Handguns Magazine

Stippling the gripping surface of polymer-framed guns is usually done with a soldering iron, and it is getting more and more accepted and common—not just on competition guns but by the serious “tactical” crowd. There are several reasons for this. First, the nonslip gripping surface stippling provides can be as aggressive as the custom hand checkering you used to see on custom 1911s. Second, it is not usually expensive to stipple a polymer gun, and it’s so easy most people these days are doing it themselves.

If you shoot large-caliber firearms often enough and you have a properly functioning nervous system, then you’re going to flinch. But the physiology of the flinch can be overcome with mental training, and the best way to do that is to train your body to minimize the effects of recoil by periodically stepping down in caliber to a lighter gun that mimics your big bore.

Wandering the isles of the SHOT Show, I came across Robar’s booth. They displayed various offerings including custom rifle and shotgun builds, examples of their gunsmithing prowess, grip reductions and various firearm finishes. What caught my eye though, was a silvered snubby. Not looking like stainless steel, it’s unique coloring set it apart.

The SR9 was introduced at the start of what I’ll call Ruger’s “modern era,” when the company began introducing smaller, streamlined pistols specifically designed for self-defense. Compared to the P85 and P90, the SR9 has the curves of a Ferrari (but, unlike a Ferrari, was always very affordable). This is a slim gun, especially when compared to the other full-size semiautos Ruger was making at the time. Heck, the KP90 Arnold Schwarzenegger was carrying in “True Lies” looked chunky in his hand.

What is the difference in recoil between various pistol cartridges commonly used in shooting competitions?

Ed Brown Special Forces Bronze. Click to enlarge.

Last year I gave top-flight competitive shooter Dianna Liedorff an assignment to cover the Crimson Trace Midnight 3 Gun Invitational. I wanted her insights on operating in dim-light environments, especially because she’s not just a competition shooter but also a police officer. This year I attended the same shoot, albeit an abbreviated version held for media.

Each year we see firearm manufacturers doing more with less. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the market for concealed carry guns, where we desire the best possible firearm that takes up the least amount of space.

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The Sportsman Channel is continuing to recognize the best programs in outdoor television with its annual Sportsman Choice Awards — now in its 10th year. VOTE HERE

The old “9mm vs .45” controversy is pretty much dead these days, but there are still a few subjects that will get those of us in the gun community into heated arguments. Many of the most heated disagreements include whether citizens should modify their carry guns.

Those who have wanted to own an extraordinary historical firearm may get the chance.

Rock Island Armory (RIA) has started distributing four new additions to its .22 TCM 1911 family of pistols.

When an attempted robbery or home invasion occurs in the late-night hours, a flashlight is an excellent tool to help the user find, identify and, if necessary, take down a threat in a low-light scenario.

You’ve got your CCW, a reliable pistol that you’ve practiced with and premium defensive ammo. All you need to do is load up, holster (or pocket) your equalizer, and you should be good, right?

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If you were to cruise the Internet for even a little while, you’ll find that Navy SEALs not only swim in water but apparently walk on it. And the pistol they use, the Sig P226, is the only pistol some shooters will consider owning. Not that it is a bad choice — far from it. But for some of us who have been around the block a few times, it has one major shortcoming: It is chambered for the 9mm Luger.

Federal Premium HST 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP loads pictured with fully expanded bullets.

Handguns chambered in .380 ACP often come into question for their lack of power compared to that of larger cartridges used in full-size pistols.