Pistols

Glock 30SF – “Short Frame” Pistol in .45 ACP

The new Glock 30SF follows the path started by the Glock 21. Â Shown at the 2008 SHOT Show was the all new .45 ACP polymer pistol from the Austrians.

Based on the original model 30, the SF is a compact, double-stack pistol chambered for the cartridge John Moses Browning madeÂ legendary. Â This version of the pistol shaves about 3mm from the backstrap to improve the overall girth of the pistol. Â This fits the hand of more people than the seemingly oversized grip on the standard Glock 30.

This handgun has the standard Glock rail (not a Picatinny rail). Â Additionally, it has the standard left-side-only magazine release. Â The Glock 21SF introduced an ambidextrous safety, but this model does not have the ambi-safety.

Springfield XD with Thumb Safety

by: Richard Johnson 37 Comments

Springfield Armory introduced a new version of the popular .45 ACP XD Service Pistol. This model adds an ambidextrous thumb safety on the frame that closely mirrors the function of thumb safeties on the 1911 handguns. The thumb safety was placed far back on the frame to make it relatively easy to manipulate.

The Springfield XD pistols have been described by some as a modern day 1911, and in fact the Springfield XD does draw much of it’s inspiration from the 1911. I have talked with numerous 1911 shooters who were never impressed by the Glock pistols, but who are enamored with the XD line. Â Many 1911 shooters appreciate the grip safety that is standard on XD pistols. Â 1911 handguns also use a grip safety.

The Springfield XD has not had a thumb safety until this model. Â For devotees of John Moses Browning, the addition of the thumb safety makes this a much closer pistol to the modernized 1911 concept.

Taurus 845 .45 ACP Pistol

by: Richard Johnson 17 Comments

Just announced is the Taurus 845 pistol chambered in the very popular .45 ACP cartridge. Â This completes the company’s 800-series of firearms which includes the original 809 in 9mm and the also new 840 in .40 S&W.

The new 845 uses a double stack magazine which holds 12 rounds. Â Including one in the chamber, that gives the shooter 13 rounds of .45, which is enough to end nearly any fight.

The new 840 packs a 17+1 capacity if you are interested in that handgun.

Taurus 845 Pistol

caliber	.45 ACP
standard magazine capacity	12 rounds
barrel length	4"
safety	three position manual
MSRP	$497.00

All of the pistols in the 800 series are polymer framed and strike fired. Additionally, all of the pistols have the “second strike” capability, which is a feature that a growing number of shooters desire. The 800 series pistols have an external thumb safety/decocker.

Bob Morrison, President of Taurus International, said on Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk that all three of the pistols were in production now, and that they would be on the shelves in April.

Ruger SR9 Pistol with OD Green Frame

by: Richard Johnson 2 Comments

At the 2008 SHOT Show, Ruger announced that their run-away hit pistol, the Ruger SR9, will now be available with an OD green frame.

One of the thinnest, full sized handguns in production, the Ruger SR-9 has quickly become very popular with the self-defense and concealed carry buyers. Now with the availability of the OD green frame, Ruger’s customers have one additional way to customize their pistol.

The SR9 with the OD green frame and blackened stainless slide retails for $565 and comes with two 17 round magazines. Â It is otherwise the same gun with the same features as the original Ruger SR9. Â It will be interesting to see if the company introduces any additional frame colors or variations to this line of pistols. Â I could see something in flat dark earth or coyote brown being of interest. Â Likewise a pink pistol could be popular with some folks.

Often times, a company will make a limited run of pistols for specific distributors or dealers if enough are ordered at one time. Â Ruger frequently work with Davidsons and other companies to make limited edition pistols and rifles. Â It is possible we will see more variations of the SR9 in the future.

Editor’s note: Â This gun has since been discontinued. Â It was only in production for a limited time. Â If you have one, you might want to hold onto to it. Â I am surprised that this gun did not do much better (sales-wise) than it did. Â Generally, OD- and FDE- (flat dark earth) framed handguns have sold well in recent years. Â If anyone is interested, I will ask a Ruger rep about any future frame colors at the next SHOT Show.

Since the time this article was written, Ruger expanded the SR-line of pistols to include the SR40 and SR45 handguns in .40 S&W and .45 ACP calibers respectively.

Ruger LCP Pistol in .380 ACP

by: Richard Johnson 58 Comments

Sturm, Ruger and Company just released a new concealed carry handgun: the Ruger LCP . Â The new handgun is chambered for the moderately powered .380 ACP cartridge.

According to Ruger, the “LCP” initials stand for Lightweight Compact Pistol. Â It would appear it gets that name for good reason. Weighing only 9.4 oz unloaded, the polymer framed gun has an overall length of only 5.16″ and a width of a mere 0.82″. The barrel is 2.75″ long and the trigger pull is an even 8 pounds.

Although the new pistol looks like a Kel-Tec P3AT, Stephen L. Sanetti, president of Sturm, Ruger & Co., was quick to point out that the LCP is not cheaply made during an appearance on the Gun Talk radio program. Sanetti told Tom Gresham, the radio show host, that the LCP has a machined extractor, loaded chamber indicator, and a slide stop (hold open) which are features not found on other brands of pistols in this category.

Smith and Wesson M&P Pistols Adopted by 276 Police Departments

by: Richard Johnson 24 Comments

Smith and Wesson has encountered a great deal of success with their M&P line of pistols. These polymer pistols have taken the shooting world by storm, and 2008 looks like another good year for M&P sales.

Polymer duty pistols were once the exclusive domain of Glock, but no more. “To date, 276 domestic law enforcement agencies have purchased, approved for purchase, or approved for on-duty carry” the Smith and Wesson M&P line of pistols said Leland Nichols, president of Smith and Wesson Corporation.

The latest agency to place an order for M&P40 pistols is the Colorado Springs Police Department. The CSPD order of 500 M&P40 pistols is separate from the order of 850 M&P pistols made by the Colorado State Police earlier in the week.