Handguns

We really liked this inexpensive but useful revolver. Accuracy is good to excellent, and the sights are the best of the test. The ability to mount a red-dot sight is very interesting. This is a lot of gun for the money.

The Wrangler is a well-made handgun. There is no faulting its reliability. The Wrangler Birdshead handles well and is fast into action. The problem is the sights. The sights simply fade out and are difficult to see, making its practical accuracy the poorest of the three revolvers tested.

The form of this pistol closely mimics that of a 1911 and, as such, the early versions have nice crisp edges on the slide and frame.

S&W engineers put some thought into the bottom end of the CSX. Instead of polymer used for the Shield frame, the CSX frame is made of aluminum alloy with a matte-black finish.

After more than 115 years on the scene, the 9mm Luger is America’s favored handgun caliber, being chambered in subcompact, compact, service-size, and long-slide...

As tested with an additional magazine we bought separately and a Wilson Combat Slide Lock, the total comes to $614.

The PMR-30 has been out the longest of the three handguns and still appears futuristic in profile.

The Walther WMP has received a lot of attention. Walther’s ad campaign stresses a duty to be ready.

In hand, the full-size SFT has nice balance and grip. The beavertail is extended. The grip girth is manageable for small-handed shooters.

Modular back straps seem to be the norm with striker-fire pistols, and the Girsan provides three options: small, medium, and large. A tool is provided to push out the plastic pin that holds the back strap in place.

Most striker-fire pistols use a trigger bar assembly that articulates, with the striker acting as both a trigger bar and a sear.

Most firearms manufacturers test their product before it leaves the factory, but that doesn’t mean they sight it in. What do you need to...