Professional Documents
Culture Documents
@MagazinesDaily Handguns - August - September 2018
@MagazinesDaily Handguns - August - September 2018
@MagazinesDaily Handguns - August - September 2018
KIMBER
THE NEW AEGIS ELITE
CUSTOM OI SETS A
HIGH BAR FOR 1911s
WHO YOU
SPRINGFIELD 911—
FIRST-LINE DEFENSE
+
• HAPPY 50TH!
DAN WESSON
10mm SUPER
REDHAWK
A BIG AUTO ROUND FOR
• ED BROWN’S RUGER’S BIG WHEELGUN
NEW CCO LW
• HUDSON’S
UNIQUE H9
©2018 REMINGTON ARMS COMPANY, LLC.
CONTENTS
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018 | VOLUME 32, NUMBER 4 | PUBLISHED BIMONTHLY | www.handguns.com
FEATURES
22 ONE FOR THE AEGIS
By BRAD FITZPATRICK 22
Kimber’s new Aegis Elite Custom comes with a pre-mounted optic and
all the quality you’ve come to expect from this company.
32 ULTIMATE CARRY
By JAMES TARR
(G %URZQ·V QHZ &RQFHDOHG &DUU\ 2IÀFHU·V/LJKWZHLJKWLVDVKLQLQJ
example of what a CCW 1911 should be.
48 FIRST RESPONDER
By JAMES TARR
:KLOH LW·V QRW WKH ÀUVW WR EH FKDPEHUHGLQ6SULQJÀHOG·VQHZ
911 may just be the best of the breed.
54 HUDSON’S HYBRID
By JAMES TARR
7DNH WKH EHVW FKDUDFWHULVWLFV RI WKH DQG D SRO\PHUVWULNHUÀUHG
JXQFRPELQHWKHPZLWKDXQLTXHGHVLJQDQG\RXKDYHWKH+
DEPARTMENTS
6 LETTERS 20 EN GARDE
10 SPEEDLOADS
RICHARD NANCE
Improve your draw with slow- FIRING LINE
• Smith & Wesson’s Heavy Duty
• Holster options for women
motion video from your phone.
REPORTS
64 BACK PAGE BEAUTIES 60 RUGER SUPER
16 ESSENTIALS STAN TRZONIEC
Dan Wesson’s 50th anniversary
REDHAWK 10mm
JAMES TARR 1911.
Galco’s excellent Kydex
holster models.
® ®
SHOOTING
GUNSANDAMMO.COM
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SHOOTINGTIMES.COM
FIREARMSNEWS.COM
WWW.TRUGLO.COM Scan for video
TELEVISION
OUTDOORCHANNEL.COM
THESPORTSMANCHANNEL.COM
WORLDFISHINGNETWORK.COM
I AM FAR FROM A COLLECTOR; ALL OF ZDV PDNLQJ LW GLIÀFXOW IRU WKHP 7KH the .38-44 loading.
my handguns are used rather than common .38 Special with a 158-grain The .38-44 is a cartridge designa-
stored or displayed. But I suppose roundnose bullet at 800 fps was not tion but also is a term for the revolv-
there is something of a collector in capable of penetrating the steel er intended to use the new loading,
me because vintage Smith & Wesson doors of vehicles. When safety glass which could reach 1,125 fps with a
revolvers call to me, and one such became common, the problem was 158-grain bullet—but at the cost of
example is the Smith & Wesson even more severe, and larger cali- serious wear and tear on standard
Heavy Duty. bers were scarcely more effective in revolvers. Therefore, Smith & Wes-
During the period after the Great penetration. son created the Heavy Duty using a
War, there was much handgun The two big handgun companies, special, thick .38 Special cylinder
experimentation as shooters looked Smith & Wesson and Colt, took the and the heavy under-lugged barrel
for longer range and increased ac- same path in improving handgun from its .44 frame revolver.
curacy. Outdoorsmen were looking performance. Each took a handgun The result was among the most
for a powerful cartridge that was cartridge and increased the powder rugged and best balanced revolvers
accurate and economical to use. charge without changing outside di- ever manufactured. In many ways,
The police were also in search of mensions. Colt improved the .38 ACP the .38-44 was more useful than the
a different type of handgun because into the .38 Super and chambered it later .357 Magnum cartridge and
a new breed of mechanized bandit in the 1911. Smith & Wesson created certainly easier to control. But the
HOLSTER SHOPPING
THE FIREARM INDUSTRY IS PRACTI-
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Not all holsters are created equal. Aside from the safety/retention aspect,
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www.hk-usa.com • 706-568-1906
| SPEEDLOADS
MGM Target’s Steel Challenge plate rack is an affordable and fun way to
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train. It ships in a metal bucket with six hexagonal unpainted plates (Rupp did
his in gray) and hangers plus two end brackets that accommodate 2x4s.
I STRUGGLE WITH RAPID TARGET TRAN- want them, rotate the hexagonal
sitions and achieving a proper trig- plates to slide them onto the hanger
ger press while doing same. That’s arms, then allow the plates to swing
where a plate rack can really help, into position.
but unless you belong to a range The design forces backsplash
so equipped, or you have your own toward the ground, and while you
private Idaho where you can set one should wear safety glasses and
up and leave it, it’s not a practical shoot from at least 10 yards away—
option for most of us. Until now. the same as with any steel target—
MGM Target’s Steel Challenge ,·YH ÀUHG KXQGUHGV RI URXQGV ZLWK-
plate rack (MGMTARGETS.COM) is a out getting hit by bullet fragments.
portable rack that’s affordable at I’ve been known to miss the plates
only $299 (delivered!) and easy to on occasion, so I’ll need to replace
set up. It arrives in a metal bucket the 2x4 cross piece periodically. But
with six plates, six hangers and two up to this point all I’ve had to do
end brackets. All you need to add is shave off major splinters so the
are 2x4s. I use four four-footers hangers can slide freely.
for the legs and an eight-foot cross 7KH SODWHV FRPH XQÀQLVKHG DQG
piece, and the whole kit and ca- if my experience is any guide, the
ERRGOH ÀWV HDVLO\ LQWR P\ 5XQQHU metal parts will be dirty from the
The only thing that’s missing is manufacturing process. You might
a guy to yell, “Hey, dumb-ass! The ZDQW WR KDQGOH ZLWK JORYHV DW ÀUVW
slot for the cross piece goes on top, and clean them prior to using.
QRW RQ WKH ERWWRPμ 2QFH , ÀJXUHG I couldn’t be more pleased with
that out, it was simple to set up by this setup, and I’ve had a blast
myself. shooting it. I might even be getting
Arrange the hangers where you better.—J. Scott Rupp
WWW.HANDGUNS.COM
The Intel Report
NSSF
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY MKS
SUPPLY
MOSSBERG
INTRODUCING THE
RRA .45 ACP 1911 PISTOLS
RRA’s legendary steel-framed 1911’s are back
and performance-tuned for accuracy and reliability.
BROWNING
RRA 1911 QUICK SPECS: CALIBER: .45 ACP RRA MATCH ALUMINUM SPEED TRIGGER
RRA FORGED NM OR POLYMER FRAME WITH CUSTOM FEATURES
USA SHOOTING’S * Prices are subject to change. VISIT: WWW.ROCKRIVERARMS.COM PERFORMANCE TUNED.
KILLER KYDEX
WELL-KNOWN FOR LEATHER, GALCO’S ‘PLASTIC’ RIGS ARE JUST AS GOOD.
WE LIVE IN AN ERA OF WEBSITES, BUT
back when catalog shopping ruled
the earth, the Galco Gunleather
catalog was one of the best-looking
catalogs of gun-related products on
the planet. Beautiful glossy shots
of holsters in exotic locations with
amazing and unusual props—like
RQH RI WKH ÀUVW FLYLOLDQRZQHG +XP-
YHHV³MXVW WRRN \RXU EUHDWK DZD\
Galco Gunleather no longer makes
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erybody does their shopping online,
but also because since its found-
ing in 1969 as The Famous Jackass
Leather Company, its product line
has continued to expand so quickly.
In addition to holsters and magazine
pouches, the company now makes
belts, slings, gun-totin’ handbags,
While known as a leather holster company, Galco makes a number of
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EXWWVWRFNVKHOOKROGHUVDQGULÁH polymer holsters, including the hybrid Kydex/steerhide Quick Slide (l.) and the
cases. all-Kydex Stryker.
Note the word “leather” in both
The Famous Jackass Leather Com- easily as those with the “FBI cant” guy from snagging your gun. If it’s
pany and Galco Gunleather, yet fully (grip forward, muzzle back), they are concealed…well, the only time any-
a quarter of its belt holsters is made generally quicker and easier to draw RQH VKRXOG NQRZ \RX KDYH LW LV DIWHU
partially or entirely of Kydex. Let’s from. \RX·YH GUDZQ LW IURP WKH KROVWHU
look at two of Galco’s most popular The holster body has two tension The belt loop attachment for the
“plastic” belt holsters: the all-Kydex screws down near the pistol’s dust Stryker is connected to the holster
Stryker and the leather-and-poly- FRYHU WR DGMXVW ÀW 6LQFH WKH 6WU\NHU body with four screws. There is a
mer Quick Slide. LV PROGHG WR ÀW D VSHFLÀF ÀUHDUP VLPSOH PRYDEOH VOLGH RQ WKH EDFN
Galco brought out the Stryker I rarely tighten down the tension of the belt loop that allows you to
about six years ago, and it’s exactly screws on these types of holsters. DGMXVW IRU GLIIHUHQW EHOWZLGWKVIURP
the kind of belt holster I prefer: an Tight tension screws don’t make the 1.25 to two inches.
´HYHU\WKLQJ \RX QHHG DQG QRWKLQJ JXQ DQ\ PRUH VHFXUHWKH\MXVWVORZ 0\ DGYLFH LV WR VQXJ WKDW VXFNHU
you don’t” belt holster. The holster down my draw. up as much as possible because this
body is constructed of Kydex—and Guns simply don’t wiggle in the SUHYHQWV WKH KROVWHU IURP ZLJJOLQJ
thick Kydex at that. My calipers put IRUPÀW .\GH[ ERG\ PXFK OHVV IDOO on your belt and presents the pistol
it at 0.12 inch. It has what is referred RXW ,·YH GRQH VRPHUVDXOWV ZHDULQJ in the same place and at the same
to in the industry as a “neutral Strykers and not had the pistol come DQJOH HYHU\ WLPH , OLNH WKDW WKH
cant,” which means as the holster RXW 7KLV VSHFLÀF ÀW XVLQJ D PDWH- belt loop isn’t really any wider than
sits on your belt it holds the slide/ ULDO WKDW ZLOO QRW VWUHWFK RXW RYHU the holster and doesn’t take up any
barrel of the pistol in a completely time, is why polymer holsters don’t more real estate than it needs to.
YHUWLFDO RULHQWDWLRQ need thumb breaks or other reten- %DFN ZKHQ , ZDV GRLQJ VXUYHLO-
While pistols in neutral-cant hol- WLRQ GHYLFHV XQOHVV \RX·UH FDUU\LQJ ODQFH DV D SULYDWH LQYHVWLJDWRU ,
sters may not conceal as well or as RSHQO\DQGORRNLQJWRSUHYHQWDEDG EURNHVHYHUDOEHOWORRS DWWDFK-
SAR9
Proven as the best pistol in the World by the biggest European army in
NATO, the SAR9 is now available in the United States at quality gun
shops coast to coast.
Price $449.00
including Lockable hard case, two 17 round magazines,
back-strap inserts, lock and bore brush.
Performance Center Speed Thumb Release Chromed Trigger with Trigger Stop
Interchangeable Front Sight - Orange Front Sight Included Performance Center® Tuned Action
Unfluted Cylinder Model 686 PLUS - Cylinder Cut for Moon Clips
SLO-MO MOJO
IMPROVE YOUR DRAW STROKE THROUGH SLOW-MOTION VIDEO.
IT’S OFTEN SAID THAT PERCEPTION IS
reality. I beg to differ. Just because
you perceive yourself to have good
shooting technique doesn’t mean
you actually do. If you want to
improve a particular skill, you need
to start by honestly assessing your
current ability level. One of the most
effective ways to do this is through
video analysis.
For decades, professional athletes
KDYH VWXGLHG ÀOP WR LGHQWLI\ WKHLU
opponent’s tendencies for later ex-
Alfredo Rico
ploitation. But in addition to looking
for chinks in their opponent’s armor,
the dedicated athlete watches An ordinary smartphone with slow-motion capability will reveal laws in
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himself or herself with a critical your draw stroke you didn’t even know you had.
eye, hoping to diagnose and remedy
problem areas. zone for personal defense. Seven grip as early as possible. I was fast
These days, you don’t have to be yards was a realistic shooting dis- to the gun. I was consistent.
an elite athlete with a huge training WDQFH DQG WKH VHFRQG SDU WLPH However, slow-motion video made
EXGJHW RU KDYH \RXU RZQ ÀOP FUHZ WR created a sense of urgency. To make even the slightest technical imper-
ZDWFK ÀOP RI \RXUVHOI $OO LW WDNHV LV things a little more interesting, the fection seem like a major, glaring
a smartphone and someone to oper- drill was shot one student at a time error. I realized I was mashing down
ate it or even a tripod to mount it to. with McCann staring over his or her so hard on my gun when establish-
Recently, while taking Kelly Mc- shoulder, working the timer, and an- ing my shooting grip—in part to
Cann’s defensive handgun course, RWKHU VWXGHQW ÀOPLQJ WKH DFWLRQ ZLWK depress and rotate the holster’s
, ZLWQHVVHG ÀUVWKDQG WKH EHQHÀWV a smart phone in slow-motion mode. securing hood forward—that it was
of slow-motion video. Students The drill was a good gauge for forcing the bottom of the holster
conducted a series of timed draw McCann and the students, but to me, against my leg. This canted the
DQG ÀUH VHTXHQFHV $W WKH VRXQG RI the most enlightening aspect of this holster in such a way that caused
the buzzer, the shooter would draw drill was reviewing the slow motion the pistol to drag during my draw
DQG ÀUH D VLQJOH URXQG RQ DQ [ video. Perception isn’t reality. Slow stroke, wasting time.
sheet of paper posted seven yards motion is reality. Then, instead of drawing my
downrange. I shot the drill fairly well, with my pistol up high, to my dominant eye, I
The drill was meant to establish best hits perforating the target in tended to “scoop” the pistol slightly.
D EDVHOLQH DQG ZDV VKRW ´FROGμ ÀUVW DERXW VHFRQGV IURP P\ UHWHQWLRQ This prevented me from seeing my
thing in the morning or right after duty holster while incorporating sights as early as I should have. In-
lunch. Private citizens shot the drill starting positions such as hands at stead of aligning my sights as I was
from concealment, and the cops in my side or hands raised. driving the gun toward the target, I
the class worked from their duty I was doing a lot of things right. was having to hunt for them a bit as
holsters. This simple drill was a For example, my hands were mov- my arms extended to make the shot.
good barometer for the defensive ing simultaneously—when my right This, too, was a waste of time.
handgunner. hand moved to my pistol, my left Had I not seen these mistakes
The sheet of paper replicated the hand moved to my chest to accept with my own eyes—over and over,
thoracic cavity—a primary target the pistol and achieve a two-handed frame by frame—I would not have
WWW.HANDGUNS.COM
ONE FOR THE
AEGIS
BY BRAD FITZPATRICK
A
ccording to Greek mythology, the aegis
ELITE CUSTOM OI COM- was the protective shield or breast-
BINES FUNCTIONALITY, plate handed down from Zeus, ruler
of the Olympian gods, to his daughter
MODERN STYLING AND A Athena. It is referenced in Homer’s
PRE-MOUNTED OPTIC. Iliad, and according to popular accounts, the
aegis was adorned with golden tassels (or, in
some cases, writhing serpents) with the head
of the Gorgon Medusa at its center. This grue-
some artifact, according to legend, granted
universal protection to its bearer regardless
of the strength or number of enemies encoun-
tered.
In modern culture, the term aegis refers to
anyone or anything that offers protection or
support in the face of danger. Though none of
us modern mortals will likely face an enemy
as dangerous as a chimera, the world in which
we live is not without peril. Our defense
against those threats is not a breastplate or
a shield bearing a Gorgon’s severed head but
rather a sidearm loaded with expanding hol-
lowpoint ammunition.
If there’s a modern interpretation of the
aegis for the 21st century, it might well be the
1911 single-action semiautomatic pistol. It
was not handed down to us by Zeus from the
heights of Olympus, but rather from the mortal
ÀUHDUPGHVLJQHU-RKQ0RVHV%URZQLQJ³
WKRXJKVRPHFRQVLGHU%URZQLQJVRPHWKLQJRI
a demigod.
Aegis is also the name of Kimber’s newest
IDPLO\RISLVWROV<RX·OOÀQGQRJROGHQ
tassels on this weapon, but this doesn’t mean
these Kimber pistols are without adornments.
For starters, they feature a stylish two-tone
construction: a satin silver frame and a slide
ÀQLVKHGZLWKD.LP3UR,,SURWHFWLYHFRDWLQJ
in matte black.
The Aegis Elite Custom OI (Optic Installed),
the line-topping, full-sized version of the Ae-
gis 1911, bears Aegis Elite X (AEX) front and
rear slide serrations and comes with a milled
slide and a pre-mounted Vortex Optics Venom
six m.o.a. red dot sight co-witnessed with tall
three-dot sights.
The Venom red dot sight is attached to a
plate on top of the slide with a pair of Torx
screws, and it can be quickly and easily
removed if desired. The elevation adjustment
dial is located on the top of the red dot and the
windage dial is positioned on the right side,
and each click offers one m.o.a. of adjustment.
The optic allows the shooter to swap out the
CR1632 battery without removing the
WWW.HANDGUNS.COM
ONE FOR THE AEGIS
sight from the pistol. Battery life , WHVWHG WKH IXOOVL]H $HJLV (OLWH serrations, and the rounded heel
is good—up to 150 hours on the high- &XVWRP 2, LQ $&3 DOWKRXJK KHOSV LQ FRQFHDOPHQW 7KHUH·V DOVR
est of the 10 brightness settings and WKHUH DUH DOVR PP YHUVLRQV LI \RX·G DQ H[WHQGHG EHDYHUWDLO D VNHOHWRQ-
tens of thousands of hours on lower SUHIHU .LPEHU LV NQRZQ IRU PDNLQJ L]HG WDUJHW KDPPHU DQG D VNHOHWRQ-
settings. The low-glare, hard anod- JRRGORRNLQJ JXQV DQG WKH $HJLV GLG ized aluminum target trigger. The
L]HG PDWWH ÀQLVK $UPRU7HN FRDWLQJ not disappoint in that department. frame and slide are both made of
DQG 2ULQJ VHDOV PDNH WKLV D GXUDEOH 7KH WZRWRQH ORRN LV PRGHUQ ZLWKRXW VWHHO³QR VKRFN³DQG WKH IURQW VLJKW
RSWLF ZHOOVXLWHG WR WKH ULJRUV RI EHLQJ JDXG\ DQG WKH $(; VHUUD- LV GRYHWDLOHG LQWR WKH VOLGH $Q HLJKW
GDLO\ FDUU\ (YHQ LI \RX PDQDJH WR WLRQV³VRUW RI D VW\OL]HG FKDLQOLQN URXQG PDJD]LQH FRPHV ZLWK WKH
run the battery down, the tall three- GHVLJQ³DUH ERWKIXQFWLRQDODQG YHUVLRQ DQG WKH PP PDJD]LQH RI-
GRW VLJKWV PHDQ \RX·OODOZD\VKDYHD H\HFDWFKLQJ fers one additional round.
sighting option. 7KHVH SLVWROV FRPH HTXLSSHG ZLWK 2YHUDOO OHQJWK LV LQFKHV WKH
7KH $HJLV (OLWH &XVWRP 2, FRPHV * ODPLQDWH JULSV FRPELQLQJ JUD\ YHUWLFDO KHLJKW LV LQFKHV VL[
ZLWK D ÀYHLQFK VWDLQOHVV VWHHO EDUUHO EODFN DQG JUHHQ OD\HUV WKDW FRPSOH- LQFKHV WR WKH WRS RI WKH UHG GRW VLJKW
ZLWK D OHIWKDQGHG ULÁLQJ WZLVW PHQW WKH PHWDO ÀQLVK 7KH URXQGHG and width is just a bit under 1.3
DQG D PDWFKJUDGH EDUUHO EXVKLQJ JULS VXUIDFH IHDWXUHV ULGJHG WH[WXU- LQFKHV 2YHUDOO ZHLJKW ZLWK DQ HPSW\
,I \RX IHHO WKDW·V WRR PXFK JXQ IRU ing that affords a solid hold on the PDJD]LQH DQG UHG GRW VLJKW ZDV
\RXU QHHGV WKHUH·V DOVR D IRXULQFK SLVWRO ZLWKRXW EHLQJ WRR DJJUHVVLYH RXQFHV RQ P\ GLJLWDO VFDOH
2, PRGHO WKH $HJLV (OLWH 3UR DV ZHOO ,W DOVR JLYHV WKHJULSVDGLPHQVLRQDO 0\ JRWR FDUU\ JXQ LV D &RP-
DV RWKHU $HJLV V ZLWKRXWSUH VFDOHG ORRN PDQGHU DQG WKH $HJLV GRHVQ·W IHHO
PRXQWHGUHGGRWRSWLFV 7KHIURQWVWUDSFRPHVZLWKOSL H[FHVVLYHO\ ODUJH ZKHQ \RX FDUU\ LW
FRQFHDOHG³DV ORQJ DV \RX·UH XVHG
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neatly against the body, and the red
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DQ HYHU\GD\ FDUU\ SLVWRO DOWKRXJK
LW·V FHUWDLQO\RQWKHODUJHVLGHIRU
that.
7KH IURQW VLJKW PD\ FDXVH \RX
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KROVWHU DQG , KDG WR XVH D ÀOH WR
widen the already bored-out sight
FKDQQHO RQ P\ OHDWKHU *DOFR KROVWHU
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the growing number of people who
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FDUU\ SLVWRO WKHQ WKLV JXQ LV ZRUWK D
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SODFH
The Aegis Elite Custom OI features AEX front and rear slide serrations,
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unique G10 grips and a Vortex Venom six-m.o.a. red dot sight. At just under a 7KH SULFH DV WHVWHG LV
suggested retail of $1,400, it’s a relative steal. ZKLFK LVQ·W ZKDW \RX PLJKW FDOO
FKHDS LI \RX·YH EHHQ VKRSSLQJ LQ
ACCURACY RESULTS | WKH SRO\PHUVWULNHUÀUHG SLVWRO
Bullet Muzzle Standard Avg.
DLVOH %XW IRU D VROLGO\ EXLOW
.45 ACP Weight (gr.) Velocity (fps) Deviation (fps) Group (in.) with high-end features and superb
Winchester Super Clean JSP 160 1,047 15 2.05 ÀW ÀQLVK DQG PDFKLQLQJ LW·V QRW
Hornady Critical Defense 185 1,035 13 1.58 RXW RI OLQH³HVSHFLDOO\ VLQFH WKH
Browning FMJ 185 918 15 2.29 9RUWH[ 9HQRP LWVHOI FDUULHV D SULFH
SIG V-Crown JHP 200 957 7 1.83 WDJ QRUWK RI $GGLWLRQDOO\ WKH
Remington FMJ 230 832 14 2.62 9HQRP LV OLJKW HQRXJK MXVW RYHU
Notes: Accuracy results are averages of five five-shot groups at 25 yards from a fixed rest. Velocities are averages of 10 DQ RXQFH WKDW \RX ZRQ·W EH DGGLQJ
shots measured on a ProChrono digital chronograph set 10 feet from the muzzle. Abbreviations: FMJ, full metal jacket;
JHP, jacketed hollowpoint; JSP, jacketed softpoint PXFKEXONDVFRPSDUHGWRDQ
WWW.HANDGUNS.COM
24 HANDGUNS AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2018
A NEW LEADER IS
CROWNED
www.sigsauer.com
©2018 REMINGTON ARMS COMPANY, LLC.
*SOME LIMITATIONS MAY APPLY. GO TO WWW.REMINGTON.COM/LIFETIMEWARRANTY FOR THE WARRANTY.
ONE FOR THE AEGIS
clicks and the gun was on. the “bad guys.” The exercise doesn’t hostage ends the exercise.
In addition to the Handguns ac- leave a lot of room for error; the bad With most iron-sighted factory
curacy testing protocol, I put the guys on those targets offer 1.5- to guns, it’s a real challenge to con-
Kimber through something I refer inch-and-a-half to two-inch targets. tinually hit the mark shot after shot.
to as the “hostage accuracy evalu- 7KH REMHFWLYH LV WR ÀUH DV PDQ\ HI- Strings of two hits are good, and four
ation.” The drill involves placing a fective shots (striking the hostage is pretty exceptional. With its red dot
Birchwood Casey hostage target at 25 taker) in a row as possible. A bullet sight, the Aegis was ideally suited for
\DUGVDQGÀULQJDVHULHVRIVKRWVDW that misses the bad guy or strikes the WKLV GULOO , PDQDJHG ÀYH VROLG KLWV RQ
the right-side bad guy with Hornady
Critical Defense ammo before an
errant shot drifted off the paper, ef-
fectively stopping the drill.
The left-side hostage taker also
DEVRUEHG ÀYH VKRWV EHIRUH WKH VL[WK
bullet grazed the hostage silhouette.
Pretty impressive. And while this
drill isn’t part of the standard ac-
curacy test, I’ve come to rely on it as
< This version of an alternative and effective means to
the Aegis
features extra tall determine the real-world accuracy of
sights that a pistol. The Aegis shined.
co-witnessed When the data collection por-
with the red dot.
The tall front tion of the test was complete and
sight might DFFXUDF\ DQG YHORFLW\ ÀJXUHV ZHUH
interfere with it
on a traditional tallied, I spent some time shooting
1911 holster. the Aegis offhand at personal
ONE FOR THE AEGIS
defense distances. The six-m.o.a. will work for anyone, new or inexpe- to the original zero point. There was
red dot allows for rapid target acqui- rienced, and it’s a great option for no discernible change, and at no
sition, and it’s a great option for new those shooters whose eyesight makes point during the test did the Venom
shooters who are trying to master VWDQGDUG LURQ VLJKW VKRRWLQJ GLIÀFXOW show any signs of loosening.
the art of shooting with both eyes After a few rounds, I decided to Nor did the Aegis have any cycling
open—especially those who struggle pull the sight off the gun and re- qualms with any of the loads tested.
with front sight focus. But the red dot mount it to see how close it remained Two hundred rounds does not qualify
as a torture test, but there were no
issues. The pistol was quite manage-
able to shoot, even with the hot-
ter rounds in the test, and I would
imagine that the 9mm version of this
steel-framed 1911 would be very soft-
shooting.
No, it’s not a shield with gold tas-
sels emblazoned with a Gorgon’s
head, but the Kimber Aegis is an ef-
fective defensive weapon. It’s also a
superb 1911, and even the most jaded
shooters likely will develop a soft
spot for this gun if they spend some
time with it at the range. It’s reliable,
accurate, fun to shoot and beautiful.
And until we’re faced with Chimeras
Fitzpatrick used a hostage target to gauge practical defensive accuracy, or other mythical beasts, this is all
<
and the Aegis shined in this 25-yard excercise. the aegis you need.
B
ecause of watching too many shorter than the original Govern- is full-size, all-steel 1911s, usually
episodes of “Miami Vice” as ment model frame and a barrel that FKDPEHUHG LQ $&3 DQG LI \RX
a teenager, when I was in my LV LQFKHV ORQJ LQVWHDG RI WKH read the last issue of Handguns, you
early 20s I found myself the ÀYHLQFK WXEH RQ WKH RULJLQDO SUREDEO\ VDZ (G %URZQ LV JHWWLQJ
owner of a Lightweight Colt To me, this is the exact way to into the 10mm long-slide game as
2IÀFHU·V 0RGHO ,W ZDV WKH FORVHVW PDNH D ´FDUU\μ PRGHO 7RR PDQ\ ZHOO 7KH &&2 /: LV D ELJ VWHS LQ WKH
thing I could afford to the Deton- manufacturers build their carry opposite direction, and the company
ics Combat Master detective Sonny models with full-size grips and VHHPV WR KDYH QDLOHG LW
&URFNHWW FDUULHG LQ KLV DQNOH KROVWHU VKRUWHQHG VOLGHV %XW LW LV WKH JULS This gun is far too large for pocket
New 1911 in hand, I headed to the and not the slide that makes guns FDUU\ EXW WKDW·V RND\ $ FXVWRP
range—and sold the gun a short time KDUG WR FRQFHDO 6KRUWHQLQJ WKH JULS MXVW EHJV IRU D FXVWRP OHDWKHU RU
ODWHU 6PDOO OLJKW V FKDPEHUHG DV (G %URZQ KDV GRQH KHUH UH- horsehide or sharkskin holster on a
LQ $&3 DUH SDLQIXO DQG DEXVLYH WR duces printing while the longer slide TXDOLW\ EHOW QRW MXVW WR VXSSRUW WKH
VKRRW (YHQ LI \RX·UH D WUXH EHOLHYHU makes it easier to shoot the pistol weight but also to keep the gun prop-
in the magical stopping power of the DFFXUDWHO\ HUO\ WXFNHG LQWR WKH ERG\ 2YHUDOO
$&3³DV , ZDV LQ P\ \RXWK³\RX 7KH IUDPH RI WKH &&2 /: LV (G WKH JXQ LV LQFKHV ORQJ DQG ÀYH
ÀQG UHDVRQV QRW WR VKRRW VPDOO OLJKW %URZQ·V VLQJOHVWDFN OLJKWZHLJKW LQFKHV WDOO³ LQFKHV LI \RX LQFOXGH
JXQV FKDPEHUHG LQ WKDW FDUWULGJH DOXPLQXP IUDPH $FFRUGLQJ WR WKH the provided magazine with its tall
7KH SUREOHP LV LI \RX·UH QRWVKRRW- FRPSDQ\·V VSHFV WKH SLVWRO ZHLJKV EXPSHU SDG
LQJ \RX·UH QRW SUDFWLFLQJ about 29 ounces with an unloaded (G %URZQ SURYLGHV RQO\ RQH HLJKW
The new CCO LW—Concealed PDJD]LQH , ZHLJKHG P\ VDPSOH round magazine with this pistol,
&DUU\ 2IÀFHU·V /LJKWZHLJKW³IURP IXOO\ ORDGHG ZLWK URXQGV RI with that aforementioned large
(G %URZQ 3URGXFWV LV GHVLJQHG WR EH JUDLQ MDFNHWHG KROORZSRLQWVDQG H[WHQGHG EXPSHU SDG , UHFRPPHQG
the ultimate carry 1911 that com- LW FDPH LQ DW RXQFHV HYHQ D ÁXVK PDJD]LQH IRU FDUU\ DV WKDW
bines features you want in a custom Of course, loaded weight will vary bumper pad completely erases the
1911 carry gun while recognizing the depending on the bullet weight of FRQFHDODELOLW\ RI WKH FRPSDFW IUDPH
advances that have occurred in am- \RXU SUHIHUUHG PP ORDG 5HJDUG- Companies such as Wilson Combat
PXQLWLRQ <HV \RX FDQ VSHFLDO RUGHU less, that is an eminently carryable and Chip McCormick make excellent
LW LQ 6XSHU RU $&3 EXW WKH ZHLJKW DQG VLQFH MXVW DERXW HYHU\- ÁXVK QLQHURXQG PDJD]LQHV WR ÀW
standard model CCO LW is a 9mm one will be able to get their entire 2IÀFHU·VVL]H IUDPHV DQG ,·G FDUU\
ZLWK DQ HLJKWURXQG PDJD]LQH KDQG RQ WKH IUDPH LW·VDOVRDTXLWH the gun with one of those inserted
7KH (G %URZQ &&2 /: FRPELQHV VKRRWDEOH SDFNDJH and a full-size 10-round magazine on
D FRPSDFW 2IÀFHU·VVL]H IUDPH ZLWK The CCO LW is the smallest, light- P\ RIIVLGH IRU WKH UHORDG
D &RPPDQGHUOHQJWK VOLGH 7KLV HVW (G %URZQ KDV HYHU RIIHUHG 7KH VWDLQOHVV EDUUHO LV RQH RI (G
means a grip that is about a half-inch 7KHFRPSDQ\·VEUHDGDQGEXWWHU %URZQ·V RZQ PDWFKJUDGH WXEHV
mated with a stainless match bush-
LQJ 7KH EDUUHO LV ÁXVK ZLWK WKH
EXVKLQJ DQG VSRUWV D VLJQLÀFDQWO\ UH-
FHVVHG FURZQ WR SURWHFW WKH ULÁLQJ
The barrel/frame/slide lockup was
totally tight, with no wiggle any-
ZKHUH \HW WKH VOLGH F\FOHG ZLWK HDVH
7KDW·V DOVR RQH RI WKH DGYDQWDJHV
of a 9mm 1911: The lighter recoil
springs make it easier for people
with compromised grips to cycled
WKH VOLGH
<RX ZDQW D VXUH VLJQ RI D TXDOLW\
KDQGÀWWHG " $V , VDLG WKH (G
%URZQ &&2 /: ORFNHG XS FRPSOHWHO\
tight, yet the bushing could be re-
moved by hand, without the use of a
EXVKLQJ ZUHQFK 7KDW LV WKHPDUNRI
H[SHUW FUDIWVPDQVKLS
The CCO LW features Ed Brown’s concealed-carry grip safety, an abbrevi-
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ated design that shortens the safety’s length by about an eighth-inch and Ironically, though the 9mm offers
helps keep the gun from printing. fewer foot-pounds of energy than
frontstrap and mainspring housing to help keep the pistol secure in the hand. WKDW SDFNDJH DV\RX·UHOLNHO\WRÀQG
The supplied eight-round mag features a large bumper. anywhere.
clips. They’re super-fast and simple to use, although a tool of some sort is allowed a lightning-fast reload.
required to remove empties from the clip.
Revolver master extraordinaire
Jerry Miculek used this system to
conquer the world of competition
revolver shooting. His world record
GHPRQVWUDWLRQ³ÀULQJ URXQGV LQ
under three seconds with a full-
moon clip reload from his Smith &
:HVVRQ 0RGHO ³LV OHJHQGDU\
Current revolver offerings from
Smith & Wesson and Ruger have
added the 9mm Luger cartridge and
full-moon clips into their lines of
competition and concealed-carry
revolvers. (Ed. note: At press time,
Ruger had just announced a 10mm
GP100, following on the heels of the
10mm Redhawk reviewed elsewhere
in this issue.)
With training and practice, the
full-moon clip system is as fast
and simple as it gets. The clips are
inexpensive, so get a pile of them.
Speed strips aren’t lightning fast for reloading, but they lie lat in a pock-
<
et—making them easy and comfortable to conceal—and can be used to top Brass pickup is a breeze, and the
off a revolver’s cylinder with one or two rounds. only downside is the need to un-
JUST GO IER
SMITH-WESSON.COM
THE NEED FOR SPEED
clip the empty brass and reclip ion, so it is the slowest of the reload RI :DONHU·V &UHHN 7H[DV 5DQJHUV
loaded rounds. systems. However, the big advantage under command of Capt. John Coffee
Commercially available “de- of the speed strip is compactness: A Hays attacked nearly 200 Comanche
mooners” from Dillon Precision and FRXSOH RI VWULSV VLW ÁDW DQG XQREWUX- warriors who had set out to ambush
Speed Beez make unloading clips sive in a belt pouch or pocket. WKHP 7KH 5DQJHUV ZHUH DUPHG ZLWK
painless. Otherwise, careful use of a Also, unlike moon clips or speed- &ROW 3DWHUVRQ FDOLEHU SHUFXVVLRQ
pliers will unclip the empties. loaders, which I’ll get to in a second, single-action revolvers that were
Speed strips made their appear- speed strips allow the shooter to LVVXHG ZLWK H[WUD F\OLQGHUV LQ ZKDW
ance in the early 1970s. As the name top off with just a round or two. To FRXOG EH FDOOHG WKH ÀUVW VSHHGORDG-
implies, it is a half-inch-wide strip— accomplish this, simply push on the ers. When a ranger shot dry, a swap
PRGHUQ RQHV DUH PDGH RI ÁH[LEOH ejector rod just enough to move live of a loaded cylinder returned him
urethane or similar polymer—that cartridges and spent cases partway WR WKH ÀJKW 7KH UDQJHUV NLOOHG RU
locks onto the cartridge case rim to out of the cylinder and then release ZRXQGHG ZDUULRUV ZKLOHORVLQJ
UHWDLQ LW LQ SODFH 7KH ÀUVW PRGHOV the rod. Spent cases will stick up only one of their own.
ZHUH GHVLJQHG WR KROG VL[ 6SHFLDO while live rounds drop back into the %\ WKH HQG RI WKH V DV WRS
RU 0DJQXP URXQGV EXW WRGD\ %L- cylinder. Simply pluck the emp- break and side-opening cylinders
anchi/Safariland and Tuff Products ties from the cylinder and reload were developed, devices were
offer strips for other calibers. the empty charge holes with fresh envisioned to allow partial or full
To load, insert one or two rounds rounds from the strip. cylinder reloads. However, it was not
into the cylinder at a time and ap- Speedloaders are the most popu- until the early 1970s that speedload-
ply sideways pressure to strip the lar devices for reloading a revolver, ers holding a full cylinder of ammu-
rounds out of the strip’s locking and they, too, have an interesting nition came into wide use.
slots. Two rounds at a time is the KLVWRU\ 2Q -XQH DW ZKDW Law enforcement was looking to
PD[LPXP\RXFDQORDGLQWKLVIDVK- would become known as the Battle ÀQG D ZD\ WR LPSURYH RQ WKH GXW\
belt dump pouches that dropped
VL[ ORRVH URXQGV LQWR WKH KDQG 7KH
inability to quickly reload in a gun-
ÀJKW RQ WKH VWUHHW FRVW RIÀFHUV WKHLU
lives—as happened in the Newhall,
&DOLIRUQLD LQFLGHQW RQ $SULO
When I started out in law en-
forcement, we carried revolvers,
but it wasn’t until I began to shoot
FRPSHWLWLRQ WKDW , ZDV H[SRVHG WR
WR VSHHGORDGHUV 0DQXIDFWXUHG E\
HKS and Safariland, those original
VL[VKRW ORDGHUV ZHUH D FRPELQDWLRQ
of plastic and metal.
The designs differ. The HKS
requires the shooter to insert the
cartridges into the cylinder and then
turn a knurled metal knob clockwise
Probably the most common system is the speedloader, which holds a full to release the captured rounds.
<
complement of rounds that drop into the cylinder charge holes with either a The Safariland speedloader does
twist of a button or by pushing in irmly with the loader.
not use a turning knob but instead
must be pressed fully forward so
REVOLVER LOADER SPEED TEST that all rounds are pushed into the
Loader Revolver Time (sec.)
cylinder. As the unit moves forward,
S&W moon clip S&W 986 3.2 the inside center release button of
Safariland Comp MIII speedloader S&W 686 3.6 the speedloader strikes the back end
Kimber K6S speedloader Colt Cobra 4.4 of the ejector rod and releases the
HKS speedloader Colt Cobra 4.7
rounds.
Bianchi/Safariland speed strip Colt Cobra 8.4
Each type is effective, and both
Loose rounds from pocket Colt Cobra 12.6
greatly speed up reloading time.
Notes: Each type of reload was drawn from the belt or pocket of the shooter’s non-gun side. Time was measured using
Coach’s Eye computer app, from the last round fired through the reload to first round fired. &XUUHQWPRGHOVÀWPRVWGRXEOH
2018
EXECUTIVE COMMANDER
9mm
EDBROWN.COM • 573-565-3261
THE NEED FOR SPEED
action revolvers from the small craftmanship. Unlike the HKS, the up your loading gear, but all the
S&W J frames and Ruger LCRs to Kimber’s knob is turned counter- tested units from HKS, Kimber and
the largest frame .44s. clockwise to release the rounds into Safariland demonstrated they are
For competition or duty use, the cylinder. ready for the bumps and thumps of
Safariland took its basic Comp I My choice in speedloaders for daily carry.
model, which is the most compact, truly hard use is the turning-knob The advantages of the speedload-
and added an extended grasping design of the HKS or Kimber, but er are easy carry and portability,
button to create the Comp II and III where speed is the need, the Safari- along with a fast and full loading of
models. This extension allows the land rules. the cylinder. For everyday carry, the
shooter to draw the speedloader Speaking of hard use, some of you only downside is their size.
and position it for use more easily. might question how securely speed- Unlike a speed strip, the speed-
Where speed in competition is more loaders retain rounds under hard loader is more obtrusive. A pair of
important than concealability or conditions. It’s a good question. In speedloaders in your summer shorts
compactness, the Comp III with its training and competition, I have pocket is probably not the look you
extra-long handle proved second fumbled a reload and dropped my are going for, but a single speed-
only to the full-moon clips in reload speedloader more than once. loader pouch under your summer
speed. I set up a drop test in which each shirt is easily worn and concealed.
A recent entry in the speedloader speedloader was dropped eight In cooler weather, a couple of
market is manufactured by Kimber times from a height of four feet to speedloaders in a jacket pocket is
for its K6S six-shot, snub-nosed .357 D KDUG WLOH ÁRRU (DFK ZDV GURSSHG another option. See the accompany-
Magnum revolver. It is also a turn- four times onto the nose of the ing sidebar for other speedloader
ing knob system and works size wise rounds and four times onto the end accessories that can help with con-
with my new model Colt Cobra. Fea- of the release knob. cealment and more.
turing an extended-length release No rounds were released from So is there a best system? A friend
knob for easy manipulation, this their speedloaders in the testing. who ran a well-known shooting
DOODOXPLQXPXQLWLVDÀQHSLHFHRI I don’t suggest you similarly beat academy had his revolver shoot-
DE50L5IMB DE50SRMB
.50 AE | 5” Barrel .50 AE | 6” Barrel
BFR500JRH7B
.500 JRH | 7.5” Barrel
BFR45-707B
.45/70 Govt. | 7.5” Barrel
www.magnumresearch.com
PEPPERBLASTER II
SHOOTS A CONCENTRATED
JET OF OC SOLUTION
UP TO
13FT AT 112MPH.
WWW.HANDGUNS.COM
FIRST RESPONDER
ing, which to me looks like inch and a half, which means that D JXQÀJKW DQG DOO \RX KDYH ZLWK
some sort of fencing. It is not as ZLWK WKH ÁXVK PDJD]LQH LQ SODFH you is a subcompact pistol…well, I
aggressive as checkering, but it you won’t be able to get more than WKLQN WKDW·V WKH GLFWLRQDU\GHÀQL-
works to keep your hand in place, WZR ÀQJHUV RQ WKH JULS 7KH ORQJHU tion of a very bad day.
especially with the undercut trig- PDJD]LQH ZLWK JULS H[WHQVLRQ DGGV The advertised trigger pull on
ger guard. Also helping to keep more than a half-inch of additional WKH LV ÀYH SRXQGV 7ULJJHU SXOO
your hand in place are the aggres- real estate and will enable most on my sample was 6.5 pounds, but
sively textured and stylish black- people to get their whole hand on it truly feels closer to the adver-
and-white grips. On the all-black the gun. tised spec because it is so short
911 the grips are green and black. 7KH PDJD]LQH ZHOO RSHQLQJ LQ and crisp.
The distance from the bottom the frame is beveled, which is a The ambidextrous thumb safety
of the trigger guard to the bottom QLFH WRXFK EXW LI \RX ÀQG \RXUVHOI lever clicks when moving it in both
of the frame is just a hair over an having to reload in the middle of directions. Unlike a traditional
1911, you can activate the thumb
safety when the hammer is down.
You don’t need to, and I’m not sure
why you’d ever want to. When the
hammer is down on a single-ac-
tion-only pistol, pulling the trigger
gets you nothing. With the safety
engaged you cannot cock the ham-
mer or work the slide.
With the hammer cocked it takes
little effort to work the slide on
this pistol. It is actually harder to
cock the hammer than it is to cycle
the slide once the hammer is back.
One of the advantages of a .380
ACP over small guns chambered in
9mm is the lighter recoil spring. It
takes much less force to chamber
WKH ÀUVW URXQG ZKLFK LV LPSRUWDQW
if your grip strength is lacking.
6SULQJÀHOG $UPRU\ ÀUVW UROOHG
out these pistols last fall, giving
a number of gun writers a sneak
preview and a chance to put as
many rounds downrange through
these guns as we wanted. Each of
us was given a pistol and a bucket
of ammo. Seriously, an actual
bucket. We also used the guns in a
competition later in the day, where
The grips are G10 and aggressive enough to keep the pistol planted irmly we burned through even more
<
in your hand. With the inger extension magazine installed, you can get a full ammo.
grip on the pistol.
I’m not sure how many rounds I
ÀUHG WKURXJK WKHVH OLWWOH V EXW
ACCURACY RESULTS | SPRINGFIELD ARMORY 911 it had to be close to 200 rounds—if
Bullet Muzzle Standard Avg. not more. Multiply that by 12 or so
.380 ACP Weight (gr.) Velocity (fps) Deviation (fps) Group (in.)
fellow shooters and you’re talking
Black Hills HoneyBadger 60 1,157 26 2.1
a lot of ammo. I don’t remember
Aeris HP 80 988 14 2.0
experiencing a malfunction or see-
Hornady Critical Defense 90 877 17 1.8
Federal HST 99 911 15 1.7 ing anyone else have one.
In all honesty, 200 rounds
Notes: Accuracy results are averages of four five-shot groups at 15 yards from a sandbag rest. Velocities are averages of
10 shots measured with an Oehler Model 35P 12 feet from the muzzle. Abbreviation: HP, hollowpoint is more ammo than a lot of
VEHICLE SAFE
IMPORTANT: Do not store loaded firearms in any safe, vault or lock box. Follow local, state and federal
laws for firearm storage and transport. Check TSA regulations and airline policies before traveling
with any portable safe. Check dimensions of your firearm against safe’s internal dimensions noted
on packaging. Firearm and firearm accessories shown are not included.
H O R N A DY S E C U R I T Y.CO M
FIRST RESPONDER
owners will put through their 6SULQJÀHOG LQYLWHG $FWLRQ 7DUJHW WH[WXULQJ LW GRHVQ·W PRYH LQ \RXU
subcompact carry gun in a life- WR WKH HYHQW DQG ZH VKRW VRPH RI KDQG ZKLOH \RX·UH VKRRWLQJ
time. Most subcompact pistols are WKH FRPSDQ\·V QHZ UHDFWLYH SDSHU ,W·V RGG EXW GXH WR WKH FRPELQD-
bought to carry, not to shoot. But WDUJHWV (YHQ WKRXJK WKH LV D WLRQ RI HUJRQRPLFV DQG ´JURZQ
RI DOO WKH SLVWROV 6SULQJÀHOG ZDV WLQ\ JXQ , ZDV DEOH WR JHW KHDG XSμ IHDWXUHV WKH VHHPV OLNH
LQWURGXFLQJ DW WKH HYHQW ZH DOO VKRWV DW ÀYH \DUGV RQ PXOWLSOH a bigger pistol than it actually is.
shot the 911 more than any of the WDUJHWV DV IDVW DV , FRXOG SXOO WKH :KHQ , OD\ P\ WULJJHU ÀQJHU DORQJ
others. Why? Because it’s comfort- trigger. It was neat watching paper WKH VLGH RI WKH JXQ DQG VHH WKDW LW
DEOH DQG ZH DOO OLNHG LW WDUJHWV GURS OLNHVWHHOSODWHVDQG UHDFKHV DOPRVW WR WKH HQG RI WKH
Despite the fact that the 911 then reset. IUDPH ,·P VXUSULVHG HYHU\ WLPH
LV VPDOO LW GRHVQ·W KXUW WR VKRRW This is a fun pistol to shoot. With , KDYH RQO\ RQH UHDO FRPSODLQW
HYHQ ZKHQ XVLQJ WKH ÁXVK PDJD- the longer, grip-extension maga- DERXW WKH DQG WKDW LV ZLWK WKH
zine. This is rare for a subcompact zine in place, it was a little more thumb safety. While I wish the
SLVWRO $QG ZKHQ \RX FRPELQH WKH FRPIRUWDEOH WR VKRRW EXW HYHQ VDIHW\ OHYHU ZDV ERWK ORQJHU DQG
·V ORZ ERUH JRRG WULJJHU DQG ZLWK WKH ÁXVK PDJD]LQH LQ SODFH ZLGHU , ZLOO DGPLW , GLGQ·W KDYH
great sights with the .380’s mini- WKH SLVWRO IHOW JRRG LQ P\ KDQG DQ\ SUREOHP ZRUNLQJ LW XS DQG
mal recoil, it’s easy to put bullets %HWZHHQ WKH ÁDW SURÀOH DQG DJ- GRZQ ZLWK WKH VLGH RI P\ WKXPE
where you want them to go. JUHVVLYHJULSVDQG2FWR*ULSIUDPH +RZHYHU ZLWK WKH WKXPE VDIHW\ RI
WKH XSHQJDJHG WKH OHYHU LV SR-
VLWLRQHG ULJKW ZKHUH WKH VDIHW\ RQ
D VWDQGDUG ZRXOG EH ZKHQ LW LV
RIIGLVHQJDJHG 7R GLVHQJDJH LW \RX
KDYH WR SXVK LW GRZQ HYHQ IDUWKHU
,I \RX·YH JRW DQ\ WLPH EHKLQG D
1911, the muscle memory feel of the
·V VDIHW\ XQGHU \RXU WKXPE ZLOO
be telling your brain it is off, when
in reality it is still on. This hap-
SHQHG WR PH VHYHUDO WLPHV
1RZ LI \RX MXVW ÀQLVKHG UHDG-
LQJ WKDW SDUDJUDSK DQG DUHQ·W
FRQFHUQHG EHFDXVH \RX GRQ·W SODQ
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The 911 boasts Ameri-Glo’s excellent Pro-Glo night sights with white-out-
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only semiauto.
line/tritium rear dots and a bright green photoluminescent dot paired with a
tritium insert.
2IIERG\ FDUU\ LQ D SXUVH RU EDJ
or briefcase is one thing, but if
you’re carrying a pistol on your
person, choosing to carry a pistol
in such a manner that you can’t
GUDZ DQG ÀUH LW ZLWK RQH KDQG LQ
RQH VPRRWK PRWLRQ LV MXVW GXPE ,
GRQ·W NQRZDQ\RWKHUQLFHUZRUG
for it.
'RQ·W FKRRVH WR FDUU\ D KDQGJXQ
LQ VXFK D FRQGLWLRQ WKDW \RX KDYH WR
FRFN WKH KDPPHU RU UDFN D URXQG
into the chamber before you can
VKRRW ,Q HIIHFW LW LV QR GLIIHUHQW
than carrying a pistol without a
The 911 features a trigger made of G10 composite, which is a irst. The ORDGHG PDJD]LQH LQVHUWHG ,I \RX·UH
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trigger, grips and mainspring housing are all G10 and made by Hogue. going to carry the 911, carry it
First Response
7KH WDJOLQH IRU WKH LV ´:KHQ
\RX KDYH WR EH \RXU RZQ ÀUVW UH-
sponder.” I’ve written previously
WKDW FRSV DQG ÀUHPHQ DQG (07V
DUULYH RQO\ DIWHU WKH\·YH EHHQ
called and really are the second
UHVSRQGHUV 7KH WUXH ÀUVW UHVSRQG-
er is the person or persons who
are there when an incident neces-
VLWDWLQJ WKHQHHGIRUVHOIGHIHQVH
occurs.
6RPH SHRSOH IHHO WKH LV WRR
ZHDN WR EH VXLWDEOH IRU VHOIGH-
IHQVH EXW WKLV LV QRW 7KH LP-
provements in projectiles haven’t
happened in a vacuum, and the
SHUIRUPDQFH RI PRGHUQ EXO-
lets is as vastly improved as those
LQ PP DQG $&3
&DOLEHU DVLGH DV IRU WKH EH-
LQJ VPDOO DQG WKHUHIRUH QRW D JRRG
FKRLFH IRU VHOIGHIHQVH , GLVDJUHH
I consider being able to hit the
WDUJHW IDVW DQG UHSHDWHGO\ PRUH
important than caliber. Shot place-
PHQW LV IDU PRUH LPSRUWDQW WKDQ
caliber. For that reason, I would
choose to carry the 911 over any
UHYROYHU RI DQ\ VL]H LQ DQ\ FDOLEHU
EHFDXVH , FDQ VKRRW LWIDVWHUDQG
more accurately.
WWW.HANDGUNS.COM
an unknown company. (Bren Ten magazines with the gun as most us-
anyone?) However, by the end of the ers might ever want.
year, Hudson Manufacturing had The magazines for the H9 have a
started shipping its H9, and what distinctly retro feel to me. Looking
draws the eye of everyone who looks at them, I’m reminded of Browning
at this pistol is the big hunk o’ metal Hi Power and SIG P226 magazines.
forward of the trigger guard. They have rounded polymer base
$WÀUVWLWORRNVOLNHWKH SDGVWKDWÀWÁXVKZLWKWKHIUDPH
pistol might have an although there is a cutout at the
LQWHJUDOÁDVKOLJKWODVHU front (matching one on the frame)
or integral suppressor, WKDWDOORZVXVHUVWRGLJLQDÀQJHU-
but it’s none of those. If tip and hook out stuck magazines if
you’ll look at the pho- necessary.
tographs, you’ll notice The H9 sports a 4.3-inch barrel.
how darn low the bore is. Overall it is 7.6 inches long and 5.2
The barrel is barely above inches high. At 1.2 inches across,
the frame. This is possible the pistol isn’t any thicker than its
because the recoil system competitors, but it is a bit heavier
(guide rod and spring) has WKDQWKHDYHUDJHVWULNHUÀUHGSLVWRO
been moved down and posi- at 34 ounces because it has a steel
tioned in front of the trigger, frame. Both frame and slide have
allowing the bore to be as low as DEODFNQLWULGHÀQLVKIRUFRUURVLRQ
it can be. resistance.
The steel guide rod is captured
THE NEW in the front of the frame, as is the
This is a full-size pistol, bigger
than what most people would be
H9 SPORTS A ÁDWZLUHUHFRLOVSULQJZKLFKPDNHV interested in carrying concealed,
E
very year or two a product is steel 9mm SIG P226 despite a huge this, at least 14 holster companies
introduced that completely weight disparity, solely because of DUHPDNLQJKROVWHUVWRÀWWKH+
captivates the marketplace WKHODWWHU·VVLJQLÀFDQWO\KLJKHUERUH The looks of the H9 are what
because of a unique design Not only is the bore lower on the H9, automobile reviewers would call
or feature. Last year that but also the recoil forces are being “polarizing.” That means people
product was the Hudson H9 from directed back at a much lower spot either will love the way it looks
the previously unknown company on the frame due to the position of or hate the way it looks, with few
Hudson Manufacturing. Debuting the recoil spring. undecideds. I admit it is odd in ap-
at the 2017 SHOT Show, the all-steel Currently, this pistol is offered pearance, but I don’t dislike it. I will
Hudson H9 was marketed as having only in 9mm. It is fed by a steel VD\WKDWLI\RXDWWDFKDÁDVKOLJKWWR
WKHEHVWIHDWXUHVRIVWULNHUÀUHG 15-round magazine, and three maga- the accessory rail on the bottom of
guns while having a 1911-style trig- zines are provided with the gun. the H9’s already pregnant frame, its
ger pull—the standard against which Time out for a round of applause appearance moves away from “odd”
all other trigger pulls are judged. at that because the H9 uses pro- and toward “absurd.”
When a completely new product prietary magazines, and instead of The features on the H9 seem well
is launched, there is always uncer- providing only one with the gun and thought out. First, the sights. The
tainty whether it will make it into up-charging customers who wanted pistol sports a Trijicon HD front
production, especially if it’s from more, Hudson provides as many sight with an orange dot. The
<
The rear sight is a plain black
model with serrations and a U-shaped
notch. It is paired with Trijicon’s
excellent HD day/night front sight.
day, I would spit on the 9mm because H9, but I found felt recoil and muzzle
beveled, and there is a cutout on the
front to assist in stripping out balky it was such a weak and ineffective rise nearly identical to the heavier
magazines. all-steel H9.
,V WKH PX]]OH ÁLS UHGXFWLRQ RU
good-as-a-1911 trigger on the H9 so
impressive that the price increase
over the average polymer-frame
VWULNHUÀUHG SLVWRO LV MXVWLÀHG" 7R P\
mind, the solid performance of the
H9 doesn’t make it worth the extra
money, but its uniqueness does.
Most people can’t shoot well
enough to justify the price tag on a
$3,500 1911, but usually they’re not
just paying for performance but also
The key to the Hudson design is the lowering of the bore, which sits as
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| FIRING LINE | RUGER SUPER REDHAWK 10MM
notches are off-center from the with an overmold for recoil reduction. serious ammo-testing session. In the
charge holes, adding more strength for The gun ships with three full-moon end, I was pleased with the gun, and in
those who like to shoot heavy factory clips, a plastic case and gun lock. the course of my shooting, a ive-shot
loads or prefer their handloads on the Since the gun also came supplied group emerged with the Winchester
warm side. with stainless steel rings that it into brand that went into a tight 1.125-inch
The cylinder is released via a push machined cuts in the top rib, I decided circle.
button on the recoil shield, and the to test the gun with an old Bausch & A few years back I tested the 10mm
triple-locking cylinder is held in place Lomb 2X scope. This added heft made Auto in a Dan Wesson with a ive-inch
at the front, rear and bottom. It closes the 10mm even more pleasant to barrel. Comparing velocities out of the
with a satisfying “clunk.” shoot. The addition of a scope did not two different barrel lengths, velocity
If I have one criticism it is with the cramp the space between the check- of the Norma round increased 38 fps
trigger pull. The single-action pull ered hammer spur and the eyepiece in the Super Redhawk while the Ruger
breaks at about ive pounds, and the too much, but I would not go with a pushed Remingtons out of the gun 65
double-action pull is twice that—a scope with an eyepiece larger than 1.5 fps faster than the Dan Wesson.
handful to operate despite the smooth inches in diameter. If you are looking for an honestly
face on the trigger itself. At the onset, groups were erratic, priced, accurate and American-made
Additional features include the time- but after a slight break-in period, big revolver and don’t mind dealing
tested Ruger transfer-bar mechanism groups improved dramatically—prov- with moon clips, the new Super Red-
for safety, frame-mounted iring pin, ing that no matter the gun or company, hawk is well worth investigating.
ease of disassembly without special fresh barrels often need some tuning
tools, and ergonomic laminated grips (read burnishing) before you get to any
The Super Redhawk is a strong revolver, and its frame extends about a third
<
|
Bullet Muzzle Standard Avg.
10mm Auto Weight (gr.) Velocity (fps) Deviation (fps) Group (in.)
Remington JHP 180 927 9 2.40 notches that don’t take away metal
Norma FJTC 200 1,081 29 2.35 from the charge holes, which adds
Notes: Accuracy results are averages of five five-shot groups at 25 yards from a sandbag rest with 2X scope. Velocities are strength. The gun has cuts in the
averages of 25 shots recorded on an Oehler Model 35P chronograph. Temperature, 45 degrees. Abbreviations: FJTC, fully topstrap that mate up with the
jacketed truncated cone; FMJ, full metal jacket; JHP, jacketed hollowpoint supplied scope rings.
TM
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