Table of contents for March/April 2020 in Combat Handguns

GUN RIGHTS ADVOCATE DAVE WORKMAN has said that when the National Rifle Association and American Civil Liberties Union both oppose a proposed law, it’s safe to assume there is something really wrong with the proposal. That turns out to be very much the case with so-called Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), known colloquially as “redflag” laws, as they are currently being presented to the American public. When a bill was introduced in Rhode Island to establish red-flag laws, the local ACLU chapter opposed it alongside the NRA. Here’s what concerned those ACLU leaders about the legislation: “While the ACLU of Rhode Island recognizes the bill’s laudable goal, we are deeply concerned about its breadth, its impact on civil liberties and the precedent it sets for the use of coercive measures…

I like to say that just because you have a gun does not mean you are armed. The mind is the final weapon. Everything else is supplemental. I also believe that if you intend to carry, you need to be trained. If not, you are more of a liability than an asset. As a responsible and trained gun handler, it is your duty and responsibility to protect and serve—that is, protect yourself and your loved ones and serve your community. If you are a trained and responsible gun handler, you should be carrying wherever the law permits. You need to be your own first responder. I am also not a fan of open carry. In my opinion, the message it sends is, “I am not trained, but I have a…

For this “Fully Loaded” gun giveaway, we’re switching things up a bit by going big. AR pistols are great for many applications, including home defense and concealed carry in a vehicle or pack. But we also went with the best by choosing the Daniel Defense DDM4V7 P, and as always, we’re throwing in all the extras you could possibly want to get on target and rock. So whether this is your first AR or fifth, be sure to get in on this great giveaway. 1. DANIEL DEFENSE DDM4V7 P Coming in at just over 30 inches long with the SB Tactical SOB brace deployed, the DDM4V7 P is quick and highly maneuverable, especially with the Law Tactical folding adapter that’s included on this model. Fold the brace and you have…

The Smith & Wesson Model 52 was developed as a companion piece to the Model 41, which was chambered for the .22 LR and used for competition. Another interesting note is that the Mode l52 was developed asa by product to the famed Model 39, which started the trend in autopistol deployment for law enforcement. Using most of the Model 39’s lock work but with a set screw that would prevent double-action operation, the Model 52 was strictly a single-action pistol for target shooters. For additional accuracy, the muzzle bushing was adjustable via a special tool, and a special socket arrangement held the barrel and slide to very close tolerances. The gun used .38 Special wadcutter bullets seated flush with the case to ensure flawless feeding. At the factory, every…

“Designed by Wilson Combat to be a no-compromises defensive weapon, this 1911 is as beautiful to shoot as it is to behold.” Riding into Mexico, many of the men under General John Pershing’s command carried the new Model 1911. After the .38 Colt was deemed to be suboptimal during the Philippine Insurrection, it was replaced by the semi-automatic .45 ACP pistol designed by John Moses Browning. The pursuit of Pancho Villa in 1916 was the first of many military campaigns in which the 1911 would prove its effectiveness. Advancing more than 100 years, the platform remains a viable option for self-defense and professional work. While there are many capable handguns on the market, none carry the same reputation as the 1911. The pistol is widely praised for its hand fit…

It’s hard to believe, but six years have already passed since the most eccentric governor in New York’s history passed the draconian SAFE Act. Those of you who weren’t affected by it should, at the very least, familiarize yourselves with it, as it’s a stark illustration of how they will come after your guns. When the news was announced at the 2013 SHOT Show, Kahr Firearms Group President Justin Moon looked at his employees and said, “We are leaving New York.” Hellbent on extracting revenge, Kahr set out to strip the state of millions of tax dollars. Just six months later, the company purchased land in Greeley, Pennsylvania, and started the relocation and second phase of the plan—creating guns that New York couldn’t regulate or prohibit. The Kahr Firearms Group…

Sig Sauer bills itself as the “complete systems provider,” and it’s hard to beat in that regard. Companies like Ruger and Smith & Wesson come close by offering dozens of weapons, but only Sig provides everything you need to hit the range, protect the streets or serve with our military overseas, from ammo and suppressors to rifles and optics. The company literally has “something for everyone,” but it’s products are built to such high standards and with so many well-thought-out features, that Sig also offers everything for someone. Just take apart a Sig Sauer P320 and you’ll understand why it’s now serving as the U.S. Army’s M17 and M18 pistols. Look inside one of Sig’s MPX or MCX platforms and you’ll see the same piston-driven innovation that went into winning…

Back in 1991, I bought my first Glock 19, a Gen2 model. At the time, the lure of a polymer-framed pistol was exciting and still very much taboo. I was 21 and carried a Taurus PT92 Compact that had an impressive capacity, shot very well and was reliable. But I developed a nasty habit of “pulling” my shots with it. Although I’m sure it wasn’t the pistol’s fault, my negative experiences with the Taurus were getting into my head, so it had to go. Enter the Glock 19 Gen2. I carried that G19 for more than 20 years, and yes, I still have it in stock trim with the plastic sights. It still runs like a top and has never had an issue, even after spending inordinate amounts of time…

Everything in the world of self-defense pistols isn’t always about being bigger and more powerful. Sometimes concessions must be made by folks who are unable to handle significant recoil or lack the hand strength to manipulate a standard pistol. Who are we to argue their needs? While many enthusiasts turn their noses up at .380 ACP pistols for their lack of terminal performance, they might be the best option for some shooters. In that vein, for this issue’s “Tale of the Tape,” we’re going to take a look at .380 ACP pistols from Bersa and Smith & Wesson. In many ways, they are quite similar. But in others, they are worlds apart. VERSATILE BERSA The Bersa BPCC is a slim, single-stack, polymer-framed .380 that has been around a few years,…

The ASP 9mm, one of the most iconic and hard-to-find clandestine pistols of the Cold War era, is now available on special order from J.C. Adler LLC in Bloomberg, Pennsylvania. In the late 1960s, the ASP was conceived by Paris Theodore and produced in cooperation with Major George C. Nonte Jr. Theodore was an artist, a master craftsman and a bit of a mystery. Multiple sources indicate he was involved in U.S. intelligence operations overseas. This experience convinced him of the need for guns, holsters and magazine carriers that were highly concealable yet quick to use, especially at close range. The U.S. government also saw the need for specialized gear and awarded Theodore contracts to design and build small, powerful handguns and accessories through his company, Seventrees Ltd., in New…

“I LIKED THE LOOK AND FEEL OF THE GUN IN THE COMFORT OF MY OFFICE, BUT I LOVED IT WHEN I RAN IT ON THE RANGE.” The terms “magnum” and “combat handgun” go hand in hand. But what if I told you that Smith & Wesson has an eight-shot magnum built on the medium-weight K-Frame that fires magnum cartridges without the blast and recoil one usually expects? Recently reintroduced to the company’s stable of working wheelguns, the Model 648 might just be Smith & Wesson’s most versatile handgun, with roles in small-game hunting, target shooting and personal protection. It’s chambered for the easy-recoiling .22 WMR, a cartridge that is often overlooked in its usefulness. Also called the .22 Magnum, this rimfire round is a big step up from the ubiquitous…

“Truth be told, the more I shot the G3, the more I liked it.” According to sentiments penned by F. Scott Fitzgerald, there are no second acts in life, although I would not entirely agree. I think Taurus USA is a prime example, as it has recently been enjoying tremendous success with its polymer-framed, striker-fired G2c subcompact pistol. Two of the catalysts for the G2c’s critical mass were its fairly low price and overall performance. Hot on the heels of that success, Taurus recently introduced its new full-sized version—the G3—and I was lucky enough to get my hands on one the day after it was announced. BIG BROTHER To know the Taurus G2c is to know the G3 as well. The G3 is essentially the same pistol except it is…

Some 250 years before frisky ously American patriots launched the Revolutionary War, Maestro Bartolomeo Beretta was making gun barrels for the Arsenal of Venice. Beretta’s first bill of sale dates back to 1526, making it the oldest gun company in the world. It is, in fact, one of the oldest continuously operated companies in history. The Beretta family has controlled the company for its entire existence. Today, Ugo Gussalli Beretta and his two sons, Pietro and Franco, still maintain leadership of Beretta. With a history like that, a company gains a depth of design and production that is nearly impossible to replicate. Beretta currently offers a wide spectrum of weapons ranging from great EDC pistols to exquisite shotguns that top the $25,000 mark. Once again, a company that has been…

FOR THOSE IN THE AK community, Krebs Custom needs no introduction. It’s a well-known powerhouse in the firearms industry that makes some of the most popular AKs on the market. From custom one-offs to full production runs, Krebs offers a wide variety of rifles and pistols. So, why an AK pistol? I had the same question when I spoke to Marc Krebs to gain some insight on the PD-18 Mod 1 pistol. His answer was simple: “Everyone likes a shorter barrel to utilize for whatever legal intended purpose.” Also, we have to comply with unconstitutional laws because nobody wants to have their door kicked in at midnight to have Fido turned into Swiss cheese. The PD-18 is an outstanding pistol, and it can serve as the perfect platform for a…

Flat-nosed bullets seem to fit into a few categories for most people. Either you like them or you don’t. Either you use them for fun or you don’t. Recently at the range, I queried my friends on their opinions. The breakdown ran from “Sure, I like them for defense in my little snubbie by the bed” to “Never had a need for them or used them anywhere” to “No, I don’t like lead bullets in any form.” Wadcutters are essentially special-purpose bullets with a flat front designed to be used for shooting paper targets with low velocities and recoil to keep the shooter from getting tired during extended matches. With the subsonic velocities of wadcutters around 900 fps, the first shooter mentioned earlier was correct: For defense inside a home,…

In this fun world of shooting sports and tactical toys, it’s easy to get carried away with trying out the latest high-dollar gear or pushing for the most powerful platforms to meet our defensive “needs.” But as it turns out, most of the time, they aren’t really “needs”—just wants—and somewhere along the way, we lose track of context. When it comes to defensive handguns, factors that could limit one’s choice might include bud-getary constraints, local laws and even physical considerations, such as hand strength or the ability to negotiate recoil. With that context in mind, SCCY has spent the last two decades manufacturing firearms that are economically accessible to most while still maintaining a high level of quality and reliability. SCCY CY began its journey with the 9mm for its…

I can remember a time when if you saw a police officer, you could have bet that his sidearm was a revolver. It would have been a blued Smith & Wesson, Colt or Ruger wheelgun in .38 Special with a 4-inch barrel. Then, thanks to growing urban violence in the 1960s, many police agencies switched to more powerful .357 Magnum revolvers. While some dared to suggest that semi-automatic pistols might be more practical police sidearms, these calls were considered so radical that they were generally ignored. This all changed in 1985 when the U.S. Army adopted the 9mm Beretta 92 pistol as the M9. Much to the dismay of the traditionalists among us, this encouraged American police agencies to ditch their wheelguns and adopt higher-capacity 9mm pistols. It wasn’t long…

Back in 1979, I was a police science major at a suburban Philadelphia community college and decided I needed a good .357 Magnum. Friends pointed me to a local state policeman who seemed to be the go-to guy for troopers needing to turn guns into cash. Turns out he had a used S&W pre-Model 27 with a 5-inch barrel. The gun was flawless—its bluing was impeccable, and I was in awe of the fine checkering on its topstrap and barrel rib. Even though it was a post-war gun from 1947, it was built the way all guns should be built! It didn’t take me long to find the wad of $20 bills in my pocket and count out $180 of my hard-earned summer lifeguard savings. After my morning classes, I’d…

This past October saw Athlon Outdoors host its third annual Rendezvous in Driggs, Idaho, near the Grand Tetons. For three days, dozens of gun manufacturers unveiled their latest and greatest wares—many still under wraps—to us Athlon editors and contributors, giving us plenty of trigger time to create more content for our various print magazines and websites in the coming months. But this amazing event wouldn’t have been possible without a few key sponsors donating goods for every participant. Here we’d like to show our support and fill you in on the great gear that made for another awesome Rendezvous. 1. ACTION TARGET STEEL: Action Target provided a number of steel target arrays to make our range more exciting, including plate racks, PT Dueling Trees and PT Hostage targets. Each stood…