BUYING GUIDE - Gun Tests · Gun-Tests.com 3 HEAD TO HEAD Tactical 1911 Pistol Shoot Out: SIG Sauer Vs. Smith & Wesson Is S&W’s SW1911 E-Series pistol really ‘enhanced,’ or is

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2 Gun TesTs PISTOLS BUYING GUIDE

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SIG VS S&W SHOOT OUT Is S&W’s SW1911 E-Series pistol ‘enhanced,’ or is it just gussied up with ‘fish scales?’ And is SIG’s TACOPS tactical and operational?. We test them to find out. ��3

THREE MORE 10MM AUTOSValue Guide: Revolver Bargain Hunter ��9

FULL-SIZE STRIKER-FIRESTested in 9mm Luger: S&W’s M&P9 M2.0, the Ruger American Pro Duty, and the Springfield Armory XD MOD.2 4-Inch Service pistol. Outcome on. ��14

Value guide:1911 9mm/45 ACP Pistol Ratings. ��21

Value guide:10mm/40 S&W Pistol Ratings. ��23

Gun Tests Pistols Buying Guide is published by by AG Media, Inc., 111 Corporate Drive, Big Sandy, TX 75755-2446, Copyright © 2017, AG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photography, recording, or by any other information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Printed in the United States of America.

Gun-Tests.com 33

HEAD TO HEAD

Tactical 1911 Pistol Shoot Out:SIG Sauer Vs. Smith & WessonIs S&W’s SW1911 E-Series pistol really ‘enhanced,’ or is it just gussied up with ‘fish scale’ serrations and whatnot? And is the SIG TACOPS tactical and operational? We shoot them to see.

The 1911 handgun has survived for more than one hundred years based on excellent ergonomics, great reliability, and its ability to chamber a fight-stopping cartridge. Modern 1911 handguns are

much evolved from the Colt 1911 first issued to Army troops in 1911. However, a doughboy going to Europe in 1917 would be able to instantly load, make safe, fire and use a modern 1911 handgun. The ability of the platform to accept a weapon-mounted light was an inevitable part of the 1911’s evolution, because a gun-mounted combat light is a good tactical addition. They allow for the identification of a threat, illumination of an area, and make fail-safe identification possible.

Top left: A 1911’s ability to accept a light is part of the handgun’s evolution. A gun-mounted combat light allows for the illumination of an area and fail-safe identification — an important consideration for home-defense use. Bottom: The pistols were fitted with a variety of lights during the test period, including these by NcStar on the all-black SIG TACOPS and an Insight Technology M6 LED on the Smith & Wesson 1911TA E Class. Each retails for around a thousand dollars.

Two so-equipped full-size 1911s are the SIG TACOPS and the Smith & Wesson 1911TA E Class. The SIG Sauer 1911 TACOPS 1911R-45TACOPS, $1213 list, is a no-nonsense black tactical pistol. We found it at DefenderOutdoors.com for $1,080, at BudsGunShop.com for a cash discount price of $1,062, and for $910 at GrabAGun.com. Our test gun is part of the larger SIG 1911 family, which at our last count, had 31 members. Generally speaking, SIG 1911s have done very well in our evaluations. In the October 2014 issue, we graded a 1911 Carry Scorpion 1911CAR-45-SCPN as a B+. In the November 2013 issue, a 1911 Carry Stainless 1911CA-45-SSS earned an A- grade and a “Best Buy” nod. In the February 2009 issue, a 1911 C3 No. 19GS0031 earned an A grade. In the May 2006 issue, a Sigarms 1911 GSR No. 19GS0001 earned a Conditional Buy, mainly because of its price, not its functionality. We’d translate that to a B+ today.

S&W’s SW1911 “E” Series pistols are supposed to be “enhanced, with tight tolerances, precision-fit trigger, chamfered and recessed muzzle, “fish-scale” scalloped slide serrations and other premium features commonly found on custom-made firearms. The standard E-series 1911s come in blued or stainless steel, and the model number with “SC” appended have scandium-alloy frames. The blued version we tested is #108409, while the stainless model is #108411. List for our test gun is $1399, and we saw it for sale at DefenderOutdoors.com for $1140, TombstoneTactical.com for $1099, and at BudsGunShop.com for $1065.

Smith 1911s have not matched SIG’s level of performance in our tests. In the April 2010 issue, the S&W Model SW1911 No. 178017 in 9mm got a B+. A 45 ACP Smith & Wesson MSW1911 No. 108284 earned a B+ in the February 2010 issue. In March 2006, a 1911SC No. 108289 got a “Don’t Buy” rating, as did a 1911PD No.

4 Gun TesTs PISTOLS BUYING GUIDE 4

SIG SAUER 1911 TACOPS 1911R-45TACOPS45 ACP, $1213

Gun Tests grade: AThe SIG TACOPS has a lot going for it. Accuracy and handling

cannot be faulted. The pistol is reliable, accurate enough for any reasonable task, and has all of the features needed for a viable

service-grade handgun.

108296 tested in the November 2005. Way back in April 2003, we tested the first-year version of the company’s 1911 and said “Buy It” to a Smith & Wesson 1911 45 ACP.

But history isn’t necessarily destiny at Gun TesTs. Out of the box, the Smith & Wesson had more bling and eye appeal, no denying that. And at the heart of each pistol was a tight barrel-to-slide fit, which provided X-ring accuracy without sacrificing reliability. Just like you, we prefer to shoot good guns, and what we found here were two pretty good ones, though our team had its preference at the end.

SIG Sauer 1911 TACOPS1911R-45TACOPS

45 ACP, $1213The SIG TACOPS is the latest

in SIG’s development of the 1911. The Granite Series Rail gun was the original pistol, and it was the primogenitor of quite a few SIG-made 1911 handguns. SIG introduced a 1911 without a light rail to complement the GSR, compact versions, and the latest TACOPS pistol. The primary difference in appearance between this handgun and other 1911 handguns is the slide configuration. The slide is subtly different in appearance to preserve a resemblance to the highly successful SIG P-series pistols, such as the P220, P226, P229 and others. The resemblance is there, and some do not care for it. The primary consideration in purchasing the SIG is to be certain that the holsters you wish to use are available for the SIG 1911 slide design. Some leather holsters will accept the SIG when they are cut for the standard slide, and over time they will morph to fit the SIG. Others, well, no way and no how. Then there is the added complication of holstering a 1911 with a rail, and this applies to all guns with rails, which we’ll call “rail guns” for short hereafter. Just be aware of the searching you may have to do to fit the SIG to a quality holster. Every holster maker does not have the mold.

The SIG features an external

Action Semi-Auto; Locked Breech Single-Action Overall Length 8.5 in.Overall Height 5.3 in.Maximum Width 1.5 in.Weight Unloaded 41.5 oz.Weight Loaded 46.5 oz.Barrel Length 5.0 in.Barrel Steel 1:16 TwistMagazine 8-Rd. Detachable BoxSlide Nitron-Finished StainlessFrame Nitron-Finished StainlessFrame Front Strap Height 2.6 in.Frame Back Strap Height 3.2 in.Grips Black Ergo XTGrip Thickness 1.5 in.Grip Circumference 5.5 in.Sights Novak’s Lo-Mount Tritium Night SightsTrigger SkeletonizedTrigger Pull Weight Single Action 6.25 lbs.Trigger Span Single Action 2.4 in.Safety Slide Lock Safety, Beavertail Grip SafetyRail 3-Slot M1913Warranty Limited LifetimeTelephone (603) 610-3000Website SIGSauer.comMade In/By NH, SIG Sauer

This upswept beavertail safety does what it is supposed to do — increase firing comfort, help activate the safety and unlock the trigger, and spread recoil over a wider area.

Above: Alien Gear’s holster fit the SIG well. The SIG’s slide makes finding holsters harder.

As the profile above shows, Novak’s LoMount sights (rear below) are a fine choice for a defensive pistol.

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Gun-Tests.com 55

extractor. While the P-series extractors are trouble free, the 1911 is a different design of the same type. It worked just fine in our tests of the TACOPS and similar SIG handguns. The hammer is a skeletonized design. The sights are Novak low-mount units. These sights are never a bad choice for a fighting pistol, in our estimation. The Novak sights feature self-luminous tritium inserts in a three-dot arrangement.

There are slide serrations only at the rear and no forward cocking serrations. While some prefer that the forward serrations be deleted, for gloved-hand use and for the greatest leverage in clearing a stuck cartridge, the forward cocking serrations are a good bet. This was a demerit to the SIG because the Smith & Wesson does have forward cocking serrations.

The SIG features a positive firing-pin block. This drop safety keeps the firing pin from hitting the primer until the trigger is pressed completely to the rear. This device adds parts to the gun, and some feel that it adversely affects the trigger action. Here, the trigger action was smooth and crisp at 6.25 pounds and was a superior factory trigger, we felt. The trigger was a skeletonized version, unlike the solid triggers seen in most SIG advertisements.

The grip safeties were remarkably alike. In this day and time, they may come from the same vendor. The SIG grip safety was well shaped and gave good control, properly releasing the trigger about halfway into compression of the grip safety. Some of us like to use the thumbs-forward shooting grip, and this tends to lift the palm of the firing hand off the grip safety. The SIG grip safety gets high marks for fit and comfort and accommodating the high-thumbs grip. The ambidextrous slide safety likewise gets high marks. It was large enough for good control and indented sharply. The right-hand control was slightly smaller than the left hand’s. On either side it was unobtrusive and a good design.

The grips were made by Ergo, available as an aftermarket item

45 ACP RANGE DATA

Fiocchi Extrema Smith & Wesson SIG Sauer230-gr. JHP 45XTP-25 SW1911TA TACOPSAverage Velocity 830 fps 845 fpsMuzzle Energy 352 ft.-lbs. 365 ft.-lbs.Smallest Group 1.7 in. 1.6 in.Largest Group 1.9 in. 2.2 in.Average Group Size 1.8 in. 2.0 in.

Black Hills Smith & Wesson SIG Sauer230-gr. FMJ SW1911TA TACOPSAverage Velocity 821 fps 842 fpsMuzzle Energy 344 ft.-lbs. 362 ft.-lbs.Smallest Group 1.9 in. 2.3 in.Largest Group 2.3 in. 2.6 in.Average Group Size 2.1 in. 2.4 in.

Speer Gold Dot Smith & Wesson SIG Sauer200-gr. +P 23969 SW1911TA TACOPSAverage Velocity 1049 fps 1028 fps Muzzle Energy 489 ft.-lbs. 469 ft.-lbs.Smallest Group 2.1 in. 2.4 in.Largest Group 2.4 in. 2.8 in.Average Group Size 2.2 in. 2.6 in.

To collect accuracy data, we fired three five-shot groups from a sandbag rest at 25 yards. To capture velocity data, we used an Competition Electronics chronograph with the first skyscreen positioned 10 feet from the muzzle.

Ammo sources: Fiocchi 230-gr. JHP Extrema 45XTP-25 (MidwayUSA.com, $18); Black Hills 230-gr. FMJ (MidwayUSA.com, $16.87); Speer 200-gr. Gold Dot +P 23969 (CheaperThanDirt.com,$22.63).

The D&L Sports magazine carrier at right is designed for uniformed duty, but it sure makes gun testing easier. It holds four magazines.

and previously tested at Gun TesTs. They were good examples of tactical grips, offering good adhesion but not enough abrasion to be uncomfortable. The backstrap was serrated, and the frontstrap was nicely checkered at 25 lines per square inch. Underneath the grip frame was a conservative magazine well similar to the Wilson Combat Mag Guide.

The Nitron finish is a form of ferritic nitrocarburizing that is similar to case hardening. This finish diffuses nitrogen and carbon into the steel to add scuff resistance and resist corrosion. The finish was evenly

applied and appeared businesslike, as well as being nonreflective. Compared to the Melonite finish of


the Smith & Wesson, the SIG finish is duller. If you like the nonreflective black-tactical look, you will like the Nitron finish.

At the firing range, the SIG came out of the box running, with no failures to feed, chamber, fire, or eject during the test program. The initial firing was done on the combat course with inexpensive Black Hills “Blue Box” 230-grain FMJ for familiarization. We also used modest-power handloads. A combination of a good trigger and excellent sights gave good results in fast-paced combat drills. The pistol was clearly an excellent performer as a defensive pistol.

On the line firing from a solid benchrest firing position, the SIG also proved accurate, and in this price range and with superior barrel fitting it should be. The single best group from the SIG TACOPS was fired with the Fiocchi 230-grain Extrema, which measured 2.0 inches. We were happy with that, but the Smith & Wesson outpaced the SIG by a margin. All in, the SIG TACOPS made a good showing with ball ammunition, a defensive JHP load, and also a +P defensive loading.

While shooting the SIG, we found it was easier to quickly load due to the extended slide lock. This slide lock doesn’t put much of the steel where the support hand may contact the slide lock during firing and inadvertently lock the slide open during a firing string. This is a common complaint with 1911 handguns, but it never happened with this SIG. Coupled with the modest magazine-well guide, the ability of the shooter to keep the pistol in action was excellent. As a side note, we should credit the D&L Sports quad-magazine carrier for keeping the SIG and S&W chugging along smartly.

A consideration: While mounting lights on the handguns to check for fit, we encountered a bobble. The lights fit all guns in the house, including Glock, SIG Scorpion, SIG P250, SIG P226 MK25, CZ 75, and the Smith & Wesson SW1911TA. After mounting an Insight illuminator on the TACOPS, we had a difficult time

SMITH & WESSON 1911 E-SERIES SW1911TA108409 45 ACP, $1399

Gun Tests grade: A (OUR PICK)The SW1911TA ran into formidable competition in the form of

the SIG TACOPS and did not suffer in comparison. The Smith is a reliable and accurate handgun. Many features of the pistol were impressive. Although practical accuracy was only slightly better than the SIG, the sum makes the S&W the gun we would buy.

Action Locked Breech Single-Action Semi-AutoOverall Length 8.5 in.Overall Height 5.3 in.Maximum Width 1.5 in.Weight Unloaded 41.6 oz.Weight Loaded 46.6 oz.Barrel Length 5.0 in.Barrel Steel 1:16 TwistMagazine 8-Rd. Detachable BoxSlide Melonite-Finished Stainless SteelFrame Melonite-Finished Stainless SteelFrame Front Strap Height 2.6 in.Frame Back Strap Height 3.2 in.Grips Wooden Laminate E-SeriesGrip Thickness 1.5 in.Grip Circumference 5.5 in.Sights Novak’s Lo-Mount Tritium Night SightsTrigger Skeletonized AluminumTrigger Pull Weight Single Action 5.75 lbs.Trigger Span Single Action 2.4 in.Safety Slide Lock Safety, Beavertail Grip SafetyRail 3-Slot M1913Warranty LifetimeTelephone (800) 331-0852Website Smith-Wesson.comMade In/By Springfield, Mass./S&W

The more we used the SW1911TA, the more the serrations design impressed us.

Testing comfort in carry and having a smooth, fast draw is essential. The pistol performed well in this Alien Gear IWB.

Below: The serrated rib on the upper slide is a nice touch, helping break up barrel-heat mirage.

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Gun-Tests.com 77

getting the light off the rail. Members of our team had to use a brass punch and hammer to carefully pry the foot off the TACOPS rail.

Our Team Said: When the final notes were studied and the individual scores tabulated, the SIG Sauer TACOPS had to receive an A rating. Accuracy, reliability and handling were faultless. However, the Smith & Wesson outpaced the SIG on features, and all of them are not just bling. The SIG also has advantages, including the fact that it is supplied with a total of four magazines versus the Smith & Wesson’s two magazines. This was a close race, but our shooters rated the SW1911TA the better buy.

Smith & Wesson SW1911TAE-Series No. 108409

45 ACP, $1399The E-class Smith & Wesson is the

latest development of the SW1911 series and is a revamping of the line in many ways. The pistol remains a traditional 1911 in appearance, and holsters for the Colt or Taurus rail guns will also fit the SW1911TA. This is an advantage, we felt. The pistol’s Melonite finish is comparable to the Nitron-finished SIG, although brighter than the SIG. The Novak sights with tritium inserts were identical. The beavertail grip safety of the SW1911TA was very similar to the SIG.

Also like the SIG, the Smith & Wesson features an external extractor. Engineers like to point out that coils are more reliable than leaf springs, and that reliability and repeatability are superior with this design. Whatever your preference, external extractors seem to be the wave of the future in the tactical 1911. This extractor is larger than some other designs, taking a bigger bite on the extractor groove.

The fit, feel, and finish quality of the SW1911 were similar to the SIG. The grip safety and the Novak sights are similar. The lightened trigger of the SW1911TA is a different design than the SIG, but it seems to accomplish the same thing. Trigger compression of the Smith & Wesson pistol felt similar to the SIG — both are smooth with little creep and no discernible

backlash. However, an average of three trigger compressions showed the SW1911TA at 5.75 pounds was lighter than the SIG. We would have liked a 5-pound trigger on either gun, but the action was acceptable.

The SW1911TA does not have a beveled magazine well, the only thing the SIG has the SW1911TA does not, other than the firing pin block. The Smith & Wesson does not use the Swartz-style grip-safety-activated firing-pin block used by previous Smith & Wesson 1911 handguns. The SW1911TA utilizes a titanium firing pin and heavy-duty firing pin spring to ensure safety if the pistol is dropped on the muzzle. If you prefer a pistol without the drop safety, the SW1911TA is the one to pick. If you intend to add an aftermarket trigger set with a lighter competition-grade trigger, then this pistol offers less complication.

However, there are significant differences in how the pistols are appointed. The Smith & Wesson retails for one hundred dollars more than the SIG, but we feel that the Smith & Wesson offers more features than the small difference in price would imply. As one example, the SW1911’s ambidextrous safety features an upswept component on either side, making it friendlier for left-hand use. Also, the safety intended for left-hander use is supported by the grip panel. We rated this design superior to the SIG’s.

Some of the features of the SW1911TA are downright byzantine they are so nice, but in some handguns the effects dissipate when firing the pistol. This was not true with the SW1911TA.

The SW1911TA features a serrated or ribbed section in the top of the slide that runs from the front to the rear sight. One of the raters noted that this rib is very similar to that found on high-grade Smith & Wesson revolvers. If the SIG 1911 is made to appeal to P-series fans, the SW1911TA appeals to Smith & Wesson fans of all stripes, including revolver fans. This serration would be horribly expensive as a custom

This is the Smith & Wesson magazine on the left and SIG’s mag on the right. They have slightly different basepad designs, but there was no practical difference. We swapped them between pistols.

The finishes seem rugged, but they show gunpowder residue differently. Notice the powder ash from several hundred rounds on the nose of each handgun.

The slide design of the SIG, top, is OK, but it makes it more difficult to find a suitable holster. The S&W’s standard 1911 slide is easier to outfit with a suitable scabbard.


option. If you look at the rear sight, the rear face and the rear of the slide are each serrated. This is a very nice touch.

The front of the slide also received some attention. The muzzle is nicely crowned and chamfered. This reduces the chance of damaging the barrel crown. The slide also features forward cocking serrations. These are the same fish scale or serpentine pattern as the rear cocking serrations. This is a tactically superior addition to the pistol, in our view. Generally, the forward cocking serration has a reputation for being abrasive and even destructive to leather holsters. The Smith & Wesson SW1911TA design manages to angle the cocking serrations so they do not abrade the holster.

The new SW1911TA extractor design is a heavier piece than the one used in the past, and it seems an improvement. The ejection port is slightly larger than most lowered types, and works well. The frame of the SW1911TA features a dished out portion under the trigger guard. This makes for greater comfort in firing and slightly raises the muzzle when the proper hold is used, resulting in a lower bore axis. When we fired the pistol in rapid-fire drills, the Smith & Wesson seemed to sit lower in the hand. This was subjective to some, but, objectively, the cut-out in the frame must work. We rated this an advantage over the SIG.

The grips are excellent, giving

good adhesion and comfort. They are laminated wood and were more attractive than the SIG TACOPS grips, we thought. With the same Fiocchi 230-grain Extrema load, the SIG was less accurate than the SW1911TA, with the average at 2.0 inches for five shots. This is still excellent by most standards. Overall, however, average accuracy for the SW1911TA was better than the SIG.

On the downside, while initially firing both Black Hills FMJ and a handload using the Montana Gold 185-grain JHP at 900 fps, the SW1911TA suffered a single failure to feed with the handload, in the first magazine fired. We rated this as a break-in malfunction because the malfunction did not repeat itself. Also, these handloads are lighter than

While the SW1911TA was designed to have a lot of show and to be visually appealing, the features that include frontstrap checkering and forward cocking serrations work well in practice.

most factory loads. The malfunction did not appear to be magazine or shooter related.

Another note: The standard side slide lock of the SW1911TA was nicely checkered on the top, but it was not as quick in manipulation as the SIG, our shooters said. Some do not realize that the nice beavertail safety we all like for shooting comfort also slightly moves the palm outward, and it is possible to make manipulation of the slide lock more difficult. However, if the piece is used hard, our experience indicates the extended slide lock is more prone to a malfunction and is also more prone to snagging on leather holsters. If it is a problem, an extended slide lock may be added for around $50. We would not change the Smith & Wesson’s.

Our Team Said: The SW1911TA is a pistol that keeps pace with both its competitors and customer expectations. The Smith & Wesson was more accurate in benchrest shooting, and it gave better results in addressing steel plates and other rapid-fire drills. We ran the pistols over a virtual Gymkhana on the range, and the SW1911TA was the superior in this regard. Though the SIG is a top-flight pistol, the SW1911TA made even challenging courses seem mediocre. We would pick the Smith & Wesson SW1911TA E-Series No. 108409 over the SIG TACOPS.

Written and photographed byR.K. Campbell, using evaluations from Gun TesTs team testers. GT

The SW1911TA suffered a break-in malfunction with the first magazine, but none after. The checkered frontstrap of the S&W is a first-class addition to the pistol.

The geometry of the forward cocking serrations offer plenty of gripping surfaces but seem not to abrade holsters.

The SW1911TA’s rear serrations help keep glare to a minimum, but they do collect dirt and dust. A can of compressed air will knock out most of this stuff in a jiffy.

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Three More 10mm Autos:Kimber, Dan Wesson, TanfoglioThe Tanfoglio was soft shooting, while the Kimber was an excellent example of the 1911 platform chambered in 10mm. The Dan Wesson was ready to hunt right out of the box.

Last year we tested three 10mm Auto pistols and found there was a lot of interest in these big-bore handguns, so we decided to return to these powerful handguns for another look. Our most

recent crop of 10mms includes two 1911 platforms and one based on the CZ 75 platform. The Kimber Custom TLE II and the Dan Wesson Bruin Bronze share the 1911 platform, while the Tanfoglio Witness is based on the CZ 75 design. We liked all three of these pistols and found that all three could serve multiple duties from hunting to self-defense. Since the 10mm has the power of a 41 Magnum, we feel it is a bit much for everyday carry. If we ever were in a shooting incident, it’s possible the overpenetration of the 10mm could be a liability. But in a self-defense situation where you are facing an angry bear in the back country, we think the 10mm Auto makes perfect sense. Also, as a hunting round, the 10mm offers a lot of power and is well suited for game like deer and pigs at short distances. We’d even use it in a tree stand to take black bears visiting a bait.

All three pistols ran exceptionally well with no malfunctions or jams, and we found they were accurate. Two-inch five-shot groups at 25 yards were the norm. For ammunition, we used SIG Sauer V-Crown Ammunition loaded with an 180-grain JHP bullet. The SIG ammo was loaded to velocities that 10mm Auto was designed for.

The other two loads were Federal American Eagle and Armscor USA labels, both using 180-grain FMJs. These two rounds weren’t as hot as the SIG load, as the table data reveal. The SIG ammo factory data shows a muzzle velocity of 1250 fps; we got very close to that

The Dan Wesson Bruin Bronze 1881 (left), the Kimber Custom TLE II 3200347 (middle) and the EAA Tanfoglio Witness (right) are three 10mm Autos we would like to own, but if we had to choose one, it would be the Tanfoglio Witness. The cost of the Wesson ($2194) and Kimber ($1028) were high, and that cost was reflected in the workmanship. The Tanfoglio ($665) was also well-made, yet affordable, compared to the other two pistols. All had comparable accuracy at the range, but the Tanfoglio offered higher magazine capacity and was softer shooting than the other 10mm handguns, our team said.

muzzle velocity from the Kimber and Dan Wesson. The Tanfoglio produced less velocity. The Federal and Armscor ammo is factory-speed stamped at 1030 fps and 1008 fps, respectively. With the three pistols, we saw higher muzzle velocities than the factory figures.

For accuracy testing, we used a rest and open sights, firing at targets placed 25 yards downrange. For our speed stage, we fired at 10 yards. A fast and accurate follow-up shot was faster with the Bruin and Witness, which we will get into shortly. Remember that a 10mm Auto is not a learner’s pistol or for those who are sensitive to recoil. In our opinion, the Bruins and the Witness helped us manage recoil the best. Shooting this trio side by side at the range, we learned a lot about them. Here’s the skinny on all three.

Kimber Custom TLE II 320034710mm Auto,$1028

The Custom TLE (Tactical Law Enforcement) II lines of 1911s are designed for LE and conceal carry. The TLE II looked a plain-Jane compared to the Bruin since it wore an all-business matte-black finish. Rightly so, too, since the Kimber cost $1100 less. The Kimber’s finish was nicely applied. The TLE II is neither a 70 series nor 80 series 1911, but there is a firing-pin-disconnect safety built into the grip safety.

In our opinion, the trigger on the Kimber was excellent. It measured about 4.5 pounds on our Lyman digital scales, and that trigger-pull weight made it suitable for defensive carry. The trigger is aluminum with three holes and felt match grade. Matte silver is the color;

it contrasted nicely with the finish. The thumb

HANDGUN COMPARISON


RANGE DATA

SIG Sauer V-Crown 10mm Auto Kimber Dan Wesson Tanfoglio180-gr. Jacketed Hollowpoint 1911 Custom TLE II Bruin Bronze Witness Full SteelAverage Velocity 1243 fps 1251 fps 1192 fpsMuzzle Energy 618 ft.-lbs. 626 ft.-lbs. 568 ft.-lbs.Smallest Group 2.1 in. 1.7 in. 2.0 in.Average Group 2.4 in. 1.9 in. 2.4 in.

Federal American Eagle 10mm Auto Kimber Dan Wesson Tanfoglio180-gr. Full Metal Jacket 1911 Custom TLE II Bruin Bronze Witness Full SteelAverage Velocity 1068 fps 1072 fps 1043 fpsMuzzle Energy 456 ft.-lbs. 459 ft.-lbs. 435 ft.-lbs.Smallest Group 1.9 in. 1.5 in. 1.4 in.Average Group 2.3 in. 1.7 in. 1.8 in.

Armscor USA 10mm Auto Kimber Dan Wesson Tanfoglio180-gr. Full Metal Jacket 1911 Custom TLE II Bruin Bronze Witness Full SteelAverage Velocity 1121 fps 1143 fps 1099 fpsMuzzle Energy 502 ft.-lbs. 522 ft.-lbs. 483 ft.-lbs.Smallest Group 1.5 in. 2.6 in. 2.1 in.Average Group 1.7 in. 2.8 in. 2.2 in.

To collect accuracy data, we fired five-shot groups from a bench using a rest. Distance: 25 yards with open sights. We recorded velocities using a ProChrono digital chronograph set 15 feet from the muzzle.

safety was only on the left side, making it a bit of a liability for the left-handed shooter. It clicked on and off nicely. The stainless-steel match-grade barrel was polished and includes a loaded-chamber indicator port on the top side. The slide was equipped with low-profile 3-dot night sights, which we liked a lot. In particular, we thought they were easy to acquire.

Angled slide serrations appeared forward and aft, so manipulating the slide was easy and simple. The receiver front grip strap was textured with 30 lines-per-inch checkering, which is where the Kimber started to lose points with the other pistols. The front grip strap and the aggressively textured G10 grips felt excellent in the hand, but when shooting, they rasped against some of our team’s palms like a cheese grater. Some felt it was much too sharp for the sharp recoil of the 10mm Auto. The full extended beavertail did a good job of protected the chubby hands of some of our team members.

Disassembly was like any other Government 1911; only a bushing tool was needed to depress the recoil spring guide. There was little wiggle with the Kimber. It had a tight slide-to-receiver fit. Manipulating the slide was smooth, however.

In use is when the Kimber lost ground due to the sharply textured grips. We might deep-six the factory grips and add smoother aftermarket grips if we had to have this pistol. The TLE II was 5 ounces heavier than the Witness, yet the Witness was more pleasant to shoot.

The main spring housing was machined to a sharp edge, and during recoil, it jammed some reviewers’ palms. We deducted points for this. There was a marked difference between the light 10mm loads and the hot one. Shooting the Kimber was the least pleasant experience of the three pistols. Even so, the accuracy of the Kimber was a solid 2 inches at 25 yards. There was no complaint about the accuracy. All ammunition cycled flawlessly through the TLE II.

Our Team Said: Recoil was very noticeable due to the grips and the sharp edge of the mainspring housing. Accuracy was good, and if you are looking for a standard full-size 1911 platform juiced up to 10mm Auto, this would be a good option if you’re willing to spend the bucks.

Dan Wesson Bruin Bronze 188110mm Auto, $2194

The Bruin is a long-slide variant of Dan Wesson’s 1911 platform pistols. The 10mm Auto cartridge’s performance is enhanced when fired through a 6.3-inch barrel. The longer barrel wrings out extra velocity and provides a longer sight radius than traditional Government-style 1911s, like the Kimber Custom TLE II reviewed above. In our opinion, the longer barrel and added weight from the barrel make the recoil more tolerable.

Our sample came with a bronze-finished steel receiver and matte-black slide and controls. We all felt it was a sharp-looking pistol. The muzzle is tapered. In fact, the recoil spring plug is tapered, so it only fit back in place

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one way. This was a little tricky to line up during reassembly. Small details that made the Bruin softer shooting included a rounded-butt mainspring housing. Dan Wesson rounded off the sharp edge so in recoil, there is less discomfort when the shooter is firing hot loads. Both the mainspring housing and the back and front grip straps were finely checkered. The G10 grips had texture without a bite. We felt these grips were well suited to the recoil of 10mm Auto.

The controls on the Bruin were top notch. The trigger is long and smoothly slid to allow the edgy squared Commander hammer to fall. The pull weight was slightly under 4 pounds, but it felt much less. We thought the trigger was well suited for hunting situations. The thumb safely also flicked on and off crisply, giving the user confidence it was on or off. The controls did not have any sharp edges that might cause a cut or bruise on the shooter’s hands.

The front sight is a fiber-optic tritium unit, and the fiber optic allows for easy aiming on a dark background. The fiber optic absorbs light, transferring it the tritium dot. The rear is fully adjustable with two dots. The shooter-facing flat of the rear sight is serrated to cut glare. This is a nice feature, and the top of the slide is nicely machined with serrations along the length. Serrations on the slide are angled and located toward the muzzle and in the rear.

Two stainless-steel magazines with rubber bump pads are included. They were well built and were easy on the thumbs when loading.

Disassembly requires no tools, but, as mentioned, the recoil spring guide needs to be aligned correctly, and that took a bit of ramp-up time to learn.

Trigger time with the Bruin was pleasant. Recoil felt like we were shooting a 45 ACP–chambered 1911. The long slide added weight to the pistol, which contributed to the reduced recoil. We could feel a slight difference between the hot SIG ammo and the light American Eagle and Armscor loads. One member of

KIMBER CUSTOM TLE II 320034710MM AUTO, $1028

GUN TESTS GRADE: A-The Custom TLE II is an excellent version of a full-size 1911

platform chambered in 10mm. We would have liked the grips to be less textured because they chewed up our hands.

Action Semi-auto single action, locked breech Overall Length 8.7 in. Overall Height 5.25 in. Maximum Width 1.28 in. Weight Unloaded 38.0 oz. Weight Loaded 46.4 oz. Barrel 5.0 in.

Capacity 8+1 Slide Matte black, steelFrame Matte black, steelFront Strap Height 2.6 in. Back Strap Height 3.6 in. Grips Textured G10 Grip Thickness (max) 1.3 in. Grip Circumference (max) 6.3 in. Sights Fixed, low profile, 3-dot night Trigger Pull Weight 4.5 lbs. Trigger Span Single Action 2.9 in. Magazines 1; stainless steelSafety Thumb, beavertail grip Warranty Limited One-Year Made In USA Website KimberAmerica.com

The extended beavertail offered a good hold, but the sharp edge of the mainspring housing caused some palm ache for some shooters. Between the checkered grip and aggressively textured G10 grip panels, the TLE II rasped some testers’ hands like a cheese grater.

The front sight is dovetailed into the slide. The night sights on the Kimber were easy to use, offering the shooter an excellent sight picture.

The Kimber showed tight, but smooth, slide-to-frame fit. Takedown was traditional 1911 style. This is a very good gun, but it’s more money than the Witness. If you’re willing to spend a few minutes Dremeling off some sharp edges, then this gun can work for you.


our test team was able to shoot 5-shot groups that averaged 1.6 inches at 25 yards. Looking at the data, we also found the Bruin had higher muzzle velocities compared to the other pistols due to the longer barrel.

Our Team Said: Recoil was very controllable due to the extra slide weight. The sight radius also helped us keep groups small. The small touches, such as the rounded mainspring housing and coarsely textured grips and excellent trigger, made the Bruin a pleasure to shoot. The cost is high with the Bruin because you pay for those small features. We thought about grading the Bruin down half a point due to the cost, but if you want to go big, this gun will get it done, and that costs money.

Tanfoglio Witness 10mm, $665The Witness is based on the CZ 75

design in which the slide rides inside the receiver, not outside the receiver like a 1911. This design allows the slide height to be less and the bore axis lower than a 1911. There is less slide to grasp than the Kimber and Dan Wesson or any other 1911 for that matter. We did become proficient at manipulating the slide, and if we overgrasped the slide, the thumb safety and slide stop were smooth and allowed the user to cycle the slide with no interruptions. Serrations were coarse and grippy and appeared both toward the muzzle and rear of the slide, The top side the slide was equipped with three-dot low-profile sights. The front was red, and the rear two were white. We would have preferred all three dots to be white since the front dot was hard to see on a dark target. A little white paint will fix this. The rear of the rear sight was also cut out to reduce glare. The Witness, unlike the 1911s, uses an external extractor.

The receiver of the Witness is a lot beefier than a 9mm CZ 75 and more like a CZ 97 chambered in 45 Auto. Most members of our team liked the heft of this all-steel pistol and the polymer grip, which had all smooth edges. There was an accessory rail built into the receiver. The beavertail was substantial, too. The girth was slightly more than the 1911s tested,

DAN WESSON BRUIN BRONZE 188110MM AUTO, $2194

GUN TESTS GRADE: AIf you are in need of a 10mm hunting pistol, the Bruin is an

excellent choice, despite its expense. The trigger was crisp and recoil was very manageable when firing stout 10mm rounds.

Action Semi-auto, locked breech single action, Series 70 designOverall Length 9.7 in. Overall Height 5.8 in. Maximum Width 1.5 in. Weight Unloaded 43.9 oz. Weight Loaded 52.3 oz. Barrel 6.3 in.Capacity 8+1 (single stack)

Slide Matte black, steelFrame Forged stainless steel, round butt, 25-lpi checkering on grip straps Front Strap Height 2.6 in. Back Strap Height 3.1 in. Grips Textured G10 Grip Thickness (max) 1.3 in. Grip Circumference (max) 5.5 in. Front Sight Tritium fiber opticRear Sight Adjustable two-dot tritium Trigger Pull Weight 3.9 lbs. Trigger Span Single Action 2.8 in. Magazines 2; Stainless Steel Safety Thumb, beavertail grip Warranty Limited 5 Year Made In Norwich, NY Website DanWessonFirearms.com

The 25-lines-per-inch checkering on both the frontstrap and backstrap offered good purchase for the shooter’s hands without being too sharp.

The magazines for both the Dan Wesson (left) and the Kimber (right) were made of stainless steel and showed good workmanship.

The Dan Wesson front sight uses a fiber optic to charge up a tritium dot. The sight picture with the Bruin was large and put the shooter in charge.

Here’s a close lookat theBruin’s muzzle. It was tapered, which helped holstering. Disassembly requiresno additional tools.

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but that extra space enables the Witness to carry a 14-round magazine, nearly double what the Bruin or TLE II carry. One steel magazine with a polymer floor plate was provided with the Witness, so you might as well plan to buy more at the time

EAA TANFOGLIO WITNESS 10MM AUTO, $665GUN TESTS GRADE: A (BEST BUY)

The Witness offers a comfortable shooting experience, is relatively compact and accurate, plus it is affordable. We liked

the Witness a lot chambered in this powerful cartridge.

Overall Length 8.1 in. Overall Height 5.5 in. Maximum Width 1.4 in. Weight Unloaded 33.0 oz. Weight Loaded 47.7 oz. Barrel 4.5 in.Capacity 14+1 (double stack)

Slide Matte silver, steelFrame Matte silver, steelFront Strap Height 2.5 in. Back Strap Height 3.5 in. Grips Textured syntheticGrip Thickness (max) 1.3 in. Grip Circumference (max) 6 in. Sights Fixed, 3-dot Trigger Pull Weigh DA 10.8 lbs. Trigger Pull Weigh SA 4.6 lbs. Trigger Span Double Action 3.0 in. Trigger Span Single Action 2.6 in. Magazines 1; Steel Safety Thumb Warranty Limited Lifetime Made In Italy Website EAACorp.com

The front grip strap is serrated and provided good adhesion. The controls are smooth and operated with confident clicks.

Bruin and TLE II is the DA/SA trigger can be instantly pressed to fire the pistol. All three pistols can also be carried cocked and locked. The thumb safety on the Witness locks the trigger but allows the slide to be cycled. With the hammer down and the safety on, the slide and trigger are both locked. The Witness also incorporates a firing-pin safety. The firing-pin block is released only by pulling the trigger all the way to the rear. The trigger is wide and smooth and felt less than the nearly 11 pounds it measured in DA mode. We noticed the receiver around the trigger was rounded and smooth, so a shooter using gloves on his hands posed no problem.

The exterior of the Witness wore what is called Wonder finish, which is a matte gray look. It was well executed. All the controls, slide stop, thumb safety, trigger, and hammer, on the pistol are matte black and contrast nicely. The grips are a textured polymer.

Going hot with the Witness, we found the pistol offered a sweet recoil — a bit sweeter, that is lesser, than the recoil from the Bruin. We attribute that to the slide/receiver design. There was no wiggle between the slide and receiver, a thorough examination found. The grip was smooth, and the added girth provide more contact with our palm, so the recoil felt like the recoil from a 45 Auto. Accuracy with all ammo tested was under 2.5 inches. With American Eagle ammo, one tester was able to shoot a 1.4-inch five-shot group at 25 yards.

Our Team Said: The Witness offers a more comfortable shooting experience, holds more ammo, is accurate and costs a fraction of the Bruin and TLE II. One team member noted it would make a great defense gun in black-bear country.

Special thanks to Eastern Outfitters of Hampstead, North

Carolina (EasternOutfitter.com) for their assistance. Written and

photographed by Robert Sadowski, using evaluations from Gun TesTs

team testers. GT

you transact the pistol. The front and rear grip straps are serrated.

The Tanfoglio Witness uses a DA/SA trigger, which is a preference for some shooters as well as team members. The edge the DA/SA trigger has over the SA trigger of

The Witness used a solid recoil rod and match grade stainless-steel barrel. Note how the slide rides inside the receiver.

The front sight was red; we’d paint it white so it would show up better on a dark target. The exterior of the Witness wore what is called Wonder finish, which is a matte gray look. It was well executed.


New Full-Size 9mm Striker-Fires From Ruger, S&W, SpringfieldThe M&P9 M2.0 offers a custom grip that’s better than the Ruger American Pro Duty’s rendition. The XD MOD.2 Service lacks a customizable grip, but still feels good in the hand.

We live in a polymer-frame, striker-fire, double-stack world. At first glance, most of these types of pistols seem to offer the same features, so what separates these pistols

aside from price point and manufacturer? A lot, we found out. We chose three recently introduced 9mm models for testing. The first was the Ruger American Pro Duty, which is Ruger’s new full-size striker-fire pistol with a modular grip. The second was the next evolution of the Springfield Armory XD series, the XD MOD.2 4-Inch Service, which wears SA’s GripZone texture in the grip. We previously tested the compact XD MOD.2 3.3-inch models in both 9mm and 45 ACP and gave them an A rating. The third 9mm striker fire was the new M&P9 M2.0 from Smith & Wesson. We tested S&W’s first generation of M&P9 models and found they rated from A to B+, depending on the model. All three pistols are striker-firers, use a polymer receiver/frame, are chambered in 9mm, have double-stack magazines, and are full-size pistols.

For range testing, we used a combination of hollow-point and full-metal-jacket bullets in different bullet weights. Our four test loads consisted of Hornady American Gunner, loaded with a 115-grain XTP bullet, a SIG Sauer 115-grain full-metal-jacket (FMJ) bullet, Liberty Ammunition Civil Defense’s 50-grain hollow-point bullet, and Aguila’s 124-grain FMJ load. We tested accuracy at 25 yards using a rest, then moved the target to 15 yards for speed shooting and reload manipulations. We were paying close attention to accuracy,

Our team would opt for the S&W M&P9 M2.0 (top, $599) due to its enhanced trigger and improved ergonomics. If price is an issue, the Ruger American Pro Duty (right, $579) costs slightly less, and, in our opinion, you get less, too, though it is a capable pistol. If a non-modular grip isn’t a show stopper, then the Springfield Armory XD MOD.2 4-Inch Service (bottom, $565) with built-in safeties, sights, and other features make it an excellent choice.

ease of use, reliability and consistency. As the brass cooled, here’s what we learned.

Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 115379mm Luger, $599

Our test sample came in a hard case with two stainless-steel magazines. It featured a 5-inch stainless-steel barrel. The finish was a nicely executed Cerakote FDE. The M&P9 M2.0 still features an 18-degree grip angle of the first-generation M&P, which is similar to a 1911’s. Most testers agreed this grip angle was comfortable to shoot. The high grip means the bore axis is closer to your hand, which translates into the pistol being more comfortable to shoot with faster aim recovery, because the muzzle flips less in your grip. The receiver front has a Picatinny-style rail to attach accessories.

The controls, namely the slide release and magazine release, are the same as on the M1.0 except with M2.0 they are ambidextrous. The magazine-release button is made of steel and sized so fast manipulations were easier to perform. The M2.0 comes with an ambidextrous thumb safety, which some testers felt was redundant to the other safety features like the trigger and drop safety. We agreed the thumb safety is a good feature.

The aggressively textured grips, which were similar

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RANGE DATA

Hornady American Gunner Ruger S&W Springfield Armory9mm Luger 115-gr. XTP American Pro Duty M&P9 M2.0 XD MOD.2 ServiceAverage Velocity 1077 fps 1100 fps 1095 fpsMuzzle Energy 296 ft.-lbs. 309 ft.-lbs. 306 ft.-lbs.Smallest Group 1.9 in. 1.2 in. 1.3 in.Average Group 2.2 in. 1.5 in. 1.5 in.

SIG Sauer 9mm Luger Ruger S&W Springfield Armory115-gr. FMJ American Pro Duty M&P9 M2.0 XD MOD.2 ServiceAverage Velocity 1095 fps 1105 fps 1110 fpsMuzzle Energy 306 ft.-lbs. 312 ft.-lbs. 315 ft.-lbs.Smallest Group 1.7 in. 1.4 in. 2.0 in.Average Group 1.9 in. 2.1 in. 2.0 in.

Aguila 9mm Luger Ruger S&W Springfield Armory124-gr. FMJ American Pro Duty M&P9 M2.0 XD MOD.2 ServiceAverage Velocity 1046 fps 1067 fps 1077 fpsMuzzle Energy 301 ft.-lbs. 314 ft.-lbs. 319 ft.-lbs.Smallest Group 2.7 in. 1.2 in. 2.1 in.Average Group 3.0 in. 1.8 in. 2.2 in.

Liberty Ammunition Civil Ruger S&W Springfield ArmoryDefense 9mm Luger 50-gr. HP American Pro Duty M&P9 M2.0 XD MOD.2 ServiceAverage Velocity 2075 fps 2094 fps 2095 fpsMuzzle Energy 478 ft.-lbs. 487 ft.-lbs. 487 ft.-lbs.Smallest Group 1.8 in. 1.5 in. 1.7 in.Average Group 2.0 in. 2.0 in. 2.0 in.

To collect accuracy data, we fired five-shot groups from a bench using a rest. Distance: 25 yards with open sights. We recorded velocities using a ProChrono digital chronograph 15 feet from the muzzle.

to a medium-grit sandpaper offered good adhesion but without abrasion. This texture is used on all four grip inserts as well. They were sized small, medium, medium-large, and large. Two inserts have a beavertail and two do not. All have a palm swell, which we thought provided good contact with the palm of the shooting hand. The palm swell cuts down on gaps that pistols with flat-grip

sides may cause. We thought the grip-module design was well thought out. To attach an insert, the owner twists the frame tool and removes the insert from the butt of the pistol by sliding the insert off. We thought this process was simple, did not allow dirt to get under the insert, and was very solid.

The front grip strap is straight and textured without

Left, the Smith & Wesson M2.0 field strips the same way as do older models. Remove the magazine, lock back the slide, and rotate the takedown lever. The slide assembly can then be removed from the receiver. Disassembly is similar on the Ruger, center, and the Springfield Armory, right.


SMITH & WESSON M&P9 M2.0 115379MM LUGER, $599

GUN TESTS GRADE: AThe M&P9 M2.0 is a refined striker-fire pistol with a crisp

trigger, excellent grips inserts, and good accuracy.

finger grooves. We liked these grips better than the Ruger’s. The grips on the S&W also seemed better integrated into the frame than the Ruger’s. The stainless-steel slide was profiled a bit different than M1.0 models, with metal relieved to make it lighter and show more taper at the muzzle for ease in holstering. A tactile and visible loaded-chamber indicator is built into the top of the slide. The steel sights are dovetailed into the slide and offer as much sight radius as possible. The rear has two white dots, and the front has a single dot. Connect the dots to aim. The sights are low profile and snag free. We like these sights, though the front sight on the SA was the easiest to pick up since it was fiber optic.

This new M&P9 uses an extended stainless-steel chassis embedded in the polymer receiver. According to S&W, the chassis makes the pistol more rigid, reducing flex and torque when firing. We did not have an older M&P on hand to test side by side, but we did agree the M2.0 had less felt recoil than the Ruger and Springfield.

The trigger was crisper and had a tactile and audible reset compared to older M&P pistol triggers. It is the same trigger used in Performance Series M&P pistols. This trigger really separated the M&P M2.0 from all the other striker-fired polymer-frame pistols we’ve tested. In this case, the team was divided on which trigger was the best and decided it was a tie between the S&W and Springfield guns. They both have great triggers. The trigger on the S&W is wide, and we felt we had more control with it compared to triggers with a safety lever built into the trigger face like those found on the Ruger and Springfield Armory handguns. It also felt more consistent. There is a trigger stop molded into the frame, high up behind the trigger, which could be a potential issue if debris gets behind the trigger.

The M2.0 also field strips the same way as do older models. Remove the magazine, lock back the slide, and rotate the takedown lever. The slide assembly can then be removed from

Action Type Striker fire, locked breech, tilting barrelOverall Length 8.25 in.Overall Height 5.4 in.Maximum Width 1.5 in.Weight Unloaded 26.9 oz.Weight Loaded 33.7 oz.Slide Material Stainless steelSlide-Retraction Effort 19.0 lbs.

Receiver Material PolymerFinish FDEFront Strap Height 2.2 in.Rear Strap Height 3.2 in.Barrel Length 5.0 in. Pistol Grip Textured polymer, modularGrip Thickness (max) 1.4 in. (large insert)Grip Circumference (max) 6.0 in. (large insert)Magazine (2) 17-round steelRear Sight Steel, fixed, white two dotFront Sight Steel, fixed blade, white dotSight Radius 7.25 in. Trigger Pull Weight 5.43 lbs. Trigger Span 2.8 in.Safety 2-pos. leverWarranty 1 yearTelephone (800) 331-0852Website Smith-Wesson.comMade In U.S.A.

In our opinion, S&W did a great job incorporating grip inserts. They were seamlessly integrated into the receiver and did not require a tool to replace.

The three-dot sights were easy to use, and the cut out in the rear sight cut sun glare.

A manual thumb safety (right arrow) adds a level of safety protection. Note how the slide stop and takedown lever (left and center arrows) are inset in the receiver so the sides are smooth and snag free. The grip texture was like a fine sandpaper, comfortable with no rasping of palm skin.

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the receiver. Old M&P magazines are compatible with the new M2.0.

The M2.0 operated flawlessly with all the test ammo. With Hornady American Gunner, one tester was able to shoot a 1.2-inch five-shot group at 25 yards. The Aguila, SIG, and Liberty best groups averaged 1.2 to 1.5 inches. Average groups for all were mostly under 2 inches at 25 yards. For speed assessments, we fired a Bill Drill, shooting six shots as quickly as possible, while ensuring all six shots hit the target. This drill is helpful because it teaches sight tracking, recoil management, and trigger manipulation. The excellent sights and enhanced trigger allowed our test team shooters to get on targets fast and accurately.

Our Team Said: The trigger and sights allow a user to shoot this pistol well. It was the most expensive pistol in the test, but only by $30. We also like the four options in grip inserts and the texture. We liked this pistol a lot and would buy it as a full-size carry pistol or a home-defense firearm.

Ruger American Pro Duty8605 9mm Luger, $579

The American comes in a hard case with two stainless-steel magazines and three grip inserts. We suspect that Ruger might have been vying for the U.S. Army’s Modular Handgun System (MHS) program (that recently chose the SIG P320) because many of the pistol’s specs sync up with the Army’s requirements.

The American wore a matte-black finish that was well executed, and it felt good in hand with a bore axis low to the shooter’s hand. It uses a Browning-style locked-breech action with a new barrel cam, which according to Ruger, is designed to reduce felt recoil by controlling the rearward movement of the slide when round is fired. It also uses a solid-steel recoil rod with a trapped recoil spring. We felt recoil was quite manageable with all three pistols. The extra ounces the American weighed also helped dampen felt recoil.

We like how the American operated. The slide is chiseled at the muzzle so it is easy to holster.

RUGER AMERICAN PRO DUTY 86059MM LUGER, $579

GUN TESTS GRADE: B+The American is quite capable and ran well with good

accuracy. The grip inserts gave us a bit of trouble initially. Sights were excellent and the recoil mild.

The front strap has a small diamond-pattern texture. Note how the magazine floorplate runs seamlessly into the front strap, forming a slight lip.

The Ruger sports genuine Novak sights, which were excellent and low profile.

Note the trigger stop behind the trigger, which could clog with debris and potentially not allow the trigger full motion. Not a deal breaker. Note the magazine release is triangular and a bit small, in our opinion.

Action Type Striker fireOverall Length 7.5 in.Overall Height 5.6 in.Maximum Width 1.4 in.Weight Unloaded 30.5 oz.Weight Loaded 37.3 oz.Slide Material Stainless steelSlide-Retraction Effort 17 lbs.

Receiver Material PolymerFinish BlackFront Strap Height 2.5 in.Rear Strap Height 3.9 in.Barrel Length 4.17 in. Pistol Grip Textured polymer, modularGrip Thickness (max) 3.2 in. (large insert)Grip Circumference (max) 6.0 in. (large insert)Magazine (2) 17-round stainless steelRear Sight Steel, fixed, Novak white two dotFront Sight Steel, fixed blade, Novak white dotSight Radius 6.3 in.Trigger Pull Weight 5.4 lbs. Trigger Span 2.8 in. (large insert)Safety NoneWarranty NATelephone (770) 432-1202Website Ruger.comMade In U.S.A.


SPRINGFIELD ARMORY XD MOD.2 4-INCH SERVICEMODEL 9MM LUGER, $565

GUN TESTS GRADE: A-The XD MOD.2 was a very easy to shoot pistol due to the

fiber-optic front sight, the thin, textured grip, and veryconsistent trigger.

Action Type Striker fire, locked breech, tilting barrelOverall Length 7.3 in.Overall Height 5.5 in.Maximum Width 1.3 in.Weight Unloaded 27.5 oz.Weight Loaded 33.9 oz.Slide Material Steel

Slide-Retraction Effort 18.0 lbs.Receiver Material PolymerFinish Black slide/gray frameFront Strap Height 2.3 in.Rear Strap Height 3.1 in.Barrel Length 4.0 in. Pistol Grip Textured polymerGrip Thickness (max) 1.19 in.Grip Circumference (max) 5.75 in.Magazine (2) 16-round stainless steelRear Sight Steel, fixed, white two dotFront Sight Steel, fixed blade, fiber opticSight Radius 6.25 in.Trigger Pull Weight 6.1 lbs.Trigger Span 2.6 in.Safety NoneWarranty Limited LifetimeTelephone (800) 680-6866Website Springfield-Armory.comMade In Croatia

Slide serrations at the rear of the slide are in an X-style pattern and offer lots of texture to rack the slide. Sights consisted of Novak’s LoMount three-dot system, which are excellent sights. The rear sight is windage adjustable, and the front is dovetailed into the slide. It has a large external extractor and a viewport in the top of the breechblock that allows for visual confirmation of a loaded or empty chamber.

It uses what Ruger calls a pretensioned striker-ignition system. Some striker designs use the cycling of the slide to partially cock the striker, which is then fully cocked by depressing the trigger. When the slide is cycled, the striker is in the fully cocked position, so when the trigger is pressed, it instantly releases the sear. This is supposed to create a shorter, crisper trigger pull. The trigger is made of steel and so is the safety-lever insert. There is a trigger stop built into the inside of the trigger to stop overtravel, which is fine for a target pistol but could be liability for the Ruger. If debris gets caught between the inside of the trigger and the trigger stop, the pistol may not fire because the full press of the trigger cannot be completed.

The slide stop and magazine release are ambidextrous, which we appreciated. Some testers felt the triangular magazine-release button was a bit small. The polymer receiver has an assortment of grip textures. The rear strap has a coarse diamond texture; the grip insert uses a fine pebble texture; and the front strap has a small diamond texture. We found swapping grips to be a bit of a task until we figured it out and felt the inserts were not as integrated to the receiver as the inserts on the S&W. A hole in the rear strap gives access to a Torx screw. The Torx tool is included with the pistol, but we liked the S&W set up better. No tool to lose. The insert on the American allowed for a range of hand sizes, which we liked. A rail is built in to accept lights or laser pointers.

Field stripping was simple due to the takedown lever. Unload, rotate

The trigger had no trigger stop, which we like. The magazine-release button was also large and protruded enough for fast magazine changes.

Notice how the red fiber-optic dot pops, making aiming faster.

Note the silver pin that protrudes from the rear of slide cover, indicating to the user the pistol is cocked and ready to fire.

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the lever, and you have five pieces. The magazines have witness holes on the side, and they were easy to load, even to the last round. Our thumbs thank you. The bodies of the magazines are coated with a nickel-teflon layer. The floorplate had a built-in lip that, when the magazine was inserted, formed the bottom edge of front strap.

At the range, we found the American was not as accurate as the S&W, though we are talking about fractions of an inch, and this is a defense firearm, not a target pistol. Accuracy averaged a little over 2 inches across all ammo. With SIG 115-grain FMJ ammo, we were able to shoot a best five-shot group of 1.7 inches at 25 yards. The American is quite capable. In closer fast fire, we found the pistol to be easy to control, due in part to the bore axis being close to our hands. Even with an assortment of ammo bullet styles and weights, the pistol performed without a hitch. There was a fair amount of take-up with the trigger before it broke. The break was consistent, though not as crisp as the S&W and Springfield handguns.

Our Team Said: We found the American to be a capable pistol, but it was not as refined as the S&W. Accuracy was good and reliability was perfect. The grip inserts were a bit difficult to swap out until we learned the process.

Springfield Armory XD MOD.24-Inch Service Model 9mm

Luger, $565We tested the XD MOD.2 3.0-inch

subcompact in February 2016 and gave it an A, so when we acquired an XD MOD.2 4-inch compact, our expectations were high and Springfield Armory delivered. The XD MOD.2 4-inch does not have modular grip, so we marked it down half a grade, but found we really liked the way the grip fit our hands. The multi-texture grip is what Springfield calls Grip Zone, and it actually allows the user to have a secure grip. The S&W had palm-swell inserts that provided more hand-to-grip contact than the Springfield and Ruger. Grip Zone is

Left: The S&W feels good in hand and points well. Note the cut-out in the receiver forward of the takedown lever. You can see the metal sub-frame that keeps the pistol rigid when firing. Right: In hand the XD MOD.2 4 felt good for most hand sizes. Trigger reach was a short 2.6 inches, compared to the S&W and Ruger trigger spans of 2.8 inches.

Here are the various muzzle treatments of the pistols. Left, the Springfield’s muzzle end is blockier. It uses a solid recoil rod. Center is the tapered muzzle of the Ruger American, which allows for ease of holstering. It uses a solid recoil rod. At right is the business end of the S&W, which also shows the chiseled shape for ease in reholstering.

Here’s a side-by-side look at the frontstrap textures on the Smith & Wesson, left, and the Springfield XD, right, both of which we preferred to the Ruger’s. On the S&W pistol, the front gripstrap is straight and textured without finger grooves. On the XD, the front strap uses Zone 1 texture, which we thought provided good adhesion.


MOD.2 4 felt good in hand, but we are getting ahead of ourselves.

The XD MOD.2 comes in a hard case with two stainless-steel magazines. Our sample has a gray polymer receiver and a black slide. Fit and finish were excellent, as was our expectation. The slide is sculpted to reduce weight and provide positive cocking. Coarse serrations are located at the muzzle and rear of the slide, so whatever method you use to rack the slide, it can be performed with ease. The XD MOD.2 4 required the user to exert 18 pounds of effort to rack the slide and cock the weapon. The Ruger required 17 pounds, and the S&W required 19 pounds. The low-profile three-dot sights were the best of all three pistols. Though red fiber-optic front sights are not traditional, they do allow a user to better aim the pistol because the red front dot stands out better against a dark target. The front sight was dovetailed, as was the rear sight, which could be tapped left or right to adjust windage. The rear sight was also flush with the rear of the slide, providing a maximum sight radius. Plus, the rear sight was serrated to cut sun glare. Nice sights. Also on the slide’s top side is a loaded-chamber indicator that can be seen and felt. At the rear, a silver pin protrudes from the rear slide cover, indicating the pistol is cocked. We like this feature since it instantly tells the user the pistol is cocked and ready to be fired. The other pistols did not have this feature.

Controls consisted of an ambidextrous magazine-release button that we thought was a good size and protruded sufficiently, with a raised portion of the receiver protecting the button from accidental magazine dump. The slide stop/ takedown lever is located on the left side.

A grip safety adds another level of safety to striker fire, and we liked the grip safety even if it was redundant to the safety lever built into the trigger. The trigger was very consistent but had a lot of take up. We liked the S&W and SA triggers better. There was no trigger stop molded into the receiver, unlike the Ruger and S&W.

At 25 yards, we found the red fiber-optic front sight to be an asset, and along with the trigger, one tester was able to shoot a 1.3-inch five-shot group with Hornady American Gunner 115-grain XTP ammo. Average accuracy with all ammo was 2.0 inches. For speed shooting, we found the grip helped us control the XD MOD.2 4. All three pistols were pleasant to shoot, and we would rank the pistols even on this point.

Our Team Said: If not having a modular grip is not a deal breaker, then the XD MOD.2 is a gun worth considering. More compact than the Ruger and S&W, it could be used for everyday carry. The sights, trigger, grip, and accuracy sold us.

Special thanks to Eastern Outfitters (easternoutfitter.com) of Hampstead, NC, for their assistance.

Written and photographed by Robert Sadowski using evaluations from Gun TesTs team testers. GT

designed with three different types of textures. Zone 1 texture is located on the front and back straps, Zone 2 is aggressive and is located on the side panels, and Zone 3 texture is a pebble texture that covers the frame. The receiver is also molded so your finger falls naturally toward the trigger. The front strap has very shallow finger grooves. In hand, most testers agreed the XD

Here are each gun’s magazines. From left to right in both images are the mags for the Springfield XD, the Ruger, and the Smith & Wesson, respectively. The XD MOD.2 comes with two 16-round stainless-steel magazines with witness holes in the rear (right image). The Ruger’s two 17-round stainless magazines have witness holes on the sides, and they were easy to load. The magazine floorplate had a built-in lip that formed the bottom edge of front strap when inserted in the American. The Smith & Wesson comes with two 17-round steel magazines with colored floorplates.

Top: The holes in the Ruger’s backstrap provide access to the Torx screws to replace grip inserts. Dirt and debris could make access to the screw difficult. Center: We liked the sizes of the Ruger’s three grip inserts. Bottom: This is the cam under the Ruger’s breech block that helps reduce felt recoil in the pistol. We thought recoil was quite tolerable.

HANDGUN COMPARISON

Gun-Tests.com 2121

VALUE GUIDE: RECENT 1911 PISTOL RATINGS (9MM & 45 ACP)

GUN NAME GRADE COMMENTS

Springfield Loaded Target PI9134LP 9mm Luger, $873 A

Function of the Loaded Model was flawless. Stainless construc-tion is always a plus.

Springfield 1911 Range Officer PI9129LP 9mm Luger, $704 A An easy-shooting 9mm 1911 with first-rate fit, finish, and

barrel-to-slide fit. Adjustable sights.

Colt’s Mfg. Co Series 70 O1970A1CS 45 ACP, $953 A

Excellent trigger action, good accuracy,relatively light weight for a steel-frame 1911.

Colt’s Mfg. Co 1991A1No. O1991 45 ACP, $745 B+ Accurate and reliable. Some of the 1991A1 pistols have a nicer

trigger than ours.

Colt’s Mfg. Co. Gold Cup Trophy O5070X 45 ACP, $1249 A-

Excellent trigger action, good accuracy, and sights that offer good adjustment. No break-in.

Metro Arms Co. Bullseye M19BE45C 45 ACP, $1294 B Ramped barrel, ambi safety, good sights, and one of the best

factory triggers.

S&W 1911 E-Series SW1911TA 108409 45 ACP, $1399 A

The SW1911TA was Our Pick over the very good SIG TACOPS.

SIG Sauer 1911 TACOPS 1911R-45TACOPS 45 ACP, $1213 A Accuracy and handling cannot be faulted.

Reliable, accurate enough for any task.

Ruger SR1911 CMD-AModel 6711 45 ACP, $899 A

Good looks, decent accuracy, a good trigger, and nothing that doesn’t belong.

Colt Mfg. Co. CommanderXSE O4012XSE 45 ACP, $940 A Consistently the more accurate handgun. Ambi safety, forward

serrations, frame cut.

Remington R1 Commander96336 45 ACP, $573 B

This is a traditional 1911 Commander with no extraneous features.

Shooters Arms Mf’g CommodoreCIA HG1009-N 45 ACP, $429 D Not reliable with hollowpoints and showed

annoying quirks with the original slide lock.

Kimber Tactical Pro II45 ACP, $1317 A

Kimber’s quality control and attention to detail really shine in this pistol.

SIG Sauer Carry Scorpion45 ACP, $1213 B+ Quite accurate. Cerakote coating, frame rail, and G10 scaled

grips were good features.

Ithaca Gun Co. M1911-N#1911-C45G10 45 ACP, $1799 A

Excellent fit and finish, flawless operation. Holds its own against similarly priced 45s.

Roberts Defense Super Grade Pro 45 ACP, $1549 A- An early feeding problem with Lawman ammo resolved itself.

Sights weren’t regulated.

SIG Sauer 1911 C3 1911CO-45-T-C3 45 ACP, ~$650 (Used) A

The pistol is just the right size, with the Commander slide on an Officer’s Model frame.

Log on to Gun-Tests.com to read complete reviews of these products in the designated months.Highly-ranked products from older reviews are often available used at substantial discounts.

VALUE GUIDE: 9MM/.45ACP


VALUE GUIDE: RECENT 1911 PISTOL RATINGS (9MM & 45 ACP)


Rock Island Armory Tactical II Compact 51479 45 ACP, $591 B

The RIA has features that allow this little pugnosed 45 to shoot like a big gun.

American Classic ACC45B45 ACP, $506 D This Commander-length 1911 had promise. However, the pistol

failed to feed reliably.

Springfield Range Officer PI9128LP 45 ACP, $1015 A

Superbly fitted by any standard. Excellentadjustable sights.

Rock Island 1911 Standard GI51421 45 ACP, $300 A- This pistol isn’t a real GI 45, but it is pretty close. Better accu-

racy than the average GI gun.

American Tactical Imports 1911GIHGAFX45GI 45 ACP, $500 B

Fitting and trigger should have been better. Sights and beaver-tail are good additions.

Para-USA Expert Commander No. 96748 45 ACP, $799 A The Para is true to original Commander in that it has a light-

weight frame.

Colt’s Commander Series 80No. 04091U 45 ACP, $974 A-

The Colt was not the most accurate pistol,but it was consistent with every load.

Kimber Pro Custom Defense Package (CDP) II 45 ACP, $1331 A The lightest pistol and the only aluminum-frame pistol in this

match up.

SIG Carry Stainless1911CA-45-SSS 45 ACP, $1142 A-

A Best Buy. Excellent fit/finish, good reliability, great accuracy. Lacks an ambi safety.

Ruger SR1911CMDNo. 6702 45 ACP, $829 B The loosest tested, the least accurate, and had a faulty maga-

zine.

Kimber Raptor II45 ACP, $1434 A

Clean, simple lines, clever detailing, and nice contrast of the zebrawood grips.

Rock Island Armory Standard GI No. 51421 45 ACP, $410 B The RIA GI pistol gives the shooter on a budget more than he

expects.

Springfield Armory EMP No. PI9209LP 9mm Luger, $1345 A

The EMP handled like a small 1911, butwithout the big kick of the larger round.

Remington 1911 R145 ACP, $729 A+ Simply a smashing pistol with a number of

improvements, including high-visibility sights.

Auto Ordnance 1911Series 80 45 ACP, $667 A

This is a GI pistol that is true to the original template with an improved drop safety.

Regent R10045 ACP, $500 B The design is good, but the change in the grip frame left the

raters cold. Reasonably priced.

Remington Rand 1911A145 ACP, ~$1000 B

The Remington Rand has two things going for it — history and emotional attachment.


VALUE GUIDE: 9MM/.45ACP

Gun-Tests.com 2323

VALUE GUIDE: 10MM & 40 S&W HANDGUN RANKINGS


H&K USP Compact 40 V 140 S&W, $799 A

Rated “Our Pick,” at this price it should be thebest. Finished first in accuracy and speed.

Kahr P4040 S&W, $707 A Rated “Our Pick,” we liked the look, feel, and

especially the rapid-fire potential of the P40.

Smith & Wesson 4046 (DAO)40 S&W, $290 A

This police trade-in was worn but needed only a recoil spring to be ready for carry again.

Smith & Wesson 61010mm Revolver, $684 A You can hunt and play a lot of different games with this gun.

Hard to find used.

Smith & Wesson M&P40c109203 40 S&W, $480 A-

Credible handgun with good design, reliability, and combat-shooting performance.

Heckler & Koch P30S V340 S&W, $1005 A- Fastest shooter. Offers a modular grip, multiple

safeties, and a refined single-action trigger.

Glock 2910mm, $637 A-

Accuracy and power in a surprisinglycontrollable package.

Springfield XD Service Bi-ToneXD9302HCSP06 40 S&W, $605 A- A lot of value for the money. Shot well, decent

trigger, and we liked its safety features.

Smith & Wesson M&P40No. 209200 40 S&W, $495 A-

It gets a lot of things right. The beavertail,sights, and slide cuts were excellent.

Kahr PM40 No. 404340 S&W, $786 A- Not a blindingly fast pistol, but precise and powerful. A best bet

for ankle carry.

Smith & Wesson Model 610 10mm, $833 A-

Handles more powerful 10mm rounds and 40 S&W rounds with exceptional accuracy.

Walther PPS No. WAP1000240 S&W, $713 A- For summertime carry or as a matching backup

piece, the PPS may be hard to beat.

FNH-USA FNP-40 40 S&W No. 47832, $450 B+

Clean ergonomics in the grip, smooth and easy use, simple takedown.

Glock G22 Gen440 S&W, $649 B+ The Gen 4 grip system should make this gun

more appealing to a wider variety of shooters.

SIG Sauer SP2022E2022-40-B 40 S&W, $570 B

The grips had the best texture, but wepreferred the overall ergonomics of others.

Beretta PX4 StormJXS4F20FC 40 S&W, $511 B The Storm isn’t the lightest 40-caliber

subcompact, but it is among the easiest to fire.

Walther PPQ No. 2776481 40S&W, $680 C+

Tricky takedown method and unusual magazine release made it stand out good and bad.


VALUE GUIDE: 10MM/.40S&W

Documents

BUYING GUIDE - Gun Tests · Gun-Tests.com 3 HEAD TO HEAD Tactical 1911 Pistol Shoot Out: SIG Sauer Vs. Smith & Wesson Is S&W’s SW1911 E-Series pistol really ‘enhanced,’ or is