Law Enforcement

We tested two Caracal 9mm handguns (which have since been recalled) against two 45 ACP handguns in a September 2012 showdown of self-defense pistols. The 45s were the Springfield Armory Lightweight Champion Operator PX9115LP 45 ACP, $1076, and the Dan Wesson ECO 01969 45 ACP, $1662. Here's an excerpt of that report.

Gun Tests magazine tested four high-capacity 12-gauge shotguns in the November 2012 issue. Heres an excerpt of that report, used with permission: The test guns were the Akdal Arms MKA 1919 3-inch 12 Gauge, $799; the Kel-Tec KSG 3-inch 12 Gauge, $1075; the Saiga IZ-107 12 Gauge, $640; and a Red Jacket Saiga RTS-SBS-12 Short-Barrel 12 Gauge, $1939.

Ever been asked why the Mini-14 isn't called the Mini-.223 or Mini-anything else? Take a look at one next to an M14. In general appearance, the Mini is a smaller, lighter ringer for the rifle the U.S. Military rediscovered during Desert Storm. It even functions much the same. Due to the factory's penchant for in-house repairs, there are limits to what you can do with the Mini-14.

The Professional is a complete rebuild, including the installation of a match-grade barrel and complete refinishing. Other parts listed for installation include match hammer and sear, speed trigger, titanium firing pin with extra heavy firing pin spring, beavertail grip safety, ambidextrous thumb safety, low mount Novak rear sight with matching dovetail front sight, 3-dot tritium inserts, magwell, 20-lpi checkering on the front strap, checkered cocobolo grips, beveling of all external parts, deburr complete pistol internally, apply a "Black T" finish to the complete pistol and ship with six Metalform seven-round magazines tuned to the pistol.

The Gun Tests Houston test team obtained three interesting 9mm polymer-frame handguns — the Walther PPX M1, the Kriss Sphinx SDP Compact, and the CZ USA CZ 75 P-07 Duty — and tested them in the October issue.

Not much has changed on the Glock 34, and it is still the most popular choice for Practical Shooting competitors, including Dave Sevigny, the most prolific winner in the history of the USPSA Production division.

The G34 featured a 5.3-inch barrel on a full-size frame that housed a 17-round magazine. The G34 has a large cutout in the top of its slide. It might just be the easiest way to produce a slide of the proper weight so that reciprocation remains smooth and reliable.

Our first impression of the $679 S&W M&P 9mm was that it felt extremely comfortable in the hand. It was well balanced, not too heavy—at least without a magazine full of 17 heavy-bullet loads—and was pleasantly devoid of extraneous controls and levers. We note S&W also sells a version with a thumb safety, along with a host of variants in 9mm, 40 S&W, and 45 ACP, and with longer or shorter barrels or grips, and in a variety of colors. One even has a pink grip insert.Our test gun came in a large case with two different grip inserts to make the handle larger or smaller. We liked it as it was, so we left it alone.

(GunReports.com) -- The 9mm pistol was the breakthrough sidearm that ushered in today's massive popularity of the self-loading pistols. One of the ways in which the semi-auto has evolved is its variation in size, making it possible to conceal a smaller version of a full-size carry gun. One pistol with these assets is Glock's $599 Model 26.

Glock adapted this same pistol to other cartridges, including the .357 SIG, and we found the fully loaded GL31 handled much like the model 17. If you have ever felt that the Glock pistol chambered for .45 ACP or 180-grain .40s were somehow out of sync, then the .357 SIG is a more natural fit.

Advanced Technology International (ATI) is now shipping aluminum fluted magazine extensions for select Remington, Winchester, and CZ 12-gauge shotguns.

The Gun Tests Houston test team obtained an IWI Tavor TSB16 5.56 NATO Bullpup, $1999, and tested it as a Special Report in the September issue.

Smith & Wesson has supplied the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office in Arizona with rifles from the company’s Military & Police Series. The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has taken possession of 400 M&P15 Magpul Original Equipment (MOE) Mid rifles and is currently in the process of converting deputies to the new rifle system.