Resources Archives – Page 3 of 4

Kahr T9 Review

June 3, 2013 by TopGunReview Staff

Most people think of Kahr pistols as being small, thin and compact. While being small in size is an accurate description for most of the company’s guns, the T9 is actually a full size pistol with a 4-inch barrel and metal frame.

Shooters will find that the Kahr T9 is a single stack 9mm pistol that retains the thin slide that Kahr in known for, but does so with a much larger overall package. Many people will appreciate the fact that the magazines hold eight rounds and the gun has full size sights.

Ergonomics and Recoil
As noted above, Kahr guns are very thin pistols. The T9 is not any different in that regard. This allows the shooter with even the smallest of hands to get a good grip on the pistol and properly address the trigger. The recoil that you will feel is minimal and easy to control.

Trigger and Accuracy
The T9 uses a double-action-only trigger that is as smooth as any found on a semi-auto pistol. The trigger pull is like that of a quality revolver, smooth and relatively light without any obvious stacking which most shooters will enjoy.

The accuracy on Kahr pistols is very good, even with the short barrel models. The T9 has excellent sights and a longer barrel and sight radius, which will help to ensure you hit your target every time. These things added together make this a solid performer.

Reloading and Disassembly
You will find that reloading is easy with a push-button style magazine release on this firearm. The disassembly is fairly common for metal-framed guns. You will partially retract the slide, and pull out the slide stop lever. You will then push the slide forward, and off of the slide rails. Because the recoil spring is not captive, you must be careful when removing the guide rod. It is under a lot of pressure, and it can fly across the room.

Reliability and Durability
Shooters will enjoy that Kahr pistols tend to be very reliable and are able to digest a wide range of ammunition. The metal-framed T9 pistol is very durable. There are questions associated with the long-term durability of the inexpensive polymer framed guns produced by Kahr, but those do not apply to this pistol.

Final Verdict
The Kahr T9 is a solid handgun with a size that is good for nearly anyone interested in using this firearm for concealed carry or serious range training. It is durable and features a very smooth trigger, which helps shooters get better groups on target. However, at more than $800, some shooters may hesitate when offered the option of a similar quality gun for hundreds less.

Ranked #6 of 10 in our Best Metal Handgun Comparison

Magnum Research Desert Eagle Review

If size is your only criterion for what makes a great handgun, the Desert Eagle pistols from Magnum Research will rank at the top. These guns are large and chambered in powerful cartridges. Current production pistols are chambered in .357 Magnum, .44 Magnum and the daddy of them all is the .50 AE. One out of production variation of the Desert Eagle was chambered in .41 Magnum.

Desert Eagle pistols come with either a 6-inch barrel or a 10-inch barrel. You can also get the 6-inch model with a muzzle brake. However, adding the muzzle brake makes the pistol weigh nearly five pounds, before loading with ammo.

Unlike most other pistols, the Desert Eagle is gas operated instead of recoil or blowback operated. The patented system uses elements that would appear familiar to shooters with knowledge of the AR-15 and Mini-14 platforms.

Ergonomics and Recoil
You will find that for its size, the ergonomics of the Desert Eagle are pretty nice. The gun is big and heavy, so it is well suited for those who have larger hands and good upper body strength. The recoil is surprisingly mild when compared to other handguns chambered for the same rounds. This is largely due to the mass of the gun and the gas operating system.

Trigger and Accuracy
Shooters will find the accuracy with the Desert Eagle is pretty good. You can also add scopes for precision shooting and hunting to the current production of Desert Eagle pistols. With the right load and a good scope, these guns are very accurate.

Reloading and Disassembly
Reloading is accomplished by pressing a release button, allowing the magazine to drop from the grip and then inserting a new magazine into the frame.

Disassembly is a little more complex than on other modern pistols, but not very difficult. After you ensure the gun is empty, you will push in on a pin located on the left side of the frame. Simultaneously, you push down on the barrel lock, which is located on the right side of the frame. You can then slide the barrel forward and up, out of the slide. Once you remove the barrel, you can remove the slide, piston and recoil spring assembly by pushing them forward and off of the frame.

Reliability and Durability
Generally, the Magnum Research Desert Eagle is considered reliable and durable. However, you may find that gas systems can be more finicky than recoil operated systems. You must use care when selecting the correct ammunition for these pistols. Most .50 AE ammo should work without problem in the Desert Eagle. The .357 Magnum and .44 Magnum cartridges are typically designed for use in revolvers, so you may need to experiment some in order to find the right load for the your personal needs.

Final Verdict
You will find that there are few guns that compare to the Desert Eagle in the terms of size or sheer fun. However, as a practical gun for self-defense, it does fall short. The overall worth of these guns is largely dependent on what you plan to use it for. For hunting or sport, they will likely please, but with a large price tag.

Ranked #10 of 10 in our Best Metal Handgun Comparison

Smith & Wesson MP45 Review

Something about the company
A part of the American gun history, Smith & Wesson has been around since 1852. Their pistols and revolvers are part of standard equipment in police forces and armies around the world, as well as part of the popular culture, made famous by Hollywood in such movies as Dirty Harry. Today they produce rifles, sport guns as well as knives, but their mainstay still boasts a line of pistols, such as the M&P45 series we will be discussing today.

Ergonomics and Recoil
The design of the new MP model is still reminiscent of the Glock 17 which S&W have copied in the past (ending up in a lawsuit), however it is changed just enough to not cause any issues. The shape now has an ideal angle between the barrel and the thin, comfortable grip, allowing for a better balance. With 158 mm in height, 205 mm in length, 35 mm in width, the gun is a standard issue when it comes to combat weapons, neither small nor large. The frame is plastic, but it is not a polymer, but Zytel (DuPont), a different, harder material, which in the end results in a somewhat lessened recoil when compared to a steel option. However, this could be the result of a thicker grip, distributing pressure more.

Trigger and Accuracy
MP 45 has a trigger pull of 3,500 daN and the trigger travel of 8mm. It is striker fired, and in tests it managed to group shots in 48 to 92 mm at 25m distance, which would make for an excellent personal weapon, and reliable in combat as well. There is a Picatinny rail on the service version which can be used for laser sights and flashlights and the Novak sights are pretty awesome, with white spots in case of poor visibility.

Reloading and Disassembly
As far as the chamber is concerned it is a little tightly cut which might prove difficult for some types of ammunition to chamber correctly. Perhaps a maximum ammunition gauge would be a wise purchase to use with this gun. On the plus side, it is adapted for both the right-handed and the left-handed people, with the magazine release on both sides. The slide break is also available on both sides, melted into frame. Apart from adjusting the grip to your hand, the long steel axis with a sling swivel serves as a tool for the disassembly as well, which is not the best solution.

Reliability and Durability
Since it is using somewhat harder plastic it should be sturdier as well, however, despite the expectations of the designers, do not expect it to last above 12,000 bullets fired. The steal parts will serve you alright and look good with black melonite protection.

Final Verdict
There is definitely a place in the market for this gun, with the good looks and a brand name behind it. The plastic frame does not bode well for a long term use, but it will outlive the polymer versions out there and it does reduce recoil. If you pay attention to the type of ammo, you will reduce the occurence of bullets not chambering. The gun range results are pretty satisfying and the Novak sights are a nice addition, however the overly complicated disassembly drives the ranking further down.

Derek Finegan is the Editor at State of Guns and is a fan of firearms. But his favorite is the cold, cold blade. One might disagree with him, but it is tough to contradict a man with that big of a machete collection in the living room.

Winchester Model 70 Review

In the beginning, Peter Paul Mauser invented the 98. America “borrowed” the design for the 1903 Springfield, was sued, paid up and then after WWII Winchester “borrowed,” it again when Mauser wasn’t really in a position to complain. The Model 70, “The Rifleman’s Rifle”, is, in essence, a result of post-WWII market conditions that proved fortuitous for both Winchester and the American shooter. The Model 70 offered excellent accuracy, the use of new-fangled scopes and a price tag that the average sportsman could live with.

During the course of its career the Model 70 was at first a controlled round feed action like its Mauser ancestor, but in 1964 turned into a push feed action. The push feed models were an all-original design but met with little enthusiasm, the result of which was to turn the pre-64 models into instant collector’s items. Currently the Model 70 is back in its original controlled round feed form with dual-opposed locking lugs and a non-rotating extractor (finally putting an end to fifty-odd years of teeth gnashing) and available in several of its original variants.

While the Model 70 controlled round feed action is very similar to others that came before, it is in many respects an improvement. The 70 is an extremely smooth, well-built action that rarely jams. The safety is, in the opinion of many, perfect, and has been borrowed by others many times. It is also capable of handling the highest pressure cartridges which, coupled with its reliability, made it a favorite among dangerous game hunters. There is no reason to think that the current incarnation of the controlled round feed Model 70 will not meet with as much favor as the first one did.

The new model 70 lost points for its trigger because currently Winchester is not equipping them with adjustable triggers. The included trigger is nice, but consumers more or less expect an adjustable model these days. One point was also deducted for Durability because a few changes have been made in the action that differentiates it from the original; the front ring of the receiver has been slightly enlarged and a new, finer thread pattern is used to attach the barrel. In theory, these changes should improve the strength of the action, but until the new changes have been run through the ringer, it’s prudent to at least point them out to the prospective buyer.

Ranked #3 of 7 in our Best Bolt Action Rifle Comparison

CZ 550 Review

The folks at CZ have been building tough, reliable, Mauser-style controlled round feed actions almost as long as Mauser has. CZ, for the most part, specializes in offering rifles with old-world aesthetics and a decided lack of modern bells and whistles. The American gun-buying public has always seemed more intrigued with modern touches than the Europeans have, and CZ does most of its business across the pond. The Americans who do get a hold of a CZ 550 are usually pretty happy with it, though. CZ rifles are essentially store bought models of the sporterized 98’s that many generations of Americans grew to love and for some there is no finer rig.

The 550 action has much in common with its Mauser ancestors and CZ has always been proud to point this out. The bolt has two opposed locking lugs mounted at the front of the bolt (the third rear lug from the 98 has been discarded as unnecessary) and a large non-rotating extractor. To those who favor 98-type actions, the CZ is a regular marvel. All the rough edges of the original have been buffed out to create a smooth action right out of the box without the chunkiness of their predecessors. The 550 is available in a couple of variants that feature modern bedding techniques with synthetic stocks but, by-and-large, CZ prefers to offer nice-looking wood stock models. Naturally, with wood as a base some CZ’s will not toe the mark like some modern shooters expect, but just about every 550 can still deliver close to minute of angle accuracy, which is more than sufficient for big game hunting.

Some people find the CZ 550 a bit boring due to the many design features it shares with the Mauser 98 and its lack of modern frills. The 550’s boring nature is part of what makes it such a great action, though. Every concept in the 550 has been in use, getting tested for a hundred years, which means when you buy one the legwork is done and you can sit back and enjoy a truly trustworthy rifle.

The 550 only lost two points in our comparison. One point was deducted for Accuracy because while most CZ’s shoot pretty darn good, the standard Mauser bedding system and wood stocks that CZ favors can occasionally give some trouble; it’s not likely, but should be borne in mind. Another point was deducted for Long Term Cost of Ownership because the 550 isn’t the most popular of American rifles and it can be a bit trying to find parts for them at your local gun shop. Thankfully, the 550 rarely breaks, so most owners will never know this.

Ranked #2 of 7 in our Best Bolt Action Rifle Comparison

Savage 110 Review

Imagine for a moment that it is around 1957, your name is Nicholas Brewer and you work for Savage Arms. Your boss walks into the office one day and says “Nick, we need you to design a bolt action rifle for us. This gun has to be as accurate and dependable as the stuff already out there and you have to figure out some way to make it cheaper. Oh, by the way, don’t violate any existing patents and make it flexible enough that we don’t have to ever retool.” Most folks would take out the want ads and start looking for a new gig.

The Savage 110 was what Brewer came up with and it really did meet all the requirements. Borrowing from a few existing designs, Brewer created a push feed, dual-opposed lug action with a rotating extractor and enclosed bolt face. The bolt head itself was separated from the rest of the bolt body and held in place by a through pin. The 110 also had a few features geared towards ease in production that were all new. The barrel was headspaced by a big lock nut and threaded into the receiver. The receiver itself could be produced from a single piece of seamless tubing and stamped parts were used wherever possible. The use of a separated bolt head (which had never really been tried on a commercial rifle) made the bolt lugs essentially self-lapping and resulted in great accuracy without added machining. The end result was a rifle that could easily compete on the range and blow the completion away on a sporting goods store gun rack.

The number of incarnations and variants that Savage has produced on the 110 action over the years would fill an entire page. In essence, they are all the same sturdy, affordable unit that Brewer designed and they all work pretty well. Savage has even farmed this action out in the form of the Stevens 200 rifle, which has met with great success. The 110 is Savage’s go-to action and by whatever designation it is called will be around for a long time to come.

The 110 lost points a few points in our comparison for: ergonomics, due to a sometimes sloppy-feeling bolt throw, feeding/extraction, due to occasional jamming in feeding. Also reliability, due to the action’s rather high number of parts that, however rarely, do still fail, and fit/finish, due to Savage’s well-known commitment to sacrificing aesthetics in the name of accuracy and cost control. All of the 110’s foibles are well known to 110 owners, but most either don’t care, or stop caring, when they discover how well their surprisingly affordable rifle shoots.

Ranked #6 of 7 in our Best Bolt Action Rifle Comparison

Weatherby Vanguard Series II Review

The Vanguard rifle imported by Weatherby has been around for a long time. This action is a push feed design that features a relatively large rotating extractor affixed to one of the bolt lugs and an enclosed bolt face. In design the Vanguard is very similar to the push feed version of the Model 70, but has met with greater success. Ergonomically the rifle has much in common with the Remington 700 but can be produced at a lower cost. This combination of good ideas has made the Vanguard very appealing to shooters.

The Vanguard has a reputation for accuracy and dependability at a reasonable price. Until recently, the Vanguard line was considered lacking in flash, but the introduction of the Series II rifles is a departure with special purpose models and more features. The Series II rifles are the same reliable action the Vanguard always had with a new, rather ingenious, three-position safety and the addition of extras like special coatings, bedding blocks and adjustable triggers.

Now that the Vanguard line has begun to offer special models, the sky is pretty much the limit with a flexible design like the Vanguard’s; given the low initial cost of production the Vanguard may even pop up some day in different action lengths. In their current versions, any of the Series II rifles are an excellent value available at prices lower than can be had for similar rifles from other companies.

The Vanguard lost one point in our comparison in the category of Ergonomics because the bolt throw can at times feel less-than-smooth with an occasional bit of binding. We also deducted one point in the Long Term Cost of Ownership category because the Vanguard can be a little difficult to find replacement parts for due to its foreign manufacture which, seeing as Vanguards rarely require replacement parts, is not that big of a deal. Two points were also deducted in the Versatility category due to the fact that the Vanguard’s design does not lend itself to conversion and it is not factory chambered for a very wide variety of cartridges, somewhat limiting the possibilities with this action.

Ranked #5 of 7 in our Best Bolt Action Rifle Comparison

Ruger M77 Hawkeye Review

The second incarnation of the Ruger 77 has met with nothing but success. The Mark II is a controlled round feed action with dual-opposed locking lugs and a non-rotating claw extractor. In many ways the Mark II filled the gap left in the market when the Model 70 switched to a push feed action. For a long time almost all American-made rifles were push feeds due to the fact that many of the push feed designs work just as well as controlled round feeds and the push feed was traditionally much cheaper to produce. Bill Ruger’s commitment to investment casting and mechanical genius allowed Ruger to produce a controlled round feed action that was actually lower in cost than many push feed designs. The 77 is never as slick as the original Model 70 right out of the box (this has been referred to as “Ruger Smooth”), but after break-in it’s hard to tell the difference. One of the best advancements the 77 brought to the market was integral dovetail scope mounts machined into the top of the receiver. In addition to reducing points of potential failure, this system allows the scope rings to be installed correctly every time with only a large screwdriver, which is a real boon for the mechanically disinclined.

Controlled round feed actions have a reputation for jamming less and extracting better than push feed designs. Whether this reputation is deserved is always going to be a matter of contention, but what is for certain is that the controlled round feed Ruger 77 works wonderfully. As a platform for different variants, the Mark II is accurate enough for varmint rifles while still being reliable and strong enough for safari rifles. The Mark II is a favorite among gun cranks looking for an action to rebarrel for a wildcat cartridge. Ruger has produced so many variants of the 77 over the years that they are getting hard to keep track of, but they have had no trouble selling any of them and have received few complaints.

The 77 Mark II suffered in our comparison in Fit/Finish because Rugers are not always as pretty as they could be. That being said, current Ruger rifles look far better than the original offerings and they are improving all the time.

For all uses under all conditions and especially when price is taken into account the 77 Mark II action is currently the best value in the market, and many say it is superior to far more expensive actions available from custom companies. The 77 Mark II might be Bill Ruger’s best idea among many great ones.

For more information on Ruger click here.

Ranked #1 of 7 in our Best Bolt Action Rifle Comparison

Sako A7 Review

Sako has been around for a long time but only sold its offerings on the European market until about 1950 when it began offering mini-Mauser type actions and rifles chambered for varmint hunters or target shooters in the US. For a long time the only Sako rifles chambered in big game calibers a person was apt to bump into were guns brought back by servicemen who had done duty in West Germany or other European countries. Only in the last few decades has Sako begun to be a real player in the American market. The USA prefers, and has no lack of, homegrown rifles, but Sako has been doing well and can claim many satisfied customers.

The Sako A7 action is a push feed with three lugs, an enclosed bolt face and a fairly large extractor. Sako extractors deserve special mention because they are often chosen to be used as replacements for other push feed action extractors when building custom rifles. It can be argued that no push feed extractor is better than a controlled feed extractor, but the Sako style is definitely the best of the bunch in push feed designs. The three-lug bolt with guides cut into it makes for an extremely smooth action that many shooters rave about.

Sako rifles and the A7 in particular have developed an excellent reputation for accuracy over the years. The A7 is sold with a MOA guarantee, but even if it was not MOA accuracy would be expected. Sako seems to have put its varmint rifle experience to good use in this department. The A7 is probably never going to be as popular as many American-made rifles in this country, but it does have a following that seems pretty happy with their purchase.

The A7 lost one point in the feeding/Extraction category due to the fact that occasionally the ears on its detachable magazine seem to get a bit loose and do not properly hold the rounds in place. The owner if so inclined can fix this issue or the clip can be replaced. Speaking of replacing parts, two points were deducted for Long Term Cost of Ownership. Sako is a Finnish company and does business in America through intermediaries, which is probably good for its bottom line, but makes it tough on owners looking for spare parts. It’s not impossible to get Sako parts, but it’s harder than it is with other companies. Two more points were deducted in the Versatility category because between the A7’s rather unique magazine and the action’s unique design it does not make for very good conversion fodder and, if rebarreled, should be left in its original chambering. This probably isn’t that much of a concern to Sako owners due to the fact that they usually feel they got just what they wanted to begin with, but the prospective tinkerer should bear it in mind.

Honorable Mention in our Best Bolt Action Rifle Comparison

Browning X-Bolt Review

The term cult following gets thrown around a lot, but in the case of Browning it’s nearing the truth (It has been pointed out to me that a block of wood bearing a Buckmark logo could be a good seller). Some people even go so far as to have Browning’s very recognizable logo tattooed somewhere on their body. Much of this brand loyalty comes from Browning’s continued production of their classic firearms like the A-5 shotgun, but a great deal of it is the result of satisfaction with Browning’s modern designs. The A-Bolt and it’s currently produced evolution, the X-Bolt, have owners who are quite adamant about their quality and accuracy.

The X-Bolt is a push feed action with three lugs, an enclosed bolt face and a relatively large rotating extractor. The bolt lift is shorter thanks to the three-lug design and bolt guides are machined into the lugs making for a very smooth action. The X-Bolt is also equipped with a button on top of the bolt handle that allows the bolt to be opened while the safety is engaged. This button allows the rifle to have a two-position safety mounted on the tang while offering a safe option for unloading.

The X-Bolt is an attractive looking rifle for many shooters. All sharp angles and rough edges are smoothed out with the X-bolt. The X-bolt also makes use of a few features that are a bit odd in the current market but that will find favor with many shooters. The X-Bolt uses a rotary magazine that tends to smooth out the kinks of feeding the new short magnums on the market. Stumpy, thick cartridges generally don’t like to feed very well, but the X-bolt feeds them better than most. The X-Bolt also has a small chunk of spring steel, almost silly in its simplicity, which pushes down on the rotary magazine, making it handier to remove quickly without sticking in the gun. The X-Bolt is a design with a lot of little things to appreciate.

The X-Bolt lost a point in the Trigger category because while the X-Bolt has an adjustable trigger the trigger guard of the rifle must be removed to get at the adjustment screw, which might prove aggravating at the range or in the field. A point was also deducted for Feeding/Extraction because the X-Bolt’s extractor does occasionally slip over case heads if not properly fit. One point was deducted in the Scope Mounting category due to Browning’s use of a proprietary eight screw/two piece base system that will probably be difficult to find a good selection of at any given sporting goods store. A point was deducted in the Accuracy category due to the fact that the X-Bolt usually delivers pretty good accuracy, but these specimens do not crop up more than we would like. One point was deducted in the Reliability category due to the tendency of the X-Bolt, just like the A-Bolt before it, to be susceptible to icing in extreme weather conditions varying between wet and freezing cold. If doused and then frozen the X-Bolt can lock up good and hard to the point the bolt cannot be opened without the use of a boot or wood block. This does not happen often and is even kind of hard to duplicate in testing, but it can happen and the buyer should keep it in mind. One last point was deducted from the X-Bolt in the Versatility category because the design does not lend itself very well to conversion or certain cartridges.

Ranked #7 of 7 in our Best Bolt Action Rifle Comparison