![]() Normally, we test compact guns at 15 yards, but at that range we found these pistols printed five-shot groups of less than 2 inches, so we moved them back to see how they would do. Even so, the Glock shot this round into five-shot groups in the 2.5- to 2.7-inch range at 25 yards. We noticed the most recoil, manifested as muzzle flip, using the heaviest bullet in the test, a 147-grain subsonic jacketed hollowpoint round from Black Hills. The 9mm cartridge, even in small guns, won’t wear out most shooters, but it can disturb the sight picture, which affects shot-to-shot times. We found that felt recoil and accompanying muzzle flip was the product of bullet weight more than velocity or muzzle energy, an opinion we formed by firing five different loads of very different designs. The rearward movement of the trigger was not too short or too long, and felt natural for a hinged design.Įven the hardest recoiling of our test ammo presented little or no control problems. We liked the way the trigger reset with a distinct “click” sound. Shot-to-shot control of the Glock was surprisingly good, in our view. (Left-handed shooters must cant the gun for visual confirmation.) One additional safety feature is a raised area on the externally mounted extractor that acts as loaded-chamber indicator. Knowing how to operate a thumb safety is not necessary. Both the Glock and Springfield XD pistol have a safety lever inside the face of the trigger itself that must be compressed for ignition, but all three of the guns (loaded) will fire for anyone who picks them up and squeezes the trigger. There are no intermediate safeties that prevent ignition so long as the trigger is engaged. Once out of the holster and pointed toward the target, the gun’s operation is simple. Elements that contributed to missed draws included the size of the shooter’s hand (including girth of fingers and palm) the holster design and position of carry and the shooter’s familiarity with his equipment. However, the small grip didn’t offer a sure and quick draw handle for all shooters. But given the easy impulse of 9mm ammunition, we did not find the reduced grip area to be a problem during repeat fire. Shooters who have larger hands will likely find they also don’t have a place for their third fingers either. The grip is short, and most adults will find there is not adequate space for the pinkie finger, we believe. The model 26’s magazine is small but still holds 10 rounds. The Kahr and Springfield Armory pistols in this test share the Glock’s use of polymer, its magazine design, and simplified operation and maintenance. Let’s find out how effective and versatile these guns are: Kahr, on the other hand has not changed the basic dimensions of that company’s classic steel pistol, but the company did render its design on a lighter polymer frame. Now Springfield Armory has shrunk its Extreme Duty, or XD, pistol to compete. Glock’s model 26 has been the smallest 9mm pistol in the company’s stable for years. We recently tested a trio of subcompact polymer 9mm semi-automatic pistols to see how they met, or failed to meet, both the combat and concealment criteria. On the concealable side, we were looking for a gun that was lightweight and as flat and small as practical. A combat gun should offer a sure grip for deploying the weapon and for maintaining control of the gun. Also, it must be no smaller than 9mm Parabellum and must be constructed so that clearing a jam is easy and quick. Can the somewhat contradictory natures of concealed-carry guns and combat sidearms be reconciled in a single product that’s low-key but still quick to target? We certainly hoped so when we tested three 9mm subcompacts, because a concealable piece that the shooter can’t easily bring into play is next to useless, and the combat piece that calls undue attention to itself or that’s uncomfortable to carry isn’t a good solution either.įor the sake of this article, we define a combat gun as one that can be used at close or medium range and has the capability to be drawn, fired, and reloaded quickly.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |