New for 2014, Kimber is now making sound suppressor ready versions of the Custom TLE II and Custom TLE/RL II pistols.  The new guns are available in both 9mm and .45 ACP, and they share many of the same features as the original, non-suppressor ready versions.

Both new guns come with a 5.75″ threaded barrel.  A threaded endcap is provided to protect the threads when a suppressor is not attached.

MSRP on the TLE II is $1,153.00.  The suggested retail on the TLE/RL II is  $1,251.00.

The new Glock 41 was on the range at Media Day.  The gun is a long-slide version of a Glock 21 pistol, and outfitted with a slide that is roughly the same width as the slide on a model 35.

Without a doubt, the gun feels much larger in the hand than the standard Glock pistols.  If the 20 or 21 fits your hand well, you will like this pistol.  If you find those guns too large, you will probably find this gun too large also.

The recoil was easy, without a lot of flip, and bringing the gun on target for a quick second shot was not a problem.  I experienced no malfunctions, and neither did any of the other shooters I observed.

The introduction of the 41 may not be a revolutionary step for the company, but I think Glock has a winner on their hands with this gun.

It has taken a long time, and a lot of drama,  but the DoubleTap pistol is finally shipping. The good news is that the pistol design has been updated and now features interchangeable barrels so you can easily swap between .45 ACP and 9mm. Pricing starts at $499 for the aluminum non-ported model.

The press release …

“The DoubleTap™ Tactical Pocket Pistol has undergone significant improvements since we moved the project to our new manufacturer; making the DoubleTap™ a  more reliable, simpler and less-parts-to-go-wrong type of concealed carry,” Raymond B. Kohout, DoubleTap™ inventor stated. “We have production capacity to quickly fill all orders and many anxious customers to appease, but we are certain, beyond a doubt, that this newest version is of higher quality and extremely reliable.”

Significant improvements to the DoubleTap™ include:

• Interchangeable barrels (9mm and .45ACP) using a M16 style push pin that is now ambidextrous
• Enhanced pistol grip with new “FRAG” pattern inspired by the fragmentation grenade
• Improved, easier to use thumb-latch
• Patent pending trigger system simplified to only four major components and featuring dual hammers for extra reliability
• Double-action, sequentially fired mechanical trigger system has double-strike capability
• Ported barrels available for both the 9mm and .45 ACP to reduce recoil and muzzle flip

The DoubleTap™ Aluminum non-ported model has an MSRP of $499.00. The Aluminum ported model’s MSRP is $569.00. The MSRP for the DoubleTap™ Titanium non-ported model is $729.00 and the ported model is $799.00. Caliber conversion kits in the non-ported version have been lowered to $199.00 and the ported kits lowered to $269.00. DoubleTap™ Defense also sells a variety of accessories to complement the DoubleTap™ Tactical Pocket pistol.

A group of Idahoans have gotten together to produce ammunition loaded with bullets dipped in pork-infused paint. Why you ask? They claim it will deter radical Islam terrorists from fighting if they run the risk of being hit in the stomach with a pork-paint tipped bullet, but most likely they did it because it is bound to offend Muslims (and maybe Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Rastafarians, Ethiopian Orthodox Christians, Seventh-day Adventists and vegans as well).

The concept of combining bullets with pork, and the offense it causes, is nothing new. The Indian Rebellion of 1857 was partly caused by the British issuing their Indian troops, who were predominately Hindu and Muslim, with cartridges that were rumored to be coated in pig and cow fat (cows are sacred to Hindus). To load their muskets they had to first bite into the paper cartridge, to remove the bullet, before pouring the powder into their gun.

On their website Jihawg say …

This is blatantly false. Muslims are permitted to eat pork if it is strictly necessary for survival, or if it is forced upon them. It explicitly states this in the Quran 2:173 ”… whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit], there is no sin upon him …”.

Apart from this pork-paint being absolutely useless, it also raises legal questions. If you defend yourself with a pistol, the last thing you need or want is a prosecutor holding up a pork covered bullet in court and telling the jury that the person shot was a Muslim …

If you want to defend yourself, buy the most effective ammunition possible. Don’t buy crap covered in pork. As a community, we are better than this.

For the purists among you who rightly believe that a 1911 should have wood grips, Crimson Trace have added Cocobolo to their line up of wood-based grips, which also includes Rosewood and Walnut. Their new LG-917 laser grip has cocobolo side panels with a rubber overmold only covering the laser itself and the button to activate it.

The grip will retail for $399.

From the press release …

Crimson Trace, the leading brand of laser sights and tactical lighting products for firearms, continues to expand its popular line of Master Series™ Lasergrips®. The latest addition is the LG-917, a wood-based laser grip that’s designed for the popular full-size Model 1911 pistol. As part of the company’s premium line, these laminate grips have a rich and stunning cocobolo finish. The new laser sights feature Crimson Trace’s innovative Instinctive Activation™ pad that allows the user to activate the laser by simply taking a natural firing grip—with no additional switches to search for, find or press.

“This laser grip is a continuation of the popular Master Series, a product line that offers customers a wide variety of colors and materials,” stated Fred Karl, Crimson Trace Product Manager. “Crimson Trace strives to always meet—or exceed—the expectations for laser sighting capabilities.” There are more than a dozen products in the Master Series line and represent a wide range of materials, colors and textures, including rosewood, walnut and G10 in gray, green and black.

Sighted in at the factory at 50 feet, Master Series Lasergrips are user-adjustable for windage and elevation. These innovative grips feature the most powerful laser available by law. The new LG-917 laser sight permits windage and elevation adjustments (tools are provided), features a precise red laser diode optic, and is precision machined to exactly fit the firearm’s frame. This cocobolo laser sight is crafted from all natural laminated wood materials. Batteries are included—and this product qualifies for Crimson Trace’s free batteries for life program.

Heizer Defense are busy working on their upcoming Pocket Shotgun pistol that will be capable of firing both .410 shotshells and .45 Long Colt. One of the Heizer’s staff emailed me the above photo of two of their employees who had spent two and a half days shooting 5000 rounds of .410 though the prototype Pocket Shotgun.  I am sure the first 200 or 300 rounds were a lot of fun …

UPDATE: I mistakenly confused Heizer Defense with Double Tap Defense. The companies split up a while back.

At the 2013 Shot Show Lionheart Industries announced its LH series of pistols. The LH9C is Lionheart Industries’ most compact model in its LH series. Recently, I was fortunate enough to be sent a LH9C Novak edition in Cerakote Patriot Brown with a G-Code holster to look over.

Visual Inspection

 The LH9C is a 9 MM compact pistol with a hammer-forged steel slide and a hammer-forged aluminum frame. Measuring 7 inches long, the LH9C weighs 24.2 Oz. It has a 1:13 inch twist rate in its six groove, 3.6 inch barrel. Lionheart Industries offers the LH9C with two finishes for the frame, basic Cerakote black and Cerakote Patriot Brown.

I was impressed with the LH9C out of the box, or should I say bag. The LH9C comes in a Cordura Ballistic Nylon soft case that holds the pistol, two 10 round magazines, a bore brush, trigger lock, and other accessories. The Cerakote Patriot Brown finish looked good. Though most companies can put on a good show, the LH9C also fit my hand perfectly. It is slightly heavier than its polymer framed competitors, a Glock 26 only weighs 19.75 oz. However, I am accustomed to carrying a full size 1911, so I didn’t notice the weight at all. The LH9C has the feel of real metal, which for me is a big plus since I have not completely been converted to the polymer pistols.

No matter how impressive as the LH9C is to look at and hold, it is a glorified paperweight if it won’t function. So it needed some range time.

Performance Review

The trip to the range was eventful one. First, the chronograph malfunctioned. I apologize for not having the data, but the range I use is on private land in the middle of nowhere. Macgyver I am not; I could not fix the chronograph with bubble gum and spent shell casings.

However, we pressed on with testing. In short the pistol shot well. It had minimal recoil and a smooth trigger pull. We put over 100 rounds of various loads of ammunition through the LH9C.  The LH9C functioned the way it was supposed to every time. While 100 rounds by no means constitute a durability test, the LH9C seems to be very reliable.

Sights and Accuracy

The Lionheart Industries website says the basic LH9C has a 3 dot fixed sight. They even have a very nice picture of the 3 dot fixed sight. Well, the LH9C Novak edition has genuine Novak Lomount Sights. The edition of the Novak sights enhances the speed of target acquisition. It also allows for customization with aftermarket sights, such as Trijicon night sights.

On top of the excellent sights, the LH9C is accurate. We only fired at targets 7 and 10 yards away, but we were able to put together some respectable groups after shooting it for a bit. I was able to keep several 5 shot groups inside of three inches. Accounting for operator error, which with this operator that could be significant, this pistol is plenty accurate.

The Holster

I was also pleased with the G-Code holster. This was my first experience with a G-Code holster. The OSH series of holster is a modular Kydex holster that features a fold/wrap design with Adjustable Pro-Safe tensioning. It comes in a right and left-handed version, and it is available in multiple colors and coatings.

The G-Code OSH Model holster simply works. It has a very smooth draw. I have worn it for a week now, to the range, to the office, and doing yard work. Through it all, the OSH holster held the LH9C snugly in place.  Most the time I forgot that I was wearing it. Simply put this is an excellent holster for only $37.45.

LHC9 in the G-Code OSH Holster

Cautionary Tale about the Double Action +

The Double Action +, as Lionheart Industries calls the Triple Action, can be a nice feature. It is not necessarily my cup of tea, but if you are accustomed to it, I can understand the theory. However for those who are not accustomed to it, or those who think of pistols as an accessory and change the pistol to match their shirt, the Double Action + is a potential hazard. Unfortunately, it is a hazard that was realized in our trip.

While at the range, I let my future brother-in-law fire a few rounds. He is not a “gun guy”, or at least not yet. He had loaded magazines and shagged brass all morning, it seemed like the least I could do to let him fire a few rounds.

I had been evaluating the Double Action + before I handed it him. His first shot was fine. However, because he was confused by the smoothness and length of the first trigger pull, he thought there was a malfunction when the trigger did not reset all the way. His next shot, which would better be classified as an accidental discharge, went flying over the targets and the primary backdrop. Though we were in a safe location and the shot fell harmlessly in a pond next to the range, that situation could have gone bad quickly had we been a different area.

To be fair, the Double Action + is not to blame in this story. It is my fault for not teaching my future brother-in-law the particular quarks of the Double Action +, before handing him the pistol. However, it is indicative of the potential problem that could arise from those who are unaccustomed to it.

Conclusion

The Lionheart Industries LH9C is good pistol for personal defense. It is compact enough for concealed carry, and it performs very well with the G-Code Holster.  At $595, the LH9C is not the cheapest pistol in its class, but it seems to be a fair price. It will also be an extra $100 for the Novak version. If I had the spare cash I would love to add a LH9C with Novak sights to my collection. I guess I need to start saving my lunch money.

Heizer Defense, the former business partner to Double Tap Defense, announced the Pocket Shotgun is set to ship in Fall 2013.  The new handgun is a single shot, top break pistol designed to fire .410 and .45 Colt ammo.

In the press release, Tom Heizer states:

It is important to know that we will only use Stainless Steel or Titanium frames. We believe that these are the safest and most durable alloys. In our opinion lighter metals do not provide the safest and most enjoyable experience that our consumers deserve. We will not allow the commercial distribution of a pistol until we are certain of the safety and the durability of the product. That is why we have chosen Stainless Steel as our base material.

Oddly, the Heizer website clearly indicates the Pocket Shotgun will come with either an “aluminium and stainless steel or titanium frame.”  Perhaps the website has not yet been updated to reflect an all stainless steel frame?

Advantage Tactical’s nifty triangle sights are now available for the FNH-USA FNS and FNX pistols. The  MSRP is $98.49.

 The Advantage Tactical Sight (ATS) was developed by WrenTech president, Richard Nasef, in response to the inadequate iron sight products he found in the marketplace. Nasef, a practicing psychotherapist in New Mexico and California, as well as a firearms enthusiast, noticed shooters struggling with sight picture alignment and the resulting frustration at missed targets. Nasef recognized that the human brain quickly acclimates to a vertically aligned pyramid sight picture over the existing traditional sight pictures and the Advantage Tactical Sight was born.

The ATS allows new and seasoned shooters to acquire target sight pictures almost immediately and increases accuracy at all distances. The ATS, with interchangeable color schemes, provides great visibility in low-light situations and maintains the same sight picture when backlit. The sight system enhances the ability to shoot with both eyes open and while moving. Approved by the USPSA and the IDPA, the ATS give competition shooters an edge by increasing their scores and decreasing their times. The Advantage Tactical Sight is compatible with most holsters and provides better visibility in extreme weather conditions. It is windage and elevation adjustable.

“The FNS and FNX pistol series are some of the finest polymer pistols right out of the box,” Richard Nasef, President of WrenTech Industries, LLC and inventor of the Advantage Tactical Sight, explained. “The fit is exceptional and the perceived recoil is minimal. They are a joy to shoot and made even more enjoyable with the addition of the Advantage Tactical Sights.”

Yesterday after I wrote about the Detonics MTX, a number of readers ask what happened to the Detonics DTX that was announced a year ago but never materialized. I asked the company and this was their response …

We have not abandoned the DTX. When we originally started designing the DTX we were still going to be using an injection molded lower. Since that point we have developed our own CNC shop which led to the design of the MTX. With all that we learned from building the MTX we now believe that we can build a much higher quality DTX pistol by utilizing the same lessons learned. Also, in the process we designed a new trigger system for that pistol so we realized that we needed to push it back into 2014.

The DTX is a courageous design with its extreme angled pistol grip. I look forward to it hitting the market. If the design proves to be popular I am sure we would see other companies also trying extreme grip angles.

Diamondback is now making AR-15 pistols.  The DB15 pistols are chambered in 5.56 NATO and come with 7.5″ barrels with a 1:9″ twist.  The pistols use a gas-impingement system.

Currently, Diamondback lists only one DB15 pistol on the company website.  It is finished in flat dark earth.  The pistol grips are Stark SE-1 grips.  The forend is a Diamondback aluminum rail.

The pistol does not come with sights, but there is a full length Picatinny rail for adding your own.  A MSRP is not listed on the company website.

The São Paulo State Military Police (PMSP), a gendarmerie tasked with the state’s non-investigative police work, have recalled all of the 98,000 (no, not a typo) .40 S&W Taurus 24/7 DS pistols issued to their personnel after discovering that some of them could be discharged without the trigger being pulled. In the video below, from SBT.com.br, demonstrates how easily the faulty pistols can be discharged …

Taurus (Brazil, not Taurus USA) technicians will be investigating the problem and have promised an official comment soon.

Thanks to Paulo for the tip.

The law requires guns imported into the USA to be stamped with its caliber and the company that imported it. According to Rock Island Auction, collectors do not like these import marks and stamped guns sell for a lot less than non-stamped guns. Take the Lugers in the above photo. The stamped Luger sold for 60% less than the unstamped Luger despite both being in similar condition.

If you buy a gun to shoot, this is not an issue, but if someone tries to sell you a Luger make sure you look for an import stamp.

A reader from Washington State who buys the contents of abandoned storage lockers, in the hopes that he can sell them for a profit, recently purchased a locker at auction for $90. Among this locker’s contents was a .22 single shot pistol wrapped up in newspaper and stuffed inside a cloth bag. He took the pistol to a couple of local gun shops who told him it was homemade. It only contains one marking: “A 367″.

It does not look homemade to me, but it does look like it had been subjected to DIY gunsmithing and that some of the screws are not original. Can anyone identify it?

The reader does not know what to do with it and is thinking of turning it in at the next police gun buy back in his area. On a side note, he thinks he will be able to sell the contents of this particular locker for $500. A very nice profit indeed.

Proteus at the DefCad forums has published CAD files for “The Brick”, a 3D printable semi-automatic .22 LR pistol. The gun is mostly made out of ABS plastic, even the bolt and barrel, but it does require a number of metal components, including an AR-15 semi-automatic fire control group, firing pin and buffer spring as well as a Ruger 10/22 magazine spring, a 1x8mm metal insert (for the chamber) and .44 caliber lead bullets or equivalent (inserted into the bolt to provide weight).

As far as I know, this design is theoretical and nobody has actually fired it. Given the venerable .22 round’s rimmed design is infamous for causing feeding problems, I am going to remain skeptical that consumer 3D printers are a practical, and safe, method to produce semi-automatic firearms in their entirety.

Many thanks Eric for the tip.

English Russia have written a blog post about a little known Soviet laser pistol that they claim was developed for cosmonauts to shoot at enemy satellite optics. The english description they gave on how it works does not make a lot of sense. From what I understand it functioned just like the original ruby laser built by Theodore Maiman in 1960 (photo below). This laser worked by “pumping” a synthetic ruby rod with very bright light from a flashtube. The ruby rod would then emit a short laser pulse.

The Soviet laser gun looks like it had a ruby rod instead of a barrel. It’s fed by cartridges from a magazine. Either those cartridges contain a chemical flash powder, or they were ultra-high discharge batteries/cells that could power the laser for one “shot”, which would be multiple pulses, before having to be disposed of.

The output of this laser would be minimal. A quick glance through Electronic Engineering papers from the 1960s and 1970s report scientists achieving just 6% efficiency with ruby lasers. In other words, there is no way that this laser would burn a hole in a US or British satellite. If a cosmonauts really needed to do some damaged, they had the nifty Soviet TP-82 Space Pistol on hand.

Thanks to Arvydas for the tip.

The ABC (Akuna Brass Catcher) is a picatinny/weaver rail mounted brass catcher. The craftsman who makes them will customize it to fit your pistol, so it can potentially be used on any pistol with an underbarrel rail. Rather than just having bag held to the side of the pistol, like its competitors, the ABC has a rigid frame with netting that sits above and to the side of the pistol. It looks far more reliable than the cheap brass catchers I have encountered, but the customization does not come cheap. At $79.95 it costs twice as much as other rail mounted brass catchers.