The Tisas slide and frame are made of 4140 steel forgings and the barrel is cold hammer forged. This fact alone makes this gun superior to most of its competitors, as they tend to use milled parts or investment castings which lack the strength of forgings. If an airplane or a bridge is found to not use forgings in a part where a forged part is specified, the government will condemn that airplane or bridge. That’s how serious a matter this is. When lives depend on a part not failing then you need a forging.

The finish is WWII magnesium phosphate Parkerizing. There are no tool marks, and everything is properly polished before Parkerizing. The fit of the parts is as it should be. Not too tight where it needs room for dust, sand, and mud yet just tight enough where it’s important for accuracy without being too tight. These guns shoot 2-inch groups from a Ransom Rest at 35-40 yards, yet they are loose enough to handle sand and mud without malfunctioning. The trigger pull is a crisp, but heavy, 8 pounds. Thanks to this combination of American know-how and cheap foreign skilled labor, the MSRP is $480… and some dealers offer it for as low as $379. The Civilian Marksmanship Program has also bought these to sell at their outlets. These guns are marked CMP. That’s a hefty stamp of approval.

I had 100 rounds of Black Hills 230-grain FMJ, 100 rounds of Black Hills 230-grain JHP, and 40 rounds of Steinel Ammunition 230-grain SCHP (solid copper hollow point) for a total of 240 rounds to test fire in this pistol. They all ran through the pistol perfectly.

ORIGINAL G.I. VERSION

The M1911A1 I tested is the old faithful G.I. version of the gun. The M1911A1 is a combat gun designed to work in the sand and mud of the battlefield. Attempts to improve it with so-called “combat accuracy jobs” and every bell and whistle a conniving marketer can think of just take it that much further from what it was meant to be. A gun that you can stake your life on in the worst battlefield conditions. A good example of how far a match gun is from the original was a top pistol match shooter who told me that he regarded his National Match .45 as a precision target tool and not as a practical gun for the real world. So-called “combat” matches are very far removed from the realities of brutally intense combat where you and your pistol may end up crawling in the sand and muck while having the same stuff blown onto you at high velocity by exploding shells. This is no place for a gun tricked out for combat matches. This is the real world of combat, and it’s down and dirty. Yet, the G.I. M1911A1 takes it in stride and excels when lesser pistols quit functioning. For 113 years, the M1911 has forged a reputation as the most reliable military pistol there is.

WHY THE M1911A1 IS THE MOST RELIABLE PISTOL IN THE WORLD

A gun made from robust parts it is easily rebuilt when it ages and normally lasts 250,000 rounds. This is in sharp contrast to many of the most famous newer pistols which often are reduced to junk after a tenth of that round count. Plastic and sheet metal guns do not lend themselves to rebuilding easily, as well. It’s often cheaper to buy a new gun than rebuild one of the newer models. If your modern, short-lived gun comes to its end in battle and decides to quit on you, then you are screwed. Normal service testing in WWII was to choose a random 1911 from a new production lot and fire 10,000 to 15,000 rounds through it and expect no malfunctions with all the parts still in good serviceable condition at the conclusion of the firing schedule. It was then cleaned and shipped off for issue with the rest of the lot.

Key to the M1911A1’s reliability is the fact that it’s one of few guns that’s really good at throwing sand and dirt out of the mechanism as it fires. There are also places where dirt can be shoved aside within the gun without causing malfunctions, such as the Browning toggle (where the swinging link accommodates more dirt than the sliding cam of later pistols.) The swinging link toggle also serves as a bridge, keying the separate ramps of the barrel and receiver together and positioning the barrel at the best angle for cartridge feeding during the cycling of the gun.

The 1911A1’s extractor is similar to the famed Mauser 98 extractor, where the cartridge comes up under the extractor instead of having the extractor snap over the rim.

There is only the recoil spring guide and plug with the recoil spring on a M1911A1 instead of the modern guide rod which can bend and jam the gun if dropped.

The receiver is solid on the M1911A1, and broken grips do not disable, it as they do with some guns where the grips form part of the structure.

The cycling energy of the 45 ACP is much higher than the 9mm round so popular today and it does this with a mere 12,000 PSI chamber pressure instead of the 32,000 PSI of the 9mm. If a 9mm bullet gets forced back in its case, that pressure can skyrocket to 40,000 PSI or more. Some guns can’t take that. The 45 ACP’s straight-walled case pushes dirt ahead of it instead of giving it a chance to jam in the chamber like the tapered case of the 9mm. The 9mm cannot function reliably with a rough or dirty chamber but the .45 ACP can. That straight case also delivers a consistent recoil impulse where, in the tapered case of the 9mm, the bullet is smaller than the base and results in a tendency to push the gun forward which can produce an uneven recoil impulse instead of the steady push of the 45 ACP. This can cause problems with reliable functioning.

The locking system of the M1911A1 is far stronger than most would make one. When some of the hot 9mm SMG ammo was used in pistols in South America, the only ones that stood up to this were the M1911A1’s that had been made in 9mm.

The single stack magazine works reliably, even in sand. The double-stack single-position feed magazines so popular today have inherent flaws that can get you killed in a gunfight. When a partially empty magazine is dropped, the cartridges can be jarred out of position and jam in the tube, resulting in a failure to feed. The magazine spring needs to be stronger for the double-column magazines, but that makes them hard to load so they are generally left weaker than is desirable for reliable functioning in all conditions. While the magazines for the M1911A1 can be left loaded indefinitely, you cannot leave the double-column magazines loaded like that without risking problems.

The M1911A1 has few parts, and those are heavy duty. When it comes to maintenance, the 1911A1 is very easy to field strip or even to detail strip.

ERGONOMICS

Unlike many of the current pistols, which look like an obese hippopotamus, the M1911A1 is the optimum size for the round fired. Any bigger or heavier and it would be hard to carry open or concealed. Any smaller and recoil would start to be a problem, eliminating the possibility of true rapid fire.

The safety is in the best possible position for quick use. It’s worth noting that while the gun was intended to be carried cocked-and-locked, the designer, John Browning, thought the grip safety was all that was needed — only adding the manual safety at Army Ordnance’s insistence. His belief was proven true by the Shanghai Police Department before WWII when they pinned the safety in the off position on their hammerless Colt pocket automatics.

The grip angle suits most people and the gun points accurately and easily. Recoil is more of the gun bouncing in your hand than kick. The gun’s size and weight are more than sufficient to tame any recoil forces that might be objectionable.

HOLSTERS

A pistol needs its holster and the M1916 holster issued with the M1911A1 is as perfect as an open carry holster can get. It’s comfortable, protects the gun, and nothing is faster to draw from. There is a leather-covered wood block spacer to position the grip of the gun out where the hand can grab it quickly. To draw quickly, take your thumb and flip the cover flap up then start wrapping your fingers around the grip as you draw, starting with the little finger. When the gun is at the halfway point between the holster and the target, wipe the safety off. It is important to have the tie down thongs fastened before doing this.

For drawing while driving a vehicle or from a seated position, the military M1942 Tanker holster works well, holding the gun securely while still permitting a fast draw.

For civilian open or concealed carry, the pancake holster can’t be beat. It carries the gun tightly against the body with a quick release thumb-break snap for security. This holster is so comfortable that you can sleep with a M1911A1 in it and even roll over on it without waking. There are times when this is vital.

All of the above holsters can be had from El Paso Saddlery in El Paso, Texas.

POWER AND UTILITY

The 45 ACP cartridge has been a proven threat-stopper on the most fanatical foes on the planet for 113 years. It worked on the Moros in the Philippines and when the mercenaries in the Congo discovered that they could not reliably stop a panga-wielding native with a whole magazine from their 9mm Browning Hi Power pistols, they found that one 45 ACP round would do the job. I have a WWII army training manual that states flatly that the 45 ACP has more power than the 30-06. As for game shooting the old 44-40 killed more game of all types in North America than any other cartridge thanks to the timing of its appearance. The 45ACP is a better killer than the 44-40. Just remember to use FMJ ammo on big bear and moose. You already have a big enough hole, and you need the penetration of a FMJ bullet. The M1911A1 will do any normal job required of a handgun.

CONCLUSION

The Tisas M1911 A1 “ASF” U.S. Army 45 is a fine current production M1911A1 that delivers an impressive amount of quality for a very low price. It’s the best post-war .45 I’ve seen since the Norinco 1911A1 (which the government banned when they forbade Norinco guns being imported so many years ago due to import law violations.) I highly recommend the Tisas, and I prefer it to its higher priced competitors. Not only is it made of forgings that are properly fitted and finished, but it’s also patterned more truly to the original WWII guns which established the G.I. 45’s reputation. This is a contrast to the many modern variations of that design that often look increasingly bizarre. Many of the current crop are also too tightly fitted to be trusted in the gritty world of combat. The M1911A1 is the ultimate handgun, and if I could only have one gun it would be the M1911A1 because unlike a rifle or shotgun, I can always have the pistol on me.

SPECIFICATIONS

That’s right—SIG has introduced the single stack 45ACP 1911 platform to the red dot age. One has to wonder why it’s taken so long. Could it be that manufacturers mistakenly labeled single stack 45ACP 1911 owners as not appreciative of red dot benefits? Anyone clinging to their single stack 1911 isn’t progressive enough to adapt to the times? That’s doubtful, I’m just trying to stir you up. Let’s just say SIG was taking its time, exploring the best way to make the 1911 red-dot-compatible, and the long-awaited result is the 1911-XFULL.

SIG invested the time and brain power to figure out the best way to mount a red dot to the slim 1911 slide, then committed the necessary resources in terms of machines and personnel to make it happen. The 1911-XFULL arrives with an ultra-low-profile, direct-mount optic slide cut in front of the rear sight. The SIG ROMEO-X Compact red dot is ideal for use with the XFULL thanks to its low deck height which allows standard-height iron sights to co-witness. A Shield RMS-c footprint is used.

The 1911 platform is still very popular with consumers. This is confirmed by the number of 1911 models on the market… with new 1911 models still being introduced. Major firearm manufacturers know having a 1911 in their catalog is a must. 1911 performance justifies it still being a valid choice for use albeit personal defense or duty. The SIG 1911-XFULL demonstrates the 1911’s versatility and potential.

MR. BROWNING STILL RULES

For many, there’s no debate over choosing a personal defense handgun. Any discussion starts and stops with John Browning’s 45 ACP 1911. The association between the 45 ACP cartridge and the 1911 platform is seamless. Browning was not only the architect of what many feel is the ideal handgun form—the 1911—but also the originator of the perfect personal defense handgun cartridge—the 45 ACP. SIG only builds upon these bulwark 1911 characteristics with its new pistol.

In this day and age of polymer, high-capacity handguns, the 1911 has turned into an aficionado’s weapon that attracts users with its natural handling, great trigger, and potent 45 ACP chambering. Yes, higher capacity, polymer-framed, striker-fired weapons have supplanted it in terms of general use. This is due to a variety of reasons outside the purview of this article. However, when you put a full-size 1911 in your hand, you quickly realize there’s nothing like it in the polymer world we live in. The allure of a well-put-together 1911 single-action semi-automatic handgun is hard to deny. No substitute for the confident heft of a steel frame with “cocked and locked” trigger begging to be set free.

Is the 45 ACP 1911 a prime weapon of choice for all situations or users? Of course not. However, no one can argue that there is a more instinctive handling weapon than the 1911. The trigger and grip size and angle cause it to be most accurate handgun in most arsenals. Why do you think hostage rescue units and other special purpose military and law enforcement teams still hold onto using it? It is accurate and conducive to precise shot placement. Along these same lines, no one can argue that the 45 ACP does not deliver the terminal ballistic payload. Many scoff at its limited single-stack capacity—8-rounds with the SIG 1911-XFULL. Practically speaking, eight rounds of 45 ACP will solve most problems. 10-round magazines mitigate some of this criticism. Chip McCormick Custom 10-round magazines supplemented the eight rounders that arrived with the 1911-XFULL for this article. This is not an attempt to start a 9mm versus 45 ACP debate. Modern 9mm loads have ended the banter of 9mm not being worthy of consideration. With that said, there is no denying the sensation of touching off a 230-grain full-power 45 ACP load even in a steel handgun weighing 42 ounces.

SPICING THINGS UP

In the spirit of the SIG 1911-XFULL giving off connoisseur vibes, I decided to separate it even further from the polymer frame striker fired horde by switching out the standard barrel for a threaded one. Fortunately, SIG offers a threaded barrel as an accessory. The SIG 45ACP threaded barrel proved drop-in compatible with the 1911-XFULL. This was a pleasant surprise, as many times a replacement anything with a 1911, let alone a barrel, will require fitting. The threaded barrel was added to enable the use of a SIG SRD45 suppressor. This suppressor was acquired several years back and has been replaced by the SIG MODX-45 model in SIG’s current lineup. The Chip McCormick 10-rounders protruding from the magwell seemed to balance out the suppressor, feel-wise and aesthetically.

The ROMEO-X Compact red dot proved the optimum way to operate the 1911-XFULL with a mounted suppressor, both eyes open with the red dot hovering above the SRD45 can. The ROMEO-X Compact offers a variety of built in red dot reticle patterns. I decided to use the circle/dot for this evaluation. The ROMEO-X red dot assisted in engaging targets at close distances with the red dot easy to pick up rapidly. Point shooting with the 1911-XFULL is still very feasible when using the ROMEO-X’s window as a ghost ring if forced to react spontaneously to a threat.

The SIG ROMEO-X Compact is a red dot offering 20,000 hours of runtime at its medium brightness setting and uses MOTAC (Motion Activated Illumination). The housing is made from 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum featuring machined, anti-reflection grooves on shooter-facing surfaces with distortion-free aspheric glass and a patent-pending beryllium copper flexure-arm adjustment system. The ROMEO-X incorporates a point source red LED emitter with a 2 MOA dot and a 32 MOA circle reticle with side-mounted independent brightness adjustment buttons, 15 brightness setting (including night vision settings) and a side-mounted CR1632 battery compartment with a threaded battery cap so the optic does not need to be removed from the pistol for battery changes.

FEEL THE POWER

While the bulk of firing was with 230-grain FMJ ammunition, an assortment of premium ammunition was proofed through the SIG 1911-XFULL, such as Hornady Custom XTP, Winchester PDX-1, Black Hills Ammunition 230-grain FMJ and JHP, Federal HST, and SIG Sauer V-Crown with 185-grain, 200-grain and 230-grain JHPs to verify reliability regardless of bullet profile or weight.

Initial evaluation with the 1911-XFULL as it arrived from SIG (sans threaded barrel) was all positive and exhibited excellent accuracy. The first order of business after adding the threaded barrel and suppressor was to verify that they caused no reliability issues with the pistol. As mentioned earlier, the threaded barrel had no issues after being dropped in. The suppressor also caused no problems with reliability. I was surprised by how much of a re-zero adjustment was necessary with the threaded barrel compared to the original barrel. 4-inches low and left at only 15 yards! Thankfully, accuracy was maintained—just not same place on target, thus requiring adjustment of the optic. The mounted suppressor also caused a slight shift of the point of aim versus the point of impact compared to the bare threaded barrel. While not as severe as changing barrels, the shift in POI was noted.

PERFORMANCE

230-grain 45 ACP loads are subsonic and an obvious choice for use with a suppressor. The 230-grain loads’ ability to reliably function in the 1911-XFULL, while still being subsonic, is one of the reasons why 45 ACP handguns are a favorite suppressor host. The SIG SRD45 proved effective at taming the muzzle blast of even 185-grain and 200-grain supersonic loads. All loads could be comfortably fired without the use of ear protection with the SRD45 installed, even in an indoor environment.

Various scenarios engaging targets from behind cover or on the move were run. The natural pointability of the 1911-XFULL comes into its own in this realm with the ROMEO-X Compact doing its part, as well. The ROMEO-X’s rectangular lens offers a superior field of view compared to other red dot options. The ROMEO-X’s minimal frame “disappears” when focusing on the target with the red dot. The reticle is crisp with no halos or disfiguration. The red dot was “there” and seamlessly located at first draw. This is a benefit of SIG choosing a direct mount method versus plates, allowing the ROMEO-X to sit as low as possible in the slide.

Magazine change drills were done for the dual purpose of getting a feel for manipulating the 1911-XFULL with the ROMEO-X Compact installed while making sure the red dot was seamlessly picked up after reloads and placed back on target. The combo performed way better than expected. Here was a weapon designed in the 1900’s, combined with red dot, more than holding its own in 2024.

OBSERVATIONS

A full-length guide rod is NOT employed in the SIG 1911-XFULL, but rather a plug bushing and spring as designed by Browning. This will warm the heart of many 1911 purists who deride the use of full-length guide rods as a solution to a problem that does not exist with the 1911; not to mention the full-length guide rod contributes to “over tightness” in the 1911 design that may cause finicky behavior in the reliability department. This is not the case with the 1911-XFULL. In fact, you can field strip the 1911-XFULL without having to resort to using a bushing wrench.

Here’s an interesting thing about the two 8-round magazines that arrive with the pistol. While function was no issue, I found that closing a locked rearward slide on an empty magazine was damn near impossible using the slide release lever. The same magazine when loaded posed no problem. Other magazine types used during my test and evaluation didn’t interfere when closing the slide with an empty magazine. Whether or not this is a real-world problem is up for the user to decide.

You have to wonder how many hours of engineering (and then analyzing best build practices) were required to find the proper balance between accuracy and reliability? Whatever it was, SIG pulled it off. Shooting five-shot groups from sandbags regularly produced a jagged single hole at 12 yards with the SIG 1911-XFULL ROMEO-X Compact duo. The pistol chugged thru round after round of 45 ACP during high volume drills.

The SIG 1911-XFULL serves as reminder as to why the classic design still holds a prominent place in the world. Users and manufacturers are keeping the 1911 going strong and the SIG Sauer 1911-XFULL certainly doing its part in that regard. The SIG duo I tested here is a solid combination, functionally speaking. It takes a backseat to nothing in terms of lethality, while still allowing a user to indulge by not having something so typical.

SPECIFICATIONS

SETTING THE STAGE

The SPR was tentatively explored in the 1990s within certain SOCOM units. What started as a simple upper receiver group upgrade quickly turned into complete rifle program. The SPR originated as a stopgap measure, filling the void between the M4 carbine and the M24 bolt-action sniper rifle roles. The 9/11 attack, resulting in our constant engagement around the world, brought the SPR program quickly to fruition. The SPR became the weapon of choice when dealing with threats at ranges beyond the capability of the M4.

The movie “Lone Survivor”, in which Mark Wahlberg portrays U.S. Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, shows the main character using a Mk 12 rifle. The SPR/Mk 12 found favor with SOCOM forces for a multitude of reasons such as its high degree of accuracy, versatility, portability, increased firepower when compared to pure sniper rifles, optics package, suppressor compatibility, more ammunition carried per pound than 7.62 NATO, etc. The Marines eventually started using the SPR, as well, in a DMR role. Examples of military SPR use include by a spotter on a two-man sniper team or as the primary sniping weapon where larger caliber heavy bolt action sniper rifle is not practical, for instance, in a target rich environment where engagement range is between 300-700 yards. Imagine Iraqi urban environments where snipers would hole up in a house, blocks away, to provide cover for clearing troops. The SPR can place rapid precision fire on multiple targets out to 800 yards while still being able to cope with CQB, if required. This firepower capability is grounded in the SPR’s minimal recoil and smooth operation thanks to rifle length gas system coupled with 5.56mm ammunition.

Phased out of production in 2017 by the MK17 (SCAR-H) and MK110A1, the SPR is still used by SOCOM units hoarding the ones left in inventory. Navy SEAL armorers reportedly still produce Mk12s for its teams thanks to their access to discretionary funds. This is a strong supporting statement of the Mk12’s performance.

AMMUNITION SUPPORT

The SPR’s sub-MOA accuracy is an important part of its appeal. This is thanks to the 5.56mm load specifically developed for it by Black Hills Ammunition, the Mk 262 round. Like the SPR rifle, the Black Hills Mk 262 ammunition has been tweaked since its introduction. Updates include a cannelured 77-grain Sierra MatchKing bullet, low flash propellant blend, 5.56mm brass and other un-disclosed proprietary improvements. The Mk 262’s most important characteristic is repeatable accuracy. Black Hills indicates ammunition lot accuracy test consists of 10 groups of 10 shots at 300 yards. No lot ships unless it shoots sub-2-inch groups at 300 yards.

Interestingly, the Mk 262 has unexpected qualities beyond long range accuracy. Mk 262’s terminal performance soon had other SOCOM team members stuffing it into their magazines. Often liberating it from their snipers. How did the 77-grain Sierra MatchKing do this in M4 14.5-inch and Mk18 10.3-inch barrels? The MatchKing’s open tip hollow cavity puts the majority of weight towards the projectile’s rear so that it is more stable in-flight, increasing accuracy. However, when the bullet strikes soft tissue, the heavier base comes around and causes the bullet to tumble. The hollow nose cone breaks off and often the bullet fragments at the cannelure. This happens across a wide range of the velocity spectrum, which is why Mk 262 ammunition proved effective in SBRs in addition to the longer-barreled SPRs.

MODERN RENDITION

As is prone to happen with a rifle requested and proofed by the USSOCOM operators, as word got out about the SPR/Mk 12, civilians wanted it. The SPR was viewed as a multi-purpose weapon. SPR-type ARs can be found overlooking prairie dog towns, predator hunting, as well as in 3-Gun and PRS competitions. Various manufacturers have produced their versions of the SPR. These rifles span the gamut from exact clones to shadowing noteworthy characteristics such as 18-inch match barrel, upgraded trigger, free floated rail, and other accuracy maximizing features.

The SPR that recently caught my eye is the IWI Zion-15 Special Purpose Rifle (SPR). For me the SPR’s most salient features consist of accurate reliable firepower in an easily portable platform. The Zion-15 SPR delivers. The IWI SPR weighs only 7.6 pounds with 18-inch barrel. This is important as an SPR is required to be able to deal with CQB encounters with distances measured in feet while still offering precision fire capability out to 800+ yards.

The IWI SPR is manufactured and assembled at the IWI U.S. facility in Middletown, Pennsylvania. Conversation with IWI U.S. Vice President of Sales and Marketing Jeremy Gresham confirmed certain nuanced attention to detail features in the IWI SPR. For example, IWI makes their own barrels at the Pennsylvania facility with a special 18-inch 5R 1:8-twist, nitride-treated, chrome moly vanadium barrel for the IWI SPR. A collaboration with Timney Triggers finds an IWI-specified two-stage match flat trigger installed in the IWI SPR. The importance of a quality trigger cannot be overemphasized when trying to produce sub-MOA accuracy. A rifle length adjustable gas systems provides the IWI SPR with smooth operation. The adjustable gas block allows for easy adaptation to suppressor use. The IWI website does not mention this important IWI SPR feature. The adjustable gas block was a pleasant surprise when inspecting the rifle upon arrival considering suppressor use is almost standard procedure anymore along with historical precedent of military SPR best practices.

Other thoughtful IWI touches are the built-in full-length ARCA rail on the bottom of the 17-inch MLOK forend. A steel barrel nut is another accuracy enhancing upgrade. A quality barrel nut is a vital component, providing a solid connection and proper alignment between barrel and upper receiver which ultimately contributes to consistent accuracy. B5 Systems adjustable Enhanced SOPMOD buttstock and Type 23 P-Grip finishes off IWI SPR furniture. The B5 pistol grip has a steeper vertical angle than standard pistol grips and an extended tang to improve ergonomics and ensure proper trigger finger index.

SUPPORT COMPONENTS

The versatility of the original SPR platform is indicated by the different optics end users equipped it with, such as 3.5-10x, 2.5-8x, and 3-9x optics. I considered mounting a Trijicon VCOG 1-8x but went with the higher magnification Trijicon Ten Mile 3-18×44. I really wanted to accentuate the precision component of the rifle. I am glad I did once the first range session showed what the IWI SPR could do in the accuracy department. An offset mount featuring a red dot will quell any concerns of the Trijicon Ten Mile 3-18×44, if the IWI SPR is pressed into a close-range affair. The offset optic mount allows a quick rotation of the rifle in the shoulder pocket to access the red dot optic with minimal effort or disturbance of handling.

The SPR was intended to be used primarily suppressed. This was the best way to conceal the origination point of shots taken with it. A lightweight Rugged Suppressors Alaskan360 was an easy choice to mount on the IWI SPR. A Rugged Suppressors 2-port 5.56mm muzzle brake replaced the birdcage flash hider that arrived with the IWI SPR. The Rugged Suppressors brake makes for easy removal and attachment of the Alaskan360 suppressor.

Ammunition tested with the IWI SPR was a combination of Black Hills Ammunition loads—the Mk 262 and civilian version 77-grain OTM, multiple Hornady loads—75-grain BTHP and 55-grain VMAX, SIG Sauer 77-grain OTM and Federal 62-grain FMJ-BT. The IWI SPR rifle kept all loads tested at 1.25-inches or better at 100 yards. Mostly better. The Black Hills loads—Mk 262 and 77grain OTM—SIG Sauer 77-grain and Hornady 75-grain and 55-grain loads produced sub-MOA groups. Some of these groups were in the ½-inch range. Impressive performance. Groups at 200 and 300 yards confirmed 100-yard findings. This is a compliment to IWI SPR’s barrel and trigger, Trijicon optic, and ammunition. At times it felt like the I was letting the IWI SPR down. After firmly establishing what it could do, when a group opens up to an inch or more, you know who the weak link is. The IWI SPR produces accuracy that fully supports the original SPR intended role. Velocity figures ranged from 2700 to 3000 feet per second over a Caldwell chronograph.

FIELD EVALUATION

Real proficiency begins with realistic training scenarios. Range evaluation at Echo Valley Training Center (EVTC) consisted of taking advantage of the recently added 3-gun rifle range with multiple plates set up at four different distances stretching out past 400 yards down a ravine following natural contours. Multiple sizes and shapes of steel plates occupy each station. A Burris Signature HD Spotting Scope 20-60x85mm proved handy for spotting purposes.

The IWI SPR/Trijicon/Rugged Suppressors combo was used in the prone, sitting, kneeling, standing positions, or shooting from a BOG Infinite Deathgrip tripod. The IWI SPR’s ARCA railed forend proved handy for securing into the BOG tripod. The IWI SPR proved to “hang” well from less well supported positions and was very manageable in getting into and out of shooting positions. Another twist is to have a companion pick the target and shooting position for the shooter to engage as quickly as possible.

PERFORMANCE

Clay pigeons were sniped with regularity at 475 yards from the supported prone position and off the BOG tripod. Felt recoil was minimal (as expected) with a suppressed 5.56mm. With the Rugged Suppressors Alaskan360 attached it was no problem to spot a miss and have another round on the way from the IWI SPR before the spotter could even relay the information.

TWO CENTS

While I appreciated IWI’s choice of a B5 stock and pistol grip, some end users may consider a fixed, precision-oriented buttstock. I will stay with the B5 as I favor the ability to reduce stock length. A gas buster-type charging handle is recommended if firing multiple rounds from one position when suppressed. An extended charging handle is another recommendation, especially with an optic mounted for easier manual operation. Lastly, ambidextrous controls would also have been a nice touch.

IWI indicated that “user subjective” items like charging handle, safety, and muzzle device was left as mil-spec standard so that the end user could build from there. Along these lines I have no issue with bird cage flash hider. With suppressors becoming so popular, its best to allow the end user to choose their muzzle device or just direct thread it onto the barrel. Frankly, IWI’s decisions in this regard make sense when the shockingly low MSRP of $1299 for the IWI SPR is revealed. $1299 for the kind of accuracy exhibited along with an adjustable gas block, ARCA rail forend, and B5 furniture is a great value.

MULTI-PURPOSE

The inherent adaptability of the AR platform is one its greatest attributes. The ability to send bullets downrange accurately, whether for competition, target shooting, military, law enforcement, or personal defense, ensures its place in the rifle marketplace. There is minimal difference between AR labels such as Recon, Recce, SPR, DMR, Mk12, Competition, etc. These ARs are required to be equally at home with close-range hose downs and long-range precision shooting. The IWI SPR rifle is an excellent example of this. The IWI SPR’s handling with superior accuracy is hard to deny. It’s smooth, easy, and accurate. And, best of all, it’s a great value.

SPECIFICATIONS

Family heirlooms that had been through a house fire, as well as rare and historic guns are the usual recipients of this treatment. It’s not cheap as it often entails welding up pits or adding missing metal, reheat treating fire damaged parts, relining barrels, restoring original markings that have been buffed or worn mostly away, and producing the exact finish the gun had when it left a specific factory. It’s not cheap but the results are identical to a new gun. This can determine the long-term survival of a particular piece, as pristine guns are treasured by museums and individuals while those in poor condition are the first to be culled and discarded. When Golubstov set out to make a duplicate of the original M1907 Test Trials Luger, he made sure to meet the manufacturing standards used by the Deutsche Waffen und Munitions Fabriken (DWM), the original manufacturer of the Luger.

RECREATING THE M1907 LUGER

Golubstov started by obtaining a set of the blueprints of the M1907 Luger that Army Ordnance had drawn up at the time of its 1907 tests. At this time the .45 caliber round had not been standardized and the ammunition at the tests was variable and of poor quality, resulting in Georg Luger making the perfectly reasonable demand (under the circumstances) of being able to provide his own ammo. U.S. Army Ordnance found fault with him and not their ammo over that. As a result, the blueprints did not reflect a gun made for today’s standardized 45 ACP ammo and it was up to Golubstov to make the necessary modifications a century later. Spring tension had to be worked out and the feed ramp had to be adjusted. All of this took time. One thing you will notice is that Luger had made the grip angle slightly less steep to work best with the .45 cartridge.

When Golubstov had fired 10,000 rounds through his prototype, he brought it to my farm where we shot a one-inch group at 50 yards with it. While the current generation of pistols often has a lifespan of 5000 to 10,000 rounds, the Luger never seems to wear out just—like the toggle lock Maxim machinegun that inspired it. He also brought a cut down Baby Luger version inspired by Luger’s personal carry pistol. I liked this one a lot. Finally, there was a target version machined to closer tolerances than the regular Lugers.

All of these were made to DWM commercial standards. Finished in the traditional rust blue that takes about 20 hours of labor to produce, this finish is very durable and rust resistant. Golubstov warns customers that some modern lubricants (like WD-40) attack rust, and, over time, can degrade a rust-blue finish. The solution is Ballistol oil which is available now in the U.S. Developed in Germany as the one oil for all the soldier’s equipment, whether it be steel, wood, or leather, Ballistol does not harm a rust-blue finish. The Germans used this oil in both World Wars, and it is still in use in NATO today. When it contacts water, it forms an emulsion and as long as the emulsion is at least 5% Ballistol, the water will evaporate without causing rust while the Ballistol remains. This is the oil we needed in Vietnam.

MADE TO BE USED

Many of Golubstov’s customers buy these guns for personal protection, wanting the natural-pointing, easy-to-hit-with, super accurate Luger but also wanting the perceived stopping power of a 45 ACP. When it’s your life and the lives of your family are at stake, price ceases to be a hindrance. Each gun is function tested with 150 rounds of eight types of ammo to ensure total reliability. Prices are high compared to the mass-produced guns of Colt or Smith & Wesson because these are largely hand-made in a relatively small shop. You get what you pay for, though.

THE 1907 TEST TRIALS

By now you are probably wondering how the Luger did in the 1907 Army Test trials. Actually, it did quite well. Too well to suit Army Ordnance who were still reeling from the backlash that came when they had adopted the Norwegian Krag rifle instead of an American design. They sure didn’t want a repeat of that which was sure to come if a foreign weapon was adopted again.

Before the tests even began, they had already decided that the Browning-designed Colt 45 Auto was what they wanted, but not in its original 1905 form. They were confident that their old pistol supplier, Colt, could iron the wrinkles out of the design if given enough time. Indeed, the final M1911 version has only a passing resemblance to the M1905 that it began as. Revolvers were included in the tests, as Ordnance figured they might need a stopgap handgun if this dragged on too long. The M1909 Colt New Service revolver was the result of these trials.

To give the M1905 Colt .45 automatic a rival to race against, they chose the Savage automatic. This gun utilizes the Searles locking system which does work, but it works so fast that it might as well be a straight blow back design, as it has all the attendant recoil of a straight blow back gun. However, its simple design promised enough reliability to task the Colt gun in competition… even if its excessive recoil when paired with the powerful .45 cartridge made it forever unsuitable for issue. Scaled down to .32 and .380, it sold well commercially as a pocket pistol, though.

REAL COMPETITION

Other guns were there just to give the impression of an open competition and they were to be gotten rid of as soon as possible, but there was one pistol that they had reason to fear. The Bergman pistol was designed by Louis Schmeisser, who was regarded by some of his contemporaries as a better designer than John Browning. It featured the strongest locking system of all automatic pistols and was exceptionally steady in the hand for precision shooting. When the Bergman needed to replace a defective hammer spring, that was used as a reason to discontinue testing it. However, Ordnance had no problem letting the Savage entry replace its bad main spring in the middle of its test. The Bergman went on to be adopted by Denmark and widely used elsewhere.

A much higher profile gun was the Luger which had been adopted by Switzerland in 1900 and the German Navy in 1904 (Designated the M1906) and was rapidly being adopted by militaries around the world. The Luger gave no excuse to dismiss it though as it was performing well against the Colt and Savage pistols. During the endurance test the Luger had 8 jams in 506 rounds, all of which were cleared by simply slapping the toggle. The M1905 Colt had 24 jams in 500 rounds while the Savage had 18 misfires, 8 failures to eject, and 6 other malfunctions in 500 rounds plus it had to have a new recoil spring after round 151. Malfunctions in the Colt and Savage could not be cleared by a simple slap on the toggle like the Luger but were longer and harder to clear.

SAND, DUST, RUST

The sand box test went to the Colt. The barrels were corked tightly, and the magazines were empty as a blast of fine sand in a specially prepared box hit the pistols for one minute. Excess sand was removed from the gun by blowing, jarring, and wiping with the bare hand. The Colt had no jams, the Luger had two, and the Savage only was able to fire three rounds.

The dust box test was the same as the sand box test, except that fine dust was used. The Luger had four jams, all of which were quickly cleared by striking the toggle. At Luger’s request, a second magazine was fired resulting in only one jam as the pistol was throwing the dust out of itself as it fired. The Colt had no jams, while the Savage had three misfires and one jam.

The rust test was clearly won by the Luger as it was the easiest to put back in action. In this test the bore was plugged, and the guns were soaked for 5 minutes in a saturated solution of salammoniac for 5 minutes then hanging it up indoors to rust for 22 hours. The Luger had to be manually cocked and the toggle closed by hand to fire. Only the application of oil was required to make it work. No rust removal or tools were required. In sharp contrast, the Colt needed a wooden rod to manipulate the mainspring and release the slide catch. The slide was worked back and forth, and the hammer snapped several times before the test was deemed started. The Savage had to have its parts operated by striking it on a bench and manipulating them by hand before firing. The magazine spring had to be repeatedly forced back and forth by a metal rod before it would work, and the gun could be fired.

Significantly, there was no test with wet sticky mud. This is where the German P08 Luger earned its reputation in the trenches of WWI as the most reliable pistol used in that conflict. Drop the Luger in the mud of the Western front and it comes up firing, throwing the mud off. Drop a pistol with an exposed hammer in the same mud and it jams the hammer so it can’t fire, as the mud goes inside the gun there. If the barrel is blocked with mud and you fire it, the barrel will bulge. The exposed barrel of the Luger bulges and keeps firing whereas any pistol with a slide has the slide jammed by the bulge so that it cannot work until the barrel is replaced. In WWI if you didn’t end up crawling through the mud, the exploding artillery shells would cover you and your gun with mud.

When it came time for troop trials, Ordnance declined to let the Luger be tested. They said that it didn’t have an inline mainspring. The real reason was that in the earlier 1900 troop trials with the famed American Eagle .30 caliber Luger pistols, a lot of the troops fell in love with the accurate and easy-shooting Luger. Still, everyone knew by now that you couldn’t stop a charging cavalry horse or Philippine Moro with anything less than a .45. The 1907 Luger was a .45. Old Ordnance veterans told me of all the flack Ordnance got over adopting the Norwegian Krag rifle instead of an American design and how they did not ever want to go through that again. Ordnance could not afford the troops favoring a foreign gun, so they didn’t let it go on the troop trials. Luger knew that there was no hope of his pistol being adopted without them, so he went back to Germany to concentrate on getting his 9mm version adopted by the German government. This became the famed P08 of both World Wars.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Golubstov has also made a new version called the P2020 Luger 45 which incorporates two changes to the original design. First, the ejector was changed to a fixed position. The original ejector design is spring-loaded and needs to flex in and out of the slide to allow the breechblock to move. This isn’t good because it creates additional resistance to the gun cycling. Small changes were made to the breechblock and ejector to eliminate the need for the ejector to flex when the breechblock moves, making the gun more reliable.

The original Luger hold-open spring is a flat spring in front of the bolt hold-open and was delicate and unreliable. Golubstov moved the spring to the back of the hold open to make it more reliable.

The grip safety is available as an option on the 2020 version, whereas it’s standard on the M1907 version.

All these guns are also available in stainless steel. For an additional $2500, any of these can be turned into a Baby Luger. Existing 9mm Lugers can also be converted to Baby Lugers for the same price. LugerMan also makes any style of holster you may desire to carry them in.

Golubstov can also furnish these guns as target versions for match shooting for $1500 extra. The conversion consists of adjustable Partridge sights, a tighter toggle assembly, and a 6.5-inch target barrel. The Luger is one of the most accurate pistols ever made, so a target version is logical. If speed of firing figures into the match, the Luger wins, hands down, as it’s the fastest cycling of all semi-automatics. Its light toggle is extremely fast and travels only a very short distance. You can fire off a magazine and have all the empty cases in the air at the same time.

For those who want the easiest .45 to hit with in a gun that’s built to the highest quality standards, high enough to stake their life on, the .45 Lugers from LugerMan are the answer.

SPECIFICATIONS

With “black rifles” dominating the gun media, it’s easy to forget that other types of rifles exist. It’s nice to have the opportunity to remind you that there are rifles that offer real world usefulness beyond the AR. My own initial interest in firearms began with bolt-action hunting rifles.

Ruger American Ranch

This article is inspired by the rifles carried by the guides and cowboys I spent time with out in Wyoming or down in Texas for multiple hunts over the years. I was fortunate to have been part of a select group to first hunt with the Ruger American Generation II (RA Gen2) Standard back in October 2023. We used the bolt action American Standard Gen2 chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor chasing after scimitar oryx down in Texas. The outfitter and guides all were excited when they were briefed at the time on the upcoming release of the shorter-barreled “Ranch” model. This experience left no doubt about wanting to try the compact Ruger American Generation II (RA Gen2) Ranch as soon as it became available. An American Gen2 Ranch chambered in 300 AAC Blackout (300 Blk) was used for this evaluation. Several other calibers are available.

The Ruger American Gen2 is unrecognizable from its Gen1 predecessor. A new stock features a Monte Carlo-esq contoured, raised cheekpiece. Length-of-pull and comb height is adjustable. The ergonomics of the stock allow for a comfortable, repeatable cheek weld combined with hand and finger placement conducive to pulling the 3- to 4-pound Ruger Marksman adjustable trigger. Ruger designed the Gen2 stock so a section can be removed, and the length-of-pull reduced to 12 inches. This is ideal for smaller statured hunters.

As detailed in a previous article in SAR covering the American Standard Gen2, the American Gen2 Ranch also uses Ruger’s patented “Power Bedding” integral bedding block system. It secures the receiver and free-floats the cold-hammer-forged barrel for improved accuracy. The 16-inch spiral-fluted cold-hammer-forged barrel will raise eyebrows with its aesthetics. The well done Cerakote finish is easy on the eyes and provides superior, easy to maintain finish. Suppressors and muzzle brakes are gaining popularity. The barrel is threaded and arrives wearing a radial muzzle brake.

The Ruger Marksman trigger features a distinctive release lever on the trigger shoe. This is the secret to maintaining minimal, creep-free trigger weight while keeping the system safe. The release lever must be activated (by pulling the trigger) before the sear will move and fire the cartridge.

The RA Gen2’s steel receiver is topped with a factory-installed optics rail compatible with Picatinny-type scope mounting systems. This simplifies optic mounting. The single-piece, three-lug bolt cycles smoothly and features a full diameter bolt body, dual cocking cams and an oversized bolt knob that can be unscrewed and replaced by the end user. The bolt’s 70-degree throw keeps it clear of a mounted optic. Ruger has improved the finish on the bolt action for a smoother feel during manipulation. Tighter overall tolerances (including chamber) boosts accuracy potential. A 10-round, detachable Magpul P-MAG magazine feeds rounds into the chamber.

A tang-mounted safety completes the action. The RA Gen2’s safety has three positions—forward (for fire), middle (where the bolt can still move), and rear (locks the bolt down). This is an important detail that Ruger listened to their customer base about and changed from the Ruger American Standard Gen1. If you have ever been afield in thick terrain or jostled around on an ATV, you know a bolt can be inadvertently opened, dropping round out and/or collecting debris in the action. This can pose a problem when the rifle needs to be deployed in quickly.

MISSION DRIVES THE GEAR

This is where 300 Blk comes into the story. The decision to go with a RA Gen2 Ranch chambered in 300 Blk may surprise some. 300 Blk is more associated with AR platforms. However, a better mixture of classic bolt with utilitarian cartridge would be hard to come by. 300 Blk was, essentially, a rebadging of J.D. Jones’ 300 Whisper cartridge that was introduced in a SAMMI-accepted package for use by U.S. Special Operation Command. Anecdotal information compares standard velocity 300 Blk 115- to 125-grain ammunition as exceeding the ballistic performance of the 7.62×39 mm and eclipses 5.56 NATO both in ballistic and terminal performance. At 300 yards, 300 Blk has approximately 17 percent more energy than 7.62×39 mm thanks to its higher ballistic coefficient (BC), more aerodynamically shaped bullets.

One interesting twist with the 300 Blk is the ability to choose factory loaded subsonic cartridges for optimal use with a sound suppressor. The ability to access a plethora of either supersonic or subsonic factory ammunition offers great flexibility to the 300 Blk user. A 300 Blk bolt action with a suppressor firing subsonic ammunition creates a combination capable of “Hollywood quiet” performance.

Mounting a suppressor for everyday use is growing more popular. I’m pleasantly surprised by the number of suppressors witnessed when I’m out hunting now. An Aero Precision Lahar-30 suppressor was chosen for use with the RA Gen2 Ranch. The Lahar-30 features a laser welded combination of 17-4 stainless steel blast chamber and secondary baffles with an Inconel blast baffle to provide increased performance under hard use. The Lahar-30 has no minimum barrel length restrictions and is full-auto rated. It is rated for calibers up to 300 Win Mag and weighs 15.4 ounces.

The compact RA Gen2 Ranch wearing an Aero Precision Lahar-30 suppressor is a true utility rifle riding horseback in a scabbard, secured to an ATV gunrack, or resting on a truck seat. Having a separate magazine with subsonic rounds is a good option to have. A close range shot of 50 yards and in can be taken without disturbing domesticated animals or alerting the animal being targeted, which is especially beneficial if more than one target is present.

SCOPING UP

I decided to use an optic basic with the RA Gen2 Ranch. I mounted a Leupold VX-Freedom 3-9x. My plan for the rifle was two-fold. First, was to use it according to its “Ranch” moniker at a piece of property in West Virginia. When on a 4-wheeler, ATV, and walk-about, it’s always nice to have a rifle brought along.

Second, was to turn the RA Gen2 Ranch into a better fitting hunting rifle for one of my daughters-in-law. Ruger has equipped the RA Gen2 Ranch with a removable section of buttstock. I took advantage of it to better fit her smaller stature. By reducing the length-of-pull to around 12-inches, she can manage the rifle much better, including finding quarry in the Leupold scope more easily by not have to crane her neck awkwardly.

AMMUNITION VARIETY

Various ammunition was tested with the RA Gen2 Ranch including Hornady supersonic 125-grain HP and 110-grain GMX, subsonic 208-grain AMAX and 190-grain Sub-X, SIG SAUER Elite 120-grain HT, Black Hills Ammunition 110-grain TTSX and 220-grain OTM, and Federal Fusion 150-grain SP to name a few. Most of the range time, albeit bench or more dynamic use, included use with the Aero Precision Lahar suppressor.

I want to highlight Hornady’s Sub-X 300 Blk load. The unique load consists of a 190-grain bullet designed specifically to perform at subsonic velocities. A cannelure groove is present for a positive case crimp. The Sub-X bullet combines a lead core surrounded by a grooved metal jacket and tipped with the company’s patented “Flex Tip” insert. Long grooves scored into the Sub-X metal jacket combined with a flat base create conditions for reliable expansion. The Flex Tip insert placed in front of hollow point cavity kicks expansion off when striking a target. The Flex Tip also prevents material from clogging a hollow point, which sometimes prevents expansion. Hornady made sure the performance of the new load meets or exceeds the FBI requirements for terminal ballistic performance. Additionally, a low flash signature makes the ammo ideal for both suppressed and unsuppressed firearms when used in low-light environments.

Let’s point out the ballistic performance of subsonic 300 Blk loads resembles that of a pistol round. For comparison’s sake, a 230-grain 45 ACP generates 461 ft/lbs. of energy. The Hornady 190-grain Sub-X, 465 ft/lbs. All things being equal, a high sectional density (SD) bullet penetrates better than a low SD. BC is a measurement of how efficiently a bullet moves thru the air. Superior ballistic coefficients (.437 190-grain (300 Blk) bullet versus a .188 (45 ACP) bullet) and sectional densities (SD .286 versus .162) help the Hornady 190-grain Sub-X maintain energy and penetration characteristics further downrange than a typical pistol bullet. However, the use case for subsonic 300 Blk loads should be carefully considered since the round’s terminal effect isn’t as great as that of a typical supersonic rifle round.

BOOM TIME, QUIETLY

The RA Gen2 Ranch was tested from the bench for accuracy and around barricades and other obstacles to get a better appreciation of its handling and performance. The Lahar-30 suppressor was mounted for most of the testing. Steel targets were smacked with ease out to 150 yards using field expedient rests. While by no means rivaling a semi-automatic for fire power, the detachable ten-round magazines were handy to recharge the rifle after the last round. As expected from a bolt-action, no malfunctions were experienced. One note here is that when the last round was ejected, the bolt will not close on the empty magazine. The safety made no audible noise during manipulation, an important consideration for hunting or defensive use.

The Aero Precision Lahar suppressor was directly threaded to the Ruger barrel and weighs 15.4 ounces. This translates into minimal interference with the rifle’s handling characteristics while still offering a six-baffle design that drops the decibel level down to approximately 135dB. Recoil was not a factor, especially with the suppressor mounted, which was especially appreciated when set up for use by one of my daughters-in-law.

PERFORMANCE

I chose a 150-yard zero after considering the caliber and the rifle’s role. Roughly speaking, a 150-yard zero with 110- to 125-grain 300 Blk loads shoot pretty flat out to 200 yards, dropping only 4.5 inches. Three-round groups at 100 yards were in the 1.25- to 1.5-inch range. Group size remained consistent with or without the Aero Precision suppressor. Shifts in point of impact were minimal, as well, which adds to the convenience of running the rifle with and without the suppressor.

Field testing consisted of Echo Valley Training Center’s Jungle Walk range. The ability to move through its varied terrain and engage randomly placed deer, coyote, and raccoon targets hidden within cover suited my RA Gen2 Ranch 300 Blk evaluation perfectly. Ranges involved were 35 to 150 yards with multiple shots fired at most of the targets. The emphasis was on working the Ruger American’s bolt without removing the rifle from my shoulder.

I also loaded magazines with Hornady 190-grain Sub-X. The focus was making sure reliability was maintained and how far I could push the velocity-challenged subsonic rounds. Engagement distances were kept 100 yard and in, mostly with targets placed between 25 and 75 yards. The round’s trajectory was surprisingly flat out to 50 yards. 100-yard bullet strikes were approximately 7-inches low with the 50-yard, subsonic zero.

THE WALKBACK

The 300 Blk in the bolt action Ruger American Generation II Ranch offers .30 caliber performance in a compact, 6-pound rifle. The RA Gen2 Ranch is a solid working companion worthy of its “Ranch” designation. No need for a super-magnum rifle with a mega-zoom scope and hyper-complicated reticle. I find it hard to believe that anyone using the RA Gen2 Ranch 300 Blk is ever under-gunned when hunting deer-size game or pressed into other duties. I believe the Ruger American Generation II Ranch will find a niche among ranchers and outdoorsmen that will appreciate the rifle for its efficiency.

SPECIFICATIONS

The Wilkinson Arms’ Linda pistol and Terry carbine were an excellent example of early 1980s engineering genius. I first read about the Linda pistol at a public library in 1990, when I was 16. Looking at a recent Gun Digest and comparing various weapons, I was fascinated by Linda. Having no firearms of my own at the time and a minimal familiarity with them in general, I was drawn to it by the clean forms and high-magazine capacity. Holding 31 rounds, the Linda pistol was one of the clear winners in my mind. That, along with its distinctive appearance and memorable model designation, implanted the name of that gun in my memory. Discovering that Linda was back in production as a carbine was like having a chance to meet a once-famous musician.

Some History

Designed during the 1960s by Ray Wilkinson of J&R Engineering, the guns were originally designated M68 and M80. They were produced with law enforcement use in mind. Later, once J&R was closed and re-incorporated as Wilkinson Arms, the family of 9mm and rimfire pistols and carbines also became a family in model designations, named after Ray’s wife and daughters. The design then passed to Northwest Arms, and production ran through 2005. For a while, the Linda pistol and Terry carbine were relegated to “A-Team” re-runs on late night TV. Fortunately, in 2015, Wilkinson Arms was bought and revived by a shooting enthusiast named Patrick McFarland, who acquired the remainder of the unused Linda parts and went about setting up renewed production.

Linda as a Carbine

As soon as possible, I got my hands on the carbine version of the Linda pistol. Fitted with a simple tubular buttsock and a 1/2×28 threaded 16-inch barrel, it was an improvement over the one of my teenage dreams. Several details also improved upon the original configuration, including the addition of a Weaver rail on top of the receiver. The new Linda’s overall length with fixed stock is 31.5 inches (underfolding AKMS or collapsible M4 stocks also available) with an unloaded weight of 6.1 pounds. The tubular receiver houses the enveloping bolt concept originated with the Czech Sa. 23 and the Israeli Uzi. Even more efficient than those already compact designs, Linda uses a bolt almost entirely encircling the barrel, with just enough behind the chamber to load the next cartridge. Unlike the submachine guns which use small diameter recoil springs on guides behind the bolt, Linda uses a larger single spring wrapped around the bolt in front of the chamber. At rest when in battery, this spring stretches on firing and returns the bolt into its original position by compression, making the mechanism even shorter. Like the Sa. 23 and the Uzi, Linda uses a barrel nut; unlike them, Linda has a second nut behind the first to retain the bolt. Although, like those two submachine guns, Linda feeds through the grip—Wilkinson improved the grip angle considerably. Using a double-stack, single-feed magazine, it provides a very natural forward-leaning grip instead of the straight (Uzi) or backward-raked (Sa. 23). 

Because of U.S. government regulations, Linda shoots semiautomatically from the closed bolt, requiring a slightly heavier bolt than its automatic competitors. The closed-bolt mechanism reduces ventilation between bursts of rapid fire but yields superior accuracy and improved dust sealing of the chamber. Firing is by hammer and firing pin, with the trigger feeling lighter than its 6.5 pounds of pull thanks to the smooth wide face. Cross-bolt safety stands out by feel, so its state can be ascertained without looking. The overhanging receiver sides fence it from accidental interference in both ON (right) and OFF (left) positions. Since the extra-wide ejection port exposes the back of the receiver behind the bolt to outside dust, Linda uses an M16-like hinged cover.

Take-down is simple but requires tools. Use a 5/32-inch Allen key to remove two screws holding the grip to the receiver and also the set screw locking the shroud to the barrel. A 3/16-inch Allen key is needed to unscrew the charging handle. Unscrewing the barrel nut releases it along with the attached ventilated shroud. Using any flat object for a wrench helps unscrew the second nut retaining the bolt, which comes forward with the attached spring. That’s the full extent of field-stripping the carbine for cleaning. Reassembly is pretty straightforward, but care must be taken to align the locating pin at the base of the barrel with the corresponding open

The signature 31-shot magazine looks like most pistol mags, with the addition of over-insertion tabs. Loading is surprisingly easy for the capacity, with no mechanical loader required. The magazine doesn’t drop free, full or empty. This helps retention but harms reloading speed. The magazine is compatible with 59 and 5900 series Smith & Wesson pistols, so 15-, 17- and 20-round options are also available. Linda lacks any kind of bolt hold-open device, manual or automatic, so an empty magazine or a misfire feels alike.

The iron sights are a throwback to the 1980s. Both front post and rear aperture are fixed for elevation and windage, so matching the point of impact is a matter of luck. They can be bent into regulation, but that’s a pretty crude method. Fortunately, the updated Linda comes with a Weaver rail. Some Picatinny mount optics fit, like the Primary Arms red dot the author mounted; others, like Magpul sling eyelet, do not. The crude iron sights are removable, but finding Weaver-compatible iron sights can be a challenge, and the sight radius is quite limited for a carbine anyway. The problem is less the separation of the sights and more the placement of the front sight way too close for most people to focus. The left-side charging handle reciprocates safely away from the hands, but its knob position has to be considered when mounting optics to avoid hitting knuckles against the sight. With many optic mounts, the optional extended charging handle available from Wilkinson Arms is essential.

Ergonomics are good for action shooting, awkward for prone. The carbine is well-balanced, especially with a full magazine and an optic attached. The balance is very slightly to the front of the pistol grip but is placed behind the support hand on the re-designed wooden forend. The forend is made of nicely finished wood, but the stylishly pointed edges not present in the old Linda pistol reduce handling comfort. It is similarly nice looking, but hard-polished wood is used for the stock buttpad. A layer of soft rubber would have been a welcome addition. The metal tube which is the buttstock could use neoprene insulation for comfort. The angle of drop is considerable, yet the carbine comes to the shoulder naturally, and the eye lines up well with the sights in standing, kneeling and squatting positions. For people who crowd the rear sight and so end up with a higher head position, a slightly raised red dot works better. Prone shooting is nearly impossible because the angle of the stock drop puts the sights well above eye level for a natural shooter pose, especially if optics are used.

Test Firing

Typical for blowback designs in tubular receivers, Linda has some blowback from the ejection post. Use of a linear compensator or muzzle brake increases it slightly; the use of a sound suppressor increases it a lot. The reduction in muzzle blast is partially offset by the ejection port pop, but the overall noise level is still milder.

The most important feature of any weapon is reliability, and Linda carbine shines there; only one malfunction out of about 750 rounds of ammunition ranging from 50-grain Liberty hypervelocity alloy bullets to Seismic 185-grain subsonics. Accuracy was also respectable, amply adequate to keep all hits on the A zone of a silhouette target at 100 yards. With 9mm Luger being, at most, a 150-yard cartridge, this seems sufficient. The author did the first round of testing with a Hi-Lux 4MOA Tac-Dot, a very excellent little optic with a front-facing auto exposure cell that adjusts the reticle brightness to match target illumination. Rather than mount a magnified scope to wring the smallest groups out of the carbine, I wanted to see what realistic results can be expected in a typical fighting configuration. Due to strong wind on the day of the range trip, all of my groups were wider than they were tall, with the vertical component being more an accurate representation of the actual bullet dispersion.

For varmint use, the frangible lightweights would be superior, but for everyday plinking and target shooting the least expensive, most common 115-grain load proved the most accurate. Felt recoil is fairly low, to the point where drop stock didn’t affect follow-up shots. Lighter weight bullets produced noticeably less push, which is a further argument in their favor for rapid fire. 

With both red dots, I have an impression that I was wasting some of the accuracy potential. So the red dot came off, and the illuminated 1-4x Trijicon AccuPoint went up on the Weaver rail. Low rings kept the height over the bore to a minimum, while 4x top magnification enabled more precise aiming. Unmagnified, the scope worked like an improved red dot, with vertical and horizontal references to guard against accidental cant and with MRAD hash marks to enable accurate rangefinding.The best ammunition this time was Remington 124-grain Golden Sabre, at ¾-inch at 60 yards, or 1.25MOA. Groups fired with Fiocchi 115 grain did not change, which suggests the red dot was not the limiting factor. What did improve with the magnified optic was the ability to center the group on the desired point of impact. The speed of target acquisitions at 1x magnification did not change from the red dot.

Despite its distinctly dated look, Linda carbine turned out to be comfortable and ergonomic for everything but the prone position. Compared to straight stock modern PCCs, it rises a little more on recoil, but not enough to make a strong difference. A muzzle brake would reduce that difference. The less hunched-over position afforded by the drop stock design permits better awareness of the environment. 

50-YARD TEST FIRING

Speer Lawman: 147gr FMJ 1.4in -1060fps

Inceptor RNP: 65gr polymer 1.3in – 1715fps

Liberty alloy: 50gr HP 2.15in – 2550fps

Fiocchi: 115gr FMJ 1.15in – 1320fps

Seismic: 185gr 5.5in – 1010fps

EVOLUTION, TTI STYLE

The TTI Combat is a premium CANiK model showcasing the full potential of the platform. Butler’s own multi-discipline world champion competition experience and the business producing custom enhanced pistols, rifles, shotguns, and components lend credibility to the TTI Combat that is hard to resist. This doesn’t even mention his prominence in becoming the go-to trainer of Hollywood stars, providing cutting-edge gun skills that thrill on the screen.

You know something is different about this CANiK as soon as you open the TTI Combat’s double-layered hard case. Inside are different-sized grip backstraps, multiple optic mounting plates, a toolkit/punch, TTI aluminum magazine base pads, a speed loader, an extra guide rod recoil spring assembly, a holster, and a commemorative coin, among other items. The tools and support items in the case are not mere window dressing. These items are extremely helpful in modifying/altering the TTI Combat in terms of mounting red dots, changing backstraps, swapping magazine base pads, and cleaning the handgun. The bits and drives are well-made and show no sign of wear even after multiple uses.

TTI did not merely provide copyright permission for their logo with the CANiK TTI Combat. Yes, CANiK is the manufacturer, but Butler also contributed design input that involved overall aesthetic, a ported barrel, compensator, magazine base pads, frame shape, and trigger characteristics. The slide serrations and cutouts at the front of the slide demonstrate TTI’s input and CANiK’s meticulous attention to detail, executed successfully.

Picking up and manipulating the TTI Combat only further reinforces the good vibes created by its aesthetics. The light 90-degree breaking aluminum flat trigger with a short reset leaves no doubt that the TTI Combat is not your typical polymer striker-fired handgun. The CANiK TTI Combat was created to compete and to defend. You can see a little Sand Viper in the CANiK TTI Combat. Why not take advantage of the CANiK price point to quality ratio factor? Anyone wanting to own a weapon that TTI has had a hand in will benefit from this collaboration.

The TTI Combat arrives with a unique CANiK polymer frame and slide designed by Butler. Aggressive grip texturing is present, as is an integrated flared magwell with a removable aluminum competition magwell. The double undercut trigger guard allows for the shooter’s hand to sit as high as possible on the frame. This assists in limiting muzzle flip during recoil due to the low center of gravity.

Did I mention that CANiK’s first-ever compensator is also present on the TTI Combat? It is based on Butler’s input with an ingenious attachment method not requiring a threaded barrel. This is good news for those living in jurisdictions that prohibit threaded barrels. The TTI’s compensator is machined in a way to give a unified appearance with the slide and frame, allowing the TTI Combat to fit into a wide array of available holsters for the CANiK lineup.

The TTI Combat arrives with a ported and spiral-fluted 4.6-inch barrel, a flat-faced 90-degree break trigger, fully adjustable sights, two 18-round magazines with one flush-fit TTI base pad and one +3 TTI base pad, a serrated and ambidextrous slide release, three backstrap size options, and multiple mounting plates to accommodate various red dot sights. The TTI Combat slide features a low-profile optic cut for the direct mount of CANiK’s MECANiK line of optics. The MECANiK red dot uses the Trijicon RMR pattern.

MAXIMUM EFFORT

Besides training, what are the most efficient ways to increase handgun efficiency gear-wise? It’s about having a pistol that provides reduced muzzle flip, sights that increase the ability to place rounds where desired, and a smooth trigger pull. It’s not about style but performance. Running your handgun more efficiently makes you deadlier when you’re in a fight for your life.

Personal defense has no responsibility to be “fair” or “even” contest. That’s why aftermarket products attract with the promise of superior performance. With the CANiK TTI Combat, you have something out of the box addressing these concerns, especially if you choose the model that comes with the MECANiK red dot sight (or mount one of your choosing.)

Compensators are expanding beyond competition applications and becoming more prominent in personal defense weapons. For this reason, compensator size is shrinking while still maintaining effectiveness. The TTI single-port comp extends only 0.62 inches from the slide. The CANiK compensator connects to the pistol’s fluted barrel via a camlock mount, not the typical screw-on to a threaded muzzle. The angled front faces on the TTI Combat compensator aid in holstering.

The compensator on the TTI Combat is considered a crucial part of the CANiK upgrade. Part of the challenge of using a handgun is controlling muzzle flip. Muzzle flip reduces the speed at which you can accurately fire multiple rounds on target as well as transition effectively to the next target. This is crucial in a personal defense encounter. Recoil and muzzle flip also cause the pistol to move in the hand. The weapon must return to alignment so the sight picture can be recovered before firing again. A compensator mitigates these effects.

BOTH EYES OPEN

The most obvious personal defense handgun equipment upgrade over the last 10 years must be red dot sights. Though technology should not be used as a crutch for diligent practice and training, red dots are a positive addition compared to the centuries-old iron sight concept. With a red dot, a user can focus on the target, as nature intends. Moreover, because indexing a red dot is far easier than aligning multiple pieces of steel on opposite ends of a reciprocating slide, shooters find they can shoot faster than they could with irons.

A CANiK MECANiK 03 was mounted to the TTI Combat. The MECANiK 03 uses a top-mounted CR2032 battery, offering 60,000 hours of run time. It features a 6 MOA dot. The anodized aluminum housing is durable while still weighing only 1.6 ounces. The MECANiK 03 is IPX7 waterproof rated. The low mounting position of the TTI Combat’s slide cut is appreciated, with the MECANiK 03’s dot seamlessly located. The choice of this red dot may elicit a snicker from elitists based on its Chinese origin. All I can say is that the one used for this article has been performing without issue for over 500 fast-paced rounds. Frankly, I like the field of view offered by its large window and thin housing.

The Butler/TTI-pattern CANiK frame maximizes the natural pointability of the TTI Combat. This is very important in the realm of both eyes open focusing on the target. The MECANiK 03 red dot plays its part as well. The large rectangular “windshield” offers a superior field of view compared to most other red dot options. The glass is clear with no color cast or other optical artifacts being obvious. The dot is crisp with no halos or disfiguration. The CANiK TTI Combat, combined with the MECANiK 03, proved very capable at quick target engagement, with shots broken faster than it takes to read the description.

Along with grip, the importance of the trigger cannot be overestimated. This is usually the realm of aftermarket upgrades. Which isn’t needed with the TTI Combat thanks to its enhanced CANiK aluminum trigger with a wide trigger shoe and safety tab to match. The trigger break was in the 3.5 to 4-pound range per my old school RCBS trigger pull scale. However, a very short and firm tactile reset puts it over the top in terms of effective triggers. An interview with Nils Jonasson sums it up best when he stated, “The whole point of our enhanced trigger is to allow the gun to fire without moving the front sight.”

The broad, flat face of the trigger allows a straight rearward press. All of this translates into a handgun that can send rounds downrange rapidly and accurately. The quality of the TTI Combat trigger is the real surprise and contributes to the feeling of getting more than expected, an envious position for any product. The key with the TTI Combat is it offers the same extraordinary trigger pull every time. The trigger is definitely an asset.

EVALUATION

After strapping on the holster provided in the TTI Combat kit, a variety of 9mm loads were tested, including Federal, Hornady, Wilson Combat, and Black Hills Ammunition. Plate racks and dueling trees were engaged. Thanks to the minimal recoil and muzzle flip, the MECANiK 03 dot could be oriented to the next target seamlessly. In other scenarios, the big question on my mind was how did the compensator affect muzzle flip. The MECANiK 03 stayed on target, fluttering around the IPSC “A” zone, but never wandered out of it, even during multiple round drills. The TTI Combat’s simplicity of operation, consistent trigger pull, and compensator allowed for the rapid engagement of targets. This is further accentuated with well-laid-out ergonomics ensuring that the hand is near the optimum grip position as soon as the TTI Combat clears the holster.

I fell back on my recent experience attending a Justified Defensive Concepts (JDC) Red Dot Pistol Essential class at EVTC with the CANiK TTI Combat. Brett Harnish, the founder and driving force behind JDC, structured the syllabus for the Red Dot course perfectly. To paraphrase, “It shows the benefits of red dot while helping you solve the biggest drawback folks face when using one reliably; finding your dot during the draw and maintaining visual contact with the red dot during strings of fire and after weapon manipulation.” JDC Red Dot Essentials provided solid training, something you would expect with Brett’s resume—Marine, Border Patrol agent, other law enforcement positions.

The TTI was fired one-handed, including the use of the non-dominant hand to test the pistol for reliability issues that my stem from ammo sensitivity, especially with the compensator present. Premium self-defense JHP and target 9mm loads including 115-, 124-, and 147-grain bullets were fired. The TTI Combat digested anything fed to it. Being finicky is not an endearing trait with a competition or personal defense handgun. I put nearly 500 rounds through the TTI Combat for this article.

PERFORMANCE

Diagnostic instructional scenarios in the form of the Bill Drill and IDPA 5×5 qualifier drills were used to explore what the TTI Combat offered. Each of these drills places a premium on recoil control, trigger manipulation, and sight tracking. JDC’s emphasis on the importance of grip for initial red dot placement as well as target focus was beneficial in performing these drills. Tracking the red dot up and down on target during multiple round drills reinforced that grip is the key. Proper grip starts from the holster and sets the stage for the most efficient use of a red dot-equipped handgun. The majority of aiming any pistol, red dot or not, is achieved through kinesthetic awareness. Kinesthetic awareness is the body’s knowledge of the relative location and engagement of tension in its parts. This especially pertains to red dots, with proper grip and tension applied to the pistol as soon as possible.

With the Bill Drill, you start with the handgun in the holster with hands in the “surrender” position at shoulder level or hanging down at your sides. A target is placed 7 yards downrange. On command, you draw and fire six rounds as rapidly as solid hits allow. Following your sights during recoil is crucial. When done properly, the front sight is never stationary… you just “ride” the recoil long enough to confirm the front post is back in the “A” zone and send another round into the target. The CANiK TTI Combat allowed me to generate times in the 2.5- to 2.8-second range.

The IDPA 5×5 classifier is another good indicator of how well you and the handgun meld together, especially if you track your performance with different handgun styles. The target is 10 yards away. Four strings of fire are used to generate a total time with penalties for anything out of the “A” zone. String 1 is draw and fire 5 rounds freestyle, String 2 is draw and fire 5 rounds strong hand only, String 3 is load 5 rounds into a magazine, draw and fire, then perform an emergency reload and fire 5 more rounds, and String 4 is draw and fire 4 rounds into the body and 1 round to the head, freestyle. The CANiK TTI Combat helped me generate times in the 22- to 24-second range for the IDPA classifier.

I felt I was letting the TTI Combat down at times during all the drills. The times recorded with the TTI Combat were some of my best, of late, and impressive considering it’s still a relatively new partnership between me and the weapon. You could tell the TTI Combat MECANiK 03 combo wanted to go faster, but my abilities were not up to it. This is a credit to the weapon. The MECANiK 03 sight combined with the compensator and TTI Combat ergonomics, minimizing muzzle flip, allowed for superior sight tracking between shots. The TTI Combat’s trigger pull was another significant advantage. The TTI Combat magwell behaved like a funnel during magazine changes. There were no reliability issues during the high-volume, fast-paced drills.

FINAL WORD

A few quick observations based on time spent on the range with the TTI Combat: CANiK advises that the MECANiK 03’s concave face housing is designed to rack the pistol with one hand if needed, without touching the lens. I do not favor this method. Why use your optic to leverage the slide open? Take advantage of the aggressive front and rear slide serrations to get the job done. However, be mindful of your hand placement when manually racking the slide. Do not grab too far forward on the slide near the comp. Two bad things can happen—you might pinch your hand between the slide and comp, or the slide might not move as you’re grabbing the compensator instead of the slide.

Lastly, concerns of blinding muzzle flash when using a compensator were not confirmed. Slow-motion videos and burst photography did not reveal this phenomenon. You could definitely see the gas cloud of muzzle blast directed upward, which counteracts muzzle flip—but no ignition.

The CANiK TTI Combat will be recognized as a combination of positive features found on striker-fired predecessors as well as many innovative tweaks, thanks to the TTI collaboration. Many may ask what the TTI Combat offers to shooters compared to other polymer-framed striker-fired handguns already on the market. Red dot compatibility and a compensator are certainly nice touches. The TTI Combat benefits from lessons from both CANiK and TTI, combined with a manufacturer intimately familiar with quality weapon production and how to tastefully improve upon a platform.

SPECIFICATIONS

“The Israel Weapon Industries US Galil ACE Pistol with stabilizing brace is now steadily arriving on dealer’s shelves.” This was the line written back in 2015 — Wait…what?

Then, as now, IWI US had to overcome various manufacturing and BATF compliance issues to get this highly anticipated product into the hands of American customers. You’ll notice a theme here of IWI having to adapt to and overcome numerous federal regulations and executive actions as they brought the Galil ACE to market here. Now, in 2024, IWI had to wait out the onerous fiat from BATF about the legality of braced pistols, all the while dealing with the scarcity of 5.45x39mm ammunition after the U.S. government’s August 2021 sanctioning of Russian ammunition imports in response to their invasion of Ukraine.

In November 2023, a federal judge issued a ruling preventing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF) from enforcing its 2021R-08F rule regulating pistols equipped with stabilizing devices. BATF had announced this arbitrary rule in the beginning of 2023, throwing the gun industry (and public) into a tizzy. Braced pistols are an extremely popular product with tens of millions already in circulation. This article is NOT about regulation, however, the way the government has handled the entire issue has been a joke and I’m glad to talk about something else. The something else being the Galil ACE GEN II Pistol chambered in 5.45×39 with 13-inch barrel.

REBORN

In 2015, IWI US decided to revive the Galil in the enhanced Galil ACE form for the U.S. civilian market and for certain foreign client contracts. The original Israeli Galil was choked out of the U.S. market in the early 1990s due to changes in federal importation regulations. Notice a recurring theme here? The Galil ACE is not merely a copy of the 1960s design, though. IWI took full advantage of the passage of time to improve and update the original Yisrael Galil and Yaacov Lior 1960s design. The pistol brace version reviewed here was definitely not contemplated by the two original designers.

The Galil was inspired by the Finnish Valmet Rk 62. The Valmet Rk 62 is itself an improved AK derivative. The Rk 62 sought to maintain the AK’s legendary reliability while improving upon its accuracy. This was accomplished with the use of quality barrel, extended iron sight radius, higher quality manufacturing techniques, tweaks to the gas tube, and long stroke gas piston operation. Israel’s Galil followed the Valmet Rk 62’s path after the IDF found the FAL wanting in terms of size, recoil, and, more importantly, reliability. The Galil in 5.56mm was officially adopted by the IDF in 1972.

The Galil ACE line is assembled from a combination of Israeli and U.S. manufactured components at their Harrisburg, PA facility. The IWI US Galil ACE (Gen I) sought improvement over the original Galil in a number of ways. Galil reliability and performance has never been doubted, however its near ten-pound weight drew criticism from troops, especially when compared to the six-pound M4. The Galil ACE makes use of a polymer lower for the magazine well, trigger guard, and pistol grip. The upper receiver (containing the action and hinged folding stock trunnion) is milled from ordnance steel. The railed forend on the Galil ACE Gen I was also derived from high strength polymer. Besides shaving weight, the Galil ACE has its reciprocating charging handle moved to the left side of the steel receiver for easier off hand manipulation. A spring-loaded gate on the left side minimizes the chance of debris entering through the charging handle pathway. The original Galil had a distinctive vertically upturned handle on the right side.

IWI US accentuated previous Galil design by securing the Galil ACE’s railed top cover tightly with an oversized release button at the end of the recoil spring. This ensures sights stays zeroed, especially red-dot or magnified optics. The top cover exhibits no wiggle. In fact, removing and reinstalling takes some effort, but is worth it considering the advantage gained. Following this theme, the Galil’s gas tube is dovetailed into the receiver’s front block. This limits any movement of the gas block that can influence barrel vibration and, thus, degrade accuracy. A recoil buffer is also present at the rear of the recoil spring. This serves multiple roles: it cushions the impact of recoiling parts, eases wear on the rear trunnion, and tames vibrations while increasing accuracy potential. All of these details related to the top cover and the gas tube differ from the original AK.

The Galil ACE was further improved upon with the Galil ACE GEN II in 2021. The GEN II features a full length, two-piece Picatinny top rail, free-float metal alloy M-LOK forend, improved trigger, more ergonomic safety, and a side-folding adjustable stock arrangement that’s M4-tube compatible. GEN II rifles ship with a Magpul CTR stock and riser. Braced pistols ship with SB Tactical’s SBA-3 arm brace. (EDITORS NOTE: According to IWI US, As of March 2024, all Galil ACE Gen II pistols will not ship with a stabilizing brace pictured. They will ship with a flat back plate.) And the GEN II rifles and braced pistols are available in 5.56mm, 7.62x39mm, and 5.45x39mm—the object of our attention here.

The Galil ACE GEN II braced pistol we tested features a 13-inch 1:7.5” RH twist chrome-lined hammer-forged barrel with removal A2 style flash hider. Overall length is 32 inches open and 24 inches with the brace folded. Weight is just under 8 pounds. An 8.3-inch barreled pistol also available, as is a 16-inch rifle version. A Magpul 30-rd AK74 MOE magazine arrives with the pistol. IWI US literature makes mention that a U.S.-made magazine was used for 922R compliance purposes—another onerous government regulation. A centrally located magazine release reinforces ambidextrous functionality. Magazines do not drop free and there is no last round hold-open provision or bolt open device found with the Galil ACE a ’la AK.

The Galil ACE comes equipped with the same trigger type used in the Galil sniper rifle. This is a nice upgrade offering a 5-pound pull that begins with a slight take up. The Galil ACE pistol emerges from the box remediating known AK shortcomings in terms of mounting optics over the receiver. With the IWI Galil ACE you possibly have the finest AK variant currently in production.

I decided to take full advantage of the Galil ACE pistol’s flattop upper by mounting a Meprolight TRU-VISION red dot sight in front of a Meprolight MMX3 slide flip magnifier. Independence from set eye relief requirements is a major advantage of red dot sights. This is born out when working in tight confines or finding oneself in awkward firing positions when maximizing available cover. Keep both eyes open and pull the trigger when you see the red dot on the target. The adjustable intensity of the TRU-VISION red dot sight allows you to tune the 2MOA dot reticle as needed either in low light or bright conditions. A pistol like the Galil ACE that is created from an assault rifle by removing the rear stock is a perfect candidate for the red dot. The ability to boost magnification to 3x with the MMX3 extends the platform’s effective range.

CHAMBERING

5.45x39mm (5.45mm) military surplus 7N6 ammunition was banned in early 2014 by executive fiat. (Notice a recurring theme?) Up to this point, the availability of cheap, plentiful 5.45 surplus ammunition had 5.45 chambered AKs increasing in popularity. While we will avoid arguing over the validity of declaring the 7N6 5.45 surplus “armor piercing”, the ban did take the steam out of sales of 5.45-chambered AKs. However, IWI US decided to make a limited run of 5.45×39 chambered Galil ACE rifles and pistols few years back, anyway. These sold out so quickly that the company decided to continue with the 5.45 chambering when the Galil ACE GEN II models were introduced.

The 52.9-grain 7N6 “poison pill” bullet first gained notoriety in the Soviet Afghan War. The Soviets designed the 7N6 5.45×39 cartridge with an air space inside the jacket at the bullet’s tip. The air space serves to shift the bullet’s center of mass toward the rear. This increases likelihood of yaw (tumbling) when striking soft targets—flesh. In addition, the lead core behind this air space shifts forward upon impact, producing a peculiar curvature of the bullet’s path in the last half of its travel through tissue. One downside typical to most surplus ammunition is that it uses corrosive primers. While “spam” cans of 7N6 5.45 can still be found, don’t expect to find them for just a few cent a round anymore—they are more like .80-90 cents a round these days. This is what happens when government makes rules in the marketplace.

5.45 ammunition is available from both Russian and non-Russian manufactures. I’ll admit to having acquired an adequate supply of 5.45 ammo over the years. Multiple 5.45×39 loads were tested with the Galil ACE 5.45 such as Wolf, Tula, Silver Bear in 60-grain and 70-grain varieties. We also ran some Century International Red Army Standard 5.45×39.

Two other 5.45 loadings of interest were also fired with the Galil ACE 5.45. Hornady’s 60-grain V-Max and Dynamit Nobel 59-grain HP. The Hornady 5.45×39 load is a godsend for 5.45 owners looking for a quality, U.S.-made ammunition choice for their rifles. By good fortune I discovered the German Dynamit Nobel 59-grain 5.45×39 several years ago and picked up a couple of cases. The Hornady V-Max loads delivered accuracy in the 1.25-inch range at 50 yards with the Dynamit Nobel producing 1.5-inch groups at the same sdistance. The other ammunition brands produced 50-yard groups of 2-inches and under. Accuracy testing was done with the Meprolight TRU-VISION red dot and with the 3x MMX3 magnifier in place.

WORTH IT

Several hundred rounds were fired through the Galil ACE GEN II pistol for this article. After initial inspection and light lubrication, no cleaning was performed. No issues were encountered in terms of reliability. I paid special attention to the gun’s ability to hold zero by removing and reinstalling the top cover numerous times between evaluation scenarios. I also had some concern about heat transfer to the railed polymer forend. This proved a non-issue thanks to the effective heat shields and spacing between barrel/gas block and forend. In fact, even after multiple rapid fire magazine dumps, I could grip the forend with a non-gloved hand.

PERFORMANCE

Range tests consisted of moving around barricades and simulated cover while engaging an assortment of paper and steel targets, including automobiles located at Echo Valley Training Center. One thing I liked immediately was the ACE’s ambidextrous safety lever. The right-side safety lever has been reduced in size since it’s no longer required to act as dust cover. The right-side safety lever is accessed with the right index finger or by removing your hand from the pistol grip and using multiple fingers. On the left side, just above the pistol grip, there is another safety lever, meant to be operated by the shooter’s thumb. I favored this method of use in terms of ergonomics.

The fact that the Galil ACE pistol is classified legally as a handgun (again—for now) offers users who have a concealed carry license a certain amount of flexibility compared to a true rifle or NFA classified weapon. If considering the Galil ACE pistol for a serious defense or a tactical role, it would be best to look at it as a personal defense weapon (PDW) instead of a rifle. The Galil ACE pistol is definitely more potent and offers longer effective range than a traditional pistol; especially if the shooter is trained to use it effectively and appreciate its nuances.

Many will argue that there is no defensive or tactical value in such a non-traditional pistol as the braced Galil ACE pistol; just use a full-size rifle or typical handgun, they’ll say. However, some will be lured to the Galil ACE GEN II pistol by its ability to offer handgun status with rifle performance. Compared to a standard pistol, the folding ACE’s ability to be transported more discretely than a full-size rifle gives out-and-about defenders a rifle-caliber tool without the rifle-caliber size, should they need to deal with unexpected threats.

SPECIFICATIONS

The Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum surprised many a firearm pontificator when it arrived earlier this year. Most didn’t see it coming since it doesn’t seem to fill a particular niche in the market. And, while it might be a gun without a clear role, it’s one that we can evaluate without any preconceived notions. Can it serve as an understudy to centerfire handguns? Sure. However, it does not directly mimic any other weapon out there besides its own M&P 5.7 stablemate, which is its own unicorn. How about outright personal defense? Sure. 30 rounds of 22 Magnum is not to be taken lightly, especially as ammunition potency is improved on. Trail gun? Sure. This is probably the most described role considering the M&P 22 Magnum’s light weight (22 ounces) and high capacity (30 rounds). Plinking or target shooting? Absolutely, considering its lack of recoil, flat-faced trigger, and ability to mount a red dot optic for further sighting enhancement. Any trigger time is good trigger time.

Sometimes you just have to go with it and not ask why. That’s the sort of impression that the new M&P 22 Magnum semi-auto generates. Who doesn’t like thirty rounds in a lightweight handgun that can spit them out as fast as you can pull the trigger? The M&P 22 Magnum defies easy categorization. It rejects being labeled as an understudy. It easily separates itself from the competition with its 22 WMR chambering and ultra-high capacity.

While the M&P 22 Magnum’s muzzle blast will surprise you with a signature more typical of a centerfire cartridge, recoil is minimal, though, and thus manageable by all shooters. Though popular as a manually operated rifle and revolver round, few manufactures attempt to build a semi-auto rifle or handgun in 22 WMR. This stems from various reasons including 22 WMR cartridge length standards, case rim specifications, and variations in pressure levels of different brands of 22 WMR ammunition. Each of which provided S&W engineers a chance to shine in problem solving. S&W decided to tackle these issues in creating the M&P 22 Magnum. Additional features further adds credence to its uniqueness.

INNOVATION

S&W engineers had to pay special attention to magazine design with the M&P 22 Magnum. Afterall, what good is 30 rounds of firepower if not capable of being sent downrange when needed. The magazine can be described as pie shaped with the tapered end toward the bullet nose. S&W’s manual describes proper loading procedures to help in reliable operation. The requirements are not onerous. The rimmed case is inserted into a segment of the magazine lips before being pushed to the rear of the magazine. After every five or so rounds are loaded, the magazine is to be tapped on something solid such as palm or table to help seat the rims into the magazine without getting out of orientation sequence. The rim of the 22 Magnum round sitting on top of its neighbor must be kept in front. The magazine loading method is straightforward and does not take any more time to complete than random jamming of rounds into any other magazine.

One of the potential issues with 22 WMR semi-automatic pistols is the wide range of pressures generated by factory ammunition. The S&W TEMPO operating system addresses this with its combination recoil/gas assist design. It allows the S&W M&P22 Magnum to reliably fire a wide variety of ammunition.

The S&W TEMPO design is a gas-operated, locked-breech operating system. It was initially unveiled with the S&W M&P 5.7 pistol. The TEMPO system is more of a hybrid recoil gas assist design. A gas port near the muzzle funnels gas rearward between the barrel and surrounding shroud/sleeve. The barrel is surrounded by a shroud. A gas port vents gas into the shroud to interact with the barrel. The barrel has six radial piston rings (three slim ones out by muzzle and thicker ones towards the breech) that regulate gas flow. After initial backward movement of slide, the port siphoned-off gas finishes barrel movement rearward, causing it to encounter a lug in the frame, unlocking the barrel from the shroud and slide to finish the recoil process.

DETAILS

The S&W M&P 22 Magnum is a semi-automatic, internal hammer fired pistol with a 4.3-inch barrel. The overall length is 8.4 inches, and the height is 5.9 inches. The empty weight is only 22 ounces. A loaded magazine weighs a mere 6 ounces. This means that a fully loaded M&P 22 Magnum weighs less than 2 pounds. S&W has installed green fiber optic front and fixed rear sights onto the pistol.

M&P 22 Magnum controls are minimal—flat trigger, ambidextrous safety, and slide lock levers. The dust cover features an integrated Picatinny style rail for attaching lights or other accessories. In front of the rear sight, one will find two screws indicating that S&W has tapped and threaded the slide to accommodate one of the many miniature red dot sights that use the Shield RMSc footprint. Each pistol ships with two magazines and a padded plastic case. As expected, the magazines are constructed of high-strength polymer, similar to the M&P 22 Magnum’s frame.

A BETTER WAY TO CONNECT

A Zero Tech Thrive HD Red Dot Micro Reflex optic was mounted on the M&P 22 Magnum and used for the majority of our evaluation. Weighing only 6 ounces, the Zero Tech Thrive HD Micro Reflex’s features advanced shake awake technology. The Thrive HD projects a 3 MOA dot with ten adjustable brightness levels while offering up to 150,000 hours of runtime with a CR2032 battery. Zero Tech has designed the Thrive HD to be recoil, fog, and waterproof.

The Zero Tech Thrive HD/S&W M&P 22 Magnum combo performed better than expected. The natural pointability of the M&P 22 Magnum comes into its own in this realm with the Zero Tech Thrive HD doing its part. The Thrive HD’s rectangular lens offers a superior field of view compared to other red dot options. The minimal frame of the Thrive HD disappears when focusing on the target with the red dot. The dot is crisp with no halos or disfiguration. The red dot was “there” and seamlessly located at first draw. This is a compliment to the S&W choosing a direct mount method (instead of an adapter plate setup) allowing the Zero Tech to sit as low as possible on the slide. The M&P 22 Magnum’s already low bore axis is further enhanced with a subtle beavertail and undercut trigger guard allowing for a very stable sight picture no matter how many or how rapidly rounds are fired.

TIME TO MAKE NOISE

The S&W M&P 22 Magnum was tested with a myriad of ammunition from Hornady, Winchester, Speer, and Federal, such as Hornady 30-grain V-Max, 45-grain Critical Defense, Federal 45-grain Punch, 40-grain JHP & FMJ, Speer 40-grain GDHP-SB and Winchester FMJ & 45-grain PDX 1 Defender JHP. S&W provides recommendations for ammunition to be used in the M&P 22 Magnum based on its own testing. Range time exhibited all positives in terms of performance and reliability. The trigger pull was a pleasant surprise with minimal creep and light weight required to initiate cartridge ignition. Out RCBS pull weight gauge showed an average of just over 4 pounds after multiple pull tests.

With a 30-round magazine, it did not take long to send large quantities of rounds downrange with many willing volunteers stuffing magazines and running the M&P 22 Magnum’s trigger. Out of over 400 rounds fired, there were a handful of malfunctions. Most of these were traceable to a volunteer not holding the M&P 22 Magnum firmly and high up on the grip. Another anecdote is the surprisingly loud report the M&P 22 Magnum emits. Ear pro should definitely not be ignored. This is based on the 22 WMR being primarily chambered in rifle length barrels, and thus, the use of slower burning powders that do not get consumed in the 4.3-inch barrel. This made firing the pistol more like firing a centerfire defensive handgun minus the associated recoil. Plate racks and other targets strewn around Echo Valley Training Center were engaged repeatedly, as were more traditional paper targets in an effort to get the full sense of the M&P 22 Magnum’s capabilities.

Accuracy with the rimfire S&W M&P 22 Magnum was more than acceptable and probably superior to what most users are capable of when being fired from any non-bench position (which is its raison d’être to begin with.) It was no problem keeping rounds in the “A” zone of the IPSC targets back to 25 yards with the aid of the Zero Tech Thrive HD red dot. It’s very likely that accuracy applies to shots taken from further out as long as users resist the temptation to simple blast rounds downrange knowing thirty 22 WMR rounds are sitting in the magazine awaiting release. Recoil is minimal, though, and manageable by all shooters.

PERFORMANCE

LESS IS BETTER

The 22 Magnum chambering will instantly give it a black mark in terms of terminal ballistic performance. I offer a counterintuitive thought—perhaps the 22 Magnum is an asset in such a lightweight package with so much firepower on board. Let me finish before snorting and scrolling on by.

Compact pistol sales outpace full size handguns and rifles many times over. Manufacturers have answered the call by placing 380 ACP and even 9 mm cartridges into platforms previously reserved for 22 LR, 25 Auto, or 32 ACP chamberings. The wave of new shooters is more than welcome; however, this is a recipe for a poor initial experience when combining such small weapons with stouter recoiling cartridges. Handy-to-carry does not translate into comfortable to shoot. A pistol chambered in 22 Magnum may be more appropriate option for certain sections of the gun-buying public.

Increased 22 Magnum ammunition performance (not an oxymoron) in the 80s was a major reason why 25 ACP chamberings in pocket pistols fell off. It was a surprise to find the number of 22 Magnum loads directed towards the personal defense realm. Hornady and Winchester offer prime examples in the form of Hornady’s 45-grain Critical Defense and Winchester’s 45-grain PDX 1 loads. Speer and Federal weighs in with 40-grain GDHP-SB and 45-grain PUNCH loads for the 22 Magnum. The M&P 22 Magnum chronoed loads across an RCBS chronograph in the 1125-1350 fps range, depending on bullet weights being fired.

MULTI-PURPOSE CAPABLE

As I brought up at the beginning of the article, is the S&W M&P 22 Magnum a candidate for personal defense, a trail/kit gun, target shooter, or dare we say, just for fun? Each user will have to decide what roles the M&P 22 Magnum will fill in their collection. The S&W M&P 22 Magnum’s high capacity and surprisingly light weight is extremely attractive in whatever role it is destined for. Overall, the M&P 22 Magnum is a valid tool offering real world application.

SPECIFICATIONS

Robert Saunders was a Texan who appreciated the value of a back-up pistol, but he also realized the only ones small enough to end up being carried for that purpose were chambered for small calibers known for their ineffectiveness as manstoppers. Since a back-up pistol is something used at arms-length range against an armed attacker, this meant that you were likely to get shot or stabbed before your fire could take effect. That prospect didn’t appeal to Saunders. He set out to make the perfect back-up pistol – and he succeeded. He chose the 45 Colt for a cartridge; a round with a design criterion that included killing a cavalry horse at 100 yards. For a gun to chamber it, you could not get two shots in a smaller package than a double Derringer.

Saunders didn’t stop there, though. He realized he could be the first to have a pistol that chambered both the 45 Colt and the 2.5-inch .410 shotgun shell. In 1980, he founded the American Derringer Corporation in Waco, Texas to make his new design out of the best stainless steel available. After all, a back-up pistol deals with more sweat than an open carry pistol.

The M1 Double Derringer is extremely small, just 4.82 inches overall with two 3-inch barrels. It stands 3.35 inches high and has a frame width of 0.9 inches and a grip width of 1.2 inches. Weight is just an ounce shy of a pound at 15 ounces.

The new (at the time) gun had (and still has) an innovative safety that comes off automatically when the gun is cocked. You don’t get any better than that. People have been killed trying to deal with a safety in emergencies where there simply is no time. Some people are so flustered that they forget to take a safety off in a fight, which can lead to their demise. I knew a man who put his safety on instead of taking it off in a gunfight, resulting in his being shot.

Wide, hand-filling grips make the petit pistol easy to control with a firm grip. Despite its small size, recoil is not a problem with full power 45 Colt loads. There are a good set of sights even though this type of pistol is normally just drawn, pointed, and fired at just-off-the-muzzle ranges.

When loading, it’s important to put this pistol on half cock – otherwise, the firing pin cannot retract and closing the gun hard can fire one of the cartridges.

Carrying options are extremely varied with a pistol this compact, but there is one caution that should be made. Either a thumb-break safety snap or a conventional safety strap is mandatory on holsters for this gun, as it’s grip heavy, not muzzle heavy – so it’ll ride up and fall out of a holster, eventually, without a safety strap.

This gun is extremely fast to draw and fire from concealment just as the original .41 rimfire Remington double Derringer was. Unlike the 41 Rimfire Remington, while the American Derringer Model 1 in 45 Colt makes an excellent urban back-up pistol, a better option for those in the backcountry is the American Derringer M4 Alaskan Survival with its 4.1-inch barrel. It’s a longer-barreled version, still chambered in 45 Colt. This caliber has a long history of successfully putting down grizzly bears. While a long gun is the normal grizzly hunting weapon the handgun is statistically more successful in defending against surprise bear attacks because, in a close-range surprise attack, the long gun may be knocked aside; but a handgun can be drawn and fired even if the bear has you down. Again, this is intended as a back-up to a regular pistol and not a primary pistol. When Betty and I had Alaskan trapper’s licenses and were living in a one room log trapper’s cabin deep in the Alaskan interior, we ended up using World War II army surplus M1911A1 pistols and surplus 45 ACP FMJ ammo on everything. The 45 ACP is simply the automatic pistol version of the 45 Colt cartridge.

It must be remembered that the American Derringer 45 Colt/.410 is intended as a short-range belly gun, not intended for use at long range like a full-size pistol. Bob Saunders liked to carry a 2.5-inch .410 loaded with buckshot in the upper chamber for a shot spread and a 45 Colt in the lower barrel for maximum stopping power. Of course, you may use either or and you can make any combination you like.

Federal makes a 2.5-inch .410 loaded with four .36 caliber 000 buckshot for a total weight of 280 grains and a total frontal area of 1.44 inches as they spread out to 4.5 inches at 10 feet.

For a slightly larger dispersion pattern, I prefer the Sabot Designs LLC flechette load. This has seven flechettes safely packed in a sabot so that they cannot harm your barrel. Each flechette dumps as much energy into the target as a 9mm Luger cartridge as they yaw inside the target, and they spread to 5.5 inches at 10 feet. For stopping power on bear, I trust the 250-grain 45 Colt load.

Bob Saunders developed pancreatic cancer and died in 1993. His widow, Elizabeth, was determined not to let his gun making dream die. She went back to school and got her degree in mechanical engineering. There she met John Price, a Vietnam veteran getting his own mechanical engineering degree. John went to work for her and has been there ever since.

In 1994, they cut out their distributors, as they demanded a price that would entail a cut in quality. Employee theft problems grew so bad that eventually she had to let everyone but John Price go. They would rather make quality than quantity, and these two hands make every pistol to the highest American standards today. These are all steel, except for the wood grips, with no plastic parts. They are the only affordable handmade guns that I know of. Elizabeth and John take great pride in their work and the result is a truly handmade gun that the owner can depend on. For a back-up pistol there is none better.

SPECIFICATIONS