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We gave these two XDM-E pistols every chance to show that one was lacking versus the other — or even just different. Springfield Armory, and their production methods, passed with flying colors. Choose this one if you like the slide color. We actually did.

The frame of the XDM Elite has come a long way. The grip provides a good gripping surface. Provides an ambidextrous magazine release and a manual grip safety and three different grip inserts to accommodate different sized hands. Accurate and reliable.

The Short Frame makes this Glock easier to shoot for those with smaller hands. Accuracy was good. Reliability 100%. Being trigger snobs, we would like to a better trigger. We liked the Glock Night Sights.

The 301 is more versatile with the screw-in choke tube. We thought the longer barrel was a slight liability in a cramped environment. It had the best recoil management of the shotguns tested.

This is a vintage single shot made in 1973, and it performed well. We’d load it with 00 buckshot and keep spare rounds in the slip-over ammo holder.

This shotgun folds into a compact package but is afflicted with problems, and we would steer clear of this gun. FedArm provided zero customer support. When we could get it to work, 00 buckshot groups were tight.

Dear Todd: As a long-time reader and subscriber to your magazine, I value it as the only “source of serious, objective evaluations” of firearms available. That said, I would like to offer my concern, which is not about any specific firearm, but rather about a new trend that I have come to observe in online […]

Tested: Apex Enhancement Trigger & Trigger Bar, $100; OverWatch Precision TAC Trigger, $135; and the Timney Alpha Competition Series Alpha Glock 3-4, $150. We thought one was too light for EDC.

The Specialist was designed for tactical use. There are no forward cocking serrations. It does have an ambidextrous safety. There is no full-length guide rod (FLGR), which may be a plus.

A Les Baer pistol often requires a break-in period, according to conventional wisdom and the maker. This is the second new Les Baer we have tested that came out of the box running, after having its long bearing surfaces lubricated. A pistol tested several years ago demanded a brief break in.

The test pistol is stainless steel. The fit and finish are good; however, there was an apparent tool mark near the rear of the trigger guard where the pistol is marked “SS” for stainless steel.