Handguns

Since February 2013 we have tested four subcompact 380 ACP pistols with factory-fitted laser sights - S&W Bodyguard, Ruger LCP-LM, SIG Sauer P238, and the Walther PK380. All received good ratings, but there were features that testers liked and didnt. At a readers request, we tested another Ruger LCP, this one with a Crimson Trace laser sight. In this pistol, we think Ruger created a good combination of sidearm and laser sight.The Ruger LCP in various configurations has been reviewed by our test teams, and without a laser sight, the LCP generally gets good to excellent grades (A- to B+). With laser sights, particularly the Laser Max, the LCP received a B+. We ruled out the laser sight being a gadget early on in the testing, and the LCP with the Crimson Trace is no exception. Generally, we ask if the addition of a laser sight changes our mind about the pistol? Does the laser bulk up a pocket pistol? Is the laser an asset to the pistol?

When it comes to keeping guns out of the hands of criminals, 63 percent of Americans remain unconvinced that tighter restrictions on buying and owning guns will be effective, according to the latest Reason-Rupe poll.

Diamondback Firearms’ new AR-style DB15 Pistols are based off Diamondback’s A3 Flattop forged-7075-T6-aluminum upper and lower receiver. The DB15 Pistol is available with a 7.5- or a 10.5-inch 4140 chrome-moly melonite-coated barrel with a 1:9 rate of twist.

We compared two 1911 handguns from companies not known for those pistols in the May 2012 issue. After a very long wait the staff acquired one of the Remington Model 1911 R1 Enhanced 45 ACPs ($940 MSRP). The GT team wanted a similar-priced gun to compare it to, so they went to another company not commonly known for producing 1911s, Taurus. The test Taurus PT 1911 ($900 MSRP) was stainless. Here is what we found.

Kahr’s new CT40 and CT45 are the company’s first value-priced full-frame firearm offerings. Kahr’s larger-frame CT Series is new for 2014 and shipments will be available beginning February 2014.

Ruger is running some Black Friday deals that are worth a look:

Gun Tests Magazine recently tested five high-capacity semi-automatic 9mm handguns that were aimed at the Practical Shooting competitor. Practical Shooting evolved from experimentation with handguns used for self-defense. One characteristic that separates Practical Shooting from other organized pistol competition is that the scoring takes into account the amount of time it takes to deliver the required number of shots for each course of fire. So, fast-action gun handling, as well as quick, precise shots becomes an integral part of the shooter's score. In another test, they paid particular attention to features and components that make the guns faster and easier to operate, as well as more accurate. They chose to look at the Glock G34 Gen 4 9mm. Here's what they said:

The newest 1911 offering from Magnum Research — the $946 MSRP DE1911U Undercover model — addresses consumer demand for smaller ultra-light concealed carry firearms chambered in .45 ACP. The DE1911U is slated to ship beginning in January 2014.

Gun Tests Magazine has named the Kimber Pro Custom Defense Package II 45 ACP as the publication’s “Best in Class Pistol” for 2013.

We mixed apples and oranges, that is, pistols and revolvers, in the July 2012 issue to see which design worked best for self-protection at close range. The three test guns were the $747 9mm Kimber Solo Carry, the $299 9mm SCCY Industries CPX-2, and the $523 Taurus 40 S&W M405 stainless-steel revolver. Heres an excerpt of that test.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has issued a record-keeping procedure for non-over-the-counter firearm sales by licensees to unlicensed in-state residents that are NICS exempt.

Gun Tests Magazine has named the Charter Arms Pitbull 9mm Luger as the publication’s “Best in Class Revolver” for 2013.