Saturday, September 25, 2010

FNX-9

$703
A  Nearly Perfectly Done Double-Action Auto by FNH USA!

"The new FNX offers all of the features that dedicated handgunners want. The ergonomic polymer frame has a low bore axis for less felt recoil and improved control. The grip panels are checkered and ribbed for comfortable, no-snag carry. Four interchangeable backstrap inserts quickly adapt the FNX to your hand size. The profiled stainless steel slide has cocking serrations front and rear, and the 4" hammer-forged stainless steel barrel delivers pinpoint accuracy. Ambidextrous operating controls make the FNX perfect for competition or personal defense. Every FNX is made in the USA." FNH USA

Specs:
  • Caliber: 9mm, .40 (FNX-40)
  • Barrel: 4", 1 in 10" Right-Hand Twist
  • Height: 5.45"
  • Width: 1.55
  • Weight: 21.6 oz.
  • Magazine Capacity: 17 Rounds
  • Double-action/singleaction (DA/SA) operation with decocking/manual safety levers (MS)
Features:
  • Slide Material: Stainless Steel
  • External Extractor with Loaded Chamber Indicator
  • Front and Rear Cocking Serrations
  • Newly designed fixed three-dot combat sights with Deep-V rear notch for greater accuracy
  • Hammer-forged stainlessbarrel
  • Polished chamber and feed ramp
  • Rugged polymer frame construction with replaceable steel frame/slide rails
  • Two interchangeable backstrap inserts with lanyard eyelets
  • MIL-STD 1913 accessory mounting rail
  • Serrated trigger guard
  • Fully-ambidextrous decocking/safety levers, slide stop levers and magazine release button
  • Ring-style external hammer
  • Stainless steel magazine body
  • Low-friction magazine follower
  • Polymer magazine basepad
  • Magazine round indicator
Gun Magazine Reviews:
  • "Nice trigger pull-very smooth in DA"
  • 5 lb single-action trigger pull
  • "Can be carried cocked and locked, like a 1911"
  • Ambi-safety also acts as a decocker
  • Safety lever can be placed on in double-action mode
  • Reversible magazine release, for lefties
  • "Superb Accuracy"
  • "Exceptionally soft-shooting"
  • +P Rated
Comments:
This may be the pistol to finally make me go polymer-style, although I've had my eye on the CZ SP-01 Phantom. Choices, choices.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Lightweight 1911 Style Autos

If you prefer more firepower than today's micro-pistols have to offer, maybe you are looking for something more along the lines of "large and light", such as these .45 auto-pistols, which utilize innovations such as aluminum-alloy frames, and shortened grips and slides:

$1,009
Specs:
  • Caliber: .45 ACP
  • Height: 4.75"
  • Width: 1.28"
  • Weight: 27 oz. (empty)
  • Length 7.7"
  • Mag. Capacity 7
  • Full-length guide rod
  • Materials: Aluminum Frame and Stainless Slide, Match-Grade Steel Barrel
  • Barrel Length: 4"
  • Fixed Sights, 5.7" radius
  • Grips: Black synthetic double diamond
  • Trigger: Aluminum Match Grade, 4-5 lb pull
Notables:
  • Extended left side safety
  • Plastic rear mainspring housing for weight reduction
  • Excellent fit and finish
  • Bushing-less barrel design
  • Excellent Accuracy
  • Excellent Reliability
Negatives:
  • Hard to pick up front sight in low light
  • Lack of grip texture or checkering on front strap
  • Sharp edges around ejection port
  • Special takedown tool needed for disassembly
  • Bullet feed ramp seems prone to damage over time
  • Includes only one magazine

$1,076
Specs:
  • Caliber: .45 ACP
  • Height: 5.5"
  • Length: 7.5
  • Weight 31 oz. (empty)
  • Magazines: two 7-round, blued steel
  • Barrel: 4" stainless steel, match grade, fully supported ramp, bushing-less bull barrel
  • Sights: Fixed, low profile, combat rear, dovetail front, tritium 3-dot
  • Trigger: aluminum match grade, 5-6 lb pull
  • Grips: Cocobolo hardwood
  • Frame: forged aluminum alloy, accessory rail, black hardcoat anodized
  • Slide: forged steel, Black Armory Kote
  • Recoil System: dual spring w/full-length guide rod
Notables:
  • Full-length grip with a shortened slide
  • Steel mainspring housing
  • Ambidextrous safety
  • Excellent trigger, 4.7 lbs
  • Good accuracy
  • Great reliability
  • Good in rapid-fire
  • Quick sight pickup
  • Excellent machine work on the barrel feed ramp
  • Excellent night sights
  • Included holster and mag pouch
Negatives:
  • Lack of grip texture or checkering on front strap
  • Handsome wood grips tended to be slippery
  • Ambi-safety tended to bruise the dominant hand knuckle
  • Safety was super-stiff to operate
  • Sharp edges on ejection port
  • Stiff controls overall, which "did not change with use"
  • "Horrible takedown procedure" (and reassembly) 
$1,200
    "The 1911 C3 is a 7+1 compact .45ACP featuring rosewood custom wood grips and is available in a Two-Tone finish. Weighing in at just under 30 ounces unloaded, each 1911 C3 is machined to exacting tolerances and hand-fitted to insure reliability and performance." Sig Website


    Specs:
    • Item #1911CO-45-TSS-C3
    • Action: Single Action Only
    • Trigger Pull: 5 lbs
    • Length: 7.7"
    • Width: 1.4"
    • Barrel Length: 4.2"
    • Sight Radius: 5.7"
    • Weight Empty: 29.5 oz.
    • Mag Capacity: 7 Rounds
    • Sights: Novak Night Sights
    • Grips: Slim Profile Custom Rosewood Grips
    • Frame Finish: Black Hard Anodized
    • Slide Finish:Stainless
      Notables:
      • Checkered Front Strap, for extra secure grip
      • Easy, no-tools takedown
      • "Super accurate"
      • Stainless slide and barrel
      • "Great reliability"
      • Fixed sights
      Negatives:
      • Lacks accessory rail
      • Safety on one side only
      • Unusually flat at top-of slide
      • Pricier than most comparables
      $1,069

      "This is the stainless version of the original super-compact .45 with truly awesome firepower. There is no smaller, more powerful 1911-style, 10+1 semi-auto .45 ACP in the world." Para USA

      Specs:
      • Product Code: WHX1045S
      • Caliber:  .45 ACP
      • Capacity: 10+1
      • Barrel: 3"
      • Weight: 31 oz.
      • Length: 6.5"
      • Height: 4.5"
      • Action: Single Action
      • Material: Stainless
      Notables:
      • Two 10-round magazines, one with extended grip
      • Blackened version available with Trijicon night sights
      • Bushing-less-barrel design, stainless match-grade
      • Loaded-chamber indicator
      • Colt-style series '80 firing pin safety
      • Slide features Para's Power Extractor
      • Flared ejection port
      • Skeletonized hammer and trigger for weight reduction
      • Good trigger approx. 5 lbs. of pull w/clean break
      • Rubber "O" rings prevent grip screws from backing out
      • Vertical serrations on frontstrap
      • Left-side thumb safety and grip safety w/swelled palm section
      • Front-beveled magazine-well
      • "Exceptional accuracy", 2" at 25 yards-Combat Handguns magazine
      • Bearable recoil w/200 grain handloads
      Negatives:
      • Tended to malfunction if not cleaned and oiled every 150 rounds
      • Magazines difficult to load completely due to stiff springs
      • Hammer drops down even if the slide is not completely closed
      • Punishing to the hands after several hundred rounds

        Thursday, September 2, 2010

        Charter Patriot .327 Magnum

        .327 Magnums continued............

              Charter Arms Patriot
        $536.00
         "Low-recoil snubnose designed for concealed-carry and personal defense."
        Specs:
        • Model: 73270
        • Material: Stainless Steel
        • Grip: Rubber w/finger-grooves
        • Barrel Length: 2.2"
        • Capacity: 6
        • Cal: .327 Federal Magnum
        • Weight: 21 Ounces
        Features:
        • Single Action Trigger Pull of 5 lbs
        • Comfortable Rubber Grips
        • Manageable Recoil "with even the heaviest loads"
        Negatives:
        • Double Action Trigger Pull "well over 10 lbs, but smooth"
        • Sights "hard to line up in low light"
        Notables:
        •  Solid Cylinder Lockup
        • Speer 115 grain Gold Dot clocked at 1,294 fps
        • Good accuracy at combat distance (7 yards)
        Gun News:
        Obama Forbids Sale of Collector M1 Rifles

        Sunday, August 29, 2010

        Ruger GP100 .327 Federal Mag

        $701.00
        "One extra round in the chamber, comparable energy to the .357 magnum, with less recoil."
        Specs:
        • Catalog # KGP-4327-7
        • Caliber: .327 Fed. Mag.
        • Capacity: 7
        • Material: Stainless Steel
        • Adjustable Rear Sight
        • Barrel Length: 4.2"
        • Overall Length: 9.50"
        • Weight: 40 Ounces
        Features:
        • Combat Style Hogue Rubber Grips
        • Single Action Trigger Pull: 4.5 lbs
        • Double Action Trigger Pull 10.6 lbs
        Ballistics:
        (3 1/16" Barrel) Federal Premium 85 grain clocked at 1,422 feet per second, American Eagle 100 grain was clocked at 1,410 fps/442 ft.-lbs muzzle energy.

        Notables:
        • Superior Accuracy Single Action from the Bench
        • "Great trail gun"

        Friday, August 20, 2010

        Remington 1911 R1

        $699.00
        "Remington blends 100 years of 1911 development into an affordable, well-made pistol."

        Specs:
        • Order #96323
        • Caliber: .45 ACP
        • Mag Capacity: 7+1
        • Barrel Length: 5"
        • Overall Length: 8.5"
        • Overall Height: 5.5"
        • Weight: 38.5 oz.
        • Grips: Walnut Double Diamond
        • Barrel Finish: Satin Stainless Steel
        • Trigger Pull: 3.5 - 5 lbs


          Features:
          • Series 80
          • Built to Industry Standard 1911 Specs.
          • Match Quality Stainless Steel Barrel and Bushing
          • Colt Series 80 Firing Pin Block Safety (should not fire if dropped)
          • Dovetailed Front and Rear Sites (for easy replacement)
          • Scalloped Ejection Port (less damage to cases for re-loaders)
          • Loaded Chamber Indicator
          • Standard 2 Year Warranty
          • Platinum Service Plan

          Negatives:


          • Original-Style Thumb Safety (small)
          • Non-Beavertail Grip Safety
          • Not Rated for +P Ammo

          Recent Update: Remington R1 Enhanced:





          Friday, July 16, 2010

          Compact Carry 9mm!

          Need a light, powerful, high capacity, self-defense pistol that won't break the bank? Check out the new Ruger Model SR9c:

          $525.00

          Specs:
          • Barrel 3.5"
          • Grip Width 1.27"
          • Weight 23.4 oz., +9 rounds 27.6 oz., +17 rds 32.1 oz.
          • Length 6.85"
          • Height 4.61"
          Features:
          • Standard 10 rd Magazine
          • Hi-Cap 17 rd Magazine w/Finger Grip Extension
          • Integral Accessory Rail
          • Rear-Sight Adjustable for Windage and Elevation
          • Hi Visibility 3-Dot Sight System
          • Stainless or Blackened Finish
          • 1911-Style Ambidextrous Manual Safety
          • Internal Trigger Bar Interlock and Striker Blocker
          • Trigger Safety
          • Magazine Disconnect
          • Visual and Tactile Loaded Chamber Indicator
          Gun Magazine Reviews:
          "Reliability is there, period.", "Fits well in the hand", "Plenty of accuracy"

          Synopsis:
          I like the looks of this. I may decide to "pack heat" on my trip to Orlando next month. For low-key carry, I will have to take a serious look at this new wonder-9.

          Review Links for this Model:  Gun Blast, Average Joe's, Gun Websites, Jimbo, OneInchGroup

          For Glock fans, check out the dependable and concealable G19 9mm:

          "The compact version of the G17, this is the preferred pistol of NYPD's 40,000 officers and the standard weapon the United Nations Security Personnel." www.teamglock.com

          $646.00

          Specs:
          • Caliber 9mm
          • Trigger Safety
          • Magazine Capacity: 15
          • Barrel 4.02"
          • Grip Width 1.3"
          • Weight 21.1 oz. empty, +15 rounds 30.4 oz.
          • Length 6.9"
          • Height 5.0"
          Features:
          • Integral Accessory Rail
          • Simple and Quick Takedown and Reassembly
          • Trigger-pull consistent 5.5lbs
          Gun Magazine Reviews:
          "Plenty accurate."
          "Pick the Glock if ease of maintenance is high on your list."
          "Consistent shooting with all bullet weights."
          "Can be shot as fast as most shooters can pick up the sights."
          "The trigger was simple and repeatable."
          "Sights are low profile for speed out of the holster."

          Synopsis:
          Due to the ease of maintenance and simplicity of operation, plus Glock's reputation for dependability, this would make a great carry gun, car gun, or camp gun for when the chips are down, and you need something that will go off, no matter what.

          Check out the compact 9mm offering from Springfield Armory, the Springfield Armory XDM 3.8

          "The XDM pistols do not replace the original XD series. The XDM pistols are an American-style update of the XD. These include a streamlined low-mount rear sight with the rear face flush to the back of the slide for maximum sight radius. The front sight has a new profile, too. When you line up the rear sight of the XDM with the blade on the XD Four-inch Service Model, rear edge to rear edge, the shorter-barreled XDM 3.8 actually has about the same sight radius. That’s because the rear sight on the XD pistol is inboard about 0.30 inches. The grip of the XDM is flatter on the sides and longer, too, resulting in greater capacity by three rounds." Gun-Tests.com

          $697.00
          Specs:
          • Caliber: 9MM
          • Grip and Trigger Safeties
          • Magazines: 2 – 19 Round, Stainless Steel Barrel: 3.8″ Steel, Melonite ®, Fully Supported Ramp
          • Sights: Dovetail Front and Rear (Steel) 3-Dot
          • Trigger Pull: 5.5-7.7 lbs
          • Barrel Length: 3.8"
          • Frame : Black Polymer
          • Slide: Forged Steel
          • Overall Length: 7″
          • Height: 5.6″
          • Weight w/ empty mag: 27.5oz
          • Available colors: Black, Bi-Tone SS/Black
          Features:
          • Small, medium, and large interchangeable backstraps
          • Thumb relief in grip oriented toward ambi-magazine release
          • Improved grip texture
          • Streamlined slide release and takedown levers
          • Improved cocking serrations and accessory rail
          Gun review comments:
          "All shots were inside the 'A' Zone.", "Consistent accuracy"

          Strengths: Fully supported chamber for +P, Ambidextrous controls, Superior action accuracy, High capacity, Ergonomic grip shape.







          If you prefer traditional steel-framed pistols, look no further than the CZ 75D PCR Compact 9mm:

          "Light alloy frame de-cocker model featuring an extended magazine release, low profile snag-free sights, and a loaded chamber indicator. CZ 75 B is used by more Governments, Militaries, Police and Security agencies than any other pistol in the world. The CZ 75 is quite possibly the perfect pistol." CZ-USA.com

          $651.00

          Specs:

          •  Caliber: 9mm
          • SKU: 91194
          • Magazine Capacity: 14
          • Weight: 1.7 lbs
          • Overall Length: 7.2"
          • Barrel Length: 3.8"
          • Height: 5.0"
          • Width: 1.4"
          Features:
          • Alloy Frame
          • Rubber Grip
          • Single Action/Double Action Trigger (like a revolver)
          • Fixed Sights
          • Safety: Decocking Lever, Safety Stop on Hammer, Firing Pin Safety
          Notables:
          • Oversized left side magazine release
          • Ergonomically shaped grip-"fits the hand well"
          • Windage adjustable sights were "dead on."
          • Decocker allows for short double action trigger pull on first shot
          • Beveled magazine well (allows for quicker insertion)
          • Viewing holes on left side of magazine only
          • 3.5 lb single-action trigger pull
          • "Superior Accuracy"

          Beretta PX4 Storm Subcompact Type F:

          "Delivers concealed carry handling with large frame firepower."

          $600.00

          Specs:
          • Caliber: 9mm or .40 S&W
          • Magazine Capacity: 13 or 10
          • Action: Single/Double
          • Length 6.2"
          • Barrel Length: 3"
          • Weight: 26.1 oz. Empty
          Features:
          • Ambidextrous De-cocking Lever
          • Stainless Barrel w/Recessed Crown
          • Cocking Serrations on Both Ends of Slide
          • Accessory Rail
          • Non-Reflective Bruniton Finish
          • Two Interchangeable Backstraps for Custom Grip Sizing
          • Reversible Magazine release
          • Extended Slide Catch Option
          • Also Takes Full-Size Storm Magazines
          • 3 Dot Combat Sights
          • Traditional Browning-Style Tilting Barrel Lockup
          Other Notables:
          • "100% Reliable with a Variety of Bullet Configurations"
          Deep Thoughts: "Man, that is one ugly pistol! But, aesthetics aside, the majority of reviews have been glowing, at least for the 9mm version. Reviews for the .40 cal have been hard to come by, but I am tempted to buy this beast, kind of like the homeliest puppy at the pound whose eyes seem to reach out and grab you. I will keep you posted." K








          Sunday, June 20, 2010

          Software for Handloaders

          I just read about Quickload, software for handloaders. It looks pretty impressive. Read about it here: