Combat Handguns

Based on the classic Model 39 and built to compete, the Smith & Wesson Model 52 dominated competition during its short-lived, historic run.

Combat Handguns March/April 2020

Smith & Wesson Model 52: A Quick Look at the Forgotten .38 Special Pistol

A revolver and a wadcutter bullet can form a formidable package.

Combat Handguns March/April 2020

Wadcutter Wisdom: Why You Should Roll Your Own Flat-Nosed Rounds

Pat Mac discusses the good and bad with appendix carry.

Combat Handguns March/April 2020

Appendix Carry: Pat Mac Debates If It’s the ‘Best’ Carry Option

The author tested the Ruger Security 9 against the FN 509 Midsize.

Combat Handguns January/February 2020

Ruger Security 9 vs. FN 509 Midsize in a Compact 9mm Pistol Battle

The ultime expression of the CZ Shadow, the A01-LD leaves little to be desired.

Combat Handguns January/February 2020

CZ A01 LD: CZ Custom’s New Pistol Is ‘A-Number-One’ for 9mms

With slightly less recoil than the .44 Magnum, the .41 becomes a solid field gun.

Combat Handguns January/February 2020

.41 Magnum: Was the Forgotten Caliber a Misfit or a Major Hit?

Daniel Defense DDM4V7 Pistol, fully loaded, side

Combat Handguns March/April 2020

GIVEAWAY: WIN a Daniel Defense DDM4V7 Pistol, Ammo, Scope & Case

The latest 'Fully Loaded' package includes a Daniel Defense DDM4V7 Pistol, Federal ammo, a Riton Optics scope, and a Blackhawk rifle case.

When performed correctly, a tactical draw stroke, with movement, can be your best defense.

Combat Handguns November/December 2019

Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon

Keep your distance, evaluate the threat, then when the situation calls for it, get tactical and incorporate movement when you draw your weapon.

SCCY CPX-3 pistol, black hills ammo, fully loaded

Combat Handguns January/February 2020

GIVEAWAY: Win an SCCY CPX-3, Ammo, and Elite Survival Systems Gear

The SCCY CPX-3 makes for a worthy concealed carry weapon, so we paired it with some ammo and survival gear and now we're giving them all away.

Each of the four test models was tested equally.

Combat Handguns November/December 2019

Race Gun: Ranking 4 of the Best Match-Ready 9mm Pistols Available

In our latest Battle Royale, we test match-ready race gun models in 9mm from Walther Arms, Springfield Armory, SIG Sauer and EAA.

Both Springfield Armory and Smith & Wesson came out with compact 45s for carry.

Combat Handguns November/December 2019

Best 45 ACP: Springfield XDS Mod.2 or S&W PC Ported M&P45 Shield 2.0

In a showdown of subcompacts to determine the best 45 ACP carry gun, the Springfield XDS Mod.2 and S&W PC Ported M&P45 Shield 2.0 equally shine.

Combat Handguns November/December 2019

44 Special: Why the Classic Cartridge Ain’t Dead Yet

Since the days of Elmer Keith and Charlie Askins, the 44 Special has shined as a download to its magnum counterpart or standalone for self-defense.

Combat Handguns November/December 2019

GIVEAWAY: Win a Canik TP9 Elite SC Pistol, Shield Mini Sight & More

Coinciding with the first look at the new Canik TP9 Elite SC, we're giving one away, along with a mini reflex sight, compact light, and 300 rounds of ammo.

Combat Handguns September/October 2019

Gun Review: The Lipsey’s Exclusive Ruger GP100 10mm Revolver

Whether for hunting or self-defense, the hard-hitting GP100 10mm revolver ups the power game in this Lipsey's Exclusive from Ruger.

Battle Royale test with optics-ready 1911 pistols

Combat Handguns September/October 2019

Battle Royale: Ranking 4 High-End, Optics-Ready 1911 Pistols

The latest Battle Royale, featuring Ed Brown, Nighthawk Custom, STI and Wilson Combat, compares four different takes on the optics-ready 1911.

Shooting handloaded .45 ACP Ammo through a 1911 is very nice

Combat Handguns September/October 2019

Cut Costs, Recoil by Loading Your Own .45 ACP Ammo

Take a break from the big, bruising full-house loads and create affordable, lighter-recoiling .45 ACP ammo for your training or recreational shooting.

.380 pistols, Remington RM380 Executive vs. Ruger LCP II

Combat Handguns September/October 2019

.380 ACP Pistol Battle: Remington RM380 Executive vs. Ruger LCP II

We tested two updated .380 ACP pistols, the Remington RM380 Executive and Ruger LCP II, to see which pocket pistol offered the most in deep concealment.

Modular Handgun System pistols include Beretta, SIG Sauer, Glock, CZ-USA, and Smith & Wesson

Combat Handguns July/August 2019

Running 5 Modular Handgun System Pistols to Determine the Real Winner

The trials may be over, but we tested Modular Handgun System submissions from Beretta, CZ-USA, Glock, SIG Sauer and Smith & Wesson to find our own winner.

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Combat Handguns

Smith & Wesson Model 52: A Quick Look at the Forgotten .38 Special Pistol

Wadcutter Wisdom: Why You Should Roll Your Own Flat-Nosed Rounds

Appendix Carry: Pat Mac Debates If It’s the ‘Best’ Carry Option

Ruger Security 9 vs. FN 509 Midsize in a Compact 9mm Pistol Battle

CZ A01 LD: CZ Custom’s New Pistol Is ‘A-Number-One’ for 9mms

.41 Magnum: Was the Forgotten Caliber a Misfit or a Major Hit?

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GIVEAWAY: WIN a Daniel Defense DDM4V7 Pistol, Ammo, Scope & Case

Pat McNamara on Dealing With D-Bags and When to Draw Your Weapon

Trending on Personal Defense World

GIVEAWAY: Win an SCCY CPX-3, Ammo, and Elite Survival Systems Gear

Race Gun: Ranking 4 of the Best Match-Ready 9mm Pistols Available

Get The Magazines

Best 45 ACP: Springfield XDS Mod.2 or S&W PC Ported M&P45 Shield 2.0

44 Special: Why the Classic Cartridge Ain’t Dead Yet

GIVEAWAY: Win a Canik TP9 Elite SC Pistol, Shield Mini Sight & More

Gun Review: The Lipsey’s Exclusive Ruger GP100 10mm Revolver

Battle Royale: Ranking 4 High-End, Optics-Ready 1911 Pistols

Cut Costs, Recoil by Loading Your Own .45 ACP Ammo

.380 ACP Pistol Battle: Remington RM380 Executive vs. Ruger LCP II

Running 5 Modular Handgun System Pistols to Determine the Real Winner