Other Semiauto Handguns

  • 9mm vs. 38 Special: The Cartridges & the Guns

    While reading comparisons of the pros and cons of the pocket 380 versus the snub 38 I noted a reader suggesting a comparison of the pocket nines to the popular 38 compact revolvers. Other projects and responsibilities prevented my starting work on such an article immediately, but during the interim I decided that it might…

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  • Handgun Review: Rohrbaugh R9 9mm

    Text & Photos by Aaron L. Brudenell I remember the first time I actually saw a Smith and Wesson J-frame .38 Special in person.  The pictures in gun books were without perspective, and all those movie and television appearances never seemed to do the revolver justice.  I was amazed (and continue to be impressed) with…

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  • Bersa Thunder .380 with Corbon 80-gr. DPX Ammunition

    The .380 ACP continues to fill pockets or holsters among private citizens lawfully carrying during the turbulent crime-filled times in which we live.  Though “ballistically challenged” when compared to the delivery of full-power 9x19mm or even .40 S&W in similar size handguns, the 9mm Short still has a fairly significant cadre within the shooting community. …

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  • A Critical Look at the Star Model 28

    It has been said, “With age comes treachery” and some have asked the question, “Why is youth wasted on the young”?  I believe that the first is true for some of us and don’t have the answer to the last.  I will say that I envy the young their youth.  I envy their sharp eyesight, quicker reflexes, but most…

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  • Lightweight 1911 Pattern Pistols

    I am not going to get too bogged down in what does or does not constitute a 1911 pattern automatic in this article. For this work, it will mean a single-action semi-automatic pistol whose lineage from the full-size all steel 1911 is apparent. The lightweight can be a full 5″ gun, a Commander-size, or one…

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  • A Critical Look at the Glock 17

    Not the first polymer frame pistol made, this is the one that started the “revolution” to “plastic pistols”. That they are popular is an understatement.  In the early ’80’s the Austrian army adopted this new handgun design and soon hit the US market in a big way with the establishment of Glock, Inc, in Smyrna, GA, in…

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  • A Critical Look at the SIG-Sauer P225

    Never as common in the police or military communities as either the P220 or P226 and pretty well replaced by the P228 and P229 today, the P225 remains a popular conventional DA/SA 9mm semiautomatic pistol.  Lightweight and easy to carry concealed, many private citizens carry these guns as have uniformed police in other countries, particularly…

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