Guest post by Chris Christian, courtesy of SHOT Daily.
Despite numerous advances in handgun design, John Browning’s 1911 remains one of the most popular handguns
around—and this year sees some interesting new models on that
platform. At the same time, a moonclip-fed 9mm Ruger LCP will surely
garner a lot of attention, as will a new concealed-carry ACP from
Taurus.
Browning
Browning’s
Black Label 1911-380 semi-auto combines the 1911 design with the .380
ACP cartridge. The single-action is built on a precision-crafted
composite frame and is made in the USA.
For 2015,
Browning
will introduce the Black Label 1911-380 semi-auto pistol ($669.99),
which combines two of John M. Browning’s original inventions—the 1911
pistol and the .380 ACP cartridge. The Black Label is scaled down to 85%
of the size of a .45 ACP 1911 handgun. This new single-action 1911 is
built upon a precision-crafted composite frame and is made in the U.S.
Features include an extended ambidextrous safety, beavertail-grip
safety, skeletonized hammer, and a machined steel slide that wears fixed
combat-style sights. With a 4.25-inch barrel, it has an overall length
of 7.5 inches and weighs 17.5 ounces empty. The finish is black matte,
and the magazine holds eight rounds. The Black Label 1911-380 ships with
an ABS case.
CZ-USA/Dan Wesson
A new 1911, a special limited-edition CZ 75, and some interesting new guns from Dan Wesson make up
CZ’s
new handgun introductions this year. The first “Made in the USA”
handgun to bear the CZ name is, appropriately, a 1911. The CZ 1911 A1
($839) is a government-size model that is built without a trigger
safety, as many 1911 aficionados prefer. It is constructed with a forged
carbon-steel frame and slide, finished in black-matte oxide, and ships
with two 7-round magazines. The 1911 A1 was the designation for the
improved model adopted in 1924. CZ’s A1 largely stays true to those
specifications, with a few deviations. It is equipped with a serrated
slide stop, a magazine catch, and mainspring housing, and features
checkered walnut grips. The lanyard loop has been omitted. The barrel is
stainless steel with a 1:16 twist. Additional features include an
aluminum trigger and a slightly higher rear sight than the original. The
ramp front sight is dovetailed into the slide to allow shooters to more
easily install other sight options if they choose. The trigger is
factory-tuned to 5 pounds.
The CZ 1911 A1 makes use of a carbon-steel frame and slide.
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This CZ 75 9mm is a 40th anniversary limited edition of the original CZ 75.
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During its 40 years of service, the
CZ 75
has become one of the most widely used handguns among police and
military worldwide. As a result, it is one of the most copied designs.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary, CZ will issue a special-edition 40th
Anniversary CZ 75 9mm ($1,499). Only 1,000 guns will be produced. The
anniversary model is based on the CZ 75B and features a highly polished
blue-steel slide and frame. The slide and frame feature intricate hand
engravings by CZ master engraver Rene Ondra in the Czech Republic. The
operating controls (slide release, thumb safety, magazine release,
extractor, grip screws and magazine base plate) are finished in rainbow
titanium nitride. The grip panels are made with a smooth, high-grade
California maple that has been dyed to complement the overall appearance
of the 40th Anniversary model. The gun ships with two 16-round
magazines and a leather-bound hard case.
Under CZ’s
Dan Wesson
banner, three new handguns join the product line this year, including
an updated version of Wesson’s highly accurate double-action revolver.
The original Dan Wesson double-action .357 Magnum revolver achieved an
enviable reputation for rugged construction and accuracy, which was
enhanced by the unique tension barrel system, the forward crane latch,
and the rear ball detent lockup. Interchangeable barrels, barrel
shrouds, and grips made it a versatile gun. This year the Dan Wesson
Model 715 ($1,168) ships with a 6-inch barrel and heavy shroud in a
custom Dan Wesson hard case that includes cutouts to hold additional
interchangeable barrel/shroud assemblies (as well as the wrench to
properly remove and install them). The new Model 715 accepts all Dan
Wesson barrels and grips from the 15-2 and newer models.
The new DW Valkyrie .45 ACP ($2,012), a variation of the CCO, has a
Commander-length slide on a compact Officer frame. It includes all the
latest upgrades of the CCO platform, including Dan Wesson’s ECO frame
and recessed slide stop hole paired with ball cuts on the slide’s dust
cover and carry cuts up front. Along with slim G10 grips, it utilizes
the same sights and controls as the Dan Wesson ECO with the barrel and
bushing of the CCO.
The DW Valkyrie .45 ACP is a variation of the CCO.
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The Dan Wesson Silverback is the only two-toned 1911 in the DW line.
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The new Dan Wesson Silverback is currently the only two-toned 1911 in
the Dan Wesson line. It features a stainless-steel slide with polished
flats and is equipped with adjustable target-style tritium sights and
the Razorback rib and ball cuts on the dust cover. The stainless-steel
frame is finished in a Duty Black nitride finish and wears G10
full-thickness grips. It will be available in .45 ACP ($1,883) and 10mm
($2,064).
The CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 Pistol ($849) is a 9mm civilian-legal
semi-auto version of CZ’s famous Scorpion sub-machine gun. With a black
composite finish, it features a blowback action with a 7.75-inch barrel.
The newly designed low-profile sights consist of a fixed-post front
sight and an adjustable rear sight with four different apertures that
can quickly shift the point of impact from close to distant targets. The
sights ride on a Picatinny rail that allow for the easy mounting of
optics. Additional features include ambidextrous controls and a
non-reciprocating charging handle that can be swapped to either side.
The trigger reach is adjustable. One accessory item is the arm-brace
adapter that can quickly add an MSR-style buffer tube to the rear of the
action for added stability. Two 20-round magazines are included.
The CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1 Pistol is a civilian-legal version of the Scorpion sub-machine gun.
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The CZ-USA 805 Bren PS1 pistol is a civilian-legal version of the CZ 805 Bren.
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The new CZ 805 Bren PS1 Pistol ($1,982) is a civilian-legal semi-auto
version of the CZ 805 Bren. It has an 11-inch barrel that features a
two-port muzzle brake. Chambered for .223/5.56mm, the action is housed
in a one-piece aluminum upper receiver with a Picatinny rail and uses
STANG magazines (two 30-round magazines are included). It uses the same
sight system as the Scorpion, along with the accessory arm-brace
adapter. The rear of the action features a multipurpose mounting point
that is fit from the factory with a single-point sling attachment.
Iver Johnson Arms, Inc.
A very compact four-shot derringer and a long-slide 1911 highlight
Iver Johnson’s
new handgun offerings for 2015. The Frontier Four is about as compact
as a handgun can get. The single-action derringer is chambered for .22LR
and features a 2-inch barrel. The overall length is only 4 inches, and
it weighs a scant 5.6 ounces. Constructed from stainless steel, it has a
four-shot capacity and utilizes a unique rotating firing pin to handle
the four chambers with one shot per trigger pull.
For
2015, Iver Johnson offers the Eagle XL 1911 with a 6-inch-barrel
long-slide configuration. A ported version is also available.
Whether for sport or home defense, the 1911 .45 ACP remains one of
the most popular handguns on the market. For 2015, Iver Johnson goes a
step beyond with the introduction of the Eagle XL ($870). This
blue-steel 1911 utilizes a 6-inch barrel long-slide configuration. Among
its features are an adjustable rear sight with a dovetailed front
sight, a skeletonized hammer and trigger, a beavertail grip safety,
front and rear angled slide serrations, a lowered and flared ejection
port, an extended slide stop, and an extended single-side thumb safety.
Empty weight is 42 ounces, and its length is 9.75 inches.
Kahr Arms
Four new models and line upgrades join the
Kahr semi-auto concealed-carry handgun line this year, along with a new Auto Ordnance 1911 .45 ACP. The
CT9093 9mm
($369) features a full-size polymer frame with a matte stainless-steel
slide and drift-adjustable bar-dot sights. The 3.95-inch barrel gives it
an overall length of 6.5 inches. Height is 5.08 inches and empty weight
with magazine is 20.6 ounces. The pistol ships with one 8-round
magazine.
The Kahr Arms CT9093 features a full-length polymer frame and stainless-steel slide.
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The Kahr Arms CW9 is available in 9mm.
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The new
CT380
.380 ACP ($399) features a 3-inch barrel. Overall length is 5.52
inches, height is 5.3 inches, and it weighs 11.44 ounces empty. The
pistol has a black polymer frame with textured grips and 4140 steel
inserts molded in front and back for added rigidity. The action is a
locked-breech modified Browning recoil lug that locks open on an empty
magazine. The safe-cam DAO operating system is the same as that found on
other Kahr pistols. Sights are the Kahr drift-adjustable white bar-dot
pattern with a pinned-in-front polymer blade.
The Kahr CW9 in purple ($435) is a version of this popular 9mm pistol
with a purple polymer frame. It features a 3.5-inch barrel. Overall
length is 5.9 inches, and the compact frame gives it a height of only
4.5 inches. Drift-adjustable bar-dot white sights and a 7+1 capacity
complete the package.
The Kahr Arms CW380 utilizes drift-adjustable rear sights and white-bar combat sights.
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The Kahr Arms Auto Ordnance 1911 BKO is a G.I.-spec 5-inch barrel in .45 ACP.
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The CW380 in purple ($404) gets the same purple polymer frame
treatment as the CW9 (and also shares the drift-adjustable white bar-dot
combat sights). It features a 6+1 capacity in .380 ACP. Overall length
is 4.96 inches, height is 3.9 inches, and the empty weight is 10.2
ounces.
Lastly, from the Auto Ordnance side of Kahr comes the
1911BKO
($571). This is a GI-spec 5-inch barrel .45 ACP 1911. It features a
7-round magazine, a drift-adjustable rear sight with a blade front, and
an empty weight of 39 ounces. Finished in black matte, the grip panels
are brown checkered.
Magnum Research
A new 1911 .45 ACP and a new finish for the
Desert Eagle highlight
Magnum Research’s
2015 lineup. The DE1911GSS ($904) is a full-size 1911 single-action
semi-auto chambered for .45 ACP. It features a 5.05-inch barrel, a
trigger pull factory set between 3 and 4 pounds, a stainless-steel
matte-finished frame with black appointments, checkered wood grips, and a
high-profile rear sight that is drift-adjustable for windage with a
serrated and pinned front-sight blade.
Magnum Research The DE1911GSS is a full-size 1911 single action.
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The Mark XIX Desert Eagle is now available in a new Cerakote Burnt Bronze finish.
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The
MarkXIX
Desert Eagle has been around for a while and is a proven platform in
either .50AE or .44 Magnum. For 2015, it will come in a new Cerakote
Burnt Bronze finish ($1,696).
Ruger
The double-action-only inertia-firing
LC9 has proven to be a popular and reliable handgun. This year, Ruger announces a new version of the LC9 9mm.
The
new LC9 9mm
features a newly designed trigger mechanism that provides a
striker-fired action with a shorter, lighter trigger pull than the
original LC9. It uses the same holsters, magazines (including extended
magazines), lasers, and accessories as the original. It features a blued
through-hardened alloy steel slide, one-piece glass-filled nylon frame
with aggressive checkering, grip extension magazine floorplate, 7-round
magazine and adjustable three-dot sights. The 17.2-ounce pistol has a
3.12-inch barrel. Overall length is 6 inches, height is 4.5 inches.
Additional features include an integrated trigger safety, magazine
disconnect and visible inspection port to show a loaded chamber. It
ships with one inert magazine for safe disassembly, one 7-round
magazine, soft case and cable-locking device.
The Ruger Semi-Auto Lc9 now features a redesigned trigger mechanism that provides striker-fired action.
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The Ruger LCR polymer-framed revolver is now available in 9mm.
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Introduced in 2009, the
Ruger LCR
polymer-framed DA revolver has expanded from its original .38 Special+P
offering to include .357 Magnum, .22 WMR, and .22 LR. For 2015, Ruger
now introduces the
9mm LCR
($599) to the line. Chambered for five rounds of 9mm and fed by
moonclips (three moonclips ship with the gun; additional clips are
available), its pinned replaceable ramp front sight allows elevation
adjustment. The 9mm LCR sports the same polymer-frame DA-firing-action
stainless-steel cylinder and 1.875-inch barrel, fixed U-notch rear
sight, and Hogue grips as the .38 Special version.
Smith & Wesson
The new
M&P22 Compact Pistol
($389) is chambered for .22LR and is 15 percent smaller than the
full-size 9mm/.40-caliber M&Ps. It features a 10-round magazine
capacity (it ships with two 10-round magazines), ambidextrous manual
safety, and reversible magazine release. The trigger is factory set at
5.8 pounds. A Picatinny dust-cover rail accommodates accessory lights or
lasers. The 3.65-inch barrel is threaded to accommodate suppressors and
is shipped with a threaded protective muzzle cap. The barrel material
is carbon steel with an aluminum-alloy slide and a polymer frame. Sights
are a white-dot front and a two white-dot rear that is adjustable for
windage and elevation. Overall length is 6.65 inches. Empty weight is
15.03 ounces.
From the
Smith & Wesson Performance Shop, this year will see a new series of ported
M&P pistols
designed for competition use. The series includes 9mm and .40 S&W
pistols in barrel lengths of 4.25 and 5 inches. All include ported
barrels and slides to reduce recoil and rise. Additional features
include a user-adjustable trigger stop, three palm-swell grips with a
textured backstrap to allow users to custom-fit the pistol to their
hand, a Performance Center sear that produces a 4.5-pound trigger pull
with a fast reset, and removable mounting brackets that allow shooters
to install a variety of popular competition red-dot sights. S&W has
added higher iron sights to the slide to allow its use in concordance
with mounted optics. Magazine capacity is 17 (9mm) and 15 (.40 S&W),
and the guns accept standard M&P magazines.
Taurus
The new, Curve is a concealed-carry .380 ACP designed to be contoured
to the body and therefore comfortable and “print-free” in any position
on its carrier. About the size of a smartphone, this little
USA-manufactured double-action-only semi-auto pistol packs 6+1 rounds in
a highly concealable 5.18-inch package. Features include a matte-blue
carbon-steel slide and stainless-steel barrel, loaded-chamber indicator
and integrated LaserLyte LED light-laser system. In addition, the gun
comes with the
Taurus Security System for long-term locking storage. MSRP: $392.
 |
The innovative Taurus Curve .380 ACP has been specially designed
for concealed carry. No bigger than a smartphone, it follows the
contour of the body so it will be “print-free.” |
What do you think about these new handguns? Tell us in the comment section.
Reporting by SHOT Business Daily, reprinted with permission. SHOT
Daily, produced by The Bonnier Corporation and the National Shooting
Sports Foundation, covers all facets of the yearly firearms-industry
show. Click here to see full issues.
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