DDI has made themselves known for making some great American made AKs and even though their DDI12 shotgun has gotten off to a rocky start, they have addressed the issues and are coming back stronger.  At Big 3 East last October, Dave gave me a sneak peak into his top secret tennis racquet bag. Inside it was a QBZ style bullpup shotgun.

For those of you not familiar with the QBZ series of rifles, they are the main issued rifle for the Chinese Miltary. Here is a photo of the QBZ-95 bullpup rifle.

The QBZ-95 and any other military arms are banned from importation into the US. However this bullpup shotgun does not fall into this category.

This shotgun has already been imported into Canda for about a year. But it has not been seen state side until now. The shotgun does not have a name just yet. In Canada it is imported by Lever Arms and they call it the LA-K12 Puma. Perhaps it might be called DDI Puma? I rather it be named DDI QBZ-12.

According to Dave Fillers, expect this shotgun to be just under $1000.

Tim Harmsen of Military Arms Channel recently posted a video of this new DDI QBZ style shotgun.

As you can see in the video, the DDI bullpup shotgun uses 5rd metal magazines but it seems rather picky about the size of shell. Certain loads like some buck shot are a little too long to fit into the magazine. I hope someone makes 10rd mags for this shotgun. It looks like it could be a lot of fun.

Guncrafter Industries – known for making .50 caliber 1911 pistols – stepped further into the smaller, faster world with the release of its new American pistols chambered for the 9mm cartridge.

Guncrafter already offers the No Name and Frag pistols in 9mm. However, the company states that demand for more 9mm handguns prompted the company to now make the American in the metric cartridge. Until now, the American was only available in the classic .45 ACP cartridge.

The American is a hand fit Government-size 1911 pistol with a light rail. These pistols are all made in Arkansas using bar stock tool steel components. Each gun is personally inspected and fired by the company president, Alex Zimmerman, before shipping.

Some of the standard features of the 9mm American pistols are:

• an accessory rail for the addition of a white light or laser,
• ambidextrous thumb safety,
• 5” match barrel,
• hammer, sear and disconnector all fully machined from tool steel,
• 15 LPI checkering,
• tritium night sights with a rear ledge sight for one-handed slide manipulation,
• one piece magazine well with an integrated lanyard loop, and
• two finish options: stainless and Melonite.

Keep in mind that Guncrafter Industries is a custom shop, so they can handle any special requests you might have for your own pistol.

The American pistol ships with two magazines, which is enough to get you started with this gun. As I’ve mentioned before, the most common point of failure in a semi-automatic pistol is its magazines. Reliably running 9mm in a 1911 can be a bit tricky with poor quality magazines. Fortunately, Mec-Gar is one of the top magazine brands in the world, and it offers very good quality 9mm 1911 magazines here.

Guncrafter Industries is well known by many shooters as the company that makes the .50 GI pistols. Developed by Zimmerman, the .50 GI is a pistol cartridge that is a little thicker and shorter than the .45 ACP. The .50 GI offers impressive performance without punishing recoil. Guncrafter even offers conversion kits to transform your Glock 20 and 21 pistols into .50 GI shooting hand cannons.

When I bought my first AR15, it came with a fixed carry handle and a match-grade heavy H-BAR barrel. It was crazy accurate, unreasonably heavy and deviated away from one of the greatest advantages of the AR15 over other designs – modularity.

Sure, I could have replaced the upper with a flat-top one, but since I purchased my first gun while still in college, funds were very tight. I loved that gun, but always felt like it was holding me back since I couldn’t easily mount optics that wouldn’t require an awkward cheek weld.

So, a few months later when my buddy traded me his Bushmaster M4A3 clone with a removable carry handle, I was beyond excited to equip it with the latest and greatest optic on the market. I mulled around about the price and bought a Tasco that I successfully used to place decently in a local IPSC match and win myself an EOTech holosight.

I was so excited for my new optic, and felt like Billy-badass with my military-grade holosight – until I saw photos of operators overseas. Sure, some of them were using my beloved holosight, but they all had something I didn’t – backup iron sights.

This was back before Magpul made their inexpensive BUIS, so everything I saw was at least a $100 – not exactly affordable for someone living on Ramen noodles. I finally bit the bullet and bought myself a nice folding rear BUIS. Even though this sight was around $150, it didn’t feel half as sturdy at my old carry handle sight. This lead me to the conclusion that if I ever built another AR, I’d run it with a solid, fixed rear iron sight.

To be honest, I had forgotten about that event until recently, when I was looking at building a super lightweight fighting rifle. Something handy, accurate and virtually soldier-proof. While this piece simply doesn’t accommodate the exhaustive list of upgrades/accessories I performed or added, it does provide the perfect place to discuss the fixed rear iron sight that I ended up choosing: the Blackhawk! Fixed backup iron sight.

I’ll be honest, at first glance I was skeptical of the little BUIS. Not because it doesn’t look robust, or functional, but because of its simplicity. The sight is only adjustable for windage, and that adjustment is in the style of an M16A1 sight.  In practical terms, this means a shooter needs either a sight adjustment tool or a bullet to change the windage.

The windage wheel is located on the right side of the rear sight housing, and consists of a screw connected to a light-gray aluminum wheel with ten holes set at 36-degree increments. It’s held in place by a spring-loaded pin captured by the wheel itself.

As the wheel turns, the threaded aperture unit moves left or right, and shifts its location accordingly. This shifts the point of aim by changing the alignment with the front sight post.  Because the rear backup sight isn’t adjustable for drop, the front sight post must be adjusted accordingly to obtain a proper zero.

That said, most shooters don’t change their zero once set, unless they change ammunition or are shooting at varying distances. But this is a backup iron sight, emphasis on backup. It’s not meant to be used as a primary aiming device, but could easily serve in that role.

So, it makes since that it lacks some of the refinements of national match rear sights that have 1/8 MOA adjustments. In fact, the 6061-T6 aluminum backup sight is only adjustable in half minute of angle increments. Meaning, at 100 yards, each click will shift the impact of the round by half an inch – at 200 yards, one inch etcetera.

Despite this simplified setup, the sight retains the dual-aperture setup on regular iron sights for the AR15/M16 rifle: one large aperture for close quarters shooting, and a smaller one for finer aiming at distance.

I tested the sights on three separate firearms to see how it held up to different amount of recoil, and if it retained zero when being removed and remounted on the same gun.

The first test rifle was my Bravo Company Machine (BCM) M4-type carbine designed to closely replicate the C8 carbine from Diemaco / Cold Canada. This carbine is chambered in 5.56mm NATO standard ammunition, and is the target firearm the Blackhawk BUIS was designed for.

The previous rear sight I had used was adjustable for elevation, and needed that feature to properly obtain zero at 100 yards. The Blackhawk BUIS lacks that elevation adjustment, but was thankfully within a quarter inch (elevation wise) of factory point of aim. Windage was another story.

Windage was roughly eight inches left of point of impact at 100 yards with the factory setting while using 55 grain Winchester NATO-spec ammunition. Since the Blackhawk BUIS adjusts in half MOA increments, I had to rotate the rear sight wheel 16 clicks to the right.

Once I did so, the sights seemed accurate enough to engage 3-inch targets at 100 yards with 100 percent accuracy – provided I did my part behind the trigger. I then removed the backup iron sight, mounted on my second rifle – a CMMG SR25 clone – and fired two magazines through the gun.

This CMMG is chambered in .308 Win – a cartridge with substantially more recoil than 5.56mm. I did this to try and upset the zero of the rear sight. Upon re-mounting this sight on the M4 carbine, I found no perceivable shift in point of impact.

Lastly, I mounted the sight assembly on my VEPR 12 shotgun, and again fired off two magazines of ammunition. For this test, I only fired heavy, defensive ammo to increase the recoil impulse as much as possible. While my shoulder was sore after the slug/buckshot combination, the sight held zero perfectly.

One final attribute to mention – the BUIS from Blackhawk is Mil-Spec height, so it works perfectly with any standard-height front sight tower. This also means it perfectly cowitnesses with optics designed to do so with Mil-Spec irons. Optics like Eotech’s 552 series and EXPS 2 series of holosights.

Overall, this simple, rugged rear sight may not win any awards for most gizmos or features, but it’s the kind of iron sight that will put up with heavy abuse and serious recoil no problem. The only thing I’d like to see, is this same sight in an FDE color for SCAR rifles.

Steel, in my AR mag well? More likely than you'd think.

I’m a sucker for steel magazines – as a long-time Kalashnikov owner, I can’t help but admire the overbuilt, nostalgic nature of steel mags. Sure, they’re not as high-speed, low-drag as polymer mags, but their increased durability and added heft just ooze quality.

Sadly, most magazine manufacturers today don’t make any magazines for the AR15 in anything other than polymer. Some companies like Okay Industries manufacturers aluminum magazines, but these feel flimsy compared to their magnetic counterparts.

Strangely, SGM Tactical, a company known for its solid quality, yet ultra-affordable polymer Glock and Saiga magazines, has answered my prayers and is now producing high-quality steel magazines for the AR15.

I know what you’re thinking: “That’s neat, but I’m sure they’re expensive and I have plenty of polymer mags, what do I need with these heavy steel things?”

Well, now that the presidential election has concluded in the favor of gun-owners, shooters don’t need to stock up on the cheapest or most plentiful mags. They can now afford a bit of luxury with these heavy-duty mags.

Oh, and about that expensive part – retail on these mags is lower than the price on a Magpul Dynamics PMAG. Manufactured in Korea, these magazines are built from SK5 Steel, and are fully STANAG-compliant.

I personal tested the new magazines in several guns to ensure that it’s in spec. The magazines locked up and ran flawlessly in SIG piston AR15s, Israeli X95 Tavors Armalite AR-180s, even Zastava NPAP 5.56 AK’s with STANAG mag-wells. Ostensibly, these magazines seem like aluminum 30-rounders until a shooter gets a closer look, and handles them.

The first noticeable difference between them and their aluminum brethren, is the outer finish. Unlike most aluminum AR15 magazines that feature a semi-matte gray finish, these are draped in a high-gloss obsidian-black coating.

It almost looks like an ultra-black blued finish, but it’s actually a proprietary electrodeposition coating designed to resist corrosion and abrasion. Basically, a scuff-resistant, glossy black, rust-proof finish. Remember, original aluminum mags can’t rust per se, they can only oxidize. So, instead of eating through the entire material, aluminum just develops a matte gray dulling that actually protects the aluminum underneath.

Steel is obviously different, so a new finish had to be utilized. While it does seem a little flashy for a magazine finish, but as a pragmatist, if it holds up well, I don’t care what color it is.

Overall, with an MSRP of only $12.95, these magazines are sure to be a hit. They offer fans of heavy duty or simply more traditionally-styled magazines a competitively-priced alternative to polymer mags.  As someone whose spent triple that on HK-brand steel magazines, this new SGM product is a welcomed addition to the world of STANAG magazines. Look for them at SHOT Show 2017, where they’ll be formally announced.

Magazine capacity restrictions are a fact of life for many citizens in the United States. Some states and local jurisdictions artificially reduce the number of rounds that a law abiding citizen may have in his or her ammunition feeding device. Many times, these restrictions only allow for 10 rounds, while some areas have different maximum capacities. For example, both Colorado and New Jersey restrict gun owners to magazines that can only hold 15 rounds.

Many companies make 10 round, reduced capacity magazines for handguns and rifles. Unfortunately, there are far fewer options available to gun owners looking for 15-round reduced capacity magazines. Glock, however, has not forgotten about its customers who live in these restrictive areas.

If you own, or would like to own, a Glock 17, but live in a region that prohibits you from possessing a magazine that holds more than 15 rounds take heart. Glock has a 15-round magazine for the Glock 17. These mags are full length G17 feeders with an internal block that prevents loading more than 15 rounds into it. These allow you to have a full size G17 while staying on the right side of the local laws.

Why would someone want to own a Glock 17 with only 15 rounds instead of a Glock 19 that normally holds 15 rounds? Several reasons come to mind: 

• The larger G17 offers a longer grip that may give people with large hands a better hold on the gun.
• The G17 has a longer sight radius that allows for more precise shots at distance.
• With the longer barrel length in the G17, velocity tends to be faster when shooting 9mm ammunition from it when compared to the G19.
• A G17 may be offered at a better price in your local gun shop when you are ready to buy.

Of course, Glock also makes 10-round capacity magazines for other jurisdictions as well, and not just for the Glock 17. Ten-round magazines can also be purchased for all of Glock’s standard sized pistols including the .40 S&W and .357 SIG series of pistols.

Extra Capacity for Compact GLOCKS

Most folks that carry a semi automatic handgun and are serious about concealed carry make sure to carry a spare magazine as often as possible.  A spare mag obviously provides additional ammunition should you be forced into reloading the handgun while responding to a violent encounter, but there are other reasons that may be more important for carrying a spare.  The top of the list for carrying a spare mag as far as I’m concerned is providing a solution for dealing with malfunctions.

Regardless as to why you carry a spare mag you should understand that if you carry a compact GLOCK like the GLOCK 19 or a sub-compact model such as the GLOCK 26, you have options when it comes to the spare mag that you carry.  Your options include brands and magazine capacity.

We will talk about the brands in a bit.  First let’s talk about magazine capacity.  The standard capacity of a GLOCK 17 is 17 rounds in the magazine, for a GLOCK 19, a mag holds 15 rounds, and a GLOCK 26 mag holds 10 rounds.  What is great about GLOCK handguns is that a GLOCK 19 can accept both GLOCK 19 mags as well as GLOCK 17 mags.  A GLOCK 26 can take mags for the 19 and the 17.

There are some great advantages to this versatility. 

GLOCK magazine compatibility can provide extra capacity on reloads.

Whether you are on the range or involved in a self-defense encounter, more ammunition is typically better.  Having higher capacity magazines than you gun typically holds is a great way to increase the capacity of your handgun.  Increasing the capacity of a full-sized GLOCK like a 17 isn’t terribly practical for concealed carry.  Although 21 and 33 round mags exist, they are large, heavy and difficult to conceal.  When it comes to carrying a 17 round magazine compared to a 15 or even a ten rounder, the difference is minimal as far as weight and concealment are concerned.

There are other great advantages as well!

Higher capacity GLOCK magazines can help you keep up with other shooters on the range.

The extra capacity probably won’t ever come into play in a self-defense scenario, but the peace of mind is nice to have.  Where that extra capacity can come into play is when you are training with a compact or sub-compact gun.  During training or practice, you might find yourself running dry before the full size gun guys do.  

In situations where this matters simply stuff you mag pouches with higher capacity mags.  Sure your 19 or 26 will look different with a 17 round mag hanging out of the bottom, but it will perform perfectly and let you keep up with the big guns.

Reloads are easier with compact guns when using higher capacity magazines.

One of the biggest disadvantages of carrying GLOCK 19 or 26 mags for reloads is that they can be difficult to grasp.  Depending on your magazine and magazine pouch combination, you may not have much surface area to grasp when you reach for that spare during a malfunction reload.

Placing a longer, higher capacity magazine into your mag pouch can give you the extra length you need to be able to grasp your magazine firmly and securely when it matters most.

When it comes to GLOCK, versatility is one of the first ideas that comes to my mind.  To keep it simple I gave 9mm examples throughout the post, but the versatility of GLOCK magazines isn’t limited to 9mm handguns.  You will find the same interchangeability in GLOCK magazines of any caliber within the same caliber.

To make it easy for you to find compatible GLOCK magazines simply take a look at this table to see what magazines will work with your GLOCK.

There are plenty of reasons to carry extended spare magazines if you carry a GLOCK that is less than full size.  The additional capacity, the ability to keep up with other shooters on the range and the incresed area to grip the mag in the mag pouch all make sense for most shooters in some situations.  Of course you need to consider your unique situation and determine if carrying a larger capacity reload makes sense for your situation.  the fact remains that most shooters that carry a smaller gun can find some good reasons to own magazines that extend the capacity of their compact or sub-compact GLOCK.

Easily Carry Spare Magazines for Home-Defense

When it comes to selecting a home defense gun, there are a lot of choices to be made.  More often today, folks that are dedicated to protecting themselves and their loved ones when they are at home are turning to the AR-15 Platform.

There are a lot of reasons why the AR-15 can make for an outstanding home defense tool.  The AR is relatively easy to operate, it is light enough that many members of your family can operate it easily.  The recoil from the AR-15 is also light which allows for fast follow up shots even for those that are recoil sensitive.  The AR also allows for magazines of varying capacity so that you can carry a reasonable supply of ammo in the gun.

Carry Spare Rifle Mags for Malfunctions

The AR-15 isn’t perfect.  Although quality AR-15 rifles are typically reliable, the AR can fail just like any other mechanical device.  This is one of the reasons it makes sense to have spare magazines available for your home-defense rifle just like it makes sense to carry a spare mag for your concealed carry handgun.  When dealing with a malfunction you may be forced to jettison the original magazine and reload a fresh magazine.  If you find yourself in that situation you will want to have a spare magazine to reload your rifle.

Spare Mags for Reloads

You also may want to have spare magazines for your home-defense rifle so that you can reload if you run out of ammo.  This isn’t a terribly likely situation, however, having spare ammo and not needing it is a better situation that needing that reload and not having it.

You Need Other Gear, Might As Well Carry Mags

I think the most compelling reason to carry additional magazines for your AR-15 rifle is because you have other items that you need to have with you in case you need to defend yourself and your loved ones in your home.  Medical gear, a hand held light, a phone, a set of keys for your home all make sense to have easily on hand should you find yourself in a scenario where you are forced to defend your home.

Over the Shoulder Bags are a Solution for Spare Mags

You need someplace to put all this gear and in your hands just isn’t going to work.  Stuffing gear into your “pockets” in the middle of the night might be even less ideal.  My preferred tool is a simple over the shoulder bag.  They are available from many manufacturers and you should be able to hold whatever gear you decide you need in that critical situation and the single strap is quick and simple to don.

For years I have been using a shoulder bag from 5.11 called the Rush Bail Out Bag.  It has a shoulder strap which lets you don the bag quickly and is comfortable enough that it will serve all day in a training class.

The three velcro closure magazine pockets on the outside of the bag holds my six Magpul PMAGS right where I need them for fast reloads.  The end pockets work well for your medical gear, and anything else you need can fit in the zippered center pouch.

If you depend on a rifle for home defense, it makes sense to carry spare ammo and one of the easiest ways to make sure you have the gear you need is to stage an over the shoulder bag with your spare ammo and other critical gear.

Remington announced a pair of new polymer pistols that are called the RP9 and RP45 respectively. The two new handguns are full size weapons more suited for home defense and police use that for concealed carry. 

RP9 

The RP9 is chambered in 9mm and each magazine holds 18 rounds, though limited capacity 10-round magazines will also available. Remington selected a 4.5” barrel for these pistols, which definitely puts this gun into the duty gun category. Its overall length is nearly 8” and it is more than 5.5” tall. Unloaded, the gun weighs more than 26 ounces.

Remington eschewed the traditional hammer-fired action on this gun and opted instead for a striker-fired system. According to the company, the trigger pull weight is between 5.5 and 7.0 pounds. Remington claims the pull is light with a crisp break and short reset. The proof will ultimately be in the hands of the guns once they are delivered.

The RP9 has many of the features that handgun shooters have come to see as standard including an accessory rail, undercut trigger guard and interchangeable back straps. With the range of size adjustments made possible by the swappable back straps, Remington claims these pistols will fit 95% of all shooters.

RP45

Very similar to the RP9, the RP45 is a full-size pistol with a polymer frame and striker-fired system. Chambered in .45 ACP, this larger bore gun holds 15+1 rounds with a standard capacity magazine. Remington makes 10 round versions available for residents of states that prohibit citizens from using normal magazines.

What I find interesting is the RP45 has the same external dimensions as the RP9. Typically the .45 ACP cartridge necessitates a wider body. It would seem, therefore, that Remington started this design with the RP45 in mind and then adapted the platform to the 9mm. That seems to follow the same progression that Springfield Armory took with its extremely popular XD-S line of compact pistols.

Since the RP9 and RP45 are both the same size, I would expect that holsters for one should work for the other.

Remington has not started shipping these guns, but I would expect to see the company announce a date at the SHOT Show in January. No word has come from Remington on a suggested retail price either. Rumors puts MSRP at about $500, but I suspect that is a little low. Ruger is well known for making good quality, affordable guns. Its Ruger American Pistol carries a retail price of $579. I would expect Remington to come in at about the same point.

At the recent National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers exposition in Kansas City, Walther Arms introduced a new handgun that should have people sit up and take notice. The new Creed was specifically designed to offer all the great ergonomics and shooting characteristics of the company’s flagship pistols, but at a price that puts it within the reach of nearly anyone needing a defensive firearm.

Designing a gun to be great and inexpensive is one thing. Delivering is another. Can the Creed live up to the Walther reputation?

I recently received a Creed for testing from Walther. I’ve had the chance to get it on the range for some initial testing, and so far, I am very impressed.

General Overview

Before I get into my impressions of the pistol, I better back up and explain what the gun is. The Creed is a full-size handgun that has a polymer body and a hammer-fired, not striker-fired, system.

It has a 4” barrel and a slightly blocky appearance making it great for home defense or open carry. Once security holsters become available, it may also make a very good duty gun for security and law enforcement.

While not ideal for concealed carry, it can certainly be carried that way if needed. Under a winter coat, the gun should hide easily. A light t-shirt as a cover garment in the summer will be a bit tougher.

Although the gun is a double-action, hammer-fired pistol, it does not have a long, heavy pull. Walther uses a system that it describes as a “pre-cocked double-action trigger” that produces a pull that is relatively light at 6.5 pounds. The hammer is bobbed, and the spur stays below the surface of the slide at all times.

Creed pistols are only available in 9mm, though two models are offered. One is a standard capacity model that takes 16 rounds in each magazine. A low capacity, 10-round model is also available for residents of states that limit how many times you can shoot before reloading.

As I mentioned early on, this pistol is aggressively priced. The suggested retail price is only $399. Actual street prices could be considerably lower. Even at full retail, the price compares favorably to other pistols of its size.

One wonders where the company might cut back on production costs to get the retail price so low. Well, the slide is still Tennifer treated, making it very hard and corrosion resistant. The gun ships with two magazines, so the company did not skimp there. Likewise, the company backs the gun with its “Legendary Limited Lifetime Warranty” that includes a stated goal of turning guns around within 48 hours of receiving them for warranty work. Perhaps the cost cutting was achieved through limiting the amount of machining that goes into the slide or an improvement in polymer molding. However they managed the savings, it looks like it was worth the effort.

These guns are already shipping to dealers. Unlike some manufacturers that will make an announcement at the SHOT Show and then take months to deliver, Walther seems to make its announcements only when it is ready to sell the new gun.

A Note About Magazines

A few Walther fans have speculated about the design similarities between the new Creed and the existing PPX pistol. In fact, a few people have suggested the two guns might use the same magazine.

Let me state this in clear terms:

The Walther Creed and Walther PPX (9mm) use the same magazines.

This is a real benefit the Creed offers since many new guns do not have mags and other accessories available for months after introduction.

First Impressions

Well, the real proof of a gun’s worth is on the range. I’ve had the gun on the range for one session of 500 rounds so far, and plan to return soon for more shooting. While I am not finished evaluating the gun, my initial impression of the weapon is quite good. 

The trigger was much nicer than I imagined it would be. Let’s face it, the trigger pull on many budget guns stinks. Not so with the Creed. In fact, it was better that many, more expensive guns.

When you work the slide to chamber a round, the hammer is partially cocked. That way when you pull the trigger to fire, there is a fair amount of take up with a short pull and crisp break. Reset is moderately short with a click that is obvious but not over done like you find on some striker-fired pistols.

Shooting the pistol unsupported with a two-handed grip gave me very nice groups at all distances out to 15 yards. Even with the winning combination of arthritis and inexpensive ball ammo, sub-3” groups were easy to obtain at 15 yards.

Reliability was 100% with all of the ammo I ran. I started with 150 rounds of SIG SAUER 115 gr FMJ and followed with another 150 of Blazer Brass 124 gr FMJ. I then ran a mix of self-defense loads through the gun for another 200 rounds. The personal protection ammo included Winchester PDX1, Federal HST, Speer Gold Dot, Federal BPLE +P+ and Liberty Ammunition’s light and fast 50 grain hollow points. Everything just worked.

For me, Walther pistols tend to fit my hand well. The Creed was no different. While I think the styling looks a little basic, I cannot help but like the feel of the pistol in my hand. The texture provides a great gripping surface without being abrasive on clothing or my hand.

Trigger reach is an often overlooked variable when it comes to accurate shooting, and the Creed works very well for me and my medium sized hands. Everyone built is differently, but I suspect a lot of people will like how the finger is able to address the trigger face on this pistol.

One of the things I discovered about the Creed that I did not see in any of the company’s literature was the ease of slide manipulation. The slab-like sides of the slide give your hand plenty of room to grab to rack it. Beyond that, the resistance to pulling the slide back is minimal.

For an experienced shooter, slide resistance is rarely an issue. However, for someone new to the skill of shooting, running the slide can be a challenge. If the shooter lacks upper body strength, working the slide can be a significant challenge. When I handed the gun to another shooter to try, she also noticed how easy it was to pull the slide back. I consider this a real benefit.

Last Thoughts

I’m still in the process of giving the Creed a full work over, and I expect there will be another 1,000 rounds through the gun before I am done. That said, with 500 rounds through the gun, I am very impressed.

Walther’s new creed has been 100% reliable and is a smooth shooting pistol. I am optimistic it will be as good a performer in the next thousand rounds as it has been in the first 500. If you are looking for an inexpensive defensive pistol, it is worth your attention.

One of the shortcomings of a traditional pump shotgun is ammo capacity low and reloads are typically slow. The standard Mossberg 500 has a magazine tube that holds five rounds in the tube and one in the chamber. That is a total of 6 rounds. Due to the design of the Mossberg 500, you cannot add a magazine extension tube. Even if you could, reloading the Mossberg is not a fast endeavor. There are shell manipulations that one can do such as TWINS or QUAD loading. Those types of manipulations take skill and practice but they do work.

One way to add capacity and decrease reload times is by using a box magazine fed shotgun. Adaptive Tactical has brought this feature to us in the form of a conversion kit for the Mossberg 500. It will also work with Mossberg 590 and Maverick 88 shotguns. The conversion kit only works with Mossbergs because the factory magazine tube can be unscrewed from the receiver. If you are interested in this make sure you have a five round mag tube, Mossberg Persuaders usually have a longer magazine tube of about seven rounds. While you could still remove the magazine tube, the Persuader barrel would not work with the Sidewider Venom Kit.

There are a few different kits. I got the Venom-SE 10 Rnd Box Kit Shotgun Magazine Conversion Kit with 10 Rnd. Box Mag, Wraptor Forend and EX Performance M4 Style Stock

The M4 style stock is nice but a bit of a pain to install. The bolt that screws into the receiver is recessed all the way into the buffer tube of the MF stock. This required a ridiculously long extension with a couple adapters and a handle to reach the bolt and screw the stock onto the receiver.

The installation of the Sidewinder venom kit was straight forward. There is a bit of concern due to how the magazine well lines up with the receiver. Luckily mine lined up pretty well. When I screwed it in all the way, the new tube bottomed out with themag well just past 6 O'clock postion relative to the receiver. So I just backed the tube out just a smidgen.

The Wraptor handle does offer more mounting solutions for accessories. The top rail does allow you to mount a small red dot. However I caution our readers. It will work but there is a lot of rotational movement in the forend and that means your dot will move left and right so it will throw your zero off. The rail sits high enough that you can still aim with the factory bead sight. In the photo below you can see the wraptor handle. My Mossberg is a Roadblocker version and that is why it has the gigantic muzzle brake.

On either side of the forend are black plugs and threaded holes behind them. Those are for the horizontal fore grip (HFG).

I like the HFG since it is closer to me. If you look at the forend in the photo above, you will see a big handstop. That is to protect your hand from being pinched by the mag well when the pump grip moves back.

The magazines come in 5rd and 10rd box mags. Or they come in a 10rd rotary drum magazine

The magazines a bit bulky though. They are almost twice as wide as a .308 AR magazine. So they do not fit in mag pouches unless you made a custom pouch to fit these. The other problem is the shell stop. These magazine are not your traditional magazine. They do not have feed lips. There is a shell stop that keeps the shells inside the magazine from flying out. Once you insert the magazine into the Sidewinder mag well, the shell stop is pushed out of the way. The shells are then pushed up into the mag tube of the shotgun. Then when you pump back, the pump handle pushes a push rod to push the shell back into the shell lifter. Due to this system, traditional magazine will not work. Also if you have a malfunction and need to remove the magazine, the shell that is in the mag tube will fall out and you lose a round.

Going back to the stock, It is comfortable even though the grip is very wide and having length of pull adustment is nice for shorter shooters. Although there is a crucial issue that causes me to not like M4 style stocks and it is not a fault of Adaptive Tactical's design. It is the use of a pistol grip on a Mossberg 500. It is very difficult to almost impossible to activate the pump release button or the safety while keeping your hand on the pistol grip. So it is a compromise running this setup. You will have to shift your grip to switch the safety or the pump release button.

The Sidewinder kit is a unique modification that you can do at home to your Mossberg 500. However it leaves much to be desired. It is fine as a range toy but reliability is comproised and it is not good to have issues in a home defense shotgun. The kit starts at $199 for the basic Vemon kit with 5rd box mag. And you can go all the way with the new handle, stock and 10rd drum mag for $339. They do come dipped in camo and that is another charge. For more information check out Adaptivetactical.com.

When headed out for a day or weekend of shooting, keeping your guns up and running can mean the difference between creating enjoyable memories and sheer frustration. No one wants to get to their favorite range and spend more time clearing jams than pulling the trigger. Here are a few tricks to help keep you shooting.

Pre-Range Check

Before heading out, make sure everything is clean and functioning properly. This seems like a no-brainer, but it is worth mentioning up front. You will be shooting a lot of rounds and introducing a lot of grime into the system. A clean system will run well for a much longer period of time than one with already is gunked up from prior range sessions.

Cleaning

Frequency of cleaning while in the field or at the range is largely dependent on how much shooting you are doing. If you five 50 rounds through your Glock 19, just wait to you get back home. If, on the other hand, you are putting 2,500 rounds of cheap ammo through your gun over the course of a weekend, cleaning it during some down time makes a very good idea.

You want to have a very good portable cleaning kit with you to make the job easy. I’ve got a lot of cleaning tools at home, but I carry a small kit that covers the basics when I head out to do shooting.

Squeeg-E Kit

The Remington Squeeg-E Operator Field Cleaning System is a good choice for keeping in your hunting kit or range bag. It has all of the essentials you need in a single, compact package that keeps things organized. 

A tool to clear and clean the bore is important, but a long rifle rod is simply not reasonable. For this reason, I like the pull-through systems like the one included by Remington. This kit has a flexible, lightweight cable that allows you to snap various brushes to the end so you can clean most major calibers including .223, .308, 9mm and .45. To go with the pull through system, the kit also includes a compact 6” pistol rod for working shorter barrels.

If you are shooting an AR – especially with dirty ammunition – cleaning can be critical when doing volume shooting. Included with the Remington kit is a bronze gas tube brush, carbon scraper and a carbon pick. These can help keep the gas system running smoothly.

Other cleaning tools are included in the kit such as lubricating oil, a nylon brush and a brass punch. The entire package is then included in a zippered case that can slip easily into one of the pockets of your backpack or range bag.

Back in the day...

Remember back when foregrips on guns were one of the chicest, most tactical accessories a gun could have – save for a giant laser or suppressor? When suddenly, they were replaced by the angled foregrip, a new more ergonomic alternative from Magpul that was 100 times more ‘tacticool’ than the traditional vertical grip.

While that was the prevailing logic for a few years, shooters are beginning to understand that both types of grips have their applications. For example, angled foregrips are better suited to thumb-over-bore styling shooting than vertical grips. This is because they allow the shooter to get a more positive grip that still allows their support hand to be rotated into position. This type of shooting is best for countering recoil, but not necessarily muzzle rise.

Conversely, vertical grips are better at countering muzzle rise – this is why these grips were originally designed for fully automatic weapons like assault rifles and submachine guns. Both of these types of firearms tend to suffer from excessive muzzle climb because of their rapid rates of fire.

AVG, VFG, BFG?

For a while, shooters had to choose between the two types of grips and employ them accordingly to their needs and their equipment. This meant that you either had reduced vertical recoil or reduced push – but never both.

This was the likely impetus behind the mini vertical grip. A grip small enough to be utilized with a shark-fin like thumb-over-bore grip, but long enough to be used like a traditional vertical foregrip. One of my favorites, is the TangoDown Stubby Vertical Grip.

Available in Foliage Green, Flat Dark Earth or the ever-popular black, this three-and-a-half-inch grip tips the scales at a featherweight 2.56 oz. Weight on a small plastic component might not seem like a big deal, but when that little plastic grip is hanging off the forearm, every ounce counts. This is because as the distance from the pistol grip increases, so does the leverage or mechanical advantage of that part over the shooter’s firing hand.  

Grades are Weighted...

For example, if the grip weighed about one pound, this wouldn’t change the balance of perceived heft of the gun substantially if said grip were located two inches from the pistol grip. However, if that same grip were mounted just below the front sight tower of say an M4, it would make the gun feel very nose heavy, and as if it weighed five more pounds.

Back to the grip itself – the Tangodown stubby grip is relatively inexpensive, and in my testing, thus far, has fit every Picatinny rail I’ve mounted it to. While pricier versions exist with quick detach throw-levers, the one reviewed uses two spring-loaded pegs that engage between the teeth of the rail itself. To remove or attach, simply pull down of these pegs (small tabs for them are exposed on the outside) and slide over the rail. Once in position, release said pegs and they engage the rail for a secure grip.

Overall, I liken this grip as a solid alternative to offerings from Magpul and others. Between its solid construction, positive lockup and integral water-proof compartment, the Tangodown stubby grip offers a great deal of value for very little cash.

As both competition shooting and GLOCK handguns increase in popularity it makes sense that new accessories are being developed to help pistols like the practical tactical GLOCK 34 compete with other handguns in the action shooting sports.

Elite Tactical Systems has paid attention to the trends in competition and as a result has developed a new competition legal, 9mm, 27 round, 170mm magazine from its, translucent polymer.

ETS has a solid reputation designing and building a wide range GLOCK handgun magazines and mags for AR-15 rifles and it would make sense that this new mag will follow in the footsteps of previous magazines in that it is expected to be both reliable and durable.

 The ETS magazine fits perfectly in gun games like United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) Open Division and severs as a nice compliment to the ETS 22 round, 140mm, USPSA Limited Division legal mag.

The ETS mags, which are compatible with all 9mm GLOCKS generation 1-4, feature polymer that won’t stretch, crack or break when dropped even in extreme heat or cold. The feed lips will hold their dimensions even when stored loaded for long periods of time. The easy to remove base pads make cleaning the mags easy as well and like other mags from Elite Tactical Systems, the polymer is resistant to harsh chemicals.

The nearly clear body of the ETS magazines look interesting and at the same time have some unique benefits.  The clear body makes it easy to see exactly how many rounds are in the magazine, what specific ammunition is loaded in the mag and the overall cleanliness of your magazine.

If you are looking for higher capacity in your GLOCK 17, 19, 26, or 34 or if you need a “big stick” to be more competitive in gun games, ETS now has a legal, reliable and cost effective solution for you.

Česká Zbrojovka, or CZ, is one of the most popular makers of firearms around the world. From the CZ-75 to the modern iteration of the Scorpion, the company has made reliable arms for 80 years. The company’s latest pistol, the CZ P-10 C, is likely to be as popular as any other gun the company has introduced this century. 

The new P-10 C is a striker-fired pistol with a polymer frame. A quick glance at the styling of the gun and it appears the gun maintains the classic lines of the CZ design with a healthy injection of modern features.

Basics

As the C in the name suggests, this pistol is a compact handgun similar in size to the company’s P-07 or the Glock 19. While many of the detailed specifications have not yet been released, the gun seems to fit that size that bridges the duty-sized pistol and the concealed-carry gun making it suitable for both, though with some compromises.

Initially, CZ will offer the gun in 9mm with a .40 S&W version to roll out later. The 9mm pistol will use 15 round flush fitting magazines, with extended 17 round magazines available later. No word on .40 S&W magazine capacities, but I would expect 12 rounds in a flush magazine. Two magazines will ship with the pistol.

The P-10 C has the same size magazine as the P-07, and the P-10 C magazines will work in the P-07 pistols. However, the current P-07 magazines will not function properly in the P-10 C. The reason? The P-10 C has an ambidextrous magazine release that requires an additional cut in the magazine body. I would expect that future P-07 magazines will work in the P-10 C, but for now, the compatibility is backward only.

Ergonomics

In addition to the magazine release, the slide stop lever is also ambidextrous. Since there are no external safeties, this makes the gun completely ambidextrous for all of your southpaw shooters.

Regardless of which hand is dominant, the company makes the gun fit the hand pretty well. CZ undercut the trigger guard to allow you to get a higher grip on the pistol. This will allow you to better control muzzle flip during recoil.

For shooters with large and small hands, the company also designed the gun with interchangeable back straps. While this won’t give you a true custom fit, it certainly goes a long way to ensuring your trigger reach is good.

Cost

Anyone can design a good gun if price is no object. However, to deliver a solid pistol at a reasonable price can be a challenge. Walther did it with the budget friendly Creed. Now CZ is trying with the P-10 C.

According to the company, the MSRP will be around $499. For a gun designed to compete with Glock, Smith & Wesson and others – that’s an attractive price. The company is expecting to begin shipping these to dealers in early 2017. 

Italian Firearms Group is now importing a sexy new gun called the Howdah 45/410. Made by Pedersoli in Italy, the new gun is a pistol that resembles a sawed-off shotgun that you imagine might have been carried to defend a stagecoach moving the payroll for a railroad crew. In fact, the double trigger gun is modeled after the Auto & Burglar pistol made by Ithaca nearly 100 years ago.

The new gun is not a scattergun, but a pistol with rifling in both of the side by side barrels. Chambered for the .45 Colt cartridge, the gun will also fire .410 bore shotshells much like the popular Taurus Judge series of revolvers. The barrels are both a little more than 10” in length and can chamber 3” shotshells in addition to the 2.75” ones.

I was fortunate enough to get one of these early production guns for testing, and so far I’ve had a blast with it. It is not what I would deem the ideal home defense weapon due to its low capacity and somewhat unwieldy manner. However, I do love the look and workmanship of the gun.

The barrels have a fine black finish and the receiver has a color case hardened finish. Both the stocks and the fore end are beautiful polished hard wood with fine checkering. The gun is just plain pretty.

It is, as one might expect from a double gun, somewhat heavy toward the front end. It can be aimed and shot one handed, though the use of two hands is definitely preferred. Up front, it has a brass colored sight on a ramp with a folding leaf-type V sight in the rear. 

A tang mounted manual safety is automatically activated when the breach is opened. Once loaded, slide it forward and the gun can be shot.

Sometimes guns have a very specific purpose related to serious business: self-defense, police work or putting food on the table. Other guns can remind us that shooting can be fun and beautiful guns can be collected without there being a need for a tactical application. I feel the Howdah is one of these. Though it can be used – quite effectively, I would imagine – to repel boarders, I think this would be one of my fun guns instead of a work gun.

I’m normally a multi-caliber can kind of guy – I like mitigating the costs of owning a suppressor by purchasing a single unit that works with multiple guns of multiple calibers. And while this is the most pragmatic choice, it does have some drawbacks.

For instance, larger-caliber cans tend to be excessively heavy and bulky. After a year or so, I became accustomed to the added weight of running a .45-caliber suppressor on my SIG P226 9mm. Then I had a chance to run a very lightweight can from Liberty -the Silencer Shop-provided, Liberty Centurion.

The Centurion only weighs about eight ounces, but the addition of a booster (which is necessary for running any can on non-fixed barrel firearms) raises that weight to 12.5 ounces. This is roughly an ounce heavier than my aluminum can, but it’s also 2.5 inches shorter.

Despite the added weight, the Centurion feels much lighter, because it’s weight is close to the center of the pistol. Like most pistol-caliber cans, the Centurion utilizes pistons to interface with the muzzles of differently-threaded handguns. So while the uncommon 13.5 LH thread pitch of my SIG is only shared with HK and SIG firearms (yes, even the MPX) the pistol isn’t limited to those platforms.

Simple use a pin wrench or the included tool, and remove the front then the piston inside. Replace the piston with a differently-threaded version, and re-install the base cap, and you’re in business.

I tested the can on three separate firearms that shared the same thread pitch on their muzzles: the SIG P226, the HK VP9 Tactical and the SIG MPX SBR. All three guns ran without issue with the Centurion installed, and all were pleasantly quiet when paired with subsonic ammunition.

I especially enjoyed using the Centurion on my MPX, as it kept the gun light and handy, and seemed to produce less gas blowback into the shooter’s face than my Osprey 45. While not quite as quiet as the Osprey 45, the reduced heft and length more than makes up for this to all but the most sound-sensitive shooters. Plus, the Liberty-made can is more than $200 cheaper.

Overall, if you’re looking for a slim-line can for your 9mm SBR, carbine or pistol, and don’t want to turn it into a nose-heavy, bulky beast – the Liberty Centurion strikes an almost ideal balance of weight, price size and cost. 

Advantages of a 9mm Carbine For Training and Pleasure

There are few guns that I enjoy shooting more than my AR-15’s.  There is something about the ability to insert a 30 round magazine and quickly engage targets from 0-250 yards with relative ease.  It is fun and since my AR-15 is my home defense gun, shooting it can be practical from a training standpoint as well.  The AR-15 doesn’t come with out some disadvantages as well.

That is where a fun gun like a 9mm AR-15 can slide in to fill a void in your enjoyment and in your training regimen.  Let’s take a look at some of the advantages that a 9mm can provide over your trusty AR-15.

Ammunition Cost

Those that spend a lot of time on the range quickly find out that buying guns isn’t the expensive part of shooting.  Instead it is the ammo.  A serviceable AR-15 off the shelf can be expected to retail for less than $900.  That is less than the cost of 3000 rounds of .223/5.56 ammunition at late 2016 prices.

3000 rounds of ammo sounds like a boat load, but in fact, it is pretty common to shoot 1000 rounds in a 2 day defensive training course.

When we consider the cost of 9mm ammunition  in comparison to the typical caliber of the AR, the price tends to be around 30% less.  That amounts to a savings of around $0.10 per round.  If you are shooting a decent volume of rounds, this can add up to enough savings to purchase an additional rifle.  With the 31 round GLOCK mags from ETS, the cost of magazines is pretty much a wash.

That sounds like a win to me!

Barrel Life

Speaking of shooting in high volume, the barrel on your AR-15 has a life expectancy and it might not be quite as long as you think.  When it comes to barrels chambered in .223/5.56 life expectancy varies widely depending on the ammo that you shoot.  If you prefer the cheap stuff you can begin to see a drop off in accuracy in as little as 5000 rounds.  Ammunition from reputable manufacturers (think U.S. based big names) can extend the life of your barrel to as much as 10,000-25,000 rounds depending on the barrel itself and your style of shooting.

With 9mm, it seems the sky is the limit.  Because the 9x19 is a much lower pressure round, erosion at the throat of the barrel (This is where your 5.56 AR is going to wear out first) is minimal and your 9mm barrel will just be breaking in when you are replacing your typical AR barrel chambered in an intermediate cartridge.

Pistol Caliber Positives

The intermediate cartridges that AR-15’s are typically chambered in like the 5.56 NATO or .223 Remington are certainly good calibers, but there are situations where a pistol caliber has some advantages, especially when it comes to recreation.

I like to shoot steel.  A lot.  When it comes to rifles and steel, however, distance is required.  Most steel targets are rated for rifle calibers at 100 yards or greater.  This is for the safety of the steel and the shooter.

For me, this is a problem.  In addition to shooting steel a lot, I like to shoot it fast.  Shooting rapidly at close range provides for more realistic defensive training and it’s more fun.

The standard safe distance from steel targets with 9mm is generally accepted at 10 yards.  That is a world of difference and the close range fits much more into what I am looking for when it comes to training and recreation.

Final Thoughts

A pistol caliber carbine like a 9mm AR-15 isn’t for everyone.  The additional cost might not be worth it when it comes to ammo and barrel life if you aren’t shooting a high volume of rounds, and if you simply enjoy punching paper at your local range, the ability to safely shoot steel in close might not factor in.  For me however, a 9mm AR makes complete sense because it is practical, economical and fun.  What about you?

Just weeks ahead of the 2017 SHOT Show, Bushmaster announced a new AR-15 rifle called the Minimalist-SD. The new gun is designed to be light and rugged with a feature set that should please a large number of shooters. Rifles will be offered in both 5.56 NATO and 300 BLK.

Starting with the core of the rifle, the Minimalist uses a forged 7075 receiver with a black hard coat anodized finish. The upper matches the lower in both construction and finish. 

Out front, Bushmaster opted for a 16” barrel made of 4150 CMV steel with a lightweight profile for the 5.56 and a heavy profile for the 300 BLK. The barrel is treated with a ferritic nitrocarburizing process – likely a Melonite treatment – and has either a 1:8” twist (5.56) or a 1:7” twist (300 BLK.)

Wrapped around the barrel is an AAC Square Drop hand guard. Made of aluminum and black anodized, the hand guard is free floated. The Square Drop has a Picatinny rail in the 12 o’clock position and KeyMod attachment points at seven angles around the surface of it.

The pistol grip, 30-round magazine and stock are all provided by Mission First Tactical. MFT magazines are a bit of an unknown to me, so I would opt to use 30-round Lancer Advanced Warfighter mags if I was planning to use this rifle as a self-defense tool or patrol rifle. The Lancer magazines use a polymer body with hardened steel feed lips for excellent durability. Additionally, the anti-tilt follower used by Lancer is said by some to be one of the best in the industry.

The MFT Minimalist stock is used, which matches the low weight design of this rifle. It is adjustable for length and has a QD attachment point for a sling. A rubber buttpad finishes off the stock and provides a solid mount when shouldering the rifle.

A really nice add-on is the use of the ALG Defense Advanced Combat Trigger (ACT.) I’ve become a fan of ALG Defense products and the ACT is one of those that I really like. This trigger is similar to a standard milspec trigger, but one that is very smooth and polished instead of gritty like some of the factory triggers on AR rifles.

The 5.56 NATO version of this rifle weighs in right at six pounds unloaded. The 300 BLK variant is a little heavier at 6.3 pounds. Both guns carry a MSRP of $1,169.

For some reason, there is some question about the usefulness of the AR-15 for hunting. I suppose part of it comes from the appearance of the AR platform since it does not have the traditional lines and wood of the stereotypical hunting rifle. Whatever the case, I’m here to tell you that the AR-15 is perfectly acceptable, and in some cases even a superior choice, for hunting.

Size & Shape

While the shape of the gun may turn some people off to the idea of hunting with an AR, the fact is the gun is very adaptable to shooters of all sizes. The adjustable stock found on most AR-15 rifles helps the gun to fit smaller framed hunters, while the light weight of the guns is easily managed by even youngsters who are still learning.

Something else about the AR platform that has made close in hunting easier has been the advent of red dot and other reflex style sights. Companies like EO Tech design 1x and magnifying optics that make taking the shot easier and faster than ever.

Caliber

One big advantage the AR-15 has over other platforms is the ease with which calibers can be changed. For hunters looking to take varmints and predators, the standard .223 Rem cartridge is often a good choice. For someone looking to take hogs or deer, a quick upper swap will get you into a 300 BLK. For similar performance with less expensive practice, you can shoot 7.62x39 with an upper swap, dropping in a new bolt and new magazine.

If big bore hunting is your thing, you can go with .450 Bushmaster, .458 SOCOM or even .50 Beowulf. Looking for a long-range kill? Consider the 6.5 Grendel or 6.8 SPC. In fact, there are some very good arguments that both the 6.5 and 6.8 make the best all-around hunting cartridges in the AR. 

More traditional rifle cartridges are available in the AR-10/SR-25 platform. Like the AR-15, the AR-10/SR-25 guns tend to be larger and heavier but with the ability to chamber cartridges like the .308 Win and .270 Win.

Magazines

Many hunting jurisdictions restrict the number of cartridges that can be carried in the gun when hunting. It is important to know your state’s hunting regulations and to work within those. Right or wrong, hunting with an AR-15 can draw more attention than doing so with grandpa’s old Winchester. So, you want to make sure you are within the law with the magazines you use.

Fortunately, 5-round magazines for the AR-15 are available for all of the calibers you might use. As one might expect there are a fairly large variety for the .223/5.56 caliber. Several cartridges, like the 300 BLK, will also run in these .223/5.56 magazines. Other cartridges, like the 6.5 Grendel and 7.62x39, will work best in magazines specifically designed for them.

Hopefully, this gives you some things to consider if you are thinking about hunting with your AR-15. Feel free to share any additional benefits you can think of in the comments section below.

Leading up to the 2015 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, one of the most frequent questions I heard in the gun industry was “When will Glock release a single stack 9mm pistol?” It was at that show that the folks from Smyrna, Georgia arrived with a slim pistol dubbed the G43. 

If the local gun shops near me are any indication, the compact gun is a genuine hit. No one seems to be able to keep them in stock.

I had an opportunity to shoot one of the first G43 pistols before the NRA show, and was fortunate enough to pick one up shortly thereafter. I shot and carried it for several months before giving it a thumbs up. Now that I’ve had it for more than a year, I thought it might be good to re-visit the pistol and let you know how its fared.

Original Impressions

When I first shot the G43, I was not impressed. The gun simply didn’t “speak to me” like other guns do when you pick them up. My initial shooting with the gun was also lackluster.

Fortunately for me, I didn’t stick with my first impression and wanted a second look at the gun. I’m glad I decided to give the gun another go as it quickly became one of my favorite compact pistols.

Glock sent me a review gun for testing and I really put the gun through the wringer on the range. With all kinds of ammunition, the gun was both reliable and accurate. Frankly, I still don’t know why I didn’t like the gun at my first introduction to it.

I wound up really liking the diminutive pistol, and started carrying it for self-defense. I’ve also recommended it to others for the same purpose.

But now, I’ve had the gun for nearly 18 months. What are my current feelings toward this pistol?

A Year of Shooting

During my initial testing of the gun, I ran a dozen different self-defense and practice loads through the G43. All performed 100%.

Since then, I have shot many more rounds through this gun. While quite a bit of the ammo has been 115 and 124 grain FMJ loads (Blazer, Federal and SIG SAUER mostly,) I have also shot quite a few new personal protection loads through the gun.

So far, I’ve not had a single malfunction with this gun. Everything just shoots. This includes my preferred carry load, the Federal HST 124 gr +P. Out of this gun, the load has been extremely accurate.

A Year of Carrying 

The durability of Glock pistols is near legendary. I’ve seen a lot of abused guns in my career as a police officer, and the Glock products always seemed to resist corrosion and outright negligent care very well.

I’ve been gratified to see that the G43 has weathered regular use well. Carried inside the waistband with the slide exposed to my skin, the pistol seems no worse for the wear. I’ve been using the Blackhawk A.R.C. holster quite a bit, and this rig has not left any visible marks on the gun.

I have also tested a number of other holsters with this pistol including a Yeti-Tac IWB and several rigs from Dara Holsters. Be sure to check out my Glock 43 holster list for a complete run down of everything I’ve tried and recommend. 

I’ve found the pistol to be a bit big for pocket carry. However, for IWB, I like the gun a lot. I tend to carry on the strong side, just behind the hip. The gun virtually disappears in this position.

In the appendix position, the gun also carries nicely. This is not my favorite position, but it works for a lot of people and there are a number of nice carry rigs that make this a great concealment location.

While I am not a fan of ankle carry for most circumstances, it does have its place. The good news is the G43 works very well in this location. I always found the double stack G26 to be a bit thick here. The G43 is thin enough to be the perfect size on the ankle.

Must Have Accessories

Out of the box, the G43 is ready to go. If you plan on carrying it for self-defense, there are a number of things to think about adding to the mix. Obviously, a holster is important.

I strongly encourage people to pick up at least two additional magazines for this pistol. Glock ships a pair of them with the gun: one for the gun and a second to carry as a spare. However, if you train with and carry the same magazines, you are putting a lot of wear on what is arguably the most likely point of failure in the gun.

Extra Glock 43 magazines are cheap and you can afford at least two of them. Once you buy them, mark the ones you will use for training, and don’t worry when they hit the floor.

Weapon lights are available for this pistol from both Streamlight and Crimson Trace. I’ve tried both, and both work well. However, I found the Crimson Trace unit was brighter, easier to operate and it seemed to be constructed better.

Final Thoughts

I think the G43 is a fine weapon for self-defense. Like any compact pistol, it has its limitations, but within those it does exceptionally well. It is reliable, accurate and an easy shooter. I carry it almost daily, and expect that I will regularly carry it in the future. 

Is it the best single stack 9mm pistol on the market? That’s tough to say. There are several good choices out there, and I do like it better than the offerings from Kahr and several others. The XD-S from Springfield Armory is a strong contender, though I’m not a fan of the grip safety. Likewise the Smith & Wesson Shield is a solid choice.

The strongest competition to the Glock 43 for me is the Walther PPS M2. Both guns share many general characteristics, but I’ve found the Walther fits my hand better which leads to slightly better accuracy, better recoil control and faster shooting. My wife put her Shield away and now carries the Walther, and I may do the same in the future. For now, I’m content with the G43 and I would never try to talk anyone out of choosing it for their own defensive needs.