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Top 19 Firearms Accessories (2019)

Check out the firearms accessories and gear that will sharpen your shooting experience.

What Are The Hot New Firearms Accessories:

Each new year brings new gadgets and gizmos to make your gun ownership more fun, safer and more accurate. Sure, new guns and ammo are those shiny new items that everyone loves to purchase, but sometimes, it’s the little stuff that makes the biggest difference. Whether you’ve got $30 or a couple hundred dollars burning a hole in your pocket, here are a few of the great new accessories you can add to your arsenal of cool and useful “gun guy” tools.

Crossbreed Reckoning

Firearms Accessories Crossbreed Reckoning

Introduced at the tail end of 2018 but rolled out to big fanfare at SHOT 2019, Crossbreed’s Reckoning is a versatile IWB and AIWB Kydex-leather hybrid with a wide variety of adjustments in both retention and ride. With right- or left-draw options, the Reckoning is available in a multitude of gun makes and models, including several discounted frames. MSRP: $69.95

Triumph System Threat Down Bleeding Targets

Firearms Accessories Triumph

Founded by former Navy SEAL and Ultimate Survival star Jared Ogden, Triumph Systems offers its Threat Down Bleeding Targets, which bleed blue and red with a good bullet hit to vital organs—blue for lungs and red for heart and brain. Environmentally friendly and biodegradable gel paint is contained inside individual cells that open on impact, offering instant feedback. These targets are available in four character configurations. MSRP: $15.50 (individual target); $43.99 (three-pack)

Vortex Razor HD II

Firearms Accessories Vortex Razor

For the serious hunter or long-range shooter, Vortex introduced the Razor HD II, the latest in its powerful Razor line. With a hard-anodized “Stealth” finish and three reticle options, the Razor HD II makes spotting and shooting easier and more accurate. Keep the sites locked in with locking turrets, integrated L-Tec zero stop and first focal plane reticles for quick shots at any magnification. MSRP: $2,499 for 3-18×50 FFP; $2,899 for 4.5-27×56 FFP

Crimson Trace LG-422 Laserguard Red Laser Sight For Sig Sauer P365

Firearms Accessories Crimson Trace 2

Whenever a new gun hits the market, the first question in every potential customer’s mind is, Can I get accessories for it? This was the case when the new Sig P365 came out in 2018. One criticism of the Sig was its proprietary accessory rail that wouldn’t fit most off-the-shelf lasers. Crimson Trace smartly addressed this with the introduction of the LG-422 Laserguard Red Laser Sight, specifically designed for the Sig’s unique mounting system. MSRP: $229 (red); $309 (green)

Caldwell Brass Catcher

Firearms Accessories Caldwell Brass Catcher

Hate picking up brass? Well, how about never having to? The Caldwell Brass Catcher attaches directly to the ejection port of your AR or other rifle with an adjustable hook-and-loop strap that holds the catcher tight while not interfering with the mechanism of your gun. The mesh pouch holds approximately 30 spent cartridges and zips open at the bottom for easy emptying into the collection bin of your choice. MSRP: $12.99

Steiner's Bluhorizons Series

Firearms Accessories Steiner

Steiner’s BluHorizons Series comprises sunlight-adaptive binoculars for all light conditions. Exclusive Autobright Sunlight adaptive lens technology automatically adjusts brightness in any lighting situation by gathering the right amount of light and reducing glare for optimum viewing. Two models are offered: the 8.8-ounce 8×22 and 10.6-ounce 10×26. Both feature Steiner’s Fast-Close-Focus system to provide clear vision quickly and easily. MSRP: Starts at $219.99


Gear Up


Walker's Silencer Bluetooth Earbuds

Firearms Accessories Walkers Earbuds

Every shooter needs good ear protection. Walker has long been known as an industry leader, pioneering technologies in both over-the-ear and earbud active noise-cancelling. The new Silencer Bluetooth Rechargeable Earbuds offer a new level of user control—including monitoring battery levels, adjusting volume and changing auto shutoff time from your phone. Three fit shapes are included for maximum comfort. MSRP: $299.99

CMC AR-15 Tactical Trigger Group

Firearms Accessories CMC AR-15 Trigger

One of the first things serious AR owners upgrade on their new setup is the trigger. Factory triggers are usually reliable, but they are also usually mediocre when it comes to pull weight and action. One new option in the drop-in trigger world is the CMC AR-15 Tactical Trigger Group, available in 2-, 3.5-, 4-, 5- or 6-pound pull weights. The curved-faced, single-stage trigger offers a great alternative to the typical factory trigger at a reasonable cost for an upgrade. MSRP: Starts at $167.95

Real Avid AR-15 Armorer's Master Kit

Firearms Accessories Real Avid Master Armorers Kit

Whether you build ARs or need to change a few things on the one you already own, the Real Avid AR-15 Armorer’s Master Kit provides the tools you need to build, fix or upgrade with confidence. The kit includes more than 20 heavy-duty tools and step-by-step instructions. Everything is housed in a sturdy, portable case for those times you take your AR-fixing show on the road or for keeping the kit items tucked away in your work area. MSRP: $249.99

XS Sights F8 Night Sights

Firearms Accessories XS Sights 1

You can’t shoot straight if you can’t tell where you’re aiming—day or night. XS Sights has introduced the F8 Night Sights for use in both bright, sunshiny conditions and the dark of night. Instead of the traditional 3-dot system, the F8 Night Sights use a stacked, 2-dot lineup for faster alignment on target. According to XS, the front sight is equipped with a patent-pending glow dot that absorbs light and glows in low-light levels before tritium becomes visible. The F8 Night Sights are available for a variety of semi-autos. MSRP: $142

Maglula Steyr AUG 5.56/.223 Striplula Magazine Loader

Firearms Accessories Maglula

From the company that revolutionized pistol magazine loading (and saved us all a lot of thumb pain) comes the STEYR AUG 5.56/.223 StripLULA 10-Round Magazine Loader—the AR version of the venerable Uplula. Load 10 rounds at a time into Steyr mags using the tough polymer frame to guide cartridges smoothly in. Unfortunately, this only works on Steyr-brand magazines. MSRP: $24.95

CMMG Receiver Extension And Brace Kit, Ripbrace, Micro/CQB

Firearms Accessories CMMG

CMMG has expanded its line of “Rip” products with the quick-deploy RipBrace pistol brace for your AR pistol. Available as either an add-on or as part of a CMMG AR pistol, the RipBrace extends without a need to depress any buttons or latches to engage the telescoping motion. The brace locks into place once opened and does require a latch release to close. However, deployment is lighting quick and gets the gun into the fight faster. MSRP: $199.95

Tango Down BG-AKOE Battlegrip

Firearms Accessories Tango Down

AKs often come with truly uncomfortable grips. How do you soften up the grip a bit without compromising the famous style of the world’s most popular rifle? Add a Tango Down BG-AKOE Battlegrip. Its comfortable, ergonomic shape fits all popular AK models. The grip can be easily installed; all the necessary mounting hardware is included. MSRP: $18.95

Rite In The Rain Blaze Orange Belt-Clip Pen

Firearms Accessories Right In The Rain

We train in the rain and other sloppy conditions. The special ink in the Rite in the Rain Blaze Orange Belt-Clip Pen writes in a multitude of conditions— including rain, snow and extreme cold (down to -30 degrees [F]). The bright-orange color makes it easy to find in the bottom of your range bag, while the convenient belt clip keeps the refillable pen handy for marking targets or recording progress in your field notes book. MSRP: $12.95 (per pair)

Revision Pursuer Eyewear

Firearms Accessories Revision

For the outdoor enthusiast who wants a pair of sunglasses with all the ruggedness you need for the hazards of hunting, mountain climbing and shooting, consider the Revision Pursuer. There are large lenses for optimal view and sun blockage, as well as specialized tinting that lets in “just the right amount of light for less pupil dilation and reduced eye strain while glassing.” Each kit includes Pursuer eyewear, custom retention strap, microfiber-lined pouch, Pro Bag and a guaranteed lifetime warranty. MSRP: $279

Caldwell Deadshot Shooting Bag Combo

Firearms Accessories Caldewll Shooting Bag Combo

Whether you’re setting up for that ultimate long-range shot or sighting in your new optic, stabilize your rifle with the Caldwell Deadshot Shooting Bag Combo. The front bag is one of the industry’s largest (8 pounds), offering your barrel superior stability. The small rear bag accepts a wide range of rifle stocks. The two bags clip together for easy carrying. MSRP: $26.99

Daltech Force Bull Hide Leather Belt

Firearms Accessories Daltech

Don’t waste a good holster on a bad belt. Instead, pick up a dedicated CCW gun belt such as the Daltech Force Bull Hide Leather Belt. Available in black or brown to match any look, both dressy and casual, this top-quality, 1.5-inch-high belt offers the support you need for even the heaviest concealed guns. This belt is handcrafted in the USA and comes with a lifetime guarantee. MSRP: $42.99

Magnetospeed Sporter Barrel Mounted Ballistic Chronograph

Firearms Accessories Magneto 1

Ever wonder how fast the bullets really fly out of the end of your rifle? Rather than lug around a big, complicated chronograph—with its multiple pieces and bulky stand—grab a lightweight, compact MagnetoSpeed Sporter Barrel Mounted Ballistic Chronograph. It attaches directly under your rifle barrel to measure the exit speed of any caliber and weight. MSRP: $179

Breakthrough Clean Technologies Copper Remover

Firearms Accessories Breakthrough Technologies

Need to clean out copper fouling but hate the foul stench of copper cleaners? Breakthrough Clean Technologies Copper Remover is virtually odorless and is formulated from biodegradable ingredients that easily remove copper fouling and buildup without the usual stink. According to the company, this new cleaner is safe for all types of bore steel and won’t harm the barrel. MSRP: $16.95

Conceal Carry: Critical Considerations When Buying A CCW Holster

When you carry concealed, holster choice will determine how well things work out.

Here's what you need to consider when buying a holster:

Carrying a concealed sidearm involves a lot more than just strapping on a gun, putting on a jacket, vest or some other cover garment and heading out the door and into the world.

A holster fits the handgun snugly, like this formed-to-the-gun belt holster from Greg Kramer. This holds the gun firmly, yet allows for a smooth draw.
A holster fits the handgun snugly, like this formed-to-the-gun belt holster from Greg Kramer. This holds the gun firmly, yet allows for a smooth draw.

You might never need to draw that handgun in an emergency, but if the time ever comes that you find it necessary, your holster needs to work. Alas, some simply are not up to the task, no matter how much hype one might read in an advertisement or on some Internet forum where the level of expertise can often be measured by the nicknames people give themselves.

Having carried a personal sidearm for more than 40 years in any number of positions from the ankle to the armpit, strong side and weak side and even small of the back, and having built holsters for people all over the map, I’ve had the chance to form opinions based on actual experience.

Here are five solid holster considerations for the armed citizen.

#1: Finding The Right Fit

The No. 1 thing to remember when selecting a holster is to be sure it fits both your gun and your body. And don’t forget your wardrobe. People who pick a one-size-fits-all holster are begging for trouble. Your defensive carry holster should fit your gun like a glove, and it must allow the sidearm to disappear completely under a cover garment.

Also, make sure your sidearm is capable of being concealed on your body. Don’t be the show-off who gets the biggest handgun you can find and think you will impress everybody with a big bulge under a jacket or vest, or sport a holster that’s longer than your cover garment. That’s an invitation to trouble.

The author’s well-used rough-out IWB rig has a curved profile, and it has married itself well to his strong-side body curve.
The author’s well-used rough-out IWB rig has a curved profile, and it has married itself well to his strong-side body curve.

I recommend holsters that are minimal and functional to the task, either belt rigs or IWB (inside the waistband) concealment models. Proper fit involves more than just a snug gun. Well-made leather holsters can “marry” themselves to your physical form, especially the IWB holsters. Carry a holster and work with it a lot, and soon it will feel like part of you — there at the touch but comfortable enough to ignore while going about a daily routine.

If carrying a revolver concealed, I suggest a high-ride pancake-style holster over all others. This rig tends to hug the revolver close to the body fore and aft, and the grip is less likely to tilt away from you, thus printing through your cover garment. The pancake holster can be adjusted forward or rearward depending upon where your belt loop is located.

Of course, for a big revolver — which few people can truly carry completely unnoticed — a shoulder holster is a must. You will want to carry it under a windbreaker or parka to avoid being spotted. I’ve carried a .41 Magnum S&W with a 6-inch barrel in the winter, but in fair weather, that gun stays in the safe.

My daily carry rig for a .45 ACP Commander is an IWB rough-out model. It doesn’t slide around and it carries essentially in the same spot one day to the next. Many, if not most such IWB rigs are based on a designed by the late Bruce Nelson called the Summer Special, offered by Milt Sparks. The rough-side-out Summer Special is a classic minimalist design using only enough material to make it superbly functional.

In addition to Sparks, the top makers of leather concealment holsters include Mitch Rosen, Gene DeSantis, Greg Kramer (who specializes in horsehide), High Noon and Galco, and that list only scratches the surface.

You can sure tell this guy is packing a big gun because the holster is too long and the jacket is too short, so the slightest bending at the waist tells the world there’s a pistol in the neighborhood.
You can sure tell this guy is packing a big gun because the holster is too long and the jacket is too short, so the slightest bending at the waist tells the world there’s a pistol in the neighborhood.

I’ve carried sidearms in holsters made by all of these outfits. They are reliable and certainly represent the best in American craftsmanship.

#2: A Stand-Up Solution

If you carry leather, or a hybrid leather/Kydex rig, never apply any kind of softening agent to the leather. Your rig needs to hold its shape, particularly for one-hand re-holstering. I’ve found that one that retains its original shape is inherently faster, and this can be enhanced with a drop or two of Leather Lightning, a surface treatment sold by Mitch Rosen that will wear off, but it does quicken the draw.

Things to avoid: Neatsfoot oil, saddle soap or anything that contains lanolin. Don’t use liquid shoe polish. If your holster gets beat up as they sometimes do, you can touch-up the appearance with Kiwi or Lincoln wax polish, but remember that those products can leave a stain on your garments, so use some discretion.

Neatsfoot oil and saddle soap are good for boots, saddles and other leather gear — but for concealment holsters that must remain stiff, they are best avoided altogether.

In the event your leather holster gets wet, let it air dry. Living in the Pacific Northwest has given me plenty of experience with wet holsters. It’s an environmental hazard, especially in late fall and winter, that you could get wet. Drying it out with heat can damage the leather.

#3: Hoards Of Holsters

Resign yourself to the fact that you will own more than one holster for your carry piece. I don’t know a single serious handgunner who doesn’t claim ownership to a box of holsters.

Don’t use a softening agent on your carry leather. Neatsfoot compound is good for boots, shoes and other leather, but your carry rig needs to retain its shape and rigidity.
Don’t use a softening agent on your carry leather. Neatsfoot compound is good for boots, shoes and other leather, but your carry rig needs to retain its shape and rigidity.

Most defensive handguns can be carried in different places on the body, in different holsters. It might be in a belt rig one day, a shoulder holster the next, and — depending upon the gun — in a pocket holster or IWB holster the following day.

For my J-frame S&W .38 Special, I own the following: a Mitch Rosen ankle holster, a Rosen deep cover rig he calls The Workman that I designed and a Gene DeSantis pancake-style holster. The Workman was the original “tuckable” holster.

My Model 19 S&W snubby rides comfortably in an old Bianchi or DeSantis, in a vintage upside-down Safariland shoulder holster, or in a personally built high-ride belt holster.

Kramer offers a paddle holster that slides on and off and rides outside the pants while anchored to a wide leather paddle reinforced with a thin piece of Kydex. The paddle forms to the body and it’s quite comfortable. A snap strap goes around the belt to hold everything in place.

#4: Quality. Period.

Don’t buy cheap, flimsy holsters. They collapse immediately when the handgun is drawn, and then you cannot easily re-holster, if at all.

When it comes to Kydex, Blade-Tech turns out a good example of a lightweight, tough, inexpensive holster that’s impervious to weather while holding the pistol snug.
When it comes to Kydex, Blade-Tech turns out a good example of a lightweight, tough, inexpensive holster that’s impervious to weather while holding the pistol snug.

A good holster remains open at the top to allow for one-hand re-holstering. This is accomplished frequently by stitching a piece of thin spring steel between two layers of leather at the top around the opening. Holster makers use different approaches, but the result is the same: The holster always remains open.

You should be prepared to pay up to 15 to 20 percent of the price of your handgun for a reliable, high-quality leather holster. My first carry gun was a little Beretta for which I spent about $10 for one of those clip-in soft suede holsters that only some personal modification has saved from the trash bin.

There is a big “however” to this rule. Kydex holsters, or combo Kydex/leather rigs, or even holsters that combine leather and polycarbonate are less expensive, and they are popular, especially with newer-generation armed citizens.

That’s not an insult; it’s simply a fact of life. I prefer leather, others don’t. Rigs from Blade-Tech, CrossBreed, N82 and others meet certain budget limitations. After all, not everyone can afford a $900 defensive sidearm, and thankfully, a lot of manufacturers build quality concealment handguns for much less. The same goes for holster makers.

#5: Subdue The Sweat

The holster should have some sort of sweat shield between the gun and your shirt or skin. This “ear” comes up on the back/inside surface of the holster to prevent, or at least diminish, contact with the gun. It might be a narrow extension, or it might be a couple of inches wide to cover as much of the inside surface of the concealed handgun as possible.

This not only prevents chafing of skin or wear on your shirt, it reduces the likelihood of snagging during a draw. That sweat shield also provides a guide of sorts for re-holstering with one hand when keeping your eye on the target, which is sometimes necessary.

A good IWB rig will have a sweat shield like this to keep the handgun away from the shirt or body.
A good IWB rig will have a sweat shield like this to keep the handgun away from the shirt or body.

What about retention devices? Some holster designs use tension screws to keep the handgun in place, while others utilize a traditional thumb break that comes up over the hammer or rear of a striker-fired pistol.

I’ve found that a good IWB holster will retain the handgun by belt tension and therefore doesn’t need a retention device. And this is a good time to mention belts: Get one that supports your holster. Thin dress belts are no good for concealed carry. Most holster makers also offer belts. If you don’t care for such a belt, I suggest a good Western belt made from decent leather.

Another design feature to look for is how the holster covers the trigger. You want the trigger covered for safety — that should be a given.

Final Draw

Be prepared to shop around before selecting a holster. Pay attention to the little things, such as stitching and how the edges are burnished. A holster is an investment, and you want the best you can afford.

A holster is a critical component of your defensive equipment, and it just might make the difference in a gunfight because, as the late Bill Jordan observed, there’s no such thing as a second-place winner.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the Concealed Carry 2018 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Review: Magnum Research Baby Desert Eagle III 9mm

Magnum Research has delivered a winner with its recent Baby Desert Eagle III in 9mm. It's a rugged, steel-frame gun that proved both accurate and reliable.

Having previously had an opportunity to put the .40-caliber polymer-framed version of the Baby Desert Eagle through its paces early in 2016, when an all-steel version of this pistol in 9mm showed up unexpectedly, I didn’t waste time gathering ammunition and heading to the range. After all, here was a rare opportunity to test two versions of the same pistol, in different calibers, just to see how well they stacked up to one another — and the publicity. What might have been a boring experience the second time around was actually rather revealing.

Magnum Research, owned by Kahr Arms, imports the Baby Desert Eagle. The gun is no lightweight, hitting the scale at 38.6 ounces (unloaded). Out of the box, it feels a bit heavy, but it is a stout pistol that gives the immediate impression that it won’t break when the going gets tough.

Baby Desert Eagle III review - 2This pistol has a 4.52-inch barrel, and it comes with either two 10- or 15-round magazines, depending upon the jurisdiction. My test piece had the 15-rounders, and both feature steel bodies with bright red synthetic followers and black synthetic floorplates. They can be disassembled easily for cleaning.

Baby Desert Eagle III review - 3The steel frame in this double/single-action pistol features an integral accessory rail ahead of the trigger guard. The thin polymer grip panels are held in place with a single screw, and they are textured on the rear for a firm hold. The front strap is grooved to enhance the grip, and the squared trigger guard has grooves and is sized large enough for use while wearing gloves.

The rear of the frame features an ample beavertail that some might suggest is a bit long. In my opinion, this absolutely precludes the possibility of the slide biting your gun hand during a cycle, and anybody who has ever suffered such a pinch will appreciate that.

For all intents and purposes, this Baby Desert Eagle version is a “Desert Eagle” in name only. While visually similar to the original legendary pistol, when you tear it apart, it is a rather conventional semi-auto internally, and it spits out lead with the best of them.

Baby Desert Eagle III Review - 4Takedown is remarkably simple. Pair two small dots at the rear of the slide and frame, pop out the slide stop/release (right to left) and the slide and barrel come forward off the frame. The barrel can then be removed for a full cleaning. It all goes back together by reversing the steps.

I will say this up front: Be sure to clean the shipping oils from the rails and other surfaces, and add a good lubricant to the rails before shooting. Ditto, add a couple of drops of oil to the full-length recoil spring guide. I had a single malfunction on the third shot that was my fault for simply giving the gun a good surface wipe without making sure the rails and guide rod were properly lubed, but a drop or two of Outers gun oil had it running like a sports car in short order with both FMJ and JHP rounds from Black Hills, SIG Sauer and Browning.

Baby Desert Eagle III Review - 5Fitted with low profile three-dot sights dovetailed on the front and rear of the slide, my test pistol shot a bit low at 10 and 25 yards, but not so much that I worried about how it might perform in a gunfight. It’s worth noting that my earlier experience with the polymer-framed model also saw it shooting a bit low.

My groups, fired from a sandbag rest, were fairly consistent with the exception of a flyer here and there, regardless of the bullet weight and type. The pistol seemed to like 124-grain bullets best, although I did get some decent results with Browning’s heavier practice and street ammunition.

Thanks to its weight, the recoil of the 9mm ammunition was easily manageable. And some of that ammunition was pretty zippy. The hottest load out of this pistol was the 115-grain SIG Sauer FMJ, averaging 1,248 fps, and right behind it was the 124-grain Black Hills JHP crossing the screens at an average of 1,239 fps. The 115-grain SIG JHP moved out at 1,210 fps, and the 124-grain SIG JHP left the muzzle at 1,178 fps. Browning’s 147-grain BPX JHP clocked in at 1,076 fps, while the Browning 147-grain FMJ moved out slightly faster at 1,094 fps. That’s going to get anyone’s undivided attention.

Baby Desert Eagle III revie - 6At 12 yards, all of these rounds grouped within 2½ inches, and while I was shooting, I focused my attention on some chunks of broken clay targets at the 25 yard line, and either broke them smaller or came close enough to put the hurt on a larger target.

While I found the double-action trigger squeeze to be a bit of a stretch in my average-sized hand, once the pistol went to single action, it was far more comfortable. There was a bit of creep, but once I got used to it, it really didn’t affect marksmanship.

Baby Desert Eagle III review - 7Like many 9mm pistols that seem to be based on the inside-the-frame CZ 75 design, the Baby Desert Eagle has a slide-mounted decocker/safety that is positioned where the rear cocking serrations are located. This makes for a bit of an awkward cycling of the slide, but one gets used to it. The pistol functions when the lever is in the “up” position, and it is safe with the lever down.

Though not as light as its polymer-framed sibling, the all-steel model in 9mm is a comfortable shooter, and for someone looking for a tough, full-size pistol of modern design in that caliber, this one might be a good choice. It may take some handgunners a bit of getting used to, but at the end of the day, this import will seem right at home.

Specifications:

Magnum Research Baby Desert Eagle III
Action: Semi-auto, DA/SA
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 4.52 in.
Weight: 38.6 oz.
Overall Length: 8.25 in.
Slide: Steel finished in black oxide
Frame: Steel
Safety: Slide-mounted, safety/decocker
Sights: Low profile three dot fixed
Capacity: 10 or 15 rounds
MSRP: $646.00
Manufacturer: BUL Ltd.
Importer: Magnum Research/Kahr Arms

Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from the Summer 2017 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Have Gun, Will Travel – Considerations for Traveling with Firearms

Concealed carry and traveling with firearms.

If you’re planning a trip and want to carry a gun, here’s what you need to know about packing state to state.

Planning a trip? Taking a gun? Before you head off down the road, make sure your itinerary doesn’t include a trip to jail. Your license to carry may be good in a lot of places, while in other places it doesn’t mean diddly. So make sure you learn as much as you can before traveling with firearms.

The past few years have seen an expansion of what is commonly known as state reciprocity for concealed pistol licenses or carry permits. But that doesn’t mean this is a universal phenomenon, and keep in mind that if you are planning to carry in another state, you will be carrying under that state’s laws. What may be legal in your home state might not be legal where you visit.

Before heading down the road, brush up on the laws in the state where you are heading and any states in between through which you may be traveling.

Places to Avoid

Let’s get this out of the way up front: There are some places travelers may wish to avoid. According to the popular Handgunlaw.us website, states that do not honor anyone’s carry license or permit include California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, plus the territories of American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Northern Marianas Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Many activists who focus on “universal recognition/reciprocity” figure it this way: If these states or territories don’t recognize your right to self-defense within their borders, they don’t deserve a penny of your money.

As of this writing, there had been a reciprocity/recognition bill passed in Oregon, but the governor had not yet signed the measure. Things may change in the Beaver State, so keep an eye on that one.

There are several other states that honor out-of-state licenses and permits, provided they are held by residents of those states. That is, people who have obtained the widely touted Utah or Florida permits get no recognition if they are not residents of either Florida or Utah.

A growing number of states—Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont—honor all licenses, but again, the non-resident carries in those states under the laws of those states.

And then there is Vermont, where there has never been a license to carry other than your driver’s license. The downside to being from Vermont is that your state driver’s license will allow you to carry in only three other states: Alaska, Arizona, and Oklahoma. Since the state does not issue licenses or permits, there’s no Vermont document any other state can really honor.

Thirty states have non-resident permits or licenses; that is, a non-resident of a state may obtain a carry license for that state—this is what has made the Utah and Florida licenses so popular—that they are recognized by other states. For example, non-Washington residents can get an Evergreen State concealed pistol license that is valid in 25 states at this writing. A Virginia non-resident license is valid in 28 states, while the Utah permit is recognized in 31 states. Oregon only issues non-resident permits to residents of states that border Oregon: Washington, Idaho, California, and Nevada, but the permit is valid in 20 states.

Requirements for obtaining a non-resident permit vary depending upon the state to which one applies. Florida, for example, will issue permits by mail to people who meet the requirements. On the other hand, one must apply in person in Pennsylvania. Other states require applicants to either be employed in the state or own property.

There are two resources the frequent traveler should consult. One is a little booklet called the “Traveler’s Guide to the Firearms Laws of the Fifty States,” which is updated annually, and the other is the aforementioned Handgunlaw.us. The latter is updated frequently as things may change, sometimes at a moment’s notice—and they do that occasionally—and it is important that the armed vacationer/traveler brush up before heading down the highway or out to the airport. The “Traveler’s Guide” features one-page summaries of the laws and is a popular publication among people who may summer in one state and winter in another.

Frankly, the Handgunlaw.us website is quite possibly the best resource there is for the armed traveler. Books can only be updated every so often, while an online site is far more up to date. There is one page on this site that has a concealed carry reciprocity guide, which is also available from the Second Amendment Foundation (Saf.org).

A less reliable resource is an Internet gun forum, and there are scores of these on which people can uncover all levels of knowledge, from accurate to pure supposition. Don’t risk a vacation or business trip by relying on advice from somebody who might call himself the “gun dude” on a chat forum.

There is something else I discovered when researching this article. Handgunlaw.us isn’t afraid of ruffling feathers. Each state has it’s own page on the website, and the one for Delaware had a notation that was rather blunt: “Over the years the Delaware Attorney General has listed states on their website that they actually didn’t honor or stating there was a reciprocity agreement when one didn’t exist. Use caution when reading anything on the DE Attorney General’s website as it has listed inaccurate information over the years when it comes to who they honor and who honors them.” Take that critique to heart and be forewarned.

Common Sense when Traveling with Firearms

When the author is in unfriendly environs, he locks his unloaded pistol in a console vault. Notice there is no loaded magazine in there with the gun.
When the author is in unfriendly environs, he locks his unloaded pistol in a console vault. Notice there is no loaded magazine in there with the gun.

Common sense should always prevail, but it is amazing—if not embarrassing—that some people just don’t get it. Sometimes I wonder if they’re willfully ignorant. With somewhere in the neighborhood of 11-12 million legally licensed citizens across the U.S., it is incumbent upon these people to know the laws about concealed carry where they are going to be spending time. Ignorance is no excuse, and there have been cases—most notoriously in New York and New Jersey—in which law-abiding citizens who didn’t pay attention wound up in serious legal trouble.

How many times a year do we read about somebody who gets stopped at the security checkpoint at an airport with a gun in their carry-on luggage? This is unforgivably stupid because there has been so much publicity about it over the years. Nobody can claim ignorance of this prohibition, and even if someone is not criminally charged, chances are good they’re never going to see their firearm again. Before you head to the airport, check the contents of your carry-on bag. No knives, no guns, no ammunition, no problems.

If you do travel by air with firearms, as I have done many times, follow the rules: Guns must be unloaded and locked in hard-sided cases. Handgun cases will be inside of your luggage, and your suitcase should also be locked. Notify the ticket agent when you check in at the airport, get your luggage checked through by a TSA agent, and go about your business. Not so difficult.

Years ago, I bought a handy little Doskocil lockable handgun case that has traveled thousands of miles with me all over the place. It takes two small padlocks and easily fits inside my checked luggage.

If you drive and your route takes you through some states where your license or permit isn’t welcome, before crossing that state line make sure your handgun is unloaded and locked away. That’s another place where the locked gun case comes in handy.

A few years ago, I installed a locking safe in the console of my truck. I have the combination and don’t share it. When the pistol is inside, it’s not immediately available to anybody. These things are handy and can prevent theft when you might have to leave a pistol in your rig. Never lock up a loaded gun. While traveling, make sure the ammunition is separated from the firearm.

I have carried concealed in several states, including Michigan, Florida, Montana, Idaho, Virginia, Arizona, and Alaska. Those experiences taught me one thing over all others: Carry discreetly. That is, concealed means concealed. Nobody in your presence should know you are armed. Translate that to mean your out-of-state carry piece should be a handgun that will not be noticeable under a cover garment. People who are compelled to carry their hardware in such a manner that they let everybody within eyesight know they are packing just might have a maturity or ego problem. The last thing an armed citizen should want is to be the center of attention. You’re carrying for personal protection, not an ego stroke. This is particularly true if you are in a different state.

Interacting with Police

There are a handful of states in which the attitude of some armed citizens can land them in very hot water. This has to do with a legal requirement that you immediately notify a law enforcement officer if you are armed.

Also check out, Deadly Force: Understanding Your Right to Self Defense. This guide, by Massad Ayoob, will help you understand the legal and ethical issues concerning the use of lethal force by armed citizens.
Also check out, Deadly Force: Understanding Your Right to Self Defense. This guide, by Massad Ayoob, will help you understand the legal and ethical issues concerning the use of lethal force by armed citizens.

I did a quick perusal of the states at Handgunlaw.us and found at least six with this provision: Louisiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas. If you are carrying in any of these states and have any interaction with police or sheriff’s deputies, such as a traffic stop, you need to tell them right up front you’re licensed to carry and are armed. Now, if you drive within the speed limit, don’t engage in any really foolish highway maneuvers and behave yourself in public, you’ll lower the odds of having that kind of interaction. Stay off your cell phone and don’t text while driving down the road, and don’t litter.

If you do interact with police, don’t become the jerk in the latest YouTube video telling an officer about your constitutional rights. The odds of having a rotten experience in a different state increase exponentially with every rise in the decibel level.

Another thing to watch for in a state you may be visiting are signs telling you that no firearms are allowed on the premises. In most states, this is a given in such places as federal government buildings, including ranger stations and visitor centers, any courthouse or school building, police stations, jails, hospitals, mental institutions, sports stadiums and private business establishments that are well-posted, including hotels. In some states, such signs have the force of law, while in others they do not.

When traveling with firearms it is also incumbent to check out state laws about carrying in certain establishments, especially restaurants where alcohol is served. Each state’s laws about this are slightly different, and you definitely need to be on top of this one because road trips almost always involve at least one or two stops to eat. One rule to always follow: Don’t drink alcohol if you are armed. This is not debatable, especially if you are in another state where the law just might be different than back home.

This article is adapted from the July 31, 2015 Concealed Carry issue of Gun Digest the Magazine. Click here to download the full issue.

Gun Review: .223 Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle

Ruger .556 Scout Rifle Review.

The Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle, a concept envisioned by Col. Jeff Cooper, is reintroduced as a do-it-all shooter in another versatile caliber.

The 16.1-inch barrel wears a flash hider that comes off, making room for other barrel attachments. Notice the black blade front sight that is well protected. Author photo
The 16.1-inch barrel wears a flash hider that comes off, making room for other barrel attachments. Notice the black blade front sight that is well protected. Author photo

Consider this: After getting a rough zero through an extended eye relief scope mounted on Ruger’s new version of the Gunsite Scout rifle chambered in .223 Remington, I leveled it at a couple of clay trap targets at 200 yards and what I didn’t hit, the misses were so close as to be negligible had I been shooting at a coyote or anything bigger.

That’s one very good rifle. Originally introduced in .308 Winchester, as the late Col. Jeff Cooper envisioned this concept, the Scout, as Cooper dubbed his rifle, is a short-action model on which a long eye relief scope is mounted just ahead of the action. It was and remains a good idea, but just because the original concept was a .30-caliber model doesn’t mean that is chiseled in stone.

Find Out More About Ruger Firearms

Let’s be honest. The .223 Rem. isn’t my first choice for a defensive or offensive rifle caliber, but it’s not too shabby for urban challenges or rural survival. It shoots flat and accurately, has very light recoil, ammunition can be found just about anywhere, and somebody who knows what he’s doing can neck-break deer-sized game all day with the right load. Against predators, the .223 is devastating, and I doubt anyone could give a reasonable estimate on the number of prairie dogs, rock chucks and other varmints that have been put away with those little bullets. It has also been proven in combat as a fight stopper.

Ruger Gunsite Review

The Scout Rifle Concept

My test model had a matte black finish on the 16.1-inch medium contour barrel and receiver, a single 10-round magazine that proved itself to be tough as nails, a black laminate stock with QD sling swivel studs and a straight comb and a Mini-14-style protected-post front sight and adjustable ghost ring rear.

That rear sight may be removed to mount a scope in the conventional over-the-action position, and Ruger supplied the rings to accomplish that task. They fit into the integral scope mounts that are machined into the steel receiver. There are a total of four models: black matte and stainless are available for both left- and right-handed shooters.

The one-piece stainless steel bolt contrasts handsomely with the matte black finish, and the bolt head is smooth to allow for fast cycling. Ruger designers also included a three-position safety that works smoothly with a positive click. It also comes with a Picatinny-style rail mounted ahead of the action, holding true to Cooper’s original concept.

The barrel is cut with six lands and grooves on a 1:8 right-hand twist and ends with a flash suppressor. The flash suppressor can be removed, exposing the ½-inch 28 threads so other accessories can be mounted. Overall, the rifle hits the scale at just over 7 pounds. That may seem on the heavy side, especially among folks who like the AR-type platform to launch .223 Rem. bullets, but this is one tough little bolt-action carbine that could survive a catastrophe and still deliver the goods. It bounced around in my pickup for a few days while driving off road and was no worse for wear.

Ruger mounted a nice, thick, soft rubber recoil pad on the butt and supplies three 1/2-inch spacers to adjust the stock to an individual’s length of pull preference, from 123⁄4 inches to 141⁄4 inches. That puts the overall length from 37 to 381⁄2 inches. It’s also got a tough glass-reinforced trigger guard and Mini-14-type paddle magazine release, and the stock is checkered on the curved grip and forend.

Out-of-the Box Accuracy

The black laminate stock is rugged and appears to have something of an urban camo appearance. Ruger fits this rifle with a thick recoil pad. Author photo
The black laminate stock is rugged and appears to have something of an urban camo appearance. Ruger fits this rifle with a thick recoil pad. Author photo

During my first range session, I used the metallic sights exclusively. Right out of the box, I put several rounds into the X-ring in tight little groups. That got my attention, so I stuck on a Bushnell long-eye relief scope I’ve had for a couple of years, returned to the range, did a rough adjustment at close range and knowing how flat the .223 shoots, put the crosshairs on a couple of clays that someone had stuck in the sand on the 200-yard berm.

Cracking those clays came as a bit of a surprise, even with a flat-shooting round like the .223. I wish I’d had a more powerful scope on the rifle just to see how precise I could make those 200-yard shots.

On a couple of occasions, when chambering a fresh round, it did feel as though the cartridge hung up a bit, but I’ll chalk that up to the newness of the rifle.

The rest of the time, it ran like a Benz. It has a Mauser-type controlled round feed extractor and fixed blade ejector. Trigger let-off in my test gun was crisp and clean. I could not detect any creep. Off a sandbag rest, the Scout was as steady a platform as any rifle I’ve ever fired, including my personal guns.

What exactly is Ruger’s Gunsite Scout rifle? It’s a serious tool, not some toy for would-be zombie killers. Capable of 200-yard accuracy with the bare minimum of scope fine-tuning, this should be welcomed by anyone who likes the Scout concept but favors the far lighter recoil of the .223 round. In an emergency, one could be in far worse shape than to be equipped with the Ruger Gunsite Scout in .223/5.56mm. This rifle could easily ride around in the back of a pickup or SUV, or in a saddle scabbard, and it would be ready for action at a moment’s notice.

Ruger Scout Review. Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle
Caliber:    .223 Rem. / 5.56mm
Action:    Bolt action
Receiver:    Alloy steel
BARREL:    16-in. matte black alloy steel
magazine:    10-round detachable
sights:    Adjustable ghost ring rear, post front
stock:    Black laminate
Weight:    7.1 lbs.
overall Length:    37-38.5 in.
SRP:    $1,039
website:    ruger.com

This article appeared in the November 20, 2014 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.


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Fight-Stopping Self-Defense Ammo

Winchester W Train Defend Review.

These top personal protection loads can make a difference, self-defense ammo choices well worth your consideration.

Winchester W Train Defend Review. Winchester W Train & Defend

Winchester has a series of W Train & Defend ammunition that offers ballistically matched loads for training and for carry or defensive use. The Defend loads utilize hollow point loads with the same point of impact as the lighter recoiling full metal jacket Train loads. W Train & Defend ammunition is offered in a 95-grain .380 ACP, 147-grain 9mm, 180-grain .40 S&W and a 130-grain .38 Special. Look for the Big Red W to roll out a .45 ACP load for the line in 2015. (winchester.com)

 

Self-defense ammo, Remington HTP review.Remington High Terminal Performance

Remington has a line called High Terminal Performance, which has been developed to deliver immediate stopping power. There are two selections in this family for the .38 Special, five choices in .357 Mag., two offerings in .40 S&W, a pair of .44 Magnums, two more in .45 ACP and one each in .45 Colt and .41 Mag. (remington.com)

 

Self-defense ammo, Black Hills pistol.Black Hills Ammunition .45 ACP

Whether it’s a classic 1911 pistol or a new polymer striker-fired design, .45 ACP has a lot of fans out there because of the stopping power it delivers. For those fans, Black Hills Ammunition’s premium offerings boast a long list of options for the cherished caliber. Loadings include a 185-grain jacketed hollow point, a 230-grain jacketed hollow point, a 230-grain jacketed hollow point +P and a 185-grain Barnes Tax-XP bullet with a +P loading. For range time, they also offer a 200-grain match-grade semi-wadcutter and a 230-grain FMJ. (black-hills.com)

 

Self-defense ammo, Federal Premium Shotgun.Federal Premium Personal Defense Shotgun

Federal has shotgun loads for 12- and 20-gauge home defense. In 12-gauge, you’ll find one load in No. 4 buckshot and another in 00 buck. In 20-gauge, there’s a 2¾-inch load of No. 4 buck. The .410 offerings include both 2½- and 3-inch shells, including a pair with 000 buckshot and others with No. 4 buck. (federalpremium.com)

 

Self-defense ammo, Black Hills HPR.HPR Black Ops

New from HPR is the Black Ops ammunition line offering three handgun calibers. It includes a 9mm load with an 85-grain bullet, a .40 S&W topped by a 105-grain pill and a .45 ACP featuring a 150-grainer. All of these projectiles are lead-free Open Tipped Frangibles that deliver maximum punch to the target. There’s also a Black Ops rifle load in .223 Rem. that boasts a 62-grain bullet that leaves the muzzle at a reported 3,021 fps out of a 24-inch barrel. (hprammo.com)

This article also appeared in the November 20, 2014 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Sig Enters Defensive Ammo Biz

Sig Defensive Ammo.

Exciting news as Sig – one of the big players in firearms – rolls out their own line of defensive ammo.

There was big news during the past few months from SIG Sauer with the introduction of their own line of Elite Performance handgun ammunition. It’s available in several popular calibers, all featuring the new SIG V-Crown jacketed hollowpoint. This ammunition is available in five introductory calibers and grain weights.

According to SIG, the lineup includes a .380 ACP with a 90-grain pill clocking a reported 980 fps at the muzzle, a 9mm topped by a 124-grain projectile scooting out at 1,189 fps and a .357 SIG pushing a 125-grainer at a sizzling 1,356 fps.

Up the ladder from there is a 165-grain pill in .40 S&W that leaves the muzzle at a reported 1,090 fps and naturally there’s a .45 ACP load that launches a 200-grain JHP at 918 fps.

Gun Digest has learned that there will be five more bullet weights in three calibers, 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP, and the line will quickly be expanding to include tactical and hunting rifle ammunition, the first of which will be a .300 Blackout load. (sigsauer.com)

This news brief appeared in the August 28, 2014 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.


deadly-forceRecommended:

Deadly Force: Understanding Your Right to Self Defense

In this timely rewrite of the world’s most authoritative work on the topic, In the Gravest Extreme, Massad Ayoob utilizes an extra thirty years of experience to discuss the ideas and issues surrounding the armed citizens’ rules of engagement.  Learn more

Glock 42 Review: Smaller May Be Better

An impressive performer, the Glock 42 sets the bar high for other .380 ACP pistols.

What makes the Glock 42 a good carry gun:

  • Single-stack makes it easy to conceal.
  • Lightweight, the pistol is comfortable to carry all day.
  • 6+1 capacity provides ample firepower for most defensive situations.
  • .380 ACP ammunition is more formidable than ever.
  • The G42 digests nearly every load without a hiccup.
  • Despite short sight radius, pistol proves consistantly accurate.

Legions of American shooters have warmed up to the Glock striker-fired pistol platform over the past three decades but it could never quite get my juices flowing because of the rather square look and the grip frame simply didn’t fit my hand.

The Glock G42 has a traditional post front sight.
The Glock G42 has a traditional post front sight.

Now along comes the dandy little pocket-sized G42, a model chambered for the .380 ACP with a single-stack profile, and it’s gotten my attention. A pal of mine who is a reserve police officer rounded one up for an evaluation as a personal backup gun, and he let me run it through its paces. Long story short, I’m really impressed, and that comes from a guy who doesn’t really care so much for striker-fired semi-autos, as I tend to prefer the looks of a Model 1911 and its clones.

But those are .45-caliber guns and this is a .380, a classic cartridge that has been chambered in some of the most popular pistol models, including my dad’s Model 1934 Beretta, the legendary Walther PPK and the Colt Model 1908. In today’s lineup, one still finds the PPK, along with the Ruger LCP, Sig Sauer P238, Kahr P380, Colt Mustang Lite, Smith & Wesson Bodyguard and others chambered for the cartridge.

Glock Reviews You Need To Read

Bad news for all of those guns, the Glock 42 is going to give them some very stiff competition. Glock’s slim-line subcompact has already become very popular in a short time, and like other suddenly popular pistols, the gunmaker has had to race to keep up with demand. Models aren’t sitting on store shelves very long.

Brass Tacks Of The G42

For my test, the piece proved itself a sizzler right out of the box. It liked Remington UMC and American Eagle ammunition, and it loved 85-grain Winchester Silvertips, though I had some trouble with Black Hills 90-grain JHPs when it came to feeding. However, as far as accuracy goes, all four of those loads went where I wanted them to go. I’m not entirely certain what was up with the Black Hills load, because I’ve had tremendous results with their ammunition over the years.

Rear sight of the G42 is dovetailed and has a white outline square notch. Notice the upper rear of the frame and the nice beavertail effect. Author photos
Rear sight of the Glock G42 is dovetailed and has a white outline square notch. Notice the upper rear of the frame and the nice beavertail effect. Author photos

The Glock G42 holds a six-round magazine and in a tight spot by the time the ammunition is gone, you’ve gotten someone’s attention. The magazine is not tough to load, as are some single-stack models when the last couple of cartridges need to go in. I was particularly pleased that the pistol is less than an inch wide on the slide and is less than six inches in length. It hits the scale at 14.36 ounces loaded, and it goes virtually unnoticeable when carried in the pocket of a down vest or parka.

Proven Safe Action

Like all of its larger siblings, the G42 has Glock’s proven safe action, and I was really impressed with the trigger. Once I had the uptake down pat, the trigger broke crisp and that helped me not only plug away at Shoot-N-C targets, but also bits of broken clay targets, a couple of sticks and one empty plastic water bottle.

The Glock 42 has the earmarks of a great hideout gun, sized right for carry in a holster of my undershirt genre, the so-called “tuckable” (a term I personally detest, but I’ll get over it). It will also tuck in an ankle holster or a pocket holster, and as noted earlier, it easily slides into a pocket without a holster. I’ll hazard a guess that by the time you read this, every major holster maker in the country will be knocking IWB (inside waist band) rigs together for this gun, whether leather, nylon or Kydex, and if they’re not, they are going to be behind the curve because I think Glock is going to sell a boatload of these pistols, and not just because of favorable reviews.

Today’s modern ammunition will make the G42 rock, so nobody should worry about those tales of anemic .380 ACP performances. Modern propellants and bullet designs makes this cartridge a rather formidable little number at gunfighting range, and nobody should discount it for defensive purposes. The cartridge is one of those old-timers that simply won’t die, and it goes through cyclic resurgences when a new generation of shooters seems to rediscover it for its close-up defensive potential. Such is the potential this G42 proposes to create.

Glock’s new G42 in .380 ACP is a winner for concealed carry.
Glock’s new G42 in .380 ACP is a winner for concealed carry.

Winchester’s 85-grain Silver Tip averaged 911.6 fps out of the muzzle, while the 95-grain American Eagle FMJ crossed the screens averaging 870.2 fps. The Remington UMC 95-grain range ammo averaged 848.7 fps and the Black Hills 90-grain JHP clocked a rather surprising 833.7 fps, which seemed a bit slow. I corresponded with Black Hills’ Jeff Hoffman about this and it surprised him, too, since not long ago I’d used the same ammunition in a different .380-caliber pistol without so much as a hiccup. I’m going to chalk it up as one of those little unexplainable mysteries and keep shooting the same ammo.

The G42 tears down likeother Glocks and goes back together the same way. I had no trouble breaking it into its components for a quick cleaning.

Glock 42 Accuracy

Glock designers gave the G42 a 3.25-inch barrel, which is pretty average for small pistols of this caliber. With a sight radius of 4.92 inches, the Glock 42 maintains accuracy rather consistently, which is all anyone could ask for from a purely defensive handgun. This is not designed for precision target work, though I’ll gamble that someone who spends time with this gun on the range and finds the perfect load would likely be able to pot a rabbit or two in an emergency.

The single stack magazine is the foundation of the gun’s slim profile. Author photo
The single stack magazine is the foundation of the gun’s slim profile. Author photo

People laugh at me occasionally for suggesting that a defensive handgun might double as a dinner provider, but I know other guys who have used handguns for just such a purpose. If you can hit something as small as a bunny in the noggin, you will be able to hit something considerably larger.

Speaking of the sights, the rear is dovetailed into the slide with a white outline square notch, and the front is pinned with a visible white dot. If I were to buy this gun, I’d consider swapping for a set of tritium sights.

Ejection of spent cases is positive and they tinkled rather well on the cement floor of the shooting shack, about three feet to my right rear. Another thing about the G42 that I found pleasing is the beavertail rear profile of the polymer frame. You’re not going to pinch the flesh between thumb and index finger unless you get sloppy with your hold.

Glock packages this pistol in a handy hard plastic case that has egg carton padding inside, along with a lock and spare magazine. While Glock has a couple of other .380 ACP pistols that are European-made, the Glock 42 is the only one available to private citizens in this country because it is made here. The others are offered to civilian law enforcement only.

Like other Glock models, the G42 is easy to field strip for cleaning. Author photo
Like other Glock models, the G42 is easy to field strip for cleaning. Author photo

Anyone shopping for a concealed carry gun will want to give the Glock 42 a look. It’s a great compact .380 option and is sure to find a warm spot in the hearts of pocket pistol aficionados everywhere.

Glock 42 Specs

Caliber: .380 ACP
Capacity: 6
Magazines: Spare included
Barrel: 3.25 inches
Sights: White dot
Frame: Polymer
Slide: Steel
Length: 5.94 inches
Height: 4.13 inches
Weight: 13.76 ounces unloaded
Rifling: Right hand, hexagonal
MSRP: $400

Editor's Note:This article appeared in the 2014 Special Concealed Carry Issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.


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Glock 41 Review: This Glock Rocks

Glock-41-Review-Lead

The new G41 Gen4 pistol gets everything out of the .45 ACP cartridge, and then some.

Stripped down, the G41 Gen 4 is a basic Glock with simple components. It tears down fast and goes back together just as fast. Author Photo
Stripped down, the G41 Gen 4 is a basic Glock with simple components. It tears down fast and goes back together just as fast. Author Photo

Not long ago, a pal of mine got hold of a G41 Gen4 to evaluate as a duty sidearm, and when he showed the pistol to me, I have to admit I was intrigued. It looks like a Glock. It functions like a Glock. It has that low slide profile like a Glock. It’s a Glock!

Ahhh, but it shoots like the proverbial house on fire. Get used to the trigger and pretty soon you’ll be bouncing a tin can around at 25 yards with 230-grain ball launched from a pistol that holds 13 rounds in the magazine. That is darned near twice the capacity of the original Model 1911, and find yourself in a gunfight and you‘ll definitely like that math.

Glock Reviews You Need To Read

Some folks have said this is a lot like a longer-barreled version of the G21 Gen4, but that’s not entirely accurate. It definitely has a thinner profile, and I like that.

I seriously tried to screw with this pistol by using all kinds of ammunition, which it cycled without fail.

The rounds I finally settled on for the range evaluation performed without a hiccup. By the time the dust had settled, I had a new respect for a sidearm that is very likely going to find its way into duty holsters all over the landscape. My guess is that the G41 Gen4 is going to acquit itself rather well on the mean streets.

Unloaded, this pistol weighs 27 ounces and loaded, it hits the scale at 36 ounces. Now, here’s where the longer barrel and slide profile make a real difference. There is more weight forward that balances well against a fully-loaded magazine, which makes for a better feel in the hand, improved recovery after each shot for quick follow-ups if necessary and the 7.56-inch sight radius contributes to more consistent accuracy.

Glock 41 Review: In the Hand

Cartridges line up perfectly with the Glock’s feed ramp. Author Photo
Cartridges line up perfectly with the Glock’s feed ramp. Author Photo

Recoil is extremely manageable, thanks in large part to the weight and to the double recoil spring setup. That soaks up a lot of punch, and your hands will benefit as a result. The polymer grip frame is textured all the way around, even in the front finger grooves.

Translate this to a positive hold even in a Pacific Northwest rainstorm, which is what I shoot in more often than I care. That’s one thing about Washington, if you want to test a gun in the rain, you’ll get the chance. Just go outside and wait.

According to Glock’s website, this pistol has a 5.5-pound trigger pull with a 0.49-inch travel, but it also has a very short reset. I found this rather appealing and managed to plug a couple of targets repeatedly before turning my attention to some broken chunks of clay targets, turning a few of those into even smaller particles.

Stripping down this pistol goes like it does with every other Glock. Clear the chamber, drop the magazine, check clear, press trigger and move the takedown control and off comes the slide. A good aerosol cleaner will get the Glock clean inside and then you can quickly reassemble for a return to shooting action.

Added Features

The G41 points well aided by a perfect grip from the interchangeable grip adapters. Author Photo
The G41 points well aided by a perfect grip from the interchangeable grip adapters. Author Photo

Like so many pistols today, the G41 Gen4 has an accessory rail molded into the polymer frame ahead of the trigger guard. One of the main reasons this pistol got my attention was because it comes with interchangeable grip adapters that may be installed to let users tailor the pistol to their hand size.

To install, simply pop out the small pin at the top of the grip backstrap, slide on one of the four adjustment sections and then tap in a longer retention pin to hold the additional piece in place. The whole operation takes less than a minute.

Two of these grip adjusters have full beavertails and two do not, sized instead to marry up to the backstrap below the top rear of the frame.

In addition, the pistol comes with a magazine loader, rugged case and lock, and a synthetic cleaning rod and brush. It’s an impressive package.

Ammo Test

Out of the G41, the Black Hills 230-grain FMJ scooted across my chronograph at an average of 760.9 fps, a bit on the slow side, but not so much that I’m going to be concerned, though it did prove to be the slowest round of the bunch I chronographed.

The author cut loose with a mixed magazine of test ammo from Remington, Winchester and Black Hills, at a fast pace at 15 yards. Author Photo
The author cut loose with a mixed magazine of test ammo from Remington, Winchester and Black Hills, at a fast pace at 15 yards. Author Photo

Next up, Remington’s UMC 230-grain leadless range ammo clocked at 787 fps, and it was a consistently accurate round. Coming in next was the Remington 230-grain Golden Saber JHP with its brass jacket. This load averaged 829.9 fps, which is right in the ballpark for any bullet of that weight. I carry Golden Sabers occasionally in my personal .45, and have never had a concern about their performance.

Winchester’s 230-grain JHP Personal Protection load averaged 854.9 fps, and that’s not bad for a hollowpoint, either. The G41 seemed to like this cartridge, it fed well and I broke up a couple of busted clay targets at 25 yards off a makeshift rest, so it’s going to deliver the goods if you do your part.

For those who like sizzle, Remington’s 185-grain JHP zipped out of the muzzle at 1,047 fps average. It got my attention, and the 185-grain pill out of any .45-caliber semi-auto I’ve ever fired turns in impressive ballistics.

Now, for those who like a rugged, reliable striker-fired pistol in .45 ACP with a long sight radius, serious firepower and the capacity to digest every kind of ammunition on the shelf, I think you will be pleased with the Glock G41 Gen4. It is a pistol that has a bright future in dark places.

Glock G41 Gen 4
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 13+1
Magazines: One 13-round
Barrel: 5.31”
Sights: White dot front, white bracket rear
Frame: Matte polymer
Slide: Tenifer
Length: 8.9”
Height: 5.47”
Weight: 27 oz. unloaded/36 oz. loaded
Options: Interchangeable backstraps, magazine loader, cleaning rod and brush, case
MSRP:    $775

This article is excerpted from the May 15 2014 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.


Learn More About Glock Options

Gun Review: Shooting the Taurus CTG29

Taurus CTG29 Review.

In this Taurus CTG29 review, the author found the carbine to be both fun and ideal for home defense.

Chambered in both 9mm and .40 S&W, the newly released Taurus CTG29 carbine is a combination of rugged synthetics and alloy steel that seems tough enough for all kinds of endeavors, from tactical competitions to plinking and home defense.

The Taurus CTG29 carbine is chambered for the 9mm and the .40 S&W  cartridges, and is a combination of alloy steel and synthetic that should be right at home in tough climates. Easy to field strip, the CTG29 comes apart pretty much like an AR-type rifle.
The Taurus CTG29 carbine is chambered for the 9mm and the .40 S&W cartridges, and is a combination of alloy steel and synthetic that should be right at home in tough climates. Easy to field strip, the CTG29 comes apart pretty much like an AR-type rifle.

Hitting the scale at 6.6 pounds empty, this new semi-automatic carbine has a full-length Picatinny-type rail on top with detachable front and rear high-profile sights, ambidextrous safety switch, a pair of 10-round detachable magazines, 16-inch barrel and synthetic skeleton stock. The rear sight is adjustable for windage and elevation, and features both peep and square notch with white outline apertures.

The carbine also comes with a sling and rugged hard carrying case with interior foam padding, plus a hefty cable lock for security. You will also find a cable cleaning tool with brush and slotted patch jag.

The case has four latches and may be locked for travel.

The CTG29 features a straight blowback-operated system and fires from a closed bolt position. The cocking handle is on the left side of the gun ahead of the main receiver, above the barrel when it arrives, but it is reversible to allow charging with the right hand instead. As a right-handed shooter, I just left it where it was.

There is also a molded rail at the bottom of the forend handguard, which is designed for mounting additional rails on either right or left side. I have never seen the need for tricking out an urban carbine with all kinds of accessories. They add weight to the firearm and it is not clear what other tactical advantage that they provide.

Rear sight is adjustable for windage and elevation, and features both a square notch and peep apertures.
Rear sight is adjustable for windage and elevation, and features both a square notch and peep apertures.

One might fit a laser on one side and a flashlight on the other for work in the dark or subdued light, of course, because a lot of shooters utilize those things.

Because of the weight of this carbine, recoil is negligible to non-existent. I fired a fair amount of ammunition through one of two test rifles, and frankly, I cannot recall noticing any recoil at all. It’s probably comparable to a .22 Long Rifle semi-auto, though certainly louder.

One thing I noticed after several rapid-fire drills was that the breech and muzzle smoked pretty well. That may be a result of different propellants in the ammunition I used.

Out to 100 Yards

Because the 9mm and .40 S&W are capable of longer-range effectiveness, it would not be out of the realm of good sense to shoot at a target out to 100 yards, and since mounting a scope is possible with the new Taurus, it will not be surprising to see someone do this.

Disassembly is accomplished by sliding out (from right to left) the rear-retaining pin that holds the top end of the receiver to the bottom. The top pivots forward as on an AR platform, and the bolt assembly is withdrawn at the rear.

Front sight is a simple post with white dot protected by a synthetic ring.
Front sight is a simple post with white dot protected by a synthetic ring.

My test gun was chambered for the 9mm round, and the gun went along with me on an early October big game scouting trek in central Washington’s Cascades. It rode around on some pretty bumpy roads and ate a lot of dust, and that didn’t seem to bother it.

My judgment is that this carbine would be a good fit for someone in need of a tough little gun to have in an emergency, and since ammunition supplies are beginning to loosen up a bit, keeping the CTG29 running should not be a problem. It will be even less a problem for anyone who reloads.

For home defense in both rural and urban settings, one could do worse than a carbine that fires either the 9mm or .40 S&W cartridge. There is a variety of ammunition available in either caliber, and my guess is that it will all cycle, as I ran this gun with both hardball and hollow-point 9mm rounds. I’d also suggest that the longer carbine barrel should get the most out of either pistol cartridge.

Ergonomically, this is a well-designed firearm, with a textured grip surface on the front end of the extended magazine well that allows for a non-slip handhold. That didn’t impress me as much as the ample magazine release, which is a rather large toggle confined in its own little space behind the magazine well. Positioned this way, it should be nearly impossible for the magazine to be accidentally released.

Shooting the Taurus CTG29.
Shooting the Taurus CTG29.

The buttplate is grooved to help prevent slippage on the shoulder, and it is pretty tough. Overall length of the G2 is 36 inches, and one thing I quickly learned about it is that the sight radius can be changed a bit from its factory-set 12.6 inches. I ran the rear sight back to 15 inches by simply pressing upward on the keepers on both sides of the rear sight housing and working it back along the rail.

Tight Groupings

At 25 yards, I was able to pull in a couple of pretty tight groups using nothing but the factory sights. No doubt with a scope on this gun, one would be shooting one-holers all day long at twice that range, and probably not bad out to 100.

Out on the trail, I opened up on a pumpkin at 50 yards with a couple of rounds fired off hand and popped that orange blob both times.

One thing I noticed was that the double-stack magazines get pretty stiff to load as you top them off with the ninth and tenth rounds. That’s why it might be a good idea to invest in a magazine loading tool.

Before anyone thinks these are merely pistol magazines, guess again. They appear to be proprietary to the carbine. They are tough, made from steel with bright yellow followers and flat base plates, and may be disassembled for cleaning.

For predator control, the 9mm or .40 S&W both pack a punch, and that goes for predators of the two-legged variety as well as coyotes and other varmints. Because of its short overall length, this carbine will swing well in tight spots, fit in any truck or SUV, and ride along virtually anywhere a firearm might be needed.

The author plugged this Birchwood Casey target using factory sights.
The author plugged this Birchwood Casey target using factory sights.

The owner’s manual includes a complete schematic and parts list so the home gunsmith can tinker with this Taurus. If you have the chance to fire one of these guns before buying, take it for a test run. You just might be surprised.

Taurus CTG29
Caliber:    9mm (.40 S&W available)
Action Type:    Semi-auto
Receiver:    Blued
Barrel:    16” blued steel
Magazine:    10 round
Trigger:    N/A
Sights:    Rear adjustable, fixed front
Stock:    Hybric alumuniman polymer
with reinforced steel frame
Weight:    6.6 lbs.
Overall Length:    36”
Accessories:    Cleaning kit
SRP:    $898
Website:    taurususa.com

This article appeared in the Dec. 30, 2013 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.


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Three Cheers for the .380

Possibly the most famous of all .380 ACP pistols are the Walther PPK and PPK/S, great pocket pistols and backup guns, and favorites of James Bond fans.
Possibly the most famous of all .380 ACP pistols is the Walther PPK and PPK/S, a great pocket pistol and backup gun, and a favorite of James Bond fans!

When an earlier story on carry calibers wrongly omitted the .380, Gun Digest readers sounded off. We heard you loud and clear.

On the left, a .380 ACP with a 95-grain FMJ bullet, and on the right, a 9mm.
On the left, a .380 ACP with a 95-grain FMJ bullet, and on the right, a 9mm.

Perhaps one of the best scenes in the classic “Casablanca” was right near the end, when Humphrey Bogart’s Rick Blaine squared off with Conrad Veidt’s sinister German Major Heinrich Strasser.

The goose-stepping villain was armed with a Luger, but Bogey’s gun was a Colt Model 1908, a flat, hammerless, semiautomatic pistol chambered for the .380 ACP cartridge. Leave it to the movies to show that a snarling Nazi schweinehund (pig-dog) was no match for a sarcastic Yank armed with one of the finest pocket pistols on the planet.

No guessing is necessary. Hitler’s tin soldier took a lead siesta as the local coppers rounded up the usual suspects, and the audience probably cheered all the way to the refreshment stand. It was 1942 after all, and nobody on American soil liked the Third Reich unless they were raving lunatics.

Proof positive that tough guys and .380-caliber pistols have an unfair advantage, especially when they’re letting Ingrid Bergman fly off to safety with another man.

But let’s get past the nostalgia and note for the record that a while back, when I discussed in these pages the top choices for personal protection, several Gun Digest readers were miffed that I had inadvertently left out the .380 ACP.

Well, I admit, it’s certainly not my first choice for defensive work, but when the chips are down and you need something to go “BANG!” with positive results, you could do a lot worse than the .355-caliber round that has also been called the 9mm Kurz or 9mm Corto.

The ammo has seen use in such classics as the Walther PPK, Beretta Model 1934, the aforementioned Colt and similarly-sized Browning Model 1910 pistol made by FN, the Colt Mustang, Sig Sauer P238, Ruger LCP, KelTec P-3AT, Kahr and so many other compact handguns it’s impossible to identify them all.

General George Patton may have carried a Colt .380 in his waistband as a hideout gun. And who can forget the scene in the film biography, “Patton,” starring George C. Scott, when he jumped off a balcony, onto a truck, and then down to a street in some desert town to fire that little pistol at a strafing German aircraft?

.380 Pistols and a Likable Round

Workman at the range with a Colt Mustang Pocketlite in .380 ACP. That target was set at 15 yards from the firing line.
Workman at the range with a Colt Mustang Pocketlite in .380 ACP. That target was set at 15 yards from the firing line.

Few people say they hate the little round, especially after it was written about in the Nosler Reloading Guide No. 7 (Page 620).

Over the years, I’ve run across people who even handload the .380, a task for which I probably wouldn’t have the patience. When it comes to small cartridges, I’m pretty much all thumbs at the loading bench.

Back in the day, when this cartridge was first introduced, it was available only with a 95-grain FMJ bullet. At close range, that round could ruin somebody’s day, but leap ahead four generations—the cartridge was introduced in 1908—and the crafty ammunition developers at Federal, Winchester, Remington, Speer and other companies have cooked up some remarkably effective loads in that caliber.

Chalk the better loads up to new bullet designs and the development of better propellants.

CorBon produces a 90-grain hollowpoint +P load with an advertised muzzle velocity of 1,050 feet per second (fps), while JHP loads from Federal, Winchester, Hornady and CCI/Speer can warp out of a barrel at 1,000 fps.

Federal’s load features a 90-grain Hydra Shok and Hornady’s is topped with a 90-grain XTP. The CCI load has an 88-grain JHP, and Winchester loads an 85-grain Silvertip. You do not want to be on the receiving end of any of these rounds.

That’s probably why the .380 ACP (which stands for Automatic Colt Pistol) just refuses to die. Truth be told, I’ve shopped around for a decent Model 1908 for some time now, and haven’t been able to find one that is affordable.

I’ve run across some beaters—guns that have most of the bluing worn away or with visible pitting from corrosive years of neglect—which the owners must have thought were new in the box for the prices they were asking. I’ve seen a few really decent specimens as well, but would have had to refinance my house to pay for them.

In Pursuit of a PPK

Sig Sauer’s P238 is a single-action .380 ACP that author tested a while back and found to be totally reliable. It is shown with a CRKT folder.
Sig Sauer’s P238 is a single-action .380 ACP that author tested a while back and found to be totally reliable. It is shown with a CRKT folder.

I also pursued a decent PPK for a while, and admit to having had quick, emotional affairs with the Sig, Ruger and Colt Mustang models. Depending upon the individual pistol model, I’ve gotten some remarkable ballistics from the .380 ACP over the years in different gun tests.

Nobody could seriously compare the .380 ACP with the .40 S&W, .45 ACP or .357 Magnum as a fight stopper, but if it’s all you have when you need a gun, you’ve got a lot more than you might think.

For one thing, I’ve discovered on repeated occasions that in subdued light this round produces a muzzle flash and muzzle blast out of a short barrel that is rather impressive. Another thing I’ve discovered is that out to 50 yards and maybe a bit beyond, this is a fairly flat-shooting round.

Some years ago, I built an inside-the-waistband (IWB) rig for my pal David Gross, a Minnesota attorney and gun rights activist, who has carried his Model 1910 Browning frequently because he needed a flat, reliable pistol that could vanish under a casual jacket.

I knocked together a belt holster for another pal’s vintage Llama pistol that was about the same size as the Colt Mustang.

Perhaps that is the real advantage of this cartridge. The guns for which it is designed are all rather compact little numbers that can be carried in a pocket or ankle holster, a small IWB or shoulder holster, and nobody is any the wiser.

There is still a lot of life in the .380 ACP, and don’t be surprised if 2014 sees one or two more new pistols chambered for the cartridge.

With more than eight million people licensed to carry across the United States by some estimates, there is a lot of demand for quality, concealed handguns. It may not stop a grizzly, but it can stop a fight or an assault, and that’s really the bottom line.

This article appeared in the December 2, 2013 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Concealed Carry Calibers: Pros and Cons

One gun chambered for the .40 S&W is the Sig Sauer P224, a compact little pistol that makes a superb defensive tool.
One gun chambered for the .40 S&W is the Sig Sauer P224, a compact little pistol that makes a superb defensive tool.

Probably the most commonly asked question among people looking for a defensive handgun and trying to decide which one to buy is “Which one is the best?”

The truth is, there is no such thing. The best gun and caliber combination will be what appeals to and fulfills an individual’s needs and capabilities, and of course, budget.

Here's a look at the pros and cons of three popular concealed carry calibers—9mm, 40 S&W and .45 ACP.

9mm

The 9mm is one of the most popular personal defense calibers on the landscape, and so many firearms are chambered for the round—big and small—that one can hardly count them. Ammunition has advanced over the years and there are many loads in various bullet weights ranging from 115 to 147 grains. It has plenty of energy, though the frontal mass is not as impressive as that of the .40- and .45-caliber loads.

Pros: Ammunition can be found just about anywhere in a variety of loads, from FMJs to hollowpoints and frangibles. It is accurate, with moderate recoil in all but the smallest, lightweight pistols, and there is less chance of over-penetration. The round offers a great balance between attacker-stopping power and it’s ability to be fired and easily controlled in a smaller to moderate-sized handgun, which is why this caliber is so popular.

Cons: Some shooters believe the 9mm is a bit on the light side for serious defensive work, and with lighter bullets there have been concerns about failure to penetrate through heavy, layered clothing or to stop a crazed, determined attacker.

.40 S&W

A cartridge that quickly became a winner is the .40 S&W, and it quickly proved itself as a fight stopper. Police agencies all over the map have adopted it for good reason, so it’s definitely a good choice for use by private citizens as well. I like the Remington Golden Saber 165-grain round best, but ammunition is offered with 135-, 155-, 180- and 200-grain bullets, too.

Pros: It moves a major class bullet out of the pipe at over 1,000 fps and hits like a hammer. Just about everybody makes a gun for this cartridge, including a couple of revolver makers.

Cons: It has a sharp recoil that may be tough to manage for some people, especially in smaller framed handguns.

.45 ACP

The .45 ACP is arguably king of the street calibers, and it has been winning close-quarters fights and military battles for more than a century. There are soldiers, cops and Texas Rangers who swear by it, along with legions of armed citizens who are still topside today because they had a .45 and used it. I prefer a 185-grain JHP and 230-grain FMJ rounds, stacked alternately in the magazine.

Pros: A variety of ammunition is available, and you can find it just about anywhere. Of even more importance in this day and age is it is affordable. Recoil is easily manageable in most guns, and a center-of-mass hit can body slam an attacker.

Cons: None that I can think of except where recoil in a smaller framed semi-auto might be too aggressive for some shooters. The slightly larger frame size of some .45s can also create more challenges to concealing without creating any imprint from beneath a shirt.

Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from the June 30, 2013 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine

7 Top Choices in Self-Defense Ammunition

Nosler Defense is some of the newest self-defense ammunition available. The Bonded Performance bullets feature a tapered jacket and lead alloy that assures penetration and expansion.
Nosler Defense is some of the newest self-defense ammunition available. The Bonded Performance bullets feature a tapered jacket and lead alloy that assures penetration and expansion.

Gunfights aren’t won just because somebody can clear leather faster or because the sun gets in the bad guy’s eyes. Nor are they won simply with tactics. There is another factor that may be the most important: ammunition. Experienced handgunners and personal protection experts stress that one should never skimp on his or her self-defense ammunition choices when their lives may depend upon a bullet’s ability to stop an attacker.

Nosler

Perhaps the newest entry in this technology race is Nosler, now producing a line of ammunition called Nosler Defense. The inaugural entries include two loads apiece in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. The 9mm selections are both loaded to +P levels, one with a 124-grain Bonded Tipped projectile and the other with a Bonded jacketed hollowpoint. The .40 S&W loads both feature 200-grainers, also in the Bonded Tipped and Bonded JHP, and in .45 ACP, both loads are also +P rated and the bullets weigh 230 grains.

Barnes

Another new entry in the defensive ammunition community is TAC-XPD Defense ammunition from Barnes, another renowned bullet maker now expanding into the ammunition market. Every load in the series is topped with the Barnes TAC-XP bullet, and there are offerings in .380 ACP with an 80-grain pill, a 9mm pushing a 115-grain bullet loaded to +P velocity, a .40 S&W featuring a 140-grainer and a .45 ACP, also loaded to the +P level with a 185-grain bullet.

Winchester

Winchester’s PDX1 Defender offers excellent expansion and is available in a number of popular calibers.
Winchester’s PDX1 Defender offers excellent expansion and is available in a number of popular calibers.

Winchester’s PDX1 Defender selection of handgun ammunition delivers the goods in calibers ranging from .380 ACP to .45 Colt, and there are selections in .357 SIG and .357 Magnum. In addition, Winchester’s PDX1 family includes a couple of .410-bore loads for handguns in the Taurus Judge and Smith & Wesson Governor families. There’s a 2 ½-inch round with a trio of copper-plated “Defense Discs” and a dozen copper-plated BBs. At close range, this is a nasty combination, but even more so is the 3-inch round that has four of those discs and 16 plated BB-sized shot.

Remington

Remington came up with a nifty combo package this year for these popular .410 revolvers. It’s the “Ultimate Defense Combo Pack,” and it holds 10 .45 Colt cartridges and 10 2 ½-inch .410 shotshells. Available in either a clam pack or box. The .45 Colt cartridges are loaded with Remington’s superb Golden Saber 230-grain hollowpoints and the .410 shells hold four 000 buckshot pellets. I’ve used Golden Saber ammunition in .45 ACP and .40 S&W over the years in various tests and for the street, and it’s also available in .380 ACP, 9mm, .357 Magnum and .38 Special +P.

Federal

Practice makes perfect, or at least pretty good, and Federal has a combo pack as well featuring 100 rounds of practice ammunition loaded with FMJ bullets and 20 rounds of Premium Personal Defense rounds topped by federal Hydra-Shoks. The bullets in all calibers—9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP—are all the same weight.

A fourth combo pack holds 50 rounds of .45 Colt loaded with 225-grain jacketed soft-points and 20 rounds of 2 ½-inch .410 shells loaded with four 000 buckshot pellets. For home defense, Federal has a round called the Guard Dog, and it’s got a bite. The bullet can fool you because it looks like an FMJ, but it’s skived on the inside of the jacket and it has a polymer front end in the core so when it hits, the jacket opens up on the sides and the bullet actually expands. Guard Dog loads are available in .45 ACP (165 grains), .40 S&W (135 grains) and 9mm (105 grains).

Gold Dot

I’d be remiss without mentioning the line of Gold Dot ammunition from Speer. Available in several calibers for both revolvers and semi-autos, they’re loaded with Gold Dot bullets, which have a good track record for expansion and stopping power. They are the choice of various law enforcement agencies and for good reason: They work. The alloy core is bonded to the jacket, which is designed to expand along “memory lines” that start at the mouth of the hollowpoint cavity where the lead is exposed between sections of the jacket.

CorBon

CorBon has developed ammunition that really cooks, including the .25 NAA and .32 NAA that add a sizzle to the .25- and .32-caliber bullets. The CorBon Self-Defense JHP family has loads ranging from .25 NAA to .357 Magnum. Utilizing these lighter-weight hollowpoints, CorBon produces good velocities and delivers solid downrange energy.

CorBon's high velocity gives the rounds solid downrange energy.
CorBon's high velocity gives the rounds solid downrange energy.

Ditto for the CorBon DPX line of defense ammunition. Utilizing all-copper hollowpoints, these loads are simply awesome. CorBon reports that some bullets recovered from various testing media have expanded 150 to 200 percent of their original diameter while retaining 100 percent of their weight.

What got my attention with DPX is that CorBon loads this stuff for virtually every handgun caliber on the map, from .32 ACP all the way up to .500 S&W, with a variety of bullet weights. You’ll even find a .45 Auto Rim in there for anybody who defends his home with an old 1917 S&W or Colt double-action.

A few years ago, CorBon added the Glaser Safety Slug ammunition to its line. Glasers have become legendary for their concept and performance. These things are devastating, with a bullet design featuring a copper jacket filled with a compressed load of lead shot, either No. 6 or smaller No. 12, topped by a polymer tip that serves a couple of purposes.

It is round, to enable feeding in a semi-auto and to insure penetration, and it also pushes back into the projectile upon impact to open up the jacket and allow that lead shot to do its job,

No matter which ammunition one chooses, if it works, stick with it. Try different brands at the range to see what performs best in your personal defense pistol or revolver. Not all guns perform the same with a particular brand or type of ammunition, which is why there is more than one line from which to choose.

This article appeared in the April 8, 2013 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Photo Gallery: New 2013 Handguns

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This article appeared in the March 11, 2013 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine

Handgun Review: Ruger Single Nine

Workman tried both CCI and Winchester .22 Magnum loads and found that both performed superbly in Ruger’s new single-action.
Workman tried both CCI and Winchester .22 Magnum loads and found that both performed superbly in Ruger’s new single-action.

When Sturm, Ruger announced the stainless steel Single-Nine in September, I had to get my hands on one immediately, and that’s just about how this handgun review happened.

Within several days, this .22 Magnum single-action “nine-gun” was getting acquainted with my gun-hand palm. It is an idea I wish Ruger had come up with back when I was a much younger fellow, hunting raccoons with a guy who became my mentor. It’s a revolver I could have used on any number of occasions when I bumped into a bunny at dusk along some abandoned logging spur or out in the woods and tangles along the Snoqualmie River’s Middle Fork Valley.

For plinking, the Single-Nine is a winner. That Champion target is about 6 ½ inches tall, and anyone who can hit that thing consistently at 25 yards will have no trouble putting rabbits in the cooler.
For plinking, the Single-Nine is a winner. That Champion target is about 6 ½ inches tall, and anyone who can hit that thing consistently at 25 yards will have no trouble putting rabbits in the cooler.

The .22 Magnum is a flat-shooting, hard hitting little rimfire and out of the Single-Nine, this cartridge realizes its potential thanks to the 6 ½-inch barrel topped by a Williams fiber optic front sight, and the Williams click-adjustable rear fiber optic sight. Being a fan of tritium night sights, I can say without fear of rebuttal that fiber optic sights are the next best thing in subdued forest light, and Williams did it right with green tubes.

Find Out More About Ruger Firearms

What caught my immediate attention was that this revolver tucked rather well into an old George Lawrence holster I had built several years ago to accommodate a Ruger Blackhawk with a 6 ½-inch barrel. Packing this “hogleg” in the woods became no problem at all.

It is widely known I’m a sucker for Ruger single-action revolvers. I own, uh, several in .45 Colt, .41 Magnum and .32 H&R Magnum. The only credible reason I don’t own a Single Six is because I own a vintage Ruger Standard semi-auto that was designed with the nine-round magazine, and is a remarkably accurate pistol.

If I want to clobber a rabbit or grouse with a rimfire, I’m set, and for those longer shots, well, there’s that Ruger 10/22 semi-auto rifle topped by a 4X Bushnell scope that frequently rides in my pickup truck.

Ruger calls the laminated hardwood grip panels “gunfighter” grips, but I don’t know a gunslinger who would risk such a pretty pair of panels in a shootout where the handgun might be dropped. Suffice to say I was favorably impressed with the smooth feel and comfort, which I think contributes to the long-appreciated Ruger frame’s accuracy. A gun that fits the hand well enhances a person’s ability to comfortably aim and squeeze the trigger, and Ruger’s Single-Nine is no exception to the rule.

However, I confess to not really caring for thin grips on a single-action because they just don’t fit my hand as well as traditional wider grip panels.

Nine rounds, count ‘em! This new Ruger single-action has plenty of firepower.
Nine rounds, count ‘em! This new Ruger single-action has plenty of firepower.

The action on my test gun (Serial No. 815-00323) was superbly finished with a matte stainless surface that was consistent from the butt to the muzzle. The cylinder is counter bored so case heads are fully protected, and naturally, Ruger designed this wheelgun with its proven transfer bar and frame-mounted firing pin.

Now, for the very good news: Out of the box, the Ruger Single-Nine shot right to point of aim at 20 yards. I did not have to adjust the rear sight one bit. I cannot guarantee they will all come like that, but my test gun did and I’m impressed.

I had a Champion target, one of those self-sealing rubber numbers that spin around on a tubular steel frame when hit, and I set it at 15 yards with a tree as a backstop and began pumping rounds through it. Mine was one of those orange models about the size of a chipmunk, with a weight at the bottom to — in theory anyway — bring it back standing right side up. I hit that thing so hard with a couple of rounds that it stuck upside down, which just about spells what this revolver will do on live game.

Anybody who can hit one of those rubber targets repeatedly will have no trouble at all hammering cottontail rabbits or snowshoe hares all winter long. Raccoons are doomed, and if you want to put the hurt on a coyote, be my guest.

A .22 Magnum hollowpoint to the noggin of some yodel dog is going to ruin his whole day, and the handgunner who can do this consistently will never have to prove himself or herself in any other way.  My guess is that the accuracy is due to six lands and grooves cut on a 1:14 right-hand twist.

Check how those fiber optic sights light up.
Check how those fiber optic sights light up.

Oh, yes, this revolver would be a gem for the ladies because there is virtually no recoil thanks to the weight. That 39-ounce weight diminishes recoil to zero for folks used to shooting centerfire revolvers.

Ruger’s chronograph results were pretty much my experience. A standard 40-grain bullet out of that barrel will clock around 1,400 fps, and that’s bad news for any small game on the business end within, say 50 to 100 yards.

I remember once shooting a raccoon out of a very tall tree late one afternoon many years ago, using just .22 Long Rifle rounds out of a nine-shot Harrington & Richardson revolver that was my dad’s. It had a thin barrel, the sights were pretty basic and that gun — I keep it tucked away for nostalgia — would not hold a candle to the Single-Nine under any conditions.

The Single-Nine is rugged, like every other Ruger single-action revolver I’ve ever fired. Like the Blackhawk, I doubt if you could break this gun without deliberately abusing it with a ballpeen hammer, and even then I’m not so sure the Single-Nine wouldn’t still come up shooting. It seems just that tough.

The stainless steel construction is perfect for my Pacific Northwest home country, and is good for guys who like hunting big grouse late in the season up in Southeast Alaska. That fiber optic sight will just soak in every bit of available light, and in those drab gray days of winter, that’s the kind of edge that small game simply can’t escape.

Here’s an inescapable fact: Ruger’s new Single-Nine is going to be a smart investment for a small game handgunner who likes the extra punch of the rimfire magnum round. Anyone who purchases one of these single-action sizzlers is going to love it, or he’s just not from around here.

This article appeared in the Gun Digest the Magazine 2013 Shooter's Guide


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Handgun Hunting for Whitetails?

Handgun hunting. Is handgun hunting for whitetails a viable option? You bet! In fact from revolvers to autoloaders many handgun hunting options exist for deer hunters.

Years ago, I was one of the loudest proponents for big-game handgun hunting in Washington State, and when we finally got the Game Commission to approve it, I quickly focused on a single-action Ruger Blackhawk chambered for the .41 Mag. cartridge, with a 6 ½-inch barrel.

I still carry a .41 Mag. Blackhawk (this one with a 4⅝-inch barrel) during deer season, and occasionally when I’m hunting grouse where there might be an encounter with a black bear. The 6½-incher is in my gun safe. I couldn’t sell it. I’ve killed two deer with it. 
Still, perhaps the most popular handgun round for deer is the .44 Mag. And with a heavier bullet, the .357 Mag. has plenty of punch for deer-sized game. I prefer the 125-grain JHP in the .357 Mag. because it is accurate and because it will penetrate deep into the vitals of a deer.

Of course, there are lots of other handgun cartridges around. Rifle-class cartridges fired from single-shot handguns such as the Thompson-Center Contender and big-bores (including the .460 and .500 Smith & Wesson, .454 Casull and .480 Ruger) are extremely deadly, but the .44 Mag. is about all the horsepower many people can handle.

I prefer the .41 Mag. for several reasons; not the least of which was a tale by the late Elmer Keith about a trek he took to Alaska with a pair of the first Smith & Wessons chambered for the .41 Mag. He shot caribou with the guns.

About 20 years ago, the hot talk shifted at least momentarily to the 10mm Auto, a round that was reputed to be the semi-auto equal to the .41 Mag. As it turned out, the 10mm Auto is more in the realm of the .357 Mag. Admittedly, the cartridge intrigued me because it was a true .40-caliber with a lot of muscle, and it appeared on the scene with the ill-fated Bren Ten.

Even being carried by the Sonny Crockett character on “Miami Vice” couldn’t save the pistol, but the cartridge has remained.

Glock 10mm for Deer Hunting

Colt chambered its Delta Elite for the round — and there have been other pistols — but the one that seems to be at the top of the heap currently is the Glock Model 20. As it happens, my hunting pal Brian Lull — who took delivery of a stainless Ruger Super Blackhawk in .44 Mag. earlier this year — owns a 10mm Glock, and it’s a real shooter.

The Glock platform does not do well in my hand and one of the first things a devoted handgunner has to realize is that he/she will not be able to master all handguns. I call it poor fit because Lull is an excellent shot with that autoloader while I consistently shoot low with it. If you can shoot it, the Glock is a great gun. At close range, the 10mm full-house load with a 200-grain bullet is a whitetail killer with an average velocity of 1,069 fps. The 180-grain option will leave no deer laughing in the woods, either.

The Glock pistol, with its rugged slide and polymer frame is virtually impervious to a wet climate, and if you’re brush hunting for Northeast Washington whitetails, the 10mm Auto will put them down. Lull was packing his Glock in a nifty shoulder rig last fall when we hunted grouse and scouted elk in the Central Cascades, and I would not care to be an animal on the receiving end.

How far can they shoot?

On a couple of occasions many years ago, when big game handgunning was just hitting its stride, I was interviewed on a local outdoors radio show and the host suggested that at ranges greater than 50- to 75 yards, a handgunner was shooting “at the animal” and not trying for precise bullet placement. That just isn’t true. If you are good with factory metallic sights, being able to hit a deer out to 125 or even 150 yards is not out of the question.

After all, I’ve competed a couple of times in the annual Elmer Keith Memorial Long-Range handgun shoot over by Spokane and have hit 6- and even 4-inch plates at better than 150 yards with my Smith & Wesson Model 57 in .41 Mag. I can certainly hit something bigger. 
The deer I shot were both center-of-mass in the vitals. I missed the heart by very little but destroyed the lungs both times. 
Plus, there are good handgun scopes available.

If you go that route, you can stretch your range farther. Just make sure the round and bullet are up to doing their job downrange with enough power and accuracy to make a clean kill.

Don’t be shy about trying a handgun for deer this fall or the next. It’s challenging and rewarding, and by necessity it makes one a more careful marksman, and perhaps a better stalker.

— This article appeared in the October 2012 Gun Shop column of Deer & Deer Hunting.

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