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December 29th, 2022

The World of Cartridges — Guide to Cartridge and Primer Types

pew pew tactical bullet cartridge photos rimfire primer illustration

The Pew Pew Tactical website has interesting article on rifle and pistol cartridges and bullet types. This contains a large selection of interesting photographs and illustrations. If you load and/or shoot for a wide variety of cartridge types, you’ll find that article well worth reading. It has nearly 50 photographs and more than a dozen short videos. READ FULL Article.

pew pew tactical bullet cartridge photos rimfire primer illustration

The article shows all types of pistol bullets, along with a variety of rifle projectiles. It even illustrates multiple types of shotshell cartridges.

The article also explains the basic components of modern cartridges –bullet, case, powder, and primer:

ammunitiontogo.com ammo case cutaway
Photo courtesy Ammunitiontogo.com which sells ammo from many leading brands.

pew pew tactical bullet cartridge photos rimfire primer illustrationPopular Cartridge Types Profiled
The article provides quick summaries of popular ammunition types including 9mm Luger (9x19mm), .357 Magnum, .40 SW, .45 ACP, .223 Rem, and .308 Winchester. The author’s favorite pistol round is the 9mm Luger: “9mm is my personal favorite and if there was a “Goldilocks” round, this would be it. The very first gun I bought was a 9mm. They’re fun at the range. They’re good for defense. It is the standard round for NATO countries and the majority of police forces around the world. It is mild shooting, can vary in weight from 115 to 147 grains, and has varying stopping power based on the type of bullet.”

This Pew-Pew Tactical guide to cartridge types also provides a quick explanation of cartridge ignition — both centerfire and rimfire: “The rimfire’s primer is built into the rim while the centerfire cartridge has the primer in the center. Pro tip — if you can see a circle in the middle…it’s a centerfire cartridge.”

There are two common types of centerfire primers — Boxer and Berdan. This helpful Wikipedia illustration shows how Boxer, Berdan, and rimfire primers ignite the powder in the cartridge:


Berdan boxer rimfire primer gif animation illustration


This centerfire and rimfire ignition animation is by BBODO – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

Permalink Bullets, Brass, Ammo, Reloading, Tech Tip No Comments »
July 16th, 2022

Saturday at the Movies: Five Classic Metal-Frame 9mm Pistols

9mm metal frame pistol sig sauer P226 hk P7 PSP P7m8 P7m13 CZ 75 Beretta 92 M9 Browning Hi Power semi-auto 9x19mm 9mm Luger

This week we focus on five classic metal-framed 9mm pistols. These five world-class handguns all shoot the 9mm Luger (9x19mm) cartridge. Most have been used by military and police forces as well as used by civilians for sport-shooting and defense. This Editor has shot all five pistol types and owned three. I can recommend all of them. Metal-framed pistols typically have a lower center of gravity and weigh more than Glocks and other polymer-framed handguns. Consequently, they tend to have less muzzle flip, and less perceived recoil than polymer-framed handguns.

SIG Sauer P226

The SIG Sauer P226 is a high-quality, ultra reliable single-action/double action handgun with a proud Swiss/German heritage. It has a very ergonomic grip that fits most hands very well. Standard P226s do NOT have a manual safety, but the P226 has a decocking lever drops the hammer safely. This Editor has trained new shooters with a Sig P226 and Glock 17. For 80% of my trainees the Sig P226 pointed better due to the superior grip design. This meant that the sight picture was better, and the trainees achieved better results with the P226 vs. the Glock 17. The P226 is also a very reliable firearm. I have over 6000 rounds through my P226 with not one single jam. That’s impressive. The first video, reviewing the SIG P226, has over 1.4 million YouTube views, indicating it is very popular with pistoleros.

HK P7 Series (PSP, P7m8, P7m13)

This Editor has shot a P7m8 extensively. It is superbly accurate. With a very low bore axis, it has much less muzzle flip than most 9mm pistols. And with a fixed barrel, the slide moves straight back during cycling. The HK P7 blowback-operated semi-automatic pistol was designed and manufactured by German gun-maker Heckler & Koch (H&K) from 1978 to 2008. It is thin, superbly accurate, with a precise trigger that shames the Glock. The P7m8 features a unique gas-delayed blowback system, which uses gas from the cartridge to retard the rearward motion of the slide. This works via a barrel port and a piston inside a cylinder under the barrel. The signature feature of the P7 series is the “squeeze cocker” on the front of the grip. Squeezing the cocking lever cocks the firing pin. When the front of the grip is released, the weapon is fully de-cocked, making it safe with a round in the chamber.

Browning Hi-Power

The Browning Hi-Power is a single-action, semi-automatic handgun with a legendary heritage. This handsome all-metal pistol was based on a design by American John Moses Browning, and completed by Dieudonné Saive at Fabrique Nationale (FN) of Herstal, Belgium. J.M. Browning died in 1926, several years before the design was finalized. FN Herstal initially named the design the “High Power”, which alludes to the 13-round magazine capacity, almost twice that of other designs such as the Luger or Colt M1911. The name was later shorted to “Hi-Power”. The Browning Hi-Power has served military forces and police in many countries throughout the world. It is a very well-balanced pistol, with a nice, crisp trigger. After 82 years of continuous production, FN Herstal announced that the Hi-Power would be discontinued in 2018. However, in 2022 FN resumed Hi-Power production, so this classic lives on.

CZ 75

The CZ 75 is the flagship pistol of CZ-USA and has been a staple among 9x19mm fans for over 45 years. Originally introduced in 1975, hence the name, the CZ 75 remains viable as a defensive pistol. CZ claims the CZ 75 is “used by more governments, militaries, police, and security agencies than any other pistol in the world”. The CZ 75 is very reliable and works well for both defense and IDPA competitions. The ergonomics are good, controls are intuitive, and the trigger is very nice. Over the years, CZ has made numerous variations of the CZ 75 pistol, but the original is still an excellent handgun.

Beretta 92FS and Military M9

For Americans, the Beretta 92 series of pistols is best known as the official sidearm of the American military for 30+ years. The United States military replaced the .45 ACP M1911A1 pistol in 1985 with the Beretta 92FS, designated as the “M9″. The M9 and the civilian models 92/92FS have a distinctive, recognizable feature — the cut-away slide which exposes most of the 9mm barrel. The metal frame also has an attractive grip design. The 92FS pistols we’ve shot were accurate and reliability was good. There have been various modifications and upgrades over the years. However the M9 was replaced in 2017 by the new polymer-framed SIG Sauer P320, adopted as the military’s M17/M18 modular pistols.

This Hickok 45 video review of the Beretta 92FS has over 2.5 million views:

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May 21st, 2022

Handgun Marksmanship Skills — Six Great Books for Pistoleros

Pistol Marksmanship training book

One of our Forum members asked: “Are there any good books on pistol marksmanship? I’m looking for a book that covers techniques and concepts….” Here are six recommended titles that can make you a better pistol shooter. These books run the gamut from basic handgun training to Olympic-level bullseye shooting.

Pistol Marksmanship training book 1911 race gunGood Guidebooks for Pistol Shooters
There are actually many good books which can help both novice and experienced pistol shooters improve their skills and accuracy. For new pistol shooters, we recommend the NRA Guide to the Basics of Pistol Shooting. This full-color publication is the designated student “textbook” for the NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course.

Serious competitive pistol shooters should definitely read Pistol Shooters Treasury a compilation of articles from World and National Champions published by Gil Hebard. You could work your way through the ranks with that book alone even though it is very small. It is an excellent resource.

If you’re interested in bullseye shooting, you should get the USAMU’s The Advanced Pistol Marksmanship Manual. This USAMU pistol marksmanship guide has been a trusted resource since the 1960s. Action Shooters should read Practical Shooting: Beyond Fundamentals by Brian Enos, and Practical Pistol by Ben Stoeger. Brian Enos is a well-known pistol competitor with many titles. Ben Stoeger is a two-time U.S. Practical Pistol shooting champion. Last but not least, Julie Golob’s popular SHOOT book covers pistol marksmanship, along with 3-Gun competition. Julie holds multiple national pistol shooting titles.

Jessie Harrison is one of the greatest female pistol shooters on the planet. In the video below, Jessie offers smart tips on purchasing a handgun, and getting started in competition. Jessie covers caliber choice, handgun fit/ergonomics, concealability, holster options, and other key factors.

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April 21st, 2022

Print Resources for Pistoleros — Eight Great Handgun Books

Pistol Marksmanship training book
Jessie Harrison — one of the greatest female pistol shooters on the planet. In the video below, Jessie offers good tips on safe handgun mag changes.

In this Pro Tip Video, Jessie Harrison talks about Dry-Fire Pistol Training:

One of our Forum members asked: “Are there any good books on pistol marksmanship? I’m looking for a book that covers techniques and concepts….” Here are eight recommended titles that can make you a better pistol shooter. These books run the gamut from basic handgun training to CCW to Olympic-level bullseye shooting.

Pistol Marksmanship training book 1911 race gunGood Guidebooks for Pistol Shooters
There are actually many good books which can help both novice and experienced pistol shooters improve their skills and accuracy. For new pistol shooters, we recommend the NRA Guide to the Basics of Pistol Shooting. This full-color publication is the designated student “textbook” for the NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course.

If you’re interested in bullseye shooting, you should get the USAMU’s The Advanced Pistol Marksmanship Manual. This USAMU pistol marksmanship guide has been a trusted resource since the 1960s. Action Shooters should read Practical Shooting: Beyond Fundamentals by Brian Enos, and Practical Pistol by Ben Stoeger. Brian Enos is a well-known pistol competitor with many titles. Ben Stoeger is a two-time U.S. Practical Pistol shooting champion. Julie Golob’s popular SHOOT book covers pistol marksmanship, along with 3-Gun competition. Julie holds multiple national pistol shooting titles.

AccurateShooter.com may earn a small Affiliate commission on books sold through Amazon.
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December 13th, 2021

Guide to Pistol and Rifle Cartridges from Pew Pew Tactical

pew pew tactical bullet cartridge photos rimfire primer illustration

The Pew Pew Tactical website has interesting article on rifle and pistol cartridges and bullet types. This contains a large selection of interesting photographs and illustrations. If you load and/or shoot for a wide variety of cartridge types, you’ll find that article well worth reading. It has nearly 50 photographs and more than a dozen short videos. READ FULL Article.

pew pew tactical bullet cartridge photos rimfire primer illustration

The article shows all types of pistol bullets, along with a variety of rifle projectiles. It even illustrates multiple types of shotshell cartridges.

The article also explains the basic components of modern cartridges –bullet, case, powder, and primer:

ammunitiontogo.com ammo case cutaway
Photo courtesy Ammunitiontogo.com which sells ammo from many leading brands.

pew pew tactical bullet cartridge photos rimfire primer illustrationPopular Cartridge Types Profiled
The article provides quick summaries of popular ammunition types including 9mm Luger (9x19mm), .357 Magnum, .40 SW, .45 ACP, .223 Rem, and .308 Winchester. The author’s favorite pistol round is the 9mm Luger: “9mm is my personal favorite and if there was a “Goldilocks” round, this would be it. The very first gun I bought was a 9mm. They’re fun at the range. They’re good for defense. It is the standard round for NATO countries and the majority of police forces around the world. It is mild shooting, can vary in weight from 115 to 147 grains, and has varying stopping power based on the type of bullet.”

This Pew-Pew Tactical guide to cartridge types also provides a quick explanation of cartridge ignition — both centerfire and rimfire: “The rimfire’s primer is built into the rim while the centerfire cartridge has the primer in the center. Pro tip — if you can see a circle in the middle…it’s a centerfire cartridge.”

There are two common types of centerfire primers — Boxer and Berdan. This helpful Wikipedia illustration shows how Boxer, Berdan, and rimfire primers ignite the powder in the cartridge:


Berdan boxer rimfire primer gif animation illustration


This centerfire and rimfire ignition animation is by BBODO – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

Permalink Bullets, Brass, Ammo, Tech Tip No Comments »
August 2nd, 2021

Bargain Finder 306: AccurateShooter’s Deals of the Week

AccurateShooter Deals of the Week Weekly Bargain Finder Sale Discount Savings

At the request of our readers, we provide select “Deals of the Week”. Every Sunday afternoon or Monday morning we offer our Best Bargain selections. Here are some of the best deals on firearms, hardware, reloading components, optics, and shooting accessories. Be aware that sale prices are subject to change, and once clearance inventory is sold, it’s gone for good. You snooze you lose.

1. Creedmoor Sports — American Practice Bullets, Save 20-30%

Creedmoor Sports discount practice bullets .22 6mm .308 factory seconds Sierra
Save money on big brand bullets so you can practice more often

Creedmoor Sports is offering 500-ct bulk packs of factory second bullets. You can snatch up these American Bullet Company Practice Bullets in .22, 6mm, and .308 calibers at exceptionally low prices. These are factory ‘seconds’ from a very well-known manufacturer (think green) that are bulk-packed and ready to load. Get a box of 500 bullets at huge savings over regular prices. NOTE: There may be minor cosmetic issues with the bullets, or weight variances. In today’s world of component shortages, this is a great way to save money, and/or do more live fire practice with a lower cost per shot.

2. Sportsman’s WHSE — Savage 110 Elite Precision, $1749.99

savage mdt target rifle
Competitive PRS Production Class Rig with MDT Chassis

Excellent Video Review of Savage 110 Elite Precision in 6mm Creedmoor

PRS Production Class has a $2500 limit. With this Savage 110 Elite Precision you get a very competitive 6mm Creedmoor rifle, with a top-quality chassis, for $1749.99. That’s hundreds less than similar quality boutique-brand PRS Production rigs. Put the money saved into optics. The Savage Arms 110 Elite Precision boasts a Modular Driven Technologies (MDT) Adjustable Core Competition (ACC) Chassis, a full-length forearm ARCA rail, titanium nitride-coated “blueprinted” action, and effective muzzle brake. This Guns & Ammo video showcases the Elite Precision’s notable features.

3. Whidden Gunworks — 6mm Dasher Starter Kit, $305.09

6mm Dasher Starter Kit
Turn-key solution for 6mm Dasher Shooters with great dies

The 6mm Dasher is very popular in PRS and Mid-range Benchrest. And a 6mm Dasher just won the F-Open Mid-Range Nationals convincingly. If you’re ready to build a Dasher, consider the 6mm Dasher Starter Kit from Whidden Gunworks. The kit includes your choice of standard dies, 100 pieces of Lapua 6mmBR brass, 6mm Dasher Hydraulic Form Die, and a 6mm Dasher Case Gauge. This is everything you need to get up and running with this match-winning wildcat cartridge.

4. Creedmoor Sports — Sierra Bullets PLUS FREE Ammo Box

sierra bullet sale
Good Deal on Sierra bullets plus handy Ammo Box

Sierra makes some of the highest-quality bullets on the market. Right now Creedmoor Sports has most popular Sierra Bullets in stock and ready to ship in many calibers. Most of the popular MatchKing bullet types have the meplats “tipped” at the factory for consistent BC and improved long-range performance. NOTE: If you purchase at least $150 in Sierra bullets you’ll get a FREE high-quality Plano Ammo Box.

5. KYGUNCO — Taurus G2c 9mm Pistol, $205.99

Taurus G2c 9mm Luger carry ccw pistol handgun sale
Great Deal on Reliable 12rd 9mm Carry Pistol

The Taurus G2c is a good little compact carry gun at a VERY attractive price — a third what you might pay for a 9mm Glock 19 these days. KYGUNCO has the black-on-black 9mm Taurus G2c for just $205.99 (cash price). That’s the best deal we’ve seen on a major brand 9mm pistol in a long time. At 6.25″ OAL, and weighing just 21.2 oz. unloaded, this affordable 9mm handgun is a true compact. Despite its small size, the G2c boasts a 12-round magazine. We like the fact it has a left-side manual safety (unlike the Glock).

6. Amazon — RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme, $188.99

rcbs rock chucker single stage press rockchucker
Strong, versatile full-size press with lifetime warranty

With the shortages of good factory ammo, more shooters are hand-loading than ever before. That means that good reloading presses have been hard to find at reasonable prices. But here’s a good deal on a great press. Right now Amazon has the legendary RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme for under $190.00. This strong, capable press and allows you to do myriad reloading tasks: decapping, neck-sizing, FL-sizing, crimping, and even swaging bullets. RCBS offers a rock-solid lifetime warranty.

7. Amazon — Caldwell The Rock BR Rest, $140.79

caldwell rock rest
Good basic rest for Varmint work and sighting-in rifles

Right now the green-framed Caldwell Rests are deeply discounted on Amazon. If you’re looking for something you could use in competition as well as varminting, check out the Caldwell Rock BR at $140.79. The Rock BR model is stable and works well for varmint shooting. If you want something lighter and more basic, the Rock Deluxe at $75.19 is an excellent value. Or if you prefer a compact, lightweight front rest for basic rifle and pistol work, consider a Rock Jr. at $35.54.

8. Natchez — CCI Blazer 9mm Ammunition, $19.99

blazer 9mm ammo sale
Very reliable 9mm practice ammo at a good price

Finding quality 9mm Luger ammo at a decent price has been difficult lately. But here’s a good deal at Natchez. Quality, aluminum-case CCI Blazer 9mm 115gr ammo is now just $19.99 per 50-count box. That’s HALF the cost of 9mm pistol ammo at some other vendors. NOTE: Having aluminum cases, this ammo is NOT reloadable. But, in our experience it is reliable and accurate.

9. Amazon — KUBEI USB Rechargeable Digital Scale, $24.99

digital powder scale
Compact scale with USB-rechargeable battery at great price

Everyone can use an inexpensive, compact scale for loading at the range or sorting bullets or maybe even primers. One very affordable option KUBEI USB Rechargeable Digital Scale. Unlike most other inexpensive digital scales, this comes with a large dust cover with a “window” for your powder pan. Notably, this scale can be conveniently recharged with a standard USB cable — no batteries to replace ever! We have heard positive reports from Forum members about this $24.99 portable scale, which offers 9 types of weight units, calibration weight, and fold-down protective lid.

10. Amazon — Tactical Hard Case, Customizable Foam, $89.99

tactical hard case TSA
Solid, strong wheeled case for ARs, or hunting rifles

Whether driving or flying, you need a good, strong case to protect your firearms. This affordable TSA-approved HQ ISSUE Tactical Rifle Hard Case has room for an AR, handguns, and accessories or a couple hunting rifles (with moderate-length barrels). NOTE: This case has rollers — something you don’t typically find on cases at this price point. The included pluckable foam interior can be easily customized to fit your rifle. External dimensions are: 43″ x 16″ x 7″.

11. Amazon — LEE Perfect Powder Measure, $22.95

lee perfect powder throw
Low-cost unit will work for basic powder-dispensing duties

Sometimes you just need a simple but effective way to throw powder charges without a big investment. For basic powder-throwing tasks the LEE Perfect Powder Measure can do the job. With a simple adjustment you can throw anywhere from 2 grains to over 70 grains. This is fine for most pistol charges. For more accurate rifle handloads, you can throw the charge within a grain and then trickle up to the final load weight using using a scale and separate trickler.

Permalink Bullets, Brass, Ammo, Gear Review, Handguns, Hot Deals, Optics, Tactical No Comments »
January 8th, 2021

Eight Great Books for Handgun Owners

Pistol Marksmanship training book
Jessie Harrison — one of the greatest female pistol shooters on the planet. In the video below, Jessie offers good tips on safe handgun mag changes.

In this Pro Tip Video, Jessie Harrison talks about Dry-Fire Pistol Training:

One of our Forum members asked: “Are there any good books on pistol marksmanship? I’m looking for a book that covers techniques and concepts….” Here are eight recommended titles that can make you a better pistol shooter. These books run the gamut from basic handgun training to CCW to Olympic-level bullseye shooting.

Pistol Marksmanship training book 1911 race gunGood Guidebooks for Pistol Shooters
There are actually many good books which can help both novice and experienced pistol shooters improve their skills and accuracy. For new pistol shooters, we recommend the NRA Guide to the Basics of Pistol Shooting. This full-color publication is the designated student “textbook” for the NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course.

If you’re interested in bullseye shooting, you should get the USAMU’s The Advanced Pistol Marksmanship Manual. This USAMU pistol marksmanship guide has been a trusted resource since the 1960s. Action Shooters should read Practical Shooting: Beyond Fundamentals by Brian Enos, and Practical Pistol by Ben Stoeger. Brian Enos is a well-known pistol competitor with many titles. Ben Stoeger is a two-time U.S. Practical Pistol shooting champion. Julie Golob’s popular SHOOT book covers pistol marksmanship, along with 3-Gun competition. Julie holds multiple national pistol shooting titles.

concealed carry ccw pistol book

For CCW holders carrying defensive pistols we recommend two good guidebooks. Concealed Carry Class: The ABCs of Self-Defense Tools and Tactics is like a complete CCW class, covering both gun handling and legal issues. To understand when, and how, you have a right to defensive firearms use, read Massad Ayoob’s Deadly Force: Understanding Your Right to Self Defense.

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April 10th, 2020

9mm Ammo Sources — Get It While You Can

MidwayUSA 9mm defense 9x19mm luger ammunition ammo in stock
Fort Scott Munitions produces 9mm Luger ammo with lead-free solid copper bullets. Shown here is specialized subsonic ammo designed to be used with a suppressor. See FortScottMunitions.com.

The 9mm Luger, aka 9x19mm, is the most popular ammunition type for semi-automatic handguns. As such, with panic buying caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, 9mm ammo is becoming harder to find — or the ammo vendors have jacked up their prices. We found most of the bulk 9mm FMJ out of stock. However, you can still find defensive hollowpoint ammo.

Thankfully, many large vendors such as Brownells, Natchez, and MidwayUSA still have 9mm pistol ammo in stock at reasonable prices. If you can’t find what you need from these vendors, you can source many other ammo retailers via AmmoSeek.com. In addition, Sportsman’s Warehouse has limited 9mm ammo for in-store pick-up in some stores (search online for particular store availablity).

Here are three leading sources for 9mm Luger (9x19mm pistol) ammo. Natchez still has bulk, lower cost lead-core FMJ ammo. Elsewhere cheap 9mm FMJ is mostly sold out, but you can still get 20- or 25-round boxes of defensive ammunition. This stuff is expensive for target practice, to be sure, but at least it can be found.

1. MidwayUSA 9mm Ammo in Stock

Midway USA has quite a bit of hollow-point 9mm luger defensive ammo Available. CLICK HERE to see items in stock, or go to the Midway USA home page and search for “9mm Luger Ammunition”.

MidwayUSA 9mm defense 9x19mm luger ammunition ammo in stock

2. Natchez Shooters Supplies 9mm Ammo in Stock

Natchez CCI Fiocchi 9mm defense 9x19mm luger ammunition ammo in stock

As of the time of publication, Natchez Shooters Supplies still has large 1000-round boxes of 9mm FMJ ammunition from CCI and Fiocchi. If you want big quanities of target practice ammo — grab these while you can. In addition, Natchez has NovX defensive ammo.

3. Brownells 9mm Ammo in Stock

Brownells still has a limited selection of 9mm Luger ammunition in stock. Most of the cheaper bulk 9mm is sold out, but here are a few of the brands available on April 10, 2020 at time of publication.

Brownells 9mm defense 9x19mm luger ammunition ammo in stock

Need a 9mm Pistol? Consider the Walther Creed — Great Value

Walther Creed  9mm carry pistol handgun bargain cdnn sale discount

Need a 9mm carry pistol? The Walther Creed offers excellent ergonomics, good accuracy, and well-designed controls at a killer price — $269.99 at CDNN Sports. This gun, designed to be a value-leader, emulates Walther’s more expensive PPQ model (MSRP $649.00) at a much lower price. The Creed’s frame size and shape is the same as the PPQ, but the Creed lacks interchangeable backstraps. Slide and trigger are very similar. The Creed features a snag-free bobbed hammer. Testers have praised the new Creed, saying that, despite the bargain price, it “sacrifices little to nothing in… ergonomics, accuracy, and reliability.”

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February 9th, 2019

Get Rebates on Pistol Ammunition — Five Popular Brands

Federal Speer American Eagle Blazer ammunition pistol ammo rebate Vista Outdoor 2019

Need pistol ammo? Want to save money? Then check out the latest promotion from Federal and other Vista Outdoor ammo brands. With this rebate you get $2.00 back for every 50-round box of centerfire ammo you buy, except for 9mm Luger (9x19mm) — that qualifies for a $1.00/box rebate. Now through March 31, 2019, rebates are offered for all these participating brands: Federal, Speer, Blazer, American Eagle, and Independence. You must buy at least 250 rounds (5 boxes) to qualify. CLICK HERE for qualifying ammo.

NOTE: Qualifying purchases must be made December 3, 2018 through March 31, 2019. The DEADLINE for mail-in or online submissions is April 30, 2019. To redeem online, visit Promotions.vistaoutdoor.com.

Federal Speer American Eagle Blazer ammunition pistol ammo rebate Vista Outdoor 2019

CLICK HERE for Federal Ammo Rebate Form »

Check out the Slow-Motion Footage of a 1911-type pistol shooting .45 ACP rounds. Bullet flights were captured at 73,000 frames per second:

Permalink - Videos, Bullets, Brass, Ammo, Handguns, Hot Deals 1 Comment »
February 1st, 2018

Get 9mm Pistol and 1000 Rounds Ammo for $430.00

Kahr cw9 9mm pistol cci brass 9x19mm

What if we said you could buy a brand new, quality 9mm handgun, AND 1000 rounds of American-made, brass-cased CCI 9x19mm ammo for under $430? Or get the pistol plus 350 rounds for under $320? Not possible? Yes it is. Here’s the deal:

Kahr CW9 9mm Handgun $249.99 ($237.49 member price)
1000 Rounds CCI 115gr 9mm Ammo, $179.77
Total: $429.76
(Or $319.98 with 350 rounds)
Ruger LC9s concealed carry handgun pistol

Chambering: 9×19 mm (9mm Luger)
Action: DAO, 5.5 lb pull weight
Capacity: 7+1
Barrel length: 3.565″
Frame: Black polymer with 4140 steel inserts
Magazine: 7 round stainless (included)
Slide: 416 stainless steel with matte finish
Overall length: 5.90″
Overall width: 0.90″
Overall height: 4.50″
Overall weight: 15.8 oz.

Or Get the Even More Compact Ruger LC9s for $259.99

If you want a more compact 9mm semi-auto pistol, Sportsman’s Guide also has the Ruger LC9S for $259.99 ($246.99 member price).

Ruger LC9s concealed carry handgun pistol

Both these guns are light, slim, and reliable. The Kahr has a longer, smoother trigger pull. The Ruger is thinner and shorter, and can be purchased with a thumb safety. Bottom line — there are both excellent carry guns. Both pistols are reviewed in this video:

If you prefer a German-made gun, get the Walther Creed for $269.99. We like the grip on the Walther. It has a very short trigger reset. Like the Kahr CW9 and Ruger LC9s, the Creed represents an exceptional value.

With any of these options (Kahr, Ruger, Walther) you can get your gun and 1000 rounds of ammo for less than $450.00. 1000 rounds should last all year, even if you practice every other week.

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January 24th, 2018

SHOT Show 2018 — New and/or Notable Handguns

SHOT Show Pistols Revolvers Handguns

There are literally thousands of handguns on display at SHOT Show, most of which you can hold, cycle, and test the trigger pull. Among the hordes of handguns, we found some very eye-catching examples, such as the very serious-looking Walther PPQ M2 Q4 TAC above. It comes standard with Red Dot sights and threaded muzzle for suppressor. Also shown (in negative) is a Smith & Wesson Performance Center S&W500 Revolver with a 10.5″ barrel. Below are some other interesting handguns we saw at SHOT Show 2017.

Lone Wolf Modified Glock 17 Signature Series

Glock 17 Lone Wolf Distributors TiN Gold Slide Bling

Why in Heaven’s name would anyone pay $1400.00 for a Glock? Well Lone Wolf Distributors thinks someone will fork over that princely sum for a Glock fully pimped out with a Titanim Nitride (TiN) gold-tone slide, Red dot sights, plus suppressor-friendly tall sights. Oh, it’s also fitted out with a TiN Gold PVD adjustable trigger. But underneath all that bling it’s still a Glock. What do you think? Glorious or Gaudy? It is certainly eye-catching. As they say, the “Bling’s the Thing”.

Smith & Wesson Performance Center Tuned, Unfluted 686

Smith and Wesson Performance Center 686 Unfluted Cylinder Release

For 2018, the Smith & Wesson Performance Center is rolling out a pair of specially upgraded 7-shot model 686 revolver. Offered in two barrel lengths, these special wheelguns feature the Performance Center® Speed Release Thumbpiece, which speeds cylinder release for fast reloads. These special comp guns boasts a PC-tuned action, vented/ribbed barrel, chromed trigger, and chromed, teardrop hammer (nice). The distinctive, unfluted cylinder is relieved for moon clips which can also speed up loading.

Smith Wesson 586 PC revolver

Walther PPQ M2 Q4 TAC 9mm

Our top photo shows the new PPQ M2 Q4 TAC, which is “race ready” right out of the box. Based the popular Walther PPQ, this TAC model adds a mount and threaded muzzle, plus some other features. “The Q5 Match has been very popular and we have had a lot of interest in a 4″ more tactical version. We are excited to combine a suppressor-ready and optics-ready pistol into a best-of-both worlds platform,” said Luke Thorkildsen, Walther VP of marketing. The 9mm Q4 TAC comes with two recoil springs. One for normal shooting and one for use with suppressors. The optics-ready slide features an LPA sight system with a fiber optic in the front and competition iron sight at the rear. The rear optics mounting system fits many popular red dots including Doctor, Leupold, and Trijicon. Trigger pull weight is a moderate 5.6 lbs. but the reset is ultra-short — just 0.1″. Priced at $799 MSRP, the Q4 TAC is backed by Walther’s lifetime warranty.

SIG Sauer P365 9mm Carry Pistol

Sig Sauer 9mm P365 Carry Pistol

SIG Sauer has just released an impressive new compact pistol, the SIG P365. This boasts excellent build quality and reliability in a slim package. It offers 10+1 round capacity in a gun that’s just 5.8″ overall and 1.1″ wide. Guns America got an early production model and their reviewer was impressed: “I have to applaud SIG. I was amazed by how much I liked shooting the P365. With its capacity advantage, small size, and good controls, it’s possible that the P365 will be the next go-to everyday carry handgun solution.” The gun comes with Tritium night sights and a good trigger. Each P365 also comes with an extra 12-round extended mag. With a $599.00 MSRP, expect street price around $500.00.

A SIG representative said SIG’s goal was to create a compact gun that shoots well — like a larger pistol: “We wanted to come up with a pistol that served the purpose — that gave people the capacity they have always wanted in this size gun, but something they could shoot. We’re busting paradigms, this is a game-changer.”

Taurus Raging Hunter .44 Mag and Model 692 Multi-Caliber

Taurus Raging Hunter 8.375

The new Raging Hunter from Taurus is an impressive beast. This six-shot .44 magnum has some interesting features. That red strip on the grip is extra padding to deal with the heavy recoil. Up front the dark gray slab is actually an aluminum barrel sleeve with Picatinny rail on top. This saves weight and provides a distinctive two-tone look. The actual 8.375″ barrel, which is ported, sits inside the sleeve.

Taurus Raging Hunter 8.375

Taurus also has another interesting long-barreled revolver. Shipping with TWO cylinders, the new Taurus Model 692 shoots .38 Special, .357 Magnum, and 9x19mm cartridges through the same barrel. That’s possible because 9x19mm bullet diameter is 0.355″. The nominal bullet diameter for .357 Magnum is 0.357″ or 9.1 mm, so you can see the diameters are very close. The 692 wheelgun ships with TWO cylinders — one for .38/.357, and a second for 9mm with moon clips. We like the ability to shoot inexpensive 9mm Luger ammo. Now you can take your favorite 9mm semi-auto pistol AND a wheelgun to the range and feed them both with the same box of ammo. Cool.

Kimber Full-Size and Compact 1911s

Kimber Aegis Elit Custom 1911 9mm .45 ACP

Kimber Aegis Elit Custom 1911 9mm .45 ACPKimber is releasing a host of new pistols for 2018. There are 23 new semi-auto pistols plus three new wheelguns. Most of the new Kimbers are 1911 varient. Our favorite new full-size Kimber is the Aegis Elite Custom OI, offered in both .45 ACP and 9x19mm. Shown above, the Aegis Elite has all the bells and whistles: custom G10 grips, bobbed backstrap, and stylized slide cuts front and rear. The $1395.00 MSRP includes a 6-MOA Vortex Venom 6 MOA Red Dot sight plus back-up iron sights.

Kimber also has an impressive compact-size 1911-style pistol in 9mm Luger. The Micro 9 Covert (at right) features gray camo LaserGrips plus a distincive Carry Melt treatment (softening the hard corners), plus a bobbed backstrap. Nice option for someone wanting a 1911-style pistol for concealed carry.

Ruger LCP II with Viridian Laser

LCP II .380 ACP Laser

Small, thin, and light — that’s what you want an everyday, pocket carry gun to be. The new Ruger LCP II with Viridian Red Laser is just 5.17″ long and 3.71″ tall, with a 3/4″-wide slide. That’s thin. Weight is 11.8 ounces. The compact size and low mass is the main reason to carry this .380 ACP rather than a more powerful 9mm pistol. This new version also features an integral, factory-installed Viridian E-Series red (635-650 nm) laser. Mounted on the trigger guard, the laser features ambidextrous push-button activation. Like other LCP II models, this pocket pistol features textured grip frame, easy-to-rack slide, bladed trigger safety, and low-profile snag-free sights. This latest LCP II with Viridian E-Series red laser has a $439.00 MSRP, including a handy pocket holster.

Beretta — The APX Family Grows in 2018

Beretta APX Pistol SHOT Show Red Dot plate

Beretta will greatly expand its line of polymer-framed APX pistols in 2018. And Beretta has models with a Red Dot optic mounting plate on the slide top. Interface adaptors will be supplied for Burris Fast Fire, C-More, DeltaPoint PRO, and RMR Red Dot sights. MSRP for the Red Dot-capable Full Size APX is $725. Expect street price around $685. The new tan model APX should be popular. Seen above, this features a Cerakote FDE (Flat Dark Earth) slide.

Parting Shot: S&W Double Trouble — Two Super-Sized Revolvers

At the Smith & Wesson booth last year, one visitor showed off two mega-sized S&W Performance Center hunting revolvers. These jumbo S&W500™ wheelguns, chambered for the mighty 500 S&W Magnum cartridge, feature massive 10.5″ barrels plus muzzle brakes. Overall length is 18″. Size counts right?

S&W 500 hunting revolver pistol shot show

MORE PISTOLS » Want to see more new handguns? GunsHolsterandGear.com showcases two dozen new pistols in its 2018 SHOT Show Preview.

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December 30th, 2017

Self-Defense Pistol Options for Women — Ladies Tell the Story

Self Defense Pistol Options Female Lady Ladies concealed carry permit CCW women

Women are arming themselves — millions of females now have carry permits. What factors should women consider when choosing a handgun for self-defense? What are good choices for a lady’s defensive handgun, suitable for concealed carry? Is a self-loading pistol better than a revolver?

We thought it was best for to hear the ladies’ own perspectives on these questions. After all they are the ones who will be carrying the firearm in a purse or on their person. In this article we include three videos focusing on handgun options for females. The videos cover six key factors: function, size, weight, ergonomics, reliability, and concealability.

Self Defense Pistol Options Female Lady Ladies concealed carry permit CCW women

Classic Swiss Precision — the Sig P239
The single-stack Sig P239 is an ultra-reliable, compact pistol with a grip suitable for smaller female hands. Weighing 25 oz. in 9mm, it is slightly heavier than polymer-framed handguns, but that may be a good thing. During my handgun training days, this Editor found most women shot the Sig P239 better than Glocks, with more control over recoil. This is a hammer-fired pistol with decocker but no separate safety. There are many other good handgun options for concealed carry — some smaller, thinner and lighter, but the Sig P239 provides a good benchmark for reliability and accuracy. Shown is the .40 S&W model. We prefer the 9mm Luger version. Photo Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0.

Choosing a Self-Defense Handgun — Ladies Explain the Options


Self Defense Pistol Options Female Lady Ladies concealed carry permit CCW women



Self Defense Pistol Options Female Lady Ladies concealed carry permit CCW women


Not Just a Guy Thing — 23% of Gun Owners are Women

Women & Guns magazineHere’s an interesting statistic — according to an NSSF survey, the percentage of gun owners who are female has increased dramatically since 2005. Back in 2005, just 13% of U.S. gun owners were women. By 2012 that number had risen to 23% — a huge increase in less than a decade.

The vast majority of first-time female gun buyers acquire a handgun for defensive purposes. However, the statistics also show that many new female gun owners are also getting involved in sport shooting and/or competitive shooting.

In the video below, NRA News host Cam Edwards interviews Celia Bigelow, who has written about the rise of gun ownership among ladies on the Townhall.com website.

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