If the last true firearm innovation was the polymer frame, we’re about 50 years into the current technological drought. Like a bag of Legos, a successful gun maker must put together something that is (or appears to be) a new combination of existing ideas if it wants to be novel. Another option for success might be a new product that does something that’s been overpriced or neglected in the market. In the late 1990s KelTec CNC Industries did all three with its P32. Sturm, Ruger & Co. took note and re-designed its LCP vest pocket gun line in 2016. Here’s how they compare.

KelTec’s P32

The original KelTec P32 combined the twin innovations of lightweight polymer and aluminum materials with the well-established Browning tilting barrel recoil mechanism to make a pistol smaller, lighter and more controllable than any predecessor in the same caliber. Due to all this and the general economy that’s a hallmark of KelTec CNC, the cost was and has remained affordable.

The P32 has an empty weight of less than 8 ounces, dimensions of 0.75×3.5×5 inches and a capacity of 7 + 1. The magazine orientation is nearly vertical which makes for a compact, efficient size while allowing cartridge placement that avoids the problem of “rim-lock” with the semi-rimmed .32 ACP cartridge. Magazines are made by Mec-Gar—another brand name synonymous with reliable quality. Dual recoil springs round out the features that mitigate recoil while keeping the weight down.

The only slide stop is internal, powered by the empty magazine follower once the last shot is fired. KelTec’s P32 has no external safety controls and a sloped back slide and frame for fast, snag-free draw from a pocket or holster. The grip texture is outstanding, and the fire-control system makes use of a hammer that’s pre-charged to a half-cock position with the action of the slide. Like a GLOCK, it’s at half-cock when chambered, and the lightened DA pull weighs in around 6 or 7 pounds.
The original trigger/hammer design had one notable downside: After firing, a full release of the trigger was required for a subsequent shot. A partial release of the trigger produced a felt and audible click that can be mistaken for a traditional trigger reset. If that partially released trigger was pulled, the hammer would fall from the half-cock position. This normally causes a light strike on the cartridge primer and a failure to fire. Likewise, if a trigger pull is attempted with the slide out of battery, the trigger must be fully released once the slide is forward, or the same light hammer strike will result.

The P3AT

The sights on the original P32 were minimalist at best and remained unchanged in 2003 when KelTec released their next version—the .380 ACP! Calling it the model P3AT, the main changes were to the slide con-tour adding mass, elimination of the internal slide stop and a magazine capacity necessary reduced to 6 rounds to accommodate the larger cartridge in the same size grip. The newer, more powerful cartridge produced greater recoil, but the lower ammunition cost and increased stopping power made an attractive package that matched the sales of its predecessor.

In time, KelTec made improvements to the designs of both models. The extractor design was updated and included an external flat spring, giving the slide a distinctive look. Two removable internal parts, the ejector and the spring and guide rod seat (at the front of the slide), were eliminated so that a field strip had two fewer tiny parts to misplace. The slide was beefed up to a more blocky shape that included square post and notch sights that, while tiny, were better than the originals.

Ruger’s LCP Versions

Within 5 years of the release of the P3AT, KelTec was paid the most sincere compliment when Sturm, Ruger & Co. decided to make its own version of this highly successful pocket pistol. Ruger’s new model, the LCP®, had all of the same basic features of the P3AT with the updated cosmetic style of the Ruger P345 and SR9 models. Ruger’s pistol had the same fire control, capacity, sights and size but brought back the slide stop in a new way. This feature was external and manually operated only. The pistol can be locked open by the operator but will not do so automatically on an empty magazine. The grip texture of the LCP is less aggressive than the P32 or P3AT. This can be seen as an improvement or step backwards depending on the user’s preference.

One year into the manufacture of the LCP, Ruger decided to address the issue of the partial trigger release permitting a hammer fall. This product recall was officially intended to correct a potential safety issue, accidental discharge from a fall, but also eliminated the light strike possibility related to either a partial trigger release or out of battery trigger pull. Only the first serial number series was affected (numbers beginning with 370), and those pistols corrected by the recall were marked with a diamond-shaped stamp to the frame on the top ledge of the hammer cutout. Eventually, KelTec pistols were similarly updated.

Ruger has an excellent reputation for quality and durability, so the new LCP pistols were taken seriously and sold like hot cakes. KelTec’s slightly lower retail cost and other features like the sharper grip texture and the lower recoiling .32 ACP option kept its sales brisk as well. All of this success coincided with a widespread drought of .380 ACP ammunition availability in the U.S. around the same time.

Ruger’s next batch of improvements came in the form of the LCP Custom. This model had a polished blue finish to the sides of the slide, an aluminum trigger and substantial upgrade to the sights. The new sights were removable parts that were much taller than the original and featured a white dot in the front. Better sights fulfilled part of the goal of turning the LCP from a stubby pocket rocket into a truly accurate, shootable sidearm. The rest of this task required improvements to the trigger and grip that lead Ruger designers to the latest evolution.

Ruger’s LCP II hit the scene in 2016 and represented a more substantial re-design than those that came before. The external slide stop and magazine design were both upgraded to lock the gun open after the last shot fired. The new sights split the difference between the low-profile originals and the more usable tall versions of the Custom model. Forward slide serrations were added, and an updated grip texture coupled with a wider section to the rear half of the grip frame improved the shooter’s reaction to recoil. All of these improvements were just icing on the cake to the biggest change of all: a single-action trigger!

The LCP II employs a concealed hammer that functions with a crisp break and an even better reset for follow-up shots. With the improvements to the grip, sights and the automatic slide lock, the LCP II pistol shoots like a “real gun!” This author and others have used the LCP II in IDPA competitions with respectable results. The model enjoys back-wards compatibility with original LCP mag-azines, but those will not activate the slide stop. The wider grip has minimal impact on concealability, and the single-action trigger is supported with a trigger safety and internal safety features that prevent discharge without a pull of the trigger.

Solid Designs

Despite years of evolution, an original or current production KelTec P32 remains a viable self-defense pocket pistol that is lighter and easier to shoot than any previously comparable designs. The latest version of the Ruger LCP II offers shootability that exceeds that of anything currently available in the same size or weight. Along the path from A to B is an unbroken chain of solid designs with incremental improvements that never deviated from the innovative concept of remaking the vest pocket gun, using modern materials and the time-tested and efficient Browning recoil operating system.

For years, the firearm suppressor manufacturing icon known as Gemtech has produced a number of superlative designs. One of their older offerings, the Aurora, was listed in the catalogue for years but only teased the reader. Caught between the boundaries of regulation and better innovations, until recently it was only available to government customers. This model was intended for a very specific role and uses wipes and an artificial environment (coolant) to achieve the necessary sound reduction for a 9mm pistol in an uncommonly compact size. 

The unfortunate downside of this arrangement is an exceptionally short service life. Wipes are a disposable technology, and the official ATF regulatory position requires only licensed Class 2 manufacturers be authorized to produce replacements. For this reason, the Aurora was relegated strictly to government and military customers willing to send the used units back to their maker for restoration if and when it was necessary. 

The design, a specific and task-oriented one, was to equip a compact 9mm pistol (like a GLOCK 26) with a quiet, reliable and compact suppressor that was ideal for use in emergency situations like a downed pilot or some other overseas contingency operation. The Aurora, as specified, fit this mission admirably without the need for hyper-engineered baffle stacks or large suppressor bodies that would limit reliability or otherwise interfere with the mission. 

For the Public 

Recently, Gemtech released an upgraded version to the general public—the Aurora-II, complete with a rebuild service for all to enjoy. For less than $40, an Aurora-II can be returned to the manufacturer and have the wipes and coolant replaced; the good-as-new unit is then re-sent to the customer (turnaround time is less than 2 weeks). Current owners in need of this service should contact Smith and Wesson, the new home of Gemtech, for a return authorization and shipping instructions. 

The advertised performance of the Aurora-II is 137dB, and recent testing verified that value for a majority of the first 20 shots (a reduction of 25dB or more). Because of the nature of a wipe suppressor design, subsonic ammunition must be selected that uses a round nose and a non-expanding bullet type. Figures below come from test shots using a brand new Aurora-II and PPU brand 158-grain 9mm round nose subsonic ammunition. Sound measurements were conducted with a Larson Davis Model 800B using the A scale. 

Wipe Design 

One advantage that comes from a wipe and spacer design is the suppressor can be used in either direction. Gemtech’s Aurora-II has threads on both ends to accommodate 1/2×28- inch right-hand and metric 13.5×1 left-hand threads. On the other hand, one disadvantage is that the initial shots fired through virgin wipes can suffer from accuracy limitations. Test shots recorded above were simultaneously fired into a target, but it was found that accuracy and bullet stability was only affected for the first four shots. Accuracy limitations at 10 to 15 yards would still keep a center of mass shot within the target area of a man-sized silhouette. 

The semi-rigid polyurethane wipes are manufactured with an “X” cut through the center to allow passage of the fired bullets but enough sturdiness to resist damage from the shot and maintain back pressure necessary for cycling a recoil-operated pistol. The test firearm, a GLOCK 26 equipped with a Lone Wolf Distributors threaded barrel, cycled reliably for the first 20 shots, but once the wipes were shot through, stoppages were frequent. A blowback pistol subsequently tested continued to fully function regardless of the condition of the Aurora-II wipes. 

It should be noted that while expended wipes may not be replaceable by the user, the coolant within the spacers may be replenished and will offer some restoration of sound reduction—just not as much as with fresh wipes. Gemtech has traditionally used Vaseline® or a similar type of petroleum jelly as an artificial environment, but other options are listed in the Owner’s Manual. 

Final Thoughts 

Suppressor designs of the 21st century have evolved to the point where the state-of-the-art consists of efficient baffle designs and adaptive couplers capable of quiet and reliable functioning on a variety of host firearms. If properly mounted, these designs will give years and thousands of rounds of faithful maintenance-free service to their users without any need for coolant material or specialized ammunition. All of this notwithstanding, the Aurora-II occupies a small corner of compact effectiveness that still makes use of older technology in a way that the best modern cans can’t … at least, not yet! 

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, optimization must be a close second. Ironically, a great way to measure the success of any gun design is to gaze upon the vast array of aftermarket parts and accessories available to modify the original. A robust secondary market can only occur when the primary market is healthy enough to support subsequent adaptations.

Enter the Ruger model 22/45 Mark 3 pistol. The design is evolutionary if not revolutionary in that it combines the rugged reliability of Ruger’s first handgun made over 65 years ago with a modern polymer grip frame that reduces weight (and cost) while emulating the even more venerable 1911. Prior versions of the 22/45 lacked the elegance of the current model with limited grip texture, adaptability, and let’s face it, early 90’s cosmetics that were not the strongest for this gun maker. Additional safety features were added to the Mark 3 permitting sales in all domestic markets and were otherwise a benefit (or minor nuisance) to their owners. Among the array of features available to remake the 22/45 in one’s own image, this author chose a number of small ones available from TandemKross (TK) and one big one from Tactical Solutions.

Tactical Solutions of Boise, ID, has been in business since 2002, making barrels, receivers, conversion kits and even sound suppressors. Replacing the all-steel Ruger-barreled upper receiver with one from Tactical Solutions (mostly aluminum) remakes the pistol in a much lighter package with excellent adjustable sights, an optional threaded muzzle and a subdued finish that is a better match to the polymer frame than the original. The only feature loss at this point is the deletion of the chamber loaded indicator, a feature that never enjoyed significant consumer driven demand. Due to the nature of the host Ruger pistol design, the Tactical Solutions upper receiver bears a serial number, related manufacturer markings and must be treated legally like any other complete firearm or serialized firearm receiver.

Threaded Tactical Solutions 22/45 hybrids have become a staple for those who wanted a .22 pistol that was light weight, rugged and suppressor ready from a manufacturer reliable enough to ensure correct alignment of the threads and engagement shoulder. Mark 3’s front and back strap checkering along with Ruger’s rubber 1911 diamond grips make for excellent ergonomics in the shooter’s hand. The cosmetic details of this union include a matte anodized finish that offers a seamless mate to most light weight 1” sound suppressors or the flush fitting thread protector included with each threaded receiver.

Where this combination ends, the Tandem Kross options continue to enhance with a variety of substitute parts and accessories. Perhaps most valuable is the “Kanewolf” slingshot kit that replaces the locking ball and detent bolt stop/release with a shorter spring-loaded bolt stop that will automatically disengage when the bolt is retracted in the absence of an empty magazine. This corrects the most glaring departure of the Ruger 22/45 series manual of arms from those of traditional semi-automatic pistols. Once installed, the pistol no longer requires a downward motion of the thumb to release the bolt.

A close second in enhancements would be the hammer bushing that replaces three internal parts responsible for the Mark 3 magazine disconnect safety. On combat handguns, the presence of a magazine safety is a topic of much debate but for Ruger Mark 3 pistols that require multiple manipulations of the trigger and sear for assembly and disassembly, such a feature adds undesired complexity to an otherwise tricky process.

Two more obvious traditional enhancements include an extended magazine release and “Plus 1 Pro” bumper magazine extension that adds one round to the original 10-round 22/45 magazine capacity. This floor plate also incorporates an optional spring-loaded feature that will more positively eject the magazine from the grip. Most recreation and sport shooters have no need to perform a lightning fast reload with a .22 pistol, but for those wishing to model the performance of a combat centerfire pistol, the combination of all the features listed above makes for a better rim-fire substitute over the original.

Additional enhancements are also available and include the “Fire Starter” titanium firing pin, “Game Changer” compensator, the “Victory” Trigger and “Challenger” Charging Handle. While the benefits of a lighter titanium firing pin are subtle, the “Victory” trigger has a flat geometry and two set screw adjustments to limit both rearward and forward travel. Serious target shooters with the sensitivity to benefit from these will be the ultimate judge, but even this author’s more rugged tastes were forced to admit a noticeable reduction in perceived recoil and muzzle flip when the “Game Changer” compensator was added to the muzzle threads. If you have the need to tame the recoil of such a light weight .22 LR this accessory definitely does its part.

The “Challenger” Charging Handle was ultimately not used because the female mounting surfaces were intended for the tapered bolt serrations of the newer Ruger models, and this particular gun was assembled using an earlier squared-off bolt. The benefits of such an addition may only be necessary on a pistol assembled with an oversized optical sight limiting manual access to the rear of the gun. In any case, it’s better to have more options than too few.

The finishing touch to this project was done with a set of aluminum “Super Grips” offered for sale by Tandem Kross. These items are not TK originals but helpfully marketed through them and well worth the expense to enhance the already elegant grip ergonomics. The professionals at Tandem Kross clearly recognize quality when they see it and can be relied upon to continue to innovate and market new ways to optimize, adapt or modify classic designs to make them better. In each step of assembly they also support their products with well-produced and easy-to-understand online video demonstrations of correct installation and use. Even the least mechanically inclined user can see for himself what is required to install and use every product offered by Tandem Kross even before he makes the decision to buy.