Gun Reviews Archives – Page 3 of 8

Smith & Wesson 642 for Concealed Carry

I have spent the better part of 5 years trying to find the right handgun for concealed carry, during which time I have actually carried 3 different handguns before finding the Smith & Wesson 642. All 3 of these previous handgun choices were fun to shoot but were too heavy, and too large or bulky. They would make my back hurt and would make the concealed carry aspect of dressing myself extremely challenging. The 642, however, meets all of my criteria for a carry gun.

The Smith & Wesson 642 is a very small, lightweight revolver chambered in .38 Special and is rated for +P. Its hammerless design makes it a nice, neat little package for personal carry, whether concealed or open. It is also sleek, sexy, and made with the craftsmanship that I have come to expect from Smith & Wesson. It is an all-around excellent choice for a carry gun.

The 642 has an aluminum alloy frame so it only weighs 15 ounces, unloaded, which is more than manageable. I have a lot of back pain so if my carry gun is too heavy, I am very miserable. The first week that I carried the 642, I kept checking my holster to make sure it wasn’t empty. The 642 does not weigh me down so I can almost forget that I’m wearing it.

Speaking of weight, the 642 only holds 5 rounds of ammunition, which helps keep it nice and light. I am not one who prepares for a firefight by carrying a semi auto, which holds a dozen or so rounds and who carries two back up magazines on my person as well. I only need a few rounds to drop an assailant and send his buddies running for cover while I run the other way so I’m good with only five rounds in the gun and some speed loaders in my purse for good measure.

No larger than a fast food napkin, the 642 is 6.375 inches from the tip of the barrel to the apex of the backstrap, and 4.25 inches from the top of the frame to the bottom of the grip. Excluding the grip, it is smaller than my hand and not much larger than an iPhone. All this to say, the 642 assimilates nicely into my daily wardrobe and behaves more as an extension of my body instead of a giant uninvited tumor on which I would whack my elbow twenty times per day.

Chiappa Triple Crown Review

Chiappa Firearms has produced their Triple Crown shotgun. As the name implies, there are three barrels of 12-gauge, 3-inch magnum awesomeness! The third barrel rests on top of and is incorporated into a traditional double barrel platform to form a pyramid shape. Three barreled shotguns were popular in Europe after WWI, but they have been extremely rare in America. Chiappa’s Triple Crown could completely change that.

The Triple Crown operates like traditional double barrel breach open shotguns, with a tang mounted break-open lever. The Chiappa Triple Crown is the sportsman model, with 28-inch barrels. Each shotgun barrel is designed to aim from a single front sight on the top barrel. That sight is a fiber optic sight for easy identification in a range of lighting conditions. Like many sport shotguns, the Triple Crown has also has a ventilated rib on the top barrel for easy sighting to the front fiber optic sight.

The Triple Crown specifications:

Overall length – 45 inches
Barrel length – 28 inches
Weight (unloaded) – 8.7 lbs.
Trigger pull – 8.5 lbs.
Caliber – 12 gauge (3” magnum)
Stock – Finished walnut
MSRP – $1629.

Another interesting design feature is the safety. When the barrels are returned to the closed position, the safety is in an “off” position, making the shotgun immediately ready to fire. This was specifically designed by Chiappa for its Triple Threat home defense user in mind, but is a great feature for the hunter preparing for fast-moving game. The safety is a slide lever on the tang. If the shooter engages the safety, then any future breach openings will close with the safety “on”.

The barrels come stock with a smooth cylinder bore that are threaded to also accommodate five interchangeable Rem-chokes. The stock is made of beautifully finished walnut making this a very nice looking and unique firearm.

The barrels are factory set to fire right, left then top barrel, with every trigger pull, and reset upon breach opening. Having three barrels provides options for the home defense shooter. Depending on location in the home and perceived threat, the shooter could load the barrels with a variety of loads from heavy shot, to 00 Buck, to slug.

The price tag of $1629 could likely be cost-prohibitive for many gun owners, but for those who desire the unique, the unusual, and the artistic, the Chiappa Triple Crown could very well be your gun.

Rossi Model 92 Review

One of the most iconic images in our cinematic history is the American cowboy with his lever action rifle. John Wayne had his 1873 Winchester. Chuck Connors had an 1892 Winchester. Even Zoe carried a mare’s leg 1892 in the “Firefly” universe. The lever action rifle is a uniquely American invention, a rifle design that was a huge leap forward in firearm technology, yet destined for the hands of American hunters and outdoorsmen rather than soldiers.

The Rossi Model 92 retains much of that heritage, from the walnut stock and forend to the curved buttstock that matches the receiver finish. Obviously designed after the 1892 Winchester rifle, the Rossi 92 has the same straight stock (as opposed to the curved, near-pistol grip of the Marlin 1894). Models are available in a wide variety of chamberings, from period-correct .44-40 and .45 Colt to more modern calibers such as .44 Magnum and .454 Casull. Barrel lengths vary from carbine length 16 inch up to full rifle 24 inch, and receiver finishes are available in stainless, blued, or case-hardened.

The model used for this review was chambered in .357 Magnum/.38 Special and came with a case-hardened receiver and blued, octagonal 24 inch barrel. The capacity of the tubular magazine is twelve rounds in either .38 Special or .357 Magnum. The front sight is a gold bead, and the rear sight is a buckhorn leaf. Both sights are adjustable, with the front drift-adjustable for windage and the rear has a sliding adjustment for elevation.

It’s not without its flaws and quirks, though. Loading is tedious and getting the last few rounds into the tubular magazine can be an exercise in finger strength. .357 Magnum cartridges are longer and often need to be “finessed” into the chamber. However, .38 Special cartridges loaded without incident. Brass from the last round in the magazine would often not get ejected from the rifle. The safety lever, while easy to use and manipulate, looks out of place on a classic lever action rifle.

These quirks and flaws do not take away from the rifle’s biggest strength, in my opinion, which is that this gun is just plain fun to shoot. With standard .38 Special loads, there is essentially zero recoil, especially in a seven pound rifle with a 24-inch barrel. During a shooting match, the 92 was passed from an experienced shooter to novice alike, including an 11-year old boy and everyone that used this firearm commented on how easy it was to handle. Even the heftier .357 Magnum rounds were easy to handle, with the long barrel turning all of that powder into velocity rather than muzzle flash.

Accuracy is very good for a pistol caliber rifle. 25-yard offhand groups measured an inch or less, and were no more a measure of the rifle’s accuracy than that of the shooter. If the purpose of this rifle is to harvest deer at distances out to 100 yards, it will perform this task admirably. No, it won’t match a Remington 700 in .308 Winchester at 200 yards, but it’s not designed for that task. If it’s a fun day of plinking with light .38 Special reloads or introducing a new shooter to rifles, the Rossi Model 92 is an ideal choice.

Reliability for the 92 was average. As mentioned above, loading .357 Magnum rounds required more than just closing the lever. It was necessary to close the lever slowly and in some cases a light “feathering” was needed to get the rounds into the chamber. It fed and fired everything reliably, and the only issues with ejection occurred with the last round in the magazine. Using the Model 92 as a defensive firearm might require a little gunsmithing of feed ramps and improving the springs, but out of the box for plinking it’s just fine.

The Rossi Model 92 is a solid lever action rifle based on the Winchester 1892. The MSRP starts as low as $559, for certain models. It’s available in pistol calibers only and is one of the best values in lever action rifles on the market. There are a few rough edges that may need to be smoothed out, but for a fun plinking rifle or an occasional deer-taker, the 92 is certainly up to the task at hand. Anyone in the market for a pistol caliber lever action rifle would be well-served to check out the Rossi Model 92 product line.

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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

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

Best Full Size Metal Frame Pistol

Full-sized, metal-framed pistols are becoming a bit more difficult to find in modern times. When the Glock 17 first hit the market, few people would have imagined that less than 30 years later polymer-framed guns would rule the market, yet they do today.

When setting out to rate the top 10 metal-framed pistols there were several guns noticeably absent from current production lines. For example, Smith & Wesson no longer sells any pistols from the “third generation” line that was extremely popular just two decades ago. Likewise, Ruger dropped all of the metal-framed handguns in its P-series.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
KEY
POOR		AVERAGE		GOOD		VERY GOOD		EXCELLENT
RANK
Product Name	SIG Sauer P226	Beretta 92	SIG Sauer P220	Jericho 941	Browning Hi Power	Kahr T9	CZ 75	Colt 1911	Tanfoglio Witness	Desert Eagle
Overall Rating
MSRP	$993	$650	$993	$630	$1,059	$831	$499	$915	$557	$1,594
Accuracy
Disassembly
Durability
Ergonomics
Fit/Finish
Recoil
Reliabilty
Reloading
Sights
Trigger
SPECIFICATIONS
Overall Length	7.7″	5.5″	7.7″	8.25″	7.75″	6.5″	8.11″	8.5″	8.1″	10.75″ to 14.75″
Barrel Length	4.4″	4.9″ to 6″	4.4″	4.52″	4.625″	3.965″	4.61″	5″	4.5″	6″ to 10″
Width	1.5	1.5″	1.5″	1.125″	1.4	0.9″	1.38″	1.3″	1.4″	1.25″ (slide)
Weight	34oz	34.4oz	30.4oz	38.6oz	36oz	28.1oz	34.7oz	37.5oz	33oz	69.8oz to 76.8oz
Made In:	Germany & USA	Italy & USA	Germany & USA	Israel	Belgium	USA	Czech Republic	USA	Italy	USA
CAPACITIES
9mm	15	17	N/A	16	13	8	16	N/A	17	N/A
.40 S&W	12	12	N/A	12	N/A	N/A	10	N/A	15	N/A
.45 ACP	N/A	N/A	8	10	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	7	10
Review	Read Review	Read Review	Read Review	Read Review	Read Review	Read Review	Read Review	Read Review	Read Review	Read Review

Of those that remain, the clear winners are the traditional SIG Sauer pistols, with the P226 taking the top honors. The P226 narrowly lost to the Beretta 92 for the United States Military’s M9 contract in the 1980’s. In our testing, it edged out the Italian guns, but just barely.

Even if public opinion favors plastic guns, the P226 is still the favorite of the US Navy SEALs and of many state and local police departments. Reliability, durability and accuracy under the worst possible conditions are what make this gun very popular.

The Beretta 92 series gun comes in at second place, with high marks in accuracy and reliability. In fact, had SIG not improved the ergonomics of the P226 with the E2 update several years ago, the 92 might have won the day.

The SIG P220 rounded out the top three. Many people consider this gun to be the daddy of modern pistol design in the free countries and it still performs great today. In fact, at no time has there been more variations or options available from SIG Sauer on these guns.

Rounding out the top ten are the Jericho 941, Browning Hi Power, Kahr T9, Colt 1911, Tanfoglio Witness and the Magnum Research Desert Eagle. Each of these pistols is a fine handgun and can provide years of service to the owner. Some are better suited for self-defense, while others have a home more aligned with the shooting sports.

Some people may be surprised to see the Colt 1911 score relatively low in this match-up. The 1911 and each of its variations are fine handguns. The unfortunate reality is the guns frequently need post-purchase work to make them run reliably with different kinds of ammunition. Some 1911 clone guns are made to such tight tolerances that hundreds of rounds are needed before they will run a single magazine of ammunition without problems.

Another problem with the 1911 is the arcane method of field stripping the handgun. Compared to every other pistol on the list, the 1911 is the most complicated. It is the only one on the list that has aftermarket tools to help with the disassembly just for standard cleaning.

In our review, we looked at how each gun ranks in the following categories:

Ergonomics and Recoil
The best guns in our lineup have a nice ergonomic design and are comfortable in your hand. We chose firearms that may offer a bit of recoil, but nothing that will knock you down.

Trigger and Accuracy
When choosing the perfect gun for yourself, you will want to take note of how reactive the trigger is. Also how accurate you are when shooting this firearm.

Reloading and Disassembly
Depending on your current knowledge of firearms and how comfortable you are with them will depend on how you view reloading the firearm as well as taking it apart.

Reliability and Durability
Most people searching for a metal pistol believe in having a gun that is always reliable and durable. We also considered these factors in our rankings.

Keep in mind that this top 10 ranking is a guide intended to assist shooters with making purchasing decisions. The individual shooter must determine for him- or herself what features are most important to them when buying a gun. The purchaser must also make up their own mind on what feels the best in their hand.

Kahr T9 Review

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