Xtech Tactical has just announced new grip extensions for the Springfield Hellcat and the Taurus GX4 as well as another Glock grip sleeve.
One of the best parts of subcompact and micro-compact pistols is their versatility. With flush-fit mags they’re maximally concealable, but by simply inserting a magazine with a grip extension you can have a full-size grip. XTech Tactical offers several such products, but the company’s latest releases are for the Springfield Hellcat and the Taurus GX4.
XTech previously offered a grip extension for 10-round Springfield Hellcat mags, but now they’re available for 11-round Hellcat mags as well. It’s made of high impact polymer, is textured to match the Hellcat’s frame and has an MSRP of $14.95.
The new grip extension for the Taurus GX4 will fit the pistol’s 10-round and 11-round mags. It’s also made of high impact polymer, textured to match the GX4’s frame and has an MSRP of $14.95.
Another similar style of product that XTech Tactical makes is the grip sleeve. These slip over a magazine’s body to provide a full-size grip when using an extended magazine in a pistol with a smaller frame size. XTech already offers these for several Glock models, but the latest version is MAG-ADAPT 29-15 which is designed for 15-round 10mm Glock 20 mags to be used in the Glock 29. It’s also textured to match the Glock’s frame and has an MSRP of $19.95.
There are plenty of good options for this big-bore cartridge, but here’s how to select the best model for your needs.
While there are many good reasons to own a .44 Magnum revolver, I think that there are plenty of reasons not to as well.
So, let's go over what you want to look for while shopping for a .44 Magnum revolver, whether you should think twice about buying one in the first place and a few serious Big Maggies to consider adding to your arsenal.
How We Made Our Picks
The market isn't exactly overflowing with .44 Magnum revolver options, and most of the companies brave enough to produce handguns that can handle this powerful cartridge tend to know what they're doing. You'll be hard-pressed to find any serious issues with the manufacturers or specific models on this list, and even the company behind our budget option has made a lot of improvements in quality in recent years. That said, many of these models are offered in several different variants, so we narrowed them down to a single exemplar to represent each handgun line. Whether you're looking for something more compact for toting in the woods for bear defense or for a more dedicated hunting handgun, we believe that you can't go wrong with any of these picks or one of their related variants.
The Ruger Redhawk is the company’s large-frame double-action revolver. It comes with a stainless finish, and wood or rubber grips depending on the model. Patridge-style sights are standard, with a red ramp insert on the front sight.
Options include either a 5.5- or 7.5-inch barrel with wood grips or a 4.2-inch barrel with a Hogue grip sleeve. The Redhawk is built like a tank and makes for a fine working gun that should last a lifetime. If you plan on shooting a ludicrous amount of full-power .44 Magnum through your gun, Ruger also offers the Super Redhawk line which features even beefier frames and an integral mount for scope rings if you’d prefer an optic. Super Redhawks are great too, especially for hunting, but I prefer the more classic styling of the standard Redhawks myself.
Colt recently revived the Anaconda, the big-bore cousin of the Python, and the qualities that made the original highly collectible after its relatively short production run make the modern version an attractive buy.
The frame has been augmented compared to the original, with a redesigned firing mechanism for greater durability and an amazing trigger pull for a factory revolver. It has an adjustable rear sight and pinned front ramp sight. Hogue rubber grips come standard as well which is great for shooting, but I think Anacondas just look wrong without wood grips. Thankfully, there's an aftermarket for that.
The modern Anaconda comes tapped for scope mount as well and can be had with either a 4-, 6- or 8-inch barrel.
Korth of Germany makes some of the finest revolvers available, hand-fitted and tuned to perfection. They're sold in the U.S. through Nighthawk, and the 6-inch model in the NXR series has all the bells and whistles one could want.
Target sights are standard, with removable front sight wings, along with a DLC finish and Turkish walnut grips. The top of the frame and barrel is railed for mounting an optic, as is the barrel underlug for a light, a laser or the included barrel weight. The NXR model wins in terms of practicality, but if you're like me and prefer classic aesthetics more than the ability to mount optics and gadgets, Korth also offers some simpler .44 Magnum Revolver models like the Mongoose.
Despite looking like a gun from science fiction, it's extremely functional and one of the finest revolvers that money can buy. The MSRP is staggering, but like a Nighthawk 1911, you're paying for the exquisite craftsmanship.
Korth NXR Deals
Guns.com
Starts at $5,700
Best Hunting Revolver: Ruger New Model Super Blackhawk
When .44 Magnum was first introduced, the Ruger Blackhawk was much more widely available than Smith & Wesson’s Model 29, assisting with its initial popularity. Its reputation for quality persisted and even today it’s still a great choice for the handgun hunter. The Hunter and Bisley Hunter models (with Bisley frame and grips) have notches for mounting a scope, and rings are included as well.
The Super Blackhawk is just a Colt SAA on steroids, with a thickened top strap and cylinder to handle the high pressure. Being a huge fan of normal-sized SAAs too only makes this giant version even more endearing to me. All that extra steel is why this gun was used to develop “Ruger handloads” for .44 Magnum.
The Super Blackhawk is offered with barrel lengths from 3.75 inches to 10.5 inches and in blued or stainless finishes. The Hunter models have 7.5-inch barrels and stainless finishes only.
The Taurus 44 is a working man's magnum, but it has some niceties added too. The Taurus 44 is the company’s most basic large-frame revolver, only offered with a stainless finish and rubber over-molded grips.
You get an adjustable rear sight, a pinned (and therefore swappable) front sight blade and even a ported barrel. For a relatively small .44 Magnum revolver, I found that porting to be very helpful.
The Taurus 44 is available with either a 4-, 6.5- or 8.37-inch barrel. If you wanted to add a top rail for mounting an optic, look at their Raging Hunter line too.
Practical, stylish, classic and desirable. The Model 29 is still the standard by which the rest are judged. Despite being so handsome, this is also a very functional handgun that can excel in nearly any role a .44 Magnum revolver may be useful in.
Blued steel and walnut grips complement its classic styling, and an adjustable rear sight, red ramp front sight and excellent factory DA/SA trigger make it very nice to shoot as well. It’s available with either a 4-inch or 6.5-inch barrel, but we all know which is the correct choice when it comes to the Model 29. I think that when it comes to guns that are this beautiful, the only trouble is actually taking them out of the safe and shooting them. But you should, because they were built to be shot.
Smith & Wesson Model 29 Deals
Sportsman's Warehouse
$1,300
Guns.com
$1,300
Best Uses For A .44 Magnum Revolver
The .44 Magnum revolver shines as a hunting handgun, and it is arguably the standard woods handgun in bear country. It's effective on any North American game with proper shot placement, and it has an especially good record against maleficent bruins.
Revolvers in .44 Magnum are also fantastic at separating people who think they want a big handgun from their money. Like the Desert Eagle, plenty of people desire one until the reality of owning the hand cannon kicks in.
It's worth noting Smith & Wesson couldn't give the Model 29 away until Dirty Harry came out. Following the movie, it became one of the most re-sold handguns of all time as stout recoil lead to buyer's remorse.
Clint Eastwood holding the now iconic Smith & Wesson Model 29 in “Dirty Harry.” Photo: IMFDB.
Why To Not Consider A .44 Magnum Revolver
Much of the time, folks get drawn into the mythical allure of owning the “world's most powerful handgun” (it's not anymore, by the way) and don't consider the more practical aspect of .44 Revolvers.
By and large, guns chambered for the cartridge are big and heavy–even in their more compact forms. A big gun is a necessity do to the pressures involved, which is tied into the other main drawback of the caliber—recoil.
For most shooters, it's excessive and management thereof requires practice and patience. Heck, even famed lawman and gun crank Bill Jordan admitted as much in his book No Second Winner.
Self-Defense
Overall, these aspects do not add up to an optimal self-defense gun in the traditional sense. Particularly the final trait.
Recoil is a nasty obstacle, particularly pertaining to life-and-death scenarios of lethal-force encounters. At the minimum, most shooters must overcome developing a flinch, particularly if they are new to large-bore handguns.
Secondly, follow-up shots—well aimed and quickly executed—are a task. Absolutely, there are gunslingers who make .44 Magnum revolvers sing like they were rimfires. Guess what, you likely aren't one of them. Don't feel bad, I'm not either, and very few are.
Additionally, the .44 Magnum doesn't acquit itself any better than most other handgun cartridges in self-defense situations. Studies comparing the details of lethal-force firearms uses have found negligible differences in efficacy between .44 Magnum and other common carry calibers, at least against humans.
And it's a revolver, which comes with its own inherent challenges. From the perspective of self-defense, these include mastering a double-action trigger as well as reloads.
Why To Consider A .44 Magnum Revolver
OK then, a .44 Magnum checks nothing but “con” boxes. Take a hard pass, right? Not necessarily.
While for the general shooter, it might not prove the top self-defense choice, there is more to the world than lethal-force encounters.
Hunting
As alluded to earlier, the .44 Magnum revolver remains a staple for handgun hunting. And while its recoil is strong, it is considerably less so than many other big-bore options—.454 Casull and .460 Smith & Wesson, we're looking in your direction.
This three-shot group was obtained at 50 yards with the Ruger 77/44 rifle, but it still shows that .44 Magnum is plenty accurate for use at 100 yards.
Even with its kick, average shooters have the ability to master the intricacies of a .44 Magnum revolver in the field. This is aided by most hunters opting for a larger model, generally scoped, which reduces some of the felt recoil. When it comes to hunting, .44 Magnum is considered to be an excellent round for deer and powerful enough for larger game too. The cartridge has been used to take polar bear and even elephants in the past.
Competition
The .44 Magnum is preferred by some bowling pin shooters as well due to its knockdown power. But the majority of handgun competitors who use revolvers stick with other calibers with lower recoil and cheaper ammunition.
.44 Magnum Ballistics And Revolver Barrel Length
While .44 Magnum is overkill for most shooting tasks, the massive amounts of energy it can deliver on target certainly have utility.
If the job at hand calls for it, a .44 Magnum revolver in the right configuration and loaded with proper ammo can be an extremely effective tool. The most typical barrel lengths are 4- and 6-inch models, though shorter and longer barrels are available as well.
The classic .44 Magnum loading is a 240-grain bullet (wadcutter or jacketed soft point) that travels somewhere between 1,200 to 1,500 fps and with something between 1,100 and 1,200 foot-pounds of energy.
Projectile weights range from as light as 180 grains all the way up to 340-grain hard cast dangerous game loads.
+P and +P+ loads can push velocity even further, such as Buffalo Bore's .44 Magnum +P+ Dangerous Game load, which pushes a 340-grain hard cast bullet to 1,425 fps (and 1,533 foot-pounds of energy) from a 7.5-inch barrel Ruger Redhawk.
Three Colt Anacondas of varying barrel lengths. Photo: Wikipedia.
Generally speaking, you could expect the muzzle velocity from a 4-inch barrel .44 Magnum revolver to be about 100 to 200 fps slower compared to a 6-inch model.
While power is the primary reason people are interested in .44 Magnum, its good accuracy is another potential benefit, thanks to its relatively flat trajectory.
According to ShootersCalculator.com‘s Point Blank Range Calculator, a 240-grain bullet travelling at 1,200 fps coming out of a gun with 0.08-inch tall sights would be 0.77 inches high at 100 yards, giving a maximum point blank range of 125 yards when aiming at an 8-inch target.
This gives .44 Magnum longer legs than most other handgun cartridges.
The obvious conclusion here is that the more velocity and or range you want your .44 Magnum revolver to have, the longer the barrel should be.
Features To Look For In A .44 Magnum Revolver
Like with all gun selection, the first thing to consider is the weapon’s intended purpose. For general use or as a backup gun in bear country, a 4-inch or even 3-inch barrel is preferable due to the reduced bulk and weight. For hunting, a 6-inch or longer model will be worth the added heft for the extra velocity provided.
Sights
Almost all .44 Magnum revolvers wear Patridge-style sights, and while they are very usable, a scope or red dot will be better on a hunting pistol. If that's a priority for you, look for a gun that's tapped or comes with a top strap/barrel shroud rail. For a woods defense gun, I'd want one with a red dot myself.
A new-production Colt Anaconda with optional Picatinny rail being installed.
Grips
Some find the grips of large-frame revolvers to be too big, so you may also want to consider opting for a gun that has easily-sourced aftermarket grips. Many big-bore handgun shooters agree that Bisley-style grips are the best for handling recoil of this level, so also think about getting a model that includes them from the factory. I love the look of wooden grips on my revolvers, but when it comes to .44 Magnum, I think rubber is really the way to go. Your hands will thank you.
Ammunition
Also consider what and how you'll be feeding it, as this cartridge can be very expensive. Reloading is a good cost-saving option, and can also allow you to make loads to your exact specifications. Most reloading manuals even have a section titled “Ruger and Freedom Arms Handloads,” as revolvers from these manufacturers are recommended for shooting Bubba’s White Hot Handloads due to their stronger construction.
Double-Action Vs Single-Action
The final feature that warrants discussion is the action, as with most wheelguns, .44 Magnum revolvers are available with both double-action and single-action triggers. The speed at which DA/SA guns can be brought into action makes them preferable for defensive use, but for most other applications a single-action-only will be just fine.
.44 Magnum Revolver FAQ
Is a .44 Magnum the strongest handgun?
When Dirty Harry made this claim, it was true, but .44 Magnum has since been outclassed by some other more powerful handgun cartridges like .500 S&W Magnum.
Is .44 Magnum overkill for self-defense?
Against humans? Certainly. While overkill isn't necessarily a bad thing when it comes to defending yourself, the extra power of .44 Magnum will hinder you more than help you in this case. For self-defense against humans, a less powerful cartridge like 9x19mm Parabellum will be much easier to shoot and the pistol will be able to have a higher capacity as well.
Will .44 Magnum stop a bear?
In theory, yes it can, but not all bears were made equal. It will also heavily rely on your ability to make good hits and the ammunition that you're using. Many people do choose .44 Magnum revolvers for bear defense, but for the biggest, meanest bears, you'll probably want something even more powerful.
We hit the range to test out a Sig Sauer P322 paired with an SRD22X suppressor, one slick and quiet .22 LR package.
Most shooters agree that suppressed .22s are the most fun you can have with your pants on. They’re easy to shoot well, the ammo is cheap enough that you can blast all day and they have the potential to truly be “Hollywood quiet.” Here I’ll be going over Sig Sauer’s suppressed .22 combo—the P322 and the SRD22X.
Sig Sauer P322 Specs: Caliber: .22 LR Barrel Length: 4 inches Overall Length: 7 inches Weight: 17.1 ounces Magazine: 20-round Street Price: $400
Sig Sauer SRD22X Suppressor Specs: Caliber Rating: .22 LR ; .17HMR/.17 Mach II ; .22 Magnum Length: 5.8 inches Diameter: 1 inch Weight: 5.1 ounces Materials: Titanium tube/stainless steel baffles Attachment Type: Direct thread Street Price: $430
First Impressions
When I pulled the P322 out of its box, the first thing that struck me about it was its weight. This thing is light, so light that it almost feels like a toy. It does not feel cheap, however, and its polymer frame feels like the same quality that Sig Sauer uses for its centerfire handguns.
Being so light isn’t atypical for polymer-framed .22 LR pistols, but what is different about the P322 is its impressive 20-round magazine. Two are included and they fit flush inside the full-size grip.
Speaking of the grip, I love the P322’s ergonomics. The profile of the grip, along with the rest of the pistol’s aesthetics, appears to be primarily influenced by the Sig P365. As far as micro-compact 9mm carry guns go, the P365 is considered one of the most comfortable, but since the P322 wasn’t designed for concealed carry it’s a bit bigger in every dimension which makes it even nicer to hold. I have average-sized hands and can get a full grip on the pistol with some room to spare at the bottom, and although the gun is very slim, it’s not too slim as to be unpleasant.
Each P322 comes with two mags, a magazine loader, a threaded barrel adapter and an interchangeable curved trigger shoe (the pistol comes with the flat trigger installed), and it all ships in a hard case. It’s nice of Sig to include a hard case, but my first minor nitpick is that it’s too small. Just the gun and one spare mag is a tight squeeze, and if you put a red dot on it, good luck finding the one specific orientation that will allow for the case to close. Not a big deal, but it would have been nice if Sig made the case just a little larger.
The final point to touch on here is the P322’s controls. Both the safety and the slide release are easy to access with the thumb from a firing grip, and the magazine release is big, easy to push and lets mags drop free without issue. The controls are ambidextrous too and the mag release is reversible, so lefties needn’t worry.
As for the SRD22X, once I was able to bring it home and take it out of the box the first thing I noticed about it was also its weight. Featuring a titanium outer tube and steel baffles, it tips the scales at just a hair over 5 ounces. A perfect complement to a lightweight pistol.
In the suppressor’s box, you’ll also find an M9-.75 thread adaptor and a tool for removing the end cap for cleaning. The native threads are 1/2×28.
Putting It All Together
Installing the SRD22X on the P322 was a quick and easy affair. The pistol ships with a protector on its threaded muzzle, but it’s cleverly the same diameter as the barrel and is neatly hidden inside the slide. This means that those who don’t want to run a can on their P322 won’t have an unsightly protrusion on the muzzle.
For those who do wish to run a can, it’s as simple as locking the slide back, putting the gun in a vise and removing the thread protector with a wrench. The included adapter is then threaded on in its place and voilà, the pistol’s ready for its suppressor. In the case of the SRD22X, that also meant just screwing it onto the threads. Sig recommends using 45 inch-pounds of force to install the adapter and screwing the suppressor on until it’s hand-tight.
Before heading to the range, I also decided to throw a red dot on the P322 since it’s optics-ready.
Again, the process was simple. I removed the two screws in the rear sight plate and pulled it off of the slide, replaced it with the red dot and attached it using its included screws. I used a Bushnell RXC-200, but anything with an RMSc footprint will work.
With those two pieces installed, the P322 was ready to rock.
On The Range
As I usually do when testing a new gun, I like to see how it will run dry out of the box without any cleaning or lubing. If it initially has issues, it’s forgivable and gets some lube before continuing, but if it runs fine, it’s a good sign of reliability. Thankfully, the Sig P322 ran smoothly right away.
That’s not to say that it was flawlessly reliable, but the issues that it did experience were not caused by the gun itself.
The first type of malfunction encountered was due to the ammunition, something that can be expected of any direct blowback .22. I tried to run a few different loads through the P322, both suppressed and unsuppressed, and found that the only one it didn’t want to reliably cycle was Remington 22 Thunderbolt. Not much of a surprise for the cheap bulk-pack stuff. That said, it worked more than it didn’t.
As for the loads that my P322 did like, the pistol’s favorite was CCI Mini-Mag as far as supersonic ammo goes. For subsonic ammo, of the two kinds I had, only one was designed to reliably cycle semi-autos but it thankfully functioned great in the P322 as well. That load is CCI Quiet-22 and it features 45-grain lead round nose projectiles and an advertised muzzle velocity of 835 fps. I put about 400 rounds downrange without an issue, and the SRD22X made the whole affair about as quiet as possible. While it’s still probably not great for your long-term health, I felt no need to wear hearing protection while testing this setup.
The only other malfunction I encountered was the result of user error—how I loaded the magazines. They’re easy to load, but if you don’t pay attention, it’s possible for the rounds to get jumbled inside and cause feeding issues. As long as all the rounds look to be neatly stacked through the window of the mag, they should feed perfectly. This isn’t an issue, it’s just something to be aware of if you own one.
Outside of reliability, how did the P322 and SRD22X actually shoot? Very well.
As mentioned, I’m a big fan of the P322’s ergonomics. It fit my hand and accommodated a modern shooting grip very naturally. Combined with its .22 LR chambering and suppressor, you can imagine just how easy it was to control, even when shooting relatively fast.
I say only relatively fast as I couldn’t run the gun as quickly as I could with some other pistols because of its trigger. It’s not terrible, but it does leave a lot to be desired. It has more travel than I’d like and gets pretty mushy at the end, but once you learn to find the wall it’s a pretty light break. The reset is alright, but again, I’d prefer it to be a bit shorter.
Even with a not-so-great trigger, shooting the P322 was a blast and I had no problem cleaning plate racks with it. Subsonic .22 LR doesn’t knock them down with too much oomph, but it knocked them down nonetheless.
The fiber optic iron sights that come with the P322 are perfectly suitable as well, I just prefer red dots these days. The particular Bushnell optic I used has a built-in rear iron sight, but it’s so short that I can only just barely co-witness the front sight with it. If you’re shopping for a red dot for your P322, I’d look for one with a taller integral rear sight.
Parting Shot
Overall, the Sig P322 and SRD22X make for one sweet package.
When you take the P322’s features, capacity and general performance into account, I think it’s one of the best .22 LR semi-auto pistols on the market for its price. Pairing it with Sig’s .22 suppressor only makes it better.
As I mentioned, the only real complaint I had was the P322’s trigger. That said, if you only plan on using one for varmint control around your property or, like me, for casual range plinking, the trigger is perfectly acceptable. If, however, you’d like to do some more precision target shooting with it, I’d consider an aftermarket upgrade.
The pistol is also a bit more ammo-sensitive than some other semi-auto .22s out there, but it’s not hard to find a load that it likes and just feed it that.
I think this setup shines mostly as a ranch companion or a range toy, but for individuals who can’t handle anything more powerful than .22 LR, it could make for a decent defensive option as well thanks to its large capacity and ability to accept an optic, light and suppressor.
Regardless, if you’re in the market for a suppressed .22 pistol, both the P322 and SRD22X are well worth your consideration.
Pros:
Very lightweight setup
High capacity
Very quiet
Ergonomic
Cons:
Trigger isn't great
A bit ammo-sensitive
Sig Sauer P322 Deals
Sportsman's Warehouse
$400
Guns.com
$400
Sig Sauer SRD22X Deals
Silencer Central
$430
Silencer Shop
$400
More On Suppressors:
The Suppressor: How They're Made, How They Work, And How To Buy One
Mec-Gar has finally started making Glock-pattern magazines, starting with mags for the G17 and G19.
Mec-Gar is such a prolific purveyor of magazines that you probably own some even if you don’t know it. Not only is the 60-year-old Italian company the leader in aftermarket magazine manufacturing, but it makes OEM mags for tons of major firearm companies as well. One pattern of mag that’s been conspicuously missing from Mec-Gar’s catalog has always been Glock, but that’s just changed.
G17 version.
Mec-Gar recently introduced two Glock-compatible magazines, one for the G17 and one for the G19. However, both models hold 18 rounds. The G17 version sits flush with the grip while the G19 version extends down and has a baseplate that matches the grip, essentially giving the feel of a G17 grip when inserted. Mec-Gar’s Glock mags manage to squeeze one more round in compared to factory Glock 17 magazines because Mec-Gar omits the plastic shroud. Factory Glock mag bodies feature a plastic shroud wrapped around a steel liner, so Mec-Gar was able to slightly increase the internal volume by using just steel instead. The springs are high-tensile music wire, the follower is bright green and made of high-impact polymer and the bodies are made of heat-treated carbon steel wearing an anti-friction coating.
G19 version.
As a bonus, unlike some other all-steel aftermarket Glock mags, Mec-Gar’s do not require you to replace your magazine catch. The company says that the factory polymer catch will have no problem interfacing with its steel mags. However, Mec-Gar does note that its Glock mags are not compatible with standard Glock-pattern floorplates, nor are they compatible with the Glock 19X.
HK-USA has updated its VP9 pistol series with the VP9A1 line, here we take a quick look at what’s new.
The VP9 series of pistols has grown to be a very popular defensive handgun option since they were released 10 years ago, but now HK-USA is updating the line as the VP9A1. Featuring the full-size VP9A1 F and the compact VP9A1 K, the upgraded family of pistols sports several improvements throughout that should have fans of the original VP9 excited.
The VP9A1 F with a Holosun SCS.
Firstly, the VP9A1 F has a 4.53-inch barrel and a 17-round capacity while the VP9A1 K has a 4-inch barrel and a 15-round capacity. The standard K variant ships with two 15-round mags and the standard F variant ships with one 17-round and one 20-round mag, but both are available with lower capacities for restrictive states as well. Both models also come optics-ready and are compatible with most available footprints using the included adaptor plates, but HK also offers the guns pre-equipped with Holosun SCS optics.
The VP9A1 K shown with its modular grip panels.
Some of the VP9A1 series’ other upgrades include ambidextrous controls, flared magwells, more slide serrations, an improved Nickel-Teflon coated trigger bar, better grip ergonomics and more modular grip panels to choose from. Most of these changes were made to enhance the connection between the user and the pistol to improve the guns’ overall shootability.
Nathan Schueth, Director of Sales and Business Development at HK, said this about the new handguns:
HK has a well-deserved reputation for reliability and durability. One thing I think we don’t get enough credit for is the shootability of our pistols. True to its name as the ‘people’s pistol’, people just shoot better with the VP9 … The VP9A1 takes that ease of use to an even higher level. The best striker-fired pistol just got better.
The MSRP for both the HK VP9A1 F and VP9A1 K starts at $979 and they are available now.
Federal has just announced two new 7mm Backcountry loads, Fusion Tipped 175-grain and LRX 168-grain.
7mm Backcountry is the hottest new cartridge on the block, not just because a lot of shooters are talking about it, but because its Peak Alloy cases allow it to achieve muzzle velocities of 3,000 fps. Federal has just announced two new 7mm Backcountry loads for big game hunters to choose from: Fusion Tipped 175-grain and LRX 168-grain.
Eric Miller, Centerfire Rifle Ammunition Product Line Manager at Federal Ammunition, said this about the Fusion Tipped 175-grain load:
Fusion Tipped was just released last year yet was born from its extremely popular Fusion soft-point cousin … Fusion’s molecular bonding paired with a streamlined polymer tip gives Fusion Tipped 7mm Backcountry the ability to go the distance and deliver a devastating blow to big game. This 175-grain bullet achieves 2,975 fps from a 20-inch barrel and has a G1 BC of .575.
Miller said this about the LRX 168-grain load:
Armed with a high ballistic coefficient, polymer tip, and unique nose cavity, the all-copper LRX takes down tough game at both close range and extended distances … Barnes is a well-known, well-established brand that needs little explanation. This 168-grain bullet achieves 3,000 fps from a 20-inch barrel and has a G1 BC of .513.
MSRP for the Fusion Tipped load is $62.99 per box and MSRP for the LRX load is $81.99 per box.
How to match your home defense weapon to your needs.
Before you can discuss home defense weapons, you must first define “home defense.”
This is complicated because home defense is not the same for everyone. It’s largely dependent on what type of home you live in and where it’s located. The goal is to match the home defense weapon to your needs, and to do this effectively you must define your needs.
What is Home Defense?
Needs vary so much it’s impossible to provide definitive examples, but we can create some generalizations. For example, if you live out in the country, you may want to consider defending your yard/ranch in addition to your home. That defense could involve dealing with four- and two-legged critters. In most of the United States, the worst of those would be a black bear, but in some locations, you might need to worry about the bigger bears, cougars and even wolves. A friend who lives on Kodiak Island had to shoot a marauding brown bear right in front of his home.
If you live in the city, short of a bad accident at the zoo, humans are your main concern, and it’s possible you have no yard at all. You might live in a complex with another family just on the other side of the wall. In a situation like this, the furthest you’ll likely need to shoot is 20 or 30 feet, but you’ll need to be leery of ammunition that might pass through walls. The same is true if you live in a trailer park, but trailer parks exist in the country, too, and you still might have a yard.
When you’re implementing a home defense plan you need to consider not just your home but everyone in it who might need to use the weapon you choose.
Then, there are the in-between domiciles that are not really in the city or the country. There you might also live in a thin-walled trailer, and you very likely will have a yard. And even if you don’t need to worry about big and bad beasts, there are the lesser critters that can torment your home. This could be anything from a raccoon to a coyote, and rabid animals are always a possibility. I’ve had to deal with more than one rabid animal in my yard.
The point is, there’s no single answer to the home defense question, and what might be optimal for a friend or neighbor, might not be right for you. Ultimately, you have three different weapon systems to consider. They all have their strengths and weaknesses, and the correct answer might be all three.
Let’s look at shotguns, carbines and handguns separately to better understand how they dovetail into a good home defense plan.
The Shotgun
From a terminal performance standpoint, the shotgun can deliver the most violent blow. However, unless you’re using slugs, a shotgun has limited reach. Shotguns are also intimidating to most shooters because of their stiff recoil. Trust me on this: I was a police firearms instructor for more than a decade, and most cops don’t like to shoot shotguns. Now, you might not have an issue with shotgun recoil, but those who share your home might, and there’s no guarantee you will be the one trying to stop a threat.
Shotguns are popular for home defense but might not be the best choice for you and your family.
Shotguns can also defeat most interior walls, and the outside walls of a mobile home will only slightly slow down buckshot. However, for interior self-defense applications inside 20 or 30 feet, No. 5 or smaller shot can be very effective and there’s much less concern over overpenetration. But for those of us who live out in the wilds, you might not keep your shotgun loaded with slugs, but they should be on your shotgun … or at least near where you keep it.
To maximize the effectiveness and versatility of a shotgun for home defense, it’s wise to keep different ammo types on or with the shotgun.
A shotgun is also a two-hand weapon; to use it effectively, you need both hands. This is not really a problem until you need to call 911 while holding an assailant at gunpoint, or while you’re trying to operate a flashlight, render aid to a family member or just get them out of the way. Also, if the assault becomes a hand-to-hand engagement, it’s hard to shoot someone with a long-gun if they’re on top of you trying to beat you to a pulp, while you’re also trying to keep them from taking the shotgun away from you and using it on you.
Pros:
Maximum wounding capabilities
Versatile ammunition options
Cons:
Two-handed weapon system
Stiff recoil
Limited capacity
Heavy
The Carbine
In most instances, I feel a carbine is superior to a shotgun for home defense. It’s still a two-handed weapon, but it has much more reach and a much higher capacity. You can also select ammunition that will provide good terminal performance without worries of overpenetration. Carbines—especially those of the AR-15 variety—are very versatile, too. You can use an optical sight and/or a reflex non-magnifying sight, you can attach a weapon light, and you can also run a suppressor. The suppressor might seem overly tactical, but have you ever shot a firearm inside a home? It’s deafening.
What I think is one of the most appealing aspects of an AR-15-style carbine is the minimal recoil. This makes the weapon system much more compatible with more family members. Like I’ve said, you could be unable to man the gun because you’re injured, or you might not even be home when the bad thing happens.
With less recoil than a shotgun, a carbine is more manageable by more people in a home defense situation.
One of the biggest drawbacks to two-handed weapon systems, like the shotgun and the carbine, is the difficulty in securely stowing them. Now, you might live alone and never have young or old visitors because no one likes you. If that’s the case, it does not matter; you can leave your long gun on the kitchen table. However, if you have children in your home, it’s nice to be able to lock firearms away. Of course, that’s easy to do with a gun safe, but how fast and easy can you access your gun safe during a home invasion?
Pros:
High capacity
Very terminally effective
Suppressor friendly
Versatile
Cons:
Two-handed weapon system
Heavy
The Handgun
For most, a handgun for home defense makes good sense. This is partly because if you are arming your home, you’re probably arming yourself for everyday activities. In other words, you carry concealed. There’s no reason your everyday carry gun cannot be your home defense gun. In fact, it makes good sense because you will be more familiar and probably better trained with your carry gun than any other gun you own. (If you’re not, you should be.)
Of course, you could have a duplicate of your carry gun you keep in that special spot for home defense. This is not a bad idea, either. Then, you can arm you and your significant other with the same weapon system. Also, you might want a weapon light on your home defense handgun but not your carry gun.
The handgun is also the most portable of your three alternatives, which makes it easier to maneuver through hallways and in dynamic situations. It’s also the best weapon system if you end up in a hand-to-hand engagement. While you’re fending off your attacker with one hand, you can shoot with the other. And, unlike with a two-handed long-gun, you can easily hold an assailant at gunpoint while you effectively do other things with your other hand. You also have the option of suppressing a handgun, though it does destroy some of the platform’s maneuverability.
Of all the home defense weapon systems, the handgun is the most portable and most usable by the most people.
Of course, handgun ammunition can be very penetrative, too, but fortunately there are a wide assortment of ammo options for the most popular self-defense handgun cartridges. Then, there’s the issue of capacity. Except for revolvers, most handguns will hold more ammo than any shotgun, but not quite as much as a carbine. How much ammo do you need? Well, that depends on a lot of things— primarily, how well you shoot and how many targets you need to shoot.
Pros:
High capacity
Can shoot accurately with one hand
Easier to securely store
More maneuverable/portable
Cons:
Least terminally effective
Pick One, or Two … or Three
I’m of the opinion that the best answer to the home defense weapon question is not a singular solution. You can conveniently store a handgun in a compact gun safe near your bed or easy chair. Hell, you can even comfortably wear a handgun around the house. But there’s no practical reason to limit yourself to just a handgun. You could also keep a long-gun as handy as possible, and it’s a sound practice if you live remote where you might need to deal with external threats or nasty critters.
If your everyday carry gun is your only gun, or the only gun you can afford for home defense, don’t feel at a disadvantage, especially if you’re competent with it. Skill at arms will always trump equipment. But you might consider working toward an additional option, even if it’s just another handgun—maybe with a weapon light—kept at a different location in your home.
There is no reason your everyday carry gun cannot be your home defense gun. And in some ways, it makes good sense.
Most importantly, consider the totality of your circumstances. It’s not what works for your neighbor or me that matters most; it’s what will work best for you and your family, inside—and/or outside—your home.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the April 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
We take a quick look at Dead Air Silencers’ new modular titanium Mojave 45 suppressor.
Dead Air Silencers is expanding its Mojave line with the Mojave 45. Previously only available in 9mm as the Mojave 9, fans of .45 ACP and other larger-bore cartridges will now be able to enjoy what the Mojave line has to offer as well.
At the heart of the Mojave 45 is Dead Air’s Triskelion Gas Management System. Thanks to its additive manufacturing construction, the can has an advanced baffle configuration that’s strong, light and quiet. The system also greatly reduces backpressure which helps reduce felt recoil, fouling and wear. The can’s titanium construction helps keep the package lightweight as well.
The Mojave 45 is also modular, as users can quickly remove or add the front module without the use of tools. With the front module installed the suppressor has a length of 8.6 inches and a weight of 12.7 ounces. When removed, the package has a length of 6.8 inches and a weight of 10.44 ounces. The Mojave is also full-auto rated for pistol calibers up to .45 ACP with no barrel restrictions and for .300 BLK subsonic with at least an 8-inch barrel. In semi-auto, it can also handle .300 BLK supersonic, .350 Legend, .400 Legend subsonic, .450 Bushmaster subsonic and both .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum lever-actions with 16-inch barrels. That said, the suppressor can’t handle supersonic loads of 400 Legend, 450 Bushmaster or 45-70 Government.
The Dead Air Silencers Mojave 45 is available in either FDE or black and has an MSRP of $1,099.
Slapping a bunch of extra stuff on your gun can be fun, and sometimes even useful, but how much is too much?
An interesting thing happened over the past few years concerning just how much stuff we could add to our guns. Today, however, we are in the midst of some serious advances in technology concerning just what type of accessories we can attach to our firearms, and this race is leading us to some interesting places.
Five years ago, it was common to send out your slide to be milled for an RMR. Now, an increasing majority of pistols are coming standard with optic plates. This jump into the future came suddenly and, for the most part, it’s good—but there are some concerns to address during this honeymoon.
Ethical Paradigms
There is a school of thought that says you should use whatever technology is available, because chances are your enemies will use it against you if they are given the chance. Baseline, this mode of thinking negates all but the most advanced weapons and optical systems, akin to choosing to use a rotary phone when we have satellite communications.
While not quite as large of a jump, few people today realize just how advanced our firearms and optics are … and just how small and rugged they can be. I don’t take most firearms instructors all that seriously, but that’s my personal hangup. I’m not a fan of drinking Kool-Aid in most cases, and I’m a problem student when it comes to asking questions outside the area of supposed expertise. I question the instructor who recoils at the sight of a five-shot J-Frame.
Choosing a deliberate handicap isn’t something that many people consciously do. However, there are some notable exceptions, in that there are certain technological aspects we consider to be truly antiquated.
Technology, at some point, is considered to be a handicap. A single-action revolver from Ruger is probably not the best option for self-defense. A DA/SA little .38 makes a lot of sense, but the idea you’d still take the time to shoot single action is iffy at best. A purely double-action setup, while not always that accurate in terms of on-paper performance, is a better idea for a violent altercation.
Namely, if we are talking about carrying a revolver, most people will consider this to be a double-action proposition. Single-action revolvers are still very popular and especially useful when we’re talking about hunting with powerful cartridges. Are they technically more accurate than double actions? Well, considering most double actions are also capable of single-action fire, that point isn’t necessarily valid and it’s more of a personal choice.
That said, I don’t know anyone who carries a single-action revolver for self-defense, and I can’t say that I know anyone who keeps an old six-gun in the nightstand. I am sure that there are plenty of people who do, and this begs the same question we’ve been asking: Just how much technology is required?
Hindsight and Statistics
Statistically speaking, it could be argued that you will be completely fine defending yourself with a 4¾-inch Colt SAA in .45 Colt. That’s a well-known fighting cartridge and packs some serious power. It’s just as lethal now as it was when it was introduced: 270 grains of hardcast at 1,000 fps isn’t a joke by any stretch of the imagination.
So, knowing this, is simply having the gun the stopgap in a bad situation … or is there more to it?
Looking at how gunfights shake out across the board, there’s often an amount of random circumstances that dictate success, and we often find think tanks developing arms and ammunition that would have done better in a fight we already had, but are somewhat unlikely to have again. Take, for instance, the 1986 FBI Miami Shootout and the subsequent popularity of the 10mm Auto, and the fervent demand to replace 5.56 NATO with something else during the War on Terror campaigns. Neither of these things really grew legs.
What needs to be asked of this technology is this: Would it have made a real difference in the fighting itself? With hindsight always being 20/20, we have the luxury to evaluate and learn, but the next time—in the exact scenario—things might play out entirely differently.
If you were in 10 gunfights (assuming you’re just in the wrong place at the wrong time, and manage to survive each time), you’d have a pretty good sample size for this and arguably would be an expert. Few instructors I’ve met can “talk about what they did” in their time in the military or police, and fewer still are instructing on things outside of their own training and experience. Preparing for a fight you will not be in, and being trained by a person who will likely not be there with you, is just playing make-believe in a lot of ways.
The individual sample size of people out there fighting with guns regularly is rare, and if they are doing so, it’s typically with the support of the world’s largest military industrial complex backing them. All that gear is not only expensive and hard to get, but it also requires a lot of people to manage it.
The individual today, out in public, typically will have only a handgun—possibly a rifle or shotgun accessible in the home. That’s not exactly what you’d be storming the beaches with alone.
Take into account the now thousands of first-person videos being filmed in the war in Ukraine: All those casualties have armor, helmets and the same cartridges you own. Those who survive are often called upon to instruct with the knowledge they gained from such experiences. The tactics you learn from one of these types of instructors will not stop you from being killed, when in fact most of these guys learn these tactics with the expectation of taking casualties.
Think about that for a moment. Most of the common tactics we have now, and the gear you need for it, are designed around expected loss, a learning curve that takes into account how many people have been killed doing the same thing.
You’re always taking gear into action based on what happened last time.
How Much Is Too Much?
As a result of the constant technological march, we now have a near complete integration of guns, mounting surfaces, optical equipment, lights, lasers and suppressors. You can build a self-defense gun to include any and all of these things, but the considerations you make need to reflect what your reality is.
Much of my gear is set up with modern technology, but I do acknowledge that a good deal of it is perhaps a bit over-complicated. I really like my guns to look cool, which I believe is a valid consideration to make, and there’s certainly enhanced function as a result of some of these accessories. Serious drawbacks do exist, however, and I will get to that in a moment.
So what is the appropriate amount of baseline technology to have on a self-defense gun?
In general, a good light mounted to the gun is the only accessory I’d consider a must, the rest being somewhat subjective. When I’m in public, most times I dress pretty casual. I will usually have a small flashlight and a folding knife on me just for the sake of utility, and I’m not a big fan of lots of weight on my person.
My typical carry gun is a five-shot .357 Mag., in which I carry .38 Special +P loads. I’m a practical man in this aspect, and yes, I do know the details of the Miami shootout where that was not seen as a good choice in a real gunfight. Well, I won’t be going back to 1986, and I don’t care for Miami, so my odds are slim that I will be presented with the opportunity to repeat history.
Where I live, I don’t really worry about much—but I am always aware of my surroundings. My choice of equipment reflects my attire and lifestyle, as something bigger and heavier would stand out. I never want to look like the guy who appears to have a gun.
This minimalism comes with its own challenges. The little Smith & Wesson double action isn’t easy to shoot and isn’t exactly geared for accuracy … just extremely close-range standoffs. I get asked all the time if I think five shots is enough, and I typically reply: “Enough for what?” This is a great question to ask in general, because the gear race is completely real.
AR carbines are very popular for general use. This PWS-based build is pretty decked out, but in theory its Leupold optic has a low end that’s inside the magnification range of most military optics. Thermal for home defense? Probably not. But, if this is what you have, learn to use it effectively.
We have instructors doing “combat” pistol training at 50 yards or more in some of the classes I’ve attended, swapping in and out with carbines and other rifles. Tactical training, in my experience, is trending toward the ridiculous. Legally speaking, if you see a person firing a gun at something more than 50 yards away, and you decide to pull your pistol and shoot, well, that’s not a good look.
Now, I’m not saying you should get closer on purpose to an obvious threat. No technology as of late makes you bulletproof, and the more advanced technology you have at your disposal doesn’t do anything to keep you safe from the legal system.
My take on accessories is that they must do two things: increase your ability to identify threats, and not slow you down. If you are slowed down in acquiring a target by using a slide-mounted optic, don’t use one. In a real fight, you can’t script the situation, so don’t add in a piece of equipment that slows you down.
The Controversial Perspective
This segues into a topic that I think will be considered a hot take: I’m generally not into suppressors on handguns for defense. I like shooting suppressed pistols and I hunt with them; in fact, they’re really handy. I don’t, however, consider suppressors to be valid for self-defense, from the standpoint of practicality. Doubling the length of your pistol isn’t conducive to a fast draw, and you’re not going to be able to use something like that easily in tight confines. A suppressor also makes a gun that much easier to grab if a threat is close enough.
The size of suppressed handguns is sometimes hard to make practical. You’d obviously not seek to conceal this seriously, but shorter suppressors do exist. However, at a point, the smaller you get the less effective they are. Pistols featured here are a Staccato C with RMRcc and SureFire X300, True Precision custom P365 with RMRcc and Streamlight, S&W .357 Rem. Mag., and Alpha Foxtrot 1911 with SilencerCo Osprey 2.0.
Similarly, having done my fair share of shoot houses, adding a can to a home defense gun makes the maneuverability notably slower, and it’s harder to keep the pistol close to your body. As a civilian, you’re probably going to be woken up in the dead of night to glass breaking—or in the parking lot and hear someone step behind you when you’re getting your kids into the car. You won’t know when this is going to happen, and a suppressor on a pistol is likely going to slow down your defense.
For suppressors in the home, we can reasonably talk about rifles. Rifle suppressors are fantastic—I love them. I barely shoot without them unless it’s a classic military rifle. That said, things get long and heavy quickly. With a 16-inch barrel, you’re looking at what’s a functional minimum of about 6 inches for a shorty suppressor, so while the cosmetics might look smaller, in practice you’d be looking at the same length upper as a 20-inch M16 or longer in many cases.
Size is not relative when it comes to handling and weight. The little Smith is smaller than the 5.56 JK 155 suppressor on the author’s M16 Dissipator. In terms of real-world use, the size and weight of these rifles and suppressed pistols is often brushed over. These are not small accessories.
There are, of course, ways to deal with that, such as going the SBR or braced pistol routes, but in general my argument against rifles is that they’re a two-handed proposition. If you need to get help, call the cops, shepherd your kids to safety or really anything else, you’re going to have to do it at a disadvantage over a handgun with similar technology on it. There are, of course, plenty of advantages to cans in general—it’s just something to think about when you’re adding more and more to your guns.
Again, cans are great, but beware of their potential downfalls and how they might affect your situation and needs.
Stay Safe Out There
To conclude this diatribe, one of the things I strongly recommend is to actually test your upgrades and accessories where you plan to use them. Optics can get easily washed out by white light, sight bodies can obscure your vision … and so on. The weight and size are something you and your able-bodied loved ones should all know how to work around in case you’re wounded or unable to defend yourself otherwise.
Needless to say, don’t make your self-defense weapons so complicated to use for your family that they become a liability if the worst does happen. Anything you add to a gun should make it easier to use, not more likely to cause you problems.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the April 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
If you want to find the best 5.56 NATO suppressor, you need a lot of ammo, cameras, and a few people willing to risk bodily harm. RECOIL has all of that and more, and put it to good use testing a host of suppressors at CANCON South Carolina 2024!
The FBI said that 9mm is just as good as .45 ACP, but we’re here to make the argument that sometimes bigger really is better.
Back when John Browning fine-tuned the .45 ACP (he didn’t invent it, but he did make it perfect), the premier arm of the military was the cavalry. Part of their job was stopping opposing cavalry—even if it meant stopping horses. (As horse lovers, that had to hurt.) That’s why the U.S. Army insisted on something .45 back then, when Roosevelt the First and Taft were presidents, and they would not accept the newfangled .30 and 9mm pistol cartridges that were gaining popularity in Europe.
Fast-forward a century, and the FBI kicks the .45 to the curb, as the 9mm is “as good as the .45” because of “bullet construction improvements.” Basically, they said the decision was made because they couldn’t see a difference.
I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again: Once he got over the shock of smokeless powder and self-loading pistols, Sir Isaac Newton would have told the FBI to stuff it. Oh, he’d have been polite, and it would have been written in Latin (because all learned discourses back then were done in Latin), but he’d have given them a smackdown, because more is always more.
That the FBI cannot see it, or will not see it, matters not one whit to physics.
Now, I’m not as blinded by excess enough to say that .45 hardball is a 95 percent stopper (which was once the given, virtually dogma, in practical shooting circles a few decades ago), but it does better than 9mm ball.
“But with expanding bullets, the 9mm does it better.” Hmm, yes, perhaps … and perhaps not.
But if we’re going to compare, we have to compare like to like. Comparing .45 hardball to the latest expanding 9mm is, in the words of a long-gone radio broadcaster friend of mine, like “comparing apples to cinder blocks.”
Apples, Meet Oranges
A matched set of hollow-points in 9mm and .45 ACP? OK, the 9mm might expand to as much as the .45 starts out with, maybe even a bit more in perfect conditions. But the .45 is not going to shrink, and it will not be less than 0.451 inch in diameter. And any expansion that happens only makes the difference greater.
Anyone who makes hollow-point bullets in pistol ammo makes it for the .45 ACP. There’s no such thing as a “9mm exclusive hollow-point.”
Keep in mind the word potential, because bullets are not guaranteed to expand. I have talked to a number of people in the various aspects of practical, tactical and law enforcement shooting, and the percentage of pistol bullets that fail to expand is almost depressing to consider. So, if expansion doesn’t happen, then we’re back to comparing 0.355 inch versus 0.451 inch as the baseline consideration.
The differences can be dramatic. There was a recent shooting in Dearborn Heights, a suburb that’s contiguous to Detroit (and all that entails). The homeowner realized there was an intruder, and when challenged, the intruder started shooting. So, the homeowner responded with gunfire. After a few seconds, everyone involved had been hit by projectiles, even the sleeping girlfriend. The girlfriend and the homeowner were treated at the hospital, while the intruder, hit in the leg by a single round of .45 hardball, required more care. He eventually had to have his leg amputated. And that was with .45 hardball, no expansion.
Not to be gruesome, but ballistic gelatin is a uniform and consistent media, and people are not. It’s just that we can test in ballistic gel in a consistent and safe and legal manner.
Thorough testing of bullets has produced the best designs ever, but even at that they cannot be depended on to expand each and every time. Since that is the case, starting with bigger gives you more leeway when production is, shall we say, underwhelming. (Yes, that’s auto glass used in the testing treatment.)
Good old hardball, a jacketed 230-grain round-nose has been the standard for over a century, and with good reason. It’s accurate enough, and it’s ultra-reliable. Most pistols fed most 230-grain hardball loads are going to be more accurate than the shooter is capable. However, if you really need an extra dollop of accuracy, then you can invest in some Hornady XTP loads. They are brilliantly accurate, and they expand.
Now, it’s a rare 1911 these days (and I think of the 1911 for reliability problems more as a historical thing than a current thing) that will balk at .230 jacketed round-nose. And, with the fierce competition in the marketplace these days, everyone makes a reliable pistol, so you aren’t “stuck” with hardball. However, if you want expansion, or at least the potential, then you can go with Gold Dot.
The Rock Island Standard Full Size comes with an eight-round magazine. The current crop of 1911 magazines is the best that have ever been made and at great prices as well.
One reason you might want to go with a hollow-point bullet is when you are indoors. All handgun bullets penetrate too much on interior walls, but hollow-points penetrate less than hardball does. That’s worth a thought and some planning. When using a firearm indoors, Rule No. 4 (know your target, and what is behind it) really becomes important.
With prudence, and planning, you might find that using a .45 ACP means less of your house structure and furniture is cover for the intruder, and more of it’s merely concealment. This you have to actually think about, consider and plan for. Your builder will not be marking the parts of your house as “cover” and “concealment” for you.
While it seems the world is a 9mm place these days, you will have no lack of options for ammo and bullet design choices in the .45 ACP.
More is More. More is Better.
Now, Newton would also tell us that, while more is always more, it costs … one way or another. It costs in recoil and magazine capacity. You have to be willing to put up with the recoil of .45 in order to get the power of a .45-caliber projectile. That’s not a real problem, as there are a number of female competitors in the USPSA/IPSC circuit who are not tall nor heavy and find the recoil of a .45 ACP (or a near .45) pistol to be no big deal. If someone who stands at 5-foot-nothing and weighs 90 pounds can shoot a .45 accurately and quickly, what’s your problem? (Typically, it’s lack of practice. There, I said it.)
Does the .45 ACP have recoil? Of course. You can’t get something for nothing, but it’s easily controlled.
Capacity is another. A double-stack 9mm can still be very trim (the 9mm makers are getting down to “This holds how many?” sizes for pistols) and still be manageable. But a double-stack .45, even in the slimmest versions, is a big-hands gun. Remember that the single-stack 1911 pistol has been in continuous production since 1911 for a reason. It holds enough ammunition that you probably won’t need more, and if you do, the reloads are mighty quick.
Oh, and one more cost that I have to admit to: actual cost. As in, .45 ammunition of any kind costs more in dollars than 9mm does, if only because there is more material in it. A quick check shows 9mm 115-grain ball in un-reloadable steel cases at $200 per thousand rounds. Reloadable brass ammo runs $230 per thousand. Meanwhile, .45 ACP runs $390 per thousand in reloadable form. I’ll admit, that’s a bunch more.
Times, They Change
However, an extra bonus from the fierce competition in the .45 marketplace is that a durable, reliable, 1911-based or even 1911 pistol can be had for not much money. If you want extra features, then they don’t cost much, either.
An example is the Rock Island Rock Standard Full Size Cerakote .45 ACP. It has forward cocking serrations, Novak-style combat sights, a high-grip beavertail and ambidextrous thumb safety, all done up in a Cerakote finish. It comes with G10 grips checkered for a non-slip grip, lowered ejection port and commander hammer, and it’s built on a Series 70 frame. That means no firing pin blocking the safety plunger to potentially cause problems.
The Rock Island Standard Full Size is just that, a government sized all-steel pistol, and Rock Island adds on extra features at a bargain price.
Built on a 4140 alloy steel parts set, the small parts are parkerized, it takes any and all 1911 single-stack magazines, it comes with an eight-round magazine, and it is listed at an affordable $759. Which means you can probably find it in the display case of your local gun shop for under $700.
The sights are dovetail-mounted so you can swap them if you really feel the need (or have a compulsion for home-gunsmithing). Everything on it is as close to mil-spec dimensionally as is possible these days. So, you can change things you might not like or find that they don’t fit you.
Try that with a polymer-framed pistol.
You Can Handle It
Oh, and back to the controllability question?
When the 1911 pistol was adopted, the average height of the American man was all of 5 feet, 8 inches. (Women were 5 feet, 3 inches.) Browning knew this (he could have hardly not known), so the 1911 is as ergonomic as he could make it for the average man of his time. Today, the average height of men is 2 inches greater, so stop complaining about grip size in 1911s.
Right out of the box, I found that the Rock Island Standard Full Size hit to the sights, it shot nice-sized groups, and it has yet to fail, despite being fed a wide variety of ammunition.
The Rock Island 1911 shot to the sights, and it produces groups you can certainly depend on.
Back when I started shooting competitively (we will not discuss who was president then), just getting the sights, beavertail, custom grips and adjustable trigger—all details that the Rock Island pistol has on it—onto a box-stock 1911A1 would have run more than the cost of the Rock Island pistol. No, seriously.
Firing up the old inflation calculator, $759 in 2025 dollars equates to (darn, now I have to admit when I started this journey) $155 in 1978. I paid more than that for the first 1911A1 surplus pistol that I then handed over to a pistolsmith to have him upgrade it. And I paid more for the work than I had for that surplus pistol. Calculating forward, that first pistol ran me about $2,400 in 2025 dollars, and I still was using absolutely miserable magazines in it. That’s all we had back then.
That’s the other good thing about the .45 ACP and the 1911 these days: The current offerings of magazines are superb in function and durability. I can recommend—without hesitation—both Wilson and Chip McCormick magazines. And if eight rounds isn’t enough, you can get extended, 10-round magazines for your single-stack 1911.
So, power, style, class and more than a little retro vibe. What’s wrong with the .45 ACP? Nothing. And what’s wrong with using it in a 1911? Nothing at all.
There: FBI, take that.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the April 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
If you want to effectively defend your domain without risk of legal trouble, you need to understand Castle Doctrine.
Castle Doctrine is a legal principle that recognizes the right to defend yourself within the safety of your home, allowing the use of force—including deadly force—without the obligation to retreat. It’s rooted in the belief that one’s home is a sanctuary, a place where individuals have the right to feel safe and secure.
This concept, deeply embedded in history, continues to shape modern self-defense laws across the United States.
Historical Origins and Legal Foundations
The origins of Castle Doctrine trace back to English common law, captured in the phrase, “An Englishman’s home is his castle.” The phrase can be traced back to Sir Edward Coke, an influential English jurist of the 17th century. In his work, “The Institutes of the Laws of England” (1628), he wrote, “For a man’s house is his castle, et domus sua cuique est tutissimum refugium [and each man’s home is his safest refuge].” This statement was part of his commentary on the protections against unlawful entry into one’s home.
This age-old principle emphasized the inviolability of the home, asserting that even the king could not enter without permission. When early colonists settled in America, they carried this belief with them, integrating it into the legal systems of the new world. Today, Castle Doctrine remains a vital legal shield, protecting the right to self-defense within one’s dwelling.
At its core, Castle Doctrine removes the duty to retreat when an individual is threatened at home. This means that if an intruder enters a residence, the homeowner is not legally required to flee but is justified in using force to protect themselves and their loved ones.
However, the application of this doctrine varies widely across the United States, creating a complex legal landscape.
State-by-State Variations
Castle Doctrine is interpreted differently across states, leading to significant variations in its application. In Massachusetts, for example, Castle Doctrine is narrowly defined, applying strictly within the four walls of the home. Stepping even one foot outside the front door reinstates the duty to retreat. Conversely, Indiana extends protection beyond the home to surrounding areas, known as “curtilage,” and even includes occupied motor vehicles. These state-specific differences highlight the importance of understanding local laws and how they define and apply Castle Doctrine, as ignorance of these nuances can lead to severe legal consequences, even when acting in self-defense.
Defining the ‘Castle’
One of the most debated aspects of Castle Doctrine is the definition of what constitutes a “castle.” In most states, this is the home itself. However, questions arise when considering other structures. Hotel rooms, for example, may be protected if occupied but not in common areas. Recreational vehicles or mobile homes are typically considered dwellings when used as residences but not when stored.
The concept of curtilage—referring to the area around the home where intimate daily activities occur—adds further complexity. In some states, curtilage includes a fenced yard, an attached garage, or a front porch. In others, the definition is narrower, excluding larger areas of land distant from the house. This ambiguity can create challenges in high-stress situations, where split-second decisions are necessary.
Who Can Claim Castle Doctrine?
Castle Doctrine protections are not universally granted to everyone within a home. Some states limit its protections to homeowners, while others extend them to guests or temporary occupants. Legal complexities arise when considering cohabitants, such as estranged spouses or roommates.
In certain states, individuals are required to retreat if both parties have a legal right to be in the home, leading to complicated legal battles and difficult moral dilemmas. For example, if a divorced couple shares ownership of a house but one partner has a restraining order, that individual loses the right to claim Castle Doctrine, even if they are still listed on the deed.
These nuances illustrate the importance of understanding the specific rules in each state, as they can significantly impact the outcome of a self-defense case.
Exceptions and Limitations
Importantly, Castle Doctrine is not a blanket justification for the use of force. Several notable exceptions limit its application. It does not apply if the defender was the initial aggressor or if the defender did not have a legal right to be in the home, such as violating a restraining order. Some states also require retreat if the attacker is a cohabitant, regardless of the defender’s right to be there.
These exceptions balance the right to self-defense with the need to prevent unnecessary violence, ensuring that Castle Doctrine is not misused. They also highlight the importance of understanding the doctrine’s limitations, as misapplication can lead to serious legal consequences.
The Importance of Legal Awareness
Castle Doctrine reflects a fundamental belief in the right to protect oneself and one’s loved ones. However, its diverse interpretations across state lines make it essential for individuals to stay informed about local laws. Ignorance of these nuances can lead to significant legal repercussions, even when acting in self-defense. It’s important to note that while this principle emphasizes the sanctity of one’s home, it does not grant absolute immunity from the law. It should not be interpreted as permission to engage in illegal activities within one’s residence.
Conclusion: Balancing Safety and Responsibility
Castle Doctrine serves as a vital legal shield, protecting the fundamental right to self-defense. Yet, its protections are not universal, and the rules governing its application are complex and ever-changing. By understanding these intricacies, individuals can exercise their rights responsibly, safeguarding themselves and their families while navigating the legal landscape.
Castle Doctrine is more than just a legal doctrine. It represents a societal value that honors personal property and the sanctity of the home. However, it also reflects the delicate balance between personal liberty and legal responsibility. As state laws continue to evolve, staying informed is crucial. By understanding Castle Doctrine’s core principles and variations, individuals can protect not only their homes but also their legal rights.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the April 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
The .22 Magnum pistol is a rare bird, but we pick four top options in the caliber to satiate even the most finicky rimfire fan.
A semi-automatic .22 Magnum pistol … cue crickets chirping.
Popular as the souped-up rimfire cartridge has proven over the past 60 odd years it’s never really conquered the pistol market. Revolvers, those chamber in what’s properly known as the .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (.22 WMR), shooters have them coming out their ears. But pistols tread on hen's teeth territory.
What’s the deal? There’s a couple of things at play stacking the deck against the widespread production of .22 Magnum pistols.
More than anything, the cartridge poses a tricky proposition. Rimmed cartridges are notoriously finicky in box magazines. Load them incorrectly—that is, hitch a rim behind another rim—and you’re managing a failure to feed. Jam-o-matics aren’t a load of fun, even if they deliver more punch to their destination.
If that isn’t enough, the .22 Magnum is a high-pressure cartridge that doesn’t play nice with straight blowback systems. Instead a delayed blowback operation is required to function properly. The task is tall in a pistol, requiring elegant engineering. This leads to the next big issue—cost.
Inherently, given a delayed blowback operation is more mechanically complex than a straight blowback, it cost more to engineer, manufacture and QC. Faced with this, the suits crunching numbers at gun companies have a simple refrain: Screw it, make a .22 LR pistol! If they’re ambitious, maybe they’ll roll the dice on a .22 Magnum revolver. Grimace if you must, but their calculus isn’t skewed.
Plus guns chambered for standard-bearer .22 LR not only cost less up front, but also in the long run. Savvy shoppers (in normal times) pay a dime or less per trigger pull of .22 LR; for .22 Magnum, they’re ponying up nearer to a quarter per pop. That adds up—particularly for plinking and pleasure shooting. Given these factors, it’s almost a wasteland when it comes to .22 Magnum pistols … almost.
There are some notable exceptions, so we picked out four semi-autos that have what it takes to scratch the magnum-rimfire itch. But, be warned, the world isn’t exactly awash in options. So, as your mother most likely told you on more than one occasion, beggars can’t be choosers.
How I Chose The Best .22 Magnum Pistols
This was an easy task overall, because pickings are slim in the .22 Magnum pistol market. But I still did my due diligence and put each pistol through its paces honing in on each gun's accuracy, ergonomics, price and overall reliability. The last one is an important point, because this class of pistol has a rough track record. After many rounds down range, some hard running of each gun, I came up with these as the top picks in .22 Magnum pistols.
New in 2022, the WMP or Walther Magnum Pistol came as a bit of a surprise. It's certainly on the more “tactical” side of handguns due to its inclusion of features like an optics-ready slide, and that isn't typical of .22 Magnum pistols.
The WMP is a full-size, polymer-framed handgun with a 4.5-inch barrel and 15-round magazine capacity. It has a typical accessory rail on the underside and an optics-cut slide on top. The front sight is also fiber optic. The pistol is fully ambidextrous as well, in part thanks to its unique Quad release mechanism that features both a traditional button mag release and a Walther-style paddle release on each side.
These features combine to make the WMP a very versatile pistol, just like the cartridge it fires. With its optics-ready slide, it could be used in competition, for pest control or just for having a blast at the range. Regardless of your reason for wanting one, we believe that the new WMP will soon establish itself as one of the best .22 Magnum pistol designs on the market.
Overall, I found the pistol a pleasure to shoot and very accurate out to 15 yards. The Walther fit my hand perfectly, even if I do find the grip a bit unappealing to the eye. And all but for a few rounds at the beginning that failed to eject, I found the WMP very reliable.
Must buy the XT Pro variant if you want to mount an optic, and it has an MSRP $150 higher than the standard model
Rock Island XT 22 Magnum Specs Caliber: .22 Magnum Barrel Length: 5 inches Overall Length: 8.54 inches Weight: 40 ounces Magazine: 14 Rounds MSRP: $599 armscor.com
With a fraction of the fanfare it deserved, Rock Island launched its XT line a few years ago. Yet, the pistol deserves credit, it delivers on all accounts—affordability, dependability and, above all, accuracy.
No surprise from the Filipino company that made its bones with economical 1911s, its .22 Magnum pistol cuts the same figure and has the same feel. The similarities stop there, but it's still great news for anyone who loves the grip angle or aesthetics of the 1911. The XT is a top-ejector affair, somewhat reminiscent of a Beretta 92, with a unique two-piece barrel design that’s part of the pistol’s delayed blowback operation. It sounds complicated, but honestly is a fairly straightforward system that pays dividends. Not only does it run like a top, but it makes for a trimmer, more manageable gun.
I found the XT has a real sporty feel to it, so it's easy for to imagine it would do well in a competitive setting. I think the flat-top Pro model would make an interesting option for this with its full-length Picatinny rail on top of the slide. Certainly, the pistol’s configuration lends it to self-defense, though, I don't believe the caliber should be anyone's first choice. And even though it’s light, the XT is too large to make it a backup option.
Rock Island XT 22 Magnum Deals
Sportsman's Warehouse
$480
Guns.com
From $476
Kel-Tec PMR-30
Pros:
Very high capacity
Most affordable (can be found new for about $350 at time of writing)
Lightweight
Cons:
Some users report reliability issues when the mag is loaded by hand rather than with a speed loader
When the Kel-Tec labs unleashed this Frankenstein’s monster around a decade ago, it was met with—to be honest—furrowed brows. (Mine included.) What exactly was the angle of the plasticity, futuristic-looking .22 Magnum pistol?
Not easily categorized, the new-wave heater nonetheless shouldered its way into the market, if for no other reason than sheer, unadulterated firepower. There aren’t many problems that can’t be solved with 30 rounds on tap.
Yes, for those unfamiliar with the PMR-30, that’s its hook—capacity. Which, when you put your mind to it, makes this fairly difficult to classify pistol quite useful for many applications. Backwoods insurance policy, rucksack’s best friend, inconspicuous truck gun—in essence, Jack-of-all-trades. Perhaps its most agreed-upon role is as a bug-out bag pistol.
Next to firepower, the PMR-30’s light weight is its greatest asset. Even fully juiced, it doesn’t weigh much more than a centerfire duty pistol. And for all its idiosyncrasies, the pistol is easy and comfortable to run, even delightful. It fit my hand well, boasted a snappy trigger and, thanks to Hi-Viz sights, is relatively quick on target. I like this gun and think it offers a lot for someone in the market for something a bit different, but functional.
Kel-Tec PMR-30 Deals
Palmetto State Armory
$419
Guns.com
From $409
Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum
Pros:
Potentially most reliable option with correct ammo due to TEMPO system
Very high capacity
Optics-ready
Cons:
Ammo sensitive
A bit pricey
Relatively new, so has little real-world use and is yet to establish a reputation.
Featuring the same TEMPO barrel system that debuted in Smith & Wesson's M&P 5.7, the M&P 22 Magnum has a lot of advantages over .22 Mag. pistols with more traditional operating systems. That's because the TEMPO system doesn't allow for the barrel to cam open until after the bullet passes the gas port, increasing both reliability and accuracy. The only downside here is that the system only works well with certain types of ammo, but Smith & Wesson has already done extensive testing so you won't need to guess. Use one of the several officially-recommended loads and you shouldn't have any issues.
Besides the M&P 22 Magnum's potential for great reliability, it has some excellent features as well. I, like anyone, love its 30-round magazine capacity. Kel-Tec had that market cornered for years, but now if you want a deluxe version of the PMR-30 you have the M&P to consider too. The pistol also comes ready to direct-mount RMSc-footprint optics and features a fiber optic front sight, a flat-faced trigger, a Picatinny rail and a thumb safety.
Of these, I appreciated the ability to mount an optic, which take the pistol a whole new level. As for the TEMPO system, working off S&W's cheat sheet and shooting CCI Maxi-Mag, the pistol ran flawlessly for me. The only hitch I really found in the .22 Mag is its price tag, which runs a bit more than what many would like to drop on this class of pistol.
S&W M&P 22 Magnum Deals
Battlehawk Armory
$556
Bass Pro Shops
$600
.22 Magnum Pistol FAQ
What is a .22 Magnum pistol good for?
.22 Magnum pistols primarily shine on the ranch, in the woods and on the range. By that, we mean that .22 Magnum is an ideal round for pest control around one's property, small game/varmint hunting and plinking. A .22 Mag. pistol could be used for self-defense, but for most people, there are a lot of better options available.
Is .22 Magnum more powerful than .22 LR?
Yes. Due to its larger case capacity, .22 Magnum rounds are loaded with more powder which results in higher velocities than what .22 LR is capable of producing. For our more in depth comparison of these two rounds, read .22 WMR Vs .22 LR: Application Defines This Rimfire Rumble.
Can you use .22 Magnum for self-defense?
You can, but we generally don't recommend it. There are much better self-defense cartridges out there that offer more power and better reliability, but these come at the cost of greater recoil. For individuals with hand strength issues or other handicaps, a .22 Magnum pistol with a large magazine loaded with the right ammo may be the best option.
Editor's Note: Adam Borisenko contributed to this article.
Looking for a new iron or piece of kit to enhance the one you already own? Check out these 7 new bits of guns and gear to grow your firearms wish list.
Smith & Wesson expands its Model 1854 series with the addition of the .357 Magnum caliber, combining classic American lever-action design with modern enhancements. Available in black polymer and stainless steel or walnut with Armornite finish, the rifle features a 19 ¼-inch threaded barrel, 10+1 capacity, adjustable XS Sights ghost ring rear sight, a Picatinny optics base and a removable magazine tube. Recognized as Ballistics’ Best Lever-Action Rifle – 2024, the Model 1854 delivers smooth action, precision and versatility. Now available in .357 Magnum, it offers enthusiasts a blend of tradition and innovation. MSRP: $1,399
FN Reflex XL MRD
FN America introduces the FN Reflex XL MRD, a concealed-carry pistol designed for accuracy and comfort. Building on the success of the FN Reflex series, the XL features a 3.8-inch cold hammer-forged barrel, extended grip, and compatibility with popular red-dot optics. With a 15-round standard capacity (18-round extended magazine), the XL balances concealability at 1.1 inches wide and 20 ounces, while improving shootability with an ergonomic grip, enhanced trigger guard and smooth 5-pound trigger pull. Available in black and FDE finishes, the FN Reflex XL offers a versatile, reliable option for everyday carry with optics-ready capability and top-tier safety features. MSRP: $719
Colt Optics-Ready 1911 Competition
Colt’s Manufacturing Company has launched the Optics-Ready 1911 Competition Pistols at the 2025 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. Available in 9mm and .45 ACP, these pistols are engineered for precision and performance, featuring Colt’s innovative optics plate system for enhanced speed, accuracy and customization. Key features include a stainless-steel Optics Ready Slide with a black nitride cover plate, Series 70 Firing System, ergonomic design for optimal control and G10 checkered grips. These pistols will be available nationwide starting April 2025, offering competitive shooters Colt’s legendary performance and cutting-edge innovation. MSRP: $1,399
YHM VICTRA-12
Yankee Hill Machine (YHM) has unveiled the VICTRA-12, a modular sound suppressor for 12-gauge shotguns. Engineered for performance, the VICTRA-12 is light-weight, durable and delivers outstanding noise reduction. Its modular design allows users to adjust lengths to 12, 10, 8 or 6 inches for tailored use. The suppressor’s innovative mounting system works with popular shotgun models and includes an interchangeable choke system, shipping with an Improved Cylinder choke and optional Full and Modified chokes. Weighing 25 ounces and full-auto rated, the VICTRA-12 sets a new standard in shotgun suppressors. MSRP: $960
Mossberg 590R & 590RM
Mossberg introduces the 590R and 590RM pump-action shotguns, groundbreaking additions to the trusted 590 platform. Designed for duty and home defense, these 12-gauge shotguns feature AR-style ergonomics, ambidextrous rotary safety selectors and user-serviceable components. The 590RM models offer detachable, double-stack magazines with a 10-round standard capacity and optional 5-, 15-, and 20-round magazines. Both models boast an 18.5-inch barrel with integrated heat shield, five-position adjustable stock, Magpul MOE+ pistol grip, and Picatinny rail for optics. Additional highlights include a crisp flat-profile trigger, M-Lok compatibility, and enhanced durability. The innovative 590R and 590RM redefine tactical performance and versatility. MSRP: 590R $1,085, 580RM $1,190
Foxtrot Mike Products VFM-9
Foxtrot Mike Products introduces the VFM-9, a new line of 9mm upper receivers designed to deliver exceptional performance and value for budget-conscious consumers. Built with a robust 4140 steel barrel rated for over 10,000 rounds, the VFM-9 offers impressive accuracy and durability. Innovative features include a thermal fit barrel design, streamlined assembly, and compatibility with Foxtrot Mike’s industry-leading Last Round Bolt Hold Open (LRBHO) system. Available in two configurations—non-reciprocating forward charging or dual charging handles—the VFM-9 delivers versatility and reliability. Backed by a lifetime warranty, it’s the ideal choice for PCC enthusiasts seeking high quality at an accessible price. MSRP: Starting at $269
KelTec PR57
The KelTec PR57 redefines concealed carry with its innovative design and lightweight build. Chambered in 5.7x28mm, the PR57 features a rotary barrel system, making it 40 percent lighter than its competitors and just 0.937-inch wide for exceptional concealability. Instead of detachable magazines, it uses an internal stripper clip-fed system, holding 20 rounds across two 10-round clips, prioritizing shootability and reliability for real-world self-defense scenarios. Designed by George Kellgren, the PR57 is optics-ready and offers the market’s easiest field strip with a simple forward push of the trigger. MSRP: $399
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the March 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Springfield Armory has just announced a pistol version of the SAINT Victor 9mm AR.
Springfield Armory added a 9mm to its SAINT Victor line of ARs a couple of years back in the form of a carbine, but the company is now releasing a pistol variant as well. The SAINT Victor 9mm Pistol features the same dedicated 9mm upper and lower receivers as the carbine version but now with a shorter barrel and a pistol brace.
As you can imagine, most aspects of the SAINT Victor 9mm Pistol are the same as its bigger brother. That includes its rugged direct-blowback operating system, use of 32-round Colt-pattern magazines and nickel boron-coated flat trigger. Both SAINT Victors also have the same B5 Systems Type 23 P-Grips, ambidextrous safeties, similar M-LOK handguards and SA Muzzle Drums. Naturally, the biggest difference is the new pistol variant features a 5.5-inch barrel and an adjustable SB Tactical SBA3 pistol brace on the three-position receiver extension instead of a buttstock. The only other differences between the pistol and the carbine are that the carbine comes with flip-up iron sights while the pistol doesn’t and that the pistol ships with a handstop.
Steve Kramer, Vice President of Marketing for Springfield Armory., said this about the new 9mm:
The new SAINT Victor Pistol in 9mm adds yet another layer of capability to the SAINT Victor line … Offering the durability and performance of a direct blowback system, this new 9mm would make a great addition to any shooter’s firearms collection.
MSRP for the SAINT Victor 9mm Pistol is $1,099 and it ships with a padded rifle case.
When it comes to shooting handguns in the dark, is it better to have a handheld or a weapon-mounted light?
It’s no secret that bad things happen in the dark. Evil loves the absence of light, which is why some humans are afraid of the dark. Our literature and movies have contributed to this fear with monsters such as vampires and werewolves; it seems like all the really scary things love the nighttime.
Bad guys like the dark, too. They like the anonymity it offers, appreciating the advantage it gives them as an attacker … and the disadvantage it lends to their prey.
But you can fight the night with light, which is why one of the most important self-defense tools is a flashlight. The question is: Should you mount your flashlight on your weapon or carry it in your hand?
You don’t have to have a weapon light to shoot well in low light. You can do it effectively with a flashlight.
Lots of Lumens
Back when I was working the street, the high-lumen compact flashlight was just becoming popular. They were bright as hell but expensive as hell, too. This is, of course, one of the reasons most police officers carried a three-cell Maglite (the other reason being it could double as an impact weapon). I was the first officer in my department to purchase an expensive, compact, high-output flashlight, and most of the other officers ribbed me for spending so much money … well, until they worked a night shift with me and saw the advantage a high-quality flashlight can provide. Today, the high-output flashlight is more common with police officers than donuts.
Weapon lights can help you shoot better in low light, but they are not a substitute for a handheld light.
The higher lumen, lithium battery flashlight soon found its way to weapons, and today they’ve become what many consider a necessity as opposed to an accessory. Some departments now issue weapon lights for handguns, carbines and shotguns, and the advantages they offer to law enforcement apply to everyone else, too. I know folks who have a weapon light on their everyday carry gun.
However, as practical as it might seem to mount a light to your carry gun or home defense firearm, a mistake many make is to assume a weapon light circumvents the need for a flashlight. While a handheld flashlight and a weapon light can provide a distraction to an assailant—along with temporary blindness—the weapon light has a primary purpose. A weapon light is intended to help you shoot better in low-light circumstances. A weapon light is not for searching, because if you’re searching with a weapon light, you’re pointing a loaded gun at everything you want to look at.
Weapon lights have the advantage of letting you hold a handgun, carbine or shotgun normally with two hands.
Remember the second rule of firearms safety? Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. This rule always applies, whether you’re on the range for recreation or competition, and even if you’re in a gunfight. You don’t want to point a loaded gun at your patrol partner, wife or one of your children. This is especially true in a high-stress situation when you might also be violating the third rule of firearms safety, which is to keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on a target you are sure of.
In Gun or Grip?
The point of all of this is to differentiate between a handheld light and a weapon light. It’s not to promote one over the other. In fact, savvy shooters will have both.
The key to using a handheld light to shoot in low light is to practice perfectly holding the light while simultaneously aiming.
For example, let’s assume you’re walking through a dark parking building, and your carry gun has a weapon light. Are you going to pull your handgun and use that light to check your surroundings? No, of course not. The same could apply at home when you hear that bump in the night. You might grab your home defense firearm with its weapon-mounted light to investigate, but you need to be able to safely explore your surroundings without inadvertently pointing a gun at your pet or favorite child.
A more complex example could be a situation where you’re holding a threat—human or otherwise—at gunpoint in the dark. Your weapon-mounted light is keeping the threat illuminated and partially blinded, but what if you hear a noise to your left or right that needs to be scrutinized? Are you going to take your gun/light off the threat you’ve already identified to try to discover the source of another potential threat?
I hope not.
A handheld flashlight is something you should always carry or have readily available. Not only does it allow you to safely search, but you can also use it for shooting in low-light situations. However, the most practical approach is to have a handheld light and a weapon light. I’ve equipped my home defense handgun with a weapon light, as well as my home defense shotgun and carbine. However, next to them, I also have a handheld light. One is for looking, and the other is for shooting.
I do not have a weapon light on my carry gun because I’ve not found a comfortable way to carry a handgun with a weapon light, and comfort is a primary consideration for everyday carry. You, your body type and the way you dress will dictate what and how you carry.
However, I don’t leave home without my Galco Flashlight Carrier, which secures a 2.8-ounce, 350-lumen Streamlight ProTac 1L-1AA flashlight. Aside from security and safety concerns, I use that light almost daily to find stuff that rolls under the couch or my truck seat … or just to read a restaurant menu.
It’s a good idea to have a lanyard on a tactical flashlight so you can use your hand for other things and not drop your flashlight.
You should be prepared, and when it comes to a weapon or handheld light, both might be the best answer. In either case, follow the rule of the four Ls:
Lumens: Minimum of 100 lumens
Lithium: Lithium batteries last longer
LED: LED bulbs are more rugged
Lanyard: Use a lanyard on handheld lights
Fortunately—at least for right now—we don’t have to worry about vampires and werewolves. But bad humans and bad animals are a real thing, and just like the monsters we feared as a kid, they love the darkness.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the April 2025 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Looking to go armed, but are stuck in the weeds as to what to arm yourself with? Here are 20 excellent concealed carry gun options that will keep you on the defensive.
