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Charter Arms Chic Lady Revolver Review

The time for women to prioritize their security and safety is already overdue. One of the most effective way for women to protect themselves is unarguably firearms. Manufacturers have got the hint and have started designing models focused on woman and have started garnering a good deal of adoration. As we review the Charter Arms Chic Lady pink revolver keep in mind what is important to you.

Over the past couple of years, Charter Arms has been cranking out many varieties of finishing options on their compact revolvers. Their ‘pink lady’ has more than attracted favor from the female users. The latest variation is known as the ‘Chic Lady’. Ladies undoubtedly will like the pink color.

What Do You Get?

Ignoring any frills it may have been pampered with, Charter Arms Chic Lady .38 special is a finely crafted firearm. This double action revolver doesn’t skimp. Includes 5-shot capacity, double action, 2″ barrel, with an enclosed hammer. Constructed of aircraft grade aluminum and steel it is surprisingly light.

Chic Lady is made with stainless steel parts that are highly polished. The parts give this Charter Arms revolver a sense style and class. The grip is nothing less than exceptionally comfortable. Sporting compact synthetic rubber grips making even the small-handed users enjoy the ease of shooting.

What Are the Details of the Chic Lady?

When unloaded, it weighs in at a mere 12 ounces. Even being classified as lightweight it still provides impressive stopping power. The single-action pull weighs just a couple of ounces over four pounds. The double-action pull is smooth, with a pull weight of barely over ten pounds. Charter Arms Chic Lady revolver comes with a barrel which is slightly just under two-inches in length with the barrel-cylinder gap measuring four one-thousandths of an inch.

In Summary

People agree Chic Lady is a superb compact revolver would work perfectly in a pocket or purse. The enclosed hammer will never snag on material, according to Charter Arms. Be at ease knowing that you have the right tool close by whenever you need it. Many women are looking for the constant peace of mind and or personal protection wherever they go. Chic Lady’s ease of conceal and carry hit the nail on the head for the woman market.

In conclusion, if you are a lady who wants something flashy and different. Chic Lady is the revolver to keep in mind. It could also a gift for a female friend which could prove really useful when the violator strikes. Security and safety is chambered in .38 with the Charter Arms Chic Lady.

SIG Sauer P220 Review

The SIG Sauer P220 was introduced in 1976, as a full sized handgun that launched the company to the forefront of modern pistol design. This pistol is extremely accurate and easy to operate. This design influenced many future pistols including the top metal-framed pistol: the P226.

Today, you can find the P220 is available in .45 ACP. A European version of the P220 is available in 9mm as a competition pistol. In the past, the P220 was also available in .38 Super. The vast majority of the pistols have been made in .45 caliber.

Ergonomics and Recoil
Most shooters will find that the P220 has very good ergonomics, fitting most hand sizes without a problem. The good grip works with the pistol’s size and SIG engineered it to create very mild recoil. Some claim the .45 ACP is a hard-recoiling cartridge, but most shooters rarely notice the recoil when shooting this pistol.

Trigger and Accuracy
You will find the accuracy of the P220 is exceptional. Sub-2-inch groups at 25 yards are readily made without the use of a rest. Like other traditional SIG Sauer pistols, the trigger options are double-action/single-action, single-action, double-action-only and DAK (double-action, Kellerman.)

Reloading and Disassembly
You will find that all modern P220 pistols use a push-button magazine release on the left side of the pistol. Once you push the button, the magazines all drop free. Older P220 pistols made in the 1970’s and 1980’s were made with either a button magazine release or a heel clip release. The heel clip release pistols were primarily found on European guns and not many were imported into the United States.

Like other traditional SIG handguns, you will find that taking the gun down is a straightforward process. The shooter should clear the weapon, lock the slide to the back and rotate the slide release lever down, perpendicular to the slide. Once done, the shooter merely eases the slide forward and off of the rails.

Reliability and Durability
SIG handguns enjoy a reputation of being ultra-reliable. Shooters find that this gun is no different, in fact, it helped build the legend. The P220 has seen action in combat all over the world, and it has proved itself as a superior performer. The guns are very durable and easily withstand anything thrown at them.

Final Verdict
The SIG Sauer P220 is a rock solid handgun. A shooter looking for a full size handgun with a metal frame that is chambered in .45 ACP would do well to consider this pistol. It will not fail when called upon.

Ranked #3 of 10 in our Best Metal Handgun Comparison

IWI Jericho 941 Review

Originally developed by Israel Weapon Industries, the Jericho 941 has been exported to the US market under the names of Baby Desert Eagle and Uzi Eagle. The current US importer is Magnum Research. This company brands the Jericho 941 as the Baby Desert Eagle II.

Magnum Research manufactures the larger Desert Eagle pistols, but there are no similarities between the two gun lines beyond the names. Like the Tanfoglio Witness, the Baby Desert Eagle is developed from the CZ 75 handgun.

The Jericho 941 pistols are currently being made in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP. Previously, the gun has been chambered for the .41 AE (Action Express). The .41 AE was designed to duplicate .41 Magnum law enforcement loads and was a predecessor to the 10mm and .40 S&W cartridges.

Ergonomics and Recoil
Shooters will find that the recoil in .40 S&W and .45 ACP is moderate, but very controllable. The recoil of 9mm cartridges is very light and easy to control when you are shooting rapidly. You will find that the ergonomics are good and similar to other CZ 75 clone pistols.

Trigger and Accuracy
The trigger pull on the Jericho is smooth but may seem slightly heavy for some shooters. Accuracy is very good with all kinds of ammo. As with any firearm, different ammo loads will make a significant difference in accuracy. But you will find that the Jericho seems to do very well with many different handgun loads.

Reloading and Disassembly
Like most semi-auto pistols, you reload the Jericho 941 by dropping the empty magazine using a push button on the left side of the gun. You then slide a loaded magazine into the empty mag well.

You will find that disassembly is very similar to many other metal-framed pistols. You pull back the slide just a bit. aligning two small dots on the frame and slide. Then you can push the slide stop out. Once you are done, the slide assembly can be removed from the frame.

Reliability and Durability
IWI is well known for building guns that stand up to all kinds of abuse in some exceptionally rugged environments. You will find that Jericho pistols are built to the same tough standards. The CZ 75 platform is considered very good, and the IWI implementation is an evolution forward from that original design.

Final Verdict
The Jericho 941 is a solid performer and reasonably priced. It is very accurate for a combat-type handgun and it will stand up to nearly any abuse a shooter is likely to dish out. For someone needing a full-size handgun, the 941 is an excellent handgun and worthy of consideration.

Ranked #4 of 10 in our Best Metal Handgun Comparison

Kahr T9 Review

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

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.

Weatherby Vanguard Synthetic Review

The Weatherby Vanguard has been around for a while now. It was originally introduced to give people the option of having the Weatherby name without the high price tag of the company’s very popular, but rather expensive, Mark V rifles. The Vanguard is even adorned with flutes on the bolt to give the appearance of a Mark V at first glance.

While the Vanguard was supposed to be something of a sideline, Weatherby now probably sells as many, if not more, Vanguards every year than their higher-end offerings. This is because the Vanguard is priced like a compromise, but usually turns out to be everything the average rifleman is looking for. The rifle can even be found in some of the more popular Weatherby cartridges, which allows people to give one of Roy’s bottle-necked offspring a try without investing a house payment in a Mark V.

The Vanguard is often compared to the Remington 700, which may or may not be cheaper depending on how dealers interpret MSRP, and there really is little that differs between the two functionally. The extractor on the Vanguard is larger than the one found on most of Remington’s offerings, a characteristic some would say results in correspondingly better extraction. This is a debate that has been going on for some time and is not likely to get worked out any time soon. For now, let’s just say the extractor on the Vanguard works well and leave it at that. The new model features a two-stage trigger and a safety with a third position that allows the bolt to be opened while the rifle cannot be fired. This is an improvement and is in line with the current trend in safeties. Weatherby now offers a conversion kit for the rifle that allows you to use detachable box magazines. This is also in line with current trends, but I’m not sure how many people will opt for it as the original magazine design works very well.

You may notice that the Vanguard lost a point in the scope mounting category. This does not mean that there is anything wrong with the mounting system used on the Vanguard – the mount is probably better than some employed on the other rifles in the comparison, but it’s not free. A first-time buyer will appreciate being able to go out in the field without first learning to install a scope mount so the Vanguard loses a point.

The Vanguard Synthetic now comes with a sub-MOA accuracy guarantee. This means that if you use Weatherby or other premium ammunition your Vanguard will shoot a 3 shot group less than .99 inches in diameter at one hundred yards. While it is nice to see this in print, this guarantee has more or less been a matter of course since the Vanguards started rolling off the line. With good glass and a shooter behind it that knows what they are doing, Vanguards will shoot one inch groups all day. Many Vanguard owners discover early on that with a little careful hand-loading these rifles with shoot well under an inch, even in magnum calibers.

The Vanguard is a lot of rifle for the money and, while some people might purchase them as an entry-level rifle, many become mainstays.

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

Winchester SXP Review

“Yeaahhh, everybody’s shootin’, chuka-chuka, pow-pow!”

Gotta love that Winchester commercial with the catchy little ditty of a theme song. Certainly it’s as memorable as the Winchester name, but only time will tell if the Winchester SXP pump-action is as worthy of such memory.

Not sure why, but for some reason the Winchester SXP reminds us of a Ruger 10/22. Maybe it’s the way the “satin finished” stock is made, but we expect to hear a little “ka-cha!” that the 10/22 makes when fired instead of the kaboom of a shotgun. Weird, right?

Winchester has a little experience in making firearms, right? They’re a Quintessential American company, but this gun is made in Turkey. Don’t worry though, it’s made to Winchester spec.

The styling is just okay. Nothing really impressive or remarkable about it. The safety also happens to be in front of the trigger guard, which we thought was an odd choice for locations considering most shooters are used to it being behind the trigger guard.

The shotgun does have some merits and features worth exploring and consideration for your purchase. Its 3” chambering lets you take down some of the heavier game out there. It’s got a really good recoil pad, a “dropout” trigger group for easy disassembly and cleaning, and what we believe is the most impressive feature on the gun: a rotary bolt system.

As recoil hits, the inertia of the bolt begins to cycle the action so that by the time you are ready to pump the next shell into the chamber, it’s already half done for you. Essentially with every shot, you just need to pull the forend forward and pull the trigger. Impressive indeed!

The SXP also features a hard-chromed chamber and bore instead of traditional bluing. Brass front-sight bead and the full array of choke tube options are available.

Chuka-chuka, pow-pow.

Ranked #7 of 7 in our Best Pump Shotgun Comparison