It’s always the last one. “Uh, a touch high.” Sam cajoled. I’d seen the front sight creep up. That shot had wrecked the series.

“I’ll fire another.” Sandbags cradling the pistol, I crushed the trigger.

“Left, but better,” said Sam.

Indeed it was. Excluding the flyer, five bullets from Hill Country’s 10mm HCH Hunter 1911 had punched a 0.9-inch group. It was about as tight a knot as I’ve fired with an iron-sighted handgun at 25 yards.

After Sam drilled another cozy cluster of holes, we switched ammo and chewed up more paper. “How about we try the silhouettes? Off-hand?” They were 40 yards off, but I was feeling good about this 1911. My first three shots blew paint from the middle of the steel desperado, leaving a naked gray triangle less than 3 inches across the pock marks. I handed the pistol to Sam. “Your turn.” Why risk ruining the group with five shots?

I got to know Hill Country Rifles (HCR) years ago, after firing one of the company’s rifles. The re-stocked and “trued” Remington 700 in .270 Win shot groups that could be covered with a bottle cap. I’ve since followed the Texas firm’s evolving products and services. Two summers ago, the company loaned me a pistol, the first 1911 in its 19-year history. “You’ll like it,” said Matt Bettersworth, who runs the company with Dave Fuqua.

He was right. In fact, that .45 ranked among the best I’ve had in hand since I assembled my first 1911 from surplus parts decades ago. I’m sweet on the model, partly because it shows John Browning’s genius, has a stellar history in U.S. military service and still dominates (and defines) competitive events. But I also favor the 1911 because it fits my big hands and points naturally for me. The .45 ACP is what a pistol cartridge should be: hiccup-free in feeding, hard-hitting up close and manageable in recoil.

Ammo developments have had much to do with the sterling qualities of the cartridge. As the .223 Remington has benefited from ubiquity, so has the .45 ACP. How many superb loads would be available for the .222 Rem Mag, or the .38 Super, if those rounds had enjoyed such attention?

RELATED STORY: 11 Custom Gun Shops For 1911 Pistols

But popularity has a price. The cycling, accuracy, and fit and finish of 1911s vary as widely as their origins and prices. Hill Country Rifles is mighty particular about its products, having built its reputation on first-cabin firearms. “We don’t manufacture to a price,” Matt reminded me. “We work to give customers the very best.” Unlike semi-custom shops that offer a limited range of options, HCR honors customer whims to small details. “We consult with him or her to determine shooting style, the firearm’s purpose and other things that affect profile, weight and dimensions. We guarantee accuracy with factory loads.”

Matt assured me that the care lavished on its rifles goes into its 1911s, now officially produced by Hill Country Handguns (HCH), a division of Hill Country Rifles. “We put Justin McMillan on that project. Nine years now at HCR, Justin previously served as chief gunsmith at STI. He’s shot 1911s since age 14 and was recruited by the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, where he built Beretta M9s as well as 1911s. His pistols have won gold at Camp Perry and the Sydney Olympics.” In January of 2016, Justin was voted into the elite American Custom Gunmakers Guild, which demands superior work of applicants.

“We use only U.S.-sourced forged parts in our pistols,” said Matt. “Instead of sending guns down a production line, we assign each pistol to two craftsmen. We surface grind each slide and frame to within 0.001 inches. Then we hand-lap with 800-grit abrasive. Cycling a slide, you’ll feel the close tolerances, the snug, even fit, the silent muscle of the spring—even if you grope for descriptive words. Taut but silky. Piston-like. Ball-bearing smooth. Squeak-free. Wobble-free. Clackless. There’s no wobble. It’s…well, perfect!” Matt pointed out that close mating of parts makes pistols more reliable “because there’s no place for grit to enter. Also, parts wear evenly. Increasing surface contact between the frame and slide increases longevity.”

Another step in building top-quality 1911s is the fitting and timing of the link that pulls the barrel out of battery. HCH gunsmiths are meticulous here—also with the fitting of fire-control components and match-grade KKM bull barrels.

RELATED STORY: The Colt Model 1911 – A Look Back At 105 Years Of Excellence

Added features and special treatments can enhance the looks, utility and value of a pistol. From an ambidextrous safety to machining on the backstrap and mainspring housing, to night sights, HCH attends details and offers options. As for the finish, “We do our own Cerakoting, case coloring and bluing,” Matt said. “We shape our own walnut and G10 grip panels. They cover more of the frame than standard panels for a better feel and more control.”

Each pistol passes rigorous function tests. Accuracy trials are conducted at 50 yards over a Ransom rest. The resulting targets are packed with each 1911 shipped.

The first HCH 1911 that came my way whetted my appetite for another. Before I’d even boxed up the .45 for its return trip to Texas, I’d asked Matt Bettersworth about the Hunter. “I’ve done little with the 10mm,” I explained. Matt replied that I didn’t need this excuse, that he’d ship one of the long-slide pistols pronto. And he did.

Long-Slide Hunter

As I expected, the Hunter evidences the same care in manufacture as the Classic. Cerakoted in black, the steel is perfectly contoured and polished. The flats are flat, the squared-off triggerguard and bottom rail are beautifully machined. All edges are uniform and crisp, but not sharp. The same goes for slide serrations, fore and aft, and the 30-lines-per-inch serrations on the frontstrap and mainspring housing. The extended grip safety has the lower bump that ensures contact with the heel of my thumb and the hollow of my big palm. A loop-style hammer, nicely grooved, retracts as smoothly as the slide. Cycling to load the chamber is hitch-free on the Hunter. Even the magazine has fairytale feel. It slips home as if machined and mated to spring-loaded rollers.

Fitted with Novak front and rear night sights, the 8.5-inch slide affords a 7.5-inch sight radius. The Hunter is equipped with an ambidextrous safety, generously proportioned on each side. My test pistol was upgraded with smooth Turkish walnut grips, oversized like the standard G10s (the Hunter is also available with optional Crimson Trace LaserGrips, pre-ban elephant ivory or mammoth ivory grips). They leave half as much vertical flat frame exposed as do ordinary panels, and just a hairline at the bottom. In hand, the panels and frame become one. This pistol feels solid, its 50 ounces (empty) distributed to come on target quickly without effort. Its forward tilt, courtesy the husky 6-inch KKM barrel, is noticeable but not objectionable. Indeed, I found the heft and balance of the Hunter an asset while shooting over bags or off-hand.

RELATED STORY: 6 Manufacturers Selling Lever-Action Rifles For Home Defense Or Hunting

The trigger breaks smoothly and consistently on the Hill Country Hunter, with little take-up, at just over four pounds. That’s if I cycle the slide. Thumbing the hammer gives me a pull of 5.25 pounds. I’m told such a disparity is normal, a function of how the 1911 disconnector works.

Yes, I did look for flaws. I found none. The pistol cycled the three types of ammunition I had on hand without fail. At a starting price of $4,295, this is not an inexpensive pistol. But there’s a market for top quality. Customers come to Hill Country “because our focus is on building the best! Comments from customers thrilled with their guns tell us we’re on the right track.” Clearly, Matt is convinced, too.

Hill Country Handguns currently offers four versions of the 1911. The 5-inch Classic introduced me to this series. The Carry, with a bobtail frame, comes with a 3.9-inch barrel in 9mm or a 4.1-inch barrel in .45 ACP. The .45 ACP or 10mm Hunter is available with a 5- or 6-inch barrel and an integral frame rail. The Eminence is a “fully loaded” 1911 with a case-colored frame, nitre blue accents and engraving. Hill Country handguns plans to make just 40 of these pistols in 2016 for “customers especially fond of 1911s.”

The HCH Hunter comes with two magazines in a foam-fitted aluminum case with piano hinges and twin locking latches.

For more information, call 830-609-3139 or visit http://www.hillcountryhandguns.com.

This article was published in the 2016 edition of the Complete Book of 1911s. For information on how to subscribe, please email subscriptions@outdoorgroupmags.com or call 1-800-284-5668.

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The post HCH Hunter: Hill Country Handguns’ Long-Slide 10mm 1911 appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The following is a press release from Wilson Combat

The New Wilson Combat X-TAC Elite Carry Comp is available in 9mm and .45 ACP for the ultimate soft shooting and accurate carry gun experience. Our exclusive compensator design tames muzzle flip with high performance carry ammo and reduces perceived recoil of your Compact or Professional size pistol to less than that of a full-size gun.

This one-piece billet machined compensator barrel has no threads or joints to loosen and the short but efficient profile fits in any standard, full size 1911 holster.

RELATED STORY: 3 Carry-Ready Wilson Combat Sentinels

Note: The Carry Comp barrel upgrade is also available on any 4″ barreled 9mm or .45ACP Wilson Combat pistol.

The legendary Wilson Combat X-TAC tread pattern is known for rock solid traction and high round count shooting comfort. Coupled with performance options like our reload-enhancing one-piece Bullet Proof® Magwell and carry options like the concealment hammer and grip safety the X-TAC Elite has all the right custom features and striking good looks. Other options like perfectly executed top and rear of slide serrations cut down glare on bright range days. Extra detail is lavished on the X-TAC Elite slide with machined carry cuts, ball endmill cuts and a heavy machined bottom slide chamfer that enhances cosmetics, streamlines your pistol’s profile and reduces sharp edges.

The bi-directional, X-TAC frontstrap and slide treatment offer enhanced grip and improved durability over traditional checkering in severe and hard-use environments. Scientifically designed by Bill Wilson to work with dry or wet hands and with or without tactical gloves, the X-TAC pattern redefines secure shooting comfort and gunhandling without the coarse, painful nature of other grip treatments. In tandem with our aggressive G-10 Starburst grips, the X-TAC tread pattern locks securely into the firing hand and will reduce muzzle flip without snagging on clothes or cover garments.

RELATED STORY: Gun Review – Wilson Combat Vickers Elite .45

The X-TAC Elite has all of the same Wilson Combat perfected internal quality as our flagship CQB pistols with guaranteed accuracy, enhanced reliability and the highest quality parts and assembly in the industry. All of this is backed up by Wilson Combat’s industry leading customer service policy where we ensure your satisfaction with a Wilson Combat firearm product forever with-no strings attached.

X-TAC Elite Carry Comp Specifications

Available Calibers: .45 ACP, 9mm
Magazine Capacity: 7 RDs (.45 ACP)
Barrel Length: 4.5″
Overall Length: 8.1″
Sight Radius: 5.7″
Height: 5.1″
Width: 1.3″
Weight Empty: 39.36 oz
Weight Loaded: 42.69 oz
Accuracy Guarantee: 1.5″ at 25 yds

More Information: http://www.wilsoncombat.com/x-tac-elite-carry-comp

The post Wilson Combat Releases The X-TAC Elite Carry Comp appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The 1911 has been around for 105 years, during which time it has been modified, improved, altered, customized, lengthened, shortened and all but completely overhauled. However, American Tactical’s FXH-45—short for Firepower Xtreme Hybrid .45—is very close to being a total redesign. More than another version of the Model 1911, the FXH-45 Hybrid is, as its name implies, a new approach to designing and building the Model 1911 to make it easier to handle, faster to operate and much more versatile right out of the box. And one look at the FXH-45 Hybrid’s design and it’s clear that American Tactical was thinking outside of the 1911 box.

Hybrid Specs

American Tactical was granted a U.S. patent in April 2016 for the FXH-45 design. The company began by creating a high-strength polymer frame with 7075-T6 aluminum inserts to support the slide rails, fire control housing and mainspring housing. In other words, the frame is lightweight while still being very rugged. The polymer frame has a finger-grooved frontstrap and a distinctive, oversized and undercut triggerguard.

RELATED STORY: Gun Review – American Tactical’s GSG AK-47

The combination of a polymer frame with alloy inserts may sound a little familiar as of late, but never with a 1911. In designing the FHX-45, American Tactical researched the best features from a wide variety of handguns, and not all of them were 1911s. In overall appearance, the FXH-45 is a 1911, but when you begin looking at its individual features, a number of other well-proven handgun designs become apparent.

The frame will accept any number of standard 1911 grip panels, but look at the finger grooves in the frontstrap and you’ll see hints of the Glock design. The integrated dust-cover accessory rail is similar to the Wilson Combat Protector 1911’s, with its high clearance and deep rear groove. The triggerguard is pure CZ 75 and Beretta M9.

The rakishly ported slide is reconfigured from typical 1911 contours and made from stainless steel with a black nitride finish. The lower shape of the slide is clean and tapered like an IWI Jericho pistol, but the unique, angular cuts in the slide are pure American Tactical. The slide also sports a red fiber-optic front sight and a dovetailed, wide-notch rear sight as well as a built-in, reconfigurable optics-mounting platform. Within the slide you’ll find a 5-inch, match-grade barrel made of 416 stainless steel.

The rest of the FXH-45’s features—including the skeletonized aluminum trigger, the finely checkered mainspring housing, the beavertail grip safety with a raised contact pad, the skeletonized Delta-style hammer and ambidextrous thumb safety—are all out of the 1911 custom features toolbox.

Stacking Up

The FXH-45 could mark the beginning of a new era for the 1911 platform. In comparison to a traditional Government Model 1911, the FXH-45 has a total grip circumference (with standard-sized grip panels) of 5.56 inches, which is slightly greater than a Government Model 1911. Add the finger grooves and undercut triggerguard and you have a far more secure hold on this gun than a stock 1911. The oversized triggerguard also makes this gun much easier to operate with tactical gloves, and its squared, serrated front allows more options for a two-handed hold and longer rail-mounted accessories.

RELATED STORY: Gun Review – American Tactical’s Durable Omni Hybrid 5.56mm

An average Government Model 1911 weighs close to 40 ounces without a magazine; the FXH-45 comes in at 27.5 ounces without a magazine. That is considerable weight savings for a full-sized 1911. The gun’s overall length is 8.7 inches—about the same as a Government Model 1911 with an extended beavertail grip safety. Its height is almost identical as well at 5.4 inches.

Surprisingly, this very high-tech gun uses a traditional 1911-style plunger, recoil spring and guide rod, making field-stripping very straight-forward. But what about recoil? Polymer-framed .45s tend to have hasher recoil with the exception of those using dual recoil spring and guide rod assemblies like Gen4 Glocks and a handful of custom-built and handcrafted competition and tactical 1911s costing much more.

Shots Downrange

The lightweight, polymer-framed FXH-45 is slightly nose heavy unloaded but balances out nicely with 8+1 rounds of .45 ACP ammo on board. Slide resistance when chambering the first round or clearing the gun is nominal for a 1911. The ambidextrous thumb safety solidly clicks into and out of lock, and the checkered slide release operates smoothly. The left-side-mounted magazine release is checkered well and operates quickly with either the strong hand or support-hand thumb, cleanly dropping the eight-round magazine. The black polymer, double-diamond-checkered grip panels sit well in the hand and are held down by first-rate hex-head screws.

The trigger pull on my test gun averaged 5.35 pounds with 0.125 inches of take-up, a crisp break, zero overtravel and a quick reset. To put this new .45 ACP though its paces, I chose a variety of ammunition, including Sig Sauer 230-grain Elite Performance FMJs, Aguila 230-grain FMJs, HPR 185-grain HyperClean JHPs, Federal Premium 230-grain Hydra-Shok JHPs and Hornady 220-grain Critical Duty FlexLock +P rounds. I tested the pistol off-hand on B-27 silhouettes at 25 yards.

RELATED STORY: New For 2016 – American Tactical’s MilSport 9mm Pistol and Carbine

There is total parity between the FXH-45 and a Government Model 1911 when it comes to recoil, despite the former’s lighter overall weight, and perhaps even a slight advantage due to its grip design. The trigger pull was light and consistent, and the sights were fast on target for quick follow-up shots. Muzzle lift varied from moderate with hardball ammo to substantial but very controllable with the hard-hitting, high-velocity Critical Duty rounds.

The Hornady and HPR loads tied for producing the best five-round groups, which measured 1.75 inches. The Federal load also produced a 1.77-inch group. My groups with FMJs were slightly wider, with the Sig Sauer load clustering five rounds into 1.9 inches and the Aguila into 1.95 inches. All of my shots were slightly above and left of the point of aim at 25 yards, but considering the evaluation was performed under windy conditions, I can’t complain with the FXH-45’s performance. It shot better than the majority of out-of-the-box Government Model 1911s I’ve tested.

21st Century Design

There are several features to like in the FXH-45. The big plus here is lighter carry weight, combined with a full-sized 1911 platform, an excellent grip design, a full-length accessory rail, an integrated solution for mounting optics and overall ease of operation. Overall, the American Tactical FXH-45 delivers an innovative design with an excellent fit and finish, consistent accuracy and value for the dollar. If the 1911 is an old dog, it has definitely learned some new tricks!

For more, visit http://www.americantactical.us or call 800-290-0065.

This article was published in the 2016 edition of the Complete Book of 1911s. For information on how to subscribe, please email subscriptions@outdoorgroupmags.com or call 1-800-284-5668.

The post Xtreme Firepower: American Tactical’s Game-Changing FXH-45 appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

As building 1911 pistols is admittedly something of a well-worn path these days, it can be difficult to stand out from the pack. With a large number of major manufacturers and a veritable army of small custom builders making their own versions of this classic, you really have to do something special to make yourself noticed. Enter the custom-quality, American-made line of Republic Forge 1911 pistols.

As a longtime fan of the 1911 and owner of several variants ranging from stock production guns to full-tilt custom models, I recently got the bug for a new custom-grade pistol with all the bells and whistles. Having heard many good things about Republic Forge, I decided to give the company a close look. While perusing the company’s website, I discovered the following statement: “Republic Forge pistols are not built for beginners. They are built for shooters.” From what I have learned about the company, this statement seems to pretty much sum up its entire mindset regarding its pistols.

• RELATED STORY: ‘Build Your Own 1911’ with Republic Forge

Every Republic Forge pistol is made by hand in the company’s Perryton, Texas, plant with American-made parts, one gun at a time. And, for having started just a short time ago, Republic Forge has quickly made a name for itself in the 1911 community. Benny Deal, Jeff Meister and Dale Pancake founded Republic Forge in early 2014 with the goal of offering shooters the opportunity to own 100-percent American-made 1911 pistols with the best possible components and workmanship. I recently had the opportunity to interview Republic Forge’s Jeff Meister and was able to get the inside scoop on the company and its products.

“We use all American-made parts. No MIM [metal-injection molding] or foreign-made parts. Also, all of our frames are forged right here in Texas with American-made steel,” he explained to me. Noticing a theme?

When it comes down to the nuts and bolts of building the guns, the core team is made up of Jeff Meister and Ryan Wells, both highly skilled 1911 gunsmiths. Meister himself has more than 30 years of experience building 1911s, and Wells is an up-and-coming 1911 gunsmith that the company hired right out of school. “Ryan is a highly talented young man,” Jeff told me. “He attended the Pennsylvania Gunsmith School in Pittsburgh, and we discovered him at a Brownells-sponsored job fair.”

One of a Kind

With what I had learned about the company, I was sold and wanted to try one out for myself. With a tendency toward somewhat esoteric tastes, I thought that Republic Forge might be a great source for a truly unique 1911 to add to my collection. Perusing the “Build Your Own 1911” section of the website, I began the process of ordering my own custom 1911—and I was immediately impressed by the breadth of the options available to me. A very nice feature of this section of the site is the fact that it will “mock up” an image of a pistol with your selected specifications as you choose them. Consider it a sneak peek of what you will receive.

Although I recognize the benefits of 1911 variants such as Commander and Officer’s models—and the many iterations between them—I am a .45 ACP Government Model 1911 fan through and through. So, while Republic Forge offers just about any size and variation of the 1911 you could want (and a range of chamberings), I settled in on a .45 ACP “Republic” model with a full-sized frame and 5-inch barrel.

It was at the finish selection step that my esoteric tastes began to really appear. While the company offers a broad range of Cerakote finishes as well as Damascus and blued steel, it was the “color case” option that caught my eye. “We have offered this option for about a year, and it has received a phenomenal response,” Jeff explained to me when I asked him about it. Who knows, maybe my tastes are not as obscure as I initially thought?

While I considered going with a blued finish or even the Damascus steel option on the slide, I ultimately decided to go all-in and have both the frame and slide color casehardened. Also, although I normally like forward cocking serrations on the slide of a 1911, I decided to forgo them on this one to keep the overall lines as “classic” as possible.

To be honest, when I started setting up the features of the pistol, I did not have a concrete plan for its final configuration. I really was just seeing what caught my eye in the options lists of each section. As I continued, I realized that what I was developing was a hybrid pistol with some traditional features combined with modern-day practical carry options. To that end, I selected features such as an ambidextrous safety (as a southpaw, this is a must for me) as well as an integral flared and extended magazine well. The company’s new proprietary tritium sights (designed and developed by Meister), made up of a large dot front and a notch rear with a single dot and flat-faced ledge for one-hand racking of the slide, was another modern enhancement for the pistol that I felt was a good choice.

Now, with a streak of modern-style features and enhancements selected for my pistol, I decided to head back into the esoteric realm by selecting elephant ivory grips. I felt these would attractively complement the casehardening on the pistol and really help make the pistol stand out from the crowd.

Full disclosure here (and something that is probably becoming quite apparent by now): My tastes in 1911s are often pulled in two different directions. I like traditional materials, such as natural grip materials and leather holsters, but I have learned to appreciate modern upgrades and enhancements through having attended self-defense training courses at places like Gunsite Academy. I want a gun that can appeal to yesterday’s tastes in terms of materials and construction but still be a capable “gunfighter” for everyday carry.

Hands On

Having put in my order and waited the several months (three to five months is the current officially stated wait time for a new order), I was happy to hear that the Republic Forge 1911 had arrived at my local FFL shop. Jeff dropped me a note letting me know that Ryan had built the gun I received.

Upon arriving at home and opening the box and the Republic Forge-branded Elite Survival Systems zippered case, I found an amazing-looking 1911 pistol. The color casehardening is, in a word, beautiful. It has a swirling, tiger-stripe pattern over most of the pistol, with the patterns from the frame to the slide matching impressively well. The casehardening was also applied to the extended and flared magazine well and the extended beavertail grip safety. A deep blued finish on the controls (extended magazine release, safety, slide release and “Texas Star” hammer) set off the casehardening nicely, and the elephant ivory grips are attractive and extremely well fitted. The frontstrap features 25-lpi checkering, with 20-lpi checkering on the mainspring housing. A light-diffusing strip of serrations runs along the top of the slide. The pistol came packed with two eight-round Tripp Research CobraMag stainless steel magazines.

• RELATED STORY: 20 Exciting New 1911 Pistols Released In 2016

The fitting of this Republic Forge 1911 is, pardon the overused phrase, tight as a drum. The slide-to-frame fit exhibits practically no side-to-side play, and the “tri-cavity” trigger breaks at a very clean 5.75 pounds. (All Republic Forge pistols have Series 70 mechanisms with no firing pin safeties). The pistol came with a 4150 steel Kart National Match barrel that was fitted snugly with no downward movement on the hood portion with the slide fully in battery. During my earlier conversation with Jeff, he had explained that each pistol is hand-fitted by one gunsmith from oversized parts. It would appear that Ryan did an outstanding job on this sample and fully lived up to Jeff’s description of his capabilities.

Range Time

I took the custom Republic Forge 1911 out to the range with a selection of Federal, Speer and Hornady ammunition and set up at the 25-yard line with a pistol rest. As I began to put the pistol through its paces, I did note that the left-hand side of the ambidextrous safety required a good amount of force to overcome the spring-loaded plunger on the other side, but it appeared to start wearing in with use. The pistol was very accurate with all three of the loads I tested, creating five-shot groups in the roughly 1- to 1.5-inch range at 25 yards, with a “best” group of 0.9 inches with the Federal ammo. The test target that came with the pistol showed a tight 0.55-inch three-shot group at 15 yards. The pistol ran without a hiccup short of one failure to feed early in the test (I suspect it was simply part of the break-in process). I also ran it through some drills from my Milt Sparks Summer Special 2 holster.

Thanks to the efforts of Ryan Wells and Republic Forge, I now have a very unique and—judging by the reactions of those who’ve seen the pistol—eye-catching 1911 to add to my collection. This Republic Forge 1911 is truly a carry-ready pistol that can easily double as a collectible heirloom piece. Now I just have to decide which way I will head with it!

For more information, visit RepublicForge.com or call 806-648-1911.

This article was published in the 2016 edition of the Complete Book of 1911s. For information on how to subscribe, please email subscriptions@outdoorgroupmags.com or call 1-800-284-5668.

The post Republic Forge 1911: Testing A Custom-Grade .45 ACP Pistol appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The following is a press release regarding Ruger’s American Pistol Compact

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE-RGR) is proud to announce the addition of the Ruger American Pistol Compact model. This new model is chambered in 9mm Luger and is available in both Manual Safety and Pro model configurations. Originally introduced in December 2015, the feature-rich Ruger American Pistol was designed with the latest U.S. Military standards in mind and was tested in the harshest environments to ensure the rugged reliability consumers have come to expect from Ruger.

RELATED STORY: Pocket Powerhouse – The Ruger LCR Revolver in .327 Magnum

Ruger polled law enforcement and military trainers throughout the country to select the form, function and features of the Ruger American Pistol. The resultant pistol combines a recoil-reducing barrel cam (which better spreads recoil over time) with a low-mass slide, low center of gravity and a low-bore axis to provide better balance, less felt recoil and less muzzle flip than comparable pistols. The Ruger American Pistol also features a pre-tensioned striker system, which allows for a short takeup trigger with positive reset, and a modular wrap-around grip system that adjusts palm swell and trigger reach to fit a wide range of hand sizes.

With a 3.55″ barrel, overall dimensions of 6.65″ long, 4.48″ high and a weight of 28.75 ounces with an empty magazine, the Ruger American Pistol Compact model shares all of the features and rugged reliability of the duty-size gun in a smaller, lighter, more concealable package. It ships in a hard case with small, medium and large replaceable grip modules and two nickel-Teflon® plated steel magazines (one 17-round extended magazine and one 12-round compact magazine).

RELATED STORY: Gun Review – Ruger SR1911 .45 ACP

The American-made Ruger American Pistol is built on a rigid, one-piece, precision-machined, black nitrided, stainless steel chassis with integral frame rails and fire control housing. Additional features include genuine Novak® LoMount Carry three-dot sights, a stainless steel slide with non-reflective, black nitride finish, a one-piece, high-performance, glass-filled nylon grip frame and a mil-standard 1913 accessory rail.

For more information on the Ruger American Pistol Compact model, or to learn more about the extensive line of award-winning Ruger® firearms, visit Ruger.com or Facebook.com/Ruger. A full line of duty and concealment holsters, replacement sights and rail-mount accessories for the Ruger American Pistol are available through ShopRuger.com or your local independent retailer of Ruger firearms.

The post American Pistol Compact: Ruger Adds To American Pistol Line appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

There is long history of guns in the hip-hop industry. Some of this history contains violent undertones, but most of it is simply for show. In fact, quite a few rappers legally carry on a regular basis. This includes the rapper Post Malone, who open carried while shopping in a Utah Walmart last week.

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The store actually posted a photo of Malone with a Walmart employee and thanking him for shopping. While there, he purchased a hoverboard, and obviously spent a few minutes talking to fans and posing for pictures. And during this entire visit, Malone had a pistol in an open-carry holster.

Malone, whose real name is Austin Richard Post, is a long-time owner of firearms. Part of this might be because while he was born in New York, he was raised in Texas. Over the years, he has told numerous media outlets about his support of the Second Amendment. One of his many tattoos, in fact, is a snake coiled around a rifle.

One reason he supports gun rights is the same as many other gun owners in the country. He believes “the world is going to shit,” and wants to be prepared if something happens. He actually showed off part of his collection during an interview with Spin. At the same time, he explained he is into alternate news and conspiracy theories. The writer considered the collection to be “disconcerting,” seemingly not realizing that a lot of Americans own firearms and hold some of the same beliefs. It might seem unusual for some, but was completely normal inside the Utah Walmart.

Response to Post Malone Open Carrying

The Walmart post received more than 1,000 comments. A large majority were positive, both about him shopping at Walmart and having an open carry pistol. Of course, not everyone agreed. Some seemed to consider the concept of carrying a gun to be juvenile. Utah law allows open carry, if the person has a concealed-carry permit. Otherwise, the gun must be carried with two steps required for firing: racking the slide and pulling the trigger.

There is no way of knowing if Malone has a permit for Utah. However, approximately 22 percent of state residents have permits. Also, Utah recognizes permits for all 50 states, so he might have one from somewhere else. He owns homes in both California and Utah, so he could have permits for either one. Regardless, Malone makes a pretty good advocate for the responsible use of guns.

The post Post Malone Open Carries Gun While Buying Hoverboard at Utah Walmart appeared first on Personal Defense World.

Most know and understand the 90s movie line, “Stupid is as stupid does.” Still, it is something to see it in action. In this case, the subject went all out by checking to see if his laser was working by putting his hand in front of the pistol barrel of a loaded gun.

Sure, this video is a few years old. However, there is never a bad time to learn a gun safety lesson, at least if it is through someone else; this guy probably wishes this had never happened, much less caught on video.

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Never Put Your Hand Over a Pistol Barrel

In this incident, it is pretty obvious that the man was trying to figure out what was happening with the laser on his gun. He repeatedly raises the gun to the target before lowering it to break Gun Safety Rule No. 2. He, of course, also broke rule No. 3, or the gun wouldn’t have fired. More than anything else, this incident was caused by complacency. It is easy to become too comfortable with firearms. This is why these incidents happen to experienced shooters more often than many realize. It’s also why every competition and training session begins with a safety brief.

Firearm Safety Rule No. 1: Treat every gun as if it were loaded

This rule is very obvious, but broken often; how else can you explain unintended discharges? A gun can be a dangerous weapon when used improperly, which includes playing around like it is a toy. While this guy wasn’t playing with the gun, he has reached a level of comfort that shooters should never reach.

Firearm Safety Rule No. 2: Never point it at anything you are not willing to destroy

This is the rule that the subject repeatedly ignored by placing his placing his hand in front of the pistol barrel. And while another gun safety rule added to the issue and results, if he had followed this rule, he wouldn’t have shot himself. Gun might have went off, but without a hand in front of the gun, there won’t be an injury.

Firearm Safety Rule No. 3: Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot

Here is the other rule that could have prevented this incident. Putting a hand in front of a loaded firearm is never a good idea. However, a gun can’t fire on its own; it requires for someone to depress the trigger.

Firearm Safety Rule No. 4: Know your target and what’s beyond it

This rule doesn’t really factor in this incident as he knew his target and what was beyond it. When he placed his hand in front of the barrel, the target was his hand and the background was the range berm. This rule is mostly about reminding people to know what is behind what they’re shooting at. This is particularly important in regard to self defense, as attacks seldom happen at a range.

Other versions of these gun safety rules can be found at nssf.org.

The post WATCH: Man Puts Hand Over Pistol Barrel to Test Laser, Shoots Himself appeared first on Personal Defense World.

DoubleStar recently announced the release of its newest firearm, the STAR10P .308 pistol. It features the company’s new Stronghold Pistol Grip to help control the harder-recoiling .308 cartridge.

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The DoubleStar STAR10P delivers plenty of power for the desired role of self-defense. It features the same billet upper and lower as the original STAR10 rifle. Yet the STAR10P manages to deliver that same power in a manageable package. The Strongarm Pistol Brace and Stronghold Pistol Grip take the STAR10P AR pistol to the next level, according to DoubleStar.

The Stronghold Pistol Grip features G10 M-LOK panels. Additionally, the anodized aluminum frame utilizes customizable, textured Stronghold G10 M-LOK panels. The palm swell provides a secure but comfortable surface for the shooter’s hand, even when wearing gloves. The high-quality U.S.-made G10 panels round out the package with rugged style. Paired with the Stronghold G10 M-LOK panels, the grip becomes secure in all conditions, according to DoubleStar.

DoubleStar’s Stronghold G10 M-LOK panels keep weight down at just 0.5 ounces per panel with mounting hardware. They measure 3.25 inches in overall length. The company CNC machines each panel from high-quality G10 to provide a textured surface for an M-LOK handguard.

DoubleStar STAR10P Specifications

• Overall Weight: 8.15 pounds
• Caliber: .308
• Modes of Fire: Semi-automatic
• Overall Barrel Length: 12 inches
• Barrel Type: Heavy Barrel
• Twist Rate: 1:10
• Barrel Material: Stainless Steel
• Barrel Features: Free Floating
• Sight/Gas Block: Low Profile Gas Block
• Muzzle Device: RASP Flash Hider
• Handguard: Cloak MLOK Handguard 11 inches
• Upper Receiver Type: Flattop
• Upper Receiver Coating: Anodized to MIL-SPEC
• Receiver (Upper) Features: Brass Deflector, Dust Cover
• Lower Receiver Materials: Billet Aircraft 7075 T6 Aluminum
• Lower Receiver Coating: Anodized to MIL-SPEC
• Receiver (Lower) Features: Integrated Trigger Guard, Enhanced Magwell
• Charging Handle: Strike Industries
• Fire Control Group: CMC 3.5-pound Flat Trigger Group
• Overall Magazine Capacity: 20-round
• Buttstock: Strongarm Pistol Brace
• Pistol Grip: Stronghold Pistol Grip with G10 Panels
• Other Features: Enhanced Extraction System
• Action: Direct Gas Impingement
• MSRP: $2,299.99

For more information about DoubleStar, visit star15.com.

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Texas firearm company Bond Arms has a reputation for putting the power in your pocket with their small, powerful derringers. However, they also recognize that women like to conceal carry for personal protection as well. For this reason, Bond Arms has introduced two new pistols with a feminine flair, the Momma Bear and Girl Mini.

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The Bond Arms Momma Bear and Girl Mini

The Momma Bear and Girl Mini are very similar in almost every way and share similar specifications. Each of the diminutive derringers weighs a meager 19-ounces, making them more portable regardless of attire. Additionally, the small frames measure at an overall length of a small 4.5 inches, with 2.5-inch barrel. These little powerhouses will comfortably fit into a handbag, backpack or concealed-carry holster.

Where they differ most is in the power they are packing. The Girl Mini comes with 38Spcl/357Mag barrels, whereas the Momma Bear also includes 9mm. Also, the Girl Mini does not have a trigger guard, where the Momma Bear does.

But don’t let the lack of trigger guard worry you. Both pistols include Bond Arms’ enhanced safety elements like the locking hammer, retracting firing pins and cross-bolt safety. However, they both still feature one-handed operation.

If you would prefer more power in your pocket, both pistols are compatible with dozens of Bond Arms’ optional barrels. This allows you to swap out the included barrel for different lengths and/or cartridges. The easily swappable barrels even allow you to move up to the powerful .410 bore, for ultimate defense.

Availability

The Bond Arms Momma Bear and Girl Mini are available now with an MSRP of $541.00 (Momma Bear) and $534.00 (Girl Mini). For more info, please visit BondArms.com.

Bond Arms Girl Mini Specifications:

Cartridge: .357Mag/.38Spl
Barrel Length: 2.5 inches
Grip: Standard size; Pink Wood with “Bond Girl” custom graphics
Sights: Front blade, fixed rear
Length: 4.5 inches
Weight: 19-ounces
Trigger Guard: No
Price: $534.00

Bond Arms Mama Bear Specifications:

Cartridge: .357Mag/.38Spl, 9mm
Barrel Length: 2.5 inches
Grip: Standard size; Pink Wood with “Mama Bear” custom graphics
Sights: Front blade, fixed rear
Length: 4.5 inches
Weight: 19-ounces
Trigger Guard: Yes
Price: $541.00

The post Bond Arms Momma Bear and Girl Mini Allow You To Carry Like a Woman appeared first on Personal Defense World.

There is just something about Derringers that are really attractive for concealed carry. Perhaps it’s the nostalgia of carrying a pistol with such a storied history. Or maybe it really comes down to how easy they are to conceal and carry. If the last reason is where you sit on the issue, then the Bond Arms Stinger is right up your alley.

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The Bond Arms Stinger

Precision milled from a billet of 7075 aluminum, the Stinger is the smallest and lightest Derringer in the company’s lineup. Additionally, the frame features a black hard-coat anodized finish to protect the pistol during use. Likewise, the 3.5-inch barrels of the Stinger match the frame’s narrow 0.55-inch profile and are interchangeable with other Stinger barrels.

The slim, high-impact Zytel composite grips sit nicely on the wasp-waisted frame, keeping the profile narrow and concealable. However, the Stinger also includes standard rubber grip panels if you prefer a larger grip. Just forward of the grip is a generously sized integral trigger guard, with easy access to the trigger.

To ensure durability, the Stinger uses stainless steel in critical areas. Most notably, the use of a stainless-steel firing pin block inset into the frame strengthens the receiver and allows the Stinger to fire +P rounds. In addition, the release lever, cross-bolt safety, hammer, and trigger all feature stainless steel construction.

The Stinger is currently available in 9mm and .380 auto, with a .22 LR model on the horizon.

Availability

The Bond Arms Stinger is available now with an MSRP of $379.00. For more info, please visit BondArms.com.

Bond Arms Stinger Features: 

• Lightweight (12-ounces) 
• 7075-T6 Aluminum, Type III Hard Anodized frame is both lightweight and tough 
• Stainless steel double-barrel 
• Passive and manual safeties (3)
• Integral trigger guard
• Stinger Barrels are interchangeable with other Stinger barrels 
• High impact nylon, slim grips (also includes standard rubber grip panels) 
• Size is compatible with many aftermarket holsters

Bond Arms Stinger Specifications:

• Cartridge: 9mm; 380 auto 
• Weight: 12 Oz (with Slim Grips)
• Dimensions: Length 5″; Height: 4″; Width: Less than 1″ (with Slim Grips)
• Barrel: 3″ Heat Treated Stainless Steel
• Passive Safety: Rebounding Hammer
• Manual Safety: Crossbolt Safety & Safety Locking Device (SLD)
• Action: Over/Under, Tip-Up Barrel, Single Action
• Frame: 7075-T6 Aluminum, Type III Hard Anodize
• Trigger Guard: Integral w/Frame
• Interchangeability: Compatible with other centerfire Stinger barrels, but not with existing Bond derringers
• Grips: High Impact Nylon Slim Grips (standard rubber grips included)
• Hinge Screw: 7/64″ Allen Wrench
• MSRP: $379 

The post The Bond Arms Stinger Has a More Concealable Lighter, Slimmer Frame appeared first on Personal Defense World.

Perhaps no pistol is more readily identifiable than the 1911. These handguns have served men and women in the armed forces, in law enforcement and for personal protection. I’ve heard more than one enthusiast describe the 1911 to me as “America’s Pistol.”

It’s little wonder that this style of gun has been so popular for so long. Many people like the way the gun feels in the hand, and the single-action (SA) trigger pull can be truly exceptional. But, carrying a full-sized 1911 can be a challenge. For those who want to carry a 1911 for self-defense but would like something that is easier to conceal, STI International offers the Escort.

The STI Escort is a compact SA pistol that chops inches and ounces off a full-sized 1911 to make it better suited for concealed carry. The guns have 3.24-inch bull barrels— significantly shorter than the traditional 5-inch length—and an overall length of 7 inches. Unloaded, the guns weigh less than 23 ounces.

Escort frames are made of forged aluminum. Both the back- and frontstrap have a textured gripping area called STIppling. These machined surfaces are not the least bit harsh on the hands, yet they help the shooter maintain a solid grip on the pistol.

STI makes the Escort in two very popular calibers: 9mm and .45 ACP. My review gun was chambered for the classic .45 ACP and came with a single six-round magazine. In 9mm, the magazine will hold eight rounds, while the .40 S&W will hold seven.

The Escort has a very refined look that inspires confidence. The frame has a matte silver colored Cerakote finish. The slide is blued. One of my favorite styling features of the gun is the STI cocobolo grips. These grip panels are finely detailed with a deep, rich red color. The best part is they feel just as good as they look.

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The pistol’s sights are a three-dot configuration. The front is the company’s own competition sight. The rear sight is the Tactical Adjustable Sight (TAS.) It is ramped to reduce the possibility of it snagging on clothing during a draw.

A ramped rear sight is a popular choice with many shooters. However, I strongly prefer a rear sight with a hard front edge to assist with one-handed slide manipulation. In a situation where both hands are not available, being able to run the gun with only one hand is critical. Having a hard front edge to the rear sight can make slide manipulation off of another surface easy.

STI uses a polymer trigger in the Escort pistol. While it does feel different from a metal trigger, I could not find any fault with its performance. The trigger face was lightly textured, but not rough. While I prefer a perfectly smooth trigger face, I did not feel the Escort trigger impaired my ability to accurately shoot it.

According to STI, the polymer triggers prevent inertial firing from a drop or other hard impact. The STI trigger bow is made of stainless steel, and the trigger has a set screw to allow the owner to adjust the overtravel if desired.

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STI undercut the triggerguard on the Escort. What this means is the triggerguard curves up where it meets the grip, allowing the gripping hand to grasp higher on the frame. The undercut on this gun is not as radical as it is on some guns from other manufacturers. The cut is just enough to allow for a full, comfortable grip on the gun.

STI uses a high-ride, beavertail-style grip safety in the Escort. I found it to work very well, both protecting my hand from slide bite and with deactivating the safety when gripping the pistol. I did not need to apply any conscious pressure to the safety to deactivate it. It just worked.

A relatively large thumb safety is located on the left side of the gun frame. The lever was easy to operate, and disengaging it should be natural for any right-handed 1911 shooter. Movement and engagement was positive and sure without any wiggle or looseness. Like the beavertail grip safety, the thumb safety lever has a blued finish.

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In the Escort, STI uses the company’s own Recoil Master guide rod. This assembly is designed to help absorb recoil, which in a small gun can be considerable. The rod assembly has a pair of springs that act as shock absorbers to reduce the recoil felt by the shooter. Something like this has the potential of significantly improving the gun’s shootability.

Range Master

Compact 1911 pistols can be finicky. Sometimes they will only run reliably with certain kinds of ammunition, and other times not at all. I was eager to get the Escort to the range to see what this pistol would do.

My normal range was unavailable, so I headed to The Firing Line, a full service dealer and gun range in New Port Richey, Florida. The crew there was kind enough to let me use a private section of the range so I could set up my gear and move about without disturbing other shooters.

When I received the test gun, it showed signs of having been previously fired. Even so, I was intent on running the gun through several hundred rounds to ensure it was broken in prior to forming an opinion about its reliability. Shooting a combined 250 rounds of Remington UMC and Federal American Eagle 230-grain ball ammo, I experienced no malfunctions and felt the gun was broken in and ready for some hollow-point (HP) ammunition.

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One of the self-defense loads I tested was a 185-grain JHP from HPR Ammunition. This load uses the Hornady XTP bullet and is marketed to provide “really tight extreme spreads” and “improved accuracy.” Running the load across a chronograph for five shots, the load produced a standard deviation of 36 and a standard deviation of 13. Handheld, the load gave me the best group: 1.87 inches at 15 yards.

I experienced only one malfunction with any of the self-defense ammo. When firing the first five-round string of 230-grain Federal Hydra-Shok, the nose of the fourth round hung up on the feed ramp. After that, I did not experience any additional problems with the Hydra-Shok or any other round.

As with any lightweight, compact .45, the gun does have significant recoil. Based on my experiences with other compact 1911 pistols, I can’t say that the Recoil Master guide rod significantly reduced felt recoil. To me, the recoil in the Escort felt the same as other compact 1911 pistols.

I would not expect that any proficient shooter would have problems with controlling the gun during rapid fire. However, a new shooter might have problems getting comfortable with the pistol. A recoil-sensitive shooter might have some trouble with the Escort.

Accuracy with the gun was good. Even with a serious case of lateral epicondylitis (aka tennis elbow) in my dominant arm, I was able to regularly make five-shot groups of 2.5 inches or less with most ammo. A better shooter, or shooting from a rest, could tighten up the groups.

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The trigger felt good. There was a small amount of take-up and no overtravel as it was delivered. The break was clean. Using a Lyman digital trigger-pull gauge, the trigger averaged 4.8 pounds on 10 pulls.

Magazine changes were uneventful, which is a good thing. Slightly stiff, the magazine-release button feels exactly the way I like it. The button is out of the way while shooting but still easy to access when needed. In this configuration, it is virtually impossible to accidentally activate the button, yet mag changes are quick.

After the range trip, I discovered that the left grip panel visibly wiggled against the frame. Closer inspection revealed that both the upper and lower hex-head screws had loosened slightly while I was shooting. A few turns of an Allen key tightened the grip panel back down. A small amount of blue Loctite would likely cure the problem permanently.

Takedown Power

There has always been a great deal of debate about the best handgun to carry for personal protection. Some camps eschew the 1911 platform for a variety of well-considered reasons. However, there is little disputing these guns have served many people well since being introduced more than a century ago.

If you like the platform, the STI Escort is worth your consideration. Based on the pistol I evaluated, I believe the guns are well built, reliable and accurate. The controls are easy to manipulate, and the gun just feels good in the hand.

Featuring a truly lightweight and compact design, the Escort from STI International is easy to carry. With the right rig, the gun can be concealed under a Florida summer T-shirt as readily as a Maine winter coat. In either location, seven rounds of .45 ACP are likely to be just as effective at protecting your life and those of your loved ones.

This article was published in the 2016 issue of Gun Buyer’s Guide. For information on how to subscribe, please email Subscriptions@athlonmediagroup.com or call 1-800-284-5668

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The post STI Escort: A Carry-Ready 1911 appeared first on Personal Defense World.

When it comes to a distinctly American autoloader, it is hard to top the classic 1911. Born from the genius of John Moses Browning and adopted by the U.S. military more than a century ago, this classic single-action defensive pistol soldiers on today in the hands of not only select military and law enforcement units, but also everyday citizens. But feeding these .45 ACP pistols a steady diet of practice ammunition can quickly become an expensive endeavor.

For those looking for a cheaper way to keep up their shooting skills with the 1911 platform, there are several rimfire variants of this classic design available on the market today. While the internal mechanical operations of these .22 LR pistols differ from the original (namely straight blowback replacing the locked breech/delayed blowback operation of centerfire variants), with similar handling characteristics and control locations, they can do an excellent job of replicating the centerfire 1911 experience at a fraction of the cost. Scroll through the gallery above to see what options are available on the market for shooters today.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

American Tactical
http://www.americantactical.us

Chiappa
http://www.chiappafirearms.com

Sig Sauer
http://www.sigsauer.com

Walther
http://www.waltherarms.com

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This article was published in the 2016 edition of the Complete Book of 1911s. For information on how to subscribe, please email subscriptions@outdoorgroupmags.com or call 1-800-284-5668. Keep Reading

The post The 5 Best Rimfire Pistols For Practice, Plinking & Pest Control appeared first on Personal Defense World.

Even before the turn of the last century, gun-makers were working in earnest to design a practical self-loading pistol.

The first real breakthrough was by an Austrian designer named Joseph Laumann, whose patent was assigned to the Österreichische Waffenfabrik Gesellschaft at Steyr in Austria. The 1892 Schönberger-Laumann pistol was one of the first autoloaders ever produced. In 1893, German arms designer Hugo Borchardt and his colleague Georg Luger developed the Borchardt Automatic Repeating Pistol, an unusual-looking gun that held within its design Georg Luger’s toggle-lock action, which would become the foundation for Luger’s remarkably successful 9mm introduced in 1900.

Another soon-to-be-famous German arms-maker, Peter Paul Mauser, had introduced an entirely different approach to the Borchardt and Luger designs in 1895 using a bolt mechanism inside the slide to extract and eject the spent cartridge casing, cock the hammer and strip a fresh cartridge from the magazine as the slide rebounded and closed. If that sounds vaguely familiar, it is the way almost every semi-auto pistol in the world works, only the Mauser’s barrel and slide were one piece. The Mauser C96, better known today as the “Broomhandle,” became one of the most successful handguns in history.

But success must be measured by more than achieving a place in history; it must ultimately be gauged by its longevity throughout history, and there is only one handgun design from the very early 20th century that has remained in continual use to this very day—the Colt Model 1911.

Browning’s Designs

John Moses Browning’s earliest patent for a semi-auto is dated April 20, 1897, a date that would appear on the slides of Colt semi-automatic pistols for nearly half a century. Between 1900 and 1911, Browning’s designs would make Colt one of the world’s leading producers of self-loading pistols. The road leading to the development of the Model 1911 was well traveled by Browning with an entire series of semi-auto designs for Colt beginning in 1900.

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The Ogden, Utah, arms designer and his family were responsible for one of the earliest small-caliber autoloaders to find favor with lawmen at the turn of the century, the Belgian-manufactured FN Model 1900 chambered in 7.65mm (.32 ACP). At around the same time, Browning licensed his 1897 patent design to Colt for its own Model 1900, which was chambered in the new .38 rimless smokeless caliber (originally called a “Colt Automatic Pistol Hammerless,” or CAPH cartridge, and later shortened to ACP), a cartridge more closely related to the .38 Long Colt, then in use by the U.S. military for double-action Colt revolvers. Though only produced through 1903 and limited to around 3,500 guns, Browning’s Model 1900 formed the basis for an entire series of semi-automatic pistols that would lead to the Model 1911.

From 1900 to 1911

One of the great incentives for further development by Browning and Colt in the early 1900s was the U.S. military’s keen interest in seven-shot semi-autos. Both the Army and Navy procured Colt Model 1900 pistols for evaluation, around 50 for the Navy and 200 for the Army. The improved Colt Model 1902 (sporting) automatic pistol found even more favor with the government. Changes in the design included a rounded hammer, a shorter firing pin (deemed necessary to avoid accidental discharges if the hammer were inadvertently struck while a cartridge was chambered), a dovetail-mounted rear sight and checkered, hard rubber grips. To meet Ordnance Department requirements, the military versions had a longer grip squared at the butt (as opposed to the rounded-contour grip on civilian models), a lanyard swivel on the lower left side of the grip frame, a slide stop on the left side of the frame and an eight-shot magazine, whereas civilian versions carried one less round. The military’s Model 1902 remained in the Colt catalog until 1928, with production reaching over 47,000 examples.

In between production of the Model 1902, the Model 1903 and development of the first Hammerless semi-automatic Colt pistols came a design that is regarded as the quintessential stepping stone to the 1911, the Model 1905. This new .45 ACP handgun was cataloged as the “Model 1905 .45 Automatic Pistol.” The similarities between the Model 1905 and the later Model 1911 are unmistakable, as are the differences. Colt’s first .45-caliber semi-auto used a rimless smokeless cartridge designed by Browning. The new gun and cartridge were exactly what the U.S. military had been waiting for.

Unfortunately, the Model 1905 left a lot to be desired as a military sidearm. To the average serviceman, it was complicated compared to a revolver, and the .45 ACP recoil was substantial. Nevertheless, in 1907 the U.S. government placed an order for 200 of the new semi-auto Colts for evaluation. The military versions required Colt to develop a grip safety, which was engineered by Colt factory designers Carl Ehbets and George Tansley, who patented the design. Browning had also patented a similar grip safety device first seen on the FN Model 1905 and three years later on Colt’s Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless models.

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The .45-caliber 1907 contract models (which differed from civilian models built in 1907) also had to be designed to accept a detachable shoulder stock (which Colt later offered as a shoulder stock/holster for the civilian market), be configured to use a spur-type hammer rather than the civilian-style rounded hammer (there were four different hammer designs throughout the gun’s production history), and have a lanyard loop so soldiers could tether the handgun to a braided lanyard worn over the shoulder. In addition, the government wanted modifications to the ejector and ejection port, which was enlarged. All 200 guns, which had their own serial number range, were equipped with a grip safety and are regarded as the rarest variation today. Cavalry field tests still found numerous faults with the design for military applications, however.

Although the government’s tests in 1907 were somewhat damning, Colt and Browning reworked the design in 1909 and again in 1910 to meet the military’s requirements. Among the most notable improvements was a change from the double-link barrel locking system of the 1905 to a single toggle link that would be used in the Model 1911. The 1905 had the barrel pinned to the frame via two pivoting barrel lugs, thus it was attached at both the muzzle and breech ends, which made it an inherently accurate handgun but also much harder to field-strip. The slide was secured to the frame by a wedge passing through it just below the muzzle, and over time this would prove to be a design weakness and one of two principal points of failure with the Model 1905 in military field tests.

Upon firing, the 1905 barrel would pivot backward, disengaging from corresponding grooves in the slide, allowing it to unlock from the barrel and continue its rearward movement. In order to take the 1905 barrel out of the frame for field-stripping, two small pins had to be punched out—a much more complicated method and the second point of failure with pins occasionally fracturing. To alleviate the design weakness, Browning devised his single toggle link, which also served to anchor the barrel, thus making disassembly much easier and an overall much stronger design. This also established the tilting barrel, which has remained a global standard among arms-makers for over a century.

For the 1910 military trials, Browning and Colt made additional changes to the 1905’s grip design and angle, which Browning stated would further improve handling. After an initial field test in February of that year, Colt made a few more modifications, at which point the 1910 looked essentially like the 1911, with the exception of a thumb-activated safety. A second series of tests was conducted in November, and the military’s Board of Officers rendered a more favorable opinion but presented yet another list of critiques that Colt would have to address. These would lead Browning and Colt to the final design for the Model 1911.

Final Military Trials

On March 3, 1911, the new Colt semi-auto design performed flawlessly, firing 6,000 rounds of ammunition, and addressing all of the Ordnance Department’s concerns, including the addition of an external safety so the gun could be carried with the hammer cocked (although military protocols stated that the guns were to be carried with an empty chamber). On March 29, 1911, U.S. Secretary of War Jacob M. Dickinson approved the selection of the Colt Browning as the “Automatic Pistol, Caliber .45, M1911.” The government’s initial order was for 31,344 pistols. Six years later, the 1911 would see service in World War I. By the end of World War II, more than 2,550,000 Model 1911/1911A1s had been produced for the U.S. government.

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The Model 1911 was adopted as the official sidearm of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps and federal agencies, and remained in continual use until the improved Model 1911A1 was introduced in 1924. The 1911A1 was distinguished by a shorter trigger, a larger grip safety and, most notably, an arched, knurled mainspring housing that fit the palm swell of the shooter’s hand. The new model eventually replaced all of the original military 1911s and became the standard commercial version, although today’s modern 1911s often have the original flat mainspring housing, which has become the more desirable of the two designs.

Wartime Makers

Two World Wars increased demand for the Model 1911 beyond Colt’s production capacity, requiring the company to license other manufacturers to produce guns to meet military quotas. The first request came in 1914 (three years before the U.S. entered WWI) with approximately 30,000 guns being produced at the Springfield Armory through 1915. From 1918 to 1919, Remington-UMC manufactured over 21,500 Model 1911s. North American Arms in Quebec, Canada, produced an additional 100 in 1918.

WWII demands again outstripped Colt’s capacity, and guns were made from 1943 to 1945 by Ithaca Gun Co. and Remington Rand, totaling over 1.3 million 1911A1s. In 1942, Singer (the sewing machine company) began manufacturing the 1911A1 (only about 500), and in 1943, Union Switch & Signal Co. produced as many as 400,000 1911A1 models for the war effort. These guns all bear their maker’s names and markings. Wartime Colts also bear special stampings, including “United States Property” and the specific branches of service.

The Model 1911 was intended to be a military sidearm but its popularity in the civilian marketplace was just as robust, leading Colt to develop the Model 1911A1 National Match pistol in 1933. This was a Colt Government Model designed for target shooting. The National Match was equipped with a “Super-smooth, hand-honed target action—selected ‘Match’ barrel—and two-way adjustable rear sight.” The original National Match pistols were manufactured up to the beginning of WWII, when military demand superseded the needs of the civilian market.

The Model 1911A1 also became available in .38 Super beginning in 1928. Colt then introduced the .22-caliber Ace in 1931 and the .38 Super Match (a .38 Super variant of the .45 ACP National Match) in 1934. Throughout Colt’s production, there were also special custom shop models, contract versions for foreign governments, factory-engraved guns, .22-caliber conversion kits, the introduction of the compact Commander in 1949 (fitted with a shorter slide and a 4.25-inch barrel), and the postwar reprise of the 1911 target model as the Gold Cup National Match, introduced in 1957. The Model 1911A1 was pretty much the gun in America by the late 1950s. In the second half of the 20th century, more police departments would make the switch from wheelguns to Colt 1911s.

RELATED STORY: 8 Compact 9mm 1911 Pistols

Today, Colt’s latest versions of the 1911 are used by elite U.S. military and special operations units as well as various local, state and federal agencies across the country and around the world. After more than a century, the Colt Model 1911 is still one of the most significant firearms designs of all time, and there is no sign that this handgun will ever go out of style. That is the ultimate definition of success.

Editor’s Note: Portions of this article are excerpted from the author’s book, Colt: 175 Years, published by Barnes & Noble.

This article was published in the 2016 edition of the Complete Book of 1911s. For information on how to subscribe, please email subscriptions@outdoorgroupmags.com or call 1-800-284-5668.

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The post Browning Adds Two New Models To 1911-380 Semi Auto Pistol Line appeared first on Personal Defense World.

By Jim Grant

Despite countless polymer-framed, striker-fired pistols flooding the market, the pistol that saw American soldiers through two World Wars—the 1911—continues to captivate shooters. Whether the reasons are aesthetic or pragmatic, the popularity of the 1911 shows no signs of slowing down. So it should come as no surprise that even more 1911-style pistols have been released in early 2016. Here are some of the finest new additions to the 1911 family of small arms.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Dan Wesson
http://www.cz-usa.com

Colt
http://www.colt.com

Kimber America
http://www.kimberamerica.com

Nighthawk Custom
http://www.nighthawkcustom.com

Oriskany Arms
http://www.oriskanyarms.com

Llama
https://eagleimportsinc.com/llama

Rock Island Armory
http://www.armscor.com

Springfield Armory
http://www.springfield-armory.com

Wilson Combat
http://www.wilsoncombat.com

Zenith Firearms
http://www.zenithfirearms.com

Bravo Company USA
http://www.bravocompanyusa.com

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This article was published in the 2016 edition of the Complete Book of 1911s. For information on how to subscribe, please email subscriptions@outdoorgroupmags.com or call 1-800-284-5668. Keep Reading

The post 20 Exciting New 1911 Pistols Released In 2016 appeared first on Personal Defense World.

The post Honor Defense Adds “Long Slide” Model To Honor Guard Pistol Line appeared first on Personal Defense World.

This article was published in the 2016 edition of the Complete Book of 1911s. For information on how to subscribe, please email subscriptions@outdoorgroupmags.com or call 1-800-284-5668.

While all of the 1911A1 pistols on the market are legion, I recently tested the Rock Island Armory Pro Match Ultra, which has several innovations that set it apart from competing 1911 pistols. Manufactured by Armscor in the Philippines, this target pistol features a 6-inch barrel and some other interesting features.

For starters, every single Pro Match pistol is designed to be competition-ready as it comes from the box. Each one is hand-tuned by a Rock Island Armory gunsmith in the United States before it’s shipped through the distribution chain. This extra attention to detail results in a high-quality pistol that can help you achieve higher scores in competition.

Custom Grade

While I tested a 6-inch-barreled Pro Match Ultra in .45 ACP, Rock Island Armory currently only offers a similar railed version known as the Pro Match Tac Ultra. For a variant like the one I tested, check the secondary markets.

Now, this pistol wasn’t produced by simply swapping the usual 5-inch barrel for a 6-inch tube. The heavy bull barrel isn’t ramped. To accommodate its extra length, the 1911’s one-piece guide rod has been replaced with a two-piece rod. Also, there’s no barrel bushing to fuss with. The face of the forward guide rod is slotted to accept a screwdriver blade. Instead of depressing a barrel bushing and turning it to release the guide rod, you simply unscrew the guide rod until it can be removed from the slide. A barrel bushing wrench isn’t required.

RELATED STORY: Everyday 1911 – The Rock Island Armory Baby Rock .380 ACP

All of the parts are fitted to very tight tolerances. It requires a surprising amount of pressure on the slide stop to release the slide—this was a two-handed job at first. Shaking the gun hard produced no discernable rattles. The slide locked up very tightly when the action was in battery. Until the gun had been fired some 200 times, it took extra force to cycle the slide.

Both the frame and slide have a non-reflective Parkerized finish. The grip panels are made of checkered black rubber, making them easy to hang onto while helping to soften felt recoil. Like all 1911 pistols, the Pro Match Ultra is a natural pointer. I found it was faster on target than other 1911A1 pistols in my modest arsenal. That’s an important consideration during a timed shooting match.

When I took the Pro Match Ultra to the range, that extra inch of barrel noticeably increased the sight radius. The barrel’s added heft also helped steady the gun on target. Fully loaded, the gun tipped the scales at a solid 49.5 ounces—another plus for a match-grade pistol. Its 6-inch barrel makes this a purely target gun. None of the 1911 holsters I own will fit this pistol, so you’ll have difficulty carrying the gun on your hip or in a shoulder holster. The only option would be to find a holster open at the bottom so the extra length of barrel could protrude. Fobus and Pro Carry are two makers offering holsters that fill the bill.

The rear sight is click adjustable for windage and elevation, and the generously sized sighting notch is easy to see. The notch is bordered by two white dots that do a good job of catching your eye. The square-blade front sight is brightened by a red fiber-optic tube. If necessary, it could be drifted sideways in its dovetail for additional windage changes.

RELATED STORY: Gun Review – Rock Island Armory’s Rock-Solid TAC Ultra FS 10mm

The extended sight radius this gun offers is a real aid to aging eyes—a fact I’m happy to take advantage of. The sights are crisp and easy to see, not at all like the government-issued 1911s I used in the Army way back when. Combat sights are an entirely different animal than precision target sights designed for maximum accuracy.

Muff-type ear protectors were unknown at the time. My drill sergeant advised us to insert fired .45 ACP cases in our ear channels—probably the worst advice he could have given. Most of us used wadded-up plugs of cotton, which at least didn’t amplify the report (like the expended copper cases did). We were also instructed to shoot one-handed, in what was then considered the classic stance. That’s fine for the target range, but a two-handed hold is more practical in a combat situation. The Rock Island Pro Match Ultra I tested is light years more advanced than the battle-worn 1911 the Army trained me with. If the Pro Match Ultra had been available then, my match scores would have been a lot higher.

Returning to the present, the new pistol’s skeletonized trigger breaks crisply at 4.5 pounds with no discernable creep or overtravel. The gun feels good in the hand, and recoil is mitigated by the gun’s 9.5-inch overall length and comforting heft.

Match Ready

Before I settled down to shoot at targets, I fed the Pro Match Ultra a duke’s mixture of .45 ACP loads I had on hand. I’m happy to say I experienced just one feeding failure (a stovepipe) while I burned through over 200 rounds representing various bullet weights. That occurred early in the testing and was not repeated. Only factory ammo was used; I have yet to try the gun with handloads.

RELATED STORY: Gun Review – Rock Island Armory’s Cutting-Edge .22 TCM

Firing off-hand at 25 yards, the best five-round group I obtained measured 2.25 inches between centers. This was with 185-grain Winchester ammunition. Winchester’s 170-grain Super-Clean NT loads produced 2.75-inch spreads.

The 6-inch-barreled Rock Island Pro Match Ultra pistol sports a flat mainspring housing and an ambidextrous safety. There’s no magazine safety, so the gun will still fire when the eight-round magazine is removed. The ejection port has been slightly enlarged to give empties an easy exit. An extended 1911A1-style beavertail keeps the web of your hand clear of the reciprocating slide. As mentioned, the black checkered rubber grip panels provide a firm purchase. Pressing the ejector button at the rear of the trigger pops expended magazines clear with alacrity—a useful feature for any pistol, but particularly for one designed for competitions.

I like the heft and size of this pistol. It feels great in hand and is easy to hold steady on target. The trigger is great—neither too light nor too heavy for a competition gun. This is a useful variation on standard 1911 pistols, or other match-grade guns. It shoots and handles well, and produces less apparent recoil and muzzle blast than other 1911s with 4- or 5-inch barrels.

I’m not sure how long this gun will remain unique. Now that standard 5-inch barrel lengths have been exceeded, I wouldn’t be surprised if or when other 1911A1 manufacturers will follow suit. I found the 6-inch barrel offers some real advantages over other 1911 pistols I’ve used. Now that Armscor/Rock Island Armory has broken the more than century-old mold, who knows when even longer barrels will be introduced.

The venerable 1911 has certainly stood the test of time. It remains one of the all-time pistol classics with few serious changes made over the years. The new 6-inch barrel isn’t long enough to be ungainly and offers excellent accuracy. Maybe the time for change has come. If you want to give a pistol like this a try, make sure you try out the newer Pro Match Tac Ultra from Rock Island Armory.

For more information, visit http://www.armscor.com or call 775-537-1444.

This article was published in the 2016 edition of the Complete Book of 1911s. For information on how to subscribe, please email subscriptions@outdoorgroupmags.com or call 1-800-284-5668.

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The following is a press release from Ruger

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is excited to announce the latest development in the Mark Series line of pistols – the Ruger Mark IV. Ruger has long set the standard for reliable, affordable and accurate .22 LR handguns, beginning with the introduction of the Standard Pistol in 1949. Since then, the Standard Pistol has undergone a series of enhancements with the development of the Mark I, Mark II, and the Mark III in 2005.

While the heavily redesigned Mark IV maintains the same classic outward appearance as the Mark III, it incorporates a significant improvement customers will love – a simple, one-button takedown for quick and easy field-stripping. A recessed button in the back of the frame allows the upper receiver to tilt up and off of the grip frame without the use of tools. The bolt simply slides out of the receiver and the barrel can be properly cleaned from chamber to muzzle.

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“We are thrilled to be introducing what we consider to be a monumental improvement to this iconic pistol that has been with Ruger from the start,” said Ruger President and COO Chris Killoy. “This one-button takedown alleviates the headache that our Mark III owners are all too familiar with and we anticipate the Mark IV pistols being some of the cleanest rimfires at the range,” Killoy concluded.

Other significant improvements include a one-piece grip frame that is precision CNC-machined from a solid piece of stainless steel or aluminum; an ambidextrous manual safety and a redesigned bolt stop for more ergonomic operation. The magazine drops free on release for faster reloads and a redesigned magazine disconnect safety prevents discharge when the magazine has been removed.
Internal improvements include changes to the hammer, sear, bolt and firing pin for smoother, more reliable feeding.

RELATED STORY: Pocket Powerhouse – The Ruger LCR Revolver in .327 Magnum

Specific features vary by model, but the legendary, one-piece barreled receiver and internal cylindrical bolt construction remain the same. The robust design ensures permanent sight-to-barrel alignment and higher accuracy potential than conventional moving-slide designs. The Mark IV is compatible with a variety of Mark III aftermarket accessories including sights, scope bases and magazines.

The American-made Mark IV pistol ships with two 10-round magazines.

For more information on the Ruger Mark IV or to learn more about the extensive line of award-winning Ruger firearms, visit Ruger.com or Facebook.com/Ruger. To find accessories for the Mark IV and other Ruger firearms, visit ShopRuger.com or your local independent retailer of Ruger firearms. Keep Reading

The post The Ruger Mark IV: A One-Button Takedown Rimfire Pistol appeared first on Personal Defense World.

The gun world has changed dramatically over the last 100 years. While the advent of lightweight, polymer-framed, striker-fired pistols has become an industry essential, a steel link to the past remains. The classic 1911 pistol, declared “outdated” and “obsolete” by some, has managed not only to hold its ground, but gain a larger following in today’s firearms marketplace. This is especially true with custom 1911s. Fully functional firearms and pieces of arts, these custom guns are on many people’s wish lists. While there are a number of great 1911 builders in the U.S., let’s take this opportunity to look at 11 of them and their outstanding artwork.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Cabot Guns
http://www.cabotgun.com

Fusion Firearms
http://www.fusionfirearms.com

Heirloom Precision
http://www.heirloomprecision.com

Jardine’s Custom
http://www.jardinescustom.com

Nighthawk Custom
http://www.nighthawkcustom.com

Pistol Dynamics
http://www.pistoldynamics.com

Chambers Custom Pistols
http://www.chamberscustom.com

Stan Chen Customs
http://www.chencustom.com

Volkmann Precision
http://www.volkmannprecision.com

Wilson Combat
http://www.wilsoncombat.com

Republic Forge
http://www.republicforge.com

 

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This article was published in the 2016 edition of the Complete Book of 1911s. For information on how to subscribe, please email subscriptions@outdoorgroupmags.com or call 1-800-284-5668. Keep Reading

The post 11 Custom Gun Shops For 1911 Pistols appeared first on Personal Defense World.

The post Guncrafter Industries Announces The New HOSS 1911 Pistol appeared first on Personal Defense World.