The 1911 occupies a curious position in the modern concealed carry landscape. It is widely respected and often admired, yet only sometimes considered a practical choice for everyday carry. Many people speak of it the way they speak of a classic automobile: beautiful, capable, historically signifi...
Let’s take a quick trip back in time, around 15 years or so, when Travis Haley and Chris Costa had just released a very popular DVD (remember those?) called “The Art of the Tactical Carbine,” and pretty much everyone in the firearms training industry picked up a copy and watched it from beg...
I recently had the chance to test the Springfield Armory Mil-Spec pistol in .45 ACP, positioned in the manufacturer’s line as a very reasonably priced basic service pistol — yet one that still features a rugged forged frame and slide. Except for its taller sights, it shares the silhouette of ...
Springfield Armory came out with their Hellcat micro-compact pistol in 2019. The Hellcat helped establish the entirely new genre of micro-compact concealed carry pistols. Where previously you had the option of either a full-sized 9mm service pistol or an underpowered pocket gun, the Hellcat packe...
The 1911 has now been with us for a century and a decade. Throughout that lifespan, there’s been no point at which it was not beloved by huge numbers of soldiers, law enforcement agents, and civilian shooters. Astonishingly, perhaps implausibly, the 1911 remains a darling of serious pistol...
Another step, and two deer scooted from a foggy clearing. But their dash into the alders suggested they’d not go far. Circling downwind, I drifted onto a deer trail, pausing at each step, glassing not yards ahead but feet. Then: a glint from the shadows. Stay still! Presently, beside ...
To say that no other handgun has been as celebrated, discussed, coveted and produced as much as the Model 1911 by gun designer John Browning is an understatement. Long past the century-old mark, this ubiquitous firearm design shows no sign of fading in popularity or practical use. Sprin...
More than a century after the debut of John Browning’s most celebrated handgun design, the year 2020 marked the beginning of Springfield Armory’s most recent 1911 makeover. Long known as a premium purveyor of the .45-caliber, two-time World War champ, Springfield’s catalog of 1911s had grow...
When it comes time to shoot, will you be prepared to deliver the shot you have to? Will you have the skills needed to face down that moment, through all the stress and pressure? Have you invested the time needed to develop these skills so that they click in immediately and without a second though...
Modularity is the holy gospel in military circles these days. Distilled to its essence, a modular weapon system uses a single basic chassis that can then be customized to perform specific missions. Think of it like Barbie dolls for gun guys. By mixing and matching accessories, you can be ready fo...