One very classy looking rifle in a very versatile caliber – The 243 Win to boot!
Justin Opinion shoots the Sig Sauer X-Five, one of the handguns to make this list. The X-Five is a full-sized pistol chambered in 9mm with a 21+1 capacity.
(Editor’s note: This article on the best handguns of 2017 first appeared in a newsletter for the Delaware State Sportsman’s Association (DSSA). It is being syndicated here with the permission of its author.)
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” begins one of Charles Dickens’ great novels. The line alluded to the fact that even during social, economic, or political tribulations there can come wonderful things. And, in some ways, those tribulations themselves create the proper conditions for other forms of prosperity.
Such is the case in the world of firearms. The constant assault on our fundamental right to keep and bear arms has directly or indirectly led to the most plentiful firearms market the world has ever seen. Demand has been so high for so long that manufacturers have been more willing to risk capital on new innovations and designs, and the ever-increasing competition in the marketplace has ensured that those who don’t will soon be left behind.
With 2017 now in our rearview, there are many “worst of times” elements on which we can dwell. But I’d like to continue into 2018 with optimism and briefly look back on the “best of times” from 2017. What I consider to be some of the best new handguns brought to market last year.
Every one of these handguns is worthy of a full article (see hyperlinks below). But I’ll keep it short and sweet here and tell you why I think the gun is relevant, what’s good about it, and why you might be interested. Think of this as a post-holiday-season-gift-list for those whom Santa might have forgotten something important.
Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Compact
The S&W M&P Compact 2.0. Check out Clay Martin’s full review.
I’m going to lay it on the line here by telling you up front that I think this is the best of the bunch. This gun fills a vacancy in Smith’s catalog that is long overdue. It sits in that sweet size category between full-size duty pistol and sub-compact (think Glock 19). It has plenty of barrel and a grip large enough to get all your fingers around, yet is small enough for concealed carry even under light garments.
But just fitting a mold doesn’t put it on the list. Smith got this one right, with the 2.0 upgrades to grip texture and trigger feel, while retaining all the famous features of the original M&P line, including magazine and holster compatibility. If you’re shopping for a pistol in this size range, you need to put this one on your list. Comes in 9mm and .40 SW currently, and MSRP is $569.
***Buy a New Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Compact on GunsAmerica***
Beretta APX
Check out Clay’s review of the Beretta APX.
Also throwing its hat in the ring for the military sidearm contract was Beretta, who was a long-odds contender even though it was the incumbent. And while it didn’t get the attention in the gun media that I think it deserves, the APX in 9mm is a fine pistol.
Perhaps my most pleasant surprise of the year. With a rugged appearance and putting function over form, this gun is a fun shooter and is accurate and reliable. The grip is also particularly friendly to smaller hands. Costing $575, it’s one you should look at.
***Buy a New Beretta APX on GunsAmerica***
HK VP9SK
Check out Justin Opinion’s full review of the VP9 SK.
If you made it past that alphabet soup, you might be familiar with Heckler & Koch, one of the world’s premier small arms makers, and – cover your ears Glock fans – the company that invented the polymer framed handgun.
Following the incredible commercial success of the VP9, the new variant with the SK suffix (which stands for “Sub-Kompact”) is a smaller and lighter version designed for the concealed carry market.
With peculiar features like cocking-assist tabs and European style magazine release paddles in the trigger guard, newcomers to the brand will see it as an oddity. But make no mistake; it is a top of line handgun – as is reflected by the list price of $719 for the base model and $819 for the law enforcement (LE) model, which adds night sights and an extra magazine.
***Buy a New HK VP9SK on GunsAmerica***
SIG Sauer P320 X-Five
Check out Justin Opinion’s full review of the P320 X-Five.
This pistol was designed with competition in mind. Particularly the combat-oriented sports, like IDPA and USPSA. It’s like a polymer framed race gun right out of the box – with adjustable sights that include a fiber optic front, a steel magwell for faster reloads, and four 21-round magazines. It’s also a big boy, with an overall length of 8 ½ inches and standing almost 6 inches tall.
The 9mm bull barrel and full-length dust cover give the gun good balance against the steel weight inserted into the backstrap, providing almost 36 ounces of evenly distributed weight that makes recoil feel soft and keeps the sights on target. It’ll cost you, though. With an MSRP of $1,005 it tops this list in price – but also in features. Not the least of which is a crisp short-stroke flat trigger that is a dream to run fast.
***Buy a New SIG Sauer P320 X-Five on GunsAmerica***
Glock 17 Gen5
The new Glock 19 and Glock 17. Check out Clay’s full review of both.
Yes, Glock introduced a new model this year – two in fact. The G17 and G19 in Gen5 (that’s fifth generation if you don’t speak Glockish). Both 9mm, and separated in design only by a slight sizing difference and two rounds of standard capacity. The G17 is the larger of the two and holds 17 rounds in its magazine.
While likely aimed for the military trials, the Gen5 Glock made it to production to support the FBI’s new specifications for a sidearm and was awarded that contract. The commercial version differs little from the one that special agents will be issued.
Most noticeable among the changes is the lack of finger grooves molded into the polymer handle of the pistol – something even Glock lovers have long complained about. It is also now more left-hander friendly with a slide stop/release on both sides of the pistol and the ability (as previously existed) to reverse the magazine catch.
Sporting a darker new finish that might be more durable, three magazines, optional grip size adjustments, and retail price around $650, the new Glock will surely sell well.
***Buy a New Glock 17 Gen5 on GunsAmerica***
CZ P-10 C
Check out Clay’s full review of the CZ P10C.
The “cool” people in the gun world know that some of the finest firearms in the world are made in the Czech Republic. This is true today and has been true for decades.
For 2017, the Czechs offered us a new polymer framed, striker-fired handgun to compete among some of the world’s most popular staples. This 15-shot pistol with a 4-inch barrel has dared to challenge the reigning king, Glock 19 for market share. And it will get some – maybe a lot.
It’s a very nice handgun, with a much better trigger than any Glock ever made, better sights standard, and fits in a Glock 19 or 17 holster. The P-10 C (“C” is for compact) also has very good ergonomics and recoil management. By all initial accounts, it is durable and reliable, and very accurate.
Best of all, the asking price is just $499. Comes with two magazines, if you can find one in stock anywhere – which may be the only real negative at this time. It’s another one you need to look closely at.
***Buy a New CZ P-10 C on GunsAmerica***
Conclusion
No doubt I’ve left off a favorite or two, or favored the wrong gun over another for some folks. That’s what makes a horse race. But I hope I’ve given you some starter intel that will have you sounding like you know what you’re doing at the gun counter.
Whatever you choose, remember that you’re able to do so because in America we cherish our freedoms, and there are not many we cherish more than our right to keep and bear arms. And by all forecasts, it looks like we’re in for another year of combat with those who would love to see us lose that precious right.
You’ll probably save a few bucks on that new gun during this post-holiday sales frenzy. Why not use some of that money to help ensure that DSSA and NRA have the funds they need to remind lawmakers in Dover and D.C. that we’re here and we’re serious. Let’s keep the worst of times from becoming reality.
Deer hunting is a culture-based hobby. It is ideally introduced at a young age to the lucky few whose family either grew up in or currently reside in the rural parts of the United States. It teaches you hard work, following through with a plan, respecting life and death, understanding masculine activities, competing against yourself to achieve your highest capabilities, and the hunter-gatherer mentality.
Around the ages of seven to thirteen, one is usually introduced to deer camp, shooting, and the world of hunting large deer. Prospective hunters are brought into a culture dominated by the yearly event of men leaving their wives for a week or two in order to drive into the middle of nowhere, sit around a camp fire, drink beer and whiskey, discuss weapon choices for killing deer, play poker, and generally just shoot the shit with like-minded family and friends.
The difference between this and a social club is that this phenomenon is centered upon the hope that you will have a successful hunt and return home to a wife that cooks your game and delights in the fact that her husband is one of the select few who can show her that he is capable and willing to provide for her and his family in the simplest form.
Why You Should Learn To Hunt Deer
In a hunter’s mind, there is nothing sexier than a woman who can cook his game efficiently and finds happiness in feeding her family with the healthiest form of meat currently available in the United States. It is a truly amazing thing that represents a family’s ability to respect traditional roles and a feeling of security that they can survive in a non-contemporary society if need be. Deer hunting is the closest a modern man can get to experiencing the hunter-gatherer lifestyle.
I remember my first time at deer camp at the age of fifteen. My grandfather asked me if I wanted to go with my uncles, cousins, and him. I enthusiastically accepted and looked forward to it all summer long. I remember laying out all of my hunting gear and preparing the 30-30 Marlin hunting rifle handed down to me by my father. During these countless hours, I learned my first lessons in deer hunting; taking the initiative, setting a goal, and seeing it all the way through.
When I arrived at camp, I was delighted to see my family. I imagine I had a gleam in my eye that they could relate to when they were my age. I was immediately put to work chopping firewood my first afternoon. This was an important moment and symbolized that I was not only expected to carry my own weight, but also stated that they considered me one of them and not just some young boy who needed to be cradled.
We sat around the fire, cooked baked potatoes, and ate steak. In the evenings, we played poker with a sack of quarters while all of us competed for the coveted fifty-cent piece. When we arose in the morning in the cold and dark, I drank my first cup of coffee with a smile, looked out into the woods, and imagined the record bucks that we would all have hanging from the camp pole.
Although that didn’t happen for me that year, the actual result of being successful my first year at camp really didn’t make a difference. I came home from that trip forever hooked on deer hunting and a solid appreciation for my fellow man. It was a right of passage that had to be earned, and it was one of the greatest moments in my life.
Masculinity And Deer Hunting
As time has gone on, I have been extremely lucky to have successfully hunted and killed multiple deer—as well as many trophy bucks—over the course of my life. It has become an obsession of mine and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. As I became a more experienced hunter, I have leased many different properties and hunted family land. I have prepared properties for deer by running farm machinery, planting crops, and reaped what I have sown with my hard work.
Every year, I look forward to hunting season and proving my skills to myself and other hunters within my hunting world.
In conclusion, deer hunting is a hobby that every man should explore. Almost every state within the U.S. has available hunting land, and with a little research, you should easily be able to go out and hunt. If this article draws any interest, I will follow up with specifics on how to kill deer successfully without the help of anyone.
Read More: 5 Reasons Why Every Man Should Go Hunting Once In Their Lifetime
I bet that long barrel wrings every ounce of power out of that Pistol Round.
by B. Gil Horman – Thursday, May 4, 2017
It’s always interesting to see how changes in consumer demand, technology, regulations and politics mingle together to shape and influence the ever-shifting shooting-industry landscape. The results are sometimes confusing, occasionally frustrating but often surprising. The rifle tested for this review is a case in point. The new bolt-action RugerAmerican Rifle Ranch chambered in .450 Bushmaster was inspired in large part by new deer-hunting regulations in Michigan. The result is a handy, lightweight brush gun that packs plenty of punch.
Michigan expanded what was formerly known as the “shotgun zone” (in the lower peninsula) into the Limited Firearm Deer Zone in 2014, much to the delight of local hunters. In addition to shotguns, deer hunters can now use rifles chambered for straight-walled cartridges between 1.16″ to 1.80″ in length topped with .35-cal. or larger bullets. This definition allows for popular big-bore revolver cartridges including the .357 Mag., .44 Mag., .454 Casull and .500 S&W.
However, there is a straight-walled rifle cartridge designed for the AR-15 platform which also meets the Michigan requirements. The .450 Bushmaster thumper round launches .452-cal. bullets weighing 250 gr. or 260 gr. from a 1.70″ long cartridge case at velocities over 2000 fps. The resulting round boasts performance on par with the .45-70 Gov’t but in a more compact configuration. With Michigan hunters buying up straight-walled cartridge carbines and rifles like hotcakes, the folks at Ruger saw an opportunity to modify an existing platform to fill the niche.
The new Ruger .450 Bushmaster American Rifle Ranch is the third member of the American bolt-action line designed to fire AR-15 semi-automatic cartridges, including models chambered for the .223 Rem. and .300 Blackout. The 16.12″ cold-hammer-forged barrel is free-floated and has a muzzle threaded at 11/16-24 TPI. The muzzle is then fitted at the factory with a specially designed muzzle brake secured by an adjustable barrel nut in place of a crush washer.
The steel receiver is topped with a factory-installed 5″ aluminum optics rail compatible with Picatinny-type scope mounting systems. The single-piece, three-lug bolt cycles smoothly and features a full diameter bolt body, dual cocking cams and a round knob bolt handle. The bolt handle’s 70-degree throw keeps it clear of the optic.
The tang-mounted sliding safety provides easy and intuitive operation. On the left side of the receiver is a bolt release which can be used to remove the bolt assembly without the need to touch the trigger.
The receiver is mounted to the lightweight Flat Dark Earth synthetic stock using Ruger’s patent-pending Power Bedding integral bedding block system, which plays a key role in the rifle’s top-notch accuracy. The exterior of the stock is nicely shaped with non-abrasive texturing and serrations along the fore-end and grip. Other stock features include a rounded integral trigger guard, an exceptionally soft recoil pad, front and rear sling swivel studs and a red Ruger eagle logo at the base of the grip.
The Ruger Marksman single-stage adjustable trigger provides the feel and performance of aftermarket upgrades, which are often fairly expensive to buy. An Allen screw mounted to the front of the assembly (which is exposed when the action is removed from the stock) can be used to shift the trigger pull weight from 3 lbs. to 5 lbs. This particular trigger was set to 4 lbs. 4 oz. when it arrived, and exhibited a clean, crisp break with almost no overtravel. The safety lever found in the center of the trigger, much like that of a Savage Accutrigger or Glock pistol, locks the trigger and prevents it from cycling until it’s properly depressed by a finger tip.
The other versions of the Rifle Ranch ship with flush-fit 5-round rotary magazines. To accommodate the sausage-sized .450 Bushmaster, this rifle ships with one single-stack, 3-round magazine that extends about an inch below the magazine well. The magazine’s polymer release lever is incorporated into the front of the magazine instead of the receiver.
I’ve had the opportunity to handle a few different models of the American bolt action and I have to say that overall I am impressed with the line. They’re not fancy or pretty like some of the classic hardwood-stocked bolt guns. But the fit, finish and performance are a big step above the price tags these guns sport. My brother picked up a Standard model chambered in .243 Win. with a scope package on sale for under $400 a couple of years ago. He bought it for his daughter to use as a deer rifle. His handloaded hunting round for that gun shoots just under 0.75″ at 100 yards from a benchrest. We were both impressed considering his much more expensive hunting rifle doesn’t shoot any better than that. The Power Bedding and Marksman adjustable trigger allow the American to outperform other rifles in this same price range.
Some folks may see the addition of a muzzle brake as something of a nicety, but in truth it’s more of a necessity for this gun. Experiencing the hearty recoil of this lightweight 5 lbs. 8 oz. rifle with the brake firmly installed quelled any curiosity I might have had to shoot a few rounds with the brake removed for comparison. In short, this is not a gun for beginners or the recoil sensitive. However, the combination of the muzzle brake and effective recoil pad keeps the rifle manageable for those who don’t mind a little excitement when pulling the trigger.
At the shooting range the American Rifle Ranch ran like a champion. The bolt cycled smoothly and the trigger felt great. The rifle fed, fired and ejected without any malfunction of either the mechanical or ammunition type. All of the controls functioned properly and as advertised. It’s a compact rifle that swings nicely and will be comfortable to carry on those all-day hikes through the wilderness.
The primary limitation of choosing to buy a .450 Bushmaster these days is a severely limited selection of ammunition. At the time of this writing, the only two companies offering this cartridge are Hornady and Remington—with both companies providing just one option. Remington didn’t have any of its Accutip loads in stock for testing.
So, the only load I had on hand to work with was Hornady’s Black label 250-gr. FTX with a listed velocity of 2200 fps. (using a 20″ barrel) for a muzzle energy of 2686 ft. lbs. To see how this load performed out of the shorter 16.12″ barrel, 10 consecutive rounds were fired across a Lab Radarchronograph. The velocity average was 2184 fps. for a muzzle energy level of 2648 ft. lbs. That’s just about a 1 percent drop in velocity with only a 38 ft. lb. loss of energy with a 3.88″ shorter barrel. I see nothing to complain about here.
For accuracy testing, the rifle was couched in a benchrest and fired at 100 yards using a trusty but well-worn Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 3-9×40 mm riflescope. Of the five, 5-shot groups, the smallest group was 1.03″ with an average of 1.10″. The photo here shows the first shot of a 5-shot group punching out a 0.75” orange paster used as an aiming point on the target. Based on these results, if Hornady’s Black load is the only one on the dealer’s shelf, you’re going to do just fine.
Ruger’s new American Rifle Ranch chambered in .450 Bushmaster is another example of how the company is striving to meet their customers’ needs with quality products at a reasonable price. This brush gun and ammunition combination is well-suited to taking medium and large game at moderate distances. If you prefer a wood stock to synthetic, then take a look at the new Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle, which is now offered in .450 Bushmaster as well.
Specifications
Manufacturer: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Model: American Rifle Ranch
Action: Bolt-Action
Caliber: .450 Bushmaster
Finish: Matte Black Steel
Stock: Flat Dark Earth Synthetic, Rubber Recoil Pad
Sights: None
Scope Mount: 5″ One-Piece, Aluminum
Barrel Length: 16.12″
Muzzle: 11/16-24 TPI Threaded
Muzzle Device: Large Port Brake with Jam Nut
Overall Length: 36″
Length of Pull (LOP): 13.75″
Trigger: Ruger Marksman Single-Stage, 3-5 lbs. Adjustable
Trigger Pull: 4 lbs. 4 oz. (As Tested)
Weight: 5 lbs. 8 oz.
Capacity: 3-Round Removable Polymer Box Magazine
Twist: 1:16″ RH
Rifle Grooves: 6
Accessories: One Magazine, Lock, Owner’s Manual
MSRP: $599
Michigan expanded what was formerly known as the “shotgun zone” (in the lower peninsula) into the Limited Firearm Deer Zone in 2014, much to the delight of local hunters. In addition to shotguns, deer hunters can now use rifles chambered for straight-walled cartridges between 1.16″ to 1.80″ in length topped with .35-cal. or larger bullets. This definition allows for popular big-bore revolver cartridges including the .357 Mag., .44 Mag., .454 Casull and .500 S&W.
However, there is a straight-walled rifle cartridge designed for the AR-15 platform which also meets the Michigan requirements. The .450 Bushmaster thumper round launches .452-cal. bullets weighing 250 gr. or 260 gr. from a 1.70″ long cartridge case at velocities over 2000 fps. The resulting round boasts performance on par with the .45-70 Gov’t but in a more compact configuration. With Michigan hunters buying up straight-walled cartridge carbines and rifles like hotcakes, the folks at Ruger saw an opportunity to modify an existing platform to fill the niche.
The new Ruger .450 Bushmaster American Rifle Ranch is the third member of the American bolt-action line designed to fire AR-15 semi-automatic cartridges, including models chambered for the .223 Rem. and .300 Blackout. The 16.12″ cold-hammer-forged barrel is free-floated and has a muzzle threaded at 11/16-24 TPI. The muzzle is then fitted at the factory with a specially designed muzzle brake secured by an adjustable barrel nut in place of a crush washer.
The steel receiver is topped with a factory-installed 5″ aluminum optics rail compatible with Picatinny-type scope mounting systems. The single-piece, three-lug bolt cycles smoothly and features a full diameter bolt body, dual cocking cams and a round knob bolt handle. The bolt handle’s 70-degree throw keeps it clear of the optic.
The tang-mounted sliding safety provides easy and intuitive operation. On the left side of the receiver is a bolt release which can be used to remove the bolt assembly without the need to touch the trigger.
The receiver is mounted to the lightweight Flat Dark Earth synthetic stock using Ruger’s patent-pending Power Bedding integral bedding block system, which plays a key role in the rifle’s top-notch accuracy. The exterior of the stock is nicely shaped with non-abrasive texturing and serrations along the fore-end and grip. Other stock features include a rounded integral trigger guard, an exceptionally soft recoil pad, front and rear sling swivel studs and a red Ruger eagle logo at the base of the grip.
The Ruger Marksman single-stage adjustable trigger provides the feel and performance of aftermarket upgrades, which are often fairly expensive to buy. An Allen screw mounted to the front of the assembly (which is exposed when the action is removed from the stock) can be used to shift the trigger pull weight from 3 lbs. to 5 lbs. This particular trigger was set to 4 lbs. 4 oz. when it arrived, and exhibited a clean, crisp break with almost no overtravel. The safety lever found in the center of the trigger, much like that of a Savage Accutrigger or Glock pistol, locks the trigger and prevents it from cycling until it’s properly depressed by a finger tip.
The other versions of the Rifle Ranch ship with flush-fit 5-round rotary magazines. To accommodate the sausage-sized .450 Bushmaster, this rifle ships with one single-stack, 3-round magazine that extends about an inch below the magazine well. The magazine’s polymer release lever is incorporated into the front of the magazine instead of the receiver.
I’ve had the opportunity to handle a few different models of the American bolt action and I have to say that overall I am impressed with the line. They’re not fancy or pretty like some of the classic hardwood-stocked bolt guns. But the fit, finish and performance are a big step above the price tags these guns sport. My brother picked up a Standard model chambered in .243 Win. with a scope package on sale for under $400 a couple of years ago. He bought it for his daughter to use as a deer rifle. His handloaded hunting round for that gun shoots just under 0.75″ at 100 yards from a benchrest. We were both impressed considering his much more expensive hunting rifle doesn’t shoot any better than that. The Power Bedding and Marksman adjustable trigger allow the American to outperform other rifles in this same price range.
Some folks may see the addition of a muzzle brake as something of a nicety, but in truth it’s more of a necessity for this gun. Experiencing the hearty recoil of this lightweight 5 lbs. 8 oz. rifle with the brake firmly installed quelled any curiosity I might have had to shoot a few rounds with the brake removed for comparison. In short, this is not a gun for beginners or the recoil sensitive. However, the combination of the muzzle brake and effective recoil pad keeps the rifle manageable for those who don’t mind a little excitement when pulling the trigger.
At the shooting range the American Rifle Ranch ran like a champion. The bolt cycled smoothly and the trigger felt great. The rifle fed, fired and ejected without any malfunction of either the mechanical or ammunition type. All of the controls functioned properly and as advertised. It’s a compact rifle that swings nicely and will be comfortable to carry on those all-day hikes through the wilderness.
The primary limitation of choosing to buy a .450 Bushmaster these days is a severely limited selection of ammunition. At the time of this writing, the only two companies offering this cartridge are Hornady and Remington—with both companies providing just one option. Remington didn’t have any of its Accutip loads in stock for testing.
So, the only load I had on hand to work with was Hornady’s Black label 250-gr. FTX with a listed velocity of 2200 fps. (using a 20″ barrel) for a muzzle energy of 2686 ft. lbs. To see how this load performed out of the shorter 16.12″ barrel, 10 consecutive rounds were fired across a Lab Radarchronograph. The velocity average was 2184 fps. for a muzzle energy level of 2648 ft. lbs. That’s just about a 1 percent drop in velocity with only a 38 ft. lb. loss of energy with a 3.88″ shorter barrel. I see nothing to complain about here.
For accuracy testing, the rifle was couched in a benchrest and fired at 100 yards using a trusty but well-worn Bushnell Legend Ultra HD 3-9×40 mm riflescope. Of the five, 5-shot groups, the smallest group was 1.03″ with an average of 1.10″. The photo here shows the first shot of a 5-shot group punching out a 0.75” orange paster used as an aiming point on the target. Based on these results, if Hornady’s Black load is the only one on the dealer’s shelf, you’re going to do just fine.
Ruger’s new American Rifle Ranch chambered in .450 Bushmaster is another example of how the company is striving to meet their customers’ needs with quality products at a reasonable price. This brush gun and ammunition combination is well-suited to taking medium and large game at moderate distances. If you prefer a wood stock to synthetic, then take a look at the new Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle, which is now offered in .450 Bushmaster as well.
Specifications
Manufacturer: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Model: American Rifle Ranch
Action: Bolt-Action
Caliber: .450 Bushmaster
Finish: Matte Black Steel
Stock: Flat Dark Earth Synthetic, Rubber Recoil Pad
Sights: None
Scope Mount: 5″ One-Piece, Aluminum
Barrel Length: 16.12″
Muzzle: 11/16-24 TPI Threaded
Muzzle Device: Large Port Brake with Jam Nut
Overall Length: 36″
Length of Pull (LOP): 13.75″
Trigger: Ruger Marksman Single-Stage, 3-5 lbs. Adjustable
Trigger Pull: 4 lbs. 4 oz. (As Tested)
Weight: 5 lbs. 8 oz.
Capacity: 3-Round Removable Polymer Box Magazine
Twist: 1:16″ RH
Rifle Grooves: 6
Accessories: One Magazine, Lock, Owner’s Manual
MSRP: $599
Smith & Wesson Model 41
| Smith & Wesson Model 41 | |
|---|---|
 Smith & Wesson Model 41
|
|
| Type | Semi Automatic Pistol |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 41 oz |
| Length | 10 1⁄2“ |
| Barrel length | 5 1⁄2” or 7″ |
|
|
|
| Cartridge | .22 long rifle |
| Action | blowback, single action only |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Feed system | 10-round single column, detachable box magazine |
The Smith & Wesson Model 41 is a semi-automatic pistoldeveloped by Smith & Wesson after World War II as a competitive target pistol.
It was designed with a 105 degree grip angle, the same as the Colt M1911 pistol, to maintain a consistent grip angle.[1]
Production history[edit]
In July 1947 two prototypes, numbered X-41 and X-42 were produced, tested, and improved for the next 10 years. In 1957 the Model 41 was made available to the public for sale when S&W produced 679 units.[2]
At the end of 1958, they had built 9,875 Model 41 pistols. A lighter 5″ barrel was offered in 1958 for field use. The Model 41-1 was introduced in 1960 and was chambered in .22 Short for International Rapid Fire competition.
Only 1000 were made using light aluminum slides necessary for function with the lower powered .22 Short.
In August 1963, the 5″ heavy barrel version came into the market. Stoeger’s Shooter’s Bible of 1964 shows a 7 3/8″ barrel grooved for Olympic center weights.
The cocking indicator and 7 3/8″ bbl were dropped in 1978. The 7″ bbl was introduced in 1978 with no provision for a muzzle brake.
A 6″ barrel was offered for a few months in 1991. In 1992 the Model 41 was dropped from production. In 1994 Smith & Wesson returned it to production as the Model 41 (New Model).[3]
Model 46[edit]
In 1957, Smith & Wesson offered a “no frills” version of the Model 41 designated the model 46. In 1959 it was selected by the U.S. Air Force for basic marksmanship training.
About 4000 units were made in total: 2500 with a 7-inch barrel, 1000 with 5 inch barrels and 500 5 1/2 inch barrels.
The pistol lacked the checkering, polished blue finish, and other refinements of the Model 41.
It proved to be a commercial failure with consumers who preferred the more costly Model 41 and production ceased in 1966, according to firearm historian Sam Fadala.[4]
References[edit]
- Jump up^ Hartink, A.E. (2002). The Complete Encyclopedia of Pistols and Revolvers. Edison, New Jersey: Chartwell Books, Inc. pp. 271–272. ISBN 978-0-7858-1519-8.
- Jump up^ Jinks, Roy G.; Krein, Sandra C. (2006). Smith & Wesson (MA) (Images of America). Boston: Arcadia Publishing. p. 128. ISBN 978-0-7385-4510-3.
- Jump up^ Supica, Jim; Richard Nahas (2007). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (3 ed.). F+W Media, Inc. p. 279. ISBN 978-0-89689-293-4.
- Jump up^ Fadala, Sam (2002). “Smith & Wesson’s Model 41: collectibles, edibles, and a lesson in history”. American Handgunner. 22(6): 83.
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