The Firearm Blog

The 9mm Beretta 92FS and 96 have been updated for 2010. The new 92A1 and 96A1 feature

The .40 S&W Model 96A1

• Higher capacity magazines (17 rounds for 92A1 and 12 rounds for 96A1). They are still compatible with older magazines.
• Picatinny rail.
• Rounded trigger guard.
• Removable front sight.
• Captive recoil assembly. Less chance of losing springs!
• Recoil buffer (96A1 only).

Recoil assembly.

The A1 line does not replace the older models, but will be offered alongside them.

NRANews's Cam and Company [ iTunes Link, 1/14/10 episode ] let slip the news that Ruger would have a LCR chambered in .357 Magnum on display. I am sure that this is the wheel gun that Michael Bane recently blogged about!

The original .38 Special Ruger LCR was announced at SHOT Show last year.

Ruger Lightweight Compact Revolver (LCR) .38 Special

[ Many thanks to Nick for alerting me to the news. ]

This incredibably ugly (but in a good way) pistol uses Sten 9mm mag, an AK fire control group and a Luger barrel!

Lots more photos and info here.

[ Many thanks to Advocate for emailing me the link. ]

SIG has updated the P226 and P229 line and added new E2 ( e-squared ) Enhanced Ergonomics models.

The E2 Enhanced Ergonomics P226 & P229 build on the successful components that have made the P226 & P229 the choice of armed professionals world-wide. The newly designed one-piece modular grip with improved texture reduces area in the back strap and overall circumference, providing a better fit over a wider range of hand sizes.

The E2 P226 and P229 are available in 9mm Luger/Parabellium, with Nitron finish and night sights. Both have a MSRP of $1149.

CZ are using a new ceramic coating for the upcoming blackened model of the Dan Wesson Valor 1911 pistol. The coating officially is called the "Duty" coat, but unofficially it is the "Uber" coat.

Torture test done by an employee of CZ ...

Before

This is a very nice smooth matte black finish. This is not a paint or type of plating. This finish is bonded to the metal down below the surface. Our new finish actually leaves a harder finish on the surface than your standard Stainless slide. Yes all of the Black Valor's will still be a base gun of stainless steel. The same is true for the CCO and the Guardian slides and small parts. So what I am saying is we are not cutting any corners by giving you a carbon gun with the treatment done to it.

Next up is my little torture test for you.

The camera doesn't show the best, in fact half of what I did didn't show up. I know what you're thinking...He barley did anything. What is he trying to prove? Well let me tell you, what I did would have scraped the Cerakote away to bare metal and scratched the heck out of ion-bond. That file has very sharp corners and is very hard. So now see the scuff marks I put in it? It's ruined right? Wrong!

A little oil and some 000 steel wool and....

After scratching

Ta-da! No it is not that same picture as the first. Note the flash in the different spot. Believe it or not this is what I did and this is what you are going to get in 2010.

The new Valor will be available in late January. I look forward to independent tests.

[ Many thanks to a reader for emailing me the link. ]

The Smith & Wesson Model 638 and 637 are now available from the factory with Crimson Trace laser grips installed.

Model 637CT Revolver

The .38+P Models 637CT and 638CT both feature a stainless finish and 2.5" barrel. They will retail for $924.

Ruger has embraced the .327 Federal Magnum and added it to their line of GP100 and Blackhawk revolvers.

Each gun chambered in the .327 Fed Mag can also chamber the .327 H&R Magnum, .32 S&W Long and .32 S&W.

The .327 GP100 will retail for $701 and the Blackhawk for $681.

Ruger is set to announce the new compact version of their SR9 pistol. The press released was leaked online (Well done Richard!). The pistol features a short 3.5" barrel, is chambered in 9mm and its standard magazine holds 10 rounds (17 round high-cap available). I will update the blog as soon as Ruger officially announces it and photos are published.

SR9c Compact Pistol. Photo from Shooting Wire

Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. is proud to announce the Ruger SR9c compact pistol, the first extension in the SR9 striker-fired pistol family.

The SR9 is one of the slimmest and most ergonomic 9mm pistols on the market today, and the compact model offers an even smaller, more concealable option, ideal for discreet carry.

“The SR9c compact pistol is a welcome addition to the SR9 line, giving customers a very comfortable carry option in this reliable, 9mm platform,” said Mike Fifer, President & CEO. “Incorporating the best features the full-sized SR9 has to offer, the SR9c gives Ruger a strong entry into the compact 9mm field. It feels great in your hand and it’s a lot of fun to shoot.”

The SR9c compact pistol weighs in at 24 oz. and features an overall length of 6.875”, a height of 5.00”, and the same slim 1.27” grip width as the full-sized SR9. It comes with two magazines that provide options in both capacity and grip size. The standard magazine holds 10 rounds and features a flat bottom butt plate; a finger grip extension floor plate is also included. The second magazine features a grip adapter and holds 17 rounds, instantly transforming the smaller, compact grip into a full-sized 9mm grip. The 3.50” barreled pistol features an integral accessory rail that accommodates most lights and lasers.

The SR9c compact pistol utilizes the same adjustable, high-visibility 3-Dot sight system as its full-sized predecessor, setting it apart from many compact pistols that rely on fixed sights. New serrations are located on the front portion of the slide, making it easier to both manipulate the slide and to press check the chamber. The SR9c is available with a glass-filled nylon frame and through-hardened slide in either a brushed stainless or blackened finish. State compliant variations are available where necessary and ship with two 10-round magazines.

Just like the original, full-sized SR9, the SR9c is loaded with modern safety features like a 1911-style ambidextrous manual safety, internal trigger bar interlock and striker blocker, trigger safety, magazine disconnect, plus a visual and tactile loaded chamber indicator.

UPDATE:

A stainless and black model will be available ...

Stainless

Blackened

Michael spotted a company manufacturing semi-auto Sterling SMG-styled pistols! Wiseland Lite is selling them for $450. They are available chambered in 7.62x25mm or 9mm.

7.62x25mm model

9mm model

UPDATE: It was pointed out in the comments that Wiseland Lite require you to supply a Sterling kit.

The American Journal of Roentgenology published a fascinating article back in 2001 about an incident at a MRI imaging center in western New York State. An off-duty police entered the MRI scanner room and attempted to place his Colt M1991 A1 pistol on the top of a cabinet. The pistol was wrenched from his grip by the magnetic field. It was pulled towards the machine and then discharged!

Pistol stuck to the MRI's bore.

The gun likely discharged as a result of the effect of the magnetic field on the firing pin block. The firing pin block was probably drawn into its uppermost position by force of the magnetic field. The firing pin block has to overcome only light pressure from a relatively small spring to release the firing pin. The pistol was likely drawn into the magnetic field so that the muzzle struck the magnet's bore first. With the firing pin allowed to move freely in its channel, the force of the impact on the muzzle end was sufficient to cause the firing pin to overcome its spring pressure and move forward to strike the primer of the chambered round.

This account explains how the weapon discharged when the thumb safety was engaged.

The journal article, unlike most journal articles I have read, is written in plain english and can be understood by a laymen. I recommend reading the full account of the incident.

[ Many thanks to PERRK for emailing me the link. ]

The Kriegsmarine apparently issued mini-RPG rounds for their double-barreled flare gun. Crazy.

Ed's Public Safety, a dealer that which calls itself "Georgia's #1 GLOCK Dealer and GLOCK Law Enforcement Distributor", has published photos of the Glock 22 Gen4. I am sure Glock's PR people are pretty annoyed right about now!

Glock 22 Gen4

Gen4 Dual Recoil Spring. Note magazine has two cut-outs to accommodate swappable mag release.

How the backstrap attaches. Tool provided with gun. Backstraps are marked "M" (medium) and "L" (large).

The new RTF3 texture

Gen4 frame (Top) and 3rd Gen Frame (Bottom)

So just to summarize all the point about the Glock Gen4 ...

• Initially Glock 17 (9mm) and Glock 22 (.40 S&W) will be available. Compact models will follow later in 2010.
• Features duel recoil spring which should increase reliability.
• Features Swappable backstraps.
• Magazine release swappable between left and right.
• Old magazines still work, but only when mag release is on left side.
• Gen4 slide is clearly marked as "Gen4".
• Retail price for G17 and G22 Gen4 is about $700 (actual prices will be lower than this).
• Glock will cease sales of the 3rd Generation and RTF models.

[Hat Tip: Pistol Training]

The controversial Kimber SIS Custom .45 1911 line of pistols will be discontinued in the New Year. From Kimber1911pistols.com ...

Note: the SIS family is discontinued as of January 1, 2010. Kimber will ship outstanding orders but they will not take orders on the SIS line after 1/1. If you want one, don’t wait too long or they will be unavailable!

Kimber S.I.S Custom featuring the distinctive "SIS" slide serrations.

The pistol was designed by the LAPD's elite Special Investigation Section who adopted it as their duty weapon. Kimber donated a portion of each sale to the LAPD Memorial Fund.

Massad Ayoob wrote about the SIS pistols in Guns Magazine ...

... News that a weapon is being marketed with an 'SIS' serration--a clear reference to the LAPD--was met with criticism from city and civil rights leaders. 'It is very disturbing,' said Councilman Jack Weiss. 'If any member of the public is shot with one of these guns or, heaven forbid, a cop is shot with one of these arts, what would be the explanation?'

...

You see, the guns weren't just named after SIS, LAPD's Special Investigation Section, they were designed by SIS members. Staffed by creme de la creme street-proven detectives with extra-intense training in armed police combat ...

At SHOT '08 Ruger unveiled the Ruger LCP pistol and in '09 we saw the new Tactical Mini-14. So what is in store for us this year?

Michael Bane has already gotten his hands on a new Ruger single action ...

We took the new Ruger to the range today, and it clocked pretty much rave reviews. It safe to say, I suppose, that the gun is a revolver and it is a single action. A nice gun!

My guess is a Ruger Vaquero chambered in .22 LR. It would be very popular Cowboy Action shooters, with whom the Vaquero is popular.

Caleb spotted a Ruger press release which says that a Mini-30 with 20-round magazines will be available in 2010. What better time to launch it than at SHOT?

The popular Ruger Mini Thirty® rifle is now available with 20-round magazines. Chambered for 7.62×39, the Mini Thirty is an ideal autoloader for deer-sized game. Featuring the reliable action of the Ruger Mini-14® series of rifles first introduced in 1974, the Mini Thirty is simple, rugged and reliable, hallmarks of all Ruger firearms.

Ruger Tactical Mini-14 with 20 round magazine.

It makes perfect sense now that the Mini-14 has factory 20 rounders available.

SaysUncle noticed that a chromed version of the Ruger LCP is listed at Lipseys for $405. This is sure to be at SHOT.

A standard Ruger LCP which was chromed by its owner.