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Back in the late 1980s when the U.S. military retired the 1911 for the Beretta M9, the Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), or MEUSOC, decided to stick with the 45 Auto 1911 platform because it was the only pistol at the time that could stand up to the use the MEUSOC teams doled out. The MEUSOC guys detailed the new features and specifications they wanted on their modernized version of the 1911, and the armorers at Quantico built the guns. Most of these guns were built on original, used M1911A1 G.I. frames. The remaining parts for the builds were a precise list that transformed the G.I. 1911s into modern combat handguns. MEUSOC operators provided feedback to the armorers on the guns, and there were four variations of these guns built. Some of the parts used in the builds reads like a who’s who of custom gun-builder pieces. Parts included Clark or Wilson Combat beavertail grip safeties, Pachmayr Gripper grips, MGW commander hammers, Videcki steel triggers, Bar-Sto barrels, Springfield Armory slides, Ed Brown safeties, Caspian mainspring housings, and more, all the way down to the smaller pins, the sear, and other parts. Common to all MEUSOC pistols were fixed sights, long triggers, G.I.-style muzzle bushings, and flat mainspring housings. 

Gun Tests readers have been asking us for more revolver testing, so we’ve been looking for new and improved versions of wheelguns to load up and shoot. We recently found a trio of snubnosed handguns that promise power and, perhaps, easier carry that readers might enjoy and perhaps invest in. The first is a collaboration between Lipsey’s and Smith & Wesson — the Model 442 Ultimate Carry, a blued 38 Special version of the current hammerless Airweight model. Lipsey’s is the exclusive distributor, and the current counter price seems to be right at $759, which is MSRP. We also tested another S&W product, the current Model 642 Airweight 103810 in 38 Special, $519. Rated for +P loads, this version also uses an aluminum frame but with stainless steel for the barrel and cylinder to handle the higher pressures of +P cartridges. Stepping up another power level, we got a new Colt King Cobra Carry with the 2-inch barrel, a bright stainless finish, a double-action-only trigger, and rated for 357 Magnum. The KCOBRA-SB2BB model is widely retailing for $949. 

Gun Tests readers have been asking us for more revolver testing, so we’ve been looking for new and improved versions of wheelguns to load up and shoot. We recently found a trio of snubnosed handguns that promise power and, perhaps, easier carry that readers might enjoy and perhaps invest in. The first is a collaboration between Lipsey’s and Smith & Wesson — the Model 442 Ultimate Carry, a blued 38 Special version of the current hammerless Airweight model. Lipsey’s is the exclusive distributor, and the current counter price seems to be right at $759, which is MSRP. We also tested another S&W product, the current Model 642 Airweight 103810 in 38 Special, $519. Rated for +P loads, this version also uses an aluminum frame but with stainless steel for the barrel and cylinder to handle the higher pressures of +P cartridges. Stepping up another power level, we got a new Colt King Cobra Carry with the 2-inch barrel, a bright stainless finish, a double-action-only trigger, and rated for 357 Magnum. The KCOBRA-SB2BB model is widely retailing for $949. 

Gun Tests readers have been asking us for more revolver testing, so we’ve been looking for new and improved versions of wheelguns to load up and shoot. We recently found a trio of snubnosed handguns that promise power and, perhaps, easier carry that readers might enjoy and perhaps invest in. The first is a collaboration between Lipsey’s and Smith & Wesson — the Model 442 Ultimate Carry, a blued 38 Special version of the current hammerless Airweight model. Lipsey’s is the exclusive distributor, and the current counter price seems to be right at $759, which is MSRP. We also tested another S&W product, the current Model 642 Airweight 103810 in 38 Special, $519. Rated for +P loads, this version also uses an aluminum frame but with stainless steel for the barrel and cylinder to handle the higher pressures of +P cartridges. Stepping up another power level, we got a new Colt King Cobra Carry with the 2-inch barrel, a bright stainless finish, a double-action-only trigger, and rated for 357 Magnum. The KCOBRA-SB2BB model is widely retailing for $949. 

• Go-Fast Shotguns
• Economy 9MM Pistols
• 357 Magnums

In this time of inflation, with salaries not expanding as quickly as prices, it’s tempting to postpone getting the tools needed for self defense. Yet, we wish to be as well armed as possible. The modern striker-fired polymer-frame 9mm is the default defensive handgun these days, yet with many approaching $700 or more, folks on tight budgets are sometimes left out. So we decided to test two affordable 9mm handguns and give them the usual Gun Tests work up. One was a new addition, the Smith & Wesson SD9 2.0, which features a slight redesign and a much better new blade-type trigger. Against this pistol we matched a SAR9 Mete Safari 9mm from the Turkish maker Sarsilmaz. While each pistol fills the bill for personal defense, we found one has more advanced features. 

In this time of inflation, with salaries not expanding as quickly as prices, it’s tempting to postpone getting the tools needed for self defense. Yet, we wish to be as well armed as possible. The modern striker-fired polymer-frame 9mm is the default defensive handgun these days, yet with many approaching $700 or more, folks on tight budgets are sometimes left out. So we decided to test two affordable 9mm handguns and give them the usual Gun Tests work up. One was a new addition, the Smith & Wesson SD9 2.0, which features a slight redesign and a much better new blade-type trigger. Against this pistol we matched a SAR9 Mete Safari 9mm from the Turkish maker Sarsilmaz. While each pistol fills the bill for personal defense, we found one has more advanced features. 

People keep suggesting that the revolver market is dead, that the segment is obsolete and that the most suitable solutions to any problems self-defense protectors might address would be some sort of polymer pistol. We would argue that there are any number of situations — how about coat or purse carry, handgun hunting, or self-defense in non-permissive states — for which a proper revolver is eminently suitable. We love it when major makers agree with us on this point.

People keep suggesting that the revolver market is dead, that the segment is obsolete and that the most suitable solutions to any problems self-defense protectors might address would be some sort of polymer pistol. We would argue that there are any number of situations — how about coat or purse carry, handgun hunting, or self-defense in non-permissive states — for which a proper revolver is eminently suitable. We love it when major makers agree with us on this point.

Custom shotguns with competitive go-fast features aren’t affordable for many shooters, but there are some off-the-shelf guns that are designed to offer quick shooting in defense situations. Naturally, semi-automatic shotguns designed for 3-Gun competition quickly rose to the top of the list, as well as compact bullpup-style shotguns. We didn’t want to melt our credit card, so we found three scatterguns in an affordable price range from about $300 to $650. The criteria for this match up was the ability to shoot fast, engage multiple targets with speed, pattern well, offer fast reloads, and be absolutely reliable with any ammo loaded. Bonus points were given to guns that could be modified with aftermarket parts like extended magazine tubes, vertical grips, sights, and so on. 

Custom shotguns with competitive go-fast features aren’t affordable for many shooters, but there are some off-the-shelf guns that are designed to offer quick shooting in defense situations. Naturally, semi-automatic shotguns designed for 3-Gun competition quickly rose to the top of the list, as well as compact bullpup-style shotguns. We didn’t want to melt our credit card, so we found three scatterguns in an affordable price range from about $300 to $650. The criteria for this match up was the ability to shoot fast, engage multiple targets with speed, pattern well, offer fast reloads, and be absolutely reliable with any ammo loaded. Bonus points were given to guns that could be modified with aftermarket parts like extended magazine tubes, vertical grips, sights, and so on. 

Custom shotguns with competitive go-fast features aren’t affordable for many shooters, but there are some off-the-shelf guns that are designed to offer quick shooting in defense situations. Naturally, semi-automatic shotguns designed for 3-Gun competition quickly rose to the top of the list, as well as compact bullpup-style shotguns. We didn’t want to melt our credit card, so we found three scatterguns in an affordable price range from about $300 to $650. The criteria for this match up was the ability to shoot fast, engage multiple targets with speed, pattern well, offer fast reloads, and be absolutely reliable with any ammo loaded. Bonus points were given to guns that could be modified with aftermarket parts like extended magazine tubes, vertical grips, sights, and so on.