CategoriesGun Reviews

11 Weird Russian Guns — Beyond the Kalashnikov

I started trying to do an article on weird military guns from around the world and kept finding myself looking at firearms developed by Russia. So much so that I quickly found that I could cut out the rest of the world and do an entire article on weird Russian guns.

There may be some salutary geopolitical lesson in there.

The World of Weird Russian Guns

Even deciding on Russki firearms proved to be too wide of a field. I had to establish rules because the Russians developed dozens of guns that never made it to the production table. I needed to dial it in.

Thus, my rules for weird Russian firearms meant they had to be..

A. a production firearm and 

B. a weapon issued to some element of their military, police, or other “security” forces.

With that in mind, I set out to find ten. But I still ended up with eleven weird Russian firearms.

1. Stechkin Automatic Pistol

God, I love machine pistols. Why are they so stinking cool? I don’t know, but I adore them. The Soviets wanted a PDW for non-infantry troops, and the Stechkin would fill that gap. Mortar crews, truck drivers, tankers, and the like could be armed with a Stechkin over an AK and have a lighter overall weapon that’s fitted with a stock and capable of automatic fire.

Russian guns Stechkin APS

Who doesn’t love a Machine Pistol?(Courtesy Vitaly V. Kuzmin)

The Stechkin is a straight blowback, select-fire, box-fed pistol that fires the classic 9x18mm Makarov cartridge. It feeds from a twenty-round magazine, and that magazine would empty in seconds with the pistols 750 rounds per minute rate of fire.

As far as weird Russian firearms go, this has proven to be one of the more successful models and has been issued since 1951 to various troops, including special ops.

2. AS VAL

Say what you want about the Soviets and the filth of communism, but their small arms were ahead of the time. I feel like America arrives at the same conclusion as the Russians twenty years later. For example, we turned to the 300 Blackout to provide an effective, suppressed, short-barreled rifle. The Russian made the AS VAL more than two decades prior to the 300 Blackout to serve the same purpose.

Russian Guns AS VAL

It’s like 300 Blackout…made decades earlier (Courtesy Vitaly V. Kuzmin)

This series of subsonic, hard-hitting, suppressed Russian firearms fire the 9x39mm cartridge. This heavy-hitting round provides a suppressed weapon option for low visibility operations. The little rifle features an integral suppressor for a suppressed platform, a hair longer than an M4 and weighing only 5.5 pounds.

It could even be broken down into a specialized case for discreet operations.

3. Shak 12

Those pesky Russians invented their own version of the 50 Beowulf in 2011 with the 12.7 x 55mm round. This powerhouse of a cartridge fits into the Shak 12. The Shak 12 utilizes a bullpup layout for a very short overall length.

The mysterious FSB uses the Shak 12 for urban combat operations where they want to maximize short-range killing power.

Russian Guns - Shak 12 bullpup

This big bullpup has a bite.

The Shak 12 not only kills enemies dead but has a limited range compared to a traditional rifle round, reportedly to minimize potential civilian casualties.

The hefty rifle utilizes a short recoil operation and a massive 20 round magazine for close-quarters fights. This is an example of modern Russian firearms that we rarely see in use. It’s an unusual weapon even by unusual weapon standards, rarely caught on video or camera, and clearly, a purpose-built niche option for urban combat.

4. APS Underwater Rifle

The 1970s were a weird time for warfare theory. A lot of people in the head sheds of both Western and Russian militaries thought lots of battles would be fought by frogmen. As such, both sides designed ‘underwater firearms’.

The Russians utilized the APS Underwater rifle, which fired a 120mm long 5.66mm steel dart through a gas actuated action. The barrel lacked rifling, and the projectile was stabilized via hydrodynamic effects.

Russian Guns - APS underwater rifle

How many frogman fights did the Russians expect? (Courtesy Remigiusz Wilk)

This might be the weirdest of the Russian Firearms, but also one of the coolest.

Imagine a Tom Clancy-esque operation involving frogmen gunfights with each side’s respective underwater rifles. Luckily, for frogmen everywhere, these weapons were never used in combat…that we know of.

5. SPP-1 Underwater Pistol

Since we’re are on the subject of underwater frogman fights, let’s not forget that in the armories of Russian firearms we also see an underwater pistol. The SPP-1 gave Soviet frogmen a sidearm in case their main weapon failed to kill the invading Navy SEALs.

The SPP-1 fired a 4.5 mm steel dart that was 115mm long.

Russian Guns, SPP-1 underwater pistol

Seriously all the frogman firefights. (Courtesy of Vitaly V. Kuzmin)

Like the rifle, this pistol provided more penetration than a spear gun and offered Soviet frogmen an effective range of about 11 meters when below 20 meters of water.

It was a close-range fighting tool, but I imagine it’d be more comforting than a trident and hard words.

6. OTs-38 Stechkin Silent Revolver

Russia has a real habit of making political opposition disappear. When you kill a dissident in a foreign country, you want to leave behind as little evidence as possible and hopefully remain unnoticed.

You know how the old assassin saying goes, “Take only lives, leave only nothing”.

The OTs-38 Stechkin SIlent Revolver did just that. There is no silencer on this gun. Instead, it uses a 7.62x41mm SP-1 silent round.

Russian Guns, OT2-38 Stechkin silent revolver

Let’s remove dissidents quietly! (Courtesy of Vitaly V. Kuzmin)

The round works by using a combustive charge to drive a piston. The piston propels the bullet forward and forms a gas seal as it operates. In a revolver, this prevents the gap between cylinder and barrel from releasing gas or noise. The effective range is roughly 25 meters. With a revolver, no casings are left behind, and the gun delivers double-action performance for enhanced reliability with the SP-1 round.

Of all the weird Russian firearms out there, I want this one the most.

7. NRS-2

Okay, maybe I lied with the above statement, but can a knife be considered a part of the Russian guns collective? When does a gun become a knife and a knife become a gun?

When the Spetznaz went shopping for a new knife, they knew one thing, they wanted it to also be a gun. The NRS-2 utilizes the same 7.62x41mm SP-1 round as the OTs-38.

NRS-2 knife that also shoots a single cartridge

When you want a knife that also shoots. (Courtesy of Vitaly V. Kuzmin)

The NRS-2 fires a single round of ammo before the Soviet Soldier is left to fend for himself with a knife. The purpose of a knife that fires a single round is inherently silly but also inherently awesome.

8. PP-90

Remember that Magpul folding gun thing they showed once a decade ago and then brought back this year as a Glock format pistol? Well, the Russians thought of it first and gave us the PP-90. This 9mm Makarov folding submachine gun came to be in 1990 and was designed for the MVD.

 Russian PP-90

Transformers —more than meets the eye! (Courtesy of Vitaly V. Kuzmin)

It’s a submachine gun that could be used in situations that require an SMG but make getting an SMG into action difficult. This covert weapon offered a lot of firepower in a square folding design. Beyond the high-tech folding design, it’s a relatively simple blowback submachine gun with rudimentary sights and controls.

9. MTs255

As a shotgun nerd, I can finally get to my favorite type of Russian guns. Russian shotgun development went a different way from the United States. They embraced numerous designs, one being the MTs255.

The MTs255 is a shotgun that features a double-action mechanism and a five-shot revolver cylinder. The MTs255 was designed for law enforcement and security personnel and utilized black polymer furniture, and the sporting model utilizes wooden furniture.

MTs255 revolver shotgun

Look at it! It’s beautiful but silly. (Courtesy of Vitaly V. Kuzmin)

You get a rather rapid-fire shotgun that doesn’t require a complicated semi-auto action. In harsh winter weather, the double-action design allowed for manual cycling of the hammer.

The MTs255 is one of the weirder Russian guns, but it’s certainly a product of its environment. In that context, it makes sense.

10. KS-23

The KS-23 is a unit of a pump-action shotgun. It has a 26mm bore, making it essentially a 6.27 gauge shotgun. The barrels come from 23mm anti-aircraft guns that were rejected from service anti-air guns. The KS-23 came in several models. Only the KS-23M was adopted, and it featured a folding wire stock, a 16-inch barrel, and has a 3 round capacity.

Russian guns - KS-23 pump action shotgun, 23mm.

23mm shotgun…need I say more? (Courtesy of Vitaly V. Kuzmin)

The KS-23 was originally designed for prison riot use. It came ready to function with heavy loads of less-lethal buckshot. Over time, buckshot, barricade buster, a flashbang, and CS rounds were developed for us.

The KS-23 is the large bore shotgun currently in use, you know, over there.

11. BS-1 Tishina

Let’s say you want an under-barrel grenade launcher, but lots of your operations require stealth. What are you to do? Well, if you are in the Russian Firearms world, you develop the BS-1 Tishina silent grenade launcher. T

he BS-1 Tishina utilized a bolt action that cycled a blank round into place. The blank round fires and ignites the grenade propellant, launching the grenade in a fashion that reduces the signature and report of the grenadier.

BS-1 Tishina automatic grenade launcher

Silenced grenade launchers seem silly. (Courtesy of Vitaly V. Kuzmin)

Grenades explode with a good, loud bang, so you hardly notice the pop that propelled the grenade. This silent grenade launcher was developed for the Spetsnaz and saw action in their numerous little wars in which silent grenades were a necessity.

I’m pretty sure this is the only silent grenade launcher to ever be fielded.

Weird Guns from…Where Else?

I’m only one man and can only do so much research. As such, I know I’ve had to miss some very cool guns from the eastern front. As such, let’s turn it over to the community.

What weird Russian guns did I miss?

In fact, beyond the Russian guns, what sorta weird guns (of any kind) from around the world tickle your fancy?

Let me know below.

 

Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine Gunner, a lifelong firearms enthusiast, and now a regular guy who likes to shoot, write, and find ways to combine the two. He holds an NRA certification as a Basic Pistol Instructor and is the world’s Okayest firearm’s instructor.

CategoriesGun Reviews

2021 Staccato P DPO 2011 Review – The Premium Duty Pistol?

Ever look at a pistol, fall in love and then see the price and wonder if it’s worth it? Well, the gents over at SuperSetCA took on that exact question with the 2021 Staccato P DPO 2011 duty pistol. With the price tag over $2K, many people may really wonder if the juice is worth the squeeze.

While you may not be super familiar with the Staccato name, you may be more familiar with their former name — STI Firearms. They refocused their attention to duty pistols and rebranded to match. The P DPO pistol is their 1911 type optic-ready version billed as the world’s best shooting duty pistol.

2021 Staccato P DPO

Straight out of the box this duty pistol is ready to shoot. They did just that and only encountered one failure to feed which would have been eliminated with some extra lube before shooting (or so they said).

The video breaks down their impressions of the pistol according to these categories:

•Designs/Profile
•Controls/Handling
•Sights/Trigger
•Final Verdict

Take a watch:

 

Paul starts with the design, saying that the pistol is overall aesthetically beautiful with a DLC (diamond-like coating) finish. The Staccato P DPO is slightly larger than an M&P but smaller than other 1911 pistols. It has a Dawson toolless guide rod with 13lb recoil springs.

Coming out of the box it has three stainless steel double stack magazines. It has been designed to keep the magazines from being inserted too far and causing issues that way. It has a tactical advantage mag well for easy reloading. During testing, the magazines show no problem of failure or issues. The only issue they do encounter is that they can’t find a holster off the shelf to match the pistol, the closest they get is the Safariland GSL if an optic isn’t installed.

2021 Staccato P DPR duty pistol slide

With the Dawson toolless guide rod and a 13lb recoil spring, they found the pistol shot flat and returned to neutral quickly.

In talking about the controls and handling, Paul states the pistol boasts large C2 version grips. The safety is in the grip and Paul says it blends with the frame nicely and has the right pressure to deactivate it. It also has a recessed slide release which is nice to prevent accidental release, but the position is hard to reach without long thumbs. To round out the controls and handling, he states that if you’re used to a 1911 type pistol, then you shouldn’t have problems running the Staccato.

2021 Staccato P DPO duty pistol grip safety

While not everyone likes the 1911 grip safeties, Paul says that this one is smooth and doesn’t require too much pressure to deactivate it.

Paul then turns his review to the sights and trigger. It has a direct mount optic option but with certain aftermarket ones, you will need different base plates for mounting. They test the P DPO with the Dawson iron sights that has a rear adjustable plate and a front fiber optic, which they really like. During the testing, they see that the pistol returns to neutral quickly and shoots pretty flat with good groupings at 25 yards. With a light trigger pull it is great to shoot out of the box.

Paul finishes up the review with his final verdict. When compared with other service pistols, it is reliable with no real failures in function. But is this Staccato duty pistol worth the premium pricing? Paul says you get what you pay for and in his opinion, it’s worth it.

Patti Miller is one of the most awesome females in the tactical/firearm (or any) industry. Imagine a tall, hawt, dangerous Laura Ingalls Wilder type with cool hair and a suppressed blaster and you’ll be getting the idea. What’s interesting is that in addition to being a willing brawler and intrepid adventuress, she’s also an Ent/Ogier level gardener and a truly badass baker.

CategoriesRange Gear

Palmetto State Arms Affordable US made AK-103

The venerable AK is one of the most recognizable rifles on the planet. There are so many that you’ll find them in every corner of all three worlds —first, second, and third—as a much-adored go-to for both military and personal protection. Because they are so popular, every gun maker out there makes some sort of straight AK or AK lookalike to satisfy the huge demand. Palmetto State Armory is no exception.

As reviewer Garand Thumb points out in the video below, the new PSA AK-103 may not be a pure AK-103, but it’s pretty darn close—close enough that non-die-hard enthusiasts might not know or care about the differences.

Tip to butt, what is this gun, from a shooter’s perspective? 

To start, it has a pretty typical modern AK-100 series muzzle brake, “These muzzle brakes are very, very effective at controlling AK recoil. You can see in the video, this weapon does not really dance around and that is pretty cool, given the fact that it is launching a 7.62 x 39 round.” 

Thumb points out that a lot of muzzle flash and concussion come with this particular muzzle brake, so he recommends the use of a suppressor for low-light situations.

As for the barrel, Thumb says, “Palmetto State Armory has done a lot of very incredible things in the AK world, and the barrel is absolutely one of them.” The cold hammer-forged barrel is made by Fabrique National made specifically for this gun. “What an incredible barrel to include on a very cheap gun.”

The PSA AK-103 has typical AK-100 series furniture, which can easily be switched out for modern furniture. It comes with your typical AK iron sights and they are very well constructed, there’s no canting.

One of the amazing things about the AK-103 is the forged parts like the front trunnion, carrier, and bolt which makes the rifle more reliable and longer-lasting. It’s got a typical AK magazine release and takes various AK magazines including Bulgarian and Magpul mags.

Thumb says the safety is incredible, “The thing that always annoys me with AKs is how terrible the safeties are. So, by having the enhanced safety on the PSA, one—that’s awesome. And two, it’s very easy to manipulate.”

Sentry brand Battle Belts

How about quality?

How does this compare to other AKs out there? According to Thumb, after over 3,000 rounds, the rifle has held together just fine, with no pins walking out or other design/build issues. The gas block and system have held up perfectly with zero issues. Overall, he says, the build quality has been outstanding.

As far as accuracy over the long haul, Thumb says the cold-forged barrel resisted serious deflection after heating up, allowing for tight groupings even on faraway targets.

Palmetto State Armory AK-103

The PSA AK-103 may not be a pure AK, but it’s still a ton of fun and just as potent as its original Russian daddy.

So how much are you shelling out for this Cold War beauty? The fixed stock version will run you about $899 rubles, sorry, dollars, while the folding stock version kicks it up to around $1,000. Compared to other AKs out there, that’s a pretty sweet price point.

Palmetto State Armory US-made AK-103

To the naked eye, you’d never know this wasn’t an authentic AK. Shooting it won’t give away its secret either.

Check out all the rest of his comments in the video. Afterward, check out our selection of AK mags and accessories.

Want more Gun Mag Warehouse? Follow us on Instagram @gunmagwarehouse.

SB Tactical at GunMag Warehouse

David Workman is an avid gun guy, a contributing writer to several major gun publications, and the author of Absolute Authority. A logophile since way back, Workman is a quickdraw punslinger and NRA RSO and Certified Pistol Instructor. He helps train new shooters on basic handgun skills and CCW requirements and is a strong advocate for training as much as practicable. “Real-world shootouts don’t happen at a box range.”

CategoriesRange Gear

The 7 Best Ways to Use HSGI Tacos

What is an HSGI Taco? Well, it is an expandible universal mag pouch designed for versatility, incorporating a number of features that make it unlike any other magazine pouch on the market. This includes using a combination of shock cord, polymer brackets, and heavy-duty nylon to construct a rugged, expandable magazine pouch. The unique HSGI Taco design makes these pouches incredibly useful and here, we’ve gathered the seven best ways to use them. 

universal mag pouch HSGI taco

Originally published August 2020.

1. Magazines… DUH

HSGI Tacos are magazine pouches so guess what? They hold magazines. In fact, these are some of the best magazine pouches on the market. They expand and contract to meet your magazine’s carrying needs.

The rifle magazine pouches stick you with 5.56 style magazines and allow you to carry AUG, G36, Mini 14, and of course AR 15 magazines

HSGI double rifle mag pouch.

HSGI double rifle mag pouches.

HSGI Taco Mag Pouch

HSGI Tacos. Expandable magazines pouches, rifle and pistol.

The pistol magazine Tacos seemingly fit nearly every pistol magazine you can toss at them This includes your favorites like Glock and 1911s, and expands into CZ, FN, Ruger, and so on and so forth. The only pistol magazines it would seemingly have issues with are ultra-short pocket pistol magazines. If you need something to carry a wide variety of magazines then the HSGI Taco mags are hard to beat. 

HSGI taco double mag pouch with rifle mags.

HSGI taco double mag pouch with rifle mags.

FN mag pouch

FN mag pouch.

Glock magazine pouch from High Speed Gear.

Glock magazine pouch.

 

2. Tools 

Tools is a good term for things that are tactical, but not exactly magazines. HSGI Taco pouches are expandable and this allows for uses beyond simply stashing magazines. The Taco universal mag pouch is a great way to carry a variety of useful tools. 

HSGI Tacos pistol magazine pouch holding flashlight.

The pistol magazine pouches are excellent for carrying flashlights, and even larger knives. This includes my butterfly knife, the Lucha, as well as OTF knives for quick and easy access.

HSGI Tacos. The pistol magazine pouches are great for holding knives. Image of taco with butterfly knife.

The rifle Tacos can carry CAT Tourniquets and even multi-tools. The Tacos can hold it all.

HSGI rifle taco holding a CAT tourniquete

battle belt loadout with HSGI tacos

Battle belt loadout with HSGI tacos.

3. Uhmmm Can Kinda Hold a Flask 

I’m not gonna say I went around my house trying to see what I could fit in a Taco universal mag pouch. I’m also not going to say I didn’t do that. 

HSGI Tacos can be used as flask holders - sort of.

With that in mind, if you try hard enough and really try and squeeze it in a flask will kinda, sorta fit into a rifle Taco. Now, I’m not saying a flask is a tactical necessity, but I’m not going to say it’s not. From cleaning wounds to calming nerves, anything over 40 proof can be pretty handy. You can also set fires, loosen up sources, and you can even clean with it. It’s handy, and not just a problem some people think I have.

4. Tacos for Tacos? 

A problem I admittedly have is Tacos. Not HSGI Tacos, but real Tacos. A quick look at my waistline will tell you I love Tacos. Imagine if you will. You hit the range, the field, or perform a mission and you get snacky. Your stomach is growling and in that situation, a PMAG isn’t going to help you. 

HSGI Taco holding a real taco.

A supreme soft taco most assuredly will. HSGI Tacos have no issues fitting actual tacos should the need arise. 

5. Oh, and a Ton of Snap Bracelets 

You got a bunch of kids you barely like? Well, a great way to get back at them for bein’ children is to hit them with an off-brand snap bracelet. You see, off-brand snap bracelets more than often than not don’t snap very well. You can hurt them a good bit with these dollar store snap bracelets. If you have to disperse a birthday party’s worth of children the HSGI Pistol Taco magazine pouch can fit a ton of Snap Bracelets in it. You can disperse them at the cyclic rate.

HSGI Taco pistol pouch snap bracelets

6. Candy, Too 

Let’s say you drop off all those snap bracelets and now you got an empty Taco pouch. Well, you are at a birthday party so you might as well start stealing all the candy. You’d be pleasantly surprised by how much candy you can squeeze into a pair of Tacos. Like, way more than you think. Enough to allow a dentist to purchase a new Benz. 

HSGI taco, expandable magazine pouch, holding candy

High Speed Gear Reflex

Found this on Insta: apparently @brandon__rich throws licorice in his HSGI Taco universal mag pouch when he’s at Alliance Police Training.

 

7. Can Hold One of those Tall, Girly Beer Cans 

I totally didn’t just shove this last one in here last minute because my girlfriend likes Spritzers and Leinenkugels. However, the rifle Taco easily fits the tall, weird can, and makes it quite convenient to wash down that Taco you’re carrying around. 

HSGI Tacos can hold tall skinny beercans like this Leinenkugels.

Tacos for Days 

HSGI Tacos mag pouches are excellent pieces of gear. These things are well made, easy to use, and perfect for a wide variety of tasks. While GunMag Warehouse may be known for selling tons and tons of magazines we also sell you the means to carry them. And the means to carry a Taco. 

HSGI taco universal mag pouch collection and gear

HSGI taco and Slim Grip padded belt.

HSGI tacos on Slim Grip padded belt.

HSGI Taco pouches LE Blue. universal mag pouch

HSGI Taco mag pouches in LE Blue.

MultiCam Black HSGI Taco Pouches, universal mag pouch

MultiCam Black HSGI Taco mag pouches.

The 7 Best Ways to Use HSGI Tacos

 

Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine Gunner, a lifelong firearms enthusiast, and now a regular guy who likes to shoot, write, and find ways to combine the two. He holds an NRA certification as a Basic Pistol Instructor and is the world’s Okayest firearm’s instructor.

CategoriesNew Gun Releases

SDS Imports Launches the Zigana PX-9 G2

The new SDS Imports 9mm semi-auto pistol has some impressive features, which we will address shortly. But before we get into all of the details — this second-gen pistol takes Sig P226 mags. 

Sig P226 mags

One of the most notable features of this model is that it takes Sig 226-style magazines. Like these.

PX-9 G2 Details

The 2nd Gen Zigana PX-9 is updated with improved ergonomics and a grip that can be customized with different-sized side panels and back straps (included with the gun). It also has a magwell that can be left in for easier reloading, or removed for better concealability. The safety and mag release are both ambidextrous. Other features include a light rail, adjustable sights, a one-piece trigger, a 4-inch hammer-forged barrel, and the gun ships with two 18-round mags.

Unlike the original model that only had a front post night sight this is the Gen 2 model with full night sights front and rear as a standard feature. The rear sight on this model is adjustable.

 

SDS Imports PX-9 G2 adjustable sights, S&W M&P 2.0-style sight dovetails

The PX9-G2 makes use of industry-standard accessories, such as S&W M&P 2.0-style sight dovetails.

 

SDS Imports Zigana PX-9 G2 removable magwell

The gun comes with a removable magwell.

SDS Imports Zigana PX-9 G2 side panels, back straps, magazines, and holster

The PX9-G2 can be customized to fit with interchangeable side panels and backstraps which allow 27 different grip configurations, and users have the option of using the removeable magazine well.

 

SDS Imports Zigana PX9 G2 9mm

An ambidextrous frame-mounted safety comes standard on this model, and the enlarged trigger guard makes it easier to shoot while wearing gloves.

SDS executive David Fillers stated that “We’ve worked closely with Tisas, the manufacturer of the PX9’s, to develop the G2 version for the US market, and look forward to continuing this partnership and building on the success of the original PX9”.

Here’s how it’s described in the official press release:

SDS Imports, a leader in quality imported firearm products, announced the much-anticipated release of the PX9-G2 pistol. Designed to replace the highly successful PX9, the PX9-G2 offers a host of upgrades to meet the needs of today’s shooters.

Building on the reliable design of the Gen 1, the PX9-G2’s 9mm hammer forged barrel and slide come standard with a polymer frame, adjustable sights, and forward slide serrations. The PX9-G2 makes use of industry-standard accessories, such as S&W M&P 2.0-style sight dovetails and Sig P226 magazines.

The PX9-G2 features a light rail, ambidextrous safeties and magazine release. The PX9-G2 can be customized to fit any shooter with interchangeable side panels and backstraps which allow 27 different grip configurations, and users have the option of using the removeable magazine well.

The SDS PX9-G2 ships with two (2) 18 round magazines, cleaning kit, holster and owner’s manual in a lockable hard case.

Zigana PX-9 Generation 2 Semi Automatic Pistol, 9mm

– Hammer Forged Frame & Slide
– Polymer Frame w/ Integrated M1913 Rail
– Customizable Grip w/ Interchangeable Side Panels & Backstrap, Offering 27 Grip Configurations
– 18rd. Standard Capacity Magazines, 2: Included w/ Loader (226 Pattern)
– Adjustable Rear Sight (S&W Dovetail Cut)
– Removable Magazine Well
– Paddle/Belt Holster Included

Oh, and did we mention, it takes Sig P226 mags? Like these:

Read more about the PX-9 G2 at SDS Imports.

Stephanie Kimmell is the firstborn daughter of Missouri’s Pecan King, worthy scion of a Vietnam veteran sailor turned mad engineer-orchardist-inventor-genius. With a BA in technical writing, she freelances as a writer and editor. A Zymurgist greatly interested in the decoction of fermented barley and hops, she is in many ways a modern amalgam of Esther Hobart Morris, Rebecca Boone, and Nellie Bly. She hunts, fishes, butchers, and cooks most anything. When not editing or writing, she makes soaps and salves, spins wool, and occasionally makes cheese from cows she milked herself. Kimmell is a driven epistemophilic who loves live music and all sorts of beer.

CategoriesRange Gear

Top Five Beretta M9 and 92FS Magazines

Before we jump into a discussion of M9 magazines, I’ll admit I’m a bit of a Beretta fan. Ironically, my love of the brand began with a Taurus—a PT92—that was used as a prop in the 1996 Baz Luhrman Romeo and Juliet film. Such a kickass take on the classic–the gas station gunfight alone was worth the price of admission.

The second gun I ever bought was a decommissioned 92FS from a police department. And over the years, I’ve owned several. The fanciest was a stainless 92 that I had rebuilt by Wilson Combat into a 92G — the greatest of all 92 variants. That remains one of my favorite guns of all time, but I gave it away to a friend who felt even more love for it than I did.

As far as handling goes, the Beretta 92FS is easy to control.

As far as handling goes, the Beretta 92FS is easy to control.

I regularly carried a 92 for years—right up until I bought a Sig P226.

The 92FS, or in this case a gun that’s stamped M9, is still a rock star. And it remains in my range rotation.

 

• Beretta magazines for your blaster

 

Feeding the 92FS

When I bought this gun, it came with a couple of weedy magazines. The 92FS is not a small gun, and the grip is absurdly large by contemporary standards (thanks to the screw-on grip plates). 13 round magazines in this gun feel oddly insulting to the M9’s legacy. Yet they exist. And I think there might be some lingering mag capacity laws out there that make the 10 round, and 13 round, and even 15 round magazines worth knowing about.

But I like the 20s. More on that in a moment.

 Beretta M9, target, shot group.

I may have more time behind the trigger of an M9 than I do any other handgun.

Shooting the 92FS

Beretta builds a solid pistol. The reason I liked the Wilson upgrade—and the P226, too—is that the traditional safety lever functions as a decocker. As I’m not one for external, manual, slide, or frame-mounted safeties, this makes shooting both of these guns that much faster for me.

The Beretta shoots flat.

It shoots flat. This shot is of my 13-year-old shooting it.

And the 92FS flies. The balance of the frame’s weight with the skeletonized slide works well for me. I can hold it down very flat, even with +P 9mm. This is a gun that I can run fast, and a gun that I can run accurately.

Beretta 92FS. That brass is hardly ejected and I'm 100% back on target.

This is the same gun in my hands. That brass is hardly ejected and I’m 100% back on target.

The balance of the M9 continues to impress me. I’ve been carrying the P226 for a while now, but sometimes I think I should put the old Beretta back in the daily rotation as my go-to full-sized pistol.

Beretta M9 muzzle rise

This is about all the muzzle rise I get, even one-handed.

But what about the M9 magazines?

As soon as I picked up this gun, I knew I’d need some new mags. The 15 round mag isn’t bad—but there’s so much more room in there. They even have to stamp the steel in on the sides to keep the capacity limited.

Beretta M9 magazine stamped to restrict capacity.

The equivalent of a dowel in a shotgun’s tubular magazine.

The 20 round mags are the sweet spot for me. The increase in capacity doesn’t change the balance, and I’ve yet to have a mag malfunction on me.

I find that you either love the 92FS or hate it. I'm on the love-it side.

This is a 20 Round mag from Mec-Gar. These are my favorites, and the ones I carry in the M9.

For me, the winner is the 20 round mag from Mec Gar. I really like the bumper, and I’ve used these in this gun for more than three years now with no hiccups. Mec-Gar makes solid mags (and often mags the mags that are sold with guns as “factory” mags).

Mec-Gar Plus 2 heavy bumper adds a touch more length to the M9's grip.

The heavy bumper on the end of the Mec-Gar Plus 2 adds a touch more length to the M9’s grip.

If you want a solid flush-fit mag, Beretta makes good 18 Round mags. 18 seems to be the nice middle ground between the 13s and 15s but is still not 20.

Beretta M9 magazines: 15 rounds, 20 rounds, and 30 rounds.

15 rounds, 20, and 30. I love the increase in capacity with these.

Beretta also makes 20 round mags. These are not as compact as the Mec-Gar but are still good mags. The middle mag in the image above is a 20 round mag. It protrudes from the grip by more than an inch, so has a collar that extends down over the baseplate. This is a bit of insurance—the last thing you want is for the rounds to exit the wrong in of the magazine.

Bigger M9 magazines?

The 30 round Beretta factory mag is a serious upgrade to the M9 capacity.

The 30 round Beretta factory mag is a serious upgrade to the M9’s capacity.

The really long dudes are Beretta 30 round mags. These are extendo-long. 30 rounds add a bit of weight to the bottom of a 92, but not so much that the gun isn’t manageable.

The 30-round M9 magazines are great for the range. Carrying them is awkward, of course, but this isn’t really a magazine built for EDC or even duty. But if you hate reloading on the range, this is the mag for you.

As you stack these 30-round Beretta M9 magaziness with cartridges, the springs can get stiff.

As you stack these mags with cartridges, the springs can get stiff.

As the fine print on the GMW pages note—these mags will fit more than the M9. Any of the Berettas—the 92FS, 92D, 92F, 92G, 92 Brigadier, 92 Elite/EliteIA/Elite II, 90-Two in 9mm, 92 Billenium, 92 Combat Combo, 92 Stock, 92 Vertec, 92 Type L (Inox, Carry), even the CX-4 Storm (with 92FS adapter). The same design has been in use now for many years, and will likely pull forward into new designs. It works well—why monkey with it?

Close up of followers in M9 magazines.

Some followers help close up the body of the mag. Others leave a small gap where range garbage can get it.

You can’t really go wrong.

All of the M9 magazines that I’ve seen are steel. There are stainless bodies, but they’re very rare. Much more common is the powder-coated steel, or the blued bodies.

Sig P226 mags have the mag-catch much higher on the magazine body--but they're still easy to confuse.

Sig P226 mags have the mag-catch much higher on the magazine body—but they’re still easy to confuse.

And don’t get confused with the multitude of other mags that are built off of similar designs. I have numerous unmarked mags for my Sig P226 that look almost identical. Many are even made by the same companies. The only visible difference is the mag-catch location, and I often have to check both in guns, just to remember which is which.

David Higginbotham is a writer and editor who specializes in everyday carry. David is a former backcountry guide in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Boundary Waters Canoe Area who was a college professor for 20 years. He ultimately left behind the academy for a more practical profession in the firearms industry and was (among other editorial positions) the Managing Editor for a nascent Mag Life blog. In that Higginbotham helped establish The Maglife’s tone and secure its early success. Though he went on to an even more practical firearms industry profession still, he continues to contribute articles and op-eds as time and life allow.

CategoriesRange Gear

SWAT Plate Carrier Setup | Iron Infidel

With the increase in firearms sales over the last year or so, it’s no surprise that tactical gear sales also increased, including plate carriers. So what does a SWAT plate carrier setup look like? Alex over at Iron Infidel dishes out some of his first-hand knowledge in regard to plates and plate carriers. He covers three plate carriers that he has used a lot.

1. First Spear Strandhogg
2. Crye JPC (version 1.0)
3. UARM Featherweight carrier

Alex initially started out with the First Spear plate carrier, then went to the Crye JPC, and currently is using the featherweight UARM carrier. He’s quick to point out that all industry-leading plates and carriers are good and your choice boils down to your intended use and function needs.

Alex wants a carrier that is large enough to hold his necessary attachments (he covers those later) without being too cumbersome or intrusive to his movements. Obviously, your own needs will determine if you need one that’s bigger or lighter than what he currently uses.

With the UARM carrier, he actually received it as a sample a few months ago but has used it enough to give a good review. The only real aspect of the carrier that he didn’t try out was the heat signature reduction from the fabric. Regardless, he’s pretty happy with it.

laser cuts on UARM featherweight plate carrier

The UARM featherweight carrier is made of laser-cut Cordura fabric with NIR that is designed to help reduce the heat signature of the wearer.

Let’s get into the specifics of the carrier, shall we?

The UARM uses laser-cut Cordura fabric, similar to what you’ll find on the First Spear Strandhogg. The UARM website states that it has NIR, the near-infrared fabric to help reduce the heat signature of the wearer. On the bottom front of the carrier, there is no molle. They set it up that way so you can personalize the carrier for your needs — one carrier, different plates, and pouches.

The carrier has rock-tube detachments at the shoulders and cummerbund points. This is handy for the initial fitting of the carrier and for getting it on and off more quickly so you don’t have to worry about resizing. Alex states that he likes it better than Velcro closures for the ease of getting it off and on, especially in a circumstance of injury or incapacitation.

Iron Infidel wearing SWAT plate carrier

The thickness of the shoulder straps on the carrier is important. If the straps are too thick, they can actually inhibit your ability to properly shoulder your rifle.

The shoulder straps are thinner than other brands he’s seen. This is important because if you have too much padding at the shoulder it can mess with the shouldering of the rifle, pushing it off the shoulder pocket and reducing your ability to minimize the recoil of the rifle.

Clearly, the most important part of the carrier is the plates.

Alex uses the HESCO L210 plates that are single curve polyurethane plates, designed to stop most rounds. He does say that they are not Level 3 or 4 plates only in that they didn’t go through special testing to show they would stop an M80 round. According to him, the plates will stop green tip and other penetrating rounds, up to six rounds of 5.56 or 7.62.

He does stress the importance of proper plate placement within the carrier, covering the vital organs in your chest. You want your plates to be fitted properly to cover the area between your nipples and extend from your collar bone to your belly button. You also want to make sure your back plate is level with your front plate to ensure you’re using them correctly.

SWAT plate carrier accessories including HSGI double-stack TACO pouches

Alex from Iron Infidel uses HSGI double stack TACO pouches on all his rigs, but on this plate carrier setup, he pairs it with a push-to-talk that attaches to the cummerbund where his radio is located.

To round things out, Alex quickly goes through the accessories he has on his plate carrier setup. He uses HSGI double stack TACO pouches (never has a carrier without them). His side support shoulder has a push to talk with the cord running to the cummerbund that has his radio and handcuff pouches. The back of the carrier has a grab handle and Hailey Strategic flat-pack, that a buddy would have to access for him.

To recap, all industry-leading carriers are good, and you have to find one that fits your needs and test it. Don’t forget to properly place your plates in the carrier to cover your vital organs both from the front and the back. Finally, get the chest rig that fits your function and can accommodate all your needs, because the cool one you find in a video might be all wrong for you.

Patti Miller is one of the most awesome females in the tactical/firearm (or any) industry. Imagine a tall, hawt, dangerous Laura Ingalls Wilder type with cool hair and a suppressed blaster and you’ll be getting the idea. What’s interesting is that in addition to being a willing brawler and intrepid adventuress, she’s also an Ent/Ogier level gardener and a truly badass baker.

CategoriesGun Reviews

Long Term Sig Sauer P365 Review + P365 XL Reviews

A couple of years ago Travis wrote his Sig Sauer P365 review after firing about 1300 rounds through it. Since then, Sig has released the P365 XL  which is larger than a standard Sig 365 with a larger grip allowing for higher capacity magazines. We have added a couple of articles here about the Sig P365 XL so you can beef up your knowledge of the two models. Travis’ review is first, followed by a few more articles about the P365 XL.

Enjoy!

The SIG P365 – A Long Term Review

Sig P365 XL Review — Kit Badger

Best of Both Worlds? The Sig Sauer P365 XL Pistol

The Sig P365 XL: A Really Good Pistol

 

 

The Sig P365 – A Long Term Review

Travis Pike (March 2019)

This time last year (2017) I was opening a press release from Sig and being blown away reading about the new gun they named the P365. Naturally, I felt compelled to write a full-blown Sig Sauer p365 review. It promised to be a hair smaller than a Glock 43 but offered ten rounds in a flushing fitting magazine and twelve with a pinky extension. The gun seemed too good to be true. It was a big draw at SHOT 2018 and as most people predicted this could be the ultimate carry gun. SIG was packing it full of features, and offering it at a very competitive price.

The Sig Sauer P365’s key to its success is the gun’s magazine. It’s the perfect dimensions to house 10 or 12 rounds in a compact package. Somehow they made the gun as thin and as small as most polymer frame single stacks with a semi-doublestack magazine.

Look at this cutie.

Editor’s note: 15 round extended mags for the Sig P365 are now a thing. They’re shipping now.

In May 2018 I was finally able to get my hands on one.

The Sig P365 was not without its controversy. Almost immediately following the release of the gun shipping was stopped. Problems were uncovered that involved the Sig Lite night sights breaking off, bad trigger springs, failure to go into battery, and light primer strikes. Issues are documented by popular Youtuber Military Arms Channel over two P365s, Harry’s Holsters did a 1,000 round review and recorded a dozen or more different problems. Sig saw this and made a wise decision to do something about it. Sig issued essentially what was a generation 2 pistol pretty early on.

P365 Gen 2 Reliability

Reliability is often the last category I cover, but with the problems known with this gun, most people would be curious as to how the Gen 2 holds up.

Mine falls in that Gen 2 timeline, and now that I’ve had it for some time I can say the kinks are ironed out, or at least with my gun they are. I didn’t do any crazy 1k tests in one day, but after the first few months of ownership, I started keeping track of the rounds I’ve fired through the gun. I have an approximate round count of 1,300 rounds give or take. Typically I shot Winchester White Box but mixed in some of Sig’s P365 ammo, Speer Gold Dots, SIG FMJ, Zinc Fmjs, Freedom Munitions, and some Tula made its way in there.

just Larping as an operator…

In terms of failures, I only experienced two failures-to-fire with Freedom Munitions American Steel Ammo. I attempted a restrike and one did fire, and the second did not. As of note, the second round would not shoot in an 80% Glock I also had at the range.

I’ve only had one failure to eject, and it occurred when firing a Dot Torture drill on the strong hand only portion. Ammo was SIG’s reduced recoil P365 load. Overall I’d say reliability is rock solid. 

Striker Drag

One of the biggest complaints and potential problems with the gun is the MIM firing pin. MIM can be perfectly suitable for firearms parts, Ruger makes it work, but when it is bad it is bad. Some owners experienced broken firing pins and a small aftermarket of steel pins has even popped up.

Every Day, No Days Off

The design of the weapon seems to cause an excessive amount of primer drag. Most small striker guns have this, but the P365 seems to have a touch more than most. Does this cause excessive wear? It would seem to. According to Sig, it does not. My firing pin hasn’t had issues, but many firing pins have broken or become bent.

Ergonomics

The ergonomics of the pistol overall are excellent. The gun is comfortable to hold onto, and the 10 round magazine with slight pinky extension is absolute money. It’s as short as a grip can get and still allow me to hold onto it. Under the trigger guard is an excellent high undercut that helps maximize the grip.

The grip is also thin and comfortable in hand. The magazine release is large and easy to reach which I like. The problem here is dropping the magazine. I find my pinky and palm creating pressure and holding the magazine inside the gun when I hit the release. This is a classic big hand, small gun problem.

SIG P365

Mag Empty, but slide closed… damn these big thumbs

The gun doesn’t have a beavertail, so to say, but it does have a nice cliff that allows you to get your hand high on the grip without worrying about slide-bite. An issue I have with this gun and most Sigs is the placement of the slide lock.

It sits right where my thumbs go with a thumbs forward grip. This causes the slide lock to be held down, and this means the slide won’t lock back after the last round is fired (at least for me). It’s annoying but something I’ll live with.

On the Range

Shooting the gun is very nice. The recoil is standard mini 9mm, so it’s a little stout and has some flip to it. It’s plenty controllable and the grip is undoubtedly helpful here. Firing double taps and controlled pairs accurately is pretty easy to do with a little practice. The trigger is light and smooth. It had a clean break with minimal take-up. The reset is tactile, audible, and best of all short.

Boom, Bang, Pew,

The new X-RAY3 sights are fantastic. The sights are dual-purpose and work for both night and day shooting. The rear sight is blacked out with two hidden tritium vials. The front sight has a tritium vial but is surrounded by a big, bright green insert. In the dark, the sights glow incredibly bright and are easy to pick up and see.

Big, Green, and Beautiful

In the light, the big green dot is quick and easy to pick up and align with the blacked-out rear sights. It’s straightforward to get that big front sight on target and to follow that sight with some well-placed lead.

Blacked Out Rear Sights

The gun is more accurate than it has any right to be, and it’s not just minute of bad guy accurate. It’s plenty capable of reaching out beyond 20 yards and remaining not just accurate, but combat-capable. By combat-capable I mean drawing and placing rounds on target as fast as possible. At 25 yards you can still slow down and hit small targets with excellent precision. Small guns often have small sight radius, and SIG pushed back the rear sight as far as possible to help increase sight radius.

Carry and Comfort

The Sig P365 was a big hit, and plenty of companies produce holsters for it. I carry mine in a Clinger Holsters No Print Wonder V3. It disappears in an IWB rig and is a gun you can forget about when carrying. It’s small and light, I mean, look at the specs.

•Barrel Length – 3.1 inches

•Overall Length – 5.8 inches

•Weight – 17.8 ounces

•Height – 4.3 inches

•Width – 1 inch

It’s smaller and lighter than the Glock 43, at least unloaded. Four to six more rounds of 9mm pushes the loaded weight up there. Even so, it’s a very comfortable and easy to carry gun. No real complaints regarding pokes and prods while carrying. It’s a bit big for pocket carry, but I’m sure someone out there will make it work.

The P365 is an excellent carry gun

My Gripes

When it comes to complaints, I only have a few. The first is why the hell use a proprietary rail? Was a pic rail too big? I hate proprietary anything, and luckily Recover Tactical makes a rail adapter if you want to mount something to the gun. Sig does make a light and laser system for the rail and gun that is quite compact, too.

SIG P365

This Little Fella Has a Forever Home With Me

The P365

The P365 had some major teething issues admittedly, and SIG Sauer should have taken their time to fix these issues pre-launch, but at least they got it right… eventually. This is a great all-around carry gun, and the “Gen 2” models seem to be running a lot smoother than previous models. This little guy is an excellent compromise in size, capacity, features, and price. I predicted at SHOT Show 2018 that SIG would have jump-started the need for innovation in the concealed carry market and it seems they have.

I just enjoy this guy

Glock has responded with two new compact guns, Mossberg is tossing one out, too. The P365 continues to be a popular choice despite the initial issues, and it’s easy to see why. Will it hold the crown forever? Likely not, but we’ll see. 

 

 

Sig P365 XL Review — Kit Badger

Kat Ainsworth (July 2021)

Sig P365 XL review

The SIG P365XL is a micro-compact pistol designed for concealed carry and self-defense. (Photo credit: SIG Sauer)

In the world of self-defense handguns some models stand out more than others, and the Sig P365 XL is among those that shine. This Sig P365 XL review by Ivan from Kit Badger is based on long-term, varied use, discussing how the gun has performed over time rather than only brand new out of the box. 

Sig P#65 XL Review - Kit Badger

Ivan’s SIG P365 XL review. (Photo Credit: Kit Badger)

In the video review shown below, Ivan first runs through the pistol’s general specifications before getting into a review of its performance.

The Sig P365 XL is a striker-fired pistol chambered in 9mm and offered with a capacity of 12 +1 or 10 +1, the latter to fit compliance requirements in certain states. There is also an extended magazine with a 15 +1 capacity available. If you’re really into extra rounds you could try the 20-round magazine offered by ProMag (they make a 50-round drum for the P365XL as well). Basically, this gun offers excellent capacity for a micro-pistol and does it while remaining highly concealable.

Ivan has run his P365 XL at competitions, during classes at locations such as Thunder Ranch, and while using NODs (Night Optical Device). He even fired it from 50 yards during one event.

If you’re thinking longer-range shots with a pistol aren’t worth doing, you’d be mistaken. It’s well worth it to become familiar with the drift and drop of your carry gun and that includes running it at distances out to 50 yards. Those distances won’t make up the bulk of your training but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth trying.

Sig P365 XL Review - target group with a flyer

Ivan shot his P365 XL with a wide variety of ammunition and showed examples of average group sizes. This group includes a flyer which tends to be an unavoidable part of shooting groups. (Photo Credit: Kit Badger)

Overall, the P365 XL is a well-made gun capable of solid accuracy.

Its concealability is a big plus but if you’re a fan of mounting lasers and lights keep in mind that the P365 XL has a narrow frame and only fits lasers and lights specifically made for it (but they are available from companies such as Sig, Streamlight, and Surefire).

This gun is a nice option for shooters who would like the original P365 more if it was just a little bigger. The fact that it ships optics-ready is a nice feature from SIG Sauer because it saves you from milling slides or searching for optics plates that fit your gun.

Kit Badger Sig P365 XL review

The Sig P365 XL is a solid shooting pistol good for both those who carry concealed and those who want a compact gun for home defense. (Photo Credit: Kit Badger)

Check out the video for the full rundown on the Sig P365 XL from Ivan and to find out how the gun runs in a variety of situations.

 

P365 XL Specifications

Manufacturer: Sig Sauer

Model: P365XL

Caliber: 9x19mm

Capacity: 12 +1 (also available in 10 +1)

Size: Micro-Compact

Overall Length: 6.6 inches

Overall Width: 1.1 inches

Height: 4.8 inches (without optic)

Barrel Length: 3.7 inches

Barrel Material: Carbon Steel

Weight: 20.7 ounces (empty)

Sight Radius: 5.6 inches

Trigger Action: Striker-Fired

Trigger: X-Series Straight Blade

Grip: Polymer

Frame: Stainless Steel

Frame Finish: Stainless Steel

Sights: Optic Ready with XRAY3 Day/Night Sights

MSRP: $685

 

 

 

Best of Both Worlds? The Sig Sauer P365 XL Pistol

William Lawson (June 2021)

Competition in the concealed carry market has gotten hot over the last couple of years. Smaller, more ergonomic frames are combining with higher capacity magazines at such a rate that I don’t know how they expect a poor freelance writer to keep up. Toss in the millions of new gun owners over the last eighteen months and we have an explosion of interest in these new offerings. Now if we can just get some supply… (yeah, I know they’re busting their humps on it.) So, it’s worth going back and looking at one of the better-concealed carry options out there
right now, the Sig Sauer P365 XL.

For that, we head to the wilds of South Carolina (sort of) where firearms reviewer and noted prepper Sootch00 gives us the lowdown on what he calls “One of the best-concealed carry options on the market.” Sootch is a direct descendent (probably) of the famed Swamp Fox of South Carolina (Francis Marion, not Benjamin Martin), so his opinion counts. No word yet on how many redcoats he’s taken with the Sig. Hopefully more on that soon.

The Swamp Fox - Sig P365 XL

The Swamp Fox (Most Likely).

 

Just the Facts

Sootch starts us out with a kick-the-tires breakdown and comparison with the original P365, which is quite helpful for anyone who may not know the difference between the two. I won’t spoil it, since you’ll want to watch it for yourself, but he covers mag capacity, length (barrel and
overall), width, and height differences.

Sig P365 and P365 XL

The Sig P365 (L) and its Bigger Brother, the P365 XL. 

One thing he talks about is the new mag design that both firearms are built around, which is good because capacity is a major selling point. He mentions that XL mags will work in the original model. Ergonomics are discussed in detail as well as some of the control features, including the new flat-faced trigger, on which it seems the jury is still out.

Another good feature in the review is a comparison with the Glock 43 X and the Glock 48. I’m told that a lot of people love Glocks, so I was glad to see Sootch go into that. It just provides a better look at the Sig and how it fits in the marketplace.

Unlike the regular P365, the XL is already cut for an optic, and it seems the Sig Romeo Zero will fit on it right out of the box, which makes total sense. One thing held over on the XL is a proprietary accessory rail that only fits Sig attachments. Sootch isn’t a big fan and, frankly, neither am I. I see that as a potential downside, but hey, maybe you love Sig accessories, so you do you Boo.

Sig P365 XL Romeo Zero optic

The P365 XL Comes Ready Cut for the Romeo Zero Optic. (Image source, Sig Sauer)

I should also mention that Sig has changed some of the internal components for the XL to avoid the early problems they had with the original P365. One of those is a beefed-up steel guide rod. So, it sounds like Sig has done the work to put out a quality product. There is a price difference, naturally, with the XL coming in about ninety bucks higher than the original. Both cost significantly more than the Glocks in the video.

Sig P365 XL guide rod at top. Sig P365 guide rod at bottom.

The New Beefed Up Guide Rod on the XL (Top).

Sootch and his band of partisans seem to have put a bunch of lead downrange with both models of the P365, so he has helpful comments on performance, though we don’t see any targets. That doesn’t really bother me, though, because I have trusted Sootch for a long time and I’m confident that he would report any issues, which he did not.

Sig P365 XL on the range

The XL on the range. 

It looks to me like the P365 XL is a serious contender on the concealed carry market. But check out the video see what you think. 

 

 

The Sig P365 XL: A Really Good Pistol

Patti Miller (June 2021)

There is no shortage of options when it comes to concealed carry pistols. Do you go with a single stack, double stack, or something a little in between? Chris Baker over at LuckyGunner seems to have some solid advice and a review for yet another option, the Sig P365 XL. Arriving last summer, it’s larger than a standard Sig 365 with a larger grip allowing for higher capacity magazines.

According to Chris, this is the most impressive new handgun he’s tried in a long time. Normally he’s a snub-nosed revolver kind of guy, but since near the start of the pandemic, he’s been carrying the new Sig. To him, it’s a concealable compact carry pistol that looks like a single stack but actually holds twelve rounds or fifteen in the extended mag.

The newer Sig P365 XL has a slim profile with a longer barrel at 3.7” and a slightly longer grip. It has the standard XSeries trigger and XRay3 day/night sights. If the night sights aren’t your deal, you can swap them out for a red dot pretty easily.

Sig P365 XL with extended magazine

Available with the standard 12-round magazine. Or why not go for more firepower and go to the 15-round mag. More bullets are better, right?

For Chris, the ideal concealed carry has to:

1. Be easy to shoot.
2. Be easy to carry. 
3. Meet his standards for the safety (The order of appeal for him are: 1. Hammer fired guns (single or double action safety); 2. Striker fire (like Glock); and then 3. Manual safety (Sig).

He explains that the manual safety isn’t good or bad, but on this particular model, it’s not very wide and seems too far back on the frame. But on the plus side, it is ambidextrous. Chris says it’s barely big enough to be useable, is sharp, and gets missed a lot in his speed drills. The safety eventually cut his thumb with the sharp edge during those same drills.

Overall, the appeal of the Sig P365 XL is that it is small and very shootable. It’s only slightly larger than the Glock 43 but smaller than the Glock 19. It is less bulky than either of those or a Walther PPSm2. The overall size and lack of bulk are a big deal for concealed carry.

shooting the Sig P365 XL.

Chris put more than 2,000 rounds through his 365XL with no issues, indicating to him that the earlier problems with the 365 were fixed in the Sig 365 XL.

Testing the Sig P365 XL

In his testing, Chris shot over 2,000 rounds without any issues. To drive home his point of it being a good everyday carry, he set out to do failure drills and bill drills comparing the SIG 365 XL with a Beretta PX4 carry and the Walther PPSm2. In his drills, he found that the Sig is right up with the Beretta (a pistol he has more trigger time with) and Walther (he says shoots better than other polymer single-stacks) with his timings.

One item of note he mentioned was that the Sig P365 XL has a serialized firing component meaning the slide isn’t the part that is serialized but instead serialized the firing mechanism inside. Meaning you can swap your firing components to a standard SIG 365 frame that is smaller, but then you’ll need the smaller 10-round mag to go with it.

The trigger is a nice slow uptake and a gradual break, as with other XSeries triggers. Also, the slide is cut to be compatible with the following optics: RomeoZero, RMSc, Holosun HS507K, and Swampfox Sentinel.

To round up, he says the Sig P365 XL is reliable, easy to conceal, comfortable to carry all the day, has loads of holster options, and doesn’t wear him out after long days shooting.

 

 

Read the SIG P365 files [all our P365 related articles]

Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine Gunner, a lifelong firearms enthusiast, and now a regular guy who likes to shoot, write, and find ways to combine the two. He holds an NRA certification as a Basic Pistol Instructor and is the world’s Okayest firearm’s instructor.

CategoriesNew Gun Releases

Strike Industries’ New T-Bone Charging Handle for .223/5.56

Strike Industries just announced a new charging handle for AR-15’s in .223/5.56 that should be especially beneficial for use with suppressors. How? Well, take a look. It’s designed to direct the gas flow to the left, right, or even both ways—you get to decide. But the thing is, you’re not going to get that obnoxious gas cloud in your face. And, since the user determines which way the gas flows, it’s good for left and right-handed shooters.

Adjust the handle to direct gas flow away from your face and firing hand.

It’s compatible with AR-15, M4, and M16 upper receivers, but not AR-10s. The company advises that the handles can be easily swapped with option sizes and styles that will be announced soon. The handle comes with two set screws and two hex tools for assembly and adjustments. Also, it’s available in five colorways, including FDE and Olive Drab—so most likely you’ll be able to find something that fits your platform.

Strike Industries T-Bone AR-15 Charging Handle for .223/5.56

The new handle has a black aluminum shaft, with polymer handles available in black, red, blue, FDE, and Olive Drab.

Here’s how SI describes the new charging handle:

The Strike Industries T-Bone Charging Handle for .223/5.56 AR-15’s feature a patented gas redirect system that allows you to configure the gas to exit only left, only right, or evenly to both sides. The shaft of the charging handle is machined from 7000 series aluminum which excels in applications requiring lightweight and high strength.

However, with comfort and control in mind, the T-Bone latchless handles are made from SI PolyFlex polymer. The handles can be easily swapped with optional (coming soon) different sizes and styles. The latchless feature of the T-Bone gives minimal wear and tear on your AR upper receiver compared to traditional charging handles on the market.

The Strike Industries T-Bone Charging Handle for .223/5.56 gives you a modular way to direct the gas and setup the feel and look for one of the most overlooked and essential part of your AR upper receiver.

T-Bone AR-15 Charging Handle Features:

•Configure gas to exit only left, only right, or evenly on both sides
•Latchless modular SI PolyFlex polymer handles
•SI patent pending ambidextrous charging handle
•Handles can be easily swapped with option sizes and styles (coming soon)
•Minimal wear on upper receiver compared to others on the market
•Machined from 7000 series aluminum which excels in applications requiring lightweight and high strength

Specs

•Length: 172.04mm (6.77″)
•Width: 62.06mm (2.44″)
•Height: 14.95mm (0.59″)
•Weight: 1.0 oz
•Weight w/ pkg: 1.6 oz

What’s in the package?

Strike Industries T-Bone Charging Handle package contents.

Everything you’ll need to install and adjust the charging handle to suit your preferences.

•x1 T-Bone Charging Handle (fully assembled)
•x2 Set screw [M3x8mm]
•x1 Hex tool [1.5mm]
•x1 Hex tool [3mm]

Other Notes about the T-Bone Charging Handle

Compatibility: It is compatible with AR-15/M4/M16 upper receivers.
Not compatible with: AR-10 upper receivers.

Also:

•Strike does point out that aluminum material will wear out faster than steel, so keep that in mind.
•Due to numerous factors that take place during the anodization process, the color lines from batch to batch of a certain product may vary.

Read more at Strike Industries.

Stephanie Kimmell is the firstborn daughter of Missouri’s Pecan King, worthy scion of a Vietnam veteran sailor turned mad engineer-orchardist-inventor-genius. With a BA in technical writing, she freelances as a writer and editor. A Zymurgist greatly interested in the decoction of fermented barley and hops, she is in many ways a modern amalgam of Esther Hobart Morris, Rebecca Boone, and Nellie Bly. She hunts, fishes, butchers, and cooks most anything. When not editing or writing, she makes soaps and salves, spins wool, and occasionally makes cheese from cows she milked herself. Kimmell is a driven epistemophilic who loves live music and all sorts of beer.

CategoriesNew Gun Releases

A New Exclusive Ammunition from Global Ordnance

Global Ordnance (G.O.) has announced the arrival of “ADI World Class“, a new line of ammunition from Australian Munitions. G.O. is the exclusive US distributor of that brand and is directly offering the entire range of ADI World Class small arms cartridges to individual consumers. It is also available for wholesale and to their dealer network. 

ADI World Class Ammunition

ADI World Class 3098 WIN Sierra Match King.

Below is how they describe the ammo and its availability.

ADI World Class Ammunition is a match grade ammunition available in .223REM, 300 AAC Blackout, .308WIN, and additionally 5.56x45mm F1 Ball Ammunition, with more calibers on the way in the future. Australian Munitions has a long history of supplying high-quality powders and ammunition throughout the world and its ammunition is now being offered directly from Global Ordnance.

Global Ordnance has been an exclusive distributor for Australian Munitions for over 3 years, including their Australian Outback line of ammunition, and is now bringing the same high-quality standards through the new line of match grade and ball offerings to the market. 

ADI World Class Ammunition from Global Ordnance

ADI World Class Ammunition from Global Ordnance is available in 300 BLK, 308 WIN, and 223 REM.

Marc Morales, President and Owner of Global Ordnance, explains further. 

“We are very excited about our partnership with ADI, especially given the recent ammunition shortages in the United States. Having another source of high-quality ammunition to offer to our customers helps us keep up with the demand and bring more options to the end-users.” 

Global Ordnance, known among other things for the immensely popular Grand Power Stribog, (read our Stribog review here) carries an entire Grand Power selection and Arex Delta lineup. They are a veteran-owned company headquartered in Sarasota, Fl. 

Connect on social @global_ordnance or follow them on Facebook, /global_ordnance/. 

ADI ammo in 300BLK.

ADI ammo in 300BLK.

 

Brock Trautman is the senior news anchor for The Mag Life, the official publication of GunMag Warehouse. He’s also a cartoon, so…don’t get butt-hurt about anything he says. He’s not making subjective judgments on things, or reviewing anything – he’s just passing along the news.

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