Combat Handguns January - February 2024

Editor’s Note: If you’re a .45 ACP fan, you’re in the right place. Like the cover intimates, our Jan./Feb. 2024 issue is packed with .45-centric content. And, it just so happens that 2024 marks Combat Handguns’ 45th year in print. For this issue’s editorial, we leaned on long-time writer Mike Detty (below) to set the tone with his story about his first true love…his second .45 ACP handgun. Forty-five years of CH—impressive! I was a CH reader long before I became a contributor 30 years ago. Over the years I have owned many 1911s. Some have been sold or traded through the years, but it was my second 1911 that’s most notable. Back in 1981 while most of my classmates were catching rays in Mexico, I spent my spring break…

Statements construable as malevolent intent beforehand can sink you in court, criminal and civil court alike. Let’s look at some examples. CASE ONE In June 2023, an ABC News report reads in part, “A Michigan teenager who authorities say expressed explicit neo-Nazi and antisemitic ideologies online was arrested Friday by the FBI who alleged he stockpiled weapons and was planning a mass shooting… Investigators allege the teen had communicated with another user on Instagram where they expressed strong views against the Jewish population, support for neo-Nazis and idolization of previous mass shooters, according to the criminal complaint.” In this case, the young suspect had made statements on Instagram to the effect that he could access machine guns and explosives. The news report added, “A search of the suspect’s phone found…

“Mickey Fowler’s Gammon, with which he won the Bianchi Cup in 1980, was stolen and never recovered.” When Charles W. Kelsey quit Formula One racing for Chevrolet in England, he never dreamed that he would reinvent aspects of the Colt 1911 the world had never seen. In the late 1970s, Kelsey named his company “DEVEL” (an old Scottish fighting word). Beginning with custom S&W 39 9mm pistols, Kelsey moved to custom Colt 1911s in 1980, bringing with him master designer Wilhelm Haupthoff, where the two would “DEVELope” some of the most advanced improvements ever seen in the 1911. FIRST OFFERING By 1981, Charley Kelsey had produced his first custom Colt 1911. While Charley was partial to the 9x19mm and .38 Super cartridges, his first was in .45 ACP with a…

You need more than live essential in improving everything from your draw speed and transition time from one target to the next to nailing your reloads. In fact, many of the National and World title competitive shooters spend more time dry-firing than they do live-firing. One of the best changes (in my opinion) the firearms industry has seen lately is the switch from iron sights to red-dot optics. A red-dot is an incredible training tool because it’s easier to comprehend what is happening with the red-dot optic vs. what your iron sights tell you. I’m by no means telling you to ditch your irons completely. Iron sights have their place and make for excellent co-witness sights, backup sights in case of red-dot failure and for shooting in the rain. Let’s…

Holosun HS507Comp: The newest reticle from Holosun is the HS507Comp that features an enhanced multi-reticle system with four components, including a precision 2-MOA dot, an 8-MOA circle, a 20-MOA circle and a 32-MOA circle. You can change the reticle combinations to your favorite preference or for shooting a specific style of shooting competition or target combination. For example, in 3-Gun, I might have to make 5-yard and 50-yard shots on the same stage. With the 2-MOA dot, I can focus on the 50-yard precision shot and, on the close-up 5-yard shot, I can use the 20-MOA circle for a faster target acquisition. With eight brightness settings and two of them night-vision compatible, there is something for everyone with this red-dot optic. The window is wide and big, so it is easier…

Over the past few years, I have been fortunate to spend the first week of October in Idaho at Athlon Outdoors’ Rendezvous. More than a dozen regular contributors gather to see what the firearms industry has to offer for the coming year. On the range and later back at the ranch, I have had the opportunity to visit with Nighthawk Custom owner Mark Stone and learn about his business. At some point last year, Editorial Director Nino Bosaz joined Mark and me, and as typical, an editorial brainstorming session began. By the time our ice cubes started their swirling rattle around the bottom of empty glasses, a plan was hatched. We landed on the idea of taking a Colt 1911 Series 70 and having Nighthawk do their magic. I was…