Pistols

We have tested SA’s Ronin 1911 pistol chambered in 45 Auto a few issues back and graded it an A- due to a single, odd malfunction that was most likely due to a magazine. We had no such issues with the 10mm variant, and that is why we give this pistol a solid rating.

We’ve tested other RIA 10mm 1911 pistols in the past and gave them good grades. We had high expectations with the Pro Match Ultra 6", and it delivered on those expectations. This is a pistol designed for action-pistol shooting competition or hunting. We’d love to take the RIA boar hunting.

At the high end of the price scale is the Rapide Black Ice. This is a stylish 1911 that borders on a custom-gun look and feel. Yes, this is a sleek and sexy looking 1911, but is it all looks and no game? Kimber took the time to think out the details on this 1911 model. The Rapide Black Ice has the looks, performance, and accuracy to thrill most any shooter.

When speaking about the 40 S&W Auto cartridge these days, we’re reminded of that famous Samuel Clemens quote: “The reports of my death are...

When speaking about the 40 S&W Auto cartridge these days, we’re reminded of that famous Samuel Clemens quote: “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” While you may think the 40 S&W is dead, it is very much alive.

The M&P40 M2.0, in our opinion, offers the best accuracy, grip customization, and recoil management for less money than the other pistols.

The other hammer-fired pistol tested was a SIG P239. This was a police trade-in that came with three steel single-stack magazines. The P239 was produced from 1996 through 2018 and is a metal-frame pistol designed for conceal carry.

To start, remove the baseplate from an existing OEM Glock 19 magazine. Having a baseplate removal tool makes this easier. When you take the baseplate off, be sure to capture the magazine spring with a finger.

We owe much of the 44 Magnum concept to the late Elmer Keith. Mr. Keith spent a good bit of the early to middle parts of the last century working with (and sometimes blowing up) hot-loaded 44 Special revolvers. As with many great experimenters, he did not let setbacks stop his work. Convinced of the practicality and efficacy of a max-loaded 44, he finally won Smith & Wesson over to his way of thinking, along with Remington ammunition. The revolver that became what we know as the Model 29 (and what Clint Eastwood made really famous in 1971) was introduced in late 1955.

The Taurus M44 brings many of the changes S&W decided were good for its guns. This genre of handgun tends to spend much of its working time in the outdoors, in inclement weather and in sweaty holsters, making stainless-steel construction preferable to blued carbon steel.

We tested a factory gun, a CZ-USA CZ 75B Urban Grey Suppressor-Ready Omega 91235 pistol, alongside the custom units to give us a reminder...

In this day of polymer-frame striker-fired pistols stamped out by the thousands, there is still a place for customized handguns, made with skill and...