Guns Ammo - July 20151

(HIDDEN) CARRY RIG MADE FOR AMERICA WINCHESTER’S
SNEAKY PETE HOLSTER JR CARBINES 9mm FLAG GUN TRAIN & DEFEND
g u ns a n d a m m o.co m
JULY 2015
HOW
DO THEY
STACK UP?
9
SINGLE STACK 9mm 8,000+ ROUNDS
POLYMER FRAME PISTOLS vs. 3 SHOOTERS
GLOCK’S NEW G43 3 DAYS
SIG Sauer P290RS

S&W M&P9 Shield
Beretta BU9 Nano

Kel-Tec PF-9
Kahr CM9
Ruger LC9s Pro

Taurus 709 SLIM
Springfield XDs 3.3
Walther PPS
IS PLASTIC 30
GUN TECH:
THE FUTURE? POLYCASE & POLYONE
Plastic bullets with plastic
PolyCase ARX Inceptor Ammunition cases are almost here.
38 G&A J U LY 2 0 1 5
J U LY 2 0 1 5 G&A 39
WORDS BY G&A STAFF | PHOTOS BY RICHARD KING
How does the new Glock 43 compare?

We put more than 8,000 rounds
through it and nine other compact,
single-stack, polymer-frame 9mm
carry pistols. Read on ...
PAGE 46
PAGE 64 PAGE 50
BE
RET O
TA BU9 NAN
PAGE 4 8
A
PAGE 62
WA
LTHER PP S H R AR MS CM- 9 PAGE 52
TA
URUS 709 SLIM KEL
-TEC PF-9
PAGE 60 PAGE 54
GLOCK 43
PAGE 58 PAGE 56
S
PR .
3
IN s 3
GF
IELD Y XD RU
ARMOR G E R L C 9 s P ro
M
D
IT
H I EL
&W SH I
GS S
E S S O N M& P 9 AUE R P 290R
40 G&A J U LY 2 0 1 5 | S I N G L E S TA C K 9 S H O O T O U T
WATCH OUR TEST!

Guns & Ammo’s editors
spent one week on the road
visiting three ranges across
the U.S., shooting more than
8,000 rounds through 10
single-stack 9mm compacts.
Taking the most objective
approach, gunsandammo.
com recorded the entire
review process with early
predictions, interviews and
conclusions. Malfunctions
were noted as well as high-
lights and surprising results
in the hands of G&A staff
and a “third man,” a local
full-time police officer.
See more at gunsandammo.com/9mm-shootout
650-ROUND TEST FIRE

GUNS & AMMO wasn’t the first to break the news about the Glock 43,
but after some careful thought, we considered the next few questions G&A
readers would ask:
SHOOT 1) How does the G43 stand up to its competition?
30 ROUNDS 2) Should I trade in my carry gun for that one?
UNDER $1 3) If I can’t afford to put at least 500 rounds through one, how can I trust that it

will function well for me when I need it?
Umarex Action Pistols, you can train With these questions before us, G&A surveyed the market for available
without traveling to the range. They are offerings and pulled together our collective resources. We borrowed and/or
authentic in shape, weight, and feel, purchased 10 single-stack, polymer-frame 9mm carry pistols costing less than
like their firearm counterparts, but use
$600 with a similar barrel length that measured between 3 and 3½ inches.
readily available, low cost ammunition.
See them in action here: In an effort to keep our results consistent, we reached out to Winchester
ActionPistols.com/GUNSAMMO for 8,000 rounds of its 147-grain Train & Defend loads. These two types of
ammunition are performance matched, giving us a control by which to com-
pare accuracy and reliability. The Train load features a full-metal-jacket (FMJ)
bullet, and the Defend load carries a jacketed hollowpoint (JHP), so feeding
both types of bullet-nose styles would aid in evaluating reliability.
Checks & Balances Knowing that G&A’s result could be hotly contested, we
photographed and cataloged every malfunction regardless of whether it was
!"#$ %& %'( user induced or a problem experienced with the pistol.
Further, a “third man” was on hand and inserted into the shooting rotation.
In addition to G&A Editor Eric Poole and Managing Editor Chris Mudgett, three
J U LY 2 0 1 5 G&A 41
full-time law enforcement officers joined this

team to provide their perspectives and vali-
date the execution and results of these tests.
Last, a videographer with multiple cam-
eras captured the action. This video will
be edited for length and made available to
G&A readers at gunsandammo.com short-
ly after this issue appears on newsstands.
Keeping It Real Each pistol was tested

using only the elements supplied by the
manufacturer, just as one would purchase
it new. For example, if a pistol was sup-
plied with one six-round magazine, that
was the only mag loaded and reloaded
during the entire test.
No pistol was lubricated or cleaned at
any time. The very first 25 shots averaged
three shooter’s five-shot groups from a
25-yard benchrest for accuracy at the
beginning, and the same was done at the
end of the 650-round testfire. We’ll let the
data speak for itself.
)*+*,,- )./ 0-12
=>?@ AC> 5.67 in.
Striker fired,
TYPE semiautomatic
CALIBER 9mm
6+1 rds. (std.),
CAPACITY 8+1 rds. (extd.)
4.31 in.
WEIGHT 1 lb., 4.48 oz. (empty)

FINISH Black nitride (steel)
GRIPS Polymer shell, textured
SIGHTS Three dot, drift adj. (rear)
TRIGGER 8 lbs., 3.5 oz. (new/final)
MSRP $450
Beretta USA
2.67 in. MANUFACTURER berettausa.com
7829: ;<
1.05 in. 6.25 in. Striker fired,

TYPE semiautomatic
CALIBER 9mm
CAPACITY 6+1 rds.
FINISH Black nitride (steel)
4.20 in.
GRIPS Polymer frame, Gen4

White dot (front),
SIGHTS U-notch (rear)
8 lbs., 6 oz. (new);
TRIGGER 8 lbs., 13 oz. (final)
MSRP $549
Glock USA
770-432-1202
MANUFACTURER glock.com
2.59 in.
3-4+ 56/

TYPE semiautomatic
CALIBER 9mm
CAPACITY 6+1 rds.
WEIGHT 1 lb., .8 oz. (empty)
FINISH Stainless steel (matte)
4.22 in.
GRIPS Polymer frame, textured

White dot (front),
SIGHTS white post (rear)
6 lbs., 4.5 oz. (new);
MSRP $460
Kahr Arms
2.48 in. 508-795-3919
MANUFACTURER kahr.com
S I N G L E S TA C K 9 S H O O T O U T | J U LY 2 0 1 5 G&A 43
DEFHIEJ LMHN
abcd efb 5.96 in.

Hammer fired,
TYPE semiautomatic
CALIBER 9mm
CAPACITY 7+1 rds.
WEIGHT 14.6 oz. (empty)
FINISH Parkerized (steel)
4.55 in.
GRIPS Polymer frame

SIGHTS Three dot, adj. notch (rear)
MSRP $333
Kel-Tec CNC Industries
321-631-0068
MANUFACTURER keltecweapons.com
2.87 in.
OPQEU VXNY LUZ

TYPE semiautomatic
CALIBER 9mm
CAPACITY 7+1 rds.
FINISH Blued (steel)
Glass-filled nylon
4.82 in.
GRIPS grip frame

TRIGGER 4 lbs., 11.5 oz. (final)
MSRP $449
Sturm, Ruger & Co.
928-541-8892
MANUFACTURER ruger.com
2.77 in.
[\] [^PEU L_N`O[ Hammer fired,

TYPE semiautomatic
1.06 in. 5.55 in.
CALIBER 9mm
6+1 rds. (std.),
FINISH Nitron (steel)
Polymer, textured;
4.58 in.
GRIPS interchangeable panels

SIGLITE three-dot
SIGHTS night sights
9 lbs., 12 oz. (new);
MSRP $513
SIG Sauer
603-610-3000
2.49 in. MANUFACTURER sigsauer.com
g}j~ nvvk |y gjnop

TYPE semiautomatic
CALIBER 9mm
7+1 rds. (std.),
FINISH Black 68 HRc (steel)
4.94 in.
Three dot, drift adjustable

SIGHTS (front/rear)
MSRP $449
Smith & Wesson
800-331-0852
MANUFACTURER smith-wesson.com

ghijklmnop qr
s 3.3
Striker fired,
1.07 in. 6.46 in. TYPE semiautomatic
CALIBER 9mm
7+1 rds. (std.),
WEIGHT 1 lb., 7 oz. (empty)
FINISH Melonite (steel)
4.38 in.
GRIPS Polymer, textured

Fiber optic, red (front);
SIGHTS white dot (rear)
MSRP $599
Springfield Armory
800-680-6866
MANUFACTURER springfield-armory.com
2.99 in.
stuiuv wxy gz{|
1.13 in. 6.20 in.

Striker fired,
TYPE semiautomatic
CALIBER 9mm
CAPACITY 7+1 rds.
FINISH Blued (steel)
4.58 in.

Three dot, elev. and
SIGHTS windage adj. (rear)
7 lbs. (new); 6 lbs.,
TRIGGER 10 oz. (final)
MSRP $302
Taurus
MANUFACTURER taurususa.com
2.60 in.
S I N G L E S TA C K 9 S H O O T O U T | J U LY 2 0 1 5 G&A 45

6.30 in. Striker fired,

TYPE semiautomatic
CALIBER 9mm
7+1 rds. (std.),
FINISH Tenifer (steel)
5.34 in.

MSRP $599
Walther Arms Inc.
479-242-8500
MANUFACTURER waltherarms.com
2.50 in.
OUT-OF-THE-BOX / INITIAL TEST RESULTS

MAX. NO. TESTED TRIGGER PULL AT OVERALL MUDGETT POLICE POOLE
MAG. MAGS. WEIGHT 0 RDS. / 600 RDS. LENGTH SIX-SHOT SHOOTER SIX-SHOT
FIREARM CAP. INCL. SIGHTS PACKAGING (OZ.) OR 1,000 RDS. (LBS.) (IN.) MSRP SPLITS SPLITS SPLITS
Beretta BU9 Nano 8 2 Three Dot Plastic Box 20.4 8.22 / 8.22 5.67 $450 2.54 / .25 2.08 / .28 1.90 / .18
Glock 43 6 2 Dot/Notch Plastic Box 17.9 8.38 / 8.81 6.25 $549 1.53 / .22 1.96 / .20 1.60 / .22
Kahr CM9 6 1 Dot/Post Cardboard Box 16.8 6.28 / 5.38 5.58 $460 1.78 / .28 1.85 / .25 1.61 / .23
Kel-Tec PF-9 7 1 Three Dot Plastic Box 14.6 7.50 / 6.69 5.96 $333 2.40 / .32 2.82 / .38 1.91 / .26
Ruger LC9s Pro 7 1 Three Dot Cardboard Box 17.3 5.13 / 4.72 6.01 $449 1.50 / .20 1.98 / .22 1.38 / .17
SIG Sauer P290RS 8 2 Three Dot NS Plastic Box 20.6 9.75 / 10.33 5.55 $513 2.25 / .24 3.21 / .34 2.85 / .34
S&W M&P9 Shield 8 2 Three Dot Cardboard Box 20.8 7.06 / 7.16 6.80 $449 1.59 / .20 1.36 / .21 1.34 / .20
Springfield XDs 3.3 8 2 Fiber Optic Plastic Box 23.0 8.56 / 7.88 6.46 $599 1.52 / .22 1.76 / .19 1.49 / .21
Taurus 709 SLIM 7 1 Three Dot Cardboard Box 19.2 7.00 / 6.63 6.20 $302 1.54 / .24 1.30 / .18 1.31 / .19
Walther PPS 8 2 Three Dot Plastic Box 21.6 7.06 / 6.34 6.30 $599 1.86 / .23 1.42 / .17 1.33 / .19
NOTES: “SIX-SHOT SPLITS” represent total time and split time of six shots fired offhand in rapid sequence, which were measured and recorded by a PACT Club Timer III.
IT ALL STARTS WITH

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BERETTA BU9 NANO

The only single-stack 9mm pistol built on a chassis.
BERETTA’S SMALLEST 9MM is the Nano, which WINCHESTER TRAIN & DEFEND PERFORMANCE TEST
is unique in that it features an internal subchassis WEIGHT VEL. AVG. GRP. BEST GRP.
LOAD (GRS.) (FPS) ES SD (IN.) (IN.)
that serves as the pistol’s serialized component. It is a
Initial Test Results (rds. 1 – 25) 5.82 3.83
modular design, meaning that its chassis will readily 147 869 49 18
End Test Results (rds. 625 – 650) 6.00 3.93
accept optional grip frames, which marry neatly to
the no-snag slide assembly. For now, its polymer grip
shells are available in black, Flat Dark Earth (FDE) 0
–---- 12 Rear Sight Lost
— - Occurred during
and pink. For an additional $200 more than the stan- –---
— - the third string
dard configuration, the Nano can be ordered with a –---
— - of out-of-the-box
–---
Crimson Trace laser unit. —
–---
- accuracy testing.
Shooting the Nano quickly revealed that it was easy 100
–---
— -
to control through rapid-fire drills, particularly when –---
— -
fired using the 8+1-round magazine. This particular –---
— - 78 Failure to Eject
–---
magazine comes with an extended basepad to rest — - The first of nine
–--
200 occurrences of this
your firing hand’s pinky finger on for optimal control. –----
—
malfunction type
-
Other positive takeaways include that the magazine –--- with a double feed.
— -
release was always readily accessible, and the textur- –---
— -
–--- 363 Front Sight Lost
ing on it was very good (much like the no-slip grip). —
–---
-
The front sight’s dovetail
Though the trigger pull averaged 8 pounds on our 300
–---
launched it forward into
gauge, during this evaluation shooters indicated that —
–--
- the target berm, never
— -- to be seen again.
it was notably smooth. –---
— -
–--
Accuracy results were not representative of the —
–--
--
400
596 Failure to Extract
pistol’s real potential. Our pistol shed its rear sight on –---- The last malfunction
— -
round 12 and its front sight on round 363. Further, –--- experienced before it
— -
the lack of a slide-lock lever made failure-to-extract –--- was retired following
— -
–--- accuracy testing on
(FTE) malfunctions especially cumbersome to clear. —
–---
-
round 650. Looking
The Nano is easy to maintain and disassemble. A 500
–---
back, the option of
flat-tipped screwdriver — or the rim of a spent case —
–---
- an external slide lock
—
–---
- lever could have eased
— is necessary to rotate a takedown pin 90 degrees. — - malfunction clearing in
–--
— -- a few cases.
–--
600
–---
— -
–---
GLOCK 43
The new kid on the block everyone is talking about.
MANY GLOCK FANS CRIED FOUL after learning WINCHESTER TRAIN & DEFEND PERFORMANCE TEST
that 2014’s G42 introduction would be a single-stack WEIGHT VEL. AVG. GRP. BEST GRP.
.380. (However, we are told that Glock sold nearly
200,000 G42s after its launch.) All was well when 147 910 38 15
Glock announced on March 20, 2015, that the G43
would be a single-stack 9mm. Those who appreciate
this brand’s familiar ergonomics will quickly become 0
–---- 25 Accurate and
— - Familiar
comfortable with this compact nine. –---
— - “It’s as if it were the
Size-wise, the G43 is a little more than a quarter- –---
— - little brother to my
–---
inch longer in overall length than last year’s G42 and —
–---
- G19.”
.16 inch shorter than the subcompact G26. One inter- 100 — E. Poole
–---
— -
esting decision will be made by users of the G26: Is it –---
— -
worth giving up standard 10-round or extended- –---
— -
–---
capacity magazines for the slim handling of the G43? —
–--
-
200
245 “Big Hands”
(The G26 measures 1.18 inches wide versus the G43, –---- Says, “This pistol
— -
which measured 1.05 inches.) –--- would be perfec-
— -
At the range, the G43 was extremely accurate, –--- tion with a longer
— -
–--- length of pull.”
with Eric Poole shooting an unexpected 1.89-inch —
–---
-
best group at 25 yards — after the pistol had fired 300

–---
— -
625 rounds without incident. The G43 was a favorite –--
-- 605 Can a Pistol
—
among our “third man” participants, each indicating –--- Become More
— -
–-- Accurate? Eric
that they would soon own one. —
–--
--
Poole shoots a
The G43 performed consistently well, and G&A 400
–---- 1.89-inch group
— -
has no reservations in recommending this model for –--- from a bench at 25
— -
carry. Our only gripe would be the desire for a more –--- yards.
— -
–---
than six-round-capacity magazine and steel sights to —
–---
-
replace what Chris Mudgett jokingly refers to as the 500

–---
— -
“Glock dovetail protectors.” No doubt the aftermarket –---
— -
will soon follow with some options. –---
— -
–--
— --
–--
600
–---
— -
–---
KAHR CM9
An accurate short-frame pistol that lacks the benefit of an extended mag.
“VALUE PRICED” is the takeaway Kahr Arms wants WINCHESTER TRAIN & DEFEND PERFORMANCE TEST
us to have with its CM9. The CM models differ from WEIGHT VEL. AVG. GRP. BEST GRP.
the more expensive PM models in that CM pistols
utilize a conventionally rifled barrel rather than the 147 863 29 11
PM’s match-grade polygonal-rifled tube. Additionally,
the CM series uses a metal-injection-molded (MIM)
slide-lock lever rather than one that is machined. Roll 0
–----
— -
marks indicate make, model and caliber on the slide –---
— -
rather than if it had been laser engraved, and the CM9 –---
— -
–---
is shipped with one magazine rather than two. The —
–---
-
111 Long Trigger
result is that this pistol requires fewer manufacturing 100
–--- “The long stroke on
— -
processes. This means Kahr customers save money. –--- this trigger is mak-
— -
Everybody involved in testing the CM9 agreed that, –--- ing this pistol a bit
— -
–--- of a chore to shoot
though the stroke was long, the trigger was good and —
–--
- with big hands.”
exceeded our expectations. Even more interesting, the 200 — C. Mudgett
–----
— -
trigger got even better by losing almost a full pound –---
— -
after having been fired more than 650 rounds! –---
— -
–---
Kahr’s CM9 proved reasonably accurate, manage- —
–---
-
able to shoot fast and very reliable. Most important 300

–---
— -
was that there were no malfunctions experienced in –--
--
—
firing to the end of our performance test. –---
— -
–--
Of note, some users with dexterity challenges —
–--
--
will find that the slide on the CM9 requires more 400
–----
— -
strength to rack, and G&A recommends at least one –---
— -
spare magazine be obtained ... preferably one with an –---
— -
–---
extended basepad allowing for a more positive grip. —
–---
-
One or two extra rounds in capacity would also be 500

–---
— - 650 It’s Dirty But ...
greatly appreciated. –--- No malfunctions after
— -
–--- 650 rounds fired.
— -
–--
— --
–--
600
–---
— -
–---
KEL-TEC PF-9
This gun was built for carry, not for shooting high-round-count range sessions.
PERHAPS THE LIGHTEST 9MM ever made is WINCHESTER TRAIN & DEFEND PERFORMANCE TEST
the Kel-Tec PF-9. Besides a few inherent attributes WEIGHT VEL. AVG. GRP. BEST GRP.
that make it an easily concealed pistol — slim,
lightweight, accurate — the best feature is its price. 147 873 35 14
Though the MSRP indicates a higher number, we
have found that street price is significantly less; the
Parkerized/black model we tested here currently aver- 0
–----
— -
ages $270 nationwide. Other finish and color options –---
— -
include blued and hard-chrome slides atop polymer –---
— -
–---
frames molded in desert tan, olive drab and gray. —
–---
-
The rear sight is new, which is adjustable for 100
–---
— -
windage using the Kel-Tec-supplied Allen wrench. –---
— -
The aging eyes of our “third man” did not care for the –---
— -
–---
small sights, but young eyes will find them useful in —
–--
-
obtaining a sharp sight picture. 200
–----
— -
The PF-9 is one of the few carry compacts with an –---
— -
accessory rail, which we applaud. Downrange results –---
— -
–---
in the real world are improved when two hands are —
–---
-
available to control the pistol while shooting rather 300

–---
— -
than one hand needing to manage a handheld –--
--
—
flashlight. –---
— -
–--
Our hands still ache from the beating the PF-9 gave —
–--
--
us. This lightweight pistol’s narrow grip translates to 400
–----
— - 259 We Recommend Using
unequaled pain. In time, the PF-9 was the only hand- –---
— - Lubricant … But We Didn’t.
gun that we chose to wear gloves to shoot. Ouch. –---
—
–---
- This was the first of 10 failure-
A sight to see was beheld at the range. The Kel- —
–---
- to-extract (FTE)/failure-to-feed
Tec’s 1.21-inch leaf-spring-powered extractor helped 500 (FTF) malfunctions over the next
–--- 250 rounds that resulted in slug-
— -
chuck spent cases far and away ... nearly 30 feet on –--- gish slide velocity due to carbon
— -
several occassions. –--- residue buildup.
— -
–--
— --
–--
600
–---
— -
–---
RUGER LC9s Pro

It was every new shooter’s favorite.
THE LATEST AND GREATEST iteration of Ruger’s WINCHESTER TRAIN & DEFEND PERFORMANCE TEST
popular LC9 series is the LC9s Pro. The reason is WEIGHT VEL. AVG. GRP. BEST GRP.
simple: the trigger. We’ll get to that shortly.
The LC9s Pro model is a striker-fired version of the 147 853 48 18
original (and popular) hammer-fired LC9. The Pro
model offers no external manual safety or magazine
safety, and this one works with all the accessories 0
–----
— -
such as lasers, lights and extended nine-round maga- –---
— -
zines that already exist for the LC9. –---
— -
–---
Open the box, and new shooters are greeted with —
–---
-
an unexpected bonus: a Ruger-labeled softcase. But 100
–---
— -
the lasting takeaway was experienced during the first –---
— -
dry fire. The LC9s Pro incorporates the lightest trigger –---
— -
–---
of any polymer-frame, single-stack 9mm compact —
–--
-
we’ve encountered. The Lyman trigger-pull gauge av- 200
–----
— -
eraged 5 pounds, 2 ounces out of the box. It slightly –---
— -
improved to 4 pounds, 11½ ounces by the time this –---
— -
–---
pistol fired its last and 650th round. —
–---
-
Only one malfunction was experienced, and we 300

–---
— -
suspect that it was user induced. It occurred on round –--
--
—
–---
171 Slide Locks to the Rear
171 and was caused by our “third man,” who may — - It is believed that the LE officer
–--
have accidentally pushed up on the small slide-lock —
–--
-- taking his turn at evaluating the
lever with the joint behind his thumb during firing. 400 LC9s Pro inadvertently pushed up
–---- on the miniscule slide-lock lever. In
— -
Besides having the most pleasant trigger pull of the –--- keeping with the rules of this test,
— -
lot, it surprised us that the LC9s Pro didn’t champion –--- this incident was documented.
— -
–---
any particular category. Accuracy was a little ho-hum —
–---
-
average, and one shooter thought the trigger was “too 500 650 No (Other) Malfunctions
–--- Depending on whether you count
— -
light,” a feature that is obviously subjective. It certain- –--- the incident at round 171, this
— -
ly was a solid performer, and it has no-snag lines. –--- Ruger qualified for carry.
— -
–--
— --
–--
600
–---
— -
–---
SIG SAUER P290RS

This one comes with night sights and wears the best textured grip of the bunch.
THE P290RS IS LOADED with features that dis- WINCHESTER TRAIN & DEFEND PERFORMANCE TEST
tinguish it from other single-stack, polymer-frame WEIGHT VEL. AVG. GRP. BEST GRP.
Wonder Nines. For example, the P290RS arrives in
an excellent plastic case that contains the pistol, two 147 850 28 12
magazines and a holster (among other things). Only
Springfield Armory offers more accessories, with its
XDs. Further, this subcompact offers interchangeable 0
–----
— -
grip plates to personalize the grip — we’ve seen a –---
— -
picture of orange, purple and pink side panels also –---
— -
–---
— and it is the only pistol in this roundup to come —
–---
-
standard with night sights. The P290RS wears a set of 100
–---
— -
three-dot SIGLITE tritium-filled irons. –---
— -
The “RS” suffix indicates that this model utilizes –---
— -
–---
a double-action-only (DAO) trigger that’s restrike —
–--
-
capable. Some feel the need for this capability should 200
–----
— -
a live cartridge in the chamber not fire initially. Such –---
—
–---
- 144 Failure to Feed (FTF)
an incident was not experienced in G&A’s testing, so — - This malfunction occurred three
–---
this feature could not be evaluated. —
–---
- times within the first 220 rounds.
The trigger on the RS model is much longer and 300 In the hands of the same shooter, a
–--- bad magazine was initially suspected.
— -
“very stagey,” as one shooter put it. This aspect made –--
-- Later in the test, it was determined that
—
rapid-fire drills challenging with a lot of shots pulled –--- applying firm pressure to the extended mag-
— -
–-- azine pad caused the mag to move downward,
low. It seems to encourage slapping the trigger. We’d —
–--
--
400
too far below the slide’s ability to pick up a fresh
prefer the P320’s striker setup over this hammer gun. –---- round. Further FTFs ceased.
— -
To acheive this pistol’s best results, we recommend –---
— -
using the supplied eight-round extended magazine –---
— -
–---
over the flush-fit six-round mag for an awesome —
–---
-
grip that mimics the control of a full-size gun. G&A’s 500 650 Final Thoughts
–--- Heavily optioned with features and good accuracy, the DAO
— -
favorite feature of the P290RS is its texturing, which –--- trigger was this model’s least popular detail. No malfunctions were
— -
is also applied to the extended magazine. –--- experienced when using the six-round, flush-fit magazine.
— -
–--
— --
–--
600
–---
— -
–---
S&W M&P9 SHIELD

The benchmark for comparison.
THE NEW PERFORMANCE CENTER M&P9 WINCHESTER TRAIN & DEFEND PERFORMANCE TEST
Shield was almost ready to challenge the Glock 43 in WEIGHT VEL. AVG. GRP. BEST GRP.
this test. Alas, due to an issue regarding fiber optic
sight availability, the enhanced and ported Shield 147 886 27 10
could not be obtained in time for comparison. (Too
bad; S&W indicated that it intends to price this “up-
graded model” less than the G43.) So, we borrowed a 0
–---- 12 Failure to Extract
— - This malfunction occurred
personally owned, off-the-shelf M&P9 Shield. –---
— - for an unknown reason.
The Shield is a concealable striker-fired pistol with –---
— -
–---
an enviable reputation. It boasts a 1-inch profile and —
–---
- 25 Number 1
an instinctively pointable 18-degree grip angle. 100 The most accurate pistol
–---
Smith & Wesson achieved a good balance between — - out of the box in the
–---
— - hands of three very
concealability and shootability, perhaps better than –---
— - different shooters.
–---
any other single-stack 9mm polymer-frame hand- —
–--
-
gun. Though the grip is textured, G&A felt that after 200
–----
— -
shooting 650 rounds, in comparison with other –---
— -
makes the Shield could stand to benefit from more –---
— -
–---
aggressive texturing to improve positive handling. —
–---
-
The trigger was a highlight of this pistol and featured 300

–---
— -
a consistent pull that averaged nearly 7 pounds at the –--
-- 324 Stovepipe
—
beginning and end of this evaluation. It quickly built –--- Although malfunctions were
— -
–-- rare, the Shield did present
this pressure with short travel, then crisply snapped as —
–--
--
a single failure to eject.
the striker is released forward. The click to reset was 400
–----
— -
tactile, quick and somewhat audible to the shooter, –---
— -
providing very fast and predictable follow-up shots. –---
— -
–---
During drills, this latter feature combined with its —
–---
-
full-size-like grip (using the eight-round extended 500 600 “Shining Star”
–--- After 6,000 rounds had been fired between 10
— -
magazine) to control groups in very tight order. The –--- single-stack 9mms, the Shield was one of the most
— -
Shield posted many of our test’s best results. –--- comfortable and enjoyable handgun to shoot.
— -
–--
— --
–--
600
–---
— -
–---
SPRINGFIELD XDs 3.3

The most controllable single-stack, polymer-frame 9mm tested.
THERE WAS JUST SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Each WINCHESTER TRAIN & DEFEND PERFORMANCE TEST
time one of us put down Springfield Armory’s XDs WEIGHT VEL. AVG. GRP. BEST GRP.
3.3, we’d look at the grip’s imprint remaining in the
palm of our hands and ponder about the threshhold 147 924 15 5
between comfort and control. This pistol’s coarse,
molded checkering sticks to hands like no other. It is
also well equipped. 0
–----
—
The XDs comes in a value-added packed plastic –---
-
— -
case that opens to reveal a pistol with an outside- –---
— -
–---
the-waistband (OWB) holster and spare mag carrier. —
–---
-
The pistol itself is fitted with a red fiber optic sight up 100 27/81 Not In Battery
–--- Two failure-to-fire (FTF)
— -
front that seems to gather light and focus your atten- –--- malfunctions were
— -
tion where it should be: on the front sight. –--- caused by slight out-
— -
–--- of-battery situations.
This model’s 3.3-inch barrel offers a little more —
–--
-
200
No other malfunctions
sight radius than other single-stack nines, which, in –---- occurred through 650
— -
conjunction with the eight-round extended magazine, –--- rounds.
— -
helped us all print respectable groups out of the box. –---
— -
–---
This performance seemed to remain consistent over —
–---
-
650 rounds, but everyone felt it could shoot better if 300

–---
—
the trigger were lighter and crisper. (The XDs trigger –--
-
--
—
did lighten 11 ounces by the end of this test.) –---
— -
–--
Two failure-to-feed malfunctions occurred during —
–--
--
the first 100 rounds of testing and then no more. The 400
–----
—
left-side button of the XDs’ ambidextrous magazine –---
-
— -
release became increasingly difficult to press the more –---
— -
–---
it was shot, but it never did seize. Therefore, G&A —
–---
-
feels this model deserves consideration ... especially 500

–---
— -
by those who want a compact 9mm pistol that won’t –---
— -
squirm in your hand when called on. –---
— -
–--
— --
–--
600
–---
— -
–---
TAURUS 709 SLIM

One of the top pistols tested.
GET READY FOR THIS: The striker-fired Taurus WINCHESTER TRAIN & DEFEND PERFORMANCE TEST
709 Slim proved to be this test’s best value. Why? Let’s WEIGHT VEL. AVG. GRP. BEST GRP.
start with MSRP: $302. This year, Taurus dropped
the prices for several of its models, to include the 709 147 853 46 17
Slim. That means we’re likely to find one of these for
about $270 across the counter at the local gun store.
But a low price doesn’t necessarily mean “cheap.” 0
–---- 111Manual Safety
— - We realized here that
Frankly, some of us entered this test with a slight –---
— - the 709 Slim and the
bias. By the end of the test, all of our opinions had –---
— - S&W Shield were the
–---
radically changed. It’s unfair to judge the new Slim —
–---
- only pistols in this
until you’ve actually shot one. 100 test to feature an
–---
To start, the 709 Slim printed the single best — - external safety lever.
–---
— -
five-shot group of this entire test — 1.18 inches at –---
— -
–---
25 yards — in the capable hands of Chris Mudgett. —
–--
-
200 245 Going ...
And it did so after it had fired 635 rounds without a –---- Still waiting for a
— -
malfunction. (Then it went far, far beyond and has yet –--- malfunction.
— -
to stutter.) –---
— -
–---
The Slim weighs 3 ounces over a pound and has a —
–---
-
grip that points naturally and a single-action trigger 300

–---
— -
that’s impressively crisp. Though it only comes with –--
-- 630 Best Group
—
one flush-pad magazine, we grew to appreciate its –--- Fired at 25 yards by
— -
–-- Chris Mudgett, this
bright-yellow follower, which clearly indicated its sta- —
–--
--
400
1.18-inch group was
tus in low light, visible through the ejection port. (All –---- the best in the test.
— -
companies should follow Taurus’ lead on this.) –---
— -
Keeping an open mind and evaluating the Slim in –---
— -
–---
hand with nine other pistols of this class, we all — —
–---
-
including the three police officers among us — con- 500

–---
— - 650+ “It’s True. This Gun Runs.”
cluded that its ergonomics and performance earned it –--- In spite of the pending criticism G&A expects from the Web, we
— -
a place on the list of everyone’s top pistols tested. –--- stay true to our experience. Zero malfunctions, and it’s all on video.
— -
–--
— --
–--
600
–---
— -
–---
WALTHER PPS
It strikes the balance between shootability and concealability.

PPS
features a
unique paddle
magazine
release.
AT THE START of our test, all of us wrote down WINCHESTER TRAIN & DEFEND PERFORMANCE TEST
predictions. No one scribbled “Walther” as a top WEIGHT VEL. AVG. GRP. BEST GRP.
finalist. However, by the end of our second day, we
were all dumbfounded. Where every other target had 147 894 5 2
600-round holes averaging the size of a large pizza,
the Walther PPS had shot a ragged hole the size of a
grapefruit. And, besides the initial accuracy test, most 0
–----
— -
of it was shot rapid fire. The PPS with its large, eight- –---
— -
round extended magazine proved to be as controlla- –---
— -
–---
ble and easy to shoot fast and precisely as a full-size —
–---
-
100 Look at This!
service pistol. 100
–--- Shooters step back
— -
OK, there was one feature that none of us really –--- from the firing
— -
cared for on this model: the ambidextrous pad- –--- line and compare
— -
–--- all 10 targets to
dle-style magazine release that straddles half of the —
–--
-
find that the PPS
triggerguard. We should note that we don’t mind 200
–---- had grouped 100
— - rounds into the size
this type of magazine release on other pistols, but it’s –---
— - of a tennis ball.
unnecessarily awkward to work for this little pistol. –---
— -
–---
A conventional mag-release button as found on the —
–---
- 300 Rapid Fire
PPQ M2 might make this the best single-stack 9mm 300 With little muzzle
–---
— - flip, the PPS is not-
money can buy. –--
-- ed to be the easiest
—
That one criticism aside, everything else was spot –---
— - pistol to control
–--
on. The length of pull and grip angle facilitated com- — -- and group rounds.
–--
fortable operation by big and small hands alike, and 400
–----
it sported consistent accuracy, a fine trigger and a grip —
–---
- 650+ No Malfunctions
—
–---
- Test complete with no
that was easy to hang on to during rapid fire. — - incidents to report.
–---
The Walther PPS posted no malfunctions during —
–---
-
our test. After 650 rounds had been fired, Eric Poole 500 660 One Last Group
–--- After shooting a best group of 2.08 inches at 25
— -
printed a 25-yard 10-round group (for his own amuse- –--- yards, Eric Poole continued to shoot a total of 10
— -
ment) that measured 3.18 inches. –--- rounds that measured 3.18 inches.
— -
–--
— --
–--
600
–---
— -
–---
With more than

8,000 rounds hav-
WATCH SEASON 3 ing been fired, the
end of each day
OF THE OUTFITTERS. looked like this: a
SUNDAYS. 11 A.M. EST
SPORTSMAN CHANNEL.
pile of Winchester
Train & Defend car-
BEYOND 650
tons on the range AT THE COMPLETION of our initial performance test, several
floor, spent cases pistols moved on to shoot more than 650 rounds. Treating it as
observed as incred- a final elimination stage, we agreed to run these pistols against
BROUGHT TO YOU BY ibly clean. In fact,
the new Glock 43 to 1,000 rounds as long as there was no type
THE FORD F-150. one officer noted
that all he’d have of malfunction. This number is considered by many (particularly
THE FUTURE OF TOUGH. to do to prep the those in the law enforcement community) as the standard any
brass for reloading
would be to punch duty gun must meet before they are willing to trust their lives to
out the primer. its reliability. Only three pistols made it: the Kahr CM-9, Taurus
Now, that’s some 709 Slim and Walther PPS. The CM-9 had an FTF on 763.
good ammo.
The road to 1,000 was quite a boring journey for the Glock
43, Taurus Slim and Walther PPS, which continued to run with
five-minute breaks between strings of 100 rounds. All three eval-
uators rotated and pushed these pistols through several rapid-fire
sessions at near-80-degree temperatures. After the 1,000-round
mark was met, Eric Poole decided to push all three pistols
through one final program he calls the “typewriter test.” This
drill draws from different loads and bullet weights staggered in
each magazine — usually leftover ammunition from other tests.
Though all loads were of Winchester’s manufacture, the audible
report heard through ear muffs is akin to a typewriter smacking
paper. Springs and small parts must instantly react to the chang-
ing pressures resulting from different loads.
THEFORDOUTFITTERS.COM These last 50 rounds did nothing to affect the performance of
Try to avoid water higher than the bottom of the hubs these pistols. The Glock 43, Taurus 709 Slim and Walther PPS all
and proceed slowly. Refer to your Owner’s Manual for successfully pushed to 1,050 rounds fired.
detailed information regarding driving through water.

Guns Ammo - July 20151

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(HIDDEN) CARRY RIG MADE FOR AMERICA WINCHESTER’S

SIG Sauer P290RS

Beretta BU9 Nano

Ruger LC9s Pro

WORDS BY G&A STAFF | PHOTOS BY RICHARD KING

How does the new Glock 43 compare?

WATCH OUR TEST!

See more at gunsandammo.com/9mm-shootout

650-ROUND TEST FIRE

full-time law enforcement officers joined this

Keeping It Real Each pistol was tested

)*+*,,- )./ 0-12

=>?@ AC> 5.67 in.

WEIGHT 1 lb., 4.48 oz. (empty)

1.05 in. 6.25 in. Striker fired,

GRIPS Polymer frame, Gen4

1.11 in. 5.58 in. Striker fired,

GRIPS Polymer frame, textured

abcd efb 5.96 in.

GRIPS Polymer frame

OPQEU VXNY LUZ

1.01 in. 6.01 in. Striker fired,

GRIPS grip frame

[\] [^PEU L_N`O[ Hammer fired,

GRIPS interchangeable panels

g}j~  nvvk |y gjnop

Three dot, drift adjustable

GRIPS Polymer, textured

stuiuv wxy gz{|

1.13 in. 6.20 in.

GRIPS Polymer frame, textured

  6.30 in. Striker fired,

GRIPS Polymer frame, textured

OUT-OF-THE-BOX / INITIAL TEST RESULTS

IT ALL STARTS WITH

USED BY THE U.S. MILITARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

BERETTA BU9 NANO

best group at 25 yards — after the pistol had fired 300

replace what Chris Mudgett jokingly refers to as the 500

able to shoot fast and very reliable. Most important 300

One or two extra rounds in capacity would also be 500

available to control the pistol while shooting rather 300

RUGER LC9s Pro

Only one malfunction was experienced, and we 300

SIG SAUER P290RS

S&W M&P9 SHIELD

The trigger was a highlight of this pistol and featured 300

SPRINGFIELD XDs 3.3

650 rounds, but everyone felt it could shoot better if 300

feels this model deserves consideration ... especially 500

TAURUS 709 SLIM

grip that points naturally and a single-action trigger 300

including the three police officers among us — con- 500

With more than

Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen

)+,,- )./ 0-12

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6.30 in. Striker fired,