Handguns

The trend for making smaller and smaller pistols continues, with new guns by major makers coming out every few months, it seems. We just tested the supposedly small, but actually midsize by modern standards, new Ruger LC9 against the established Kel-Tec PF-9, with the latter coming out the winner. Many 9mm handguns now come a lot smaller than that, with the Kahr PM9 and the Rohrbaugh being among the smallest. Yet the Kel-Tec PF-9 was thinner and lighter than the small Kahr, while still being large enough to grasp and shoot easily, if somewhat attention-getting on recoil.

Now Kahr has come out with a lower-priced version of the PM9 called the CM9, and we'll have one of those in hand shortly. Meantime, Kimber has announced its Solo Carry, which is in the tiny-nine world by virtue of its size. We acquired one of the Kimber Solo pistols ($747 MSRP) , and in our eagerness to test it, put it up against another nine we've never tested, Kahr's CW9 ($549 MSRP). The big question we had was, Just how small can a gun become yet still be manageable when loaded with serious ammunition? In the course of our testing another question arose, and that concerns how strong the shooter has to be to manipulate the small guns with stout-enough springs to control hot loads.

We tested them with four types of ammunition: Black Hills 147-grain FMC, Winchester 115-grain BEB, Remington 115-grain JHP, and Federal 124-grain Hydra-Shok JHP. Here is what we found.

(GunReports.com) -- New GunReports.com Videos: 1: Rendered in high-speed video, here’s what a 130-grain .308 Barnes Tipped TSX Lead free bullet looks like when shot into into 3' of ballistics gel. Then it's shot into a longer segment of gelatin. 2: This video shows you the contents of the Brownells DIY S&W J-Frame Revolver Upgrade Kit and how to install the parts. 3:GunReports.com's Kevin Winkle surveys new products at SHOT Show 2011. Here, National Sales Manager Brandon Williams with American Tactical Imports discusses aspects of the company's Filipino-originated 1911s.

(GunReports.com) -- Kahr Arms, the manufacturer of compact pistols based in Worcester, Mass, is engaged in a patent infringement lawsuit against Diamondback Firearms, LLC, the maker of compact .380 ACP and 9mm pistols based in Cocoa, Florida.

GunReports.com aggregates important gun news of the week. Bookmark this page to check back often for new items added weekly, daily, or hourly, or on your Facebook page, search for 'GunReports.com' and click 'Like' to get the newsfeed pushed to your computer, tablet, or mobile device.

(GunReports.com) -- New GunReports.com Videos: 1: Dave Spaulding is back with more Ruger Tactical Carbine Tips. In this episode Spaulding shows you how to clear your carbine as fast as possible and get it back on target. 2: Gil Ash of OSP Shooting Schools explains why many shooters wrongly assume a bruised bicep is a gun fit problem when it is actually a gun mount problem. 3: This video of the Brownells DIY Remington 700 Trigger Replacement kit shows all the parts and tools you need to swap out the trigger of your 700 for one that offers a smoother, lighter pull and a precise, crisp break for more accurate shot placement.

GunReports.com aggregates important gun news of the week. Bookmark this page to check back often for new items added weekly, daily, or hourly, or on your Facebook page, search for 'GunReports.com' and click 'Like' to get the newsfeed pushed to your computer, tablet, or mobile device.

(GunReports.com) -– Taurus has introduced the Taurus® Tracker 992, a revolver that easily transforms from .22 LR to .22 Magnum in seconds with a button-release 9-shot cylinder.

This gun performed flawlessly with acceptable accuracy. It was comfortable to fire, with crisp controls, and it comes with three magazines. Two things we did not like: the bulky grip and poor sights. FN missed a chance to provide first-class sights on the new pistol.

(GunReports.com) -- From NRA-ILA, this week’s “Outrage” comes from the Garden State, where insult has literally been added to injury for Mr. Jeffrey Muller. This outrage was precipitated by an incredible case of mistaken identity. According to a recent story on theNJ.com Star-Ledger Editorial Page, Jeffrey Muller—a pet store owner from Sussex County, New Jersey—happens to have the same name as an alleged New York power broker.

(GunReports.com) -- The Providence, Rhode Island Police Department has chosen to equip each of its officers with Smith & Wesson Military & Police (M&P) pistols for duty use. The department has received 510 Smith & Wesson M&P40 pistols chambered in .40 S&W and has begun the transition process to the new side arm.

Over the past few months we have been asked to do matchups involving the great guns of the past. Wild Bunch pistols, the Browning Hi-Power, the Mauser Broomhandle and other types of handguns are always interesting. As a rule, you cannot paint the great handguns of the past with a broad brush, as some were designed to be the best possible, others were made cheaply, and others were made to sell, which always invites compromise. But there was a day when the goose hung high and Gun Valley America ruled the world. The great guns made in Gun Valley by Smith & Wesson, Colt, and High Standard were at the top of the heap, and these handguns of the past always have a following. One reason we are comparing these handguns is because many are still available. If you are motivated enough, you may find a Colt Woodsman, a Smith & Wesson K22, or an original High Standard 22 LR on the used market. The choice is limited, yes—you must take what you can get or what you are able to find.

Over the past few months we have been asked to do matchups involving the great guns of the past. Wild Bunch pistols, the Browning Hi-Power, the Mauser Broomhandle and other types of handguns are always interesting. As a rule, you cannot paint the great handguns of the past with a broad brush, as some were designed to be the best possible, others were made cheaply, and others were made to sell, which always invites compromise. But there was a day when the goose hung high and Gun Valley America ruled the world. The great guns made in Gun Valley by Smith & Wesson, Colt, and High Standard were at the top of the heap, and these handguns of the past always have a following. One reason we are comparing these handguns is because many are still available. If you are motivated enough, you may find a Colt Woodsman, a Smith & Wesson K22, or an original High Standard 22 LR on the used market. The choice is limited, yes—you must take what you can get or what you are able to find.