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Single-Stack 9MMs; Survival Guns; and Portable Handgun Safes

Download the Full December 2019 Issue PDF of Gun Tests

Download the Full October 2019 Issue PDF

We tested four new 40 S&W subcompact handguns: Springfield XD-S 3.3-inch, Smith & Wesson M&P Shield, Kahr's CW 40, and the Taurus G2C, along with a used SIG Sauer P224 SAS 224-40-SAS2B. Which one was the clear winner?

Tested: Iver Johnson Hawk, Taurus 1911 Commander, Kimber Pro Carry SLE, and Desert Eagle's 1911C. Three of the handguns were worth their price. One had defects that knocked it out.

Tested: The Glock 43X, Glock 48, and Mossberg's MC1sc, all designed for concealed carry. Which is most easily concealed, reliable, accurate, and hard-hitting? We liked one in particular.

During his speech to the 2019 NRA-ILA Leadership Forum in Indianapolis last month, President Trump announced that he would "unsign" the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty. He then signed, in front of all in attendance, a formal letter to the Senate requesting that it halt the ratification process and return the treaty to the Oval Office, where President Trump would "dispose" of it. OMG, I can't wait to see what PDT "fires" next.

The ban on possessing an LCM has been unenforceable since June 29, 2017, when this same court issued a preliminary injunction preventing the law from taking effect while the parties litigated the merits of the case. And because CA DOJ is seeking a stay only as to the provisions allowing for acquisition of new LCMs, the injunction against the possession restriction should remain in effect for the time being. That said, people should stay tuned to legal alerts to be updated of any changes. Also, lawfully acquired LCMs can be lawfully used.

Sorry it wasn't clear, but on the threaded-barrel 45s, we did shoot the Carter with the suppressor and the gun's open sights, and the results were listed in the table. But the experience showed us the existing sights weren't really usable outside perfect conditions. Because the sight picture in the photo was so thin, that's why we felt compelled to add the Crimson Trace green laser.

Manufacturers have easily transformed the AR-15 platform to be compatible with 9mm ammo, and we have tested a few of these carbines back in 2015. Since then, there has been an uptick in new 9mm carbine models, so we decided to take a look at these short semi-autos that share ammo with your pistol. What separates these newer 9mm carbines from some AR-15 carbines is their ability to use handgun magazines. Not only do these carbines share the same ammunition, they also share the same magazine in your pistol. That's versatility in our book.

The three rifles we procured were the Beretta CX4 Storm, Just Right Carbines' Takedown Model, and Ruger's PC Carbine. These carbines offer mild recoil, good accuracy, fast follow-up shots, light weight, and maneuverability. Some, like the Ruger, offer all the bells and whistles and propel the 9mm carbine category from a pipsqueak pistol-caliber carbine to a versatile home defense and survival tool. In the past five or six years, 9mm ammunition has also evolved, and there are a slew of viable loads that make these carbines more versatile than 9mm carbines years ago.

Less recoil means better accuracy and faster follow-up shots, and we all know bullet placement is very important in disabling a bad actor. We'll take making the first well-placed shot any day. In our opinion, any of these carbines would made a good choice for home defense, for transport in a vehicle, as survival/prepper choice, small game hunting, and an all-round fun plinker. These also make a great transitional gun for shooters graduating from a rimfire round to a centerfire round. All of these carbines also offered an adjustable length of pull so smaller-stature shooters are not at a disadvantage.

All three of these carbines feed from handgun magazines and use a simple blowback mechanism. You can feel the bolt sliding back and forth in the receiver as the carbine cycles and that adds to the perceived recoil. These carbines are also light and perceived recoil is always higher in a lightweight rifle. In our opinion, the Beretta does the best job of making the mechanism feel smooth, and that's because the CX4 is more like and oversized pistol than it is a carbine chambered in a pistol caliber. The Ruger and JRC have added flexibility since they are takedown models. Plus the Ruger does a whole lot more. The Ruger PC Carbine is packed with features that actually make the carbine more flexible, adaptable, and useful. Some of our more jaded testers kept going back to the PC Carbine for another try, which says a lot.