Comp-Tac just released the CT3 Level III retention holster. They say it gives “unparalleled fit, security, and draw speed.”
CT3 Level III Holster in black. (Photo courtesy of Comp-Tac)
About the CT3
The CT3 is a Level 3 holster that uses friction, an ejection port lock, and a hood that must be released before the firearm can be drawn. The CT3 is designed with the intent that a master grip is achieved before fully withdrawing the weapon. This combined with the autolocking ejection port lock and the intuitive self-activated hood system makes this one of the fastest Level 3 holsters available on the market today. This holster is available for fits with lights and in fits without lights.
The CT3 comes with a belt mount and integrated drop offset already assembled, however among the list of additional accessories is also a mid ride belt mount and the QLS Adaptor plate.
“The CT3 is the result of two years of design, testing and partnership between Comp-Tac and multiple departments and members of the law enforcement community,” explained Gordon Carrell general manager of Comp-Tac. “For years, Comp-Tac has been a leading supplier of concealed carry and off duty equipment. We wanted to be able to take the skills that we have acquired and the relationships we have built in the industry to offer a solution for the men and women on the front lines of our law enforcement, military and all users wanting multiple levels of retention.”
CT3 Holster. (Photo courtesy of Comp-Tac)
Key Features
Three levels of retention
Available for fits with lights and without lights
Belt mount is designed to keep the firearm from canting into the wearer’s leg
Allows for a Master Grip before fully withdrawing the firearm
Hood can be released without releasing firearm
One of the fastest draws in the Level 3 market
Very intuitive to use
The holsters are $150.00 and obtainable for specific CZ, Glock, Sig, and Walther models. They are available in a variety of colors.
About Comp-Tac
Comp-Tac Victory Gear is devoted to designing and manufacturing the highest quality concealed carry, competition, tactical holsters and related accessories on the market. Comp-Tac products offer options that make it easy and comfortable to carry a firearm for all our customers: law enforcement, military, shooting sports enthusiasts and responsibly armed citizens. We build with the customer in mind, ensuring speed of manufacturing, quality of product, competitive pricing and superior customer service to support the desire to take responsibility for personal safety, security and recreational firearm use.
CRKT recently released the Clever Girl Kukri fixed blade. There’s a story behind this from its designer Austin McGlaun. This is the third variation in the Clever Girl line.
Clever Girl Kukri, designed by Austin McGlaun. (Photo courtesy of CRKT)
More about the Kukri
During his time stationed at Fort Polk while serving in the military, knifemaker Austin McGlaun was inspired to find new ways to tackle laborious camp chores. And so the Clever Girl Kukri was realized. A fixed blade design that honors the iconic kukri knife, this reimagined version still brandishes a mighty swing despite being more compact than its predecessor. As a member of the CRKT Forged by War program, the Kukri is tough enough to stand the test of the battlefield—and whatever else Mother Nature might throw your way.
With years of military service under his belt, knife designer Austin McGlaun knows exactly what kind of tools help you stay on top. Applying his broad experience of combat, Austin is recognized for his contributions to the CRKT Forged by War program, where his designs span defense, to everyday purpose. The Kukri carries the torch as the third knife in the Clever Girl series and pays homage to the time-honored kukri blade. In addition to its famed military use, the traditional Kukri was once hailed as the go-to for chopping firewood, digging, cutting through tough meat, and conquering farm chores.
The Kukri fixed blade. (Photo courtesy of CRKT)
Mirroring the original’s versatility, the reimagined Kukri performs dutifully. Equipped with a fixed, high-performance 7.75” SK-5 carbon steel blade and sturdy G10 handle, its design paves the way for a sturdy strike. Featuring a wider upper chest and sharp inward curve towards the blade’s belly, the Kukri is a hard hitting tool that dominates the great outdoors.
When not being used for chopping wood, digging into the earth, or setting up your camp, the Kukri can be transported with ease. Designed with a belt loop on its sheath and also featuring a lanyard hole for a drop leg carry, however you choose to pack it, it’s always ready for transport.
Features
High-Performance Steel: SK5 carbon steel holds an edge well
Inevitably, we all know someone who is Team Glock or Team 1911, or whichever team you’re on. But what happens when a self-proclaimed Team 1911 guy gets a brand-new Glock 48 to test and shoot? Enter 1911 Syndicate and his review of a straight out of the box Glock 48.
What happens when a 1911 guy reviews a Glock 48?
His review might surprise you.
Admittedly, Jake Dwyer over at the 1911 Syndicate would rather shoot 1911 any day over a Glock. While he doesn’t hate Glock, per se, he certainly isn’t a Glock fanboy. Before they shot the video, he had never shot a Glock 48. His reaction? While saying it pained him to say so, he says that it is really, really not bad and nice to shoot.
Key Takeaways from the Review
1. The Glock 48 has a softer recoil than a Glock 43. 2. It has a larger frame and slide than a 43. 3. It’s a single stack vs. the double stack in the Glock 19.
Jake went on to say that that recoil on the Glock 48 was a lot softer than the smaller Glock 43, by a lot. Based on his initial reactions, the Glock 48 wasn’t that bad. For him, shooting the Glock 48 was very similar to shooting the Glock 19 and that was a good thing.
While both Glock models are 9mm, the 48 is essentially a single stack Glock 19.
When compared to the 43, the 48 is definitely bigger. It has a higher capacity magazine (10+1 for those wondering) and a longer slide which lends itself to a longer sight radius. That last fact alone gives the 48 a leg up on the 43. The roughly ½”, by Jake’s estimation, helps give it better accuracy with the sights.
Jake goes on to say that the price of the 48 is pretty low, in the low $400 range, making it a screaming deal. The one thing he is not a fan of (besides using speed loaders — don’t get him started on that) is the plastic factory sights. In his opinion, they need to be replaced as soon as possible.
For hand feel, the 48 is only slightly larger than the 43 and feels a lot like the Glock 19. Which, really, it should feel like that given that it’s essentially the Glock 19 frame in a single stack. The single stack helps give the 48 a great low profile that is very concealable.
According to Jake’s perception, the G48 shoots so much softer and better than the Glock 43. He really enjoyed shooting the gun even though he is a 1911 guy.
Jake then went on to shoot both the 43 and the 48 to show just how different the recoils are. The 43 delivers a very sharp, as he put it “nasty recoil” while the 48 is a lot softer and easier to shoot. What he doesn’t understand is the niche category that the Glock 48 fills. It’s not as small as the 43 so if you’re going to carry a 48, why not just carry the Glock 19 and get the extra rounds.
Jake rounded out the review by going over some key aspects of the Glock 48. He said that the factory sights need to be replaced. The factory trigger has been getting better from Glock, still not awesome but it isn’t bad. Ultimately, Jake is conflicted on this gun – he says it’s cool but why does it need to exist? It’s accurate, hits at distance, and is a good carry gun.
Want a different take on the 48? Check this one out.
If you shoot firearms of any sort you have likely heard of places with magazine capacity restrictions like California, New York, a couple of other states, and of course Canada. Sadly, we all know these restrictions do not stop criminals and only satiate the uninformed. I mean, murder is illegal and that has yet to stop them. Restricted capacity options in AR-15 magazines, for a long time, have been a pinned magazine or a stubby ten rounder. Magwedge out of Canada came out with a coupler for the 10 round magazines years ago but not much has come out to fix the magazine-capacity-challenged amongst us until Cross Industries, (also from Canada), came along with the 10/10 Cross Mag.
The Cross Industries 10/10 Cross Mag in forward/forward straight configuration sitting in the Maple Ridge Armory’s Renegade straight-pull bolt action rifle.
The 10/10 Cross Mag was certainly not something that was rushed to the market. Cross Industries first started showing off the magazine in 2017 but it was not until several years later that they finally released the magazine to a lot of fanfare.
Short magazines work in some situations however they can be a real pain in your hindquarters when it comes to magazine pouches.
Now, you may be wondering why people were excited about ten-round magazines, but there is a very good reason for that. Have you ever stuck a stubby ten-round AR-15 magazine into a magazine pouch? It swallows it like Kobayashi at a hotdog eating contest. Then you’re stuck fisting a magazine pouch like you are trying to get the last Pringle from the can.
Removing the magazine base plate is as simple as pressing down on the central button and sliding it off. When you do this you can rotate the base pad in order to change the mounting configuration of the magazines.
Flip it.
Now, just coupling two magazines together isn’t the craziest feat of all time. I mean, I have been doing it for ages with a bit of gun tape, but that eventually starts to break down and gets slightly slimy. However, the 10/10 Cross Mag is a polymer magazine that flips the script (or the magazine), in a bit of a different way than others have. The innovative magazine base allows the magazines to be separated into two stubby ten-round magazines. That isn’t all though, it also allows the magazines to be coupled into four separate configurations like this picture on Breach Bang Clear demonstrates. You get two versions of the curved magazine: one with the rounds of both magazines facing forward and one with the magazines facing front and aft.
Depending on how you want to reload the bottom magazine into the rifle the 10/10 Cross Mag allows for your rounds to face in different directions to help facilitate this. This is best used with an upside-down grip on the magazine so that when it is released from the magazine well you can cartwheel it 180 degrees forward.
This same thing can be said for the straight magazine configuration giving you both magazines facing forward and one with each facing opposite different directions. To couple or uncouple the magazines you give the magazine a solid twist and it pops apart. If you want to get all four variations of the magazine coupled together you will need to pop the base plate off of one of the magazines and turn it around.
When the magazine is set up so both magazines are facing forward you can grasp the magazine normally and do a 180 degree flip sideways towards your strong side.
How well does it work?
Enough about the magazine and how it looks, let’s move on to how it functions because who cares if it looks good? The Cross Industries 10/10 Cross Mag has been used in our Remington 7615. However, most of the rounds have been fired through our Maple Ridge Armory Renegade. Through my two ten-round magazines they have collectively fired around 800 rounds so far without a hitch. I will mention, however, that the cartridge overall length that these magazines support is a tad shorter than say a Magpul PMAG or a standard Aluminum AR-15 magazine. For instance, my 77gr HPBT Nosler loads gently skim the front inside of the magazine which could potentially cause feeding issues. I have yet to encounter this, however. If you reload on the longer end of rounds you may notice this issue.
You can see that the left-hand magazine being the 10/10 Cross Mag has a bit less available length for the bullet however it does work with SAAMI spec bullets just fine.
The 10/10 Cross Mag is a very competent magazine for the states and countries that like to punish law-abiding gun owners with silly magazine capacity restrictions. We have seen time and time again that needless prohibitions and laws have ended up with the market creating innovative solutions to combat the shortcomings of the uninformed. They apparently even have magazines coming out for the AR-10 style of rifles and ones for 7.62x39mm AR-15’s which I am really excited about. For the price of around $40USD, you get two ten-round magazines with the appropriate base pads to couple them together.
When we think of gun systems that have withheld the test of time, the lever action rifle has to be near the top. These rifles have been around since the Civil War era with only a few times when they weren’t the top choice. Chris Baker over at LuckyGunner has done a series on the lever action rifle and this episode is on why people love it so much. Let’s check it out.
The lever-action rifle origins go back over 150 years, but they are still widely loved. Thanks to new options the rifle is gaining popularity once again. The newer versions are modernized version of their ancestors, but still have the same functionality. But why are they so loved, even today?
The lever-action rifle has stood the test of time. It helped protect the scores of people from the Civil War era to the present but is often seen as the gun that won the West.
Let’s take a walk through lever action history.
A New Cartridge
The lever-action rifle was introduced in the early 1860s thanks to the metallic cartridge. Prior to that, the soldiers during the Civil War used rifled muskets or muzzleloaders and those were seen as cutting edge. The metallic cartridge brought around two very important advancements:
1. The first practical breech-loading single-shot rifles, and 2. The lever repeating action rifle.
The first metallic cartridge breech loaders were pretty basic improvements over the musket. They were known for being accurate and had long-range caliber bullets (similar to a 12ga low recoil shot now as far as range). A good example of this type of rifle is the Remington Rolling Block that shot a .50-70 caliber round.
The Henry rifle was one of the original lever action rifles. The company would later be renamed the Winchester Repeating Arms Company.
The lever-action rifle was in direct contrast to the breach loaders in that operators would have to sacrifice the power and range of a round for volume of fire. The rifles shot pistol caliber rounds, similar to what a .44 caliber is today. In the beginning, you could have between seven to 16 shots total without having to stop and reload. Unfortunately, these rifles weren’t embraced by traditionalists, including military leaders.
Was the lever action ever used by the military?
Only a few repeating rifles were ever issued by the Union forces, but that didn’t stop enlisted men from purchasing one with their own money. They didn’t want to be the one to get shot or stabbed while they had to reload their single-shot rifle. Even with their popularity rising, leaders subscribed to the one-shot, one-kill theory of fighting and didn’t believe it was a necessary change. Even post-Civil War, when the army replaced the musket, they went to a bolt action rifle. They never officially adopted the lever action rifle for general issue to soldiers.
The lever action rifle was what Baker says won the west. With its compact size and volume of fire, it was used by scores of people across the country.
It was the gun that won the west!
That didn’t stop the popularity of the rifle. The rifle that would be seen as the conqueror of the West was the Winchester repeating rifle, formally the Henry. Civilians appreciated the lever action as their need for close-quarter fighting and the need for quick follow-up shots. Most predominantly used was the six-round option.
And then there was smokeless ammo.
Near the turn of the century, smokeless powder came along, and with it came new innovations. First to come was the bolt action rifle that worked better with the smokeless powder. But the lever actions didn’t fade away. The Winchester Repeating Arms company came out with a smokeless ammunition for their rifles as well, just hand less power than a bolt action.
The Winchester .30-30, while less powerful than a bolt action counterpart, still was a good rifle and round. It has modest recoil but could still bring down game for hunters. The rifle was smaller and easier to manipulate with smooth sides that wouldn’t catch up on things around it. Baker stated that the people who used their rifles regularly were most likely to be using lever action .30-30.
Lever action culture in the twentieth century.
Next to come to threaten the lever action love was the invention of the semiautomatic rifle, the Remington 8, around 1905. It was compact and chambered in moderately power calibers similar to the Winchester .30-30 but could get rounds off faster than the lever actions. Post-WWII, the gun culture was about hunting and collecting of firearms with models from Marlin, Savage, and Browning all being popular that kept similar aesthetics from the original models.
The lever guns in post-World War America were helped in popularity thanks to the number of Westerns in the media, from radio, TV, and movies.
It became a cultural Icon on film.
The lever action rifle was extremely popular well into the 1970s thanks to the prevalence of Westerns in media, including the popular series Gunsmoke that ran for 20 years (and still going in syndication). By the 1980s and 1990s, things started to cool for the lever action, and other firearms due to declining overall popularity in hunting and ownership.
It’s just plain fun!
Lever actions resurged in popularity in the 2000s thanks to a new generation of enthusiasts and the want of personal protection, preparedness, and a fun shooting experience. Baker says it comes down to the fact that people think the lever action is fun to shoot. Not only that, but with the modern versions of these old guns come modern features. For instance, Baker cut the barrel down on his 1980s version and threaded the barrel to accept a suppressor. Check out this link if you want to see what else you can do with a lever action.
With the modern resurgence of popularity, modern versions of the lever action rifle have more options for the modern shooter with optics, lights, and furniture it’s easy to customize the rifle.
Modern versions still hold the love that the original ones once conjured up. They have similar looks, are compact, and chambered in low to moderately powered cartridges with very mild recoil. Besides that, being fun to shoot, especially with a suppressor, makes them even more likable and helps them withstand the test of time.
Hevi-Shot recently announced the release of their new Hemi-Hammer Dove loads. The company says its “pellets are manufactured using 15-percent high density bismuth and 85-percent precision steel.” Also, the “leading layer of bismuth over steel delivers nearly 50-percent more down range energy than pellets consisting of all steel at 40 yards.”
Hevi-Hammer Dove is a “non-toxic shotshell.” (Photo courtesy of Hevi-Shot)
From the company
At HEVI-Shot, we have always been about innovation and density. Density is the secret sauce. It leads to tighter patterns, higher speeds, and more downrange devastation,” said Scott Turner, HEVI-Shot’s Product Line Manager. “Our customers spoke up and we listened. They wanted a highly effective product that was non-toxic to use in areas that restrict the use of lead.”
New HEVI-Hammer loads are superior nontoxic shotshells for areas where lead is prohibited or for the environmentally conscious hunter. The bismuth-enhanced steel loads provide hunters with an option that had more velocity and more power than just standard steel shot yet is the same size as steel respectively. Because HEVI-Hammer pellets feature a layer of 9.6 g/cc Bismuth, hunters can generally shoot one shot size smaller than steel for the same lethality, but with a much higher pellet count for increased probability of contact.
“There are many reasons to love dove hunting. Hunting seasons are typically much warmer and begin earlier than other game, there are a lot of opportunities for fast and challenging shots, and dove breasts are such excellent table fare,” said Turner. “We know HEVI-Hammer Dove will help hunters achieve more success in the field.”
HEVI-Hammer Dove is available in a 3-inch, 12-gauge option with a charge weight of 1 ounce and velocity of 1,350 feet-per-second. Plus, a 3-inch, 20-gauge option with a charge weight of 3/4 ounce and velocity of 1,325 feet-per-second. Both loads utilize shot size No. 7.
Hunting with means HEVI-Hammer means more meat, fewer cripples, and better stories. HEVI-Hammer shotshells are available in boxes of 25 or cases of 250 rounds. Shot density is 9.6g/cc layered over steel 7.8 g/cc pellets.
Shot Density: 9.6g/cc layered over steel 7.8 g/cc pellets Box Pack: 10 Case Pack: 25
The XD-S Mod.2 OSP 3.3″ .45 ACP delivers heavy-hitting, big-bore power to the compact pistol series, coming standard with a flush-fit, five-round magazine and an extended six-round magazine with grip extension. The XD-S Mod.2 OSP 4″ 9mm offering expands on the 9mm line, giving users a longer 4″ barrel for increased sight radius and improved ballistic performance. The 4” 9mm comes with one seven-round flush-fit magazine and one extended nine-round magazine with grip extension. Both pistols are offered with an optional Crimson Trace micro-sized red dot.
White front dot & serrated rear. (Photo courtesy of Springfield Armory)
These pistols, like the entire striker-fired XD series, feature passive grip safeties. These add an additional layer of security and safety to these world-class CCW pistols. The result is a safety that is automatically disengaged when you grip the pistol, and re-engages when the pistol is no longer being held.
As part of the Optical Sight Pistol (OSP) configuration, both pistols come with a factory-milled slide for low-profile, direct mounting of compact optics for an intuitive sight picture and uninterrupted focus on target. The result is a handgun that accepts the smallest, most popular micro red dots on the market.
By allowing for direct mounting of the optic, the XD-S Mod.2 OSP pistols situate optics such as the Crimson Trace red dot or optics like the HEX Wasp low enough to allow utilization of the iron sights in an emergency. The pistols’ sights are made up of a white dot front sight paired with an anti-glare serrated U-notch rear to ensure quick and positive target acquisition. When an optic is not present, an included seamless polymer cover plate installs with ease and adds additional slide serrations.
Hammer forged slide & barrel. (Photo courtesy of Springfield Armory)
“These new XD-S Mod.2 OSP offerings in .45 ACP and 9mm provide our customers with even more EDC options,” says Steve Kramer, Vice President of Marketing for Springfield Armory. “The 3.3″ .45 ACP is ideal for those who want big-bore power in the smallest package, while the 4″ 9mm gives you increased ballistic performance in a still extremely concealable pistol.”
As with the earlier XD-S Mod.2 OSP offerings, these two new variants provide a great deal of value to the consumer. Both versions have an MSRP of just $550 with the Crimson Trace optic, and $450 without.
These newest members of the Springfield Armory family of polymer-framed pistols stand ready to deliver tough, reliable and powerful CCW defense.
Ambidextrous magazine release (Photo: Springfield Armory)
About Springfield Armory
In 1794, the original Springfield Armory began manufacturing muskets for the defense of our young, free Republic. The Armory functioned as a firearms supplier for every major American conflict until 1968 when the government sadly closed its doors. In 1974, nearly two centuries after its inception, Springfield Armory Inc. in Geneseo, Ill. revived the iconic heritage of the Armory to carry on its legacy.
We strive to honor this responsibility as guardians of the original Springfield Armory legacy by manufacturing the highest quality firearms to enable responsible citizens to preserve their right to keep and bear arms in the defense of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
With an unmatched emphasis on craftsmanship, performance and exceptional customer service, our mission is to forge superior firearms and provide the tools necessary to defend individual freedoms and equality for those who embrace the rights and principles secured by our Founding Fathers.
CZ-USA recently announced the release of their new CZ SP-01 Competition Red & Blue pistols. They say they have made some upgrades from the parent model, the SP-01.
The new SP-01 Competition Red & Blue pistols feature a 4.6-inch cold hammer-forged barrel for enhanced accuracy and performance. (Photo courtesy of CZ-USA)
From CZ-USA
The new CZ SP-01 Competition Red & Blue Pistols builds on its proven lineage, adding match-ready upgrades and race-gun features competition shooters will be excited about. This new CZ-USA high-performance pistol excels on the range and at home.
The new competition model inherits its build quality from its parent model, the SP-01, so the fit and finish of the steel frame and slide are impeccable. The pistol includes a competition hammer giving it an exceptionally crisp, light trigger pull. Thanks to the lightened hammer spring, the pistol feels lively and remarkably responsive in the hand. Additionally, the SP-01 Competition Red & Blue uses a lighter recoil spring for running target loads.
The new SP-01 Competition Red & Blue pistols feature a 4.6-inch cold hammer-forged barrel for enhanced accuracy and performance. Inside, a steel guide rod adds shot-after-shot reliability and performance. On top of the slide, a fiber optic front sight and serrated rear sight provide precise aiming in a wide variety of lighting conditions. Milled grooves on the forward and rear of the slide enhance the shooter’s grip while racking.
Vibrant custom aluminum grips accentuate the pistol’s appearance, making it a real head-turner on the range. Available in metallic red- or blue, adding a sporty look to the pistol’s classic design while checkering improves its control during the heat of the match. At the same time, matching +4 mag bases add extra ammo capacity to the SP-01 Competition Red & Blue. A total ammo capacity of 21+1 rounds equals fewer reloads and faster stage times.
Both left- and right-hand shooters love the SP-01’s ergonomic design. The grips fit equally well in either hand, and the pistol’s ambidextrous safety is comfortably positioned at the rear of the frame directly above the grip. An under-barrel rail accepts an array of accessories from lights to lasers, all of which enhance the pistol’s utility and give it a one-of-a-kind look.
The CZ SP-01 Competition Red & Blue pistols are the perfect pistol for any shooter who wants a tricked-out competition pistol out of the box or the casual gun owner that wants a reliable yet elegant match-ready handgun. The new SP-01 Competition Red & Blue has an MSRP of $1305 and includes two CZ nickel-plated magazines with extended aluminum +4 base pads. It’s available at gun dealers now!
CZ SP-01 Competition Features
Choice of Red or Blue aluminum grips with matching +4 magazine base pads
Double action/single action
Competition hammer and light mainspring creates a crisp, light trigger pull
Fiber optic front sight and serrated rear sight offer rapid aiming in all lighting conditions
Cold hammer-forged barrel improves accuracy
Steel guide rod offers superior reliability and longevity
The Walther PPQ was the first handgun I found that stood a chance at unseating the Glock 19 that I’d carried for years. This was a 9mm PPQ M2, not the PPQ 45 here in this review, but the ergonomics of these guns and their performance are both very similar. The gun fits my hand, points exceptionally well, and provides the solid reliability that we should all demand of our EDC guns.
And now, years later, I’m looking at the gun for a different reason: sound suppression. I recently picked up a Banish 45 and had been running it on a couple of 9mm handguns, but hadn’t had a .45 ACP with a threaded barrel. The PPQ 45 doesn’t come with a threaded barrel (at least this one didn’t), but Walther makes a threaded barrel for it, and the combination is ideal.
There is a catalog model (The PPQ 45 SD) that comes with the threaded barrel, if you’re lucky enough to find one in stock.
The Walther PPQ is known for its exceptional ergonomics and its short trigger reset.
Walther PPQ 45 M2 Specs
Model: 2807076
Caliber: 45 ACP
Barrel Length: 4.25″
Trigger Pull: 5.6 LBS
Trigger Travel: 0.4″
Capacity: 12 Rds
Overall Length: 7.4″
Height: 5.8″
Safety: 3 Auto
Width: 1.3″
Weight Empty: 28.2 oz
The highlight of the PPQ line is a toss-up. The trigger is truly one of the best factory triggers available. The shoe moves less than half an inch. The reset is even shorter—just one-tenth of an inch. And there’s not a hint of grit or sponge in it. If trigger performance is important to you, this line has to be on your radar.
The slide drop lever allows for a lot of actual leverage. This is one of the easiest slide drops in production today.
The remainder of the controls, though, stand out, too. And these are built into an ergonomic design that has come to define the Walthers of late. These guns have a complex geometry that matches that of the hand.
Walther’s grip squiggles compliment the well-defined swells on the grip and make this exceptionally comfortable to shoot.
Check the image above. There are curves within the curves. The PPQ 45 has to accommodate a double-stack magazine, but the grip is still easier to hold than that of a 1911.
The rear of the frame is undercut for a high grip. This is one of the reasons why the gun points so well for so many. The trigger guard is undercut, too.
The grip is covered in small half-moon-shaped protrusions at alternating intervals. As grips go, this is not as tactile as some of the rough sandpaper-like textures that are growing in popularity, but still sticky enough that your hand stays where you put it.
The front slide serrations are interrupted by the Walther banner but are still tactile enough to be useful.
The slide, too, has a variety of textures for easy manipulation. The cuts are deep and wide, and they’re not sharp-edged, but the depth alone is enough to provide for a solid grip. And the PPQ 45 has cuts on the front and the rear.
The Walther PPQ has three slots of rail up front on the frame for attaching lights or lasers.
For those who run lights on their pistols (and everyone should run lights on their pistols), there are three rail slots ahead of the trigger guard. At over seven inches, the PPQ 45 is ideally suited for a full-sized light.
The controls are ambidextrous. The mag release, though, will need to be swapped to the right side for lefties.
The controls are worth talking about, too. The most noticeable will be the slide-drop lever. This is a long bar that protrudes from both sides of the pistol. While most guns offer a little nubbin of steel to thumb down the slide, this one extends far down the frame and requires very little pressure to actuate—that’s physics for you.
The slide has ribs down the top that interrupt glare.
There aren’t any external safeties, other than the lever in the trigger shoe. Inside, there’s a firing pin safety and a disconnector safety. The combination gives the PPQ M2 its drop-safe clearance.
As the threaded barrel is an add-on for the PPQ, the sights are not built especially tall. They are still usable.
Sights on the standard version are a simple three-dot pattern. They’re low and unobtrusive. There’s a version that comes with XS night sights, and those seem like they may be taller.
In the stock configuration, the sights don’t clear a suppressor. This isn’t always bad, though you will need to know what your target looks like with the obstruction of the can itself superimposed between the front sight and the target. In other words, you have to make some allowances when using these sights with a can, but accuracy is still very reliable.
The front sight isn’t as easily seen with a suppressor on, but it is still functional. Though some of the target will be obscured by the width of the Banish 45, which isn’t overly wide, the three-dot set-up on the PPQ will still get allow for precise shot placement.
Shooting the PPQ 45
Running fast on steel, I found I walked up. The fifth shot was high—almost off the plate.
Almost all of the .45 ACP I’ve shot, more than 99% of it, is through a 1911. I’m a sucker for the classics. If my gun is going to be made of plastic, I’d rather have it chambered in 9mm. So this is a crossover of sorts.
But it could change my mind. The 12 round magazine and compact design make this a compelling choice for EDC, especially in winter when I could wear it OWB and still keep it completely covered. And everything about this gun is designed for regular use and carry.
The PPQ has a superb trigger. The break is light, the pull is consistent, and the reset is minuscule: .1″.
I’ve already talked about the insane reset. One-tenth of an inch. This makes follow-up shots crazy easy. When combined with the PPQ M2’s ergonomics, which go a long way in mitigating the recoil and muzzle-rise of the compact .45 ACP, this becomes a seriously fast gun that is easy to keep on target.
In fact, if you are shooting one for the first time, the trigger will likely be the takeaway. It will take a bit of practice to get used to. The image below shows what I mean.
I was working on connecting up a group of shots and didn’t yet have my sights perfectly realigned when I pulled off that flyer. I’m accustomed to triggers that are a bit more forgiving, so I’d already begun to pull back in anticipation of the shot I was about to take when I felt the shot fire.
Did I mention the trigger break? The shot on the right surprised me.
PPQ 45 M2 Magazines
The magazine for the .45 is big and made of stamped steel. Like the other PPQ mags, it functions flawlessly.
With a 12+1 capacity, the PPQ 45 M2 has a solid capacity for a .45. The mags are built of steel and are stamped with several geometric impressions that both provide strength and guide the double-stack of rounds into a single column.
Witness holes allow for decent round counts without letting in too much debris.
The design works and doesn’t need to be babied. The most care one of these mags needs is a good cleaning and light oiling. As the bluing wears, watch for rust. Even then, though, buff it off and oil again and keep going.
The mag catch reflects the ambidextrous nature of the gun.
The body of the mag is labeled with a caliber. This, though, is small. While the size is indicative of its caliber, the mag can get easily confused with others that look similar.
The follower is plastic and sits atop a solid spring. Topping off the mag requires some thumb strength.
This is one of the problems with guns like this, I think. The mags are solid, durable—everything you’d want, really. They’re also not super easy to find. These are running about $40 a piece.
The mags have branded base plates, which will help if you have multiple handguns, though the caliber is not marked, so you may struggle with identification if you have more than one PPQ.
Shooting the PPQ 45 M2 Suppressed
The balance of a suppressed pistol changes, as does the recoil.
Adding a silencer can change your point of impact a bit. The shift isn’t much, but you may need to compensate for surgical shot placement.
A red dot can help with this, as the optic can be sighted in on the true point of impact. Some sights can be adjusted, too, which is a longer-term solution. So long as the silencer tightens down on the barrel in the same position (with the baffles in the same position, really), then the impact shift should be consistent with any given type of ammo.
The recoil is less of a snap up and more of a wave motion. There is still muzzle-flip, but it is not as steep when suppressed.
The Walther PPQ 45 M2 tends to follow a swimming motion during recoil. This is the part of writing that is complicated; I know exactly what I mean, but it is hard to communicate. The gun moves up (less than with unsuppressed fire), but there’s more mass, too, which slows that motion.
Then getting back on target requires that the downward momentum of that extra mass be slowed down so you don’t over correct and dip the muzzle down. This isn’t easy, so there is often a up, down, back up slightly motion that feels like the motion of a wave.
The Banish 45 can mount via direct-thread adapter or like this, with a piston.
The Banish 45 is all titanium, so it isn’t heavy. And the baffles cut the sound of the .45 ACP to hearing safe levels. It is a joy to shoot, really, and the sound of those fat rounds thwacking on the steel is much louder than the muzzle blast itself.
.45 ACP ball can be lethargic. The good news, though, is that lethargy means they’re subsonic. That makes them hearing safe from the Banish 45.
Holstering, though, is problematic. While there are plenty of holsters for the PPQ 45 M2, adding the threaded barrel makes it slightly harder to holster, and the suppressor is really more of a dedicated addition to the gun.For a home-defense gun, though, it is a solid addition. For range work or plinking, this is addictive. The PPQ 45 cycles everything, even when suppressed, and offers more on tap than your bog-standard single-action.
Price? Looks like the selling price would be somewhere on the positive side of $700, but that would be determined greatly by availability (they’re hard to find in the wild).
Most of us have seen the stovepipe drill. You know, the one where you close the bolt on a piece of spent brass so it’s sticking out perpendicular to the gun. It’s supposed to simulate a failure to eject (FTE), which you can then clear to prepare you for when the real thing hits you.
Two views of the Failure to Eject (FTE) or Stovepipe malfunction.
Daniel Shaw from Gun Mag Warehouse demonstrates for us how many people get it wrong and then moves on to how to run the drill correctly. This is important because, if you’re doing it the wrong way as he shows, you will not be prepared to do it for real.
Daniel starts by showing the drill he was taught, of all places, in the Marine Corps. It consists of closing the bolt on the spent brass, as noted above, while there is a round in the chamber. To clear it, all you have to do is use the charging handle to cycle the action. The chambered round, being already engaged with the extractor, kicks out the spent casing with no problem and chambers another round. Good to go.
The problem is that this is physically impossible. An FTE is generally caused when the extractor doesn’t kick out a spent casing, thus preventing the bolt from chambering a new round as it moves forward. There is no reason whatsoever for a spent casing to be hung up in the bolt on top of a chambered round.
A Failure to Eject, or Stovepipe, can damage the casing of the following round.
A correct simulation of an FTE looks like this:
• With the chamber empty and a mag inserted, lock the bolt to the rear. • Insert your spent casing at the front of the ejection port, perpendicular to the gun. • Close the bolt on the spent casing.
A view of a stovepipe looking up through the mag well. Note how the extractor has not fully engaged the partially chambered round.
This is what an FTE, or stovepipe, really looks like. Now, the clearing drill:
• Lock the bolt to the rear. • Drop the mag Rifle Magazines | GunMag Warehouse. • Some folks say to turn the gun on its side and “karate chop” the stovepiped casing to get it out of the chamber. Daniel prefers to “jiggle” it with his thumb and forefinger. You do you. • Cycle the action to clear the chamber. The brass on the round that was prevented from being chambered may be bent. • Insert the mag and drop the bolt if necessary. • Back in action.
After locking the bolt to the rear and dropping the mag, you can remove the spent casing.
Running this drill properly is critical to performing it when you get a for-real FTE. If you’ve been doing it wrong, don’t worry about it. Stuff like that happens and there is misinformation everywhere. The key here is understanding how the gun works and what is realistic and what is not. It kinda bothers me that at least some people in the Marine Corps teach, or have taught, this drill in a way that shows a lack of understanding of how the gun functions. Nothing I can do about that, but hopefully, they will get it fixed.
Anyhow, this drill should be part of your regular training. It happens to almost everyone, eventually. It’s not a big deal if you’ve practiced for it. As with many other drills, it can be done at home with snap caps and a spent casing. A few practice runs each week and you’re good to go with no precious ammo expended. If you want to see it demonstrated, click the video link. Either way, make sure you’re doing it right. It matters.
