Handguns

In the April 2009 issue, our test team shot and evaluated three high-end custom full-size 1911s: the Combat Custom, $2895, from Luke Volkmann of Volkmann Custom Inc.; Wilsons CQB, $2550, and Les Baers Premier II Super-Tac, $2280. Attempting to pick the best one was anything but easy. They were all excellent. But we graded the Wilson CQB as the best of that trio. At the same time we also shot and evaluated a fourth product, but held back the test data for this special report because the gun was massively more expensive and harder to get than the other three. This follow-up will cover a Michiguns 45 Commander Custom, about $5000, available from Ned Christiansen. If you want a gun from Michiguns, be prepared to wait five or six years. Christiansens innovative touches and incredible machining skills (hes a one-man shop) have vaulted him to the top echelon of gunsmiths, with a resultant huge backlog. As before, we tested with four types of ammunition, Black Hills hardball, Federal 185-grain Hi-Shok JHP, Cor-Bon 230-grain JHP, and with cast-lead, 230-grain round-nose Ultramax. We tested during a severe winter in Idaho, and thus had trouble achieving the guns full accuracy potential. With the Federal 185-grain JHPs, the Commander bested the CQB slightly, with an average group size of 1.5 inches to 1.6 inches. The margin was a little wider with the Cor-Bon 230-grain JHPs, with the Commander shooting average group sizes of 1.4 inches compared to the CQBs 2.0-inch average. The measurements with the Ultramax 230-grain cast roundnose had the Commander in front 1.4 inches to 1.7 inches, and likewise for the Black Hills 230-grain ball, 1.3 inches to 1.6 inches. All were five-shot groups fired at 15 yards.

WESTFIELD, Mass. -- Camfour, a gun distributor based in Massachusetts, is offering a limited run of a pair of Ruger Cowboy-style single actions.

SMYRNA, Ga. -- Handgun manufacturer Glock, Inc. announced that in the first quarter of 2009, the company experienced a 36% increase in pistol sales over 2008 sales.

Here's more BATFE answers to questions concerning who must provide gun locks and why, possession of guns, loaning guns for demonstrations, transferring guns to military members, when to report a missing gun from inventory, and other issues.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Smith & Wesson Corp. announced that after eight months of endurance testing conducted by Professional Instructor Todd Louis Green at pistol-training.com, the full-size M&P9 pistol successfully recorded 50,000 rounds. Throughout the testing, the M&P9 was used by more than 50 people and received only limited maintenance during the evaluation process.

BJ Norris of Tyler, Texas, was crowned the Steel Master at the Smith & Wesson U.S. Steel Nationals in Titusville, Fla.

The NRA Competitions Division recently announced four bits of news important to shooters:

GunReports.com has compiled the largest collection of rifle data and prices on the web. Updated daily. Bookmark this page for quick and easy reference to pricing, reviews, and accessory links.

Administrator's Note: We saw Frank Brownells' advice in the March 27 Brownells Web Bench e-letter and thought his comments about current AR15 market shortages were on point. We got permission to post them on GunReports.com.

Competition at the USPSA STI Double Tap Championship runs March 26-29 at Double Tap Ranch in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Not all 45 ACP pistols are built to feed from a single-column magazine or be ignited by a full-time single-action trigger. In this test we will evaluate a trio of pistols that feed from double-column magazines and trigger systems that can alternate between offering a double-action first shot and single-action-only operation. Our three pistols are the $779 CZ USA 97B, Heckler & Kochs $1099 45C, and FNH USAs new $780 FNP USG pistol. The CZ 97B is an older design finding its beginning with the CZ75 pistol. But its full-length dustcover and 10+1 capacity of big 45 caliber ammunition gives it modern appeal. The HK 45C is a refinement of the USP design. Like the FNP45 USG, the HK 45C includes features that reflect input from military and law enforcement studies.In every test accuracy and reliability are a must. But in the case of guns that feature both double- and single-action operation the task of charting accuracy is more complex. Our accuracy data reflects firing from support single-action only, but we also wanted to know how quickly and accurately these guns can be fired from the hammer-down position. Or were they limited to cocked-and-locked carry? In addition we asked how safe and secure was the decocking process, and how safe and secure was the manual safety? Would hammer-down first-shot double action prove to be a realistic carry option? Or would such condition be relegated to "off duty" administrative handling, such as when placing the gun in a night stand or desk drawer?With rain in the forecast we chose to test indoors at the famous Top Gun Handgun Training Center in Houston (topgunrange.com). With a corporate event scheduled for late afternoon we were able to set up our shooting bench for the balance of the day.Our test ammunition consisted of 230-grain Hornady TAP hollowpoints, Black Hills remanufactured 185-grain jacketed hollowpoints and handloaded rounds featuring Sierras 230-grain FMJ bullet number 8815. We drove the Sierra bullet with a moderate load of Winchester 231 powder and Winchester primers. Accuracy data was collected firing single action only from a distance of 15 yards. Support was supplied by a Caldwell Rock Jr. pistol rest, and we aimed at Caldwells 3-inch Orange Peel circles (battenfeldtechnologies.com).Our next test was to determine how quickly and easily each gun could be fired beginning with the first shot double action. Standing 7 yards from a Hoffners ABC16 Action Target (hoffners.com), we began with hammer down. Upon an audible start signal we engaged the center mass A-zone with a first shot double action followed by a second shot to this same point of aim fired single action. Our third shot of continuous fire was fired single action at the cranial pocket, or B-zone. This test was repeated for a total of 10 separate strings of fire. We recorded elapsed time, accuracy and took careful note of each guns handling and response. We experienced no malfunctions with any of the pistols during our tests, so when it came to grading these pistols on the Report Card, our job was that much more difficult. Here is what we learned.

If you have over two grand to put into a good 45 auto, which one will you get? For that kind of money you can pretty much tell a custom builder what you want and expect to get it, can't you? Not quite, as it turns out. Or can you be satisfied with a fairly standard, if costly, over-the-counter 1911? We decided to take a look at some of the higher-priced 45s to see what gives. The test guns were full-size 1911s in 45 ACP caliber. We obtained a pistol called the Combat Custom ($2895 as tested) from a relatively new maker, Luke Volkmann of Volkmann Custom Inc., who will give you pretty much what you want for options, which we pitted against Wilson's CQB ($2550) and Les Baer's Premier II Super-Tac ($2280).

Attempting to pick the best one out of all these very fine handguns was anything but easy. They are all excellent, with fine triggers, great accuracy, and many touches that set them apart from the ordinary. In light of the ongoing national surge to buy all kinds of firearms, especially those designed for self defense, you may have a hard time finding one of these better-grade 1911s.

We shot the guns for accuracy and function, and evaluated them for self-defense training and general use. These were all outstanding pistols, yet we found some anomalies that might help you pick and choose. We tested with four types of ammunition, Black Hills' hardball, Federal 185-grain Hi-Shok JHP, Cor-Bon 230-grain JHP, and with cast-lead, 230-grain round-nose Ultramax. We tested during a severe winter in Idaho, and thus had trouble achieving these guns' full accuracy potential. Better conditions would have given better results, but the conditions were the same for all guns and thus valid for reference. They are hardly what you'd call lousy. Also, we shot two other known handguns every now and then during these tests to make sure we were not too far off base. Here is what we found.