Compact (top), long slide (bottom)

The standard model will feature a 4.2" barrel and be available in black or two-ton finish. The .45 model will hold 10+1 round and the .40 will hold 13+1.

The compact model has a 3.2" barrel and holds 6+1 (.45) or 9+1 (.40).

The long slide model features a 5" barrel! Capacity is the same as the standard model.

No word on pricing.

Kristin Hunt and the Judge

Raging Judge Magnum (6" barrel)

The handgun will be available with either a 3" or 6" barrel and in either a stainless or blued finish. The 6" version includes a vent-rib for use with a scope mount.

3" barrel model

Like the Taurus Raging Bull line, the gun is big and it is heavy. The advantage that the Judge has over similar .454 chambered guns is its ability to chamber shot shells. A hunter or fisherman can load a shotshell in the first chamber for snakes and .454 in subsequent chambers to defend against bears. The cylinder holds six rounds.

The design is very similar to the Russian KBP MTs 225 revolver shotgun. The Circuit has a very attractive Monte Carlo stock (I guess a synthetic stock will be introduced at a later date). A cylinder guard on the left side of the gun prevents gas and flames from scorching your arm.

Specifications
Caliber	.45 Long Colt, .410 2.5" and 3" shells
Capacity	5 rounds
Action	SA/DA
Finish	Wood / Blue
Barrel	18.5"
Overall Length	38"
Weight	4.75 lbs
Front Sight	Fiber optics
Rear Sight	Fiber optic
MSRP (Price)	Not yet announced.

The Circut Judge will be avalible with either a rifled barrel or a smoothbore barrel. The smoothbore version will only be able to fire .410 rounds.

I really look forward to shooting the new Judge. It looks nice, feels nice and I am sure is a lot of fun to shoot.

[ Many thanks to jdun1911 for emailing me the link. ]

OK ... words fail me.

Specifications
Model	1911A1 XSE Dragon Talo Special E
Caliber	.45 ACP
Finish	Blue
Grips	Dragon "Scaled" Wood Grips with
Capacity	8+1
Safety	Extended Ambidextrous, Beavertail Grip Safety
Sights	Fixed 3 Dot Sights
Barrel Length	5"
Overall Length	8.5"
Weight	38 oz
Features	Slide Etched with Silver Dragon and Gold Accents. Stainless Bushing, Slide Stop, Magazine Release
MSRP	$1660

The procurement is notable because the rounds are not loaded with classic 230 gr hardball bullets, but the lighter and faster 185 grain FMJ-SWC bullets.

[ Many thanks to Matt for emailing me the info. ]

UPDATE: Daniel pointed out that the purchase was for the USMC Competition-In-Arms Program and that the solicitation appears to have been canceled.

The photo below of the prototype .40 S&W submachine gun model. I had to promise them I would make is clear it is a prototype and that the finish on the lower is rough and not what will be seen on the production version.

Magnum Research is manufacturing a 1911 which will go on sale next year! Two sized model will be on offer.

Magnum Research has entered the 1911 segment of the handgun market with its first two offerings, a full-size (5.055” barrel) and semi-compact (4.33” barrel) Desert Eagle® 1911 pistol. Both models feature enhanced beavertail safety, skeletonized trigger and hammer, crisp trigger, extended safety lever, beveled magazine well, tightly tolerance frame and slide for enhanced accuracy.

I believe that these pistols will be manufactured in the United States, not imported from Israel.

Specifications
Model	1911 "G" Full-Size
Caliber	.45 ACP
Length	8.625"
Barrel	Length| 5"
Height	5.25"
Width	1.28"
Finish	Black Oxide
Weight Empty	2.261 lbs
Magazine	7+1 Rounds
Trigger	Single Action
Safety	Grip Safety, Extended Thumb Safety
Sights	Fixed
MSRP	$799
Available	2010

[ Many thanks to the reader who for emailed me the info. ]

UPDATE: The pistols are manufacutred by BUL, Israel. Thanks to Spyros for the info.

Designed to be as inexpensive as possible, assembled from mostly stamped sheet-metal parts, the Liberator was a single shot pistol chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge the US military was using for standard handguns and submachine guns. It was so cheap that each one set the US government back only $2.40 in 1942 money. A million were made in less than three months during the darkest days of WWII, to be airdropped to Resistance fighters in enemy occupied territory.

Read about it at Hell in a Handbasket.

Specifications
Model	Ghost Commander
Type	Semi-Auto Pistol
Action	Single Action
Caliber	45 ACP
Capacity	8+1
# of Magazines	2
Finish	Stainless
Frame	Alloy Frame
Grip	Black Diamond Wood Grips
Sights	Novak Designed Sight System
Barrel Length	4.25"
Overall Length	7.75"
MSRP (Price)	$1,179.00

There is nothing unusual going on at Bea's loading bench, except this 78 year old grandmother has been a handgunner for just over a year, and now she is loading her own .45 ammo! Her journey as a shooter has been rather remarkable, but she has always had lots of pioneer moxie, and she is still an active person who wants to be able to defend herself and her home.

Dwain, Bea's husband, passed away in 2005, and owned several guns. One was his 'house gun,' a Smith and Wesson Model 36 snubbie. She realized that the little .38 would be difficult for her to master, so she had one of her sons help her pick out a new pistol for her to build her shooting skills. Her first purchase was a Walther P-22, and on her 77th birthday she went to the local range for the first time. The little Walther was easy for her to handle and to shoot; the only problem she had was stripping and reassembling after her range trips. As long as it was fed plated .22's, this gun never failed to function. Bea was now a handgunner, and a pretty good shot, too. Check out the target with thirty offhand shots at thirty feet with her little auto.

P-22 target with thirty shots at thirty feet.

Bea next learned to handle revolvers by starting with her son's Ruger Single-Six, and she found that she could shoot it more accurately than she could with the little Walther. She got lucky and found a used Single-Six in excellent condition at her local Scheel's store, and soon she was shooting the revolver more than the auto. Her son then introduced her to centerfire with a Ruger Blackhawk, and she found that shooting .38's was easy for her. She looked at the options with Ruger Blackhawks, and when the Scheel's store got a .45 convertible, she bought it. The big slow bullets are easy for her to handle, even though she weighs less than 110. At the range she will shoot several cylinders through the Single-Six, and then one or two through the Blackhawk, then switch back to the .22. Careful practice has kept her from developing flinch problems.

Bea buying her Blackhawk

Shooting the Blackhawk for the first time.

Her son has been reloading for many years, and he set her up to reload for her .45. A surprise benefit of the convertible Blackhawk is the free once fired brass other shooters leave behind at the range. Every range trip begins with policing for new brass before setting up to shoot.

Bea at loading bench

In September Engineering Johnson, her grandson, took her along to the Gun Blogger Rendezvous, and she was thrilled to meet Mr. Completely, KeeWee, and the other bloggers she has been reading. She says it was the most fun she has ever had. Mr. C even let her shoot his long barrelled High Standard, and Bea had some respectable times hitting the steel plates on the second range day. She is planning to go again next year.

Bea with her .45 at the GBR Show and Tell

From left: Engineering Johnson, Bea and Mr. Completely

She has several range friends in her hometown, and she is spreading the joy of shooting by teaching the basics of gun safety and pistols with new shooters. One of her new found friends is a nine year old boy who is regularly beating his dad at hitting the bullseye with her Single-Six.

Bea would like for more women to realize that they do not have to be defenseless, and that even a small framed womam can shoot a gun that is powerful enough to stop an attacker. Thank you for setting such a great example for all of us, Bea.

Gun bloggers KeeWee and Molly with Bea.

[ GBR photos were taken by The Packing Rat ]

This Ruger .45 my Dad left me is one of the first weapons I ever fired.

My grandparents had a farm in central Minnesota, near St. Cloud, and we would drive the two hours to visit every month or six weeks or so. Nearby was an old iron bridge, crosshatched with braces, bedded with wood that beginning to rot as the bridge neared the end of its first century of usefulness. The newer highway bridge went over the slow moving creek a couple of hundred yards upstream, so the metal bridge on the dirt road was relegated to cars and small trucks. It was too small for any modern farm machinery to pass across it.

But it was a great place to learn how to shoot. Dad would bring out his Ruger Mk1 .22 and this Blackhawk, and my three brothers and I would take turns shooting pop cans and empty ammo boxes floating in the river, tossed in on the upstream side of the bridge. Dad would occasionally take a turn with the .22, but he mainly used his .45, usually stoked with ACP ammo, since it was less expensive than Long Colt. It was also a way for him to see if we’d been fooling with his pistols in his absence, as he caught my younger brother once when he hadn’t put the ACP cylinder back in. Dad loaded a .45 ACP round, and it dropped deep into the LC cylinder. One look at the bunch of us, and he knew which brother was guilty.

When we exhausted the .22 ammo, we’d each get a cylinder full of .45 to shoot, or most of one, since five rounds each made the box come out even. It was harder to shoot well than the .22, and much louder (I don’t remember that we bothered with ear protection back then), but it was very satisfying to shoot it well and have Dad comment as much.

I miss him, and think of him whenever I shoot the old Ruger, or really, whenever I handle firearms in general. The interest I have in firearms now was sparked long ago by shooting with him.

SIG P220R Compact (Two Tone model).

SIG lists two models, a blued model and two-tone model, although no price is given for the two-tone which I suspect means it is not yet able to be purchased.

Specifications
Caliber	.45 ACP
Action Type	DA/SA
Trigger Pull DA	10.0 lbs
Trigger Pull SA	4.4 lbs
Overall Length	7.10"
Overall Height	5.0"
Overall Width	1.5"
Barrel Length	3.9"
Sight Radius	5.7"
Weight w/Mag	29.6 oz
Mag Capacity	6 Rounds
Sights	SIGLITE Night Sights
Grips	Black Polymer Factory Grips
Frame Finish	Black hard anodized
Slide Finish	Nitron
Accessory Rail	Yes
CA Compliant	No
MA Compliant	No
MSRP	$1,050.00 (Same as the regular P220 Compact)

The .45 GAP (Glock Auto Pistol) was designed to duplicate the .45 ACP ballistics but in a shorter cartridge more suited to high capacity semi automatics. It is the last thing I would have thought of using in a revolver, but the owner of the wheelgun had some good reasons.

.40 S&W (left) and .45 GAP

That looks sore.

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

UPDATE: Elvis for identifying the pistol.

PM4544N

The new all black PM4544 features a black polymer frame, just like its PM4543 match, but offers a matte blackened stainless slide to add to the overall “black-out” effect of the gun. The PM4544 matte stainless slide is blackened using an ultra hard and super thin coating. This coating has been used successfully in the knife industry to protect blades from corrosion and scratches.

Just like its counterpart, the PM4544 has an overall length of 5.67,” height of 4.49,” and a 3.14″ polygonal rifled barrel. The weight of the new all black .45 ACP is 17.3 oz without the magazine. The magazine capacity is 5+1 in a single stack configuration. The PM4544 also matches the PM4543 with drift adjustable, white bar-dot combat sights.

The PM4544 has an MSRP of $903 and the PM4544N night sight variant has a MSRP of $1,022.

The Vector is fed from Glock 21 magazines.

More info here.

The pressure generated blew off the top of the chamber, caused a bulge in the slide, and gorged the frame and also destroyed the extractor and loaded chamber indicator.

Note the bulge in the slide next to the chamber.

I am pleased to be able to say that the shooter was not injured. He is one lucky guy.

More info at XDTalk forum.

Hat Tip: Blue Gun Blog

This photo is from Visier Special 6, 1997 (special edition of one of the three big German gun journals):

Click to expand.

Revolvers cannot be effectively suppressed because gas escapes from between the cylinder and the barrel creating noise (there are some exceptions). The big shell that encloses the cylinder of the PSDR 3 prevents the gas from escaping. This combined with a big suppressor and a subsonic .45 ACP round causes a noise reduction from 136 dB to 90 dB which is comparable to a CO2 air gun. Decibels are a logarithmic unit of measurement, so a 46 dB reduction is significant. In theory this gun should make a lot less noise than a suppressed semi-automatic pistol because there no slide slamming open and closed.

I had no idea such a gun existed until Sven emailed me. I really like the idea – German engineering at its best!
Many thanks to Sven, who blog at Defense and Freedom, for the scanned page and translation.

While these guns could be used in the field, they were mostly used and
more suited to use as fortress guns on forts and ships.

A recent photo of the fort where the guns used to be mounted

Thanks to Fred for the photos.

Specs:
Caliber: .45 ACP
Mag Capacity: 8 rounds
Action Type: Single Action
Trigger Pull SA: 5 lbs
Barrel Length: 5″
Weight w/Mag: 41.6 oz
Options : Checkered front strap, Blackwater logo engraved on top of slide

The MSRP is $1290.

More info here.

I believe the CW45 would be an excellent choice for those fans of large caliber handguns who need–or just want–a lightweight, easily concealable, fine shooting pistol chambered for the most popular big bore pistol cartridge of all time.

Whether you are a police detective, armed professional, licensed civilian or homeowner, the CW45 should be capable of doing whatever you want or need a pistol to doóat an economical price.

Kahr CW45

Read the full review here.

It can only take 2.5″ .410 shells unlike some of the newer Judge models which can chamber 3″ shells. It also features a reduced profile hammer.

Photo from casa-z

Two models are available. A lighter model with a titanium frame (see photo) and a standard model with a blued steel frame.

Specs:

Capacity: 5 rounds
Cartridge: .45 Colt and .410 2.5″ shells.
Sights: fiber optic front sight and fixed rear sights.
Action: SA / DA.
Grip: Taurus Ribber
Cylinder: Steel or Titanium.

Pre-production Vltor Fortis frames.

You can follow the progress of the pistol at the Fortis blog.

Click to expand. Scanned in by MrMojoRising

A 1911 for the 21st Century – it feels like an old friend, the one that the company armorer worked over for you to earn your Expert Marksman’s badge. Using new millennium technology Para has built you a production .45 that is silky smooth with a crisp, clean trigger that makes you the best shot you can be.

Caliber: .45 ACP
Barrel: 5 inches, stainless steel
Twist: 1 in 16 inches, left-hand
Action: Single-action, Semi-automatic
Sights: Dovetail Fixed, 3-White Dot
Receiver: Carbon Steel
Trigger: Medium length
Hammer: Skeletonized Spur
Magazine: 8-round with removable base pad
Weight: 39 ounces
Finish: Covert Black Para Kote™
Stocks: Checkered Polymer
Safeties: Slide Lock, Internal Firing Block, Grip
Additional Features: Lowered and flared ejection port, beveled magazine well, flat mainspring housing, grip safety contoured for spur hammer

The introductory MSRP is $599.

More info here.

by Sven Ortmann, lastdingo@gmx.de, 2008-01-05

Caliber: 9×19 mm and .45ACP (= 11.43×23mm)

This is the standard NATO caliber for pistols and a popular caliber for submachineguns. The only ones who seem to have a strong dislike for this caliber seem to be those U.S. Americans who continue to compare it with .45ACP.

The U.S. American problems with the 9×19mm caliber seem to include a mix of emotions (a Colt M1911 in .45ACP feels much more powerful) and poor quality of the U.S. standard issue 9mm pistols. The latter is as far as I know more a magazine production quality problem than a pistol design problem. The origin of .45ACP is said to lie in combat experience around 1900 in the Philippines where determined Philippinos weren’t stopped reliably by smaller revolver calibers. Tests on live animals in 1904 showed better effects for heavier bullets, but little improvement with velocity. Bullet design has improved a lot since then, and hollowpoint bullets that flatten their nose in soft tissue to increase their diameter are much more effective than simple soft lead bullets. A good 9mm bullet enjoys a similar advantage over a .45ACP soft lead bullet than the latter over a 9mm soft lead bullet. There’s a fundamental problem, though: There’s not much difference in effect on the target if you hit the wrong places and the permanent cavities of pistol bullets are all relatively small. Many body parts are simply not essential enough – their destruction doesn’t stop a determined opponent immediately; no matter whether you hit with .45ACP or 9×19mm.
A new procurement of pistols could easily be a significant improvement over existing 9×19mm service pistols, though. A new pistol could be designed to use reliably both standard 9×19mm and “hot” 9×19mm loadings (higher pressure). The latter would give some extra punch, especially extra penetration. A further improvement is possible by procurement of better bullets. The Russians have a 9mm semi-jacketed exposed steel core bullet that combines AP effect (hard core) with a hollow-point effect (outer parts of the bullets deform and effectively increase the bullet diameter in soft tissue). Such a bullet has enough penetration capability against a combination of a full pouch and a light kevlar vest. An improvement of pistol accuracy is probably more pressing than the caliber; some sort of shoulder stock and easily visible sights (large iron sights as usual on revolvers, for example) could help.

Caliber: 5.56×45mm NATO

This caliber is at the center of a great and long-lasting controversy. Its opponents call it a varmint caliber and report firefights with multiple hits on the same opponent without satisfactory effect. They compare this caliber very often to the supposedly more effective 7.62×51mm caliber. More about that in the 7.62 chapter. Another problem with 5.56×45mm is its rather unsatisfactory ability to penetrate wooden or wall covers. A dissatisfaction with the standard service rifles/carbines of both the USA and the UK (the British solved their problems with an extensive upgrade) and the use of rather short barrels in the U.S. M4 carbine add to the problems with 5.56×45mm.

The defenders of the caliber remind us that even mutilating wounds by much larger calibers and even explosive warheads cannot reliably stop a determined opponent.

The most terrible problem in the 5.56×45mm caliber discussion is the use of anecdotes. Different barrels, ranges and hit locations produce very different effects, so you will always find anecdotes to support your position on this caliber – no matter what’s your position.

There’s (apparently especially in Germany) a stupid rumor about 5.56×45mm and rifle calibers in general that tells about a nervous shock that can kill even with only small injuries. It’s nonsense. A short primer on rifle/carbine bullets; they behave differently in soft tissue than most pistol bullets. They don’t move straight through the tissue all the way. Instead, they begin to turn and usually exit bottom forward. Some bullets break up under the stress of this turn, and the fragmentation increases the destruction of soft tissue very much. A turning bullet doesn’t create a permanent cavity of much greater diameter than its own length; a disintegrating bullet can create a much, much larger permanent cavity.

The ideal rifle/carbine bullet looks like this; it’s able to penetrate cover/armor, it begins to turn in soft tissue immediately and it disintegrates into fragments with devastating effect in soft tissue (terminal ballistics). Good sectional density and ballistic coefficient are important for a good effective range (external ballistics). Finally, some people want it to be lead-free to protect the environment and save costs on shooting range maintenance.

So what does a 5.56×45mm bullet really do? Answer; it depends.

The differences between 5.56mm bullets are noteworthy in terms of cover penetration (heavier is better), but all seem to share a rather disappointing “performance” in soft tissue. The bullet begins to turn later than desired. This means that frontal hits on skinny opponents are often not very effective because the most destructive part – the turning and possible fragmentation – happens too late (the 180° turn isn’t completed before exit).

The other problem in soft tissue is fragmentation. Fragmentation is necessary to achieve a good deal of damage with the small bullet. This requires a good impact velocity and appropriate bullet design. Short-barrelled weapons don’t accelerate the bullet to the originally intended velocity, and the velocity drops rapidly with the distance. 5.56×45mm fired from carbines like the M4 carbine produce very little if any fragmentation in soft tissue at distances greater than about 50-100m.

Carbines and assault rifles should be effective to at least 300m, squad sharpshooters (also known as Designated Marksmen) and light machinegunners should be highly effective out to 400m with good effect. 5.56×45mm doesn’t offer much effect in soft tissue at many relevant ranges unless fired from long barrelled weapons. Barrel lengths of at least 18″ or at the very least 16″ are often recommended. The original M16 assault rifle and many other assault rifle with this caliber have a barrel length of 20″ while the M4 carbine has only a 14.5″ barrel.

There’s apparently not much potential for improvement in the 5.56×45mm caliber: Heavy bullets for improved cover penetration and long barrels for reliable fragmentation seem to be somewhat successful approaches.

Caliber: PDW cartridges (5.7×28mm and 4.6×30mm)

These calibers share the same problems as 5.56×45mm, just even more so (they don’t seem to break up at all).

The short story is like this: Weapons in these calibers are easily controlled in full auto fire due to the low impulse of the cartridges (light bullets). The individual bullets don’t do much to soft tissue (but more than you would tolerate in your own soft tissue).

The strength of these calibers is the higher hit probability (especially for ill-trained support troops) in comparison to 9×19mm and .45ACP. The higher hit count might make up for the lesser effect of individual bullets. A one-vs-one comparison of the wound ballistic effects is therefore misleading. More hits also add to the chance of hitting something really vital.

There are other, less well-known calibers for PDWs (personal defence weapons) than these two. Some use larger calibers, but they’re likely all either similar to my description of pistol or PDW caliber wound ballistics.

Caliber: 7.62×51mm NATO

This is another NATO standard caliber (forced on NATO by the USA against a clearly superior British design). It has been replaced as assault rifle caliber by 5.56×45mm almost completely and was never a carbine caliber. 7.62×51mm is still very widespread as machinegun caliber in NATO armies and is also in use with some sniper/sharpshooter rifles.

The caliber was too powerful for controllable assault rifle full auto fire (well, controllability in bursts was OK within hand grenade range). The cartridges are quite heavy and it’s difficult to carry many of them into action; a major disadvantage for suppressive fires unless you need to suppress enemies who are behind light cover.

The penetration of cover is usually satisfactory, but armor penetration isn’t very good for the simple reason that almost all gunshields, armored vehicles and even some heavy body armor were designed to withstand this caliber and its Russian counterpart, 7.62×54mmR. Only expensive SLAP cartridges (saboted light armor penetrating, performance in soft tissue) have a very good penetration capability at short and medium range.

The external ballistics are under criticism for sniping and more powerful calibers (.300WinMag, .338LapuaMag, 9.3×64mm and even .50BMG, for example) with less bullet drop and less wind sensitivity have become important in sniper rifle procurement since the 90’s.

7.62×51mm is often being attributed with a huge and rarely questioned power against soft targets; knockdown power, manstopping power – no matter how they call it. 7.62×51mm is usually presented as the good example in comparison to 5.56mm. This is – at least for U.S.-made 7.62×51mm standard service cartridges – not fully justified. There are significant differences in penetration till the turning movement begins and in fragmentation. The U.S.-made (standard issue) 7.62 bullets aren’t that much better than 5.56mm bullets (if better at all). They penetrate deeply before turning and don’t fragment much.

There have been much superior (at least in fragmentation) bullets in service (like the German ones) and there’s also a 7.62×51mm cartridge/bullet design that fulfills all expectations for soft tissue damage; it begins to turn and fragment very quickly and has a reliable and devastating effect on soft tissue.

Again; you won’t necessarily stop a determined enemy from firing at you if you don’t hit the right spots – no matter what rifle ammunition you use.

Caliber: .50BMG (= 12,7×99mm NATO)

This caliber is widespread and has loyal fans in the USA and also elsewhere, but it wasn’t adopted in some NATO forces and has some drawbacks.

It was originally a tank-penetrating caliber for machine guns (M2 Browning, later M2HB). Similar cartridges were used during the World Wars by anti-tank rifles (which were only able to penetrate light armor plates). Tanks got thicker armor plating by the mid-1930’s, leaving only light armored vehicles and certain vulnerable spots on heavier armored vehicles as vulnerable to .50BMG. This application has been revived in the 1980’s for long-range and “anti-material” sniping.

There’s no very lively discussion about this caliber in the public. Attempts to replace it focused on intermediate sniping cartridges for long-range and armor-penetrating sniping (like .338LapuaMag), 40×54mm HE cartridges for automatic grenade launchers that replaced many M2HB (.50BMG) machine guns on vehicles and finally a high-tech 25mm air-burst HE cartridge in the failed OCSW program.

The primary problems of .50BMG are weight and volume. Both ammunition and weapon are much bigger than their 7.62×51mm counterparts. The ammunition supply for a .50BMG is usually very small in comparison to the 7.62×51mm alternative. .50BMG is also too heavy for dismounted machine gun use on the move; it can be done (with a tripod), but the effort isn’t justified in most situations.

This caliber is probably only justified if the extra penetration is really necessary. One example: Reconnaissance vehicles need to be able to take on enemy reconnaissance vehicles which are usually armored against 7.62×51mm AP, so something heavier is desirable even for the lightest recce vehicles.

An intermediate machine gun caliber close to the .338LapuaMag sniper cartridge could match the utility of .50BMG in most situations with significantly more ammunition for the same weight and volume.

Both .50BMG and 7.62×51mm are quite well-established and not much under criticism, so there’s no good reason to expect a new, intermediate caliber standard for machine guns.

Ideal caliber discussions

The “ideal” infantry rifle caliber needs to be suitable for rifle, carbine, light machine gun and possibly even squad sharpshooter and medium machine gun applications. Penetration is important, bullet drop and effect at ranges like 400 or 500m is important, soft tissue damage needs to be good and consistent at all ranges and both weight and volume need to allow for a good ammunition load.

Historical and recent conclusions about an ideal infantry caliber almost always agreed on a calibre in the range from 6 to 7 mm. The larger ones tend to have better effect and to be heavier while the smaller calibers in that range tend to offer superior external ballistics (flatter trajectory, more useful at long range).

The optimum is probably close the the center; a 6 or 6.25mm caliber would probably be too close to 5.56mm to convince the 5.56mm critics (maybe for good reasons).

The 6.5mm Grendel and 6.8mm SPC calibers have become famous in the last few years as optimal caliber candidates. Both use conventional cartridge technology – it may be that confidential details from plastic case technology development would favor something like a 6.5-6.8mm plastic cased cartridge instead.

Links for additional reading (and graphics)

There are thousands of possible links, but most would lead you to misleading information.

http://www.rayguncharlie.net/sr/basics/pmrb.html

http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2008Intl/Roberts.pdf

http://www.firearmstactical.com/wound.htm

http://www.recguns.com/Sources/IVF1.html

http://www.angelfire.com/art/enchanter/PDWdebunk.html

Keep in mind at this link that bullet technology has advanced significantly since 1904:
http://www.angelfire.com/art/enchanter/1904trial.html

http://www.angelfire.com/art/enchanter/pigboard.html

Bullet categories:
http://world.guns.ru/ammo/bullets-e.htm#sjesc

An overview over PDWs:
http://www.personaldefenceweapons.com

Model SW1911 .45ACP Sub Compact – Pro Series

Specs:
Caliber: .45ACP
Frame Size: Sub Compact
Capacity: 7+1 Rounds
Action: Single Action
Barrel Length: 3″
Front Sight: Dovetail White Dot
Rear Sight: Fixed White 2-Dot
Overall Length: 6 7/8″
Weight Empty: 24 oz.
Grip: Fully Stippled Synthetic
Frame Material: Scandium Alloy
Slide Material: Carbon Steel
Barrel Material: Stainless Steel
Finish: Matte Black

MSRP: $1,264

Hat Tip: The High Road and Guns Holsters and Gear

An M103 Springfield in an SBR (Short Barrel Rifle) configuration presumably converted to .45 ACP with a 1911 pistol grip being used as the magazine well.

It is hideous. Something only its mother could love!

Hat Tip: Хроники безумного Макса

I am impressed by the accuracy. The recoil does not seem to be much and at first I wondered if the video was a hoax. But it looks like it is a big RC helicopter, which has a lot of forward thrust which would counter some of the recoil.

From Wilson Combat:

After the Television appearances by the boss (Bill Wilson), we received so many calls to find out which pistol Bill carries on a daily basis. Well here it is!! The “Bill Wilson Carry Pistol” is the pistol Bill carries every day.

He gave me the complete list of his favorite touches and how a carry gun should be outfitted. Take a Wilson Combat CQB Compact, add the new “Round Butt” treatment, shorten the slide stop pin and counter sink the frame (giving you the option to use the Crimson Trace laser grips), slide top serrations, our new “Carry Cuts”, and finally this wonderful pistol is fitted with Bill’s favorite thumb-safety.

This “Carry pistol” is outfitted exactly as Bill would want it, wearing a set of Wilson Combat Starburst G10 grips with a black slide over a grey frame custom built to exacting standard by some of the best pistolsmiths in the world today. If you are looking for the perfect carry pistol and you were never sure how exactly it should be, here it is with all the features handpicked to match the gun that Bill carries daily.

Price: 2,850.00

Problem: The major drawback to rimless semi-auto cartridges in revolvers is they require specially made revolvers. These low-production, somewhat scarce and, highly-specialized revolvers are limited to sometimes fragile and expensive moon/half moon ammunition clips. Generally, only revolver aficionados and collectors bother with (.45ACP and 9mm Parabellum) rimless revolvers. While they may sometimes be fired without the specialized moon clips, generally the ejector rod will not eject the free-floating fired cases (got a pencil?).

Solution: Charter Arms has come up with an affordable revolver that chambers rimless semi-auto rounds in the same manner as a standard rimmed-cartridge revolver.

The first caliber on offer will be .40 S&W which will be followed by .45 ACP 3-4 months later and 9mm Parabellum (that will also be able to chamber .380 ACP) 3-4 months after that. All will be able to handle +P ammunition.

Initially only snubnosed models will be produced (2″ barrel for 9mm and 2.2″ barrel for .40 and .45ACP).

The MSRPs are:
9mm: $399
.40 S&W: $449
.45 ACP: $449

Although revolvers that fire rimless cartridges are not new, I am sure these will sell well. I think quite a few auto pistol owners but may balk at the thought of having to stock up on revolver caliber ammunition, but would be tempted by a revolver that chambers their favorite pistol cartridge.

Hat Tip: Ammoland

It looks great!

Here are four pics of the derringer I built in 1978 at age 19. I colored the wood by staining with a Minwax walnut and then handrubbing linseed oil over it. I did not cold blue the barrel. For some reason I inlaid the side brass pieces where the pin comes through the barrel and stock.

Thanks Joe.

If anyone else has unique, custom, interesting or a firearm with a good story. Please send pictures through!

Click to expand the image

The .50 GI round should not be compared to the Desert Eagle’s .50 Action Express or the .500 S&W. It is slightly more powerful than the .45 ACP.

Wikipedia information on the .50 GI:

.50 GI
Type	Handgun
Place of origin	 United States
Production history
Designer	Vic Tibbets / Alex Zimmermann
Designed	2004
Manufacturer	Guncrafter Industries
Specifications
Case type	Rebated, straight
Bullet diameter	.515 in (13.1 mm)
Neck diameter	.526 in (13.4 mm)
Base diameter	.526 in (13.4 mm)
Rim diameter	.480 in (12.2 mm)
Case length	.899 in (22.8 mm)
Overall length	1.221 in (31.0 mm)
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type	Velocity	Energy
275 gr (17.8 g) JHP	900 ft/s (270 m/s)	492 ft·lbf (667 J)
300 gr (19 g) JHP	860 ft/s (260 m/s)	493 ft·lbf (668 J)

The kit will retail for $595.

Hat Tip: Foodpounds

The Building

The Shooting

1873 Cattleman Charcoal OM (not the revolver mentioned above)

Press releases below:

Uberti Introduces Engraved Cattleman in Limited Edition!

For 2008, Uberti is offering a uniquely engraved Cattleman in .45 Colt-caliber. Engraved single-action army revolvers, highly valued by shooters and collectors alike, are now available, new in the box, directly from the Uberti factory. These limited edition guns will only be produced in 2008.

Engraved single-action army revolvers were most often produced for presentation or as gifts to high-ranking military and government officials, presidents and other heads of state.

Uberti is offering the engraved Cattleman in three distinct versions, all of which are New Model (NM) all-steel Cattleman revolvers. The first version comes in a white finish, adorned with liberal and attractive scroll engraving and sports a hand-selected, AAA-Grade one-piece walnut grip. The second scroll-engraved version comes with a coin-finished frame, blued-barrel and black one-piece bison horn-style grip. The third scroll engraved version is finished in full silver plating and sports a one-piece, pearl-style grip. All versions are available with either a 4 ¾- or 5 ½-inch barrel.

Uberti Introduces Matched Two-Gun Sets in Limited Edition!

For 2008, Uberti is offering the Cattleman in matching .45 Colt-caliber two-gun sets. Destined to be a must-have among cowboy action shooters, Uberti’s matched Cattleman sets will also be treasured by collectors. Matched single-action army revolvers, often sought-after and rarely found, are now available, new in the box. These limited edition sets come directly from the Uberti factory and will only be produced in 2008.

Historically, matched sets of single-action army revolvers were most often presented to high-ranking military and government officials, presidents and other heads of state. Now, with Uberti’s latest offering, you too can own a prestigious pair of guns with this limited-edition offer. The matched sets share the same serial number, but are distinguished from each other by an R or an L preceding the serial number.

Uberti offers the matched Cattleman sets in four different versions, all of which are New Model (NM) steel Cattleman revolvers. Two versions come in standard blued finish with color case hardened frames and a one piece walnut grip-one with 4 ¾-inch barrel and one with a 5 ½-inch barrel. A third version, which according to historians was favored by non-other than lawman Bat Masterson, features a nickel finish, one-piece ivory-style grip and a 5 ½-inch barrel. The fourth version sports a matte-finish, checkered, one-piece walnut grip, and comes with a 4 ¾-inch barrel.

I have been busy getting my Enfield .45 conversion kits designed, manufactured, and ready to sell. Today I achieved that goal, I now have kits in stock for immediate delivery. They are vastly improved over the defunct “Rhineland” kits!

The magazine adaptors fit the receiver without having to force them in, the magazine latch locates the magazine properly, it no longer sticks through the gun when inserted with the bolt open. The magazine latch is a lever, it points toward the bottom of the adaptor, no more having to cut your trigger guard or wood!

I incorporate an actual ejector, so the converted rifle actually ejects the spent round.

I use Montana Rifleman® match grade barrels. Barrels may be ordered in 16.5″-18.0″ length, they may be ordered pre-threaded for a suppressor or flash hider.

Several units will be shipped next week, I look forward to the buyers feed-back as I am positive they will be pleased.

(Click to expand images)

If this is not cool, I don’t know what is. Complete with AR-15 stock and pistol grip.

The current .45 adaptor, greatly improved over the defunct Rhineland version.

They look great and I am sure will sell well.

More info available at Special Interest Arms.

Details are sparse. There are two models, one with a push button detachable stock, one with a normal stock.

All the classic details of the time honored original are reproduced in today’s semi-auto Thompson. The frame and receiver are machined from solid steel. The wood is genuine American walnut. This .45 caliber carbine features a 16 1/2″ finned barrel, compensator and is available with a blued steel receiver. This configuration is our most popular.

They are apparently “coming soon” and no price is listed.

“Pumper Hinkle” sums up the options:

Hmmm. I understand your problem better now. For the squirrel to be
chewing on your roof, though, he must be sitting still for at least a
little bit.

I believe that if it were happening to me, I’d get a night vision scope for
the bolt-action .22 and sight it in using BB caps. I’d then set up a
sniper position and be patient. Once it stands still, bang.

Or, well, you could get a .410 shotgun and some light loads, and figguring
on patching the roof maybe.

Or, I believe you can fire .45 colt cartridges in a .410 shotgun, and I
believe you can get .45 snake loads.

As you’ve observed, the .22 snakeloads don’t cycle in autos, and the rifling
disperses the shot too much. I believe I once heard of a smoothbore .22,
which would give better range.

But I assume you don’t want to buy another gun, especially some sort of
specialty gun. So, back to first suggestion, night vision scope on the
.22.

“precisely measuring of the pistol parts showed only a small up bulging of the barrel, resulting from the extremely high pressure loads.”.

Bullets getting stuck in barrels is not uncommon when shooting .22 Long and .22 Short rounds in a rifle due to their very low velocity and energy. I did think that in a pistol the pressure would cause more than marginal bulging.

Read the article here.

Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 5+1
Barrel: 3.14″
Weights: Pistol 17.3 ounces, magazine 2 ounces
Retail: $838

More info here.

Specs:

Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 6+1
Barrel: 3.64″
Weight: 19.7 ounces, magazine: 2 ounces
Retail Price: $556

More here.

Yet another groundbreaking firearm from Glock. The new Glock 30SF (slim frame) .45ACP Sub Compact pistol uses the same advances as its predecessor, the Glock 21SF. A slimmed down backstrap, ambidextrous mag-release and mil-spec picatinny accessories rail are sure to make the Glock 30SF an instant classic. Pre-Order yours today!

The Glock.com website is not showing the Glock 30SF yet.

Hat Tip: Foot Pounds

UPDATE:

Photo from TopGlock.com:

The pistol is out. The press release:

After releasing the highly popular G21 SF at the 2007 SHOT Show in Orlando, Florida, the Austrian Handgun manufacturer announced today the release of the compact version of the .45 AUTO short frame pistol, the model 30 SF. The newly released pistol includes new features to the GLOCK pistol that have been desired for the last couple of years by military, law enforcement and civilian markets. These features were fulfilled with the G21 SF pistol and the GLOCK 30 SF offers all the accuracy and power of the model G21 SF in a more-compact, highly concealable, faster- handling .45 AUTO companion pistol. These features include the GLOCK tactical rail for modular mounting of GLOCK Tactical Lights and weapon accessories. The 30 SF also features a hammer forged octagonal rifled barrel with a 1 in 15.75 inch rate of twist designed for increased durability, low maintenance and precision of accuracy when firing.

With the “SF” designation, the G30 receiver has been reengineered to provide a smaller diameter grip, resulting in a trigger reach that is more comfortable for individuals with smaller hands. This reduction in the grip does not affect the pistol’s reliability and accuracy.

In order to utilize older magazines with the G30 SF, the ambidextrous magazine catch will not be offered as an option as it was with the G21 SF. With a magazine extending slightly below the receiver, the G30 SF offers a 10 round magazine capacity. The compact form of the G30 SF makes the pistol a perfect backup weapon for law enforcement to attach to their protective vests or comfortably carry in a concealed rig.

The G30 SF will be available with the GLOCK Standard Rail design that will allow the use of all GLOCK Tactical lights (GTL 10, GTL 21, GTL 22, GTL 51 and GTL 52). This standard feature on the G30 and G30 SF continues the tradition of excellent reliability and dependability of GLOCK lighting products designed for the GLOCK family of pistols.

All GLOCK pistols, including the new G30 SF are backed by the GLOCK Limited Lifetime Warranty. With exceptional world-class customer service and support provided from the GLOCK, Inc. plant in Smyrna, GA, GLOCK customers have learned the importance of rock solid reliability backed up with support and service that is unmatched in the industry. “With our superior engineered pistols and accessories, our incomparable service staff, and our employee’s single minded desire to satisfy each and every GLOCK customer, the lifetime experience of owning a GLOCK is second to none,” states GLOCK, Inc. Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Gary Fletcher. “Adding the G30 SF to the GLOCK family of pistols is a natural progression of our product line as the G30 SF meets the need for a concealable and reliable backup pistol for Law Enforcement and civilian concealed carry requirements harnessing the powerful .45 AUTO cartridge in a shorter frame.”

Another photo:

Click to enlarge the photo.

I like the drum magazine

Hat Tip: Gun and Game

The frame and fire control groups are available for calibers 9mm, .45, .40 S&W and .357SIG can be changed into three different families of grips: Subcompact, Compact and Full (each available in three sizes). Two types of triggers, standard and short. Very cool!

Overall there are (including left/right hand configuration) 144 different combinations, not bad straight out of the factory.

From SIGSAUER.com

The P250, a modular pistol that allows the shooter to change caliber and size at will.

The SIG SAUER P250 was designed specifically to address the future needs of the military, law enforcement, and civilian shooters around the world. The P250 will be available in the most popular calibers;(9mm, .357SIG, .40S&W and .45ACP). The P250’s innovative design enables the shooter to quickly remove the functional mechanism and place it into the polymer grip of his choice. This allows an immediate change in caliber and size;(subcompact, compact and full). And after any change the pistol delivers both outstanding accuracy and reliable functionality.

It’s modularity not only provides incredible ease of maintenance, but also provides a solution for accommodating different hand sizes – there are 6 different ergonomic combinations for each size, accomplished by changes in grip circumference and trigger style. Now you can own the world’s only modular shooting system globally engineered to deliver the “to hell and back” reliability you’ve come to expect from Sig Sauer.

Caliber 9mm
Trigger Pull DAO 5.5 – 6.5 lbs
Overall Length 7.20″
Overall Height w/ Mag 5.12″
Overall Width 1.3″ (Std. Grip)
Sight Radius 5.79″
Sights SIGLITE® Night Sights
Weight w/ Mag 24.60oz
Magazine Capacity 9mm 16 Rounds
Grips Interchangeable Polymer
Finish Nitron®
MSRP $699.00
CA Compliant No
MA Compliant No

Here is a video about the pistol

Hat Tip: Real Gun Guys