Sturm, Ruger & Company’s product line includes something for just about every type of shooter. The company produces single-shot, bolt-action and semi-auto rimfire and centerfire rifles, rimfire and centerfire revolvers, semi-automatic pistols and over/under shotguns. I have heard it said that if a shooter “can’t find what they need in Ruger’s catalog, they’re in a lot of trouble!”

The Semi-Auto

Ruger broke into the CCW pistol market in 2008 with the introduction of its Light Compact Pistol (LCP). It was a radical departure from the company’s previous efforts in this area. Despite being chambered for the .380 ACP cartridge, it was smaller and lighter than some .22-, .25- and .32-caliber pistols. The LCP is based upon a glass-filled nylon frame with alloy inserts to provide additional strength and rails for the slide to reciprocate on. The slide itself is machined from hardened steel and features a blued finish.

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As has become almost mandatory with polymer-framed handguns today, the LCP features a double-action-only (DAO) trigger. This not only provides for simple operation—a feature I consider of the utmost importance on any firearm intended for personal protection—but also provides the traditional safety features of a DA revolver, allowing operation without the necessity of manipulating external safety devices. The gun utilizes an internal hammer, which I feel is more reliable than a striker on subcompact pistols.

The LCP uses a “single-strike” trigger, which means that if you have a misfire or are dry firing an empty pistol for practice, it is necessary to partially retract the slide to reset the hammer before you can pull the trigger again. The LCP’s other controls are conveniently located, with the magazine release button in the “proper” position. The slide catch, located above the left grip panel, can be used to lock the slide open, providing a convenient means of cleaning the gun or verifying that the chamber is empty.

The LCP proved a popular item for concealed carry by licensed civilians. It also proved popular as a backup or off-duty weapon with law enforcement officers. But Ruger is well known for constantly improving its products, and the company recently introduced the LCP II.

This pistol features larger sights, an improved double-action-only (DAO) trigger pull, dual grasping grooves on the slide and a newly textured grip frame. A blade-style safety in the face of the trigger combines with a neutrally balanced sear with significant engagement and strong spring tension and a hammer catch to help prevent the hammer from contacting the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled through a complete stroke.

Shortly before the 2017 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, Ruger announced two new handguns for concealed carry. The first was a version of the LCP II with an integral Viridian E-Series red laser. This unit is located on the front of the pistol’s triggerguard and features ambidextrous off/on buttons that can be activated by the shooter’s trigger finger. Despite only adding 1.4 ounces to the pistol’s weight, it cannot be used with holsters designed for the standard LCP II due to its size and location. Because of this, Ruger thoughtfully includes an inside-the-pocket holster with each pistol.

The Wheelgun

The second handgun is an addition to Ruger’s already extensive line of LCR revolvers—the LCRx.

In 2009, Ruger introduced a very unique wheelgun, the .38-caliber Light Compact Revolver, or LCR. It was composed of three modular subcomponents: an upper cylinder frame/barrel assembly, a lower-frame “fire control housing” (FCH) assembly and a cylinder/crane assembly.

The cylinder/frame/barrel assembly consisted of a 7400 series aluminum forging, which served as a housing for the cylinder/crane assembly and the cylinder release catch. A stainless steel barrel is threaded into the barrel shroud.

The dual-diameter cylinder not only sets the LCR apart from other revolvers on the market, but provides additional strength around that section of the chambers where pressures are the highest. Pressing a button on the left behind the cylinder allows shooters to push the cylinder out for loading and unloading. Cylinder locking is accomplished by latching the cylinder center pin into a steel bushing in the recoil shield and a spring-loaded pin in the ejector rod shroud engaging the front of the rod.

All of the moving parts, other than the cylinder release catch, are contained in the FCH. The FCH is constructed from high-density glass-filled nylon. The LCR also uses an internal hammer and a DAO trigger. This unit uses a patented interface between the trigger and hammer. A small friction-reducing cam on the toe of the trigger positions the two parts so that they operate in tandem when the trigger is pulled, rather than resisting each other, as has been the norm in all earlier DA revolver trigger systems.

LCR revolvers also feature transfer bar ignition. When forward, the hammer rests upon the frame and cannot touch the frame-mounted firing pin. A complete stroke of the trigger raises a bar in front of the firing pin that the falling hammer strikes. This drives the firing pin forward to fire the cartridges. Releasing the trigger allows the bar to drop down, leaving the hammer to rest on the frame once more.

Ruger expanded the LCR line to include .22 LR, .327 Federal Magnum, .357 Magnum and 9mm chamberings. While popular, the LCR’s short 1.88-inch barrel and DAO trigger limited its usefulness to close-range shooting. To rectify the situation, in late 2013 Ruger introduced the LCRx revolver with a 3-inch barrel and an external hammer (that’s where the “x” comes in) so that it can be cocked for precise SA shooting. The gun also comes standard with a hand-filling Hogue Tamer Monogrip that provides adhesion whether your hands are wet, dry or oily as well as a ramp front sight with a white insert and a fully adjustable rear for better accuracy at longer distances.

Range Testing

One of the newest additions to Ruger’s LCR series is the LCRx in .22 LR. I feel this is a multitasking revolver capable of being used for plinking, training and small-game hunting. And thanks to its unloaded weight of only 17.3 ounces, even concealed carry.

Ruger kindly supplied me with sample of each of these new handguns to test for our readers. The LCP II was a dainty little thing, probably the smallest .380 ACP pistol I’ve ever held. The Viridian laser sight was easily activated and produced a bright red dot on the target, even in full daylight.

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Before the accuracy testing, I ran two magazines each of five different types of .380 ACP ammo through the little Ruger LCP II: Hornady 90-grain FTXs, Winchester 95-grain Defend JHPs, Browning 95-grain X-Point JHPs and Black Hills’ 100-grain FMJs and 60-grain Xtreme Defense rounds. I’m pleased to relate that I only experienced a single malfunction when one of the Browning JHPs hung up on the feed ramp. Other than that, the petite Ruger semi-auto chugged right along with everything I fed it.

As I believe that attempting to shoot tight groups off a rest with a pistol of this class is not a practical test of its accuracy (to say nothing of an exercise in futility), my test firing was limited to engaging a combat target at 5 yards. I fired the pistol from a low position with the laser sight. With the pistol’s attenuated grip, the recoil was on the snappy side. Once I had the hang of it, however, all but two of the 24 rounds I sent in the direction of the target impacted inside the 9 and 10 rings.

Because of its SA trigger, longer barrel, larger grip and nice sights, I tested the LCRx for accuracy from an MTM K-Zone rest at 15 yards. The LCRx produced five-shot groups running from a bit under 3 inches to an impressive 1.3 inches with Eley ammo. After this informative, albeit unexciting, expenditure of .22 LR ammunition was completed, we set up a combat target. My wife, Becky, proceeded to run some off-hand drills from 7 yards. She had to nurse the heavy DA trigger along, but with the perseverance that she is well known for, she put all but three rounds inside the 10 ring.

We then placed a pair of Birchwood Casey Prairie Chuck targets out at 30 feet and proceeded to see how the .22 LR revolver would serve for small-game hunting or as a trail gun. Once again, the Ruger proved to be a fine-shooting wheelgun and showed us that it was equally capable of turning critters into camp meat if called up to perform such a task.

Fit For Ruger

We found both of Ruger’s newest products to fit the tasks they were designed for to a “T.” If you are looking for an ultra-concealable, subcompact .380 ACP for concealed, the LCP II with the Viridian laser sight would be an ideal choice. If wheelguns are more your forte, then the LCRx is an obvious contender. Its light weight, easy handling characteristics, simplicity of operation and lack of recoil would be perfect for a multitude of tasks, including—you guessed it—concealed carry. And the low cost of .22 LR ammo allows the shooter to get in plenty of practice, something that can’t be said for centerfire calibers.

Admittedly, the .22 LR would not be my first choice for defensive use. But we should remember the old saying “The best gun is the one you have with you.” Or as a local police officer I know who packs a snub-nose .22 in an ankle holster as a backup once said to me, “I don’t know anyone who wants to be shot with a .22. Do you?”

Ruger LCP II With Viridian E-Series Laser Specs

Ruger LCRx Specs

For more information, visit ruger.com.

This article is from the 2018 edition of “Pocket Pistols” magazine. To order a copy, go to outdoorgroupstore.com. Keep Reading

I’m not telling our readers something they didn’t already know when I say that some of the hottest items on today’s handgun market are .380 pistols. The reasons for this dramatic increase of interest in .380 pistols are threefold: materials, ballistics and CCW laws.

As more and more states have adopted “Shall Issue” CCW laws, the demand for small, lightweight handguns has skyrocketed. In the past, quality .380 ACP pistols like the Colt Model 1908 and Walther PP/PPK were all steel, thus they were heavy for the cartridge they fired. But today, the use of polymer frames has lightened them significantly, making them much easier to carry all day.

The .380 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) was designed by John Moses Browning and first chambered in Fabrique Nationale’s Model 1910 pistol. On this side of the pond, Colt, H&R, Remington and Savage Arms all offered .380 ACP pistols.

As originally loaded, the .380 ACP consisted of a straight-walled, rimless case 17mm in length topped with an FMJ bullet weighing 85 to 95 grains, traveling at approximately 900 to 1,000 fps. The use of improved propellants and high-tech JHP bullets has dramatically improved the on-target effectiveness of the .380 ACP cartridge, making it a much more practical choice for defensive purposes without any real increase in recoil.

The .380 Pistols

We felt that it would be interesting if I assembled a selection of new-breed .380 pistols and ran them through a side-by-side shoot-off to see if any provided a significant advantage over the others. So I received a Ruger LCP II, Kahr CT380, Beretta Pico, S&W M&P Bodyguard 380 FDE and Remington RM380 to play with—I mean carefully evaluate in a professional manner.

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Our quintet of compact .380 pistols had a number of similarities and differences. All had steel slides and were locked-breech designs. Four utilized polymer frames while the Remington RM380 was the odd man out with an alloy frame.

Four had double-action-only (DAO) type triggers while the Ruger’s was of the single-action (SA) persuasion. The Beretta, Remington and S&W all had second-strike capabilities. While the Kahr is a striker-fired design, the other four all use hammers to ignite cartridges.

More Details

The Kahr, Beretta and Remington lacked external manual safeties while the S&W had a flush-mounted safety on the frame and the Ruger featured a paddle-type trigger block on the face of its trigger. Four of the pistols had magazine releases (ambidextrous in the case of the Remington) that were pushed in to release the magazine while the Beretta has an ambidextrous paddle under the triggerguard that is pushed down.

The sights on all five .380 pistols were basic: a blade front mated to a square-notch rear. The Beretta had three white dots while the Kahr featured a white-dot front and a white bar on the rear sight. The remaining three had plain black sights. It should be noted that S&W, Ruger and Kahr all offer versions of their pistols with integral laser sights as an option.

In terms of cartridge capacity, the Kahr uses a seven-round magazine while the magazines of the remaining four each hold a half-dozen cartridges. The Kahr also came fitted with a rubber grip sleeve that the company offers as an option.

Rules Of The Ring

I obtained the enthusiastic assistance of my good friends Dick Jones and Perry Windsor, both of whom are avid action pistol competitors and hold CCW licenses. As in earlier “Battle Royales,” it was decided that we would evaluate the pistols in eight areas: ergonomics, trigger control, recoil control, sights, offhand accuracy, ease of reloading, reliability and, considering their role in life, concealability. We felt these categories would give each of us a good overall feel for these compact autoloaders.

I believe that trying to shoot tight groups from a stationary rest with pistols of this class is a poor indication of how they perform. Instead, I decided to see how they would digest different types of ammunition. Accordingly, I ran two magazines each of Hornady 90-grain FTX, Winchester 95-grain Train & Defend, Black Hills 60-grain Honey Badger and Browning 95-grain BXP ammo through each pistol. I was pleased to see that all five pistols digested whatever I stuffed in their magazines and spat out the empty cases with metronome-like regularity.

As is the standard in these “Battle Royales,” I disassembled, cleaned and lubricated each pistol, which would be the only maintenance they would receive throughout the test. If one malfunctioned during testing, we would attempt to correct the problem and keep shooting.

Drills

Off-hand testing consisted of running three drills with IPSC targets kindly provided by the Target Barn set out at “real-life” distances of 3 and 5 yards considering the class of the pistols we were using. We used only a quantity of Bronze 90-grain FMJs from PMC for these practical range drills. Finally, the .380 pistols were carried and drawn from a reliable Galco Front Pocket Horsehide holster.

Our drills included:

• El Presidente: Draw the pistol and double-tap (fire two rounds) on each of three targets at 5 yards. Perform a combat reload and reengage the targets. Reload magazines as necessary and repeat one more time for a total of 24 rounds.
• FBI Drill: Draw the pistol and fire two body shots and one headshot on a pair of targets at 5 yards. Perform a combat reload and reengage the targets. Reload magazines as necessary and repeat one more time for a total of 24 rounds.
• One-Handed Drill: Draw the pistol and fire six rounds on one of three targets at 3 yards, firing all rounds with an unsupported (one-handed) grip. Reload and engage the two remaining targets in the same manner for a total of 18 rounds.

In the end, each shooter would be required to fire a minimum of 66 rounds from each pistol for a total of 330 rounds from all five of the test guns.

Range Time

I met my friends at the Piedmont Handgunners range in Southmont, North Carolina, on a chilly, overcast November morning. After unpacking our gear and setting up the targets, we proceeded to send rounds downrange. One of us would fire a pistol while a second acted as a range officer and the third loaded magazines. Family responsibilities prevented my wife, Becky, from assisting us so my friend, Richard Cole, volunteered to serve as our photographer and score keeper.

As brass piled up on the tarp next to the shooters, it became obvious that these “little” pistols were capable of surprisingly good accuracy with some help from the shooters. In fact, of the more than 1,000 rounds we fired at the targets, very few impacted outside the targets’ A-zones and (when required) “heads.” While it must be admitted that the ranges were short, the triggers and sights on several of our test pistols were not conducive to fine shooting.

There was the usual moaning when I told them they could not pick up the spent brass (yes, some people do reload .380s) until we had finished the paperwork. Richard handed out score sheets and pens, and each of us graded the five pistols on the aforementioned criteria with a one being the poorest and five the highest score. These were then added together to give each pistol a final score in each category.

In-Depth Results

Note: 15 is a perfect score for each category while 120 is a perfect total score. 

Reliability

Early on, we experienced several early slide lock-backs and slow closures with the Kahr, which caused its score to suffer. But after an application of oil, it ran perfectly for the rest of the day. We had two failures to eject and one stovepipe jam with the Ruger and one failure to feed each with the S&W and Beretta while Remington’s pistol just kept chugging along. Considering they were all new out-of-the-box pistols, we considered this performance satisfactory.

Ergonomics

The S&W, Kahr and Remington tied in this category because of their excellent “pointability.” The Ruger’s short grip frame counted against it slightly while the Beretta came in fifth place. Its smooth, narrow grip frame made shooting difficult while the slide stop lever and magazine release were both very difficult to operate. On the plus side, the large finger rest extensions on the Beretta magazines provided a full three-finger grip on the pistol. Note that the Kahr’s slide was very difficult to retract to chamber or clear a round, which would be problematic for someone with small or weak hands.

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Trigger Control

The Remington and S&W both had smooth, stage-free trigger strokes while the Ruger’s single-action trigger was liked by all. Two of the shooters felt the Kahr’s trigger stroke was heavy and a bit gritty, while all three of us agreed that the Beretta’s was long with a heavy let-off.

Recoil Control

The Remington finished first in this category thanks to its wide grip frame and weight. The Kahr was the runner-up thanks to its long grip and rubber sleeve. The S&W’s finger rest magazine basepad allowed a firm purchase, but the Ruger’s smallish, narrow grip was not conducive to rapid fire. All of us felt the Beretta’s grip frame was too narrow, and its lack of any type of checkering/texturing allowed it to move around in the shooter’s hand under recoil, forcing each of us to reacquire a firm purchase every few shots.

Sights

Considering the distances we were shooting at, the sights weren’t a major factor. That being said, all three of us agreed that the Kahr’s bar-dot sights were the fastest to align and provided the best sight picture. The Beretta’s three-dot sights were high, easy to acquire and allowed fast transition between targets.

Off-Hand Accuracy

All five .380 pistols showed they were capable of reliably putting rounds where the shooter wanted them fairly quickly.

Reloading Ease

Let me say right off that it is highly unlikely that the shooter will have to perform a speed reload with this class of pistol. That being said, the magazine releases on the Remington, S&W and Ruger all worked easily, and their magazines fell free, partially loaded or empty, slide forward or locked back. The Kahr’s magazine release was difficult to access, and its magazines did not always fall free and had to be manually started or pulled out. The paddle-type release on the Beretta was difficult to access and awkward to manipulate and, as with the Kahr, magazines sometimes had to be manually extracted. The Beretta’s magazines were quite difficult to fully load. Maybe a loading tool would be a nice option?

Concealability

While all of the test guns were small enough to conceal easily, the size and narrow widths of the Beretta and Ruger gave them perfect scores in this category with the S&W coming one point behind the pair. The Kahr’s long grip sometimes made it a difficult to draw from a pocket holster while the Remington’s width created a bit of a signature.

The Results

As I normally do at these “Battle Royale” shoot-offs, I queried Perry and Dick about their choice as to the pistol with the best handling qualities and which one they would choose to carry on a regular basis. I believe the readers will find our answers interesting.

Dick Jones chose the Remington for handling but couldn’t decide between the Ruger or Beretta for carry. Perry Windose picked the S&W for handling but the Ruger for carry. I personally chose the Remington for handling and concealed carry.

Well, there you have it. My two fellow shooters and I agreed that the most important features of this class of pistol are reliability, accuracy and concealability, and all five of these .380 pistols provide that. The other features will depend on what the individual shooter prefers or needs.

Beretta Pico Specs

• Caliber: .380 ACP
• Barrel: 2.7 inches
• OA Length: 5.1 inches
• Weight: 11.5 (ounces)
• Grip: Polymer
• Sights: Adjustable three-dot
• Action: DAO
• Finish: Matte black, stainless
• Capacity: 6+1
• MSRP: $300

Kahr CT380 Specs

• Caliber: .380 ACP
• Barrel: 3 inches
• OA Length: 5.52 inches
• Weight: 11.45 ounces (empty)
• Grip: Polymer
• Sights: White bar-dot, adjustable
• Action: Striker-fired
• Finish: Matte black, stainless
• Capacity: 7+1
• MSRP: $419

Remington RM380 Specs

• Caliber: .380 ACP
• Barrel: 2.9 inches
• OA Length: 5.27 inches
• Weight: 12.2 ounces (empty)
• Grip: Glass-filled nylon
• Sights: Fixed
• Action: DAO
• Finish: Matte black
• Capacity: 6+1
• MSRP: $436

Ruger LCP II Specs

• Caliber: .380 ACP
• Barrel: 2.75 inches
• OA Length: 5.17 inches
• Weight: 10.6 ounces (empty)
• Grip: Glass-filled nylon
• Sights: Fixed
• Action: SA
• Finish: Matte black
• Capacity: 6+1
• MSRP: $349

S&W M&P Bodyguard 380 Specs

• Caliber: .380 ACP
• Barrel: 2.75 inches
• OA Length: 5.3 inches
• Weight: 12 ounces (empty)
• Grip: Polymer
• Sights: Adjustable front and rear
• Action: DAO
• Finish: Matte black, FDE
• Capacity: 6+1
• MSRP: $379

For More Information

Beretta
beretta.com

Kahr
kahr.com

Remington
remington.com

Ruger
ruger.com

Smith & Wesson
smith-wesson.com

  Keep Reading

Thomas Jefferson once said, “There is not a sprig of grass that shoots uninteresting to me.” His idea was that everything in creation, no matter how small, had a role to play and was worthy of study. Perhaps following Jefferson’s example, Sturm, Ruger & Company understands that guns of all sizes have a role to play in self-defense. While large guns may offer more capacity and larger calibers, very small guns can have a major impact on the lives of those who carry them.

Enter The LCP

I remember being at the SHOT Show in 2008 when the Ruger LCP was introduced. There were small .380 ACP pistols offered by other companies, but the Ruger model seemed to stand on its own due to its combination of features, size and price. Quite a few gun writers and dealers were talking about the gun then, and now, nearly a decade later, many people are still enamored with the gun. Why?

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Fundamentally, the gun lives up to its name. LCP stands for “Lightweight Compact Pistol”—and that’s exactly what it is. It’s about 0.8 inches thick and weighs less than 10 ounces unloaded. Roughly 5 inches long overall, this gun disappears into a pocket or waistband, giving the owner a nearly perfect way to discreetly carry a self-defense firearm.

While the .380 ACP won’t earn top marks for that elusive thing called “stopping power,” it is still a respectable cartridge and an impressive step up from the smaller rounds available on the market. Seven rounds of this classic cartridge would certainly seem to be enough for most personal-protection scenarios. Considering I’ve carried a five-shot J-Frame in a front pocket for much of my adult life, having two additional cartridges without any additional bulk seems like a luxury.

Ruger has always been respected for building dependable firearms. With nearly indestructible handguns like the GP100 in its catalog, the LCP benefits from a halo effect by simply having the company name on the frame. When you mix in the incredibly low suggested retail price of only $259, the question changes from “why” to “why not?”

Pocket Carry

If, in fact, every gun has a role to play, it is clear that the Ruger LCP was born to star as a pocket pistol. Its flat surface minimizes printing while riding in your pants, and its short overall length keeps the butt from peeking out of the top of your pocket. This gun can take a supporting role in an appendix holster, but it is clearly meant for carry inside the pocket, not the waistband.

Should you have any doubt about Ruger’s design intentions, the company includes a pocket holster with the gun. The synthetic holster has a suede-like exterior with a strip of rubber-like material around its midriff. Presumably, the holster’s exterior will help keep the gun from flopping about in a large pocket while anchoring the holster when the gun is drawn from the pants.

Even though the included scabbard did a good job of breaking up the outline of the pistol, I found that it would not consistently part company with the Ruger LCP when I drew the gun. This can lead to the far-less-optimal scenario of sometimes pointing a holster at the target rather than the gun alone.

Other Options

Manufacturers differ on holster designs, but generally the use of a tacky material combined with the use of a wide “wing” to catch on the inside of the pocket is the most reliable method of separating the gun from the scabbard. The rubber strip did not seem to provide any significant friction in my pocket while the wing under the grip isn’t very wide. Instead of curving up to form a hook to catch the pocket corner, it slopes down to make it more likely to simply slip right out of the pocket with the gun. Some break-in time might put this issue to bed, or you can go to Plan B.

Fortunately, there are many other options for pocket rigs on the market. Two of my favorites are the synthetic DeSantis Nemesis and the leather Flat Pocket Holster from RKBA Holsters. Both of these holsters are affordable and have proven themselves in years of use with my guns.

Range Testing

Let’s be perfectly honest: A pocket gun is not an ideal combat handgun. To be small enough to slip into a trouser pocket, certain compromises must be made. For the most part, we are talking about size—the size of the grip, sights magazine and even cartridge all comes into play. Shrink things too much and you wind up with a gun that is too small to be effectively employed or, even worse, one that is unreliable.

The only way to tell if Ruger got it right was to head out to the range with a pack full of ammo. So that’s what I did. I tested the Ruger LCP with 400 rounds of ammunition from the folks at Aguila, Hornady, Liberty Ammunition and Winchester. I believe this is enough rounds to get a feel for the gun and determine if it will be reliable.

One of the concerns I had was the lack of real estate for my hand. With the extended floorplate on the magazine, I barely got two fingers from my medium-sized hand on the gun. Even with a mild cartridge like the .380 ACP, not having a good grip on the pistol can lead to excessive muzzle flip. But I discovered that recoil wasn’t as big a problem as I thought. While a larger grip would definitely make this a complete pussycat to shoot, it would also ruin the gun’s extreme concealability. The recoil was very manageable with all of the loads I tested.

Liberty & Winchester

Liberty Ammunition’s 50-grain JHP load is a speed demon. The company uses a nickel-jacketed, all-copper-core hollow point that is light for the caliber, especially when you consider that most .380 ACP rounds carry 90- or 95-grain projectiles. But the Liberty round’s lighter weight allows the bullet to reach a much higher velocity for greater expansion. In my testing, the Liberty rounds averaged more than 1,300 fps out of the LCP’s 2.75-inch barrel. For a .380, especially a small one, that is an unheard of velocity. Reliability with this round was also perfect, and I didn’t notice any additional recoil, though these rounds tended to hit slightly higher on the target than the others —between half an inch and an inch at 7 yards.

Winchester’s PDX1 turned in the best groups of the day. Completely un-supported, I managed a best five-shot group of 0.99 inches at 7 yards. Not bad at all considering the size of the gun and the age of my eyes. Truthfully, I was not terribly surprised that this load produced the tightest group, as I have found the PDX1 to show excellent accuracy in a number of handguns I have tested.

I mentioned the age of my eyes because the sights on the Ruger LCP are biased toward concealment. In other words, they are pretty darn small. The good news is that they will not catch on your pocket when drawing. However, the downside is they are harder to use—especially under stress and in low-light conditions. For shooting on the range, they are adequate and even better than some of the options from competitive pistols.

Additional Factors

If having better sights is important to you, take a look at Ruger’s LCP Custom. For only $10 more than the standard LCP, you get much larger sights, including a photoluminescent front. For many people, that could be the best $10 investment you will ever make in a pistol.

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The only malfunction I experienced was with the Aguila load. This round is a 95-grain FMJ, or ball, load. I was a bit surprised to see a problem with it, and I cannot be sure of what exactly caused the problem. With about 50 rounds through the gun, the third round in the magazine failed to feed. The spent shell ejected properly, but the nose of the next round appeared to hang on the ramp. Pulling the slide to the rear sharply allowed the cartridge to chamber, and I returned to firing. I experienced no additional problems with the Aguila or the LCP for the rest of the day.

Some companies making small pistols delete the slide stop. This prevents you from locking the slide to the rear for cleaning and inspection. Ruger smartly designed a manual slide hold-open lever into the left side of the gun. While the slide will not lock back when the magazine runs dry, you can manually engage the lever to keep the slide open. To keep things flat, the hold-open lever is relatively small and barely protrudes beyond the frame. For those with arthritis or dexterity issues, it may be somewhat difficult to engage this lever.

Discreet Performer

Overall, I think the Ruger LCP is an outstanding performer for the role it plays. The LCP is not a bedside gun for fighting off a home invasion. Rather, this little gun tucks neatly into tailored pants when discretion is a must. In this context, it delivers good accuracy with a respectable cartridge and capacity. Wrap in the Ruger name and ridiculously inexpensive price, and I only have one question: Why don’t you already own one?

Ruger LCP Specs

• Caliber: .380 ACP
• Barrel: 2.75 inches
• OA Length: 5.16 inches
• Weight: 9.6 ounces (empty)
• Grip: Glass-filled nylon
• Sights: Fixed
• Action: DAO
• Finish: Matte black
• Capacity: 6+1
• MSRP: $259

Ruger LCP Performance

*Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity measured in fps by chronograph and accuracy measured in inches for best five-shot groups at 7 yards.

For more information, visit ruger.com.

This M&P340 review was originally published in “Pocket Pistols” #186. To subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com. Keep Reading

John Moses Browning’s .380 ACP, developed for the Colt Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless, has soldiered on for more than a century. It’s been used mostly in underperforming full-metal-jacket (FMJ) form until about the past 20 years—and with much ho-hummery among defensive handgun buyers. Pistols chambered for it tended to be comparatively sizable and almost as heavy as some smaller 9mm handguns. The caliber has been an also-ran largely for those reasons. With advances in effective bullet designs and tiny pistols, however, it’s catching up. Balancing an efficient JHP bullet with moderate power and low recoil in a light gun that carries extremely well in a pocket or purse, the combo is not intimidating to shoot. It’s small enough to actually carry instead of being left at home because of weight or bulk.

It’s difficult to say which drives what—smaller pistols driving ammunition makers to higher performance levels, or high-performance ammunition driving gun makers to smaller pistols. Either way, the race in premium defensive ammunition development has positioned the humble .380 ACP well. Some of the better loads rivaling standard 158-grain .38 Special lead round nose (LRN) ammo in terminal effectiveness. And that’s from a thin pistol no longer than 5 inches stem to stern, weighing less than a pound fully loaded.

To see how modern .380s have evolved to keep pace with the defensive ammo they’re chambered for, I’ve tested three of the best on the market from Ruger, Smith & Wesson and Remington.

Ruger LCP

The oldest and smallest of the three pistols tested here—and the lightest at just less than 10 ounces empty—the Ruger LCP was introduced in 2008. It was Ruger’s first entry into the subcompact market. A polymer-framed seven-shooter when fully loaded, the Ruger LCP instantly attracted heavy interest among Ruger fans. It remains one of the company’s best sellers. Not that much bigger than some .25 ACPs available, the pistol is extremely concealable as a primary carry or backup gun. Its popularity has increased to the point where Ruger offers a number of variants. This includes one with a laser, those with carbon or stainless steel slides, and a variety of color schemes.

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The standard Ruger LCP features fixed sights; MIM hammer; short extractor; slide-lock lever; 2.75-inch barrel; textured grip surfaces, and no manual safety. It also features a reinforced plastic trigger; pull-out takedown pin; left-side magazine-release button, and a partially cocked double-action firing mechanism. Rounding out the features are a loaded-chamber window above the extractor; dual recoil spring with a steel guide rod; black-oxide slide finish above a black polymer frame and a six-round, blued-steel magazine. The Ruger pistol ships in a cardboard box with one magazine, a manual, a padlock, a black nylon zipper case and two magazine baseplates. One baseplate is flat and the other has an extended finger rest.

M&P Bodyguard 380

In 2010, Smith & Wesson took a leap onto the polymer pocket-gun bandwagon by introducing two new Bodyguard models—one a five-shot .38 Special revolver and the other a subcompact seven-shot .380 ACP pistol. Of the two, the .380 rode that wagon the hardest. The current M&P Bodyguard 380 line comes in any color you want, provided you want basic black, but you have a choice of six variants, including those with iron sights, red or green Crimson Trace lasers, a natural stainless slide or a darkened stainless slide, and a thumb safety or no thumb safety.

The base model, at almost 12 ounces unloaded, has a stainless slide on top of a polymer frame. It comes with a long extractor; alloy trigger; MIM hammer; slide-lock lever; 2.75-inch barrel; manual safety (or not); double-action-only (DAO) setup; two stainless six-round magazines; swivel-pull takedown pin; left-side magazine release button; windage-adjustable sights made of steel; a dual recoil spring with a steel guide rod; textured grip surfaces with one-and-a-half finger grooves; and two loaded-chamber indicators with a hole in the barrel hood and a window above the extractor. This S&W pistol ships in a cardboard box with a manual; padlock; black nylon zipper case and two magazines—one with a flat baseplate and one with an extended finger rest.

Remington RM380

The newest of the three pistols, Remington introduced the RM380 in 2015. It’s a much-modified version of the design acquired when the company bought Rohrbaugh Firearms and its small 9mm R9 pocket pistol design in 2014. The original Rohrbaugh was an expensive, almost-handmade pistol with a short-lived recoil spring. Remington’s redo retained the concealability and adapted the gun to mass production methods. It also extended the life of the recoil assembly and decreased the caliber and manufacturing costs. As of this writing, only one version of the RM380 is currently available, but if market demand supports it, I’d expect to see at least a couple of others down the road.

The 12.2-ounce Remington is also the heaviest of the three test pistols. This is because of its wider aluminum frame and thicker, heavier stainless steel slide. It comes with fixed sights; 2.9-inch barrel; long extractor; steel trigger; MIM hammer; no manual safety; ambidextrous magazine release; slide-lock lever; textured grip; DAO trigger pull; push-out takedown pin; dual recoil spring with a steel guide rod; two steel six-round magazines and two loaded-chamber indicators with a hole in the barrel hood and a thin window above the extractor. There is no manual safety. This .380 ACP also ships in a cardboard box with a manual, a padlock and two magazines—one with a flat baseplate and one with a finger rest.

Trigger Time

The Bodyguard and the RM380 use true DAO triggers, which means the hammers are never cocked, and they need a deliberate trigger pull to fire. Some carriers consider that a form of safety device, similar to a double-action revolver. I’m among the group that believes no manual safety is needed with a DAO model. As a beneficial side function of the DAO trigger, the design includes a double-strike capability. This lets you keep clicking after a misfire without having to do a “tap-rack-bang” drill to clear or re-cock a tiny pistol. That’s not very easy to accomplish.

The Ruger LCP uses something of a semi-DAO action. Racking the slide leaves the hammer half-cocked, with the shortest trigger travel of the three. It has a shorter pull than a true DAO model but a longer pull than a single-action pistol. That means it has no double-strike capability, though. If it clicks, you must use the tap-rack-bang to get back in the game, and that takes time, two hands and some fiddling.

At the range, the Ruger LCP was easiest to work with trigger-wise. The Bodyguard came in second, and the extremely long, stacking pull of the RM380 made it difficult to deal with for accuracy testing. And it was the slowest of the three by far in rapid-fire speed dumps. With light .380 bullets, and correspondingly lower energy figures compared to more powerful pistols and calibers, one theory of close-in defensive use with these pocket pistols is to smartly empty the gun on target. If that’s your plan, the Remington’s trigger is a definite handicap. Overall, the LCP is the quickest for speed and the best for accurate aimed fire. The Remington trails the pack in both areas.

Sighting Systems

Does anybody care about sights on pocket pistols? I mean, it’s point and pull, right? Wrong. For most scenarios in which these pistols would be considered useful, target sights on such distinctly non-target guns are not absolute requirements. But as the Tueller drill taught us more than 30 years ago, a determined man with a knife at 7 yards can be standing on your toes in 1.5 seconds. You can’t wait until he’s within hip-shooting range to commence firing. Sights—even small sights—have a place, and they matter.

Although none of these pistols shot precisely to the point of aim out of the box, the S&W’s windage-adjustable sights provide at least some room to center a preferred load, and they’re the tallest and most visible of the three. Conversely, the fixed sights of the Remington and Ruger can’t be knocked out of alignment, and they’ll stay where they came forever. They’re also snag-free, and the back of the rear S&W sight is sharp enough to potentially grab a covering pocket holster or lining during a draw. The winner? It depends on your preferences.

Ergonomics

These models have small grip areas, and they’re not one-size-fits-all deals. Larger hands won’t like the smallest, the Ruger LCP, and the flat magazine floorplate allows only a one-finger hold on the abbreviated pistol, even with smaller mitts. The M&P Bodyguard 380’s grip extends down almost a quarter-inch farther, but even there, with its finger groove, it’s still pretty much a one-finger proposition, unless you have the skinny digits of a 4-year-old. The largest grip, the RM380’s, adds another eighth of an inch in length, and with its undercut triggerguard I can get two fingers wrapped around it using the flat floorplate (three using the extended floorplate).

The .380 ACP is a mild caliber to shoot, but it produces some muzzle rise in these tiny pistols. You’ll have to choose between comfort and concealability. The flat-bottomed magazines are fractionally more compact, but not enough to outweigh the control added by the extended finger rest versions—at least for me.

More Details

All of the triggers are smooth-faced, and all the grip areas are well textured and hold still under recoil. The S&W slide lock sticks out enough from the slide to function as a slide release, if you insist. The Remington and Ruger levers are far too small and inaccessible to use as a slide release under pressure (don’t even bother), and the Ruger can be manually locked open via that miniscule lever. However, the Ruger slide does not lock open after the last round is fired. The other two do, and that Ruger feature might be a no-go for some potential buyers.

The Remington’s ambidextrous magazine release button and larger grip dimensions would probably tip the scale for others. It fits more hand sizes, and it’s altogether a more lefty-friendly package, using that button and over-handing the slide instead of trying to thumb the slide release on loading or tap-rack-banging. Advantage: Remington.

Takedown

Most of these pistols will live in the carry-lot/shoot-little category, but eventually you’ll at least need to evict spiders and dust bunnies, and the takedown process is similar on each but not equally convenient.

The M&P Bodyguard 380 uses essentially the same swiveling pin as its full-sized M&P cousins. You manually lock the slide open and swivel the pin down about 95 degrees. You then pull it out and slide the top half forward off the frame rails—no tools are required. The LCP has a mushroom-headed pin that has to be pried out with something like a screwdriver, with its slide locked open. I’ve never been able to get one out with just a thumbnail.

The RM380’s straight-shafted pin is hidden inside the slide, and it can’t be accessed through its holes without some sort of tool, such as a paper clip, to push it out through the left side. It also takes some back and forth on the frame to line up the holes, and you have to manually keep those holes aligned with the frame and slide under recoil spring pressure while you poke the pin in or out. Locking the slide leaves them well separated. For simplicity and ease of disassembly, the S&W takes the cake.

First Shots

I know. These guns are not built for counting points on paper targets. But like the sight issue, accuracy can be a factor. If you’re considering a tiny gun as your only CCW, would you not want to know what it’s capable of if you must push the distance envelope?

Most print reviews hold this class of gun to a 7- or 15-yard standard, but I wanted to see what the test samples might accomplish during controlled situations at 25 yards. That meant shooting each of the guns off a rest during bright sunlight, with six .380 ACP loads that ran from FMJs to one of the newest bullet designs. Firing five-shot groups of each load through each pistol, I was surprised at what they managed with the loads they liked.

Accuracy Results

The 100-grain FMJ load from Black Hills was a disappointing washout at that distance in the Remington and Ruger, with the results spreading out more than a foot and not worth recording. That load performed best—8 inches—with the S&W. However, Black Hills’ new 60-grain, all-copper Xtreme Defense ammunition produced the best group of the day through the Remington RM380, at 2.25 inches. Winchester’s 95-grain PDX1 JHPs came in second, at 4 inches through the S&W M&P Bodyguard 380, and the other loads ran from 4 to 9 inches in their best groups.

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Remember, a sample of one is not binding across the board, and these results came from my samples, my hands and my eyes. Your mileage might vary, good or bad. Just remember that these little pocket pistols can handle human-sized silhouette situations farther than many people believe. Also note that all of the pistols shot high at 25 yards, with many rounds going higher than 12 inches above the point of aim. Straightest shooter? Too close to call.

The Verdict

These guns were reliable with all of the test loads. The only misfeed stoppages occurred while trying to chamber rounds using the Remington slide lock as a release and not sling-shotting the Ruger’s slide hard enough. Also, I had two misfires with a Sig Sauer load in the S&W, one of which lit up on a second strike. Ejection ran from mild and consistent in the Bodyguard and RM380 at 2 to 10 feet to wild and inconsistent (as expected) in the Ruger LCP at up to 30 feet. That doesn’t affect dependability and only matters when it’s time to chase the brass. The Remington has an annoyingly sharp edge above the trigger on the right side, and the S&W typically needs its magazine release depressed to fully seat a magazine.

These subcompacts are good buys as candidates for their intended role. If you’re in the market for a pocket .380, there’s no best among them. It’s just a matter of choosing the features you consider most important for your needs and finding a load that plays well with it. My choice? The S&W, but that’s just because it works best in my hand, and I prefer its trigger over the other two. Your choice is up to you, and I wouldn’t consider any of the three a bad one.

Ruger LCP, S&W M&P Bodyguard 380 and Remington RM380 Specs

This article was originally published in “Concealed Carry Handguns” 2017. To order a copy, visit outdoorgroupstore.com. Keep Reading

If there’s one thing that can be said about Kahr Arms, it’s that the company produces a compact semi-auto for the concealed carry needs of just about every shooter. In fact, Kahr produces three sizes of compact pistols with approximately 70 different variations. There are so many variations of the Kahr design that one could easily get confused trying to determine what is compact versus subcompact, etc. So, let’s be practical and simply define compact from the perspective of concealed carry. A “compact pistol” is one that can easily be concealed inside the waistband (IWB) or in a large pocket.

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This definition includes semi-auto handguns with barrels under 4 inches, magazines that hold seven or fewer rounds and weigh less than 23 ounces. To me, any pistol that meets these criteria has to be considered compact when today’s average service pistol has a 4-inch barrel, a magazine that holds at least 10 to 15 rounds and a weight of somewhere between 26 and 35 ounces. By these criteria, even the larger Target models from Kahr are really in between compact and full-sized. Therefore, all of the handguns made by Kahr Arms can be seen to closely adhere to the mission that Kahr CEO Justin Moon defined when he set out to design the ideal concealed-carry pistol in the early 1990s.

Kahrs Made To Order

One thing that can be said of Kahr Arms’ pistol lineup is that the buyer has quite a large number of features and calibers to choose from. You can literally get a personalized pistol from the factory. To begin with, compact Kahrs are chambered in four of the most common personal-defense cartridges used in semi-automatics: .380 ACP, 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. There are two main series: the Premium Series and the Value Series. The difference between the Premium and Value Series pistols is important to some buyers. However, there is no difference in terms of reliability or durability. The Premium pistols have polygonal rifling; dovetailed steel front sights; two magazines with flush floorplates; and a higher grade of decoration. The Value Series pistols have conventional rifling, pinned polymer front sights and come with one flush-floorplate magazine. Both grades have good reputations for accuracy and quality.

The main differences are simply the price and level of finish.

Details

Another area of variation is found in the material from which the pistols’ frames are made. The first Kahr pistols had steel frames. Today some models are still available with frames made of stainless steel, but due to customer preference, most Kahrs now come with polymer frames. The barrels are also made of stainless steel and come in eight different lengths between 2.58 and 4 inches depending upon the caliber of the gun and the size of the frame. The slides are stainless steel and may be silver, black, “titanium” or bronze in color. Not all slide finishes are available in every caliber or frame size.

There have also been a few Kahrs with blue polymer frames. Lastly, there are a variety of sights to choose from. Kahrs can have open sights, tritium night sights, laser sights and red or green fiber-optic sights. Given these variations, a buyer is likely to find a Kahr pistol that can fit his or her needs and tastes.

Of course, there is a limit to the number of variations available in a production handgun. For example, all Kahr pistols have the same basic design. In addition, they all have slides machined from 416 series stainless steel; low bore axis to reduce felt recoil; striker-fired ignition system; smooth double-action-only (DAO) trigger that breaks at approximately 6 pounds; striker block safety; offset feed ramp that reduces slide width; and a slim profile grip. The net result is a very flat semi-auto that tends not to print through a shirt or pocket.

CW380 & PM9

It would take many pages to describe every possible Kahr model. Therefore, I asked my friends at the Florida Gun Exchange to go through their inventory and provide a Kahr in each centerfire caliber to give you some idea of the range of variability available in Kahr’s lineup.

The CW380 is a Value Series pistol in .380 ACP that’s only 3.9 inches tall, 4.96 inches long and 0.75 inches wide. It has a 2.58-inch barrel with conventional rifling. It holds six shots in its magazine and one in the chamber. An optional seven-shot magazine with a grip extension is also available. The pistol weighs only 11.5 ounces with the empty flush-fitting magazine in place. These dimensions make it the smallest and lightest Kahr, and a natural for pocket carry. White bar-dot sights come standard, and tritium sights are available.

Part of the Premium Series, the 9mm PM9 is 4 inches tall, 5.42 inches long and 0.9 inches wide at the slide. This pistol has a 3.1-inch barrel, which, given the 9mm’s pressure curve, gives up very little in velocity and bullet energy to a 4-inch-barreled gun. It’s ammunition capacity with the flush-fitting magazine is 6+1 rounds. An available extended magazine with a finger extension holds one more round for a maximum capacity of eight shots. The PM9 is a bit larger than the CW380. However, it comes in at a very light 15.9 ounces with an unloaded flush-fitting magazine. The standard pistol comes with Kahr’s white bar-dot sights; however, the PM9 shown has optional night sights.

CM40 & CM45

The CM40 is a Value Series .40 S&W that has the same dimensions as the PM9, except the slide is only slightly wider at 0.94 inches. Given the wider slide and larger diameter of its 3.1-inch barrel, the weight of this .40-caliber pistol is 1 ounce more than the PM9 with the flush-fitting magazine in the gun. However, 17.7 ounces is still very light for a pistol chambered in this powerful caliber. Because of the larger diameter of the .40 S&W cartridge, this pistol’s flush-fitting magazine holds one less round than that of the PM9; however, Kahr also makes an extended six-round magazine with a finger extension, giving a CM40 with an extended magazine a total capacity of seven shots.

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This Value Series CM45 in .45 ACP is the largest of Kahr’s “Micro” pistols. It is 5.79 inches long, 4.49 inches tall and has a slide width of 1.01 inches. The barrel is 3.14 inches long. Weighing 19.3 ounces with the flush-fitting magazine in place, it is also the heaviest of the CM-series Kahrs. This increase in size is due to the larger architecture of the .45 ACP cartridge and the fact that Kahr has kept the capacity of the CM45 the same as the CM40. As with the other three pistols described here, there is an optional extended magazine with a grip extension.

Range Testing

I had a chance to shoot a CM40 some time ago. I found it to be a handy little pistol that was both reliable and accurate. Despite its small size and short sight radius, the little pistol could be counted on to consistently make headshots at 7 yards and center torso hits at 15 yards. The .40 S&W recoil was surprisingly mild due to the low bore axis of the pistol and the ergonomic shape of the grip. And this pistol’s ability to deliver rapid hits on target at close range was very impressive in light of the .40 S&W’s reputation for recoil. In CQB situations, it would be a formidable tool for neutralizing a threat.

As with the 9mm., the fast pressure curve of the .40 S&W cartridge allowed the CM40 to deliver velocities only about 10 percent below the velocities expected from a full-sized pistol with a 4-inch barrel. This clearly gives the 9mm and .40 S&W an advantage over cartridges that operate at lower pressures when it comes to short-barreled handguns. This ability to conserve velocity and energy in short barrels pays off in bullet expansion. Expansion tests I conducted indicated that every hollow-point bullet fired from the CM40 expanded fully. Overall, the CM40 was an impressive pocket pistol that delivered more stopping power than a traditional snub-nose .38 in a slimmer, trimmer and, in some cases, lighter package.

Concept Kahrs

In 2017, Kahr Arms introduced some additional features on some of the compact pistols, which means that there will be even more choices for the consumer. Four models—the CM9093TU3, CW3833TU3, CT3833TU3 and CM4543TU3—boast three-dot sights; Pachmayr Tactical Grip Gloves and tungsten Cerakote-finished slides; slide stop; and triggers. Given the past success of Kahr’s pistols, their quality, reliability and the company’s continued commitment to provide new choices to its customers, it’s safe to say that these compact Kahrs won’t be driving off into the sunset anytime soon.

Kahr CW380, PM9, CM40 & CM45 Specs

For more information, visit kahr.com.

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By its very nature, concealed carry demands compact pistols. Large and heavy handguns are hard to hide and carry for very long. The current concealed-carry trend is precisely why pocket pistols like Remington’s RM380 are so popular. The trick with these derringer-like handguns is shooting them accurately. Some believe they don’t provide the same precision as larger handguns. But the real problem is that these handguns are harder to shoot. This is partly due to their diminutive proportions and somewhat exaggerated recoil, but mostly because of their short sight radius.

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Sighting In

A full-sized handgun with a 5-inch barrel can have a 7-inch sight radius. If you’re sight alignment is off by 0.1 inches, at 10 yards your bullet will strike about 5 inches from your intended point of aim. By comparison, Remington’s RM380 has a sight radius of only 4 inches. In addition, a 0.1-inch error in sight alignment with the RM380 will cause the bullet to land about 9 inches off target.

The point here is that every error in sight alignment you make with a pocket pistol will induce an error in shot placement about twice as large as you would experience with a full- or duty-sized handgun. The little guns still have the precision—it’s just harder for humans to extract it.

Additionally, the sights on pocket pistols are notoriously small. This is not an indication of the quality, but a trait of a pistol intended to be carried in a pocket. Lasers can help, but interestingly, when laser sights were first offered, many shooters looked at them as a crutch or novelty. However, when Crimson Trace introduced its Lasergrips—replacement handgun grips with an integrated and instinctively activating laser—the opinions of open-minded shooters began to change. Now with the Laserguard, which mounts forward of the triggerguard, that same instinctive activation is offered without a grip modification.

About a year ago, I attended an event at Gunsite Academy where Remington introduced its RM380. Over two days, I fired about 1,000 rounds through the pocket pistol and was impressed—not just at how well it functioned, but at how comfortable it was to shoot. Based on that experience, I ordered an RM380 and have carried it off and on ever since.

Still, as with just about every other pocket pistol, I found the sights rudimentary. Fortunately, when Remington was developing the RM380, the company worked with Crimson Trace so a laser would be available when the gun was introduced. Crimson Trace engineered one of its Laserguard units to perfectly fit the RM380. In fact, you can buy a brand-new RM380 that comes with one.

I ordered a Laserguard for my little Remington and, after installation and zeroing, conducted some drills out of my book, “Handgun Training for Personal Protection.” I did this specifically to see exactly how much the laser would improve my accuracy and speed.

RM380 Drill Time

The Forty-Five Drill is a great representation of self-defense shooting skills because, to some extent, it replicates a real-world encounter. You consequently start standing 5 yards from a target with a 5-inch kill zone. The goal is to draw from concealment and get five hits inside the 5-inch kill zone in less than five seconds. Furthermore, the drill gets its name from its four elements of five. Without the laser, my average time was 4.75 seconds. Out of the 25 shots, I missed the kill zone three times. With the laser, my average was 3.46 seconds with two misses. That’s a speed increase of 27 percent. It exists because the laser is much easier to see and position on target than the minimalist sights.

The Failure Drill might be the most used and copied defensive handgun drill. Initially, it was developed for the shooter to learn to fire a shot to the head after realizing two torso shots did not stop the threat. The drill has morphed into many variations, and aside from any practical application, it’s a great test of skill. This is because the shooter runs hard to get the two torso hits but must slow down for the headshot. Using the RM380 without the laser, my average time for five runs was 3.67 seconds. Out of the 15 shots, I missed the head zone one time. With the laser, my average was 2.74 seconds with no misses—my shots were consequently more accurate and the average engagement time was 25-percent faster on average.

Crimson Advantage

Aside from the fact that a laser sight can make a pocket pistol easier to get hits with, there are numerous other advantages. Obviously, when it comes to shooting in low-light situations, lasers are a much better option than any fixed or even glow-in-the-dark sights. This is partly because the laser is so much easier to see, but also partly because you can maintain your focus on the threat with a laser sight.

Being able to focus on the threat is helpful in other ways, too. It can help you shoot faster because you do not have to shift your focus from the threat to the sights, and then concentrate on three different things: the threat, the rear sight and the front sight. And, in a situation where you’re holding a suspect at gunpoint, you can lower the gun below your line of sight, allowing you to fully observe the threat. This lets you deal with the situation while knowing you have a perfect hold, and you can shoot accurately and instantly at any time. Laser sights are also perfectly suited to any situation where you cannot get your handgun up in front of your face to see the sights.

You could be in a variety of unconventional potions during a lethal attack and need to respond with gunfire immediately, or you may be injured and cannot get the pistol between your eyes and the bad guy.

Of course, any time lasers sights are discussed, the argument is offered that the batteries may fail. This is a fact, but it’s also the reason that, when you train with a handgun, you should train to draw to the sights. If during the drawstroke you see the laser before your sights are acquired, you can engage immediately. If the laser is not seen, then you default to the sights and engage accordingly.

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Seeing Crimson

Regardless of whether your pocket pistol is the Remington RM380 or not, Crimson Trace has an extensive line of laser grips and Laserguard units for pocket pistols. You can choose between red or green laser models with prices in most cases ranging between $200 and $300. For some ultra-compact pistols, the company even offers the Laserguard Pro. Furthermore, it combines a 150-lumen LED light with a laser. Crimson Trace also has a free instructional DVD that walks you through all of the advantages of laser sights. If you buy a laser sight now, Crimson Trace will supply you with batteries for the rest of your life. That’s almost as good as free donuts!

Concealed carry is all about small guns; they’re the guns you’re most likely to actually have with you. In addition, small guns are harder to shoot accurately. Savvy up and put a laser on your defensive handgun. Whether it’s a large gun or a little gun, a laser will help you shoot better and faster. Though some still believe lasers are a gimmick or even a bad idea, the results speak for themselves. Only fools remain reluctant to accept progress when presented with the facts.

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In 1929, Carl Walther Waffenfabrik introduced a revolutionary new pistol that changed literally everything about combat handguns. The Polizeipistole (PP) was designed for law enforcement use and combined the revolver’s double-action/single-action (DA/SA) trigger with a compact semi-automatic handgun design. The gun world would never be the same.

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The Walther PP utilized a fairly uncomplicated blowback mechanism and was offered in .22 LR, .25 ACP, .32 ACP and .380 ACP. And, thanks to its ingenious design, the gun could be safely carried with a round in the chamber ready to fire via a long DA trigger pull. Subsequent trigger pulls in SA mode were lighter and shorter. The PP incorporated a reliable internal safety mechanism, a handy magazine release and a last-round-hold-open feature, all in a remarkably svelte, compact and stylish chassis.

The smaller PPK (Polizeipistole Kriminalmodell, or Police Pistol Detective Model) went on to become the definitive variant, and it is one of the world’s most iconic close-quarters defensive handguns. The Walther P38 used essentially the same trigger in an attempt to replace Georg Luger’s P08 during World War II. The PP and PPK armed a rogues’ gallery of Nazis throughout that planetary conflict.

The overwhelming majority of PPK pistols issued throughout WWII were chambered in .32 ACP. While this indeed made for a compact and sweet-shooting handgun, the downrange performance of this anemic cartridge was fairly underwhelming, particularly when launching FMJ bullets. Where the American M1911A1 in .45 ACP was a brawny handgun designed for serious close combat, the PPK was actually better suited as an executioner’s tool.

War Stories

Elvis Presley was fond of an engraved PPK sporting his characteristic “TCB” (“Taking Care of Business”) motto. Legend has it that the King gave his personal PPK to Hawaii Five-O actor Jack Lord as a gift in 1973.

The most famous user of the iconic Walther PPK, however, is not even a real guy. Ian Fleming’s fictional MI6 agent James Bond carried a .25 ACP Beretta 418 in his earliest adventures. A firearms expert named Geoffrey Boothroyd eventually convinced Fleming to swap Bond’s standard handgun out for a PPK just in time for his run-in with Dr. No in 1958.

The United States was always the largest postwar market for PPK handguns, and the design was amended slightly to accommodate the 1968 Gun Control Act, which established morphological criteria that had to be met for small handguns to be importable into the U.S. The subsequent PPK/S sported a slightly longer frame that held an extra round in the magazine. While Walther still offered the smaller calibers, most post-war PPK pistols fed .380 ACP ammunition. Walther now produces the PPK and PPK/S in Arkansas.

Design Influence

While the internal safety features and loaded-chamber indicator of the PPK have become de rigueur on many modern combat handguns, it was the DA/SA trigger that really made a splash. The same basic mechanism drove most handguns until the 1990s. Familiar weapons like the Beretta M9, the Sig P226, the CZ 75 and various Smith & Wesson semi-autos of the day all used some variation of this trigger system. This design reigned supreme until Gaston Glock debuted the striker-fired Safe Action trigger system that has since transformed modern combat handguns.

While most law enforcement pistols employ striker-fired triggers these days, the DA/SA mechanism remains a brisk seller. Many serious gunmen, myself included, enjoy the added safety of a long trigger pull for the first round out of the holster. Despite a literal lifetime of trying, I can never seem to shoot to precisely the same point of aim in both modes. However, I am personally acquainted with three accidental discharges that spawned from striker-fired handguns, two of which inflicted severe officer injuries. The DA/SA trigger still has a place among modern handguns even today.

Walther PPK/S

But let’s take a closer look at the PPK/S. This is a steel-framed, blowback-operated pistol with a rotating hammer-drop safety mounted on the left side of the slide. The thumb easily accesses this device when the gun is fired right-handed. The magazine release is thumb-activated like that of the revered 1911. The sights are fixed and fairly small, though the top of the slide sports wavy serrations to minimize glare.

The slide on the PPK/S locks to the rear automatically after the last round in the magazine is fired. Swap magazines and snatch the slide back slightly to release it over a fresh magazine. The recoil is snappy for a .380 ACP handgun given its unlocked blowback action. However, the gun remains both fun to shoot and a personal favorite.

Next-Gen Treatment

That Walther is an established innovator in the field of combat handguns is indisputable. One of its most modern designs, however, remains absolutely unique among dozens of competitors. The Walther CCP uses a gas-delayed blowback operating system to put 9mm power into a .380-sized chassis. Walther calls this the Softcoil system.

Most modern combat rifles are gas-operated. There are a few exceptions to this rule, but not many. The details vary, and these individual details sell a lot of guns. However, most modern combat rifles tap a bit of gas off near the muzzle and use this energy to cycle the action and fire another round. Such contrivances allow a weapon to be much smaller and lighter than might be the case were the gun driven by pure unvarnished blowback. In the case of the CCP, Walther engineers took a basic gas piston design and turned it around backwards. In so doing, they slowed the action down rather than sped it up. The result is absolutely inspired.

CCP

The polymer-framed Walther CCP is subsequently thin, lightweight and portable. The CCP was designed from the outset for concealed-carry applications, and everything about the gun is optimized for this role. There are no sharp angles to snag, and thanks to the gas-retarded operating system, the slide is remarkably easy to rack.

The CCP is indeed lightweight and svelte in hand. There is an exposed manual safety on the left side for peace of mind as well as an external manual slide release, also on the left. The reversible magazine release is in the same spot as that of the PPK/S. The stippling on the grip is pronounced without being uncomfortable. I have big hands and the CCP fits both my petite bride and me comparably well. While utterly reliable, the CCP is tedious to disassemble.

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The striker-fired trigger is consistent from the first shot to the last. I did find the trigger to be longer and grittier than that of most striker-fired designs; the CCP tames the 9mm cartridge splendidly. It also renders fine accuracy at close combat ranges. Riding in a CrossBreed IWB holster, the gun is small enough to be comfortable yet adequately powerful for serious social uses.

Old & New

Both the PPK/S and the CCP have kept me company as concealed-carry tools on countless occasions. The PPK/S carries an inimitable ambience, while the CCP is arguably the most innovative compact 9mm on the American firearms market. Both guns shoot plenty straight to defend your person during outings to the sorts of places where the Wild Things roam. Each of these two weapons fulfills the same mission in very different ways.

A man much smarter than am I once opined that variety is the spice of life. While I would take issue with that statement as it applies to perhaps spouses, such stuff is the rocket fuel that launched many a gun nerd into the limitless ether of modern gun collecting. While the vast majority of modern defensive handguns owe their parentage to the singular brilliance of one John Moses Browning and his locked-breech, recoil-operated Hi-Power, both the PPK/S and CCP follow their own unique paths.

The original Walther PPK introduced the world to a novel trigger system that subsequently dominated military handgun designs for generations. The CCP took something familiar and pedestrian and turned it on its ear. In so doing, the CCP established for itself a unique niche in the remarkably busy field of modern defensive handguns. The CCP is as cutting edge as tomorrow’s headlines, and the PPK/S remains relevant today nearly nine decades after its introduction. Between these two guns we get a glimpse into the genius that has characterized Walther firearms for nearly a century.

Walther CCP & Walther PPK/S Specs

Walther CCP Performance

*Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in fps per manufacturer specifications and accuracy in inches for best four-shot group at 18 meters.

Walther PPK/S Performance

*Bullet weight measured in grains, velocity in fps per manufacturer specifications and accuracy in inches for best four-shot group at 18 meters.

For more information, visit waltherarms.com. Keep Reading

Springfield Armory kicked off 2018 by announcing its 911 .380 ACP pistol for EDC. Now the Illinois-based company has revealed it is shipping the gun with a black nitride finish. Black nitride is a corrosion and abrasion-resistant finish. This ensures the gun will withstand harsh use while still maintaining its function and accuracy. The nitriding process involves hardening the outermost later of the stainless steel frame. More on the Springfield 911 in the press release below:

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Springfield 911

Springfield Armory engineers optimized the 911’s frame-to-slide-to-trigger guard relationship to create handling characteristics unique among small pistols. While many pocket guns can be difficult to shoot, Springfield Armory’s gunsmiths specifically designed the comfortable feel, confident control and minimal recoil in their .380 platform to encourage both practice and carry. 

The 911 .380 features a G10 short-reset pivoting trigger with a light 5-pound pull, a differentiating and satisfying feature in such a small pistol. It also has an extended ambidextrous safety to ensure easy manipulation under stressful situations and confirms that the weapon won’t fire before the operator intends. A hammer provides peace of mind with both visual and tactile cues for various modes of carry.

For quick target acquisition, the 911 comes with a bright tritium low-profile tactical rear sight, paired with a low-profile combat Pro-Glo tritium and luminescent front sight.  The low-profile design ensures a snag-free draw, to put the firearm between operator and attacker as quickly as possible. G10 Octo-Grip on the mainspring housing, and Octo-Grip front strap texturing, allows for secure grip contact without tearing up your clothes while carrying concealed.   

The 911 .380 features a flush 6-round magazine or 7 round magazine with a Mag X-Tension.

Touted as an ideal carry pistol or backup gun, the black nitride Springfield 911 is priced at $599. A version with an integrated green Viridian laser is available for $789.

For more information, go to Springfield-Armory.com.

Keep Reading

A couple of years ago, a certain pistol made headlines after reporters latched onto the fact that it looked like a smartphone when folded. The name of that pistol was the Ideal Conceal. It appears that pre-orders of the Ideal Conceal are now shipping out to customers.

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In an update posted to YouTube on July 9, which you can see below, Ideal Conceal CEO Kirk Kjellberg confirmed that pre-orders of the gun are shipping in the order in which they were paid. He also said a few dealers were receiving pre-orders. In addition, Kjellberg stated that the company is developing a line of exclusive holsters to accommodate the gun.

The Ideal Conceal is a .380 ACP derringer that, when folded, is roughly the same size as a Samsung Galaxy S7. To unfold it, you grip and rotate the handle away from the body of the firearm. When fully extended, the handle locks into place. To return the handle to the closed position, you depress the handle lock buttons on either side and rotate the handle in the opposite direction.

To load the Ideal Conceal, you open the breach block by sliding the breach block latch away from the muzzle. Then, you rotate the breach block away from the latch. Next, you insert two .380 ACP rounds into the chambers. Finally, you close the breach block by rotating it into a closed position.

The ATF has stated that the Ideal Conceal is not a NFA firearm.

The Ideal Conceal is listed at $575 on the company’s website. Check out the specs on the gun, as supplied by The Firearm Blog in a review a couple of months ago. In addition, see the progress update, as well as a video showing the Ideal Conceal in action.

For more, visit idealconceal.com.

Ideal Conceal Specs

• Weight: 18.3 Ounces (Unloaded)
• Length: 5.5″
• Width: 0.75″
• Height: 3″ (Collapsed; Folded In)
• Height: 5.1875″ (Extended; Folded Out)
• Body & Frame is 100 percent Aluminum
• Made in the U.S.A.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWCdLaIlJ94 Keep Reading

The Taurus Spectrum, a .380 ACP concealed carry pistol first introduced at SHOT Show 2017, is now available out of the box with a Viridian E-Series red laser.

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According to the presser, Viridian’s E Series red laser sight mounts onto the Taurus Spectrum’s trigger guard. It’s visible out to 25 yards in daylight and up to one mile at night. The laser features a fast on-off switch, up to six hours of battery life, and a model-specific design that integrates with the Spectrum’s profile for a slim, trim look and snag-free draw.

“Taurus continues to put out unique, make-sense firearms,” said Viridian President and CEO Brian Hedeen. “The American-made Spectrum is an exciting product and we’re happy to have several laser sights for those who purchase this ideal concealed carry option.”

Not content with the E Series, the Spectrum can also accommodate Viridian’s Reactor Green and Red Gen 2 lasers.

Touted in the press release as a “significant leap forward in micro semi-auto handgun design and performance,” the Taurus Spectrum incorporates ergonomic soft-touch overmold panels into the grip and slide, which the company says boosts “positive operation under stressful conditions.” In addition, the range of color options gives users an added customization opportunity.

The striker-fired Taurus Spectrum .380 pistol with the Viridian E-Series laser is available at a MSRP of $359.

See the specs on the Taurus Spectrum below. For more on Taurus, go to taurususa.com.

Taurus Spectrum

• Caliber: .380 Auto
• Capacity: 6 rds / 7 rds
• Finish: Various Colors
• Grip: Soft-Touch Overmold
• Firing System: Striker
• Action Type: DAO
• Trigger Pull: 7-9 lbs.
• Safety: Internal
• Sights (Front): Integrated Low Profile
• Sights (Rear): Integrated Low Profile
• Slide Material: Stainless Steel
• Slide Finish: Black Melonite or Matte Stainless
• OAL: 5.40″
• Overall Width: 0.89″
• Overall Height: 3.82″
• Barrel Length: 2.8″
• Mag Release: Reversible
• Weight (Unloaded): 10 oz.
• Magazines Included: 2
• Accessories: Cable Lock
• Package Size: 10″ x 6″ x 1.75″
• Package Weight: 1.0 lbs.

Keep Reading

Each year before SHOT Show, I get behind-the-scenes updates on new guns that are going to hit the market. Some are interesting and some are less so. What catches my eye, however, in most cases is who is releasing a new gun. When I got a notice that Beretta was adding to their handgun lineup, including the 80X Cheetah, they had my attention.

The Beretta 80X Cheetah

Beretta is not a company that randomly releases a gun. When I say that Beretta always catches my eye, it’s because they have been making guns for almost 500 years. In fact, they are the oldest manufacturer in the world. They were in business before Shakespeare and before Michelangelo painted St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Beretta family has been in the ironworking business since the 1400s and made their first firearm product in 1526. Master gun barrel maker Bartolomeo Beretta sold 185 arquebus barrels to the Arsenal of Venice for 296 ducats. As they say, the rest is history.

What got me really interested in this update, however, was the fact that this new gun is a new version of an older model that I personally owned back in the day. Say hello to the new Beretta 80X Cheetah.

Back in the 1990s, the Beretta Cheetah was a sexy reliable .380 that was a workhorse for concealed carry before concealed carry was a thing. Today Beretta is breathing some fresh life into this old-school gun.

The 80X Cheetah is an all-metal gun with a higher capacity than other .380s we find on the market today. A modern take on a classic pistol, the 80X Cheetah is ergonomically designed to fit smaller hands but is also comfortable for larger hands, lending the gun to ease in both practice and defensive use.

Designed for concealed carry, the 80X Cheetah is comfortable to carry in a variety of different ways. It is small enough to fit just about any carry method. It is a modern design and comes optic-ready, allowing you to mount your glass of choice. The optics cut and plates will support the Holosun K-pattern (407K/509K) as well as the Shield-pattern and the Noblex Docter footprints.

Equal Parts Form and Function

The gun is good-looking and comes in black or their premium bronze that is complimented with multi-tone controls. The launch edition of the 80X is presented in a matching leather case. I mean if you are going to get a slick-looking steel blaster, shouldn’t it come in a leather case?

The 80X Cheetah has a slide that is easy to rack, with enough serrations to grasp easily. In addition, it is fitted with interchangeable sights to make target acquisition faster. Gripping the 80X Cheetah is made easier by the Vertec grip with exchangeable grip panels.

There is also an enhanced beavertail to assist with acquiring a quick and clear grasp of the firearm. Likewise, it is long enough to help protect from slide-bites. This is a major plus for anyone with thicker hands.

A frame-mounted ambidextrous safety and reversible magazine release enable the operator to customize their shooting experience for either right or left-handed shooting.

Something that caught my attention about the Beretta 80X Cheetah is its adjustable X-Treme S trigger. It has an overtravel adjustment that allows shooters to shorten the trigger’s reset travel to just 1 mm. This is a nice customization feature to go along with the grips.

The gun uses a double-action/single-action operating system with a skeletonized hammer that speeds up lock time. Even with its relatively small size, the gun sports a 13-round flush-fit magazine, providing plenty of capacity in its .380 ACP chambering.

Rounds Downrange with the 80X Cheetah

I had the opportunity to test drive the new 80X Cheetah at a special Beretta range event just prior to SHOT Show. This was their first event of this kind and they knocked it out of the park. While I got some time on their new shotguns, the Cheetah was calling my name.

The first impressions were good. The gun has nicely radiused lines for comfortable carry. It also has some heft which helps in recoil management. The serrations on the slide are a good balance and offer a good grip without removing the skin. The gun also has a tuned recoil spring and is very easy to rack. This will be a nice feature for those with grip challenges who sometimes wrestle with the slide. 

Coming in almost 10 ounces heavier than some of its competition, the 80X Cheetah feels very good in the hands. This is important because small micro blasters can be miserable to shoot because of recoil and muzzle rise. The 80X Cheetah does not suffer from this issue and is a pleasure to shoot. In fact, I found it to be very fast on second shots and all other follow-up shots because of minimal muzzle rise.

The Trifecta of Performance Basics

The trigger was good in both single and double action. It was a trigger I expected from Beretta with no grit or rough feeling. While I was not able to shoot for groups on paper at the event, I did have access to a lot of steel.

I performed a slow fire at 10 yards and quickly printed a tight grey pattern on the freshly painted steel as the rounds stacked. At speed, the groups obviously opened up but were still the size of my palm. 

This gun has the trifecta of performance basics. A good trigger, good weight, and good sights. I have spent more than my fair share running compact and sub-compact pistols over the years and had yet to find one that I believe would be a serious fighter.

I say that because in order to really fight with a gun you need to train with it. Most of these guns are not pleasant to shoot and in turn, get very little range time. This can have catastrophic results if someone is ever pressed to draw their pistol in defense of their life.

The 80X breaks that trend. I found it easy to run and would happily get the required range time with it. More importantly, so would anyone else that picked up this gun. Magazine after magazine gave me the same results and I found myself missing my original Cheetah. In every way that matters, however, the 80X is superior to its old-school cousin.

The Beretta 80X Cheetah Checks all the Boxes

I really like the 80X Cheetah for a variety of reasons. It performs and checks all the boxes any serious concealed carry pistol needs. It is comfortable to shoot and carry. Where it stands above the rest is aesthetics, in my opinion. Sure, it is a great shooter and would serve anyone well, but it’s also very good-looking.

In a sea of black polymer guns, the 80X Cheetah is a classic breath of fresh air. This is especially true for the bronze version. If you are looking for a high-performance pistol that is more than a collection of polymer and quickly assembled parts, the Beretta 80X Cheetah needs to be on your list.

For more information, please visit Beretta.com.

Beretta 80X Cheetah Specs

Caliber: .380 ACP
Action: Single/double
Barrel Length: 3.9 inches
Magazine Capacity: 10 or 13 rounds
Weight: 25 ounces
Height: 4.9 inches
Overall Length: 6.8 inches
Grip Width: 1.06 inches (at grip radius)
MSRP: $799.00

Popular for its size and ease of concealed carry, the P365 has only been available in one caliber. That is, until now. SIG Sauer recently released the new P365-380, adding a .380 Auto option to the striker-fired pistol. As a result, is an easier handling micro-compact for those who have a harder time dealing with the higher power of a 9mm.

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The SIG Sauer P365-380

The P365-380 uses the same modular polymer grip module as the original P365. However, it now uses a lightened slide, housing the 380 barrel. Like the rest of the P365 line, the slide features an optic-ready cut, compatible with the ROMEOZero Elite or any optic with the same footprint.

Sitting atop the stainless-steel slide are dovetail SIGLITE night sights, for increased target acquisition in low light situations. Correspondingly, the sights allow for effective co-witnessing when in the proper configuration.

The Nitron finished slide also includes forward and rear cocking serrations, for easy manipulation under duress. Additionally, the Nitron finished slide, DLC barrel, and redesigned two-piece captured guide rod make the P365-380 highly durable.

The P365-380 shares the same fire control unit and grip module as all standard P365s. As a result, it is compatible with all of the same accessories, such as flat triggers, FOXTROT lights, XSeries grip modules, etc. However, it ships with a curved striker trigger.

Each P365-380 comes with 2 ten-round magazines (one flush fit and one extended). In addition, a magazine loader is also included.

“The SIG SAUER P365 is the most popular concealed carry pistol on the market today.  We have shipped millions of these pistols and until now it has only been available in one caliber,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales, SIG SAUER, Inc.  “The P365-380 uses the same grip module and fire control unit as the legacy P365 with a lightened slide, a 380 barrel, and a lighter recoil spring making it easier to rack for an overall exceptionally smooth handling experience.  This pistol was designed for everyone but is an ideal option for shooters with smaller hands, as well as those who find the manipulation and recoil management of larger caliber pistols challenging.”

Availability

The SIG Sauer P365-380 is available now with an MSRP of $579.99. For more info, please visit SIGSauer.com.

SIG Sauer P365-380 Specs

Caliber: 380 AUTO
Overall length: 5.8 inches
Overall height: 4.2 inches
Width: 1.0 inches (1.1 inches w/manual safety)
Barrel length: 3.1 inches
Sight Radius: 4.9 inches
Weight (w/magazine): 15.7 oz.
MSRP: $579.99

The firearms world has seen an enormous expansion over the last few years. While it is difficult to put an exact number on it, data shows that there are at least five million new gun owners that have joined the firearms community. Many of these new gun owners are absolutely new to the gun world and have little to no preexisting knowledge. However, understanding ammunition is as important as understanding your gun.

Understanding the Ammunition You Feed Your Gun

At times, those of us who have been at it since George Washington was a private forget that people may need some guidance on the basics. One area where that is important is ammunition. To the uninitiated, the wide variety of ammunition with its sometimes-cryptic nomenclature can be overwhelming. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the basics of ammo.

Components

First up, let’s take a look at the anatomy of a bullet. This is where we make our first distinction. While the object used to fire out of guns is sometimes referred to as a bullet, the official name is cartridge. The bullet is but one of the components of the cartridge and is the projectile that is launched down the barrel.

The individual components of a cartridge are as follows. The case is the metal shell that houses everything together. They are usually made from brass but can also be made from steel, nickel, and even aluminum.

Inside the case, we find the propellant. While it is often referred to as gunpowder, there are a wide variety of agents used in this role. The purpose of the propellant is to burn, produce gas pressure and launch the bullet through the barrel. At the bottom of the case is the rim. This is a point that even long-time gun owners do not know.

Rimless Ammunition

Most cartridges for our semi-automatic handgun are considered rimless. Now that does not mean they do not have a rim at all, but instead, it is the same diameter as the case. Guns such as revolvers have a more pronounced rim so they can sit flush against the cylinder.

Some cartridges are called semi-rimmed such as .38 Super and .38 ACP. But they are not usually part of a new shooter’s loadout.

At the very bottom of the case, you will see a small circular item embedded into the base of the case. This is the primer, and it’s what ignites the propellant when struck. The primer contains a small charge and sparks when struck by a firing pin or hammer.

Topping it all off is our bullet. There are numerous bullet types, but the most common one is called ball. These bullets have a lead core and are encased inside a copper jacket.

What is a Round?

Another term that is usually interchangeable with “cartridge” is “round.” This is especially true when discussions turn to how much ammunition may be needed for a class or exercise. You will need “x” number of rounds.

The process by which a round fires is also interesting. While seated securely in the gun’s chamber, a firing pin or hammer will strike the primer in the back of the round. That causes a small spark, which in turn ignites the propellant. The propellant begins to burn and creates gas. This super-fast expanding gas builds up on the back of the bullet and launches it down the barrel. The force is enormous, and the bullet is forced into the barrel.

It is important to note that an unfired bullet will not fit down a barrel. Only through the force of being launched will it enter the barrel and then leave the gun.

Picking the Right Ammunition

As I mentioned earlier, there are a wide variety of bullets to choose from. The driving force behind this variety is application. Traditional ball ammo will do the job if you are just looking for range ammunition for a little gun time.

If you are looking for personal-protection rounds, you should consider hollow-point bullets or jacketed hollow points (JHP). The bullet on these rounds is designed with a semi-hollow tip. In some cases, this hollow space may have a small piece of plastic in it. This design allows the bullet to expand once it strikes its target. This causes a larger wound channel and has a better chance of stopping a threat.

A secondary benefit of these rounds is to minimize overpenetration. The chances are high that these expanding rounds will stay within our target and not pass through and cause danger to others.

It is important to choose the correct ammo in this situation. JHPs are the gold standard for personal protection and are used by law enforcement. While ball ammo will certainly put holes in a bad guy, you run the risk of overpenetration.

A round that is still around in small quantities is wadcutters. These are essentially flat-faced lead bullets. They were the precursor to JHP ammo and are known to make a big hole. Technology has eclipsed this round for personal protection, but some in competition circles still use it.

In addition to these bullets, there are a variety of unique designs that companies have introduced. For example, the Syntech bullet from Federal is a polymer-coated round that is well known to shoot clean and extend the life of your barrel.

Barrel Diameter

The next item that comes up in question is caliber. This can be confusing because we hear the terms like “9mm” and “.45” without much of a frame of reference. Caliber is the term for size designations for bullets and the inside diameters of the gun barrels through which the bullets are fired.

Most of the world uses metric sizing, while the commercial market in the United States uses a U.S. standard measurement. This can be confusing, but it can be cleared up pretty easily.

The measurements in metric are almost always a “diameter to length” ratio. For example, a bullet in the caliber 9x19mm is 9mm wide and 19mm long. Standard measurement ammo is very similar and looks at the diameter of the bullet in relation to inches. For example, .45 ACP is .45 inches in diameter.

This is where shooters need to take great care in buying the right ammo for their guns. While we may just ask for 9mm, you can end up with 9mm Kurz, 9×18 Makarov, 9×19 Para., or 9×21 Largo. Your firearm will have the specific caliber you need engraved on the barrel.

Terms that sometimes follow the numbers, such as .45 ACP, generally reference a design name. ACP, for example, stands for Automatic Colt Pistol. Once again, verify the ammunition your firearm is designed to shoot. Firing the wrong ammunition can be extremely dangerous.

Gauges

Another ammo area that has many people shaking their heads is shotgun shells. Now we ditch our caliber discussions and move into gauge. Gauge is a very old measurement system and is honestly antiquated in today’s world. It is, however, the standard by which shotguns are measured.

Gauge is determined by the number of lead balls of size equal to the approximate diameter of the bore that it takes to weigh one pound. For example, it would take 12 lead balls with the same diameter as a 12-gauge shotgun bore to weigh one pound.

Common shotgun gauges are 10-gauge, 12-gauge, 16-gauge, 20-gauge, and 28-gauge. The smaller the gauge number, the larger the shotgun bore.

Another difference is in construction. A rifle or pistol cartridge’s brass case contains primer, powder, and bullet. However, the shotgun’s shotshell consists of a hull that contains the powder, shot wad, and an amount of shot.

The primer is still located at the back of the shell. There is a wide variety of shotgun ammunition to choose from. Once again, it is application-driven. Birdshot is a large number of small lead pellets that work well for bird hunting. Buckshot is a smaller number of larger lead pellets that were originally designed for hunting deer, thus “buckshot.”

Buckshot has evolved as an exceptional personal protection round as well. We also can use slugs, which are a hefty lead round. Essentially a very large lead bullet. Like our other guns, your shotgun will be marked with the ammunition it requires.

Wrap Up

Ammunition can be as interesting as the guns themselves. Like any other industry, there are leaders in this field. One, in particular, is Federal Ammunition. They have been the king of the hill for decades. Federal has also been in the business a very long time and is preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary.

I always encourage all shooters to get the best ammo they can. A high-end manufacturer such as Federal has solid quality control and production. The ammo you buy in a zip lock bag at the gun show can be sketchy from the start. Not only can you face performance issues, but it can also be dangerous if not made correctly.

In our current situation, I encourage people to buy a decent amount of ammunition for each gun every chance they get. If kept in a cool, dry area, these rounds will last for years, if not decades.

This is just a brief look at the ammunition world. I hope you take the time to dig deeper and become an expert yourself. Then share that knowledge with others.

This article was originally published in the Personal Defense World October/November 2022 issue. Subscription is available in print and digital editions at OutdoorGroupStore.com. Or call 1-800-284-5668, or email subscriptions@athlonmediagroup.com.

The Ruger LCP line has spent many years on the concealed carry shortlist for its reliability and small size. However, in 2021 Ruger released its LCP Max with increased capacity, only adding to its popularity. For this reason, Davidson’s teamed up with Ruger to release its exclusive version of the LCP Max Elite. The result is the same great concealed pistol with subtle upgrades that make a difference.

Davidson’s Exclusive Ruger LCP Max Elite

The LCP Max Elite stays true to the original platform, ensuring the same feel and function that shooters are accustomed to. This includes incorporating the tritium front sight with a white outline and replaceable dovetail rear sight. Likewise, the exclusive version also maintains the reversible mag release.

However, the biggest change in the Exclusive LCP Max Elite is in the upgraded trigger material. The Max Elite from Davidson’s features an upgrade to red anodized aluminum. Not only does the new aluminum trigger enhance the aesthetics it also provides a better feel.

In addition, Davidson’s includes the 12-round magazine, as opposed to only offering it as an accessory. Also included are a 10-round flush fit magazine, pinky extension floorplate for the 10-round magazine, mag loader, and soft pocket holster.

Chambered in .380 Auto, the double-stack magazines for the LCP Max feature feed lips specifically optimized to feed a wide variety of modern .380 Auto ammunition.

Availability

Davidson’s Exclusive Ruger LCP Max Elite is available now, with an MSRP of $489.00. For more info, please visit DavidsonsInc.com.

Exclusive Ruger LCP Max Elite Specs

Caliber: 380 Auto
Barrel: 2.80-inch Alloy Steel
Overall length: 5.17 inches
Weight: 10.6 ounces
Height: 4.12 inches
Frame Finish: Black
Front Sight: Tritium With White Outline
Rear Sight: Replaceable Dovetail
Grips: Textured
Features: Finger Grip Ext Floorplate, Reversible Mag Release, Includes Holster & Mag Loader
Slide Finish: Nitride Finish
Finish: Black, Blue
Magazine Count: 2.000
Firing System: External Hammer
Frame Material: Alloy Steel
Trigger: Red Aluminum
Barrel Configuration: Single
Barrel Description: Nitride Finish
Rifled Barrel: Yes
MSRP: $489.00

Although the Glock 28 isn’t new, it has been unavailable in the United States. Not because there is anything illegal about it. It’s not like the Glock 18 and is capable of full auto fire.  The answer is actually kind of weird and a little ridiculous. Apparently, the little .380’s size and other attributes somehow ran afoul of the Gun Control Act of 1968 which established criteria for importing firearms. However, TALO Distributors broke through the red tape and are now able to offer the G28 here in the States.

The Glock 28 Gen 3 .380 Auto

Making for an easy transition, the G28 is similar in size and makeup to the G26 and G27. Featuring the familiar Glock polymer frame, the G28 remains lightweight, at 18.7 ounces unloaded and 24.16 ounces loaded. Chambered in .380 Auto, the pistol has a capacity of 10+1. However, optional 12-, 15-, and 17-round magazines are available.

With an overall length of 6.5 inches and height of 4.17 inches, it is easily concealable for comfortable daily carry. Featuring a 6.26-inch slide, the G28 offers a sight radius of 5.39 inches. The sights are standard Glock sights with a rear outline and front dot. Additionally, the rear of the slide includes the standard Glock cocking serrations for easy slide manipulation regardless of conditions.

Rounds are sent downrange via the standard Glock Safe Action trigger with a 5.5-pound trigger pull. The .380 projectile makes its way on target via a 3.43-inch barrel. Correspondingly, the small caliber is easy to control, even in the smaller framed pistol. As a result, it is ideal for personal defense and those who have a harder time with the power of larger calibers.

Production and availability of the Glock 28 are limited, and will begin sales this month. However, more G28s will continue to arrive at TALO member distributors over the next few months.

Editor’s Note:

As mentioned, although the Glock 28 has been available in other markets in the world, this is the first time it is available here in the United States. Manufactured in Smyrna, Georgia, the G28 is no longer subject to import law, making it possible to purchase here. This was a very smart move on the part of TALO Distributors.

You don’t have to be a Glock fan to appreciate the availability of the G28 for the first time in the United States. There was no legal reason for it to be unavailable here. It was just another victim of gun control bureaucracy, and it is good to see it overcome the nonsense.

Availability

The Glock 28 Gen 3 is available now with an MSRP of $599.00. For more info, please visit TALOInc.com.

Glock 28 Gen 3 Specs

Caliber: 380 Auto
Capacity: 10+1
Barrel Length: 3.43 inches
System: Safe Action
Weight w/o Magazine: 18.7 ounces
Weight w/ Loaded Magazine: 24.16 ounces
Trigger Pull: 5.5 pounds
Overall Length: 6.5 inches
Slide Length: 6.26 inches
Overall Width: 1.26 inches
Height Including Magazine: 4.17 inches
Sight Radius: 5.39 inches
MSRP: $599.00

One of Smith & Wesson’s latest addition to the concealed-carry handgun market, the M&P380 Shield EZ, has been a popular choice since its 2018 release.

When the latest Shield arrived at my local gun shop, several of the guys working behind the counter asked to handle the new weapon. A hardcore bunch of gun geeks, the M&P380 Shield EZ produced several approving smiles and positive comments. I typically don’t get in a big hurry to test new guns, but handling this pistol gave me an itch that I had to scratch.

Some Backstory

Smith & Wesson first introduced the Bodyguard 380 semi-auto and Bodyguard 38 revolver a few years ago. To set these handguns apart from the crowd of concealable pocket pistols, these Bodyguard models came with integral lasers. Now, I’m not a fan of integral lasers, and enough gun buyers were likeminded enough to persuade S&W to release M&P Bodyguards without lasers.

More recently, the company rebooted its entire M&P line with new M2.0 pistols. The ever-popular Shield was also upgraded, and it features several improvements over the original design. I won’t dig into the nitty-gritty of the changes, but suffice it to say that customers spoke and Smith & Wesson listened.

The M&P380 Shield EZ, comes with two single-stack, eight-round magazines. The stainless steel barrel is 3.68 inches long, and S&W finishes it in Armornite for enhanced corrosion resistance. S&W also finished the stainless-steel slide in Armornite. Sitting atop the slide are white-dot sights. The rear sight is adjustable via an Allen wrench.

The slide also has fish-scale-like serrations at the front and rear, with the rearmost set protruding a bit to aid in racking the slide. The front serrations are placed in an interesting location. Some semi-auto shooters are in the habit of “press-checking” their weapons to see if it is loaded. They often cup their support hand over the top of the barrel and push the slide back from the muzzle end to see if a round is in the chamber. The problem with this practice is that it tends to put part of the palm or fingers in the path of the muzzle. The forward slide serrations here, however, are at the bottom edge of the slide, which promotes press-checking the pistol with the support hand underneath the barrel, clear of the muzzle.

The action features an internal hammer-fired design. Many .380 ACP pistols incorporate a straight-blowback design owing to the lower operating pressure of the cartridge. Smith & Wesson, however, wisely opted for a tilting-barrel lockup to handle some of the more powerful .380 ACP loadings without having to beef up the recoil spring. This leads to one of the pistol’s best features: its easy-to-rack slide. I hear a lot of complaints from people with weaker hand strength saying that they don’t like how hard it is to rack the slides on some semi-autos. You won’t have that problem here.

Another key feature of this pistol is safety. The design incorporates a grip safety, just like a 1911. Add to that an ambidextrous thumb safety and this pistol gets high marks. Though frowned upon, pistols of this type often get carried in pockets and purses. It doesn’t take much jostling to disengage a thumb safety. The added precaution of a grip safety makes good sense. The thumb safety, however, is optional but adds greater insurance.

The company made the frame of polymer, which helps cut down on weight. The grip area is textured for traction, and you’ll find a rail up front for adding a light or laser if needed.

Taking It Easy

I tested the M&P380 Shield EZ’s accuracy and reliability by firing various .380 ACP loads. Over two range sessions on different days, I fired about 350 rounds from a steady rest with a target placed 15 yards away.

This pistol had a preference for ammo, with Winchester’s 95-grain PDX1 load coming out on top. This ammo created a five-round cluster that measured only 2.88 inches — the tightest group of all. Next in line were Winchester’s 85-grain Silvertip hollow points, which produced a 2.94-inch best group. This Winchester load, though relatively accurate, didn’t function reliably in this pistol. It failed to feed four times and “stovepiped” twice in 50 rounds. All of the other loads functioned flawlessly. Hornady’s 90-grain Z-MAX ammunition took third place with a 3.77-inch group.

If you are looking for a good candidate for your first carry gun, the M&P380 Shield EZ should be high on your list of consideration. For more information, visit smith-wesson.com.

Smith & Wesson M&P380 Shield EZ

• Caliber: .380 ACP
• Barrel: 3.68″
• OA Length: 6.7″
• Grip: Polymer
• Weight: 18.5 ozs. (empty)
• Sights: Adjustable three-dot
• Action: DAO
• Capacity: 8+1
• MSRP: $399

This article is from the July/August 2018 issue of Combat Handguns Magazine. Grab your copy at OutdoorGroupStore.com.