Browning has added new offerings to the Black Label 1911-380 pistol line.
The new Black Label 1911-380 Medallion Pro will be available in Full Size and Compact versions. These new pistols will feature an aluminum-reinforced composite frame and slide with a blackened stainless steel finish with silver brush-polished flats. Grips on this new model are checkered rosewood with a gold Buckmark logo. The pistol comes with two magazines. The Full Size model barrel length is 4.25 inches and the Compact barrel length is 3.625 inches. Both the Full Size and Compact versions are available with steel three-dot sights or steel night sights. Suggested Retail price with the 3-dot sights: $800. Suggested retail price with night sights: $880.
Browning is also adding three Compact models to the 1911-380 line in 2017. The Black Label 1911-380 Compact has the same features as the Black Label 1911-380 Full Size but with a 3.625-inch barrel. This model has composite black grips and includes fixed combat sights. Suggested retail: $670.
Browning is also adding Compact models to both the Black Label Pro and the Black Label Pro with Rail. Both of these models have 3.625-inch barrels and are available with either steel three-dot sights or steel night sights. The Black Label Pro Compact has a suggested retail price of $800 for the three-dot model and $880 for the night-sight model. The Black Label Pro Compact with Rail and three-dot sight has a suggested retail price of $830, and the railed night sight model has a suggested retail price of $910.
More information on these Browning products is available at Browning.com.
HK Introduces the VP9SK
Heckler & Koch’s striker-fired VP9SK 9mm subcompact is now available. The new pistol has characteristics of larger-frame VP models in a more compact design. MSRP: $719.
A small-scale version of the adjustable VP grip feature—consisting of interchangeable backstraps and lateral grip panels—appears in the compact grip frame of the VP9SK. This allows the pistol to be modified to fit any individual user. Molded finger grooves allow for more control of the small handgun.
“The VP9SK handgun is the right combination of compact size and firepower for a subcompact—and it’s loaded with unique Heckler & Koch features like our adjustable ergonomic grip—the only grip in the industry that can be customized to fit any shooter,” said Michael Holley, HK-USA vice president for commercial sales and marketing.
The VP9SK has ambidextrous controls, including slide releases and a paddle-style magazine release. HK’s charging supports, introduced on full-size VP pistols, are also present on the VP9SK. The charging supports are polymer inserts that are mounted on each side of the rear of the slide and provide better gripping leverage for racking the slide rearward. The charging supports speed reloading and make operating VP-series handguns easier to operate for shooters with reduced hand strength.
VP9SK pistols have an abbreviated Picatinny MIL-STD-1913 rail molded into their polymer frames for mounting lights and accessories. A proprietary captive flat recoil spring helps VP9SK pistols reduce felt recoil.
VP9SK pistols can use a variety of HK magazines, including compact double-stack 10-rounders with flat or hooked, ergonomic floorplates. New 13-round and 15-round magazines with magazine sleeves that replicate the grip profile of the full-size VP will also be available later in the year.
VP9SK pistols ship from HK’s Columbus, Georgia facility. The VP9SK is made in Germany and carries HK’s Lifetime Warranty.
Smith & Wesson Now Shipping New M&P15 Sporting Rifles
Smith & Wesson Corp. is shipping the newest additions to its expanded M&P rifle series. The M&P15X and M&P15T rifles retain the original look and operating features of the company’s M&P15 rifle line, enhanced with the Magpul M-LOK modular lock system mounting platform.
The M&P15X rifle features the new M&P aluminum, carbine-length handguard, while the M&P15T rifle features the 13-inch M&P slim modular free-float rail system.
Jerry Miculek demonstrated the M&P15T’s capability during Industry Day at SHOT Show in January. A packed crowd was on hand to witness Miculek’s new speed record, which was set using the new M&P15T rifle, firing 10 shots on three targets in 1.59 seconds. Miculek said, “Attempting speed records is never easy, but using the right equipment improves my chances. I really like what Smith & Wesson has done with the M&P15 rifle.”
M&P15X with M-LOK features:
– New M&P Slim, Aluminum Carbine-Length Handguard with Magpul M-LOK
– 2-inch M-LOK Aluminum Picatinny-Style Rail Panel Included
– Picatinny-Style Top Rail
– Forged, Integral Trigger Guard
– Armornite Finish on barrel interior and exterior surfaces
– Chromed Firing Pin
– S&W flash suppressor
– 16-inch Barrel, 1-in-8-inch twist with 5R rifling
– 30-round PMAG magazine
– MSRP, $1239
M&P15T with M-LOK features:
– 13-inch M&P Slim Modular Free-Float Rail System with Magpul M-LOK
– 5R Rifling for Superior Accuracy and Easier Cleaning
– Magpul MBUS Sights
– Forged, integral trigger guard
– Armornite Finish on barrel interior and exterior surfaces
– Patented S&W flash suppressor
– 16-inch Barrel, 1 in 8-inch Twist
– 30-round PMAG magazine
– MSRP, $1190
Ed Brown Releases Compact 1911
Ed Brown Products, Inc. of Perry, Missouri, has added the Compact 1911 to their lineup of traditional custom 1911s. The Compact comes with an Officer’s-sized frame for ease of concealment and is fitted with a 4.25-inch slide for a longer sight radius and reliability. The Compact comes standard with fully-machined premium components, a lifetime written warranty, and a list of options available to personalize the pistol.
John May, sales and marketing director for Ed Brown Products, said, “It is always exciting to add new models, and the new Compact 1911 really shows our customers that we are working to meet their needs.” For more information on the new Compact 1911, visit EdBrown.com.
Savage Arms Introduces Model 10 GRS
Savage Arms is offering serious long-range shooters a new secret weapon with the Savage Model 10 GRS. Shipments of these firearms are currently being delivered to dealers.
The Model 10 GRS houses the full suite of accuracy-enhancing Savage features fitted to a GRS stock made of 15% fiberglass-reinforced Durethan with 65% glass bedding material.
The stock’s slimmed-down dimensions and textured rubber surfaces provide a better grip in wet conditions, while its length-of-pull can be adjusted to fit any shooter. The Savage action, button rifling, fluted heavy barrel, and user-adjustable AccuTrigger have proven themselves in previous Gun Tests evaluations.
The length-of-pull adjusts from 33.5 to 36.5 cm. The muzzle comes threaded at 5⁄8-24, and the rifle ships with a 10-round AICS-compatible magazine, flush cup sling loops, and a sling mount for bipod use.
The 22596 model chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor with a 24-inch barrel has an MSRP of $1449. The 22599 model chambered in 308 Win. has a 20-inch barrel and an MSRP of $1449.
Savage Arms is a brand of Vista Outdoor Inc. To learn more about Savage Arms, visit SavageArms.com.
Colt Announces the New Gold Cup Trophy
Subscribers to Gun Tests who shoot competitive handgun events may be interested to hear that Colt has released its next generation of Gold Cup Trophy pistols.
The new Gold Cup Trophy is available in 9mm (SKU: O5072XE) and .45 ACP (O5070XE), and has an MSRP of $1,699.
Mark Redl, Team Colt Shooter and product manager for Colt, said, “We started the development of the new Gold Cup Trophy when I decided to compete in the Bianchi Cup. Everything about this pistol was designed to make it an affordable option for the professional competitor to engage in the most elite shooting match in the world.”
He said, “We started with our standard Gold Cup Trophy and upgraded it in the same ways that many enthusiasts and professionals do as they ship their beloved firearm around the country for costly specialty services. Now, for the cost of perhaps one or two of these services, you can buy a brand new Gold Cup with the upgrades right from the factory.”
This new Gold Cup features Colt’s competition ergonomics, including an undercut trigger guard and upswept beavertail grip safety, and Colt’s Dual Spring Recoil System for improved recoil mitigation. Factory 25-LPI checkering on the front and rear strap of the grip, along with Colt-branded blue G10 grips, complete the package. The firing system has changed to the Colt Series 70 design, which reduces the number of moving parts in the trigger assembly, as well as reduces the length and weight of the trigger pull.
“Another big change for this model is that along with the traditional .45 ACP, it’s also available in 9mm,” said Redl. “The whole package makes this a really appealing handgun.”
Beretta APX Striker-Fired Pistol Is Shipping
Beretta began shipping the APX pistol in April after recently announcing its launch in the U.S. market. As a modular pistol, the internal chassis of the APX is serialized, allowing grip-frame housings to be customized or exchanged without affecting the serialized part.
Beretta has reduced the bulk of the chassis and has built in a high grip position, which offers better control and easier sight tracking. An oversized magazine baseplate helps fast loading and extraction, and full-length slide serrations make slide manipulation easier, especially when wet. The flat-faced design of the trigger promotes a straight rearward trigger press with minimal interruption of sight picture. Ambidextrous, reversible controls accommodate almost all hand sizes.
Beretta has manufactured semi-automatic pistols since 1915 and is now one of the very few manufacturers to offer full-size polymer and metallic-framed handguns in both hammer- and striker-fired operating systems. The APX is available in 9mm and comes with two 10+1 magazines.
FN Announces the FN 509
FN America, LLC has launched the FN 509, an all-new 9mm striker-fired pistol. The FN 509 was born out of the company’s effort to produce a contender for the U.S. Army’s Modular Handgun System (MHS) competition.
“When the requirements for MHS were released, our team of engineers immediately went to work, taking the successful elements of the FNS Compact and further developing those to meet the needs of the U.S. Army’s solicitation for a new, full-size pistol,” said Mark Cherpes, president and CEO of FN America, LLC. “Between the submission of MHS and the commercial release of the FN 509, we have worked with law-enforcement agencies throughout the U.S. and captured feedback that we used to further optimize the pistol.”
Built on the architecture of the FNS Compact, aesthetic changes to the platform include the aggressive cocking serrations, enhanced grip textures, guarded controls, and recessed target crown on the barrel.
The FN 509 is currently shipping to FN distributors in two commercial SKUs. Other options, such as manual-safety models, are coming, the company says.
Safety: Internal passive safeties
Sights: Fixed 3-dot luminescent
Operation: Striker; DAO
Trigger Pull: 5.5 to 7.5 pounds
Capacity: 10 or 17 rounds
Weight: 26.9 ounces
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Overall Length: 7.4 inches
MSRP: $649
Compiled by Gun Tests staff.
