Handguns

Springfield Armory has a wonderful reputation of modernizing venerable weapons, thereby making them suitable for the latest production methods and the latest shooters. The company also works with some of the most current types of firearms.

One of the used pistols, an FN FNS-40, performed well, but as we were researching aftermarket sights and backstrap modules for it, we came across an important FN Service Bulletin issued in 2021. It didn’t look good. Under certain conditions, the FNS could delay fire. According to the Service Bulletin:

NEWTOWN, Conn. – The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute,® Inc., (SAAMI®) has announced the acceptance of a new pistol cartridge for SAAMI standardization. 30 Super...

We paid $431 for the 30 Super Carry pistol. Many paid more than $500 for the first few to hit dealer shelves. This pistol seems identical to the 9mm EZ in every dimension.

On average, the 9mm EZ guns are more expensive than the 380 ACP pistol. The 9mm Shield EZ is slightly larger and heavier than the 380 ACP version.

Recoil is a concern for some shooters, so this Smith & Wesson Shield EZ is a 380 ACP pistol large enough to be a joy to fire.

We located this 6-inch-barrel Peacekeeper in a pawn shop. The revolver shows very little wear and seems in good condition. The Colt MK V was introduced in 1986 as an improvement over the Colt MK III Trooper series.

We purchased this revolver a year ago in anticipation of accumulating four revolvers for testing.

The 42-ounce heavy underlugged Python is a distinctive revolver. The stainless-steel finish is good, without any flaw. The cut of the cylinder and ejector rod differs from the original in a pleasant modern fashion.

In several particulars, this handgun is an anomaly among the revolvers tested. First, it is a seven-shooter.

We started this project with the help of a gun owner who wanted to build his own Roland Special. The base gun cost $700, so the upgrades are obviously multiples of the retail price of a Glock 19.

You only thought Roland Specials were only full or compact guns? Think again. The Hellcat RDP is subcompact version direct from the factory.