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In this day of polymer-frame striker-fired pistols stamped out by the thousands, there is still a place for customized handguns, made with skill and detail. We recently elected to test two such 9mm handguns from custom shops, both being double-action-first-shot pistols with metal frames and hammer-fired mechanisms. For contrast, we also shot a Browning Hi-Power […]

In this day of polymer-frame striker-fired pistols stamped out by the thousands, there is still a place for customized handguns, made with skill and detail. We recently elected to test two such 9mm handguns from custom shops, both being double-action-first-shot pistols with metal frames and hammer-fired mechanisms. For contrast, we also shot a Browning Hi-Power […]

In this day of polymer-frame striker-fired pistols stamped out by the thousands, there is still a place for customized handguns, made with skill and detail. We recently elected to test two such 9mm handguns from custom shops, both being double-action-first-shot pistols with metal frames and hammer-fired mechanisms. For contrast, we also shot a Browning Hi-Power […]

Re “9mm Single Actions: Tisas, Ruger, and Citadel Compete,” June 2021 Just an FYI.  Some seven years ago, my wife and I signed up for week-long handgun course in Nevada. My wife did not have a centerfire semi-auto (the preferred option over revolver). So we shopped around.  We found a gently-used Rock Island 9mm on […]

A Gun Tests reader recently asked us to look at small-of-the-back holsters, often referred to as SOB, and sometimes referred to as MOB, or middle-of-the-back holsters. We had one rater who really likes the SOB and has used it for years. Another condemned the type. Between commendation and condemnation, we hoped to find a compromise […]

Gun Tests Grade: A- OUR PICK $740 Some refer to the Springfield Ronin Operator as a “Retro” gun. If so, the Ronin Operator is reminiscent of high-end custom guns of a generation ago. Custom packages, including good sights, a beavertail grip safety, and a good trigger action, could run one $1000 or more on the […]

The 38 Special has been around since 1899. Originally loaded with a 158-grain roundnose bullet at 800 fps, the 38 Special has been regarded as the most powerful cartridge the occasional shooter may use well. In a mid-size revolver, the 38 is docile, accurate, and easily controlled. The problem is, wound ballistics are unimpressive, and […]

During the last few years, we’ve seen firearms manufacturers introduce a whole crop of new cartridges. We have many new 6mm, 6.5mm, 26-, 27-, 28-, and 30-caliber offerings — and Gun Tests has reported on a number of those. Two of the newest intros are the 6mm ARC (can they really bring more energy and […]

Gun Tests Grade: B Best Buy $449 The Tisas Duty is an upgraded version of the GI pistol offered by the Turkish maker, Tisas, and it’s brought into this country by SDS Imports of Knoxville, Tennessee. We looked it over and found an impressive array of features. The barrel was hammer forged and hard-chrome plated. […]

Gun Tests Grade: A- $902 Because this is a modern pistol intended for personal defense, we matched it up against the flashy Ronin. This gave us two steel-frame Government Model pistols, a steel-frame Commander, and an aluminum-frame Government Model. The Commander-size Bobcut was actually heavier than the full-length aluminum-frame Kimber Custom LW. The Metro was […]

Gun Test Grade: A- $709 Kimber hit the ground running with a pistol that covered many custom features previously found only on expensive custom items. While it is old news today, at the time it was introduced, the pistol was a sensation. The pistol tested was the “base” Kimber, the original Custom II with an […]