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Walther P38 9mm Semi Automatic Pistol Review

The Walther P38 was the first true double-action pistol in 9mm, and was the only one for a good while. It’s a fine piece of engineering, and its staying power has proven that. At press time, the P38 continues to be available in the USA via imported West German police “trade-in” guns.

The P38 was originally a German military pistol, chambered for 9mm Luger (9mm Parabellum; 9x19mm), which at that time had been in German military use for more than three decades. The P38 saw much wartime use during World War II, and was subsequently produced commercially in West Germany for export and police use.

Many, if not most, commercially-made P38s have alloy frames. WWII military P38s had steel frames. The subject of this article is a commercial model with an alloy frame.

The photo shows the left side of the P38. This a “police trade-in” gun of recent import (though not of recent manufacture).

Stamped on the left side of the slide: Walther banner logo; “Carl Walther Waffenfabrik Ulm/Do;” “P38 Cal.9mm;” and a poor stamping of three numbers.

Also: A simple dot inside a circle; a stylized four-pointed star above it; “165″ inside a three-sided box. Research shows the “box” to be an eagle whose downswept wings form the box’s sides.

Springfield Armory 1911 Operator Pistol Review

We found this review of the Springfield 1911 Operator and felt we should share it with you. While we do not agree with all of this gentleman’s talking points we still felt you should see it.

A shotgun review for the smaller petite person, the Remington 870 Express Youth 20 gauge shotgun

My wife, bless her soul, already enjoyed shooting before I met her. In fact, she even owned her own pistol at the time. But when it came to long guns, she had a problem – she is very petite, and holding and swinging field-length shotguns was difficult for her.

Overall weight is not so much a problem for her, but overall length is VERY important. After looking around, I bought her a Remington 870 Express Youth 20 gauge shotgun. While it is about the same weight as my field gun, it is nearly a foot shorter. Because of that, she is able to use it quite comfortably and effectively. We have several friends (including members of both sexes) who prefer this exact shotgun, and it is always well-used when we go out.

The stock is somewhat plain, but perfectly fine and functional. It includes a recoil pad of approximately 1″ thickness. The finish on the receiver and barrel is quite good, it is a thick, heavy finish that resists scratches incredibly well.

The action was a small bit rougher than I would have expected when purchased, but it smoothed out very quickly. Considering the price point of the gun, the action is what you would expect, perhaps a bit better. The trigger is also quite decent.

Overall, this shotgun is a large success. MSRP is, at the time of this writing, $385. I believe that I spent approximately $330, and the shotgun has more than lived up to the price tag. I have found no downsides, and am completely satisfied.

If you are smaller of stature, or are shopping for such a person, take a look at this shotgun – I think you’ll be very pleased.

Smith and Wesson Model SW40VE Pistol Review

The Smith and Wesson Model SW40VE was first brought out into the market in 1994. For a couple years after release, some owners of this pistol had jamming and clipping issues. The late models, though, no longer have these problems. This review is staying away from the earlier model years.

and concentrating on the most recent years’ production of this pistol.

Of course, most items sold get better with newer releases because problems and flaws are fixed as they arise. This pistol is a prime example of this. Buying a used sw40ve may not be a wise idea for this very reason. But as a consumer, if you were looking to buy a used model of this pistol, make sure you purchase a model with the accessory rails molded into the frame. This will limit some of the problems you could run into. The rails began appearing in 1999 and are primarily made for attaching accessories such as a laser sight or a lightweight tactical light. Of course, to avoid worrying about these annoyances, you can purchase a new pistol. The price on a brand new Smith and Wesson model SW40VE is still extremely reasonable.

Smith and Wesson Sigma sw40ve Pistol Review – The accuracy: Most gun owners that have had a chance to shoot this pistol agree that the accuracy is point on, for a short barreled gun. A long barreled gun will almost always have better accuracy, but that isn’t something that can be changed. Physics and ballistics come into play when you take barrel length into consideration, so to speak. As far as a short barreled gun goes, this pistol does what it is supposed to do, and does it well. The sigma sw40ve features a sleek 4″ barrel that looks excellent and is accurate. In the hands of a competent shooter, this pistol has top notch accuracy.

Ruger PC4 carbine rifle review

Basics
The Ruger PC4 is a semi automatic pistol caliber carbine – a rifle that fires a pistol cartridge. The PC4 is chambered for .40 S&W, and there is also a 9mm version available (the PC9). The PC4 (and the PC9) use Ruger pistol magazines, which is especially nice for those who already have Ruger pistols. Both the PC4 (sometimes called the PC40) and PC9 weigh in at about 6.5 pound, with barrels that are just over 16″ in length. The PC4 and PC9 are blowback operated, which is somewhat rare for such carbines. Sighting options include standard iron sights, or ghost ring sights. The standard proprietary Ruger scope mounts are also built in to the receiver. Production of the PC4 and PC9 was stopped a few years ago, after Ruger decided there wasn’t enough demand to justify continued production. However they can still be found at gun stores and online. I found mine at a local gun store for under $600.

Safety Features
The PC4 and PC9 have automatic drop and firing pin safeties, along with a manual safety in the rear of the trigger guard. One interesting feature related to how these carbines are blowback operated. One of the downsides to blowback operation is that the action is not usually locked closed, but is instead only held closed by spring pressure. If the firearm is dropped or jarred, it is possible for the action to partially open, preventing proper operation of the firearm until the user notices those problem and closes it back up. Ruger fixes this by having the action lock closed, and then unlock as either the trigger is pulled, or as the action is manually operated. This feature is very well done, and I didn’t even notice it at first until I read more about the PC4 online after I bought it.

Ergonomics
The PC4 feels great to hold, and is pretty well balanced. Balance can be a problem with blowback operated firearms, due to the need to have the action be heavy enough to stay closed as the bullet travels down the barrel, leading to too much weight in one place. Ruger avoided this problem as well, by using weights on the end of a light weight bar to better distribute the weight. The result is a well balanced carbine that is comfortable to hold and shoot. The one thing that I don’t like is the recoil pad. It is made of a rather rigid rubbery material, with ridges in it. I would have preferred a recoil pad that was either a bit softer, or that didn’t have those ridges. I don’t care enough to change the recoil pad, but I thought I would still mention this.

Firing the PC4
This is a fun carbine to shoot, and accuracy was great. I was firing offhand on a 50′ indoor range, and managed to shoot 1″ groups pretty easily. I look forward to going to an outdoor range to see how the PC4 does at longer distances. I will say that recoil was a bit heavier that I expected, given that I was only firing .40 S&W pistol cartridges, although the recoil was by no means unpleasant. I’m guessing the recoil felt heavier than I expected because this carbine is blowback operated, meaning that the action does very little to soften the felt recoil. That said, I do want to be clear that this recoil was quite light compared to any shotgun or centerfire rifle I’ve ever fired, and should not pose a problem for even the most recoil sensitive people.

Conclusion
The PC4 is a nice carbine, especially for those of us who already have pistols chambered for .40 S&W (or the PC9 for those who have pistols chambered for 9mm). Accuracy is good, recoil is light, and a variety of hard-to-notice features relating to safety and the blowback action are nice touches as well. The blowback operation is simple and reliable. Since this carbine is no longer in production, finding one may be slightly difficult, but is worth the effort.

The Webley & Scott 912G (900 series 12-bore game model) shotgun review

The Webley & Scott 912G (900 series 12-bore game model) is part of an expanding selection in a broad price range.

In the 900 range there are game and sporter models, barrel lengths from 26in to 32in, 12- or 20-bore versions and internal or external (protruding) chokes to choose from.

All are supplied with cases, a selection of choke tubes, a key and owner’s manual.

The first impression of the game model on test is of a cobby, handy gun, enhanced by its 26in barrels. Interestingly, even at 26in, the weight distribution has a positive bias towards the barrels, giving a firm feel.

The chunky fore-end and a good handful of stock combine to make a useful general-purpose gun.

Well thought-out safety
The 912G’s appearance is one of contrasts – silky black barrels against reddish-brown wood and a striking light-coloured action boldly bearing the Webley & Scott name.

The action body is machined from a substantial piece of steel incorporating hinge discs for the barrels to pivot and lockwork of a design which is the norm for a modern over-and-under.

The barrel selection is operated from a button in the middle of the ramped safety catch and the changeover is mechanical rather than relying on an inertia block. The cranked arm, which operates the automatic function of the safety, is well designed. The helical mainsprings are conventional for this design and though these seem a little on the small side, they are good quality.

Attention to detail
Proofed in Birmingham for steel shot and a 76mm (3in) cartridge, the barrels are assembled on the monoblock system. There is extensive jewelling around the sides of the block where it fits into the action and the sprung ejectors.

The proof sizes on the two barrels are 18.3mm and 18.4mm. In old British Imperial measurements both qualify as ‘tight’ 12. They were both exactly in the middle of the size range.

The barrels’ exterior is true with well-laid side ribs and a slim non-glare top rib fitted with a conventional brass bead foresight.

Very good attention to detail has been applied to the finishing at the muzzles – something users now notice with screw-in chokes. The bores are flawless inside as indeed they now need to be to pass the viewing stage of the UK Proof Houses.

Five internal chokes are provided. Two are already fitted and the others come in separate containers for protection. They are all well marked, including those not for use with steel shot, and have a notch-mark at the muzzle for quick reference.

They are easily interchangeable and sizes range from cylinder to full choke, so there is something suitable for most purposes.

The length of pull is 14¾in and combined with its other substantial dimensions this makes the 912G a man-sized gun.

Drop across the comb is 1½in at the tip and just over 2in at the heel. These dimensions and the fairly wide comb follow a trend among major manufacturers. I normally find such dimensions a bit high for a game gun, but the results showed up on the pattern plate.

The laser-produced chequering is uniform and deeply cut, giving an outstanding grip. This is not an expensive gun so one cannot expect superb-grade walnut. However, the fore-end had some attractive dark veining and fiddleback.

Even the stock – a plainer piece of wood – had some nice fiddleback around the pistol grip.

An oiled finish is always a good idea, though at first the stock felt a little sticky. It may have been too fresh from fi ishing, but with a bit of handling it soon felt as dry as the fore-end. This type of finish is a boon to the enthusiast who likes to do some palming-in of stock oil.

Impressive shot patterns
On test, the 912G showed another side of its character. The trigger pulls are almost 6lb and a little long but even. This is the norm and a legacy of the ultra-safety conscious approach manufacturers have to take nowadays. The ejection of fired cases was crisp and clean and the timing of double ejections was spot-on.

The safety button snicked back into place each time the gun was opened. Initially the primer strikes were a bit lighter than expected but got better as the gun was used.

Surprise patterns
The biggest surprise of all was to be found on the pattern plate. The shot patterns with the cartridges I used were most impressive and on a par with some much more expensive guns.

However, with my shooting style it threw the patterns rather high. Though well-centred on the plate, due largely to a reasonable amount of cast-off on the stock, the bottom of the patterns from more open chokes was only clipping the aiming mark by 2in or 3in.

With full choke it was possible to place the pattern a little above the mark – good for more traditional shooters who like to see the bird as though perched on the foresight bead. This is not a problem for someone whose sight picture is the target in full view above the rib.

Results that count
The 912G is an interesting gun as you get more than you might think. At 26in the barrels might be thought short and yet they are entirely suited to the gun on test and they look right. Having had the chance to try a longer-barrelled model, I would have no hesitation in choosing this gun.

If there is a modern advertisement for the benefit of shorter barrels the 912G 26in is a worthy contender.

As for the shot patterns, it is important to remember it is good shot patterns and pellet energy that make consistent clean kills possible – not fancy wood or engraving. In the end, with any gun, it is the results that count.

Springfield 1911 45ACP Pistol Review

Basics
The Springfield 1911 45 ACP is a short recoil operated semiautomatic (autoloading) pistol. The full name of this pistol is the Pistol, Caliber .45, Automatic, M1911A1. The 1911 was developed during the first decade of the 1900’s, and officially adopted by the United States military as an official side arm in the year 1911, hence the name. It was originally chambered for .45 ACP only, however it is now available in a variety of other calibers as well (though .45 ACP remains the most popular by a wide margin). The Springfield 1911 combines a metal frame, a proven effective caliber, and a dependable design with safety features such as an innovative grip safety.

Build Quality & Features
The Springfield 1911 45 ACP is a finely constructed pistol. It is available in a variety of models, whose prices can range from just over $500, to well over $2,000. Regardless of the model selected, the buyer will have a high quality pistol whose parts fit together well and look great. It is no wonder that this design has endured for nearly 100 years, and been copied by many manufacturers.
The 1911 also features an innovative safety, located on the back of the pistol grip. When the gun is held normally, the grip safety is automatically disengaged, and the gun can be fired. When the gun is not being gripped by the shooter, they safety is automatically engaged, and the 1911 cannot be fired. This unobtrusive safety can go a long way to prevent unintentional discharges of the gun.

Reliability
The 1911 45 ACP is a durable handgun, with a strong metal frame. It will fire round after round after round for years to come. A well cared for Springfield 1911 that was produced in the year 1911 can still be used today, and most people wouldn’t even notice age of the gun. I have yet to experience a failure to feed or failure to fire, nor do I know of anyone who has experienced one that was the fault of a 1911, rather than bad ammunition.

Effectiveness of the .45ACP
The .45 Automatic Colt Pistol (.45ACP) cartridge, which was developed right around the time the Springfield 1911 was introduced, has been proven effective for self defense. Although I personally prefer .40 S&W, I have plenty of respect for the .45ACP. Since the 1911 has a relatively heavy metal frame, the recoil from firing a .45 ACP round from the 1911 feels softer than firing a (much smaller) 9MM round from a lightweight polymer framed handgun, such as a Glock or subcompact Springfield XD. Indeed, a co-worker of mine was able to handle a 1911 within a few minutes of firing a gun for the first time.

Bersa Pistol Review

I bought it about three weeks ago and didn’t get a chance to fire it until today. Prior to firing it during the first few weeks I sat around and cycled the slide, mag release and safety because they were all very stiff. However, after awhile the gun loosened up quit a bit.

At the range today I fired 100 rounds without a single problem. I was very impressed with the reliability for such an inexpensive firearm. I own and have fired many different pistols before of various quality and the Bersa was as good as the best.

I used the following ammo: magtech 95gr fmc, PowerBall 70gr, Speer gold dot 90gr jhp, and PMC Starfire 95gr jhp. The only difference in the ammo was that the Speer was noticeably hotter than anything else. Accuracy of the pistol was better than my ability. I was using simple 12″ x 12″ targets and was able to keep every shot in the black at 15 yards. The only thing I could complain so far about this pistol are the grips. Some rubber type grips would be nice.

Arkady02

Swiss ZfK55 Rifle Review

The user “thirsty”, of AR15.com, has posted this great write up and range report on the Swiss ZfK55 rifle. And with his permission I have reconstructed the thread for you here. I had to cut it down a bit due to the number of photos. Enjoy the eye candy:

The Zielfernrohrkarabiner Modell 1955 or “scoped carbine model of 1955” is a design based largely on the K31. It also is referred to as K31/55 or ZfKar.55. There were a total of 4150 ZfK55 rifles manufactured, beginning with serial number 1000. My example is serial number 2397 and was manufactured in 1958. These rifles saw only a few years of service in the Swiss Army before being retired and issued to Swiss police snipers or sold to private individuals. Most rifles show signs of being used extensively, though there are the rare examples that were never issued.

Like the K31, the ZfK uses a simplified Schmidt-Rubin straight pull action and is chambered in the excellent 7.5×55mm Swiss. But while it looks like a modified K31, there’s actually very little parts commonality between the two, as in only 5 or 6 parts that are readily interchangeable, including the 6-round magazines. The scope, scope storage can and magazine are all serialized to the rifle. From a collector’s standpoint, an all matching numbers ZfK55 includes the scope and can. Not having them is detrimental to the value.

The ZfK has a receiver machined with mounting lugs for the scope. The receiver is canted to the right so stripper clips and ejected cartridges clear the scope. The scope is designed so it mounts directly over the bore axis, making sight-in a breeze. The windage drum is graduated whereas the elevation drum is not.

The Zfk55 receiver in comparison with the K31

Even the magazine is canted. K31 included in pic for comparison.

The Zfk weighs almost 5 pounds heavier than the K31 due to the weight of the scope, the heavy barrel, and bipod assembly. The barrel is free floated and as you can see in the picture there is minimal contact between the stock, barrel band and the barrel. The stock and upper hand guard are inletted to prevent contact.

The bipod mounts to the receiver so as not to interfere with the free-floated barrel.

The barrel is equipped with a unique beehive flash hider that is extremely effective at reducing felt recoil. In my opinion, the ZfK55 has recoil comparable to that of an M1A. The flash hider also gives the ZfK a distinctive report.

The matching Kern 3.5x scope has a simple reticle as seen in the picture. Also pictured below is a section of the rifle’s manual showing how the reticle was used on targets of varying distances. The rifle should be sighted in at 300 meters to best take advantage of GP-11 ballistics. Once sighted in at 300m, there is only 1 diopter difference between 100 and 300, and 300 and 500 meters. I’m not quite sure what a diopter is.

Caption roughly translated: Figure 7- Sight pictures of field targets at distances of 100, 300 and 500m

The scope storage can is designed to hold the scope firmly and protect it from the elements as well as impacts. Swiss snipers were trained to keep the scope in the can until they were in position in order to prevent any damage to the optics. The Kern scopes are not comparable to modern glass; they are actually pretty delicate despite weighing more than a pound. In the pic, you can see the large rubber gasket that serves to seal the can as well as clamp the scope firmly in place. You can see the tool to the right of the pic used to lock the adjustment drum screws in place to prevent the drums from moving once zeroed.

The ZfK bolt is different due to the angled design of the receiver. It also has a third locking lug toward the base of the bolt sleeve.

ZfK55 bolt on top.

The rifle is a joy to shoot. The combination of weight and flash hider dampens the recoil considerably and allows for faster follow-up shots. I put a 60-round brick of GP-11 downrange with little fatigue and I was disappointed I didn’t bring more.

The bipod works great in prone position it fits me perfectly. The bipod itself is loosely mounted on a swivel so it has side-to-side adjustability for shooting on rough or uneven terrain. Thanks to Swiss engineering and maintenance ethics this rifle has a mint bore and smooth operation.

This rifle is still capable of shooting excellent groups in the hands of a marksman, which I am not. I’m not at all a consistent shooter but I find it easy to make good shots with the ZfK55. My only dislike is the need for a chin weld to get a good sight picture. This is something that can be cured with a strap-on cheek rest, however.

These targets were shot at 100 yards prone with 1980’s GP-11 surplus. This target shows a 12-shot group. I can only account for 10 hits so two rounds passed through existing holes.

My best group was 1.5” @ 100yrds. Not too shabby for a 50yr old rifle and poorly disciplined shooter.

The ZfK55 is an outstanding rifle. They are very expensive simply due to rarity. But if you have the funds and want something unique and rare to shoot, the ZfK fits the bill.

Rossi Puma Lever-Action Carbine Review

A Traditional Cowboy Rifle in .45 Colt

Long, long ago, in those frivolous carefree days when Americans had the money to pursue their dreams and hobbies with reckless abandon, the sport of cowboy action shooting burst upon the American firearms scene.

The sport required participants to dress in period costume and participate in shooting events using original or reproduction firearms of the nineteenth and early twentieth century. Typically, cowboy action shooters needed two single-action pistols, a rifle, and a shotgun.

This desire for multiple guns spawned demand for reproduction firearms like the Rossi M92 Puma carbine. Since many original nineteenth century firearms were no longer up to the rigors of regular shooting, shooters felt safer shooting a reproduction firearm that incorporated modern materials and safety features. In addition, to simplify logistics, cowboy action shooters often sought firearms that all shot the same caliber of ammunition. The Rossi Puma Lever-Action Carbine can be bought in several different calibers. For example, I chose .45 Colt so that I could use the same ammunition for my rifle and my Ruger Vaquero.

The Puma carbine is a convenient size for defending the old homestead or for trail drives down to the typical suburban shooting range. My Rossi M92 Puma has a 20-inch barrel and an overall length of 37 and 1/2 inches. Like the classic 1892 Winchester Rifle that it emulates, the Rossi Puma just handles well and seems like a natural fit for almost any shooter. Like many Brazilian-made firearms, the guns remain timeless while the importers change. You may find this classic cowboy carbine sold today as the Legacy M92 Puma. According to the Guns and Ammo 2009 Buyers guide, the Legacy M92 Carbine comes in .357 Magnum/.38 Special, .44 Magnum, .45 Colt, .454 Casull, and .480 Ruger and in barrel lengths from 16 to 24 inches.