Handguns

Tested: Apex Enhancement Trigger & Trigger Bar, $100; OverWatch Precision TAC Trigger, $135; and the Timney Alpha Competition Series Alpha Glock 3-4, $150. We thought one was too light for EDC.

The Specialist was designed for tactical use. There are no forward cocking serrations. It does have an ambidextrous safety. There is no full-length guide rod (FLGR), which may be a plus.

A Les Baer pistol often requires a break-in period, according to conventional wisdom and the maker. This is the second new Les Baer we have tested that came out of the box running, after having its long bearing surfaces lubricated. A pistol tested several years ago demanded a brief break in.

The test pistol is stainless steel. The fit and finish are good; however, there was an apparent tool mark near the rear of the trigger guard where the pistol is marked “SS” for stainless steel.

We lubricated the pistol and then fired an 80-round combat course with the same loads used in the other handguns. There were no failures to feed, chamber, fire, or eject.

We included the Crimson Trace CTS 1250 in our first review, liking what we saw. Then we heard about CT’s next-generation red dots being introduced in the guise of the RAD (Rapid Aiming Dot), so we had to try it.

Swampfox is another relatively new player in this game, proudly stating on their website that they were “born on the 4th of July, 2018.”

After our previous red-dot article, we received requests for info on additional optics, a number of which specifically mentioned the Holosun. We’ve seen the devices any number of times on the competition circuit, where they are known as something of a price brand.

Lucid Optics is a relatively new company and is perhaps not as widely known as others we have examined. Founded in 2009, they describe themselves as “On Target and Under Budget.”

The Drifter is similar to an original Colt SAA revolver except for the barrel and the mechanism. The barrel on the Drifter is octagonal, not round. It also uses a retractable firing pin, allowing a user to safely carry it fully loaded.

In 1870, the U.S. Army adopted the Model 3 revolver, making it the first standard-issue metallic-cartridge-firing revolver in U.S. service. Army Major George W. Schofield suggested some changes to the Model 3, and S&W called the improved gun the Schofield revolver.

Out of the box, the Colt SAA looked sexy with a deeply blued barrel and cylinder and case-hardened frame. The black-polymer double eagle grips were well fitted, and the balance in hand is excellent.