Table of contents for May/June 2020 in Combat Handguns

BEAR OPS AC-800-CF-S The Bear OPS engineers combined ideas with respected knife designer Steve Jernigan in developing the American-made AC-800-CF-S. The result is a slim, lightweight blade that minimizes imprinting without jeopardizing functionality. With a simple push of the recessed button, the 2.5-inch Sandvik blade deploys on demand, firmly locking back to withstand heavy loads. More features include a pen-type clip and stainless steel handle scales with carbon-fiber inserts. (bearandsoncutlery.com) MOSSBERG MC2c Following up on the highly successful MC1sc, Mossberg has unveiled the slightly larger MC2c (compact) in 9mm. Five initial offerings are available: black and two-tone versions with and without a crossbolt safety as well as one model with TruGlo Tritium Pro night sights. Every MC2c comes with a 3.9-inch barrel, multi-angle slide serrations, an oversized triggerguard, a flat…

AS a cop from a younger generation, I have never fully embraced 1911s. You guessed it—I usually carry polymer-framed guns. However, I recently spent a few days with Bill Wilson at his WC Ranch in Texas to check out his brand-new eXperior line of pistols. “Impressive” doesn’t even begin to describe these guns. Beautifully crafted and designed, they are works of art as much as they are tools. But it wasn’t until we hit the range and started putting them through their paces that I fell in love. If you don’t already know, Bill Wilson started his career by following in his family footsteps as a watch and jewelry maker. He was formally trained to manufacture intricate parts for top-of-the-line watches. But back in the late 1970s, he couldn’t find…

In past issues of Combat Handguns, we’ve held contests giving away individual guns, but this time we’re offering up an entire collection. For this special issue, we partnered with North American Arms (NAA) to give away the company’s three most popular models along with holsters and ammo! If you don’t know, NAA has been manufacturing firearms since 1971, when it was launched as a development of Rocky Mountain Arms, where designer Dick Casull was known for making “the world’s largest and smallest revolvers.” The company has been located in Provo, Utah, since 1991, and it continues to manufacture some of the best concealable firearms on the market. NAA’s slogan, “Convenient, Reliable, and Effective,” certainly applies to its firearms. READY TO WIN? Visit personaldefenseworld.com/win-naa for your chance to win these three…

CALIBER 9mm BARREL 3.1 inches OA LENGTH 5.8 inches WEIGHT 17.8 ounces (empty) GRIP Polymer SIGHTS FT Bullseye ACTION Striker-fired FINISH Matte black CAPACITY 10+1 MSRP $685 When it comes to everyday carry, we often have to balance a few different aspects of our pistols: size, capacity, convenience and concealability. The parameters for this complicated ballet of decision making are often defined by location, environment, attire and the carrier’s level of commitment. Generally speaking, the smaller and more concealable a pistol is, the fewer number of rounds it can hold. Fortunately for us, recent introductions to the market have set new benchmarks in the capacity-versus-size game. “Micro-compact” pistols like the Sig Sauer P365 SAS and Springfield Armory Hellcat OSP are setting the stage for a new era in concealed-carry handguns. THE SAS ROUTE Sig Sauer shocked the market when…

AT last year’s SHOT Show, Colt debuted its new King Cobra double-action/single-action (DA/SA) revolver in .357 Magnum. I got my hands on it during the Industry Day range event and quickly fell in love. But one thing bothered me. I wasn’t overly impressed with the groove and blade sights on it, and instead wanted an adjustable rear sight. I thought a vent-rib barrel would be fun, too. Towards the end of August 2019, I finally got my wish—mostly. There’s no vent rib (yet), but Colt delivered by including an adjustable rear sight on the new King Cobra Target. I immediately requested a test sample to see how the new gun stacked up. PACKING VENOM Right off the bat, the barrel is 4.25 inches long compared to the standard King Cobra’s…

Remington has been in the boltaction pistol business for more than half a century, starting in 1961 with the production of the eXperimental Pistol No. 100, or XP100. During the its lifetime, the XP100 spawned a new era of wildcatters, gave handgun hunting a big boost and led other companies to dive into the niche. Recently, Remington went back to the well and cranked out the new Model 700 Chassis Pistol (CP). With their unique stocks and trigger mechanisms, Big Green’s bolt-action pistols have always reminded me of something from the world of Buck Rogers. The new 700 CP doesn’t do much to change the “space cowboy” image with its AR-style chassis and pistol grip. That’s not a bad thing, though, as it lends itself well to its intended use…

In the wee hours of an October 2019 morning in Fort Worth, Texas, a man called police to report that his neighbor’s door was wide open, but he couldn’t see any movement inside. The dispatcher gave it to responding officers as an “unsecured premises” call, not a welfare check. Without announcing themselves, the officers deployed, one going around the side of the building. Seeing someone inside who appeared to be pointing a pistol at him, he fired through the window. His shot killed the young woman who lived there. Her young nephew, with whom she’d been playing video games, told police that his aunt got up and grabbed her gun to investigate a noise outside, and that she opened the curtains while holding the pistol when she was shot. Shortly…

WHILE THE NEW EXPERIOR LINE of pistols from Wilson Combat might hog all the attention, another gem was recently unveiled at the company’s Berryville, Arkansas, plant. Based on the EDC X9 platform, Wilson’s newest offering is a subcompact variant that pushes the envelope even further when it comes to performance and design. The new EDC X9S is a single-action, double-stack 9mm that ships with a 10-round magazine as well as a 15-rounder with an extended, machined aluminum baseplate for more grip real estate. In line with current market trends, the intent of the EDC X9S is to offer as many 9mm rounds as possible in an easy-to-conceal, subcompact form factor that still offers all of the quality and performance you’ve come to expect from Wilson Combat. Featuring a fluted, 3.25-inch,…

When it comes to home-defense firepower, everyone has an opinion on what is the best firearm to use. Some love handguns while others think the shotgun rules. Until a few years ago, rifles really weren’t really considered viable—before the AR-15 became so popular. Personally, I never bought into the AR-for-home-defense hype. An AR-15 rifle seems just a bit too cumbersome for a normal citizen to maneuver in a home-defense situation. I was concerned about the higher-powered rounds as well. But thanks to advancements in the firearms industry, I’ve grown quite fond of using an AR-style pistol to defend the castle. Why an AR pistol? It’s simple: These guns are light and compact with low recoil and great accuracy, and the pistols are easy to configure. What about overpenetration? Well, the…

The Devil’s Cross, as it has sometimes been called by the enemies of the United States, is not a pretty aircraft. Some might call it ungainly or even fat. But to U.S. soldiers pinned down, few things can be as beautiful as an A-10 Warthog on a strafing run. The “BRRRRT” of seemingly endless rounds ripping out of its main gun is a source of comfort for our troops and a harbinger of death for our enemies. When I first picked up the new BBR 3.10 from Rock Island Armory, I thought it might be analogous to the U.S. military’s A-10 Warthog. Even though it’s a 1911-style pistol, it’s short and squat. While both the barrel and grip length have been chopped, the frame is plump. Nevertheless, I like this…

This year marked my 27th consecutive Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show, where over 2,600 exhibitors from all over the world put their newest products on display. Four days just wasn’t enough time for me to see everything at SHOT, but I paid special attention to noteworthy orthy holsters to help you carry your firearms as I made my way through the show’s 12 miles of aisles. Here’s what caught my attention. BARRANTI LEATHER OUTFITTER Mike “Doc” Barranti designed the new Outfitter to carry his long-barreled Ruger on a recent hunt in Texas. The snugfitting holster is designed to safely retain the handgun and protect it without hindering your draw speed. The Outfitter’s wide belt loop is designed to distribute the gun’s weight and make it easy to position the…

In recent issues of Combat Handguns, I’ve brought you firsthand information from today’s top professional shooters, including their must-have guns and gear as well as expert advice, to help you up your game. This edition, we’ll go beyond the shooting range to cover our everyday lives and the environments that surround us. If you carry a firearm for self-defense, it’s important to think of yourself as a range bag for all of your everyday-carry (EDC) gear. In the event a threat presents itself, it’s imperative to fully comprehend the skills and tools needed to act upon that threat as quickly as possible. To that end, I’ve sought out one of the most qualified professionals to give you some truly effective advice regarding concealed carry: Steve Tarani. ALWAYS AWARE Tarani has…

When was the last time you handled, shot or even reloaded ammunition for the .380 ACP? If I were hedging my bets, I would say that for the most part, this diminutive cartridge isn’t on your hit list, never mind the famed bucket list. One reason could be that since it isn’t a popular cartridge for hunting, it’s never considered for a trip out west. If you are into defensive handguns, the newer micro guns chambered in 9mm and .45 ACP might have gained your trust. With the newer generation of handguns entering on the market, the .380 ACP might be getting a new lease on life. Personal defense has never been more popular, and even if you don’t handload for self-defense, new ammunition made specifically for such situations is…

In early 2020, Walther Arms announced the introduction of its CCP M2 chambered for the .380 ACP cartridge. With its Softcoil gas system, excellent ergonomics and light recoil spring, the gun should be ideal for those afflicted with arthritis or diminished hand strength. The gun’s petite size and light weight will also make it attractive to anyone looking for a concealable handgun that isn’t a chore to carry. Walther first introduced the CCP in 9mm in 2014 and updated the design in 2018 so that the takedown process didn’t require any tools. It was then designated the CCP M2. Chambering the M2 for the .380 ACP did not involve any dramatic changes to the gun’s action, and the frame and slide dimensions were not changed for the smaller cartridge. But…

Almost a year ago, I got my hands on FN’s newest pistol, the 509 Midsize. It quickly became my top everyday-carry gun and one of my favorites at the range. It’s what I considered a “Glock killer,” knocking the polymer king off the top of the mountain in my books. That being said, the FN 509 Midsize wasn’t quite perfect yet. The trigger was good but not great, the gun looked good but wasn’t amazing, the slide was a little heavy, and the grip was a little too aggressive for my liking. Don’t get me wrong, the FN 509 Midsize was pretty damn close to perfect right out of the box. However, me being me, I wanted one even better. I’m normally not one to customize my carry guns, but…

Last September, the founders of the International Practical Pistol Confederation (IPSC) held an unforgettable reunion in Texas. And how could it not be, with 16 shooting legends gathered together to reminisce and compete some 43 years after the initial conference that started it all? David Westerhout, who won the very first ISPC World Championship, traveled all the way from Zimbabwe for the reunion and the accompanying match, at 83 years old. He was one of four original IPSC founders in attendance, along with Ken Hackathorn, Jim McClary and myself. Other attendees—all big-name shooters in the early days of practical shooting—included Massad Ayoob, Tom Campbell, Jason Cole, Jim Hewins, Rob Leatham, Greg Moats, Dan Predovich, Bill Rogers, John Sayle, Jim Walls, Jeff Wassam and our gracious host, Bill Wilson. Michael Bane…