Sneak Peek: Handguns

By Chris Christian

Published

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MKS Supply As the exclusive distributor for Charter Arms, MKS Supply announces a collector's limited edition model to commemorate the Heller Supreme Court decision. The 2 ½-inch Charter Arms "Heller Commemorative" .44 Special Bulldog revolver is extensively engraved and features Mr. Heller's signature. Only 250 units are being produced. The gun also features high-grade walnut grips, and comes in a glass-topped red velvet custom-made presentation box with appropriate engraving on the glass top. Each revolver also includes a special edition engraved Kershaw folding knife. SRP: $1,599. Customers looking for a "shooter" (especially if they're a fan of the venerable 1911-A semi-auto), will want to check out the 1911-22. Manufactured by Chiappa U.S.A. in Dayton, Ohio, this is a full-sized 1911 clone chambered for the .22LR. Although it is dimensionally identical to the standard 1911-A, the overall weight is less (32 ounces vs. 40 ounces), due to the use of aluminum alloy materials for the construction of the frame and slide. The lighter materials, especially the slide, are required for reliable functioning with the lighter-powered rimfire round. The internal components, and the barrel, are steel. Unlike the 1911-A, the steel barrel is fixed to the frame to provide positive feeding and increased accuracy. SRP: $299. (866-769-4867; charterfirearms.com) Para USA Introduced in 2009, the Para GI Expert is a well-built, no-frills, modestly priced .45 ACP 1911 pistol that has proved extremely popular. This year, Para announces two additional GI Expert models--the Para GI Expert Stainless and the Para GI Expert ESP. Like the original, both are full-sized 1911 single-action semi-auto models featuring a 5-inch stainless steel barrel (1-in-16 left-hand twist), lowered and flared ejection port, beveled magazine well, flat mainspring housing, skeletonized spur hammer, fixed sights and checkered polymer grip panels. The empty weight is 39 ounces. The GI Expert Stainless (SRP: $699) is constructed from stainless steel with a Classic Stainless finish, and fixed three-white-dot sights. The GI Expert ESP (SRP: $699) is built from carbon steel with Para's Covert Black PARA Coat finish. The fixed sights feature a fiber-optic front with a two-dot rear. A wide beavertail grip safety and match trigger (adjustable for overtravel) complete the package. (704-930-7600; para-usa.com)

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What will sell in 2010? Here's the lowdown on new rifles, shotguns and handguns. First, let's take a look at handguns. It appears that the recent influx of new and innovative designs will take a "time out" this year, as handgun makers refine existing product lines with an emphasis on traditionally popular calibers. That normally means the .45 ACP and 1911, and both Para USA and Dan Wesson have new models in that arena. Stoeger also adds the .45 to its Cougar line. Look for CZ's recently introduced P-07 Duty to make an appearance in .40 S&W, while Kahr upgrades its popular PM9 with features that allow it to be sold in states where the base model is prohibited. Uberti adds the .44 Magnum to its SAA line, while several new rimfires are also unveiled from various makers this year. American Tactical Imports The new AT92 handgun is chambered in 9mm and is a traditional double-action semi-auto. It will be available in a full-sized version with a 4.92-inch barrel and a compact version with a 4.33-inch barrel. Other than the barrel length, the features on both are identical and include blue-steel finish, ambidextrous safeties, hammer safety and loaded chamber indicator. Sights are fixed with a three-dot pattern, and both have a 15+1 capacity. A steel guide rod, steel trigger and left-side steel slide release complete the package. Both models sport plastic grips. SRP: $549.95. (800-290-0065; www .americantactical.us) Browning The big news for Browning is the 75th anniversary of the Hi Power semi-auto pistol. To commemorate this historic event, for 2010 all Hi- Power pistols will be adorned with a special engraving on the top of the slide. The Browning Hi Power is offered in Mark III Fixed Sight model, the Hi Power Standard Fixed Sight model and Standard Adjustable Sight model. All three versions are available in 9mm and 40 S&W. SRP: $999 to $1,099. New Models in the Buckmark .22 LR rimfire semi-auto pistol line include the Lite Green and Lite Gray models in 5.5- or 7.25-inch barrels. These new models feature an alloy-sleeved, round fluted barrel in gray or green finish. All come with Browning's Pro-Target adjustable rear sight and Truglo/Marble's fiber-optic front sight. SRP: $519 to $539. (801-876-2711; browning.com) CZ-USA **Both the CZ and Dan Wesson product lines will see some significant new handgun models this year. The recently introduced CZ P-07 Duty is a polymer-framed version of the CZ-75 that combines lighter weight with a new trigger system. The Omega trigger system allows users to choose between using the handgun as a DA/SA semi-auto with a decocking lever (installed) or shift the gun to a manual safety (allowing cocked and locked SA use) by simply changing a few parts to install the included manual safety. Unlike the classic CZ-75, the P-07 Duty features an integral frame rail for the installation of light or laser. Originally introduced in 9mm, it now will be available in a 13+1 capacity .40 S&W. SRP: $599. ** Also new, a limited-edition CZ-75 Stainless model (shown here) that features brushed finish of the flats and bead blasting on the rounds, rubber grips, three-dot tritium night sights and ambidextrous safeties. SRP: $806. The CZ Custom Shop will offer two enhanced models: the CZ SP-01 Comp (an enhanced version of the CZ SP-01 Shadow) and the CZ-75 SA Target (an enhanced version of the CZ-75B single-action). In the Dan Wesson product line, the Valor series is a base stainless-steel 1911 that is available with either a matte glass bead stainless finish or the new Dan Wesson black Duty finish. All Valor models feature a forged frame with 25 lpi checkering on front strap and backstrap, undercut trigger guard, Heinie Ledge Straight Eight night sights, slim line G-10 grip panels and fire-control system parts constructed from billet alloy steel. Three new models join the Valor line this year. The Bobtail Commander is now available in the stainless steel line as the .45 ACP VBob Stainless (SRP: $1,658) and the .45 ACP VBob Black (SRP: $2,040). The full-size Valor .45 ACP Stainless has an SRP of $1,594. (800-955-4486; cz-usa.com)
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FNH USA A pair of polymer-framed semi-autos, a tactical version of the .45 ACP FNP and a new sight option for the FN Five-Seven highlight the new offerings from FNH this year. The new FNX 9 (9mm) and FNX 40 (.40 S&W) feature polymer frames with deep-
cut checkering, a low bore axis, and four interchangeable 
backstraps to allow fitting to individual shooters. Barrel length is 4 inches, with a profiled stainless-steel slide that features front and rear cocking serrations. Operating controls are ambidextrous, and each FNX comes with a decocker and a manual safety. Originally developed for the U.S. Joint Combat Pistol Program, the FNP-45 Tactical offers the same features as the FNP-45 ACP, with the addition of a 5.3-inch barrel threaded to accept a sound suppressor or compensator. The new FDE stainless-steel slide is fitted with high-profile night sights, and is supplied with two mounting bases to accept an optional red-dot sight. Each FNP-45 Tactical is shipped with three 15-round magazines and an Eagle soft tactical case. New this year on the FN Five-Seven is the option of adjustable sights, or fixed three-dot sights. The gun will be available in olive drab green, flat dark earth, or black matte finish. (703-288-3500; fnhusa.com)
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Kahr Arms A new model of the popular PM9 makes its debut this year. Dimensionally identical to the original PM9 (which will remain in the Kahr line), the new version incorporates a loaded chamber indicator and a manual safety to allow it to comply with the handgun regulations in certain states. The loaded chamber indicator is located on the upper rear of the slide. A red, marked projection rises slightly from the slide when a round is in the chamber and allows the shooter to determine both visually, and by feel, that a round is in the chamber. The manual safety is a two-position lever located on the rear left side of the frame. Flipped up to "Fire" and down for "Safe," it works by pushing the trigger bar out of contact with the cocking cam. If the shooter chooses to leave the safety in the "Fire" position, the gun operates in the same manner as the PM9 with a DAO trigger pull. The new version will be available with standard sights (SRP: $924) and with Kahr night sights (SRP: $1,049). (508-795-3919; kahrarms.com)
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Stoeger The Cougar 8000 series semi-auto handgun is a double-action pistol that features a rotating barrel that locks with the slide to provide great strength and accuracy. Barrels are cold-hammer-forged and hard-chrome-lined. Additional features include rounded edges for snag-free carrying, fixed rear sight with a pinned front sight blade that allows elevation adjustments for different height front sights, ambidextrous safety, black matte finish and a combat-style trigger guard. Popular in Europe, it has had limited exposure in the U.S., but the current models chambered for 9mm and .40 S&W have been well received. For 2010, Stoeger brings a .45 ACP version to the marketplace. The Model 8045 Cougar has all the features of the other Cougars, with a 3.6-inch barrel, black synthetic grips and an empty weight of 32.6 ounces, and is supplied with two 8-round magazines. SRP: $499. (800-264-4962; stoegerindustries.com) a. uberti Uberti's line of quality 19th-century replica revolvers expands this year with new models in .44 Magnum and .22LR. The 1873 New Model SAA will now be offered in fixed-sight models chambered for the .44 Mag in barrel lengths of 6 and 4.75 inches. Both feature blued metal work and color case-hardened frames. An adjustable target-sight 1873 SAA version in .44 Mag will also be offered in barrel lengths of 6 and 7.5 inches. (800-264-4962; uberti.com)

The countdown to the 2010 SHOT Show is on! Here’s the first look at this year’s new lineup of handguns.