Tag Archives: gun review

You now have a choice between War Daddy and Indy

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Smith & Wesson went the extra mile for wheel gun enthusiasts this week, paying tribute to the famed M1917 while also adding a revolver fans have waited years for.

As we have detailed in the past, the U.S. Army Model 1917 revolver in .45 ACP was one of the company’s first big N-frame “triple lock” revolvers. Using two 3-round “half-moon” clips or a single six-shot “full moon” to accommodate the rimless .45 ACP, 150,000 S&W M1917s were delivered to the Army before the end of the Great War, and they were often standard-issue for specialist soldiers such as dispatch riders, military police, tankers, and machine gunners through WWII.

Wartime S&W M1917s had plain wooden grips and a lanyard ring. (Photo: U.S. Army Signal Corps image circa 1918, via the National Archives)

The new “no lock” S&W Model 22 is headed to market in both a 1917 clone with much the same features as the original, along with a Classic variant that recalls the common conversion often seen with such “war babies,” primarily a shorter 4-inch barrel as seen in the famed “Stembridge” guns used by Dr. Jones in the 1981 classic, “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”

The new S&W Model 22s, with the more “Indy” 4-inch Classic on the left, and the more “Fury” 1917 on the right. (Photos unless noted: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

Side by side, you get a better idea of the differences. Both are N-frame .45s, but the Classic can use either .45 ACP or rimmed .45 Colt in its cylinder. Meanwhile, the 1917 is ACP only.

Both have smooth wood grips and a lanyard ring, recalling the revolver that was originally meant to fight the Kaiser.

Note the barrel-profile differences: the M1917 uses a simple half moon, while the Classic carries a red ramped front sight, like what you would see on a more modern combat magnum.

Either way, these are great-looking revolvers that look like they “belong in a museum” while still being range-ready.

Plus, with the Classic especially, you could make a case for it as a good sidearm for those headed into dangerous predator country when loaded with heavy cast bullets.

The MSRP on the new Smith & Wesson Model 22s in .45 is $1,299.

Gremlins and Hornets: Gun Industry Leaning into Drone-on-Drone Combat

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Last week, Federal, Mossberg, and SIG quietly announced new initiatives to arm unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for future air-to-air combat.

SwarmShot

Federal Ammunition, Mossberg,  and the Palladyne AI Corp have teamed up to develop “SwarmShot,” which is being described as a modular, autonomous airborne counter-UAS system. In other words, an armed drone that is capable of shooting down other drones.

Designed to counter hostile drone swarms affordably and effectively, the system will integrate Federal’s unnamed specialized counter-UAS shotshell ammunition, a lightweight Mossberg airborne weapon module (we guess based on the 990 Aftershock autoloader), and Palladyne’s IntelliSwarm autonomy software.

One of these, san grips, fore arm, and anything else not needed, fired via solenoid:

Gremlin-X has a 10-pound payload and the 990 Aftershock, loaded 5+1, only goes a bit over 7, with furniture, which won’t be needed.

Initially launching as a modular mission add-on for Palladyne’s Gremlin-X quadcopter mini-bomber, which will let a single aircraft toggle between precision-strike and counter-drone missions, effectively a small drone “fighter bomber,” the technology is planned to expand into a kit for drones made by others.

“One SwarmShot-equipped aircraft is a reusable interceptor. Multiple aircraft operating through IntelliSwarm become a coordinated kinetic swarm,” said Ben Wolff, President and CEO of Palladyne AI. “Gremlin-X gives us the first complete system, and the multi-OEM kit gives the partnership a path to scale.”

As for Mossberg, they are engineering the weapon module around a set of unique requirements of recoil, remote actuation, reliability, and safety. Meanwhile, Federal, building on recent counter-drone work with the U.S. Army, will determine the best loads for the module.

“Federal provides the terminal effect. Mossberg provides the weapon. Palladyne AI provides the reach, intelligence and teammates,” Wolff said.

SIG Debuts the Hornet

This week at the Association of the United States Army trade show in Washington, D.C., SIG Sauer exhibited not only its staple small arms but also a whole slate of drone technologies including the fixed-wing Scythe in two different sizes and the 5-inch Saber quad-copter.

 

The XRAY9 C-UAS optic, sure to see at least some trials with the NGSW…

And a super interesting .22 LR “payload attachment.”

Dubbed the MH322 M-Hornet, the module is a light (under 21 ounces), electronically actuated, remote-controlled .22 LR firearm designed to be used “across compact unmanned platforms.”

The SIG M-Hornet. (Photo: SIG)

Servo-activated, it has a 20- or 25-round magazine and offers visible or IR laser aiming. With the “322” designator, you have to wonder how much of the Hornet is based on the P322 pistol, which uses a stainless steel internal chassis that holds the fire control unit and is one of the neatest new rimfire handguns on the market.

At SHOT Show earlier this year, we saw SIG with an underslung M250 6.8mm light machine gun on an APUS-60 quadcopter UAV, so it’s nice to see a more compact kinetic option as well.

The future is now, guys.

Think of it as a Marlin 1894 in a Modern .44-40 WCF Chambering

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While companies like Henry and S&W (through Volcanic) produced some of the first lever-action rifles, the Marlin Firearms Company wasn’t far behind.

Founded in 1870, the company introduced the Marlin Model 1881, a design by Andrew Burgess, just a decade later. It was then quickly followed by a series of rifles from Lewis “L.L.” Hepburn: the Models 1888, the solid-topped 1889, and the side-ejection 1893.

Marlin 1893
The Marlin 1893, complete with a loading gate, solid top receiver, and side ejection (Photo: Guns.com)

Although the Model 1893 was a sound design, Lewis Hepburn saw opportunities to simplify and improve it. He removed the rear locking lug, which extended into the trigger guard and could pinch the shooter’s finger as the action cycled, and simplified the design with a one-piece trigger and a two-piece firing pin, the latter a safety feature.

With that, the 1894 was born.

Marlin 1894 patent
Hepburn’s 1893 patent on the design that would become the Marlin 1894. It was initially introduced in four popular wheel-gun calibers: .25-20 Win, .32-20 Win, .38-40 Win, and .44-40 Win.

Compact and popular with hunters, trappers, and miners, it became a fast hit for the company. Produced from 1894 to 1935, it was resurrected in modern calibers in 1969, when CBS’s “Gunsmoke” and NBC’s “Bonanza” were both top-five TV shows. It stayed in production through 2020, when Remington Outdoors went belly up.

Ruger then salvaged the Marlin brand from the wreckage of Big Green and reintroduced the 1894 in .44 Magnum three short years later.

Since then, Ruger has delivered 14 Model 1894 variants to market, including six Trapper series guns with handy 16.17-inch barrels and stainless-steel components.

Late last year, we announced the 1894 Trapper in 10mm Auto with an MSRP starting at $1,599, our review subject.

Marlin 1894 Trapper 10mm 70453 736676704538 Eger
Like other models in the Trapper Series, the 1894 Trapper in 10mm features a cold hammer-forged, 16.17-inch threaded barrel and a receiver-mounted Skinner Sight system for rapid target acquisition. The muzzle is threaded 5/8-24TPI. (Photos unless noted: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
Marlin 1894 Trapper 10mm 70453 736676704538 Eger
With black laminate furniture, it weighs a handy 6.3 pounds and measures 33.25 inches overall. The 1:16 RH twist barrel helps wring out a bit more velocity from the 10mm Auto round than a handgun would. 

The Marlin 1894 Trapper in 10mm is the only lever gun in that caliber we can find on the market.

The caliber also makes sense historically, as 10mm Auto, most commonly seen with a 180-grain bullet traveling at about 1,200 fps, generates about 600 ft./lbs of muzzle energy, is eerily similar to the old .44-40 Winchester, which typically sported a 200-grain bullet traveling at 1,200 fps for about 600 ft./lbs of muzzle energy. Plus, 10mm is much easier to find these days than good .44-40s.

Head on over to my column at Guns.com for the full review.

Steel, Walnut, and Style: The New SA-35

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A 16-shot capacity meets vintage class in Springfield’s newest SA-35 4-inch model, which brings compact carry wrapped in polished carbon steel and checkered walnut.

We were among the first to cover the reintroduction of the classic (and then-recently retired) Browning Hi-Power by an American gunmaker when Springfield introduced the SA-35 in 2021.

Since then, the SA-35 line has grown and evolved while retaining the improvements to Mr. Browning’s original design, with a chopped-down 4-inch compact model performing nicely in a review we published in April.

With its more Detective-length, the “Dick” SA-35 4-inch is very slim and actually makes a good carry gun

Now, the company has added a 4-incher with an eye-catching polished blued finish on its carbon steel frame and slide. We’ve been passing it around the office for the past few weeks to get a sneak peek.

Drink it in, folks.

the new Springfield Armory SA-35 4-inch polished model
This new SA-35 features a polished blued finish on its carbon steel frame and slide, giving the durable forged components a deep, lustrous appearance. (All photos: Chris Eger/Guns.com)
the new Springfield Armory SA-35 4-inch polished model
Complementing the polished steel are attractive walnut grip panels with natural grain and finely cut checkering for confident purchase. 
the new Springfield Armory SA-35 4-inch polished model
As with all SA-35 pistols, its 4-inch barrel features improved feed ramp design for reliable function with modern defensive ammunition and is forged for durability and strength. It ships with a branded zipper case.

Made in the U.S.A., the SA-35 features rugged forged steel parts for strength and durability, improved ergonomics and enhanced controls, a factory-tuned trigger, modernized Tactical Rack rear and white-dot front sights, an improved feed ramp design, and an increased 15-round capacity in the flush-fit magazine.

the new Springfield Armory SA-35 4-inch polished model
The polished 4-inch SA-35 compared to the standard matte-finished model. 
the new Springfield Armory SA-35 4-inch polished model
The SA-35, especially in this new polished version, salutes the appeal of the “wood and steel” era of arms making. 
the new Springfield Armory SA-35 4-inch polished model
And yes, it shoots. This is two magazines running the BHP classic Mozambique failure drill at 10 yards. In all, we put just over 300 rounds through the pistol right out of the box without fail. 
the new Springfield Armory SA-35 4-inch polished model
Don’t sleep on this one as a carry gun if needed. With its twin 15-round flush-fit steel Mec-Gar magazines, superior accuracy, excellent single-action trigger, and wide holster availability (see Commander-sized 1911 fits), it makes a lot of sense.   
the new Springfield Armory SA-35 4-inch polished model
And if nothing else, it can be something of an “instant” heirloom. 
the new Springfield Armory SA-35 4-inch polished model
Like you need an excuse for some extra steel…

The MSRP of the new Springfield Armory SA-35 4-inch polished (Model HP9205) is $799, the same as the matte-finished variants.

A Semi-Auto 12 Gauge for all Seasons: Meet the Smooth new Beretta A400 Solo

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I got a sneak peek to try out the newest A400 series autoloading shotgun before Beretta debuted it last week at the Ducks Unlimited Expo.

Beretta has been an autoloading shotgun maker for over 70 years, having introduced the pioneering gas-operated system Model 60 in 1955. Fast forward to the 1990s, and the company’s superb AL390/391 series had picked up the mantle, but the company’s shotgun dev team thought it could do better.

After three years of development, 8,000 hours of engineering, 2,000 hours of testing, and more than 100,000 shells fired through prototypes and production models, the A400 Xplor Unico debuted in November 2009. Incorporating Steelium barrels, the B-Link gas operating system, and a Kick-Off recoil reduction system that utilized hydraulic dampers inside the stock, the new shotgun was set up for success, and, by the start of 2026, Beretta had 19 different models in the A400 family, priced between $1,949 and $3,699.

We’ve covered the A400 story for over a decade and have extensively reviewed the most popular model, the A400 Xtreme Plus. They are good guns.

But now we have the new A400 Solo, which has a much lower starting price ($1,549 MSRP in black synthetic) while keeping the same Steelium, B-Link, and Kick-Off trinity that has made the series a success.

The gun is designed as a sort of do-all “only sporting shotgun you need,” covering target and hunting uses, hence the “Solo” moniker. Even though it is a magnum (3-inch) chamber and not a bigger 3.5-inch super magnum, the Solo should have no issue with most waterfowl hunts, especially considering improvements in modern shotshell technology.

Meet the new Beretta A400 Solo in its most basic form: black synthetic, 28-inch barrel, 12 gauge. (All photos except noted: Chris Eger/Guns.com)

The Solo is engineered to thrive in the toughest hunting environments.  

Quick summary:

Beretta has nothing further to prove on the A400 series when it comes to high-value and soft-recoiling hunting shotguns. Yet, the Italian-made A400 Solo was just introduced and includes some nice updates to the platform like the cleaner-running B-Link Pro gas system and improved trigger pack. What can you say, the company makes good shotguns.

Head on over to my column at Guns.com for the full 1,800-word review. 

New Springfield Armory Optics-Ready TRP AOS 1911

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Back in the 1990s, the FBI was in the market for a pistol to equip its elite Hostage Rescue Team and regional SWAT teams, and the contract went to Springfield in 1998 for 500 M1911s crafted to very tight specs via meticulous hand fitting in the SA Custom Shop. Shortly after, the Marines ordered a batch of 150 similar pistols for its MEU(SOC) units. The HRT contract gun soon morphed into the Professional Model and eventually the TRP, which has gone on to become legendary over the past couple of decades.

SA’s Professional 1911s

Standard features on today’s top-shelf TRPs– going beyond the careful selection and fitment of components– include front strap checkering at 20 lines per inch, forward slide serrations, sighting plane serrations, the company’s Gen 2 Speed Trigger, a skeletonized hammer, premium sights, a straight mainspring housing, and G10 grips.

New for 2025 are eight optics-ready models, all equipped with an Agency Arms optics sighting system and offered in 9mm- both a first for the TRP. Priced at $1,999 across the board (we told you these were Springfield’s top shelf 1911s), there are full-sized all-steel 5-inch railed models in either black or Coyote Brown and in .45 and 9mm, as well as a lightweight Commander-length (4.25-inch) Carry Contour series in the same calibers and color options.

Springfield sent me a Coyote Commander-length Carry Contour TRP AOS in 9mm in this review; light and optic are not included.

In a nutshell, we found it to look good, feel great, and run like a gazelle. The slide-to-frame fit is legit, and the gun has no slop. The AOS system allows for lots of different optics, and it is great that SA is now making the TRP in a 9mm option, even if some consider such a thing in a 1911 platform to be an abomination.

The only rocks we can find to throw on this one are that the asking price of $1,999 is a bit steep, even in today’s inflated dollars, and that, perhaps a direct mount ACRO footprint would be a bigger hit.

The full review is over in my column at Guns.com.

Alakablam

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If you think an AR-15 pistol in 5.56 is kinda rowdy, how about an AR-10 in .308? I’ve been fooling about with one for the past few months (when I can get ammo).

Behold, the Diamondback DB10P, with a 13.5-inch barrel.

DB10

Equipped with an adjustable Gear Head Works Tailhook Mod 2 stabilizing brace, the DP10 is 31 inches long overall with the hook extended all the way and hits the scales at 7.8 pounds.

More in my column at Guns.com.

That’s a spicy meatball

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If a 31-inch long 5.56 NATO-caliber AR is sweet, what is one that is the same length and chucks .308 Winchester and comes in at less than $1K?

The Diamondback DB10P13 I’ve been fooling around with.

Oof.

More in my column at Guns.com. 

Playing with Jelly

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It is not rocket science. Longer barrels give you more complete propellant combustion which translates to more velocity imparted to the projectile. The more velo, the more energy is carried by the projectile on the impact and the higher ballistic performance. In short, whittle the barrel down and you sacrifice some performance. By way of thinking, the optimal performance for NATO 5.56mm ball, such as M855, is wrung through a 20-inch barrel.

With that in mind, I wanted to check and see just how much velocity dumped by running a 7-inch barrel out of a DB15 I have been testing for the past few weeks.

This thing.

For reference, the Winchester 55-grain 5.56 NATO FMJ rounds I chose for the bulk of our reliability testing have a listed 3,270 fps muzzle velocity generating 1,305 ft./lbs. muzzle energy. We found that, out of the 7-inch DB15, an average across five rounds hit closer to 2,240 fps, which, using the standard bullet energy formula, translates to something like 619 ft./lbs., or a loss of about a third of its velo and half of its energy.

How effective is that? Well, in 10% gel, the FBI recommends 12-to-18 inches of penetration to be considered an effective self-defense round. In our tests with a 16-inch block of Clear Ballistics 10% gel, I found that every round of a 7-shot test string of Winchester 55-grain FMJ penetrated the entire block and left a significant channel in its wake. 

Food for thought. Now to test some Gold Dots and the like to see how they expand.

An 8-pound pistol

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So for the past few weeks, I have been fooling around with a T&E DB15 pistol. Featuring a 7-inch barrel, it is a fairly compact blaster and I have to admit that the KAK Flash Can and Gearhead Works Tailhook is growing on me.

While right out of the box, the 23-inch long 5.56 NATO handgun weighs just 4.53-pounds, I have added a Sig Sauer Romeo 5 red dot, a 600-lumen Streamlight and a Magpul D60 drum to it, bringing its loaded all-up weight with spare batteries (in the MOE grip) and boolits of 8.7-pounds.

Nice. For reference, the total cost as shown with all accessories is still under $1K. 

More in my column at Guns.com. 

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