The Springfield Armory 1911 TRP (Tactical Response Pistol) is more or less a production version of the custom pistol demanded by the FBI. The model that won the 5,000 pistol contract back in 1988 had to meet stringent performance requirements like 2,500 rounds without stoppage and 1.5-inch groups from 25 yards with service ammunition. To […]
FNX 45 Tactical: Capacity and Brawny Bullets
9mm or .45 ACP? The debate never ends, now does it? Most times, a rational discussion comparing the two devolves to an argument of size versus capacity. What’s more important? Size? Or how you use it? The 9mm platform (usually) gives you two smaller bullets for the price of one hefty one for the 45. I […]
3 Reasons to Choose 9mm: By the Numbers
There are three certainties in life. Death, grandstanding politicians, and the 9mm versus .45 ACP debate. Since much of the emotional debate has been covered ad nauseam by insightful comments like “I carry a .45 because there’s not a .46,” and “Calibers that don’t start with a ‘4’ just make people you shoot irritable,” we’re […]
Smith & Wesson’s New M&P 45 2.0 – Big Bore Carry
This article originally appeared at Ammoland. However, in these days of angry mobs and random terrorist attacks, the standard capacity of a .45 doesn’t make me feel so warm and fuzzy. With a “normal” capacity of 7+1, it carries half as many rounds as a double-stack 9mm. It’s easy to find a wonder nine that […]
A Pocket 45 You Can Actually Shoot – The Ported Performance Center Shield 45
This article originally appeared at Ammoland. USA –-(Ammoland.com)- Is that a 1911 in your pocket, or are you just… Never mind, we’ll just leave that one be. But you can have a 1911 in your pocket if you like. In fact, the one we’re looking at today packs up to 7 rounds in the magazine […]
Ammo Test: Liberty Ammunition Civil Defense 9mm and 45 ACP
Liberty Ammunition’s Civil Defense ammo subscribes to a different theory for rapid incapacitation. We tested two varieties, the 9mm and 45 ACP rounds to see how they stack up. Taking the idea of “light and fast” model to new levels, the Civil Defense projectiles weigh in at well under half that same caliber traditional bullets. For […]
Ammo Test: Remington HTP 185-grain .45 ACP
Premium defensive ammunition is crazy expensive. However, I suppose if you ever have to use it for its intended purpose, it’s worth every penny. While most premium self-defense ammo will cost you over a buck per round, Remington’s HTP line appeals to the more budget conscious crowd. Packed in boxes of 50, it sells for […]
Ammo Test: Federal Premium Personal Defense .45 ACP HST
For those who like .45ACP, the 230-grain bullet weight variety is the classic. Earlier this year, we took a look at another 230-grain self-defense load from Sig Sauer. This time, we’re testing Federal Premium’s offering in the heavyweight class. The Federal .45 ACP HST is a 230-grain load topped with a bullet designed to expand […]
Review: Springfield Armory XD-S with Crimson Trace Laserguard
Having had plenty of opportunities to shoot in dark conditions, I’ve become a big, big proponent of equipping carry guns with lasers and ideally lights. Why? Simply put, when you consider the “process” of finding a target in the dark, getting a sight picture, and making a fast hit, there is nothing faster than using […]
Ammo Test: Sig Sauer’s .45 ACP and 9mm FMJ
I’ve been shooting the snot out of Sig Sauer’s (relatively) new FMJ ammo the past couple of months and even taking careful notes. As the FMJ line is intended for practice and competition, and not self-defense, I wanted to test a couple of calibers in a variety of guns before reporting back on how it […]