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About a generation ago, the 44 Magnum reigned as the most powerful handgun in the world. It has since been toppled in size and power by other cartridges, but not before a few handguns chambered in the round became legendary. Not only with shooters, but also the general public through pop culture.

The shotgun slug enjoys an enviable reputation for its effect on targets. The problem is accuracy. Many shotgun and slug combinations are little, if any, more accurate than a quality handgun at 50 yards. The shotgun is much easier to use well, however, and most shooters are able to coax accuracy from a shotgun easier than a handgun. While there are exceptions, we wanted to look at accuracy with shotguns slightly upgraded over the typical defense shotgun. We found plenty of power, but effective accuracy is only adequate for most uses. Just the same, adequate is pretty good when it comes to slug accuracy versus what most shooters are able to achieve with a handgun, and slugs are effective far past the range at which buckshot has lost its pattern and efficiency. 

• Bobtail Showdown
• Lightweight Rimfires
• Chest Holsters
• 2011 9MMs
• Lever Actions
• Stainless Snubbies

Three of the Houston test group’s members regularly tote somebody’s version of the Colt 1911 Officer’s Model as an everyday carry pistol. The “O” Model is the same width as its big brothers but has a shorter slide, allowed by a 3.5-inch (sometimes 3.0-inch) barrel. But in today’s environment, we are a bit concerned about the ammo capacity. One of the concessions made to concealability was the reduction of the grip by a length equal to one round. Accordingly, the O Model utilizes a single-stack magazine that will carry six rounds of 45 ACP and seven when chambered in 9mm. A number of very good magazines made by folks like Rodgers and Wilson allow one additional round. The three Houston testers figure if they can’t carry much, they’ll carry big, and all wore O Models chambered in 45 ACP. At least until recently.

Three of the Houston test group’s members regularly tote somebody’s version of the Colt 1911 Officer’s Model as an everyday carry pistol. The “O” Model is the same width as its big brothers but has a shorter slide, allowed by a 3.5-inch (sometimes 3.0-inch) barrel. But in today’s environment, we are a bit concerned about the ammo capacity. One of the concessions made to concealability was the reduction of the grip by a length equal to one round. Accordingly, the O Model utilizes a single-stack magazine that will carry six rounds of 45 ACP and seven when chambered in 9mm. A number of very good magazines made by folks like Rodgers and Wilson allow one additional round. The three Houston testers figure if they can’t carry much, they’ll carry big, and all wore O Models chambered in 45 ACP. At least until recently.

Lever-action rifles are woven into the fabric of our American culture. Many of these rifles were high tech when first introduced, offering rapid firepower. They were adopted by the military, used by lawmen and outlaws alike, and to this day are used by hunters and Cowboy Action shooters. Like all designs, however, older levergun designs were discontinued as newer and better leverguns were built. The thing is, you can’t put a good levergun down, to turn a phrase. Many great leverguns ceased production with their original makers only to be resurrected into production by other manufacturers that tweaked the design using newer, better materials, adding safety features, and chambering them in modern cartridges. Interest in the Old West and Cowboy Action Shooting prodded manufacturers to bring back production of these old rifles. Three of these resurrected rifles include the Henry New Original Henry, the Marlin Model 1894 Classic, and the Winchester Model 1873 Carbine. 

Lever-action rifles are woven into the fabric of our American culture. Many of these rifles were high tech when first introduced, offering rapid firepower. They were adopted by the military, used by lawmen and outlaws alike, and to this day are used by hunters and Cowboy Action shooters. Like all designs, however, older levergun designs were discontinued as newer and better leverguns were built. The thing is, you can’t put a good levergun down, to turn a phrase. Many great leverguns ceased production with their original makers only to be resurrected into production by other manufacturers that tweaked the design using newer, better materials, adding safety features, and chambering them in modern cartridges. Interest in the Old West and Cowboy Action Shooting prodded manufacturers to bring back production of these old rifles. Three of these resurrected rifles include the Henry New Original Henry, the Marlin Model 1894 Classic, and the Winchester Model 1873 Carbine. 

Lever-action rifles are woven into the fabric of our American culture. Many of these rifles were high tech when first introduced, offering rapid firepower. They were adopted by the military, used by lawmen and outlaws alike, and to this day are used by hunters and Cowboy Action shooters. Like all designs, however, older levergun designs were discontinued as newer and better leverguns were built. The thing is, you can’t put a good levergun down, to turn a phrase. Many great leverguns ceased production with their original makers only to be resurrected into production by other manufacturers that tweaked the design using newer, better materials, adding safety features, and chambering them in modern cartridges. Interest in the Old West and Cowboy Action Shooting prodded manufacturers to bring back production of these old rifles. Three of these resurrected rifles include the Henry New Original Henry, the Marlin Model 1894 Classic, and the Winchester Model 1873 Carbine. 

We have tested several 38 Special snubnose revolvers over the past few decades. As a direct result of this experience, we have isolated areas of the greatest import in making the 38 snub most effective. The trigger action must be smooth, the sights useful, and the stocks should be hand-filling grips that limit recoil. The role of the 38 Special as a backup handgun must be considered as well. This is a light, but formidable, firearm carried just in case. The snubnose revolver will easily survive in an ankle holster, where other types may not ride in this carry position and come up shooting. Whether in a primary carry role on the belt or in a pocket, or as a backup on the lower leg, a concern with nearly every snubbie is capacity. While the snubnose 38 usually has five cartridges, five rounds isn’t very many, so being able to put them where they’re needed is paramount. 

We have tested several 38 Special snubnose revolvers over the past few decades. As a direct result of this experience, we have isolated areas of the greatest import in making the 38 snub most effective. The trigger action must be smooth, the sights useful, and the stocks should be hand-filling grips that limit recoil. The role of the 38 Special as a backup handgun must be considered as well. This is a light, but formidable, firearm carried just in case. The snubnose revolver will easily survive in an ankle holster, where other types may not ride in this carry position and come up shooting. Whether in a primary carry role on the belt or in a pocket, or as a backup on the lower leg, a concern with nearly every snubbie is capacity. While the snubnose 38 usually has five cartridges, five rounds isn’t very many, so being able to put them where they’re needed is paramount. 

We have tested several 38 Special snubnose revolvers over the past few decades. As a direct result of this experience, we have isolated areas of the greatest import in making the 38 snub most effective. The trigger action must be smooth, the sights useful, and the stocks should be hand-filling grips that limit recoil. The role of the 38 Special as a backup handgun must be considered as well. This is a light, but formidable, firearm carried just in case. The snubnose revolver will easily survive in an ankle holster, where other types may not ride in this carry position and come up shooting. Whether in a primary carry role on the belt or in a pocket, or as a backup on the lower leg, a concern with nearly every snubbie is capacity. While the snubnose 38 usually has five cartridges, five rounds isn’t very many, so being able to put them where they’re needed is paramount. 

• Sig,CZ Head to Head
• Lever Action 45-70's
• 3-Inch Wheelguns
• 12-Gauge Pumpguns
• 10MM Carbines
• 380 ACP Pistols
• Gunt Test Classic