Sig has just released the P365-380, a new variant of their extremely popular CCW pistol now chambered for .380 ACP.
The Sig P365 has been incredibly popular since its release. Veteran concealed carriers and new gun owners alike were impressed by its shootability and capacity despite its small size. Chambered for 9mm, most individuals found the P365’s recoil to be manageable, but there are always people looking to defend themselves who have issues with things like grip strength. Targeting those who require their handgun to have lower recoil but would still like to carry a P365, Sig has just released the P365-380.
Virtually identical to the standard 9mm model, the only substantial change on the P365-380 is its caliber, but that change yields more than one benefit. When it comes to managing the recoil of a small and light handgun, .380 ACP is obviously more controllable than 9mm, but the change in caliber has also resulted in a weaker recoil spring and lighter slide and barrel. This all adds up to a pistol that’s easier to rack and over 3-ounces lighter than its 9mm counterpart. Because the profile remains identical, however, the P365-380 will be compatible with all existing P365 holsters as well. Both the 9mm and .380 models utilize the same grip frame and fire control group too, and while Sig doesn’t outright claim it to be possible it stands to reason that one could swap the barrels, slides and magazines between the two without issue.
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One more difference between the new P365-380 and the 9mm model is that the .380 version includes some upgrades as standard features right out of the box, including SIGTRON night sights and an optics-ready slide.
One area that hasn’t been improved in the P365-380 is capacity, as it features the same flush fit 10-round magazines as the 9mm version. Also, unlike the standard model, the P365-380 only has 10-round mags available. While Sig also makes extended 12 and 15-round mags for the 9mm model, so far, they haven’t said anything about doing the same for the new .380.
There will undoubtedly be people who are interested in getting a P365-380, but with pistols chambered for the recently introduced 30 Super Carry vying for much of the same market, time will tell just how popular the P365-380 will really be. It will be available either with or without a manual thumb safety and each gun will include two 10-round mags (one with a finger extension) and a magazine loader. MSRP will also be the same as the 9mm version at $499.99.
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.
As recognizable as the Weatherby name itself, the Mark V action is considered by many among the finest available in bolt-action. Now it can be found on quite a pack, perfectly tailored for your next backcountry hunt. Dubbed the Mark V Hunter, the polymer-stocked rifle not only offers a featherweight option for elk or deer season, but also a wealth of chamberings. In all, the rifle is available in 16 different chamberings, including modern-day favorites such as 6.5 Creedmoor, and standby hot rods like the .257 Weatherby Magnum. Additionally, the lightweight deep-fluted barrel comes with a ½ x28 thread pattern muzzle, making the addition of a suppressor or brake a snap. MSRP: $1,499
Nosler Model 21 Rifle
More than an innovator in ammunition, Nosler has proved itself an adept rifle-smith. The Model 21 is a prime example. A feature-rich production bolt-action, it gives the feel and performance of a custom build—but in a package many more shooters can afford. Dressed in a lightweight carbon-fiber McMillan stock, the rifle is ideal for hunts that take you several ridgelines back. And it’s designed to stand up to these rugged environments, with a forward-looking design that ensures it cycles and shoots with-out a hitch. Some of the more notable features in this arena include a flute and nitride-coated bolt in a one-piece action that’s virtually jam-free. And, the fully-adjustable TriggerTech switch is capable of being set nearly as light as a competition trigger. MSRP: $2,795
DRD Tactical MFP-21 Pistol
DRD Tactical has whipped up some interesting offerings over the years, but their latest creation might take the cake. A quick takedown pistol, the MFP-21 not only shrinks down to a more than manageable backpack gun, but it also allows shooters to swap caliber in the blink of an eye. Featuring interchange-able barrels, the pistol seamlessly jumps between 5.56 NATO and .300 BLK, vastly increasing its operational utility. The MFP-21 features a Picatinny rail incorporated on the rear of the receiver. It accepts any Picatinny rail attachment brace and offers improved brace stability. This pistol also includes a new patented gas block, ambidextrous bolt release and custom two-stage trigger, designed by DRD Tactical. MSRP: $2,500
S&W 10mm M&P 2.0
A 10mm Smith & Wesson pistol? It’s been a spell since shooters could utter that. No, the 1006 isn’t back in production, but the iconic gunmaker is back in the “Perfect 10” game with the introduction of the caliber in its popular striker-fired line. Yes, the M&P 2.0 is now available in 10mm and gives folks plenty of reasons to look that direction if they have a yen for the snappy caliber. In addition to an excellent 15-round capacity, the pistol also comes with a flat-faced trigger, interchangeable palmswell grips, ridged stainless-steel chassis and the choice of a 4- or 4.6-inch barrel. Additionally, Smith &Wesson offers the 10mm M&P in three models, one with a thumb safety, one without and one with a slide cut for mounting an optic. MSRP: $654
Mossberg 590S
No stranger to top-notch smooth-bores, Mossberg has set out to top the iconic original 500 with its latest pump gun. Does the 590S do it? With the ability to digest 1¾-, 2¾- or 3-inch shells, it’s difficult not to find ammo it won’t greedily gobble up. The gun’s full-length stocks are paired with an 18.5-inch barrel with bead sight or 20-inch barrel with adjustable ghost-ring sights, the larger model with an M-Lok-compatible forend (about time on a production gun). And it comes with all the features 500-series shooters love, from twin action bars to anti-jam elevator. MSRP: Starting at $623
CZ 600 Bolt Action Trail
Unique in about every definition of the word, CZ’s Trail is an AR/chassis hybrid designed to bring precision to the field. Part of the company’s new 600 bolt-action line, the rifle’s modular design should appeal to hard-core AR fans looking to add a bolt-action to their rotation …while the sturdy stocking system should appeal to the precision nuts. Some of the more intriguing features include a telescoping stock, free-floated M-Lok handguard, enclosed receiver and Picatinny optics rail. Though, at present, the gunmaker only offers the 16-inch barreled configuration with its mini action, meaning it’s only available in .223 Remington and 7.62x39mm. But the workhorse cartridges are gems out of the lightweight and accurate setup. MSRP: $1,155
Springfield Armory Ronin EMP
In the sphere of 1911s, few companies make the classic style of semi-auto pistol more accessible than Springfield Armory. The gunmaker also makes them practical. Case in point: the Ronin EMP—a marriage between two of the company’s popular 1911 lines that’s resulted in an absolute knockout carry option. Mating the newish Ronin series to the EMP (Enhanced Micro Pistol) frame, the pistol boasts a scant 3-inch barrel, yet comes with all the popular features of its full-sized sibling. This includes a dashing two-tone finish. Further setting it apart, Springfield chambers the Ronin EMP in 9mm, making for an incredibly controllable carry piece that hits the mark over and over again. MSRP: $849
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2022 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Benjamin Airguns has just introduced the Bulldog .457, and it will be the largest caliber air rifle offered by the company.
As Crosman’s “premium line”, Benjamin air rifles are well established among those who hunt with air guns. Previously, the largest available model was the Bulldog .357, but Benjamin has just announced the release of the larger caliber Bulldog .457 with increased air and projectile capacities.
Aiming to give big-game air rifle hunters improved stopping power, the Bulldog .457 can now deliver up to 450 foot-pounds of energy, over double that of the older .357 model. The increased energy output should not only make hunting larger animals more efficient and ethical, but in some states with minimum FPE requirements, it could make it legal as well.
Senior Product Manager Phillip Guadalupe had this to say on the new Bulldog:
The Bulldog .457 is the most powerful compact PCP set to hit the market. Not only will it take down big game, it’ll do it with smaller projectiles and with a max fill pressure of 3000psi. That adds up to a serious beast of an air rifle that handles as ingeniously and distinctively as any Benjamin,
The Bulldog .457 features a 440cc air reservoir, an increased 3-round capacity and a threaded barrel for hunting with a suppressor. It will be available for purchase sometime in February 2022 and will have an MSRP of $1,099.99.
For more information on Benjamin Airguns, please visit crosman.com.
Why it’s important to master the “littles” before moving up to big rifles and magnum cartridges.
It’s interesting how many new shooters jump to larger-caliber rifles first before understanding the necessity of the tool they’re about to purchase. I often get queried about a rifle purchase before a class by students, and I’m amazed by how many are considering a magnum cartridge rifle for their first time out.
It seems the .338 Lapua class of rifles is the go-to for many new shooters. After all, bigger is better …correct?
It’s about the process, collecting and evaluating data while engaged in real-world live-fire activities.
A Class Of Their Own
For starters, big guns command a lot of respect. I was one of the first units in the Marine Corps to be issued a .50-caliber SASR. The Iver Johnson .50-cal. was a single-shot bolt-action rifle designed by Daisy. Yes, the air rifle people designed the .50-caliber sniper rifle I was issued—and it was a tank.
The rifle weighed more than 30 pounds. It had a short bolt with a claw on it where the user inserted the round. Then, the bolt and bullet were locked into place together. The rifle beat up shooters, broke scopes … and nobody wanted to carry it. It was fun shooting far and seeing the damage it’d cause; however, we never considered it anything other than a specialized tool to break large objects.
Like cars, many feel the need for horsepower. Early on in my Alaska classes, everyone showed up to class with a .300 Win. Mag. or larger because they hunt dinosaurs up there. Large-caliber magnum cartridges are flinching factories for the uninitiated. You want to hone your skills on the lighter-recoiling rifles before moving to the big guns.
David Tubb is the ultimate example of collecting and analyzing data, then putting it into practice on the range. He gathers more information than most others, and it shows.
If you consider the benefit of dry-fire, understand that by working your fundamentals with a smaller caliber, you remove the negative parts of the shooting magnum cartridges.
Today, the big guns are the makers of myths. You have competitions designed around them in hopes of pushing the envelope. They’re engineering laboratories used by the shooters to break boundaries and improve accuracy down the line.
When I first attended the early King of 2 Mile competitions, the shooters were lucky to hit the 1-mile target on command. That was the bucket list item to check off. Can we be successful at 1 mile? Absolutely. One mile is no longer a mystery.
Today, that bucket list location is closer to 2,500 yards. This is the distance they’re starting to hit on command. You need the experience to engage these targets, understanding the trajectory and wind for the bullet you’re shooting. You don’t get that without committing the shot to diagnose the variables.
Once they crack the code, they begin to manage those conditions better and better. Each new range is a new set of variables and a new code to be broken. This is helping to change bullet technology and the way we use radar, all born of the want to push the bullet further than the guy before you.
The Top King of 2 Mile Shooters are consummate competitors. Their strategy has changed to shoot more real-world distances versus modeling it.
Less Can Be More
Learn the fundamentals and hone your skills inside 1,000 yards with smaller calibers first.
Today, many are shooting the 6mm and 6.5 Creedmoor like our grandfathers shot their .30-06s and .300 Win. Mags. The need for a .338 Lapua is specific; it’s designed for extreme long-range shooting … not inside 500 yards to harvest deer and elk. You don’t need a caliber that large, which is exactly why you see a caliber like the 6.5 PRC today. When you move to magnum cartridges, have a purpose.
But big guns get the views, right. Videos of shots beyond 3,000 yards are all the rage, but most hide the fact they’ve been at it all day. One of the more popular videos took 194 rounds to get the hit they highlighted. That’s not accurate, nor is it precise; throw enough lead downrange and eventually everything downrange will get hit.
The heart of a big gun is the ammo. Custom or factory rifle, the ammunition is the key to success at extended long ranges.
When I teach ELR classes, I focus on the conditions, the preparation and the execution of the firing task. I want my students to get either a first- or second-round hit, because after five shots, their time at that target is finished. Rarely do they need more than three, but five I consider the limit.
Big Guns Are Slow And Methodical
All that said, make no mistake: Big-bores have their place in the long-range arena. And, I love the process of sending a big bullet a long way. Everything must be monitored because the time of flight is so long. I watch the wind for several minutes so I can start to understand the timing of the changes. Can I slide a round between them? Think about the process more than the bang.
Big guns are a crew-served weapons system. They are not meant for one person.
Understand that shooting a big gun is like learning to drive a tractor-trailer; they have specialized requirements and specialized instructional schools. Many people can move forward in a truck, but how many can do the job?
Like all gun skills, proper training and adequate trigger time are keys to mastering the big bores.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the May 2021 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
If you plan to get the most out of your handgun, you need to think about what pistol targets will up your game. Here’s what you need to know and the ones to look at.
What Are The Types Of Pistol Targets Available:
Accuracy style targets meant to refine your sight picture and other fundamentals.
Skill evaluation targets give you an idea of the areas you need to work on in your skillset.
Dynamic shooting targets aid in adding movement into your training regime.
On the surface, shooting targets seems little more than, well … shooting targets. As long as you have something to set your sights on and are able to hit it, what more do you need, right?
To a certain extent, this is true, particularly when you’re talking about pleasure shooting. However, if you’re aiming to up your marksmanship skills, putting a bit more thought into the terminal destination of your bullets is warranted.
This is especially true when it comes to handguns. With the rise of concealed carry popularity in recent decades, pistol targets have become legion, available in every shape, size and configuration. Truly, there are some wild and weird examples. But, if more accurate, quick and competent shooting is your goal, you needn’t get crazy with your pistol targets.
A number of old standbys – and some with new twists – still prove excellent options in advancing your handgun skills. So, before you run out to buy that crazy, and most likely expensive, 3D bleeding zombie to bang away at, let’s consider what will actually make you a more proficient pistol shooter.
Accuracy
By and large, the majority of handguns fill one particular role – self-defense. In turn, when training, most shooters consider center mass on a silhouette “accurate enough.” The notion isn’t entirely wrong, but isn’t entirely right, either.
Certainly, a defensive situation – adrenaline pumping – isn’t exactly conducive to hair-splitting accuracy. However, that’s no excuse to turn a blind eye on slow-fire precision shooting – even with your 3.5-inch barrel sub-compact pistol. This is particularly true for new shooters.
Good old-fashioned bullseye targets and the like are perfect for the job. All but those bordering on outrageous provide a fine aiming point and are easy to evaluate.
For new shooters, these classic pistol targets are ideal for refining a sight picture and learning where to hold. Furthermore, they’re excellent for honing the mechanics of pistol shooting, such as stance, breath control, trigger control and grip.
Even for more seasoned handgunners, keeping a stack of bullseyes at hand is a good idea. You never know when you might need to brush up on your fundamentals.
Skill Evaluation
There are some guns meant for pleasure, and there are others that serve a specific purpose. Of the latter, you certainly should aim at a pistol target that forces you to use your handgun in practice as you would in real life. This means that, if you’re a handgun hunter, you’ll need something much different than somebody whose main concern is becoming proficient with a concealed carry gun. Given that these are two of the more popular uses of handguns, we’ll zero in on them in particular.
In the case of a hunting pistol or revolver, photorealistic game targets with the vitals mapped out might prove a wise investment. Generally speaking, the guns used in this pursuit are or teeter on hand-cannon status, thus require a good deal of practice to get and keep on target. You owe it to the game to know you can put them down quickly and ethically.
As far as self-defense, there are few pistol targets better than a silhouette. Simple and familiar, they provide the perfect training and evaluation tool to ensure you’re ready to defend your life. While plain old IPSC targets will do, you might consider the varieties that provide instant visual or auditory feedback. Reactive chip targets or steel silhouettes more than fit the bill by letting you know if you’re hitting, even in rapid fire.
Dynamic Shooting
It doesn’t make much sense plugging away at a bullseye with a shotgun. Conversely, it isn’t logical to confine your handgun shooting to static pistol targets alone. Next to good ol’ smoothbores, practical handgun shooting probably involves the most movement. After all, it’s a compact and mobile firearm that’s main asset is its nimbleness. To master this aspect of its purpose, you’d better practice both shooting on the move and engaging multiple targets.
Short of setting up a practical pistol stage, steel targets excel in this role for a number of reasons:
They’re easy to configure and reconfigure to create a course of fire tailored to the skills you’re honing that day.
Especially as a pistol target, good AR500 steel will last you nearly a lifetime – biding you take care of it.
They offer instant feedback – that sweet ping – of how you’re shooting.
There are many reactive models that either don’t require you to set them back up or sharpen precision shooting skills.
A couple of steel gongs, silhouettes, dueling trees and hostage targets are superlative pistol targets to become proficient at dynamic shooting.
So, we’ve covered the basics of what you’re looking for in your pistol target. Now on to some top-notch options.
Best Handgun Targets
These are a number of old standbys – some with new twists – that still prove excellent options in advancing your handgun skills. So before you run out to buy that crazy, and most likely expensive, 3D bleeding zombie to bang away at, consider if one of these 5 classic pistol targets might serve you better. After all, most have been around for years and for good reason – they’ll make you a better handgun shooter.
USPSA/IPSC Practice Target (Paper)
USPA/IPSC paper targets are tough to beat when it comes to an affordable option for self-defense training. A stack of 100 of these familiar pistol targets run you about the same as a box of defensive ammunition. Depending on how much you shoot that should cover you for the better part of a year.
Solid head and torso geography are perfect for defensive training, and scoring boxes help you evaluate your shot placement. Additionally, these are truly dual-purpose shooting targets, not only sharpening self-defense marksmanship, but also competitive – if practical pistol is your thing.
Birchwood Casey Dirty Bird Silhouette
As time has gone on, Birchwood Casey has greatly improved sighting in with their easy-to-see Shoot-N-C line of shooting targets. Rifle marksmen, however, aren’t the only ones who benefit from the company’s splatter targets.
Bringing Birchwood Casey’s high-visibility technology to self-defense training, Dirty Bird Silhouettes are a downright amazing when working with your carry gun.
Logically, you might ask, “Why would you’d need a splatter target if you’re shooting between, say, 7 and 20 yards?” The same question has rattled through nearly every shooter’s mind before hanging one up and cutting one lose. After a few rounds, it makes sense – big time.
With instant feedback of where you’re hitting, the Dirty Bird Silhouette is invaluable, particularly during rapid-fire segments. It’s a real gem on the Mozambique drill. Furthermore, the silhouette is gangbusters at close- to medium-range training with a carbine.
Shoot Steel AR400 Silhouette
If you have the space or live near public lands, a steel silhouette target is an ideal choice – especially if you’re a high-volume shooter. And few companies make them better than Shoot Steel.
Made from high-quality 1/4-inch AR400 steel plate, the pistol targets take a licking and last for years. Their longevity is great enough that, if properly cared for, they can prove as economical as paper targets.
Moreover, given the sweet ‘Ping’ they make each time they’re struck, steel silhouettes are an incredible training tool, giving instant feedback. Buy a thick enough one, they’re also top-notch rifle targets.
NRA 25 Yard Slow Fire Pistol Targets
You needn’t be a competitor to reap the benefits from these little gems. NRA 25-yard slow fire pistol targets are frustratingly simple, but when used along the lines of how they’re in a match, foster the utmost accuracy.
Learn to hold and hit a bullseye a little over 1-inch in diameter and you’ll go a long way in mastering your handgun. To boot, these pistol targets are as economical as they come – 100 of them cost less than a box of 9mm FMJ.
Challenge Targets Popper
A simple, satisfying and practical way to sharpen your handgun skills, poppers are must-haves for serious shooters. Among the more affordable options is Challenge Targets’.
The USA made AR500 steel pistol target stands 28-inches tall and is engineered for portability and durability. Easily set up in minutes, the target provides an ample, yet challenging 8-inch wide paddle.
Best of all, the popper doubles as both a static and reactive target. This is thanks to a removable lock pin. Leave it in and you’ll never have to rest the target. Take it out and it topples over when hit. In either case the target provides both visual and auditory feedback, there’s perhaps no better or enjoyable target to send rounds at.
EZ2C Dot Torture
More than simple accuracy, wielding a handgun is a holistic discipline involving multiple facets. Draw, presentation, sight acquisition, trigger pull and follow through, among other things, require honing. Few single targets do it better than Dot Torture.
Many company have riffs on this classic target, but generally all do the same thing—take you through a progression of David Blinder’s original drill. EZ2C is our choice, given their targets are generally pretty affordable. Nice aspect to the target, it does equally well for target transition drills.
Sig Sauer has just announced the release of the P210 Carry pistol, an updated Sig P210 tailored for concealed carry.
It seems that updated versions of classic handgun designs have been in vogue lately. Besides the slew of modernized Hi Powers that have been recently released, Sig has just announced their own updated classic SAO pistol: the P210 Carry.
For those who aren’t familiar with it, the original Sig P210 was a military service pistol adopted by the Swiss army in the late 1940s, long before Sig ever merged with Sauer & Sohn. Based on the French 1935A, the P210 was a single-action only full-size handgun most commonly chambered for 9mm Parabellum. Generally regarded as a pistol with superb build quality, exceptional accuracy and an excellent trigger, the original P210 was produced since its inception up until the early 2000s. Production of the P210 resumed in 2017 when Sig Sauer of America announced that they were beginning domestic production of this classic pistol. The initial release included a standard model P210 reproduction as well as a target model, but now in 2022 Sig is adding one more variant to the lineup.
Sig’s Chief Marketing Officer Tom Taylor said this on the P210 Carry:
The SIG P210 is regarded as one of the most legendary, reliable, and accurate firearms in the world; the P210 CARRY pays homage to the foundational craftsmanship of its forerunner while maintaining the features, weight, and balance of an ideal carry pistol…
The features that distinguish the P210 Carry from the other new P210 models include its alloy frame that reduces its weight, shortened slide that makes for easier carrying and both front and rear slide serrations that assist with racking. The P210 Carry also includes checkered Hogue slim G10 grips, SIGLITE night sights and two 8-round magazines. The MSRP currently remains unknown.
At first blush, there doesn’t seem much to the .38 Special vs 9mm debate. Dig deeper and you’ll find the cartridges both shine, but for much different reasons.
In .38 Special vs 9mm considerations:
History and performance of the .38 Special
History and performance of the 9mm
Guns chambered for the cartridges
Concealed carry performance
Cartridges’ versatility
Ammunition availability and cost
Truth told, the .38 Special and 9mm aren’t a world away. Put your pitchforks down and quit lighting your torches, the implication isn’t the time-tested cartridges are carbon copies of each other. Not by a long shot. Their countries of origin are disparate, there’s plenty that separates them ballistically and, even as most novice shooters know, they are generally shot from different styles of handgun.
That said, if you sit down and rattle off the .38 Special and 9mm’s virtues, you’ll end up with nearly identical lists. To start, both are relatively versatile for medium-bore handgun cartridges. Shot out of the right gun, they’re accurate and mild recoiling. Both have more than proven their worth as self-defense options. And each is economical, plentiful and just plain fun to shoot.
From that perspective, they almost seem echoes of each other, maybe even a bit redundant. Heck, only two-thousandths of an inch separate their diameters — .357 in .38 Special and .355 for 9mm. So, everything laid bare, does it really matter who comes out on top in .38 Special vs 9mm?
Like so many aspects of the gun world, the answer isn’t as clear-cut as picking one or the other. Both are proven and excel at similar applications. But as is so often the case, each shines a bit more than the other for certain shooters.
.38 Special: The Persistent Revolver Cartridge
For a rather notorious cartridge, the .38 Long Colt had a particularly large influence on firearms and ammunition development. Its poor showing against Moro Rebels in the 1900s not only led to the eventual adoption of the .45 ACP and Colt 1911 by the U.S. Military, but also spurred the development of what would become one of the most prolific cartridges of the 20th Century — the .38 Special.
Starting life in 1899 as a black powder cartridge, the .38 Special was essentially an elongated .38 Long Colt that offered greater case capacity. In turn, the .38 Special generated greater velocities as well as shot heavier bullets, which added up to greater penetration potential — an asset sorely lacking in the .38 Long Colt. Proving extremely popular shot from the Smith & Wesson K-frame Military & Police revolver, the cartridge was soon switched over to the modern marvel of the day — smokeless powder.
Given the respectable velocities for its time and the fact it was a kitten to shoot, the .38 Special became the primary service revolver caliber of most American law-enforcement agencies over the decades. Early on, the typical defensive load was a 158-grain lead semi-wadcutter hollowpoint, though later a 200-grain soft-cast lead round nose “Super Police” load became common, offering officers a bullet that yawed upon impact and created a larger wound canal.
Generally pushing bullets around 700 to 1,000 fps, the cartridge was quickly overshadowed by magnum and high-pressure semi-automatic pistol cartridges as years wore on. Furthermore, almost exclusively a revolver round (yes, there are a few exceptions), the 5- and 6-round guns chambered for it paled in capacity to the double-stack pistols that started to dominate in the last quarter of the century.
From Cartridges of the World, 15th Edition.
The cartridge’s saving grace was the concealed carry movement of the past few decades. Double-action revolvers are among the easiest and most reliable handguns around — simply aim, pull the trigger and they go bang. This sort of dependability appealed to some armed citizen, particularly those who didn’t wish to master a semi-auto’s more complex manual of arms. Furthermore, material advancements shrunk down .38 revolvers to the point they became some of the easiest handguns to carry. Think the polymer-framed Ruger LCR or aluminum-framed Smith & Wesson Model 642. Next to nothing weight-wise, the revolvers not only became a staple for those seeking the utmost convenience, but were light enough they gained popularity as insurance-policy backup guns.
There’s little arguing, the .38 Special is a bit of a throwback to a different era of handgun cartridges, but its usefulness has far from run its course.
9mm: Perhaps The Perfect Pistol Cartridge
In 1901, you would have gotten some funny looks had you claimed this little German cartridge would become among the most consequential ammo advancements of the last 100 years. Going further and maintaining it would be among the most utilized centerfire cartridges of all time, heck they might have shipped you off to a nice comfortable rubber room.
Georg Luger’s upstart flew in the face of most conventional wisdom of the time — the 9mm wasn’t a revolver cartridge and it wasn’t big bore. Yet, it succeed and for an important reason — it was designed for semi-automatic pistols and came at a watershed moment when the advancement in handguns got its footing. Not to mention, the 9mm offered plenty of advantages in the breakthrough system.
Going down the list, the 9mm ticks off almost every box for desirable pistol cartridge traits. It was accurate and easy to shoot. It was possible to chamber small pistols for the cartridge. And, perhaps most importantly, it offered the potential firepower once only dreamed about when it came to handguns. There’s plenty of peace of mind in 15-plus rounds, standard capacity of most double-stack 9mms today.
Given it was designed to use smokeless powered, from the start the 9mm operated under much higher pressures than the .38 Special and generated greater velocities. The maximum pressure for standard loads today is 35,000 psi. And, depending on the bullet weight (it shoots between 115 and 147 grain), generally the cartridge generated somewhere around 1,000 to 1,300 fps of velocity at the muzzle. Lively, the cartridge, in most loads, not only meets FBI penetration standards, but it also works well with most jacketed hollow point bullets, ensuring the projectiles reached their maximum expansion diameter. This is particularly true with the new generation of bullets engineered for controlled expansion.
From Cartridges of the World, 15th Edition.
Over the years, militaries and law enforcement recognized these advantages and have flocked to the 9mm. Accordingly, the “Nine” has also become a favorite of armed citizens, who seek not only the assets of the cartridge, but also the guns chambered for it. Perhaps no other cartridge has more options to send it flying. In turn, especially from a defensive standpoint, you’re likely to find exactly the gun to meet your needs — be it a pistol to maximize your capacity or on one to cut down your carry profile.
.38 Special vs 9mm: Guns
There’s an old misconception the .38 Special is ideal for novices. That is, given the simplicity with which a double-action revolver operates, the tame cartridge makes it perfect for new shooters learning the ropes. In a sense, this is true, if you’re talking about a 4-inch barreled revolver and up. Not so much when discussing many of the popular carry models.
Take the Ruger LCR, for instance. At 13.5 ounces, the ultra-light revolver’s recoil can prove quite stout. For instance, shooting Hornady’s 125-grain American Gunner ammo it generates a bit more than 7 ft/lbs of recoil energy. This is nearly twice the amount you’ll get from the same load in a 4.2-inch barreled Ruger SP101. With the latter, of course, you have a much larger gun you have to contend with, a drawback for concealment. If it’s a plinker or competition gun, this might not matter a lick.
To be fair, you have to deal with the same physics with micro 9mm pistols. The Ruger LC9s generates around 8 ft/lbs of recoil energy spitting out Hornady’s 124-grain Custom ammo. Yet, this can become considerably more bearable given the pistol’s assets. It offers the 9mm’s superior ballistics (210 fps more muzzle velocity than the aforenoted .38 load), more capacity (three more rounds) and greater concealment potential. Admittedly, there are hairs to split on the last point, but generally, semi-autos offer a much slimmer profile than revolvers, making them easier to keep under wraps.
OK, so what? You’ll get used to the recoil, what you care about reliability. Good point, on average a .38 Special revolver will experience fewer malfunctions than a 9mm pistol. Yet, the good ol’ revolver isn’t immune to failures and the argument exists that when a wheelgun fails it’s much more catastrophic than a pistol. There’s no simple “tap and rack” to solve something like a pulled bullet or a stuck case in a revolver; in many circumstances getting it in working order involves tools — not ideal if your life depends on getting the gun back into the fight.
.38 Special vs 9mm: Concealed Carry
Overall, it’s difficult to argue that when it comes to concealed carry, for most modern shooters the 9mm edges out the .38 Special. As mentioned before, the semi-auto pistol cartridge offers better ballistics, is chambered in larger-capacity guns, of which there is a greater selection and, for the most part, are easier to conceal. Certainly, semi-auto pistols do require more practice to become competent, given the greater odds of having to solve a malfunction. Though, to many, this is a small trade-off.
It takes a five-shot and a six-shot .38 snub to equal the 11 rounds of 9mm held in the Glock 26, shown at right with Tactical Advantage sights.
With that said, the .38 Special is no slouch. Over the years, it has more than proven itself a capable self-defense cartridge and in recent times has benefited from the advancements in ammunition. In the right hands and with the proper round, there’s no reason to believe the tried-and-true revolver cartridge won’t perform admirably in a self-defense situation. Additionally, a streamlined manual of arms, mastering most of the guns chambered for it is generally a simpler task. While it may not be most people’s first choice any longer, it is no less a valid choice overall.
.38 Special vs 9mm: Versatility
Stepping away from defensive applications, the one area the .38 Special perhaps has an edge on the 9mm is versatility, particularly on two fronts: guns and reloading. To the former, since it is the parent of the .357 Magnum, it is possible to shoot the .38 in nearly any gun chambered for the larger cartridge. This is a benefit from the standpoint that it is normally less expensive per round than the magnum and a magnitude less punishing to shoot. To the latter, given it has more case to work with the .38 also has more potential on the reloading bench. With experience and understanding about its capabilities, a handloader can get a lot out of the cartridge.
.38 Special vs 9mm: Ammunition
The .38 Special won’t break the bank by any stretch of the imagination. At the same tick, it still won’t outdo the 9mm for economy. Outside of the .22 LR, there is perhaps no more cost-effective option out there — especially when talking centerfire cartridges. A quick survey of LuckyGunner.com gives a good example. At their cheapest, the .38 Special comes in at around .25 cents per round, the 9mm .14 cents — roughly a whole three more rounds per dollar spent. Over a long afternoon shooting that adds up.
Parting Shot
There is no doubt modern shooters have embraced the 9mm and for good reason. Of nearly all handgun cartridges on the market today, it is among the most well-rounded and allows even new shooters the ability to become proficient. Furthermore, dominating the gun world as it has, the 9mm just plain has more options when it comes to firearms. You’re more likely to find a gun to fit exactly what you need, be it a service-pistol for your nightstand or a single stack for your belt holster. Finally, as a result of ammunition advancements, it will perform in the direst circumstances.
Nevertheless, the .38 Special is still around for more than just the sake of nostalgia. While overall it doesn’t offer all the advantages of the 9mm, it remains a very competent cartridge, one of which many still trust their lives. Arguably, the cartridge takes a bit more research to find the optimal defensive round, but for those who desire the reliability of a revolver that’s a small hurdle.
A hands-on look at the newly released Inforce Wild1 weapon-mounted pistol light.
Inforce is a newer name in the weapon-mounted light world, and a few hiccups with some of their earliest models initially gave the company a subpar reputation online. Even the most established and reputable companies have released lemons in the past, however, and Inforce’s attempts at improving their products will never be illuminated if nobody tests them out. Today we’re assessing Inforce’s newest weapon-mounted light designed for use with handguns, they call it the Wild1.
Specs And Features
The only other pistol WML I have on hand to compare the Wild1 against is a Streamlight TLR-1 HL, but that works out fine because that seems to be one of the models the Wild1 was designed to compete against. The two lights have much in common, but we’ll go over their different specs and features.
The Inforce Wild1 (mounted to gun) vs. the Streamlight TLR-1 HL (bottom).
Starting with the three most prominent stats that are advertised on the Inforce’s box, the Wild1 is a 500-lumen light with two hours of runtime and a weight of 2.9 ounces. This compares to the TLR-1’s 1,000-lumen output, 1.5-hour runtime and weight of 4.32 ounces. Both models use CR123A batteries but the TLR-1 requires two while the Wild1 only needs one.
Speaking of batteries, here’s another difference between the two lights. The Streamlight’s battery compartment opens from the rear, requiring the light to be removed to swap the batteries. The Wild1 opens from the front, however, and its battery can be replaced with the light still mounted to a gun.
Another difference in features between these two models is the Inforce’s lack of a strobe function. The TLR-1 is capable of momentary, constant and strobe light modes depending on how it’s activated, but the Wild1 only has momentary and constant modes.
The final difference worth mentioning is their respective prices, as the TLR-1 has an MSRP of $234 while the Wild1’s is $139.99. Because the TLR is an older model, however, the actual street price for one at the time of writing is only about $130. With such similar prices, it makes comparing these two lights quite simple. If you’re torn between which of these two models to get, you really only need to consider their features since one costs only $10 more than the other.
Initial Impressions
Let me preface this by saying I didn’t have the opportunity to torture the Wild1 with thousands of rounds of fire, running and gunning with it or throwing it around in the dirt. I wish we had the time or money to conduct a review that in-depth, but because we don’t, a couple of basic trips to the range will have to suffice. The Wild1 does feature an aluminum housing, however, so unlike Inforce’s older polymer-bodied lights, this one should be able to withstand more abuse. Inforce’s testing of the Wild1 has led them to claim that the light is “impervious to dust, sand and dirt” and is waterproof up to 66 feet.
Upon receiving the Wild1, I had it out of the box and mounted on my gun within a few minutes. It was a very simple process but one that wasn’t very different from most other pistol lights. It also includes rail inserts for ensuring compatibility with both universal and MIL-STD-1913 rails. The first thing I noticed after installing it was that I greatly preferred the activation switch of the Wild1 to the TLR. It felt incredibly natural and easy to index with its large, ambidextrous buttons that press inward towards the trigger guard rather than downward like on the TLR-1.
The second thing I noticed however was less impressive, though it was expected knowing the advertised specs of each weapon light. With half as much lumen output from the Wild1, it is noticeably less bright. Inforce claims to have achieved an optimal balance of throw and spill with the Wild1, but even if that’s true there’s only so much you can do with 500 lumens. That being said, the Wild1 is still plenty bright. I had someone point it at me from across a room and it was certainly disorienting and blinding, but obviously not to the same extent as the TLR-1.
Comparison between the light output of the TLR (left) and Inforce Wild1 (right).
Final Thoughts
The Inforce Wild1 is a good weapon light with plenty going for it, but depending on what features you value the most the TLR-1 HL may still serve you better. Since the two models cost virtually the same, you can weigh the qualities of each to determine which will work best for you. In terms of brightness, spill, throw and all things related to illumination, the TLR wins, but comparing a 1,000-lumen light to a 500-lumen one isn’t really fair. The Wild1 seems perfectly adequate to me for identifying targets indoors or outside at typical handgun engagement distances. While bright enough to disorient a target as well, it is not as jarring as being hit by a 1,000-lumen light. If disorientation is a primary goal of yours, the greater output and strobe feature of the TLR will make it the superior option. As far as just illuminating what’s in front of you goes, however, the Wild1 is perfectly fine and can do it for about a half-hour longer than the TLR can as well. The Wild1 takes longer to get hot too.
When it comes to activating the light, however, I think there’s no question that the Wild1 takes the cake. The large, flat buttons on the side of the trigger guard sit exactly where one’s finger should rest when exercising proper trigger discipline, and the lateral direction they’re pressed in is far more natural than on the TLR. The activation button was probably my favorite feature of this light.
The final thing worth considering for those in the market for a pistol light is how and where they plan on using it. Is it for a nightstand gun or concealed carry? Because the Wild1 is not only significantly lighter than the TLR, but quite a bit shorter as well. For those looking for a light for their CCW pistol, Inforce’s Wild1 will be less cumbersome to carry and will sit flush with the muzzle of more handgun models.
Both of these models of weapon light seem like great options to me, and despite the much shorter track record of Inforce, I feel like their products are worth giving a chance. The Wild1 is reasonably priced and seems to be well made too. While it’s probably not the best choice for someone like a police officer who is more likely to need to use their light at distance or to disorient someone, for most individuals it seems like a perfectly adequate weapon accessory that’s worth considering.
SilencerCo has just released the GDCH or Gas Defeating Charging Handle, here to put the finishing touch on your suppressed AR.
SilencerCo mostly makes silencers, and anyone who has shot an AR-15 with one mounted to it will know that it isn’t always the most pleasant experience. Report, muzzle flash and recoil may all be mitigated by the use of a suppressor, but in AR-style firearms, these benefits are often balanced by a detriment as well. In the process of massively slowing down the escape of hot gasses from the muzzle of the weapon, suppressors force those gasses to go somewhere else instead. On ARs, that’s typically right back into the shooter’s face simply due to the weapon’s design. Aiming to provide a better experience while shooting suppressed ARs, SilencerCo has just released the GDCH or Gas Defeating Charging Handle.
Besides functioning as a standard ambidextrous AR charging handle, the primary feature of the GDCH is its O-ring seal. As simple as it sounds, the O-ring blocks the majority of hot gasses that are propelled back at the shooter when firing suppressed, redirecting them back into the system where they can dissipate more slowly and away from the shooter’s face. This should make shooting suppressed not just more pleasant, but more effective in real-world scenarios as well. SilencerCo claims that what sets the GDCH apart from other companies’ attempts at the same concept is that the GDCH actually works.
The GDCH is compatible with any standard AR platform firearm, includes one spare O-ring and has an MSRP of $114.
A look at some of the different available plate carrier backpack styles and the pros and cons of each.
Already having discussed body armor, plate carriers and battle belts, those following along should be well on their way to assembling a full “kit” by now. Whatever scenario you anticipate needing this equipment for is for you to decide, but you have the right to be prepared for whatever it may be.
Body armor, plate carriers and even battle belts to some extent can all be used to bolster one’s home defense set up for those whose lifestyles warrant it, but backpacks are a separate issue. While a basic home defense plate carrier setup will look very different from one intended for an SHTF situation, only the setup of the latter has any need for a backpack. If you do intend on “bugging out” if the world goes south, the ability to carry extra gear will be paramount to your survival. If you also intend on wearing a plate carrier while rucking, this otherwise simple task of wearing a backpack is suddenly made more difficult. With one’s shoulders preoccupied with suspending the weight of their body armor, traditional packs can be quite uncomfortable to wear, but thankfully there are now several good plate carrier backpack options that can help to improve the experience.
A soldier with a TSSI M9 Medic Bag attached directly to his plate carrier. Photo: TampaTACMED on Flickr.
Plate Carrier Backpack Considerations
The development of backpacks specifically designed for use with plate carriers became necessary as soon as the use of body armor became widespread in military circles. Traditional backpacks’ shoulder straps can present many issues in the field when worn over a plate carrier, and it doesn’t just have to do with the user’s comfort. When backpack shoulder straps are worn over a plate carrier, it can negatively affect the wearer’s ability to shoulder their rifle, draw their pistol or simply move unencumbered by the bulk of two layers of straps.
This led to the development of packs that can be directly attached to a plate carrier, eliminating the need for the pack to have shoulder straps. This of course leads to other issues, however. Plate carrier backpacks that directly attach to the back panel of the wearer’s armor are difficult to remove and access the contents of. Because these were developed for use by members of the armed forces, the need for a team member to access the contents of another’s pack wasn’t considered to be a problem. For those who plan on surviving the apocalypse solo, this obviously presents an issue.
Something else to consider when building one’s bug-out kit is the size of the backpack. All the styles designed to be attached to plate carriers are considered more of “assault packs” and were only intended to hold enough gear to sustain their user either through a single “mission” or up to 24 hours. A larger pack will still be needed to survive for an extended amount of time.
There exists a slew of different styles of plate carrier backpack available today, and while many are very similar there are also many small, unique features implemented by their various manufacturers. With too many variations to comprehensively compare, this list is not what we consider to be the best plate carrier backpacks, but is simply a spread of examples representing the major different styles (and a couple more unique options too).
Plate Carrier Backpack Options
Strap Claws + Traditional Pack
Before we dive into the proprietary plate carrier backpack designs, let’s look at an innovative little gadget that may be an even better solution for many individuals. These backpack strap claws from Matbock attach via MOLLE to the front of one’s plate carrier, then hold the straps of one’s pack away from their neck and securely to their body. Besides the obvious advantage of not needing to buy a special backpack to be able to use these, they also make it much easier to dawn and remove a backpack. This means that as a solo survivalist, you’d have a much easier time accessing your gear and could ditch the pack much quicker if the situation required it.
On the other hand, while the Matbock Strap Claws will certainly make wearing a backpack with a plate carrier more comfortable, it will not completely remedy the issues that stem from having two layers of straps on one’s shoulders. (MSRP for the Matbock Strap Claws is $35.)
Zip-On-Only Style
Here we have the Crye Precision Pack Zip-On Panel 2.0 to represent the more typical plate carrier backpacks of today. This zip-on-only style of assault pack is what is primarily seen in use by military and police members who need the ability to carry extra gear, typically for short periods of time. These zip-on plate carrier packs usually hold things like breaching tools, spare flash or smoke grenades, extra medical equipment and other items that could be retrieved by a team member. This style of plate carrier backpack has its uses, but it may not be as practical as you think for your own needs. If you’re browsing pieces of kit like this while prepping for your own solo survival expedition, consider that these can’t fit a huge amount of gear and are slow to access. That being said, some people’s situations may warrant using packs of this style.
Another disadvantage of this kind of pack is that they often require some amount of proprietary hardware to attach the pack to the plate carrier. For example, this model from Crye is only officially compatible with a handful of Crye-brand plate carriers. More generic models also exist, but compatibility is something to keep in mind while browsing the zip-on style. (The Crye Precision Pack Zip-On Panel 2.0 has an MSRP of $221.70.)
Zip-On/Strap Combo Style
Most of what was said about the zip-on-only style of plate carrier backpack is also true of this combination style. The exception is that the combo styles like this Grey Ghost Gear SMC 1 To 3 Assault Pack also include removable traditional shoulder straps. This adds an extra level of versatility to the plate carrier backpack since it allows it to be converted into a traditional assault pack as well. An extra feature of this Grey Ghost Gear model is that the inner compartment can also be expanded for use on longer excursions. While this model also requires an adaptor for attaching it to plate carriers, it is less picky about the models it can be attached to. (MSRP for the GGG SMC 1 To 3 Assault Pack is $185.)
First Spear VEP
The final example is in a class of its own as far as I can tell, and it offers the most unique and innovative design of plate carrier backpack that I’m aware of. First Spear’s Vertical Envelopment Pack, or VEP, was also specifically designed for use with plate carriers but has several features that set it apart from the more common zip-on panel styles.
Rather than attaching via a MOLLE panel with a zipper like most other models, the VEP utilizes four straps to secure the pack to the plate carrier. The thickness and position of the straps mean that they aren’t cumbersome like traditional backpack straps are, and they make it much simpler and faster to remove the pack and access its contents. The bottom two straps attach to the plate carrier using tubes, which are a secure method that also allows for them to be quickly released and reattached. After disconnecting the bottom straps, the VEP can be swung over the user’s head and draped over the front of their carrier. This allows them to comfortably and easily retrieve whatever gear they may need before swinging the pack back over their head and reattaching the two bottom straps. This feature enables its wearers to have a much easier time managing their gear on their own while still providing the benefits of a zip-on plate carrier backpack. The VEP seems like a very useful system, but the innovative feature set comes at a price. (MSRP for the First Spear VEP is $359.81.)
.45 Auto isn’t just for the 1911, there are plenty of good reasons to keep rolling with a .45 ACP revolver.
Over the course of my life, I’ve frequented dozens of gun shops and countless gun shows. The thing with these routines is that they seldom yield more than passing curiosities and the occasional sporterized atrocity. I find that gun shows today are better for buying and selling silver and gold than they are guns, and guns stores have gone from hubs of information and opinion to sterile retail spaces. On rare occasions, I find something truly valuable and interesting, and on one such foray, I happened upon a very rare .45 ACP revolver: the Smith & Wesson Model of 1989.
The 45 ACP revolver is at home in a compact chest rig. Ready for adventure, the M1989 is flanked by a brand-new TOPS Brush Wolf knife and a GunfightersINC Kenai chest holster.
The Smith & Wesson Model 1989
The reason I dropped a cool chunk of change on this gun was that it had personal significance to me: One being that it’s a .45 ACP, my favorite round of all time, and the second that it bore the year of my birth. I simply had to have it and, despite not knowing much about it, I slapped down some change and took it home.
The 1989 as it arrived in the author’s possession. The hard rubber grips were externally mediocre, but inside they were ripped down the seam.
I’d never heard much about the Model of 1989, and I needed to do some research to further my understanding. My immediate observation was that it was one from the “good” years of S&W. It had no lock hole in the frame and bore a hammer-mounted firing pin. I know a good deal about the S&W brand, and I recognized that I had something here that was fairly unique. So unique in fact, that not even S&W was able to tell me much about it except that it was, in fact, their product and that it was, as far as they could tell, made between 1989 and 1990. They couldn’t provide me with any other real information or even a number produced. Their archives, they explained, dealt primarily with much older guns.
I had my work cut out for me, and I went about talking to some of the better S&W historians I could find and let them see the M1989. Again, I was stonewalled. The revolver was apparently an enigma, and I was instantly offered more than I paid for it by three serious collectors. At this point, I realized that I did have something interesting here, with another call offering me double my purchase price confirming that suspicion.
I was unable to find much information at first—that is until I dove into auction records and published sale prices. The variant I had was the most desirable, the 3-inch 625-3. This version, I began to discover, was selling for anywhere from $1,200 up to $2,500 depending on features. Mine didn’t come with an original box, but it did have the original grips. The grips were in sad condition, but as far as I can tell, they were the actual set of Pachmayrs S&W shipped with the gun. As you can see in the photos, I have a couple of sets of VZ grips that I carry and shoot it with. They’re great grips and look exceedingly clean.
Engraved clearly on the barrel in classic style is the caliber and make of this rare gun.
I began to dig further until I came out with some general manufacturer numbers of the time period. Then, it all made sense. As far as two of the collectors know, about 800 to 1,000 of this model were made from 1989 to 1990, a relatively short window. Other variants continue today; however, the original run supposedly was discontinued somewhere around 1994 to 1995. They were esteemed among collectors for not just their rarity, but for the fact that, at the time, they were the most feature-rich revolvers available and basically competition-ready right out of the box.
The history of the design is somewhat confusing; this is why they can be so valuable and rare. Some design changes occurred in 1989, but as far as I can research, this applied to some of the cylinder geometry and not the overall features of the gun. This distinction is enough that one collector wanted to take measurements of it. I declined for fear I’d get a wad of cash back and not my revolver. I eventually relented; however, he wasn’t able to determine which small variations mine possessed.
Noticeably absent is the dreaded framelock hole, which has, over the years, taken on a number of hideous names, chief among them one that pays homage to a certain failed 2016 presidential candidate…
To further make things muddy, he informed me that the total M1989 production, including 4- and 5-inch versions, totaled about 1,000 guns, making mine probably one of only 500 or less. His sources amounted to be from some internet forums and folk knowledge, which I found dubious. But, because S&W was unable to provide me with the information, I have to take the word on the street as credible.
History of the .45 ACP Revolver
Historically, the .45 ACP has always been a revolver round. This might seem untrue until you realize that the .45 ACP directly replaced two revolver rounds in service (.45 Colt and .38 Long Colt) with the adoption of the 1911. The 1911 never really saw peace and was immediately thrust into war; just a few years after its introduction, it was in combat in Mexico against Pancho Villa. Following that, World War I broke out and the 1911 was sent into the trenches.
The supply issues of that time saw the introduction of revolvers chambered for .45 ACP. This came from necessity, as the 1911 was a reliable gun but it hadn’t yet been made in significant numbers. Under 70,000 had been made by Colt at that time, and stopgaps were needed to fill in.
Two variations with the same general features were made, one by Colt and the other by Smith & Wesson, and each was called the M1917. They aren’t the same design, however, and collectors fight over a number of minor details and variations. The Colt version was arguably a bit better according to collectors. Having shot both, I can’t say for certain the Colt is superior; ergonomics and handing were comparable. It was basically a M1909, an established Colt product at the time, with a cylinder designed for .45 ACP.
Smith & Wesson followed Uncle Sam’s request and modified their popular 44 Hand Ejector to work with the .45 ACP round. Some shooters and collectors consider this to be an afterthought of a design, as the Colt was considered to be more accurate and more robust. There isn’t much to say if this is true as far as combat records go, but I haven’t been able to find any serious complaints. Over 300,000 of these guns were built in total at an almost perfect 50/50 ratio of Colt to S&W.
Some of these guns were overhauled after WWI for the interwar period, and many saw service again in WWII. This time was the same as the first, and the M1917, of both types, was issued out primarily as a rearguard measure and to fill in manufacturing gaps in 1911 production, which by 1943 was in full swing. The 1911 would eventually take over completely, and the M1917 variants would be sold off to other countries or distributed to military units stateside. Most ended up on the surplus market and sold to civilians.
Unlike modern S&W wheelguns, the older versions had a hammer-mounted firing pin. The author greatly prefers this to the frame-mounted versions.
The military history and use of the .45 ACP revolver were positive in most regards; my own grandfather was alleged to have carried one (unknown Smith or Colt) in 25 combat missions over Europe, as the ball turret gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress. That gun has been lost to time and circumstance; my great uncle says he also had a 1911, but I cannot verify that as my grandfather has been dead for years. Regardless, the photos of his contemporaries show a mix of sidearms, and it’s likely that he carried one or both in his time in the war.
The only other real war story I have on the confirmed use of an M1917 was in 1967 in Vietnam, where a mentor of mine, who I shot CMP with, used it to clear tunnels looking for Charlie. He provided a detailed account of his experiences with it and how well it worked in the tunnels. His main use of the revolver was for tight spaces, where he was worried the slide would jam if he had to fire it. Indeed, many of the men sharing his occupation also carried revolvers, though the caliber of those is open to speculation.
While it’s not often celebrated in this sense, the .45 ACP revolver has had a tremendous and long military career spanning 7 decades. This is why I said that the .45 ACP has always been a revolver round; it started seeing use in combat in the 1911 in 1916 and was in fighting revolvers only a year later, making its use in wheelguns essentially as early as in semi-autos. The .45 ACP revolver isn’t a novelty, rather it has been a quiet mainstay of .45-caliber history, often riding shotgun to its more modern counterparts.
Ejecting the moon clip with 45 rounds is easy. Unlike some magnum revolver rounds, the short 45 case is shorter than the full travel of the ejector rod. With practice, you can tap it and they pop out cleanly, thus allowing a fast reload.
Ballistics of a .45 ACP Revolver
The interesting part of the .45 ACP in a revolver is that, when paired with moon clips, it makes a remarkably fast and accurate package that’s easy to shoot and reload quickly. The generous chambers help the moon clips drop in easily, and a reload can be accomplished in equal time to a semi-auto with practice. The downside is that you only get six shots, where a reload for a 1911 can be quite a bit more, depending on the magazine type.
A full moon clip allows six rounds to be loaded and unloaded at once.
As far as ballistic qualities go, the 3-inch M1989 is no slouch. The gun is heavy and made of all steel, making even heavy +P loads feel like a sneeze. The barrel itself is short at 3 inches, but the .45 ACP doesn’t need a tremendous amount of tube to get going. Velocities are only 50 fps slower than a 5-inch 1911 as an average. The only variations of significant note being the Black Hills (BHA) 135-grain HoneyBadger, which left the 3-inch barrel 120 fps slower than the Colt M45 … at 1,130 fps!
Overall, there isn’t a significant velocity drop in a 3-inch .45 ACP, and it’s fair to say it’s just as capable in terms of handling. The BHA 230-grain FMJ clocked 740 fps, BHA JHP+P at 880 fps and BHA 185-grain JHP at 933 fps. I really do like that it’s a 3-inch, because it’s short enough to be a good chest rig gun while not really giving up that much for velocity over a 1911. Shooting Buffalo Bore Hardcast Outdoorsman 225-grain +P is right up there at .45 Colt levels in terms of power and penetration.
Of note here is the fact that the .45 ACP can be fired in the M1989 without moon clips, but the ejector cannot remove them. You’ll need a fingernail or pencil to pop them out one at a time should you forgo the clip entirely.
Moon Clip Blues
Moon clips are one of those practical little things that appear easy to make but are just as easily screwed up. The thin pieces of metal are a true “clip,” not a magazine. They’re reusable; however, they retain the fired brass instead of ejecting it like a semi-auto does
Moon clips can vary by brand and thickness. Here a blued version is the correct thickness, but the plated Wilson Combat to its right is thick enough that it can cause binding with certain brass types.
It should be noted that there are different types and thicknesses of moon clips, and your individual revolver may not function with all of them. Because they grip the case and hold it physically, problems can occur if using too thick or too thin a clip in relation to the primer and case head being too far or too close to the frame. They can be picky, but when you find the right thickness, you’ll be rolling with the best of them.
Conclusion
The particular revolver I have here is, as I detailed ad nauseam, is no longer made and there isn’t a sure way to find one or even find much information about it. At this point S&W doesn’t list a .45 ACP revolver on their site, although they produced several versions up until recently.
They’re out there today—although every model chambered for the old warhorse is in high demand. If you can find one, expect to pay above the original list price. While they may not be completely practical in a 1911 world, the .45 ACP revolver is bona fide Americana and has a special place in the consciousness of many … myself included.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the August 2021 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
In response to the revival of the Hi Power, Crossbreed Holsters has just announced a new line of holster fits designed for the Springfield SA-35.
Before anyone could finish bidding a farewell to the Browning Hi Power, it had already begun making a comeback. Spurred on by the release of BHP clones out of Turkey, Springfield Armory decided to follow suit with their SA-35 and now even FN has responded with their own iteration. While FN’s new model has been altered significantly enough to require proprietary holsters, Hi Power clones like the one from Springfield are close enough to fit most standard Hi Power holsters. Despite this, the BHP holster market was lacking. Hi Powers have historically been some of the least popular Browning-designed guns in the U.S., but the recent slew of clones has finally challenged that notion.
With many more Americans suddenly interested in owning, shooting and carrying the Hi Power, there was a sudden big need for more modern holster options. Thankfully, Crossbreed Holsters just expanded their lineup. While the four new Crossbreed fits were specifically designed for the Springfield SA-35, the pistol is dimensionally similar enough to original Hi Powers that the holsters should be compatible with any make.
Nathan Engelking, Executive Vice President of Marketing for Crossbreed had this to say on the new Hi Power fits:
CrossBreed is incredibly excited to see Springfield Armory bring such a classic piece of American firearms history back into the spotlight…The High Power-style pistol has been highly sought after for years, even becoming somewhat of a collector’s item. This has driven an incredible demand that we expect is going to do terrific in today’s firearm market. We are excited to be able to offer holsters for such a great pistol!
Crossbreed Holster’s new Springfield SA-35 fits are available for their SuperTuck IWB holster as well as their SnapSlide, DropSlide and SuperSlide OWB holsters. They also have mag carriers and modular holster systems available. MSRP for the holsters starts at $54.95 and goes up depending on the model.
The battle belt setup is an increasingly popular way to carry extra gear, so here’s a look at the different styles and how to best configure them.
Recent years have seen American shooting culture become more tactically-oriented, displaying an increasing amount of influence from the U.S. Military. This has resulted in a massive surge in the popularity of wearing body armor and other tactical gear associated with it.
While we’ve already looked at body armor and plate carrier setups, the next piece of kit worth discussing is the battle belt. While belts’ primary usefulness is typically keeping one’s pants from falling down, the purpose of a battle belt setup is to redistribute the bulk and weight of extra gear. Those who have seriously looked into configuring a plate carrier before know that they can run out of room for gear fast. And even if you do manage to squeeze everything you wanted to on your PC, the added bulk can hamper mobility.
We’ve all seen the meme images of soldiers wearing three or four layers of magazines across the chest of their carrier, and while this is technically a feasible way to carry extra ammunition, anyone with any amount of combat experience will tell you it’s a bad idea. The ability to go prone in the field is very important, and it’s generally accepted that smaller combatants make for harder targets. This is where the battle belt concept gains merit, as it allows one to take some of that gear off their chest and redistribute it around their waistline.
Battle Belt Basics
While a battle belt can be worn separately from a plate carrier, they were really intended to be used in conjunction with one. When the goal is to increase one’s odds of survival in some sort of life-threatening scenario, rifle and body armor serve as the primary tools of offense and defense. Because a plate carrier is required for wearing body armor, it only makes sense to use it to carry some spare mags and other items as well. If your body armor setup is purely for bolstering your home defense capabilities, however, a battle belt will likely be superfluous. Having a battle belt setup is really only useful for scenarios where one may need more gear than what can be comfortably attached to a plate carrier.
The fact that battle belts are mostly only useful when wearing a plate carrier leads to the first major consideration when choosing a battle belt setup, and that is the height of the belt itself. Battle belts that carry gear too high often interfere with the bottom of body armor, resulting in either an uncomfortable setup or one that impedes access to gear. The last thing anyone needs when it comes time to draw and use their pistol is the discovery that their plate carrier is preventing it from leaving its holster. These are all issues that should be worked out while training with your gear as if the first time you’re using it is during a bona fide defensive scenario you’ve already made a mistake.
A proper battle belt setup is used in conjunction with a plate carrier to take some of the bulk and weight off of the chest and places it on their hips. It should give fast access to things like spare rifle magazines, medical equipment, water and other gear without interfering with movement. The belt itself needs to be sturdy enough to support the weight you intend to put on it and should have enough real estate for MOLLE accessories as well.
Battle Belt Setup
The placement and selection of gear carried on a battle belt is extremely important, as an improper setup may be more of a hindrance than a help. After ensuring that your belt doesn’t interfere with the wearing of your body armor, the next step is configuring the belt itself.
The current thinking surrounding magazine placement on a battle belt is to position them ideally for reloading, typically on the left hip. Whether or not you subscribe to the uber-tactical high speed, low drag training where this concept originated, it seems to have been established that reloading from the waist is faster and more consistent than reloading from the chest. Most of the guys these days who use this kind of gear typically teach that one should reload their rifle from their belt and then reload the belt from the plate carrier or chest rig.
The positioning of medical gear like an IFAK or tourniquet is less of a settled science than it is for spare mags. Medical gear is only as useful as training allows it to be, and even with the proper training one may be too severely injured to apply it to themselves. In the military, IFAKs are carried to be used on wounded individuals by other members of their team, not by themselves. If you lack team members or proper medical training, carrying an IFAK at all may be mostly useless and you should individually assess which items in the kit you could reasonably expect to apply to yourself. Could you apply a tourniquet to your own leg? Probably, but don’t expect to decompress your own chest. Personal situation and skill level need to be considered when choosing what medical equipment belongs on your battle belt setup.
As we already discussed, if you plan on carrying a sidearm on your battle belt you need to determine that it is compatible with your plate carrier. Typical OWB holsters that ride at the same level as the belt usually don’t work for these purposes, and low-ride holsters have become the preference. While low-ride holsters often have a thigh-strap as well, these are distinct from drop-leg holsters as the weight is suspended by the belt rather than the straps that attach the rig to the leg. Anyone who’s tried to run with an old-school drop-leg holster will tell you that these are not ideal, and that the more modern low-ride models are greatly superior.
Some other gear that can be incorporated into a battle belt setup include a dump pouch for empty magazines, a canteen of water or other small pieces of kit such as gloves.
Battle Belt Styles
Like all things in the tactical gear world, there is quite a range in the price and quality of battle belts on the market. The best battle belt for you will depend not only on your budget, but what you intend on using it for. If you’re browsing battle belts to have a basic way to equip a sidearm and a couple of spare rifle mags during a potential home invasion, you can get away with buying a much simpler and cheaper belt than you could if you intend on wearing it during the apocalypse.
There are wide belts with ample real estate for attaching MOLLE gear and thin belts that could realistically be worn with a normal pair of pants. There are simple, one-layer models that are worn over other clothes as well as models that feature an inner belt with hook and loop for securing an outer belt worn over it. The style and quality of the buckle can play a big role in price as well.
This style of battle belt has two layers that attach to each other using hook and loop.
One will have to determine the best battle belt style for them based on whether they intend on wearing it to training classes and competitions, during a SHTF scenario or just in case of a break-in. Here is a small spread of some of the different styles available:
Condor Tactical Belt
This condor belt represents the simplest and cheapest of what could still be considered a battle belt. On its own, it has no provisions for mounting MOLLE accessories and has a very simple plastic buckle. This style would not be able to carry a large amount of gear, but if all you needed to attach was a holster for a sidearm and a pouch for a rifle magazine, it could still get the job done.
Condor Gen II Battle Belt
Designed to be used in conjunction with another belt such as the previously listed Condor example, systems like this one can be used to provide the necessary real estate for mounting a greater amount of gear. This style should also be more comfortable to wear than the thinner belts, but the extra height may make them incompatible with certain plate carriers. This model also has provisions for attaching suspenders for extra security if mounting a lot of weight.
Grey Ghost Gear UGF Battle Belt
This model represents the higher end of battle belt setup options. This example is the two-layer style, with an inner belt that is worn traditionally to secure the outer belt using hook and loop. It also has a sturdier, more desirable metal buckle and comes with the appropriate webbing for attaching MOLLE gear. A belt like this will be more stable, secure and capable of retaining more gear than the simpler models, but those features are reflected in its price tag.
Final Thoughts
Whatever style of battle belt you’ve decided on, just remember that it’s worthless unless you wear it while you train. Training in your kit will reveal the shortcomings of a setup before it’s too late to remedy it, and training is the single most important aspect of increasing your chances of surviving a defensive encounter.
Sig Sauer Custom Works has just expanded the custom Spectre series with the new P365XL Spectre Comp.
Sig Sauer’s P365XL is probably the best-selling concealed carry pistol currently on the market, and Sig is attempting to fully capitalize on that reality. Rather than leaving money on the table by only selling stock models of the pistol, Sig’s custom shop has been cranking out premium variants of the 365 for those who can afford to carry something a little fancier. The latest instalment to this lineup is the P365XL Spectre Comp, and it has more going on than just gold accents.
This new custom Sig features upgrades to both its performance and style, and it comes right out of the box with many desirable features. Besides including an optics-ready slide, the P365XL Spectre Comp also comes with a laser-stippled grip module and an integrated compensator. It also includes X-RAY 3 day/night sights and a titanium nitride “gold” barrel and flat trigger.
Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer for Sig Sauer, described the pistol’s new integrated compensator as the feature that really elevates the P365XL Spectre Comp above the standard models:
However, the true standout feature of the P365XL SPECTRE Comp is the uniquely integrated compensator that reduces muzzle flip and felt recoil by up to 30%, and because of the design will never come loose or cause function issues. The P365XL SPECTRE Comp offers all the benefits of a compensated pistol in a reliable, concealable, everyday carry package.
Each P365XL Spectre Comp will include three steel magazines, a limited-edition Sig Custom Works case, a coin and a certificate of authenticity. MSRP is listed as $1,199.
A look at the Timney American-made drop-in trigger for Austrian Glock Gen 3 and Gen 4s.
I want to preface this information by saying: I’m not a Glock guy. This doesn’t mean the Glock pistol isn’t a good handgun, and it also doesn’t mean that I know nothing about Glocks.
During my 13-year tenure in law enforcement, I carried a variety of Glocks on and off duty. I was a Glock armorer, I trusted them and even used them to compete in Glock-sanctioned pistol matches … and won. Glocks are just not my handgun of choice. Some consider this as damnation for the plastic pistol, but that’s not the case.
I also don’t like Ford automobiles—it’s called “personal preference.”
One of the reasons I’m not particularly fond of Glock pistols is their trigger. I don’t like the way it feels when I pull it, and I’m not sold on this passive safety concept where—as a measure of safety—you must put your finger on the trigger to make the gun go bang. That’s pretty much been the modus operandi for making handguns go bang since the first handgun was invented. If you want to put a safety on a handgun, fit it with a thumb safety; John Browning figured this out a long time ago.
Timney Does Triggers
So there, now that we have all of that out of the way, let me acknowledge that a Glock pistol—all Glock pistols—are reliable and affordable self-defense handguns that are far better tools than a lot of other plastic pistol options. I own one, and it goes bang every time I pull that trigger … that I don’t like to pull.
Something I do like are the triggers that Timney manufactures. I own a lot of rifles, and most of them are fitted with Timney triggers. I’ve also known the owner of Timney Triggers for a long time and consider him a friend. We’ve hunted together, shot together and shared some good times around a campfire. Not only is John Vehr—owner and president of Timney Triggers—a good guy, he’s also a mastermind at business and manufacturing. This is, of course, why Timney Triggers is the world’s preeminent source for aftermarket triggers.
However, what Timney has been missing is a trigger for a handgun. Years ago, I suggested to John that the company offer an aftermarket trigger for the 1911. Even though John has taken some of my suggestions in the past, he ignored that one.
So, I was a bit surprised to learn that, for 2021, Timney introduced a drop-in trigger for the Gen 3 and Gen 4 Glock pistol. I was more surprised than excited because, well, I’m not a Glock guy. On the other hand, Glock shooters should be excited, because it has been my experience that Timney doesn’t make junk.
The Toughest Test
I requested one of the Timney Glock triggers for testing, but instead of conducting most of the evaluation myself, I reached out to a friend, Will McGuire, who is a patrol/SWAT officer and asked him to conduct the initial evaluation. I needed a serious Glock guy to provide some serious input. Will installed the Timney trigger in his Glock G34 that he carries on duty when working the street or when in his turn-out gear. He reported back to me that the trigger was the real deal and was far better than a stock Glock trigger. He also said that he’d been running an Agency Arms trigger in his Glock and he liked the Timney unit better.
Not surprised, I asked Will to drop by and give me an installation demonstration, and I ordered another Timney trigger for my Glock 17. Like all Timney drop-in triggers, installation was straightforward and easy. That being said, if you’re not comfortable disassembling your Glock “past the pins,” as Will likes to call it, you’d probably be best advised in seeking the assistance of a Glock armorer. If you’re familiar with fully field-stripping a Glock, you can install the Timney trigger in about 5 minutes.
Timney rates their Glock trigger as having a 3-pound pull. On my Timney trigger pull scale, the pull weight measured just a tick over 3 pounds. It feels much improved over the standard factory trigger, even though it still retains the centrally placed passive safety lever. The take-up is smooth, and once you hit the wall, the break is crisp with minimal overtravel. I will say that the reset feels a bit soft when compared to the factory trigger and any other aftermarket Glock trigger I’ve tried. However, the reset is very audible, and though soft, it didn’t impact my ability to shoot the pistol at all.
I should also mention that, when the second trigger arrived, my son wanted to install it in his Glock 19 (a graduation gift from a friend). However, his pistol is fitted with a Ghost Incorporated trigger connector, and we discovered that the Timney Glock trigger won’t work with that aftermarket piece. It would appear that in order for the Timney Glock trigger to work, you need to start with a Glock that has the original Glock fire control system.
Timney for sure has a winner with their new Glock Gen 3-4 trigger, which has a suggested retail price of $149.99, and they’re also now offering a drop-in trigger for Gen 5 Glocks at the same price. My SWAT friend is now running the Timney is his duty gun, and I find it hard for there to exist a better endorsement; he may very likely have to shoot his G34 to save his, mine or someone else’s life. The Timney trigger hasn’t turned me into a Glock guy, but I damn sure wish I’d had one when I was armed with a Glock and a badge.
Holosun has just announced the release of the AEMS Core red dot, a new budget-friendly version of their Advanced Enclosed Micro Sight.
In 2021, Holosun released the Advanced Enclosed Micro Sight (AEMS). The new red dot was attempting to be very rugged and durable with its enclosed design while remaining lightweight and compact. While the AEMS did seem to accomplish those goals handily, with MSRPs around $500 it was not the cheapest optic line in Holosun’s catalog. Aiming to provide shooters with the same core features of the AEMS but at a lower price, Holosun has just announced the AEMS Core.
While Holosun claims that the AEMS Core should provide the same shooting experience as the standard AEMS, some compromises have been made in order to reduce the price. Firstly, the AEMS Core’s enclosed housing is now made of “durable cast aluminum” rather than the 7075-T6 aluminum of the original AEMS. The new Core models also don’t include flip-up lens covers.
The AEMS Core includes a 1/3 co-witness mount just like the original AEMS, and they’re both equally shock-resistant. This makes the AEMS series a viable companion for most weapon platforms, including shotguns.
Both models are powered by CR2032 batteries, but the AEMS Core is missing the standard model’s ability to also run off of solar power. Both models also have 12 brightness settings, but on the AEMS Core, only two of those are for night vision as opposed to the standard AEMS’ four. The AEMS Core also only has a 2 MOA dot for a reticle while the AEMS has a dot as well as a 65 MOA circle.
Besides these changes, the AEMS Core essentially has all the same features as the standard AEMS, including its shake-awake technology. Despite this, Holosun managed to reduce the MSRP by over $100 with the new Core line. Also available with either red or green reticles, MSRP for the red AEMS Core will be $352.93 while the green model’s will be $370.58. Enclosed red dot sights seem to be the way of the future, so it’s nice to see Holosun make their newest optic design a bit more accessible.
Looking to go armed, but are stuck in the weeds as to what to arm yourself with? Here are 20 of the best concealed carry gun options that will keep you on the defensive.
