gun reviews: April 2009

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Lightweight Wonder-9

Introducing the SP-01 Phantom: The classic CZ-75 9mm goes polymer, resulting in 33% lighter weight, 19 round capacity (18+1 in the pipe).....

Specs:

Caliber 9 x 19
Detachable magazine capacity 18
Overall length 207 mm/
Barrel length 120 mm/just under 4.75 inches
Height 147 mm
Width 37 mm
Weight 800 g/28 ounces empty
Trigger mechanism SA/DA
Frame polymer
Finish black polycoat (slide)
Safety elements decocking lever, safety stop on hammer, firing pin safety

Reviews/Highlights:

Well-balanced
Soft Recoil
Controllable/Very little muzzle-flip
Interchangeable Backstrap for custom grip adjustment
Accurate 2.5" to 3.5" Groups at 25 Yards
Drop-Free Magazines
Grip Tang Beavertail Protects Hand from Hammer Bite
Fixed Sites
Accessory Rail for Tactical Attachments
Carry Cocked and Locked, or with Hammer Down
Magazine Works in Older CZ Models
Slide Locks Open When Empty

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

They finally got the .32 caliber revolver round right, with this awesome and powerful, compact defensive round. Revolvers chambered for this round flirt with .357 magnum energy levels, while allowing for more control, and an extra round in the cylinder-6 as opposed to the usual 5 rounds in most compact .38 and .357 mag revolvers.

Guns chambered for the .327 magnum can also shoot the .32 H&R Magnum, .32 S&W Long, and .32 S&W ammo.

While I expect many lightweight revolvers to be chambered for it shortly, the first gun to be chambered for the .327 is the rugged and dependable Ruger SP101.

Here is a brief comparison of the numbers between the .327 and .357 magnum rounds, both shot from the Ruger SP101 with a 3 1/16" barrel:

.327 Federal Magnum

Speer Gold Dot 115 Grain JHP

Velocity 1308 fps

Energy 431 ft.-lbs.

Group Size - Avg. at 7 yds. 1.86

Recoil Energy 6.6 ft.-lbs.

Penetration (Perma Gel) 16"

American Eagle 100 Grain JSP

Velocity 15 feet 1346 fps

Energy 402 ft.-lbs.

Group Size - Avg. at 7 yds. 1.34

Recoil Energy 5.9 ft.-lbs.

Penetration (Perma Gel) 18.5"

.357 Magnum

Federal Hi-Shok 125 Grain JHP

Velocity 15 feet 1221 fps

Energy 414 ft.-lbs.

Group Size - Avg. at 7 yds. not given

Recoil Energy 8.6 ft.-lbs.

Penetration (Perma Gel) not given

I can hardly wait to see the types of compact dynamite revolvers that are produced to fire this round in the coming years.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Home Defense Shotguns

The Mossberg Model 590, 12 gauge, American Forces Shotgun of Choice in Iraq, $693:

Features:

The only pump shotgun to pass all the U.S. Military Mil-Spec standards
6, 8 and 9 shot capacity with 2-3/4" shells
18-1/2" or 20" barrel lengths
Blued, matte or Marinecote™ finishes
Bead front or Ghost Ring® sights
Rugged synthetic stock and forearm
Ambidextrous, thumb-operated safety
Proven Mil-Spec & NIJ performance
Pistol grip models available
20-gauge and .410-bore models also available

Review Highlights:

Breaks down and reassembles easily for cleaning
Rugged and Dependable in the Field
Safety accessible by both right and left-handed shooters while avoiding contact with trigger guard
Deadly slug accuracy
7.75 lbs
Well balanced in the hands
Shoots 3" shells or shorter
Perforated Heat Shield
Trigger breaks cleanly at approximately 6 lbs.

Remington 870 Tac-2 FS, 12 gauge, Pump-gun choice of many top law enforcement agencies, $692:

Features:

12-gauge, 2-3/4" and 3" chambered and are available in 18" and 20" barrels with 2- and 3-shot magazine tube extensions
Bead Sites
Blasted black oxide finish with black, synthetic tactical style fore-ends
All stocks include sling swivel studs
Knoxx SpecOps pistol-grip folding stock

Review Highlights:

8.1 lbs
6 shot capacity
Trigger breaks at 5.25 lbs
Drilled and tapped for a Weaver scope
Ergonomically poor as far as stock design, affecting site picture and access to safety button
The action exhibited significant "stickiness", which did not change with use
Harsh recoil/unpleasant to shoot
"Overweight, hard-kicking, poor-handling"

Ithaca Model 37 Defense Gun 8 Shot 3-Inch 12 gauge, $469 (MY PICK)

Features:

A receiver that is machined from a solid block of steel
18 ½” Fixed barrel with standard cylinder bore
Brass bead front sight
Walnut or synthetic butt stock
Walnut or synthetic ring tail forend
Crisp, rifle-like 4 – 6 lb. trigger pull
Parkerized finish
Shoot 2 3/4" or 3" Shells
Pachmayr Decelerator Recoil Pad
Light! 6.75 lbs

Review Highlights:

Originally used by U.S. troops in Vietnam, and later by the Navy SEALs
Solid frame with barrel permanently threaded into the steel receiver
Bottom loading/bottom eject action for ambidextrous use
Dependable shooter with forceful ejection
Reversible trigger guard safety
Ergonomically well designed
Barrel made of 4140 chrome-moly steel
Recoil not unpleasant due to Decelerator Recoil Pad
Smoothest and slickest action of this group
"Best trigger"
"Easy to load and shoot quickly"
Impressive 8-shot firepower
The "best built, smoothest, best balanced shotgun of this test"
Lowest priced

Friday, April 3, 2009

Best in Class 2008

Top gun picks of 2008, according to a reputable gun consumer magazine:
(Prices reflect 2008, probably much higher now because of the anti-gun stance of the current administration)

Rifles:

Military Type Sporting...............