Handguns Magazine

According to a recent report from the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), a lawsuit against the State of California’s enforcement of microstamping laws has been postponed until May 14, 2014.

The 2014 NRA Show set the stage for the debut of Blackhawk Serpa CQC holsters for Smith & Wesson M&P Shield and Glock 42 pistols.

During the course of several interviews I conducted with concealed carry permit holders, I found that a surprisingly low percentage of those licensed to conceal a firearm actually carry a gun more than a few times a year. I was shocked by the statistic, but not by the cause of their apprehension. The two primary reasons that permit holders didn’t carry were that they couldn’t find a carry method that suited them and were afraid that someone would recognize they were carrying a firearm.

Smith & Wesson Corp. announced Apr. 8, 2014, that non-microstamped, California-compliant M&P Shield pistols will now be shipping to the Golden State.

The popular concealed carry pistols were approved and added to the California Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale prior to the microstamping requirement  — essentially grandfathered in.

Available in 9mm and .40 S&W, the CA versions have a few slightly different features to make them compliant with stringent state laws. Those features include a loaded chamber indicator on top of the slide, a single-sided thum

Photos by Mike Anschuetz

Choosing whether or not to equip a carry gun with a laser is a choice that keeps getting easier. Modularity is king, and guns with Picatinny rail systems are adaptable with more accessories than ever before. Meanwhile, lasers are becoming smaller, brighter and designed for universal compatibility with all types of railed firearms—not just handguns.

But in the case of subcompact pistols lacking integrated rail systems, available laser options become severely limited. Rather than having one-size-fits-all compatibility, rail-less pistols such as the Smith & Wesson Shield require laser units

All too often folks go to the range without a plan in mind and end up wasting precious time and ammo. Before making a trip to the range, its important to have at least one goal in mind for what you want to accomplish during your time on the firing line.

In this segment of Personal Defense TV on the Sportsman Channel, champion shooter and USPSA Grand Master Jessie Duff joins us to talk about maximizing range time.

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It’s absolutely critical to have the right belt for concealed carry. Anyone who regularly draws from a holster knows a bad belt will impede the ability to properly pull the gun out in a dynamic situation.

Civilian dress belts are designed to be stylish and to perform one basic task; preventing the world from seeing your underpants. Department stores don’t design belts for carrying guns—but the companies on this list had concealed carry in mind when developing their belts. You only need to carry with a standard belt one time and then switch to a dedicated carry belt to understand the difference.

Concealed carry belts must be stylish, can’t show the world your drawers, and most importantly they must be strong enough to bear a holster and stiff enough not to bend, flex or stretch when drawing a sidearm.

Purpose-built concealed carry belts come in all styles and designs. From “practical tactical” to the polished professional look that would blend in on Fifth Avenue, no matter what you’re wearing, there’s a belt on this list that wil

Carrying a revolver such as the Smith & Wesson Governor or Taurus Judge has become a popular choice among many folks.

Having the option of firing either .410 gauge or .45 Colt loads through the same firearm is an advantageous personal defense choice. However, using .410 loads introduces several new situational factors to consider in a self-defense scenario.

In this segment of Personal Defense TV, we examine the terminal ballistics and tactics of using different .410 gauge loads in defensive situations.

Find out if carrying a .410 revolver is the right option for you, and be sure to tune into PDTV Monday nights at 9:30 ET on

Leather holsters have been used for ages because they offer reliable weapon retention, durability, comfort and aesthetics. Many designs and variations exist, but cowhide leather remains among the most popular holster materials on the market today.

However, for those folks seeking an added touch of class, holsters made from exotic materials offer a unique style and are tough enough to withstand the rigors of daily carry.

When it comes to unique style, exotic leathers are an excellent choice. You may be familiar with many hides like pig, alligator and ostrich. But other leathers such as cape buffalo, hippo, stingray, elephant, lizard and even frog are also available, each of which make for great holster designs. Which one you choose has to do with your personal needs, yo

Become a moving target is as easy as fast footwork and quick reflexes, right?

It’s not always that easy. Contrary to Hollywood action scenes, dodging bullets involves much more than doing a few barrel rolls. Practicing fundamental footwork can mean the difference between engaging a target or becoming a target.

On this segment of Personal Defense TV, we explain techniques for becoming a moving target.

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Many shooters like the look and feel of leather holsters for concealed carry, and leather holsters also have several attractive advantages. They’re oftentimes more comfortable than synthetic holsters, and they’re also quieter when carrying concealed.

Despite their many advantages, leather holsters are more susceptible to wear and damage than other holsters. Eventhough today’s modern leather holsters are durable and robust, there are some basic steps you can take to prolong the life of your holster and protect it from the elements.

Properly care for leather holsters by following these seven tips, and you’ll be able to use your holster every day for several years.

In the past year, we’ve become familiar with the all-purpose CZ P09 Duty. New for 2014, CZ USA introduces the CZ P09 FDE.

The new P09 FDE is essentially the same pistol as the P09 Duty, except the P09 FDE comes with a Flat Dark Earth (FDE) frame and night sights. The FDE model is also available with a threaded barrel for suppressor attachment.

The CZ P09 FDE comes in both 9mm Luger and .40 S&W, and is available now for $510 to $596.

For more information, check out our video from the 2014 SHOT Show:

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Browning recently announced the extension of their .22LR line of 1911 pistols. The new Browning 1911-22 A1 Black Label comes with a handful of modern features that aren’t available on previous models.

Black Label .22 pistols come with an ambidextrous safety selector, beavertail grip safety and flat mainspring housing. They also feature a commander-style hammer, new dovetailed sights and an extended slide release.

The pistol is available soon with Picatinny rails for $669, and without rails for $639.

Take an exclusive look at the new Browning 1911 Black Label 22 from the 2014 SHOT Show:

LaserLyte has taken their reactive targets one step further with their new Trainer Target Plinking Cans. When shot with a LaserLyte laser, Plinking Cans tip over and give shooters immediate feedback on their hits.

LaserLyte Trainer Target Plinking Cans will be available in the first quarter of 2014. The package comes with three cans, three 9V batteries and an instruction card for $104.95.

Check out our exclusive video from the 2014 SHOT Show:

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For the first time ever, Kimber is now offering a 1911 that comes threaded for suppressors.

The Kimber Custom TLE II TFS comes with a 5.75-inch stainless steel match-grade barrel that’s threaded for suppression (TFS).

The pistol features night sights and front strap checkering, with another model also available that includes a Picatinny rail system.

The Kimber Custom TLE II comes in .45 ACP and 9mm for $1,150. Both calibers are also available with Picatinny rails for a slightly bigger price tag.

To find out more, watch our video from the 2014 SHOT Show:

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With the expansion of right-to-carry laws across the country, gun owners are focusing on smaller, lighter pistols for personal protection.

A whole collection of new carry guns were released at the 2014 SHOT Show, with exciting offerings from several major brands. This year, .380 ACP pistols such as the Glock 42 and S&W Bodyguard were introduced, while the Springfield Armory XD-S 4.0″ and Remington R51 made their debut to 9mm fans.

A couple of new revolvers chambered for .38 Special also stood out as prime candidates for concealed carry.

For more information, check out the best new carry guns from the 2014 SHOT Show.

For those of you who have been pleading for a Glock .45 to take on the longslide Model 1911s, your day has come. The Glock 41 Gen4 is actually a brand-new model chambered in .45 ACP. It’s built with a G34 slide width on a G21 Gen4 frame, saving 1.5 ounces over a standard G21 Gen4. It all boils down to a new Practical/Tactical model in .45, much like the Glock Model 34 and 35 (9mm and .40 S&W respectively). The benefits of the legacy Practical/Tactical models will carry over to the new G41, such as a maximized sight radius, improved weight distribution and a refined balance.

One of the added benefits of a slimmer slide mounted on a G21 Gen4 frame is the shelf created in and around the takedown lever. This shelf serves as a great spot to place your support-hand thumb to gain greater leverage and control over the pistol during rapid-fire strings. Glocks are one of the few pistols a

The new G42 takes the cake for Glocks smallest pistol to date. The G42 is still classic Glock design though, albeit a scaled down version of its larger brethren. It maintains all of the same great attributes Glock is known for, such as: simplicity, natural grip-angle, low bore-axis, intuitively placed controls, and reliability. One feature of particular note retained from the originals is the Glock Safe Action System trigger. This new pistol maintains the same trigger consistency, pull weight and safety features found in the models you’re already familiar with.

The slim design of the G42 fits the hands of any shooter; specifically it gives those with smaller hands a comfortable option like they’ve never seen before. Most compact pistols have been shunned because they’re too small and are not comfortable to shoot. The new G42 won’t share that reputation. It doesn’t feel like you’re grasping the pistol with only two fingers, and thanks to an integral beavertail, the backstrap and slide won’t feel as though they’ll dig into your hand each

The Springfield Armory 9mm XD-S 4.0″ was announced at the 2014 SHOT Show as the newest addition to Springfield’s line of XD-S pistols.

The 4.0″ includes all the features we’ve become familiar with in the original XD-S 3.3″ platform—the only major difference being a 4-inch barrel, compared to the 3.3-inch found on other XD-S pistols.

Initially offered in 9mm, the 4.0″ uses the same 7- and 9-round magazines as the 3.3″ models. It also uses the same ambidextrous magazine release, accessory rail, fiber optic front sight and interchangeable backstraps as the original XD-S.

The new 4.0″ comes outfitted with Springfield’s post-recall

Steyr Mannlicher—or Steyr Arms as it’s also come to be known—has been turning out quality firearms since its inception in Austria in 1864. Those familiar with the Steyr name know it’s synonymous with the legendary Steyr AUG (Armee-Universal-Gewehr) or Universal Army Rifle. The company has transferred those many years of firearms knowledge and craftsmanship into its pistol line, making it affordable for the all shooters to own.

Steyr currently produces C-A1, S-A1, M-A1 and L-A1 pistol series, the latter being the newest in the lineup. The L-A1 is essentially a long-slide version of the M series with a standard size grip and 4.53-inch barrel. In 9mm Luger guise as the L9-A1, it utilizes a 15-round magazine and plus-two floorplate for a total capacity of 17 rounds