, and other special purposes, I have no doubt that the SIG lineup of ammo will have a place in my options for ammo use now and into the future.

Check out our in depth handgun ballistics chart.

The Best Build – Revamping the Glock vs 1911 Debate

May 15, 2018 By Travis Pike Leave a Comment

While the Glock vs 1911 debate is about as old as gun forums it still rages. It’s likely to never end, and we’ll always hear 17 rounds versus 8, or how many World Wars did the Glock win? We aren’t settling that debate today, instead, we are going to revamp and talk about building Glocks vs building 1911s.

These two guns are insanely popular, which has led to a rich and robust aftermarket, which has lead to an 80% frame market. This allows non-ffls to create the Glock or 1911 build of their dreams.

An 80% frame is an unfinished firearm receiver. As an 80% part, you can order it direct to your door, without the need for an FFL. You then have to mill the firearm out to accept the necessary pieces to become a real gun. There are offerings for both Glock and 1911 builds and we are going to talk about the pros and cons of both.

The 1911

The 1911 is as American as baseball, the cheeseburger, and childhood obesity. This gun was one of the longest-serving handguns with the US Military and is a favorite of gun guys and gals everywhere. This platform runs from a single stack magazine and is most commonly chambered in 45 ACP.

When it comes to a 1911 build the sky is the limit. Kits are available in most common calibers, including 9mm and 45 ACP. There is also the standard 5 inch Government build and the 4.25 Commander frames. Builders also have the choice of railed frames or classic smooth dust covers.

Advantages of a 1911 Build

The first advantage is going to be the ability to customize every single part to your liking. The 1911 has been around for over a century and has been a popular gun throughout its lifespan. This has created an impressive aftermarket that can cater to anything you want. A search of Brownells shows over 1,300 parts tagged 1911 parts versus the Glock’s 1,100 parts. The 1911 is also capable of being customized to an extreme degree, from tactical to race gun.

Because the market is so expansive you can also find parts at a wide variety of price levels. This allows for both a budget 1911 build kit or something rivaling a true custom build. Speaking of variety, the metal frame does allow you to go all stainless which is easily a +2 for the style.

A 1911 build is going to allow me to build a 45 ACP, 38 Super, or 10mm gun, something I haven’t seen available for 80% Glock frames. As a lover of retro calibers, a 38 Super build just sounds amazing. There is also more frame options from a wider variety of companies available.

The Glock

The Glock is plastic fantastic defined. These polymer wonder guns shifted an entire industry forward. The Glock is the leading law enforcement firearm and is a favorite for the modern shooter. Anywhere you see guns you’ll see Glocks.

Glocks are limited to a few frame options from a company known as Polymer80. These are standard medium frame Glocks compatible with 9mm, 357 SIG, and 40 S&W. They are available in compact (think G19) and full size (think G17). After the frame is established you can build almost anything thing you want.

Advantages of the Glock build

As the more modern pistol, you have a great number of modern options. It’s easy to find slides cut for optics, as well as some truly interesting serration options from companies like ZEV and Agency Arms. The Glock options for triggers, magazine releases, and more is also impressive.

The polymer frame is much easier to mill than a metal 1911 frame. The Polymer 80 Glocks aren’t as refined as the 1911s, but the ease of building one makes it perfect for a beginner. There are also fewer tools required, and the tools that are required are a little cheaper.

Polymer 80 does offer the latest tactical colors for frames as well. This includes Black, FDE, OD Green, and Gray. Who doesn’t love a little variety?

How to Decide on Glock vs 1911?

A 1911 build offers you old school cool, a grip to die for, and of course, that single action trigger we know and love. A Glock build offers a simpler and more affordable build. The Glock is more modern, but the 1911 is more customizable. It’s certainly a difficult decision to make.

I’m bringing you this debate as almost a way to help me decide which route to take. This is something I’ve been wanting to do for some time, and need help deciding. Let me know what you’d build, and why: Glock VS 1911.

Highlights From NRAAM 2018, With Several Photos

May 12, 2018 By Josh Leave a Comment

With the NRA Annual Meetings solidly behind us, I feel as though I should start to talk about what I saw a bit. What follows are some of the better pictures I took while there, and some info about the guns and gear I saw.

Henry never disappoints at the NRA Annual Meetings. This time around they brought what I guess I’m calling a tactical lever action rifle, complete with MLok rail and non-wood-looking furniture (though I think it is actually a wooden stock). This is definitely a step in a different direction for the classic lever-action rifle maker. But, I guess if anyone can make this sort of thing work, it’d be Henry Repeating.

tactical henry — Henry’s newest lineup: Tactical Lever Action Rifles

UP close, that stock looks like it has some wood grains in it.

Henry Rifles — Here they are from the back angle.

My favorite shotgun maker has been in the news a bit lately, as they cut off Dick’s. I couldn’t help myself, there. The Mossberg 590 Sockwave also now comes in .410, which is another great option for a truck gun.

Believe it or not, this was my first time holding a Rhino in my hand. Interesting concept and I’d love to actually get my hands on one at the range. This one just happens to look sexy as hell in my favorite color: Olive Drab.

I think we were all expecting Beretta to release a compact and carry version of their APX, and they brought it with them to the NRA Annual Meetings 2018. Here is one of the iterations.

This thing is pretty innovative. I got some shots of it broken down but they didn’t come out all that well, so this is all you get. Sorry.

At the Kahr Arms booth, and couldn’t resist getting some updated Tommy Gun photos. Here’s one of them. Though, looking at it now it looks like one of my kids took it.

Canik was there. I’m a huge fan of this gun, and any gun, where my strangely shaped thumbs can actually manipulate the magazine release without having to re-position my hand. This one fits that bill. I may need to buy one. Here’s a list of what I consider the best 9mm handguns on the market.

Here is a Sphinx.

This is actually a little single shot .22 lr handgun that folds up to the size of a credit card and fits in an Altoids tin can. Talk about concealed carry.

I always appreciate clear magazines because there is no guessing how much ammo is loaded up. Hex Mag just recently released a new clear AR-15 magazine to their lineup. Here is one of them.

Believe it or not, this thing is chambered in .45-70 Government, that has been de-rimmed and is meant to take an elephant or anything else you can think of. Imagine, if you will, a 325 grain .45 caliber projectile moving at 2,500 fps. That’s what this thing does.

45-70 ar rifle — This thing is chambered in a modified .45-70 GOVT

I’m always a fan of sexy rifles. I believe I was at the Aero booth here. By the way, Aero Precision is listed in my best AR-15 Rifle manufacturer article I wrote up. Have you read it yet?

I got to spend a lot of time with my friends from JM4 Tactical. Here’s one of their new hats. Also stay tuned for a holster review I’ve got coming your way.

Here is a new pistol from Taurus. Only time will tell if it takes them two years to release it or not. I won’t get my hopes up.

Here’s another angle of it.

This shot was taken on day one. There weren’t that many people there that day. But, most of us have jobs. Saturday though, was sheer insanity.

Here is the newest Blackhawk leather holster, the MBoss. It’s made of Italian Leather, which, is strange. But, they know holsters better than I do.

Here’s a 1911 from Magnum Research. I’m going on record as stating that this is the year of the sexy 1911 pistols. I’m doing a separate post on the history of the 1911 pistols, as well as the best 1911 pistols, and many of those pictures are going in that article. Stay tuned for it.

I’m calling this the year of the sexy ass 1911s.

I needed another picture of a Desert Eagle, and that’s the only reason why this is even here. Is it kind of sexy? Sure. Is it a lot of fun? Absolutely. Is it practical? lol …

This thing is pretty nifty from Iver Johnson. It’s essentially a 4-barrel .22 with a rotating hammer. Here is what I’m going to call the action of this little gun.

And here is the gun itself. It’s small, fits in your pocket, boot, or wherever else you may want to stick a gun, and, according to the guy I spoke to, they may be having talks of offering it in .22 WMR. If that’s the case, I’d buy one for sure if it works.

That about does it for this year’s 2018 NRA Annual Meetings. It was a good time, I got to meet some great, like minded people, and spend time with my folks from the day job at Concealed Carry. Share any of these pictures you’d like, just make sure you link back to this page so I get the credit.

And, make sure you stay tuned for that 1911 piece I mentioned. I’ve been writing it for about a year and it’s finally almost done.

LAG Tactical Defender Holster Review

April 10, 2018 By Josh Leave a Comment

At the present time in firearms holster technology, if you don’t offer up something different than most others out there, you’re going to drown in the ocean of Kydex holster makers, struggling for air. L.A.G Tactical is a Kydex holster manufacturer that’s just different enough to snuff out the rest of the competition as they climb up this proverbial ladder.

I first ran into them at SHOT Show, 2017, surprisingly out on the range. I say it that way, because most holster companies choose to sit range day out, and opt to attend the greater part of the show.

After all, range day is open to only a small percentage of the people allowed to attend SHOT Show. If memory serves me correctly, only about 1,000 media pros are invited to the range each year, while somewhere in the neighborhood of 80,000 media and buyers are present at the rest of the show.

Either way, that’s where I met the folks at L.A.G Tactical, and they stand out in my memory as the company who handed me a Kydex business card holder that I still have, and use. In fact, I whipped it out when I saw them at SHOT Show, 2018 a few months back to show them I still had it, and to thank them, again.

kydex holster — LAG Tactical Defender with two Springfield Armory pistols

It was at this point where I was offered the chance to do a review on one of their holsters: The Defender.

I’m actually pretty stoked they sent it out to me, because where most plastic holsters are nearly identical to all others, the Defender has a few nice touches added that really help it stand out. They sent me two holsters of the same type for two different guns: One for a 4-inch 1911, and one for a Springfield Armory XD9, 4-inch barrel.

Both can be carried IWB or OWB depending on your preferences, and I was sent the clips for each. Though, I do feel inclined to let you know that I always prefer IWB carry in the 4 o’clock position and only had them set up for outside the waistband for a short time.

Let me start by saying that the the L.A.G. Tactical Defender Holster has since been added to the rotation of concealed carry gun holsters I use on a fairly regular basis, and retired a couple others, that I’m not a big fan of, anymore.

Hey, opinions change.

The LAG Tactical Defender Holster is comfortable. Now, I know that’s something you hear in a lot of holster reviews, but hear me out.

I traveled from my home in Pennsylvania to the mountains of North Carolina in an effort to find more affordable housing, and the only time I had the 1911 and LAG Tactical holster off my body was when I drove through communist Maryland.

Let me rephrase that for you in a different way, I took a 12 hour trip (I have 3 little kids who need the bathroom every 47 seconds so an 8 hour trip turns into 12) and I was no more uncomfortable than I would have been with my snubby revolver in my pocket, which is my usual travel gun.

As a side note, the reason why I didn’t bring my snub with me on this trip is because I had to review this holster, and thought a 12 hour trip with the gun placed at 4 o’clock would be a good demonstration of its comfort. I chose the 1911 instead of the XD9 because of its lesser capacity, overall, than the XD.

I know it sounds counter intuitive, but after speaking to a lawyer about driving through MD and realizing that I need as many things on my side as possible in case I get stopped, I opted for this pistol.

Maryland sucks for gun owners.

But, I digress …

The LAG Tactical Defender Holster is sturdy and has some great standard features that you come to expect on a modern day concealed carry gun holster, like adjustable cant and ride height. Personally speaking, I found the configuration it came in to be the most comfortable and left it that way.

The Defender is modular in that you can wear it inside the waistband, or swap it for outside the waistband use with a different set of available plastic (likely injection molded) belt clips. So, you essentially get two different holsters, if you get the extra clips.

I don’t usually carry OWB (outside the waistband), so it didn’t stay that way for long. But, when I carried that 1911 IWB (inside the waistband), it was effing dreamy. The hard, plastic Kydex shell is curved so it suctioned up to my right butt cheek like it was there from birth.

Check out the curved shape. It fits my butt like a glove.

Another thing I’m a fan of on this Kydex concealed carry gun holster is the flared lips up top. It’s the little things in life that make you stop and thank people who took the time to make something right. While it may not seem like that big of a deal, the flared top makes it that much easier on the re-holster.

Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, but there aren’t many other holster manufacturers who do that.

kydex iwb holster — This baby is puckered up like a prom queen.

The fit on this $79.95 holster is great for the guns they sent me holsters for, and they fit snug inside without any excessive movement, the hardware is top quality, and the retention is adjustable. I literally have no complaints which is hard for me if you’ve read any of my other reviews on other websites.

I do believe an $80 price tag is a bit much for your average Kydex holster, but the LAG Tactical Defender Holster is far from average, so they can get away with it and likely sell them all day long. Have you tried this one yet? If so, let us know in the comments below.

Blackhawk Omnivore Holster Review: It Eats (Almost) Everything

March 12, 2018 By Eve Flanigan Leave a Comment

There are lots of great full-size pistols on the market without a holster that fits. The relatively new Sarsilmaz SAR 9, for example, is a great firearm with no custom holster of its own. It took years for something other than the factory-supplied Serpa knockoff to be available for my own Canik TP9 SA.

What’s a body to do when there’s a great gun, but no holster on hand? Enter the Omnivore, by Blackhawk!. It’s a holster that fits pretty much any full-size handgun that has an accessory rail. More than that, it meets or exceeds the safety standards of many respected civilian and law enforcement institutions.

The Omnivore owes its safety to two measures of retention. It clicks into place in the holster thanks to a screw-on rail attachment that’s about the size of a Matchbox toy car. Releasing retention is accomplished by a fairly intuitive press of the thumb downward, against a padded button, during the draw.

This duo of retention devices overcome the danger factor associated with Blackhawk’s embattled Serpa design, which uses a lever inside the trigger guard as a retention device. The Serpa has become notorious for punishing people with poor finger discipline, and in two isolated cases, unintended discharges of a holstered gun allegedly happened after the lever became clogged with snow or ground debris during training exercises.

An added bonus of the rail-only retention device is that it protects the firearm’s finish. There’s no friction against the frame.

Since it is a Level 2 holster, that is to say a specific action on the part of the wearer, other than the upward draw, is required to release the firearm, the Omnivore is a handy option to have in stock for departments that require a Level 2 holster and allow employees to carry their own firearm.

The thumb-operated release requires a definite, but intuitive press during the draw. There’s an extension supplied with the holster so reaching it is never a problem with pistols that rest high in the holster. Blackhawk was serious about a universal fit with this holster.

The company maintains a list of compatible pistols on its website. As a rule, if it has a rail, it’ll fit. My guess is that the design would need revamping for the coming wave of concealment guns, like Sig Sauer’s P365 and the Springfield Armory XDE, rail guns that are well short of being full-size.

Users can mount their choice of a paddle or belt attachment. The belt slots are even adjustable for a variety of belt widths.

The Omnivore is available in right- and left-hand models. Those who carry common auxiliary lights weren’t left out; light-bearing models can accommodate either the Streamlight TLR 1 or TLR 2, or the Surefire X-300 or X-300UA.

Height of belt-mounted carry with the Omnivore is typical for a duty holster, neither high nor low. With a few reps of practice, the draw is natural and fast. This is a great holster in its own right, and a great choice for the family or facility that needs a multi-purpose holster for a variety of handguns.

While flexibility is the name of the game with the Omnivore, it does take a little time to set up for any given gun and wearer. I spent about 30 minutes reading directions, sorting the parts and hardware, and finally assembling a holster.

So far I’ve found no weaknesses in this holster; especially with the boxy light-bearing model (I own both), I was concerned that being squashed inside a seatbelt might encourage bending or brittleness. None of that has happened.

Prices vary widely, from $15 to $44 depending on vendor. Have you tried the Blackhawk Omnivore? Let us know in the comments.

pistol

John Moses Browning:

Browning Arms Timeline:

Mossberg MC1SC Review —

Glock 48 Review —

Initial Inspection and Cleaning

Range Day

Why 9mm?

Requirements:

Best 9mm Pistol – Full Size:

HK VP9 —

Glock 19 —

FN-FNX-9 —

CZ 75 —

M&P9 —

Sig Sauer P320 —

S&W SD9 —

Best 9mm pistol – single stack:

Kahr CT9 —

Springfield XDs —

Best Concealed Carry Revolvers in 9mm:

S&W Performance Center 986 —

Ruger LCR —

Charter Arms Pitbull —

Best Sub-Compact and Pocket Pistols:

Sig Sauer P365 —

Ruger LC9s —

Sig Sauer P938 —

Walther PPSM2 —

SCCY CPX-2 —

Best 9mm pistol – compact:

FNS9-c

Glock 26 —

Best 9mm 1911:

Springfield Armory EMP 4 —

Conclusion:

The 1911

Advantages of a 1911 Build

The Glock

Advantages of the Glock build

How to Decide on Glock vs 1911?

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