Pocket Guns - Spring 2015 USA

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FROM THE EDITORS OF GUN WORLD | POCKET GUNS

FROM THE EDITORS OF GUN WORLD
POCKET GUNS SPRING 2015
U.S. $8.99 DISPLAY UNTIL: 3/3/15
80
71658 03105
Engaged Media By Beckett
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BUILT ONE AT A TIME.

PROVEN EVERY ROUND.
The Mustang has been a favorite of customers for years. Updated with
21st century technology, the Mustang XSP is sure to become a popular
option for concealed carry. But the most important stories belong to the
men and women who have owned and relied on Colt through the decades.
Make your story include a Colt.
COLT.COM
800.962.COLT
FACEBOOK.COM/COLTFIREARMS
@COLTFIREARMS
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Table of Contents ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
26 COVER STORY
Combat Focus Shooting

In the real world, you need to
learn how to shoot as efficiently
as possible. Rob Pincus Combat
Focus Shooting will teach you.
By Torrey Kim
PHOTO BY JESSE CLEMENTS
FEATURES /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// PRODUCT GUIDES

10 ABCs of CCW
This is your guide to carrying

a concealed handgun.
By Stan Skinner
40 9mm Shootout
We tested six leading defensive

9mm handgun loads.
By Brad Fitzpatrick
56 Hot Performer
We tested Spring Armorys XD

9mm subcompact, and we were
impressed in many ways.
By Steve Sieberts
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
76 Carry With Confidence
To get you on top of your game, we

have different methods of carry and
tips to ensure youre lightning fast.
By Richard Crays
88 24/7
If you carry, you need to be prepared

at all times. And you cant carry
unless you have the right holster.
By Bob Campbell
104 Little Giant
Good things do come in small packages.

The Glock G42 is an example of that.
By Steve Sieberts
16 Micro Handguns
34 Ammunition
46 Compact
66 Subcompact
82 Holsters
92 Revolvers
110 Accessories
116 Lights
122 Lasers
COLUMNS
6 Editorial
8 Barrels
130 Last Look
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Spring 2015 /////////////
16
40
56
34
122
116
Photography: Jesse Clements

Design: Eric Knagg
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EDITORIAL
LORI SIEBERTS
The Power of
Positive Shooting
y brother-in-law is a great guy. Family man, with four kids, and

the pastor at his church. We are about the same age, grew up in
the same area of Southern California, but our backgrounds
couldnt be more different.
I went into the military, and he stayed with his business that he
started as a young man right out of high school. I grew up around guns
and he had never gone shooting before. We had had discussions about
guns, and although he wasnt necessarily against them, he really didnt
see much need for them or what the big deal about them was.
He was on the fence about them because nobody had really talked to
him about why its so enjoyable to go shooting. He had never heard our
side, and had not experienced the positive aspects of firearms and shooting in general, only what he had heard on the local and national news.
Consequently, his kids were growing up and they didnt get the opportunity to go shooting as I had when I was a kid. My Dad had taken me to
public ranges as a kid many times, and taught me to respect firearms,
but not fear them; that they are just a tool to be handled with due regard
for their ability to change a persons life forever if mishandled, but to use
them for sport and recreation as they were designed to do.
Life happened and after many years he brought his family out to
spend some time with mine due to business and family affairs. I took all
of us out to a friends farm for some relaxation, conversation and good
food since my brother-in-law and his family lived in a city and didnt get
to experience that aspect of life on a farm.
After the barbeque we stepped out to the backyard, and I brought out
several guns to shoot. Mostly I brought .22 pistols and rifles, and about
1,000 rounds. When I pulled the first rifle out of the case, both our kids
just stood there wide-eyed, like they were just being handed the Golden
Ticket. After going through the safety rules for him and all the kids, I
passed around the ear plugs and safety glasses and we proceeded to
shoot up the tin cans and paper plates we had put out for target
practice. I had noticed he was a bit hesitant at first. When we were all
through shooting, I had expected some comments about still not seeing
what the big deal about guns were, but the first thing he said was, Got
any more ammo!
Passing on the positive aspects of shooting to people that have never
experienced it can work wonders to dispel the negative myths about
firearms in general and the gun culture in particular.
It just starts with a positive experience. Pass it on.
Regards!
Steve Sieberts, Editor
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
Editorial Director: Doug Jeffrey

Editor: Steve Sieberts
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Barrels /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
PHOTO BY KYLE SIEBERTS
[Books]
Hand Guns, Concealed Carry, Gun Laws, Other Concerns,

and Things You Should Know: A Basic Companion for the
Casual Handgun Owner and Concealed Handgun
MSRP: $21.54
Author: Hammond Satterfield
346 pages
Available through most book sellers
Overview: I like this book since it covers aspect of concealed carry that most shooting
schools and DVDs only touch on. That is the area of legalities. The author goes into detail
about crime statistics, not to scare the reader, but to show the need for self-defense. This
book does a deep dive into not only the How, but the Why of concealed carry, and this is
why books are still importantin this digital age.
POCKET GUNS
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////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Book and DVDs for Pocket Guns /////////////

[DVDs]
[Shooting Schools]
As good as books and DVDs are for learning defensive pistol techniques,
there is no substitute for an actual hands-on class, complete with a
classroom for theory and presentation, and range time for launching
lead downrange.
There are many shooting schools available so how does a person
select a good one? Word of mouth is one way, but as with all things
firearms, the NRA is a great place to turn when the topic is firearms and
shooting instruction is no exception.
Defensive
Strategies, LLC
680 Brent Street
Manchester, NH 03103
603-566-1727
www.defensivestrategies.org/
Defensive Strategies offers a huge array of NRA certified training,
and not just handgun, or defensive skills. They also teach metallic
cartridge reloading, to basic shotgun skills, NRA Hunter Education and
Basic Rifle Courses. But for this review, I looked at their Concealed Carry
courses, and they offer several excellent ones. The one I focused on was
titled: USCCA Concealed Carry and Home Defense.
The USCCA stands for: United States Concealed Carry Association.
Their website is: www.usconcealedcarry.com/about/the-uscca-story/.
Topics for the class included Developing a Home Defense Plan, Firearms
Basics, Self-Defense and the Law and more. If you are interested in concealed carry, check them out.
FIGHTING with the

1911 by Tiger McKee
MSRP: $29.99
Published by Guntalk
89 minutes
Any honest discussion about using a
handgun in a defensive situation has to begin
with the 1911A1 pistol. Most people are, at least
familiar with the history of the pistol and its origins. There is a reason its
arguably the most popular and most modified handgun in the world,
and used by more professionals that rely on a handgun for defensive or
offensive purposes than any other handgun.
In order to get the best out of any handgun, good training is a must,
but some people learn skills better, in different ways. Sure, its great to go
to a $1000 shooting school and get hands on instruction, but for some
people, thats not an option because of travel, family obligations or
other reasons.
So there needs to be another way to learn. DVDs, and before that, VHS
tapes have been popular medium to transfer knowledge, and so it is with
shooting fundamentals.
Tiger McKee is a former Adjunct Firearms instructor at Thunder Ranch,
and imparts his knowledge in an 89 minute instructional DVD. Contained
in the DVD Tiger covers all of the necessary fundamentals for anyone
wanting to learn how to get the most out of their 1911. He covers: Stance
and Draw, Tactical reloads, Malfunction Drills, and much more. Check out
more at Tigers website at: www.shootrite.org/
Concealed Carry DVD 1

Gunsite
Academy
2900 W. Gunsite Road
Paulden, AZ. 86334
928-636-4565
Fax: 928-636-1236
www.gunsite.com
The oldest and still one of the best shooting schools in the country is
the Gunsite Academy in Paulden Arizona. Founded in 1976 by the father
of the Modern Technique of the defensive pistol, Col. Jeff Cooper revolutionized the art and science of combat pistolcraft. Col. Cooper passed
away in 2006, but the 2000 acre facility still carries on the great tradition of combat pistol shooting.
The facility also offers professional instruction in combat shotgun,
carbine, and rifle courses with KD and Unknown distance ranges. To
quote their website, Most of the target arrays move, turn, run, pop-up
or appear and disappear. They also have full gunsmithing services,
along with campground facilities.
Their Instructors are some of the best in the business, and I have a
personal experience with one of them. I had a police officer friend of
mine many years who was an instructor there, and can attest to their
knowledge, professionalism, and dedication to the art and craft of defensive and offensive use of firearms.
MSRP: $29.95
Published by Springfield Armory
48 minutes
www.vatatrainingcenter.com/
There are a lot of great instructor and shooting
schools out there. The conflicts in Iraq and
Afghanistan over that last decade have produced an unintended consequence. There are a
lot of former military people with vast amounts of real world experience.
Many of them have left the military and returned to civilian life and have
transitioned that knowledge into tactical training programs for military,
law enforcement and civilian application.
So it is with the VATA Group. VATA stands for Vulnerability Assessment
and Threat Analysis. Based in Southern Louisiana, the VATA Group offers a
wide variety of firearms and security courses for military, law enforcement
and civilians.
Some of the courses of interest to civilians who are interested in the
handgun for defensive use and individuals who have, or are wanting to
obtain their Concealed Carry License, the VATA group offers an Intro, a
Basic and Advanced Tactical Pistol, Womens Offensive Combatives and
Defensive Pistol, Home Defense and Advanced Concealed carry.
Their DVD demonstrates all of the basic points, such as: Choosing a
Gun and Holster, shooting small guns, where to aim, and where to wear
your gun and more. It covers all of the bases in glorious slow-motion.
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ABCs of CCW
Your Guide To Concealed Carry
By Stan Skinner
o, youve been considering carrying a concealed handgun?

The way the world is changingwhich includes muggings,
carjackings, home invasions and even terrorist attacksits a
smart idea. These types of incidents have many people thinking about
their personal safety and the safety of their loved ones.
With laws, gun options and training, theres a lot to know. Where
do you start? Right here.
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SPRING 2015
4 Top Choices for Concealed Carry

Starting with the bigger options, well look at the pros and cons of each.
1
Kimber Custom II
Caliber: .45 ACP or 9mm
Action: Single action
Frame: Steel
Slide: Steel
Barrel length: 5 inches
Overall length: 8.7 inches
Weight (empty): 38 ounces
Magazine capacity: 8 rounds
(plus one in the chamber)
This full-size semi-auto is Kimbers least expensive

model in their excellent line of 1911A1-type handguns.
With an overall length of nearly nine inches, the
Kimber Custom II sits at the high limit of size and
weight and in the case of the .45 ACP, recoil for
concealed carry.
You can buy a bigger, more powerful handgun, but
it would be difficult or impossible to conceal it on your

person. A handgun this size would be best suited for a
shoulder holster or an inside-the-waistband holster.
The pictured Custom II has several non-standard
modifications, including an ambidextrous safety; X-S
Systems Big Dot tritium front sight and Crimson
Trace laser grip (now available as a factory option).
MOMENTOUS DECISION
When you decide to carry a concealed handgun, you need to understand the huge responsibilities, both legal and moral, that you must
face. We are talking about the application of deadly force. Thats what
the legal system calls it, and it is a term that is right on the mark.
When you carry a sidearm, concealed or otherwise, for your protection while you go about your daily activities, you are implying that
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POCKET GUNS
11
Kimber Ultra CDP II

Caliber: .45 ACP or 9mm
Action: Single-action
Frame: Aluminum alloy
Slide: Stainless steel
Barrel length: 3 inches
Weight (empty): 25 ounces
The Ultra CDP II is Kimbers top-of-theline compact 1911A1-type handgun. It is almost two inches shorter, has a 1/2-inch
shorter grip and is 13 ounces lighter than a
full-size steel 1911A1. Magazine capacity is
seven, compared to eight in a standard 1911A1.
The compact dimensions and -pound
Firearms safety and

marksmanship are an
integral part of a
basic shooting course,
and it pays off in
peace of mind.
lighter weight make the Ultra CDP II a

much more concealable handgun than a
full-size 1911A1.
The original grips were rosewood, but have
been replaced with a rubber Crimson Trace
laser grip. This feature is now available as a
factory option.
under certain circumstances, you are prepared to take someones life.

You need to search your soul and think carefully about your decision. If
you feel you cannot do that in a defensive situation, you need read no
further. Carrying a firearm concealed or not, is not for you.
If you were ever to shoot someone an assailant or even draw and
point your firearm at someone, you will need to justify your actions to
legal authorities, and that might include facing charges in a court of
law. For further details, consult with an attorney.
50 STATES, 50 LAWS
What complicates things is that the U.S. is composed of 50 states,
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SPRING 2015
Smith & Wesson

M642LS
Caliber: 38 Special +P
Action: Concealed hammer,
double-action only
Frame: Aluminum alloy
Barrel length: 1.875 inches
Weight (empty): 14.5 ounces
Capacity: 5 rounds
The M642LSs petite dimensions and

ultra-light weight make it readily concealable
in a waist holster or ladys purse. These features also give it a sharp recoil when .38 Special +P loads are used.
each of which has its own set of criminal codes, and among them are
laws governing whether a citizen can carry a weapon concealed. Added
to that is case law, or court precedents, establishing how each state
deals with their written laws.
I know of only two states in which a law-abiding person can carry a
concealed weapon without some sort of license or permit. Roughly 30
other states have some sort of licensing or permit system in which a
person can carry legally. In the remainder, you are committing a crime
of some sort simply by putting a gun in your pocket or stuffing it in your
waistband under a shirt or jacket.
Obviously, you must familiarize yourself with the law in your state of
When you decide to carry a

concealed handgun, you
need to understand the
huge responsibilities, both
legal and moral, that you
must face.
The Smith & Wesson M642LS Ladysmith

comes with a matte silver finish and rosewood
grips to appeal to ladies. The original grips on
the M642LS pictured here have been replaced
with a rubber Crimson Trace laser grip.
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Ruger LCP
Caliber: .380 ACP
Action: Double action only
Frame: Glass-filled nylon
Slide: Alloy steel
Barrel length: 2.75 inches
Weight (empty): 9.4 ounces
If you want the most concealable handgun you can get, you cant do much better
than the Ruger LCP semi-auto. At less than
10 ounces, it is hardly noticeable in a pocket
holster or ladys purse.
Of course, there is a trade off with the
LCP chambered for the relatively lower
powered .380 ACP. However, advanced design, expanding bullets make the .380 ACP
a more viable choice than traditional
round-nose bullets.
The LCP pictured here is equipped with
a Crimson Trace Laser Guard, which is now a
factory option.
residence before you decide to carry a concealed sidearm. Then you

must comply with whatever that law states or you are no longer a lawabiding citizen, and the legal repercussions are significant. If you are
found guilty of violating carry laws, you could lose your right to carry or
even own a firearm in the future.
In most of those states that offer a license or permit to carry a concealed weapon, the law sets forth certain training requirements before
a license may be issued. Invariably, that includes a thorough orientation
about the legal ramifications if you ever use your sidearm against another person. That, of course, is a very good idea. In most cases, there is
only a cursory weapon qualification, which is a very bad idea.
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SPRING 2015
From full sized firearms like the

1911, to the subcompacts. Picking
a good concealed carry firearm
comes down to finding the right
fit for you.
PHOTO BY STAN SKINNER
Eva Subido, a certified NRA firearms instructor, teaches several

different classes for women, including a concealed carry certification course. She says that most of her students have very little
shooting experience and have never had any formal training.
I tell (my students) you have to learn how to shoot, first,
she said. In the past, theyd come to class to learn the law and to
qualify and never learn how to shoot. (The instructor) would pull
a gun out of the safe, and (the student) wouldnt know whether
it was empty or not or how to load or unload it. Then theyd
shoot 10 rounds with a gun theyd never even held before.
So, I kind of flip that, Subido said. I tell them you need to
learn how to learn how to shoot first and then apply for your
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
FOR THE EXPERIENCED ONLY
Compact, lightweight single-action 1911 semiautos
like the Kimber, Colt, Springfield Armory and others,
chambered in powerful calibers like the .45 ACP should
be reserved for individuals who are more experienced
and who can dedicate a significant amount of range
time to get proficient with them.
They generate quite a bit of recoil, especially when
firing the type of defensive loads you will use when carrying the pistol, and controlling a lightweight pistol like
this and being able to engage targets accurately, under
pressure, takes a lot of practice.
concealed weapon permit.

Firearms safety and marksmanship are an integral part of a
basic shooting course, and it pays off in peace of mind even if
you never have to draw your sidearm in response to a lethal
threat.
CHOOSING YOUR GUN

You have several decisions to make when you choose your
carry gun: Semi-auto or revolver? Large frame or compact?
Heavy recoil stopping cartridge or light recoil cartridge with
less power? Will you carry it on your person? In a fanny pack?
Or purse?
Each of these decisions has embedded questions to consider that have a bearing on your ultimate choice. Space limitations preclude a detailed examination of all these issues. So,
instead we will take a look at a few popular concealed carry
choices. Check the accompanying sidebar.
MILLIONS STRONG
More than 11 million strong.
Thats approximately how many CCW holders there are
now in the United States. Statistics show that more and more
law-abiding citizens are making the decision to carry to ensure
their home, property and loved ones are safe.
If youre going to add to that number, do your research, so
youre prepared. PG
Stan Skinner is an author of several firearms publications
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POCKET HANDGUNS /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Micro Guns,
Full Size
Power
PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK
The Smallest Guns Offer the Greatest Versatility
he micro guns in these pages

represent the smallest category
of handguns. Yet sometimes
these are perfect depending on
the situation.
The summer months dont lend
themselves to wearing sweaters or
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POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
coats that can cover the larger framed

guns. As the clothing gets lighter and
thinner, the guns get smaller and
smaller. Yet despite their small size,
many of these guns are offered in serious calibers for defensive use and will
do the job when the chips are down.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Micro Handguns /////////////
ROHRBAUGH
R9
WEBSITE: RohrBaughFirearms.com
MSRP: $1,195
Action: DAO
Caliber: .380 ACP
Capacity: 6+1
Barrel Length: 2.9 inches
Length: 5.2 inches
Height: 3.7 inches
Weight: 14 ounces
Features: Anodized aluminum, spur-style
magazine release, double-action reliability
NORTH AMERICAN ARMS

GUARDIAN 25 NAA
WEBSITE:
NorthAmericanArms.com
MSRP: $402
Action: DAO
Caliber: .25 NAA
Capacity: 6+1
Length: 4.4 inches
Width: 0.9 inches
Height: 3.3 inches
Weight: 13.6 ounces
Features: Proprietary
bottle-necked cartridge,
stippled grip for ease of
control, improved reliability
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POCKET HANDGUNS /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

BERETTA
21A BOBCAT
AMERICAN DERRINGER
M7
WEBSITE: Beretta.com
MSRP: $410
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .25 ACP
Capacity: 8+1
Length: 4.9 inches
Width: 1.1 inches
Height: 3.7 inches
Weight: 11.5 ounces
WEBSITE:
AmDerringer.com
MSRP: $775
Action: SA
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 2
Barrel Length: 3 inches
Length: 4.8 inches
Width: 1.1 inches
Height: 3.3 inches
Weight: 7.5 ounces
Features: Tip-up barrel, comfortable

grip, also available in .22 LR
Features: Aluminum construction for light

weight, automatic barrel selection
BOND ARMS
BOND ARMS
COWBOY DEFENDER
RANGER
WEBSITE:
BondArms.com
MSRP: $415
Action: SA
Caliber: .45 Colt/.410 shotshell
Capacity: 2
Length: 5 inches
Height: 3.75 inches
Weight: 19 ounces
WEBSITE: BondArms.com
MSRP: $634
Action: SA
Capacity: 2
Length: 6.25 inches
Weight: 23.5 ounces
Features: Interchangeable barrels, spring-loaded cammed

locking lever, extremely powerful
Features: Interchangeable barrels, fixed

sights, extremely sturdy construction
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///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
BOND ARMS
RANGER II (with trigger guard)

MSRP: $634
Action: SA
Capacity: 2
Length: 6.25 inches
Weight: 23.5 ounces
Features: Interchangeable barrels, automatic
extractor, retracting firing pins for safety
BOND ARMS
CIMARRON
FIREARMS
MSRP: $489
Action: SA
Capacity: 2
Length: 5.5 inches
Height: 4.3 inches
Weight: 22 ounces
WEBSITE:
Cimarron-Firearms.com
MSRP: $220
Action: SA
Caliber: .22 MAG
Capacity: 2
Length: 4.4 inches
Weight: 9.4 ounces
Features: Interchangeable barrels,

fixed sights, automatic extractor
Features: Top-hinged barrel, integral sights,

.22 LR barrel set included
SNAKE SLAYER
DIABLO
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///////////
POCKET HANDGUNS /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

COBRA FIREARMS
COBRA FIREARMS
C22
CB9
WEBSITE: CobraPistols.net
MSRP: $185
Action: SA
Caliber: .22 LR
Capacity: 2
Length: 4 inches
Weight: 9.5 ounces
MSRP: $187
Action: SA
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 2
Length: 4.7 inches
Weight: 14 ounces
Features: Top-hinged barrel,

integral sights, available in
many colors
Features: Top-hinged barrel,

integral sights, available in an
array of colors
COBRA FIREARMS
COLT
CB38
.380 MUSTANG
POCKETLITE
WEBSITE:
CobraPistols.net
MSRP: $187
Action: SA
Caliber: .38 SPL
Capacity: 2
Length: 5.4 inches
Weight: 16 ounces
Features: Top-hinged barrel, integral sights,
available in many colors
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POCKET GUNS
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WEBSITE: ColtsMfg.com
MSRP: $599
Action: SA
Caliber: .380 ACP
Capacity: 6+1
Length: 5.5
Weight: 12.5
Features: Lowered ejection
port, commander-style
hammer, 1911 design in very
tiny package
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
KEL-TEC
NORTH AMERICAN ARMS
P32
MAGNUM
1 5/8-INCH BARREL WITH

CONVERSION CYLINDER
& HOLSTER GRIP
WEBSITE:
KeltecWeapons.com
MSRP: $318
Action: DAO
Caliber: .32 ACP
Capacity: 7+1
Length: 5.1 inches
Width: 0.75 inches
Height: 3.5 inches
Weight: 6.6 ounces
WEBSITE:
MSRP: $284
Action: SA
Caliber: .22 WMR
Capacity: 5
Barrel Length: 1.63
inches
Length: 5.25 inches
Width: 0.9 inches
Height: 2.9 inches
Weight: 6.2 ounces
Features: Grip folds
under pistol, accepts .22
LR cartridges, doesnt
print as a gun
Features: Locked breech,

light trigger, light weight
NORTH AMERICAN ARMS

22S
WEBSITE:
MSRP: $209
Action: SA
Caliber: .22 Short
Capacity: 5
Barrel Length: 1.13
inches
Length: 3.6 inches
Width: 0.81 inches
Height: 2.4 inches
Weight: 4 ounces
Features: Contoured
grip, amazingly light,
extraordinarily small
BOND
ARMS
BOND
MINI 45
WEBSITE:
BondArms.com
MSRP: $395
Action: SA
Caliber: .45 Colt
Capacity: 2
Length: 4.5 inches
Height: 3.75 inches
Weight: 19 ounces
Features: Crossbolt safety, retracting
firing pins, extremely powerful
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
21
///////////
POCKET HANDGUNS ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

NORTH AMERICAN ARMS
380 ACP GUARDIAN
NORTH AMERICAN ARMS

MAG 1 1/8-INCH BARREL
WEBSITE: NorthAmericanArms.com
MSRP: $449
Action: DAO
Caliber: .380 ACP
Capacity: 6+1
Length: 4.8 inches
Width: 0.9 inches
Height: 3.5 inches
Weight: 19 ounces
WEBSITE:
MSRP: $219
Action: SA
Caliber: .22 WMR
Capacity: 5
Length: 4.75 inches
Width: 0.9 inches
Height: 2.9 inches
Weight: 5.9 ounces
Features: Stippled grip for control,

very short height, 2.5-inch barrel for
improved velocity
Features: Extremely short for

caliber, reloads by removing the
cylinder, exceedingly compact
NORTH AMERICAN ARMS

MINI MASTER MAGNUM
NORTH AMERICAN ARMS

PUG-T
WITH ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS
WEBSITE:
MSRP: $314
Action: SA
Caliber: .22 WMR
Capacity: 5
Length: 7.9 inches
Width: 1 inch
Height: 3.7 inches
Weight: 10.7 ounces
Features: Adjustable
target sights, vented top
rib, surprisingly long barrel
22
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
MSRP: $334
Action: SA
Caliber: .22 WMR
Capacity: 5
Barrel Length: 1 inch
Length: 4.5 inches
Width: 0.9 inches
Height: 2.75 inches
Weight: 6.4 ounces
Features: Tritium night sights, powerful
.22 cartridge, extremely compact revolver
PG15_23 11/26/14 4:38 AM Page 23
FORCE (LB.)
TRIGGER PULL
12
11
10
9 Short, Light,
8 Crisp Trigger
7
6
5
4
3
LC9s
2
1
0
0
0.2
Smooth, Double-Action
Only Trigger
LC9
0.4
0.6
0.8
DISTANCE (IN.)
Trigger Pull Comparison
Includes Finger Grip

Extension Floorplate
Just Slightly Larger

(Less than 1'' Taller
and 1'' Longer)
than the Popular and
Incredibly Compact LCP
Includes Soft
Case and
One 7-Round
Magazine
Striker-Fired with Short, Light,

Crisp Trigger Pull
Dovetailed, High-Visibility 3-Dot Sight System with

Windage Adjustable Rear Sight and Fixed Front Sight
The all new, striker-red Ruger LC9s features a short, light,

crisp trigger pull for faster shooting and improved accuracy.
The LC9s provides slim, lightweight and compact personal
protection with a blued, alloy steel slide, a high-performance, glass-lled
nylon grip frame, aggressive checkering and an easily acquired 3-dot sight
system. The LC9s uses all LC9 accessories and holsters and is just slightly
larger ( less than 1'' taller and 1'' longer) than the popular and incredibly compact LCP .
RUGER.COM/LC9S
2014 Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.
112014
///////////
POCKET HANDGUNS /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

NORTH AMERICAN ARMS
THE EARL
NORTH AMERICAN ARMS

MAG
1 1/8-INCH BARREL VENT BAR WASP
WEBSITE:
MSRP: $284
Action: SA
Caliber: .22 WMR
Capacity: 5
Length: 4.75 inches
Width: 0.9 inches
Height: 2.9 inches
Weight: 5.9 ounces
MSRP: $284
Action: SA
Caliber: .22 WMR
Capacity: 5
Length: 7.75 inches
Width: 0.9 inches
Height: 3.1 inches
Weight: 9.1 ounces
Features: 1860s percussion revolver
style, modern .22 WMR chambering,
diminutive size
SEECAMP
RUGER
LWS .32
LCP
WEBSITE: Ruger.com
MSRP: $379
Action: DAO
Caliber: .380
Capacity: 6+1
Length: 5.2 inches
Width: 0.8 inches
Height: 3.6 inches
Weight: 9.4 ounces
Features: Snag-free design for pocket carry, low-profile sights,
seven rounds total onboard, LCP available with LaserMax or
CrimsonTrace lasers sights
24
POCKET GUNS
Features: Powerful .22 cartridge, very light

weight, includes .22 LR conversion cylinder
SPRING 2015
WEBSITE: SeeCamp.com
MSRP: $446.25
Action: DAO
Caliber: .32 ACP
Capacity: 6+1
Length: 4.25 inches
Width: 0.9 inches
Height: 3.25 inches
Weight: 13.25 ounces
Features: Spur-style magazine latch, exceptionally light,
deep-concealment ready
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
AMERICAN DERRINGER
DA38
WEBSITE:
AmDerringer.com
MSRP: $690
Action: DA
Caliber: .38 SPL
Capacity: 2
Length: 4.7 inches
Width: 1.1 inches
Height: 3.3 inches
Weight: 14.5 ounces
AMERICAN DERRINGER
MODEL 1
WEBSITE:
AmDerringer.com
MSRP: $705
Action: SA
Caliber: .45 Colt/.410
shotshell
Capacity: 2
Length: 4.8 inches
Width: 1.2 inches
Height: 3.35 inches
Weight: 15 ounces
Features: Rather unique
double-action derringer, very
concealable, fixed sights
Features: Automatic barrel

selection, hammer block
safety, dual ammunition
BERETTA
.32 ACP TOMCAT & TOMCAT INOX
WEBSITE:
Beretta.com
MSRP: $390
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .32 ACP
Capacity: 7+1
Barrel Length: 2.4
inches
Length: 4.9 inches
Width: 1.1 inches
Height: 3.7 inches
Weight: 14.5 ounces
Features: Tip-up barrel, crisp trigger in single action, INOX model
made of all-weather stainless steel
BOND
ARMS
CENTURY 2000
MSRP: $435
Action: SA
Calibers: .45 Colt / .410 shotshell
Capacity: 2
Length: 5.5 inches
Weight: 21 ounces
Features: Fixed sights, rosewood or laminated
black ash grips, satin finished stainless steel PG
SPRING 2015
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25
PG15-026-033-COVER.qxp 11/26/14 4:40 AM Page 26
Combat Focus Shooting

By Richard Crays
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PHOTO BY TKTKTKTT
Methods of Carry and Presentation

Drills to Get at the Top of Your Game
oure the most accurate, fastest target shooter for miles

around, so youd certainly be ready to take down a perpetrator if you were to encounter someone who started a live
fire incident in a crowd, right? Not so fast. Unless youve trained
both mentally and physically for such an event, you might not be
especially lucky, no matter how accurate your target shots are.
Thats because shooting at a target is completely different from
shooting in a dynamic critical incident, says Rob Pincus, owner of
I.C.E. Training and the developer of the Combat Focus Shooting
Program, which teaches defensive shooting techniques.
A dynamic critical incident is the context of our defense shooting training, Pincus says. What were trying to do is get people
ready for a situation thats surprisingthey may not be in their preferred position, they didnt choose to go into the fight, its chaotic
and you cant predict what will happen next.
In fact, even if youre a seasoned competitive shooter, you might
be unprepared for a live fire scenario.
Competitive shooting has nothing to do with carrying a Glock
in the mall and responding to an ambush while youre shopping for
your kids school clothes, Pincus says.
The key to the Combat Focus Shooting Program is that it trains
the shooter on efficiency, which is more of a mental art than a
physical one.
Some other classes will teach people to shoot a fixed number
of shots, like a double tap, and evaluate the situation, but that requires the shooter to predict whats going to happen. If you admit
and acknowledge that active shooter situations are chaotic, you
know its impossible to predict what will happen in the fight, so you
need to learn how to process information during the fight. Thats
why we focus on efficiency we have to be able to react to what
the bad guys do.
There is a distinct difference between shooting efficiency and
effectiveness, Pincus says. When it comes to Combat Focus
Shooting, the shooter learns to shoot as efficiently as possible
shooting accurately under stress to hit the mark, no matter what
We have moments of dynamic motion and shooting, but most of the time is spent really getting
peoples brains out of the shooting. Learning experientially and developing skills in the moment
allows them to act without cognitive involvement when they need to employ those skills.
Rob Pincus, owner of I.C.E. Training and the developer of the Combat Focus Shooting Program.
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POCKET GUNS
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the circumstance. Learning to shoot effectively is different, because it often means hitting the target regardless of what types of
defensive tactics are going on at the time.
Thwart This Common Problem

Wonder if youre ready for a defensive shooting scenario? First,
ensure that you arent making this mistake, which is the most common one that Pincus sees his students make:
The biggest issue we see people make on the range is when they
assume things to the shooters benefit, he says. It comes back to
prediction the assumption that theyll be able to stand in their
preferred position, that theyll know how many rounds they have
fired, that they will be able to maintain awareness of their surroundings in the midst of a fight, or that they might know where a second
threat would be and would be able to quickly and easily be able to
deal with that. If youre training only in a static environment, youre
accustomed to choreography, so you make assumptions that arent
realistic or appropriate for an actual fight.
Following participation in the class, Pincus and his fellow Combat Focus Shooting instructors often hear students say that they
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PG15-026-033-COVER.PS.qxp 11/30/14 10:46 PM Page 30
previously overconfident in their ability to defend themselves before being exposed to the
classs methods and principles. Once they learn
the psychological aspects of Combat Focus
Shooting, they feel more confident about how
they could actually deal with a live shooter.
How does it work? During the Combat
Focus Shooting course, the instructors create
circumstances that catch students off-guard in
a safe and controlled environment and cause
them to process information in ways other than
mechanical shooting.
We have moments of dynamic motion and
shooting, but most of the time is spent really
getting peoples brains out of the shooting,
Pincus says. Learning experientially and developing skills in the moment allows them to act
without cognitive involvement when they need
to employ those skills.
Expect Deep Mental Shifts

After taking the class, most students realize
that they have made significant psychological
progress, Pincus says.
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POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
Once theyve practiced in realistic and controlled situations, students can have huge shifts
in perspective, intellectual breakthroughs and
emotional breakthroughs via discussion, logic,
our philosophy, and questions and answers, he
says. We really focus on the paradigm shift and
the understanding of the material and not just
the performance of the material, since the latter
is what has to be done over time.
For example: Pincus recently hosted a student who had a concealed carry permit but
hadnt done much shooting for about 15 years,
and even then, she was shooting competitively
with a revolver.
She believed she didnt have the strength
or coordination to handle a semi-automatic
pistol, Pincus says. So she showed up at the
class with a very large competition revolver
with a red dot optic and competition holster,
which is just completely inappropriate defensive shooting gear. She shot the first few drills
with that.
In the 15 years since shed stepped away
from shooting, the student had unfortunately
PG15-026-033-COVER.PS.qxp 11/30/14 10:46 PM Page 31
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
MEET THE TRAINERS
Although Rob Pincus developed the Combat
Focus Shooting Program, the system is much
bigger than just one person. His fellow instructors
come from a variety of backgrounds and are
highly trained and very talented, helping every

student achieve their ultimate level of skill.
For more information on the program or the
instructors, visit combatfocusshooting.com.
Barret Kendrick, Bearco Training (LA)
Deryck Poole, Echo-5 Training Group
Jamie Onion (OH)
Jeff Mullenmeister, MN Firearms Training Academy (MN)
Jon Abel, Phoenix Firearms Training (AZ)
Ken Crawford, American Target Sports (NV)
Tyler Grant, Dynamic Training Strategies (AR)
Alessandro Padovani, Safer Faster Defense (CA)
SPRING 2015
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31
/////////////////////////
FIND OUT
MORE
WEB
IceTrianing.US/
PHONE
(866) 626-8273
32
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
Competitive shooting has nothing to do with carrying a Glock in the mall

and responding to an ambush while youre shopping for your kids school clothes.
Rob Pincus, owner of I.C.E. Training and the developer of the Combat Focus Shooting Program.
lost the upper body strength to even hold that revolver in the right place and
control it well.
After maybe five or 10 shots, we retired that gun, got her a loaner Glock 19
with a holster and magazines from the range, and taught her quickly and efficiently how to hold and manipulate the gun, and showed her that if she used
the right technique, she had the ability to use it, and within about 10 minutes
she was shooting very well, Pincus says.
That student struggled the first day with trying to keep up mentally while
relearning the physical skills that had waned over the years, but by the second
day, everything came together for her, which is quite common, Pincus says.
She was able to employ the physical shooting skills while still letting her
brain focus on simple math to identify the right target or identify motion on
the range in a dynamic environment. Doing that safely takes a lot of brain
power and she was still doing that while still running the gun well. By the end
of day two, everyone in the class was astounded at how well she was controlling the gun, how fast she shot, and how confident and comfortable she was
with it, considering that 30 hours before, shed walked in believing she
couldnt shoot a semi-automatic and she needed to be in a static position to
even hit a target. Those are the kind of breakthroughs we see.
How Youll Train After the Class
Once you learn the techniques of Combat Focus Shooting, youll be ready
to head home with the knowledge and train further.
As part of our final debrief, we discuss methodologies with our students
for continuing skill development, Pincus says. We call it front loading practice, which means very quickly after you learn a skill, you should work on the
repetitions and practice those skills. We tell our students to work on the skills
within a few weeks of leaving, then once a week or every few weeks for the
next month or two, then once a month for six months, every other month for a
year, and once a quarter for the rest of their lives, which should help them
maintain the skills. PG
Torrey Kim is a freelance writer based in North Carolina.
SPRING 2015
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PG15-034-039-BGAMMO.PS3.qxp 12/1/14 10:29 PM Page 34
///////////
AMMO ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
PHOTO BY HORNADY
Maximum
Cartridge Engineering
Ammunition for Home, Personal Defense and Hunting
hooting defensive handguns well

takes time and dedication, but
without the right ammunition,
you are really wasting time and money.
Defensive guns need to be shot extensively in order to gain proficiency with
them. Most violent encounters occur at
34
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
very short range, but you still need the

confidence in your equipment.
Today there are factory loads that
mimic the recoil of practice loads so
that you can shoot hundreds of
rounds comfortably in order to gain
that proficiency.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Self-Defense Ammunition /////////////
FEDERAL
AMMUNITION
CALIBER: 45 ACP
Website: federalpremium.com
Bullet weight: 165 gr in 45 ACP
Brand: Guard Dog
Muzzle Velocity: 1140
MSRP: $39.99/45 ACP
Features: Designed specifically for
home defense. Lower velocity for
close range use.
FEDERAL AMMUNITION
Caliber: 22 LR
Bullet weight: 36gr
Brand: Fire Pak
MSRP: $19.99
Features: Sealed pack of premium 22 LR
ammo, perfect for self defense and small
game hunting.
FEDERAL AMMUNITION
Caliber: 9mm
Website:federalpremium.com
Bullet weight: 124gr
Brand: HST
MSRP: 24.99
Features: Great accuracy and feeds reliably.
Excellent defense round.
SPRING 2015
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35
///////////
AMMO ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
FEDERAL AMMUNITION
CALIBER: .45ACP
WEBSITE: FEDERALPREMIUM.COM
MSRP: Price varies depending on bullet weight
Bullet Style: JSWC
Bullet Weight: 185 or 230 grains
Brand: Gold Metal Match
Muzzle Velocity: 850-950 fps
Designed for: Target/Competition/Practice
Features: One of the most accurate handgun
cartridges on the market. Its used by most of the
military marksmanship units for competition.
HORNADY
Caliber: 9mm
Website: hornady.com
Bullet weight: Various
Brand: FlexLock
Muzzle Velocity: Various
MSRP: Depends on caliber
Features: Excellent round for training
and duty. Great expansion characteristics.
HORNADY
CALIBER: .40 S&W
WEBSITE: Hornady.com
Bullet Style: JHP
Bullet Weight: 165 grains
Brand: Critical Defense
Muzzle Velocity: 1,175 fps
Designed for: Home
Defense/Tactical
HORNADY
CALIBER: Various
WEBSITE: Hornady.com
Bullet Style: JHP
Bullet Weight: Varies by caliber
Brand: American Gunner
Muzzle Velocity: Varies by caliber
Designed for: Practice and Home Defense. This
ammunition is loaded with the excellent Hornady
XTP bullet, and is available in a wide variety of
calibers, from 380 to 45 ACP.
36
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
WINCHESTER
CALIBER: .45 ACP PDX1 Defender
WEBSITE: Winchester.com
Bullet Style: JHP
Bullet Weight: 230 grain
Brand: PDX1 Defender
Muzzle Velocity: Depends on caliber
Designed for: Designed for CCW
holders to provide similar ballistics out
of the shorter barrels that concealable
handguns usually have.
WINCHESTER
CALIBER: .380 ACP
Bullet Style: JHP
Brand: PDX1 Defender
Muzzle Velocity: 1000 fps
Designed for: Maximum stopping
power for all calibers. Bonded bullet
stays intact on impact.
WINCHESTER
CALIBER: 40 S&W
Bullet Style: JHP
Brand: Train & Defend
Designed for: This ammo is designed for newer
shooters that need a lighter recoiling cartridge for
maximum effectiveness when practicing, but still
need round with good stopping power.
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
37
///////////
AMMO ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
WINCHESTER
CALIBER: .38 Spl
Bullet Style: JHP
Brand: Train & Defend
Designed for: New shooters that want
to maximize their training by using a
lighter recoiling round. Is a great round
for defense and training.
REMINGTON ULTIMATE
DEFENSE COMPACT
FEDERAL AMMUNITION
Caliber: 410 handgun
Bullet weight: 7/16 oz
Brand: Personal defense
Muzzle Velocity: 950fps
MSRP: $19.95
Features: Designed for handguns firing 410
shotshell. delivers great patterns. Available in a
variety of weights and payloads.
CALIBER: .VARIOUS
WEBSITE: Remington.com
Bullet Style: Various
Bullet Weight: Depends on caliber
Brand: Critical Defense
Designed for: Designed CCW holders to provide similar ballistics
out of the shorter barrels that concealable handguns usually have.
BARNES
CALIBER: 45 Auto +P
WEBSITE: Barnesbullets.com
Bullet Style: JHP
Brand: TAC-XPD
Designed for: Great round for personal defense.
All copper bullets provides for good expansion
and penetration.
38
POCKET GUNS
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BARNES
REMINGTON
CALIBER: VARIOUS
WEBSITE: Barnesbullets.com
Bullet Style: JHP
Brand: VOR-TX
CALIBER: 38 Spl thru 44 Mag.

Bullet Style: HTP
Bullet Weight: Varies by Caliber
Brand: High Terminal Performance
Designed for: Excellent bullet for use in

hunting caliber handguns.
Designed for: Excellent cartridge for small

revolvers. Great expansion and low muzzle flash.
REMINGTON
CALIBER: Various pistol calibers
Bullet Style: Flat nose
Brand: CTF
Designed for: Lead-free frangible bullet
completely disintegrates on impact with no
splashback. Great for training on steel targets
especially when shooting on an indoor range.
HORNADY
Caliber: Various
Website: hornady.com
Bullet weight: Varies
Brand: Training
Features: Steel cased training ammunition.
Very economical PG
SPRING 2015
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39
PG15-040-044-TEST.qxp 11/26/14 4:48 AM Page 40
The six 9mm defensive loads tested were (from left to right): Barnes 115
grain TAC-XPD, Federals HST 124 grain, Hornadys 115 grain Critical Defense,
Hornadys 135 grain Critical Duty, SIG Sauers 124 grain Elite Performance,
and Winchesters 124 grain Supreme Elite PDX-1.
9mm SHOOTOUT
To Determine Which Is Best for Self-Defense, 6 Leading
Defensive 9mm Handgun Loads Are Tested and Evaluated
PHOTO BY TKTKTKTT
By Brad Fitzpatrick
ts an issue that may never be settled.

There is a great deal of debate regarding which
handgun caliber is best for self-defense and law
enforcement applications.
More and more shooters are learning what law enforcement agencies like the FBI have understood for
decades; a handgun cartridge is only as effective as the
projectile that leaves the barrel. There have been a variety of ballistics tests that demonstrate how important
proper bullet selection is when neutralizing a threat, yet
proper bullet selection never seems to prompt lengthy
discussions the way that caliber selection does. The
bottom line, however, is that your handgun is only as
good as your bullet.
40
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
Increases in the number of state-issued right-tocarry licenses have prompted ammunition manufacturers to develop new and better defensive bullets and
loads, and the good news is that all this research and
development has created a new generation of defensive bullets that are far better at stopping a threat than
anything weve had before.
For years the most basic bullet types have been full
metal jackets, lead (including wadcutter and semiwadcutter target bullets) and jacketed hollow points.
The hollow-point design was favored because it provided expansion (usually via a soft lead core) that was
controlled by a copper jacket of varying thicknesses.
Bonding, a process by which the lead core and copper
a handgun cartridge is only as effective as the projectile that leaves the barrel.
Barnes all-copper TAC-XPD has a deep nose cavity and six petals that expand
reliably when they strike a target. The bullet profile makes it a cartridge that
feeds reliably, and accuracy was excellent in this test.
Federals HST is a popular choice for personal defense, and with good
reason. It is designed to expand reliably and produces plenty of energy
for self-defense work.
Hornadys defensive tandem, the Critical Defense and Critical DUTY loads, both
use the companys innovative FlexTip design, which allows it to penetrate through
barriers like clothing as a pointed bullet would and then expand properly.
Sauers new Elite Performance ammunition utilizes a V-Crown design, which

isnt as deep as some of the other bullets tested here. It took SIG Sauer a while
to get into the ammo game, but this loading is truly exceptional.
For the most part, defensive bullets are hollow points that are designed to expand reliably and produce high levels of hydrostatic shock. The Hornady bullets (left) use a polymer tip to insure that the bullet penetrates as it should.
The SIG Sauer Performance Elite ammunition utilizes a shallower V-Crown design that penetrates extremely well.
The Barnes all-copper TAC-XPD after passing through six barriers. The bullet
performs as advertised, and the six petals opened to create a large wound
channel for improved stopping power.
jacket are electrochemically fused, helps alleviate the problem of

jacket and core separation and has helped improve defensive bullet performance. Todays defensive bullets benefit from modern
technology and advanced machining practices and are better than
any bullets that have come before them.
And we put some to the test.
TEST PARAMETERS
The FBI and various law enforcement agencies run a variety of
tests on different bullets to determine their effectiveness as a selfdefense round. The test that I used is one of my own creation, but it
works very well for testing defensive bullets on a variety of barriers.
For this test, two five-gallon buckets of water are placed at a
SPRING 2015
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41
Federals HST bullet actually deneted the seventh barrier and came to rest in
the water after almost doubling in diameter and producing 27 inches of
straight-line penetration. If youre faced with a deadly situation, thats the
type of capabilities you want in a bullet.
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
WHAT IS ROTATIONAL SPEED
AND IS IT IMPORTANT?
You hear a lot about a bullets speed and diameter, but
one aspect of terminal ballistics that is rarely discussed is
rotational speed.
Rotational speed effects bullet performance, accuracy
and energy transfer. Calculating RS requires knowing the
bullets muzzle velocity and barrel rate twist. For example,
a .45 ACP bullet traveling at 890 fps from a standard 1:16
twist barrel has a rotational speed of just over 40,000
RPMs. By contrast, a 9mm bullet traveling at 1,120 fps
from a 1:10 twist rate barrel has a rotational speed of over
67,000 RPMs.
This rotational speed produces something known as rotational kinetic energy, a force that is rarely considered
when selecting a bullet. Rotational kinetic energy creates
hydrostatic shock, thus increasing the lethality of a bullet.
In the case above, the 9mm Luger has a faster rotational velocity and produces a higher level of rotational kinetic energy, a calculation rarely taken into consideration when
selecting a bullet for self-defense. This means that in terms
of damage done by hydrostatic shock as a result of rotational speed, the 9mm has an advantage over the .45 ACP.
42
POCKET GUNS
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Hornadys Critical Defense bullet after being recovered from the

test medium. Bullet performance was excellent, and the Critical
Defense ammo had no problem traveling through layers of hard
plastic, water and clothing before it came to rest.
distance of 20 feet, and a three-inch layer of heavy clothing is

placed between the buckets. This provides seven separate mediums; the hard plastic wall of the first bucket, 10 inches of water,
another layer of hard plastic, dense clothing, a third layer of plastic, more water and a final plastic layer. Thats seven separate
layers that represent different barriers, the same thing you can
expect when a defensive bullet is fired into an attacker.
In addition to penetration tests, bullets were also evaluated
on accuracy from a fixed rest at 25 yards. A Glock 19 was used as
the test gun, and velocity figures were collected 12 feet from the
muzzle. At the end of the test, all the data was collected and examined to determine how each bullet performed in relation to
the test and factory claims.
THE PLAYERS
Barnes 115 Grain TAC-XPD
Barnes is a company that built its reputation on designing
all-copper hunting bullets, and the TAC-XPD is the companys
lead-free version of a hollow point defensive bullet. Its a 9mm
+P load, one of two in the test, and it features a deep nose cavity
for wide expansion and a low-flash powder, good for shooting in
low-light conditions.
The Barnes deep nose cavity and all-copper design allows
for the controlled expansion of six copper petals that are
designed to transfer maximum energy while maintaining
straight-line penetration
PG15-040-044-TEST 11/26/14 9:46 PM Page 43
Federal 124 Grain HST
Hornady 135 Grain Critical DUTY
Federals HST bullet features a hollow-point

design that has been designed to penetrate
through a variety of barriers without over-penetrating. The HST loads use Federals unique
primer system and nickel-plated cases for optimum reliability and ease of feeding. In addition,
the bullets nose profile was designed to facilitate feeding and reduce the risk of jams and
malfunctions.
The Critical DUTY bullet was designed with

law enforcement in mind and features
FLEXLOCK technology, which included the
Flex-Tip as well as an Interlock band that
secures the core to the jacket to prevent
separation. The cannelured bullet and crimped
case insure no bullet setback during firing,
an a high-antimony lead core helps improve
penetration. Like the Critical Defense loads,
the Critical DUTY ammunition features nickelplated cases for reliable feeding.
Hornady 115 Grain

Critical Defense
Hornadys Critical Defense ammunition utilizes the companys Flex-Tip design, a polymer
tip that is inserted into the bullets nose cavity.
The tip is designed to create the effect of a
pointed bullet, helping penetrate through barriers like clothing before expansion begins so that
maximum energy is transferred to the target.
The Critical Defense load uses a light 115-grain
bullet at a moderate velocity, so it doesnt generate a high level of muzzle flip or recoil, an excellent choice for compact handguns.
SIG Sauer 124 Grain Elite

Performance Ammunition
SIG is best known for their line of highperformance rifles and handguns, but the
brand also offers their new line of Elite
Performance Ammunition in five calibers.
The SIG bullets feature a V-Crown design
with a shallow V-shaped nose design and a
proprietary lead-alloy core. This design provides
dependable, controlled expansion through
every type of FBI protocol barrier and consistent
The best group of the day was a bit over

1 inch in diameter and came courtesy of
the SIG Sauer ammo at 25 yards. That
level of accuracy is extremely good for a
personal defense hand.
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SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
43
The test gun was a Glock 19, so chosen because

the 4-inch barrel balances between compact
semiautos and duty/competition guns.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
CRIMSON TRACES LASERGRIPS
This year, I had a chance to tour the Crimson Trace facility outside
of Portland, Oregon, and on that trip I shot a Glock equipped with
a green laser in their low-light indoor range.
The first thing I noticed was that iron sights quickly failed in
dim light, and the second lesson I took away from that shooting
session was that the shooter with the laser sight has a huge
advantage. There are some detractors that say a laser will give
away your position to an attacker, but lets remember that you
have your gun drawn and aimed at an attacker, so the Hollywood
notion of not giving away your position is bunk.
In fact, the laser lesson impressed me so much that I now have
a green Lasergrip on my Glock 19 (see photo). The unit is lightweight and very easy to install, and it actually widens the grip a bit
and feels more comfortable in my hand than the original Gen 3
grip. Its lightweight, polymer design doesnt add much heft and
doesnt require you to buy a new holster, and the rear activation is
so intuitive that the laser will be on when the gun is drawn. In
addition, theres a manual shotoff switch at the rear of the unit.
Its nice having the peace of mind that comes with knowing
you can light up the fight when the sun goes down. MSRP: $329.
For more info, go to CrimsonTrace.com.
44
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
performance. The cases are treated with a special lubricating agent that helps insure easy feeding.
Winchester 124 Grain

Supreme Elite PDX-1 Defender
The Winchester load is the other +P ammunition in the
test, and the bullet features a hollow-point design with a
notched jacket to insure that the bullet expands properly. In
addition, Winchester uses a proprietary bonding process to
insure that the bullets jacket and core do not separate. The
Defender line is available in a variety of pistol and revolver
calibers ranging from .380 Auto to .45 Colt.
THE RESULTS
The first test conducted was the barrier test, and
although it wasnt as sophisticated as the FBI protocol test,
it offered some insight into the penetrating abilities of each
of the bullets. How deep a bullet penetrates depends upon
bullet design, energy, velocity and medium, and while many
law enforcement agencies demand a bullet that penetrates
through multiple barriers like plywood and sheet rock, civilian defense bullets generally dont require the same level of
penetration because in self-defense situations the odds of
shooting through barriers are rare.
In this test, the medium measured just at 27 inches
from one end to the other, and bullets were recovered (or
not recovered) in different layers of the test material. Three
bullets (The Hornady Critical Duty, SIG Elite and Winchester
PDX-1) penetrating the full length of the seven layers,
exiting the rear of the last bucket. Buckets were replaced
with each test if they were damaged, so each bullet had
the same test medium.
The results are shown below, with all six bullets
penetrating through the first bucket and the clothing. Both
the Hornady Critical Defense and the Barnes TAC-XPD penetrated to the water in the second bucket (the sixth layer of
The Winchester Supreme Elite PDX-1 ammunition had the highest velocity and
subsequent muzzle energy of any bullet tested. It drove straight through all seven
barriers with ease and maintained straight-line penetration.
Hornadys Critical Defense is accurate and deadly. This group was

produced at 25 yards, and the Critical Defense ammo proved very
effective on the barrier test.
medium). The Federal HST actually dented the rear portion of the
last bucket, meaning it very nearly passed completely through the
test medium. The other bullets penetrated all the layers.
The recovered bullets all performed extremely well. The Barnes
opened up with six copper petals just as advertised, and the Federal HST provided textbook performance that matched the company claims regarding expansion. Both the Barnes and Federal
bullet retained very close to their original weight. The Hornady bullet performed well too, retaining 98 grains of bullet weight.
For the accuracy test, each ammunition was fired from a fixed
rest at 25 yards. SIGs Elite ammunition was the most accurate,
grouping at 1.73 inches from that range. Barnes was not far behind
at 1.94 inches, and everything else measured between two and
three inches from that range.
Velocity averages varied from 987 feet per second for the
135-grain Critical DUTY and 1,013 feet per second for the Barnes
bullet to 1,210 for the Winchester 124 grain +P load. The charts
below outline how each bullet performed in all three tests (barrier,
accuracy, velocity).
JOB WELL DONE
Ive completed this test with other bullets, from soft lead
projectiles to FMJS and hollow points, and one look at the performance of these six bullets makes it clear that they are far superior to
target bullets for home defense. Todays modern bullets hold up
under pressure, perform reliably and transfer energy effectively, the
critical element for stopping an attacker.
Id give all six of these bullets a good rating with regard to their
performance as a self-defense round, and its safe to say that any
of these rounds is more effective and reliable than the standard
all-lead ammunition that many people carry in their self-defense
guns.
Its also important to note that many of these cartridges utilize
some sort of agent to increase lubricity and help insure proper
feeding. Throughout the entire test there were no failures to feed,
and thats another critical aspect when selecting ammunition, for
many people who believe that their gun always jams are placing
the blame in the wrong spot. Bad ammo yields poor results.
If youre in the market for a defensive round, these six are a
good place to start. All of them penetrated well, and they
provided good accuracy out
of a standard production pistol with a four-inch barrel. If
FIELD DATA
youre
Average
serious about self-defense,
Number
Weight Average
Bullet
Accuracy
(Grains) Velocity of Barriers Performance
the good news is that there
(inches)
(12 feet) Penetrated
are plenty of outstanding
115
1,013
6
Excellent
1.94
choices on the market. PG
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Bullet
Barnes TAC-XPD
Federal HST
124
1,056
6/7
Excellent
2.02
Hornady Critical Defense
115
1,032
Excellent
2.34
Hornady Critical DUTY
135
987
NA
2.68
SIG Sauer Elite Performance 124
1,156
NA
1.73
Winchester PDX-1 Defender
1,210
NA
2.75
PG
124
Brad Fitzpatrick contributes

to a number of Beckett Media
publications, including
Firepower and Gun World.
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
45
PG15-046-055-BGCOMPACT.PS.qxp 11/30/14 11:28 PM Page 46
///////////
COMPACT HANDGUNS ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
PHOTO BY TKTKTKTT
Carry Friendly
Compact Carry but Full-Size Power
his category of handguns is probably

the most popular for people who
possess a concealed carry permit
because they are available in a wide variety of calibers and configurations. They
can be single-action autoloaders like the
1911A1 in either Commander or Officers
46
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
length, or DA and DAO autopistols from

just about every major manufacturer.
In addition, they are chambered for
calibers from the .380 ACP up through
the 45 ACP, so you can probably find a
gun/cartridge combination that works
best for your situation.
PG15-046-055-BGCOMPACT.qxp 11/26/14 4:54 AM Page 47
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Concealable Handguns /////////////
KIMBER
MASTER CARRY SERIES

WEBSITE: Kimber.com
MSRP: VARIES BASED ON MODEL
Action: SA
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 8+1
Length: 8.5 inches
Weight: 41 ounces
Features: Crimson trace grips, match-grade
barrel, super accurate and easy to carry.
Low-profile fixed sights
COLT
DEFENDER 7002D
COLT
DEFENDER SERIES
WEBSITE: Colt.com
MSRP: $914
Action: SA
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 8+1
Length: 8.5 inches
Weight: 24 ounces
Features: Colts Officers model with Novak Low-Mount
sights, beavertail grip safety, and 3-hole trigger and
wraparound grips. Great little carry gun in 45 ACP
WEBSITE: Colt.com
MSRP: $1,015
Action: SA
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 8+1
Length: 6.75 inches
Width: 1.3 inches
Weight: 25 ounces
Features: Novak lowmount carry sights, large
capacity for size, 9mm
caliber in a 1911-type frame
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
47
///////////

KIMBER
KIMBER
SAPPHIRE ULTRA II
SOLO CARRY
WEBSITE:
KimberAmerica.com
MSRP: $747
Action: STR
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 6+1
Barrel Length: 2.7
inches
Length: 5.5 inches
Width: 1 inch
Weight: 17 ounces
WEBSITE:
KimberAmerica.com
MSRP: $1,612
Action: SA
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 8+1
Length: 6.8 inches
Weight: 25 ounces
Features: G-10 thin grips, satin
silver frame, tritium tactical
wedge-style dot sights
KIMBER
KIMBER
SOLO CDP
ULTRA CRIMSON CARRY II
WEBSITE:
KimberAmerica.com
MSRP: $1,223
Action: SA
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 6+1
Length: 5.5 inches
Weight: 17 ounces
Features: Rosewood Crimson Trace Lasergrips, Kim Pro II frame,

ambidextrous thumb safety and mag release, satin stainless slide
48
POCKET GUNS
Features: Low-profile white dot sights, three-dot combat

sights, aluminum grip frame, 9mm in a 1911-inspired design
SPRING 2015
WEBSITE:
KimberAmerica.com
MSRP: $1,206
Action: SA
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 7+1
Length: 6.8 inches
Width: 1.3 inches
Height: 4.75 inches
Weight: 25 ounces
Features: Match-grade barrel, snag-free
sights, Crimson Trace Lasergrips standard
PARA USA
STEALTH
WEBSITE: Para-USA.com
MSRP: $1,339
Action: DAO
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 6+1
Length: 6.5 inches
Width: 1.4 inches
Weight: 24 ounces
Features: Combat-style
sights, beavertail grip safety,
unique-to-style DAO trigger
PARA USA
WARTHOG
MSRP: $999
Action: SA
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 10+1
Length: 6.5 inches
Width: 1.3 inches
Height: 4.5 inches
Weight: 24 ounces
Features: Fiber optic front sight, extended beavertail grip safety,
10-round magazine capable, flush-fitting lower-round-count
mags for discrete carry
SPRINGFIELD
EMP
WEBSITE: Springfield-Armory.com
MSRP: $1,345
Action: SA
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 9+1
Length: 6.6 inches
Width: 1.3 inches
Height: 4.8 inches
Weight: 28 ounces
Features: Diamond-pattern cocobolo grips, large
capacity for type, tritium night sights
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
49
///////////

SPRINGFIELD
RANGE OFFICERS COMPACT
WEBSITE:
Springfield-Armory.com
MSRP: $1,247
Action: SA
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 6+1
Length: 6.5 inches
Width: 1.3 inches
Height: 5.0 inches
Weight: 26 ounces
SIG SAUER
1911R-COMPACT NICKEL
WEBSITE:
SigSauer.com
MSRP: None given
Action: SA
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 7+1
Length: 7.7 inches
Weight: 38.8 ounces
Features: High-hand beavertail grip safety, subcompact

design, steel frame
Features: This is Sigs nickelcoated 1911. Makes for a great

all-weather tactical and carry
gun. Lo-Mount sight and
checkered front strap
STI
STI
OFF DUTY
TOTAL ECLIPSE
WEBSITE: StiGuns.com
MSRP: $1,243
Action: SA
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 8+1
Barrel Length: 3.24
inches
Length: 7 inches
Weight: 30.4 ounces
Features: Three-dot adjustable combat sights,
checkered cocobolo grip panels, ramped bull barrel
50
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
WEBSITE: StiGuns.com
MSRP: $1,843
Action: SA
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 9+1
Length: 7 inches
Weight: 22.4 ounces
Features: Fixed and recessed tritium night sights, ramped
and fully supported barrel, Recoilmaster guide rod
WILSON COMBAT
ULTRALIGHT CARRY
WEBSITE:
WilsonCombat.com
COMPACT
MSRP: $3,650
Action: SA
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 7+1
Length: 7.6 inches
Width: 1.3 inches
Height: 4.9 inches
Weight: 26.5 ounces
Features: Combat-style sights,
fiber optic front sight insert,
Armor Tuff finish
AMERICAN
CLASSIC
OFFICERS MODEL
WEBSITE:
AmericanClassic1911.com
MSRP: $684
Action: SA
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 7+1
Length: 7.25 inches
Weight: 32.45 ounces
Features: Novak-style rear combat
sight, super-compact officer-size design,
lowered and flared ejection port
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
51
///////////

COLT
LES BAER
XSE SERIES MODEL O
CONCEPT VII
WEBSITE: Colt.com
MSRP: $944
Action: SA
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 8+1
Length: 7.75 inches
Height: 5.5 inches
Weight: 34 ounces
Features: Adjustable trigger,
extended and ambidextrous
frame-mounted safety, extended
beavertail safety with palm swell
ELITE Officers
LDA Officer
Crimson Trace
MSRP: $1,225
Action: DA
Caliber: 9mm & 45 ACP
Capacity: 18+1
Length: 5.5 inches
Weight: 30 ounces
Features: Stainless steel frame and slide, full-length guide rod,
Crimson Trace Lasergrips. Makes an excellent concealed carry gun
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
Features: Combat-style tritium-illuminated night sights,

LBC speed trigger, throated barrel, guaranteed to shoot
three-inch groups at 50 yards
PARA-USA
PARA-USA
52
WEBSITE: LesBaer.com
MSRP: $1,920
Action: SA
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 8+1
Length: 7.75 inches
MSRP: $949
Action: SA
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 7+1
Length: 6.5 inches
Weight: 30 ounces
Features: 2-dot rear sight, fiber optic front sight, front strap
checkered, ambi-thumb safety. 8 shot 45 ACP. Outstanding
pistol for carry or competition
SMITH & WESSON
SW1911 BOBTAIL CARRY
WEBSITE:
Smith-Wesson.com
MSRP: $1,539
Action: SA
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 8+1
Length: 8 inches
Width: 1.3 inches
Height: 5.5 inches
Weight: 30 ounces
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY
CHAMPION OPERATOR LIGHTWEIGHT

45 ACP
WEBSITE:
MSRP: $949
Action: SA
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 7+1
Length: 8.5 inches
Weight: 31 ounces
Features: Relieved slide, fish

scale serrations, bobbed tail for
increased concealability
Features: Commander-length barrel and full-size magazine, this is a great pistol for all around use such as general
carry and home defense. Features a fully supported ramped
bull barrel, integral accessory rail, and beavertail safety and
Novak Lo-Mount 3-dot tritium sights
HECKLER & KOCH
HECKLER & KOCH
USP COMPACT
VP9
WEBSITE: HK-USA.com
MSRP: $719
Action: STR
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 15+1
Barrel Length: 4.09
inches
Length: 7.34 inches
Width: 1.32 inches
Height: 5.41 inches
Weight: 1.66 pounds
Features: Accessory rail, interchangeable backstraps,
easily engaged controls, scaled-down HK USP design
Features: Accessory rail, short-recoil linkless locking

system, striker fired, ambidextrous controls, polymer
frame with interchangeable grips and backstraps
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
53
///////////

SMITH & WESSON
M&P .40
SIG SAUER
WEBSITE:
Smith-Wesson.com
MSRP: $569
Action: STR
Caliber: .40 SW
Capacity: 15+1
Barrel Length: 4.25
Length: 7.6 inches
Width: 1.2 inches
Height: 5.5 inches
Weight: 1.5 pounds
P226
WEBSITE: Sig-Sauer.com
MSRP: $1,015
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 15+1
Length: 7.7 inches
Width: 1.5 inches
Height: 5.5 inches
Weight: 2.13 pounds
Features: Decocking lever, ergonomic controls for one-hand
operation, steel construction, wide range of custom features
Features: Interchangeable backstraps, large

capacity for caliber, low-profile tactical sights
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY
XD(M) 3.8 FULL-SIZE 9MM
GLOCK
G21
WEBSITE:
MSRP: $697
Action: STR
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 19+1
Length: 6.75 inches
Height: 5.75 inches
Weight: 1.81 pounds
54
POCKET GUNS
WEBSITE: Glock.com
MSRP: $649
Action: STR
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 13+1
Length: 8 inches
Width: 1.3 inches
Height: 5.5 inches
Weight: 1.87 pounds
Features: Grip safety, trigger
safety, fiber optic front sight,
outstanding capacity, snag-free
rear combat sight
SPRING 2015
Features: White outline rear sight, polymer frame for

light weight, combat trigger guard, double-stack magazine relieved backstrap to fit smaller hands
PG15-046-055-BGCOMPACT 11/30/14 11:33 PM Page 55
CZ
P-06
WEBSITE: CZ-USA.com
MSRP: $680
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .40 SW
Capacity: 10+1
Length: 7.2 inches
Width: 1.4 inches
Height: 5.3 inches
Weight: 1.82 pounds
Features: Rubber grips, light forged alloy frame,
firing pin blocking safety, decocking lever
FASTEST HANDGUN
SAFE IN THE WORLD
BE ARMED IN 2 SECONDS!
UNDER A DESK
RUGER
SR9C
WEBSITE: Ruger.com
MSRP: $529
Action: STR
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 17+1
Length: 6.9 inches
Width: 1.3 inches
Height: 4.6 inches
Weight: 1.46 pounds
Features: Accessory rail, front slide
serrations, amazing capacity for size,
various finishes for slide2 PG
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SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
55
PG15-056-063-SPRINGFIELD.PS.qxp 12/1/14 12:33 AM Page 56
Hot Performer
The Springfield Armory XD Provides
Accuracy, Performance
Factory shot of the XD with the 13 rounds, flush-fit magazine installed.
hen I was asked to review the Springfield Armory XD

9mm subcompact for this initial issue of Pocket Guns
magazine, I jumped at the opportunity. Not only am I a
huge fan of the category of subcompact and compact handguns,
but I really wanted to see if the gun would match up with other
polymer pistols in the same category as far as features, ergonomics, accuracy and reliability.
FIRST LOOK
The gun, as shipped, came in a foam-lined hard case with two
magazines, one of which was a hi-capacity, holding 16 rounds,
56
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
which Springfield calls their X-Tension magazine. The other was a

flush-fitting version, holding the more standard 13 rounds. The high
capacity mag has a longer floorplate, which adds length to the bottom of the frame for a more hand-filling grip which I liked. The
standard magazine is great if I was looking for a deep concealment
option, the downside to that is the bottom of my palm hangs off
the lower portion of frame. Its a trade off as to which magazine to
use, higher capacity but less concealable, or less capacity and more
concealable? Its nice having both options available in one gun.
Someone with smaller hands may feel the standard magazine is a
perfect blend of capacity and concealment.
PG15-056-063-SPRINGFIELD.qxp 11/26/14 5:14 AM Page 57
This shot shows how the red laser can be

useful in low light. This was shot in my twocar garage with just the light from a single
60-watt bulb 10 feet behind and off to the
side of my right shoulder.
This shot shows how

the LED primary beam,
the peripheral beam
and the laser all come
together.
For this shot (from the same location), Im using just the LED light. It
shows how much the primary beam illuminates the target, and how
much the peripheral light illuminates the entire garage door. There is no
other light on in the garage. The target is a standard IDPA target.
The gun itself is a striker-fired, recoil-operated semiauto with a

3-inch barrel. The gun weighs 26 ounces with an empty magazine.
It also features a full-length recoil spring guide rod and dual recoil
springs. The trigger is set from the factory at between 5.5 and 7.7
pounds, and my sample broke at a consistent 6.5 pounds. The trigger is a little heavy for my taste, but it was crisp, with a fair amount
of overtravel (which is not bad). This trigger would definitely fall
into the serviceable category, and I would rather have a trigger a
little on the heavy side than the light side for this class of gun.
Heavy triggers generally feel much lighter in direct correlation as
the shooters stress level goes up.
The sights are conventional 3-white-dot, fixed steel sights in a

cross dovetail mount. The dovetail mount makes it easy for a gunsmith to replace the sights with one of the various aftermarket
sights that are available from different manufacturers, and if the
gun were mine, I would probably opt for a set of fiber optic or tritium sights.
The gun features a grip safety and a trigger-mounted safety
(which is part of the Ultra Safety Assurance Trigger Action System).
This system also incorporates a firing pin block safety, which provides another layer of safety to the gun. Firing pin block safeties
work by locking the forward movement of the firing pin (in this
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
57
Beauty shot of the XD with Hornady ammo
Shot of the XD with the Streamlight attached. This

was a very effective combination, and would make an
excellent concealed carry handgun with either 9mm
or possibly 40 S&W.
58
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
case the striker) when the trigger and trigger system is at rest, but move out of the
way and allow the forward movement of
the firing pin when pressure is applied to
the trigger.
This gun also features a slide-mounted
loaded chamber indicator. The indicator is
flush to the top of the slide when the
chamber is empty and is raised up slightly
when there is a round in the chamber. The
gun does not have a hammer, per se, but is
striker-fired. This striker, when the firearm is
cocked will protrude from the rear of the
slide and acts as a striker status indicator.
In this way, the shooter can tell if the gun
is cocked.
Both the striker and the loaded chamber indicator can be used both visually and
by feel. This is great if things go bump in the
night and you find yourself reaching for the
gun in the nightstand, and you need to
check the readiness of the gun, in the dark,
while keeping silent. You can easily and
very quickly tell if the gun is loaded and
ready to fire. Of course, if its your gun you
Here I am shooting the XD and doing some two-shot

drills from the Springfield holster. My RO is using the
Surefire Shot Timer app for the iPhone.
sory, and for this test I selected

the Streamlight TRL-4, which I
will get to later.
Inspecting the gun out of the
box, I found the grip angle is
identical to my beloved 1911s, so
the pistol, for me, pointed very
naturally. I did not happen to
have a holster for this gun, so I
used the holster and magazine
pouch shipped with the pistol,
and performed some presentations, reloads and malfunction
drills using dummy ammo and a
small black dot I have on the
concrete wall in my basement. I
keep dummy ammo in most calibers on hand for such drills in my
garage. One drill I like to do when
I want to see if the gun points
naturally is to assume a firing
stance and make sure Im centered on the target, close my
eyes, and point to where I think
the target should be, then open
Its a trade off as to which magazine

to use, higher capacity but less
concealable, or less capacity and more
concealable? Its nice having both
options available in one gun.
should already know this, but its

nice to be able to check quickly if
you need to.
The handgun also features
an ambidextrous magazine release button, and does not have
a thumb safety. The disassembly
latch rotates 90 degrees and the
pistol breaks down for cleaning
very easily. The frame has recesses on both sides of the grip,
which makes it comfortable for
me when shooting strong- or
weak-hand-only stages in IDPA
or IPSC matches as my thumb
tends to rest in those grooves.
The frame also has textured
panels on the sides and coarse
checkering on the front- and
backstrap of the frame, which
give a good grip on the pistol
even with gloves or wet hands.
The recoil spring housing also
has grooves on both sides for attachment of your favorite acces-
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
HOLSTER CHOICES
If youve made the decision to purchase a
Springfield Armory XD, look at some of the holster
options available for it. Whether you prefer
leather, or newer synthetic Kydex, any quality
handgun without good leather is like a race car
with street tires.
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
59
The Oehler 35P is invaluable in testing the velocity and

consistency of factory- or hand-loaded ammunition.
The pointer shows the loaded chamber indicator in the up position, meaning there is
a round in the chamber. The indicator is easy to see and feel.
Testing the XD by shooting offhand groups at

12 yards produced excellent results.
my eyes, the sights should be pretty

much aligned, and pretty much centered on the target. If not, then I need
to make adjustments and figure out
why: is it me or the gun?
THE RANGE
The XD disassembles very easily.
60
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
For this evaluation, I chose to test

the Hornady 115-grain FTX Critical Defense load. Ive had excellent results
with this load through my Glock 17, and
This shows the striker status ndicator. This shows that the status is cocked
and ready to fire.
The Ultra Safety Assurance Action Trigger System works very similarly to other
guns in the class.
The disassembly latch works by locking the slide to the rear, rotating the
slide 90 degrees upward, releasing the slide release and removing the slide.
The XD features a grip safety that works similarly to the 1911, in that the gun will
not fire unless the safety is depressed.
spread of 15 FPS, a mean of 1,069 FPS and

a standard deviation of 6 FPS. Let me say
that againan SD of 6FPS! This was not a
fluke, either. This load and this particular
ammunition lot number is some of the
most consistent 9mm ammo Ive shot in a
while. If I could, I would buy a case of it.
The mean (average) velocity of 1,069 tells
me that I lost 71 FPS from the shorter 3inch barrel, which is about normal. This
will not matter a bit in either accuracy nor
All in all, the Springfield XD

subcompact in 9mm, when
paired with excellent
ammunition and a superb
tactical light, is a very tough
combination to beat.
wanted to see how the load would do in

the accuracy and velocity realm given the
shorter 3-foot barrel of the subcompact
XD. The Hornady people list this load at
1,140 feet-per-second at 330 feet-perpound of energy from a 4-inch test barrel.
I set my Oehler 35P Chronograph up
with the skyscreens set at 10 feet from the
muzzle and fired a five-shot series for average. The 35P recorded a high of 1,074
and a low of 1,059, with an extreme
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
61
PG15-056-063-SPRINGFIELD 11/27/14 6:23 AM Page 62
The Springfield XD in 9mm shot three five-shot groups that averaged

1.257 at 12 yards, and chronographed right at 1,069 FPS. The best
group shot was 1.148. This was excellent tactical accuracy from a
short-barreled pistol with factory ammunition and a factory barrel.
////////////////////////////////////////////////
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Bluegrass Sportsmans League
2500 Handys Bend Road
Wilmore, KY40390-8029
bgslinc.com
The Springfield XD was

shipped in a hard plastic
foam-lined case, with
two magazines, a Kydex
holster, a double-magazine pouch, cleaning rod
and a magazine loader.
Brownells Inc.
200 South Front St.
Montezuma, IA 50171
brownells.com
Hornady Manufacturing Company
3625 West Old Potash Hwy
Grand Island, NE 68803
hornady.com
Oehler Research, Inc
Ph: 800-531-5125
sales@oehler-research.com
oehler-research.com/model35.html
Springfield Armory
420 West Main Street
Geneseo, IL 61254
springfield-armory.com
Streamlight, Inc.
30 Eagleville Road
Eagleville, Pa. 19403
streamlight.com
62
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
bullet expansion. In fact, I soon plan on

doing expansion and accuracy tests with
this load using ballistic gelatin and my
Ransom Rest out of my accurized Glock 17.
Group size shot with this ammo was consistent with the velocity readings as the
groups were just a shade over an inch. I
fired three five-round groups off of sandbags at 12 yards, and shot an average of
about 1.250 for the three groups. No flyers
were noted, and the groups were nice and

round. As I mentioned, this was very consistent ammunition.
I was shipped out a Streamlight TLR-4
rail-mounted tactical light with integrated red laser. The light weighs just 2.81
ounces, and is easy to attach just by using
a small coin. It will run for one and a half
hours with the 125 lumens-rated LED and
laser. It will run 11 hours with laser only.
PG15-056-063-SPRINGFIELD 11/27/14 6:23 AM Page 63
The Streamlight TLR-4 momentary/constant activation on/off switch is ambidextrous and works very easily with or without gloves.
The laser is easily zeroed with two small

adjustment screws, and the fill and spot
properties of the LED light are amazing.
The beam is very concentrated in the
center, but also gives excellent peripheral illumination. The light itself is very
compact and throws an intense beam of
LED light. There is a small three-position
selector switch in the rear to enable either the LED by itself, only the laser or
the LED and laser together. The activation switch for the unit itself is easy to
manipulate with gloves on, (I tried) and
can be set for momentary use, or constant on. The LED light is great for closein work, and the red laser is very useful
for distance targeting in a hurry.
GOOD CHOICE
All in all, the Springfield XD
subcompact in 9mm, when paired
with excellent ammunition and a
superb tactical light, is a very tough
combination to beat. PG
Steve Sieberts is the editor of
Pocket Guns.
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
63
PG15_64 11/26/14 9:39 PM Page 64
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///////////
SUBCOMPACT HANDGUNS //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK
Deep Pocket Firepower

Easy to Carry, Serious Shooters
he subcompact category of
handgun is a firearm that
typically wont get shot
much, but it really should be.
These are guns that, if you are
going to carry one, you need to
make sure it works every time.
These guns are small by nature,
but are chambered for calibers
66
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
that are suitable for defensive use.

You, as a CCW holder, should
be practicing with these guns more
than just about any other class of
concealed carry guns. They are
more challenging to shoot well,
and if you find yourself in a defensive situation, accuracy will be key
to success.
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Super Concealable Handguns /////////////
BERETTA
BU9 NANO
MSRP: $445
Action: STR
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 6+1
Length: 5.6 inches
Width: 0.9 inches
Height: 4.2 inches
Weight: 1.25 pounds
sights, striker-fired, tiny
for a 9mm
BERETTA
BERETTA
PX4 STORM
COMPACT
PX4 STORM
SUBCOMPACT
MSRP: $575
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .40 SW
Capacity: 12+1
Length: 7.6 inches
Width: 1.4 inches
Height: 5.5 inches
Weight: 1.73 pounds
MSRP: $575
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 13+1
Length: 6.2 inches
Width: 1.4 inches
Height: 4.8 inches
Weight: 1.63 pounds
Features: Interchangeable backstraps, accessory

rail, full-finger grip,
concealable dimensions
Features: Accessory
rail, ambidextrous
safety/decocker,
smallest Storm model
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
67
///////////
KAHR
ARMS
EAA
G42
WEBSITE: Glock.com
MSRP: $469
Action: STR
Caliber: .380 Auto
Capacity: 6+1
Length: 5.94 inches
Width: .94 inches
Height: 4.13 inches
Weight: .87 pounds
Features: Smallest Glock ever produced, super-concealable,
white outline rear sight, polymer frame for light weight,
combat trigger guard, double-stack magazine
CM9
WEBSITE: Kahr.com
MSRP: $460
Action: DAO
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 6+1
Length: 5.42 inches
Width: .9 inches
Height: 4 inches
Weight: 1 pound
Features: Polymer frame for weight reduction, very
narrow, stippled grips for control
KAHR
ARMS
KAHR
ARMS
WEBSITE: Kahr.com
MSRP: $449
Action: DAO
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 6+1
Length: 6.32 inches
Width: 1 inch
Height: 4.8 inches
Weight: 1.38 pounds
WEBSITE: Kahr.com
MSRP: $649
Action: DAO
Caliber: .380 ACP
Capacity: 6+1
Length: 4.9 inches
Width: 0.75 inches
Height: 3.9 inches
Weight: .69 pounds
Features: .45 ACP with dimensions of a 9mm-frame gun, law

enforcement-friendly DAO action, very narrow width
Features: Textured polymer grip, very compact design,

optional Crimson Trace laser, optional night sights
CW45
68
POCKET GUNS
P380
SPRING 2015
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
KAHR ARMS
P40
WEBSITE: Kahr.com
MSRP: $739
Action: DAO
Caliber: .40 SW
Capacity: 6+1
Length: 6.1 inches
Width: 0.94 inches
Height: 4.6 inches
Weight: 1.19 pounds
Features: Bar-dot-style combat sights,
incredibly slim and light, stainless slide
for longevity
KAHR ARMS
PM45
WEBSITE: Kahr.com
MSRP: $855
Action: DAO
Caliber: .45 ACP
Capacity: 5+1
Length: 5.8 inches
Width: 1 inch
Height: 4.5 inches
Weight: 1.19 pounds
Features: White bar-dot enhanced sights, full-finger
grip for many hands, very slim for a .45 ACP, available
with stainless slide as the CM45
KIMBER
SOLO CARRY
WEBSITE: KimberAmerica.com
MSRP: $815
Action: STR
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 6+1
Length: 5.5 inches
Width: 1 inch
Weight: 1.06 pounds
Features: Low-profile white-dot
sights, 1911-inspired design in
striker-fired configuration, threedot combat sights, aluminum frame
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
69
///////////

MAGNUM RESEARCH
MICRO DESERT EAGLE
WEBSITE: MagnumResearch.com
MSRP: $467
Action: DAO
Caliber: .380 ACP
Capacity: 6+1
Length: 4.5 inches
Weight: .88 pounds
Features: Slight palm swell, no-snag
sights milled into frame, very unique
aesthetics
RUGER
SR40C
WEBSITE: Ruger.com
MSRP: $529
Action: STR
Caliber: .40 SW
Capacity: 15+1
Length: 6.9 inches
Width: 1.3 inches
Height: 4.6 inches
Weight: 1.46 pounds
Features: Interchangeable backstrap,
large capacity for size, polymer frame to
save weight, ambidextrous mag release
SIG SAUER
P29 RS TWO-TONE LASER

WEBSITE: SigSauer.com
MSRP: $599
Action: DAO
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 6+1
Length: 5.5 inches
Width: 1.1 inches
Height: 3.9 inches
Weight: 1.28 pounds
Features: Integral laser, optional Siglite night
sights, extremely compact design
70
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
PG15-066-075-BGSUBCOMP.PS.qxp 12/1/14 12:46 AM Page 71
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Glock
G42
Website: us.glock.com
MSRP: $466.00
Caliber: .380 ACP
Capacity: 6+1
Barrel Length: 3.25 in.
Length: 5.94 in.
Width: .94 in
Features: Smallest
Glock pistol made. Ultra
reliable, single stack for
super concealability.
SIG SAUER
M11-A1
MSRP: $1,149
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 15+1
Length: 7.1 inches
Width: 1.5 inches
Height: 5.4 inches
Weight: 2 pounds
Features: Siglite night sights, decocker, civilian
version of Navy issue sidearm, steel construction
SIG SAUER
P229
WEBSITE: Sig-Sauer.com
MSRP: $1,015
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .40 SW
Capacity: 12+1
Length: 7.1 inches
Width: 1.5 inches
Height: 5.4 inches
Weight: 2 pounds
Features: Snap-on modular grips,
optimized for concealed and discreet
carry, safety/decocking lever
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
71
///////////
SIG SAUER
SIG
SAUER
MSRP: $809
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .380 ACP
Capacity: 7+1
Length: 6.6 inches
Width: 1.2 inches
Height: 4.7 inches
Weight: 1.19 ounces
MSRP: $993
Action: DAO
Caliber: .40 SW
Capacity: 7+1
Length: 6.6 inches
Width: 1.2 inches
Height: 5.1 inches
Weight: 1.84 pounds
Features: Siglite night sights optional,

ergonomic style, non-slip grips
Features: Double-strike capable for hard primers, Nitron finish

on slide for durability, DAO trigger is law-enforcement friendly
SIG
SAUER
SMITH &
WESSON
MSRP: $838
Action: SA
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 6+1
Length: 5.9 inches
Width: 1.1 inches
Height: 3.9 inches
Weight: 1 pound
WEBSITE: Smith-Wesson.com
MSRP: $569
Action: STR
Caliber: .40 SW
Capacity: 10+1
Barrel Length: 3.5
Length: 6.7 inches
Width: 1.2 inches
Height: 4.3 inches
Weight: 1.38 pounds
Features: Siglite night sights, snag-free body

design, single action cocked-and-locked capable
Features: Steel Novak Lo-Mount carry sights, smallest

.40 SW in the M&P line, snag-free design
P232
P239 DAK
M&P 40c
P938
72
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
PG15-066-075-BGSUBCOMP.PS 12/3/14 2:55 AM Page 73
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
SMITH &
WESSON
SHIELD
MSRP: $449
Action: STR
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 7+1
Length: 6.1 inches
Width: 0.95 inches
Height: 4.6 inches
Weight: 1.19 pounds
Features: Frame-mounted safety, low-profile
combat sights, polymer frame for incredible
lightness, frame-mounted safety
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
73
///////////

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY
XD SUBCOMPACT
WEBSITE: Springfield-Armory.com
MSRP: $549
Action: STR
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 13+1
Length: 6.25 inches
Width: 1.2 inches
Height: 4.75 inches
Weight: 1.63 pounds
Features: Three-dot drift-adjustable and
interchangeable rear sight, accepts full-size
XD magazines, compact length
STEYR
C-A1
WEBSITE: SteyrArms.com
MSRP: $649
Action: DAO
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 17+1
Length: 6.7 inches
Width: 1.2 inches
Height: 5.1 inches
Weight: 1.6 pounds
Features: Adjustable three-dot
sights, low barrel axis, integral
accessory rail, trigger safety
TAURUS
709 SLIM
WEBSITE: TaurusUSA.com
MSRP: $403
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 7+1
Length: 6 inches
Weight: 1.19 pounds
Features: Low-profile fixed sights,
ergonomic design, snag-free controls
74
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
TAURUS
738B
MSRP: $356
Action: DAO
Caliber: .380 ACP
Capacity: 6+1
Weight: .63 pounds
Features: Extremely light weight, low-profile
snag-free sights, straightforward operation,
extremely compact
TAURUS
PT 24/7 G2
MSRP: $528
Action: STR
Caliber: 9mm
Capacity: 17+1
Length: 7.3 inches
Weight: 1.75 pounds
Features: Adjustable sights, accessory rail,
extremely high capacity, ergonomic design
WALTHER
PPK
WEBSITE: WaltherAmerica.com
MSRP: $629
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .380 ACP
Capacity: 6+1
Length: 6.1 inches
Width: 1 inch
Height: 3.8 inches
Weight: 1.4 pounds
Features: James Bonds original
defensive pistol, sleek profile,
snag-free design, decocking lever PG
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
75
PG15-076-080-TRAIN.qxp 11/26/14 5:29 AM Page 76
Carry with Confidence

Methods of Carry and Presentation
Drills to Get at the Top of Your Game
By Richard Crays
arrying the concealed pocket pistol isnt the same as

being proficient at using the pocket pistol. If you are
going to carry it, youd better practice with it, so youre at
the top your game.
In addition to looking at the different methods of carry, well
also provide drills that will allow you to sharpen your skills.
BEFORE THE DRILLS
76
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
PHOTO BY TKTKTKTT
Before we begin, there are several topics to address. Lets

start with the cardinal rule of all firearms: Keep your finger off
the trigger until you are on the threat and ready to fire Every drill
in this article works off that premise, so dont be careless and
touch the trigger before you get the muzzle to the threat. Safety
is paramount anytime we are dealing with firearms.
Next, things happen, and they can happen anywhere. So,
consider the following questions:
What threat will you most likely face? Will you need two
shots, five shots or nine shots? Will the threat be an inexperienced criminal who is likely to be intimidated when confronted
with a firearm, a hardened felon or even a trained terrorist?
Will you need to shoot from a seated position, like your car, or
standing in an alley?
Lets now move into the different holsters and carry
positions/locations
Carrying or drawing a gun

in a hurry from anything
other than a well-built,
quality holster is a recipe
for disaster.
/////////////////////////////////////////////
PISTOLS USED
IN TESTING
In the Pull up technique the thumb is pulling up over

the top of the grip as the heel of the hand presses
against the body to hold the coat out of the way
Putting weight in the strong side pocket (extra

magazine or speed loader) will help the hook or
sweep technique get the jacket out of the way
Cross arm pull-up; Reactive hand pulls the coat up

and the strong hand goes for the grip
Sweep; The strong hand with heel pressure against

the body, sweeps the coat out of the way
METHODS OF CARRY
1 Appendix Carry
This method allows you to carry strong side front or reactive
side front if you favor a cross draw.
To access the grip one handed, use the strong thumb to index
the cover garment up and out of the way as you set your grip. The
pistol will roll a bit as you draw. This is where you are most likely to
let the muzzle cover your pelvis or stomach, so keep your finger off
the trigger. If you use any handgun with an external thumb safety,
keep the safety on until you are on threat and ready to fire.
If you are going to shoot one-handed, then include strong- and
weak-hand drills into your practice regime. This would be a great
Walther PPKS .380

Glock 42 .380
Glock 26 9mm
Smith and Wesson 642 .38
Smith and Wesson 649 .357
A cross draw from the car; an excellent anti-car

jacking for your pocket pistol
option for those with a trim stomach and a penchant for sweatshirts or Hawaiian style shirts.
Using a cross-draw holster in an appendix carry is great for
anticipating a carjacking scenario as this shortens the time to get
the muzzle from the holster to the threat.
2 Inside the Waistband

If you routinely carry a weapon here for duty or hunting, it is your
best bet for a night on the town. Why have to think about where it
is in a crisis if you have already practiced a thousand times from
this strong side, straight down the seam of your pants location?
Pick a gun that works similar, if not exactly, like your big gun.
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
77
S&W 649 with Hornady

Critical Defense
This will also save time in the fight when you need it most. For
years, I carried a Colt Combat Government four to six days a week
at work in a duty belt and a Colt Mustang in an ankle holster. On my
days off I carried the Mustang inside the waistband in the same location I carried the .45 Monday through Friday. Same operating
system, same location.
With this drill you should consider a strong hand sweeping of
the garment with a weighted hem or pocket. I took my jean jacket
to the tailor and had him sew a decoy weight into the hem. As I
pushed the jacket to the side, the weight swung the jacket clear
and allowed open air between my gun muzzle and the threat. An
option to the weight would be putting your speed loader or extra
magazine in that strong side pocket.
Start by putting the heel of your hand in the center of your
chest. The palm is open and ready to receive the grip on the gun.
Pull the hand tight against your body as you push the garment
out of the way in a sweeping motion as the hand goes down to
the pistol. The jacket should swing clear and the presentation
of the weapon takes place before the jacket/shirt falls back
into place.
78
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
3 Wallet or Pocket Holster

How many of you remember the AMT .380? I had a leathersmith make me the perfect wallet holster for that little powerhouse of a pocket pistol. If you are comfortable with the weight of
a gun in your hip pocket all day, this is a great option.
The downsides?
1) It is tricky to wear it with dress pants as it sags something fiercely.
2) You dont get to aim, only point and shoot, as the sights are
boxed in by leather.
3) Most importantly, practice really trashes the wallet fast!
This is a straight forward drill, but practice a distraction
technique with it. If you are going to be reaching behind you, the
threat may act on your movement. Raising your support hand in a
surrender gesture, pointing over his shoulder, or saying, Here, take
my wallet are those I train often in my concealed carry class.
It takes a bit to get all this working: Distract, draw, point (all
sights are covered by the wallet) and shoot. You should use about a
hundred dry repetitions to master it before you shoot through the
wallet. If you are using a pocket holster designed to stay in the
pocket as you draw, this will allow you to have use of the sights.
Two pocket pistols, when mated with quality defensive

ammunition, makes for a great combination.
This is very popular, but it is important to get one that really

does stay in the pocket. I have tested several that dont have enough
texture to stay in the pocket, and it winds up coming out with the gun.
This forces you to grab the holster with your free hand and hoping
that the hand is free and not full of some bad guys shirt!
4 Pouch
This looks like a cellphone carrier, but it holds five to seven rounds
of dispute resolution. If you carry your cellphone in a pocket, this is
a great option, so long as you are not in a hurry to deploy the gun. It
works great if you have good situational awareness and about four
seconds to pop the snap or rip the Velcro and set your grip. This is
good for summer wear if you favor Polo shirts and shorts. The downside is that there isnt anything clandestine about the draw. Once
you start the draw, everyone can see the gun.
When practicing this dry, start over carpet or lay some padding
down, as you may drop the gun a dozen times getting used to the
presentation. Using the strong thumb works best to break the
retention, followed by a smooth setting of the grip.
Most of these pouches have the gun canted slightly forward, but I
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
AMMMUNITION RECOMMENDED
F0R SELF-DEFENSE
Most newer handguns can stomach a light diet of
+P ammunition, but practice ammo is suggested a
cheaper alternative.
To be sure your gun will cycle the hot stuff, shoot
at least 20 rounds before using the higher powered
ammo for carry purposes. Change out the loads every
six months to insure the integrity of the primers.
Hornady Critical Defense
G2 Research
Speer Gold Dot
Remington Ultimate
Home Defense
Remington High Terminal
Performance
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
79
/////////////////////////////////////
WEIGHTING
THE JACKET FOR
A SWEEP
You could put a speed
loader, speed strip or extra
magazine in the strong side
pocket. This will give the coat
the weight it needs to swing
free of the draw zone.
/////////////////////////////////////
CHECKLIST
Get the best holster you

can afford. Cheap is a good
way to get yourself shot.
Make sure you are 100

percent perfect on dry
presentations before ever
firing a live round.
Think about getting a

holster you can pull off
and leave in the car if you need
to do so, like a paddle, wallet or
clip. You dont want someone
seeing you messing with
your belt or pants in public,
particularly if the cops show
up and you are messing with
a gun.
If the hammer keeps

snagging your clothes
on the draw, see a qualified
gunsmith. If the semi-auto is
snagging, you are not pulling
the garment out of the way far
enough. See instruction #2 or
get a smaller pocket pistol.
80
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
have tested two that allow the pistol to lay almost horizontal, which makes it very hard to set
your grip. If the holster doesnt fit the gun, take it
back and get one that does. Like shoes, if it isnt
comfortable, you wont wear it.
5 The Pocket
Carrying or drawing a gun in a hurry from anything other than a well-built, quality holster is
risky. The gun will move, turn upside down and
cause trouble if left alone in a pocket. If you are
dead set on carrying it without a holster, pick the
gun and clothes carefully. The pocket you choose
should restrict the gun to a position that will
allow access when you need it without movement. A revolver with shrouded or bobbed hammer would be my choice, as autoloaders with a
safety will get switched to fire and the
trigger pull on a revolver is much heavier.
PRACTICE AND PRACTICE

Remember these little guns are for selfdefense. Like associate Clint Smith told me in
about 1988, We carry a pistol so we have
something to fight our way back to the rifle,
which is what you should have brought if you
knew you were going to be in a fight!
So, self-defense means about 10 yards is the
maximum distance you should practice and
practice until you never miss. If you are not willing to practice, go get a can of OC and leave
that gun in the nightstand. PG
During the last 32 years, in addition to being a
SWAT sniper, Richard Crays has been a motorcycle officer, a firearms/defensive tactics/EVO
instructor, chief of investigations and chief
of police.
PG15_81 11/26/14 5:16 AM Page 81
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///////////
HOLSTERS ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Decisions, Decisions
Top Holster Options On the Market
ne of the biggest mistakes a

shooter can make is to spend
time and money on a new
firearm, conducting research into
brands, models, calibers, and then
once the decision is made, buy the
first holster for it that catches the eye.
I feel that as much time, or more, that
82
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
was spent of the decision-making

process for the gun should go into the
holsters, especially with all of the
options in materials such as synthetic
and leather, as well as carry positions
that are available. Spend as much
time on the holster decision as went
into the gun selection.
PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Holsters for Concealed Carry /////////////

[KYDEX]
[LEATHER]
BLADE-TECH
DESANTIS
MSRP: $79.99
Website: blade-tech.com
Description: This Blade-Tech
holster was designed with
comfort and concealing in mind.
MSRP: $59.99
Website: desantisholster.com
Description: This unique
holster has been reduced to
the barest of essentials, yet
offers a secure grip on the
handgun thanks to exact
molding and adjustable
tension device.
The Blade-Tech Eclipse

shows the versatility of
synthetic holsters.
The friction retention

keeps things simple and
offers quick access.
Eclipse OWB
Straight Drop
Ambidextrous
Holster
Mini Scabbard
[LEATHER]
DESANTIS
Thumb Break Mini Side

MSRP: $69.99
Website: desantisholster.com
Description: Premium saddle leather, double
seams and a highly detailed molded fit make
this exposed-muzzle, tight-fitting, two-slot
holster a great choice for your favorite pistol.
It features an adjustable-tension device.
Comfort and concealment are combined
in a leather holster.
[LEATHER]
[LEATHER]
EL-RATON
DILLON
PRECISION
CLIPPER-DL
DILLON PRECISION
IWB Pocket Holster

MSRP: $50.00
Website: dillonprecision.com
Description: Inside the
waistband pocket holster.
Features: This holster carries
the S&W j-framed revolvers in a
very secure and concealable
pouch that wont come out
when the pistol is drawn.
Belt Clip Pocket Holster

MSRP: $65.00
Website: dillonprecision.com
Description: Clip-on, inside the
waistband holster.
Features: this is a steel reinforced
holster that rides comfortably inside
the pants for all day carry. Made for
many Glock, Colt Officers, and S&W
M&P models.
Great holster to carry small
guns for long periods at a time
in deep concealment.
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
83
HOLSTERS ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
[KYDEX]
GALCO
Triton Kydex IWB Holster

MSRP: $54.95
Website: galcogunleather.com
Description: Constructed of durable, virtually
maintenance-free Kydex, the Triton is fast, thin
and easy to conceal. The belt clip offers quick on
and off capability, while the sweat guard protects
both gun and gun carrier. The firm holster body allows a smooth and easy return to the holster after
the draw, while the raised sweat guard protects the
pistol from corrosive perspiration, and also
protects your skin from hard steel.
The Triton proves you can conceal a
full-sized weapon comfortably.
[LEATHER]
CROSSBREED HOLSTERS
Purse Defender
MSRP: From $52/95

Website: crossbreedholsters.com
Description: Purse holster
Features: This purse is a great way for women
to carry a variety of handguns. It can be configured in many ways, and a second holster and
magazine carrier can also be added.
[LEATHER]
GALCO
SSS Side Snap Scabbard (Gen 2)

MSRP: $124.95
Website: galcogunleather.com
Description: Constructed of premium steerhide, the Side Snap
Scabbard retains the quick on-off snap loops that fit belts up to
1.5 inches. The open-top design remains the same, with the addition of a reinforced mouth for smooth and easy one-handed return to the holster. New to the SSS is a slight butt-forward cant, in
contrast to the steeper angle of the earlier version. It keeps the
adjustable tension unit and the comfortable, highly concealable
forward-molded design of its predecessor, while adding a raised
sweat guard to protect both the firearm and the gun carrier.
Quick removal and adjustable tension keeps your weapon
secure until the moment of need.
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POCKET GUNS
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/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Holsters for Concealed Carry /////////////
[LEATHER & KYDEX]
CROSSBREED HOLSTERS
Appendix carry
MSRP: From $62.50

Description: One of the companys best
sellers and for good reason. Available for
dozens of handguns, this holster puts the
smallest handguns in a very concealable location, for super concealment. Excellent
holster for the Glock 42.
[LEATHER & KYDEX]
CROSSBREED HOLSTERS
Pocket Rocket
MSRP: From $32.95

Website:
crossbreedholsters.com
Description: Great holster for the very popular micro pistols.
This holster is designed to be worn inside a rear pants pocket.
Very concealable and very convenient.
[LEATHER & KYDEX]
CROSSBREED HOLSTERS
Mini-tuck
MSRP: From $67.75

Description: Crossbreed has come out with the
first IWB holster for the Ruger LCP. This holster
combines comfort and concealment.
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
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///////////
HOLSTERS ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
[LEATHER & KYDEX]
FOBUS HOLSTERS
CROSSBREED
HOLSTERS
MSRP: From $31.99

Website: fobusholsters.com
MSRP: From $69.75

Description: Super concealable

paddle holster for the 5-shot, S&W
J-frame revolvers, and the Rossi M88.
Description: One of the companys

best sellers and for good reason.
Super comfortable IWB holster.
J357
SuperTuck Deluxe
[KYDEX]
FOBUS HOLSTERS
GL 26 Paddle Holster
MSRP: From $32.95

Website:
fobusholsters.com
Description: Very
comfortable paddle-type
holster.
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//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Holsters for Concealed Carry /////////////
FOBUS
HOLSTERS
J357
MSRP: From
$44.99
Website:
fobusholsters.com
Description: This
IWB holster provides
concealability for
handguns like the
S-A XD and S&W
M&P series. This
holster uses a
J-hook to retain
the holster when
drawing.
SAFARILAND
HOLSTERS
Bianchi 135 Suppression

Inside Waistband
MSRP: From $78.99
Website: safariland.com
Description: This holster has a leather outer covering with
a foam padded synthetic liner for long life. Designed for
deep concealment especially if the shirt has to be tucked in.
SAFARILAND HOLSTERS
Safariland 27
Inside-the-Pants Concealment Holster
MSRP: From $52.00
Description: Safarilaminate construction for an inside-the-pants
design. Made for undercover use with an open top for quick
access. Fully adjustable cant and J-hook belt-mount attachment.
Polymer insert ensures the holster stays open. PG
SAFARILAND
HOLSTERS
Safariland 5378
GLS Concealment
Paddle & Belt Loop Combo
MSRP: From $53.00
Description: This holster comes with the
Safariland GLS Grip Lock System which
provides for excellent retention and is
finger-deactivated when drawing. Available
in a wide variety of belt slot openings and
can be adjusted for cant or crossdraw.
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PG15-088-091-SELECT.qxp 11/26/14 5:39 AM Page 88
If you wish to execute

a sharp draw holster
selection is critical.
24/7
PHOTO BY BOB CAMPBELL
Your Holster Must Meet Your Needs

At Any Time; Heres What To Look For
By Bob Campbell
ust any holster isnt up to the task.

When choosing a concealed carry handgun, there are important considerations regarding the whole package. Support gear, ammunition and the holster are important. Carrying a
handgun in relative comfort with a balance of speed and retention
requires thought and practice.
So where do you start? The following story will put you on the
right path.
THE BEGINNING
Never go cheap at the expense of your life. Inexpensive holsters
88
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
might actually allow the handgun to creep up and out and fall
on the ground. A floppy fabric holster will never offer sufficient
retention and draw speed for viable personal defense. A holster
that relies completely upon body compression to hold the pistol
secure is never a good choice.
A quality defensive holster should retain the handgun by
design. The holster must be secure during daily movement and
predictable tactical movement. The balance between speed and
retention must be respected, and access by the shooter is always
a consideration. Many quality holsters are surprisingly affordable
and do a professional job.
When drawing from a pocket holster

blade the hand into the pocket.
If you wish to execute a sharp

draw holster selection is critical.
The Wright Leatherworks pocket

holster features excellent stitching.
The Jason Winnie pocket holster

features a foot that stabilizes the
holster as the handgun is drawn.
Clover Rinehart has heavily

stitched this pocket holster to
retain the Kahr 9mm platform.
A trained shooterone that keeps up his or her practiceshould

be able to smoothly and sharply present the handgun from concealed carry. There are two notions that generally exist among
first-time concealed carry handgun permit holders. The first notion
attempts to find a holster that will work with their favored dress
and their likely daily routine. The pocket holster is usually popular
with these types. The other will choose their garments around an
efficient carry mode. The latter course is the more preferable. An individual should carry the handgun every minute they are legally
able. To be situationally armed simply makes no sense. Packing the
iron only when making a night deposit at the bank or when rushing
The Wright Leatherworks

pocket holster rides in tight
pockets with good results.
This is a compact holster.
This is a very attractive and

workmanlike pocket holster
from Rinehart Leather.
This Rinehart Leather

holster offers a relatively
modest cross section.
to the stop and rob for bread and milk isnt the best idea. Criminals,
conversely, are most often situationally armed and only arm themselves when they are about to perpetrate a crime. We do not have
that option. In order to be in a position to thwart a lethal attack, we
must be constantly armed and vigilant.
HOLSTER TYPES
On the Belt Holster
Some holsters appear better for certain situations than
others. The on-the-belt holster is a great choice for winter under
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
89
With a compact
pistol and a high
ride holster, the
OWB works for
concealed carry.
(Jason Winnie)
Embellishment is a staple of the

Rinehart Leather shop.
The Jason Winnie IWB exhibits

excellent stitching, a holstering
welt and a spring steel belt clip.
Simple, well designed and function,

the P J Holster pocket holster is a
good buy as well.
This is the body side of the Jason

Winnie IWB. Note excellent finish.
For larger handguns this dual loop

holster from Jason Winnie is a
good choice.
a heavy coat. The elbow shoots to the rear, and we scoop the
handgun out of the holster carried on the strong side.
The balance of speed and retention is excellent with such a holster. The problem is those of us living in a true four-season climate
or a sultry part of the country simply cannot conceal a strong side
belt holster most of the year. Some individuals are able to conceal
such a holster under a long pulled out Hawaiian shirt or such, but
most of us cannot.
Pocket Holster
The pocket holster has much appeal when carrying the snubnose .38 or ultra-compact 9mm or the newer 380 subcompact
handguns. Consider your trousers: Jeans usually have top loading
pockets while Khakis may have side-loading pockets. A subtle difference in design is profitable for each type. I have used a pocket
holster from Wright Leatherworks with good results. This holster
keeps the handgun secure with excellent molding, and features a
wraparound welt for retention. It needs a modest break-in.
The Jason Winnie pocket holster is made of supple leather
and features a foot that snags the pocket as the handgun is tilted
and drawn. This is a classic design with much merit, well-suited
90
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
The Jeremiah 2011 hybrid offers concealed

carry comfort.
to the Ruger LCP and others.

Another maker with good ideas is Clover Rinehart. The primary
retention of these holsters is accomplished by the length of the
holster. Some are more complicated than others, depending
upon the mission. The holster intended for the Kahr 9mm, as an
example, features a strong spine and excellent stitching.
Some pocket holsters are ambidextrous. Others feature a flat
backing that hides the handguns outline. There are things that
may be done in Kydex that cannot be done in leather. PJ Holsters
offers a design in Kydex that covers the handgun, provides good retention in the pocket, but offers a sharp draw.
When drawing from the pocket holster, you cannot reach in the
pocket and affirm the grip. The hand must blade in and blade out.
If you make a fist in the pocket you will not be able to draw the pistol sharply, perhaps not at all.
Inside the Waistband Holster (IWB)

This is an ideal carry option for many of us. The IWB buries the
handgun between the body and the trousers. Only a light covering
garment is needed to conceal the handgun. Even a light sport shirt
or T-shirt will work with the proper drape. Some find the IWB more
The ZZZ holsters belt clip

takes a big bite out of the
belt for retention.
Jeremiah 2011s holster

offers a tuckable option
and good adjustment.
Never go cheap at the expense of your life.
The rear of the ZZZ holster is covered in supple goat skin.
The goat skin covering

for the ZZZ holster is a
recommended option.
If you are carrying a Kydex

holster close to the skin, ZZZs
appendix holster works well.
comfortable than others. The acclimation

period is worthwhile.
I have used quality leather IWB holsters for most of my life, so I gravitate to
such a holster when using the Glock 42.
The Jason Winnie leather IWB with reinforced holstering welt and strong steel
belt clip solves a lot of problems. There
are other designs as well. As an example,
the popular Hybrid type of a Kydex holster for rigidity attached to leather backing for comfort works well in concealed
carry. Holsters of these types from companies like Crossbreed do a very good job.
The Jeremiah 2011 IWB is well-made of
good material and should last for many
years. There are also options that allow
the IWB to be tucked under the shirt. The
tuckable is a viable option with compact
carry guns.
Appendix position carry offers access
Note the rigid and

adjustable belt clip
for the ZZZ holster.
when seated, good retention and good

concealment. ZZZ Custom holsters offers
a Kydex IWB that may be ordered for
appendix carry. I did so and found the
angle and cant is ideal. A strong belt clip
offers excellent retention. However, the
maker has added an important touch: For
comfort in carrying the holster close to a
tender part of the body Martin added
goat skin covering. It is amazing how well
this works in practice.
WHICH ONE?
Which holster is best? Only the
individual may decide. It is likely that
more than one holster will be required
to meet your needs on a 24/7 basis. PG
Bob Campbell is a freelance writer
who contributes to a number of
Beckett publications.
///////////////////////////////////
FOR MORE INFO
WrightLeatherWorks.com
JeremiahHolsters.com
ZZZCustomHolsters.com
JasonWinnie.com
RinehartLeather.com
PJHolster.com
SPRING 2015
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PG15-092-103-BGCOMPREV 11/26/14 6:12 AM Page 92
///////////
COMPACT REVOLVERS ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
PHOTO BY THINKSTOCK
Deep Cover Carry
Compact Revolvers Offer Deep Concealment
oncealable revolvers offer

the best of both worlds.
They are easy to conceal,
yet offer the great stopping power
of their full-sized counterparts. As
a further benefit, they are usually
very snag-free, with rounded
edges, which make them easy
to carry in a wide variety of deep
holster/purse combinations.
92
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
Also, they are very reliable with

a variety of ammunition, from light
target loads to full power +P
rounds. This makes practicing with
them easy and comfortable. They
have been used as backup guns
in ankle holsters for generations
of law enforcement and still
maintain a place of respect as
primary carry guns.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Revolvers for Concealed Carry /////////////
TAURUS
RAGING
JUDGE
MAGNUM
MSRP: $1,030
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .45 Colt/.410 Shotshell
Capacity: 6
Length: 1.17 feet
Weight: 4.54 pounds
Features: 3-inch chambers,
soft rubber grips with cushioned
insert. Extremely versatile and
powerful revolver.
CHARTER ARMS
SOUTHPAW
TAURUS
617
MSRP: $560
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .357 MAG
Capacity: 7
Length: 6.6 inches
Width: 1.5 inches
Height: 5.1 inches
Weight: 1.75 pounds
Features: 7-round capacity, soft, cushioned grips.
Integral rear sight machined into frame.
WEBSITE: CharterFirearms.com
MSRP: $415
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .38 SPL +P
Capacity: 5
Weight: 12 ounces
Features: Dedicated left-hand
model, aluminum frame for light
weight, available in two-tone
pink finish
SPRING 2015
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93
///////////

CHARTER ARMS
COBRA
FIREARMS
SHADOW
UNDERCOVER
LITE BLACK STD
MSRP: $425
Action: DAO
Caliber: .38 SPL +P
Capacity: 5
Length: 6.4 inches
Weight: 15 ounces
MSRP: $410
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .38 SPL +P
Capacity: 5
Weight: 12 ounces
Features: Hammerless
design, wide range of custom
colors, integral sights
Features: Aluminum frame with steel,

spurred hammer, integral sights
COMANCHE
COMANCHE II-A
WEBSITE:
ComanchePistols.com
MSRP: $220
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .38 SPL
Capacity: 6
Barrel Length: 3
Length: 8 inches
Weight: 2.06 pounds
Features: Inexpensive, adjustable rear sight, contoured rubber grip, 4-inch
barrel model also available
94
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
ROSSI
462
WEBSITE: RossiUSA.com
MSRP: $465
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .357 MAG
Capacity: 6
Length: 6.5 inches
Weight: 1.63 pounds
Features: Low-profile
fixed sights, scalloped
grips, solid firepower
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Revolvers for Concealed Carry /////////////
ROSSI
35202
WEBSITE: RossiUSA.com
MSRP: $455
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .38 SPL
Capacity: 5
Length: 6.5 inches
Weight: 1.5 pounds
Features: Low-profile fixed sights,
sweat-resistant stainless steel, hammer
spur for single-action shooting
RUGER
GP100
CHARTER
ARMS
WEBSITE: Ruger.com
MSRP: $759
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .357 MAG
Capacity: 7
Length: 9.5 inches
Weight: 2.5 pounds
sights, palm-swell grip,
extra shot by virtue of
unique chambering,
4-inch barrel model
also available
BULLDOG BLUE
STANDARD
MSRP: $405
Action: DAO
Caliber: .44 SPL
Capacity: 5
Weight: 1.31 pounds
Features: Bobbed hammer
design, snag-free receiver
design, serious defensive
caliber
SPRING 2015
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///////////
COMPACT REVOLVERS ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

CHARTER ARMS
PINK LADY OFF DUTY
RUGER
LCR
WEBSITE: Ruger.com
MSRP: $879 (with Crimson
Trace laser grip)
Action: DAO
Caliber: .357 MAG
Capacity: 5
Length: 6.5 inches
Width: 1.3 inches
Height: 4.5 inches
Weight: 1.04 pounds
WEBSITE:
CharterFirearms.com
MSRP: $421
Action: DAO
Caliber: .38 SPL
Capacity: 5
Weight: 12 ounces
Features: Bright pink cast-aluminum frame,
extreme light weight, very simple operation
Features: Hammerless design, some polymer components,

custom Crimson Trace laser grips
RUGER
RUGER
SUPER REDHAWK
ALASKAN
SP101
WEBSITE: Ruger.com
MSRP: $699
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .357 MAG
Capacity: 5
Length: 9.12 inches
Weight: 1.84 pounds
Features: Fiber optic front
sight, adjustable rear sight,
3-inch barrel for improved
velocity
96
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
WEBSITE: Ruger.com
MSRP: $1,079
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .44 MAG
Capacity: 6
Length: 7.6 inches
Weight: 2.81 pounds
Features: Adjustable rear sight,
large capacity for caliber, wide
grip for recoil mitigation
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Revolvers for Concealed Carry /////////////
SMITH & WESSON

60
MSRP: $729
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .357 MAG/.38 SPL +P
Capacity: 5
Length: 6.6 inches
Weight: 1.41 pounds
Features: Ergonomic grip, stainless steel for
durability, designed for discreet carry
SMITH & WESSON

60 LS LADYSMITH
MSRP: $759
Action: DA/SA
Capacity: 5
Length: 6.6 inches
Weight: 1.31 pounds
Features: Walnut full-finger grips, fits easily
in a purse or discreet holster, integral sights
SMITH & WESSON

351C
MSRP: $689
Action: DAO
Caliber: .22 MAG
Capacity: 7
Length: 6.2 inches
Weight: 11 ounces
Features: Hammerless design, high capacity
for size, suitable for the recoil-sensitive
SPRING 2015
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97
///////////
SMITH &
WESSON
640
MSRP: $839
Action: DAO
Capacity: 5
Length: 6.6 inches
Weight: 1.44 pounds
Features: Fully shrouded hammer,
snag-free design, powerful cartridge
SMITH & WESSON

686
WEBSITE:
Smith-Wesson.com
MSRP: $829
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .357 MAG/.38
SPL +P
Capacity: 6
Barrel Length: 2.5
inches
Length: 7.5 inches
Weight: 2.17 pounds
sights with white outline,
orange insert front sight,
comfortable grip
98
POCKET GUNS
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////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
SMITH & WESSON

BODYGUARD 38
WEBSITE:
Smith-Wesson.com
MSRP: $539
Action: DAO
Caliber: .38 SPL
Capacity: 5
Length: 6.6 inches
Weight: 14.3 ounces
Features: Hammerless design,
laser sight, integral metallic sights
SMITH &
WESSON
GOVERNOR
MSRP: $869
Action: DA/SA
Capacity: 6
Length: 8.5 inches
Width: 1.75 inches
Height: 5.5 inches
Weight: 1.88 pounds
Features: Accepts .410 shotshells, .45 Colt and
.45 ACP, features integral sights, rifled barrel
SPRING 2015
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///////////
TAURUS
65
MSRP: $489
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .357 MAG
Capacity: 6
Length: 10.5 inches
Width: 1.5 inches
Height: 5.5 inches
Weight: 2.38 pounds
Features: Full-size stippled grip, integral sights,
smooth action
TAURUS
85
WEBSITE:
TaurusUSA.com
MSRP: $398
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .38 SPL +P
Capacity: 5
Length: 6.25 inches
Height: 4.3 inches
Weight: 1.31 pounds
Features: Compact dimensions,
rated for powerful +P loads,
straightforward operation
100
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////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
TAURUS
85PLYSS2
MSRP: $398
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .38 SPL +P
Capacity: 5
Height: 4.4 inches
Weight: 1.13 pounds
Features: Extremely lightweight,
rated for powerful +P loads, slightly
longer barrel for higher velocities
TAURUS
405SS2
WEBSITE:
TaurusUSA.com
MSRP: $523
Action: DA
Caliber: .40 SW
Capacity: 5
Features: Ribbed grip,
designed for rimless .40 SW
rounds, short overall length
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///////////
CHARTER ARMS
PIT BULL .40
WEBSITE:
CharterFirearms.com
MSRP: $484
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .40 SW
Capacity: 5
Barrel Length: 2.3
inches
Weight: 1.25 pounds
Features: Chambered for
.40 SW, integral sights,
short cylinder reduces
bulk and weight
TAURUS
731 ULTRA LITE

MSRP: $514
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .32 H&R MAG
Capacity: 6
Length: 6.5 inches
Weight: 1.06 pounds
Features: Lightweight design, powerful
specialty caliber, compact overall package
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PG15-092-103-BGCOMPREV 11/26/14 10:00 PM Page 103
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
TAURUS
850B2UL
MSRP: $474
Caliber: .38 SPL +P
Capacity: 5
Length: 6.5 inches
Designed and Developed in the USA

with over 40 years of CCW experience
Features: Concealed no-snag

hammer, rubber grips, very light
TAURUS
4510
MSRP: $608
Action: DA/SA
Capacity: 5
Weight: 1.81 pounds
Features: 3-inch chambers, integral
sights. Fires .45 Colt cartridges and
.410 shotshells interchangeably
CHARTER ARMS
Carry a handgun IWB without a

holster, case or pouch. CovertCarrier
is the GOLD STANDARD for Total
Weapons Concealment!
MAG PUG STANDARD

FOR SALES AND INFORMATION GO TO:
www.CovertCarrier.com or
Call: (702)245-6302
WEBSITE:
CharterFirearms.com
MSRP: $390
Action: DA/SA
Caliber: .357 MAG
Capacity: 5
Weight: 1.44 pounds
Features: Rubber grips, easily concealable
design, smooth trigger PG
If you carry a concealed handgun for

self-defense, or for a living, the CovertCarrier
will give you a tactical advantage
CovertCarrier Inc. 2014
SPRING 2015
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PG15-104-109-GLOCK.qxp 11/26/14 5:27 AM Page 104
Beauty shot of the G42 and the

Remington Golden Sabre.
Little Giant
PHOTOS BY STEVE SIEBERTS AND KYLE SIEBERTS
For Overall Performance, the Glock G42

Is an Outstanding Choice
By Steve Sieberts
he Glock series of handguns has been wildly popular since

the first Model 17 came out over 25 years ago. I purchased
one shortly after I attended the Glock Factory Armorers
Course in 1991. During that course I became acutely aware of the
simplicity, robustness, reliability and of the great features of the
gun that continue today.
I still have and shoot that original G17 today at my local IDPA
matches, and its still as reliable as the day I bought it. The only
parts Ive replaced are the addition of Trijicon tritium night sights,
and I also installed a Bar-Sto Match barrel.
104
POCKET GUNS
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The Glock shot excellent groups at 12 yards off sandbags. This group was
around an inch with a called flyer opening up the group to just over two inches,
still excellent accuracy for a subcompact pistol.
The G42 is virtually a scaled-down version of my trusty G17
Author found the G42 a very comfortable and fun gun to shoot.
So when I was given the opportunity to review

the G42 for Pocket Guns magazine, I jumped at
the chance. I have friends that are die-hard Glock
fans that swear by the little gun, and I wanted to
find out for myself.
THE GUN
My sample arrived in a hard plastic case,
with two magazines and a . The first thing I
noticed is that the pistol is too small for an
accessory rail, and because I like tactical lights,
I also secured a SureFire wrist light. But more
about that item later.
The G42 is virtually a scaled-down version of
my trusty G17, and Im sure there have been many
comments since it was introduced about it being a
The Surefire 2211 WristLight would be a great addition with any small
subcompact tactical light, and worked great with the G42.
The G42 with the Remington Golden Sabre shot very consistent groups over
the Oehler 35P chronograph.
Mini-Me of its big brother, the G17.

This iteration of the pistol sports carries over
the same short-recoil operating system, and is
striker-fired with the Safe-Action Trigger. The pistol, chambered in 380 ACP, has a 6+1 magazine
capacity in a single stack persuasion.
The gun is a little over 4 inches high and a little
less than 8 inches long. Its a shade under an inch
wide, which is one reason it makes such a great
subcompact. The barrel is 3.25 inches.
As stated, the gun incorporates the tried and
true Safe-Action trigger mechanism, and the trigger pull is listed on the factory website as 5.5 lbs.
The trigger on my sample broke at a shade over 6
lbs. I did notice that the trigger, while a little
heavy, is much crisper than the trigger on my old
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
105
Another shot of the G42 over the Oehler 35P
My Lyman trigger pull gauge tested the G42s trigger pull at about
6.1 lbs from an average of three pulls.
106
POCKET GUNS
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The Crossbreed OWB holster was very comfortable and concealable with the G42.
The Crossbreed OWB holster rides very well, is concealable and is comfortable enough
to wear all day.
The G42 in the Crossbreed holster made a great pairing.
G17. The original triggers were a little

spongy, but this trigger is much better,
despite being slightly on the heavy side. I
dont mind a heavy trigger on a carry gun.
Adrenaline can make a 6-pound trigger
feel like its about two pounds, so a 6 lb.
trigger is a good safety margin.
The extractor, as with other new model
Glocks, also serves as a loaded chamber
indicator, which is a good thing to have on
a gun that may be in a nightstand or bedside safe. When things go bump in the
night, its nice to be able to check the status of the gun in a hurry, quietly.
The frame has a textured pattern
molded into the front, sides and the backstrap, which works very well when shooting and doesnt hang up on the clothes
when drawing from concealment.
The frame, being much smaller and
The frame has a textured pattern molded into the

front, sides and the backstrap and doesnt hang up
on the clothes when drawing from concealment.
narrower than the traditional double stack
magazine Glock should be perfect for
smaller shooters and those of the female
persuasion. I tested this theory on my wife
and teenage daughter, and they both liked
the feel and heft of the gun.
Disassembly of the pistol is identical to
other Glocks. Make sure the pistol is unloaded, and the trigger is to the rear. Pull
the slide back slightly with one hand and,
with the other hand, pull the slide release
tabs downward. Let the slide go forward
and it will come off the frame. Pull out the
captive recoil spring out of the slide, and
tilt the barrel up from the rear and remove
to the rear. Thats really all you need to do
for simple cleaning and maintenance.
Overall fit and finish of the pistol is up
to the usual Glock standards, which is to
say, outstanding.
//////////////////////////////////////////////
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Glock, Inc.
6000 Highlands Parkway
Smyrna, GA 30082
Glock.com
Bluegrass Sportsmans League
2500 Handys Bend Road
Wilmore, KY 40390-8029
BGSLInc.com
CrossBreed Holsters, LLC
6955 West Carnahan Street
Springfield, Missouri 65802
(888) 732-5011
info@crossbreedholsters.com
Remington Arms
Ilion Firearms Plant & Custom Shop
14 Hoefler Avenue
Ilion, NY 13357
Remington.com/
Surefire, LLC
18300 Mount Baldy Circle
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
SureFire.com
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
107
The front sight is held in by a set screw, and can be replaced with a proper
Glock nut driver.
Beauty shot of the Glock and the Crossbreed holster and magazine pouch.
This was an excellent combination.
The G42 disassembly latch works

just like other Glock models.
/////////////////////////////////////
FIELD DATA
Ammunition: Remington
Golden Sabre 102 grain HPJ
Velocity: 878 fps (Mean)
Muzzle Energy: 200 ft/lbs
SD-51 fps
Accuracy: Averaged 1.23
inches@12 yards off sandbags.
5-Shot groups
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POCKET GUNS
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During the rest, the author said the G42 performed exceptionally well.
The sights on the gun are the familiar

Glock sights used on all of their other
pistols: a white u-shaped bar and a
white front dot. I would like to see
tritium night sights available as an
option on this gun, since its too small
for a tactical light or really, any other
weapon-mounted accessories.
I have some dummy rounds in 380
ACP, so I ran a few of them through the
gun just to check that there were no issues with either the gun or the magazines
before heading to the range.
For this round of testing, I chose the
excellent Remington Golden Sabre 102
grain HPJ cartridge. I set up my Oehler 35P
chronograph with the start screen set to
10 feet and went to work.
Remingtons website lists this load at
940 fps at the muzzle from a 4-inch barrel with 200 ft/lbs of muzzle whump, so
the velocity lost with the inch barrel of
the G42 translates to only about a 60 fps
loss from what I obtained, which was an
878 mean average and an SD of 51 for five

shots. Not enough to really make a difference at the target. I believe that round
would still give excellent expansion characteristics, and I plan to perform some
additional testing in ballistic gelatin with
this cartridge in subsequent issues.
What skewed the data on this fiveround group was that I had one round
which clocked in at 788 fps. Subsequent
readings were more in line with the average, with velocity readings in the 890910 range and an SD in the 15 fps range
for subsequent five-round groups.
Speaking of groups, the little powerhouse turned in some excellent five-shot
groups at 12 yards over sandbags of just
over 2 inches with one called flyer, and
most five-shot groups coming in at
around 1.5 inches, which is excellent accuracy from a factory gun using factory
ammo, especially from a subcompact
gun with a 3.25-inch barrel.
I put around 100 rounds through the
The SureFire WristLight worked great in the low light of my garage. This is the light
at low setting.
The Glock G42 and the Remington Golden Sabre ammunition

worked perfectly and turned in great groups.
The G42 was easy to draw from using the IWB Crossbreed Holster.
cal way to attach a light, so the folks at

SureFire came to the rescue with their excellent Model 2211 WristLight. With a variable output lamp, with Low at 15 lumens,
Medium at 60 lumens and High settings
at 200 lumens, a tactical runtime of one
hour and a max lumens of 200.0, this little light, paired up with the G42, made a
great combination. I ran some low light
and no-light tests in my two-car garage,
and the 2211WristLight really lit up the
space. Even at low light setting, there was
still more than enough to identify the
threat. SureFire also makes this model
with an integral Luminex timepiece.
QUALITY
All in all, the G42 in 380 ACP, when
paired with excellent ammunition and a
quality holster, is an excellent choice for
anyone considering a subcompact gun in
this caliber for concealed carry. PG
The slide rides on hardened steel inserts,

which contributes to the guns long life
and reliability when dirty.
Even when I tried to

induce a malfunction
by limp-wristing it
one-handed, the gun
still kept functioning
flawlessly.
gun and experienced no malfunctions of

any kind. Even when I tried to induce a
malfunction by limp-wristing it onehanded, the gun still kept functioning
flawlessly. Two shot drills were fun, and I
used a new SureFire Shot Timer app for
the iPhone, which worked really well. I use
it all the time at the range. Hey, its free
and it works, and you cant beat that!
Because this gun is designed for concealed carry, I wanted to pair it up with a
quality holster and chose the excellent
Crossbreed holster. They sent me one
each of their IWB and OWB holster and
magazine pouch. I really liked the OWB,
but a pistol this small and slim really
should be carried in an IWB holster. The
overall fit and finish of these holsters is
excellent, and the gun fits perfectly inside
the waistband of my pants. Drawing was
smooth and the holster stayed put.
The last item I wanted to use with this
evaluation was a tactical light. Since the
gun is so small, there really isnt a practi-
Steve Sieberts is editor of Pocket Guns.

SPRING 2015
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///////////
HOT ACCESSORIES ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
PHOTO BY BROWNELL'S, INC.
Hot Extras
Personalize Your Handgun & Drive Your Confidence Up
he accessory market for virtually

any firearm has exploded over the
last few years.
There are many ways to customize the
gun to make it even more effective with
items like tactical lights, lasers, custom
grips and night sights. The accessory market
also extends into tools to make shooting
110
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
safer and more fun with items like gunsafes,

electronic hearing protection, new and better shooting glasses, and cleaning gear. If
you reload, the accessory market is even
greater.
The accessory market is huge and only
going to get bigger and better. Look over the
accessories we have put together for you.
PG15-110-115-BGACCESS.qxp 11/26/14 5:05 AM Page 111
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Firearm Accessories /////////////
MEPROLIGHT
NOVAK NIGHT SIGHTS

WEBSITE: MeproLight.com
MSRP: $164.00
Mount: Dovetail
Fits: 1911s from Colt, Taurus Springfield
Features: Tritium sight inserts, snag-free low-slung design,
retention screw
Night sights are a prerequisite for most defensive handguns
and those from Meprolight feature very bright illumination.
Designed in the Novak combat sight style that is frequently
found on 1911s and higher-end defensive pistols, these sights
are snag-free and should mount to any slide with a 1911-style
rear sight dovetail, including the Taurus 24/7 pistols.
DILLON PRECISION
D-Terminator Scale
WEBSITE: dillonprecision.com
MSRP: $139.00
Features: Super precise electronic powder measuring scale
Electronic scales make the job of weighing powder simple,
fast and accurate. The unit comes with a check weight to ensure
calibration and consistent results. Accurate to within .1 of a grain.
REVISION
HELLFLY
WEBSITE: RevisionMilitary.com
MSRP: $99.99
Function: Ballistic Eyewear
Weight: 1.25 ounces
Impact Rating: Mil-Spec
UV Rating: Full Protection
Features: Elastic headband, multiple spare lenses, padded
carrying case
These glasses are rated to stop a 17-grain steel projectile at
more than 900 feet per second. In Gun World field testing, they
have kept our shooters eyes safe from bullet splash on the range
and a great number of airborne hazards around the workshop.
PELTOR
Peltor Tactical 6-S

WEBSITE: 3m.com
MSRP: $170.00
Function: Noise cancelling headset
Features: offers noise cancelling headset but also allows normal
conversation, and also has input for radios and cellphones
SPRING 2015
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///////////
HOT ACCESSORIES ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
WILEY X
BROWNELLS
WEBSITE: wileyx.com
MSRP: $80.00
Function: Ballistic shooting glasses
WEBSITE: brownells.com
MSRP: $14.99
Function: Synthetic firearms lubricant
Features: Includes leash cord and case, with a very

comfortable fit. Great design and made to mil-spec
standards. Exceeds ANSI Z87.1-2003+ SAFETY standards.
From their Black Ops collection.
Features: Excellent lubricant for all firearms. Exceeds

mil-std specification of military grade moly grease. Used
on high friction areas. Not a petroleum-based grease.
Outstanding on match grade firearms with well fitted parts.
Twisted ballistic eyewear
BURRIS
HORNADY
Fast Fire
Lock-N-Load
WEBSITE: hornady.com
MSRP: $317.21
Function: Electronic powder measure
Features: This electronic powder dispenser meters powder.
This measure offers precision and safety. Has an easy to use
keypad to enter the exact powder charge.
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POCKET GUNS
Action Lube plus
SPRING 2015
WEBSITE: burrisoptics.com
MSRP: $372.21
Function: Red dot sight
Features: This reflex sight fits several models of concealable
handguns, including the Springfield XD, Glock, Sig and S&W
M&P series. 3 or 8MOA dot provides very fast target acquisition.
Battery powered with fast and accurate windage and elevation
adjustments.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
WILLIAMS
RADIANS
WEBSITE: williamsgunsight.com
MSRP: $49.95 (depends on model)
Function: Fiber optic sights
WEBSITE: radians.com
MSRP: Does not sell from their site
Function: Electronic ear plugs
Features: Offers excellent day/night visibility for a wide range

of handguns. Easy to install, and nothing to wear out. Some
models the fiber optic element can be interchanged with other
colors to match shooting conditions.
Features: For shooters that do not like outside the ear hearing
protection. These electronic ear plugs fit snugly, yet are small
and very effective at cancelling out loud noises such as gunfire,
but allows normal conversation.
Taurus Fiber Optic Sights
Enhance Ear
SEAHORSE
HANDGUN
CASES
SE-540fp4
BROWNELLS
WEBSITE: seahorse.net
MSRP: Does not list MSRP
Function: Hard pistol cases
Features: Waterproof lightweight hard cases can transport
up to four handguns. Has a tongue and groove, and relief valve
for pressure release. Excellent way to transport firearms when
travelling. Meets TSA Checked baggage guidelines.
MODEL: Handgun dummy

WEBSITE: brownells.comt
MSRP: $56.42 9 (depending on caliber)
Function: Action proving dummy cartidges
Features: Centerfire action proving dummy cartridges are an
excellent way to isolate firearms that are not function properly
or firearms that the hobbyist has been working on to ensure
proper and safe functioning. Also a works as a great training aid
when taking new shooters to the range.
SPRING 2015
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///////////
HOT ACCESSORIES ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
OTIS CLEANING SYSTEM

Deluxe LE Cleaning System
WEBSITE: czub.cz
MSRP: $59.99
Function: Pistol cleaning kit
Features: Portable cleaning system is great for taking it on the
go. Toss it in your range bag or backpack and you always have a
way to clean your firearms.
CZ 75 CONVERSION KIT
CZ 75 KADET
WEBSITE: czub.cz
MSRP: (Retail Price not Available)
Function: 22 Conversion kit
Features: Converts the centerfire CZ 75 to a 22 caliber
pistol for training and plinking purposes. Allows for much
greater practice of the shooting fundamentals at a much
lower ammunition cost.
REPLACEMENT GRIPS
1911 exotic wood grips
WEBSITE: Brownells.com
MSRP: $49.99 (depends on style, configuration)
Function: replacement grips for 1911 style pistols
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POCKET GUNS
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Features: These grips replace the standard walnut grips,

with exotic wood such as Rosewood, and Cocobolo. Comes
either smooth or checkered.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
GUN CLEANER
Blast and Clean
WEBSITE: hoppes.com
MSRP: $7.95
Features: Firearms cleaner
and degreaser
Features: Aerosol cleaner
that blows out carbon fouling
and grime then evaporates
in seconds. Nozzle extender
allows cleaner to get into
small spaces.
GUN SAFE
Bulldog BD1050
WEBSITE: bulldogcases.com
MSRP: $103.99
Function: pistol vault
Features: 10x13x10 pistol vault offers excellent security for
storing personal items such as firearms and other valuables.
12 digit keypad, 2 steel locking bolts on door.
PROGRESSIVE
RELOADER
RL550b
WEBSITE: Dillon.com
MSRP: $439.99 (depends on style, configuration)
Function: Progressive reloading machine
Features: Can reload up to 500 rounds per hour, and makes it
very economical to get in a larger amount of shooting, plus the
shooter can load specific ammunition for specific needs. PG
SPRING 2015
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PG15-116-121-BGLIGHTS.PS.qxp 12/1/14 1:11 AM Page 116
///////////
TACTICAL LIGHTS ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
PHOTO BY SUREFIRE
Light Up the Night

Top Lights for Your Handgun
ocket guns, and by extension, the entire class of small concealable handguns, are by nature, compact. In
many instances, its very difficult to attach
any type of accessory to them; however,
they are the very types of handguns that
would most benefit from some type of
accessory, such as a light or laser-aiming
116
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
device, as they are more likely to be used in

an armed confrontation, many of which
take place at night.
In this section, we have compiled a list
of some of the best tactical lights, some of
which can be attached to the gun, while
others are handheld and can be employed
in conjunction with a firearm.
PG15-116-121-BGLIGHTS 11/26/14 5:58 AM Page 117
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Tactical Handgun Lights /////////////
SUREFIRE
X300V Tactical light

WEBSITE: www.surefire.com
MSRP: $389.00
Features: The X300V mounts to any Universal or MIL-STD-1913
(Picatinny) Rail and provides 150 lumens of white light, and
with the twist of the rear knob, can switch over to IR (Infrared)
mode. No IR filter is required.
SUREFIRE
X300 ULTRA Tactical light

MSRP: $299.00
Features: The X300 ULTRA delivers 500 Lumens of light
which is 2 times the power of the original X300. Tightly
focused spot beam and wide peripheral illumination make it
a great choice. Can be equipped for rail-less firearms by using
the SureFire MR adapter.
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PG15-116-121-BGLIGHTS.qxp 11/26/14 4:59 AM Page 118
///////////
TACTICAL LIGHTS ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

SUREFIRE
X300-U - ULTRA
Tactical light - TAN
MSRP: $299.00
Features: The X300 ULTRA in
tan coloring delivers the same
500 Lumens of light as the
Black Ultra. Can be purchased
with optional DG remote switch.
Can be equipped for rail-less
firearms by using the SureFire
MR adapter.
SUREFIRE
PX3 Fury
MSRP: $250.00
Features: The PX3 Fury
is a high powered dual
output LED handheld
flashlight that provides
1000 lumens of white
light, in high mode, and 15
lumens of white light
when bright light isnt
needed or the operator
doesnt want to compromise dark-adapted vision.
SUREFIRE
P1R Peacekeeper &

Peacekeeper Tactical
MSRP: $250.00
Features: Single output
Peacekeeper Tactical puts out
600 lumens of white light. Dual
output Peacekeeper provides
15 lumens. Tailcap activation.
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PG15-116-121-BGLIGHTS 11/26/14 10:06 PM Page 119
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
SUREFIRE
EB1Backup with
Click-switch
UNSURPASSED
CAPACITY
CZ P-09
MSRP: $220.00
With 19+1 in its ush tting

magazine, the P -09 cant be beat
when it comes to 9mm service pistols.
Features: Dual output LED light in an extremely compact Mil-Spec aluminum body.
Tailcap activation with 200 lumens of white light. Low beam delivers 5 lumens of
light. Two-way clip provides heads up or heads down attachment to the brim of caps
for hands-free use.
SUREFIRE
E2D Defender Ultra
MSRP: $265.00
Features: Compact dual output self-defense flashlight that delivers 500 lumens
of white light, and 5 lumens for general use. The light has tailcap activation and
features a crenellated strike bezel and scalloped tailcap, which can be used as a
self-defense tool in an emergency situation.
SUREFIRE
MAIN FEATURES
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E1D Defender Ultra

WEBSITE:
www.surefire.com
MSRP: $245.00
Features: Similar to the
E2DL. The E1D offers dual
output high intensity
beam of 300 lumens,
and the same bezel and
tailcap which can be used
for striking an aggressor
in high stress situations.
Two way clip for attaching to brim of a cap for
hands free use.
1305&$5t)6/5t$0.1&5&
www.cz-usa.com
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
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///////////
TACTICAL LIGHTS ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

SUREFIRE
2211 WristLight
MSRP: $495.00
Features: Two versions of this popular
light. The standard 2211 which features
a three-way output 200 lumen beam,
and a 15 lumen option. Reversing the activation switch can also enable 15, 60 or
200 lumen output. The 2211 Luminox
version includes a Swiss-made Luminox
wristwatch. Luminox version MSRP is
$795.00.
STREAMLIGHT CORP.
Stylus Pro USB
WEBSITE: www.streamlight.com
MSRP: $80-100.00 (Depending on configuration)
Features: This light delivers 70 lumens of white
light, which is a shade over 6 inches long. The main
feature is that it can be recharged via a USB port of
300 times before the battery needs to be replaced.
STREAMLIGHT CORP.
Scorpion HL
MSRP: $120.00
Features: This dual-output light delivers 600
lumens on high, and 33 on low setting, with a
runtime of 15 minutes and 18 hours, respectively. The unit also features a programmable
switch which offers 3 modes, including a
strobe capability.
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POCKET GUNS
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//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
STREAMLIGHT CORP.
PolyTac Consol and PolyTac HP

MSRP: PolyTac is $66.00 the PolyTac HP is $77.25
Features: The PolyTac is designed to offer downrange illumination. The HP on high setting provides
illumination out to 275 meters. The PolyTac features a
glass lens, while the PolyTac HP features an unbreakable polycarbonate lens that is scratch-resistant.
Tactical Handgun Lights /////////////
STREAMLIGHT CORP.
ProTac HL 3
MSRP: $120.00
Features: This dual-output light delivers
1100 lumens of white light on high setting
and 35 on low. Features programmable
three position setting, (low/strobe/high),
with a beam distance of 69 meters on
high setting. Runtime is 2 hours on
high/strobe, and 43 hours on low.
STREAMLIGHT
CORP.
Clipmate USB
MSRP: $55.00
Features: While not a tactical light, the clipmate USB is a handy light to
have in camp or in the car. Water resistant and rechargeable via USB. PG
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///////////
LASERS //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
PHOTO BY SUREFIRE
Pointing the Way

Top Lasers for Your Handgun
aser sighting devices, whether they

are visible or IR, have become very
popular over the years.
Take a look at the following outstanding
choices. For a defensive gunespecially
122
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
where shots are up close, lighting is poor

and speed really is paramountactive
lasers have found a home, as they make
sure the shot is applied in a critical area of
the target very quickly.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
Handgun Lasers /////////////
CRIMSON TRACE
LG-639 (red) and LG-639G (green)

Website: www.crimsontrace.com
MSRP: $329 (LG-639G) and $249 (LG-639).
Features: Both feature instinctive activation on the rear of the
grip and include a master on/off switch to give shooters the option to use their pistols withor withoutengaging the laser.
Each unit is also easily adjusted for windage and elevation
and can be installed without the use of special gunsmithing
tools. These products are specifically designed to fit securely
onto Glock Third Generation pistol models 19, 23, 25, 32 and 38.
These compact Glock handguns are favored for concealed carry.
CRIMSON TRACE
LG-494
MSRP: $229.00
Features: After a shaky launch, Remingtons new R51 pistol has
returned to gun store shelves. In some retailers, buyers have the
choice of purchasing an R51 with a Crimson Trace Laserguard
laser sight pre-installed.
The innovative LG-494with a red laser diodeis the result
of Crimson Trace and Remington working together during the
handguns development stage.
SPRING 2015
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///////////
LASERS 119119/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
CRIMSON TRACE
CMR-205 (red) and CMR-204 (green)

MSRP: $229.00
Features: After a shaky launch, Remingtons new R51 pistol has
returned to gun store shelves. In some retailers, buyers have the
choice of purchasing an R51 with a Crimson Trace Laserguard
laser sight pre-installed.
The innovative LG-494with a red laser diodeis the result
of Crimson Trace and Remington working together during the
handguns development stage.
STREAMLIGHT
MODEL: TLR4-G
Website: www.streamlight.com
MSRP: $400.00
Features: The TLR4-G tactical
light offers 115 lumens, and three
run modes, light, laser and light
plus laser. This unit operates in
extreme environments and
temperature ranges of -20 to 120+
degrees, and uses a green laser.
The green is a great choice for
daylight hours, since the color
green is more visible to the human
eye in daylight than other colors.
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POCKET GUNS
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///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
STREAMLIGHT
TLR2-G
MSRP: $550.00
Features: The TLR2-G tactical light offers
200 lumens, and three run modes, light, laser
and light plus laser. This unit also has a strobe
function The green is a great choice for daylight hours, since the color green is more visible
to the human eye in daylight than other colors
AD INDEX
CAMPCO ...........................................................81
STURM, RUGER & COMPANY, INC....................C4
COLT'S MANUFACTURING COMPANY..............C2
COVERT CARRIER INC ....................................103
CROSSBREED HOLSTERS.................................23
CZ-USA............................................................119
MAJOR SURPLUS & SURVIVAL ..........................7
SECURE MEDICAL ............................................63
OLD FAITHFUL HOLSTERS...............................C3
TITAN SECURITY PRODUCTS...........................55
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY..................................129
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
125
///////////
LASERS //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
STREAMLIGHT
TLR2-HL
MSRP: $550.00
Features: The TLR2-HL tactical
light offers 200 lumens, and three
run modes, light, laser and light
plus laser. This unit also has a
strobe function. The unit has a
powerful 640-660nm integrated
red laser for long range aiming.
SUREFIRE
X400 Ultra (Green)

Website: www.surefire.com
MSRP: $790.00
Features: This light/laser
combination features a 500
lumen white light and a 5 mW
green laser which can be zeroed for the gun/ammunition.
Ambi push/toggle switching
provides one-finger activation.
Also has optional pressure pad
for long guns and DG switches
for handguns.
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////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
SUREFIRE
X400 Ultra (Red)

MSRP: $595.00
Features: This light/laser combination features a 500 lumen
white light and a 5 mW red laser which can be zeroed for the
gun/ammunition. Less expensive version of the X400 Ultra Green.
SUREFIRE
X400 V IRc
MSRP: $875.00
Features: This light/laser
combination features a Class
I infrared laser. The bezels
self-locking lever switches
from 150 lumens white light
to 120 mW of infrared laser
light for use with NV goggles,
no filter required.
SPRING 2015
POCKET GUNS
127
PG15-122-128-BGLASERS 11/26/14 5:18 AM Page 128
///////////
LASERS ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
LASERLYTE
CM-MK4
Website:
www.laserlyte.com
MSRP: $149.95
Features: Ideal for small
concealable guns that have
a short, (.70 inch) Mounting rail. The laser projects a
ring of 8 red dots with a red
dot in the center. The circle
grows at 1 inch per yard.
LASERLYTE
CK-SW
Website:
www.laserlyte.com
MSRP: $149.95
Features: This model is
ideal for shooters that
want a small powerful
laser for the compact
J-frame revolvers. This laser
has 5 hours of battery life in
constant on mode, and 10
hours in pulse mode. PG
128
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
PG15_129 11/26/14 4:33 AM Page 129
PG15-130-LAST.qxp 11/26/14 4:36 AM Page 130
LAST LOOK //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
For consistency, if you carry a gun

outside the home, it makes sense for
you to use the same gun (or the same
type) for defense inside the home.
Rob Pincus
130
POCKET GUNS
SPRING 2015
///////////
PG15_C3 11/26/14 4:29 AM Page C3
Ridiculously Comfortable
Neoprene Padded Holster
Enhanced Comfort
More Flexible
Improved Stability
Lighter Weight
Cloak Tuck 2.0 IWB Holster
$ 35.88
Weve Got The Famous Iron-Clad Triple Guarantee!

30 Day Test Drive
Glock 42
Learn
More
About
New
Holster
Free Shell Trades For Life
Diamondback Defense DB9
Proudly
Made In
The USA
Forever Warranty
Kahr PM9
See our wide selection of

holsters for Pocket Guns at
AlienGearHolsters.com
PG15_C4 11/26/14 4:40 AM Page C4
THE RUGER LCR

High-Strength Stainless Steel Cylinder
Smooth, Manageable Trigger with
Non-Stacking Trigger Pull
Trigger Pull Comparison
Hogue Tamer Monogrip
9MM LUGER
38 SPL +P
22 LR
Patented Ruger Friction

Reducing Cam
22 WMR
357 MAG
External Hammer for Single or DoubleAction Use (LCRx Model 5430 only)
Packed with the latest technological advances and features

required by todays most demanding shooters, the Ruger
LCR is the evolution of the revolver. The Ruger LCR is a
lightweight, small-frame revolver with a uniquely smooth trigger and
highly manageable recoil. Available in nine models and ve calibers, there is an
LCR for every need from personal protection to low cost practice at the range.
RUGER.COM/LCR
2014 Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc.
112014

Pocket Guns - Spring 2015 USA

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PocketGuns_Cover 11/26/14 5:36 AM Page US_C1

FROM THE EDITORS OF GUN WORLD | POCKET GUNS

Engaged Media By Beckett

PG15_C2 11/26/14 5:02 AM Page C2

BUILT ONE AT A TIME.

PG15_3 11/26/14 4:27 AM Page 3

PG15-004-TOC.qxp 11/26/14 4:08 AM Page 4

Table of Contents ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Combat Focus Shooting

PHOTO BY JESSE CLEMENTS

FEATURES /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// PRODUCT GUIDES

This is your guide to carrying

We tested six leading defensive

We tested Spring Armorys XD

76 Carry With Confidence

To get you on top of your game, we

If you carry, you need to be prepared

104 Little Giant

Good things do come in small packages.

PG15-004-TOC.qxp 11/26/14 4:08 AM Page 5

Spring 2015 /////////////

Photography: Jesse Clements

PG15-006-EDITnew.qxp 12/1/14 9:32 PM Page 6

y brother-in-law is a great guy. Family man, with four kids, and

Editorial Director: Doug Jeffrey

DIRECT MARKETING GROUP

(866) 866-5146 ext. 2746

ENGAGED MEDIA BY BECKETT

PG15_7 11/26/14 4:57 AM Page 7

PG15-008-009-BARRELS.PS.qxp 11/30/14 10:30 PM Page 8

PHOTO BY KYLE SIEBERTS

Hand Guns, Concealed Carry, Gun Laws, Other Concerns,

PG15-008-009-BARRELS.qxp 11/26/14 4:27 AM Page 9

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Book and DVDs for Pocket Guns /////////////

FIGHTING with the

Concealed Carry DVD 1

PG15-010-015-FIRST.qxp 11/26/14 4:29 AM Page 10

PHOTO BY JESSE CLEMENTS

o, youve been considering carrying a concealed handgun?

PG15-010-015-FIRST.qxp 11/26/14 4:29 AM Page 11

4 Top Choices for Concealed Carry

This full-size semi-auto is Kimbers least expensive

it would be difficult or impossible to conceal it on your

PG15-010-015-FIRST.qxp 11/26/14 4:29 AM Page 12

Kimber Ultra CDP II

Firearms safety and

lighter weight make the Ultra CDP II a

under certain circumstances, you are prepared to take someones life.

What complicates things is that the U.S. is composed of 50 states,

PG15-010-015-FIRST.qxp 11/26/14 4:29 AM Page 13

Smith & Wesson

The M642LSs petite dimensions and

When you decide to carry a

The Smith & Wesson M642LS Ladysmith

PG15-010-015-FIRST.qxp 11/26/14 4:29 AM Page 14

residence before you decide to carry a concealed sidearm. Then you

PG15-010-015-FIRST.qxp 11/26/14 4:30 AM Page 15

From full sized firearms like the

Eva Subido, a certified NRA firearms instructor, teaches several

concealed weapon permit.

CHOOSING YOUR GUN

PG15-016-025-BGPOCKET.qxp 11/26/14 4:34 AM Page 16

POCKET HANDGUNS /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

The Smallest Guns Offer the Greatest Versatility