The combination of the normally reliable P220 and semiwadcutter ammunition is frequently not a happy one. In my experience with them, P220’s usually feed flawlessly with about any load around from FMJ to blunt JHP’s, but it has been “hit or miss” with handloaded SWC ammunition. The P220 on the left was purchased NIB in the early ‘90’s and…
Hello. I recently chronographed the .38 Special +P “FBI Load” from three major manufacturers through 5 different S&W J-Frames having 1 7/8” barrels. Nothing really exciting or surprising but it seems a good thing to re-check such things over time and I wanted to post these results for folks who might be interested. Average velocities…
Since the initial article was written, I have fired the pistol quite a bit more over several shooting sessions at the range. The long and short of it is that I neither cleaned nor lubed the pistol other than to wipe down the exterior and keep notes on how many rounds were eventually fired before…
Fascinated with firearms, especially handguns for as long as I can remember, I began purchasing them about four decades ago…as finances allowed. Eventually the inevitable “fever” set in and like so many before me (and after), I began a dedicated search for the “perfect handgun”…which I have yet to find! I bought, owned and traded more than…
The .380 ACP has several monikers such as 9x17mm, 9mm Kurtz, 9mm Corto and 9mm Short, but regardless of its handle, the cartridge’s traditional ballistic signature is a 95-gr. FMJ at about 950 ft/sec. Currently, factory-loaded .380 ACP is offered in weights ranging from about 70 to 102 grains and backup guns or primary weapons…
Beretta’s PX4 Storm is a polymer-framed locked-breech pistol available in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. The slide is Bruniton-coated to prevent corrosion while the barrel and magazine have blued finishes. The frame is “plastic” (Beretta calls it “technopolymer reinforced fiberglass”), but I have no idea if that’s better, worse or the same as other…
It’s no secret that unless there’s a particular reason otherwise, my handgun preference is usually for longer rather than shorter barrel lengths. When I began dabbling a bit with Glocks, I tried a G17, 22 and 26. At that time, I just wasn’t that interested in the full-size “Combat Tupperware” as some call them, but did appreciate the extreme reliability displayed…