Colt is set to re-introduce the 9mm New Agent pistol at the 2010 SHOT Show. The diminutive 1911-style handgun features a 3″ barrel, slicked sights, and a captive recoil spring assembly.
The New Agent will use the Series 80 firing system.
MSRP will be around $1000.
Hi-Point will introduce updated carbines at the 2010 SHOT Show. The new carbines will feature a quad-rail fore end and a skeletonized butt stock. The new carbines will come standard with ghost-ring sights, but the shooter will have to option of adding other sight systems including 4x scopes and red dot-style optics.
The carbines will be offered in 9mm and .40 S&W.
Let’s face it: other than Smith & Wesson, no one likes the internal locks that have plagued the S&W line of revolvers for years now. I know of many people, myself included, who have passed on buying a new S&W revolver because of the infernal things. Well, things may be changing.
Last year, Smith & Wesson claimed to have found a batch of old, pre-lock frames for the the 642. So, the company ran a rather limited production of them. I guess they sold pretty well, as S&W is now offering the 442 and 642 revolvers without internal locks.
Called the ‘Pro Series’ the new 442 and 642 revolvers, feature the standard 1 7/8″ barrel and ‘hammerless’ profile of the traditional 442 and 642 handguns. Two major differences stand out. The first is the lack of internal safety. The second is the cylinder is cut for full-moon clips.
Smith & Wesson has not published a MSRP, so let’s hope this is not another limited production run.
In addition to the S&W 642, Smith & Wesson announced several of their J-frame revolvers were getting longer barrels.
The 637 and 638 will both be available with a 2 1/2″ barrel (up from the 1 7/8″ barrel) and full length extractors. Additionally, buyers have the option of buying one of the handguns with Crimson Trace Lasergrips factory installed.
MSRP is $640 for the standard models or $924 for the models with the CT Lasergrips.
Smith & Wesson is updating one of their best selling handguns: the model 642. The 642 is an aluminum framed .38 Special revolver that is carried by thousands of cops and armed citizens as a pocket or ankle gun. In fact, it may be the most popular back-up gun in the United States.
The new S&W 642 features a 2 1/2″ barrel and a full-length, shrouded extractor. The current 642′s have a 1 7/8″ barrel and a diminutive extractor.
The new 642 has a pinned, black blade front sight, the standard fixed rear notch and the seemingly “hammerless” fully enclosed hammer. Unloaded weight is only up to 16 ounces, and the overall length is 7″.
Picture courtesy of SaysUncle.com
The Generation 4 Glock pistols are almost here. As the 2010 SHOT Show approaches, information and photos have leaked regarding what new features the Glocks will have. Glock, of course, has not officially commented.
Dennis Tueller confirmed several of my prognostications and other information in the December 25 edition of the Handgun Podcast. Tueller was a guest in episode #79, and he briefly talked about the new Glock pistols.
Adjustable Backstraps
Tueller confirmed the adjustable backstraps that I first reported on back in June. “What they’ve done…they reduced approximately 1/8″ off the backstrap,” said Tueller. “So the standard pistol, the Generation 4 pistol, will have a smaller all-around grip.”
Wander by the Barnes Bullets website, and you will discover the site has been taken off-line until after January 1. Barnes states the site is in a transition phase, with the new site featuring an improved area for members of the Copper Club.
I would assume the site refresh will also feature new products that we will see at the 2010 SHOT Show.
The on-line store is still available, and you can order any of the current Barnes Bullets products.
Kenn Blanchard, the Pastor of Paladins, Patriots and Pistoleros, released a new episode of the Urban Shooter Podcast. Episode #145, Living for the City, covers all sorts of topics, including an interview of Rick Ector, a firearms instructor in notoriously anti-gun Detroit.
Also in Episode #145:
Get a new gun for Christmas? Congratulations! Owning a firearm is a very positive thing, but it comes with the very serious responsibility of safe handling, storage and use.
Handling
A firearm will never discharge without human intervention. This means a loaded gun laying on the table is no threat to anyone, unless a person walks over and begins to handle it. So, the firearms community developed a set of four rules to follow when handling a firearm.
All firearms are always loaded – Always treat a firearm as if is loaded. Even if you just checked it, always assume it is loaded. There are many cases where someone thought the gun was unloaded, and tragedy struck because it was not.
Never point the gun at anything you are not willing to destroy – Don’t point a gun at your friends, wife, husband, dog, TV or anything else that would be hurt, killed or destroyed by a bullet. If you accidentally discharge a firearm that is pointed in a ‘safe’ direction, no one is killed. If you are pointing the gun at a loved one…
Always know your target and what lays beyond – If you are not 100% sure about what you are shooting, don’t pull the trigger! A rustle in the bushes may be another hunter, not a deer. Someone trying to get in the front door late at night could be your teenager coming home late, not a burglar.
Also, you might miss. So be certain the area around and behind your target is safe before taking the shot. Missing the target and hitting your buddy will ruin his, and your, life.
Keep your finger off of the trigger until you are ready to shoot - Don’t touch the trigger until you are ready to shoot. As Eric Shelton of the Handgun Podcast says “Keep your booger-hook off the bang-switch.” Crude, but visual. Follow this rule and you should never have a problem.
If you examined any gun related accident, I imagine you would find that one or more of these rules were violated. Follow these rules -always-, and you will likely never have an accident. Deviate from these rules, and you invite disaster.
Storage
If you are not using the gun, keep it locked up. A gun laying out invites curious hands, such as a child or a ignorant guest. Also, if you are not home, a burglar is less likely to steal it if it is locked away.
Read the Manual
I know…no one ever reads the manual. But you should! A firearm’s manual contains valuable information, such as how the gun disassembles for cleaning, and the right caliber of ammo to shoot. Don’t assume all ammo is the same. You may own a 9mm, but is that a 9mm Parabellum? Or 9mm Makarov, 9×21, 9mm Largo, 9mm Browning, 9×23, or… well, I guess you get the idea.
If you follow safe handling practices, your firearm can be a great tool for self defense, hunting and sport shooting. Always keep in mind that you are the ultimate safety, and any mechanical safeties on a firearm are only as good as the user.
Merry Christmas to all of our readers. I sincerely appreciate your continued readership.