Every month, Gun Tests shoots products side-by-side to find out what works, and what doesn’t work, in a range of firearms and accessories.
We score them on a scale of A to F, with the best items getting higher A scores and the worst items getting F grades, a system you likely used in school.
But what our readers have told us over the years is that the bottom of the scale is really a Grade B. Readers have correctly assessed that only the best shooting products are suitable for their personal use, and they consider all the others as Don’t Buys. One reader told us he considered lower-grade items to be “Why Bother?” products, which sums it up really well.
In the list below, if you want to read the full review to see what our criticisms were, click the links in each entry.
CENTERFIRE BOLT ACTION HUNTING RIFLE
Savage Model 110 Hunter 57038 25-06 Remington, $570
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
This Savage worked perfectly, looked great, and offers a heck of a value. But this particular rifle didn’t reach the accuracy standard we expect from Savage rifles.
SINGLE-ACTION REVOLVER
Cimarron Lightning Dual Cylinder CA982DC 38 Special/9mm Luger, $707
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
As close to a Colt Model 1877 as you can get. The fit and finish were excellent, as well as accuracy. We liked having the second cylinder in 9mm. The gun felt tiny in hand and had more recoil. But it didn’t shoot to point of aim — a big problem in a fixed-sight firearm.
SELF-DEFENSE PISTOL
Walther CCP M2 Stainless 5082501 380 ACP, $389
GUN TESTS GRADE: C-
The pistol had one malfunction, while the other guns had no malfunctions at all. Takedown remains a problem. The striker assembly is pressed in on a lever on the back of the handgun, pressed to one side to release the striker, and then the slide is lifted up and off. In our opinion, there are better defense guns than this one.
SELF-DEFENSE PISTOL
GForce RPX9 Exodus TAC GFRPX3C9BNZ 9mm Luger, $314
GUN TESTS GRADE: B-
With its burnt-bronze finish and flashy slide treatment, the GForce Exodus is an attractive handgun. The pistol felt tight compared to the other handguns, which didn’t translate to better accuracy.
PISTOL MAGAZINE LOADERS
ETS Speed Loader Gen II C.A.M., $30
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
The ETS worked well with Glock magazines. It was fast to load a magazine, and at times you needed more strength to ensure the cartridges were pushed into the magazine. We encountered a few jams with other magazines and found that lube is required to keep the ETS running smoothly.
CENTERFIRE BOLT-ACTION RIFLE
Tikka Super Varmint TFTT1352A73C9G6 22-250 Rem., $1700
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
Very accurate and a joy to shoot, the Tikka had an issue feeding very short rounds out of an action and magazine that were originally designed for something longer. Pointed and tipped bullets worked well, but the spire points hung up and hesitated to feed.
HANDGUN HOLSTERS (GLOCK)
Blackhawk Serpa Sportster Paddle, $37
GUN TESTS GRADE: D
The Serpa was selected by one of our left-handed testers as his primary test holster for the Glock 17. For duty use with extensive, dedicated training, it may be considered — but we cannot recommend it for most civilian carry applications. Our concerns were grave enough that we want to be clear — we wouldn’t buy this holster.
Muddy River Tactical Paddle Holster, $70
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
Muddy River Tactical’s paddle holster offers good fit and an optics cut. Its offset design provides a clean draw, though it may slightly impede concealment. It rides closer to the body than most paddle designs, and retention hooks on the paddle address the torque problem effectively. We found it viable for concealed carry. We knocked down its grade for having more play in the paddle than we’d like and for a paddle we felt could be slightly larger.
Tagua PD3-310 Paddle Holster for the Glock 19, $39
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
There was noticeable flex between the holster body and the paddle, and retention could be compromised when seated. The price is right, but the Tagua paddle falls short in too many areas for serious concealed carry. It would serve adequately as a range holster.
