Home Defense

Gun Tests Magazine has named the Kimber Pro Custom Defense Package II 45 ACP as the publication’s “Best in Class Pistol” for 2013.

We mixed apples and oranges, that is, pistols and revolvers, in the July 2012 issue to see which design worked best for self-protection at close range. The three test guns were the $747 9mm Kimber Solo Carry, the $299 9mm SCCY Industries CPX-2, and the $523 Taurus 40 S&W M405 stainless-steel revolver. Heres an excerpt of that test.

A recent sales effort from SureFire suggests that the problem of magazine shortages has eased — so much so that the company is trying sell $199 100-round premium magazines.

Gun Tests Magazine has named the Charter Arms Pitbull 9mm Luger as the publication’s “Best in Class Revolver” for 2013.

We tested Glock and Springfield Armory compact polymer 45s in a January 2013 head-to-head test. Here's an excerpt of that test.

We tested three single-action revolvers suitable for Cowboy Action shooting in an August 2012 showdown. All chambered in the most common CAS competition caliber, 357 Magnum, the choices were the Ruger New Vaquero NV-34 No. 5107, $719; the Heritage Manufacturing Big Bore Rough Rider RR357CH4, $500; and Cimarron's Evil Roy No. ER4104, $770.

The UZI PRO semi-auto pistol designed for the American consumer market is now available. The $1100 UZI PRO UPP9S semi-auto pistol is based on the UZI sub-machine gun (SMG), designed and patented by Uziel Gal, who gave the production rights to the Israeli Ministry of Defense. IWI US, Inc., a subsidiary of Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), imports the firearm domestically.

DoubleTap Defense will add new chamberings — 410/.45 Colt and .40 S&W — to its DoubleTap Tactical Pocket Pistol lines.

Gun Tests’ South Carolina test team recently obtained a trio of self-defense handguns in the popular Commander-size 1911 frame size to test: the 4.25-inch-barrel SIG Sauer Carry Stainless 1911CA-45-SSS 45 ACP, $1142; and the new Ruger SR1911CMD No. 6702 45 ACP, $829. The third gun was a 4-inch-barrel aluminum-frame Kimber Pro CDP.

Gun Tests magazine tested two rifles in a May 2013 showdown of lever actions. They were the Mossberg Model 464 XMB Lever Action No. 41026 30-30 Win., $535; and the Winchester Model 1895 Lever Action Carbine 30-40 Krag, $1000-$1500.

BrassFetcher.com has done an eye-opening comparison of the terminal effectiveness of FMJ vs JHP bullet designs from handguns chambered in 22 LR, 25 ACP, 32 ACP, 380 ACP, 9mm Makarov, 9mm Police, 38 Special, 9mm Luger, and 45 ACP.

Stag Arms, one of the nation's largest AR-15 manufacturers, is offering certain rifles and parts in pink to raise funds and increase awareness for the National Breast Cancer Foundation through the end of October.