Find only the best gun and gear reviews here. This section is devoted to exploring the uses, specifications, features and performances of the latest firearms, ammunition, parts and accessories to hit the market.
There has been a revolution in rifle making. Modern CNC machinery and technology allows the maker to build an inexpensive rifle that shoots well, is durable, and offers excellent strength. Among the most affordable rifles is the middle of the road Remington 783. This rifle is between the price leaders and the more expensive Remington 700 and offers performance that just may make it the best rifle deal on the market.
Steel-cased loads are viable and most of all affordable. Therefore, the author was very interested to see Hornady offering a Steel Match line. These are not rebranded loads but rather steel-cased cartridge cases loaded by Hornady with Hornady projectiles. That means a lot. This makes the loads viable for hunting provided they are accurate enough for this pursuit, and the powder technology addresses one of the primary concerns with steel cased ammunition—powder fouling.
Walther’s new PPS M2 is an excellent example of the refinement Walther brings to conceal carry pistols. The original PPS Classic ushered a 9mm conceal carry pistol that was thin, polymer framed with modular backstraps, and a striker fire trigger. The M2 does the Classic one better by using all the great features of the Classic and combining it with features found on the Walther PPQ series such as the ergonomic grip shape and grippy texture.
When it comes to personal defense ammunition, we all want the most for our dollar and a load that maximizes the caliber. This is especially true with the popular 9mm Luger cartridge. A number of manufacturers offer target grade loads, hunting loads, and personal defense loads. DoubleTap ammunition offers personal defense loads, and they do it as well as anyone and better than most.
Recently, Rock Island Armory (Armscor) introduced the 1911A1 .380 ACP known simply as the Baby Rock. Rock fans and shooters everywhere are going to love this handgun. Most small 1911s are more 1911-like than true 1911. The Baby Rock features a plunger tube, slide lock safety, beavertail grip safety, low bore axis and straight to the rear trigger compression. This is a true small 1911.
The PMR-30 is a unique and highly interesting handgun. This is a polymer frame pistol with a steel slide and barrel that works on the simple blowback principle. The first thing you notice after the space age appearance is that the pistol weighs less than 14 ounces. Even with a fully loaded 30-round magazine, the piece weighs but 20 ounces. Yes, 20 ounces for a 30-shot pistol!
Ruger is an old line maker that has offered quality products at a fair price for more than 68 years. Although Ruger was late getting into the 1911 market, it introduced a short slide 1911 handgun, the SR1911 that has earned an excellent reputation for reliability, accuracy, and value.
A few years ago, Heckler and Koch introduced a new handgun design in hopes of achieving a military contract. The HK45 is a viable pistol for use by the Special Operation Command (SOCOM) or any military entity. The HK45 builds upon HK’s slide-to-frame design that features more contact between the frame and slide than most polymer frame pistols resulting in greater rigidity and greater accuracy potential.
To deliver on its promise to offer a discreet, but shootable 1911, SIG Sauer built the C3 with a Commander-length top including a match length and quality barrel, atop an Officer’s frame. Sleek lines and pleasing aesthetics make for great eye candy, but a 1911 has to rule the range too. The Shooter’s Log’s Dave Dolbee puts the SIG C3 through its paces for this Range Report.
Among the most reliable and battled tested handgun designs of all time is the Russian Tokarev. It simply doesn’t get the respect the 1911, Browning High Power and CZ 75 do, yet the pistol is always reliable, accurate enough for personal defense, and chambered for hard hitting cartridges. Century International Arms Zastava M88 continues the tradition.