Handguns

Our first impression of the $679 S&W M&P 9mm was that it felt extremely comfortable in the hand. It was well balanced, not too heavy—at least without a magazine full of 17 heavy-bullet loads—and was pleasantly devoid of extraneous controls and levers. We note S&W also sells a version with a thumb safety, along with a host of variants in 9mm, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP, and with longer or shorter barrels or grips, and in a variety of colors. One even has a pink grip insert.Our test gun came in a large case with two different grip inserts to make the handle larger or smaller. We liked it as it was, so we left it alone.

Working with small arms is a core Soldier task, common to all branches and military occupational specialties. FM 7-0, Training The Force, admonishes unit leaders to train fundamentals first to establish a foundation. By learning basic skills to high proficiency, such as marksmanship, units can more easily integrate and master the more complex collective tasks. The problem is defining “proficient.” What judges a high, or sufficient, level of skill? Whom shall we have judge?

ProGrade Ammunition is offering hand-picked rounds for single-action revolvers and lever-action rifles used in Cowboy Action shooting.

Here are new videos added to GunReports.com the week of September 12: JJ Racaza expands on Natural Point of Aim tactics in a multiple target scenario. Remington’s all-new platform, the Model 783. And a Barrett 50 Cal Impossible 'V-Drill' with Jerry Miculek.

Caracal is issuing a recall of all Model C pistols in all markets, following the completion of a full investigation. This recall affects all Model C pistols, including but not limited to those with serial numbers which start with the following letters: HM, AA, AD, AG, CA, CB, CC, CD, CE, CF, CG, CH, CI, CJ, CK, CL, CM, CN, CP, CR and CS.

(GunReports.com) -- The 9mm pistol was the breakthrough sidearm that ushered in today's massive popularity of the self-loading pistols. One of the ways in which the semi-auto has evolved is its variation in size, making it possible to conceal a smaller version of a full-size carry gun. One pistol with these assets is Glock's $599 Model 26.

Glock adapted this same pistol to other cartridges, including the .357 SIG, and we found the fully loaded GL31 handled much like the model 17. If you have ever felt that the Glock pistol chambered for .45 ACP or 180-grain .40s were somehow out of sync, then the .357 SIG is a more natural fit.

Here are new videos added to GunReports.com the week of September 5: Jerry Miculek shoots a Barrett .50 Cal off the shoulder. Unbelievable. Gunsite Range Master Il Ling New talks about shooting from the bench. FPSRussia takes a look at his four favorite handguns.

Spanish-made SPS high-capacity magazines for 38 Super, 9mm, 40 S&W and 45 ACP MAC 3011, SPS Pantera, and Vista and Para-Ordnance pistols are now available in 12- to 29-round capacities. The SPS magazines also fit STI and SVI pistols.

The first in a series of infographics that National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has created to highlight various firearms-related topics was released on Aug. 8 and immediately posted to the NSSF website.

Benelli USA owner Cav. Ugo Gussalli Beretta is doubling down on his concern about recent anti-gun legislation by matching up to $250,000 in contributions to NRA-ILA and the NRA Civil Rights Defense Fund.

We tested guns with factory-fitted lasersights in the February 2013 issue. Heres an excerpt of that report focusing on the Ruger LCP-LM No. 3718 380 ACP, $443.