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Dick Jones

Review: E.R. Shaw’s New ERS15 Rifle

E.R. Shaw-ERS15-main imageE.R. Shaw has jumped into the AR game, and the company’s ERS15 is a multi-purpose masterpiece.

The AR-15 platform is one of the most diverse and versatile of any design in firearms history. AR-style rifles are so popular because the design lends itself to customization. Not only are there a myriad of available grips, stocks, triggers, sights and other options that can be easily installed, completely different upper assemblies are available in everything from a pre-charged pneumatic .177-caliber pellet rifle to a single shot chambered for the mammoth .50 BMG cartridge.

It’s estimated that there are between five and 10 million AR-15-type rifles in the United States, and one website reports there are 386 makers, brands, and vendors of the AR-15. As of recent times, there are 387 because E.R. Shaw, a maker of rifle barrels for more than a hundred years, has now thrown its hat into the ring of AR-15 manufacturers. AR-15-type rifles are the Barbie Dolls of the gun world, with countless easy modifications available to match the owner’s desires. A friend recently received a package of parts containing almost everything to build a rifle except the upper and lower receivers. The leftover parts had been taken off the previous owner’s gun as he upgraded it. Doubtless, there are tons of similar parts in basements, garages and backrooms across the nation.

E.R.-Shaw-ERS15-rightDo It Yourself Not Required
While most AR-15 manufacturers sell stock rifles equipped with specific features and furniture, E.R. Shaw’s approach is to build the rifle to match the customer’s desires. It’s a method the company’s been using for years in its Mk. VII bolt-action rifle series in which customers can choose from calibers from .17 Fireball to .458 Winchester, along with dozens of combinations of stocks, receivers and barrel weights and lengths.

My test gun came with a 15-inch floating APF handguard with a full-length top picatinny rail and T-Mod rails. The 18-inch barrel had a 1:8-in. twist, was manufactured from 416 stainless steel and helical fluted and came with a standard flash suppressor, but the customer can specify between 1:7-, 1:8-, or 1:9-inch twist. The customer can also choose from nine different barrel combinations in lengths from 16 to 24 inches, with three fluting patterns and three barrel finishes combined with four receiver colors. There are four choices of handguards, from the MOE carbine length to the 15-inch APF, as my gun was supplied. The stock is a standard Magpul MOE in a color to match the receiver and handguard tube.

E.R.-Shaw-ERS15-huntingA Do-Everything Carbine
As configured, the E.R. Shaw ERS15 is a general-purpose rifle, capable of performing a number of tasks well. While it isn’t an all out big-game hunting rifle, it’s certainly a capable rifle for taking hogs and deer-sized game. As a predator rifle, it’s well equipped. As a defensive carbine, the additional features like the improved handguard with T Mod capability for adding accessories is a plus, and the additional accuracy of a stainless match barrel is certainly no liability. While it isn’t a competition rifle, it certainly has adequate accuracy for NRA High Power if equipped with a suitable optical sight, and it would be fine as a carbine or three-gun rifle at club level matches. In effect, it exemplifies the versatility of AR-15 rifles, and the customization allowed with E.R. Shaw’s custom rifle program allows the buyer to spec out his own rifle for his needs rather than buy a rifle and end up with a shelf of discarded parts after the rifle is configured to the owner’s desires.

For testing the ERS15, I mounted a Nikon 3-12 power M223 scope for accuracy testing and added a Crimson Trace Linq light/laser for added versatility. So equipped, it’s capable of handling almost any imaginable situation from personal defense, to shooting hogs or predators in the dark, to service as a long-range varmint rifle at ranges out to 500 yards or more. I tested with Winchester 69-grain Match, 55-grain Tin Lead Free, and 55-grain FMJ, again, a broad range of ammunition that covers multiple applications.

E.R.-Shaw-ERS15-groupsReliable and Versatile Accuracy
In extensive shooting with all three loads, I experienced zero malfunctions and accuracy levels that allow the ERS15 to serve well in almost any application. Accuracy was on par for a stainless-barreled quality AR with groups with Winchester 69-grain Match averaging under MOA and 55-grain FMJ at just over two MOA. The trigger on my test gun broke at 5.4 pounds, not a competition trigger, but reasonable for a general-purpose AR. The single-stage trigger broke clean with no creep but some backlash. It did have the most audible reset click of any AR I can remember; the reset was as loud as the striker falling on an empty chamber. As a hunting and defensive trigger, it was far better than the average AR trigger, but those wishing to increase the long-range capability would be served by a trigger upgrade.

E.R.-Shaw-ERS15-handguardThe 15-inch T-Mod forend tube worked well both on the Lead Sled and for offhand shooting. I particularly like the 15-inch length because for fast transitions the shooter’s hand should be well forward, and standard forend tubes don’t allow this without contacting the hot barrel or gas block. Repeatable off-the-bench sub-MOA accuracy is nothing to scoff at, and with the Winchester 69-grain match, all five of the test groups met this goal. Remarkably, the E.R. Shaw barrel managed to group bullet weights from 50 to 69 grains quite well. In one shooting session at a friend’s range, I tried some 75-grain handloads and they shot well also. The best part was the consistency of zero between the three different loads. Correction for any of the three loads would have been less than a half-minute.

E.R.-Shaw-ERS15-Crimson-Trace-LinQAdding a Linq
I equipped the test rifle with a Crimson Trace LiNQ laser/light system mounted to the T-Mod rail. It was a viable addition in keeping with the versatility of the E.R. Shaw ERS15. For defensive use, the addition of a laser to a carbine is an excellent idea since 70 percent of defensive situations occur in low-light conditions. Having a laser/light combination is even better because it allows certain identification. Of course, a light and laser also offer utility in predator and hog control applications as well.

E.R.-Shaw-ERS15-LiNQ-2The Crimson Trace LiNQ is innovative because it’s the first laser/light combination that offers wireless communication between the control switch and the light unit. I moved the LiNQ all the way forward on the forend to allow a forward grip without obstructing the unit. The 300 Lumens of light allow clear illumination of targets, and with the laser co-witnessed to the optical sight accurate heads-up shots are easily accomplished. Looking through the scope, the laser painted on the target looks like an illuminated reticle.

E.R.-Shaw-ERS15-stockIn Summary  
The E.R. Shaw ERS15 is not the best hunting AR, or the best competitive AR, or the best defensive carbine, but it serves admirably well at any of those applications. The concept of a custom build should be appreciated by those who don’t care to become an amateur gunsmith or wind up with a drawer full of unused components. Order it to suit your needs, and it will serve you well.

Specifications:

E.R. Shaw ERS15
Type: Semi-auto, direct-impingement gas
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Barrel: 18-in., 416 stainless steel, helical fluted (many other options)
Trigger: 5.4 lbs., single stage
Handguard: 15-in., free-floating APF (other options available)
Stock: Magpul MOE
Muzzle Device: Standard flash hider
Price: $756 and up ($1,043 as configured)
Manufacturer: E.R. Shaw

Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from the March 2017 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Gallery: Prime New Optics for Shooters

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Expanding technology has allowed changes in optics that could only have been dreamed about just a few years ago, and the options and features continue to expand. New coatings, resistant to scratches and abrasions, make optics more durable. Better science in lens coatings continues to increase light transmission levels, and features like zero stop prevent the long-range shooter from losing the short-range zero of his riflescope.

Imagine a spotting scope that allows comfortable high resolution far past the time when earlier scopes were unusable, or a riflescope that allows a wide field of view for fast moving targets, but at the twist of a lever, transforms into a scope suitable for precision long-range shooting. There’s no longer a need to wish for such features—they’re here.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the Winter 2016 edition of Gun Digest the Magazine.


Recommended:

Meopta MeoTac -Gun Digest Book of Long-Range Shooting, 2nd EditionGun Digest Book of Long-Range Shooting, 2nd Edition

Get the most recent advances in guns and gear to extend your range for hunting, informal target shooting, and formal competition. Discover new tools for long-range shooters both in the field and on the firing range, with coverage of new developments from advances in military applied combat theory. Learn more

Choosing the Best Concealed Carry Caliber

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Bigger guns are better stoppers, but they weigh more and are harder to carry comfortably. Every choice involving concealed carry is a compromise, but modern ammunition makes calibers that were once marginal much more effective.
Bigger guns are better stoppers, but they weigh more and are harder to carry comfortably. Every choice involving concealed carry is a compromise, but modern ammunition makes calibers that were once marginal much more effective.

Probably the most hotly discussed topic in personal defense is the argument over what constitutes a proper concealed carry caliber.

We know that no caliber chambered in a regular repeating handgun is capable of always stopping a perpetrator with a single shot. Obviously some calibers are much more effective than others, but there’s always a trade-off in recoil, capacity and the size of the carry gun. It’s a common belief among many that any caliber under .40 is ineffective, and those who carry smaller calibers are constantly bombarded with anecdotes relating to the dire consequences of carrying a pipsqueak caliber.

Statements about chocolate grips and filed-off front sights abound, but there’s really little evidence to prove that bigger calibers are substantially more effective in stopping aggressors than smaller ones.

With so many excellent guns in so many good calibers, the choice can be daunting. Often the load chosen has as much effect on success as the caliber.
With so many excellent guns in so many good calibers, the choice can be daunting. Often the load chosen has as much effect on success as the caliber.

With the exception of hitting the brain stem or first few inches of the spinal column, handgun calibers incapacitate by causing blood loss. Larger, more powerful calibers are more likely to accomplish this given the same entry location and angle. Ideally, the projectile should penetrate to vital organs or major arteries even if they encounter bone structure. It’s a given that the larger the wound channel, the greater chance that wound channel will intercept those large arteries and vital organs, so a combination of penetration and an enlarged wound channel is the criteria for best performance. It’s better for the projectile to stay in the perpetrator’s body, for two reasons: One, if the projectile doesn’t exit, all the energy will be transmitted to the target. Second, since personal defense often happens in populated areas, a projectile that doesn’t exit can’t do damage to an innocent bystander.

Since the penetration to the spinal column is a major factor in incapacitating a target, and most defensive situations involve a frontal shot, it would be ideal to somehow push the projectile all the way through the perpetrator with it stopping just short of exiting. Unfortunately, such consistent performance isn’t possible because bad guys come in different sizes and wear different kinds of clothing, which can be a factor in penetration, especially if the bad guy is wearing heavy winter clothing.

It’s been generally accepted that .38 Special and 9mm are about the minimum in reliable stopping power. In recent years, the performance of .380 ACP has been improved with better bullet design and higher-performance defensive loads. Traditionally, there’s always been a school of thought that the .45 ACP is a reliable one-shot stopper. As a young man, I heard stories from World War II veterans about enemy soldiers being hit in the shoulder with a .45 slug and the impact flipping them into a distant foxhole. While early TV shows depicted those who were shot simply freezing in place and dying, later TV shows and movies popularized the concept of bad guys being thrown over cars and across rooms. Neither scenario was realistic. People who are shot react differently, but violent movements come as a reaction from the person who’s received a gunshot, not from tremendous energy being released against their body.

The energy of a handgun round is simple physics. If enough energy is released from the muzzle of the handgun to knock the aggressor down, the recoil from that shot will have a similar effect on the person who fires the gun. Even a .500 S&W only deflects my arms when I shoot it. It’s quite easy for me to maintain my balance and stay on my feet. A 230-grain .45 ACP round only moves my arms slightly, with most of the movement being absorbed by my arms.

Most accomplished shooters can easily handle a full-size .45 or .40 with little adverse effect. That number is reduced, however, when the size and weight of the gun goes from a 39-ounce, full-size gun to a 20-ounce concealed carry pistol. My experience is that even individuals who consider themselves perfectly capable of handling a gun in a caliber that begins with “4” often flinch enough to cause shots below the targeted area, even at close range. Further, continued practice with a gun larger than you can handle often exacerbates the problem of flinch. A shot that hits below the sternum is unlikely to cause massive blood loss, even if it’s a fatal shot. Massive blood loss is your best bet for making a determined aggressor cease to fight.

A while back, I had a conversation with the sheriff of a Georgia county who had recently switched his department from the Glock 22 in .40 to the Glock 17 in 9mm. His reason for the switch was that many of his officers were having trouble managing the additional recoil of the .40 S&W round. When the department made the switch, the qualification scores for the department went up substantially. He also made the point that the less expensive 9mm round allowed the department to purchase almost twice as much ammunition for practice at the same budgeting level.

Weight is another problem with large-caliber concealed carry guns. They tend to be heavy. The primary prerequisite to winning a gunfight is to have a gun. Of the guns in calibers that begin with “4,” about the lightest models available weigh around 20 ounces empty. Most .38 Special five-shot revolvers weigh in between 11 and 14 ounces, so the average weight reduction is close to 40 percent, a substantial difference when you carry every day, all day.

Bigger guns are better stoppers, but they weigh more and are harder to carry comfortably. Every choice involving concealed carry is a compromise, but modern ammunition makes calibers that were once marginal much more effective. Or course, in many confrontations between citizens and aggressors, the aggressor doesn’t have a gun, and in a large percentage of those cases, the simple presence of the gun is effective for stopping the aggressor, whether that gun is a .500 or a .22.

Even if the citizen has to shoot the aggressor, many bad guys decide to stop simply because they’ve been shot. While I’ve never been shot, I have talked to people who have, and they tell me it’s not a pleasant experience. Of course, if the aggressor is pumped up with adrenalin, or drugs, or is experiencing a psychotic episode, he may not even feel a fatal shot that takes his life within seconds, and this type of aggressor is the only adversary the concealed carry citizen will face who’s affected by caliber choice.

This determined attacker has to be physically incapacitated to end the aggression, where the attacker cannot continue due to the level of his injuries. Fortunately, the percentage of determined attackers who persist even though seriously wounded is relatively small. A higher percentage of people simply stop the aggression when they realize they’ve been shot. Their reaction might come from the level of pain or fear of death and realization that continuing might end their life. This is considered a psychological stop.

In a situation where the defender doesn’t have to fire a shot or in the case of a psychological stop, the little .22 Long Rifle is as effective as a .44 S&W Magnum.
In a situation where the defender doesn’t have to fire a shot or in the case of a psychological stop, the little .22 Long Rifle is as effective as a .44 S&W Magnum.

Caliber and effectiveness of the round most likely have little to do with what’s required to produce a psychological stop. The sound of the gun associated with the pain and perhaps the presence of blood loss, all are likely to contribute to a cessation of aggression in a person predisposed to a psychological stop. In that scenario a .22 rimfire will probably work almost as well as a .44 Magnum.

Unfortunately, there are no in-depth studies that can give us exact information about what the optimum caliber for concealed carry might be. Even if there was, the constraints of each concealed carry citizen’s lifestyle would likely be more of an issue than caliber selection. The closest thing to a definitive study is entitled “An Alternate Look at Handgun Stopping Power” by Greg Ellifritz. Ellifritz compiled, over a 10-year period, statistics from 1,800 shootings with calibers beginning with .22 rimfire and .25 ACP and topping out with centerfire rifle and shotgun. The results were surprising in some ways and what you’d expect in others.

The criteria involved:
• The percentage of hits that were fatal.
• The average number of rounds before incapacitation.
• The percentage of people who weren’t incapacitated.
• The percentage of one-shot stops.
• The percentage of aggressors incapacitated by one shot.

The most surprising statistics involved the number of one-shot stops. While rifle and shotgun stops were more successful by an appreciable amount, the one-shot stop rates for handgun calibers from .25 to .44 Magnum were remarkably similar, only varying by a few percentage points. The average number of rounds required to incapacitate aggressors — two shots — was also remarkably similar. This might indicate that caliber makes little difference in the ability to stop aggressors. However, the percentage of people who weren’t incapacitated at all was much higher with the smaller calibers, but statistically almost the same for calibers from .38 Special on up to .44 Magnum.

Ellifritz concluded that, while it was true that the more powerful the round, the better the chance a determined aggressor could ultimately be stopped, the vast majority of aggressors give up when they know they’ve been shot. Click here to see the complete study.

The point of all this is that any reasonable caliber can stop an aggressor. At the same time, a determined aggressor can continue to fight, even if he’s mortally wounded by the largest handgun commercially produced, and even when hit in recommended target areas. It’s true that penetration is an important factor, as is the size of the wound channel, but these are issues that only count when the projectile is delivered to the right spot. The best advice is to carry the most powerful caliber and ammunition you — and the gun you commit to carry every day — can handle.

Defensive Firearms Training: Episodic vs. Immersion

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When it comes to concealed carry, firearms training is a must. But just exactly what sort of training regime yields the best results?

There are two types of firearms training: episodic training and immersion training.

You can become a proficient shooter on your own with episodic training, but only if you learn to shoot properly in the first place. This can be done through videos and text, provided you have the ability to critically analyze your own performance. Many people simply don’t seem to have this ability and as a result, they aren’t able to recognize their shortcomings and plateau at a point well below their potential. A better method is to train with a capable instructor who can critique your problems and help you correct them. Practicing on your own will accelerate your progress, provided you don’t fall back on your shortcomings when you’re not under the watchful eye of a good instructor.

Immersion training involves extended training over a full day or several days. This method will yield faster results, but unless you completely grasp the fundamentals and muscle memory involved, you’ll likely regress later. The best way is to begin with a period of immersion training and follow up with regular practice sessions and occasional episodes of training. Remember that many aspects of learning to shoot don’t require live fire. Almost all national level shooting competitors dry fire and learn gear manipulation skills that don’t involve live rounds.

Concealed carry training should be done with the gun and holster or carry system you carry every day. It should be done wearing the same kind of clothing you wear and be practiced both with winter and summer clothes. While it’s reasonable to say you can develop a high level of marksmanship and gun handling skills on your own, I find this very rarely happens.

You’ll progress much faster by spending time with a reputable trainer who shares a similar philosophy. If you’re committed, after study and consideration to daily carry with a small revolver, you’ll likely be frustrated with trying to learn with an instructor who advocates a full-size, high capacity semi-auto and who considers anything less as lunacy. He may convince you to change, but you certainly won’t convince him your plan is solid.

While the average armed citizen is better equipped to survive a violent crime than an unarmed citizen, a properly trained armed citizen is much more likely to perform well. We can argue forever about what constitutes the best gun or caliber for concealed carry, but there is simply no argument about training: A trained concealed carry citizen is far better equipped to deal with an adversary than an untrained one.

Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from Dick Jones' new book Gun Digest Guide to Concealed Carry Handguns.

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Are you interested in carrying a handgun for self defense, but don’t know where to start? Perhaps you’re already an armed citizen and are looking for a new carry choice? Let the Gun Digest Guide to Concealed Carry Firearms be your complete guide to the fast-growing world of concealed carry handguns. Get Your Copy Now

Kimber 1911 Review: Diamond Ultra II and Stainless II Classic Engraved Edition

Both the Stainless II (Classic) and Diamond Ultra II are stylish pistols with plenty to offer in terms of performance. Photos by Alex Landeen
Both the Stainless II (Classic) and Diamond Ultra II are stylish pistols with plenty to offer in terms of performance. Photos by Alex Landeen

Part of Kimber’s 2015 Summer Collection, the Diamond Ultra II and Stainless II Classic Engraved Edition are sleek, sophisticated and shoot with nail-driving accuracy.

The Stainless II is very elegant with its satin silver frame and scroll engraving.
The Stainless II is very elegant with its satin silver frame and scroll engraving.

When the editor asked me to do this review, I had no idea which Kimber pistols I’d be shooting. When The Gun Shop, my FFL, called me to come and pick up the guns, Gary said, “I have a couple of barbeque guns for you.” Until recently, I had no idea of the concept of the barbeque gun. According to the Urban Dictionary, a barbeque gun is: “An old term from the Southwest that refers to a gun that is not worn daily. These were functional guns (heavily modified for better accuracy/reliability/etc.) that might have some custom engraving, polishing, or custom grips. They were normally worn in tooled leather holsters as opposed to daily wear holsters—which were plain.” The human equivalent is a James Bond version of a handgun, capable of generating serious mayhem, but fitting into the most sophisticated setting with ease and grace.

The current most popular basis for the barbeque gun is the ubiquitous 1911. In earlier days, Colt Pythons and Smith and Wesson Combat Magnums were popular for this kind of adornment, but now the 1911 rules. This is only logical since the 1911 in .45 ACP is both powerful and reliable, and the techniques for making it extremely accurate while maintaining reliability have been around for years. Due to its storied history, the 1911 has a certain level of grace, and the classic design offers ample opportunity for adornment.

For Kimber America, it was a logical jump to begin making visually enhanced 1911s because they’re the largest manufacturer of 1911s in the world, and they have a loyal following of discriminating owners. Kimber also has a reputation for reliable and accurate guns.

Kimber 1911 Review - BBQ Guns!Whether there was an intentional decision at Kimber or the company just decided to dress things up a bit isn’t known, but it’s a perfect fit. The whole idea of the barbeque gun is that it not only be visually enhanced; it must also be a seriously accurate gun, capable of performance well beyond a standard off-the-shelf handgun. Traditionally, this class of gun has been a custom gun built by a well-known 1911 tuner, but a few manufacturers are breaking into the category.

When I opened the cases and saw the Diamond Ultra II and Stainless II Classic Engraved Edition, I instantly understood the concept of the barbeque gun. Both guns have been introduced this summer and are part of Kimber’s 2015 Summer Collection. The Diamond Ultra II is a concealed carry, 3-inch barreled, officer’s grip gun. As is normal for 3-inch 1911s, it uses the bushing-less barrel system and a full-length guide rod. The frame is aluminum for reduced weight and has a satin silver finish. There are ball-milled grooves in the front strap and straight mainspring housing.

The slide, grip safety, hammer, magazine release, ambidextrous thumb safety and slide release are high-polish stainless steel. The polish is so high my original thought was it was chrome. There’s border engraving on the slide with scroll corners, similar to the engraving on older classic American shotguns. The grip panels are ball-milled aluminum with flush-fit hollow head screws. Sights are Tactical Wedge night sights. The solid match-grade trigger comes from the factory at 4.9 pounds on my test gun, about right for a defensive handgun. It broke crisp and clean and has adjustable backlash.

Shooting the Diamond Ultra reminds you that 25-ounce 1911s with high-potency defensive loads generate recoil. The recoil isn’t as uncomfortable as a lightweight .357 revolver, but it does deflect the gun upwards regardless of how tightly you hold it. I shot it with Lake City Match hardball, Black Hills 230-grain FMJ as well as Remington Golden Saber 185-grain hollow points. As an additional function test, I used some low-powered reloads with Blue Boy coated 200-grain bullets. Operation was flawless and accuracy was good. I would have preferred grips with a more aggressive texture; the ball-milled aluminum grips were just not rough enough for me to keep the gun as anchored in my hands as I would have liked.

The sights were spot on as shipped, and it was easy to keep rapid shots in the A zone of a USPSA target at 10 yards. Repeat shots were a bit slower, but running the 8-inch plates within the standard time was certainly doable from the low-ready firing position. My only other complaint was that the polishing that provided the super-high-sheen finish must have rounded the slide serrations a bit, and 3-inch 1911s are already noticeably stiff when racking the slide. The Diamond Ultra isn’t a ladies gun, unless the lady has a very strong grip.

The Stainless II Classic Engraved Edition is a full-sized 1911 with a satin silver slide and frame. The slide has both front and rear serrations, and the flat sides and the top are scroll engraved in an open vine scroll pattern. The frame is engraved forward of the slide release, around the magazine release, on the flat mainspring housing and on the right side opposite the safety. The engraving is much more attractive than the roll-stamped engraving I’ve seen on a lot of shotguns. I know it isn’t hand engraved; the engraving cost would surpass the price of the gun, but it’s very close in appearance and sparkles in the light, contrasting the flat finish of the frame and slide. It’s very attractive.

There’s a beavertail grip safety but no enhanced bottom bump for thin hands. Sights are fixed, low profile with no dots. The skeletonized trigger on my test gun broke crisp and clean at 4.0 pounds and is backlash adjustable. The gun also features two-toned smooth walnut grips with Ivory Micarta checkered inlays, which represent one of of the most striking features on the Stainless II.

Kimber 1911 Review.Shooting the Stainless II Classic is like spending time with an old friend. The trigger is good; the sights are easy to see and are the traditional plain black sights I prefer. The checkering on the Ivory Micarta inserts provides a good purchase, and the 38-ounce weight tames things down to normal levels. Accuracy was spot on with my first shot at 10 yards, taking out the A in the A zone of the target. Recovery is fast with the added weight going a long way to reconcile the recoil issue, and the longer and more textured grip provides a solid purchase. This isn’t a target or race gun, but it’s way beyond the average for 1911s and as tough and reliable as a King Ranch diesel pickup truck to boot.

While I’ll admit I’ve never attended a Southwest barbeque that involved barbeque guns, I suspect such a soiree might also include a little friendly shooting competition. My favorite version of this is nail driving, and the Stainless II Classic could certainly perform the task. My adopted son, Chris Cerino, drove nails with a Colt Police Positive in the first Top Shot series, and he inspired me to get into nail driving and fly shooting.

When a fly lights on a target in my classes, I stop the proceedings to demonstrate deliberate shooting accuracy by shooting the fly. I can get the fly almost all the time at 5 yards, and have a good average at 10. I can easily imagine a nail driving competition at a good-old-boy western barbeque, and the Stainless II Classic would be a great gun for the task.

The .45 ACP round is the perfect caliber for nail driving because it drastically improves your chances over a smaller footprint 9mm or the .38 Chris used. My 10-yard group confirms this with nine shots in a ragged hole and probably five or more that would have pounded a twenty-penny nail through the board.

Bench rest testing of the two guns revealed the accuracy of the Stainless II Classic exceeded the accuracy of the Diamond Ultra, as would be expected. Off the bench at 25 yards, the Classic managed a couple of five-shot groups under 2 inches, doing best with Black Hills full metal jacket 230s. The best single group was with Remington Golden Saber at just less than 1.5 inches center to center.

These two handguns are both excellent examples of barbeque guns, but the author ultimately preferred the larger Stainless II to the Diamond Ultra II. Photo by Alex Landeen
These two handguns are both excellent examples of barbeque guns, but the author ultimately preferred the larger Stainless II to the Diamond Ultra II. Photo by Alex Landeen

Bench testing the Diamond Ultra was a bit tougher because of its small size and considerable recoil. I really felt I didn’t do it justice, but it still performed with more than adequate accuracy for a defense gun. My very best group was a bit less than 3 inches, but this is excellent accuracy for a small, concealed carry .45.

I admit, I’ve never owned a barbeque gun, and I don’t frequent many high-class events. If I did, I certainly wouldn’t feel out of place with either of the two Kimbers tested. I like the Stainless II Classic best, and it would certainly be my choice if there were a nail-driving competition as part of the festivities.

Kimber Diamond Ultra II
Caliber    .45 ACP
Type    Semi-auto
Barrel    3-in., stainless steel
Overall Length    6.8 in.
Slide    Stainless steel, cut scroll engraving and border
Frame    Aluminum, Officer
Weight    25 oz. (unloaded)
Trigger    High-polished, match-grade 4.0 to 5.0 lbs.
Sights    Tactical Wedge night sights, fixed
Finish    Satin silver (frame); high-polished (slide)
Magazine Capacity    7
MSRP    $1,652
Manufacturer    KimberAmerica.com

Kimber Stainless II (Classic Engraved Edition)
Caliber    .45 ACP
Type    Semi-auto
Barrel    5-in., steel match grade
Overall Length    8.7 in.
Slide    Stainless steel, full-coverage vine and leaf engraving
Frame    Stainless Steel, full-coverage vine and leaf engraving
Weight    38 oz. (unloaded)
Trigger    Premium aluminum, match grade 4.0 to 5.0 lbs.
Sights    Fixed, low profile
Finish    Satin silver
Magazine Capacity    7
MSRP    $1,905
Manufacturer   KimberAmerica.com

This article appeared in the November 2015 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine. Click here to download the full issue.

Core Strength: Smith & Wesson M&P Pro C.O.R.E. Review

Smith & Wesson M&P Pro C.O.R.E. Review. Photos by Alex Landeen
Photos by Alex Landeen

Last year, Smith & Wesson added an integral mounting system for optical reflex sights and designated the guns as C.O.R.E models, the acronym indicating Competition Optics Ready Equipment. Dick Jones reviews the Smith & Wesson M&P Pro C.O.R.E..

The M&P Pro C.O.R.E. takes the proven striker-fired pistol and adds modern optics to the platform. Photos by Alex Landeen
The M&P Pro C.O.R.E. takes the proven striker-fired pistol and adds modern optics to the platform.

The C.O.R.E. comes with five bases and screws for mounting six different optical reflex sights. There are mounting bases for the JPoint, Doctor, C-More, STS, InSight MRDS and the Leupold Delta Point, the sight I chose for the test. The three-dot iron sights supplied on the C.O.R.E. are extra high and allow co-witnessing with the reflex sight. Of course, there’s also a lower rail for mounting a laser or light or a combination thereof.

What makes this work so well is that the top of the slide is milled down, allowing the sight to sit lower over the bore. This makes the gun more compact and reduces the offset of the sighting plane. The closer the sight is to the target, the less difference there is in zero at different distances.

Obviously, it also greatly simplifies the process of mounting a reflex sight because the mounting location is already prepared to that specific sight. All that’s required is to remove the plate that comes on the gun, choose the appropriate mounting adapter and screws and mount the sight. The iron sights can be removed then or left in place as a co-witness system in the event the reflex sight fails or the batteries are used up.

The C.O.R.E features a rail for lasers and flashlights, as well as a set of three-dot iron sights.
The C.O.R.E features a rail for lasers and flashlights, as well as a set of three-dot iron sights.

As delivered, there’s a cover plate over the mounting area, and it’s hardly noticeable. What are noticeable are the high co-witness sights. They are almost twice as high as normal sights, and I found them to work really well when using the gun as it comes in the box. They are slide windage adjustable at the rear, but there’s no provision for elevation corrections.

This is a gun primarily designed for optics, so adjustment is of little importance when the C.O.R.E. is used as designed. I did notice an issue with the Leupold Delta Point I chose in that the Delta Point or the rear sight had to be removed before unlocking and locking the elevation and windage adjustments.

Shooting the C.O.R.E. without an optic installed isn’t a lot different from the standard M&P. There are three different grip inserts to get a better fit; I have always liked the way the M&P feels in my hand and only swapped out to test the Radetec Round Count system, but more about that later.

If, for some reason, your optic fails, you can easily fall back on the iron sights
If, for some reason, your optic fails, you can easily fall back on the iron sights

For some reason, the M&P series of pistols seem to shoot flatter than most of the polymer-framed striker-fired guns I’ve tested, and I’ve tested about all of them at this point. The bore axis is low, but I think it’s more about shape than geometry. The slide provides an excellent gripping surface at the rear with parallel vertical sides and a scalloped pattern that’s easy to grip without being abrasive.

S&W C.O.R.E. standing target: Many will find the addition of a reflex sight improves their scores.
S&W C.O.R.E. standing target: Many will find the addition of a reflex sight improves their scores.

I’ve heard some complaints about the hinged trigger system on the M&P guns, but it doesn’t bother me at all. I shot one of the .22 rimfire versions quite a bit before I put much time on a centerfire gun and I’ve never noticed a problem.

The trigger on my test gun broke right at 6 pounds after a reasonable first stage and with a normal amount of backlash for a striker-fired gun. The trigger was good for a service gun, but most serious competitors replace the stock system. Controls are well placed; the slide release is ambidextrous, and the magazine release is reversible. Fieldstripping is easy and self-explanatory if you have experience with striker-fired pistols.

Accuracy was good. I used Winchester 115-grain full metal jacket and Black Hills 124-grain +P hollow points. Both shot groups better than my capabilities at around 2 inches at 25 yards off a bench rest. I experienced zero malfunctions with either brand or with my 124-grain coated Blue Boy Bullet reloads. The Delta Point system I chose worked very well for precision shooting because the pyramid reticle allowed a precise hold.

Disassembly and reassembly is as simple as putting new batteries in the TV remote.
Disassembly and reassembly is as simple as putting new batteries in the TV remote.

Smith & Wesson C.O.R.E
Caliber    9mm Luger
Capacity    17 + 1
Magazines    Two black nitride with witness holes
Barrel    5 inch
Sights    Dovetailed 3-dot system,
raised for co-witness functionality
Frame    Polymer
Slide    Stainless Steel
Length    8.5 inches
Height    5.625 inches
Weight    26 ounces
Options    N/A
MSRP    $769.00
Website    smith-wesson.com

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FNS-9 Compact Review

FNS-9mm Compact Review.

FNH makes a splash in the carry market with its new striker-fired FNS-9 Compact.

FNS-9mm Compact Review.In 2011, FNH entered the modern striker-fired pistol market. The FNS fit the mold of the current standard with a polymer frame, two-stage, striker-fired trigger that’s hinged like the Smith & Wesson M&P line. As do most of the duty-style, striker-fired guns, the FNS uses a double stack magazine with a capacity of 17+1 in 9mm and 14+1 in .40 S&W. My friend Chris Cerino, of “Top Shot” fame, used one for a while in 3-Gun matches, and his wife, Michelle Cerino, still does. I recently had a chance to shoot the long slide version with a 5.5-inch barrel and was impressed with how flat shooting it was.

What makes a great duty pistol or competition pistol, however, doesn’t necessarily make a great defensive carry gun—an important fact since the hottest segment of the current firearms market is concealed carry. Carry guns need concealability and comfort in addition to accuracy and reliability. The new compact version utilizes a shorter 3.6-inch barrel and shorter grip frame. It weighs 23.4 ounces. At its thickest point, the ambidextrous slide release is 1.3 inches wide and has a total length of 6.7 inches, making the FNS Compact small and light enough for daily carry.

The shorter grip frame accommodates a 12-round magazine in the 9mm version tested. The .40 S&W version has a capacity of 10+1 with the standard compact magazine. My test gun came in a hard plastic case with three magazines. One is a compact, flat-bottom magazine that provides maximum concealment. The other features an extended base that allows all four fingers on the grip, and the third is a full sized 17-round magazine with an extender sleeve.

FNS-9mm Compact Review.The magazine release is ambidextrous, and I found the left side location a bit harder to manipulate than normal. It’s an oval shaped button that’s almost flush; I had to push hard for a magazine drop. I had others try it, and they observed the same. For some reason, I found the right side release easier to access with my right index finger. That’s not a method I normally use, but it was easy with the FNS Compact. Making the release unobtrusive is a good idea for concealment, so I suppose it’s a tradeoff. There are two backstraps to allow for better hand fit. The grip area is covered with little pyramids that provide good grip surface without being obtrusive.

The sights are a three-dot system with both front and rear sights in dovetails, allowing for drift adjustment of the rear for windage. There’s a front rail for lights and lasers and a bit of textured surface on the front of the trigger guard. There are front and rear slide serrations, and the slide is easy to grip and operate. The extractor serves as a tactile and visual loaded chamber indicator.

Every operational feature of the FNS is ambidextrous except the takedown lever, which has no bearing on normal operation. Take down is simple: Remove the magazine and check for clear, lock the slide to the rear, rotate the takedown lever down, release the slide and depress the trigger. The double recoil springs are contained in the guide and easy to remove and replace. It’s one of the easier striker-fired guns to field strip.

FNS-9mm Compact Review.Shooting the FNS compact at 10 yards, unsupported, deliberate fire, I managed to put 8 of 10 shots into well under an inch. I called one shot left, and there was another left shot I didn’t call that opened the group up to 1.56 inches, center to center. This is certainly adequate accuracy for a carry gun.  I particularly liked the sights, which were bold with a large white front sight dot that almost filled the notch in the two-dot rear. I felt they would be fast and allow precision when needed.

The trigger was on par with other striker-fired compacts, predictable and capable without being too light. My test gun broke at just over 6 pounds—a reasonable pull for a defensive gun. The current belief is that match triggers don’t belong on defensive guns because defensive situations don’t generally require fine motor skills to perform well.

The first stage of the trigger had a bit of a squeaky feel, but the break was positive with only a bit of backlash. Reset was short and positive. Running the plates at 10 yards was easy, with recoil being remarkably comfortable and flat. Magazine changes were fast and easy once I acclimated myself to the magazine release. The slide release is a bit hard to manipulate because it’s rounded at the top and hard to depress.

There are so many excellent guns currently available for the concealed carry citizen. With so many good guns available, the choice comes down to more minor features that the user might prefer. Of course, brand loyalty can also make a difference.

There are major players in the game, but there’s no doubt the FNS-9 Compact is as good as any gun in the category. It has reliability, accuracy and concealability. Whether you choose the mild-mannered 9mm or the more potent .40, the FNS Compact is a great defense pistol choice for the concealed carry citizen.

FNS-9mm Compact Review.FNS-9 Compact
Caliber:     9mm Luger
Capacity:     12 + 1 and 17 + 1 as tested in 9mm
Magazines:     3 magazines, one for concealment, one with a finger extension, and one full-sized with an extension sleeve.
Barrel:     3.6 in.
Sights:     Drift adjustable, three dot
Frame:     Polymer with interchangeable backstrap
Slide:      Steel
Length:     6.7 in.
Height:     4.58 in.
Weight:     23.4 oz.
Options:   Standard or manual safety
MSRP:    $599.00
Website:    fnhusa.com

This article appeared in the July 31, 2015 Concealed Carry issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Guncrafter Frag Review

Guncrafter Frag Review.

This hardcore full-sized duty pistol is capable of shooting in extreme conditions.

Guncrafter Frag Review

The Guncrafter Frag.My first Guncrafter gun was the CCO, an Officer-sized 1911 designed for everyday carry. The CCO was as accurate as a match gun, perfectly fitted and finished, with all the sharp edges contoured for comfort. The trigger broke like a glass rod, and through extensive shooting, functioned perfectly every time. When I received the latest Guncrafter offering, the Frag, I expected the same level of quality, and I received it.

While the CCO was a compact pistol for daily, concealed carry, the Frag is a hardcore full-sized duty pistol capable of handling extreme conditions without complaint. The Frag gets its name from the unique gripping surfaces of the grips and front and rear backstraps.

Reminiscent of the old pineapple grenade, the gripping surface is both aggressive and comfortable. The surface is deeper cut than normal checkering, yet there’s enough rounding to keep it from snagging on clothing or collecting lint as some aggressive checkering patterns do.

The front sight is another departure from the norm that’s something of a blast from the past. There’s a bright brass bead centered in the modified Patridge front sight, and the rear sight is a U-notch with a ledged surface to allow one-handed cycling of the slide against a cornered object like a doorframe.
While all guns are ultimately a sum of their parts, the Guncrafter guns are the sum of some very high quality parts.

There’s a bright brass bead centered in the modified Patridge front sight. That's a blast from the past.
There’s a bright brass bead centered in the modified Patridge front sight. That's a blast from the past.

The Frag has a forged frame and slide, and features a 5-inch match-grade barrel. The hammer, sear and disconnector are made from fully machined tool steel. The slide stop is fully machined from bar stock, and there’s a single side thumb safety and a generous beavertail grip safety with a big comfortable bump at the bottom.

The magazine well is beveled, and there’s a match trigger. The slide has generous cocking serrations and is flat topped with longitudinal grooves. It’s fully dehorned and the standard version has a black melonite finish.

True to the custom pistol mindset of Guncrafter, there are multiple options for sights, the magazine well, main spring housing, the finish and other options, as well as a 6-inch-long slide version. While my test gun was a .45, the Frag is also available in 9mm.

All this reflects a truly quality pistol, but for real perfection, everything must go together in harmony. Simply assembling quality parts will produce a quality pistol, but really exceptional guns have something that’s a bit more elusive. The Frag has no tricks or gadgets. There’s no ramped barrel, no extended guide rod, no trick spring system. What makes this gun special is the precision with which everything was fitted. When you disassemble the Frag, this becomes patently obvious.

Precision Fitting

With precision fitting parts there is no slop or play in the action. Author Photo
With precision fitting parts there is no slop or play in the action. Author Photo

I disassemble 1911s by removing the recoil spring cap to release the tension on the recoil spring. To do this, you depress the cap and rotate the barrel bushing. On the Frag, you instantly notice there’s absolutely no slop in the bushing. It’s perfectly fitted to both the barrel and the slide. Once out, you feel just how precisely the slide fits and slides on the frame.

With the slide off, the barrel slides back into the slide to take it out, but there’s no looseness or slop at all. Everything is precision fit and as perfect on the inside where you can’t see it as it is on the outside where you can. Without all the tricks, it outperforms other guns with the modern tricks because it’s so perfectly fitted. True Guncrafter guns aren’t cheap, but this level of quality is what you pay for.

Shooting the Frag, the impression is that everything is solid 1911, yet remarkably butter smooth. One is reminded of this even when loading the pair of Wilson Combat magazines that come with the gun. Holding the slide in one hand and the frame in the other, there is no sense of movement. The gun feels monolithic, yet when the slide is operated, it moves as on a ball bearing motion system.

I shot several boxes of Winchester 1911 230-grain FMJs through the Frag without a hint of hiccup. I also ran a few rounds of several defensive hollow-point loads without problems. Of the two Guncrafter guns I’ve tested, this has been the case.

Rapid-fire shooting at 15 yards put this group in the A-zone. Author Photo
Rapid-fire shooting at 15 yards put this group in the A-zone. Author Photo

Deliberate two-handed shooting at 15 yards yielded a ragged hole that indicates my ability to hold. Shooting rapid fire at the same target’s chest A-zone produced a snug group that was slightly left of center. At 38 ounces, the Frag is neither a lightweight nor a heavy target gun, yet it seems perfectly tuned for the hardball Win 1911 round.

Recoil is easily manageable, the gun rises but the recoil is a push, not a snap. The subdued edges of the Frag checkering pattern provide a great gripping surface, but didn’t abrade my “old man hands” at all.

I generally prefer a rectangular notch rear sight, and there are several sight options available for the Frag, but the U-notch with the brass bead worked fine. When I tested the gun extensively, the sun was behind my back but I could clearly see the sharp corners of the front sight to line up with the top of the notch. The trigger isn’t overly light, but it feels light because it’s so crisp. It reminded me of the 41⁄2-pound trigger that graced my old M14 match rifle, breaking precisely and feeling the same every shot.

In summary, the Guncrafter Frag isn’t a gun that will be purchased on price, but a gun that will be purchased because the owner wants the best 1911 he can get. I know there may be higher quality 1911s being made, but I haven’t tested one yet that’s better built.

The U-notch rear sight with a ledged surface allows the gun to be cycled against another object. Author Photo
The U-notch rear sight with a ledged surface allows the gun to be cycled against another object. Author Photo

Guncrafter Frag
Caliber:    .45 ACP or 9mm Luger
Capacity:    8 + 1 as tested
Magazines:    Two Wilson Combat
Barrel:    5-in. match-grade
Sights:    U-notch rear with a cocking notch and semi-Patridge front with a brass bead insert
Frame:    Forged steel
Slide:    Forged steel with grooved, flat top
Length:    83⁄8 in.
Height:    6 in.
Weight:    38 ozs. empty
Options:    Multiple options for sights, the magazine well and mainspring housing, the finish and other options, as well as a 6-in.-long slide version.
SRP:    $3,535 in 9mm, $3,285 in .45 ACP
Website:    guncrafterindustries.com

This article also appeared in the January 22, 2015 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine. Click here to download that issue.

Why Concealed Carry Training is Essential

Why concealed carry training is so essential.

Buying a gun and ammo is just the first small step. Perfecting your skills and nerve in a threatening situation is key to your safety. Concealed carry training will get you there.

To be properly prepared to defend yourself, you must be able to shoot fast and on-target under extreme stress. This is why regular practice and training is so important. Author Photo
To be properly prepared to defend yourself, you must be able to shoot fast and on-target under extreme stress. This is why regular practice and training is so important. Author Photo

While choosing and carrying an effective firearm is important, the time and effort you spend learning to properly operate that firearm will probably pay more dividends in effectiveness should you ever have to use it. To be effective, you must be completely comfortable with every aspect of putting your concealed carry gun to use.

You should be so familiar and comfortable that you can draw, shoot, clear malfunctions and reload without consciously thinking about what you’re doing. If you have to use conscious thought to accomplish these tasks, your ability to defend yourself is diminished, because as a concealed carry citizen, you only have the right to use deadly force when you literally fear for your life or the life of someone else, and fear almost always diminishes performance.

Even low pressure situations like competing in an organized shooting competition degrades the performance of most people. That stress level will be ratcheted up tenfold should your life be in danger. For the best performance, there’s no substitute for confidence, and regular practice generates that level of confidence while developing the motor skills necessary for performance under stress.

When you get in your car to drive to the grocery store, you know you have to step on the brake to allow the car to be shifted into drive. You don’t think about this process, it just happens as a conditioned response to achieve the goal of making the car go forward. When you first learned how to drive, you had to consciously think about the process of stepping on the brake before it could be shifted into drive. Most likely, you tried to shift into drive without applying the brake and had to correct the sequence. After enough repetitions, the act of stepping on the brake before shifting became a normal part of your driving routine—so much so that you weren’t even aware you were doing it.

Had you been sitting in an open Jeep during those first days of learning to drive, and been charged by an angry grizzly bear, there’s a strong chance you’d have tried to start the car and shift into drive without applying the brake. Early in your driving career, your mind related the brake to stopping, and with the charging bear, your objective would be to go. There’s a possibility the bear might have eaten you when you didn’t shift into drive because you simply forgot to press the brake. This illustrates why, as an armed citizen, you must practice until operating your gun comes as naturally as driving your car.

Achieving Top Performance

Take an intensive training course first and then follow it up with regular practice on the range for best results.
Take an intensive training course first and then follow it up with regular practice on the range for best results.

The best performance from humans always comes when we’re using non-verbal or operational thought. Verbal thought is when we work our way through a process using a mental checklist, such as mentally checking off the act of pressing the brake before putting a car into gear. New shooters must use a mental checklist in order to master the fundamentals. The sooner the new shooter shifts from mental-checklist thinking to conditioned-response thinking, the sooner that shooter will progress.

While it’s possible to shoot well using a mental checklist, it’s not possible to shoot well while shooting fast because our brains simply don’t run that fast when processing a mental checklist.
Operational thinking allows you to group sets of actions into one thought command and allow fast response. Instead of thinking grip, stance, breath, sight picture, trigger press and follow through, in checklist thinking, operational thinking just processes the thought, “shoot.”

Eventually, by conditioning the shooter’s response patterns, the process for firing a shot becomes: sweep jacket back, grip pistol, bring weak hand close to body, draw pistol and bring it to horizontal, bring the pistol to eye level and reinforce grip with weak hand, extend pistol, align sights on target and fire if the threat continues.

Practice and developing conditioned responses allows grouping whole sets of actions into single responses, and this is why it’s so important to learn to do things the correct way and do them that way all the time.

Proper practice doesn’t just involve the act of firing the shot. You can be a dead accurate shooter and still be totally unprepared for defending yourself against a bad guy because being able to manipulate your gun up until the second you fire the shot is just as important as accuracy when you fire the shot. Gear manipulation is as important as shooting.

The acts of safe gun handling, accessing your gun, clearing a malfunction and going through the loading process are just as important as marksmanship. All these tasks must be ingrained into your process to the point they don’t require conscious thought, and this should be done with your carry gun or with a gun that’s operationally identical.

For this reason, practice for the concealed carry citizen should be done in the same way that a person would fight back in the event of an attack. There’s no doubt that simple shooting practice improves your shooting skills. Competition is even more likely to improve skills because it stresses accuracy, speed or both, and because it adds a level of stress and performance anxiety to the equation. The action shooting games also teach the shooter how to deal with problems like malfunctions and handling complicated decisions while under the duress of time constraints.

Developing Your Skills

Training should always be done with the gun and holster you plan to carry on a daily basis. Author Photos
Training should always be done with the gun and holster you plan to carry on a daily basis. Author Photos

An example of this is something my friend and former Federal Air Marshal, Chris Cerino, experienced during the History Channel TV show, Top Shot. Chris was shooting a double-action revolver and a round failed to fire. Chris has extensive training with semi-auto pistols and most of his training work is training military, law enforcement and civilians with semi-auto pistols. When the revolver failed to fire, Chris tried to tap-rack the gun.

A tap-rack is the procedure of tapping the base of the magazine to make sure it’s seated and racking the slide to chamber a fresh round. Tap-racking a revolver does nothing since there’s no magazine to seat in the butt of the grip and no slide to work.

When this happened, the show’s host, Colby Donaldson, saw it and asked him, “Chris, did you just tap-rack a revolver?” Of course, he had. Chris was so conditioned to tap-rack when a gun failed to fire that the conditioned response was to tap-rack the revolver, even though all he had to do with a revolver was pull the trigger again. On a TV show, this is a source of entertainment; in a life or death situation it could be deadly. A lot of training with equipment other than what you use can cause conditioned responses you don’t want.

Choosing a quality instructor or training facility can be difficult because everyone in the business is certain he’s ultimately qualified to share his vast knowledge. I once set up at a gun show with a group of young military looking guys on the next aisle. Their booth was back to back with my booth and it featured videos of shooting scenarios with them moving around in tactical clothing. The production quality of the videos was very good and these guys looked like young Navy SEAL Special Forces operators. If you’re in close proximity to me, conversation will ensue, and I was shocked to find these guys weren’t law enforcement, past military or even competitive shooters. They’d taken the NRA instructors classes for shotgun, rifle and pistol and were setting up shooting classes with absolutely no practical experience at all.

There are shooting instructors across the country who apply SWAT or military tactics to concealed-carry citizen situations and train citizens in these techniques. SWAT or military training simply doesn’t apply to an armed citizen. Citizens have no right to attack the bad guys. In no state I know can civilians use deadly force to detain, much less attack, a criminal.

Our odds of having a gunfight with multiple bad guys are similar to those of winning the Powerball lottery. Tactical training of this type might be fun, but don’t fool yourself into thinking that shooting at multiple targets from a speeding vehicle is suitable training for the concealed carry citizen, and I’d advise a wide berth from someone who tries to tell you otherwise. If you want to do Zombie training, that’s fine, but it doesn’t relate to concealed carry. In the Zombie apocalypse, I plan to carry my 3-gun rifle with a high-cap shotgun and a double-stack .45 for backup. That would be impractical for concealed carry to say the least.

Two Paths To Follow

Concealed carry training.There are two types of firearms training—episodic training and immersion training. You can become a proficient shooter on your own with episodic training, but only if you learn to shoot properly in the first place. This can be done through videos and text, provided you have the ability to analyze your own performance critically.

Many people simply don’t seem to have this ability, and as a result, they aren’t able to recognize their shortcomings and plateau at a point well below their potential. A better method is to train with a capable instructor who can critique your problems and help you correct them. Practicing on your own will accelerate your progress, provided you don’t fall back on your shortcomings when you’re not under the watchful eye of a good instructor.

Immersion training involves extended training over a full day or several days. This method will yield faster results, but unless you completely grasp the fundamentals and muscle memory involved, you’ll likely regress later. The best way is to begin with a period of immersion training and follow up with regular practice sessions and occasional episodes of training. Remember that many aspects of learning to shoot don’t need to involve live fire. Almost all national level shooting competitors dry fire and learn gear manipulation skills that don’t involve live rounds.

Concealed carry training should be done with the gun and holster or carry system you use every day. It should be done wearing the same kind of clothing you wear and be practiced both with winter and summer clothes. While it’s reasonable to say you can develop your own level of marksmanship and gun handling skills, I find this very rarely happens with most gun owners.

In reality, most people will progress much faster by spending time with a reputable trainer who shares a similar philosophy as they do. If you’re committed after study and consideration to daily carry with a small revolver, you’ll likely be frustrated with trying to learn with an instructor who advocates a full-sized, high-capacity semi-auto and considers anything less as lunacy. He may convince you to change; you certainly won’t convince him you’re plan is solid.

While the average armed citizen is better equipped to survive a violent crime than an unarmed citizen, a properly trained armed citizen is much more likely to perform well when it’s a matter of life or death. We can argue forever about what constitutes the best gun or caliber for concealed carry, but there’s simply no argument that a trained concealed carry citizen is far better equipped to deal with an adversary than an untrained one. Be sure you are among the trained.

This article appeared in the March 2015 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine. Click here to download the issue.


Also Check Out:

Defend Yourself by Rob PIncusDefend Yourself

Though there is a focus on armed defense, fundamentals of security, evasion, barricading, and non-lethal defensive actions are also covered. Pincus stresses the importance of being safe and secure inside your own home, regardless of whether or not you choose to utilize a firearm for protection. Because this book is concept and principle based, the information provided can be practically applied to any home, apartment, or workplace, and any family size or budget. Get it here

 

5 Game-Changing Glocks

Most popular Glock models.

The development of the first Glock forever changed the handgun market as we know it. Here are five of the company’s most iconic models.

In the early 1980s the Glock Model 17 was introduced and it forever changed the world of service pistols. The Glock 17 wasn’t the first striker-fired pistol, but it was the first to be a commercial success.

By combining internal safety features and a long stroke, two-stage trigger pull with a center blade safety in the trigger, the Glock provided police departments with a large magazine capacity, lightweight gun with a high degree of safety and ease of operation. Currently available in 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 GAP and .45 ACP, the various Glock models have set the standard for striker-fired guns and proved the system to be both reliable and easy to use. The Glock line has proved to be one of the most successful designs of semi-auto pistols in history, and they continue to be among the most successful, recognized brands in the firearms industry.

Glock probably has the most loyal following of any handgun currently manufactured. The company considers its design as a safety action and those safety features are just what propelled the Glock to the forefront of the striker-fired revolution.

In fact, those features could be said to have almost single-handedly created the popularity of striker-fired pistols. The Glock is affordable, reliable and safe, and these are characteristics that make a good service pistol. Here are five Glock models that have changed the way we view semi-auto handguns or at the very least, have defined Glock’s sense of innovation and quality.

Glock 17. Glock 17

Designed to become the adopted service pistol of Austria in 1982, the Glock 17 continues to garner sales and positive comments from the shooting fraternity after 32 years of production. The Glock 17 was so named because it was the 17th set of technical drawings in the company’s quest in the Austrian Army’s procurement process. Being the original pistol in the line, there have been revisions. Currently, the latest version is the Generation 4. Other than the recoil spring and extractor designs, the changes in the Glock generations mostly are concerned with ergonomics.

At 25 ounces unloaded and with a barrel length of 4½ inches and a width of less than 11⁄8 inches, the Glock 17 is a compact service pistol. Boxy in shape, they were designed for function. Chambered in 9mm and with a standard 17-round magazine, the Glock 17 is a great balance of function, power and ergonomics. Its striker-fired design has proven to allow easy training and safe operation.

Glock 42. Glock 42

The Glock 42 is a bit larger than most of the current run of .380s on the market. For ultimate concealment, this might be a minor drawback, but for many who find the tiny guns a bit intimidating, it’s an answer to a prayer. With a standard Glock trigger pull, all the safety features of the Glock Safety Action and quality full-size sights, the 42 is still quite compact, light and thin. With the advent of quality .380 defensive ammunition the baby Glock might not be considered a one shot stopper, but it’s certainly no wimp. Many feel it’s just the right size for a carry pistol, not too big, not too small, just right. Maybe we should dub it the Goldilocks Glock.

The smallest true striker-fired gun, the Glock 42, is a new .380 compact, a downsized carry gun with all the features of the full-size models. It’s a slim, sub-compact pistol, a little larger than most .380s, but weighing just over 13 ounces with a 3¼-inch barrel. Like other models, it comes with two six-round magazines and has the familiar white dot front and white U outline sights.

Glock 34.Glock 34

While the Glock reputation was built on service pistols, it’s inevitable that competition with Glock pistols would happen. In fact, the company has its own shooters organization, the Glock Shooting Sports Foundation (GSSF). The Glock 34 is specifically designed for competition with a longer 5.3-inch barrel and a correspondingly long sight radius. Designed for USPSA, IDPA, IPSC and GSSF competition, it’s a 9mm gun that departs from the standard drift adjustable sights with click adjustable sights, allowing for a higher degree of pinpoint accuracy.

Glock 22. Glock 22

The Glock 22 is externally identical to the Glock 17 but chambered in .40 S&W. It’s arguably the most issued pistol in modern police history, with departments all over the United States adopting it as the standard issue sidearm. While there are those who feel the 9mm isn’t a reliable man stopper, there are few who hold that position on the .40 S&W. The .40 has similar energy to the iconic .45 ACP round, but magazine capacity is more like the 9mm Glock 17. In fact, the Glock 22 in .40 caliber only gives up two rounds over the Glock 17. The end result is an easy-to-operate and reliable, powerful high-capacity pistol that offers what many departments believe to be the best compromise of capacity and power.

Glock 20.Glock 20

In America, we value horsepower, and the top of the Glock line—the G20—certainly has horsepower. The 10mm round produces a massive 550 foot-pounds of power, and the magazine capacity of 15 rounds produces a handgun with a high power-to-weight ratio. With an empty weight of just over 30 ounces and a fully loaded weight of 39 ounces, the G20 provides stopping power and firepower that have the potential to handle almost any situation, including being a much more effective version of bear spray. It’s even a great option for those big game handgun hunters who prefer a modern semi-auto design pistol to a standard revolver platform.

This article appeared in the Winter 2015 issue of Modern Shooter magazine, presented by Gun Digest.

Glock: Understanding the Striker-Fired Semi-Automatic Pistol

Glock: What is a striker-fired semi-automatic pistol?

One of the most innovative designs in the history of handguns is the striker-fired semi-automatic pistol. But what does that mean?

Having said this, the term used to describe these guns isn’t quite correct, or perhaps it isn’t quite complete.

With the modern guns we now designate as striker-fired pistols, the energy for the striker is stored when the slide comes forward and the striker hooks on the sear, much like the tail-hook of an aircraft landing on a carrier. When the trigger is pulled, the sear lowers and allows the striker to spring forward and fire the gun.

In some guns, like the Glock, the sear moves both to the rear and then down, the slight extra rearward motion completing the cocking process and then firing the gun as it moves down.

The first commercial success in this type of pistol was the Glock 17. But the Glock wasn’t the first striker-fired pistol, or even the first polymer and striker-fired pistol. H&K produced a pistol that was polymer framed and striker fired in 1970 but it saw little commercial success.

Whether you like striker-fired guns or not, the system is here to stay, and as an enduring fan of the 1911, I’ve come to realize that striker-fired guns are much more suitable than other systems for military, law enforcement and civilians for almost every application.

Comparing Carry Revolvers

The S&W 340 M&P is an updated, lighweight version of the famed Model 36 Chief’s Special.
The S&W 340 M&P is an updated, lightweight version of the famed Model 36 Chief’s Special.

The author puts three great compact carry revolvers through a little side-by-side testing.

We all understand the stopping power of the firearm can have a profound effect on the number of rounds required to stop a determined assailant.

Certainly, most would agree that a single, well-placed, highly effective round would be more likely to stop a bad guy than one from a .22 rimfire. Because of this, I advocate carrying the most potent firearm you can handle. My choice of a five-shot compact revolver is the lightest and most powerful I can obtain.

Very Worthy Carry Revolvers

The five-shot Ruger LCRx revolver is the newest of the test class and performed quite admirably.
The five-shot Ruger LCRx revolver is the newest of the test class and performed quite admirably.

Three such Noisy Crickets are the Ruger LCRx and the Charter Arms Undercover Lite, both chambered in .38 Special +P, and the Smith & Wesson 340 M&P chambered for the .357 Magnum round. I chose these guns for this comparison because they’re both powerful and lightweight, and have excellent triggers that are light and manageable.

I chose the .357 in the S&W because it represents, as do the other guns, the highest power-to-weight ratio in their product line. Other companies make similar guns in .357, but those guns are heavier. The Charter Arms Mag Pug and the LCR both are available in .357, but both are based on heavier frames, the extra mass taking them up and into another weight class.

All three guns are similar in concept. The S&W is an updated, lightweight version of the time-honored Model 36 Chief’s Special, using the small J frame and made of lightweight Scandium alloy with a stainless steel cylinder. The 340 M&P is the double-action only, shrouded hammer version. At 13.3 ounces, it’s a powerful lightweight with a good trigger pull and unobtrusive, yet it has effective sights consisting of an integral U-notch rear and a pinned, round tritium front sight.

The Charter Undercover Lite is a lightweight version of the standard Undercover I carried for about 20 years. It served hard duty, having the undesired experience of going swimming twice, not by choice. It traveled thousands of miles, endured minimal care and never even thought of malfunctioning. It still serves my son-in-law faithfully. The Undercover Lite has a lighter trigger pull, though not as smooth as the other two guns. It has a machined-in ramp front and the same integral notch rear sight as the other guns.

The Ruger LCRx was chosen primarily because it’s new in the Ruger line this year. While the S&W and Charter Arms designs have a long and storied history, the Ruger is a relative newcomer. The LCR product line was introduced in 2009. In spite of being a newcomer, the LCR series has received a warm reception in the world of personal protection revolvers. My sample version weighed the exact same amount on my scales as the S&W at 13.3 ounces, both guns being a half-ounce heavier than the Undercover.

The Ruger uses less conventional materials to reduce overall weight. The functioning part of the LCR frame is aluminum, but the grip frame and trigger guard are of polymer. A conventional pinned ramp front sight mates up with an integral notch rear sight providing adequate sights for a short-range carry gun. The Ruger has a less traditional look with the cylinder sculpted for weight reduction rather than the more conventional fluting on the Smith.

With .38 Special +P and .357 Magnum chambers, and weighing less than 14 ounces, these guns generate levels of recoil that’s not for the faint of heart. They’re not the kind of gun you want to burn a lot of defense level ammunition through.

Recoil, though stout, is manageable. I’m a mid- to back-of-the-pack guy at an action shooting event, and I could manage five shots into the A zone of an IDPA target at seven yards within four seconds, with both .38s using Remington Golden Sabre defense ammunition, though I lost an additional second with the .357 S&W.

While there’s room for argument that follow-up shots would take more time with such a powerful combination, the most important shot is the first and a well-placed shot from a +P .38 or .357. Even one with a short barrel should discourage even the most determined attacker. And while we’re on the subject, yes, I do know a 2-inch .357 isn’t as powerful as one with a 6-inch barrel, but it’s considerably more powerful than a .38 Special with a 2-inch barrel.

Of course, there are guns with more weight that are easier to handle than these super light thumpers, but the primary issue with civilian everyday carry is comfort, and the plain fact is that you’ll carry the gun far more often than you’ll shoot it. For a civilian to use deadly force, there must be a real threat of loss of life, serious bodily harm or sexual assault. Under those conditions, the defender won’t be likely to remember feeling any recoil at all.

Seven-Yard Standard

The Charter Arms Undercover Lite not only shoots well, but comes in a variety of finishes.
The Charter Arms Undercover Lite not only shoots well, but comes in a variety of finishes.

In teaching the North Carolina Certification, our curriculum requires a discussion of the seven-yard standard of the Tueller drill, involving an assailant without a firearm.

Though civilians using firearms for defense are almost never criminally charged, most defense with a firearm eventually involves a lawsuit, and shooting an assailant without a gun at ranges of less than seven yards will put the defender in a bad position in a civil suit. Having said all this, all three guns tested delivered quarter-sized groups at seven yards, more than enough accuracy for 99 percent of all civilian/aggressor confrontations.

Accuracy levels of guns like this are more dependent on your ability to achieve good sight alignment and manage the trigger than on the actual accuracy capability of the gun and ammunition. Recently, I did a video with Chris Cerino, of Top Shot fame, and Chris hit a 12×16-inch target on the third shot double-action at 100 yards with a 2-inch S&W .38.

A couple of years back, I shot a 25-yard, five-shot group with the S&W 637 I was carrying at the time. I shot the group in low light, using a Crimson Trace grip laser rather than the sights on the gun. Off a sandbag, the 2-inch barreled belly gun produced a 3-inch group, centered in the target.

The average distance in defensive shootings is generally agreed to be less than three yards; anything beyond seven is rare indeed.

Adding a laser contributes both to low light capability and accuracy, though the laser should be set to be below the shooter’s line of sight for practice purposes. Lasers are great and the reliability levels are spectacular, but depending solely on a battery in a life or death situation might not be the best practice. Of course, grip laser systems are available for all three guns tested.

It still makes sense to carry ammunition for a possible reload, and reloading should be a part of your training exercises and drills. Speed loaders and speed strips are assets in fast loading, and they make the extra ammunition less fumble proof, an important factor when your life is in danger. Since the extractor rod is shorter on the 2-inch guns, making sure ejected rounds clear the gun is important.

The ejector stroke on the Ruger is .656, compared to .618 on the Smith and .616 on the Undercover, but all three guns require a strong ejection stroke with the muzzle pointed skyward to assure that brass clears the chambers. Even then there’s a possibility of a case or two needing removal.

Between these three guns, there’s no bad choice. Your wise choice depends more on your product preference than on quality of features. I carry the S&W because I like the .357 round. I admit it’s hairy to shoot, but I manage it just fine.

My wife carries a Charter because they make it in pink. The Ruger is as good as either, just a little different. Yes, a five-shot revolver gives up magazine capacity and speed of reloading, but is as reliable as a hammer and offers a lot of power in a small package. In spite of the clichéd name, the snub-nose .38 is still a viable choice.

The Charter Arms Undercover Lite "Pink Lady."
The Charter Arms Undercover Lite “Pink Lady.”

Ruger LCRx
.38 Special+P
5 rounds
1.875 in.
U-notch
Aluminum & polymer
6.50 in.
4.50 in.
13.5 oz.
Crimson Trace
$545
ruger.com

Charter Arms Undercover Lite
.38 Special+P
5 rounds
2 in.
U-notch
Aluminum
6.4 in.
4.25 in.
12 oz.
Crimson Trace
$410
charterfirearms.com

S&W 340 M&P
.357 S&W
5 rounds
1.875 in.
U-notch
Scandium alloy
6.31 in.
4.375 in.
13.3 oz.
Crimson Trace
$869
smith-wesson.com

This article appeared in the Spring 2015 Concealed Carry issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Verdict: Taurus Public Defender Review

Making a case for the Tauris Public Defender.

This versatile handgun designed for defense proves it is no gimmick.

When Taurus introduced a .45/.410 revolver, it found instant popularity and sales. The series was dubbed “the Judge” when the company discovered the .410 revolvers were popular as a defensive sidearm for judges, since a .410 shot load would have excellent short range stopping power and less chance of collateral damage to bystanders at even medium ranges.

The Judge has a solid following and remains one of the more popular handguns in the Taurus line. In my experience, there are two kinds of people, those who love the Judge and those who hate it. It seems a lot of gun writers view it with a certain level of disdain, but the Judge, especially the Public Defender version, has a lot of redeeming virtues.

Taurus Public Defender Review

In the same cylinder, a Public Defender owner can carry two snake shot-sized shotgun loads and three hard-hitting 250-grain .45 Long Colt loads for a good mix of protection. Author Photo
In the same cylinder, a Public Defender owner can carry two snake shot-sized shotgun loads and three hard-hitting 250-grain .45 Long Colt loads for a good mix of protection. Author Photo

In the standard all-metal configurations, the Judge is a bit heavy and bulky for daily carry, though no more than the full-sized service pistols some carry. My test gun came in at 23 ounces, so a fully loaded Defender would come in with a loaded weight a bit less than a compact double stack .40. Due to the fact it’s a revolver, it would be a bit thicker, but it would have a slightly shorter profile.

What makes the Defender attractive is the level of versatility it offers. With birdshot, it would be a spectacular snake killer and a devastating defense firearm at very short ranges. For an apartment dweller, the potential for a stray round could be disastrous and by judicial choice (no pun intended) of shot size, unwanted penetration could be negated.

Most defensive situations occur at less than 3 yards, and backup .45 Colt loads could certainly be loaded for subsequent shots. Of course, not all handguns are purchased for urban defense; many are used as protection from both two- and four-legged aggressors. In the event you need a broad-based revolver, capable of handling a lot of different situations, the Judge has real merit.

Opinion Based On Testing

All the talk over gun shop counters proves nothing except that opinions are like excuses—everybody has one. I decided to form an opinion based on actual testing, and I came away a bit surprised.

Since a Public Defender will handle everything from serious stopping .45 Colt defensive rounds to skeet loads suited for dispatching snakes, I decided to test the whole gamut. I called Winchester Ammunition and requested No. 9 shot AA skeet loads, No. 4 hunting loads, rifled slugs and the popular PDX1 .410 Defense Disc loads.

I also tested .45 Colt loads, the 750 fps 250-grain Cowboy Action load and the Super X 255 grain 860 fps load that delivers a whopping 410 ft-lbs. of energy. No one will argue that the .45 ACP isn’t a capable stopper and the Super X 255 load exceeds the energy levels of the Winchester Defender .45 ACP load at 392 ft-lbs. True, the Public Defender only has five rounds in a cylinder, but most compact .45s with similar weight and dimensions only hold six or seven.

Taurus Public Defender Review. Shooting the Public Defender is fun, provided you don’t mind recoil and muzzle blast. I actually enjoyed my morning of testing, though I admit, the Defender is a hard kicker. I began with AA skeet loads. At about 5 yards, they provide a dense enough pattern to allow only a very skinny and lucky snake to avoid destruction.

For defense, they’ll certainly deter, but even at a distance of 5 feet, they failed to penetrate ½-inch oriented strand board (OSB) as used for construction. For the apartment dweller, I’d recommend the No. 4 load.

For shooting snakes, the pattern would be pretty spotty at 5 yards, but at 5 feet, they penetrated the hard OSB and blew out sections of it. Certainly they would penetrate a rib cage and cause massive hemorrhaging, which is the only reliable stopping factor when it comes to handgun calibers.

While I didn’t build wall sections for testing, I seriously doubt the No. 4 shot load would penetrate two thicknesses of drywall gypsum. The most impressive looking effect came from the PDX1 Defender load with three-plated discs and 12-plated BB shot. The PDX1 simply beats the center out of a target. At normal defense distances of under 7 yards, it would be both painful and devastating, the discs would likely penetrate the rib cage and the BBs would pepper the attacker all over the targeted area.

I also tried shooting rifled slugs but they’re less accurate and more expensive than .45 Colt loads and therefore not recommended.

Shooting the .45 Colt loads, I was impressed by the accuracy potential of the Public Defender. To center the X in a USPSA Dirty Bird target, I needed to hold about 2 inches low at 10 yards. While the rifling of the Judge series is more shallow than normal because of the .410 chambering, accuracy was certainly acceptable. My 10-yard, five-shot groups were always ragged holes unless I called a shot out.

Taurus Public Defender review.The real argument for the merit of the Polymer Judge is versatility. In the same cylinder, the user can carry two No. 9 shot snake loads and three hard-hitting, 250-grain .45 caliber bullets. For the backpacker, this means real utility.

The time it takes to swing out the cylinder and switch from a bear or pig stopper to a snake-dispatching load is less than two seconds. For quite some time, I carried a Charter Arms Bulldog .44 Special revolver as my daily carry gun.

I eventually began leaving it in the safe in favor of a lighter, but similarly powerful 340 S&W .357. The Bulldog is a defensive carry gun only. The Public Defender is much more versatile, and the .44 Special and .45 Colt have almost identical ballistics.

Everyone is certainly entitled to his own opinion, but as for me, I can certainly see a lot of merit to the Public Defender, and it would be my first choice as a kit gun for an extended outing in rough country.

Taurus Public Defender
Caliber:    .45 Colt/.410
Capacity:    5 rounds
Barrel:    2.5 in. with shallow rifling
Sights:    High-visibility front and windage adjustable rear
Frame:    Steel and polymer
Length:    7.875 in.
Height:    4.6 in.
Weight:    23 oz.
Options:    N/A
SRP:    $653
Website:    taurususa.com

This article appeared in the Spring 2015 Concealed Carry issue of Gun Digest the Magazine

Related Video:

1911 Review: Springfield Armory Range Officer Compact

Springfield-Range-Officer-Compact-2

A 1911 review of a downsized semi-auto pistol that is made for carry.

The author produced extremely tight groups with the Range Officer Compact using Winchester Target and Win 1911 loads. Author Photo
The author produced extremely tight groups with the Range Officer Compact using Winchester Target and Win 1911 loads. Author Photo

My first experience with large caliber semi-auto pistols was with a 1911. For many years, a 1911 was the only centerfire semi-auto I owned, and I learned to love John Browning’s remarkable design. Try to imagine any other mechanical design that’s still at the zenith of its life after more than 100 years of use. 1911s have been the mainstay of competition pistols since a few years after their introduction, and they’re still at the top.

Last year, I reviewed Springfield Armory’s Range Officer in 9mm. One of my friends who’s competed in almost every imaginable kind of competition and shot dozens of 1911s during his shooting career remarked that the 9mm Range Officer was one of the nicest out-of-the-box pistols he’s ever shot. He even proclaimed it to perhaps be the best bargain in modern firearms.

Originally a candidate in a Defense Department trial to find a lighter service pistol for officers, the Colt Commander was the first lightweight 1911. Chambered in 9mm and with an aluminum alloy frame and a 4¼-inch barrel, Colt put the Commander into production in 1950.

When I found out Springfield Armory was making a compact version, I knew I had to try one out and emailed Springfield Armory that same day requesting a test gun. The Range Officer Compact is a smaller gun than the Colt Commander of my youth. It has a 4-inch barrel and an aluminum alloy frame, and an Officer-length grip.

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The front strap is smooth and the flat back strap is checkered in a high-grip, fine checkering pattern. There’s an extended beavertail grip safety with a generous bump at the bottom to allow shooters with thin hands to engage the grip safety.

My hands are slender enough that I can’t rest my thumb on the thumb safety of guns without the bump and still be sure I’ll keep the grip safety engaged. The thumb safety is oversized and on the right side only. I think this is a good idea on a carry 1911.

While I haven’t carried a 1911 as a daily CCH gun, I’ve had friends in law enforcement advise me that an ambidextrous safety might not be a good idea on a carry 1911 because it can be disengaged by seat belts and other objects the shooter comes in contact with. If you need a left-hand safety, it’s an easy and economical add on.

The trigger is a long, lightweight speed trigger. On my test gun the trigger broke with a slight amount of creep at just over 5 pounds, reasonable for a concealed carry defense gun. There are angled, generous cocking serrations on the rear area of the slide. The hammer is a skeletonized Commander style.

Sights are a combat style two-dot rear and a high-visibility front with both green and red replacement material provided. The slide sports a flat Parkerized finish, and the aluminum frame is black Hardcoat anodized and matches well. The grips are thin cocobolo with double diamonds at the attachment screws and the familiar crossed cannons Springfield Armory logo.

A Bull-Barreled Gun

The RO Compact breaks down simply like any 1911. The stainless steel barrel works with a full-length recoil spring guide rod and dual recoil springs.  Author Photo
The RO Compact breaks down simply like any 1911. The stainless steel barrel works with a full-length recoil spring guide rod and dual recoil springs. Author Photo

While the standard Range Officer is straight laced all the way, the design of the Range Officer is drastically different from the build of older 1911s. The Compact is a bull-barreled gun without a barrel bushing. The stainless steel match-grade barrel features a fully supported ramp, and there’s a full-length recoil spring guide rod and dual recoil springs.

Shooting the Range Officer Compact is similar to shooting an old style Commander except with better sights and more ergonomic controls. Recoil with 230-grain hardball and +P defense loads is snappy but manageable. It’s my theory that you carry a gun more than you shoot it, and if you use the gun to defend yourself, you’ll never feel the recoil. Obviously, second shot recovery is always an issue with hard kicking guns, but no one will argue the potential of the .45 ACP round, and heavy guns often get left at home.

Accuracy was more than adequate, though it seemed to take 50 or so rounds for it to settle down. Of course, this might have been me. After a couple hundred rounds, I managed a pretty respectable 10-shot group at 10 yards. Slow fire and rapid fire were both manageable and plenty accurate. It wasn’t a problem running the plate machine at 10 yards while staying on the standard six-second time limit.

Most of my shooting was done with Winchester 230-grain Target and Win 1911 230-grain Target. I also ran a couple of boxes of 185-grain Silvertips, and there wasn’t a single malfunction.

Like the standard Range Officer, the Range Officer Compact is a lot of gun for the money. If I were to voice a suggestion, it would be to include at least one slightly longer magazine for pocket carry or perhaps to extend the magazine just a bit to allow for seven rounds. Of course, longer magazines for 1911s are not difficult to find. Extra magazine capacity is always a good thing.

The RO Compact functions flawlessly and is more than accurate enough for the purpose intended. There’s a hard plastic case with a holster, magazine pouch, two six-round magazines, tools and extra sight insert material. As is the usual case for Springfield Armory, it’s a lot of gun and an excellent value.

This article also appeared in the Spring 2015 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

The Range Officer Compact boasts a combat-style two-dot rear and high-visibility front sight with replaceable red and green dots. Author Photo
The Range Officer Compact boasts a combat-style two-dot rear and high-visibility front sight with replaceable red and green dots. Author Photo

Springfield Armory Range Officer Compact
Caliber:    .45 ACP
Capacity:    6 + 1
Magazines:    Blued steel with witness holes
Barrel:    4-in. stainless steel, ramped match grade
Sights:    Two-dot combat style rear and high-visibility front
Frame:    Aluminum alloy with anodized matte finish
Slide:    Forged steel, Parkerized
Length:    7.6 in.
Height:    5 in.
Weight:    28.5 oz.
Options:    Comes with a hard plastic case, holster, magazine pouch, two six-round magazines, tools and extra sight insert material
SRP:    $970
Website:    springfield-armory.com

Gun Review: CMMG Mutant is a Beast of a Hybrid

The Burris MTAC Illuminated 1-4 scope on 1X magnification makes for fast target acquisition while keeping peripheral vision. Author Photo.
The Burris MTAC Illuminated 1-4 scope on 1X magnification makes for fast target acquisition while keeping peripheral vision. Author Photo.

CMMG thinks it has finally built the solution for those who pine for a true, high-functioning AR/AK hybrid. Part AR, part AK – the new CMMG Mutant is a true beast.

The CMMG Mutant is a cross between Eugene Stoner’s design and Mikhail Kalashnikov’s brainchild. Both these guns have been wildly successful, so it makes sense that a marriage of features from both guns should be a winner.

The MK 47 uses the much superior Stoner trigger, safety and stock design. In fact, the MK 47 is about 80 percent Stoner design and 20 percent Kalashnikov. From the trigger back, it’s 100 percent Stoner.

The bolt assembly is a massive version similar to the AR-10 bolt. There’s no forward assist and no bolt lock-back on the last round.

The standard AK magazine is used, but the magazine release is far superior to the Kalashnikov design. There’s a grooved ambidextrous paddle lever at the front of the trigger guard that can be pushed forward with the tip of the index finger. If you lower the muzzle of the rifle as you press the lever, the magazine will drop free. This makes magazine changes incredibly fast.

The MK 47 is about 80 percent Stoner design and 20 percent Kalashnikov.
The MK 47 is about 80 percent Stoner design and 20 percent Kalashnikov.

Of course, the most notable advantages of the MK Mutant over the AK are the ability to mount an optic and feel like it isn’t super glued on the gun. The MK 47 has a full length Picatinny rail that runs from the receiver flat top to the forward end of the handguard. While we’re talking about handguards, the CMMG handguard is the same as the one on the 3-Gun rifle.

MUTANT OPTIONS

The AKM is the middle of three Mutant models from CMMG. The T model is the base model with basic furniture, and the AKM2 adds a Geissele SSA trigger. All models come with CMMG’s lifetime quality guarantee.

With a weight of less than 7 pounds, it’s no heavier than an AR-15 of similar length and options. There’s a CMMG SV Brake Threaded 5/8-24, so mounting a suppressor is a simple task. The upper and lower receivers are of 7075-T6 aluminum, and the gun comes with a Magpul PMAG 30 AK/AKM MOE magazine. The 16.1-inch barrel is made of 4140 steel and has six-groove rifling and a groove diameter of .311-inch.

While no one will argue that the AK 47 has been a success and is arguably the best combat weapon in existence today, the AR side of the family has been no slouch. The MK 47 marries the best aspects of both systems to produce a very good rifle. It’s pleasant to shoot pushing to the right, but with little muzzle rise.

I scoped the test gun with the excellent Burris MTAC Illuminated 1-4 scope. While dot sights have found a lot of popularity, I find a low magnification variable to be a wonderful choice for ARs and similar rifles.

Using Winchester ammo, the Mk47 punched a 1½-inch group at 100 yards. Author Photo.
Using Winchester ammo, the Mk47 punched a 1½-inch group at 100 yards. Author Photo.

It only took a couple of shots to get the MTAC on, and once there, I was pleased with the accuracy level of the Mutant. With 125-grain Brown Bear softpoints, it grouped within 3 inches for five-shot groups at 100 yards, and Winchester 125 brought that to less than 2 inches, with my best group under 1 ½ inches.

The AKM2 with the Geissele trigger paired with a higher magnification scope might do better. Functioning was 100 percent with both loads tested.

Over the years, I’ve come to realize just how versatile the AR platform has become, but I realize there are limitations to the .223/5.56 round. The 7.62 x 39 round offers a much heavier bullet and better penetration while keeping the option of using low-cost steel-cased ammunition.

The MK 47 Mutant certainly is a viable choice for general use as a defense/utility rifle and would make a great hog slapper with the power of the 7.62 round. It’s accurate, reliable, offers the ability to shoot cheap ammunition, and uses cheap and easy-to-find magazines.

I’m more than pleased with it.

CGGM Mutant Specs

Caliber: 7.62 x 39
Action Type: Direct impingement, semi-auto
Receiver: 7075-T6 aluminum
Barrel: 16.1” six-groove 4140 steel
Magazine: Standard AK configuration P Mag
Trigger: CMMG single stage mil-spec style
Sights: N/A, flat top with full-length Picatinny rail
Stock: Magpul CTR and MOE pistol grip
Weight: 7.2 lbs. (unloaded)
Overall Length: 33.5” (stock collapsed)
Accessories: N/A
Suggested Retail Price: $1,650

Editor's Note: This article appeared in the January 22, 2015 edition of Gun Digest the Magazine.

SHOT 2015: Photo Gallery of Six Hot New Handguns

In recent years, concealed carry has driven the handgun market. This year is no different. But along side some new and interesting defense pistols and revolvers are a number designed for hunting, competition and other applications. Here’s a look at the eclectic collection of handguns from 2015 SHOT Show.

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Gun Digest Shooter's Guide to Handguns

Gun Digest Shooter's Guide to Handguns

From renowned revolversmith, writer, and self defense trainer Grant Cunningham, Gun Digest Shooter's Guide to Handguns, one of the most comprehensive handgun books anywhere. It gives readers the facts they need to choose your handgun, select ammunition, shoot effectively, and take care of their investment – all in an easy-to-read, no nonsense format. This book is for all beginning shooters and handgun enthusiasts, and advanced shooters will appreciate its no-nonsense, sourcebook style.

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