Concealed Carry Handguns - June 2014
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www.gunworld.com
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FROM THE EDITORS OF WORLD OF FIREPOWER
MAY/JUNE2014
$8.99 U.S. DISPLAY UNTIL: 5/6/14
Engaged Media By Beckett
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THE WORLD CAN BE A DANGEROUS PLACE EQUIP ACCORDINGLY.
TO RECEIVE A FREE 2014 CATALOG AND TRAINING DVD, THE LASERS EDGE,CALL 1-800-442-2406OR VISIT CRIMSONTRACE.COM.
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10 SHOT SHOW SPECIAL COVERAGEWe walked more than 40 miles around the 13-acre
showroom floor at the Shooting, Hunting, and
Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show at the Sands Expo
Center in Las Vegas to find the most innovative, most
exciting, and most useful concealed carry handguns
and gear for 2014. See the best of the best in our
exclusive coverage!
Story & Photos by Dave Norman
22 THE SIG SAUER P938 PISTOL, A SMALLER 1911Sig Sauer took a 1911, streamlined and shrank it,
chambered it in 9mm, and gave it a slide profile
evocative of their P200-series handguns. It was a
bold move, and required a lot of engineering. We
wanted to see how well that paid offso our law
enforcement professionals put it through a field
review to find out if its street-ready!
By Jim Weiss and Mickey Davis
48 KIMBERS POCKET JEWEL: THE SOLO CDPThis double action 9mm pocket gun from Kimber is
surprisingly small, packs a surprising punchand
departs from their usual 1911 engineering in
some creative places. We slip it into a pocket and
head to the range to see this unique approach to
shrinking a 1911!
By Zack Carlson
Departments6 LETTER FROM
THE EDITOR
8 HOT GEAR FORCONCEALED CARRY
130 LAST PAGE
4 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
Features
Do you just shoot until
the target goes down? Or
do you shoot precisely to
make the target go down?
Explore the difference
with Chuck Taylor.
48 P H O T O B Y K I M B E R
Table of Contents May/June 2014
We tested Sig's P938
in many hands.
The Cover:
Photography By: Kimber,Sig Sauer, Taurus
Design By: Eric Knagg
What else happens when you
shrink a 1911 as much as the
Solo?
PHOTOBYJIMWEISS
22
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Buyers Guides
MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
16 Micro Guns
30 Pocket Pistols
36 Subcompact Semi-Autos
56 Compact Semi-Autos
70 Full-Frame Semi-Autos
90 1911 Handguns
106 Compact Revolvers
116 Medium Revolvers
122 Full-Frame Revolvers
Kahr and Spyderco team up for
new general purpose blades.
Winchester pairs training and defensive
ammunition in a new product line.
The Mi-Bullet
breaks into three
projectiles...teth-
ered together.
PH
OTOBYKAHRARMS
PHOTOBYMIBULLET
PHOTOBYEAA
106
8
8
10
Cheap, powerful, double
action...the Windicator is
hard to beat.
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6 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
The 1911 Goes
Undercover
The 9mm is possibly the most
popular cartridge in person
protection, based on current
sales volume of defensive handguns
in that caliber. The
1911 is a perennialfavorite platform for
defensive pistols, and
though polymer
framed striker fired
pistols and double
action only designs
have seen surging
sales, the old style is
a firmly established
favorite.
So what happens
when you bring
together the most
popular modern
defensive caliber,
with the worlds most
popular model type?
Historically, not terribly muchthe
9mm in full-size 1911s hasnt
caught on to any remarkable extent,
though fine examples exist.
Butthen you shrink the platform,
down smaller than an officersmodelsmall enough to make the
new gun a deeply concealable, jack-
et-pocket gun. Now youre talking.
Thats an approach that several
companies have tried, encounter-
ing large design challenges each
timethe 1911 is a marvel of engi-
neering built in perfect synergy
with the .45 ACP. Alter the cham-
bering as drastically as going to
the 9mm, and youre talking about
an overhaul that will leave you with
a completely new gun.
Which is what we find with Sig
Sauers P938, and Kimbers Solo,
reviewed in this issue by our
experts. Neither is
a full-blooded 1911,but then, each was
designed to retain
favorite elements
of 1911 design
while creating guns
unique to solving
the challenge of
putting a comfort-
able, utterly reliable
subcompact 9mm
in your pocket.
Both turned out to
be excellent, and
somewhat familiar
in experienced
hands. Which one is
for you? You have
to decide that for yourself.
Your next challenge will be con-
cealing it effectively, which Brad
Fitzpatrick helps out on in his article
on deep concealment. We have
some new ammunition for yourcarry gun in our SHOT Show
Special Section, and some other
new-for-2014 gear throughout. Its
an exciting time to head to the gun
storeand never has it been more
fun to hit the range.
Best wishes,
A LETTER FROM THE
EDITOR
By Dave Norman
EDITORIALGroup Editorial Manager: Doug JeffreyEditor: Dave NormanManaging Editor: Breanna ArmstrongArt Director: John Bernikow
CONTRIBUTORSChuck Taylor, Brad Fitzpatrick, Mike Dickerson, Zack Carlson
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Concealed Carry Handguns 2014 by Beckett Media, LLC. All rightsreserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue in whole or in
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PHO
TOB
Y
NICK
ROFE
May/June 2014
So whathappens whenyou bringtogether the
most popularmoderndefensivecaliber, with
the worldsmost popularmodel type?
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300 AAC BLACKOUT The terminal effects
that you expect and reliable intermediate-barrier
performance from even the shortest-barreled
carbines and PDWs. Barnes 300 AAC Blackout-
optimized bullets new, over-sized plastic tips
add to our existing bullet technology to keep the
weight down and the velocity
up, for a flatter trajectory
and optimal penetration
even at extended ranges.
338 LAPUA Developed to match the
advancements in rifle accuracy and extended-
range optics. The Barnes 338 Lapua LRX
features a long profile and boattail design that
deliver match-grade accuracy at long range
with an incredibly high ballistic coefficient and
terminal performance.
www.barnesbullets.com 1-800-574-9200
AVAILABLE IN: 110 gr.and 120 gr. TAC-TX
components and
VOR-TX Ammunition.
AVAILABLE IN: 265 gr.
and 280 gr. LRX
components and 280 gr.
LRX VOR-TX Ammunition.
Y O U S H O U L D E R T H E
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HOT GEAR
8 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
FOR CONCEALED CARRY
MULTIPLE IMPACTBULLETSFrom Mi-Bullets come multiple impact bul-
lets, a new type of defense roundand newly
available to handgunsthat applies modern
engineering to create increased hit potential
from a single handgun bullet that behaves
somewhat like three different rounds.
Citing research that finds the overwhelm-
ing amount of shots fired in high-stress,
life-or-death situations miss their intended
targets, Mi-Bullet set out to create a multi-
segment, spin-stabilized round that increasesyour hit potential by launching a three-leaf
projectile that breaks apart just inches from
the muzzle, with each part tethered to a common hub in
the middle to limit the total width of the flying projectile
cloud to 10 inches. It achieves maximum diameter around
eight feet from the muzzle.
Does that sound like strung buck from
shotgun defensive rounds? Were curious to see
if theres a relationand to see just how well it
works. Were working right now to get some in for
testing, so we can bring you a field report in anupcoming issue!
Brand: Mi-Bullet
Model: Mi3 Stopper
Type: Multi-Projectile Round
Website: www.mibullet.com
MSRP: $60 (per box for .45 ACP)
Calibers: .380 ACP, .38 SPL,
.357 MAG, 9mm, .45 COLT,
.410 Shotshell
Applications: Civilian Defense,
Law Enforcement
KAHRSPYDERCOKNIVESYour choice of pocket knife says a lot about you
as much as your choice of handgun, though its
the pocket knife that will see far, far more fre-
quent (and mundane) use. A sharp blade carriedlegally can open boxes and mail, break down
cardboard and open obstinate packaging; it can
cut away clothing around a wound, slice rope to
length and serve in so many other capacities.
Spyderco makes blades for every day carry,
and real world use. They recently paired with
Kahr Arms, makers of fantastic defensive
handguns, to design Kahr-branded Spyderco
knives for everyday carry.
In these hot new knives, they have models
designed for tough cutting and slicing tasks that
utilize the latest grip-enhancing Spyderco handledesign along with tough, traditional-style back-
lock blade safeties and keen edges. The Delica 4s
blade is even 2.5 inches for legal carry in a great
number of localities where blade length is
restrictedeven severely sowhile still offering a
full-size knife handle for comfort and control
while cutting.
Brand: Spyderco
Model: Delica 4
Website: www.kahr.com
MSRP: $99
Line: Kahr
Blade Length: 2.5 inches
Overall Length: 6.75 inches
Blade Material: VG-10 Stainless
Weight: 2.5 ounces
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MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
RAMRODZCONVENIENT CLEANINGThe designers behind the RamRodz cleaning
products must have heard the expression fits like
a square peg in a round hole and decided to
invent a better solution than cleaning round bores
with square patches. Their solution: a Q-Tip-like
cotton swab on a bamboo stick, where the cottonis just slightly oversized for a given bore diameter.
After passing copper bristle brushes through
your bore to scrape off powder and metal fouling,
you can use a
RamRodz stick to
soak up the solvents
and remove the gunk.
The bamboo handle
involved with each
one means you dont
have to swap
between patch jags
and brushes on your
cleaning rod, and the
8 inch shafts cleaned
even our longest
handgun barrels. The
bamboo doesnt mar
the metal, of course,
should it contact the
crown or chamber
during cleaning.
Initial testing wevedone shows the idea works, and works great.
Commonly sold in quantities of 200, you can order
them in just about every caliber.
Brand: RamRodz
Type: Cleaning Swab
Website: www.ramrodz.com
MSRP: $10
Quantity: 200
Caliber: Various
Material: Cotton, Bamboo
SUPER LIGHT,SUPER QUIK STANDAs their name implies, Range Systems makes
target-related systems for ranges, from retrieval
units to ballistic blocks that absorb rounds. Their
Quik Stand is meant as a low-priced, very clever
solution to a common problem facing their
customers: how to display a target, especially
at odd ranges or out of square, and in such a
manner as can be quickly repositioned.Their solution is clever: two zinc-coated (for
weather protection) metal junctions into which
you insert 1x1 or 1x2 furring strips (which you
provide yourself and cut to your own length).
One strip goes front to back for feet; one strip
connects the two junctions together, forming the
base of the target stand; one mounts vertically
into each junction as an upright to which you
staple your target, cardboard, etc.
Thumbscrews secure the furring strips,
creating a solid enough target frame that you
can easily drag across the ground to position
your targets however you want. It collapses
easily and takes up very, very little space for
transportation and storage.
Brand: Range Systems
Model: Quik Stand
Website: www.range-systems.com
MSRP: $29.99
Accommodates: 1x2 and 2x2 boards
Coating: Zinc
Secures With: Thumbscrews (provided)
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10 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
There is more gear on the market now than ever
for law-abiding concealed carriers, from holstersto handguns to pocket knives to fast-access
clothing that blends right into lifes backgroundand
we saw just about all of it on display at the massive
Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show
this year. Were just back from touring more than 1,600
companies boothsthats right, over 1,6000 different
companies together in one place at one timeto find
you some of the most fascinating, useful, and trend-
setting gear in our industry.
HAD TO USE A COMPASS
To find our way around the show, we had to actually
use a compassto keep following magnetic North as
we navigated more than 13 acres of all indoor show-
room space at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas. It
was a sea of compact handguns and synthetic holster
of ammunition manufacturers and boot makers and
companies selling blast-resistant shooting glasses.And yeahit was totally awesome.
Well have more products next month, and are
arranging a year full of product reviews to look behind
the hype and show you what actually performsand
how far we can push it. This gear, though, was just toocool to keep to ourselves.
SHOT SHOWSPECIAL COVERAGE
IMAGE BY DAVE NORM
IMAGE
BYDAVENORMAN
Your Sneak Peek at the Hottest Gear for 2014
By Editor
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PROJECT CHILDSAFE
A part of the National ShootingSports Foundations public out-reach, Project ChildSafe is afirearm safety and awareness pro-gram that makes cable-stylefirearm locks and informationalbooklets on how to use themandsafely store firearmsavailable for
free to individuals and law enforce-ment agencies (so they may dis-tribute them, free, to gun owners).
They had a big presence atSHOT Show this year, and aredeserving of recognition for theirwork in distributing millions ofchild-resistant firearm locks to gunownersfree of charge. Accordingto Project ChildSafe, they provideresponsible gun owners with the
tools and information they need tosecurely store their guns awayfrom children, at-risk individualsand criminals. Project ChildSafe
has partnered with law enforce-ment agencies in 15,000 commu-nities across the country. Since2003, 36 million firearm safetykits (including a cable-style gunlocking device, lock-installmentinstructions and a safety booklet)have been distributed free
of charge to gun ownersthrough partnerships with lawenforcement in all 50 states andfive U.S. territories.
For more information on gettingyour locks through ProjectChildSafe, or to support them intheir quest to even further reducefirearms-related accidents throughsafe storage education and freelocks, visit them online atwww.projectchildsafe.org
POCKET GLOCK
Until the release of the 42, theonly .380 ACP Glock handguns inthe US were restricted to lawenforcement sales. Now the 42 ison the market, bringing the caliberto civilians (and law enforcement)in a package that is incredibly lightand pretty compactroughly thesame size, though with a slightly
slimmer grip, as their 26 (9mm)and 27 (.40 SW) gunsbut lighter.
The 42 is an interesting proposi-tion, in that its now the smallestGlock youll find on the US mar-ketthe single stack six roundmagazine contributes to thatgreatlyin a caliber that the indus-try is pushing this year towardsfemale shooters, new shooters,
and as a deep concealment orbackup caliber. The overall size,though, is larger in many respectsthan the Ruger LCP and Smith &Wesson Bodyguard, only fraction-ally smaller than the Smith &Wesson Shield, and virtually thesame dimensions as theSpringfield XDsmany of whichcome in 9mm, a more powerfuland much better respected defen-sive cartridge than the .380 ACP.
The 42 has the same ergonom-ics, manual of arms, firing system,etc, as the rest of Glocks hand-guns, making it a natural pairingfor those who train with or carrylarger Glock handgunsespeciallythose who carry the 42 as a deepconcealment backup to their dutyGlock or compact Glock carrygunone set of controls to memo-rize, one ergonomic to get used to,
one manual of arms to commit tomuscle memory, regardless of
which particular Glock you draw inthe moment. That, for many Glockcarriers, could be huge.
GlockMODEL: 42
WEBSITE: www.glock.comMSRP: $475Action: STRCaliber: .380 ACPCapacity: 6+1Barrel Length: 3.25 inchesLength: 5.9 inchesWidth: 0.9 inchesHeight: 4.1 inchesWeight: 14 ouncesFeatures: Smallest Glock onmarket, safety built into trigger,white outline rear sight, very light
MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS 1
Whatch for These
Hot .380 ACPs
Beretta Pico. . . . . . . . . $399Glock 42 . . . . . . . . . . . $475Kahr P380 . . . . . . . . . . $649Ruger LC380 . . . . . . . . $449S&W Bodyguard . . . . . $419Sig Sauer P238 . . . . . . $515
Taurus 738 TCP . . . . . . $356
IMAGE
BYGLOCK
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12 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
TRAIN & DEFEND
DYNAMIC PAIRING
Youre supposed to train exactly
as you intend to fight, including
using the exact gun and ammuni-
tion you carry. That gets really
expensive when talking about high
round count training days with pre-
mium defensive ammunition ratherthan target loadsbut target loads
often differ somewhat in finer
details like recoil characteristics
and impact points.
With their new Train & Defend line
of ammunition, Winchester seeks to
rectify the situation with a 50 round
box of reasonably priced, reduced
recoil target rounds that are ballisti-
cally paired with newly formulated
reduced recoil personal defense
rounds. The target loads are full
metal jacket, and are loaded withlead-free primersa pretty big deal
for those who train on indoor
ranges, especially where only lead-
free-primed ammunition is allowed.
The defensive rounds, understand-
ably more expensive, are hollow
point affairs designed for excellentballistic performance, with recoil
characteristics and point of impact
at defensive ranges very similarif
not identicalto the training rounds.
Their approach, Winchester toldConcealed Carry Handguns, is
specifically welcoming to newer
shooters with straightforward, visu-
ally similar packaging that clearly
states the purpose of each type of
round: training or defense.
AVAILABLE CALIBERS:
.380 ACP
95 GRAINS
950 FEET PER SECOND
9MM
147 GRAINS
950 FEET PER SECOND
.40 SW
180 GRAINS
925 FEET PER SECOND
.38 SPL
130 GRAINS
925 FEET PER SECOND
WWW.WINCHESTER.COM
Celebrity sightings abounded, as SHOT Showattendees met actor, Marine, and Glock
spokesman R. Lee Ermey (pictured, with fan)
along with many others popular figures.
SIGS 938IN .22 LR!
If our coverage of Sigs P938 has
you itching to try one, consider this
you can also have it in .22 LR.
Unveiled at SHOT is this amazing lit
tle pocket 1911-based single action
pistol with frame-mounted safety,
three dot sights, and familiar
ergonomicsbut chambered ineverybodys favorite rimfire round.
Sig fans have been clamoring for
.22 LR versions of their popular
handguns, and time will tell how
popular this concept becomesits
outwardly identical to their P938, th
9mm subcompact that has a lot of
people talking. So why step down in
power from the 9mm to the .22 LR?
Perhaps when using it as a train-
ing pistol to shoot comparativelyless expensive ammunition than the
9mm ammo from your regular P938
Perhaps as an intriguing cartridge
for those with extreme recoil sensi-
tivity, or other reasons for a seem-
1911s, like the very compact yet full-power .45 ACP (above) and Sig's P938 in .22 LR (below),
remained extremely popular at this year's SHOT Show.
IMAGEBYDAVENORMAN
IMAGESBYWINCHESTER
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MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS 1
ingly peculiar preference for the .22LR over the 9mm. Perhaps as a1911-style-pistol trainer for thosewith extremely small hands.
And perhaps just because itstotally awesome.
TRUE ODDITIES
No SHOT Show highlight collec-tion would be complete without a
quick mention of this namelesspiece of subversive craftsmanship,available exclusively through ArsenalInc. of Las Vegas, Nevada. WhileSHOT Show featured plenty of cre-ative personal defense products,including kubatons and chemicalsprays, knives and handguns,restraints and armor, nothing quitecompared to this surgery-sharpstainless steel blade knife with a sixshot revolver hidden inside the han-dle. This concept harkens back tothe days of flintlock pistols beingbuilt into cutlasses, but providesthe modern spin of concealing thegun entirely inside the polymerhandlesand utilizing revolvercomponents for multiple shotsbefore reloading.
The hole over the blade is themuzzle for the .22 LR bullets, andthe spike over the hole is to keep
the shooters fingers from acciden-tally wrapping over the guard and
thus resting over the muzzle.In speaking with Arsenal Inc., they
wouldnt set an MSRP, choosinginstead to let dealers set theirpricesbut they reported that streetprices are upwards of $4,000.Impractical? Thats in the eye of thebeholder. Expensive? Undoubtedly.
But unique among modern offer-ings and quite show-stopping?
Undeniably.
SUPPRESSOR-FRIENDLY
AMMUNITION
Those who practice with, or carry,.22 LR handguns are familiar withthe distinctive crack of the bulletsbreaching the sound barrierandalong with the cartridge discharging,the noise of a .22 LR from a shortbarreled pistol can be quite painful.To lessen that report, while still offer-ing a round that will cycle mostsemi-automatics (even with suppres-sors), CCI offers theirSuppressor 22 ammu-nition with a 45-grainhollow point projectilepropelled at 970 feetper second.
At that subsonicvelocity, you wont getthe crack of the sonic
boom, and the overallreport is considerably
quieterwhile the heavy-for-caliber45-grain bullet provides increasedrearward energy during accelerationto reliably cycle most slides insemiautomatics. Its worth a lookfor anyone who carries a .22 LR,or practices with one and valuestheir hearing!
WWW.CCI-AMMUNITION.COM
GERBERS DEEP CONCEALMENT
DEFENSIVE BLADE
The perfect pairing for your con-cealed handgun is a concealed knifefor those many times when you needa good general utility blade and thossurprising ones when its suddenservice can mean the differencebetween life and deathcutting seatbelts to free yourself from adestroyed vehicle, slicing ropes in astorm, defeating zip-ties, fending off
Showroom Spy ReportHottest Handgun Style: 1911Surprisingly Popular Caliber for 2014: .380 ACPAny Striker Fired Love:Yes, but surprisingly
tempered this yearAmmo Trend: Lead free primersHolster Trend: Elastic anti-bounce styles
Concealment Garments: More discrete than ever
IMAGEBYDAVENORMAN
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14 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
attackers until you can draw(or recover) your gun
Gerber makes great multi-
tools and pocket knives, but
new is their foray into deep
concealment blades like the
Ghoststrike. With various
sheath options, you can wear
it on a neck cord, in their
ankle holster, on your hip, or
horizontally in the small of
your back.
WWW.GERBERGEAR.COM
WOMENS
TACTICAL PANTS
Designed for women, and
designed for rough duty in
hostile environments, 5.11s
Cirrus Pant uses a Teflon
coating to fight moisture,
stains and dirt, and utilizes
a combination of polyester
and cotton material engi-
neered to stretch where you
need it for a full, free range
of motion. The secret to
these pants: theyre cut fora womans figure, without
cutting any corners.
These Cirrus Womens
Pants are engineered for
female law enforcement offi-
cers and military personnel,
tactically-oriented civilians,
competitive shooters, and
other females whose gar-
ments need to perform well
beyond the design parame-ters of department store fash
ionall the while, providing a
fit and overall design tailored
to a womans figure.
MSRP: $74.99
WWW.511TACTICAL.COM
XDS GOES LONG
Most handguns are carried
vertically, with the muzzle
pointing down. That meanstheir big limitations for con-
cealability are height (from th
bottom of the magazine to
the top of the rear sight) and
width (which contributes to
how far from your body it
sticks out), with length from
rear to muzzle being an
almost minor concernwith
that axis extending along a
somewhat straight part of
your body, rather than stick-
ing out from a curve in your
side, you can more easily
conceal a long handgun than
a tall one.
So why not put a four inch
barrel into a subcompact?That was perhaps the germ
of inspiration behind
Springfields 9mm XDs 4.0,
which features a four inch
barrel and consequentlyhigher velocity, longer sight
radius, minimal 2-ounce
Whats Up With the .380 ACP?Glock and Beretta both made huge deals out
of their new .380 ACP guns this year, and othermakerslike Taurus with their 738 TCP, Kahrwith the P380, and Sig Sauer with their P238had .380 ACP pocket guns on display, too. Whatswith the sudden resurgence of marketing and
development behind the .380 ACP?The industry scuttlebutt follows National
Shooting Sports Foundation findings that the newshooters entering our market are more urbanthan ever, are concerned with personal and homeprotection, and are particularly skittish aboutrecoil (and fear of recoil). Readily concealablehandguns are a driving force in the market, andwith many established companies already deeplyinvested in the Big Three9mm, .40 SW, and.45 ACPit was a natural to diversify offerings
into a caliber and platform thats at home insideyour front pants pocket and has newer-shooter-friendly recoil.
Granted, a .380 ACP polymer framed gun willfeel snappier with defensive loads than a full-size9mm with practice loadsbut in the grandscheme of things, the .380 ACP is a less intimi-dating cartridge for newer shooters. Add in thatmore women are getting into shooting now thanever, and that on the balance they have smallerhands than men, and the .380 ACP has a large
and eager market share for whom it may solveseveral problems at once!
The Womens Cirrus Pant from 5.11
Tactical is designed for hard-use,
but with a degree of street-ready
styleand pockets that are actuallyusefulwe dont need to tell our
female readers how rare that is!
The Ghoststrike from Gerber has
great defensive and general utility.IMAGES BY GERBER
The Ghoststrike Ankle Sheath keeps your
blade discrete beneath your pants leg.
IMAGEBY5.1
1TACTICAL
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MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS 1
additional weight, decreased muz-zle flip, and increased accuracypotentialin a pistol that is other-wise the same dimensions as theirXDs 3.3. We banged out a fewflawless runs on plate racks withone at the range before SHOTShow, and were impressed withboth the concept and execution!
SpringfieldMODEL: XDS 9 4.0WEBSITE:
www.springfield-armory.comMSRP: $599Action: DAOCaliber: 9mmCapacity: 7+1Barrel Length: 4 inchesLength: 7 inchesWeight: 25 ounces
Features: 2-dot rear sight, fiberoptic front sight, short reset trigger,long barrel for type
IMAGESBYSPRINGFIELDARMORY
CC
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16 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
MICRO
HANDGUNS
PHOTOB
YDAVENORMAN
Tiny FramesMeetSurprising Power!
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MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS 1
Why You Need OneThe smallest practical, production handguns on
the market, these micro guns range from truly
tinylike the micro revolvers from North
American Armsto just about the smallest youcan get for their caliber (like the .45 COLT / .410
bore derringers). If you need a backup gun, look
here first. If you need a deep, deep concealment
gun, or one you can carry in creative locations, a
micro design could fit the bill unlike any other.
Whats Hot AboutMicro Handguns? Tiny SizeThey Hide Anywhere! Great Backup Guns KISS -CompliantSuper Simple! Two Full Power Cartridges
or 5 Shots of .22 Rimfire!
and Whats ChallengingAbout Them? Hard to Shoot Accurately Lowered Velocities
Slow to Reload Limited Shots
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18 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
MICRO HANDGUNS
American DerringerMODEL: DA38
WEBSITE: www.amderringer.com
MSRP: $690
Action: DA
Caliber: .38 SPL
Capacity: 2
Barrel Length: 3.3 inches
Length: 4.7 inches
Width: 1.1 inches
Height: 3.3 inches
Weight: 14.5 ounces
Features: Rather unique double-
action derringer, very concealable,
fixed sights
American DerringerMODEL: M7
WEBSITE: www.amderringer.com
MSRP: $775
Action: SA
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 2
Barrel Length: 3 inchesLength: 4.8 inches
Width: 1.1 inches
Height: 3.3 inches
Weight: 7.5 ounces
Features: Aluminum construction for lightweigh
automatic barrel selection, very light weight
Bond ArmsMODEL: COWBOY DEFENDER
WEBSITE: www.bondarms.com
MSRP: $405
Action: SA
Caliber: .45 COLT / .410 Shotshell
Capacity: 2
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Length: 5 inches
Height: 3.75 inches
Weight: 19 ounces
Features: Interchangeable barrels, spring-loadedcammed locking lever, extremely powerful
Hot Feature: This truly unique
derringer is double actionno
hammers to cock, just point
and squeeze!
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MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS 1
Bond ArmsMODEL: SNAKE SLAYER
WEBSITE: www.bondarms.com
MSRP: $505
Action: SA
Caliber: .45 COLT / .410 Shotshell
Capacity: 2
Barrel Length: 4.25 inches
Length: 6.25 inchesHeight: 4.3 inches
Weight: 23.5 ounces
Features: Interchangeable barrels,
fixed sights, automatic extractor
MODEL: TEXAS DEFENDER
WEBSITE: www.bondarms.com
MSRP: $415
Action: SA
Caliber: .45 COLT / .410 Shotshell
Capacity: 2
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Length: 5 inches
Height: 3.75 inches
Weight: 20 ounces
Features: Interchangeable barrels,
spring-loaded cammed locking lever,extremely powerful, available in a wide
variety of calibers
Hot Feature: Bond Arms derringers
are built with wide barrel interchange-
ability, so you can order barrels in .22
LR through .45 COLT / .410 Shotshell
and a lot of calibers in between!
Bond Arms
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NorthAmericanArms
20 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
MICRO HANDGUNS
MODEL: MINI MASTER
WEBSITE:
www.northamericanarms.com
MSRP: $473
Action: SA
Caliber: .22 WMRCapacity: 5
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Length: 7.9 inches
Width: 1 inch
Height: 3.7 inches
Weight: 10.8 ounces
Features: Adjustable target sights, vented
top rib, surprisingly long barrel
North American Arms makes the most
popular micro revolvers on the market,
chambering them in .22 SHORT, .22 LR,
andas these two examples of their rather
deep catalog showeven .22 WMR. The
magnum rimfire cartridge helps make up for
the short barrel of the Black Widow Venom,
while the four inch barrel on the Mini Master
gets even more velocity out of the same
magnum defensive cartridges. The addition
of the Laserlyte under barrel laser, whichmakes each into the any given model reall
sets them apart from the rest of North
American Arms extensive catalog of palm-
of-your-hand revolversand extends their
utility to really help you hit what youre aim-
ing at under duress. While the .22 WMR car-
tridge might not be many shooters idea of
an ideal every day carry cartridge, the
diminutive nature of these revolvers makes
them ideal for every day carry backup and
extremely discrete carry where you might no
otherwise be able to go lawfully armed at al
without detection.
MODEL: BLACK WIDOW VENOM
WEBSITE:
www.northamericanarms.com
MSRP: $423
Action: SA
Caliber: .22 WMR
Capacity: 5
Barrel Length: 2 inches
Length: 7.9 inches
Width: 1 inch
Height: 3.7 inches
Weight: 10.8 ounces
Features: Fixed sights, Laserlyte
under barrel laser, vented top rib,
ergonomic two-finger grip
North American Arms
MODEL: DOUBLE TAP
WEBSITE:
www.heizerfirearms.com
MSRP: $499
Action: DA
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 2
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Length: 5.5 inches
Width: 0.7 inchesHeight: 3.9 inches
Weight: 12 ounces
Features: Unique double-action
design, carries two spare rounds
on an included speed strip in
the grip panel
Hot Feature: The Double
Tap holds two more .45
ACP rounds on their custom
stripper clip concealed in
the grip!
Heizer
Defense
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MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS 2
NorthAmericanArms
MODEL: .22 MAG HOLSTER /
GRIP COMBO
WEBSITE:www.northamericanarms.com
MSRP: $244
Action: SA
Caliber: .22 WMR
Capacity: 5
Barrel Length: 1.1 inches
Length: 5.25 in or 5.75 inches
Width: 0.9 inches
Height: 2.9 inches
Weight: 6.2 ounces
Features: Grip folds under pistol,
accepts .22 LR cartridges, doesntprint as a gun
Hot Feature: That grip folds up over the gun so it doesnt
look like a gun as it rides where your pocket knife would!
MODEL: MAG 1.1
WEBSITE:
www.northamericanarms.com
MSRP: $219
Action: SA
Caliber: .22 WMR
Capacity: 5
Barrel Length: 1.1 inches
Length: 4.75 inches
Width: 0.9 inches
Height: 2.9 inches
Weight: 5.9 ounces
Features: Extremely short for caliber,
reloads by removing the cylinder,exceedingly compact
Discover the
world of firearms at
your fingertips.
www.gunworld.com
Find us on
North American Arms
Visit our new website Today!
Discover theWorld of Firearmsat Your Fingertips.
www.gunworld.com
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22 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
THE SIG SAUERP938 PISTOL,A SMALLER 1911
By Jim Weiss and Mickey Davis
with exclusive photos from P.J. Ryan and Jim Weiss
The P938 looked the part for what it was:a miniature 1911. The rear of the grip
and the trigger itself had texture, which is
handy for controlling a small, lightweight
gun pushing out 9mm rounds.
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With dimensions just slightly larger than
its .380ACP counterpart, the P938
packs six plus one rounds of 9mm
into an all-metal frame. The cocked-and-locked,
single-action trigger gives the P938 unmatched
accuracy in a pistol its size. Thats big news for a
little gun, and theres more. According to Sig
Sauer, With the introduction of the P938, Sig
Sauer now offers the ballistic advantage of the
9mm cartridge in a platform similar in size to the
best-selling P238 pistol. A single-action-only
trigger, coupled with full-size Siglite
Night Sights
makes the P938 handle like a much larger pistol,
yet is still easy to carry concealed.
FAMILIAR FEATURES
Fans of the 1911 will find the thumb safety, magazine
release and slide stop lever in familiar places. An
ambidextrous safety makes the P938 easy for left- and
right-handed shooters. An extended seven-round maga-zine is available.
Our evaluations are basically law enforcement oriented
and not military, so we do not bury the guns in sand or
dirt, or soak them in water before firing. Our tests are
designed to prove, to us before you, that a gun is suit-able for law enforcement (or civilian) use. So lets see
how the P938 performed!
SGT. CONNORS REPORT
Inspired by the popularity of the Sig Sauer P238 .380
ACP pistol, the company developed the Sig Sauer P938
Both the P238 and P938 function like a John Browning
designed US 1911 Pistol, single action with an external
safety. The P938 also has Sig Sauer night sights.
My case included one flush-fitting, six-round maga-
zine, two seven-round magazines, and a grip extension
This grip extension feature proved to be a popular onewith medium- to large-handed shooters. My gun also
included a Kydex holster that would clip over a belt,
a trend of several gun manufacturers that I applaud.
Right out of the box, the P938 has the aesthetics tha
one would expect from Sig Sauer. It looked the part for
what it was: a miniature 1911. The rear of the grip and
the trigger itself had texture, which is handy for control-
ling a small, lightweight gun pushing out 9mm defensiv
rounds. The grip itself was longer from front to back,
making it feel more like a full-sized pistol and less like
a compact.
The P938 fed everything I could load into it without
incident. This included Winchester and Federal 115-
grain FMJ, CCI Blazer rounds, and Speer Gold Dot
ammunition. From 20 feet, I could consistently hit a
roofing nail. From 20 yards, the groups stayed within
a 6-inch circle. With the extended seven-round maga-
zines, the weapon felt like a full-sized weapon in myhands, and felt very comfortable.
The holster proved to be good quality, but it was not
a retention-type holster.
Since I own a 1911, when I first heard I would be
shooting this gun, I was excited. However, the balloonburst when I started firing. The trigger on the P938 is
rated between 7.5 pounds and 8 pounds, most likely to
MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS 2
A firm grip should be used when firing such a lightweight pistol. A light
grip can cause pistol malfunction. Sergeant John Connor demonstrates.
According to Sig Sauer: With the introduction of the P938, Sig Sauer now
offers the ballistic advantage of the 9mm cartridge in a platform similar
in size to the best-selling P238 pistol.
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make the weapon safe for con-
cealed carry. My guns trigger felt
very stiff and mechanical, which Im
sure would loosen up after a few
hundred rounds. But the SIG P938
wasnt like shooting a 1911 with its
short, crisp trigger, which is the
biggest selling point to creating a
1911-style weapon in this evalua-
tors opinion.In addition, my duty weapon and
the majority of my personal
weapons are double action only, so
the SIG P938 is not a gun I would
carry. Under stress in a life or death
situation, I dont want to think about
safeties or chambering a round.
But if you are a 1911 fan, and
familiar with the safeties and manual
of arms of 1911s, this would be a
great pocket gun with respectable
firepower. With the exception of the
trigger, this is the high quality com-
pact pistol one would expect from
Sig Sauer.
THE ARMORER...
P. J. Ryan is a retired law enforce-ment officer from the Southeast.
During his career, he was a law
enforcement firearms instructor, a
L.E. Armorer, a member of his
agencys Emergency ResponseTeam, a Certified Edged Weapon
Awareness and Spontaneous Knife
Defense Instructor, and a Certified
Israeli Instinctive Shooting Instructo
He is currently involved in firearms
development, training, and tactics.
...AND HIS REVIEW
The P938 is labeled by Sig Sauer
as having a micro compact frame,
being single action only, and being
a slim and lightweight 9mm pistol.Upon opening the lockable black
plastic pistol case our demo model
had a look and feel that should
appeal to micro compact pistol
lovers who know the workings of a
1911 series pistol. Knowledge of th
workings of a 1911 series pistol,
and completely reading and under-
standing of the P938 owners
manual, is highly recommended.
The assembly and disassembly of
a 1911 and P938 are different; it
is important to follow the owner
manuals instructions.
According to Sig Sauer, our test
P938 Extreme has a Nitron-coated,
stainless slide with front and rear
cocking serrations, eternal extractorand black anodized frame. Hogue
G-10 Piranha grips (aka Extreme
Grips) in black and grey provide a
rough and textured surface area tha
even the smallest hands will appre-ciate. Adding to a good grip, the
same surface is found on the main-
Caution
Over-extension of the ejector duringassembly may cause the ejector tobind, preventing shell casings fromejecting during firing.
We measured the average trigger
pull at 6 pounds 10 ounces.
Evaluation Criteria4 Top Problems ofGun Malfunction
When this writing team evaluatesany firearm, we take into accountthat the four main problems of amalfunctioning gun are, in order:
1 ammunition issues
2 shooter error
3faulty magazine
4faulty gunIf a magazine is at fault, we con-
tact the dealer or manufacturer toaddress that issue. If the problem iswith the gun itself, we do not writethe article, something made clearahead of time to our contact personat the manufacturer or dealer.
There were no malfunctions withthe SIG P938 pistol that our team fieldevaluated. This is the third SIG firearm
that we have put to the test and noneof them had malfunction issues.
24 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
Right out of the box, the P938 has the aesthetics
that one would expect from Sig Sauer...
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MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS 2
Our P938 performed flawlessly with defensive (and
practice) loads from Federal, Winchester, and Cor-Bon.
Disassembly was straightforward, and
revealed beautifully simple mechanics.
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26 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
spring housing. The front strap of
the handgrip is checkered, whichalso provides additional gripping
surface. That same tactical touch
is found on the trigger in the form
of vertical grooves.
Further up the handgrip is a
small beavertail (minus the grip
safety of the 1911 series) that
a person with larger hands can
appreciate without worrying
about the slide biting any part
of the hand.
Ambidextrous thumb safeties
are located above and to the rear
of both sides of the handgrip. The
thumb safety on a standard 1911
series pistol works in a different
fashion from the P938.
Notably missing is a slide lock
notch as is found on a standard
1911 series pistol. This, whenengaged on a cocked or uncocked
hammer, completely locks any
slide movement. With the hammercocked and the thumb safety
engaged, the P938 still permits
the slide to move rearward forinspection, loading, or unloading
a round in the chamber.
Sig Sauer states the single
action trigger pull is anywhere
between 7.5 and 8.5 pounds.
The well-used demo I evaluated
was tested using a Lyman digital
trigger pull gauge, and ten pulls
averaged at 6 pounds 10 ounces.
Unloaded, the test model
weighed 17.20 ounces with its
standard six-round magazine.
When loaded with Winchester
Ranger SXT 127grain 9mm +P+
ammunition, the Sig P938 with its
standard 6-round magazine (+1
for a total 7 rounds) weighs a
mere 20.25 ounces.
For aiming purposes, the P938
Extreme has full-size Siglite NightSights, which gives the three-inch
barrel a generous four-inch sight
radius.The standard six- round
About John Connor Field Evaluator
Police Sergeant John Connor is atrainer from Emerald Shield TacticalConcepts. The company prepares lawenforcement officers to prevail in any onor off duty encounter through coursesand tactics using non-lethal trainingammunition and live-fire scenarios. Itfocuses its training in high liability
areas, and its instructors are swornFlorida-based LE trainers who are stillcurrent law enforcement officers, andwhose backgrounds include controltactics/martial arts, SWAT, use of force,and firearms certification.
Sergeant Connor is a long-time mem-ber of his police departments SWATteam, and has participated in variouscompetitions, most notably seven timesat SWAT Round-Up International.
www.emeraldshieldconcepts.com
This would be a greatpocket gun withrespectable firepower
The Winchester SX
round in the
installed magazine
is held in perfect
alignment for reli-
able feeding.
The pistols diminutive frame is, not surprisingly,
accessible to those with narrower fingers and
smaller hands, extending its appeal as a pri-
mary carry gun.
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MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS 2
The P938 Extreme hasfull-size Siglite Night Sights,which gives the three-inch
barrel a generous four-inchsight radius
magazine is made of steel, has five
witness holes on each side, and fits
flush inside the magazine well. The
seven-round extended magazine is
also made out of steel, has six witness
holes on each side, and a magazine
bumper/finger rest on the bottom which
accommodates a good grip.If you have use for a daily carry, single
stack, 9mm, 1911 styled micro pistol,
you should give consideration to this
latest gem from Sig Sauer.
Sergeant John Connor draws
the P938 from a concealed
carry holster and is able to bring
it immediately to bear, thanks to
its very short overall length.
CC
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28 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
The most compact 9mm in the Sig Sauer product
line, the P938 isor will be soonavailable in
at least these five configurations, with myriad
variations of each. Which one suits you?
P938 EXTREME Following in the footsteps of
other Extreme models, this P938 has a Nitron-coat-
ed stainless slide and black anodized frame. HogueG-10 Piranha grips in black and grey provide maxi-
mum traction and a distinctive look.
P938 ROSEWOOD This configuration features a
Nitron-coated stainless steel slide over a dark hard
anodized alloy frame. Hogue Rosewood Grips round
out this package.
P938 EQUINOX Featured as part of this configu-
ration are a polished Nitron two-tone slide paired with
a black hard coat anodized frame. Tru-Glo front and
Siglite rear sights and Hogue black Diamondwood
grips complete this package.
BLACK RUBBER GRIP This lightweight, all-metal
pistol builds on the trusted P238 platform, delivering
accuracy and reliability with duty caliber performance.
Features include a microcompact frame, slim andlightweight 9mm chambering, and familiar single
action only operation.
NIGHTMARE This SIG P938 configuration fea-
tures a black hard coat anodized frame and Nitroncoated slide, black G-10 grips and nickel accents.
SIG P938 OPERATION HIGHLIGHTS
The basic operation of the P938 should be familiar
to those with experience on the 1911 platformits
just far smaller, and slightly different in minutebut
importantways. Heres how to make the P938
work for you.
LOADING AND FIRINGTo load the pistol, point it in a safe direction, insert
full magazine, and ensure that it is engaged. Pull the
sidle back fully and release, allowing the slide to fly
forward. The thumb safety is on when it is up.
When firing the pistol, aim it at a safe target. Place
the thumb safety off (safety down). Place finger on
trigger and pull back to discharge. Keep the pistol
aimed at the target and continue to fire as required.
A firm grip should be used when firing such a light-
weight pistol. A light grip can cause pistol malfunction
UNLOADING
To unload the pistol, remove the magazine. To com-
pletely unload it means emptying both the magazine
and any chambered cartridge.
When unloading the pistol when the magazine isnt
empty, place the thumb safety on (safety up),
depress the magazine catch, and remove the maga-zine. Then pull the slide back to the rear and lock it
open with the slide stop. Visually and manually check
the chamber to ensure the pistol is completely free of
ammunition.
To unload the pistol when the magazine is empty,retract the slide to the locked-open position (if not
Sig P938BasicsWhat You Need to Know
By Jim Weiss and Mickey DavisP938 Equinox
IMAGESBYSIGSAUER
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MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS 2
CC
With 19+1 in its flush fitting
magazine, the P -09 cant be beat
when it comes to 9mm service pistols.
MAIN FEATURES
CZ P-09
www.cz-usa.com
UNSURPASSED
CAPACITY
there already), depress the maga-
zine catch, remove the magazine,
visually and manually check the
chamber to ensure the pistol is
completely free of ammunition, and
depress the slide stop, causing the
slide to close.
CLEARING JAMS
When clearing a jam caused by
an unfired cartridge or fired car-
tridge case that has become
jammed between the slide and the
barrel, keep the barrel pointed in a
safe direction, remove the maga-
zine, pull back the slide and lock it
to the rear by pushing up the slide
catch lever. The jammed cartridge
or case can now be removed by
shaking or picking it out.
ONLY THE BEST AMMO
Sig Sauer also warns against
and disclaims responsibility for
any damage or injury in connection
with, or as a result of, the use in
any Sig Sauer firearm of faulty,
non-standard, remanufactured, orhand-loaded/reloaded ammunition,
or cartridges other than those for
which the firearm was originallychambered.
P938 BlackRubber Grips
P938 Extreme
The basic operationof the P938 should befamiliar to those withexperience on the
1911 platformitsjust far smaller
P938 Nightmare
P938 Rosewood
P938 BlackWood Grips
A firm grip shouldbe used when firingsuch a lightweightpistol. A lightgrip can cause pistol
malfunction
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30 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
POCKETPISTOLS
PHOTOB
YJIMWEISS
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MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS 3
Why You Need OnePocket-sized semis usually fall outside of
the design families (mechanically similar sub-
compact, compact, and full-size models with
interchangeable magazines and parts) from the
major brandswhich is a boon to those who
cant find the right fit among headline-grab-
bing models but still want a trusted name in
defensive firearms. There are some specialty
makers, too, who have just about perfected
pocket guns. They fit in jacket pockets and
often in pants pockets, and quality holster
manufacturers make some clever wallet-
shaped holsters that mount to the guns so that
they print inconspicuouslyand draw, cycle,
and fire, just fine with the holster still attached!
Whats Hot About Pocket
Semi-Automatics? Diminutive firepower Unique designs Streamlined function Low recoil
and Whats ChallengingAbout Them? Limited round count Too Small for some hands
Limited accuracy potential
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32 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
POCKET PISTOLS
BerettaMODEL: TOMCAT
WEBSITE: www.berettausa.com
MSRP: $390Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .32 ACP
Capacity: 7+1
Barrel Length: 2.4 inches
Length: 4.9 inches
Width: 1.1 inches
Height: 3.7 inches
Weight: 14.5 ounces
Features: Tip-up barrel, crisp
trigger in single action, surprisingly
manageable recoil
AmericanDerringerMODEL: LM 4 Semmerling
WEBSITE: www.amderringer.com
MSRP: $3,800
Action: DAO
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 4+1
Barrel Length: 2 inches
Length: 5.2 inches
Width: 1 inchHeight: 3.7 inches
Weight: 24 ounces
Features: Beautifully engraved
grips, unique manual-repeater
action, unique style, extremely
powerful cartridge in small
package
UNIQUE DESIGN: the
barrel moves forward
manually to eject the
empty cartridge and
rearwards manually to
load a new one, to
keep the design
extremely compact for
a full-power .45 ACP
pocket gun!
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MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS 3
Beretta
MODEL: BU9 NANO
WEBSITE: www.berettausa.com
MSRP: $475
Action: STR
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 6+1
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Length: 5.6 inches
Width: 0.9 inches
Height: 4.2 inches
Weight: 20 ounces
Features: Adjustable sights,
striker-fired, tiny for a 9mm
Cylinder & SlideMODEL: 2008
WEBSITE: www.cylinder-slide.com
MSRP: $ POR
Action: SA
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 7+1
Barrel Length: 4 inches
Length: 6.75 inches
Width: 1 inchWeight: 24 ounces
Features: 1911-style grip safety, rounded
snag-free edges and design, extremely
low profile sights, distinctive hardwood
Cylinder & Slide grips
Kel-TecMODEL: P32
WEBSITE: www.keltecweapons.com
MSRP: $318
Action: DAO
Caliber: .32 ACP
Capacity: 7+1
Barrel Length: 2.7 inches
Length: 5.1 inches
Width: 0.75 inches
Height: 3.5 inches
Weight: 6.6 ouncesFeatures: Locked breech, light
trigger, lightweight
TRUE CUSTOM:
C&S only makes 50
of these a year, and
theyre gone quick-
lybecause theseclassic 1903 Pocket
Model-based guns
perform better than
the originals!
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Kel-Tec
NorthAmerican
Arms
MODEL: GUARDIAN 380 ACP
WEBSITE: www.northamericanarms.com
MSRP: $449
Action: DAO
Caliber: .380 ACP
Capacity: 6+1
Barrel Length: 2.5 inches
Length: 4.8 inches
Width: 0.9 inches
Height: 3.5 inchesWeight: 19 ounces
Features: Stippled grip for control, very short
height, 2.5-inch barrel for improved velocity
34 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
POCKET PISTOLS
MODEL: BODYGUARD 380
WEBSITE:
www.smith-wesson.com
MSRP: $419Action: DAO
Caliber: .380 ACP
Capacity: 6+1
Barrel Length: 2.75 inches
Length: 5.25 inches
Weight: 12 ounces
Features: Polymer frame,
stainless steel slide, sights
similar to M&P sights, mold-
ed grip for ergonomic fit
CC
INEXPENSIVE POWER: This Kel-Tec beats just about
everyone for price, andpower (9mm!), anddiminutive size!
MODEL: PF9
WEBSITE:www.keltecweapons.com
MSRP: $333
Action: DAO
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 7+1
Barrel Length: 3.1 inches
Length: 5.9 inches
Width: 0.9 inchesHeight: 4.3 inches
Weight: 13 ounces
Features: Accessory rail,
magazine includes finger
rest, extremely light,
various color choices
Smith &
Wesson
Polymer frame double action
only designs in .380 are de rigeur
for modern pocket pistols, and
Smith & Wessons Bodyguard
380 is one of the flagshipsembodiments of the type. With a
barrel length under three inches
and weight at just 12 ounces,
this is an extremely concealable
handgun. The Bodyguard
features an integral laser that
greatly aids in quickly pointing
the pistol effectively at your tar-
geteven when you cant see the
surprisingly useful (for a pocket
pistol) iron sightspropelling ittowards the head of its class.
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36 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
SUBCOMPACT
SEMISAwesome Power forDeep Concealment
Whats Challenging
About Them? Heavy Recoil for Size No Room for Little Finger
Hot TipIf a subcompact you like has a compact or
full-size variant, see if the larger sizes maga-
zines (in the same caliber, of course) will work
in your subcompact. Many will, offering you an
inexpensive and ready supply of full capacity
magazines for your subcompact gun.
What's Hot About SubcompactSemi-automatics? Serious Defensive Calibers Serious Capacity Easily Concealed Intuitive, Useful Sights Includes Smallest Family Members
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MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS 3
Why You Need OneIts easy to find a 9mm subcompact from
many of the top brands in defensive handguns,
and without changing any external dimension,you can usually find the same model in a .40
SW variantthat means this size is the smallest
you can go and reliably find established,
accepted defensive calibers. Youll also find
many models for which there are finger-scoop
baseplates that give your little finger a place
to rest, and high capacity magazines that
extend the grip (and your firepower) should
you need to reload. You can expect these
robust, yet diminutive, guns to stand up to
practice, training, recreational shooting, and
daily carryfor years.
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38 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
SUBCOMPACT SEMIS
MODEL: PX4 STORM SUBCOMPACT
WEBSITE: www.berettausa.com
MSRP: $575
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 13+1
Barrel Length: 3.0 inches
Length: 6.2 inches
Width: 1.4 inches
Height: 4.8 inches
Weight: 26 ouncesFeatures: Accessory rail, ambidextrous
safety/decocker, smallest Storm
MODEL: THUNDER 380 CC
WEBSITE: www.bersa.com
MSRP: $323
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .380 ACP
Capacity: 7+1
Barrel Length: 3.5 inches
Length: 6 inches
Width: 1 inch
Height: 4.5 inches
Weight: 16.4 ounces
Features: Drift-adjustable rear
sight, sculpted grip, bobbed
low-profile hammer
Bersa
Beretta
Also Check Out: Berettas
complete Px4 storm
linefrom subcompact to
full size and even a carbine!
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MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS 3
Boberg ArmsMODEL: XR9-SWEBSITE: www.bobergarms.com
MSRP: $995
Action: DAO
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 7+1
Barrel Length: 3.35 inches
Length: 5.1 inches
Width: 0.96 inches
Height: 4.2 inches
Weight: 17.5 ouncesFeatures: Truly unique operation,
very compact for barrel-length,
rotating locking barrel
Remember Our Review: In the
fall issue we found the XR9-S tobe shockingly accurateand a
lot of fun to shoot!
MODEL: NEW AGENT
WEBSITE: www.coltsmfg.com
MSRP: $885
Action: DAO
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 7+1
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Length: 6.75 inches
Weight: 22.5 ounces
Features: Slim-fit double diamond
grips, trench-style no-snag sight
milled into frame, extremely stream-lined design
Colts New Agent almost belongs
in the 1911 Buyers Guide, but is more
at home here with the plethora of
deep concealment double action only
handguns. It happens, though, to be a
direct descendant of the 1911 design
while also sharing the modern touch-
es and design enhancements that
help it truly excel as a subcompact.
The frame mounted and grip safeties
are gone, as are the sights. When youneed to make the New Agent fire, just
squeeze the double action only
trigger without ever having to worryabout thumbing off a safety or other-
wise rendering it ready to fire from its
carry condition. The lack of sights
takes a bit of getting used to, but for
the ranges at which this pistol is
intended to be usedcontact out to
just a few feetyou likely wont have
either the time or the need for them
anyway. The slide release, magazine
release, and general appearance are
faithful to the 1911but most impor-
tantly, its faithful to its forebearscaliber: .45 ACP!
Colt
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SUBCOMPACT SEMIS
Glock
MODEL: G27
WEBSITE: www.glock.com
MSRP: $599Action: STR
Caliber: .40 SW
Capacity: 9+1
Barrel Length: 3.43 inches
Length: 6.5 inches
Width: 1.2 inches
Height: 4.2 inches
Weight: 20 ounces
Features: White outline rear
sight, polymer frame for light-
weight, combat trigger guard,
double stack magazine
MODEL: G39
WEBSITE: www.glock.com
MSRP: $614
Action: STR
Caliber: .45 GAP
Capacity: 6+1
Barrel Length: 3.5 inches
Length: 6.5 inches
Width: 1.2 inches
Height: 4.2 inches
Weight: 20 ounces
Features: White outline rear
sight, polymer frame for light-
weight, combat trigger guard,double stack magazine
Glock
42 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
The G27 accepts other Glock
.40 SW magazinesincluding
those for the extended-slide
Practical/Tactical G35!
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MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS 4
Kahr Arms
MODEL: CM9
WEBSITE: www.kahr.com
MSRP: $517
Action: DAO
Caliber: 9mmCapacity: 6+1
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Length: 6.5 inches
Width: 1.2 inches
Height: 4.2 inches
Weight: 19 ounces
Features: Polymer frame for
weight reduction, very narrow,
stippled grips for control
MODEL: P380
WEBSITE: www.kahr.com
MSRP: $649
Action: DAO
Caliber: .380 ACP
Capacity: 6+1
Barrel Length: 2.5 inches
Length: 4.9 inches
Width: 0.75 inches
Height: 3.9 inchesWeight: 11 ounces
Features: Textured polymer grip, very
compact design, optional Crimson
Trace laser, optional night sights
MODEL: SOLO CARRYWEBSITE: www.kimberamerica.com
MSRP: $747
Action: STR
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 6+1
Barrel Length: 2.7 inches
Length: 5.5 inches
Width: 1 inch
Weight: 17 ounces
Features: Low profile white dot
sights, 1911-inspired design in
striker-fired configuration, three-dotcombat sights, aluminum frame
Kimber
Kahr
Arms
Check out Zack Carlsons
review of the Solo on page48 on this issue!
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44 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
SUBCOMPACT SEMIS
Ruger
MODEL: SR40C
WEBSITE: www.ruger.com
MSRP: $529
Action: STR
Caliber: .40 SW
Capacity: 9+1Barrel Length: 3.5 inches
Length: 6.9 inches
Width: 1.3 inches
Height: 4.6 inches
Weight: 23.4 ounces
Features: Interchangeable
backstrap, polymer frame to
save weight, ambidextrous
mag release, optional 15+1
extended magazine
MODEL: LC9
WEBSITE: www.ruger.com
MSRP: $449
Action: DAO
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 7+1
Barrel Length: 3.12 inches
Length: 6.0 inches
Width: 0.9 inches
Height: 4.5 inches
Weight: 17 ouncesFeatures: Snag-free
ergonomic design, low profile
adjustable sights, accessory
rail, smooth trigger pull
Rugers LC9 is tempting to
include with the pocket pis-
tols for its extremely compact
dimensions and single stack
magazine, but we combined it
here to show the small end of
the subcompact spectruma
7+1 round 9mm with a barrel
just over 3 inches long and a
total unloaded weight of only
17 ounces. Modern subcom-
pact semi-autos are designed
for snag-free presentation,
with attention to rounded
edges, straightforward opera-
tion (like striker-fired anddouble action only designs),
and the LC9 fits these
descriptions perfectly. You
can even have yours outfitted
at the factory with Crimson
Trace Lasergrips (as pictured
for your excitement), so that it
arrives ready for action
straight out of the box!
MODEL: P224WEBSITE: www.sigsauer.com
MSRP: $1,125
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 11+1
Barrel Length: 3.5 inches
Length: 6.7 inches
Width: 1.3 inches
Height: 4.5 inches
Weight: 25.4 ounces
Features: Palm swell, double stackmagazine, snag-free sights, miniscule
package for a Sig designSig Sauer
Ruger
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Sig SauerMODEL: P238
WEBSITE: www.sigsauer.comMSRP: $693
Action: SA
Caliber: .380 ACP
Capacity: 6+1
Barrel Length: 2.7 inches
Length: 5.5 inches
Width: 1.1 inches
Height: 3.9 inches
Weight: 15 ounces
Features: Cocked-and-locked single
action carry, 1911-style in a subcom-
pact, many finishes/colors available
Check out the full field review of
the P238 in this issue, on page 22!
Hot Lineage: The smallest M&P model, the Shield
weighs only 19 ounces and is just barely over 6
inches long!
Smith & Wessons modern lineup of powerhouse
personal defense arms starts on the tiny end with
their Bodyguard 380, an extremely compact .380
ACP semi-auto with a laser sight. Next up in terms of
size is this M&P Shield, a 9mm that is directly in the
M&P family of firearmsvisually, ergonomically, andconceptually. Youll find the same sights, the same
positions on the magazine release, slide release,
and takedown lever, and the same style of grips as
on the larger M&P modelsjust truncated in length
and height, with the concomitant reduction in
weight that helps make the Shield an ideal deep
concealment or backup gun. Plus, its chambered
in the 9mm, a very common caliber among all sizes
of defensive gunsmeaning that if you standardize
on the 9mm, you can easily bring a Shield intoyour fold.
MODEL: SHIELD
WEBSITE: www.smith-wesson.comMSRP: $449
Action: STR
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 7+1
Barrel Length: 3.1 inches
Length: 6.1 inches
Width: 0.95 inches
Height: 4.6 inches
Weight: 19 ounces
Features: Frame-mounted safety, low-profile
combat sights, polymer frame for incredible
lightness, frame-mounted safety
Smith &Wesson
MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS 4
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Springfield
MODEL: XD(M) 3.8 9MM
WEBSITE:
www.springfield-armory.com
MSRP: $697
Action: STRCaliber: 9mm
Capacity: 19+1
Barrel Length: 3.8 inches
Length: 7 inches
Height: 5.6 inches
Weight: 28 ounces
Features: Grip safety, trigger
safety, fiber optic front sight,
outstanding capacity, snag-free
rear combat sight
MODEL: XDS 9
WEBSITE: www.springfield-armory.com
MSRP: $549
Action: STR
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 13+1
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Length: 6.25 inches
Width: 1.2 inches
Height: 4.75 inches
Weight: 26 ouncesFeatures: 3-Dot drift-adjustable & inter-
changeable rear sight, accepts full-size XD
magazines, compact length
MODEL: XDS 45
WEBSITE: www.springfield-armory.com
MSRP: $599Action: DAO
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 5+1
Barrel Length: 3.3 inches
Length: 6.3 inches
Weight: 21.5 ounces
Features: 2-dot rear sight, fiber optic front sight, short
reset trigger, available in 9mm (7+1)
Springfields XD line starts at the large end withtheir XD Tactical handguns (in .45 ACP, .40 SW, and
9mm) and includes four sizes as they descend in
dimensions down to the diminutiveand incredibly
popular right nowXDs. The XDs is the smallest XD
model currently in production, and utilizes a single
stack magazine and 3.3-inch barrel (in .45 ACP, or 3-
inch barrel in 9mm) to keep dimensions down to only
6.3 inches long and 21.5 ounces (26 ounces for the
9mm). The ergonomics feel like a scaled-down version
of the full size XD, which makes the gripespecially
when used with extended magazines that feature gripextension sleevesa very appealing size for shooters
with medium to petite hands.
Springfield
SUBCOMPACT SEMIS
46 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
Springfield
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MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS 4
Dillon LeatherbyMitch Rosen!Dillon LeatherbyMitch Rosen!
www.dillonprecision.comFREECatalog K01-14690, Call 800-762-3845
5JR-DL $75Afull-length belt slide that offers all-daycomfort and superior concealment for anoutside-the-pants belt holster.
Beretta 92 K01-18817Colt Government Model K01-18810Colt Commander K01-18811Colt Officers K01-18812CZ-75 K01-18823
Glock 17, 22, 31 K01-18813Glock 19, 23, 32 K01-18814Glock 26, 27, 33 K01-18815Glock 20, 21 K01-18816Makarov K01-18819SIG P220, P226 K01-18818SIG P228, P229 K01-18827S&W M&P 9mm/.40 K01-19011S&W M&P .45 ACP K01-19012S&W 2 J-Frame Revolver K01-18820S&W 4 K-Frame Revolver K01-18821S&W 4 Lugged Bbl. L-Fr. Rev. K01-18822S&W 4 Light Bbl. N-Fr. Rev. K01-18824S&W 4 Lugged Bbl. N-Fr. Rev. K01-18826S&W 5 Lugged Bbl. N-Fr. Rev. K01-18894Springfield Armory XD 4 K01-18825Springfield Armory XD 5 K01-18874Ruger 2.25 SP-101 Revolver K01-18828
CC
WaltherMODEL: PPK
WEBSITE: www.waltheramerica.com
MSRP: $626
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .380 ACP
Capacity: 6+1
Barrel Length: 3.4 inches
Length: 6.1 inchesWidth: 1.0 inches
Height: 3.9 inches
Weight: 22.4 ounces
Features: James Bonds original
defensive pistol, sleek profile,
snag-free design, decocking lever
Cool History: James Bonds original
sidearm was a Beretta .25 ACP, but
in 1958s Dr. No he was issued his
iconic Walther PPKthe iconic
sidearm that would stick with himfor many more adventures!
TaurusMODEL: 709 SLIM
WEBSITE:
www.taurususa.com
MSRP: $349
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 7+1
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Length: 6 inches
Weight: 19 ounces
Features: Low profile fixed
sights, ergonomic design,
snag-free controls
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48 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
REPUTATION
Kimber is known around the world for their quality
1911s, and with their Solo took some of the strengths
of the 1911 and molded them into a 6+1 capacity 9mm
pocket pistol.
I got my hands on a Solo CDP, which is a custom
shop pistol fitted with Crimson Trace Lasergrips. Id
been carrying Kahr 9mm pistols for a long time and
never gave the Kimber much thought until I held the
Solo. I was instantly hooked. I had to delve deeper into
this pocket jewel.
With its extremely smooth, snag-free exterior, the Solo draws from cover without a hiccupso you can focus on more important aspects of your defense.
A low finger resting position (with your trigger finger on the side of thetrigger guard rather than on the slide) leaves the Lasergrips unobstructed
POCKETJEWELKimbers Solo CDP: 6+1Rounds of 9mm in a Tiny
1911 StylePackage
By Zack Carlson
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SLEEK DESIGN
The Solo feels great in the hand.
The 30 lines per inch checkering on
the front and rear of the frame assure
a steady grip. The activation switch
for the Lasergrips is perfectly situated
where your middle finger naturally
rests on the front strap. Gripping the
gun normally will activate the laser. Ifyou prefer not to use the laser, there
is a convenient master switch on the
lower left grip panel. The stainless
steel magazine is extremely smooth
and has easy to read capacity mark-
ings along the left side.
The magazine fits flush to the bot-
tom of the grips. The frame has a
small bevel on the bottom of the front
strap that creates a small lip so you
can extract the magazine with force if
needed. There are no real snagpoints on this pistol. Kimber went to
great lengths to make this gun con-
cealed carry friendly by making all
the corners rounded and smooth.
The 3-dot tritium sights are securely
dovetailed into the stainless steel
slide and are some of the best sights
on a pocket pistol I have seen to
date. They feature a wide enough
rear notch to allow daylight to be
seen on both sides of the front sight
blade, which aids in acquiring a sight picture quickly.
The frame features an ambidextrous snag-free safe-
ty lever, which is easy to operate despite its low pro-
file. The trigger is considered a single action striker
fired mechanism. While it is not a trigger some 1911
users are used to, it is still a very serviceable carry
gun trigger. The curve of the trigger face fits my fingerperfectly, which takes the guesswork out of where
proper finger placement should land. Kimber specs
the trigger out at seven pounds, and my informal test-
ing with a Lyman digital trigger pull gauge gave me a
pull weight of five pounds 13 ounces. The pull issmooth and it breaks clean enough for most users.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
With all the positives I have talked about, you may
think its all sunshine and rainbows, but there are a
few things I would change on the Solo. When the
safety is engaged I prefer the trigger to be firmly held
in place or disengaged where theres hardly anyresistance on the trigger. Engaging the Solos safety
still allows the trigger to move rearward nearly
halfway before stopping. If you forget to disengage
the safety and try to fire there is a delay from when
you decide to fire and when you realize the safety isstill engaged. If the trigger were held more firmly with
MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS 4
The manual frame-mounted safety is 1911-style, though there is no grip safety that 1911
fans may expect.
The Solo is a line of exceedingly compact 9mm 1911-inspired defensive pistols that
includes models from $815 to $1,223, like the authors Solo CDP pictured here.
The 3-dot tritiumsights aresome ofthe best sights on a
pocket pistol I haveseen to date.
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50 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
the safety engaged the delay would
be much shorter and give the per-son a more tactile feedback they
did not disengage the safety. In a
high-stress lethal force situation
there is more of a chance to forget
about the safety and the delay
could be perilous.
Then there is the magazine
release. From the time the gun was
new the magazine release has been
stiff to push from either side. As the
gun has been shot it has gotten
easier to release but still too stiff formy taste (though, the fact the
release is ambidextrous is a big
plus). I handed the Solo to my girl-
friend and asked her to release the
magazine. The pressure required
was too much for her to do it with-
out using both thumbs at the same
time. For a gun that a woman could
likely choose as her carry gun, this
is unacceptable.
The magazine release could have
been moved farther back and
enlarged. The grip panels are cham-
fered to blend into the magazine
release, but theres a large gap
between the grip panel and release
button. I would think they could
make the button larger to close thatgap and make releasing the maga-
zine easier.
When the trigger is pulled on the
Solo a spring pulls it back into its
forward state. This movement is incontrast to a Glock-like trigger
where the trigger remains rearward
which gives instant visual feedback
the gun is in an un-fireable condi-tion. The Solo does not provide this
feedback but it is not really a nega
tive, just something to be aware of
if you are used to Glocks.
Oddly enough, the adjustment
Allen screws that allow adjustment
of the laser have a very small head
This size Allen wrench is not includ
ed in the standard tool sets most
people own. It would be nice to
have the screws use the .050-inch
Allen wrench to be a tool thatsincluded in almost all Allen wrench
sets sold, rather than the smaller
size (which comes with the gun).
Lastly an improvement I would
welcome would be forward cocking
serrations. After becoming accus-
tomed to them on some of my othe
pistols, I have come to really appre
ciate the location of cocking serra-
tions not dictating where I can
grasp the slide without slipping.
LIVE FIRE!
Holding the diminutive Solo in
your hand makes you anticipate an
unpleasant shooting experience.
From the first trigger pull you will
realize those fears were unfoundedThe gun shoots great, and the
recoil is very manageable. The
short grip of the Solo will likely
require you to tuck your pinky
finger under the magazine insteadof around the grip. Once you are
accustomed to this style of grip
Contact Kimber
MAIL
Kimber Mfg. Inc.
555 Taxter Road, Suite 235Elmsford, NY 10523
PHONE
(888) 243-4522
WEB
www.kimberamerica.com
The master on/off switch located near the base of the left grip panel
overrides the laser when you dont want to use it (but do need to be able
to squeeze the button on the front of the grip).
A fun range gun, the Solo handles better than you would expect for such
a compact firearm.
Activating the laser
while the gun is stillnear your torso allowsyou to shoot from thehip with accuracy.
Tech Specs
Model: Solo CDPMSRP: $1,223Caliber: 9mmCapacity: 6+1 roundsHeight: 3.9 inchesLength: 5.5 inchesWidth: .995 inches (not including
safety)Weight (w/empty mag): 17 ounces
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2 Holsters in 1
Inside and outside the waistband loops included
2 Week production time guaranteed
SCANANDWE LL DO THEREST
R
Americas Premier Kydex Holster
7 7 5 . 6 3 6 . 6 5 3 2 L A G T A C T I C A L . C O M
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52 MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS
it becomes second nature.
The prominent 3-dot sights
provide a very clear sight picture.
My only range time flubs were
due to forgetting to disengage
the safety before firingthe Solo
is the only gun in my stable that
has an actual safety. The manual
of arms of passive safety pistols
has made me forget to think
about a manual safety. This can
be overcome with training for
any shooter.
I set up a tripod to hold my
iPhone 5 and launchedSureFires shot timer app. I
arranged an informal testing of
the Kimber Solo versus my daily
carry gun, which is a Kahr CM9.
Owning the CM9 for a coupleyears I felt it was easily going to
be the winner for this testing.
Well after many drills from
different positions, including
from concealment, low-ready,
and engaging multiple sized stee
targets at different ranges, the
Kimber performed stunningly
well. I was very surprised that
the Kimber, which I had only
fired 100 rounds or so, could
beat my beloved Kahr CM9 in
speed drills. You would think
with it being faster in speed drill
I would be carrying a Kimber
every day instead of my Kahr.Unfortunately speed isnt the
only thing to consider in choos-
ing your carry gun. I still carry
my Kahr every day due to its
slightly lighter weight, muchcheaper cost, and my extensive
A high grip helps control recoil during one handed and
rapid fire practice.
The high-visibility 3-dot sights leave
enough open space on each side of
the front blade to make front sight
acquisition and positioning a breeze.
A Kimber Custom Shop creation, the Solo CDP is full of
fine details like the subtle grip-enhancing checkeringon the slide release.
potential buyers can find a Soloto match their price range.
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MAY/JUNE 2014 CONCEALED CARRY HANDGUNS 5
collection of holsters for it already
on hand. If money were no object,
or I was buying my first daily carrygun, the Kimber would be on my
belt every day.
FINE TECHNIQUES
During my range and dry fire time,I have learned some things about
this pistol that may be of use to
readers who own similar guns as
well as the outstanding Solo. Whendrawing the gun from concealment,
it is more critical to get a firing grip
first compared to a larger gun
because the room for error is much
slimmer. The short frame requiresyour