Handguns

This pistol performed adequately. The FMK fed, chambered, fired, and functioned with the ammunition tested. We did not like the trigger, and accuracy was not impressive. We wouldn’t go more than $350 for one.

We gave these two XDM-E pistols every chance to show that one was lacking versus the other — or even just different. Springfield Armory, and their production methods, passed with flying colors. Choose this one if you like the slide color. We actually did.

The frame of the XDM Elite has come a long way. The grip provides a good gripping surface. Provides an ambidextrous magazine release and a manual grip safety and three different grip inserts to accommodate different sized hands. Accurate and reliable.

The Short Frame makes this Glock easier to shoot for those with smaller hands. Accuracy was good. Reliability 100%. Being trigger snobs, we would like to a better trigger. We liked the Glock Night Sights.

Many new shooters aren’t as familiar with revolvers as shooters of, ahem, more experience. But revolvers remain as simple, easy-to-maintain firearms for hunting, carry,...

Toward the end of each year, I survey the work R.K. Campbell, Roger Eckstine, Robert Sadowski, Tracey Taylor, and Joe Woolley have done in...

Tested: Apex Enhancement Trigger & Trigger Bar, $100; OverWatch Precision TAC Trigger, $135; and the Timney Alpha Competition Series Alpha Glock 3-4, $150. We thought one was too light for EDC.

The Specialist was designed for tactical use. There are no forward cocking serrations. It does have an ambidextrous safety. There is no full-length guide rod (FLGR), which may be a plus.

A Les Baer pistol often requires a break-in period, according to conventional wisdom and the maker. This is the second new Les Baer we have tested that came out of the box running, after having its long bearing surfaces lubricated. A pistol tested several years ago demanded a brief break in.

The test pistol is stainless steel. The fit and finish are good; however, there was an apparent tool mark near the rear of the trigger guard where the pistol is marked “SS” for stainless steel.

We lubricated the pistol and then fired an 80-round combat course with the same loads used in the other handguns. There were no failures to feed, chamber, fire, or eject.

We included the Crimson Trace CTS 1250 in our first review, liking what we saw. Then we heard about CT’s next-generation red dots being introduced in the guise of the RAD (Rapid Aiming Dot), so we had to try it.