Concealed Carry Handguns 2014-09-10

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FROM THE EDITORS OF GUN WORLD | GUNWORLD.COM

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 • $8.99 U.S.DISPLAY UNTIL: 10/28/14

E n g a g e d M e d i a B

y B e c k e t t



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22 BODYGUARD VS. SHIELD A law enforcement trainer and an armorer offer side-by-side

comparison of two popular Smith & Wesson handguns: the

M&P Bodyguard in .38 and the M&P Shield in 9mm.

By Jim Weiss and Mickey Davis,

Photos by P. J. Ryan and Jim Weiss

48 HARD WORK, EASY CARRY

A combination of classic design and good ergonomics

make the Ruger SP101 an appealing pistol for experienced

concealed carry practitioners and first-time shooters alike.

Story & Photos by Brad Fitzpatrick

82 SITUATIONAL MINDSET

An award-winning handgun trainer helps us get back to

the essentials of how to win the fight; by being able to

see what is transpiring and quickly adapt to the rapidly

changing situation.

Story & Photos by Dave Spaulding

Departments6 EDITOR’S LETTER

8 GEAR GUIDE

130 LAST PAGE

4 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS

Features

48

Table of Contents September/October 2014

130

30



Buyer’s Guides

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUN S 5

10 Holsters

16 Micro Handguns

30 Pocket Semi-Autos

36 Subcompact Semi-Autos

56 Compact Semi-Autos

70 Full Semi-Autos

90 1911 Handguns

106 Compact Revolvers

116 Medium Revolvers

122 Full-Frame Revolvers

8

82

The Cover:Designed by John Cabral

Photos by Smith & Wesson


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The VirtuousHandgun

T

his past year has seen another substantial increase in

the concealed carry market, and for good reason.

People have begun to realize their safety and thesafety of their loved ones and friends is too important to leave

to chance or circumstance. Enrollment at self and home

defense courses are up, as are the number of available hand-

gun training courses. And even though short-barrel shotguns

remain popular, when people consider their choices for self or

home defense, their first thought is almost always of a hand-

gun.

Unlike long guns, the handgun enjoys the dual virtue of

extreme accessibility and, away from home, concealability. An

armed citizen can keep one close at hand at all times and inthe vast majority of situations. And, because it is often worn

close to the body for long periods of time, it can easily be

thought of as an extension of you.

And yet, despite the obvious similarities among handguns,

there are a wide variety of types and sizes available, from

micro pistols to the largest full-sized revolvers, and each of

these may be had multiple calibers.

So many applications, so many choices.

Each issue of Concealed Carry Handguns seeks to offer

informative and useful articles, but we also keep readers up to

date with handy and convenient buyer’s guides for dozens of

popular handguns in all sizes and calibers.

Whether you are new to the market or are adding a new

model to your collection, we hope you find something that fits

your needs.

—The Editors

A LETTER FROM THE

EDITOREDITORIALEditorial Director: Jennifer DegtjarewskyExecutive Editor: Craig HodgkinsManaging Editor: Breanna Armstrong Art Director: John BernikowSports & Outdoor Interns: Hannah Spangenberg, Casey Sandoval

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014



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FOR CONCEALED CARRY B Y C R A IG H O D G K IN S • P H O T O S B Y

ENHANCED PROTECTION Crimson Trace Offers a Variety of Laser Options and Styles Suitable for Concealed Carry

Although sales of sporting rifles have leveled out

from their recent record numbers, the purchase

of handguns for personal protection and home

defense continues to rise. According to an industrystudy, enrollment in concealed carry weapon

(CCW) and self-defense courses has increased in

the past twelve months as both experienced and

first-time gun owners take the safety of their

families and friends into their own trained and

licensed hands.

It should come as no surprise then that the market

for one of the most useful and effective accessories

for any firearm—a laser sight—is experiencing strong

growth as well. Crimson Trace, a pioneer in laser sight

technology and still an industry leader, develops their

products by continually choosing “to enhance peo-

ple’s ability to protect family, home and country.”

That’s a mission statement we can all live by.

Because the need to protect yourself or your loved

ones can arise at any time, including in low or no

light situations, a laser sight is much more than a“nice to have” add-on; with the proper training and

practice, it can literally be a lifesaver. Lane

Tobiassen, president and CEO of Crimson Trace, may

have said it best in a recent interview. “The laser

sight simply leverages the same reason the person

bought the firearm in the first place,” he reasoned.

“It is an enhancement to the core purpose that that

person went into the store and bought that gun, or

carries that gun or has that gun.”

Here are a few recent Crimson Trace product

releases designed to help you in your mission to

protect who and what you love.

…The laser sight simply leveragesthe same reason the person boughtthe firearm in the first place.

“ “

Contact

Crimson Trace

CrimsonTrace.com

(800) 442-2406


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Crimson Trace LG-639 (red) and LG-639G (green) For Glock Semi-Automatics

Both feature instinctive activation on the rear ofthe grip and include a master on/off switch to give

shooters the option to use their pistols with—or

without—engaging the laser.

Each unit is also easily adjusted for windage

and elevation and can be installed without the

use of special gunsmithing tools. These products

are specifically designed to fit securely onto Glock

Third Generation pistol models 19, 23, 25, 32 and

38. These compact Glock handguns are favored

for concealed carry.

MSRP: $329 (LG-639G)

$249 (LG-639)

Crimson Trace LG-494 For the Remington R51

After a shaky launch, Remington’s new R51

pistol has returned to gun store shelves. In some

retailers, buyers have the choice of purchasing an

R51 with a Crimson Trace Laserguard laser sight

pre-installed.

The innovative LG-494—with a red laser

diode—is the result of Crimson Trace and

Remington working together during the

handgun’s development stage.

MSRP: See local dealer

The LG-639 mounted on a Glock.

The new LG-494 and

the Remington R51

The CMR-204 mounted on a

Springfield Armory XD(m)

Crimson Trace CMR-205 (red) and CMR-204 (green)

Nearly a year after introduction, Crimson

Trace’s Rail Master Pro laser sighting sys-tems and tactical lights continue to enjoy

a huge consumer demand. The red or

green laser sight is paired with a bright

100-lumen LED white light to provide the

dual advantage of helping identify

threats in the darkness while helping any

gun owner quickly take aim—if necessary.

These popular light/laser combos

mount easily on a wide variety of

Picatinny or Weaver rail systems.

MSRP: $379 (CMR-204)

$279 (CMR-205)



IF IT FITS, CARRY IT

e know how important it is to have a

trusty, dependable and durable holster

to carry your firearm.

Whether it’s leather, Kydex, carbon fiber, or a

combination of these materials, and whether you

house it inside your waistband, under your shoul-

der, or in your purse, choosing a holster is almost

as important as the prized piece you carry.In order to make the best selection, you need to

ask yourself some important questions: First, is the

holster comfortable? Is it discreet enough? Does

the placement of your firearm fit your preference?

There are many different styles, so to get you

started, we sourced the best models from the top

holster manufactures to bring you this product

guide. Now, the choice of style, material, size and

shape is up to you.— The Editors

PHOTO BY TERRILL HOFFMAN

What Holster Is Right For You?

W



DesantisModel:Mini Scabbard

MSRP: $59.99 (prices vary

based on gun model)

Website:

DeSantisHolster.comDescription:This unique

holster has been reduced to

the barest of essentials, yet

offers a secure grip on the

handgun thanks to exact

molding and adjustable

tension device.

DesantisModel: Thumb Break Mini Slide

MSRP: $69.99 (prices vary based on gun model)

Website: DeSantisHolster.com

Description:Premium saddle leather, double seams and

a highly detailed molded fit make this exposed muzzle,

tight fitting, two-slot holster a great choice for your

favorite pistol. It features an adjustable-tension device.

DesantisModel:Thumb Break Scabbard

MSRP: $88.99 (prices vary based on gun model)


Description:The firearm rides high and is

presented at an optimum draw angle. Its

thumb break and exact molding, together with

a tension device, allow for a secure and highly

concealable carry.

Blade-TechModel: OWB Eclipse Straight Drop Ambidextrous Holster

MSRP: $79.99

Website: Blade-Tech.com

Description:This Blade-Tech holster was designed with

comfort and concealing in mind.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 CONC EALED CARRY HANDGUNS 11

Pocket Points

• The MiniScabbard willaccommodatebelts up to 1½inches wide.

• Available inblack or tanunlined leather.

Pocket Points

• Available in black or tan leather.• Belt slots are 1¾ inches wide.

Pocket Points

• Belt slots are 1¾ inches wide.

• Available in black or tan leather, with or without suede lining, plain or basket-weave finish.



GalcoModel: Combat Master Belt Holster

MSRP: $85.95

Website: GalcoGunLeather.com

Description:The open-top design offers a swift

draw and presentation, while detailed moldingprovides secure retention. The butt-forward cant

allows effective concealment of even a large

defensive handgun. The Combat Master has an

open muzzle and fits belts up to 1¾ inches.

Model: SSS Side Snap Scabbard (Gen 2)

MSRP: $124.95


Description:Constructed of premium steerhide, the Side

Snap Scabbard retains the quick on-off snap loops that fit

belts up to 1½ inches. The open-top design remains the

same, with the addition of a reinforced mouth for smooth

and easy one-handed return to the holster. New to the SSS

is a slight butt-forward cant, in contrast to the steeper

angle of the earlier version.

Model:TacSlide Belt Holster

MSRP: $45.95


Description:Galco’s new TacSlide combines

steerhide and Kydex for a belt holster that’s fast

and concealable. The steerhide back plate is

smooth where it rides against the wearer’s body,

greatly increasing comfort.

GalcoModel: Triton Kydex IWB Holster

MSRP: $54.95


Pocket Points

• Made for semi-automatic pistols anddouble-action revolvers.

• The Combat Master is available in right orleft hand designs in tan or black finish.

Pocket Points

• The Side Snap Scabbard is offered for right or lefthand draw in black color.

Pocket Points

• The TacSlide is currently offered for popularsemi-autos and double-action revolvers.


HOLSTERS

Description:Constructed of durable, virtually maintenance-ree Kydex, the Triton is fast, thin and easy to conceal. The

belt clip offers quick on and off capability, while the sweat

guard protects both gun and gun carrier. The firm holster body

allows a smooth and easy return to the holster after the draw,

while the raised sweat guard protects the pistol from corro-

sive perspiration—and also protects your skin from hard steel.

Galco Galco





Model: SERPA CQC w/Carbon Fiber Finish

MSRP: $59.99

Website: Blackhawk.com

Description: Featuring a unique speed-cut

design, the CQC Carbon-Fiber Holster

allows for smooth draw and easy re-holsterwithout slowing you down. The patented

SERPA Auto Lock release delivers unparal-

leled weapon security and is automatically

positioned to facilitate a correct drawing

motion, making it the perfect Level 2

retention holster for concealed carry.

Blackpoint TacticalModel: Leather Wing RHC

MSRP: $85

Website: BlackpointTactical.com

Description:This is Blackpoint Tactical’s best sell-

ing holster, and for good reason. The Kydex center

provides excellent adjustable retention while

leather wings provide the flexibility to bend to the

wearer’s hip dimensions.

Model: Standard Outside-the-waistband (OWB) RHC

MSRP: $75

Website: BlackpointTactical.com

Description: Designed with U.S. Special Forces input, this hol-

ster is made for comfort as well as concealment. A slightly

higher ride (this is adjustable by the end user with different

belt clips), a more complete bend (the holster all together has

a curve to it as opposed to the

ends just being bent in), and anopen bottom are just a few of the

differentiating details.

Pocket Points

• Kydex.• Completely customizable through their

website with 30 different color options.

Blackpoint

Tactical

HOLSTERS

Pocket Points

• Reinforces full master grip andsuperior draw technique as wellas having immediate retention

and audible click upon re-holsterfor security.• The speed-cut design allows

rapid draw, target acquisition,and re-holster while keepingeyes on target.

• Includes belt loop and paddleplatform.


Pocket Points

• Belt mounted holster.• Available in 30 colors.

Blackhawk!



GalcoPRODUCT:KingTukMSRP: $69.95


Description:The KingTuk has a comfortable backing plate

made of lined saddle leather, and the Napa leather front

combines with a rigid Kydex holster pocket for a fast draw

and easy holstering. Worn inside the waistband, the

KingTuk’s removable metal belt clips can be moved up or

down in the corresponding holes in the leather, enabling

he user to set the carry height and angle

o suit their unique preferences. Available

n black with standard metal clips that fit

belts up to 1¾ inches.

GalcoPRODUCT: Holster Care Kit

MSRP: $19.95Website: GalcoGunLeather.com

Description:This kit has everything you need

to give your holster the proper care, including: a

bottle of Galco Leather Lotion, a bottle of Galco

Draw-EZ, an application dauber, a synthetic

wool buffing pad, and a combination applica-

tion synthetic wool and foam scrub pad

(Holster not included).

CC

DesantisPRODUCT:Hot-Jox

MSRP: $49.99


Description: For more than 20 years, this

holster system has been dependable, and

its medium semi-automatic and large

automatic firearms. Made to be carriedbelow the waistline in the center, it’s

perfect to wear under casual clothing.


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MIGHTY MICROS:

hese revolvers pack five rounds of .22

ammunition into an incredibly conceal-

able package, so don’t write them off as

a mere novelty. They are single action revolvers,

meaning that you need to manually cock the

hammer for each shot. An index position

between chambers exists on most models, so

that the hammer may rest on the cylinder itself

rather than on the rim of one of the rimfire

cartridges, a clever step that promotes safety

for concealed carry.They generally reload by removing the cylinder

completely from the frame, and by removing the

cylinder pin and using it to press out the spent

cartridges (some versions have star extractors

like larger revolvers). While this hampers reload

time and makes the carrying of spare ammunition

relatively moot, the fact that they carry three

more shots than a standard double barrel

derringer is a large selling point.

Whether as a primary defensive pistol when

circumstances dictate the exact characteristics

of a micro revolver, or as a backup arm, these fineexamples are ready for your consideration.

PHOTO BY L.W. SEECAMP

Big Pop in a Small Package

T


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PRICE RANGE

$200-$400

MODEL: MAG 1.1

WEBSITE: NorthAmericanArms.com

MSRP: $219

Action: SA

Caliber: .22 WMR

Capacity: 5

Barrel Length: 1.1 inches

Length: 4.75 inches

Width: 0.9 inches

Height: 2.9 inches

Weight: 5.9 ounces

Features: Extremely short for caliber, reloads

by removing the cylinder, exceedingly compact

MODEL: .22 MAG HOLSTER / GRIP COMBO


MSRP: $244Action: SA

Caliber: .22 WMR

Capacity: 5


Length: 5.25 in or 5.75 inches

Width: 0.9 inches

Height: 2.9 inches

Weight: 6.2 ounces

Features: Grip folds under pistol, accepts

.22 LR cartridges, doesn’t “print” as a gun

North American Arms

North American Arms



MICRO HANDGUNS

Bond ArmsMODEL: BOND MINI

WEBSITE: BondArms.com

MSRP: $389

Action: SA

Caliber: .45 Colt

Capacity: 2


Length: 4.5 inches

Height: 3.75 inches

Weight: 19 ounces

Features: crossbolt safety, retracting

firing pins, extremely powerful

MODEL: GUARDIAN 25 NAA

WEBSITE:NorthAmericanArms.com

MSRP: $402

Action: DAO

Caliber: .25 NAA

Capacity: 6+1


Length: 4.4 inchesWidth: 0.9 inches

Height: 3.3 inches

Weight: 13.6 ounces

Features: proprietary bottle-necked

cartridge, stippled grip for ease of

control, improved reliability

Bond ArmsMODEL: COWBOY DEFENDER


MSRP: $405

Action: SA

Caliber: .45 COLT / .410 Shotshell

Capacity: 2

Barrel Length: 3 inches

Length: 5 inches

Height: 3.75 inches

Weight: 19 ounces

Features: Interchangeable barrels, spring-loadedcammed locking lever, extremely powerful

PRICE RANGE

$400-$600

North American Arms



BerettaMODEL: PICOWEBSITE: Beretta.com

MSRP: $405

Action: DA

Caliber: 9 short (380 auto)

Capacity: 6


Length: 5.1 inches

Width: .725 inches

Height: 4 inches

Weight: 11.5 ounces

Features: 3-dot sight system,

snag-free design, ambidextrous

magazine release

MODEL:

TEXAS DEFENDER

WEBSITE:BondArms.com

MSRP: $415

Action: SACaliber: .45 COLT / .410

Shotshell

Capacity: 2


Length: 5 inches

Height: 3.75 inches

Weight: 20 ounces

Features: Interchangeable

barrels, spring-loadedcammed locking lever,

extremely powerful, available

in a wide variety of calibers

Bond Arms

MSRP

Style 127

$ 34 99

www.desantisholster.com

• Built fromblack-saddleleather

• Precise moldedcontours provideweapon retention

• Available formost popularhandguns

800-GUNHIDE631-841-6300 Dept #CW94431 Bayview Ave.Amityville, NY 11701




MICRO HANDGUNS

MODEL:MINI MASTER VENOM

WEBSITE:NorthAmericanArms.com

MSRP: $473

Action: SA

Caliber: .22 WMR

Capacity: 5Barrel Length: 4 inches

Length: 7.9 inches

Width: 1 inch

Height: 3.7 inches

Weight: 10.8 ounces

Features: Adjustable target

sights, Laserlyte under

barrel laser, vented top rib,

surprisingly long barrel

MODEL:

DOUBLE TAPWEBSITE:HeizerFirearms.com

MSRP: $499

Action: DA

Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 2


Length: 5.5 inches

Width: 0.7 inches

Height: 3.9 inches

Weight: 12 ounces

Features: Unique double-action design, carries two spare

rounds on an included speed strip in the grip panel

MODEL: SNAKE SLAYER


MSRP: $505

Action: SA


Capacity: 2

Barrell Length: 4.25 inches

Length: 6.25 inches

Height: 4.3 inches

Weight: 23.5 ounces

Features: Interchangeable barrels,

fixed sights, automatic extractor

North American Arms

Heizer Defense Bond Arms

MODEL:BLACK WIDOW VENOM

WEBSITE:

NorthAmericanArms.com

MSRP: $423

Action: SA

Caliber: .22 WMRCapacity: 5


Length: 7.9 inches

Width: 1 inch

Height: 3.7 inches

Weight: 10.8 ounces

Features: Fixed sights, Laserlyte

under barrel laser, vented top rib,

ergonomic two-finger grip

North American

Arms



AmericanDerringer MODEL: DA38

WEBSITE: AmDerringer.com

MSRP: $690

Action: DA

Caliber: .38 SPL

Capacity: 2


Length: 4.7 inches

Width: 1.1 inches

Height: 3.3 inches

Weight: 14.5 ounces

Features: Rather unique

double-action derringer, very

concealable, fixed sights


CC

MODEL: M7



Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 2


Length: 4.8 inches

Width: 1.1 inches

Height: 3.3 inches

Weight: 7.5 ounces

Features: Aluminum

construction for lightweight,

automatic barrel selection,

very light weight

PRICE RANGE

$600 and Up AmericanDerringer



Smith & Wesson’s M&P Bodyguard .38 and M&P Shield 9mm

The recoil from Smith & Wesson’s

Bodyguard felt very manageable, even

with +P rounds.

BODYGUARD VS. SHIELD

By Jim Weiss and Mickey Davis, Photos by P. J. Ryan and Jim Weiss

he S&W Bodyguard has an Insight laser

with a pushbutton on and off switch located

t the top rear of sight housing.


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For our gun reviews and field evaluations, we

generally review the weapons and then bring ourquestions to experts in the field of firearms. We

find this interplay is a great opportunity to pick

their minds as well as glean information we may

have overlooked. For this review, our field evalua-

tor was Sgt. John Connor and our armorer was

P.J. Ryan, and both took an expert look at each

Smith & Wesson handgun.

THE M&P BODYGUARD

Field Evaluation (John Connor):

I own two small (J-frame) Smith & Wesson (S&W)

revolvers: a 642 Airweight 38 and a 340PD .357

magnum. When I was handed this revolver to

review, I wondered what was going to be cutting

edge and distinctive about it. I mean, S&W revolvers

have been on this planet since 1857, with the 642

Airweight introduced in 2006. I was skeptical whenI first pulled the weapon out of the box.

The first thing I noticed is that it was all black,

similar to the S&W M&P semi-autos, and made

of steel, aluminum and polymer with a corrosion

resistant finish. I imagine the polymer parts con-

tribute to the disappearance of an ounce of weight

compared to the 642, but nothing I could feel. The

second feature was the top mounted, ambidextrous

cylinder release. It took about five seconds to adjust

to, but I found it quite simple to operate. I feel this

would be a great feature for left-handed shooters

who desire a revolver. I also preferred it to the

side-mounted latch, as I didn’t have to adjust my

grip to manipulate it.

The S&W Bodyguard 38 comes with an Insight

omparing these two innovative Smith & Wesson handguns

was difficult, since one is a pistol and the other a revolver,

but that was the assignment, so that’s what we did.C

A left side view of

the Bodyguard and

two speed loaders,

ready for action.



laser mounted on the right side

of the gun just above the cylin-

der. I have an S&W 642 with a

Crimson Trace (CT) grip laser,so at first I hated the laser

sighting on the Bodyguard 38.

Once I played with it, however,

I came to prefer it, and I’ll tell

you why.

First, my CT laser has an

on/off master switch on the bot-

tom that allows the shooter to

squeeze another grip pressure

switch to activate the laser. I’ve

found that if I leave the master

switch continuously on, lifefinds ways to touch the pres-

sure switch and run my laser

when I don’t need it. The Insight

switch is activated by a button

on the top of the backstrap,

which, with some practice, wassimple to manipulate with the

thumb of my gun hand.

The second and more appeal-

ing feature of the Insight laser is

that if you depress the buttontwice, the laser pulsates. This is

far easier to pick up than a

steady beam. I was told that the

laser is calibrated from the fac-

tory, but mine was about eight

inches high left. However, thiswas an easy enough fix.

The range was where I found

out why I liked the Bodyguard

38 more than my S&W 642 and

S&W 340PD … the trigger.

Contrary to the stiff and heavy

triggers on my other revolvers,

this felt smooth and light. Even

my wife, who traditionally

prefers semi-autos, enjoyed

shooting this revolver. I would

say the pull was at least a cou-ple of pounds lighter than the

S&W 642, but still heavy

enough for a “pocket” gun.

The all-black iron sights will

be challenging to pick up unless

it is bright outside, but unlikemy S&W 642, the front sight is

removable, which allows for an

aftermarket improvement. The

ejector rod is longer than my

642, which all but guaranteesthe empty casings will be dis-

pensed with one push.

Field EvaluatorSgt. John Connor

Police Sergeant John Connor is a trainer

from Emerald Shield Tactical Concepts.

The company prepares law enforcement

officers to prevail in any on- or off-duty

encounter through courses and tactics

using non-lethal training ammunition and

live-fire scenarios. It focuses its training in

high liability areas, and its instructors are

current law enforcement officers who are

Florida-based LE trainers, and whose back-

grounds include control tactics/martial

arts, SWAT, use of force, and firearms certi-fication.

Sergeant Connor is a long-time member

of his police department’s SWAT team, and

has participated in various competitions,

most notably seven times at SWAT Round-

Up International as a member of his

department’s SWAT competition team.

The Round-Up requires physical fitness,

know-how, teamwork, and excellent

shooting abilities.

For more infomration, visit

EmeraldShieldConcepts.com.

The Bodyguard lends

itself easily to the crossed

thumbs technique, used

to reduce recoil.



Contrary to the stiff and heavy triggers on my other revolvers,this felt smooth and light.

“ “

The S&M M&P Shield in 9mm.

This single-stack, semi-auto

had the same fit, feel, and

performance of any M&P

product with the adaptation

to concealed carry.



The Shield’s frame is black polymer, and the slide and barrel are

stainless steel coated with a black, corrosion-resistant finish. It has

standard three dot sights, and to the rear of the slide it carries the

M&P scalloped grip serrations to assist in charging the pistol.

According to evaluator John Connor, the performance

of the M&P Shield 9mm was excellent at the range,

handling every round fed to it.

The recoil felt very manageable,even with +P rounds. When Icrossed my thumbs, it was com-fortable to shoot. This is unlike myS&W 340PD, with which I compare

the experience to hitting my handwith a hammer. I also noticed thatthe cylinder spun opposite to myother J frames, however I didn’tknow why nor cared as long asit worked.

The grip was comfortable andhad a slightly different angle thanmy 642. It felt natural in my handas I shot, even though the grip wasnot as meaty. I shot Winchester

150-grain lead round nose, SpeerLawman 124-grain TMJ, andGold Dot +P rounds, had no

issues, and held 2-3 inch groups atseven yards.

Overall, this was a pleasurableexperience for me. The unique fea-tures of the S&W Bodyguard 38

(cylinder latch, trigger, and grip) willsell themselves to even diehard J-frame purists. And the MSRP priceof $509 is extremely competitivewhen an S&W 642CT is $699.

Armorer’s Evaluation (P. J. Ryan):

According to Smith and Wesson,the Bodyguard 38 (SKU #103038)weighs in at a mere 14.3 ounces.The revolver is considered a small

frame, but not necessarily a J-frame. This is because it has assynthetic grip, an aluminum alloy

Armorer P.J. RyanP. J. Ryan is a retired law enforce-

ment officer from the Southeast.

During his career, he was a lawenforcement firearms instructor, a law

enforcement armorer, a member of

his agency’s Emergency Response

Team, a Certified Edged Weapon

Awareness and Spontaneous Knife

Defense Instructor, and a Certified

Israeli Instinctive Shooting Instructor.

He is currently involved in firearms

development, training, and tactics.



upper frame material, and steel-reinforced polymer

ower frame. It has a steel barrel insert and the

cylinder is stainless steel with a PVD coating.

On the top and rear of the frame, just behind the

ixed rear sight, is the thumb piece (plastic), which is

pushed forward to open the cylinder for

oading/reloading purposes. The Bodyguard 38’s

extractor rod is long enough to push empties almost

completely out of the cylinder, which aids in aaster reload. The model fires in double action (DA)

mode only.

For additional sighting purposes, it comes

equipped with an Insight Laser (LSW-000-A2

ntegrated Laser). The laser is on the right rear side

of the revolver, next to the thumb piece. It has a gray,

push-button activation switch on top that turns the

aser to its constant “on” position. When the button

s pushed again, it is in laser pulse mode, and a third

push turns it off.

I found the location of the activation switch in an

awkward place, and in daylight, the laser dot was

very difficult to see or find and sometimes completely

washed out.

This device could also be used for positive visual

sighting on a target or a bad guy if needed. That

could alter events in a life-threatening situation by

either completely de-escalating it (sometimes having

a red dot on a person’s chest does amazing things to

heir thought process), or engaging and ending a

credible threat.

THE M&P SHIELDField Evaluation (John Connor):

Before I begin, I must admit that my duty gun is

an S&W M&P 40, and my agency was the first in the

state of Florida to carry it. I still remember our Test

& Evaluate (T&E) of the weapon that, among other

hings, consisted of firing 10,000 rounds through it

n one day without cleaning it. It shined, and even

hough I had carried a Glock as a duty weapon

before, I was sold. I have carried an M&P 40C as

my off-duty weapon ever since, which also has

performed flawlessly. However, when it is hot and

clothing minimal, even the compact was too large.Enter the S&M M&P Shield 9mm. This single-stack,

semi-auto had the same fit, feel, and performance of

any M&P product with the adaptation to concealed

carry. Out of the box, the Shield 9mm reminded me

of my Kahr PM9 concealed carry pistol. It was obvi-

ously smaller than my S&W M&P 40 compact (.95-nches vs. 1.2-inches), but still gave a solid grip.

For S&W M&P owners, the controls are the same

slide stop/release, trigger, magazine release), with a

new one present: a safety. Just to the rear of the

slide stop/release lever was a safety switch; up wassafe and down was ready to fire. I like weapons that

don’t require too much thinking under stress, so I

Overall, this slim line design of the

Shield has a lot going for it, and should

prove to be a success with those who

demand a compact, reliable, and easy-

to-maintain pistol.



never use a safety on my hand-guns, but it is a nice feature for

shooters who desire one.

The Shield 9mm is approximate-

ly three ounces lighter than its

S&W M&P compact counterpart. I

also noticed that with the excep-

tion of round capacity, the Shield

9mm and S&M M&P40 Shield had

the same dimensions, including

weight.

Shield 9mm’s trigger pull is 6.5

pounds, with a crisp break for adouble action, striker-fired

weapon. The Shield holds four to

five rounds less than an S&W

M&P compact, depending on cal-

iber. The 9mm I shot had a seven-

round magazine and an eight-round magazine with an extended

grip.

At the range, the performance of

the M&P Shield 9mm was excel-

lent. It fed anything I threw at it,including Speer Gold Dot, Federal

115-grain FMJ, Lawman 124-grain

TMJ, and some old Hydra-Shoks Idug up. It even fed a magazine of

lead, flat nose reloads without one

malfunction.

The grip was slimmer, and even

though it didn’t have adjustable

grip inserts, felt meaty enough to

handle combat shooting. Unlike

my Ruger LCP, the Shield didn’t

want to wiggle up out of my hand.

Just like my M&P Compact, I

would still add some skateboard

tape, even though the gun haspebbling on the front and rear of

the grip. And if the shooter uses

the eight-round magazine, even

large fingered people should be

able to maintain a full hand grip.

The only two negatives aresomewhat self-correcting: the

slide stop lever, and the maga-

zines. I remember on our police

department’s S&W M&P 40 Gen1

T&E gun, the slide stop/releaselever was smooth and almost

flush, which made it almost

The Shield 9mm boasts a 3.1-inch barrel and a 5.3-inch sight radius. At 19 ounces empty, and a maximum thickness of just 1.1-inches, this is a small

package perfect for a law enforcement officer’s backup handgun or a CCW pistol that, when properly carried, can disappear on a person’s body.

Specifications: S&WM&P SHIELD 9mm

Model: M&P9 SHIELDSKU: 180021Caliber: 9mmCapacity: Seven round and eight round Action: Striker fireBarrel Length: 3.1 inches (7.874 cm)Front Sight: White dotRear Sight: White 2-dot

Overall Length: 6.1 inches (15.5 cm)Frame Width: .95 inches (2.413 cm)Overall Height: 4.6 inches (11.684 cm)Weight: 19 ouncesFrame Material: PolymerBarrel/Slide Finish: Black 68 HRc Trigger Pull: 6.5 pounds +/-Sight Radius: 5.3 inches (13.3 cm)MSRP: $449



CC

mpossible to drop the slide using it. Smith & Wesson

stened, and changed it to a knurled pad that stuck

out ever so slightly. Problem solved.

But even with this upgrade, it still will be challenging

o drop the slide on the Shield 9mm, at least at first. I

had no issues, but have used one for eight years. A quick fix for this is to use the Israeli technique and pull

he slide back and release it with your support hand.

The magazines are quite stiff, and my wife found the

eight-round magazine almost impossible to fully load.

The good news for both of these issues is that they

will decrease the more you shoot the gun.

I was able to hold groups on a roofing nail (1 inch) at

seven yards with the sights on the Shield. It held a

nice group at 25 yards as well, unlike my Ruger LCP

pistol, which is suitable for the limits of concealed

carry. It printed (was visible) minimally when carried

nside the waistband holster.

Overall, I am quite pleased with this weapon. In my

opinion, Smith & Wesson has provided a concealed

carry option for S&W M&P lovers.

Armorer’s Evaluation (P. J. Ryan):

Our T&E model was a S&W M&P Shield 9mm with a

SKU 180021, denoting the 9mm pistol with thumb

safety. The striker-fired pistol is available in .40 S&W,

oo, and there are no major differences between the

pistols except for the caliber, round count, and recoil.

Our 9mm test model was sup-plied with two S&W OEM maga-

zines (OEM means magazines

made by the same maker as the

handgun); one held seven rounds

and fit flush, the other was an

eight-round magazine with a finger

est incorporated into the maga-

zine bottom that provided addition-

al support for a good firm grip.

The magazines are not a typical

single-stack design, but more of a

1.5 stack) semi-staggered design,and they taper up at the top to a

single stack style to feed the

ounds properly.

The Shield 9mm boasts a 3.1-

nch barrel length and a 5.3-inch

sight radius. A chamber load indi-cator is ingeniously incorporated

within the top part of the barrel

and slide. The trigger pull is firm,

and as specified by S&W, approxi-

mately 6.5 pounds +/-. At 19ounces empty, and a maximum

hickness of just 1.1-inches, this is

a small package perfect for a law enforcement offi-

cer’s backup handgun or a CCW pistol that, when

properly carried, can disappear on a person’s body.

The Shield’s frame is black polymer and the slide and

barrel are stainless steel coated with a black, corrosion

resistant finish. It has standard three dot sights; to therear of the slide it has the typical S&W M&P scalloped

grip serrations to assist in charging the pistol.

The palm swell stippling on the grip is consistent

with the larger S&W M&P models, but lacks the

exchangeable back straps. Even so, I found that it

points naturally, the grip was good, and there is

enough purchase to maintain a comfortable—but

solid—shooting platform.

Starting from front to back on the left side of the pis-

tol, it has a take down notch cut into the slide, a rotating

take down lever, and a slide stop. Our specific model

had a manual thumb safety lever. When either incorpo-

rating the safety in the on or off position, its clear to the

user that the force used is deliberate, and since the

safety’s profile is so unobtrusive, it should not get hung

up on clothing or be manipulated unintentionally.

Some might not like the thumb safety, but others

will purchase the Shield for that reason alone. I per-

sonally don’t mind it, and would practice regularly to

make engagement and disengagement second nature.

S&W currently offers the same pistol with no thumb

safety (SKU#’s 10034 and 10035). Overall, this slim

line design from S&W has a lotgoing for it, and should prove to

be a success with those who

demand a compact, reliable, and

easy-to-maintain pistol.

Overall Conclusion and

Comparison (Sgt. John Connor)

I was asked to compare these

two weapons, but in my opinion

it’s apples and oranges. While

the M&P Shield 9mm performed

as well as I expected, theBodyguard 38 actually surprised

me with some of its features and

range performance. With that

said, both of these weapons

demonstrate that Smith &

Wesson is continuing to listen toits customers by manufacturing

quality weapons with innovative

features.

Regardless, if you’re a revolver

or semi-auto person, either oneof these weapons would make a

fine backup or off-duty gun.

Specifications: S&WBODYGUARD 38

Model: BODYGUARD 38

SKU: 103038

Caliber: .38 S&W Special +P

Capacity: Five rounds

Barrel Length: 1.9 inches (4.8 cm)

Action: Double Action OnlyFront Sight: Black rampRear Sight: IntegralFrame Size: Small, Internal hammerGrip: SyntheticOverall Length: 6.6 inches (16.8 cm)Weight: 14.3 ouncesUpper Frame Material: Aluminum alloyLower Frame Material:

Steel-reinforced polymerCylinder Material: Stainless steel

with PVD coatingFinish: Matte black Purpose: Personal protection,

Professional/DutyMSRP: $509

The Shield 9mm boasts a 3.1-inch barrellength and a 5.3-inch sight radius.“

“



HIDDEN PROTECTION

here are times when the only space

you have available for a concealed

handgun is that which will accommo-

date a pocket pistol—the kind of semi-auto

that will slip easily into the front pocket of

your pants, the breast pocket of a jacket,

inside a light vest, or tucked down inside an

elastic-banded ankle holster.

They aren’t often the first choice for a

defensive handgun, but they carry more

ammunition than derringers and can be

hidden where even subcompacts can’t fit.

They are not very accurate beyond seven

yards, but these pistols were not made for

shooting matches. They’re made for shooting

your way out of a situation you otherwise

wouldn’t survive, and in that moment, they

will be the best guns you’ve ever used.

PHOTO BY JIM WEISS

Pistols Fit for Jackets & Pants

T



PRICE RANGE

$300-$400

MODEL: P32WEBSITE: KeltecWeapons.com

MSRP: $318

Action: DAO

Caliber: .32 ACP

Capacity: 7+1


Length: 5.1 inches

Width: 0.75 inches

Weight: 3.5 inches

Weight: 6.6 ounces

Features: Locked breech,

light trigger, lightweight

MODEL: PF9

WEBSITE: KeltecWeapons.com

MSRP: $333Action: DAO

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 7+1


Length: 5.9 inches

Width: 0.9 inches

Height: 4.3 inches

Weight: 13 ounces

Features: Accessory rail, magazine

includes finger rest, extremely light,

various color choices

Kel-Tec

Kel-Tec



POCKET PISTOLS

BerettaMODEL: TOMCAT

WEBSITE: BerettaUSA.com

MSRP: $390Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .32 ACP

Capacity: 7+1


Length: 4.9 inches

Width: 1.1 inches

Height: 3.7 inches

Weight: 14.5 ounces

Features: Tip-up barrel, crisp trigger in single

action, surprisingly manageable recoil

MODEL: BODYGUARD 380

WEBSITE: Smith-Wesson.com

MSRP: $419

Action: DAO

Caliber: .380 ACP

Capacity: 6+1


Length: 5.25 inches

Weight: 12 ouncesFeatures: Polymer frame,

stainless steel slide, sights

similar to M&P sights, molded

grip for ergonomic fit

MODEL: GUARDIAN 380 ACP


MSRP: $449

Action: DAO

Caliber: .380 ACP

Capacity: 6+1


Length: 4.8 inches

Width: 0.9 inches

Height: 3.5 inches

Weight: 19 ounces

Features: Stippled grip for control, very shortheight, 2.5-inch barrel for improved velocity

PRICE RANGE

$400-$500

Smith & Wesson

North American Arms



BerettaMODEL: BU9 NANO

WEBSITE: www.BerettaUSA.com

MSRP: $475

Action: STR

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 6+1


Length: 5.6 inches

Width: 0.9 inches

Height: 4.2 inches

Weight: 20 ounces

Features: Adjustable sights,

striker-fired, tiny for a 9mm

Double TapMODEL: TACTICAL PISTOL

WEBSITE: DoubleTapDefense.com

MSRP: $569

Action: DA

Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 2

Barrel Length: 3.0 inchesLength: 5.5 inches

Width: .665 inches

Height: 3.9 inches

Weight: 13 ounces

Features: available in multiple

calibers, storage compartment in grip

BerettaMODEL: PX4 STORM COMPACT


MSRP: $582

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .40 S&W

Capacity: 12

Barrel Length: 3.27

Length: 6.1 inches

Width: 1.42 inches

Height: 5 inches

Weight: 27.4 ouncesFeatures: 3-dot sight system, picatinny rail

for accessories, automatic firing pin block

PRICE RANGE

$500 and Up



MODEL: LM 4 Semmerling


MSRP: $3,800

Action: DAO

Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 4+1


Length: 5.2 inches

Width: 1 inch

Height: 3.7 inchesWeight: 24 ounces

Features: Beautifully engraved grips,

unique manual-repeater action,

unique style, extremely powerful

cartridge in small package

Cylinder & SlideMODEL: 2008

WEBSITE: Cylinder-Slide.com

MSRP: $ POR

Action: SA

Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 7+1


Length: 6.75 inches

Width: 1 inch

Weight: 24 ounces

Features: 1911-style grip safety, rounded

snag-free edges and design, extremelylow profile sights, distinctive hardwood

Cylinder & Slide grips

American Derringer


POCKET PISTOLS

CC





Subcompact Pistols ProvideThe Best Of Both Worlds

SMALL PUNCH, BIG PACKAGE

Subcompacts represent a step

up both in terms of caliber and

capacity from pocket pistols,

while generally being shorter in height

and length, and narrower in width, than

compact handguns, which can make

all the difference for those whose body

types or clothing styles prohibit them

from carrying larger firearms. The lat-

est technology in melding polymer

frames with metal parts, and precision

CNC machining of metal lowerreceivers, has enabled this clever cate-

gory to really take off.

Subcompact handguns are almost

always chambered in 9mm or .40 SW

cartridges, with some rare stars cham-

bered in .45 ACP. These firearms also

make good hideout guns for stashing

in secure, yet really surprising places—

the kinds of places that larger firearms

simply don’t fit.

They might be harder to hang onto

during rapid fire, but with practice,

most shooters can keep follow up

shots near the vital areas at the center

of a standard silhouette target at

seven yards. Don’t expect match grade

accuracy, but if you can squeeze it

from these tiny frames, pat yourself on

the back.PHOTO BY KIMBER





BersaMODEL: THUNDER 380 CC

WEBSITE: Bersa.com

MSRP: $323

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .380 ACP

Capacity: 7+1


Length: 6 inches

Width: 1 inchHeight: 4.5 inches

Weight: 16.4 ounces

Features: Drift-adjustable rear sight,

sculpted grip, bobbed low-profile hammer

TaurusMODEL: 709 SLIM

WEBSITE: TaurusUSA.com

MSRP: $349

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 7+1


Length: 6 inches

Weight: 19 ounces

Features: Low profile fixed

sights, ergonomic design,

and snag-free controls


SUBCOMPACT SEMIS

PRICE RANGE

$300-$600



BersaMODEL: BP9CC

WEBSITE: Bersa.com

MSRP: $429

Action: STR

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 8+1


Length: 6.35 inches

Width: 0.94 inchesHeight: 4.8 inches

Weight: 21.5 ounces

Features: white-outlined rear sight, polymer

frame, rear sight interchanges with Glock

BerettaMODEL: BU9 NANO


MSRP: $475

Action: STR

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 6+1


Length: 5.6 inches

Width: 0.9 inches

Height: 4.2 inches

Weight: 20 ounces

Features: adjustable sights, striker-fired, extremely small 9mm size



ChiappaMODEL: 23

WEBSITE: ChiappaFirearms.com

MSRP: $479

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: 9mmCapacity: 15+1


Length: 7.8 inches

Weight: 32 ounces

Features: ambidextrous safety, ambidextrous

mag release, oversized “combat” trigger guard

Kahr ArmsMODEL: CM9WEBSITE: Kahr.com

MSRP: $517

Action: DAO

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 6+1


Length: 6.5 inches

Width: 1.2 inches

Height: 4.2 inches

Weight: 19 ounces

Features: Polymer frame for weight reduction,very narrow, stippled grips for control


SUBCOMPACT SEMIS





MODEL: SR40C

WEBSITE: Ruger.com

MSRP: $529

Action: STR

Caliber: .40 SW

Capacity: 9+1



Height: 4.6 inches

Weight: 23.4 ounces


backstrap, polymer frame to

save weight, ambidextrous mag

release, and optional 15+1

extended magazine

BerettaMODEL: PX4 STORM SUBCOMPACT

WEBSITE: BerettaUSA.comMSRP: $575

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 13+1


Length: 6.2 inches

Width: 1.4 inches

Height: 4.8 inches

Weight: 26 ounces

Features: Accessory rail,

ambidextrous safety/decocker,

smallest Storm


SUBCOMPACT SEMIS

Ruger



GlockMODEL: G27

WEBSITE: Glock.com

MSRP: $599

Action: STR

Caliber: .40 SW

Capacity: 9+1


Length: 6.5 inches


Weight: 20 ounces

Features: White outline rear sight, polymer

frame for lightweight, combat trigger guard,

double stack magazine


GlockMODEL: G39

WEBSITE: Glock.com

MSRP: $614

Action: STR

Caliber: .45 GAP

Capacity: 6+1Barrel Length: 3.5 inches

Length: 6.5 inches

Width: 1.2 inches

Height: 4.2 inches

Weight: 20 ounces

Features: White outline

rear sight, polymer frame

for light weight, combat

trigger guard, double

stack magazine

PRICE RANGE

$600-$800



SUBCOMPACT SEMIS

Kahr ArmsMODEL: P380

WEBSITE: Kahr.com

MSRP: $649

Action: DAO

Caliber: .380 ACP

Capacity: 6+1

Barrel Length: 2.5 inchesLength: 4.9 inchesWidth: 0.75 inches

Height: 3.9 inchesWeight: 11 ouncesFeatures: Textured polymer grip, verycompact design, optional CrimsonTrace laser, optional night sights

Walther MODEL: PPKWEBSITE: WaltherAmerica.com

MSRP: $626

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .380 ACP

Capacity: 6+1


Length: 6.1 inches

Width: 1.0 inches

Height: 3.9 inches

Weight: 22.4 ouncesFeatures: James Bond’s original

defensive pistol, sleek profile,snag-free design, decocking lever

PRICE RANGE

$500 and Up



Sig Sauer MODEL: P238

WEBSITE: SigSauer.com

MSRP: $693

Action: SA

Caliber: .380 ACP

Capacity: 6+1



Height: 3.9 inches

Weight: 15 ounces

Features: Cocked-and-locked single action carry, 1911-style

in a subcompact, many finishes/colors available

Sprinfield MODEL: XD(M) 3.8 9MMWEBSITE: Springfield-Armory.com

MSRP: $697

Action: STR

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 19+1


Length: 7 inchesHeight: 5.6 inchesWeight: 28 ouncesFeatures: Grip safety, trigger safety,fiber optic front sight, outstandingcapacity, snag-free rear combat sight



SUBCOMPACT SEMIS

Kimber MODEL: SOLO CARRY

WEBSITE: KimberAmerica.com

MSRP: $747

Action: STR

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 6+1


Length: 5.5 inches

Width: 1 inch

Weight: 17 ounces

Features: Low profile white dot

sights, 1911-inspired design in

striker-fired configuration, three-dot

combat sights, aluminum frame

ColtMODEL: NEW AGENT

WEBSITE: Coltsmfg.com


Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 7+1


Length: 6.75 inches

Weight: 22.5 ounces

Features: Slim-fit double diamond grips,

trench-style no-snag sight milled into

frame, extremely streamlined design

PRICE RANGE

$800 and Up



CC

Boberg ArmsMODEL: XR9-S

WEBSITE: BobergArms.com

MSRP: $995

Action: DAO

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 7+1


Length: 5.1 inches

Width: 0.96 inches

Height: 4.2 inches

Weight: 17.5 ounces

Features: Truly unique operation,

very compact for barrel-length,

rotating locking barrel

A in the hand is worth......a LOT more than ANYTHING that’s not at hand when you need it. Your large, powerful,heavy, difficult to carry (fill in the blank) is of absolutely no use when you’ve left it at home,in the car, etc...

Regardless of your location, your dress or the season, NO gun is easier to carry or concealthan a North American Arms mini-revolver. Is it an effective deterrent? Would you want to beshot with one?

Join the millions who “don’t leave home without one”!

Remember Rule #1: Have a gun! North American Arms Inc.• 2150 S. 950 E.• Provo, UT 84606-6285

www.NorthAmericanArms.com

®



A Winning Combination of Classic Design andGood Ergonomics Make The Ruger SP101 An Appealing

Pistol for Concealed Carry and First-Time Shooters

Though it isn’t the lightest carry revolver on the market, the SP101 is easy to carry and conceal. Chambered

in .357 Magnum, it also provides plenty of stopping power. The trigger is heavy, but with a little practice it is

easy to learn to pull it back far enough to rotate the cylinder, pause, and then deliver an accurate shot.

n 1949, Bill Ruger started production

on a .22 semi-automatic pistol with

not much more than an idea, some

space in his garage, and a silent partner

named Alexander Sturm. The lion’s

share of the hard work—including the

design, development and assembly of

the pistol—fell directly upon Ruger’s

shoulders, and had the product been

less than outstanding, the fledgling

company would have lost its meager

start-up finances.

I

HARD WORK,EASY CARRY

Story & Photos by Brad Fitzpatrick



Fortunately, Ruger’s semi-auto design wasn’t just

good, it was great, and the current iterations of that

original gun, the Ruger Mark III and 22/45, remain

some of the most popular .22 semi-autos on the

market today. But Bill Ruger’s vision wasn’t limited

to production of a single semi-auto pistol. He also

produced a line of revolvers that became the most

widely accepted single-action wheelgun since the

Colt 1873, the Single-Six.

He was also the father of the 10/22 rifle, currently

celebrating the 50th anniversary of its initial release.

With its rotary magazine and unflinching semi-auto

action, the rifle went on to become one of the best-

selling semi-auto .22s of all time, with dozens of

variations and more available aftermarket add-ons

than a Chevy Silverado.

Even the falling block, single-shot Ruger Number

1—which many expected to be a low-production

novelty at best and at worst Bill Ruger’s first disas-

trous flop—became a cult classic. Bill’s bolt-action

rifles, over/under shotguns, double-action revolvers

and centerfire semi-auto handguns and rifles all

seemed to have been blessed with their designer’s

Midas touch.

My point is this: Bill Ruger probably understood

firearms design and development better than

The large rubber grips

with textured hard plastic

inserts make the SP101

comfortable and easy to

shoot. One of the unex-

pected problems that

many new shooters have

is buying a compact, light-weight revolver that does-

n’t have enough grip to be

comfortable. That is not

the case with the SP101.

The SP101’s smooth profile means it won’t get

hung up when drawing it from a holster. Like all

DAO revolvers, it is simple to operate … simply

aim and press the trigger.



anyone in this nation’s past withthe possible exceptions of John

Moses Browning and Samuel

Colt, so when he spoke about

about gun design, it was worth

paying attention.

RUGER’S PETS

One of Ruger’s pet projects was

the double-action Security Six

revolver, which came to market in

1972. This robust revolver was

made with investment cast partsand a beefy frame that helped

reduce recoil. Soon after the

Security Six was introduced came

the Service Six and the Speed

Six. The Security model was

designed with adjustable sights,while the Service Six was

designed as a law enforcement

sidearm. The short-barreled,

compact Speed Six was smaller

and was a popular backup orankle gun. The Security Six

lineup was Ruger’s first attempt

at double–action revolver, and itwas a hit.

Unlike many other Ruger guns,

however, the Security Six had a

rather short production life. In

1988, it was replaced by the

GP100, which also had a heavy

frame capable of withstanding the

pressure and recoil of hot .357

Magnums. A smaller version pre-

miered shortly thereafter, which

became known as the SP101.

The SP101 was built with a pow-erful frame, a hallmark of Ruger’s

revolvers, and it was chambered

for the powerful .357 as well.

There were plenty of small

revolvers to chose among in

1988, and many of them couldhandle the powerful .357. The

only question that remained was

whether or not the shooter could

handle the pistol itself. Ruger’s

SP101 set itself apart by beingcomfortable to shoot, and since

comfort translates to accuracy,

SpecificationsRuger SP101 (Spurless)

CALIBER: .357 Magnum

ACTION: Double-action-only revolver

FINISH: Stainless

CAPACITY:5

WEIGHT: 25 ounces

BARREL LENGTH: 2.25 inches

OVERALL LENGTH: 7.20 inches

MSRP: $659

The spurless hammer is exposed

during firing, but the rest of the

time it remains hidden within the

dimensions of the frame.

…The SP101 has merit as a home defense gun, a carry gun, and a sidearm for the trail…

“ “Like all Ruger revolvers, the SP101 has a

cylinder that rotates counterclockwise. The

cylinder release button is visible in this photo,

and it is built into the SP101’s beefy frame.





Ruger’s SP101 set itself apart by beingcomfortable to shoot…“

“

The durable stainless finish of the SP101

means that even with daily carry the metal

won’t corrode, an important consideration for

a carry gun. Even with a short barrel the recoil

from the SP101 isn’t unbearable thanks to an

excellent grip and moderate weight.



The SP101 .357 (center) is shown with the Ruger SP101

.22 (left) and the GP100 .357 Magnum (right). Ruger’s

revolvers are robust and reliable, and the SP101 spurless

is an ideal carry revolver or camp gun.

the SP101 became known as a

highly accurate revolver.

A GRIPPING STORY

It’s rare that a pistol review

begins with a discussion about

the grip, but that is where we’llbegin by looking at the current

version of the Ruger SP101 .357

Magnum. Bill Ruger was quoted

as saying “Those damned cush-

ioned grips make it the easiest

small-frame .357 to shoot.”

Without question, the SP101’s

distinctive grips have become a

defining feature of these guns.

Unlike the larger GP100’s,

which originally came wearing

rubber grips with woodeninserts, the smaller SP101

revolvers came with molded

plastic inserts with vertical

indents for a better gripping sur-

face. The bulk of the grip is soft

rubber, which cushion the blowwhile the grip panels keep the

gun in place. It’s like-it-or-hate-it

styling, but it is highly effective

and makes recoil manageable.

The current trend of gun com-panies producing the absolute

lightest .357 revolvers possible

has left a lot of gun buyers,

particularly novices, with buyer’s

remorse after firing the first full-

power .357 load through their

new pocket pistol and feeling

the lightning flash of recoil as

they try to hang onto to theirultra-light backup gun.

Having a backup gun that

you’re afraid of is like jumping

out of a plane wearing a para-

chute with no cord—it appears

like you know how to protect

yourself, but you’re still going to

get killed. For that reason, I

think that the SP101 has merit

as a home defense gun, a carry

gun, and a sidearm for the trail

because it is convenient, reliableand doesn’t shock the shooter

with tremendous recoil.

The model I tested had a

2.25-inch barrel and weighed 25

ounces, which isn’t particularly

light for a .357 revolver. Heck,it’s not even the lightest revolver

that Ruger makes since the

introduction of the popular

LCR, which weighs eight

ounces less and is about ¾ ofan inch shorter.

So, why the SP101?

The gun won’t hang up when you need it most,which is of critical

concern when selecting a sidearm that you’ll be carryingconcealed.

“

“



Contact

Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.

www.Ruger.com

(603) 865-2442

IN ACTION

For starters, the additional heft

and length of the SP101 is only a

minor hindrance, but the extra

weight and the large grip make the

SP101 a comfortable gun to shoot.

From 25 feet it fires as good a

groups as any double-action only

compact revolver I’ve fired, evenwith the gutter-type sights that

come standard with the model

I tested.

The version I had came with a

spurless hammer, and it was easyto draw and shoot and never hung

up on my clothes. The rudimentary

but effective sights help with this,

too. The gun won’t hang up when

you need it most, which is of critical

concern when selecting a sidearmthat you’ll be carrying concealed.

All current SP101 versions have

stainless finishes that protect them

from the elements and the corrosive

effects of perspiration if the gun is

regularly carried close to the body.

Over the past few years the SP101

lineup has been expanded and now

includes a .22 LR version and a

larger .357 magnum version with afull-length underlug that looks like

a slightly shrunken version of the

larger GP100.

There are other SP101 versions

that have hammer spurs, but Ichose the spurless version because

it made it more appealing as a

concealed carry gun. The version

I tested has a 5-shot cylinder that

rotated counterclockwise. The

cylinder has traditional flutes andthe cylinder release button located

One of the SP101’s drawbacks is limited

capacity, but it makes up for this with

concealability and accuracy. The SP101

is also an ideal ankle gun.



CC

on the left side of the frame behind the cylinder that

must be pressed into the frame to release. If you’re

familiar with Ruger guns finding and pressing the

button will be second nature.

Despite the fact that the SP101 is double-action-

only, it’s relatively easy to pull the trigger back far

enough that the cylinder begins to turn and hold

the trigger in place, allowing for more precise

shooting with lightened trigger pull. At 25 feet itwas possible to produce fist-sized groups offhand

without hand fatigue.

The sights were well regulated, and the large grip

accommodated my hand without any problem. If

you don’t like the grips, there are plenty of aftermar-

ket options available, and the standard Ruger grips

are easy to remove.

As might be expected, everyone who shot theSP101 found it comfortable. My wife did particularly

well, and with .38 Special loads she found the gun

particularly pleasant to shoot. With the modest.38’s, this gun was a pussycat, and even the most

recoil-sensitive shooter would find it suitable.

This fact alone makes the SP101 an appealing

gun for first-time shooters. It isn’t so large that it

can’t be concealed, and it offers the versatility of

shooting more powerful .38+Ps and .357 Magnum

loads. It makes an excellent trail gun, and I carried

it along on several hikes, and it did just what a

good carry and trail goes does, which is to

seemingly disappear.Wearing the gun in a belly band holster under

the bottom of my shirt, I carried it comfortably for

miles. Knowing that I had five rounds of federal

.38+P Hydra Shoks loaded in the SP101 was a

comfort, even if the odds were low that I’d ever

need the gun.

Bill Ruger had good reason to be proud of the

SP101, and the pistol deserves consideration byanyone looking for a defensive revolver. It isn’t the

lightest, the newest or even the cheapest, but the

SP101 certainly has the credentials that make thisa revolver to remember.

The SP101 is plenty accurate

enough for defensive work. This

group was produced offhand at

twenty feet.



SEMI-AUTOMATIC

COMPACTSThe Best Choice For Concealed Carry



T

he compact semiautomatic pistol is the preferred firearm for

concealed carry. Generally measuring less than seven and a half

inches long and around

five inches tall, most often found in 9mm or (almost as frequently) .40

SW, they are the go-to defensive pistols for many who carry concealed.

9mm and .40 SW handguns are often built on the exact same frame,

with the only critical differences being the bolt face, bore

diameter, and gap between the lips of the magazine, meaning that

manufacturers can easily produce models in each caliber once they

arrive at a cost efficient design.

With ammunition capacities at or over ten rounds per magazine

for many models (where legal), it’s rare for citizens to carry a spare

magazine for a compact handgun...unlike for a pocket pistol or many

subcompact models where you might only have six rounds of 9mmor a smaller caliber.

PHOTO BY WILSON COMBAT



SCCY MODEL: CPX-1

WEBSITE: SCCY.com

MSRP: $299

ACTION: DAO

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 10+1


Length: 5.7 inches

Width: 1 inch

Weight: 15 ounces

Features: Snag-free design, lever-style

slide release, all-internal hammer


COMPACT SEMIS

PRICE RANGE

$299-$399



PRICE RANGE

$400-$500

BersaMODEL: THUNDER PRO

WEBSITE: Bersa.com

MSRP: $495

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .40 SW

Capacity: 13+1


Length: 8 inchesWidth: 1.5 inches

Height: 5.5 inches

Weight: 31 ounces

Features: Cocked-and-locked-capable,

large-capacity of serious defensive caliber

CaracalMODEL: CARACAL CWEBSITE: Caracal-USA.com

MSRP: $499

Action: STR

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 15+1


Length: 6.57 inches

Width: 1.1 inches

Height: 4.8 inches

Weight: 25 ounces

Features: Ambidextrous magazine release,

extremely low-bore axis, unique sighting options





MODEL: PX4 STORM COMPACT


MSRP: $550

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .40 SW

Capacity: 12+1

Barrel Length: 3.2 inchesLength: 7.6 inches

Width: 1.4 inches

Height: 5.5 inches

Weight: 27.7 ounces

Features: Interchangeable back-

straps, accessory rail, full-finger

grip, concealable dimensions

ArmaliteMODEL: AR-24 COMPACT

WEBSITE: Armalite.com

MSRP: $550

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 13+1


Length: 7.5 inches

Weight: 25.6 ounces

Features: External frame-mounted safety,all-steel construction, illuminated sights

Beretta



EAAMODEL: WITNESS COMPACT

WEBSITE: EAACorp.com

MSRP: $557

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .40 SW

Capacity: 12+1


Length: 7.3 inches

Width: 1.4 inches

Height: 4.5 inches

Weight: 30 ounces

Features: steel frame for long service

life, compact version of full-size

Witness, chambered in 9mm

Smith & WessonMODEL: M&P 40C


MSRP: $569

Action: STR

Caliber: .40 SW

Capacity: 10+1

Barrel Length: 3.5

Length: 6.7 inches

Width: 1.2 inches

Height: 4.3 inches

Weight: 22 ounces

Features: Steel Novak Lo-Mount sights, smallest.40 SW in the M&P line, snag-free design


COMPACT SEMIS





GlockMODEL: G23

WEBSITE: Glock.comMSRP: $599

Action: STR

Caliber: .40 SW

Capacity: 13+1


Length: 7.4 inches

Width: 1.2 inches

Height: 5 inches

Weight: 21 ounces

Features: White outline rear sight,

polymer frame for lightweight,

combat trigger guard, double

stack magazine

Magnum

ResearchMODEL: BABY DESERT EAGLE II

WEBSITE: MagnumResearch.com

MSRP: $630

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 10+1


Length: 8.25 inches

Weight: 38.6 ounces

Features: Three dot sights, integral

accessory rail, firing pin block safety,

carbon steel slide

PRICE RANGE

$600-$900

COMPACT SEMIS



GlockMODEL: G30SF

WEBSITE: Glock.com

MSRP: $687

Action: STR

Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 10+1


Length: 6.9 inches


Weight: 20 ounces

Features: White outline rear sight,

polymer frame for lightweight, combat

trigger guard, double stack magazine

BerettaMODEL: CHEETAH 85FSWEBSITE: BerettaUSA.com

MSRP: $770

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .380 ACP

Capacity: 8+1


Length: 6.8 inches

Width: 1.4 inches

Height: 4.8 inches

Weight: 23.3 ounces

Features: Cocked-and-locked

capable, safety/decocker, scaled-down cousin of the 92FS/M9



COMPACT SEMIS

Sig Sauer MODEL: P239 DAK


MSRP: $835

Action: DAO

Caliber: .40 SWCapacity: 7+1


Length: 6.6 inches

Width: 1.2 inches

Height: 5.1 inches

Weight: 30 ounces

Features: Double-strike capable for hard primers, Nitron finish

on slide for durability, DAO trigger is law-enforcement friendly

Kahr ArmsMODEL: K40

WEBSITE: Kahr.com

MSRP: $855

Action: DAO

Caliber: .40 SW

Capacity: 6+1


Length: 6.1 inches

Width: 0.94 inches

Height: 4.55 inches

Weight: 26 ouncesFeatures: White bar-dot sights, full-finger grip for many

hands, very narrow, tight tolerances for accuracy



MODEL: P2000SK

WEBSITE: HK-USA.com

MSRP: $992

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 10+1


Length: 6.4 inches

Weight: 24 ounces

Features: Three-dot sights,

interchangeable backstraps,

integral accessory rail, multiple

trigger/control types

Sig Sauer MODEL: M11A1WEBSITE: SigSauer.com

MSRP: $1,125

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 15+1


Length: 7.1 inches

Width: 1.5 inches

Height: 5.4 inches

Weight: 32 ounces

Features: SigLite night sights,

decocker, civilian version of Navy

issue sidearm, steel construction

PRICE RANGE

$900 and Up

Heckler & Koch



COMPACT SEMIS

MODEL: HK 45 COMPACT

WEBSITE: HK-USA.com

MSRP: $1187

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 8+1



Height: 5.6 inches

Weight: 28.5 ounces

Features: extended slide

release, accessory rail

Heckler & Koch

CC





Duty-Issue For Daily Use

FULL-SEMI AUTOS

Police and many mili-

tary personnel carry

handguns daily for

personal protection, but

these duty-issued guns sel-

dom make concessions for

concealment. Officers wear

their handguns openly, in

easily accessible holsters

(that often have restraints

so only the officer can draw

the gun), and soldiers wear

them openly in thigh rigs

and on their tactical vests.

There isn’t much need for

armed professionals to be

discreet about their hand-

guns as there is for armedcivilians.

Not so with private citi-

zens. Because of a myriad of

differences in laws state by

state, it’s prudent to have a

concealed carry license for

both concealed and open

carry, especially in cooler

temperatures where putting

on a jacket or sweatshirt

could obscure your handgun

enough to count as a verydifferently regulated “con-

cealed” handgun.

There are also body

types, clothing styles, and

particular needs that favor

carrying a full-size, duty-

type handgun concealed.

You’ll notice that a lot of

them are police or military

issue, or fall in a product line

closely associated with a

brand’s LEO/MIL models.

P H O T O B

Y

O T

I S



Hi-PointMODEL: JCP 40

WEBSITE: Hi-PointFirearms.com

MSRP: $199

Action: SACaliber: .40 SW

Capacity: 10+1


Length: 7.75 inches

Weight: 35 ounces

Features: Three-dot adjustable sights,

thumb safety, rear aperture sight option

Grand Power MODEL: P1 MK7

WEBSITE: GrandPower.com

MSRP: $449

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 15+1


Length: 7.4 inches

Width: 1.4 inches

Height: 5.3 inches

Weight: 24 ounces

Features: Four interchangeable

backstraps, completely ambidextrouscontrols, integral accessory rail


PRICE RANGE

$199-$499



Stoeger MODEL: COUGAR

WEBSITE: StoegerIndustries.com

MSRP: $469

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .40 SW

Capacity: 11+1


Length: 7 inches

Width: 1.3 inches

Weight: 32 ounces

Features: Ambidextrous

safety/decocking lever, rotating barrel,

available as well in 9mm and .45 ACP

CZ MODEL: P-07 DUTY

WEBSITE: CZ-USA.com

MSRP: $487

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 16+1


Length: 7.3 inches

Width: 1.5 inches

Height: 5.1 inches

Weight: 27 ounces

Features: Safety/decocker interchangeable

with standard safety, high capacity, designed

to meet police defensive requirements


FULL SEMIS



MODEL: SR40C

WEBSITE: Ruger.com

MSRP: $529

Action: STR

Caliber: .40 SWCapacity: 9+1


Length: 6.9 inches

Width: 1.3 inches

Height: 4.6 inches

Weight: 23.4 ounces


backstrap, polymer frame to save

weight, ambidextrous mag release,

optional 15+1 extended magazine

MODEL: MR9

WEBSITE: MagnumResearch.com

MSRP: $559

Action: STR

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 15+1



Height: 5.3 inches

Weight: 28 ounces

Features: Decocking button, interchangeable back-

straps, fully adjustable rear sight, replaceable front sight

Steyr MODEL: C9-A1

WEBSITE: SteyrArms.com

MSRP: $560

Action: DAO

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 17+1


Length: 6.7 inches

Weight: 25.6 ounces

Features: Adjustable 3-dot sights, low barrel

axis, integral accessory rail, trigger safety

PRICE RANGE

$499-$599

Magnum Research


Ruger



Springfield MODEL: XD TACTICAL 5” .45ACP

WEBSITE: Springfield-Armory.com

MSRP: $562 (street)

Action: STR

Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 13+1


Length: 8.3 inches

Height: 5.8 inches

Weight: 32 ounces

Features: Grip safety, trigger safety,

outstanding capacity, snag-free rear sight

BerettaMODEL: PX4 STORMWEBSITE: BerettaUSA.com

MSRP: $575

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .40 SW

Capacity: 14+1


Length: 7.6 ounces

Width: 1.4 inches

Height: 5.5 inches

Weight: 28 ounces

Features: Rotating barrel, interchangeable

backstraps, designed for defensive work


FULL SEMIS



CZ MODEL: SP-01 PHANTOM

WEBSITE: CZ-USA.com

MSRP: $595

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 18+1Barrel Length: 4.7 inches

Length: 8.2 inches

Width: 1.5 inches

Height: 5.8 inches

Weight: 29 ounces

Features: polymer frame, accessory rail

Smith & WessonMODEL: M&P45

WEBSITE: Smith-Wesson.comMSRP: $599

Action: STR

Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 10+1


Length: 7.5 inches

Width: 1.3 inches

Height: 5.5 inches

Weight: 28 ounces

Features: Interchangeable backstraps,

white dot low-profile tactical sights,

designed for duty and defensive carry



ArmaliteMODEL: AR-24 TACTICAL CUSTOMWEBSITE: Armalite.com

MSRP: $631

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 13+1


Length: 7.5 inches

Weight: 32 ounces

Features: Adjustable sights, extensive

grip checkering, hammer spur

CZ MODEL: 85 COMBAT DUAL TONE

WEBSITE: CZ-USA.com

MSRP: $641

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 16+1


Length: 8.11 inch

Weight: 35.36 ounces

Features: Ambidextrous version of

CZ75, reversible magazine release,

improved trigger pull

GlockMODEL: G22WEBSITE: Glock.com

MSRP: $641

Action: STR

Caliber: .40 SW

Capacity: 15+1


Length: 8.0 inches

Width: 1.2 inches

Height: 5.4 inches

Weight: 23 ounces

Features: White outline rear sight, polymer

frame for light weight, combat trigger guard,

double stack magazine

PRICE RANGE

$599-$799


FULL SEMIS



TaurusMODEL: M92


MSRP: $641

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 17+1



Weight: 34 ounces

Features: Improved capacity (17+1), combat-style trigger

guard, multi-position frame-mounted safety/decocker


Grand Power MODEL: K100 MK7

WEBSITE: GrandPower.com

MSRP: $665

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 15+1


Length: 7.97 inches

Weight: 28.8 ounces

Features: interchangeablebackstraps, ambidextrous con-

trols, integral accessory rail

Discover the

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your fingertips.

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FULL SEMIS

Walther MODEL: P99

WEBSITE: WaltherArms.com

MSRP: $679

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .40 SW

Capacity: 12+1


Length: 7.2 inches

Width: 1.3 inches

Height: 5.3 inches

Weight: 26 ounces

Features: Safety/decocker button,

ambidextrous mag release built into trigger

guard, three-dot adjustable combat sights

GlockMODEL: G17

WEBSITE: Glock.comMSRP: $690

Action: STR

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 17+1


Length: 8 inches

Width: 1.2 inches

Height: 5.4 inches

Weight: 22 ounces

Features: White outline rear sight, polymer frame for light

weight, combat trigger guard, double stack magazine



MODEL: TP45

WEBSITE: Kahr.com


Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 7+1


Length: 6.6 inches

Width: 1 inch

Height: 5.3 inches

Weight: 23 ounces

Features: Bar-dot-style combat sights, single stack

design for easy concealability, beneficial sight radius

BerettaMODEL: M9A1


MSRP: $745

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 15+1



Height: 5.4 inches

Weight: 34 ounces

Features: Accessory rail, safety/decocker,

internal recoil buffer, military specification duty

handgun, distinctive relieved “open top” slide

FN HerstalMODEL: FNP 45

WEBSITE: FNHerstal.com

MSRP: $795

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 15+1

Barrel Length: 4.5 in

Length: 7.9 in

Weight: 32 oz

Special Features: Deep-notch rear sight,accessory rail, interchangeable backstraps

Kahr Arms



MODEL: HI-POWER MK III

WEBSITE: Browning.com

MSRP: $1,059

Action: SA

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 13+1


Features: Ambidextrous safety,

integral thumb rests, John

Browning’s last 1911-style design

Sig Sauer MODEL: P226 MK25

WEBSITE: Sig-Sauer.com

MSRP: $1,142

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 15+1


Length: 7.7 inches

Width: 1.5 inches

Height: 5.5 inches

Weight: 34 ounces

Features: Decocking lever, anti-corrosion coatings

on controls, anchor engraving, SIGLITE night sights

Sig Sauer MODEL: P229 EXTREME

WEBSITE: Sig-Sauer.com

MSRP: $1,213

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 15+1


Length: 7.6 inches

Weight: 32 ounces

Features: Siglite night sights, Hogue G-10

grips, short-reset trigger, accessory rail

PRICE RANGE

$799 and Up


FULL SEMIS

Browning



MODEL: FIVE-SEVEN

WEBSITE: FNHerstal.com

MSRP: $1,250

Action: SA

Caliber: 5.7 x 28mm

Capacity: 20+1


Length: 8.2 inchesWeight: 20.8 ounces

Special Features: Unique high-velocity

caliber, accessory rail, adjustable

sights, interchangeable backstraps

STIMODEL: TACTICAL

WEBSITE: STIGuns.comMSRP: $2,045

Action: SA

Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 11+1


Length: 8.5 inches

Width: 1.5 inches

Weight: 34 ounces

Features: front and rear slide

serrations, custom sights, double

stack mag for high capacity


CC

FN Herstal



An Award-Winning Handgun Trainer

Get Us Back to the Essentials

Using the seated draw stroke

n a real world event such as

hooting a rear seat attacker

hrough the seat itself is an

xcellent example of adapting

o a rapidly changing situation.

uch is made of how fast one can

draw and fire from the holster,

how tight a group one can shoot

or how fast a shot-to-shot reload can be

performed. While these are certainly

worthwhile skills to possess, they seldom

win fights. Yes, having such skill does offer

confidence that helps overcome fear in

conflict, and fear is the single biggest fac-

tor in whether a person freezes or fights

when a threatened, but it is not the biggest

factor in achieving victory.

M

SITUATIONALMINDSET

Story & Photos by Dave Spaulding



What wins the fight is the ability to see what is

ranspiring and quickly adapt to the rapidly changing

situation. The combatant that can adapt the quickest

s the one that can bring their skill(s) to the forefront

and use it to prevail.

A proper combative pistol program must cover three

different aspects of training in order to properly address

he problem. I call the first level the “essentials.” They

are commonly referred to as “the basics” or “fundamen-

als” but I prefer to call them essentials as they are more

han just forming a foundation. They are absolutely

necessary in order to win the fight. Without them there

are no skills to utilize in order to adapt.

The fundamentals are normally defined as grip,

stance, trigger control, sight alignment, sight picture

and more, but I prefer to define them more simply. I do

not list a particular skill, I define an essential skill as

anything that keeps the gun running in a fight such as

drawing from the holster, reloading the gun or clearing

a malfunction. You need to know all of these things.

Trigger control is more important than clearing a

malfunction, you say? Maybe, unless you are hunkereddown behind low cover with rounds whizzing by your

head and your pistol has suffered a stoppage. This

might be the perfect example of considering the

undamentals of shooting versus the essentials of

ighting. They are not really the same.

THE ESSENTIALS

If there is a “most essential of essentials,” it would

be mindset. Shooting can certainly be successful with-

out mindset, but fighting cannot. The word combative

s defined as “ready and willing to fight” which does

not mean you are looking for one, it means that if youcannot avoid or evade it, you are willing to engage and

inish it. Thus, a combative mind is one that has made

a previous decision to be ready and willing to fight.

Without a combative mindset every skill that is yet to

come is a waste of effort.

The essentials should be learned from a certified

nstructor in a hands-on environment. There is a trend

o try and achieve these by watching videos tapesbut this seldom works. While it is possible to see a

skill performed, there is no one on site to correct

mproper applications. I see this regularly in mycourses, students show up for a combat skill-based

I define an essential skill as anything that keeps the gun running in a fight…“ “

Shooting from an unconventional position

should be accompanied by “real world of

work” imagery. Here, the author is knocked

to the ground by an attacker (Photo A) and

responds accordingly (Photo B).

Shooting from

unconventional

positions, such

as this grounded

seated position,

is a good way to

create options for

raid response.

A

B



course thinking they have therequired essential skills locked

down, but do not understand why

a technique is taught/used so they

have no frame of reference as to

how to apply it to the combative

application of the handgun.

Understanding the importance

of a technique is just as critical as

knowing how to perform it. The

best way to show the path to skill

development comes from a skill

building pyramid pioneered byNaval Special Warfare and it begins

with a base of fundamental skills

followed by concentration, consis-

tency, accuracy and speed … one

built upon the next.

The basics must be mastered byconcentrating on doing them con-

sistently. Via consistency, accuracy

is achieved (at least the level of

accuracy needed to end a threat)

with speed that is achieved viapractice. It is a well-established

process that cannot be bypassed.

COMBATIVE ASPECTSOnce the students know how to

shoot the gun, they must be able to

fight with it, and that requires spe-

cific skills that are also best

achieved by attending training with

a qualified instructor and then

practicing the skills while perform-

ing tactical imagery. Imagery is

more than just visualization, which

is fine for daydreaming. Imagery

requires the shooter to not only

“see” an event that is likely for thestudent’s “real world of work,” it

also requires the student to incor-

porate sounds, smells, light condi-

tions and other related environmen-

tal factors that would be present

during a confrontation.Naturally, this will be easier for

someone who had actually experi-

enced a life threatening event, but

understanding what occurs in con-

flict is easier due to the Internet andall of the available videos. When

watching one of these films, try to

A good example of consistency is training to draw from a standing position and then applying the same motion to seated (Photo C) and

kneeling (Photo D) positions. Nothing really changes

C D

PurposefulMovement

Movement should be done

for one of the following:

1Moving aggressively until

you are prepared to deliv-

er accurate outgoing fire of the

quality that will incapacitate

the person trying to kill you,

i.e. cover by out bound fire.

2Move to a location where

you cannot be seen. While

true cover would be the best

option, being hidden from your

attacker’s field of view is

certainly useful and in a time

when ammo has greater

penetration power by design,

fewer objects are true cover.

3

Remove ourselves from

the kill zone completely,i.e. withdrawal.



place yourself in the situation and not

ust “hoot and holler” about what you

are watching.

Combative skills would include such

opics as contact shooting; combining

open hand skills with the handgun,assume alternate shooting positions

quickly, cover and concealment, one

hand manipulation, shooting from less

han advantageous positions, reduced

ght application, learning one’s point

shooting threshold and when to use

he sights, shooting in and around

non-hostiles and a host of other

hings that are not addressed at the

essential level.

This will be a period of training

where you will not look your best and

you will miss a lot until you can anchor

he skills required, but don’t be dis-

couraged … hang in there. Many

shooters shy away from such training

as they just do not want to look bad in

ront of their peers (Who cares? Being

embarrassed is better than being

dead!). This is unfortunate as it is the

Square range training is where the essential skills are taught and drilled. While some will tell you this step is not necessary, don’t believe it.

While this is not as fun as shooting guns, it is certainly “real world of work.” It is far more likely

you will be attacked at a level that will not require deadly force. Here the author takes a shot to

the side of his face during a hand-to-hand combat training session … it’s all about adapting.

All of the major training institutions incorporate interactive training in their programs…“

“



combative skills level where the shooter will learn the

hings they need to adapt to the rapidly unfolding situa-

ion. Truth be told, you will not have the time to observe,orient, decide and act when a situation breaks out within

0 feet. You will see and do based on how well you

have anchored skills that will give you the options need-

ed to win. If you have to think “gee, he is doing this so I

might try that, or maybe this would be a better option”

you will likely be dead or seriously injured.

The aforementioned imaging is a huge asset when try-

ng to be adaptive. Merely kneeling, going prone, shoot-ng with the off-hand, performing an injured hand drill or

drawing/moving and thinking of it as a drill and not an

attempt to save one’s life, severely limits the drill’smpact on the anchoring process. Movement is a critical

combative skill, but many instructors teach it incorrectly.

A single lateral side step while drawing or moving

back and forth while reloading is a great way to intro-

duce separating the hands from the feet, but it is not thelevel of motion needed to keep from getting shot. After

decades of studying armed conflict (especially pistol

fights) I have decided movement must be undertaken

with purpose and there will be times that movement is

impossible or should not be undertaken … like so many

things in conflict, it is situationally dependent.

Moving in a gunfight is not new and has been done

since people started shooting at each other, provideddoctrine would allow it. Consider infantry tactics of the

Revolutionary and Civil Wars when soldiers were taught

to stand in rows and fire a volley, only to stand andreload in the open.

Fortunately, free thinking combatants of the era real-

A solid EDC carry set up should include

a handgun, holster, spare magazine,

flashlight and a folding knife.



Gear selection should come after a solid understanding of the

needed skills is achieved, not before. Make sure medical gear is

part of that selection process.

Bullet performance is only part of the equation when selecting a

gun or ammo…how well can you control your chosen gun/load inrapid fire? With todays’ penetrative ammunition, there is less

cover than ever before.

Aggressive lateral movement until the shooter can unleash “cover by outbound fire” is what will keep you alive in a firefight.

zed this was not a good way to make it through the war

alive and created “guerilla tactics” such as running, hiding

behind a tree, kneeling or some other technique to keep

rom getting shot. Wyatt Earp discussed it during a newspa-

per interview late in his life. “I was a Deputy U.S. Marshal at

he O.K. Corral fight,” he said, “so I was coming forward and

hey (the Cowboys) was usually going back. You shootstraighter coming forward.”

Earp was right, and those who have been trained in

shooting while moving realize it works best when moving

straight ahead versus trying to move laterally or rearward

while controlling the trigger. The truth is, the vast majority

of shooters are more accurate when they move rapidly and

stop to shoot.

Former Delta Force operator Paul Howe addressed it quite

succinctly when he wrote, “Reference shooting on the move.

t is a skill many shooters aspire to learn and spend a great

deal of time and effort trying to master. I have never had to

use it in combat. When moving at a careful hurry, I stopped,planted and made my shots. When bullets were flying, I was

sprinting from cover to cover moving too fast to shoot. I did

not find an in between.”

Knowing when to move, shoot on the move or plant and

ight is just one aspect of adapting to the rapidly unfolding

situation before you and it is not as easy as some wouldhave you believe.

NTERACTIVE ASPECTS

What is commonly called “force on force” training I prefer

o think of as interactive, as it is more verbally/visuallydescriptive. It is training during which students interact with

either another human being, an electronic simulator (such as

Movement must be undertaken with purpose…“

“



Revolver, pistol, large, small or in

between … the personal carry gun

should be carefully considered and

carried as often as possible



CC

a F.A.T.S. machine) or work in a 360-degree environment

such as a shoot house.

While many believe the goal of interactive training is

o place the shooter in a gunfight, that is only part ofhe reason. The real goal is “stress inoculation,” which

makes the student function in a stress filled environ-

ment, making decisions rapidly in pan-

demonium along with

he mistakes associated with such an

environment, which is a huge part of

he learning cycle.

But more importantly, interactive

raining shows the student the skills

earned at the Essentials/Combative

evels will work in threatening environ-

ments increasing confidence in skills,which is the single biggest factor in

overcoming fear in conflict.

All of the major training institutions incorporate inter-

active training in their programs with the fixed facilities

ke Gunsite and Thunder Ranch having a big advantage

over traveling instructors due to their shoot houseacilities, jungle lanes or dry washes that serve as multi-

direction threat simulators. A five-day program, such as

he famed 250 course at Gunsite, can cover all three

evels in one program, something difficult to do in a

shorter time frame. For those who wish to train on theweekend, a multi-course “journey” will be required in

order to cover all levels needed for a complete

combative pistol program. However, once all levels are

covered, it will require a hard commitment on the part

of the student to engage in meaningful practice in order

to anchor the skills. I remain amazed at the numberof people who pay good money seeking out quality

training, work hard in class and then do nothing to

maintain the skills for months afterward.

While the student might remember the

lessons learned, being able to execute

the skill(s) needed is a whole different

thing.

In the end, it’s all about options;

having a battery of skill sets to draw

upon when a crisis situation unfolds

rapidly before you. At the same time,

you don’t want to have too manyoptions as trying to decide which skill

to use can actually slow the combatant

down as they try to process the rapidly changing threat

and how to address it. Knowing which skills to anchor

and which to discard is an individual thing, but what is

known to work is to keep the skills simple, consistentwith a commonality that will allow the shooter to move

from one to the next with minimal thought, movement

and effort. Rapid adaptation to the situation unfolding

before you is the key to winning, but it is also one of

the hardest things you will ever undertake. Train hardand choose wisely.

Vehicle Combat is another phase of combative skills … do you know how to shoot through cars windows? Do you know what doing so will do

o the patch of your bullet?

W ithout acombative

mindset ever y skill that is yet tocome is a wasteof effort.

“

“



The Once and Future King of Semi-Auto Pistols Still Reigns

THE MIGHTY 1911



I

t’s been called the least-changed and most-copied handgun design

of all time. It has ridden on the hip of hundreds of thousands offighters in multiple wars and armed conflicts. It has been scaled

down and lengthened, re-chambered for cartridges large and small,

and has been engraved, dipped and gripped with a variety of materials.

It is John Browning’s 1911, currently available in all its variants from

dozens of manufacturers at a wide array of price points. In fact, it may

still be the best-selling design on the market, which is not bad for a

handgun design enjoying it’s second century after celebrating its 100th

birthday in—you guessed it—2011.

From subcompact and commander length versions to full size

versions, we highlight just a few of the more recent models available

today on the following pages.PHOTO BY LEROY THOMPSON



1911 PISTOLS

PRICE RANGE

$450-$1,000

CitadelMODEL: M-1911 A1 COMPACT

WEBSITE: LegacySports.com

MSRP: $639

Action: SA

Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 7+1


Length: 7.5 inches

v34 ounces

Features: Hogue grips,

skeletonized trigger and hammer,

ambidextrous safety



American ClassicMODEL: OFFICER’S MODEL

WEBSITE: AmericanClassic1911.com

MSRP: $684

Action: SACaliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 7+1


Length: 7.25 inches

Weight: 32.45 ounces

Features: Novak-style rear combat sight,

super-compact officer-size design, lowered

and flared ejection port

RemingtonMODEL: 1911 R1

WEBSITE: Remington.com

MSRP: $729

Caliber: 45

Capacity: 7 + 1


Length: 8.5 inches

Weight: 38.5 ounces

Features: Satin black oxide, double

diamond walnut, 3-dot sights:

dovetailed front and rear sights




1911 PISTOLS

ColtMODEL: 38 SUPER AUTO

WEBSITE: ColtsMfg.com

MSRP: $837

Action: SA

Caliber: .38 Super

Capacity: 9+1


Length: 8.5 inches

Height: 5.5 inches

Weight: 38 ounces

Features: Adjustable target

sights, classic styling, .38 Super

caliber for competition and use

in countries that ban military

calibers for civilian use



Sig Sauer MODEL: 1911 TRADITIONAL RTSS


MSRP: $949

Action: SA

Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 8+1Barrel Length: 5 inches

Length: 8.7 inches

Width: 1.4 inches

Height: 5.5 inches

Weight: 42 ounces

Features: Trijicon adjustable night sights,

extended ergonomic controls, attractive style

MODEL: WARTHOG

WEBSITE: Para-USA.com


Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 10+1


Length: 6.5 inches

Width: 1.3 inches

Height: 4.5 inches

Weight: 24 ounces

Features: Fiber optic front sight, extended

beavertail grip safety, 10-round magazine

capable, flush-fitting lower-round-count

magazines for discrete carry

ParaUSA



1911 PISTOLS

PRICE RANGE

$1,000-$2,000

ColtMODEL: DEFENDER 7002D


MSRP: $1,015

Action: SA

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity:8+1Barrel Length: 3 inches

Length: 6.75 inches

Width: 1.3 inches

Weight: 25 ounces

Features:Novak low-mount

carry sights, large capacity

for size, 9mm caliber in a

1911-type frame



ColtMODEL: GOVERNMENT DOUBLE ACTION


MSRP: $1,017

Action: DAO

Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 7+1Barrel Length: 5 inches

Length: 8.5 inches

Weight: 27 ounces

Features: Aluminum frame, steel slide,

lowered/flared ejection port, unique

(to 1911s) DAO action


Kimber MODEL: ULTRA CRIMSON CARRY IIWEBSITE: KimberAmerica.com

MSRP: $1,206

Action: SA

Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 7+1


Length: 6.8 inches

Width: 1.3 inches

Height: 4.75 inches

Weight: 25 ounces

Features: Match-grade barrel, snag-free

sights, Crimson Trace Lasergrips standard



1911 PISTOLS

STIMODEL: OFF DUTY

WEBSITE: STIGuns.com

MSRP: $1,243

Action: SACaliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 8+1


Length: 7 inches

Weight: 30.4 ounces

Features: 3-dot adjustable

combat sights, checkered

cocobolo grip panels, ramped

bull barrel

Sig Sauer MODEL: 1911 CARRY SCORPION


MSRP: $1,213Action: SA

Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 8+1


Length: 7.7 inches

Width: 1.4 inches

Height: 5.5 inches

Weight: 35 ounces

Features: Low-profile night sights,

Hogue grips, Hogue G-10 grips,

ambidextrous safety, accessory rail



Springfield MODEL: EMP

WEBSITE: Springfield-Armory.com

MSRP: $1,345

Action: SA

Caliber: 9mm

Capacity: 9+1


Length: 6.6 inches

Width: 1.3 inches

Height: 4.8 inchesWeight: 28 ounces

Features: Diamond-pattern cocobolo

grips, large capacity for type, tritium

night sights




Smith & WessonMODEL: SW1911 SC E-SERIES

WEBSITE: Smith-Wesson.comMSRP: $1,369

Action: SA

Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 7+1


Length: 8 inches

Width: 1.3 inches

Height: 5.5 inches

Weight: 30 ounces

Features: Scandium alloy frame, round

butt, S&W Custom Shop fit and finish


1911 PISTOLS



ColtMODEL: 21st Century Commander

WEBSITE: Colt.com

MSRP: $1,379

Action: SA

Caliber: .45 ACPCapacity: 7 + 1


Weight: 35 ounces

Features: Lightweight aluminum alloy,

Colt beavertail grip safety, secure grip,

Wiley Clapp Edition

Smith & WessonMODEL: SW1911 BOBTAIL CARRYWEBSITE: Smith-Wesson.com

MSRP: $1,539

Action: SA

Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 8+1


Length: 8 inches

Width: 1.3 inches

Height: 5.5 inches

Weight: 30 ounces

Features: Relieved slide, fish scale serrations,bobbed tail for increased concealability

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS 101



1911 PISTOLS

Kimber MODEL: MASTER CARRY PRO

WEBSITE: KimberAmerica.com

MSRP: $1,568

Action: SA

Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 8+1


Length: 7.7 inches

Width: 1.3 inches

Height: 5.25 inches

Weight: 28 ouncesFeatures: Crimson Trace Master

Series Lasergrips, bobbed grip

frame for concealment, aluminum

match-grade trigger



Dan WessonMODEL: VALOR

WEBSITE: CZ-USA.com

MSRP: $2,012

Action: SA

Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 8+1


Length: 8.8 inches

Width: 1.5 inches

Height: 5.5 inches

Weight: 38 ouncesFeatures: Heinie straight eight

adjustable night sights, match-

grade barrel, undercut trigger

guard for comfort


PRICE RANGE

$2,000 and Up




http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/concealed-carry-handguns-2014-09-10 105/132SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS 105

Guncrafter

IndustriesMODEL: 50GI M3

WEBSITE: GuncrafterIndustries.com

MSRP: $3,185

Action: SA

Caliber: .50 GI

Capacity: 7+1


Weight: 35 ounces

Features: Heine Slant Pro tritium night

sights, super-custom textured grips,

round-butt forged frame

MODEL: CCO

WEBSITE: GuncrafterIndustries.com

MSRP: $2,795

Action: SA

Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 7+1


Length: 8 inchesWidth: 1.3 inches

Height: 5.5 inches

Weight: 33 ounces

Features: Tritium snag-free night

sights, enlarged beavertail grip

safety, custom fit & finish

CC

Guncrafter Industries




http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/concealed-carry-handguns-2014-09-10 107/132SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS 107

C

ompact revolvers provide nearly all the benefits of a larger

revolver—such as straightforward operation and ease of use—while adding benefits of their own, such as the excellent conceal-

ability provided by deep cover. And like their longer brethren, they don’t

inspire many of the concerns raised by semi-autos, such as “slide-bite”

As with all revolvers, a cylinder swings out for easy loading at the

slide of a button. And in terms of firepower, they hold their own against

many semi-autos and larger revolvers. The drawbacks? Generally, com-

pact revolvers have reduced capacities and slower or bulkier reloading.

Still, compact revolvers serve their chosen roles well, and they have

since the days when they were standard issue for detectives and police

officials. You’ll find several examples of some of the more recent mod-

els on the following pages.PHOTO BY P. J. RYAN/JIM WEISS



Charter ArmsMODEL: 13820

WEBSITE: CharterFirearms.com

MSRP: $342

Action: DA

Caliber: .38 SPL +P

Capacity: 5


Weight: 16 ouncesFeatures: Threaded barrel, 3-point cylin-

der lock-up, full hammer block safety

system, recoil friendly rubber grips

EAAMODEL: WINDICATOR 2 INCH

WEBSITE: EAACorp.comMSRP: $343

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .357 MAG

Capacity: 6


Length: 7 inches

Weight: 30 ounces

Features: Sculpted and cushioned

grips, prominent hammer spur, made

in Germany


COMPACT REVOLVER

PRICE RANGE

$300-$400



PRICE RANGE

$400-$500

Charter ArmsMODEL: MAG PUG STANDARD


MSRP: $400

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .357 MAG

Capacity: 5Barrel Length: 2.2 inches

Weight: 23 ounces

Features: Rubber grips, easily concealable

design, smooth trigger

Charter ArmsMODEL: BULLDOG PUG


MSRP: $414

Action: DAO

Caliber: .44 SPL

Capacity: 5


Weight: 21 ounces

Features: Bobbed hammer design,

snag-free receiver design, serious

defensive caliber



TaurusMODEL: 85SS2FS


MSRP: $429

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .38 SPL +P RATED

Capacity: 6


Length: 6.5 inchesWeight: 22.2 ounces

Features: Transfer bar, Taurus

security system

RossiMODEL: 46202

WEBSITE: RossiUSA.com

MSRP: $454

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .357 MAG

Capacity: 6


Weight: 26 ounces

Features: Low profile fixed sights,

scalloped grips, and solid firepower


COMPACT REVOLVER



RossiMODEL: 35202


MSRP: $465

Action: DA/SACaliber: .38 SPL

Capacity: 5


Weight: 24 ounces

Features: Low profile fixed sights,

sweat-resistant stainless steel, hammer

spur for single-action shooting

TaurusMODEL: 850B2ULWEBSITE: TaurusUSA.com

MSRP: $474

Action: DAO

Caliber: .38 SPL +P

Capacity: 5


Length: 6.5 inches

Height: 4.3 inches

Weight: 18 ounces

Features: Concealed no-snag

hammer, rubber grips, very light





TaurusMODEL: 731 ULTRA LITE


MSRP: $514

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .32 H&R MAG

Capacity: 6

Barrel Length: 2 inchesLength: 6.5 inches

Height: 4.3 inches

Weight: 17 ounces

Features: Lightweight design, powerful

specialty caliber, compact overall package


ChiappaFirearmsMODEL: 200DSWEBSITE: ChiappaFirearms.com

MSRP: $749

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .357 MAG

Capacity: 6


Length: 6.5 inches

Weight: 40 ounces

Features: Extremely low-bore axis,

fiber optic front sight, powerful

defensive cartridge



COMPACT REVOLVER

Ruger MODEL: LCR

WEBSITE: Ruger.com

MSRP: $879 (w/ crimson trace

lasergrip)

Action: DAO

Caliber: .357 MAG

Capacity: 5


Length: 6.5 inches

Width: 1.3 inches

Height: 4.5 inches

Weight: 16.6 ounces

Features: Hammerless design,

some polymer components,custom Crimson Trace LaserGrips

Smith & WessonMODEL: 686WEBSITE: Smith-Wesson.com

MSRP: $1,089

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .357 MAG / .38 S&W Special

Capacity: 6


Weight: 36.6 ounces

Length: 7.5 inches

Features: Uncluted cylinder, chrome

teadrop hammer & trigger with stop,

precision crowned barrel, cylinder cut

for moonclips, PC tuned action CC

PRICE RANGE

$500 and Up



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HAPPY MEDIUM

ccupying that middle ground between full sized and compact

revolvers, these mid-sized but useful firearms are ready for

everything from outside-the-waistband carry to special interest

shooting and frequently sport target-style sights. Far from being a

cookie-cutter size, these revolvers differ as much from each other as

from guns of a different size.Medium revolvers generally deliver six rounds of .357 Magnum power,

although some are chambered for .38 Special. If you choose one ofthese models, don’t forget to pick up a couple good speed loaders,

which will help make up for the diminished number of available roundswhen compared to a semi-auto pistol.

PHOTO BY SMITH & WESSON

A Great Balance of Power and Size

O





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MEDIUM-FRAME REVOLVERS

TaurusMODEL: 65B4


MSRP: $488.46Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .357 MAG

Capacity: 6


Length: 10.5 inches

Weight: 38 ounces

Features: comfortable

rubber grips, fixed sights,

custom SA/DA trigger

MODEL: GP100

WEBSITE: Ruger.com

MSRP: $759

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .327 MAG

Capacity: 7


Length: 9.5 inches

Weight: 40 ounces

Features: Adjustable sights,

palm swell grip, extra shot by

virtue of unique chambering

MODEL: 586


MSRP: $809

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .357 MAG

Capacity: 6


Length: 9.25 inches

Weight: 41 ounces

Features: Red ramp front sight,comfortable grip, fantastic

accuracy potential

RossiMODEL: 98104

WEBSITE:RossiUSA.com

MSRP: $408

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .22 LRCapacity: 8


Length: 8.5 inches

Weight: 29 ounces

Features: Ventilated rib atop

barrel, adjustable sights,

supremely comfortable grips

Ruger Smith & Wesson



Smith & WessonMODEL: GOVERNOR


MSRP: $769

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .45 COLT /.410 Shotshell

Capacity: 6


Length: 8.5 inches

Width: 1.75 inches

Height: 5.5 inches

Weight: 30 ounces

Features: Accepts .410 shotshells, .45 Colt, and

45 ACP, features integral sights, rifled barrel

MODEL: 617


MSRP: $829

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .22 LR

Capacity: 10


Length: 11 inches

Weight: 44 ounces

Features: stainless steel frame

and cylinder, satin stainless finish

TaurusMODEL: 4510WEBSITE: TaurusUSA.com

MSRP: $587

Action: DA/SA


Capacity: 5


Length: 9.5 inches

Weight: 37 ounces

Features: 3-inch chambers,

integral sights, shoots both .45

Colt cartridges and .410 shotshells

interchangeably

Unique Size: The Governor is the .45COLT / .410 Shotshell version of a snubnosed revolver with a full-frame widthand the range and accuracy (with solidprojectiles) of a medium-frame gun.


Smith & Wesson

CC



OK BEYOND THE CORRAL

Although the full-size revolver will always

remind us of the Old West, and memorable

shoot-outs such as the Gunfight at the OK

Corral, today’s revolvers have undergone repeated

innovation and redevelopment, been chambered

for increasingly impressive cartridges, and become

the staples of law enforcement professionals,

hunters, and armed citizens alike. Revolvers of all

sizes continue to serve as specialized tools as well

as defensive arms.

While they’ve also shrunk to minimalist pocket

pistol designs, and morphed into medium-sized

defensive arms, the full-size revolver continues

to put full power .357 MAG loads, .44 MAG loads,

.410 bore shotshell loads, and other innovative

cartridges in your hand.

Although they’re not exactly concealable, open

carry is legal in many states, as is car carry, and

your concealed carry permit likely entitles you to

carry concealed in a backpack or other on-body

solution, enabling you to carry whatever size

revolver best fits your needs.PHOTO BY JIM WEISS & MICKEY DAVIS

Full-Size Revolvers AreMemorable & Concealable





PRICE RANGE

$200-$700

ComancheMODEL: COMANCHE II-A

WEBSITE: ComanchePistols.com

MSRP: $205

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .38 SPL

Capacity: 6

Barrel Length: 3

Length: 8 inches

Weight: 33 ounces

Features: Extremely inexpensive, adjustable

rear sight, contoured rubber grip

RossiMODEL: R98106


MSRP: $407.57

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .22 LRCapacity: 8


Weight: 29.5 ounces

Features: adjustable rear

sight, steel construction

RossiMODEL: R971


MSRP: $465

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .357 MAG

Capacity: 6


Weight: 32 ounces

Features: Adjustable sights, molded

grips, great sight radius

FULL-FRAME REVOLVERS



Smith & WessonMODEL: 686


MSRP: $829

Action: DA

Caliber: .357 MAG

Capacity: 6 + 1


Length: 9.56 inches

Weight: 49.7 ounces

Features: stainless steel frame,

available in 6 and 7 shot cylinders

Ruger MODEL: SP101

WEBSITE: Ruger.com

MSRP: $699

Action: DA/SACaliber: .357 MAG

Capacity: 5


Length: 9.12 inches

Weight: 29.5 ounces

Features: Fiber optic front sight,

adjustable rear sight, 3-inch barrel

for improved velocity


PRICE RANGE

$700 and Up







ChiappaMODEL: RHINO 60DS

WEBSITE: ChiappaFireArms.com

MSRP: $1,095Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .357 MAG

Capacity: 6


Length: 10.5 inches

Weight: 41.6 ounces

Features: Also available in .40 SW and 9mm,

wooden grips, fires from bottom cylinder for

low bore axis

MODEL: S&W500™


MSRP: $1,599.00

Action: DA/SA

Caliber: .500 S&W Magnum

Capacity: 5 Rounds

Barrel Length: 10.5”/26.7cm

Length: 18”/45.7cm

Weight: 79.3 ounces

Features: Orange Ramp front sight

with adjustable rear, synthetic grips,

multi-port compensator


FULL-FRAME REVOLVERS

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Smith & Wesson





LASTPAGE


ADVERTISER PAGE

Barnes Bullets.....................................................7

CampCo.......................................................35, 51

Colt's Manufacturing Company.....................2

CROSSBREED HOLSTERS ............................13

DeSantis Gunhide............................................19

DoubleTap Ammunition................................131

Glock Store......................................................132

Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc. .........................25

Major Surplus & Survival................................41

North American Arms, Inc.............................47

Old Faithful Holsters.........................................3

Secure Medical .................................................15

Springfield Armory .........................................69

World Skin Institute.........................................21

PHOTO BY HECKLER & KOCH

THE ADVERTISER INDEX IS PROVIDED AS A SERVICE TO OUR READERS. CONCEALED CARRY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR OMISSIONS OR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS.

The new 9mm VP9 from Heckler &Koch has been making headlines sincethe striker-fired pistol was introduced last

month to the U.S. commercial and law

enforcement markets. The VP9 has been in development for more than four years and its debut marks the return of HK to striker-fired models.

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Documents

Concealed Carry Handguns 2014-09-10