On the other side of the coin, we have the Smith & Wesson Performance Center (PC) M&P9 Shield M2.0 with a ported 4-inch barrel. Standard Shields typically come with 3.1-inch barrels, but with the barrel being the easiest part of a pistol to conceal, Smith & Wesson increased the...
Of the seven striker-fired pistols, only one did not have a polymer frame, and that was the new Kimber EVO SP, which has an aluminum alloy frame. One of the purported advantages of polymer is lighter weight, but the Kimber EVO SP weighs only 1 ounce more than a...
Sometimes just one little change can make all the difference in the world. The original FN 509 paired a compact 4-inch barrel with a full-sized, 17-round frame. While that may work well for duty personnel, it was a bit large for concealed carry, unless you wore a heavy coat...
Sig Sauer has been on a roll the past few years, and the new P320 XCompact is a prime example of the company’s popularity and success. Built on the modular P320 platform, the XCompact brings a few extra features to the series to distinguish it as a top-tier carry...
Another value entry is the new Ruger Security-9 Compact. With an MSRP of $379, this 9mm serves up just about every feature found on higher-priced carry pistols. It packs 10+1 rounds inside a package shorter and thinner than the SCCY CPX-3, though it’s about 0.75 inches longer overall.
The Security-9...
Love was in the air as Terrill took his time getting to know the new Mossberg MC1sc. Except for the Kimber EVO SP (CS), the Mossberg offering drew more comments from him than any other pistol about aesthetics and ergonomics. He was smitten with the flat trigger and thoroughly...
While we’re on the subject of perfection, the closest we got to it during this test—at least in our opinion—was the CZ P-10 S. To be honest, this was a bit of a surprise, at least on Terrill’s part, and it kind of sneaked up on us.
The P-10 S...
Made in Brazil, the Taurus 1911 Commander in .45 ACP features a number of interesting upgrades we don’t normally see on an economy gun, such as real Novak sights, a checkered frontstrap and extended thumb and beavertail safeties. Though the fit and finish of the gun won’t measure up...
Boasting a forged—not cast—slide and frame, the .45 ACP Defenders Series Mil-Spec from Springfield Armory features an exemplary slide-to-frame fit. It also possesses a stainless steel barrel and bushing. The gun is a reasonable facsimile of the U.S. military’s 1911, with some upgrades, including higher-profile sights and honest-to-God wooden...
There’s been big trend lately to chamber full-sized, steel-framed 1911s in 9mm. This makes the big gun a pussycat to shoot, with light recoil and tremendous accuracy. Remington decided to chamber the 1911 R1 Enhanced in 9mm this year, and the resulting gun impressed me with its handling characteristics...
