Author: Richard Johnson

Richard Johnson is an American author, editor and entrepreneur.

A former police officer and trainer, he left public service and founded Tac6 Media, LLC.

Richard is a prolific writer with hundreds of articles related to firearms and law enforcement published by Harris Publications, Athlon Outdoors, NRA, Police & Security News, The Firearm Blog, Human Events and more.

Categories
Handguns

S&W M&P15-22P Pistol

Smith & Wesson announced a new AR-style pistol chambered in .22 LR: the M&P15-22P. The M&P 15-22P is a polymer framed semi-auto pistol based on the S&W M&P 15-22 rifles.

The new S&W handgun has a 6″ carbon steel barrel with a 1:15 twist, and weighs 51 ounces (unloaded). The detachable magazine holds 25 rounds of .22LR ammunition. This is the same standard capacity magazine that is used in the M&P15-22 rifle. So, if you have one of those, you can swap mags between the two guns.

The M&P 15-22P features a full-length optics rail along the top of the gun, and a mini-quad rail for lasers, lights, can openers and Romulan cloaking devices. A swivel point attachment is also included for attaching a single point sling.

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Categories
Handguns

Rock River Arms LAR-40 Pistol

I have to admit the Rock River Arms LAR-40 pistol is a head-scratcher for me. This is one of those guns that I just don’t get. Let me explain…

The RRA LAR-40 is a AR-15 style firearm chambered in the .40 S&W pistol round and configured as a pistol. You can get them with a seven inch or 10.5 inch barrel with an A2 or A4 upper. Overall length on the seven inch model is 23 inches with an unloaded weight of 4.8 pounds. The 10.5 incher weighs 5.2 pounds in the A2 configuration and measures 26.5 inches overall.

The pistols use an UZI-style stick magazine (only one is included). Retail prices run from $1120 to $1180 depending on configuration. But…what’s the point?

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Handguns

Kel-Tec PMR-30 in .22 Magnum

Kel-Tec PMR 30

Kel-Tec had the new PMR-30 on display at the 2010 SHOT Show. The PMR-30 is a pistol designed around the .22 WMR (aka .22 Magnum) cartridge. The double stack magazine holds 30 rounds of the mighty rimfire, hence the “-30” designator in the name.

Kel-Tec was not at the range for Media Day, so we did not have a chance to shoot this new pistol. However, I did get a chance to play with it at the Show. There were things I liked, and disliked, about the gun.

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Categories
Handguns

Taurus SLIM 708 in .380 ACP

The Taurus SLIM 708 pistol in .380 ACP was one of two new SLIM pistols announced at the 2010 SHOT Show. The Taurus SLIM 740 in .40 S&W was the other. The Taurus 708 is modeled on the very popular 9mm SLIM introduced by Taurus in 2009.

The 708 is a compact pistol that holds seven .380 ACP rounds in the magazine plus one in the chamber. It can be had with a blued or stainless steel finish. Barrel length is 3.2″ and weighs only 19 ounces unloaded.

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Categories
Handguns

Les Baer Boss .45 1911

Inspired by the 1970 Boss 429 Mustang, Les Baer introduced the Boss .45 1911 pistol at the 2010 SHOT Show. The new Boss 1911 is a good looking pistol, with some solid features from one of the best known 1911 builders in the USA.

The Boss is based on Baer’s Premier II pistol, with added features “…to really make it the Boss of custom .45s.” The Boss is guaranteed to shoot three inch groups at 50 yards. MSRP is $2109.

For those of you that do not know, Ford made the Boss 429 Mustang in 1969 and 1970 only. The massive 429 cubic inch engine had to be squeezed into the Mustang’s engine compartment by Kar Kraft, an outside assembly facility contracted by Ford. The Boss 429 was one of the most powerful production, drag-ready cars made at the height of the muscle car era.

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