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Defined as a “lightweight, short-barreled variation of an existing rifle model,” the carbine was first employed by cavalry. Fighting in a very confined area, they needed something much shorter than an infantry rifle. Shorter barrels affect muzzle velocity negatively, as did the recoil on the shoulders with a standard cartridge in a trimmed down rifle — sometimes to the point where different ammo had to be loaded for the carbines. Still, the newer versions were shorter, lighter, easier to manipulate and carry on horseback.

In the December 1995 issue, we tried a couple of double-barreled shotguns that retailed for less than $900. Both of the 20 gauges in this head-to-head test, a Gentry and a Brittany, were imported by American Arms. Here’s what we foun.

In the December 1995 issue, we tried a couple of double-barreled shotguns that retailed for less than $900. Both of the 20 gauges in this head-to-head test, a Gentry and a Brittany, were imported by American Arms. Here’s what we foun.

The 45-70 Government cartridge has been in constant use since 1873. The U.S. military adopted the round and used it until 1892, while the cartridge’s sporting use for hunting and competition has been uninterrupted to this day. That says a lot about the performance and reliability of the 45-70. There are better cartridges that are flatter shooting and have more downrange power at long distances, but with a modern lever-action rifle, the 45-70’s sweet spot is close to 100 yards. Depending on the ammo, if your rifle is equipped with an optic, and your shooting ability allows, you might be able to squeeze out effective shots to 200 yards. Lever-action rifles chambered in the round are popular with hunters in states that require a straight-wall cartridge and for hunters who want a lot bang to get the buck. Or wild boar or black bear. Large game is in the 45-70’s portfolio at the right distance.

The 45-70 Government cartridge has been in constant use since 1873. The U.S. military adopted the round and used it until 1892, while the cartridge’s sporting use for hunting and competition has been uninterrupted to this day. That says a lot about the performance and reliability of the 45-70. There are better cartridges that are flatter shooting and have more downrange power at long distances, but with a modern lever-action rifle, the 45-70’s sweet spot is close to 100 yards. Depending on the ammo, if your rifle is equipped with an optic, and your shooting ability allows, you might be able to squeeze out effective shots to 200 yards. Lever-action rifles chambered in the round are popular with hunters in states that require a straight-wall cartridge and for hunters who want a lot bang to get the buck. Or wild boar or black bear. Large game is in the 45-70’s portfolio at the right distance.

• Slim 9MM Pistols
• Medium-Frame 357 Magnum Revolvers
• The New 21 Sharp
• Gun Tests Classic:  Winchester Model 70 Classic Laredo

Stats

I love your publication; it always impresses me with the thoroughness of your tests. However, when you test a gun, you always downgrade it if you have malfunctions (failure to feed, failure to eject, etc.) I have owned many S&W M&P pistols in 9mm and 45 ACP. I have found them to be reliable and easy to take down. However, when I bought my first 9mm Shield, it always failed to eject a round in every magazine I loaded. Different ammunition made no difference. It was certain to fail to eject at least one round in every magazine. I sent it back to S&W, and they replaced the barrel. The gun has been flawless since the repair. This has got me thinking that by downgrading a gun in your tests, it gives the impression that all guns of that model might be subject to malfunctions. Are there any stats on the overall quality of a manufacturer? For example, does S&W manufacture guns with a certain quality standard in mind, like 99.99% good? No matter how good the manufacturing process is, there are bound to be flawed examples that make it to the public. This doesn’t mean that their quality is poor. — George

Some members of the Houston test group are involved in teaching the Texas License To Carry class. The instruction includes a great deal of information about requirements for carry in Texas and the law regarding usage of those firearms. We also get asked about the best guns for carry. We tell them 1) the gun has to go bang, 2) it has to hit what they point it at, and 3) it needs to be sufficiently powerful. We normally recommend a minimum of 380 ACP. We also strongly suggest carrying a defensive firearm larger than a mouse gun, which tends to be easy to carry but is often difficult to shoot and has limited ammo capacity. Because we’ve never heard anyone who survived a gunfight say that they wish they had had a smaller gun or fewer cartridges, we normally suggest that they select the biggest gun they can, and will, carry. 

Some members of the Houston test group are involved in teaching the Texas License To Carry class. The instruction includes a great deal of information about requirements for carry in Texas and the law regarding usage of those firearms. We also get asked about the best guns for carry. We tell them 1) the gun has to go bang, 2) it has to hit what they point it at, and 3) it needs to be sufficiently powerful. We normally recommend a minimum of 380 ACP. We also strongly suggest carrying a defensive firearm larger than a mouse gun, which tends to be easy to carry but is often difficult to shoot and has limited ammo capacity. Because we’ve never heard anyone who survived a gunfight say that they wish they had had a smaller gun or fewer cartridges, we normally suggest that they select the biggest gun they can, and will, carry. 

Some members of the Houston test group are involved in teaching the Texas License To Carry class. The instruction includes a great deal of information about requirements for carry in Texas and the law regarding usage of those firearms. We also get asked about the best guns for carry. We tell them 1) the gun has to go bang, 2) it has to hit what they point it at, and 3) it needs to be sufficiently powerful. We normally recommend a minimum of 380 ACP. We also strongly suggest carrying a defensive firearm larger than a mouse gun, which tends to be easy to carry but is often difficult to shoot and has limited ammo capacity. Because we’ve never heard anyone who survived a gunfight say that they wish they had had a smaller gun or fewer cartridges, we normally suggest that they select the biggest gun they can, and will, carry. 

When the FBI carried 357 Magnum revolvers between 1981 and 1991, the standard issue was a S&W Model 13 with a medium-sized round-grip K-frame and a 3-inch barrel. Consider the Model 13 a benchmark for a concealed-carry 357 Magnum revolver. It offers better shootability than a smaller-frame revolver with a smaller grip, yet doesn’t feel like a brick on your hip when you carry it. 

When the FBI carried 357 Magnum revolvers between 1981 and 1991, the standard issue was a S&W Model 13 with a medium-sized round-grip K-frame and a 3-inch barrel. Consider the Model 13 a benchmark for a concealed-carry 357 Magnum revolver. It offers better shootability than a smaller-frame revolver with a smaller grip, yet doesn’t feel like a brick on your hip when you carry it.