March 2019 Short Shots: New Handguns for 2019

Mossberg Celebrates Centennial with Launch of MC1sc Handgun

In celebration of the company’s 100th anniversary, O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc., has released a 9mm concealed-carry handgun: the Mossberg MC1sc (subcompact). Surprisingly, the company’s first firearm design, called the Brownie, was a 22-caliber four-shot pocket pistol. The MC1sc is available in five initial 9mm offerings: the standard MC1sc and an optional cross-bolt safety version; two standard offerings with sighting systems (TruGlo Tritium Pro Night Sights or a Viridian E-Series Red Laser), and a Centennial Limited Edition with a production run limited to 1,000 commemorative models. After 100 years in business, Mossberg has grown to be the sixth-largest U.S. firearms manufacturer with more than 100 design and utility patents to its credit. The MC1sc reflects three years of development. Important features in a subcompact handgun are size, weight, caliber and carryability. The MC1sc has an overall length of 6.45 inches, weight of 19 ounces (with empty magazine), and a barrel length of 3.4 inches in the popular 9mm chambering. It comes with two single-stack magazines (one 6-round flush and one 7-round extended), has a glass-reinforced polymer frame, and suggested retail price of $421 for the two standard models. The MC1sc’s Clear-Count single-stack magazines are constructed of a transparent, lubricious polymer compound that offer low friction and high wear-resistance while providing at-a-glance assessment of the number and type of rounds loaded. The magazines also feature easy-to-remove floor plates and high-visibility followers. The MC1sc has a patent-pending Mossberg Safe Takedown System, which unlike competitive products, does not require the user to pull the trigger to dissemble for routine cleaning or maintenance. Rounding out the design is an aggressive patent-pending Mossberg signature grip texturing, added palm swell, and grip angle similar to a 1911. The slide is constructed of stainless steel with a DLC (Diamond Like Coating) finish, aggressive multi-angle serrations for ease of slide manipulation, and dovetailed-mounted low-profile white 3-dot sights. The stainless-steel barrel also features a DLC coating and 1-in-16 twist rate. The MC1sc trigger has a flat profile and integrated blade safety; short, tactile reset; reduced overtravel; and has a 5- to 6-pound pull weight. Trigger guards are also oversized and all MC1sc models have a reversible magazine release, located behind the trigger guard. If you have the spend, the MC1sc Centennial Limited Edition will be available, limited to a run of 1000 units with sequential serial numbering. Features include 24-karat gold accents engraved on the slide, a titanium nitride-finished barrel and metal small parts; and a special serial number. Model numbers are the 89001 and 89002 $421; the 89003 with TruGlo Tritium Pro sights, $526; the 89004 with Viridian E-Series Red Laser, $514; and the 89005 Centennial, with no price listing as yet.

All New Colt King Cobra

Following Colt’s successful re-entry into the double-action-revolver market in 2017, the company has doubled down with the all-new King Cobra in 357 Magnum. It should already be available through Colt stocking dealers. Snake number two has arrived as Model KCOBRA-SB3BB, a 6-shot 357 Magnum sporting a heavy-duty frame, 3-inch barrel, and brushed stainless-steel construction. There’s a brass bead front sight, Hogue Overmolded grips, and a fighting weight of 28 ounces. It’s currently not available in California and Massachusetts. The King Cobra also features the same user-replaceable front sight and linear-leaf spring trigger (LL2) as the rest of the Cobra family. MSRP: $899.

Kel-Tec’s New CP33 feeds from Quad-Stack Detachable Box Magazines

Yep, you read that right, and the mags hold a total of 33 rounds of 22 Long Rifle. Pitched to competitive shooters, the CP33 has a standard blowback operating system. Shooting it at Media Day at SHOT 2019, we opened the CP33’s action by pulling back on an ambi non-reciprocating charging handle. It takes the optic and suppressor host game to the next level, turning long-range targets into short range bullseyes. The fiber-optic sights are adjustable for elevation and windage. On top is a 19-slot Picatinny optics rail, but the pistol comes with a pair of adjustable fiber-optic sights (green up front and red in the rear). Features: 10.6 inches long, with a 5.5-inch barrel threaded 1⁄2×28 TPI, twist rate of 1-in-14 inches, bilateral thumb safeties, polymer frame. MSRP, $475.

Springfield Armory Rolls Out Saint Victor Pistols, New 9mm 911, Affordable 911 in 380 ACP

New for 2019, the Saint Victor series of pistols from Springfield Armory have many of the same features as the Saint rifles but in a stock-free, non-NFA pistol form with a 7.5-inch barrel in 5.56 and a 9-inch barrel in 300 BLK (top). The 7.5-inch Saint Victor Pistol is equipped with an SA Forward Blast Diverter muzzle device, and the 9-inch pistol features an A2 flash hider, easily removed for suppressor use. Springfield pitches the Saint Victor Pistol as a close-quarters-battle compact design for home defense and delivers rifle power in a small, fast-handling package. It comes with an SB Tactical SBX-K forearm brace to enhance accuracy. Just like the Saint Victor Rifles, the M16 bolt carrier group is precision-machined from 9310 steel, shot peened, HPI/MPT inspected and finished in super-hard Melonite, as are the barrels, both inside and out. A staked receiver end plate features a QD mount for sling attachment. The Saint Victor Pistol Model STV975556B in 5.56mm has an MSRP of $1015.

The Model STV909300B in 300 BLK also has an MSRP of $1015. Elsewhere, Springfield’s introduction of the 911 380 ACP (middle) was so successful that Springfield upgraded it by offering the compact pistol in 9mm for 2019. The 911 9mm is only marginally larger than its 380 ACP counterpart, measuring in at 3.9 inches tall and 5.9 inches in length. That’s the same height as the 380 and only 0.4 inches longer. The 911 9mm features an Ameriglo Pro-Glo green tritium front sight inside a yellow luminescent circle, and a tactical rack U-notch rear sight with green tritium inside of white luminescent circles. The low-profile design ensures a snag-free draw. Other features brought over from the 380 ACP include a Hogue G10 trigger shoe, a loaded chamber indicator, an oversized ambidextrous safety, Octo-Grip checkering, Hogue Thin-Line G10 Grips, and a 3-inch precision broached barrel.

New 9mm Luger models include the PG9119 with a black-nitride finish; the PG9119S with a stainless slide; the PG9119H with black-nitride finish and Hogue rubber grips; the PG9119SVG with a stainless finish and grip laser; and the PG9119VG with a black-nitride finish and grip laser. MSRPs run from $650 to $849 for the laser-equipped units. The new 911 380 ACP Alpha (bottom) offers a value-priced variant that focuses on the essentials of the platform, while maintaining the quality and handling characteristics the gun is known for. MSRP, $429.

Walther Introduces New Q5 Match Steel Frame Competition Pistol

Walther Arms, Inc.’s new Q5 Match Steel frame pistol has the company’s PPQ Quick-Defense Trigger housed in a high-quality precision-machined frame. The pistol comes standard with LPA Fiber Optic front sight, LPA Adjustable rear sight, and optic mounting plates to accommodate most micro red-dot optics available. The Q5 Match Steel frame will initially be available in two models: the standard model with three 15-round magazines and the PRO model with new Walther Performance accessories, including a low-profile magwell and aluminum magazine extensions that increase the capacity to 17 rounds. MSRP for the Q5 Match Steel Frame starts at $1,499 and is available for purchase immediately.

SIG Sauer Introduces P320 XCompact

SIG Sauer, Inc.’s new P320 XCompact comes into the P320 XSeries of pistols with a redesigned grip module that has an improved beavertail and fastback profile, contoured magwell, and a deep trigger guard undercut. “The P320 XCompact redefines what a compact pistol should be by combining concealability with full-size XSeries features,” said Tom Taylor, chief marketing officer and executive vice president, commercial sales. The XCompact is a modular, striker-fired pistol with a serialized trigger group that makes it adaptable to multiple caliber, size, and grip options. The P320 XCompact is available in 9mm and features X-Ray3 day/night sights, a flat trigger, and a night-sight rear plate, making it optics ready. The three-point takedown of the pistol requires no trigger pull for disassembly, and safety features include a striker safety and disconnect safety. The P320 XCompact comes standard with two 15-round magazines. Other specs include: Total length, 7 inches. Barrel length, 3.6 inches. Weight (including magazine): 25.3 ounces. Height, 5.3 inches. Width, 1.3 inches. Sight radius, 5.5 inches.

Auto-Ordnance Offers Custom 1911 Series

Auto-Ordnance is offering a series of Custom Commemorative 1911 pistols: the Case Hardened 1911, Victory Girls 1911, Fly Girls 1911 and Squadron 1911. Of the set, the Case Hardened 1911 adds a classic finish with distinct and unique patterns of color. Beneath the colorful surface is an all-steel 5-inch “GI”-pattern 1911 pistol chambered in 45 ACP. The grips are checkered wood with the “US” military logo. While every Auto-Ordnance GI 1911 is made to replicate the look of the original guns, they are also equipped with a precisely machined barrel. This guarantees that they may look like a GI pistol, but they will shoot with a level of accuracy the originals could not match. The Case Hardened 1911 Model 1911GCH ships with a 7-round magazine and has an MSRP of $1327.

Magnum Research Introduces 500 Linebaugh BFR

With the introduction of the new 500 Linebaugh BFR, Magnum Research, Inc., becomes the only company to offer this chambering in a production revolver. The 500 Linebaugh has a bullet diameter of .510 inch compared to .500 inch for other 50-caliber rounds, excluding the 50 BMG. The 500 Linebaugh was created in 1986 by John Linebaugh and is the largest production handgun caliber. Other companies offer the 500 Linebaugh as a full custom piece. The BFR is all stainless and has a precision-grade barrel that delivers lead or jacketed bullets. Up until now, the 500 Linebaugh was a custom proposition only, costing thousands of dollars and long wait times. The .500 Linebaugh BFR is available in four configurations. The standard model with a 7.5-inch barrel (BFR500LB7) or 5.5-inch barrel (BFR500LB5) has an MSRP of $1399, and the standard model featuring Bisley grips with a 7.5-inch barrel (BFR500LB7B) or a 5.5-inch barrel (BFR500LB5B) has an MSRP of $1482.

Stoeger Releases STR-9 Pistol

Like Mossberg, Stoeger is trying to extend its brand of durable, dependable shotguns to the world of semiautomatic pistols with the new STR-9. This striker-fired 9mm comes packed with features you’d expect in a pistol costing twice as much. It has an integrated rail, internal safety, reversible magazine release, optimized slide serrations, three-dot sight system and enhanced ergonomics. The outfitted three-dot sight system features snag-resistant edges to ensure smooth draws and holstering. Aggressive slide serrations ensure a firm grip in any weather for rapid cycling of the STR-9 with or without gloves. A low bore axis reduces muzzle jump, and a crisp trigger with internal safety breaks cleanly. The magazine release conforms to either to left or right operation, and three interchangeable backstraps help provide a comfortable, custom fit. MSRP: $350.

Taurus Expands Handgun Lineup with Introduction of TX22

The all-new Taurus TX22 is a 22 LR semi-auto that runs like a custom-tuned pistol out of the box but comes at a price point that fits a competition-level handgun in the budget of the mainstream shooter. The TX22 is a full-size polymer handgun with a 16-round capacity, a short, smooth trigger pull with its Pittman Trigger System (PTS), which utilizes a trigger reset that short, audible, and spring-assisted, and a single-action-only striker-fire system. Trigger pull comes in at 5 pounds. The TX22 weighs 17.3 ounces, thanks in part to a 7075 aluminum slide that includes front and rear serrations and features a hard-coat black anodized finish. Other goodies include a light slide weight, proprietary grip texturing, adjustable rear sight, suppressor-ready muzzle threading, a reversible mag release, and integrated accessory rail. Dimensions: Length: 7.06 inches; width: 1.25 inches; height: 5.44 inches, and barrel length, 4.1 inches. MSRP: $349.