Archive for the 'handguns' Category

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Colt 1911 Pistols Recalled

Colt have recalled six different of their 1911 models. The Slide Lock Safety and Recoil Spring Guide Pad were not build to spec and could wear and break prematurely. The recalled pistol were sold since March 2007.

1911 WWI Replica (O1911) From: 4597WMK To: 5414WMK
1918 WWI Replica (O1918) From: 1001WWI To: 3431WWI
New Agent (O7810D) From: GT01001 To: GT04505
Combat Elite (O8011XSE) From: CG10000E To: CG11293E
Defender (O7000D) From: DR33036 To: DR35948
Talo Night Defender (O7000NDF) From: NDF0001 To: NDF0400

More information available at Colt.

Xavier, a fellow gun blogger, is having to send in three pistols back to Colt because of the recall!

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Posted by Steve on Jul 1st 2009 | Filed in handguns | Comments (4)

Federal adds new loads to the Fusion brand

Federal / ATK have added new loads to the mid priced Fusion range of ammunition. The new loads for 2009 are:

* 62-grain 223 Rem.
* 120-grain 260 Rem.
* 140-grain 6.5×55 Swedish
* 300-grain 45-70 Government
* 260-grain 460 S&W
* 275-grain 500 S&W

Home Products

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Posted by Steve on Jun 29th 2009 | Filed in ammunition, handguns, rifles | Comments (2)

Ruger SASS Vaquero

Ruger have partnered with the Single Action Shooting Society (SASS) to produced a special edition Ruger Vaquero single action revolver. The SASS Vaquero is sold as a matched set (two guns) bearing consecutive serial numbers.

472L
Ruger SASS Vaquero

The new revolver features a high-gloss stainless steel finish, the lower and wider hammer from the Ruger Montado and SASS markings. It is chambered in .357 Magnum and has a 4.62″ barrel. MSRP is $1459 (that is for a pair of revolvers) and will be available in August.

Picture 21-6

Picture 20-3

More info available at Ruger.

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Posted by Steve on Jun 25th 2009 | Filed in handguns | Comments (4)

1911 Blown up

These photos are of a AMT Combat Government Hardballer 1911 pistol that fired a handloaded .45 ACP round that was overloaded with powder. The result is quite spectacular. The top of the chamber has been blown right off taking a considerable section of the slide with it.

Amtkaboom2

Amtkaboom1-1
That looks sore.

The photos are from Photobucket via. the Blue Gun Blog.

UPDATE: Elvis for identifying the pistol.

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Posted by Steve on Jun 25th 2009 | Filed in ammunition, handguns | Comments (20)

S&W 22A Pistol Recall

Smith and Wesson have announced a recall of the S&W 22A Pistol.

Smith & Wesson has identified a condition that may exist in certain model 22-A pistols. Based on our ongoing product review, we have determined that the slides of certain pistols manufactured from August 1, 2008 to February 19, 2009, may not meet the design specification. This can create a situation where insufficient headspace exists creating a risk of unintended discharge.

STOP USING YOUR PISTOL AND RETURN IT TO SMITH & WESSON AT ONCE.

Any unintended discharge of a firearm has the potential for causing injury, and we ask that you stop using your pistol immediately

Over at GunNuts, VegasChris posted a link to photos of his 22A pistol which self-destructed

Frameassemblyrearviewbrokenpieceout
You can see the raw metal where the piece was blown off

Hat Tip: Caleb @ Gun Nuts Media
.

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Posted by Steve on Jun 22nd 2009 | Filed in handguns | Comments (4)

K.B.I. importing Jericho 941 pistol

K.B.I. Inc. , which includes Charles Daly, is again importing the IWI Jericho 941 pistol that was previously imported by Magnum Research under the Baby Eagle brand name.

The “Military-Tuff” Jericho 941 pistols are available in three calibers (9mm, 40S&W and .45ACP), three frame sizes (Full, Mid-size & Compact), in both Polymer and Steel frames. Standard Features include: ambidextrous de-cocking (firing pin block) safety; double/single action trigger function; combat style trigger guard; chrome-lined polygonal rifled barrels; under frame picatinny rail (except compact); low-profile combat style sights; two magazines & hard case. The Jericho’s time-tested, field-proven reliability and performance may be its best feature.

The pistol comes in three different sizes and chambered in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. MSRP starts at $647 for the blue steel / polymer frame models to $749 for the chromed steel models.

Mainpage Jericho
The mid size steel / chromed model model

More info here.

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Posted by Steve on Jun 19th 2009 | Filed in handguns | Comments (3)

James Yeager responds to the controversial training video

James Yeager, the owner of Tactical Response, has posted a video on youtube in response the controversy over the controversial training video which shows a photographer standing next to a target downrange of students shooting live ammunition.

Personally I respect everyone’s right to train how they see fit, as long as they do it far away from me. Although saying that, I think Mr Yeager could have made some better arguments in his video.

Yeager states many people don’t like anybody standing even slightly forward of their muzzle when shooting. That is true, and I can be included in this group of people, but the video showed somebody next to the targets, not just standing slightly forward of the muzzle.

He uses a car analogy in his response. I know driving in a car is dangerous, but I do my best to mitigate the risks of driving as much as I can. I drive a car that doesn’t have any known safety problems, has seat belts, ABS brakes and air bags. If I could afford a new car, I would buy one with those fancy electronic stability control systems. Increasing risk when shooting just because driving is dangerous does not make sense to me.

Lastly, he says you can never be 100% safe. I belong to a rifle target shooting club that has their own private range. The club is over 100 years old and as far as anybody can tell, there has not been an injury on the range in 100 years. There have of course been negligent discharges, but nobody was downrange at the time. Sure it is not 100% safe, but pretty damn close.

Thanks to D. Tanner and Thomas for the link.

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Posted by Steve on Jun 19th 2009 | Filed in handguns, video | Comments (42)

Wilson Combat SPEC-OPS 9

The previously unnamed 9mm polymer 1911 has been named the SPEC-OPS 9.

Specops9

It is being marketed as a full size concealed carry pistol. One of the main selling point is the lower weight of the polymer frame. The pistol weighs in at 29.6 oz., about 25% lighter than the stainless Wilson Combat Classic. It holds 16+1 rounds and has an accuracy guarantee of 1.5″ at 25 yards.

Caliber: 9mm
Magazine Capacity: 16 rounds
Barrel Length: 4.5″
Overall Length: 7.9″
Sight Radius: 6.2″
Height: 5.3″
Width: 1.3″
Weight Empty: 29.6 oz.
Weight Loaded: 36.7oz.

As you can see in the photos it has all sorts of fancy 1911 doodads such as ultra light hammer, extended safety and Wilson Custom Three Hole trigger.

The price is $1995.

4-Tm

What do y’all think of the star burst grip pattern? I can’t say that I am a fan.

More info @ Wilson Combat.

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Posted by Steve on Jun 11th 2009 | Filed in handguns | Comments (26)

Engraved Colt Model 1908 Pistol

Rock Island Auction are auctioning off a beautiful engraved and gold in-laid .25 ACP Colt Model 1908 “Vest Pocket” pistol.

Anw109-V-F1-H

In my opinion it is absolutely beautiful.

Wikipedia has an article about John Browning’s creation.

Hat Tip: Ammoland

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Posted by Steve on Jun 10th 2009 | Filed in handguns | Comments (2)

Mosin Nagant rifle converted into a pistol

Mosin Pistol

Wow! Just when you think you have seen it all, you see a photo of a Mosin Nagant pistol!

Go read about it at Real Gun Guys.

UPDATE: AB posted a link in the comments to this photo of one that appears have been cut down to only a few inches of barrel!

6778A8F6C0B8

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Posted by Steve on Jun 5th 2009 | Filed in handguns | Comments (29)

9mm NATO damages 9mm Luger pistol

About a month ago I mentioned a post by Caleb warning people not to use 9mm NATO rounds in 9mm Luger / Parabellum pistols.

A reader, who shall remain anonymous, emailed me this account of what happened to him.

Your message about the 9 mm Nato versus 9 mm Luger (9×19 mm, 9 mm Para) is correct and should be a warning to all users of 9 mm pistols. I found out the the higher pressure of the Nato round can be punishing. The same day as I received my first and brand new police service pistol, the Walther P5, I took it to my shooting club to show it to the lads and to shoot it.

Because I ran out of ammo, I borrowed a box from a military friend, who used 9 mm Nato rounds. After two shots my new pistol jammed, because the extractor broke off. I had some explanation to do the next day in order to get my service gun back in working order and got the message: Never use military ammo in non-military firearms. So, any surplus army ammo: use it in the Browning High-Power or the Glock, but not in “civilian” pistols.

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Posted by Steve on Jun 1st 2009 | Filed in ammunition, handguns | Comments (8)

Blade Runner gun sold for $270,000

The “2019 Detective Special” prop gun from the movie Blade Runner has been auctioned off for $270,000!

Bladerunner Blaster-Thumb-550X377-16159

At first glance the gun looks to be some sort of auto-revolver. It is in fact a Steyr Mannlicher .222 Model SL rifle action and trigger group with some revolver parts tacked on. Note the double set trigger and Steyr’s iconic “butter knife” style bolt handle. It even retains the Steyr serial number.

Pix355962406
Photo from a gunbroker auction.

Phil Steinschneider has a website detailing how be built a replica of the prop using a Steyr Mannlicher .222 Model SL action and a Charter Arms .44 Special Police Bulldog revolver.

Csseriii01
Phil’s replica

Many thanks to Kevin for emailing me the Link.

UPDATE: Tam notes that this may still be classified as a firearm by the BATFE.

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Posted by Steve on May 31st 2009 | Filed in culture, handguns, rifles | Comments (10)

Ballistics By The Inch 2.0 is launched

$15,000 ballistics experiment Ballistics By The Inch has added an additional team member and expended another 1500 rounds of ammunition in their quest for ballistics knowledge.

Three more cartridges have been tested: the .327 Magnum, 10mm Auto and .41 magnum. The team have also tested a wide variety of “real world” handguns and carbines to see how they compare with each other and with the test results.

Process
Testing the ammunition.

I was given early access to the updated information and it has been a fascinating read.

Congrats to Jim, Jim, Steve and Keith for the completion of phase two and also a big thank you from me for all your effort.

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Posted by Steve on May 30th 2009 | Filed in handguns | Comments (3)

STI 2011 Aluminum Grip

This year STI introduced a nifty aluminum grip for their 2011 pistols. It is a drop in replacement for regular polymer 2011 grip.

Aluminumgrip Det02

There is no decoration so that shooters can add their own designs or checkering. The MSRP is $410.

More info here.

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Posted by Steve on May 29th 2009 | Filed in handguns | Comments (0)

Blackhawk barrel takes a beating

Rugerblackhawk
Click to enlarge

There are at least five bullets stuck in that revolver barrel. RugerForum members seem to think is a Ruger Blackhawk in .357 Magnum. The squib loads could have been low powered .38 Special rounds or very badly loaded .357 rounds. That the shooter did not notice it after the 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th round is crazy!

It is hard to see if there is a bulge in that barrel, a symptom of a round fired into a blocked barrel. I think if had been a semi-automatic pistol there would have been a disaster. A revolver can vent gas in the gap between the cylinder and the barrel but in a autoloader pistol for a brief period of time the gas has no where to go and the pressure build up would be considerable.

A few weeks ago I was shooting some old .22 Longs out of a rifle which I had not fired them out of before. I nearly crapped my pants after the second round when I realized to forget to check the spotting scope to ensure that the first round made it out of the barrel and hit the target. I was shooting iron sights and could not see the target. I learnt a good lesson. Always make sure you hit the target, especially when you are shooting low powered ammunition.

Thanks to Advocate for the link.

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Posted by Steve on May 28th 2009 | Filed in handguns | Comments (14)

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