The Halo TV series has surely made some people subscribe to Paramount plus. It’s made me login into my parent’s account at the very least. My Halo credentials go back to the first game and up to the third and Reach. I spent many an hour playing the first game on a four-player split-screen with friends and family. I enjoyed playing the series, and I even read a few of the novels while deployed.
All that said, I don’t consider myself a megafan of the games or the world. It’s a cool world, but it was never my vibe. I wasn’t jumping up and down with excitement at a Halo TV show, but I knew I’d check it out eventually. Today we’ll be talking about the very first episode. We’ll talk about it as a Halo property, as a SciFi TV show, and obviously, we gotta talk about the guns.
The minigun doesn’t do a whole lot for the insurgents.
Jumping Into the Halo TV Series
If you don’t want spoilers and just want the bottom line up front, I’ll give it to you. Halo, at the least first episode, is fun, mature, bloody, and okay as a sci-fi series. It hasn’t blown me away, but I enjoyed watching it. If you have Paramount Plus, check it out, but I wouldn’t subscribe just to watch Halo. It’s a solid 6/10 show.
This is where your spoiler-free review ends. After this, you’ll get my gripes, praises, and a little about the guns.
I’ve heard many Halo fans make plenty of complaints regarding the series. If you’ve followed the years of lore, short films, games, and more, you’ll likely be disappointed. I have a cursory understanding of the backstory outside of the games from the novels. I know the game’s storylines well and the Spartan lore.
With that being said, I can see why fans are disappointed. The show swings wide and somewhat away from the Halo story we know. I’m not condemning that as a bad thing, but yeah, there are massive differences between the show and the games.
Chief isn’t the only Spartan this go around.
That being said, the show explores different themes that are sprinkled throughout the books, like the UNSC being seen as a bad guy by insurgent forces. Reach touches on Spartans fighting insurgents and anti-UNSC forces. The first episode starts in an insurgent camp and revolves around the war between the two.
Master Chief isn’t the only Spartan in this series. Spartans aren’t universally seen as heroes, and the UNSC acts monstrously. We see the Spartans, their guns, and their ships replicated well. The same goes for the Covenant.
Notice the heads-up display, The show takes you into the FPS mode.
Heck, the noise of the Spartan’s shield recharging and the occasional first-person shooting bits made the first episode of Halo worth the watch. A number of little things are tackled just right.
…but the Helmet
What’s not tackled right is the armor. It looks good, but the characters move in a clunky way. Also, Chief takes his helmet off, and well, I like the actor, but seeing his face isn’t earned. In The Mandalorian, it took time and built suspense, and the helmet was removed for a reason. In Halo, he just pops it off, and we get a big reveal that feels silly and unearned.
I appreciate the different Armor types.
I’d have kept the helmet on and the face concealed, at least for a bit. They should make us earn the reveal—make us know the character first before we see his handsome face.
As a Scifi Shoot ‘Em Up
Let’s say Halo never existed previously, and this was our first introduction to the world. As a sci-fi show without a past, it’s pretty solid. The violence and action are entertaining. Seeing teenagers reduced to bags of blood in the first five minutes was an eye-opener. It’s certainly no Star Wars in terms of PG-13 action.
The classic Plasma rifle makes an appearance.
It’s bloody, violent, and R-rated. The Covenant is without mercy and slaughters humans when they are discovered. When the Spartans arrive and kick-ass, it’s a ton of fun. However, it dips in dullness after that first firefight. I don’t need constant action, but after the action, the dialogue becomes stilted, and some of the scenes are just dull. They don’t capture you.
The team gears up to fight an unlikely foe.
What About the Guns?
Okay, we gotta talk guns. First off, we get plenty of favorites from the game series from both the human forces and the Covenant. We see the plasma rifle and pistol and the Covenant energy sword. They look great and turn humans into exploding water balloons.
Several of the classic Halo guns make an appearance.
The Spartans wield some of the game’s famed guns. We see a Spartan blasting away with dual M6D pistols and the other Spartans carrying them as sidearms. It’s that huge 12.7mm pistol we’ve always wanted. It seems appropriate for fighting Covenant.
The armor makes it tough to shoulder the rifle.
Master Chief prefers the classic full auto MA5B and blasts away with it as the fight devolves into a standard Halo jumpy fighting melee. We see the DMR in the hands of another Spartan, and Chief gets his hands on it in short order.
Finally, the Spartan Sniper wields the anti-material rifle that was my bane in Halo 2 online. These sci-fi weapons are faithfully replicated and fun to see in action. Later on, we see a Battle Rifle, but it doesn’t get a lot of action.
Are there any real guns in the Halo TV series?
The first episode of the Halo TV series opens up at an insurgent base, and they don’t have the fancy Halo guns but normal human weapons. Most are dressed-up variants of real guns. We see lots of AKs, maybe some Galils, and what appears to be an MP5 that’s been stripped of its handguard.
99 AKs on the wall, take one down…
We see a few shotguns, and they look like Baikal pump guns, which makes sense since the show is filmed in Bosnia. There appears to be a US Palm Banana mag in one of the AK series rifles if you look close. Several weapons don’t have sights, but hey, you don’t need sights in the future.
Is that a US Palm Mag I see?
We also see a minigun, although it’s just a mocked-up model. It’s fun to see that the AK will never die in the hands of insurgents, even space insurgents!
Is that an MP5 I see?
“I Need a Weapon.”
The Halo TV series has potential. It can be a fun sci-fi romp, but I doubt it will be something the fans love. It’s a separate canon from the television show, which will rub some people the wrong way. What do you think?
The rail system is great, but homeboy needs some sights.
Does the Halo TV Series tickle your fancy? Let us know below.
Back 4 Blood is the spiritual successor to the very popular Left 4 Dead series. Like its predecessor, Back 4 Blood is a zombie horde shooter that challenges you to fight wave after wave of the undead with a multitude of weapons and a bit of the old ultra-violence.
To be fair, I hardly played the Left 4 Dead series, but when Back 4 Blood popped up in Xbox Gamepass, I figured it was worth the free download.
You can upgrade your weapons in a few different ways.
Holy crap was I right!
Back 4 Blood — A Horde Shooter
Horde shooters are new to me. I started with Aliens: Fireteam Elite and found myself attracted to the fast-paced playstyle and white knuckle action. Horde shooters cast you as a character in a world overrun by some form of monster. In this game, it’s zombies, also known as “Ridden” in-game. The game never slows down and barely ever gives you a minute to breathe as the zombies just keep coming.
Back 4 Blood has a huge focus on cooperative gameplay and is best played with four friends on a team. I had the most fun playing with a few friends, but life being life, we didn’t always have time to coordinate, so I played mostly single player. I still had a blast in single-player.
You can play co-op or with bots if you’re a loser.
You can pick from one of eight “hero” characters, and each Back 4 Blood hero comes with unique weapons and abilities. The abilities can involve both team buffs and single-player buffs. Equipment buffs can be razor wire to seal off doorways, ammo pouches to replenish supplies, and more. Character bluffs entail faster aiming down sights, better healing, and more.
My favorite character is a doomsday prepper, gun nut, and John Goodman impressionist named Hoffman. He packs an M1911 and a TAC14 as his weapons with an ammo pouch and +15% max ammo capacity for the team.
Starting a Run
Playthroughs in Back 4 Blood are called runs, and you start a run at Ft. Hope. Here you can interact, spend in-game currency, and set up decks. Decks is a unique card system that allows you to provide buffs to your team. They can increase health, ammo capacity, damage, and much more.
You get a starter deck but are challenged to build your own deck to affect your playthrough. These cards seem to take the place of traditional RPG-type skill trees and upgrades. To be successful, decks need to be focused on a player’s playstyle. It’s fun, unique, and allows you to tweak the game to exploit your strengths as a player.
You get your own deck, but you also get hit with corruption cards. These cards give the enemy an advantage over you and toss different enemies, fog, mutations, or whatever at you. The game also has a unique AI Director system that adapts the game’s difficulty to your playstyle.
You can build a great deck, but it will never be too overpowered for the game. You won’t get bored, and the game is quite difficult. I typically play on ‘hard’ mode, but after I met the first boss, I had to scale back to medium to keep playing.
Kill Zombies
In Back 4 Blood, the game features basic “Ridden” zombies—your typical shambling cannon fodder that’s only real strength is in numbers. That’d get boring fast, but along the way, you run into several mutations. These are super zombies that vary in strength and abilities. Some have huge arms. Others spew acid at you. Some call hordes of zombies and others are multistory bosses that soak up ammo.
The TAC14 uses magnum buckshot, which does result in 12 pellets.
When things get up close and personal, your character and weapon get blasted in blood and covered in guts. It’s a great little detail that adds to the brutality of the game. The various enemy types, strategies to deal with them, weapons, and constant movement make Back 4 Blood a thrill ride.
The Guns
Of course, we have to talk about the guns in the game! Back 4 Blood delivers an arsenal of firearms, including assault rifles, shotguns, SMGs, LMGs, sniper rifles, handguns, and plenty of brutal melee weapons. Back 4 Blood tries hard to do the guns right, or at least as right as they can.
You can tell the designers put forth effort for realistic firearms, but they mess up here and there. For example, if you reload a partial mag in your M4 or M16, your character will always hit the bolt release. Guns like the MP5 and Uzi both fire 9mm, right? Well, for some reason, the MP5 does more damage. The AA12 and Remington 870 both fire eight pellet buckshot, but the Remington does more damage.
I give the game props for deploying the stock.
With that said, there have been a few times Back 4 Blood impressed me. Let’s go back to the Remington 870 and the TAC14. They are arguably the same weapon, and both are 12 gauges. The TAC14 does more damage than the 870, but the TAC12 seems to fire 3-inch magnums. The TAC14’s three-round capacity is accurate (if you ignore the +1), and it fires 12 pellets per shot versus the 870s eight pellets per shot.
Taking Aim On Upgrades
When you aim, you look down the sights, and those sights can be upgraded to various optics. There are EOTech, ACOGs, and various red dots you can purchase or find in the wild. You can also add extended mags, different ammo types, stocks, and muzzle devices. Outside of optics, mags, and muzzle devices, the upgrades don’t change the cosmetic features of the gun.
Some optics are quasi-realistic, like this wannabe EOTech.
Back 4 Blood also allows players to toss on weird upgrades to weapons. For example, you can equip a pistol with a tactical stock, but you can’t ever see the stock, but it improves mobility.
Once you attach an upgrade to your gun, you can’t remove the optic and toss it on another gun. They’re stuck. Upgrades are also randomly available between missions in Safehouses, so you can’t always top your AK with an ACOG.
Weapons, Weapons, Weapons
My favorite combination of weapons in Back 4 Blood is the TAC14 paired with a TEC9. It’s a lot of fire-power that’s perfect for close-ranging bad guys. The TAC14 only offers me three rounds, but the TEC9 gives me twenty.
The TEC9 is my favorite sidearm. Notice the bolt is forward, even though it’s an open bolt machine pistol.
My other favorite is the RPK combined with a .357 Magnum revolver that, in reality, is the S&W TR8. The RPK is powerful and controllable, like the S&W that offers lots and lots of power in a small package.
A Blast of a Game
Back 4 Blood is a ton of fun. It’s an action-packed ride that never stops moving. It’s quick, and brutal, and you get access to tons and tons of cool guns. From SCARs to Benelli M4s, you get a little bit of everything. I thought I’d hate the deck-building mechanic, but I’ve come to appreciate it. Plus, it was free on Gamepass.
Any other Back 4 Blood players? If so, hit me in the comments with your deck builds and ideas.
Hybrid rifles that give gun owners the best of both worlds can be a fantastic addition to anyone’s collection. And when it comes to AR-15 and AK-47 hybrids, the DRD Tactical Sub-6 is worth a closer look. The DRD Tactical Sub-6 blends the two platforms to offer everything you want in a single rifle.—
The DRD Tactical Sub-6 is a hybrid AR-15/AK-47 rifle that’s available exclusively through Zanders Sporting Goods. (Photo credit: Zanders Sporting Goods)
From DRD Tactical on their Sub-6 rifle:
The AR15 meets the AK47 with this super lightweight mashup. Coming in at just under six pounds, it has steel in all the right places to offer solid, rugged construction in an impressively light design. Built from the ground up, every feature was redesigned with superior performance in mind. The lower receiver features an integrated 1913 picatinny rail on the butt plate, with a side-folding Magpul buttstock securely mounted to the rear rail. Fire with the stock folded if you please. The new bolt with dovetailed gas key incorporates rail slots to eliminate BCG tilt and reduces friction for unbelievably smooth, efficient cycling that runs cleaner than standard AR systems. The barrel extension provides better lockup utilizing a trunnion system composed of steel on steel vs. steel on aluminum, which increases strength while reducing wear.
This rifle has a 16 and 1/4 inch barrel and is chambered in 5.56 NATO, meaning shooters can run either 5.56 NATO or 223 Remington through it. Its Picatinny rail extends the length of the handguard, so it’s easy to add aftermarket accessories and optics, and the folding stock allows for greater portability. At just under six pounds, empty, the Sub-6 is a lightweight, highly maneuverable rifle designed for versatility. Whether you’re interested in home defense, a new truck gun, or just want a rifle to shoot at the range, the Sub-6 is a good option.
The DRD Tactical Sub-6 is offered in four colors including black, blue, Ghost, and Sandstone. (Photo credit: Zanders Sporting Goods)
The Sub-6 is available in black, blue, Ghost, and Sandstone. Controls are designed to be easy to manipulate. The folding stock is 5-position adjustable, meaning the rifle can be adjusted to better fit the shooter, and the gun’s bolt design makes it more reliable and improves accuracy. This rifle is available exclusively through Zanders Sporting Goods.
The DRD Tactical Sub-6 rifle is available only from Zanders Sporting Goods. (Photo credit: Zanders Sporting Goods)
Specs
Operation: Semi-Automatic Proprietary Direct Impingement Gas Piston Operating System
Finish: Black Hard Coat Anodized (Cerakote Options Available)
MSRP for the DRD Tactical Sub-6 is listed as $2350 for black with no mention of differing price points for other colors. To check it out for yourself, visit Zanders Sporting Goods.
One of the things gun owners look for in guns is capacity. In fact, capacity is such an important factor it’s led to the design and production of a number of compact, yet higher round count, handguns and numerous aftermarket accessories. For Glocks, there’s the Strike Industries Aluminum Extended Magazine Plate (EMP).
The Strike Industries Aluminum Extended Magazine Plate gives shooters greater capacity and more surface area to grip during live fire and mag changes. (Photo credit: Strike Industries)
Strike Industries summarizes their Aluminum EMPs:
The Strike Industries Aluminum Extended Magazine Plate for GLOCK G17 (9mm) / G22 40 cal[iber] was designed to provide smoother magazine reloading through a slow drag / no snag design while maintaining maximum magazine capacity. Machined from 6061-T6 aluminum, this Extended Magazine Plate (EMP) adds plus [five] 9mm or plus [four] 40 cal[iber] rounds to compatible OEM double stack GLOCK magazines. Following the success of our EMP systems for pistols, the form factor and unique geometric design gives a unified and aggressive aesthetic look to your GLOCK G17. Included is an aluminum plate which adds extra locking security. Give your GLOCK pistol the extra rounds it deserves with the Strike Industries Aluminum Extended Magazine Plate (EMP) for GLOCK G17 (9mm).
Strike Industries Aluminum EMPs come in a variety of colors and are easy to install. (Photo credit: Strike Industries)
There are a lot of reasons to put extended base plates on your Glock. Not only do you get the added benefit of more capacity than what the gun comes with standard from the factory, but you also have a greater surface area with which to grab onto the magazine. That’s good for a few things including making magazine changes faster, yanking a stuck magazine out of the magazine well, and keeping a firm grip if you have larger hands. Also, using different colors is a great way to quickly identify which mags are yours at the range.
According to the manufacturer, installation is fast and easy.
Glock magazines with the Strike Industries Aluminum Extended Magazine Plates installed. (Photo credit: Strike Industries)
ETS Magazines that are over 10 rounds. Please note Strike Industries cannot control or even be aware if ETS ever changes their design and the Strike Industries EMP no longer is compatible
Magwell has been tested to work with Strike Industries Magwell
Not compatible with 10-round magazines
Want more room for ammo and faster mag changes? Check out Strike Industries Aluminum Extended Magazine Plates. (Photo credit: Strike Industries)
It might seem odd to stop and consider a different shooting stance, but there are good reasons to consider more than the current trending way of standing while you shoot (it’s Isosceles). Perhaps the most important reason to practice in multiple stances is to diversify your shooting skills, but there are others. For example, if you’re ever forced to defend yourself from a violent attack, it’s highly unlikely you’ll have time to get into your favored Isosceles Stance before firing your gun. In real life, a firefight is fluid and changing. Not sure where to start? Check out the basic upright shooting stances before you get into things like shooting and moving or variations on prone.
The Isosceles stance is the most commonly used method in the gun world right now. (Photo credit: Kat Stevens)
Isosceles Stance
It’s undeniable that shooters in Isosceles stance are all over social media and on the pages of gun magazines. Isosceles has been the favored stance for some time now, which is understandable.
When taking the Isosceles stance, the shooter faces the target squarely. This differs from other stances that involve more of a bladed approach. For example, in a standard Isosceles, the shooter will stand with their feet slightly beyond hip-distance, apart with the toes of both feet aimed at their target. In this stance, the shooter’s arms are held out straight from their body without bending the elbows. This means that when the shooter is gripping the gun, their arms are in a triangle.
There are a few basic, upright shooting stances. Isosceles, which is pictured, is the most popular. (Photo credit: Kat Stevens)
A Few Tips for Isosceles
Don’t lock your knees; just stand firmly in place.
Don’t lock your elbows, simply maintain tension.
Don’t lean forward like there’s a strong wind.
Don’t turtle your head down. Instead, bring the gun up to your line of vision.
There are modifications and variations to every stance in the gun industry. Perhaps the most popular for Isosceles is the Power Isosceles which requires the shooter to take a step back with their strong-side leg. Knees are slightly flexed as well using Power Isosceles.
How well Isosceles stance works for you depends on your body type and size, but it’s also going to be affected by the gun you’re shooting. Larger calibers, specifically magnum ones, often benefit from a different stance to better manage felt recoil.
Weaver Stance
Frequently referred to as outdated and not worth doing, the Weaver stance is a legitimately useful shooting stance. It can be traced back over half a century to Jack Weaver, and its entire creation was basically the result of Weaver’s desire to win a competition.
An old image of Jack Weaver demonstrating the then-new Weaver stance. You can see the angle of the arms required for the push-pull grip. (Photo credit: Gunsite Academy)
At that time, Col. Jeff Cooper, the founder of what is now known as Gunsite Academy, held annual Leatherslap competitions. They were quick draw matches that attracted shooters like Elden Carl, Thell Reed, John Plahn, Ray Chapman, and, of course, Jack Weaver. Part of Leatherslap involved shooting balloons from 10 feet away, and for whatever reason, they kept missing. Weaver later wrote about the event, saying, “Most of the talk was about how fast different contestants were; ‘hundredths of a second’ seemed very important. Nobody ever mentioned accuracy—that problem was somehow going to take care of itself, like all the Westerns on TV during that time (1956).”
Only it didn’t. The shooters were lightning-fast and highly skilled but did not take the time to aim carefully enough to make those precise shots. Jack Weaver decided to do something about it—he wanted to win next time—and spend the next year fine-tuning what would become known as the Weaver stance (by the way, he did win the next Leatherslap using it).
Breakdown of the Weaver Stance
The Weaver stance is sometimes called a boxer’s stance. The shooter takes a step toward the target with their support-side foot to take this shooting stance. The toes of that foot remain pointed in the direction of the target. The leg is turned at a 45-degree angle on the shooter’s strong side, similar to how a boxer is angled before throwing a punch.
This is a two-handed stance. The shooter’s strong-side arm is extended in front of their body but not fully straightened; a slight bend should remain in the strong-side elbow. The shooter’s arm is bent at a 45-degree angle on the support side. The shooter shouldn’t stick their elbow out chicken-wing style but should, instead, aim their elbow at the ground.
Properly doing Weaver requires a push-pull method—dynamic tension—with the shooter’s grip. Some gun owners dislike the blading of the stance because they say it could open them to a potentially fatal wound even when wearing body armor.
It’s also worth noting that Mas Ayoob, whose reputation always precedes him, has noticed Weaver’s push-pull and overall stance has a tendency to fall apart under extreme stress. That’s relevant because it means it could be worthless in a fight for your life. Does that mean the Weaver stance has no use? Not necessarily, but it’s information worth remembering.
A few tips for the Weaver stance:
Don’t leave the strong-side arm raised like a wing; tuck it into your body.
You can turn your head slightly when aiming your gun. Traditionally, the gun is held higher, and the head is tilted. Find what works for you.
Don’t crouch or dramatically lean into the gun.
Practice the push-pull grip. It takes time to master.
If Weaver’s not for you, check out the variation below.
Chapman Stance (Modified Weaver)
Yes, there’s a modification to Weaver, and yes, it was “invented” by one of Jack Weaver’s buddies. Ray Chapman came up with the Chapman stance by watching Weaver and deciding he could improve on the stance. There’s more, but you get the idea.
The Chapman Stance, or Modified Weaver, is slightly more relaxed than the classic Weaver stance. (Photo credit: Kat Stevens)
In the Chapman stance, the legs are not quite as widely spaced. That means instead of taking a complete step forward with the support-side foot, it’s just a small movement, creating a more tightly-held frame for better balance. The shooter’s arms remain similar to how they’re held in Weaver, but the strong-side arm is extended instead of being slightly bent, and the support-side doesn’t push forward into the gun. This removes the push-pull needed for Weaver, making Chapman much simpler for many people.
Chapman has some specific uses. It can be easier or better for women than Isosceles due to our different body shapes and is also useful for shooters with hip or back pain. The shift in how the legs and arms are held can alleviate some of the pressure that’s put on those joints during Isosceles. And if you’re cross-dominate, you can turn your head and press your cheek into your bicep.
A Few Tips for the Chapman Stance
Don’t take a big step forward to separate your legs. Unlike Weaver, Chapman requires only a small gap to be created with the support-side leg.
Don’t lock or fully extend your strong-side arm. Leave a little flex in it.
Don’t be afraid to turn your head to better line up your eye with the sight, but be aware that if you tilt your head at an angle instead of holding it upright, it will affect shot placement.
Modern Fighting Stance
You might have noticed that Weaver and Chapman both have connections to the famed Gunsite Academy in Paulden, Arizona. Well, there’s a fourth stance to add to the list, and it comes straight from Gunsite. The academy calls it the Modern Fighting Stance, and it works exceptionally well for a wide variety of shooters.
The Modern Fighting Stance was created by Gunsite Academy and allows for more movement and adjustments as needed. (Photo credit: Kat Stevens)
The Modern Fighting Stance requires the shooter to square off with the target, just like in Isosceles. The shooter’s legs are a bit more than hip distance apart, with the strong-side leg approximately six inches, give or take, further back than the support-side leg. Toes aim at the target; there is no blading. The shooter extends their strong-side arm, and the support-side arm is slightly bent to create tension similar to that of Weaver (but not so extreme).
This is what Gunsite uses as a balanced fighting stance, and they’re cool with modifications. They understand different shooters have varying body types, injuries, and needs, so changes and adjustments are made as needed.
A Few Tips for the Modern Fighting Stance
Be flexible. Don’t be rigid in your approach to this stance. Make adjustments as needed.
Don’t take too broad a stance. Legs should be only a little wider than your shoulders.
A dramatic push-pull is not required. Simply keep good tension in your grip.
Which shooting stance should you use?
There’s no one-size-fits-all shooting stance (surprise!). What works for the guy on social media might be a train wreck for you. Something else I’ve learned over time is that the gun affects things. My stance affects my accuracy with guns of different sizes, so I’ve learned to make adjustments. Don’t get stuck in a rut thinking there’s only one way. Broaden your horizons and try it all because being a well-versed shooter in many methods is a good plan. Plus, it gives you an excuse for extra trigger time, and who doesn’t want that?
What’s your preferred shooting stance, and why? Tell us in the comments below.
Israel’s BUL Armory is quickly gaining a reputation for quality firearms. The SAS II line of 1911s is no exception. Ben, Jon, and Genevieve from TheGunCollective [YouTube channel] recently took out the BUL Armory SAS II Tac 5 1911 and sharde their thoughts on this ultra-cool gun in the video linked below.
The SAS II Tac 5 1911 looks like another winner for Israel’s BUL Armory
Bul Armory SAS II Tac 5 Specifications
Let’s start with the BUL 1911’s specs from the BUL Armory website:
(L) The stainless-steel slide has front and rear cocking serrations and is cut for an optic. (R) The generously flared mag well allows the 19-round mags to be easily loaded.
Ben is a big fan of the bull barrel, noting how it helps with accuracy. That accuracy is aided by the suppressor height iron sights and the RMR optic, for which the slide is already cut. The gun has a curved trigger shoe, which Ben notes is interchangeable, though we aren’t told what the other option is. Most likely flat.
(L) The bull barrel contributes to the gun’s accuracy. (R) The textured full-size grip provides good purchase while shooting.
The full-size grip is checkered front and back with a grip tape style texturing on the panels. Ben also likes the generously flared mag well and said it made loading the double-stack 19-round magazines easy. Those mags have aluminum baseplates. The slide is equipped with front and rear cocking serrations. He sums it up with, “This gun is fantastic!” Sweet, but how does it shoot?
The Bul on the Range
Jon’s first reaction was a big smile as he exclaimed, “This is so good! The shooting experience on this is flat-out fantastic when I can actually do my part. Wow!” I think he likes it. Accuracy was a common theme as Ben says, “This gun is a lot of fun to shoot steel with. It’s incredibly accurate.” Genevieve followed up with “Killer accurate.” Ben: “That’s a bull barrel for you.”
So, it seems to shoot straight, which Ben confirms with, “I’m just an average shooter but I thought it was really easy to connect with targets at distance. This gun knows what you want to do, and it just does it.”
Genevieve is all smiles after shooting the SAS II Tac 5.
Is the Tac 5 Reliable?
“We ran mag after mag through it and it just ran like a sewing machine. Everyone at TGC loves this gun.” Ben says he would knock off half a point because “tactical” implies a threaded barrel, which the Tac 5 does not have. But he puts the half-point back because a suppressor “would taint its rock-solid reliability.”
Ben loves the 19-round mags.
Cost and Value of the SAS II Tac 5
Ben points out that the BUL Armory SAS II Tac 5 1911 is not a cheap gun. The MSRP at the time of writing is $1890. He does say, however, that a similar Staccato pistol costs about 500 bucks more. “Having shot both,” he says, “I really don’t see the Staccato as providing an entire Glock’s worth of value more than the BUL. This is a really nice gun and everyone that gets one is going to be extremely happy with it.”
What do you think? Are you up for an Israeli-built 9mm double stack 1911? Let us know in the comments. Happy shooting, y’all. Watch the video here:
The names “Colt” and “1911” go hand in hand, largely because it was John Moses Browning who invented them. And while Colt has gone on to design and produce all manner of firearms, the 1911 remains an enormous piece of the company’s history. The renowned gun maker produces a number of 1911s including their Colt Combat Unit pistol line, which includes three models.
Check out the Colt Combat Unit pistol line of 1911s. They’re available in Government, Commander, and Combat with rails. (Photo credit: GunsAndGear via YouTube)
Details of the Colt Combat Unit pistol line from the gun maker:
Available in CCU Government, Combat Unit Rail and the Combat Unit CCO Commander models, all CCU Series 1911’s feature matte black DLC coated stainless steel frames that are corrosion-resistant and EDC-friendly. Custom G10 grips and 25 LPI checkering provide steady traction all around, and an undercut trigger guard and upswept beavertail safety command proper hand placement for accuracy and recoil control.
All three of the single-action CCU models are available in .45 ACP and 9MM chamberings.
CCU Government models sport five-inch barrels and ammunition capacities of 8+1 in 45 ACP and 9+1 in 9MM.
Combat Unit Rail models offer a handy Picatinny rail under the barrel for accessories. Ammunition capacities and barrel lengths are the same as the government models.
Combat Unit CCO pistols feature Commander length, 4.25-inch barrels and ammunition capacities of 7+1 in 45 ACP and 9+1 in 9MM.
These 1911s were designed with an eye to dependability and combat reliability performance. (Photo credit: Colt)
Colt based the design of the pistols in their Combat Unit line on suggestions from US Special Forces trainers. According to the gun maker, that means they were created for superior reliability, control, and accuracy, among other things. The G10 grips provide a firm grip, even with wet or sweaty hands, and their extended beavertail grips facilitate a high grip for greater control. As is standard for 1911s, these guns have thumb safeties, grip safeties, and internal safety mechanisms.
The Colt Combat Unit pistol line of 9mm and 45 ACP pistols was designed for fantastic accuracy and improved control. (Photo credit: Colt)
Other features include front and rear angled slide serrations for greater manipulation and a textured hammer. The guns come standard with Novak sights for rapid target acquisition and an undercut trigger guard for a sure grip. These are Series 80 1911s. With their varying barrel lengths, frame sizes, and chamberings, there’s bound to be a gun for you in this 1911 lineup.
The CCU Government is offered in both 9mm and 45 ACP. (Photo credit: Colt)
Many folks tend to like high-end things. Cars, guns, watches, flashlights, knives. High-end (read that as high-dollar) items are just plain cool and fun. Sometimes we get so caught up in the status game that we forget where we came from. So are there any quality knives out there these days that are inexpensive and actually worth their salt? Let’s take a look!
High performance does not have to equate to high dollar spending. Buck 113 Ranger fixed blade on top, 110 in the middle, and the 112 Ranger on the bottom.
Quality knives that are also budget-friendly hit a sweet spot.
Over the years, I’ve acquired a number of knives. Some might even say I have a knife fetish, to which I’d reply, “Guilty as charged.” Some of them are high-dollar custom knives, with a few being gifts that I will never get rid of.
Just the same, in the past few years, I’ve had several jobs in which I’ve used knives on a daily basis and I didn’t necessarily want to beat on my high-dollar knives. Not that they can’t take it, but when I’m cutting near concrete or metal and there’s a risk that I could slip and seriously mess up the edge of my blade, I’d rather it not be a custom knife that’s worth several hundred dollars.
And then there’s the danger of losing an expensive knife, which I’d rather not happen.
As such, I’ve managed to pick up some less-expensive, quality knives over the years. But do they function as well as my high-end knives? Surprisingly, many actually do! A few have even exceeded the performance of my high-dollar customs.
For this article, I wanted to set a general limit of spending at a $100 cap. Now I realize that many people will never, in a million years, spend even $100 on a knife. I know people who think $50 for a knife is an extravagant waste of money. Fair enough. There are items that I purchase where I go the cheaper route and to each his own. For those folks, I might have a few examples to throw in the article that they might like, too.
Inexpensive does not necessarily mean low performance. There are some quality knives out there that function well and you don’t have to take out a second mortgage on the house. They make nice companions to the S&W CSX, the new micro-compact 9mm.
As I write this, I know some of my friends who are knife snobs are going to ridicule me for even considering carrying a knife that does not cost at least a couple hundred dollars. In fact, I literally know well over a dozen people who will carry an Emerson CQC-6, for example, some being worth around $6,000 (a few worth even more than that), as an everyday carry utility knife. And they use them hard! To these folks, I say, hats off to you! Personally, I couldn’t allow myself to use a knife that is worth that kind of money, I’d be afraid of marring the edge, breaking it, or losing it. But using them makes those folks happy, and so they have my blessing.
Now I do have some personal limitations. A cheaper knife, for me to use it, has to have an appealing profile. I have to like the knife. It needs to catch my eye, first of all, for me to even look at it. I prefer knives that are utilitarian, so the blade shape has to appeal to me and work well. And no, I’m not going to buy a $10 gas station knife. I’m just not, because that doesn’t appeal to me.
As far as the blade steel is concerned, we’re living in an age where there are some truly astounding blade steels out there! PD-1, CRU Wear, and many others hold their edge for obscenely long periods of time. Again, there are folks who will not even consider a knife unless it has the very latest new fad of super-steel. I’m not one of those guys. Sure, super-steels are neato, but I don’t necessarily need that.
With all that out of the way, let’s take a look at some budget-friendly, quality knives!
1. Buck Knives 110
When I was a young lad in the 1970s and ’80s, I yearned for a Buck 110 folding knife in the worst way. Why? Because Johnny Gage, a paramedic in the series Emergency! carried one on his belt in that ubiquitous leather sheath. Occasionally, he’d pull it out on the various calls that he and his partner, Roy DeSoto, would be called out on.
The Buck 110 Folding Hunter was revolutionary in its design for the day. Ebony scales and brass bolsters give this knife class, yet do not interfere with its practicality.
The other series that made me want one was The Dukes Of Hazzard, in which both Bo and Luke Duke carried the 110 in the leather pouches on their belt. Back in those days, those guys were influential to a youngster, and I wanted to be like them.
I never did get a Buck 110 back then. Instead, as a teenager, I settled for a very crappy copy that I believe was made in Pakistan or some damn place. Truly, there is no comparison between the real McCoy and the Pakistani version! But at the time, my teenage budget was seriously limited.
The Buck 110 has ebony handles with brass bolsters that give it an original look. They refer to it as the “Folding Hunter”, and it was created back in 1963 by Al Buck, so the design is no spring chicken. Al thought that outdoorsmen would go for a folding knife as a nice alternative to longer, fixed-blade hunting-type knives. He couldn’t have known at the time how correct he was! People flocked to it in droves, and it put Buck Knives on the map.
Ebony is used as the wood for the handles of the 110. The blade is 3.75″ inches long, .120 inches thick, and sports a clip point that comes to a very fine point. 420HC steel is used, and heat-treated to the recipe created by the legendary heat treater Paul Bos. And, just like the originals, a leather sheath is included with each knife. The Buck 110 weighs 7.2 ounces.
The Buck family, top to bottom: 110 Folding Hunter, 110 LT, 112 Ranger, 112 LT, and the 113 Ranger fixed blade. None of them are even close to $100 and all perform admirably.
That clip point allows for very precise cutting, as well as putting holes in things because of the very pointy tip. And because the knife has a generous “belly”, it’s also a great slicer.
The 110 features a lock-back action, which I really like. Over the years, I’ve had many liner locks and frame locks fail to keep knives open, but I’ve never had a lock back action fail me (that’s not to say that they can’t fail). I’ve found them to be supremely reliable, strong, and confidence-inspiring.
One fellow whom I know (he does a bit of writing himself) took a Buck 110 to Vietnam, where it served him very well for his tour of duty there in the Rangers. He’s still a fan of the design, by the way, and still has that original 110, though I believe he’s retired it now, having replaced it with a newer model. Honestly, can you get a much higher endorsement than that?
The knife just feels great in the hand and works incredibly well.
The 110 Folding Hunter retails for $59.99. That’s one heck of a good deal for a stellar knife!
2. Buck Knives 112 “Ranger”
This is the 110 Folding Hunter’s little brother! Basically, it is a slightly smaller version of the 110, so everything that was said about the 110 pretty much applies to this knife. The handle is made from ebony with brass bolsters, it’s a lock-back and uses the same steel as the 110.
Buck 112 Ranger (top) and the 112 Ranger LT. Both are very practical, although the LT version lacks the panache that the original version carries, given its nylon handles.
This year, 2022, is a special occasion for the Ranger, as it turns 50 years old. For a knife to remain in production for a half-century, it has to be doing something seriously right.
The origin of the 112 Ranger is rather interesting. It seems that the Buck 110 Folding Hunter was popular with sailors in the Navy, with many carrying this useful knife. One day, two sailors got into a knife fight using their 110s. The ship’s captain declared that knives with blade lengths over a certain length could no longer be carried (not surprisingly, it was aimed at the 110).
Not one to be denied, Buck designed the 112 specifically to get around the restrictions. In doing so, they created another huge hit with the 112 Ranger. People who loved the 110 seemed to take to the slightly smaller 112, like moths flocking to a bright light.
The blade length on the 112 is 3″, as opposed to the 110s 3.75″ blade. Personally, I really like the three-inch blade of the 112 because it’s a very practical length for most cutting tasks that I’d use a folder for. And the overall length of the 110 is longer, which makes it less handy for me to use.
At the time of this writing, both knives retail for the same price: $59.99. For what the user gets, that’s a darn good price, especially given how long these knives have been in production.
Both the 110 and the 112 come in several different versions. Some have different blade steels, including S30V. There are automatic versions and versions with different handle materials. I’m also happy to see that they are both available with drop point blades, which is my favorite blade tip design. Still, there’s something about the clip point—on the 110 and 112, the clip point just has that classic look that epitomizes both knives.
A comparison shot of the Buck 110 (top) and the 112 Ranger (bottom). Both are very practical and have been used by many for decades.
The 112 has a special anniversary edition available at the moment that will only be sold in 2022.
In all honesty, I like the smaller 112 better than the 110, as it just feels better in my hand and I enjoy the smaller size.
3. Buck 110 LT
This knife is exactly the same as the 110 Folding Hunter except that the handle is made from lightweight nylon. Same 3.75″ 420 HC blade (stonewashed) as the original 110. It is simply the lighter, less expensive version, though I would say the LT model is no less capable than the original.
Two Buck 110’s: the LT on top and the standard variety on the bottom. Both are equally capable, but the classic 110 has more finesse because of its ebony handle and brass bolsters.
The LT version weighs just 2.1 ounces and comes with a black, nylon sheath. The retail at the time of this writing is $24.99, which is an incredible buy for the quality that the consumer is getting. For such an inexpensive knife, the action was very smooth. If you’re looking for pure utility, this is it.
4. Buck 112 LT
At the risk of being redundant, the 112 LT is the nylon-handled version of the 112 Ranger. Same blade steel, length (3 inches), and it has a stonewash finish. Again, if you’re looking for utility, this is a great knife, retailing at $21.95 at the time of this writing. It comes with a nylon sheath. For the price and the utility factor, you really can’t go wrong with this knife.
The Buck 112 LT is a practical, inexpensive workhorse. And it’s made in the USA!
5. Buck 113 Ranger Fixed Blade
This little fixed blade hunting knife features a 3.125″ drop point blade of 420HC steel. Overall length is 7.25″ and it weighs 5.2 ounces. The handle is Buck’s usual ebony with brass bolsters. Of course, a leather sheath (pouch type) is included.
With ebony scales and brass bolsters, the 113 Ranger fixed blade is really quite fetching. And sharp! It’s as at home in the woods hunting as it is cutting everyday items.
I really love this little fixed blade—the handle is super comfortable and just the right length for my hands. The blade is a perfect length for most tasks and would field dress game very efficiently. I believe it would also excel at most everyday cutting chores too.
The leather pouch style sheath that comes with the Buck 113 Ranger fixed blade is very well made and holds the knife securely.
This one retails for $79.99 and is a stellar value for a fixed-blade knife. And it also looks really good while being utilitarian at the same time. The wood on the handle just looks very classic and handsome. For the money, you’ll have a tough time finding another fixed blade knife that offers this much value, in looks and utility.
The 113 Ranger is a seriously nice, smaller fixed blade that will be up to just about any task you could normally ask a knife to do. And it looks great doing it. The Ranger would make the perfect hunting companion.
6. Kershaw Cryo
I was at my local Tractor Supply store and saw the Kershaw Cryo in a display case. On a rare spur-of-the-moment impulse, I purchased it with the express idea of reviewing it for this article. The blade shape caught my eye, as it looked very practical. I thought the retail price of $49.99 wasn’t too bad either.
The Kershaw Cryo was designed by Rick Hinderer and the outstanding ergonomics reflex his expertise. Here on the framelock we can see the Lock Bar Stabilizer.
It’s a little flipper folder with a surprisingly decent action. Using the flipper tab (you can also use the thumb stud to open it), the blade flies open fairly quickly and smoothly. I dare say it’s fun to flip open, although I’m not a fan of treating knives as fidget toys. Nevertheless, this one has a little bit of a fun factor.
There’s a pocket clip that can go on either side, for both tip-up and tip-down carry, making it versatile.
I shouldn’t be too surprised that the ergonomics on this knife are very good, as it was designed by noted knife maker, Rick Hinderer.
The Cryo is comfortable in the hand. It’s a smaller knife but tackles chores very well.
The blade steel is 8Cr13MoV, which isn’t at the apex of knife steels, but it will suffice for an everyday pocket knife. Both the blade and handle are coated with titanium carbo-nitride, which gives a nice, bead-blasted appearance of a dull gray. I really like the coating, and wish more knife companies would use it because so far, it’s held up great and I love the look. There is also a Hinderer lock bar stabilizer so the frame lock does not get bent too far out when closing the knife. The blade is of the drop point configuration and is 2.75″ long. The subtle swedge along the back of the blade looks attractive, though, and the blade has enough belly to make it a very good slicer. Overall, I’m a huge fan of the blade configuration. I’m sad to see that this one is made in China.
7. Dozier Kabar Folding Hunter
I’ve long admired the designs by Bob Dozier, which helped me pull the trigger on this folding Kabar Dozier-designed hunter. I picked this one up for $21.95 at the time of writing and I’m happy that I did.
Kabar’s Dozier folder is a little gem, priced at $21.95. You can’t go wrong! The materials are not high-end, but the designer, Bob Dozier, is a master at his craft.
The 3″ long drop point, hollow-ground blade is made from AUS 8A Stainless Steel. Handles are comprised of Zytel. To open, there is a single thumb stud set up for right-handed folks (I really wish Kabar had installed a thumb stud on the other side too). The action is pleasantly smooth and lockup is excellent. This is a lock-back knife, and the design is known for its strength and reliability. Blade thickness is .11″.
Ergos on the Dozier-designed folding knife are great. The blade comes very sharp and the knife fits well in the hand.
The blade finish is black and I chose a handle in Foliage Green. However, they offer a number of various handle colors, ranging from Coyote Brown, Blaze Orange, Hunter Blue, Pink, Kelly Green, and others. For a slightly higher price, there is a model in D2 Tool Steel.
The ergonomics on this knife are very nice and I’m glad I grabbed one. For being made with low-cost materials, it is a surprisingly solid knife. This brings me to the point that sometimes a knife’s design (at least for me) can trump the materials it’s made from, within reason.
Bonus: Spyderco Para 3 Lightweight
Finally, we have Spyderco bringing up the rear. I cheated a little on this one, as it sells for around $115 as this is written. I know it goes a little above the $100 limit, but only by $15, and I think this one is definitely worth it. It’s an outstanding little knife that cuts like an angry wife’s tongue. Mine is serrated (they can be had in plain edge as well, and also black-coated blades), and the cutting ability is fantastic. The steel is CTS BD1N and the leaf-shaped blade is 2.92″, so it is legal in most places. While not the highest grade steel, I’ve found this one to hold its edge for a fairly long time, so I have no complaints. It’s a full flat grind (FFG), which adds to its cutting abilities.
Spyderco’s Para 3 is a serious cutting machine that utilizes the Compression Lock. This model is serrated.
The handle material is FRN (Fiberglass Reinforced Nylon), so the weight of this knife is only 2.4 ounces. Some people don’t like the FRN, claiming that it feels “cheap”, but I’m a fan because it’s sturdy and very light. When you place it in your pocket, you really don’t even know it’s there until you need it. It also has the wire “Paperclip” pocket clip, which I’ve found to work very well.
The Para 3’s handle is especially comfortable and the knife is fast into action with the Spydie hole for opening.
Opening the knife is accomplished via the signature Spyderco round hole in the blade. It works great and is very quick. Rounding out the package is the Compression Lock, which I’ve found to be extremely reliable over the years; I’ve never had an issue with one, and I’ve got quite a few knives with this locking system.
Wrapping Up
Well, there you have it. Seven quality knives for under a hundred bucks (a few that are well under a hundred), and one that’s slightly higher. Every one of them functions very well and meets the utility needs of most people, and the hunting needs of thousands each year.
Yes, there are higher-dollar knives with fancier materials. However, if you’re reading this, you likely are interested in what’s out there for a reasonable price. Each of these quality knives will get the job done and won’t break the bank. Sometimes the superior design of a knife can override the inexpensive materials it’s made from.
Ken Hackathorn has been a US Army Special Forces Small Arms Instructor, in addition to training various SWAT Teams, the FBI’s HRT, state and local agencies, military Special Operations, and others that are nearly too numerous to mention. To put it bluntly, the man has checked off just about every box that we could conceive of. He has also written for most of the major firearms publications. Hackathorn speaks with authority and wisdom. In this article, we’ll be listening to him discuss the 2-2-2 Skill Drill.
This video addresses what Ken Hackathorn refers to as “Low Round Count Training.” He explains that we all know about the ammo shortage in our country. For many, blasting out a ton of ammo at the range can be financially out of our means. Or many people simply do not have access to ammo because it may just not be available. Empty shelves have been prevalent at gun shops for quite some time now, and while things are springing back currently, they have a long way to go.
Ken Hackathorn has been there, done that! He’s trained everyone in the alphabet at one point or another.
Ken Hackathorn and the 2-2-2 Skill Drill
Drills exist that you can perform to develop or maintain skills that do not require a high round count. One such drill is called the 2-2-2 Drill. You begin the drill at ten yards. Hackathorn likes to use the Wilson Combat steel silhouette target, it has a center kill zone that is about seven inches in diameter. In lieu of steel targets, cheap paper plates from the grocery store can serve the purpose and are generally easy to find. Steel is nicer because it gives us immediate feedback, which is more fun.
The object of the drill is to train you to not only get fast, accurate hits with both hands, but also in your dominant hand and your reaction side hand. It is a six-shot drill; first, you draw (from concealment) and fire two rounds with both hands. Next, you use your “strong” (dominant) hand only and then switch to your “weak” (reaction side) hand only.
The goal, naturally, is to get every shot into the circle. Every round that is outside the circle adds one second (oh yes, this is a timed drill). If you miss the entire target, it adds five seconds. With practice and being accomplished, the Performance Standard for this drill is nine seconds. Although you may not be able to do it initially, nine seconds is a goal to try to achieve.
Maintaining Skill with the 2-2-2 Skill Drill
Realize that, with limited rounds, it is more realistic to maintain skill, rather than build it. Ken Hackathorn states that he shoots this drill one time when he goes to the range (and even then, not every time he goes to the range), and he shoots it cold. He believes that shooting it repetitively in one range session and then marveling at your best time of the day does not give you a realistic picture of how you’re doing. In the real world, you don’t get to practice or warm-up, you have to perform cold. Practicing the drill 13 times and then being able to do it in 7.9 seconds is not a true measure of your performance ability. “Your cold drill is the one that counts.”
I will jump in here for a moment and suggest that you may want to perform this drill several times during a range session or two in order to become familiar with the drill and build some skills. After that, I’d fall into Hackathorn’s regimen of shooting the drill at some of your range sessions. That’s just my take on it.
Hackathorn’s Tips
Hackathorn points out how we all love going to the range when the weather is nice. He makes some observations, the first of which is that most people carry their firearms concealed. When they go to the range, they open carry and practice that way. In this arena of very limited ammo, and training time/resources being precious, you should practice how you carry a gun. People complain that wearing a concealment garment is uncomfortable in the heat. Unfortunately, life isn’t always comfortable. Get over it, practice for reality!
Hackathorn trains for reality. Not the concealment garment despite the hot weather.
Ken Hackathorn was trying out a new pistol for this particular video; a Wilson Combat SFX9 with a four-inch barrel. The SF stands for “Solid Frame”. Rather than having grips, the grip is solid aluminum with texturing machined into the grip. Ken observes that the grip is thin and he seems to enjoy it a lot. The pistol is 9mm and takes their standard 15-round magazine, and can also take an 18-round magazine. It comes complete with red fiber optic front sight.
The Wilson Combat SFX9 9mm 1911 pistol. The frame has the texture machined into it, rather than having grips added to it.
Ken demonstrated running the drill and did it from concealment in 8.25 seconds. He strongly emphasizes that you should not give up accuracy! Don’t worry about speed; “In the real world, no one’s going to have to yell at you, ‘GO FASTER!’ What will be a problem will be shooting effectively and accurately. Never compromise your accuracy.”
Changing Hands with Ken Hackathorn
Hackathorn explains that, when changing the pistol from one hand to another, the hand holding the pistol opens up and the other hand drives in and takes over from the support hand. It takes less time to do it than to explain it, and I highly recommend watching the video to get the hang of it.
When changing hands, the dominant hand opens… The other hand comes in and begins the transition… Finally, the transition is being completed.
Final Thoughts
The drill can be modified, in that, if you want to practice firing more than six rounds, you can. Suppose you want to practice more with your reaction side, you can simply run the drill normally while adding another round or two to that particular side. There’s nothing that says you have to run it the same way every time. He notes that most people will “choke” when firing from the weak hand side if they are going to mess things up. He suggests making sure your grip is firm and really practice pressing that trigger straight back to remedy pulling rounds off target.
For the record, Ken Hackathorn loves the new Wilson blaster and opines that he may begin carrying one.
Can you see the adoration on Ken’s face as he fondles the Wilson Combat pistol?
This is a great drill for developing skills while not blowing a ton of money on ammo at the range.
Choosing a concealed carry handgun is about more than just picking a smaller firearm. Guns meant for concealment should have a number of features to enhance their use for that purpose, and that goes for all handgun platforms, including 1911s. These two compact Dan Wesson 1911 handguns are specifically designed with concealed carry use in mind. Considering the gun maker’s reputation for excellence, these guns are certainly worth a closer look if you’re looking for a new carry gun.
The Dan Wesson ECP—Enhanced Compact Pistol—was created by the gun maker to be ideal for concealed carry use. (Photo credit: Dan Wesson)
Dan Wesson made the following statement regarding their ECP and TCP pistols:
Specific characteristics are essential when it comes to a concealed carry handgun. The Dan Wesson Enhanced Compact Pistol (ECP) and Tactical Compact Pistol (TCP) check all the boxes for reliability, accuracy, ergonomics, and weight. Both compact 1911 pistols deliver serious firepower in 9 mm and .45 ACP configurations.
Compact 1911s can be great for concealed carry, and the Dan Wesson TCP is offered in both 9mm and 45 ACP. (Photo credit: Dan Wesson)
Features:
U-notch rear sight for faster alignment
Brass bead front sight provides a high visibility front sight
Serrated flat top rib reduces glare between the front and rear sight
A 1913 Picatinny rail for adding a light or laser (TCP only)
Bull barrel enhances accuracy and smooths shooting
Square commander-style hammer; a new tactical design
Flat K style trigger (a 3-hole layout that looks like a ‘K’)
Frontstrap 25 LPI checkering, excellent grip without being too aggressive (ECP)
Bobbed mainspring housing reduces frame size, equals less CC printing (ECP)
Flared magwell funnel speeds reload (TCP)
Bull barrel with a 30-degree crown; its flush-cut provides an easier disassembly
The Dan Wesson ECP is available in either 9mm or 45 ACP. (Photo credit: Dan Wesson)
Dan Wesson ECP Specs
Caliber: .45 ACP (01883); 9 mm (01884)
Magazine Capacity: 8 (.45 ACP); 9 (9 mm)
Frame: Forged aluminum
Slide Finish: Duty finish
Sights: Front brass; Rear U-notch
Grips: G10
Overall Length: 7.64 inches
Barrel: 4 inches
Height: 5.4 inches
Width: 1.25 inches
Weight: 29 ounces
Trigger Mech: Single action
Safety: Manual thumb safety; Grip safety
MSRP: $1,705.00 – $1,739.00
The Dan Wesson TCP has a 4.0 inch barrel and an overall length of 7.64 inches. (Photo credit: Dan Wesson)
Dan Wesson TCP Specs
Caliber: 9 mm (01845); .45 ACP (01846)
Magazine Capacity: 9 (9 mm); 8 (.45 ACP)
Frame: Forged Aluminum
Slide Finish: Duty finish
Sights: Front brass; Rear U-notch
Grips: G10
Overall Length: 7.64 inches
Barrel: 4.0 inches
Height: 5.6 inches
Width: 1.25 inches
Weight: 32 ounces
Trigger Mech: Single action
Safety: Manual thumb safety; Grip safety
MSRP: $1,809.00 to $1,845.00
Some people prefer striker-fired pistols like Glocks while others want 1911 platform handguns. Regardless of platform, what you should be requiring of your carry gun is that it be reliable, accurate, and a good fit to your hand size. And if capacity is your concern, remember two things: shot placement and carrying a spare magazine. If your reloads aren’t on point for speed, it’s a wise idea to work on them no matter what gun you carry.
Would you carry a compact 1911 for defensive purposes? Tell us why, or why not, in the comments below.
Kat Ainsworth Stevens is a long-time outdoor writer, official OGC (Original Gun Cognoscenti), and author of Handgun Hunting: a Comprehensive Guide to Choosing and Using the Right Firearms for Big and Small Game. Der Teufel Katze has written for a number of industry publications (print and online) and edited some of the others, so chances are you’ve seen or read her work before, somewhere. A woman of eclectic background and habits, Kat has been carrying concealed for over two decades, used to be a farrier, and worked for a long time in emergency veterinary medicine. She prefers big bores, enjoys K9 Search & Rescue, and has a Master’s Degree in Pitiless Snarkastic Delivery.
