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It’s my choice.

It’s my right.

It’s my Taurus.

TM

CarryOnMovement.com /TaurusUSA

@taurususa

TM

Brittney L. Decatur, GA

738 FS



6 IT HAPPENED TO ME

three vs. one/home invasion standoff

8 SELF-DEFENSE & THE LAW

engaging fleeing felons—7 cases profiled

24 STREET SMARTS

defeating multiple attackers

40 LADIES ONLY

deep-concealment holster options

56 RIMFIRES

Walther PPQ M2 .22

66 BASIC TRAINING

Gunsite goes Glock

76 GUNS OF THE OLD WEST

Wild Bill’s last gun

86 STEP BY STEP

fixing pistol malfunctions

88 LETTERS

a smaller CZ/Colt classic/Sig P210

90 NEW PRODUCTS

new guns and gear that caught our eye

96 CLASSIFIED ADSproducts and services of interest

98 GUNSITE GOSSIP

a Jeff Cooper retrospective

FEATURES

COLUMNS

CONTENTSMARCH 2014

VOLUME 35 NUMBER 2

ON THE COVER

ON THE COVER

In This IssueIn our age of high tech andultra-refined engineering, wherefirearms are frequently builtto perform—and perform verysuccessfully—a very particularfunction, it’s rare to find a pistolthat can be said to do “doubleduty.” But, with its FNS-9Longslide, FNH USA has madeexactly that, a handgun thatserves equally well as a top-

speed race gun and as a heavy-duty self-defender. Of course,specialization is no bad thing,as proven by two highly uniquehandguns featured in this issue:the ultra-small NAA Sidewinder.22 Magnum (measuring 5 inchesoverall) and the mega-sized RRALAR-15 A4 5.56mm (measuring26.5 inches overall). Truly, in thepages ahead there’s a handgunto fit every need and taste. Oureight exhaustive gun reviews,combined with columns onclearing pistol malfunctions,

besting multiple attackers andpicking the perfect deep-coverholster, make the March 2014issue of Combat Handguns anabsolute must read!—MD

10

2834

44

50

76

®

10 FNS-9 LONGSLIDE By Dr. Martin D. Topper Full-size 9mm pulls double duty as a match king and home defender!

16 AO THOMPSON 1911TC By Rich Grassi U.S.-made 1911 is priced for savings and primed for .45 self-defense!

28 SMITH & WESSON SD40 VE By Clair Rees .40-caliber self-defender bred for quick deployment and stellar accuracy!

34 HIGH STANDARD AMT .45 BACKUP By William Bell Classic compact streamlined to deliver 5+1 rounds of .45 firepower!

44 SCCY CPX-2 By Chad Thompson

Carry-friendly nine delivers high-end performance at bargain pricing!

50 COLT MARK IV SERIES 70 By Steve Ausband Old soldiers never die. The proof: Colt’s ultra-rugged .45 warhorse!

60 NAA SIDEWINDER By William Bell Fast-loading five-shot .22 Mag. redefines deep-cover self-defense!

68 ROCK RIVER ARMS LAR-15 A4 By Doug Larson RRA’s heavy-duty 5.56mm megapistol is mega-accurate!



combathandguns.com

Beretta quick-draw breaks urban ambush! 1911 busts home invasion in progress!

IT HAPPENED TO ME!

DON’T BE A VICTIM!

R O G E R

B E T H K E

I L L U S T R A T I O N

Three Vs. OneMy bar is located in whatmost now consider ashady part of town. I’veowned it for a long time

and also lived close by.As has happened in manycities, the neighborhoodchanged while my barand home stayed the

same. However, it is myhome, and I have not

wanted to leave.Many years ago, in the

interest of ensuring my

safety, I decided it wastime to get a permit forconcealed carry and to buya gun. It wasn’t an easy

decision, as up until that time I hadn’towned a gun. But, after a few close callswith local hooligans causing trouble, Idecided it was time. Because I lived andworked in the same area, I walked to and

from work. That also became more chal-lenging as the local riffraff knew when

I opened and closed, and usually hungaround. My senses told me it was only amatter of time until I had a confrontation,

but after serving in the military, I believedI could handle myself. However, as thingsgot worse, I realized I needed some help.

Because I’d used the gun during my

time in the service, I decided to get apermit and buy a Beretta 9mm. I figuredthat if it was good enough for combat andstopping an enemy, it was good enoughfor me. I never carried my gun while

working in the bar, but I kept it locked upthere. My usual closing routine includedgetting the Beretta and tucking it in aholster in my waist as I closed up andlocked the door.

On one particular night, I sensed thatsomething wasn’t right. Nevertheless,I did as I had always done for years. Ilocked the door and started walking

home. As I found out later, some localtroublemakers had been hanging aroundthe bar, and as I began my walk, thisgroup followed me. As they did, I kept myhand near my Beretta, just in case. As

the three hoodlums trailed me, I got to an

area surrounded by abandoned buildings.The gang picked up the pace, overtook

me and had me cornered. There werethree of them, and one of them had a gunin his hand. One of the others had a pipe,and the other had a knife.

Recognizing that if I were going to sur-

vive I had to act quickly, I drew my Berettaand pointed it at the hoodlum with the

gun. His eyes widened quickly, and Isaw him start to raise the gun up towardme. Things seemed to slow down at that

moment. As he drew, he also began tolunge toward me. I instinctively fired andhit the hoodlum with the gun in the arm.He went down instantly. Before he hit the

ground, the other two fled.Once the police and ambulance ar-

rived, the hoodlum who was hit in thearm was arrested and taken to the hos-pital. He survived and ultimately went to

jail. The lesson for me: Never leave workor home without my Beretta.—MD, OH

Home Invasion StandoffSeveral years ago, I started shooting and

fell in love with the 1911. Not only was ita powerful weapon, but I loved its history.So, when I got my carry permit, it was a1911 that I bought and chose to carry. I

practice with it often in order to keep upmy skills and carry it regularly. One nightin particular a few months back, I wasvery glad I got into this habit.

I was out late one night and arrived

home to find the back door to my house

slightly ajar. I wasn’t certain and thoughtmaybe I hadn’t closed the door all the

PublisherStanley R. Harris

Executive PublisherVirginia Commander

Group PublisherShirley Steffen

Associate Publisher

Karin LevineEditor-at-LargeMichael O. Humphries

Managing EditorMark DeLucas

Assistant EditorGreg Lickenbrock

Editorial CoordinatorsLaura LancasterChad Hollingsworth

Art DirectorSocrates Gomez

Production DirectorDennis M. Wheeler

Circulation/Marketing DirectorRichard Fogel

Single Copy Sales ManagerRichard Ciotta

Social Media DirectorClaudia Bircu

Advertising Production ManagerDanielle Correa

Advertising RepresentativeLeticia Henry

Advertising CoordinatorEmily Lee

Web CoordinatorNicole Barron

Editorial CuratorsChris Halleron, Marcus Garcia

Director Digital and Mobile PublishingKim Shay

Cover PhotoSteve Woods

Send editorial queries [email protected]

Harris Tactical Group can be reached at:Phone: 212-807-7100; Fax: 212-463-9958combathandguns.compersonaldefenseworld.com

Comments:personaldefenseworld @harris-pub.com

Subscription/Back Issues:[email protected]@harris-pub.com

To the Readers: Be advised that there may be productsrepresented in this magazine as to which the sale,possession or interstate transportation thereof maybe restricted, prohibited or subject to special licensing

requirements. Prospective purchasers should consultthe local law enforcement authorities in their area. Allof the information in this magazine is based upon thepersonal experience of individuals who may be usingspecific tools, products, equipment and componentsunder particular conditions and circumstances, someor all of which may not be reported in the particulararticle and which this magazine has not otherwiseverified. Nothing herein is intended to constitute amanual for the use of any product or the carrying outof any procedure or process. This magazine and itsofficers and employees accept no responsibility for anyliability, injuries or damages arising out of any person’sattempt to rely upon any information contained herein.

COMBAT HANDGUNS (ISSN-1043-7584) is publishedeight times per year by Harris Publications, Inc., 1115Broadway, NYC, NY 10010. Single copy price: $5.99 inUSA, $6.99 in Canada. Submissions of manuscripts,illustrations and/or photographs must be accom-panied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Thepublisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicitedmaterial. Copyright © 2013 by Harris Publications,Inc. All rights reserved under International and Pan

American Copyright Conventions. Reproduction inwhole or in part without written permission of thepublisher is strictly prohibited. Printed in the USA.

Cornered and alone, the would-be victim quicklydrew his Beretta M9 9mm and fired, wounding one

armed assailant and decisively breaking the ambush.

®



combathandguns.com March 2014

COMBAT HANDGUNS 07

Tell Us Your Story!Combat Handguns pays $100 for each “It Happened

To Me!” letter that we print. Send yours to Combat

Handguns, 1115 Broadway, New York, NY 10010

or e-mail to [email protected]. Please

include your full name, address, email and phone

number (including area code). A signed release is

required prior to publication.

way, so I went inside. I realize now thatthis should have been a “red light”warning for me, as I never leave a doorunlocked, but at that point I figured I had just been forgetful.

When I entered my home to make sureall was good, everything at first lookedOK. I walked through the kitchen andmoved toward the living room. However,I noticed at this point that things lookeddisturbed.

I continued to move forward, listeningfor any sounds and looking around. As Idid, I noticed that drawers were openedand papers strewn about. I realized nowthat someone had broken in. I began toturn to go outside and call the police, butbefore I could, I came across three mentrying to steal my large-screen TV.

We all stared at each other for whatseemed like an eternity (but it was prob-

ably just a few seconds). Two of the guyswere moving the television, and one waswatching, looking like he was the guy incharge. He and I locked eyes, and I sawhim start to reach toward his waistband. Iglanced down and saw the butt of a pistolsticking out of there. As he went to draw,I also began to draw my 1911. Althoughhe had made the first move, my train-ing and practice made all the difference.I was able to draw and put my gun onhim as he was still bringing up his gun.I later realized he had fumbled becausehe did not have the gun in a proper carry

holster, like I did.The guy just froze, and his two buddies

dropped the TV right there and ran outthe front door, leaving their “buddy.”While keeping the gun on him, I told himto drop his and put his hands up. I thencalled the police. After they arrived, theychecked my house and made sure noone else was inside. The burglars wereapparently trying to steal my TV andother items they could off load. Nothingseemed to be missing, but the house wasa mess. I must have gotten there rightafter they broke in. The police arrestedthe one guy and said they would searchfor the other two.

I firmly believe that thanks to my per-mit and .45 ACP I’m still here to tell thisstory. I will always have it with me fromhere on out! —HG, PA



08 COMBAT HANDGUNS March 2014 combathandguns.com

As a general rule, once a criminal at-tacker has broken off his assault andis fleeing, the right to use deadly forceagainst him has fled as well. At the sametime, today’s laws can be read as allow-ing rare exceptions to this rule—but theoperative word here is rare!

Military PerspectiveTrivia quiz: Looking down the list ofAmerican presidents, which one fatallyshot a man in the back? The answer is

Theodore Roosevelt, in what we’ll callCase One. It happened at the Battle of SanJuan Hill during the Spanish-AmericanWar. Roosevelt himself later wrote, “TwoSpaniards leaped from the trenches andfired at us, not 10 yards away. As theyturned to run I closed in and fired twice,missing the first and killing the second.My revolver was from the sunken battle-ship Maine, and had been given me bymy brother-in-law, Captain W. S. Cowles,of the Navy.” Far from being excoriatedfor the act, Roosevelt was lauded for hisvalor, riding the victory all the way to theWhite House and later being awarded theMedal of Honor.

The shooting took place on the battle-field. The man Roosevelt killed was anarmed enemy who had just attempted tokill him and his men. The Spanish soldierwas still a danger to other Americans.Under the circumstances, it wasRoosevelt’s duty to neutralize him.

Fast forward to Case Two, theEuropean theater in World War II. Thewar’s most decorated American wasAudie Murphy, said to have killed some

240 German soldiers over the course ofmany battles. The incident that seemed

to trouble him most was one in which heshot his enemy counterparts in the backas they fled from him. He rationalizedthat if they escaped unmolested, theywould later kill his fellow Americans. Andhe was absolutely correct: those are thewartime rules of engagement.

However, wartime rules of engage-ment do not apply to the use of deadlyforce within the United States.

Police PerspectiveThere was a time when U.S. police of-ficers in some jurisdictions were allowedto use deadly force to stop any felonysuspect who was fleeing from themand could not be captured by other,

lesser means. That ethos was profoundlyimpacted by Case Three, Tennessee v.

Garner , as decided by the U.S. SupremeCourt in 1985. It stemmed from a 1974incident in Memphis in which city policeofficers were chasing a 15-year-old thiefwho was running from a home he hadburgled. As Edward Garner attempted toclimb a chain-link fence during the footpursuit, a police bullet struck him in theback of the head, killing him. He had atno time actively endangered the officers;his only resistance had been flight. Theuse of deadly force to stop fleeing felonswas allowed by Tennessee statute at thetime. The Memphis PD ruled the shooting justifiable, and a grand jury returned notrue bill on the officer who discharged thefatal bullet. Nonetheless, young Garner’s

family filed suit.It took 11 years for the case to wend

SELF-DEFENSE & THE LAW

When felons retreat, the

rules of engagement changedramatically. A look at themurky legality of usingforce against afleeing threat!

BY MASSAD AYOOB

PHOTO BY ALFREDO RICO

HOLD YOUR FIRE

When an armed attacker flees the scene, the justification for using lethal forcenearly always evaporates. Unless the felon conclusively poses a continued andimmediate threat to you or others, hold your fire and call the police.



its way to America’s highest court. In themajority decision, the opinion read in part,“The Tennessee statute is unconstitu-tional insofar as it authorizes the use ofdeadly force against, as in this case, anapparently unarmed, nondangerous flee-ing suspect; such force may not be usedunless necessary to prevent the escape,and the officer has probable cause to be-lieve that the suspect poses a significantthreat of death or serious physical injuryto the officer or others.” The decision alsosaid, “While burglary is a serious crime,the officer in this case could not reason-ably have believed that the suspect—young, slight and unarmed—posed anythreat. Nor does the fact that an unarmedsuspect has broken into a dwelling atnight automatically mean he is danger-ous.” The decision also noted that the useof deadly force on fleeing felons dated

back to a time when most felonies werepunishable by death, a time long past.As a result of the Garner decision, most

police departments adjusted their policyto allow their personnel to use deadlyforce to stop fleeing felons ONLY in situ-ations where the individual’s continuedfreedom obviously constituted a clear andpresent danger to innocent human life.Later, in 2006, came the very controver-sial Case Four, in which two U.S. BorderPatrol Agents were tried, convicted andsent to prison for shooting a fleeing drugdealer in the buttocks, even though one

agent testified that he believed the manwas turning on him with a gun.

Armed CitizenPerspectiveWhile Garner was an officer-involvedshooting (OIS) case, there can be nodoubt that the tenor of the SupremeCourt’s decision in the matter will beapplied by trial courts in cases of privatecitizens shooting criminals to stop theirflight when they are fleeing the scene,as opposed to shooting to end a clearthreat to innocent human life and limb.

In 2009, a grand jury in Case Five refused to indict a store clerk inWaukegan, Illinois, after the clerk killeda robber. The 20-year-old robber waspedaling away on a bicycle when theclerk shot him in the back. Apparently,the grand jury thought the clerk rea-sonably believed himself to still be indanger from the gun the criminal hadthreatened him with, which turned outto be a pellet pistol. That particulargrand jury was apparently in a veryforgiving mood. Their refusal to indict

raised many eyebrows in the criminal justice system.

Case Six took place in a Westernstate some years ago. A man shotand killed his wife in front of manywitnesses in a shopping plaza, thengot into his car to escape. A citizen whohad witnessed the murder happened tohave a large magnum hunting revolverin his car, and he used it to shoot andkill the gunman who was attempting todrive away. A grand jury cleared him inthe shooting.

Consider Case Seven. In the springof 2013, Station KHQ News reportedthat a Spokane, Washington, man wouldbe charged with manslaughter in theshooting death of a fleeing thief whohad stolen his car. The station an-nounced, “Prosecutor Steve Tucker said[the defendant] will be charged withfirst-degree manslaughter becauseinvestigators cannot prove there was

a motive or intent to kill. First-degreemanslaughter is based on recklessness.Prosecutors say that [the defendant]was not in danger when he fired theshot. A person needs to have fear ofimminent danger that something bad isgoing to happen before you are legallypermitted to use deadly force.” Thatcase is still pending at this writing.

The advice generally given in con-cealed-carry and home-defense classesis simply, “Don’t shoot fleeing felons.” Itis, by and large, excellent advice. Evenif the suspect running away is carryingoff the family treasure, it is understoodin this country (and underscored in theGarner decision) that human life holds ahigher value than “mere property,” evenif it is the life of a criminal balancedagainst the Hope Diamond. None of uscan expect to face a jury pool that willbe as sympathetic to the shooter as thegrand jury was in Case Five, above.

It takes a rare confluence of many cir-cumstances to justify shooting a personwho is running away from you and notimmediately attacking you or another. I

would not fire unless the crime involvedwas a heinous felony, and I knew beyond

doubt that this man had committedit—for instance, if we’ve seen a mancommit a mass murder before turn-ing and running away. I would wantthe circumstances to be such that thewitnesses would recognize who was thegood guy and who was the bad guy, nota situation in which it appeared to oneand all that I was the crazed gunmanchasing an unarmed victim and shoot-ing him in the back. I wouldn’t want toshoot if there was some reasonable wayto stop his escape with lesser force orif it was obvious that he was about tobe captured by police very soon: Deadlyforce is always supposed to be a lastresort to quell a deadly threat.

Finally, within the totality of thecircumstances, there would have to bea reasonable belief that his continuedfreedom presented a clear and pres-

ent danger to innocent human life andlimb. This is always measured by whatthe English Common Law called theDoctrine of the Reasonable Man. Thelitmus test question is, “What would areasonable and prudent person havedone, in the exact same situation, know-ing what the person who pulled thetrigger knew?”

Bottom Line In a highly publicized trial in 2013, a manwho was having his head pounded into asidewalk shot and killed his attacker. Themedia painted him as a “vigilante” and“wannabe cop.” Though he was ulti-mately acquitted, his life was shattered.In such an environment, how would themedia poison the jury pool in a case inthe person who pulled the trigger was noteven in danger from the man he shot inthe back as that man ran away?

Let caution be your guide. Situationsin which it is justifiable to shoot a flee-ing felon are extremely rare. Deadlyforce should always be a last resort.In most cases, a felon fleeing from the

scene of the crime does not qualify for abullet in the back.

combathandguns.com

“Deadly force should always

be a last resort. In mostcases, a felon fleeing fromthe scene does not qualifyfor a bullet in the back.”

March 2014

COMBAT HANDGUNS 09



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COMBAT TEST

FNS-9LONGSLIDEHigh-cap, 5-inch-barreled 9mm pullsdouble duty as a match king and home defender!BY DR. MARTIN D. TOPPER PHOTOS BY STEVE WOODS

The new FNS Longslide isa fine example of FabriqueNationale’s (FN) longtradition of manufacturingquality firearms for com-petitors. Introduced at anindustry trade show early in2013, this pistol is primar-ily tailored to the needs ofIDPA, IPSC and steel matchshooters, but it’s also wellsuited to the demands ofpersonal defense.

GUN DETAILSThe Longslide is similar inmany ways to FN’s standardFNS duty pistol, which was

introduced in 2012. Likethe standard model, the

Longslide is a striker-firedpistol that comes chamberedin 9mm or .40 S&W. Theslide, barrel and replaceableframe rails on both modelsare made of stainless steel.As with other FNS-serieshandguns, the slide hascocking serrations fore andaft, an external pivoting ex-tractor and a hammer-forgedbarrel that has a polishedchamber and feed ramp. Theslide and barrel are matedto a polymer frame that’sequipped with a mil-specPicatinny rail. The frontstrapportion of the frame also

has serrations, and there ischeckering on the side grip

panels and backstrap. Thecheckering is very clean andallows the shooter to firmlygrasp the pistol, but thecheckering is not so sharpthat it abrades the skin onthe shooter’s palm. Twointerchangeable backstrapsare provided to precisely fitthe dimensions of the grip tothe shooter’s hand.

Even though it sharesmany features with thestandard FNS model, theLongslide differs from it intwo important ways. Themost noticeable difference isthe Longslide’s 5-inch barrel

and appropriately length-ened slide. The longer barrel

increases bullet velocity,and the lengthened slide hasa greater sight radius formore precise bullet place-ment. The second differencebetween the Longslide andstandard FNS can be foundin the fact that the latterdoesn’t have a loaded-chamber indicator. However,it does have the standardmodel’s trigger safety lock,internal striker block, dropsafety and disconnector (aswell as the option of featur-ing a manual safety). All fourof those primary safety sys-tems function automatically.

Clearly, the FNS Longslide isa very safe pistol to carry.

10 COMBAT HANDGUNS March 2014



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COMBAT HANDGUNS 11

With its long sight radius and 17+1capacity, Fabrique Nationale’s FNS-9Longslide is as equally at home in thecompetitive shooting arena as it is in, well,the home. Self-defense-friendly featuresinclude interchangeable backstraps fora customized grip and an integral rail forthe attachment of lights and/or lasers.

“THE FNS-9L’S FINISH

WAS WITHOUT BLEMISHON BOTH THE SLIDE ANDFRAME. THE FIT OF THESLIDE TO THE FRAME WASEXCELLENT, AND THE LINES

OF THE GUN WERE STRAIGHT.”




I received the 9mm FNS-9 Longslide

for testing. I checked the pistol forexternal manufacturing defects andbasic functioning when I received it at theFlorida Gun Exchange. Everything was inorder. The finish was without blemish on

both the slide and frame. The fit of theslide to the frame was excellent, and thelines of the gun were straight. Later, thepistol was field-stripped and examinedmore closely for imperfections.

The FNS-9 Longslide is very easy todisassemble. First, remove the magazineand check the chamber to ensure the pis-tol is unloaded. Then lock the slide in the

rearward position using the slide lock,and rotate the takedown lever 90 degreesto the left. Examine the chamber oncemore to be sure it is unloaded, and holdthe slide firmly as you release the slide

lock and slowly let the slide come for-

ward. Point the pistol in a safe directionand pull the trigger to decock the striker.

From this point you just push the slide

forward until it disengages the frame,remove the one-piece recoil springassembly and then lift the barrel out tothe rear. The whole process takes abouthalf as long to do as it takes to describe.

Reassembly requires simply reversingthe procedure, except that you do nothave to pull the trigger. Once the FNS-9Longslide was field-stripped, I checkedit for tool marks, poorly conformed sur-

faces, sharp edges or any other signs ofpoor workmanship. There were none.

After reassembly, the gun locked sol-idly into battery. The grip fit my hand very

well, and the pad of my right index fingerfell naturally on the center of the trigger.When the trigger pull was measured withan RCBS trigger pull scale, the strikerreleased very consistently at 6.5 pounds.

The trigger pull has two stages. The

first stage requires about 3 pounds ofpressure and moves the trigger approxi-

D R . M A R T I N D . T O P P E R P

H O T O

>>>FNS-9 LONGSLIDE

“THE FNS-9 LONGSLIDE STAYSSECURELY IN THE HAND DURINGRECOIL...AND ITS 5-INCH BARREL

WRINGS THE MOST PERFORMANCEOUT OF THE 9MM CARTRIDGE.”




COMBAT HANDGUNS 13

mately 0.38 inches. This causes the lowerportion of the trigger to hinge rearward

and unlock the upper portion. The secondstage requires about another 0.25 inchesof travel and 3.5 pounds of additionalpressure to release the striker.

RANGE TIME

At the range, I bench-tested the FNS-9Longslide at 25 yards to measure itsaccuracy, velocity and reliability. I alsoused it during an IDPA match. Severalmanufacturers generously provided a

SPECIFICATIONS

FNS-9 LONGSLIDE

Caliber 9mm

Barrel 5 inches

OA Length 8.25 inches

Weight 27.2 ounces (empty)

Grips Polymer

Sights Fixed three-dot

Action Striker-fired

Finish Satin stainless slide,black frame

Capacity 17+1

MSRP $749

The white dots on the front and rearsights make for fast target acquisition.




broad variety of 9mm ammunition forthis test. The test ammunition included

Speer’s 115-grain Gold Dot HP, CorBon’s115-grain +P DPX, Black Hills’ 124-grain+P XTP HP, Hornady’s 135-grain +P

Critical Duty and Winchester’s 147-grainRanger T. For the IDPA match, I usedWinchester, Federal and Speer 115-grainhardball ammo.

Accuracy tests were conducted atthe Flagler Gun & Archery Club’s pistolrange. An MTM Front Rifle Rest was usedto support the pistol, and a Leupold Kenaispotting scope was employed to assess

hits on target. It took a little time to learnhow to get the best accuracy from the

FNS-9 Longslide’s two-stage trigger. Atfirst, I tried staging the trigger, but theresults weren’t as good as I’d hoped.

The trigger had some overtravel, and Itended to pull the gun off-target dur-ing follow-through. Given this, I tried adifferent approach, pulling the trigger

straight through as if it were a one-stagetrigger. This technique produced several25-yard groups that measured under 4inches. Using this technique, it should bepossible to regularly produce five-shot

groups under 4 inches at 25 yards with

Black Hills 124 XTP +P 1,300 3.42

CorBon 115 DPX +P 1,321 4.38

Hornady 135 1,160 3.38Critical Duty +P

Speer 115 Gold Dot 1,270 3.21

Winchester 147 1,065 4.22Ranger T

BULLET WEIGHT MEASURED IN GRAINS , VELOCITY IN FEET

PER SECOND ( FPS) BY CHRONOGRAPH , AND ACCURACY IN INCHES FOR BEST FIVE -SHOT GROUPS AT 25YARDS.

PERFORMANCE

FNS-9 LONGSLIDE 9MM

LOAD VELOCITY ACCURACY

CONTINUED ON PAGE 80

The FNS-9 Longslide features four

standard safeties, including a hinged trigger.

>>>FNS-9 LONGSLIDE



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COMBAT TEST

1911 TCHOMPSON

AUT

I came across the Auto-Ordnance/Thompson 1911TC at the2013 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. During the frigidmedia day at the range, I ran a few magazines of ball ammothrough their sample gun at an 8-inch plate. The safety of-ficer at that station seemed impressed as I hit the steel withround after round.

Not sure what the problem was, I looked back. “What?” Iasked. “It’s only 25 yards away.”

The representative from Auto Ordnance shook his head.“No,” he started, “take a second look. It’s farther.”

I did. Indeed, it was farther. Still, I was shooting an anach-ronism—a 1911 variant. It had nicer sights, a checkered frontstrap and a memory-bump grip safety, but a target that sizewas no real test. I figured it was just another four-figure 1911that could ring steel all day and into the night.

“How much?” I asked.He then told me that the MSRP on the gun is only $813—for

a U.S.-made 1911. Only $813—for a U.S.-made 1911?

By the sounds of it, that’s a pretty good deal. I figured thegun deserved more investigation.

U.S.-made 1911 is priced for savings

and primed for knockout .45 self-defense!BY RICH GRASSI PHOTOS BY STEVE WOODS




combathandguns.com

Every Auto-OrdnanceThompson 1911TC

is manufactured

using high-precisionmachinery and

specialized tooling that

reduces set-up andrefixturing, resulting

in both a high-qualitybuild and a low price

point. The 5-inch-

barreled 1911TC alsopacks a punch, reliably

delivering 7+1 rounds of.45 ACP firepower.

RDNAN E

GUN DETAILS

The frame of the 1911TC is cast stainless steel. For people whoget worried over such matters, in 1979 I carried a “parts-bin”1911 that had a cast frame. I had no problems with it and haveused several guns with various cast frames since.

The slide is stainless steel fashioned from bar stock. Usingmodern machining methods, the costs are held down becausehand-fitting is all but eliminated. The machine-checkered front-strap (20 lines per inch) helps you hang on, as do the checkeredlaminate stocks. A “Thompson bullet” logo disc is f itted intothe stocks. The front and rear sights are installed in machineddovetail slots. Slanted grasping grooves are cut into the slide’sfront and rear. The Thompson marking on the slide (and theother markings) are laser-engraved.

The ejection port is lowered and flared, and the thumb safety

is extended, though it doesn’t get in the way. An adjustabletrigger, extended magazine-release button, beavertail grip




safety and checkered mainspring hous-ing are featured. There’s a full-lengthrecoil spring guide rod, but don’t holdthat against the gun. If it offends you asit does me, replace it with GI-spec partsfrom Brownells. No problem. As I didn’thave to strip the gun in the field, I had noproblems with it.

As is currently fashionable, the ham-mer is slotted, too. It looks remarkablylike most other recent 1911 offerings—and in my opinion that’s too bad. While it’s

THOMPSON 1911TC >>>

SPECIFICATIONS

THOMPSON 1911TC

Caliber .45 ACP

Barrel 5 inches


Weight 39 ounces

Grips Checkered laminate

Sights Front blade, adjustable rear

Action SA

Finish Stainless

Capacity 7+1

MSRP $813

Capping the

1911TC’s billetstainless steel slideare a front sight

blade and forwardgrasping groovesfor easier slide

manipulation.




COMBAT HANDGUNS 19

a nice look, and the 1911TC is nothing ifnot pleasing to the eye, it doesn’t standout from others. Two things do cause it tostand out, however: American manufac-

ture and the low price point.Consider that this low-cost 1911 has

the often-debated firing-pin safety. Whilemany consider it to be a needless addi-tion, I am conflicted. I think the firing-pinsafety, if properly set up and timed, isfine. This is the pattern Colt uses in theirSeries 80 line, and it is less prone totiming issues than the firing-pin blockdesign that uses the grip safety for deac-

tivation. Even the more recent iterationsof the grip-safety-driven firing-pin blockhave been boringly reliable.

To get an American-made, 1911-pat-

tern pistol with a firing-pin safety,you’ll probably spend more than whatthe 1911TC costs. And the ThompsonCustom 1911 is competitive in terms offeatures and cost with just about anyother similar pistol out there.

The 1911TC was introduced in 2008.They began production and then had tostop. The environment then caused acrushing demand for small personal-

protection pistols—all of the company’sresources went to Kahr pistols. Theoriginal production run of 2008 washalted at 100 units to allow resources to

flow to the small carry pistol lines. Theyreintroduced the 1911TC at the 2013SHOT Show, and I didn’t recognize it.

Back in the “long ago,” Auto-Ordnance(AO) made a number of guns in WestHurley, New York. That was also hometo Numrich Arms/Numrich Gun PartsCorporation. AO made 1911A1-patternpistols. At some point in the proceedings,AO was purchased by Kahr Arms. It’sbuilt the semi-auto Thompson guns, M1Carbine and 1911A1 lines as well.

According to a few stories, some gun-smiths wouldn’t work on the pre-KahrAO line of 1911-pattern guns. Othersapparently did—to good effect. AfterKahr took over the line, I’d heard littleabout the 1911s. I’ve had a couple of theM1 Carbines in, but had never shot oneof its 1911 pistols until this year.

RANGE TIME As the gun ships with one seven-roundmagazine, I grabbed a pair of the newBrownells seven-round 1911 magazines,my Walker Power Muff Quad ear protec-tion and headed out into the woods. The

Brownells magazines are out at a goodtime: There are still plenty of pistols that

“Only $813 for a U.S.-made 1911?

I figured the 1911TCdeserved more investigation.”

The 1911TC

features standard1911 contols,

including a serrated

hammer, and aleft-side thumb

safety and magrelease. Checkered

wood laminate

grips provide for acomfortable hold.



NUMEROUS FEATURES.

Welcome to the closest bond yet between hand and gun. Between grip

and control. Between fit and performance. With three interchangeable

palmswell grips including a new textured grip, and multiple

ambidextrous features, the M&P Pro Series is truly tailored to you.

FIND THE RIGHT M&P FOR YOU AT SMITH-WESSON.COM




ammo could be available but not moremagazines), the four failures to go intobattery and the lack of a firm click when the safety is applied, there wereno problems.

It appears that a minor fitting of themagazine release and having someonemore competent than me fit that safetyup for a more positive feel would solvethe minor problems we ran into.

The trigger, which broke just at 5pounds and felt quite clean for theprice point, the sights, and the accuracyare all present.

To see what would happen, I contactedservice at Kahr Arms and was emaileda return label. Some trigger work was

done, a magazine replaced and a newslide stop was installed. Upon receipt, Ifound that the magazines dropped freeand the gun locked open on empties. Theentire process took four days, including aweekend. A trip to the range pointed outa couple of things. In this era of ammoshortages, you still shouldn’t use oddballammo (old frangible) to test reliability.And, as long as you fed the gun decentammo the gun fed, fired, extracted andejected just fine with the factory-suppliedand Brownells seven-round magazines.

FINAL TOUGHTSI used to carry a 1911 on duty in policeuniform in the 1970s. It’s an enthusi-ast’s gun, and it has become a bit old-fashioned as an issue handgun. As anenthusiast, I take considerable pleasurein carrying and using the old gun. TheThompson 1911TC is a fine example ofthe genre.

If you like the 1911 and appreciatethe additional security of the Series80-style firing-pin block, the Thompson1911TC could be your answer. For more

information, visit auto-ordnance.com orcall 508-795-3919.

>>>THOMPSON 1911TC

P H O

T O C

O U R T E S Y E

L

P A S O S

A D D L E R Y

“The 1911 isan enthusiast’sgun, and asan enthusiast,

I take considerablepleasure in usingthe old gun. The

Thompson 1911TCis a fine exampleof the genre.”

EL PASO

SNAP-OFF ELITE

By Caleb Giddings

While inside-the-waistband (IWB)holsters offer concealment ad-vantages, there’s no holster quite

as comfortable as an outside-the-waistband (OWB) belt holster. ElPaso Saddlery’s Snap-Off Elite is theperfect solution for OWB carry, andfeatures a bit more style than you’d

get from a Kydex holster. The Snap-Off Elite is available for most pistols,and can be had with an open top or athumb-break retention strap.

The Snap-Off Elite has a perfectly

reasonable starting price point of$89 for the open-top model, but if sodesired, it can be embellished withfloral carving, done by hand, for that

classic western show holster look.Also available are basket, border orfishscale stamping. All of these op-tions add a touch of class and visualappeal to an already excellent option

for range or concealed-carry use.EASY ON/OFF: Available for most

makes of semi-automatic pistolsand double-action revolvers, theSnap-Off Elite’s best feature is also

its namesake. Designed to fit on a1.5-inch-wide belt, the Snap-OffElite uses two belt snaps to attachto the belt, which can be easily

undone, making the daily routine ofputting on the gun and taking it offmuch simpler and safer. The El PasoSaddlery Snap-Off Elite is an excel-lent choice for a discerning shooter

looking for a holster he or she wouldbe proud to show friends. For moreinformation, visit epsaddlery.com orcall 915-544-2233.

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24 COMBAT HANDGUNS March 2014 combathandguns.com 4

STREET SMARTS

riminals are predators, and like many predators,they often operate in packs. Sound self-defensetactics should therefore need to consider thelikelihood of facing multiple attackers.

From the gun-based perspective, I’ve heardmany different philosophies as to the best way to

engage multiple attackers. Traditional shooters who havedevoted lots of range time to “El Presidente” drills typicallyascribe to the idea of putting two rounds into each target,reloading and repeating. Others advocate one round per target,assessing the results and repeating as necessary. Still othersargue for engaging attackers from closest to farthest or in theorder of most dangerous to least dangerous.

While war-gaming the logic of these various approachesis a good thing, some shooters have taken the process toextremes, conjuring up elaborate scenarios in which multipleassailants are positioned at various distances and armed witha bewildering array of rifles, shotguns, handguns and contact-distance weapons. The supposed goal is to prioritize thembased on the threat they pose to you and address them in the“right” order. In my opinion, the result of this process is moreoften a prolonged “gun guy” debate or an overly complicatedsquare range drill than worthwhile training that promotes soundtactical judgment.

Reality Rules

To illustrate this point, let’s consider a simple scenario involvingtwo attackers: one armed with a handgun and one with a knife.Let’s also consider two training methodologies: a traditionalsquare-range shooting method and a more interactive but non-shooting drill involving you, two friends, blue-gun pistols and atraining knife.

First, imagine setting up a range drill with two targetsdownrange at distances of 3 and 5 yards and a lateral spread

of about 2 yards. It doesn’t really matter which target is onwhich side or at what distance. Now, with eye and hearing

protection in place and proper attention to range safety,face the targets with your holstered gun and have ashooting partner call “go.” Which targets do you shootand in which order? To many shooters, the possible an-

swers would be fodder for a spirited debate or a lengthythread on an Internet forum. In reality, however, you’donly be justified in shooting the pistol-armed target.Why? I’ll get to that in a moment.

Now, set up the same drill with your two training part-ners—one armed with a blue gun and the other a trainingknife. Arm yourself with a holstered blue gun. Now, slow-ly work through all the possible scenarios. Regardless ofwhether the gun-armed attacker starts at 3 or 5 yards, ifhe raises his gun toward you, he has established himselfas a potentially lethal threat and becomes a top priority.If, while you’re shooting at him, the knife-armed attacker

charges toward you, you probably won’t ignore his attackwhile you fire additional rounds into his pistol-armed buddy,so your focus would naturally shift to him and the goal of notgetting stabbed.

Conversely, if the knife-armed attacker stays at a distancegrowling and cursing at you, but never actually moves toward

you, he never establishes himself as a potentially lethal threat.Legally, you can’t shoot him. And, since the knife-armed targetin the range scenario never got close enough to be a tangiblethreat, you shouldn’t have shot it either.

The real learning point of these two exercises is not to arguetoward an ultimate “right” answer, but to understand the dra-matic difference between a dynamic, interactive scenario and arange drill that emphasizes marksmanship and the mechanicsof shooting more than sound reactive judgment. On one hand,

this contrast makes the problem of multiple attackers incrediblycomplicated. Instead of focusing on the skills of delivering accu-

Lifesaving counterstrikes whenyou’re alone and outnumbered!

BY MICHAEL JANICH

PHOTOS BY PATRICK LANHAM

DEFEATING

MULTIPLEATTACKERS

C




COMBAT HANDGUNS 25

rate fire and transitioning smoothly fromone target to another, it requires you toreact to multiple, dynamic stimuli withimmediate judgment and both shoot-ing and non-shooting skills. If you thinkabout it, however, it also greatly simpli-fies the problem of prioritizing threatsbecause the threats and their immedi-ate ability and opportunity to target youbecome self-evident.

Basic PrinciplesIn my opinion, there is no one-size-

fits-all strategy for dealing with multipleattackers because the variables involvedare simply too numerous. However,there are a few key principles thatyou can employ that can improve yoursurvivability in most situations—specifi-cally, movement and “stacking” your

attackers.

Movement offers several advantagesagainst multiple attackers. First, amoving target is more difficult to hitthan a stationary one. Regardless ofwhether your attackers are armed withfirearms or contact weapons, you’regoing to be more difficult to hit if youare moving than if you try to stand talland sling lead.

Proper movement allows you tochange the dynamics of your situationand make the best use of your environ-ment. If you are caught out in theopen, movement toward cover canobviously improve your chances of sur-vival against gunfire. Against attackersarmed with contact-distance weapons,movement toward or around obstaclescan also limit their ability to target youeffectively by denying them straight-lineaccess to you.

Movement is also critically impor-tant to employing the second principle:“stacking.” Stacking is basically movingso that, from your perspective, you

put your attackers in a single line. Forexample, if you’re facing two attack-

“You’re goingto be moredifficult to hit ifyou are movingthan if you tryto stand tall

and sling lead.”




ers laterally spread in front of you, youwould move off at an angle until, from

your perspective, you see one behind theother. Done properly, this not only keepsthem from surrounding you, it forcesthem to engage you one at a time insteadof simultaneously. It also simplifies yourshooting problem by putting all yourtargets in one lane. In the process, theattacker(s) at the rear of the line serve asbackstops for your shots at the one in thefront, and the first attacker becomes yourcover against the attacker(s) in the rear.

The direction you choose to movewill always be very dependent upon theenvironment and your awareness of it.However, in general terms, moving toyour right can offer some significantadvantages. Since most people are righthanded, moving to your right makes itharder for an attacker to hit you with ahand-wielded weapon because he hasto swing it across his body to reach you.Moving in an arc around him makes youeven harder to hit.

Moving to the right also allows you tomaintain a guard or fend with your lefthand (assuming you’re also a righty) asyou draw your gun on the move. Once

your gun is out, movement to your rightenables you to use a two-handed shoot-ing platform—basically a Weaver stance

shooting to your left—as you move, af-fording you greater control and accuracy

than shooting one-handed.

Training MethodTo put all these concepts together, orga-nize a training session with a few of yourshooting buddies using blue guns andother safe training weapons like trainingknives and wiffle bats. Have the defenderstart with a holstered blue gun facing twoattackers. Then, very slowly, have theattackers initiate a scenario using bothverbalization and clear physical actionsof drawing a gun, brandishing a knife orbat, closing the distance, etc. When thedefender perceives a tangible threat, heshould move off line and attempt to stackthe attackers. As he does, he should alsoprioritize and identify threats that he’s justified in shooting and call them offverbally.

Once you’re comfortable with theseslow walkthrough scenarios, pick upthe pace and incorporate airsoft gunsand proper protective equipment. Don’trush; instead, focus on managing thedynamics of unpredictable situations andproblem solving on the fly. As you do, your

ability to perceive, prioritize and addressmultiple threats will quickly evolve. Trainsmart and stay safe.

STREET SMARTS

“Movement to your right enablesyou to use a two-handed shootingplatform as you move, affordingyou greater control and accuracythan shooting one-handed.”

How you prioritize your

responses to multipleattackers depends onthe specific scenario.

There is no one-size-fits-all response.



SMITH & WESSON

combathandguns.com28 COMBAT HANDGUNS March 2014

COMBAT TEST

BY CLAIR REES

PHOTOS BY STEVE WOODS

SD40 VE

TThere are so many autoloading pistols available today forpersonal defense that it’s easy to develop a “ho-hum” attitudewhenever a new model is introduced. “Black pistols” havebecome all but ubiquitous.

When I received a sample of Smith & Wesson’s recently intro-duced SD40 VE for testing and evaluation, I wasn’t expecting anysurprises. One S&W pistol is pretty much like any other—right?

As it turns out, no. At first glance, there’s not much to distin-guish this gun from many other autopistols on the market. Butwhen I began testing the gun, I discovered some important andnoticeable differences.

GUN DETAILSThe first thing I noticed was the gun’s hand-filling, ergonomicgrip. It slants rearward 18 degrees, causing the gun to pointnaturally toward the target when held in a “handshake” grip.Many autopistols aren’t natural pointers. The trigger fell handily

under my index finger, making it easy to control.There’s no interchangeable backstrap, but the grip fit my

hand perfectly. It lacks the “blocky” feel common to many otherpistols—a big point in its favor. Because the double-action-only(DAO) SD lacks an external safety, the only controls are the trig-ger, the slide release and the button that drops the magazinefrom its well. A tapered guard located directly behind the magrelease prevents your thumb from inadvertently ejecting themagazine before you’re ready to reload. The standard magazineholds 14 rounds, and a 10-round magazine is also available.There’s no magazine safety to prevent firing if the magazine isn’tin place.

The gun is a striker-fired design, which means there’s noexternal hammer. The lack of a manual safety makes firing asimple “point-and-shoot” operation. It’s no more difficult orcomplicated than using a double-action (DA) revolver.

One key innovation found on the SD40 VE is the Self-DefenseTrigger (SDT). It delivers a smooth, consistent trigger pull,breaking at a crisp 8 pounds. The trigger must be fully reset

before you can fire again. As Bill Booth, an S&W sales represen-tative and retired police officer, explained, “This prevents firing

tly. It lacks the “blocky” feel common to many otherig point in its favor. Because the double-action-onlyks an external safety, the only controls are the trig-

e release and the button that drops the magazinel. A tapered guard located directly behind the magents your thumb from inadvertently ejecting thefore you’re ready to reload. The standard magazinends, and a 10-round magazine is also available.agazine safety to prevent firing if the magazine isn’t

s a striker-fired design, which means there’s nomer. The lack of a manual safety makes firing a

t-and-shoot” operation. It’s no more difficult orthan using a double-action (DA) revolver.novation found on the SD40 VE is the Self-Defense). It delivers a smooth, consistent trigger pull,

a crisp 8 pounds. The trigger must be fully reset

an fire again. As Bill Booth, an S&W sales represen-tired police officer, explained, “This prevents firing

.40-caliber self-defenderbred for quick deploymentand stellar accuracy!




COMBAT HANDGUNS 29

For beginnershooters, theS&W SD40 VE

offers simplicityand ease of use.For experiencedhandgunners, it

brings to the table14+1 rounds of

robust, accurate.40-caliber fire-

power. More than1 inch of Picatinnyrail located belowthe muzzle allows

for the attachmentof lights and/orlasers, such as

the CrimsonTrace CMR-201

Rail Master.

if the trigger is inadvertently pulled again before it has a chanceto reset.”

“The 8-pound trigger with its SDT feature is specificallydesigned for shooters who haven’t had a lot of handgun train-ing,” Booth said. “It’s an ideal solution for the non-professionalshooter. It helps deliver good accuracy while providing in-creased confidence.

Smith & Wesson notes that, “With the introduction of the newSD9 VE and SD40 VE pistols, the company has taken the bestfeatures of S&W’s SD and Sigma pistols and evolved them into anew generation of firearms that meet customers’ requirementsin terms of both functionality and price.”

Unlike some autoloading pistols, the SD40 VE doesn’t requireyour using a vise-like grip to operate the slide. Even a shooterwith fairly weak hands can operate the gun. This makes it agreat choice for female shooters or aging people like me whohave gradually lost strength over the years. I now have difficulty

operating a stiff 1911 slide, but the SD40 VE is a piece of cake.The stainless steel slide features widely spaced front and rear




serrations that are easy to grip. Theserrations are a big help when you’reracking the slide.

The gun also has textured fingerlocators placed directly above the trig-gerguard on the left and right side of theframe. These recessed and stippled loca-tors help keep your index finger safelyout of the triggerguard. Get in the habit

of using them when you’re not actuallyprepared to fire, and you’ll never have anaccidental discharge.

Underneath the muzzle, a universalPicatinny-style rail accommodates tacti-cal lights, lasers and other accessories.Unfortunately, adding any of these bulkyaccessories makes the gun difficult toholster or carry concealed.

Takedown procedures are very similar

to those used to disassemble Glockpistols. After checking to make sure thatthe magazine has been removed and thatthe chamber is empty, pull the trigger touncock the striker. Next, retract the slideapproximately 0.125 inch.

While holding the slide, use the thumband forefinger of your other hand topress the takedown catches on either

side of the frame. With the catches de-pressed, move the slide forward towardthe muzzle. Be sure to retain the recoilspring and guide assembly.

Next, remove the recoil spring andguide under the barrel from the slide.Now, pull the barrel assembly free.

Proper lubrication consists of plac-ing just one drop of oil on the six pointsindicated by the instruction manual.These include the top of the barrel at themuzzle, the chamber end of the barrel,and the four stainless steel mini-railsalong which the slide rides.

Reassemble in reverse order, andtake care that the recoil spring and itsguide are properly aligned in the slide.While holding the recoil spring assemblyin place with one hand, position the rearof the slide on the forward frame rails.Move the slide as far as it will go to therear until it’s fully engaged by both setsof rails. Then, move the slide forwardinto battery.

Insert a freshly loaded magazine, rackthe slide to chamber a round, and you’reready to go. Simplicity of operation is one

of the SD VE’s big selling points. Thereare no external controls except the trig-

SPECIFICATIONS

SMITH & WESSON SD40 VE

Caliber .40 S&W

Barrel 4 inches


Weight 22.7 ounces

Grips Textured polymer

Sights Dovetailed white-dotsights front and rear

Action DAO

Finish Stainless slide, black frame

Capacity 14+1

MSRP $379

>>> SMITH & WESSON SD40 VE

The striker-fired SD40 VE comesequipped with dovetailed, high-visibility, white three-dot sights.




COMBAT HANDGUNS 31

ger, so there’s nothing to fumble withbefore putting the gun into action.

Another great selling point is its sur-prisingly low MSRP—$379. Actual “streetprices” may be somewhat less, but in thecurrent selling climate for handguns,don’t waste your time looking for a muchbetter bargain.

RANGE TIME

Reliability is perhaps the most im-portant factor in choosing a pistol forself-defense. When I took the SD40 VEto the range, the first thing I did was fire200 mixed rounds through the gun asquickly as I could load themagazines and pull thetrigger. The gun functionedperfectly throughout—nostovepipe hangups, failures to feed orother malfunctions.

I realize that firing 200 rounds maynot constitute a rigorous test, but I’mmore than satisfied with the pis-tol’s reliability. After that many rounds,I consider a gun to be pretty well brokenin. I would never hesitate to carry theSD40 VE for self-defense.

Another aspect I came to appreciateduring shooting is that the magazine is

“I’M MORE THAN SATISFIED

WITH THE SD40 VE’S

RELIABILITY. I WOULDNEVER HESITATE TO

CARRY THE GUN FOR

SELF-DEFENSE.”




easy to reload. Even without the help of amechanical loader, I was able to thumbfresh rounds into the magazine withoutdifficulty. Some resistance was evident asI fed the last few rounds, but the SD40 VE,unlike several semi-autos I own, provedvery shooter friendly when it came timeto reload the magazines.

The SD40 VE’s ergonomic grip madeit an easy-shooting gun. Recoil wasn’ta problem, and the gun effortlesslyreturned to zero after every shot. The

sights were easy to see, and the threewhite dots helped me to get back ontarget quickly. The sights are drift-adjustable if windage changes are needed,but there is no provision for changingelevation.

For accuracy testing, I used three dif-ferent factory loads: Black Hills ammuni-tion loaded with 155-grain and 180-grain jacketed-hollowpoint (JHP) bullets, andCorBon’s 140-grain DPX loads.

Testing was performed off-hand ata range of 15 yards. The Black Hills180-grain JHP ammo performed thebest, punching five-shot groups av-eraging 1.6 inches between centers. Iconsider that exceptional accuracy for a


Black Hills 155 JHP 1,148 1.95

Black Hills 180 JHP 985 1.6

Cor Bon 140 DPX 1,210 2.4

PERFORMANCE

SMITH & WESSON SD40 VE .40


BULLET WEIGHT MEASURED IN GRAINS , VELOCITY IN FEET PER SECOND ( FPS) BY CHRONOGRAPH , AND ACCURACY IN INCHES FOR BEST FIVE -SHOT GROUPS AT 15YARDS.


The business end: SD40 VE’s 4-inchbarrel has a rifling twist rate of 1 in

18.75 inches.



COMBAT TEST


Arcadia Machine & Tool (AMT) came into being, if Irecall correctly, in 1977, and their initial offering wasan all-stainless-steel 1911 pistol, the first such pistolto be made completely of this rust-resistant material. Itwas called the Hardballer, and it had lots of what were thenconsidered custom features. Over the years, AMT manu-factured a number of different handgun designs like theAutoMag series, the Lightning pistol and the Backup. At thetime I was introduced to the Backup in the late ’80s, it was avery compact, single-action (SA) semi-automatic in .380 ACP.Like all AMT handguns, it was of stainless construction, hada 2.5-inch barrel and 5+1 capacity, and was very portable. Itcame along years before today’s micro .380s, and I orderedit for that very reason—working at the time on the SouthernCalifornia border, I wanted something small with a good-sizedpunch for off-duty use. A co-worker saw it, liked it and offered

me too much money for it, so it went the way of many of myhandguns over the years.

GUN DETAILSFast forward to today. AMT is now under the High StandardFirearms, Ltd., umbrella, which also includes Interarms andUS Cartridge. AMT is still making a Backup in .380 ACP. It’s

still all-stainless and has a matte finish, but it’s double-actiononly (DAO) and weighs just 18 ounces. What caught my eye as I



is back. AMT’s classiccompact returns, streamlined to deliver5+1 rounds of .45 firepower!

BY WILLIAM BELL

PHOTOS BY STEVE WOODS


COMBAT HANDGUNS 35

The AMT .45 Backup, a classic of long-standing recently re-intro-

duced by High Standard , features an all-stainless-steel build, aDAO trigger, a 3-inch barrel and an empty weight of 23 ounces.




>>> AMT .45 BACKUP

perused the High Standard website wasanother AMT Backup, this one in .45ACP and weighing only 5 ounces morethan the .380 model! Its billing as “TheSmallest .45 ACP Auto Pistol Ever Built”had me checking its measurementsagainst the factory specs of some othercompact .45 ACP semi-automatics, andindeed it is the smallest—just barely.Its overall length is 5.75 inches, itsheight is 4.06 inches, and it has a widthof 1 inch at the grips. While it may bethe smallest, at 23 ounces it’s not thelightest, but, then again, it’s all stainlesssteel; no aluminum alloy or polymerhere. Everything on the gun (save theblack, polymer, checkered grip panels)that I checked with my magnet wassteel. That includes the five-round-capacity magazine, which has the ap-pearance of a cut-down 1911 type. This

is a locked-breech pistol, and it usesa cam mechanism to keep the actionlocked until pressures subside afterthe cartridge in the chamber is fired.The locking lug is a part of the slide andengages a circular cut in the barrel.Like the .380 ACP version, the .45 ACPBackup is DAO.

One of the first things you’ll noticewhen you examine the AMT Backup is

The Backup’s generously

sized serrations offer usersa grippable surface for

racking the slide.




COMBAT HANDGUNS 37

the lack of external controls. There isno manual safety, grip safety, hammer-drop lever, slide-release lever or even a

takedown latch. The safety amounts to,either you pull the trigger and make itgo bang or you don’t. An internal firing-pin lock prevents accidental dischargeshould the weapon be dropped. Thereis no magazine safety, so the pistol willfire with the magazine removed anda round in the chamber. The triggerpull is similar to that of a DA revolverand is rather heavy—too heavy for mytrigger-pull scale. The trigger is wideand smooth-faced, which helps some-what. From the side, the Backup lookshammerless, but it does have a hammer

that is mostly covered by the slide andframe. Unlike many U.S.-made auto-loaders, the AMT has a magazine catchin the heel of the butt. The takedown pinis flush with the left side of the frame, just above and behind the trigger (we’llcover it later). Barrel length is 3 incheswith conventional rifling, and the muzzleend is slightly larger in diameter andcone-shaped for a close fit with theslide to improve accuracy and negatethe need for a barrel bushing.

The slide itself is polished on the flatsides, as is the trigger-bar cover plate.The rest of the gun has a matte finish—probably sand- or bead-blasted. Thereare five generously sized serrations onthe rear of the slide, and up toward themuzzle are two curious ports—I suspectthat at one time there was a portedbarrel option. The recoil spring is belowthe barrel and encircles a guide rod. Alarge, heavy-duty extractor is pinnedinto the slide, and the ejection port isoversized. At the breech end of the bar-rel (seen through the port) is a smallwindow that allows you to visually check

to see if a round is chambered. Atop therounded slide is a U-shaped groove that

SPECIFICATIONS

AMT .45 BACKUP

Caliber .45 ACP

Barrel 3 inches


Weight 23 ounces (empty)Grips Polymer

Sights Fixed

Action DAO

Finish Matte stainless

Capacity 5+1

MSRP $520




serves as a rudimentary sight. Thus theBackup is what some might refer to asa “belly gun” for up-close-and-personalshooting scenarios. I’ll expound a bit

more on the sights later.Both the frame and the slide were

machined from investment castingstainless steel. There is a small flat atthe front of the triggerguard, and boththe front and backstraps of the gripframe are left smooth. The maga-zine well has a slight bevel to aid inmagazine insertion, and the base of themagazine fits flush with the butt of theframe. The design of the AMT Backupis very elementary, which translatesinto rugged reliability in most cases.Counting the major components, thereare only 33 parts that make up thishandgun, and its simplistic functionresults in fewer things to go wrong. Addthe stainless-steel construction and youhave a handgun that can operate in alltypes of environments and conditions.

Fully loaded, the AMT .45 ACPBackup weighs the better part of 2pounds. It could work for pocket carrywith a well-designed pocket holster. My15-ounce, air-weight, snub-nose .38revolver won’t make my pocket sag, thispistol felt heavy in my pocket. I decided

that its flat profile made it a good can-didate for inside-the-waistband (IWB)

>>> AMT .45 BACKUP

PERFORMANCE

AMT .45 BACKUP .45 ACP


Federal PD 847 1.78185 JHP

Speer LE Duty 751 2.11230 Gold Dot HP

Winchester USA 730 1.58230 FMJ

BULLET WEIGHT MEASURED IN GRAINS , VELOCITY IN FEET -PER-SECOND ( FPS) BY CHRONOGRAPH AND ACCURACY IN INCHES FOR BEST FIVE -SHOT GROUPS AT 7 YARDS.

The Backup’s DAO

trigger features awide, smooth face

for easier pulls.




COMBAT HANDGUNS 39

carry, so I sought out in my holstercollection a newly acquired rig from N8²Tactical that is called the Original. It fitthe AMT Backup perfectly and made thegun a pleasure to carry.

RANGE TIME

For ammunition I selected three .45 ACPloads. The first was Federal’s PersonalDefense load with a 185-grain jacketedhollow point (JHP). This is a traditionalJHP with a wide, hollow nose and ser-rated jacket. My next pick was the SpeerLE Duty Ammunition which features a230-grain Gold Dot HP bullet. The Gold

Dot has a Uni-Cor jacket bonding thatvirtually eliminates jacket-core separa-tion, and is also designed for maximumpenetration with optimal expansion tomeet LE ammo requirements. Lastly,for the purists, I included Winchester“White Box” cartridges featuring thevenerable 230-grain full-metal-jacket(FMJ) or “ball” bullets. No expansion ex-pected here, just deep penetration anda 0.45-inch-diameter hole in the target;plus, it will feed reliably in almost any.45 ACP handgun.

Range time was better than averageon a really nice mid-August day. The

first order of business was to measurevelocities of my test ammo through theshort barrel of the AMT .45 ACP Backup.This was accomplished with my OehlerModel 35P chronograph, and the resultsare in the performance table. I was ac-tually pleased with the muzzle velocityreadings given the abbreviated barrel.Next, I put my sandbag on the benchand loaded up my five-round magazinesfor an accuracy evaluation. My test pro-tocol was to shoot three 5-shot groups,and as this is a short-barrel DAO pistol,the distance was to be 7 yards. I put upsome rather large bullseye targets,as I really didn’t know what to expectfrom the “sights” adding in the DAOtrigger pull. The targets have a smallorange center aiming point, and Ifound that at 7 yards it pretty muchfilled up the U-shaped aiming notch of

the pistol if aligned properly. This wasmy point of aim (POA) for all the testloads, and I found for the most part thatthe bullets tended to impact 1 inch to3.5 inches above the POA. When I heldmy mouth right, I got some really goodgroups. The best measured 1.58 incheswith the Winchester 230-grain ballammo; it also produced the best overallgroup average and was closest to thePOA. Again, I will direct your attention tothe performance table.

With the formal target work com-pleted, it was time to do some practical

shooting with the AMT Backup. Thefive-round magazine made the use ofmy standard 30-round combat course alittle challenging, but I modified it a bitto still get in the four stages, just witha few less rounds. I loaded up the pistoland extra magazine with a mix of thetest ammo, and put the gun in the N8²Original IWB holster and the extra magin the MagHolder, both of which I at-tached inside or on the waistband of mycargo pants. I placed a “Bad Guy” sil-houette target down at the 15-yard line,and I situated myself 3 yards back fromit. On the buzz of my electronic timer, Ipulled the Backup from the holster and,using my strong hand, fired six roundsinto the target’s center mass. I did amagazine change and fired five morerounds center mass. I again loaded upgun and magazine and moved back tothe 7-yard line. Here I drew and fired adouble-tap, kept the gun in a high ready/search position, then, on signal, fired asecond double-tap. On the next beep,I fired one round, performed a magchange and fired two more rounds. I

reholstered, then, on the signal, drew andfired two shots center mass and one to

"When the shooting session was over, Iwas more than pleased with the perfor-

mance of the AMT .45 ACP Backup. Thislittle gun works, and rather well at that."




you carry a pistol, odds aregood that you need a holster.The purpose of a holster isto securely hold and provideaccess to your firearm. Simple,

right? Not so much. Holsters are a lotlike shoes. One size does not fit all. Ifyou’ve been carrying for a while, youprobably have a holster bag, the placewhere old holsters go to die. Don’t feelbad—we all have them. Holsters are veryindividual, and what works great for memay not be what is best for you.

Holsters come in leather, suede,Kydex (which is a molded thermoplasticacrylic), fabric or some combinationthereof. The most common are leather,Kydex or a leather/Kydex hybrid. Thereare advantages and disadvantages to

each. For example, suede can collapseon itself, making holstering your firearman issue. Leather can squeak, and Kydexcan make a loud clunk if you bumpsomething. Fabric may collapse on itselfor feel less than secure. These should allbe considerations when you’re choosingyour holster.

CCW LifestyleSo, how do you choose a holster?Consider your lifestyle and your usualmanner of dress. Are you casual?Dressy? Usually wear two pieces? Skirtsor dresses? All of these questions canstart to drive you to a holster style, be itan ankle, inside-the-waistband (IWB),thigh, bra or corset rig, etc. You want tohave a holster that works for you at least70 percent of the time. You can have asecond option for the exceptions. Whynot change up your carry method everyday based on what you are wearing?Consistency! And that can be expen-sive. You will need to practice and getcomfortable with your holster so that ina moment of need, you reach right for

your gun and find it. You do not want toreach to your hip, then your chest, then

your thigh, only to remember it is on yourankle. I call that the “body pat,” as in“Where is my gun today?” Not only doesit take valuable seconds, but you havealso just told your attacker that you aresearching for a weapon.

Once you have determined your mostfrequent style of dress and the holsterlocation(s) that will work with that style,it is time to shop. Remember that mostholsters are sized or molded to your

particular model of firearm. Some mayaccommodate multiple models within a

limited size range, but the one-size-fits-all rigs are sometimes not a good idea.Ask friends, borrow holsters, ask yourinstructor for suggestions, but as previ-ously mentioned, what works for me maynot work for you. That said, if you heargreat things from several people about aholster, it might be worth trying.

Myriad OptionsIf you wear two-piece clothing with a

cover garment, consider strong-side hip(right hip for right-handers) IWB carry.

LADIES ONLY


If

DEEP CONCEALMENTHOLSTER OPTIONSEveryday carry rigs and tactics tokeep you covered anytime, anywhere!BY LYNNE FINCH PHOTOS BY SEAN UTLEY

Among the different means of concealment available to female shooters are the Looper

Ava IWB holster (above), and Femme Fatale’s garter (left) and corset (right) holsters.



Whether for home protection or self-defense, the new Beretta Nano is

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NANO TECHNOLOGY:

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EXTENDED MAGAZINE:

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s 2 MORE ROUNDS OF PREVENTION

s 1 EXTRA INCH OF GRIP SURFACE




For many this is the default carry posi-tion—easy to access and very secure.Remember, the smaller the pistol, themore difficult they usually are to shoot.My personal-favorite style of IWB is ahybrid—a leather backing with a moldedKydex shell attached and clips to attachto my waistband. This affords me thebest retention of my firearm while mini-mizing the print, or outline, of my gun.My personal favorite is from Looper LawEnforcement, and it’s called the “Ava.”It is high-quality leather with a lovelypurple suede backing, and the clipsadjust to raise of lower the holster. Whatmakes this holster my favorite is the cutof the leather—it is cut lower than mosthybrids, which tend to have a high archin the middle. If, like me, you are slightlyshort-waisted, this will dig into your ribs.The Ava, being cut lower, doesn’t dig in.

If you wear dresses and skirts a lot,consider a thigh band. Thigh bands aregenerally worn on the weak-side leg,high on the thigh with the gun on theinside. There is something a little sexy,in a Bond Girl kind of way, about wearinga thigh holster. There are a couple com-panies that make them now. First thereis Remora, which makes a thigh/anklecombination option. Remora holstersare pocket holsters that have an outer“skin” that clings to you or your garmentsurprisingly well. Another company isFemme Fatale. They also make an ankle-

sleeve holster and a corset-style holster.These are a fabric covered in lace. Forme, it was love at first sight, and I wantedone in every color! The thigh band isa slip-on with a pocket for a small- tomid-size pistol. There are a couple othermanufacturers that make a thigh bandthat also have garters or a waist strap tomake it feel more secure.

A popular option for women isthe Flashbang from Looper LawEnforcement. It is essentially a Kydexclamshell that your compact pistol snapsinto, and it has a strap that hooks overthe center of the bra. The clamshell thentucks up under the front edge. To accessyour gun, you reach up under your topand pull it straight down.

Breaking It InYou’ve chosen your primary carrymethod, you have selected a holster.Now what? You need to break it in. I keepa blue gun in the same model as each ofmy carry guns so that I can use them forthat purpose, but you can use your carrygun as well, although when it comes

time to practice drawing, you need toensure you have unloaded the pistol and

established a safe direction. I will wearmy holster around the house, with a bluegun, usually for several days. I want toget the feel of it; does it rub me in anyarea, can I avoid reaching around for itto ensure it is there? Is it secure? Doesthe gun shift when I walk, stand, sit orclimb stairs? If it is a leather holster, thisis my time to gradually shape the holsterexactly to my gun simply by wearing it.If you get a lot of squeak, don’t oil it, as

that can cause the leather to becometoo soft. Sometimes talc or baby powdercan get rid of the squeak, but you needto be careful that you don’t get powder inyour gun.

This is also your chance to trust yourholster. We all have some questionswhen we first get a new holster. Will itretain my gun? Will it leave a blister? Willit make noise? Will it stay in place? Youneed to be sure that your holster worksfor you and your gun. Do not leave thehouse until you have worn it for severaldays, know that it stays in place and canspend the day without doing the holsterpat check.

During the break-in period, you aren’t just breaking in the holster—you arebreaking in you. You are learning to trustthe holster, get comfortable, and youare practicing accessing your firearm.

Each carry method requires a variationon the draw method. You need to practice

sweeping whatever cover garment youhave, accessing, drawing and orientingyour firearm until you can do it smoothly,consistently and confidently. When youneed it is not the time to figure out howto get to it—it needs to be second nature.Most ranges have very strict policiesabout drawing from a holster. This is toprevent the shooter from sweeping thosearound them, pointing the muzzle to theside as one brings the gun around to

orient toward the target. So, you need topractice at home. Again, I encourage theuse of blue guns for this activity,but if youare using your carry gun, always unload,check it visually and stick your finger inthe chamber just to be sure, then checkit again! Redundancy helps keep yousafe. Then, go to your safe area, with noammunition nearby, and practice. If youcan watch yourself in a mirror, great.Video also works wonders to help us seewhere we can improve our drawstroke tobe smoother.

There are lots of options. Fun carrystyles are appearing for women every day.Be safe, be consistent and be armed.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Femme Fatalefemmefataleholsters.com

Looper Law Enforcementlooperlawenforcement.com; 405-677-1655

Remora Holstersremoraholsters.com; 239-434-7200

LADIES ONLY

The Ava IWB holster offers fast access to your firearm. When wearing an open cover

garment, the strong hand can sweep away the garment while reaching for the gun.

“Every carry method requires adifferent draw method. You need topractice until you can do it smoothly.”



combathandguns.com

Carry-friendly pocket nine deliverstop-notch performance at a bargain price!BY CHAD THOMPSON PHOTOS BY STEVE WOODS

CPX-2

COMBAT TEST


As I write this, my home state of North Carolina has justcreated a much friendlier environment for concealed carryhandgun (CCH) permit holders by passing a number ofchanges to our state CCH law. These changes have been a longtime coming and are a good thing for those of us who havedecided to take personal responsibility for our family’s safety.I do not have any definite figures in front of me, but I firmlybelieve that the majority of handgun manufacturers today arefocusing on small, concealable handguns because the marketfor such guns is booming. Nearly every handgun owner in theUnited States wants or has a handgun suitable for concealedcarry. For their consideration, SCCY presents the CPX-2 9mm.

Since I first encountered SCCY, I’ve been consistentlypleased with its products. Solid American manufacturing and acommitment to customer satisfaction is what SCCY is all about,and to me, that is a great thing to be devoted to. My version ofits new CPX-2 is the two-tone model, with the stainless uppermated to the polymer frame, and it is easy on the eyes from thestart. The pistol came in a black box along with the requisitepaperwork, a small bottle of oil, two magazines with fingerextensions and a safety lock with two keys.

Now, one area in which SCCY goes above and beyond other

manufacturers is with its magazines. It not only provides theend user with the comfort of finger-grooved baseplates, but

also includes with the pistol two extra flat-based magazinepads to aid in carrying the pistol concealed. An interestingside note is the fact that SCCY manufactures their own maga-zines in house to ensure quality control. The mags I receivedwith this test pistol were 10-round mags, and I could actuallyget one extra in each mag, totaling 12 rounds once I had onein the chamber. That is a lot of rounds in a small package forconcealed carry.

GUN DETAILSThe SCCY CPX-2 is a subcompact, polymer-framed pistol thatoperates in traditional double-action-only (DAO) mode. There isa concealed hammer that is slightly visible when you’re pullingthe trigger, just before the hammer falls forward. The hammeris never exposed outside the slide, and this helps keep it fromcatching on anything during the draw (or any other time for thatmatter). This pistol is ingenious in its simplicity as there areonly two devices on the frame that are used to operate the gun:one is the slide stop (the company calls this a slide hold-openlever) and the other is the magazine release.

The CPX-2’s lack of an external manual safety is definitely aplus in my opinion, and here’s why—the rolling 7-pound trigger

is not going to go off by itself, and it takes over 1 full inch oftravel for the trigger to f ire the pistol. That translates into fewer

combathandguns.com

BY CHAD THOMPSON PHOTOS BY STEVE WOODS

rolina has justr concealed carry

g a number ofges have been a longe of us who have

or our family’s safety.of me, but I firmlyufacturers today are because the marketandgun owner in theitable for concealedents the CPX-2 9mm.n consistentlymanufacturing and ahat SCCY is all about,ed to. My version of the stainless upperon the eyes from thewith the requisitezines with finger.e and beyond other

t only provides thed baseplates, but

also includes with the pistol two extra flat-based magazinepads to aid in carrying the pistol concealed. An interestingside note is the fact that SCCY manufactures their own maga-zines in house to ensure quality control. The mags I receivedwith this test pistol were 10-round mags, and I could actuallyget one extra in each mag, totaling 12 rounds once I had onein the chamber. That is a lot of rounds in a small package forconcealed carry.

GUN DETAILSThe SCCY CPX-2 is a subcompact, polymer-framed pistol thatoperates in traditional double-action-only (DAO) mode. There isa concealed hammer that is slightly visible when you’re pullingthe trigger, just before the hammer falls forward. The hammeris never exposed outside the slide, and this helps keep it fromcatching on anything during the draw (or any other time for thatmatter). This pistol is ingenious in its simplicity as there areonly two devices on the frame that are used to operate the gun:one is the slide stop (the company calls this a slide hold-openlever) and the other is the magazine release.

The CPX-2’s lack of an external manual safety is definitely aplus in my opinion, and here’s why—the rolling 7-pound trigger

is not going to go off by itself, and it takes over 1 full inch oftravel for the trigger to f ire the pistol. That translates into



combathandguns.com March 2014 COMBAT HANDGUNS 45

“N early every handgun ownerin the United States wants

or has a handgun suitablefor concealed carry.

For their consideration,

SCCY presentsthe CPX-2 9mm.”

combathandguns.

Simple, easy-shooting,

eminently concealable, andweighing just 15 ouncesand measuring 5.7 inches

long overall, the stainlesssteel and polymer-framed

SCCY CPX-2 9mm is ideallysuited to everyday carry.




>>> SCCY CPX-2

C H A D T

H O M P S O N P

H O T O

“The stainless steel

slide and barrel have

a clean-looking

finish that fits well

with the black polymer

frame both aesthetically

and functionally.”

features to forget in a stressful encoun-ter. Despite its lack of an external safety,the CPX-2 is a perfectly safe handgun,as the pistol’s trigger design preventsthe pistol from firing until the trigger ispulled all the way through.

Located inside the new-age polymerframe is a full-length metal chassisthat is the fire-control system itself.I know this is not really importantwhen it comes to shooting the gun,but I also loved the fact that theserial number is stampedon the rear of that metalchassis just below theconcealed hammer,right in view of theowner/handler. Thestainless steel slideand barrel have aclean-looking bead-

blast-type finish thatfits well with the flatblack polymer frameboth aesthetically andfunctionally.

Looking at theseparts of the pistol oneat a time, I was veryhappy with the frame




construction for a number of reasons.The polymer used to make the frameisn’t the kind of polymer that sticks to

items such as clothing or holsters. It isa smooth-feeling polymer that feels likea real gun in the hand and not some-thing made by Mattel. I liked the moldedconfiguration of the frame, including thelarger triggerguard, the finger groovesmolded into the frontstrap, the magazinewell extensions molded into the frontand back of the magazine well, and Iespecially liked the recoil-dampeningbackstrap. This backstrap, which lookslike something designed by someoneat the space program, has little gaps init that aid in minimizing felt recoil. The

mag release is located in the usual spot,directly behind the triggerguard on the

SPECIFICATIONS

SCCY CPX-2

Caliber 9mm

Barrel 3.1 inches


Weight 15 ouncesGrips Zytel polymer

Sights Drift-adjustable three-dot

Action DAO

Finish Stainless slide, black frame

Capacity 10+1

MSRP $319

Finger grooves onthe CPX-2’s textured

grip provide fora sure hold while

drawing and firing.Note the smooth-faced mag catch.




left side of the frame. According to theBrownells trigger gauge, the triggerpull weight was a smooth, consistent7.2 pounds.

The stainless steel slide and upper as-sembly, which support a bar stock stain-less barrel, feature a strong externalextractor, aggressive friction cuts in the

rear of the slide, and clean, easy-to-seethree-dot sights. The pistol I received totest had an almost rounded, carry-meltlook to the slide.

The sights are above and beyond whatI have come to expect on a subcompactcarry gun, with the front sight beingpeened in through the top of the slideand the rear sight dovetailed in with asetscrew on top for quick and simpleadjustments, if needed.

RANGE TIME

With this pistol being in the subcompactfamily, I started out at the 7-yard line toget a feel for the trigger. I realized prettyquickly that I was going to have to moveback a little more because I was gettingseveral rounds in one hole, and it washard to tell how many were on target.Moving to the 10-yard line, I startedshooting for groups while simultaneouslyrunning those same rounds over thechronograph to see how fast they weremoving. I shot from a seated benchrestposition using a wadded-up rifle mat toprop my hands on while shooting.

One of the two magazines suppliedwith the pistol would not consistently

hold the slide open on the last round. Tome, that isn’t a big issue, although it maybe to some. The other mag worked as itshould, locking the slide to the rear atthe end of each string of fire. However,both mags ran great the entire time Ishot the pistol with no malfunctions atall. I used Remington 124-grain FMJ,American Eagle 124-grain FMJ and someof the RUAG Copper-Matrix 85-grainfrangible ammo to test the handgun.

All of the ammo worked great in thislittle pistol, and all of it was very ac-curate. At 1.1 inches, Remington’s 124grain was the tightest shooting. Next inline was RUAG at 2 inches. Third was theAmerican Eagle at 2.25 inches.

Other than the one magazine notholding the slide back all of the time,there were absolutely no issues with thispistol while on the range. The Remingtonammo averaged out at 1,089 feet persecond (fps) for five rounds over the

PACT Chronograph. The American Eagle

PERFORMANCE

SCCY CPX-2 9MM


Federal American 1,030 2.25Eagle 124 FMJ

Remington 124 FMJ 1,089 1.10

RUAG 85 SX 1,390 2.00BULLET WEIGHT MEASURED IN GRAINS , VELOCITY IN FEET PER SECOND ( FPS) BY CHRONOGRAPH , AND ACCURACY IN INCHES FOR BEST FIVE -SHOT GROUPS AT 10YARDS.


>>> SCCY CPX-2

The CPX-2 is graced withnicely visible, white three-dot

sights. The dovetailed rearsight features a set screw

and can be easily adjusted.




COMBAT TEST

COLT

MARK IVSERIES 70

The Colt Mark IV Series 70 is a gun with immediate appeal to two groups of shooters:the ones who really like nostalgia when it’s perfectly done (count me among them) andthe ones who want a very solid 1911 on which to build the gun of their dreams. Afterall, the 1911 is the most customizable handgun in the world, and a number of shoot-ers prefer starting their custom job with something made by the old firm in Hartford,Connecticut, with a prancing horse on the slide. I spent a few days putting this particu-lar “horse” through its paces, and I was very pleased with the results.

GUN DETAILS

The Mark IV Series 70 is a 1911A1 version of the old warhorse with a couple essentialmodern improvements. The gun has good high-profile sights, with the front sight stakedand the rear sight in a dovetail groove. One could drift the rear sight to adjust for wind-age, but no adjustment was needed in the test sample. The feed ramp is relieved in aninteresting fashion: Only a bare minimum of metal was removed from the bottom center

of the ramp. This is unlike some of the more radical throating jobs I’ve seen on 1911s,

but it obviously works, as the gun digested everything I fed it, from ball ammo to hollowpoints with gaping cavities. And that’s about it. This Colt is the same one that fought wars




COMBAT HANDGUNS 51

BY STEVE AUSBAND

PHOTOS BY SEAN UTLEY

New sights aside, the ColtMark IV Series 70 is virtually

indistinguishable from the1911A1 Colt first introduced

in 1924—a fact evident not

only in the Series 70’s specsand features, but also in

its stellar build quality andrugged dependability.

Old soldiers never die.The proof: Colt’s ultra-rugged,

heavy-hitting .45 warhorse!




S T E V E A

U S B A N D P

H O T O

>>> COLT MARK IV SERIES 70

“I spent a fairamount of timeon the bench, butI spent about as

much time rollingtin cans on thebackstop...TheMark IV Series 70is an awful lot offun to shoot.”

and righted wrongs since its introduction,only now it has sights you can see and willfeed hollow points. The sights, by the way,rise above the slide about 0.19 inches, andthe notch in the rear sight is 0.12 incheswide, with the ramped front sight havingthe same width. This, coupled with a sightradius of just over 6 inches, allows fora little “air” around the front sight andmakes accurate shooting at a distancemuch easier than it is with the minisculesights on the original.

The sights are large

and easily usable, animprovement over

the sights on the 1924

version of the A1, andone of the very few

real changes.




COMBAT HANDGUNS 53

The gun does not have a firing-pinsafety, relying instead on a light firing pinand a stout firing-pin spring to keep thepotential litigants at bay. The mainspringhousing is arched, the trigger is shortwith six longitudinal grooves, and thereare relief cuts in the frame beside thetriggerguard—another accommodationfor shooters with smaller hands. Mostof the 1911s I shoot these days have flatmainspring housings and long triggers,and these suit my oversized mitts just fine. Nevertheless, I very quicklyreadjusted to the A1-style mainspringhousing and trigger configuration. Myfirst experiences with Mr. Browning’smasterpiece were with the A1 variety,after all, and I am about as comfortablewith one style as I am with the other.

The finish is a deep blue and nicelypolished on the slide and the frame’s

sides. The top of the slide, the bottomof the frame and the front of the gripall have non-reflective, matte surfaces.The back of the mainspring housing haseight longitudinal grooves, and the veryhandsome rosewood grips are check-ered in the double-diamond pattern. Thisgun does not have night sights (nor eventhree-dot sights), a full-length guiderod, a lowered and flared ejection port, abeveled magazine well, hex screws on thegrips, rails to hang stuff on, a rowel ham-mer, an oversized grip safety, a key-locksafety feature, or a firing-pin safety. Aside

from its sights, the Mark IV Series 70 isthe gun that Colt began making in 1924(the year the 1911A1 was introduced) andthat made Colt famous. Hell, even the boxthe gun comes in is retro! It’s made out ofcardboard (blue, of course, with the Coltemblem on the top) and contains a pistol,two seven-round magazines, a cable lock,an instruction manual and an invitationto join the NRA. No hard-plastic carryingcase with a hole for a padlock, bushingwrench or cleaning brush. You open the

SPECIFICATIONS

COLT MARK IV SERIES 70

Caliber .45 ACP

Barrel 5 inches


Weight 37.5 ounces

Grips Dark rosewood, checkered

Sights High-profile

Action SA

Finish Blued

Capacity 7+1

MSRP $1,074




box and you’re back in the early yearsof the 20th century—and that’s not abad thing at all.

The trigger broke cleanly at 5 pounds.

While this may be a bit heavy for some,it is a good approximation of the way thepistol has been set up since its begin-nings. Also, since the Series 70 lacks afiring-pin safety, gunsmiths who special-

ize in trigger work have an easy time adjusting the trigger to a shooter’s desires.

Without a one- or two-piece full-lengthguide rod and Allen wrench to complicatethings, and with no need for a bushing

wrench, disassembly and reassembly forroutine cleaning are as straightforwardand simple as they were in 1911. Theweapon’s wood-to-metal and metal-

to-metal fits are both very smooth andattractive. This is not a tight gun, however.The fit of slide to the frame is not rattlin’loose, but it is certainly not as tight as thefit on some 1911s. A tighter gun may be

capable of slightly better accuracy, butthe extra tolerances built into this Coltare there to ensure absolute reliability.Based on what this gun was designedfor, it is better to have absolute reliability

than to risk compromising that for a slightimprovement in accuracy. I gave the pistola routine cleaning and inspection whenI first received it, and then fired over 400

rounds without further cleaning. Therewere no malfunctions of any kind.

RANGE TIME

I spent a fair amount of time on the bench

testing different loads for accuracy and

getting chronograph figures, but I spentabout as much time rolling tin cans on


The short guide rod is the

same as that designed by Mr.Browning for the original 1911.

It still works perfectly, anddisassembly is easy and fast.




COMBAT HANDGUNS 55

the backstop and seeing if I could hitmilk-jug-sized targets at 50 yards. (Yep,that was pretty easy.) This gun is an awfullot of fun to shoot. Accuracy testing wasdone with four different loads from asandbag rest at 25 yards. Taken together,the groups averaged between 3 and 4inches for five shots, which is not bad foran out-of-the-box gun being fired from25 yards off a sandbag by a guy with oldeyes. Testing the gun with a mechani-

cal rest to eliminate shooter error wouldbetter reveal the gun’s inherent accuracy,of course.

Shooting for the record was done withWinchester’s “White Box” 230-grainFMJ and Hornady’s Steel Match loads,plus two very potent self-defense loadsfrom both manufacturers. Winchester’sPDX1 features a copper-jacketed hollowpoint traveling at well over 900 feet persecond (fps). It’s a formidable load, andthe difference in recoil between it and the

BULLET WEIGHT MEASURED IN GRAINS , VELOCITY IN FEET PER SECOND ( FPS) BY CHRONOGRAPH , AND ACCURACY IN INCHES FOR BEST FIVE -SHOT GROUPS AT 25YARDS.

PERFORMANCE

COLT MARK IVSERIES 70 .45 ACP


Hornady 185 1,101 3.68Personal Defense

Hornady 230 778 2.76Steel Match

Winchester 922 3.68230 PDX1

Winchester 838 2.95230 Target Range




here’s nothing new about .22LR versions of larger-calibersemi-automatic handguns.They’ve been around since1931, when Colt began offering

the M1911A1 as the Colt Ace (first as the.22 LR Commercial Model with a 4.75-inch barrel in 1931 and then the ServiceModel with a 5-inch barrel in 1935). Sincethen, many arms-makers domestic andforeign have followed suit with .22-calibermodels, including Walther, which estab-lished the framework for its future .22 LRpistols back in the 1930s with the PPK.Walther had previously manufactured .22LR sporting pistols such as the Model1926 and 1932 Olympia series, but thePPK was the first to be based on a larger-caliber model. After WWII, Walther alsoproduced .22 LR variations of the 9mmP.38, as well as a .22 LR conversion kit.

In the modern-day world of .22 semi-autos, Walther has had one of, if not themost successful .22 LR pistols on themarket, the P22, which was introducedin 2001. Basically a 3/4-scale versionof the Walther P99, there are numer-

ous versions of this remarkably popular.22-caliber pistol available today. Which

raises the question, “Why build another.22 semi-auto when you’ve had a corneron the .22 market for over 12 years?” Theanswer, according to Eyck Pflaumer ofUmarex (Walther’s parent company), issimply to offer a full-sized handgun in .22LR identical to the very latest Walther tac-tical model, the PPQ M2, which was justintroduced in 2013.

The greatest differences betweenWalther’s popular P22 line and the newPPQ M2 is that the PPQ M2 .22 is a trueduty-sized carry gun suitable for trainingpurposes as well as conventional plinkingand target shooting. The PPQ .22 will alsobe available in tactical and target versionsas well as a 5-inch model.

Gun DetailsThe Walther PPQ M2 .22 is a 1:1 scalesemi-auto that looks, feels and operatesexactly the same as the centerfire PPQM2. Feature for feature, it is identicalbut in the vastly more affordable .22rimfire chambering. Like the 9mm and.40 S&W versions, the PPQ M2 .22 hasthe same ergonomic layout with elon-

gated, ambidextrous slide releases thatmake operation effortless on the reload.

The new .22 also incorporates the M2’sframe-mounted magazine release, whichis a notable disconnect from previousmodels that have incorporated Walther’striggerguard-mounted ambidextrousmagazine release. This was the mostnotable alteration on the larger-caliberPPQ M2 as compared to the first PPQseries (2011-2012), which employed theP99-type magazine release. While thenew button-style magazine release is notambidextrous, it is reversible for left-handed use.

More significantly, on the PPQ design(caliber notwithstanding) is the changefrom DA/SA to pre-cocked (single ac-tion) operation with Walther’s “QuickDefense” trigger system. A Glock-styletrigger incorporating a safety toggle,this design was first seen on the P99 QA,along with the conspicuous absence ofboth the cocking indicator at the backof the slide and a decocking lever of theP99. This is a tradeoff for the PPQ designacross the board and really comes downto a personal choice in features. You giveup the option of decocking the gun, the

visual and tactile tell at the back of theslide if the action has been cycled and,


T

WALTHERPPQ M2 .22Full-sized trainer and plinker pairs wellwith its 9mm/.40 S&W brethren!BY DENNIS ADLER PHOTOS COURTESY WALTHER

combathandguns.com

RIMFIRES




more importantly, the second-strikecapability should a round fail to fire.On a very strong plus side, you gain anambidextrous slide release, the integral-safety “Quick Defense” trigger system,improved front and rear slide serrations,new grip texturing, and a conventionalbutton magazine release.

Following the PPQ design, the .22’sgrip angle, frame contours, length, widthand height are otherwise identical. Thegun weighs roughly 3 ounces less, at 21ounces unloaded, due to its construction,combining an investment-cast zinc alloyframe with an aluminum slide and steelbarrel. Internally, the blowback action ofthe .22 differs entirely from the 9mm and.40 S&W models by utilizing an evolutionof the Walther PPK design with a fixedbarrel threaded onto the locking blockand frame, combined with a separateguide rod and light recoil spring for easeof chambering and clearing the gun. Thetrigger pull is also significantly lighterthan a PPK/S .22 model’s.

The PPQ .22 has an overall length of

7.2 inches, a height of 5.48 inches, a widthof 1.28 inches, a barrel length of 4 inches,

a weight of 21 ounces empty, a 12-roundmagazine capacity, a fixed front sight anda click-adjustable target rear sight.

The takedown procedure for field-stripping the PPQ is the same as usedon the P99, P22 and other models in theP99 family, which means this is one of thequickest guns to break down for cleaning.Another plus for the PPQ .22.

Range TestDuring a recent visit to the Arnsberg,Germany, facility I had the opportunityto see the PPQ M2 .22 being manufac-tured and to fire a sample at the factorytest range. Right off, this is a very easypistol to load due to the ease with which

the ambidextrous slide release oper-ates, requiring only modest effort. Thecontoured, textured grip fits comfortablyinto the hand, allows solid purchase andprovides the balance you want in a full-sized pistol. The trigger pull is short, withonly about 0.5 inches of total travel (in-cluding the trigger safety), zero overtraveland a quick reset. The factory test rangehad targets set at 10 meters (33 feet), andthe new PPQ .22 performed without fault,with all shots grouping inside of 2 inches.

With a suggested retail price of $425,the standard PPQ .22 lands smack in themiddle of the price range for high-end .22semi-autos.

That Walther has managed to soquickly follow up with a .22 LR versionof the new PPQ M2 is a testament to thecompany’s dedication, vision and abilityto meet market demand with pinpointaccuracy. This is a perfect full-sizehandgun in .22 LR that feels as much likethe 9mm model as possible until you pullthe trigger. In terms of desirable features,the PPQ M2 .22 is exactly what one looksfor in a .22 based on a larger-caliber

handgun. For more information, visitwaltherarms.com.

RIMFIRES

“At the Arnsberg, Germany,test range...the new PPQ .22performed without fault, with allshots grouping inside of 2 inches.”

SPECIFICATIONS

WALTHER PPQ M2 .22

Caliber .22 LR

Barrel 4 inches


Weight 21 ounces (empty)

Grips Polymer

Sights Fixed front,adjustable target rear

Action Striker-fired

Finish Matte black

Capacity 12+1

MSRP $425



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NAA SIDEWINDER

combathandguns.com

Fast-loading five-shot.22 Mag. redefinesdeep-cover self-defense!BY WILLIAM BELL PHOTOS BY STEVE WOODS


North American Arms’ mini-revolvers,

in various forms and configurations,

have been around for some 40 years.The first was a tiny, single-action (SA),.22 Short five-shooter that weighed only4 ounces and had an overall length of3.62 inches. It was the ultimate conceal-ment piece. It could be easily hidden, andits stainless steel construction permittedcarriage in many imaginative places.Over the years, NAA has introducedother ultra-small .22 SA revolvers, in .22LR and .22 Magnum. While their size andfeatures have varied, they all load andunload the same: by removing the cyl-inder. Under the best of circumstances

this is a slow process. Add stress and thefine motor skills required to accomplishthis task, and reload speeds diminishconsiderably. Essentially, you had fivegood shots, and that was practically it,

time to exit stage left.But recently, NAA addressed this

particular topic with new models like thePug and Black Widow, which each had alarge, pull-down-and-turn latch integralwith the cylinder pin that made reloadssimpler and faster. And a year or soago, NAA offered a hinged-frame modelwith a top-break lock and simultane-ous ejection of empty cases, but thiswheelgun was expensive, complicated toproduce and ultimately dropped from theline. Then in late 2012, I began to hearabout a new NAA mini-revolver with aswing-out cylinder, such as is found onmost of today’s full-sized double-action

wheelguns. Turns out the rumblingswere true, and near 2012’s end I foundmyself in possession of the newest, andarguably the best, NAA mini-revolver,the Sidewinder.

GUN DETAILSSporting the usual stainless steelconstruction and laminated-wood grip

panels, the Sidewinder stands out asbeing easy and fast to load and reload.Unlike 99 percent of modern revolvers,the Sidewinder’s cylinder swings outon its crane to the right, instead of theleft. Cylinder release is accomplishedby pulling forward on the cylinder pin/ejector rod, which has a knurled end,and then pushing the cylinder out to theright. The hammer must be cocked to thefirst click, and a housing on the bottomof the barrel holds the rod in place. Twolocking points are located on the barrelbelow the muzzle and at the rear of thecylinder, respectively. The cylinder canbe safely loaded with five cartridges, asslots are machined into the outside rearof the cylinder as a rest for the firing pin,which is integral to the hammer nose.There are also windows at the backof the counter-bored cylinder cham-bers, which provide visual indication ofwhether or not the gun is loaded.

As I stated earlier, the NAA mini-re-volvers are SA guns. You have to manu-ally cock the hammer, which rotates andlocks the cylinder into place for firing. As

you draw the hammer back, you can hearthree distinct clicks. The first notch is for

COMBAT TEST



“THE SIDEWINDER

HARKENS BACK TO

THE 19TH-CENTURY

VEST-POCKET PISTOLSOFTEN SEEN IN

MOVIE WESTERNS.”

March 2014

COMBAT HANDGUNS 61

The epitome of pocket firepower,

the 6.7-ounce North AmericanArms Sidewinder, unlike previous

NAA mini-revolvers, featuresa swing-out cylinder for easierreloading of the gun’s five .22

Magnum cartridges. Crafted instainless steel, the Sidewinder also

includes rosewood grips, a spurredSA trigger and a front sight post.

combathandguns.com




increased effectiveness. Six different

cartridges plus a shot capsule load coverall of the aforementioned territory. Fordefensive use I favor the CCI Maxi Mag+V round with its 30-grain JHP bullet.

Hornady, another well-known name, of-fers three loads in .22 Magnum, the new-est of which is in the Critical Defense lineand features a 45-grain FTX bullet thathas a serrated, hollow nose with a red

rubber insert to assist with controlledexpansion. This round was optimized for

short barrels and, performance-wise,compares favorably with the CriticalDefense load in .380 ACP. The originator

of the .22 Magnum is Winchester, andtoday it catalogs five loads. Winchester’sdefense-oriented cartridge is the ElitePDX1 .22 Magnum Defender, which has

a 40-grain JHP bullet that looks like a

miniature version of the famous SXT bul-let and has been formulated for threat-stopping performance with a balance ofmaximum expansion and penetration.

Since the NAA Sidewinder is easierand faster to reload than its predeces-sors, there is now more of a reason tocarry extra ammunition on your person.QuickStrips from Tuff Products seem

to be the answer. Each QuickStrip holds10 rounds and comes two to a pack.

The QuickStrips are perfect for pocketcarry, and Tuff also makes a belt pouchfor them if you prefer. With both strips

full and counting the five cartridgesin the gun, you have four 5-roundreloads for a total of 25 rounds of .22Magnum firepower.

“IF YOU DO YOUR PART,

THE NAA SIDEWINDERIS CAPABLE OF MORE- THAN-ADEQUATE

COMBAT ACCURACY AT REASONABLE

DISTANCES.”

Located at the back ofthe Sidewinder’s counter-bored cylinder chambers

are small “windows”that provide users a visual

indication as to whetheror not the gun is loaded.




RANGE TIME

The time had now come to put the NAASidewinder through its paces. I headedto the range on one of those rare late-winter days with temperatures in the low60s. The ground was muddy and mushyfrom melted snow and rain, but the sunwas shining, and the wind was almostnonexistent, rare for Central Indiana.First I set up my Oehler Model 35Pchronograph to get some velocity figureson the three .22 Magnum test loads. Iwas pleased to see that two of the loadsproduced velocities of over 1,000 feet persecond (fps). In terms of muzzle energy,I got 81.5 foot-pounds from the CCI MaxiMag, 88.1 foot-pounds from the HornadyCritical Defense, and 90.6 foot-poundsfrom the Winchester PDX1 Defender. Toput this in perspective, the .25 ACP witha 50-grain FMJ bullet has around 64 to

73 foot-pounds, while a .380 ACP with a90-grain JHP bullet runs about 180 foot-pounds. Even the .38 Special shooting a130-grain JHP load for 2-inch revolvershas a typical figure of 247 foot-pounds.Needless to say, a .22 Magnum mini-revolver is not a primary carry weapon,but more along the line of a last-ditchbackup. If it’s all you have on you, you stillpass gunfighter rule number one—havea gun. But, you must make up for thelack of knockdown power with good shotplacement.

The good news is, if you do your

part, the NAA Sidewinder is capable ofmore-than-adequate combat accuracyat reasonable distances. The optimalengagement range for the .22 Magnummini-revolver is from the muzzle to theeye-socket, the temple or maybe thecerebral cortex. I wanted to see what thelittle wheelgun would do at across-the-room distances, so I put up some blackoval targets at 7 yards. My shooting wasfrom a rest and, obviously, in SA mode;point of aim was dead center of the innerscoring ring. Holding the tiny handgun ina two-handed supported position, using

>>>NAA SIDEWINDER .22 MAG

PERFORMANCE

NAA SIDEWINDER

.22 MAGNUM


CCI Maxi Mag 1,106 0.69+V 30 JHP

Hornady Critical 939 1.85Defense 45 FTX JHP

Winchester PDX1 1,010 1.26Defender 40 JHP

BULLET WEIGHT MEASURED IN GRAINS , VELOCITY IN FEET PER SECOND ( FPS) BY CHRONOGRAPH , AND ACCURACY IN

INCHES FOR BEST FIVE -SHOT GROUPS AT 7 YARDS.




the left hand to cock the hammer, I

centered the tiny front sight post inbetween the rear sight notch, alignedthem both with the target and pressedon the little spur trigger. Most of myfive-shot groups were slightly left ofcenter and a bit low. I fired three groupswith each of the .22 Magnum test loads,and my best five-shot cluster measured0.69 inches with the CCI cartridges. I didnote that, on one of the targets shot withHornady’s Critical Defense ammo, I had acouple keyhole strikes. Overall accuracywas better than anticipated, and no me-chanical problems were encountered.

For a practical test, I loaded up my TuffQuickStrips with Hornady and Winchestercartridges, loaded the Sidewinder andput the gun and extra ammo in mytrouser pockets. I put up a reduced-sizesilhouette target that would approximatethe area for a good headshot. I thenbacked off 3 yards. Using a two-handed,point-shooting stance, I emptied it intothe target, reloaded and shot five morerounds, all as fast as I could cock andshoot. Even without the sights, I kept all10 shots inside the 9-ring. Next, givenmore distance, which would normally bethe case after seeking cover, I fired at 7yards from a barricade position, usingthe sights. Again, I drew the pocketedhandgun and fired as rapidly as I couldcock the weapon and reacquire a flashsight picture. I reloaded and repeatedthe exercise. All shots were still insidethe 9-ring.

FINAL NOTES

Conclusions? This little five-shooter willdo its job within the confines imposedby its size and caliber. The wood grips

are wide enough to provide for control ofthe weapon during rapid fire, but I think

the checkered rubber grips or even the

stag grips offered by NAA would pos-sibly be better. Frankly, I didn’t expectthe ejector rod to do much more thanpush the empty cases out of the chamberfar enough to be plucked out with thefingertips. Wrong. Normally three of thefive cases would fully eject, while the twonearest the right grip panel would haveto be manually extracted. Dishing out thegrip in this area might help. Sometimesthe cases would stick, and I’d just pushthe rod sharply into the bench or a postto solve the problem quickly. I found thebest way to affect proper ejection of emp-

ties was to transfer the gun to my lefthand once I’d popped out the cylinder,then, holding it muzzle-up, push the rodtip with my right forefinger. The cylinderswinging out on the right side takes alittle getting used to, and you want tohave your extra ammo where it can berem oved and loaded using the stronghand. Also, don’t forget that you need tocock the hammer to the first notch tofree the cylinder. As I shoot SA revolversquite a bit, this was no big obstacle forme. Unfortunately, the LaserLyte NAA-1laser sight that works on most otherNAA mini-revolvers will not work on theSidewinder due to the thick topstrap—I tried it, trust me.

In the words of NAA CEO SandyChisholm, “We would never suggestthat our .22 mini is better than a .45. It isarguably, however, better than nothing,which is the void our product is designedto fill.” Dirty Harry said, “A man has toknow his limitations.” Used skillfully,properly and within its limitations, theNAA Sidewinder is capable of fulfilling itsspecialized task if the operator is up to it.

For more information, call 800-821-5783or visit northamericanarms.com.

At 5 inches longoverall, the NAA

Sidewinder is as easy

to conceal as a keychain or a flashlight.



BASIC TRAINING


In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the “Leather Slap” shoot-ing competition held in Big Bear, California, featured differentcompetitors shooting different types of handguns in an attemptto be crowned “top shot.” Jack Weaver, shooting two-handedand using his reliable Smith & Wesson revolver, won the eventin 1959. In 1960, Elton Carl proved victorious using his magnumcombat revolver; in 1961, he changed to a semi-automatic 1911pistol, earning top honors that year and in 1962. In 1963, a youngThell Reid won the Leather Slap using a single-action revolver.Like Elton, he switched to a 1911 to win the event again in 1964

and 1965. Of course, two other famous shooters, Colonel JeffCooper and Ray Chapman, were big fans of the 1911 pistol, too.In 1976, Col. Cooper took the lessons learned from the LeatherSlap competitions and started the world-renowned GunsiteAcademy, the first private firearms academy in thecountry open to civilians interested in handgun training.

At a time when most law enforcement officers were still car-rying revolvers, Col. Cooper was advocating for the advantagesof the semi-auto pistol. The 1911 handgun was Col. Cooper’spreferred handgun when training students in the “ModernTechnique” at Gunsite. In the 1980s, looking for more firepowerin their fight against criminality, American law enforcementofficers started listening to the colonel and began switchingfrom six-shot revolvers to semi-automatics. At about the same

time, in Europe, Gaston Glock was designing a new pistol atthe request of the Austrian army. The result, the Glock 17, wasofficially approved for production in 1983. Two years later, Glockmade the decision to expand into the U.S. market, importing sixGlock 17s into the United States.

Using the six G17s as show displays and sales samples, Glockmarketed the pistol to law enforcement as a reasonably priced,double-action-only (DAO), high-capacity semi-automatic. Likea revolver, the Glock proved simple to point and shoot. Withno external safeties to undo, Glocks could be brought imme-diately into action. Furthermore, the G17 held 12 more roundsthan a six-shot revolver. American police departments wereconvinced: In 1986, departments in Florida, Virginia, Marylandand Minnesota ordered Glocks in bulk, initiating a trend thatwould, at this writing, put Glocks in the hands of 65 percent ofAmerica’s police officers.

Cooper’s RegardsWith U.S. law enforcement making the transition to theG17, the Austrian wonder gun started appearing with someregularity at Gunsite Academy. The first, a pebble-texturedG17 brought to a Gunsite 250 class, arrived on June 22,1987. Initially, Col. Cooper was no great fan of the Glock,doubting the efficacy of the 9mm chambering and the gun’s“untried” polymer frame. It is said that a very early produc-tion Glock was given to Col. Cooper, and he rejected it atsome point. That one model is floating around and is legend-

ary. It’s called the “Holy Grail” of Glocks. As more Glocks sawuse at Gunsite, and as Cooper witnessed firsthand the gun’s

Gunsite Academy

founder Jeff Cooper

was the recipient

of a personalizedGeneration 2 Glock 19.

GUNSITE GOES GLOCKHow the Austrian wonder gun won over America’s

premier firearms training academy! BY MIKE HUGHES

combathandguns.com

mered

,un’suc-tend-

s sawun’s

Gunsite Academy

founder Jeff Cooper

was the recipient

of a personalizedGeneration 2 Glock 19.

In 2012, 37 percent of the students

attending Gunsite Academy

completed their coursework

using Glock pistols.



accuracy and reliability, his opinion gradually warmed. In hisNovember 10, 1987, newsletter, the colonel wrote, “We havehad several of the Glock plastic pistols here at the school, andwe find them to bequite serviceable arms. They are much too big for the paltry9mm cartridge, but they have proven reliable, accurate andeasy to use.”

Glock made its first revision to its remarkable pistol in 1989,changing the G17’s pebble finish to a checkered frame. Thatsame year, Glock introduced the G19, one of which the com-pany sent to Col. Cooper at Gunsite. That early Generation 2G19, has engraved on the right side of the slide the inscription“Jeff Cooper.”

One Gunsite instructor related that the colonel once com-mented that if the 1911 were unavailable, he would carry aGlock. Cooper liked the Glock even more when models featur-ing larger calibers began to appear. In 1990, Glock introducedthe G20 in 10mm Auto and the G21 in .45 ACP. Col. Coopercontinued extolling in his newsletter the virtues of the Glock,writing in November 2001, “In proper hands, the Glock serves just as well as the 1911 at conversation distances. And such

distances are the rule in defensive combat.”As the years went by, Glocks continued to grow in popular-ity, a trend naturally reflected in Gunsite’s registration records.In 1987, three students attended classes with Glock pistols. In1988, four students used Glocks. In 1990, the number grew to23 students. Ten years later, in 2000, the number had in-creased to 130 students, and by 2005 the number of studentsshooting Glocks at Gunsite was 207. In 2012, 37 percent of thestudents attending Gunsite did so with a Glock pistol in tow.

New ShootersEach year, Gunsite welcomes students who have never beforetouched a gun. Many novice shooters choose to rent ratherthan buy something they know nothing about, and one of the

pistols most often requested is Glock.Unlike other DA pistols, the Glock has only one trigger pull,

making learning to shoot the gun easier. One drill that works

well for students shooting Glock pistols is the “Trigger ResetDrill,” which teaches the importance of trigger control. First,

the students unload their pistols, removing the magazine andemptying the chamber. Next, they press the trigger to the rear.After the slide has been run, they will slowly release the trig-ger until they hear and feel the trigger resetting for the nextshot. As the trigger resets, the Glock emits an easily heard andfelt cur-chunk sound. Students repeat the sequence severaltimes, learning to not jerk the trigger or anticipate the shot.

Gunsite MastersGunsite instructors started carrying Glocks once the policedepartments they worked for began approving Glock pistolsfor their officers. Adopting the gun in the late 1980s, Gunsiteinstructors Giles Stock and Bill Murphy were the first to carryGlock pistols while teaching at Gunsite. Both instructors

recognized the advantages of the lightweight, high-capacity,reliable and accurate Glock pistol. As Stock told me, “TheGlock pistol is an exceptional police duty weapon. It is simple

to use, and it works.” Two decades later, bothinstructors continue to carry and teach withGlock pistols.

By now, numerous Gunsite instructors ownand carry Glocks. They like the gun’s consistenttrigger pull from shot to shot, its reliability andthe ease with which it can be disassembled forcleaning. A Glock has only 36 parts, making itone of the easiest pistols to tear down and repairif needed.

Doing an impromptu survey of over 40 instruc-tors, I found that the average instructor ownedseven Glock pistols and that over 75 percentof them have taught or now teach with a Glockpistol on their hip. Gunsite instructor DaveHartman summed the matter up nicely when hecalled the Glock “the one gun to carry for seriousself-defense.”

I think Buz Mills, the owner of Gunsite, saidit best when he called Gaston Glock “the JohnBrowning of the 21st century—the man who wasin the right place at the right time with the rightgun.” Unquestionably, no pistol since Browning’s1911 has had as great an impact on the firearm’s

community as the Glock. The standard Glock hasset is the one that all others must follow.

The Combat Handguns family recently lost

one of its own—Mike Hughes. Hughes

and his wife Joy were lost in an aircraft

accident on October 4 while traveling

to Gunsite Academy. A valued contribu-tor to the magazine, Mike Hughes was a

retired lieutenant from the Denver Police

Department as well as a retired major

from the U.S. Army Reserves. In addition,

Hughes was a well-respected instruc-

tor at Gunsite, having served there since

1991 running pistol, shotgun, carbine and

submachine gun classes. They will be

sorely missed by all. —THE EDS.

IN MEMORIAM MIKE HUGHES


COMBAT HANDGUNS 67

Gunsite instructor and Glock

owner Dave Starin performs a

tactical reload with his Glock 17.



COMBAT TEST


With its standard AR-15 upper

and lower receivers, 10.5-inch barrel, short buffer tube

and no buttstock, the RockRiver LAR-15 A4 isn’t easy toconceal. But, it does deliver

heavy, accurate firepowerboth in close quarters and ata distance. Shown here with a

Bushnell First Strike red-dotsight attached.



combathandguns.com

RRA’s heavy-duty5.56mm megapistol is

mega-accurate at 25yards—and beyond!

BY DOUG LARSON PHOTOS BY STEVE WOODS

ROCK RIVER ARM

LAR-15 A

When you show up at the range with an AR-style handgun like

the Rock River LAR-15 A4, you attract attention. Some people

will be curious about how the gun shoots, some will want to

have one, too, and others will wonder why in the heck anyone

would want such a thing. Actually, that’s a good question. Why

would anyone want one?

First, let’s make something clear. AR-style pistols are not anew invention that a gun maker came up with in order to sellsomething different. Way back in the mid-1970s, the M231 FiringPort Weapon (FPW) was developed for use by armored person-nel carrier crews to defend against infantry who were gettingclose to the vehicle. With a short barrel and no buttstock, thepistol could be thrust through the firing port of a Bradley FightingVehicle (BFV) to repel attackers at close range. Because the M231was short, it could be maneuvered more easily than a rifle in theconfined spaces of the BFV, but it still followed the M16 designand fired the 5.56mm NATO round, which is much more powerful

than a pistol cartridge.

March 2014

COMBAT HANDGUNS 69




The concept of a small, short gun with

the magazine capacity of an AR-15 that

fires the same cartridge has applications

today for some who need a gun for per-

sonal protection. Besides, these pistols

are fun to shoot, retaining many of the

same features of the rifle from whichthey were derived.

GUN DETAILS

Rock River offers the A4 pistol with

either a 10.5-inch or a 7-inch barrel us-

ing a 1-in-7-inch or a 1-in-9-inch twist,

respectively. The 10.5-inch barrel can be

had with a chrome lining, though not the

>>>ROCK RIVER LAR-15 A4

“The A4’s receivers

are manufactured

from 7075-T6

aluminum that

has been hardcoat

anodized in black.”




COMBAT HANDGUNS 71

7-inch barrel. The one I received for test-ing had the longer 10.5-inch barrel andwas not chrome-lined.

The first thing some shooters willthink of when considering a short barrelis loss of velocity and therefore loss ofrange and terminal performance. But the

barrel length is just fine at the ranges forwhich this gun was designed. This is nota long-range gun; it’s for close encoun-ters just like any other pistol. But withthe high-velocity, small-caliber 5.56mmNATO or .223 Remington round, the A4is much more powerful than the typicalself-defense handgun firing a 9mm oreven a .45 ACP round, and, in an emer-gency, can reach out farther.

At the back end of the gun there is a

SPECIFICATIONS

ROCK RIVER LAR-15 A4

Caliber 5.56mm NATO

Barrel 10.5 inches


Weight 5.2 pounds (empty)

Grips Rubber

Sights Picatinny rail

Action Semi-auto

Finish Black anodized

Capacity 30+1

MSRP $1,015

The mag well is nicely beveled forfast reloads. As the author discovered,

the LAR-15 A4’s accuracy was excellentat 25 yards and beyond.




Firing the LAR-15 from the benchusing a pistol rest, it was easy toget sub-MOA groups at 25 yards.receiver extension—what some call thebuffer tube—that extends about 7 inches.

That makes this handgun pretty long,spanning a total of almost 27 inches, soit is not built for discreet carry. But again,it is small enough for deployment from avehicle or in other confined spaces when

the bad guy is within short range.Putting a buttstock on the A4 will

make you a felon, so don’t do it. The gunwas designed and meant to be fired as a

handgun, so no buttstocks are allowed.Also, do not put a vertical foregrip onthis gun. That’s another ticket to jail.Although those features would enhanceits handling and performance, that’s

what the law is, and that’s what you get.

That doesn’t mean this gun is useless,though. More about how it handles later.

Up at the front of the barrel is an A2-style flash suppressor. Rock River offers

loads of options, so, instead of an A2flash suppressor, you can get a long ora tactical long version of an A2, a SmithVortex flash suppressor, an RRA MilitaryStyle Brake or an RRA Tactical Brake.

Behind the muzzle device is a gas blockthat has a Picatinny rail on top where afront sight can be mounted. Rock Riveroffers a flip-up front sight as an option.

At the bottom of the gas block is a slingswivel, but, unfortunately, there was nosling swivel anywhere else on this gun,so it was of no use. However, if a receiverend plate that provides an attachment

point for a sling were installed, adding a

sling would be a great idea. Fortunately,Rock River offers the option of an end

plate with a loop on each side. Selectingthat option would be money well spent

because a sling is great for carrying thegun and can help to stabilize the LAR-15A4 when firing.

Back to the front of the gun. The hand-guard looks like a typical black, AR-15-

style, two-piece polymer handguard thatis held in place by a delta ring. It providesplenty of room for the off hand to holdonto the gun when firing, and it’s com-

fortable to grip. Options here include thesame style in green, an RRA AluminumFree Float, a Delta Quad CAR or a QuadRail Free Float handguard.

The upper and lower receivers are

manufactured from 7075-T6 aluminum

that has been hardcoat anodized in black.Both look like the ones found on an AR-


The LAR-15 A4 comes

standard with a polymertwo-piece handguard,

though users have theoption of choosing an RRA

Aluminum Free Float,

Delta Quad CAR or QuadRail Free Float handguard.



TheLegend Continues.

THE GENUINE ARTICLE.

THE STANDARD ISSUE.

THE REAL DEAL.

ANY QUESTIONS ?

The Colt 1911.Copied and imitated

for over100 years,this original

has yet to be duplicated.



15 flattop carbine. The top of the upperreceiver on the test gun has a Picatinnyrail that is T-marked, and has 13 slots forthe attachment of optics or iron sights. Italso sports a bolt forward assist, whichcan cause a lot of problems if used tochamber a round that doesn’t want toseat properly, so experienced operatorsseldom use it. You will find it on almostall ARs, though. Additionally, to enhancefeeding reliability, the upper receiver hasM4 feed ramp cuts. An option offered byRock River is the A2-style upper receiverwith a carry handle.

The lower receiver has its controlsin the familiar AR-15 locations, and all

worked positively. The supplied 30-roundmagazine dropped freely from the bev-

eled magazine well when the magazinerelease was activated. The triggerguardis of the standard AR-style variety, but

a winter triggerguard is offered as anoption. The A4’s trigger was standardAR fare, with a slight amount of take-upand creep followed by a positive break atabout 9 pounds.

The safety on the sample gun was aStar safety lever that some will say iseasier to use than a standard AR safetylever. A standard or Star ambidextrouslever is also available. There was nothingremarkable about the bolt catch, and ifyou are familiar with an AR, you know ex-actly what it looks like and how it works.

Inside the upper receiver resides thebolt carrier group. The one on the samplegun had a manganese phosphate (orParkerized) finish. Rock River also offersa chrome-plated bolt carrier group thathas some definite advantages. Chromeis very hard and is easier to clean thana Parkerized bolt carrier group. TheParkerized carrier on the test gun waschrome lined, as was the gas key, whichwas staked in place like it should be.The extractor, which is critical to properoperation (especially on a direct gasimpingement AR like this one), had a

black rubber spring insert to increasethe grasping power of the extractor on



PERFORMANCE

ROCK RIVER LAR-15A4 5.56MM


BULLET WEIGHT MEASURED IN GRAINS , VELOCITY IN FEET PER SECOND ( FPS) BY CHRONOGRAPH , AND ACCURACY IN INCHES FOR BEST FIVE -SHOT GROUPS AT 25 YARDS.

Black Hills 55 FMJ 3,098 0.91

Hornady 40 Varmint 3,615 0.54Express V-MAX

Winchester 60 2,541 1.23PDX1 Defender

Located on

the left side ofthe A4’s lower

receiver are thesafety and theserrated bolt

release.



the rim of spent cartridges.Lastly, the charging handle on the

test gun was again of the standard AR

government-issue, mil-spec variety.However, Rock River also offers somegood options here that include a BadgerOrdnance Tactical Latch, an RRA AmbiCharging Handle, a Gas Buster with BigLatch or the excellent BCM Gunfighterwith a small, medium or large latch.

RANGE TIME

To test the gun for both tactical useful-ness and accuracy, I attached an EOTechXPS3 holographic weapon sight. Thissight uses space-age technology toproject a holographic image of a red dotinside a circle onto the glass lens of theoptic. No matter where you put your eyein relation to the sight, if you can seethe reticle, the gun is aimed at the pointwhere the red dot is superimposed. Infact, if the lens is broken and only a partof it remains, as long as you can see thereticle, the gun will send a bullet to theplace the red dot paints.

The dot is only 1 minute of angle (MOA)in diameter, making it small enough forfairly precise shooting at the ranges forwhich the A4 pistol is suited. The circle

around it is 65 MOA in diameter, andbecause of its size, it is very fast to put a

The A4 features Picatinny rail on

the upper receiver and gas block formounting optics. The barrel is cappedwith an A2-style flash suppressor.


COMBAT HANDGUNS 75




GUNS OF THE OLD WEST

he year was 1876. America was

celebrating its first centennial,Lt. Col. George ArmstrongCuster and his men of the 7thCavalry regiment were about

to be massacred in June at the Battle ofthe Little Bighorn, and two months later,on August 2, legendary Civil War scout,frontier lawman and shootist JamesButler Hickok would be assassinated inDeadwood. This is the story, one of manythat have been told, about the guns WildBill Hickok wore on his last day.

No one, with the possible exceptionof Wyatt Earp, was more feared as a

lawman than James Butler Hickok. Oneof his champions, George ArmstrongCuster, wrote of his friend and formerCivil War compatriot in his 1874 book My

Life on the Plains, “Whether on foot oron horseback, he was one of the mostperfect types of physical manhood Iever saw. Of his courage there could beno question. His skill in the use of therifle and the pistol was unerring. Hisinfluence among the frontiersmen wasunbounded; his word was law; and manyare the personal quarrels and distur-bances which he had checked among hiscomrades by the single announcementthat ‘this has gone far enough,’ if needbe, followed by the ominous warningthat, if persisted in, the quarreler ‘mustsettle with me.’”

The LegendDuring the post-Civil War WesternExpansion, Hickok served as a scoutfor a number of Custer’s expeditions.Between 1867 to 1868, he scouted forboth General Winfield Scott Hancockand Lt. Col. Custer. In her 1890 book

Following the Guidon, Elizabeth Custerwrote, “He was rather fantastically clad…

but all seemed perfectly in keeping with

the time and place. He did not makean armory of his waist, but carried twopistols.”

Hickok’s first publicized gunfight oc-curred in Springfield, Missouri, on themorning of July 21, 1865, in a shootoutwith fellow gambler and pistolero DavidTutt. On the night of July 20, they hadplayed poker in a room at the Lyon Houseon South Street in Springfield. Hickokkept coming up short of winning hands,and by the end of the night he had beencleaned out, right down to a fine gold,hunting-cased Waltham pocket watch

with a flashy chain and seal, which Tuttsnatched from the table as part of hiswinnings. Bemused by his fate that eve-ning, Hickok asked that Tutt be so kindas to not wear the watch in public. He nodoubt had the intention of either buying itback or winning it back another day, butTutt brazenly told Hickok he’d be wearingit the very next morning when he cameacross the square. Wild Bill looked himstraight in the eyes and said, “If you do,I’ll shoot you, and I warn you not to comeacross the square with it on.”

As history records, Tutt did exactlythat, and the two men exchanged gunfirefrom a distance of 75 paces, roughly 200feet from the corner of South Street,where Hickok stood, to the front of thecourthouse on the corner of CampbellStreet, where Tutt was taking aim atWild Bill. It has been written that Tuttfired first and missed. He didn’t get asecond chance. Col. Albert Barnitz, thearmy post commander in Springfield,witnessed the shooting from his balconyin the Lyon House Hotel, and reportedthat both men fired simultaneously.

Another account from the street hadHickok drawing first, but then waiting for

Tutt to shoot. After he missed, Hickok

rested his Colt 1851 Navy revolver overhis left arm and shot Tutt through theheart. Regardless of who fired first, onechamber of Tutt’s revolver was emptywhen it was found lying next to his body.Immediately after the shooting Hickokhanded over his guns to the local sheriff.He was brought to trial on August 5,where witnesses testified that they heardtwo shots, and that the first came fromwhere Tutt had been standing. The emptychamber of his revolver was exhibited asevidence, and upon the grounds of “rea-sonable doubt” that Hickok fired first,

and had in fact fired in self-defense, hewas acquitted. He emerged from the in-cident with a reputation as a cool, deadlygunfighter that would stay with him forthe rest of his life.

It wasn’t necessarily speed with a gunthat made Hickok good, but calmnessand accuracy. His friend Col. William F.Cody was quoted as saying, “Bill was apretty good shot, but he could not shootas quick as half a dozen men we all knewin those days, nor as straight, either. ButBill was cool, and the men he went upagainst were rattled, I guess. Bill beatthem to it. He made up his mind to killthe other man before the other man hadfinished thinking. Bill would just quietlypull his gun and give it to him. That wasall there was to it.” George Custer sup-ported Cody’s testimony by noting thatHickok was never seen without his braceof Colts, adding that he had personalknowledge of at least half a dozen menwhom Bill had at various times killed.“Others have been seriously wounded,yet he always escaped unhurt in everyencounter.” This would not be the case

on the afternoon of August 2, 1876, asthe former frontier lawman sat play-

T

On that fateful day in Deadwood, James Hickok had

with him the last pistol he’d ever handle, a .44-caliber

Richard Type I 1860 Army Conversion!

BY DENNIS ADLER

WILD BILL’S

LAST GUN





ing cards at Nuttall & Mann’s Saloon inDeadwood.

Hickok had been many things in hislife, from a Union Army scout and spyto sheriff of Hays City, Kansas, in 1869and marshal of Abilene in 1871. Alongthe way there had been numerous

shootouts, and he had prevailed in eachand every one, but Bill’s eyesight wasslowly failing him. What he suffered fromtoday would be classified as operablecataracts, but in the 1870s there wasnothing that could be done. He infor-mally hung up his guns in 1871 but neverwent unarmed. After a brief turn as astage actor, first in Col. Sidney Barnett’sWild West show at Niagara Falls, NewYork, in August 1872, and then in BuffaloBill Cody’s 1873 play The Scouts of the

Plains, Hickok became acutely awarethat he had no taste for the footlightsor celebrity. He was equally disquietedby the dime novels being written abouthis earlier exploits. This was confirmedaround 1901 when another of Hickok’sfriends, Capt. Jack Crawford, wrote anarticle for the New York Journalist inwhich he stated that Wild Bill had“hated hypocrisy and fraud and thatwas why he said he would rather goback to the West and get killed thanaccept $500 per week and play in a dimenovel melodrama which was libel on theWest and destined only to ruin credu-

lous boys.” Little did Hickok know howprophetic his words would be.

Bill’s Last DaysIn July of 1876, Hickok set up camp out-side Deadwood with old friends Charlieand Steve Utter, who were operating apony express and transportation linefrom Fort Laramie to the DeadwoodGulch. While living in Utter’s camp,

Hickok kept a fairly low profile, but hecouldn’t keep away from the gamblingtables in town, and more or less madeNuttall & Mann’s his headquarters,though he also frequented the Senateand Shingle’s No. 3, making the roundsof the saloons at random so it would beharder for any would-be killers to pinhim down.

There are many uncertainties aboutWild Bill’s last days in Deadwood,but there are two things that are un-questioned: his fastidious care for andpractice with his guns. When he carriedcap-and-ball Colt Navy revolvers, hecleared them daily, cleaned and reloadedthem. This was his practice. He hadbecome so proficient with the old CivilWar-era revolvers that he was still carry-ing them long after the advent of metal-lic cartridge conversions, and he neverowned a new Colt Single Action Army.However, another of Hickok’s friends,Joseph “White-Eye Jack” Anderson,stated that Bill replaced his percus-sion pistols around 1875 with a pair of1851 Navy .38 Colt conversions. Where

and when he acquired the .44-caliberRichards Type I Colt Army conversion

is not known. From the time of his ar-rival in Deadwood until August 2, 1876,when Jack McCall slipped into Nuttall& Mann’s, walked up behind Wild Billand shot him in the back of the head,only 22 days had elapsed, perhaps evenfewer. Charlie Utter saw to his friend’s

burial on the August 3, 1876, placing apainted marker on the grave that read:“WILD BILL, J. B. HICKOCK, killed by theassassin JACK McCALL, in DEADWOODBlack Hills, August 2nd, 1876. Pard wewill meet again in the happy Huntingground to part no more. Good byeCOLORADO CHARLIE. C. H. UTTER.”

Richards Type IIn 1871, Charles B. Richards, a promi-nent inventor and Colt’s assistantfactory superintendent, designed thefirst-production breech-loading Coltconversion for the 1860 Army. In 1871,he was granted patent No. 117461 for“Improvements in Revolvers.”

The original conversion model, com-monly referred to as the Type I, used abreechplate with a rebounding firing pin.This was combined with a newly manu-factured cylinder or a converted percus-sion cylinder bored completely through.The right side of the recoil shield andnew breechplate were channeled tofacilitate the loading and ejection ofcartridges. The final alteration to the

1860 Army required the hammer face tobe ground flat in order to strike the firing

The Richards Type I 1860 Army conversion has a serrated hammer whose face is

ground flat in order to strike the firing pin held within the revolver’s breechplate.

Hickok, portrayed by the author, used a reverse

draw and always wore his guns butt-forward.

GUNS OF THE OLD WEST




COMBAT HANDGUNS 79

pin. The sum of these modifications wasirreversible and thus ruled out the refit-ting of the gun with a percussion cylinder.

Distinguishing characteristics of the

Richards Type I conversion ring were theintegral rear “V” sight cast into the topof the breechplate, the internal firing pinand a 0.3-inch overlap of the cylinderat the breech. When viewed from theside, the Type I breechplate shrouds theback of the cylinder, whereas on laterRichards-Mason conversions there is aclear separation between the face of theconversion ring and the cylinder breech,allowing one to see the cartridge rims.

In 1871, the U.S. Ordnance Departmentordered the conversion of approximately1,200 U.S.-issued Model 1860 Army per-

cussion revolvers to the Richards design.Each was given a new serial number andan “A” suffix. Civilian Richards mod-els, like Hickok’s, also bore new serialnumbering but without an “A” suffix,U.S. stamp or a government inspec-tor’s mark. The serial number on theHickok gun, 198049, places its originaldate of manufacture at 1872, with thelikelihood that it was originally built as acartridge conversion. What documenta-tion exists for the provenance of this guncomes from the Coulter-Locke family ofSouth Dakota, which had passed downHickok’s 1860 Army conversion throughfour generations, beginning with CarlCoulter Locke’s father. He purchased thegun, holster and gun belt, with its brasseagle plate buckle and German silverolive branches (the type commonly usedby military officers and worn by Hickok),from Charlie Utter in 1876, shortly afterHickok’s murder. The last member of theCoulter family to own the gun and holsterwas John Coulter, the great grandson ofthe man who purchased them from Utter.The entire ensemble is now owned by the

City of Deadwood Historic PreservationCommission.

SPECIFICATIONS

RICHARDS TYPE I

1860 ARMY CONVERSION

Caliber .44 Colt

Barrel 8 inches

OA Length 14 inches

Weight 44 ounces (empty)Grips Walnut

Sights Front blade, notched rear

Action SA

Finish Blued withcasehardened frame

Capacity 6



this pistol. That’s more than sufficientaccuracy for the action matches for whichthe FNS-9 Longslide was designed.

Velocity testing indicated that theLongslide’s 5-inch barrel produced veryhigh 9mm velocities. Readings from myPACT 1XP chronograph indicated that thefive loads used in the test all exhibitedincreases of 50 to 70 feet per second (fps)over factory velocities from test barrels.For example, the muzzle velocity pub-lished by Black Hills for its 124-grain +PXTP HP load is 1,250 fps. The same loadproduced an average of 1,300 fps fromthe Longslide. This is within the lowerlimit of the velocity range for the .38Super +P and .357 SIG. At this velocity,the Black Hills load delivers 465 foot-pounds of muzzle energy, which is excel-lent for a pistol chambered in 9mm.

The FNS-9 Longslide is a competi-

tion gun, so I took it to the monthly IDPAmatch at the Titusville Rifle and Pistol


CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

>>>FNS-9 LONGSLIDE

“THE FNS-9 LONG-SLIDE IS A PISTOL THAT WILL LIKELYBE QUITE POPULARFOR MANY TYPES OF

ACTION-SHOOTINGCOMPETITIONS.”

The FNS-9L comes with two interchange-able backstraps for an improved hold.



Club in Titusville, Florida. I carried theLongslide in a BlackHawk AmbidextrousFlat Belt Holster and used a BlackHawkDouble Mag Case to hold spare maga-

zines. This was the first time that I’d usedany of this equipment in competition, soI took my time during the match, payingas much attention to my equipment as to

solving the tactical problems presented inthe various stages. As a result, I learneda couple of interesting things.

First, the Longslide was very accuratewhen engaging targets in tactical sce-

narios from 1 to 20 yards. The white dot inthe front sight lined up very well with thedots on the rear sight. Sight acquisitionwas fast. Look for the dot, center it onthe target and press the trigger straight

back. This system worked regardless ofwhether I was shooting while moving, fir-

ing while standing still, or using one- ortwo-handed strong- or weak-side stanc-es. It also worked on moving and turning

targets. I consistently had good hits, andthere were no hits on non-threats and nofailures to neutralize hostile targets.

Second, equipment compatibility posed

a problem. Because it’s so new, there areno holsters specifically designed for theLongslide. Some will most likely be avail-able in the near future. Given this, I decid-ed to use the BlackHawk Ambidextrous

Flat Belt Holster. It works with a varietyof autopistols, and it securely held the

Longslide. However, the sharp edge atthe top rear of the pistol’s ramped frontsight tended to snag on the bottom edge

of the holster when the pistol was drawn.This slowed my draw somewhat. Onthe other hand, the BlackHawk DobleMag Case worked very well. It held the

Longslide’s 17-round magazines securelyand allowed them to be quickly removedduring reloads.

FINAL NOTES

The FNS-9 Longslide is a pistol thatwill likely be quite popular for many typesof action-shooting competitions. It pointsnaturally and stays securely in the shoot-er’s hand during recoil. Its sights are

quick to acquire under almost all lightingconditions, and its 5-inch barrel wringsthe most performance out of the 9mmcartridge. All of these features make the

Longslide an equally good candidate fora high-capacity home-defense gun or apistol for concealed carry under a jacket.In today’s marketplace, a gun that canserve two and perhaps three purposes

equally well frees up a lot of money that

can be spent on ammunition. For moreinformation, visit fnhusa.comor call 703-288-3500.


COMBAT HANDGUNS 81




averaged 1,030 fps for their five roundsand the RUAG had an average of 1,390fps! I know it’s frangible ammo, and it’sonly 85 grains, but that is still screamingvelocity in a pistol with a 3.1-inch barrel.

I decided to see how the little pistolcarried and wore the gun on my anklefor a week in the place of my usual anklegun. I carried the CPX-2 in my selectedankle holster without any real problemsat all. I was forced to use the compres-sor to blow out some lint and dust aftera week of carrying the gun, but beforeblowing out the lint, or touching thepistol in any way, I went to the 10-yardline and shot the steel plates. The gunfunctioned without a hitch and went one-for-one on the Bianchi steel plates.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I really like the KISS method that SCCYhas gone for with this gun. There issimply nothing else to remember except“draw the gun” and “pull the trigger ifneeded.” No gadgets, no switches—justload your chamber and holster. Thereare a lot of things that a concealed-carrypermit holder should be thinking aboutwhen they feel the need to draw their

pistol, but wondering whether or notthe gun is ready to fire shouldn’t be oneof them.

If you’re in the market for an inex-pensive 9mm carry gun, I would most

certainly suggest that you give thepeople at SCCY a chance and see if youlike their pistols as much as I do. Formore information visit sccy.com or call866-729-7599.

The CPX-2’s DAO trigger,

with a 7.2-pound pull,makes the gun safe forcarry, while a robust

extractor keeps thepistol running reliably.


>>> SCCY CPX-2



MADE IN SWITZERLAND

SDP Compact DA/SA 9mm

DRIVEN BY PRECIS ION

SOME CALL IT SWISS MADE PRECISION

WE CALL IT

to deliver outstanding performance through accuracy and reliability, exceeding the expectations of the most demanding

The SPHINX SDP Compact embodies over 130 years of precision manufacturing, integrating SPHINX tactical and

Visit your SPHINX dealer today to discover why the SDP Compact is quickly becoming the top choice for shooters



alfunction clearances are an important part of anysound defensive shooting skillset. And like anycritical skill, the simpler they are, the easier theyare to learn, remember and apply reflexively—

especially under stress.The simplest type of malfunction you can experience witha semi-automatic pistol is a failure to fire when you squeezethe trigger. The cause of this problem may be a poorly seatedmagazine that failed to chamber a round, an empty chamberdue to operator error or a bad primer in the chambered round.Regardless of the cause, the remedy is the same: Ensure thatthe magazine is seated, “roll” the gun outward (putting thepalm of your gun hand upward), work the slide to chamber a

fresh round and prepare to fire again.A slightly more complex malfunction occurs when the gun

fails to fully eject the spent cartridge case after a round is fired.In its classic form—a “stovepipe”—the case lodges vertically in

the ejection port, clearly announcing the source of the problem.Although the causes of pistol malfunctions may differ fromcase to case, the fix can be exactly the same: Make sure themagazine is seated, work the slide and prepare to fire—aka“tap, rack, ready!”

The easiest way to perfect your malfunction clearance skillsis through dry fire with a safe weapon. Every time you squeezethe trigger, you’ll need to work the slide to reset it, so use theopportunity to hone your tap, rack, ready technique.

STEP BY STEP


M

FIXING PISTOL

MALFUNCTIONSFailures happen. But the solution is simple:

Tap, rack and get ready to reenter the gunfight!BY MICHAEL JANICH PHOTOS BY ALFREDO RICO

Slap themagazinesmartly withyour supporthand toensure it’sseated.

3

Safely reassumea two-handed gripand prepare to fireif necessary.

6

On hearingthe click ,immediatelyindex yourfingeron theframe.

1

With yoursupporthand, graspthe slidefirmly.

4

Draw yourelbows back toyour ribs andturn yourgun handpalm-up.

2

Forcefully rackthe slide, makingsure to release itwithout “riding”it forward.

5

MALFUNCTION TAP TAP

READY RACK RACK



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LETTERS

Holy GrailGreat piece on the CZ 75D PCR (February’13). I remember back in the day whenCZ 75s were like the Holy Grail due tothe Cold War embargo on products fromthat part of the world. Once the wall felland the Soviet Union collapsed, it wasgreat to have access to these guns. And,the fact that Jeff Cooper endorsed themgave them even more cred. I bought oneof the earliest models available and havebeen a fan ever since. I love the terrific

grip angle, the great ergonomics andthe fact that I can have a double-stackmagazine in a pretty slim grip. AlthoughI do not like the double-action/single-action (DA/SA) system as much as I dothe straight SA system of the 1911, thetrigger on my CZ 75 is pretty good. TheDA pull is smooth, and the short SA pullis very crisp. The gun is really easy toshoot. Also, the 1911-style safety letsme carry it cocked and locked if I wantto. I have been looking to get one for ev-eryday carry that is a little smaller thanmy full size. After having read this great

review, I think I am going to have to pickup one for myself!—HD, VIA THE INTERNET

Rossi SnubbieKeep up the reviews of the snubbie re-volvers! Although the autos might get allthe press, I know that there are still a lotof fans out there of the short-barreledwheelgun. I really enjoyed reading yourreview of the Rossi R46202 stainlessrevolver (February ’13) as it appearsto offer the best of all worlds in a verywell-priced package. I think that the.357 Magnum is a hard round to beat forself-defense, and the polished stainlesssteel finish looks great! I think I mightpick up one of these for myself, as Ihave been looking for a good stainlesssteel revolver for carry. I live near theocean here in Charleston, so rusting isa concern. This stainless steel snubbieseems to be perfect for me. Thanks forthe piece on it.—JW, SC

New Classic

Great review of the new Colt XSP(February ’13)! The author did a great

job of telling the story of this gun, andyou can really tell he respects and ap-preciates the entire Mustang line andits history. I have always been a fan of1911-style pistols, particularly Colt’sclassic 5-inch Government model. So,when the first Colt Mustang came out,I was one of the first in line to get one.With its 1911ish handling and design,fit into a pint-sized package, I washooked immediately. Although I sold itmany years back, I always wanted to get

another but just never seemed to getaround to it. So, when I saw the reviewof the new Mustang XSP, I was veryinterested. I realized that perhaps nowit is time to pick up a new Mustang formy collection. And, after having read theauthor’s great review of it, I am totallysold on this newest version of the classicgun. Thanks again for the great review! Iam going to buy one as soon as my shopgets one in stock.—PH, VA

Viridian Rugers

Regarding your “Ruger Pocket Duo”article (February ’13): Great piece on agreat product. I always avoided lightsand lasers on pistols, and I figured that,in a dangerous situation, I would neverremember to hit the little button to turnit on. Or, if I did, I would never be ableto find it when I needed it. That is whyI was so interested in the ECR holsteractivation system that Viridian is includ-ing with its new Reactor light and laser.It seems to be the best of all worlds,ensuring that my laser or light turnson when I draw the gun. No fumbling,no confusion. In fact, this piece wasreally interesting to me, as I have aRuger LCP for carry. Now I have theoption for a light or laser on it that Ican actually use. Now, I have to decidewhich of the two I want.—JM, VIA THE INTERNET

Sig HistoryI recently read an article on a Sig SauerP227 in your February ’13 issue ofCombat Handguns. I enjoyed the article,but was somewhat confused by the

information presented about the Sigcompany. In the opening paragraph,

the author mentions that Sig ‘‘has beenaround since 1853, mainly producinglong guns…but in 1970 [Sig] decided tobegin making handguns…Sig chose towork with the German firm of Sauer& Sohn, and in 1975 came out with SigSauer P220 pistol.’’

It is true that Sig went into joint ven-ture with Sauer in 1970s to start produc-ing the new generation of DA autopis-tols, but Sig started producing the P210on its own in 1949. Only recently has the

P210 become a Sig Sauer product. Did Imisunderstand something? Wasn’t theSig P210 a product of Sig? Just thoughtI’d ask. I enjoy your publication and itsvarious articles.—NH, AZ

WILLIAM BELL’S RESPONSE:

You are certainly right regarding mychoice of words in the article introduc-tion. I was trying to do a thumbnailsketch regarding Sig history, as withmost articles there is a word-count limi-tation. I did not mean to imply that Sig

hadn’t made handguns before 1970, nordid I intend to skip over the P210, whichwas and is a true “Cadillac” in the worldof handguns. Thank you for pointing outthis seeming discrepancy.

FNX-45I read your review of the FN FNX-45(August ’13). I got one last month. It’sthe perfect war weapon. I just retiredfrom the military, and let me tell you, Iwould have loved having this gun on afew deployments. But, and it’s a big but,this thing is big. Think RoboCop big. Butit does fit a lot of hand, so don’t be fooledthinking you can’t get your hands aroundit. Just don’t confuse it with a BerettaNano. Like the writer said, it is notvery concealable.—KJ, VIA THE INTERNET

Editor’s Note: Please send your “Letter To TheEditors” to Combat Handguns, 1115 Broadway, NewYork, NY 10010, attention: “Letter To The Editors,”or email to [email protected]. Pleaseinclude your full name, postal and email address andphone number (including area code). On submission,your comments are our property: We may publish

or republish them in any medium, including printand online.


A slightly smaller CZ, Colt’s new classic, Viridian’s high-tech

holster, the Sig P210 and FN’s perfect tactical pistol!

Our Readers Sound Off



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• How to ensure reliable auto-pistol feeding and prevent jams

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ROUNDUP

NEW PRODUCTS


TAC SHIELD CLEANING KIT No gun, however well made, can run indefinitely with-out proper maintenance. Designed to help you keep your.357/.38 Spl/9mm pistols sparkling, Tac Shield’s custom-cased cleaning kit includes a pull-through, coated cable/rodsystem with brush, mop, slot tip, 25 cleaning patches, multi-function handle which converts to a driver, and six-piece

utility bit set. Compact and handy, it will easily fit in yourgear bag and be there when you need it (tacshield.com).

HORNADY RAPID SAFE Employing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) forinstant access, Hornady’s new RAPiD Safe system forhandguns provides users with instant access totheir chosen firearm as well as securestorage. To access the contentsof the safe, simply placethe included RFIDbracelet, card or keyfob over the reader,and the RAPiDsafe springs

open. In addi-tion, the unitwill accepta personallyprogrammedcode for accessand can be accessedwith a conventional keylock. The system functionsoff of AC power, and a batterybackup system ensures totalreliability (hornady.com).

AKER IWB 76 PATRIOT Aker, a leading manufacturer of on-duty andoff-duty law enforcement gear, introduces theIWB 76 Patriot. Made from premium U.S. leath-er, this inside-the-waistband (IWB) holsteris designed to fit most major semi-automaticpistols. Handcrafted, every IWB 76 Patriot ex-hibits Aker’s unique combination of old-worldworkmanship, stringent quality control andpainstaking attention to detail. Two snap loopskeep the IWB 76 Patriot securely attached toone’s belt, while the holster’s custom-moldedinterior keeps one’s firearm securely held andeasy to draw and reholster. The IWB 76 Patriotis available in black or tan (akerleather.com).

MAXSELL BELLYBAND HOLSTERDesigned to provide maximumconcealment without sacrificingusability, the Belly Band Holster

from Maxsell Corporation employs“Superlastic” in its constructionfor extreme comfort when carrying. The holster features three compartments: one for yourhandgun and two additional sections on each side for a knife, ID, money, cell phone, flashlight,etc. The unit allows for users to tuck in their shirts while still offering immediate access to theweapon. This is true even when seated in a car and wearing a seatbelt (maxarmory.com).

BARNES TAC-XPD

AMMUNITION Barnes’ TAC-XPD line of Defense Ammunition: an“Optimized for Carry or Home Defense” solution.Loaded with the venerable Barnes TAC-XP bullets,TAC-XPD ammunition is engineered and designedto deliver top performance when it is most critical:in life-threatening situations. The TAC-XP’s all-copper construction and very large, deep hollow-point cavity expand, penetrate and perform moreconsistently than any personal defense producton the market. Available in .380, 9mm+P, .40 S&Wand .45 +P. (barnesbullets.com).

GUN STORAGE SOLUTIONSHANDGUN HANGERS Offering convenient storage that takes up a minimum of space, GunStorage Solutions’ American-made Handgun Hangers individuallysecure each handgun underneath and on top of a shelf in a gun safe,closet or cabinet. The system features vinyl-coated hangers that aredesigned to stick inside the muzzle of handguns and will accommodate

pistols as small as .22 caliber. Handgun Hangers are available in fourdifferent models to accommodate different styles of guns and forplacement on multiple locations of a shelf (gunstoragesolutions.com).




COMBAT HANDGUNS 93

lightweight carry gun.Dirty or damaged magazines are

common causes of feeding failures.Recognizing this, S&W has included anillustrated guide for magazine disassem-bly in its safety and instruction manual.Proper magazine maintenance is impor-tant if you want your SD40 VE pistol tofeed with 100-percent reliability.

A witness port located at the rear ofthe barrel allows users to confirm at aglance whether or not a round is cham-bered. If the gun is ready to shoot, you’llbe able to see the brassy glint of thecartridge base by simply looking at thetop of the slide.

A robust extractor pulls fired casesfrom the chamber with absolute reliabili-ty. Empties are propelled straight up—notinto the face of the guy shooting next to

you at the range.

This gun is light enough to be carriedon a daily basis and is relatively easyto conceal. Ease of operation makesit a great choice for both experiencedgunners and those who have had onlyminimal experience and training.

There’s a lot to like about S&W’s latestpistol. It’s light, reasonably compact anddead easy to operate. It balances nicely inthe hand, points naturally on target, andthe DAO trigger is easy to control. The .40S&W round has plenty of punch, yet recoilisn’t really a factor.

As mentioned earlier, the SD40 VE isan ideal choice for shooters who haven’thad a lot of training or experience. It’salso an excellent gun for anyone whowants an instinctively pointing handgunthat fits naturally in the hand and deliversgreat reliability and combat accuracy.And then there’s the manufacturer’s sug-gested retail price of just $379. The SD40VE is a gun that’s very easy to like. For

more information, visit smith-wesson.com or call 800-331-0852.



“THE SD40 VEBALANCES NICELY INTHE HAND, POINTSNATURALLY ON TARGET,

AND THE DAO TRIGGERIS EASY TO CONTROL.”




standard-velocity ammunition is notice-able. Hornady’s Personal Defense loadruns a lighter bullet (185-grain FTX) at1,000 fps, with equally impressive resultson the terminal end. The lighter bulletgave good groups but printed a bit low forme; the Colt seems set up for 230-grainbullets. Much of the tin-can and milk-jugbusting involved using up some old ammofrom various manufacturers, domesticand foreign, along with a few 230-grainlead handloads. The Colt gobbled upeverything without complaint.

FINAL NOTES

For a bare-bones, no-frills 1911, the ColtMark IV Series 70 is at first blush notcheap. There are similar-looking gunsfrom other manufacturers, which retailfor several hundred dollars less. However,

you must remember that this one has Coltquality built in, and it has historical sig-nificance and a little more panache thanmany other mil-spec 1911s. The classicColt is a favorite for customization, and,of course, it has the little prancing horseon the slide. I think anyone who tries itwill find the gun worth the cost. For moreinformation, visit coltsmfg.com or call800-962-2658.


While there is nothingfancy about the Series 70, itsdouble-diamond grip check-

ering, attention to detail anddeep blue finish make it an

exceedingly handsome gun.





COMBAT HANDGUNS 95


close-range target in the middle of it andthen press the trigger. For these reasons,it is a favorite optic of many who use ARsto save lives and fight the enemies of this

country.So how did the gun work? During the

entire test period, not a single malfunc-tion of any kind was experienced. The

gun was perfect in this respect, which iscritical in a personal-defense weapon.You just cannot tolerate a gun that is notreliable when using it to save a life.

As you might expect, this is an accu-

rate handgun. Firing the LAR-15 from thebench using a pistol rest, it was easy toget sub-MOA groups at 25 yards. That’svery difficult to do with almost any otherpistol, but the 10.5-inch barrel and the

EOTech sight helped a lot.

Using the gun in tactical simulationswas another story. The size, weight and

length of the barrel made it more difficultto use than a smaller handgun. Recoil isnot the problem; it’s the weight of the gunand the center of gravity. And because

there is no buttstock or vertical fore-grip, holding the gun steady on target,especially when attempting to make fastshots, is a real challenge. It can be done,but it is going to take practice in order to

become proficient with this big pistol.An important aid to accurate off-hand

shooting with this gun would be a sling.The test gun was not equipped with arear sling mount, although one is an op-

tion. If using a sling, it can be draped overthe shoulder or around the back of theshooter and pulled tight while pressingforward with the gun. This helps to steady

the aim and can improve hit probability.For the person who needs more fire-

power than a typical handgun provides,the LAR-15 A4 pistol is an option. It’s nota handgun that lends itself to discreet

carry, but it does have its place. For more

information, visit rockriverarms.com orcall 866-980-7625.


“The a4 is not ahandgun that

lends itself to

discreet carry,

but it does have

ITs place.”




COMBAT HANDGUNS CLASSIFIEDS




COMBAT HANDGUNS 97



GUNSITE GOSSIP


P H O T O C

O U R T E S Y G

U N S I T E / G U N S I T E . C O M

A JEFF COOPERRETROSPECTIVEExcerpts from Gunsite Gargantuan Gossip!

Note: The intellectual property of Jeff Cooper isowned by Gunsite Academy and reprinted fromGunsite Gossip 3 with their permission. Jeff Cooper’sbooks are available from the ProShop (928-636-4565; gunsite.com) and jeffcooperbooks.com.

“bear defense” course wasrecently run at Gunsiteand turned up a couple ofinteresting points. One isthat sheer power will not do

for a bear. If you are in real danger froma bear, he will be on top of you, and whatyou need is penetration. Once a bear hasgot you down, or a lion for that matter,you have to brain him, and you must do

that at contact distance. A .357 snubbie,using a very hard, sharp-pointed bullet,would seem to be the answer. I havea friend who went this route while at-

tempting to photograph a lion. He useda .38 Super auto, and while he survived,he will never again have full use of hisleft hand.The classic house .22 was the ColtWoodsman. In my youth everybody hadone, though there were more 6-inchmodels in evidence than 4 inch. TheWoodsman was superseded by BillRuger’s excellent version of the sameweapon. It was every bit as good as theWoodsman, and it cost less. Ruger’saluminum Single-Six, in Peacemakerconfiguration, is an especially finehouse gun, if you can find one with agood trigger, but maybe the best of thelot in theory is the Walther PPK and itsclones. This is a self-loader, of course,and thus regarded askance by varioussorts of regulators. It does not usuallyfeature good sights, but that can be cor-rected. The new model Walther, calledsimply PP, is improved in many ways.I wish to point out firmly that I donot recommend the .22, either rifle orpistol, as a primary house-defense gun.

As a couple of readers have suggested,it will do for lack of anything better in

cool hands, but its primary purpose isnot combat shooting. It is a recreationaland utilitarian device to be used for thetraining of the young and the leaningdown of the varmint population. Also,it is a very satisfactory pot shooter in jurisdictions where small game may belegally taken for the table. For whateverpurpose, you must have one. Placedover the kitchen door, it is the evidence

of a well-run household.According to George Mason, allmature American citizens are membersof the militia. A well-regulated militia

should be composed of people quali-fied with the current individual arm ofthe United States services. This is theM16. Accordingly, everybody should bechecked out with this weapon. The factthat it is capable of fully automatic firemay be a horrible idea to the hoplo-phobes, but I guess they will just have toface up to that.With all these “peacemaking” troopswandering around in blue helmets,we should point out that the classicAmerican Peacemaker is the legendaryColt Single-Action Army revolver. Theorigin of that nickname is impossible toascertain at this date, but it does indeedfit the subject. A fully armed society isa peaceful society, in largest measure.Scholarly investigations into the char-acter of the “Wild West“ discover that

while individual animosity was occa-sionally settled in barroom brawls withsidearms, the streets of the towns wereconspicuously peaceful, especially afterdark, which is certainly more than youcan say about what we have today.For people who are concerned aboutlead spray from steel targets, we pointout that spray is distributed in a circularpattern perpendicular to the angle ofimpact. It goes up, down and sidewaysregardless of the aspect of the target.(You can test this by cardboard shroud-ing if you wish.) Thus nothing much is

accomplished by slanting the targetat minor angles. Eventually, of course,you will achieve ricochets, but targetdisplay will suffer.We are informed that the retailmarkup on firearms is 400 percent.An item which costs $100 dollarsto produce will be listed at $400 dollarsover-the-counter. Of course, markupis the life of trade, but one’s annoyancemay be eased by the knowledge thata good gun is a lifetime purchase. Youonly have to buy it once. Thus a cheapgun is nearly always a mistake. Muchbetter to save your money and buy agood one the first time.

Note the following paraphrase fromJohn Ruskin: “There is hardly a productof our culture that someone cannotmake a little worse and sell for a littleless. The one who puts price above allother considerations is the natural preyof this man.”

A

“The classic American Peacemaker isthe Colt Single Action Army revolver.The nickname...does indeed fit the subject.A fully armed society is a peaceful society.”



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combat handguns 2014-03

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