The Single Action Army has a storied history. Originally called the Top Strap revolver, the Peacemaker in civilian sales (and the Model P internally at Colt) and later the Frontier Six Shooter when chambered for the .44-40 cartridge, the Colt SAA was the most rugged, reliable and powerful cartridge revolver of the day.
The .41 Magnum is a useful, powerful, accurate, and well-balanced cartridge. Perhaps, it is one of the best revolver cartridges ever designed. Yet, it seems to be almost on its last leg, and far down the list in popularity compared to the .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum. This is understandable in some ways, but the cartridge is just too good to die.
Lawmen such as Lone Wolf Gonzullas, Tom Threepersons, and Frank Hamer carried the SAA long into the previous century. Today, we have first quality revolvers (and plenty of cheap competitors) that will serve well. These revolvers are affordable, and in my opinion, also among the most useful, smooth handling, and accurate SAA types ever manufactured.
Beretta introduced a handgun a few years ago that was not revolutionary—it was evolutionary. The PX4 Storm married the proven Beretta double-action trigger and de-cocking safety to a polymer frame. Those preferring the double-action first-shot pistol had a relatively inexpensive alternative to the Beretta 92, and those wishing a durable and reliable, polymer-frame handgun had a counterpoint to the Glock. The primary advantage of the pistol is accuracy.
For the K6s, Kimber began with a clean slate and created a revolver with features that are completely modern. The K6s primary innovation is an impossibly thin, six-shot cylinder. This six-shot .357 Magnum revolver is less than 1.5 inches wide. The cylinders are counter shrunk, in the classic style for safety. To aid in cylinder rotation, the case rim doesn’t drag on the recoil shield, but that is far from all of the K6s’s new attributes.
Possibly, the most interesting Glock handgun introduced in some time is the Glock 19X. The pistol shows that Glock is thinking out of the box and may be the harbinger of a new line of handguns. The idea is simple enough. The 19X features a Glock 17 full size frame with the Glock 19 barrel. However, the worth of any pistol is proven at the range.
Before I begin singing the praises of the Springfield EMP 1911, I should say that I have never felt the 9mm 1911 made a lot of sense. It was like putting a six cylinder engine in a Corvette. The 10mm 1911 is like a 454 Chevelle by comparison. However, the Springfield EMP is not an average 1911 9mm.
The Competition Pistol is a go-anywhere do-anything 1911, that while geared for competition, will also serve well for personal defense. Priced at less than $1,000 and generally available for $899 or less, the Competition Pistol is more than fair for a pistol with this pedigree and performance.
The Security-9 is billed as an affordable personal defense handgun that offers a light weight for concealed carry. In simple terms the pistol is Glock 19 size. The Security-9 is not a scaled down Ruger American 9mm, which would seem to be everyone’s first guess when the pistol was announced. The Security-9, rather, is a scaled up LCP or LC9 in most regards.
It is encouraging to see so many Americans obtaining their concealed weapon permit. These new shooters are supporters of the 2nd Amendment and have taken steps to be responsible for their own safety and security. Yet, in many cases, there are people among them that are armed with a deadly weapon but unable to defend themselves well.