Give to Which Groups?
It’s time for my NRA renewal, but I have been disappointed with them recently. Even though LaPierre is leaving, I get better info from you guys, and would rather support a better group. Your thoughts? I know you have addressed this before, so pardon my question. Thanks, and keep up the great work. — Patrick
Hey Patrick: I like the Firearms Policy Coalition’s approach — FPC takes on plenty of litigation, and it has a muscular social-media stance. Every time I read an FPC tweet where the group responds to a new anti-gun measure with, “F*ck you, no,” it makes me laugh in appreciation. The Second Amendment Foundation is also doing a lot of legal challenges on the state level. Look into those two groups and see if they line up with what you want to commit your dollars to.
I should also mention that if you shoot competitively, you may also want to maintain your NRA membership, since the group still runs a lot of gun matches. The state-level NRA-affiliated groups are doing good work in many jurisdictions as well, so you might consider those.
I read a lot of the New York vs. NRA court transcripts, and it’s hard for me to imagine ever supporting national NRA again, unless there’s a total overhaul of the board, contractors, and officers, and probably a relocation to a more gun-rights-friendly state.
— Todd Woodard
Re “Mid-Size 380 ACPs: Beretta, Smith & Wesson, and Ruger,”
May 2024
Over the years I, like your other subscribers, have found your evaluations very informative. Your recent article on mid-size 380 ACPs got me thinking about “pocket pistols.” Over the past decade, the term pocket pistols has mutated into pistols that are small. Most of these pocket pistols are miniature 1911s or Glock 22s, with their associated problems — steep feed ramps leading to failures to function or pickiness about ammo, lack of three-finger purchase, designs almost requiring a holster. When at the range, I have men with small hands or women try my SIG P232, and they immediately want to know where they could buy one (living in Massachusetts).
The Europeans — the Walther PPK and SIG Sauer P232 — haven’t forgotten that a pocket pistol should slide easily into and out of the pocket or purse. Otherwise, why would one want to carry it, if it’s inconvenient or hard to access and aim in a moment of great stress? I propose you do an evaluation of pocket fit using the PPK as a reference. Have each tester bring their girlfriend, wife, or somebody else’s girlfriend or wife to the range and run these tests:
• “Feel” in the hand;
• Ease of preparation, loading the magazines and charging the pistol; and
• Firing, using point aiming.
• Then rank them.
No need for technical evaluations of finish, accuracy, ammo preferences, etc. You have done all of that in past tests. I find when placed in a stressful situation, we resort to practiced and easy solutions that are accessible.
Maybe someday American pistol makers will stand back and redefine what a pocket pistol really is.
— John Joseph
As the owner of a 380 ACP Shield S&W EZ (sans safety), I hope S&W does NOT follow your advice to produce a stack-and-a-half-magazine model. That would only produce another fat clunker like the Beretta 84. This firearm is pitched to seniors, not Rambo. The S&W Equalizer fills the Rambo role. Additionally, the EZ is already designed for the grip safety to be properly depressed by those with limited hand strength. You are missing the forest for the trees. Seniors are drawn to a slim, easy-to-operate pistol with limited recoil, not a Glock 21.
Hey Duane: We didn’t say to the exclusion of the existing Shields. In addition to the existing Shields. Like a Shield Doublewide, with a better name. — tw
I enjoy reading my Gun Tests and the information it provides. I have a question about leaving my handguns in a leather holster for extended periods of time. I have been told not to leave them in the holster, and others have told me it does not hurt them. What is recommended? — Mike
Hey Mike: Great question, and it takes more than a minute to consider all the points. Toward that end, Joe Woolley wrote “New Shooter’s Guide: Firearms Storage, How to Protect Your Firearms,” which is available on Gun Tests+. But here’s a summary of the article. “If you need a quick answer, we’d say not to store your rig in a leather holster. Not so many years ago, it would have been a most emphatic NO! We have to remember that, regardless of the material in the grip frame (polymer, steel or aluminum), the top end of a pistol is virtually always carbon steel or stainless steel — and those metals almost certainly will rust or corrode given sufficient time. In our experience, leather will attract moisture and then leave it in contact with metal surfaces. The final finish you have on the firearm can lessen the chances storage in a holster will damage your firearm. Believing in the “Always Be Prepared” thing, we do not leave our firearms stored in leather holsters. We don’t store them in gun rugs or socks. We keep them where they can breathe.”
How About Some Shot Timers?
I’ve been a subscriber since your inception. I love the magazine and look forward to it each month. I don’t recall seeing an evaluation of shot timers. There’s a number of high-quality ones in the market, and I’d love to see an analysis between all of the current models. Thank you and keep up the good work. — Matt
Hey Matt: One of our test teams regularly uses a CED 7000 shown below, but we’re researching others now. Thanks for the idea. — tw
Shotgun Match Up
I’ve never contacted y’all, but I’ve been a subscriber for at least 10 years. Maybe closer to 20. Anyway, when you can, I’d like y’all to give your take on the CZ 712 Utility and perhaps the CZ Hammer Coach shotguns. I don’t own the Hammer Coach, but I’d like to get your thoughts on it. I do own the 712, and it’s a bad-boy for home defense. However, the elementary and ease of use for ladies and/or those not familiar with firearms points me to the Hammer Coach. It’s very simple. You pull the hammers back and pull the trigger. Your insights on both would be appreciated. — CT
Good idea, CT. On it. — tw
