Other Semiauto Handguns

  • 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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  • A Critical Look at the Star Model BM

    Produced by Star Bonifacio Escheverria in Spain, this single-stack 9x19mm single-action pistol remains a fairly popular handgun for those seeking inexpensive firearms that are not cheap.  If a bit heavy by today’s standards, it is compact and lends itself nicely to concealed carry. These pistols are no longer manufactured and the company that produced them no longer exists in the same form. …

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  • A Critical Look at the Springfield Mil-Spec

    It is a safe bet to say that 1911 pattern pistols are extremely popular with American shooters. There are many reasons for this and 1911 type pistols are sold in various price ranges.  Enter customized pistols or truly custom 1911’s built from the frame and slide up and costs can soar.  One can spend from a few hundred…

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  • A Critical Look at the Walther PP Pistol

    The Walther Polezei Pistole was introduced in 1929 and originally chambered in .32 ACP. It’s also available in .380 ACP and has been made in other calibers such as .22 long rifle and .25 ACP. Without question the design was successful and it remains a popular pistol today. It spawned the shorter PPK a couple of years…

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  • Comparing the SIG-Sauer P230 & Bersa Thunder

    The SIG-Sauer P230 has been around for several years in both blue and stainless versions.  The former uses an aluminum alloy frame while the latter has a steel one.  In today’s test, the lighter version was used. These pistols have never been at the lower end of the price envelope for .380 pistols. Bersa handguns…

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