Pocket carry is all the rage given the plethora of new itsy-bitsy, teensy-weensy sub-sub-sub-compact pistols. While one can question ease of shooting, caliber effectiveness, round count, and ability to put shots on target with reliability, you can’t argue with the convenience. A true “pocket gun” doesn’t require a radical change in dress code like buying […]
The Sig Sauer P225-A1: A Perfect Suppressor Host?
The Sig Sauer P225 is a classic. It was introduced way back in the mid-1970s as a more compact version of the Sig Sauer P220. It was adopted by the West German police and called the P6. Over time as the company released more compact double-stack models like the P229, the P225 was phased out. […]
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 […]
Winning with the Smith & Wesson SW22 Victory
Who needs yet another .22 Long Rifle Pistol? That’s what I thought when I got my hands on a Smith & Wesson Victory at a pre-launch showing a few years back. In fact, it looked like other pistols already on the market, like the Smith 22A pistol for example. This single Allen screw releases the […]
Can You Turbocharge Your 45?
What if I told you that your .45 pistol could fling a 160-grain bullet at 1,350 feet per second? Or maybe a 255-grain hard cast semi-wadcutter projectile at 1,030 feet per second? Well, assuming you have a modern .45 ACP pistol with adequate strength, you can. Everything else is the same: barrel, magazines, and projectiles. New […]
Brass Tacks: The Beretta 3032 Tomcat
The Beretta 3032 Tomcat is a .32 ACP pocket pistol with a few twists. It’s a double-action/single-action design, so the first trigger press is heavy. After that, the single-action press isn’t too bad at all. The action is straight blowback, possible due to the small caliber chambering. In a cross between the old-school European heel […]
Gun Science: What’s “Knockdown” Power?
OK, so that was a trick question because there’s really not much to “knockdown power” at least in the literal sense. Sure, a cannon would certainly knock you over, but a handgun? Not so much. Let’s explain. Handguns are certainly lethal and can cause all sorts of reactions in the recipient of a handgun shot. […]
Holster Butchery
Taking a Dremel tool to a firearm is almost always frowned upon. And I agree. However, butchering a holster might be entirely appropriate, depending on the reason. The other day I shared a story about how the extremely challenging Air Marshal Pistol Qualification test exposed some opportunities for gear improvement. The need for top speed […]
Smith & Wesson M&P 40 Ported: A One-Caliber Recoil Reduction
Here’s a neat fact about the F-16 fighter jet. The pilot’s seat is far more reclined than those in other planes. That’s a bit of physics and biology trickery to help the pilot deal with high G forces. What does that have to do with pistols? If you create gas ports in a pistol barrel, […]
Big Capacity for the new CMMG Banshee – Kriss MagEx 12+
CMMG just put the extra short in “short barrel rifle.” With the launch of the Banshee lineup, the company is bringing compact and handy to a whole new level. The CMMG Banshee is a family affair, with members currently identifying as .45 ACP, .22 LR, 300 Blackout, and 9mm. Perhaps we’ll see more caliber offerings […]