The Uberti is well made of good material and probably stronger than the first Generation Colt. The Bisley revolver is handsomely finished. The grips fit the grip frame well. The barrel is what is sometimes called the Gunfighter length, cut off at the end of the ejector for 4 ¾-inch length.
As might be expected, a goodly percentage of the shooters that attend my training classes are female shooters. Some have developed an interest in the shooting sports, others are just curious. unfortunately, many women regard those of us who are armed as a lifestyle with about as much fear as they fear thugs. This is a challenge that must be overcome.
A couple of decades ago, Colt needed a price beater. The company was losing market share to Springfield’s GI and Mil Spec pistols, not to mention the imports. Initially, the 1991A1 featured cheap plastic grips and a matte finish. However, the grips did not support the plunger tube and were soon replaced by superior rubber stocks. Today’s 1991A1 pistols feature a blue finish, nice wooden grips, and all of the features of a top-performing modern 1911.
The trend in handguns has been toward increased capacity. Many revolvers have even gained a cartridge or two in modern designs. However, high capacity doesn’t always mean greater efficiency. Here are nine top performers
Most personal defense situations occur at close range, and the tactics used are about close-quarters battle. It isn’t about being a good shot—it’s about gunhandling. If the adversary uses open hands, edged weapons, or blunt force, you must be ready for a response at intimate range. If your set of skills is limited to the firearm, you are ill prepared for the reality of personal defense. Simply firing at stationary targets at 7 to 10 yards isn’t preparation for a CQB event.
While modern self-loading handguns are as reliable as a machine can be, the revolver is more likely to fire after long-term storage while loaded. You may leave the revolver at home, ready, and it will come up shooting. The revolver may also be placed against an adversary’s body and fired. EIther way, many feel comforted by an extra round or two at the ready.
The Colt Gold Cup is a legendary handgun, even an icon, and well worth its price. If set up for defense loads it is as capable as any 1911 and more so than most. If you are looking for one of the most accurate handguns in the world, and a pistol steeped in history, this is the one.
Let’s look at reality. When you purchase an expensive hunting handgun or a target pistol you expect to be able to convince the pistol to hit where it is aimed. The point of impact and point of aim will be in perfect sync. If you purchase a fixed sight handgun for personal defense then you find it is zeroed for one load or the other but it will not be easily done.
CCI is a branch of the Vista Outdoor Company that also owns Federal Cartridge Company and Speer. These are heavy hitters with an excellent reputation in the firearms world. CCI is best known for its success with first-class .22 rimfire ammunition, while the 9mm is simply awesome for range work.
Some time ago, the inexpensive ammunition market was flooded with foreign-produced steel-cased ammunition. This ammunition was not always consistent, but it was always cheap. Winchester set out to develop an American made loading, offering American powder and bullets with inexpensive steel-cased cartridge cases. Winchester’s USA Forged ammunition was the result.