Combat Handguns March - April 2019

In our country, and indeed in most cultures, kicking (let alone shooting) a man when he’s down is scorned as cowardly and malicious. But those values do not take into account just how deadly a homicidal criminal can be when he’s prone or supine. Let’s look at some examples. Sometimes the gunman you have to shoot is in such a position that you can’t see him fall, or there’s no indication that he was neutralized. Take Case One, for example, in which dope dealer Angilo Freeland gunned down a sheriff’s deputy, murdered him with two execution shots, wounded another deputy and killed a police dog. The cop-killer was cornered after a manhunt in the woods. Knowing that the man was armed with his own weapon and had also taken the…

They say that a woman’s purse is a mysterious thing—that inside you’ll find she carries a variety of odds and ends so she’ll be prepared for anything. Total MacGyver. Delving into mine, you’ll find the only thing I’m prepared for is wearing out a paper shredder with hundreds of receipts. Broadening the spectrum a little, what about range bags? Both men and women carry these, but the concept is the same. How cool would it be if we could just sift through people’s range bags? Don’t judge me; you know you would if you could. And a pro shooter’s range bag would be incredibly instructive. What do they utilize? What are their top picks for products and tools? What are their guns of choice? Getting a little insight and some…

Many of us are wrapped up in the notion that speed is everything. Speed is a byproduct of working the fundamentals with absolute meaning. With any skillset requiring a tempo—beats per minute or revolutions per second—we do not get faster by working fast. Any professional performer in any skillset works in deep practice mode with purpose until the tempo at which he is training is perfected. Then and only then will he work or train up to the next level. Regardless of whether you’re playing the cello or drums, doing origami or refining a martial arts move, perfection requires keen intellect, introspection and objective self-criticism. Gunfighting is no different. Proper shot placement doesn’t just matter—it’s crucial! Whether we’re in a tactical gun-carrying business or carrying to protect ourselves and loved…

We at Combat Handguns are proud to present the biggest Fully Loaded Guns & Gear Giveaway yet! Entering to win a new gun—in this case the S&W M&P45 M2.0—and related gear from American Outdoor Brands and Elite Survival Systems is as simple visiting personaldefenseworld.com. But let’s take a closer look at what’s up for grabs. 1 S&W M&P45 M2.0 Bringing power in a compact package, the Smith & Wesson M&P45 M2.0 is a perfect EDC option. With its low bore axis, 4-inch barrel, aggressive grip texturing and improved trigger, this striker-fired pistol is easy to control and shoot. The accessory rail allows you to attach your preferred light or laser, and two 10-round magazines are included. In short, this .45 might be your new favorite carry option. (MSRP: $569) 2…

It would make no sense and smack of arrogance to assume that refinements could not be made to striker-fired handguns, even if they have been on the market for nearly 40 years. I had this epiphany on a cool day in Montana while speaking with Wilson Combat’s Mike Loder and Steve Woods, and it struck me as supremely ironic. After all, Wilson Combat is one of the pillars of the custom 1911 universe. This realization was particularly fascinating to me as they showed off and described their company’s new Vickers Elite Glock pistol. How could a Glock package even be mentioned in the same sentence as Wilson Combat? The answer is a mixture of intuitive business sense, respect for what works no matter the firearm type (remember Wilson Combat’s ongoing…

Every once in a while, I run across a gun whose features are so well thought out and executed that I wonder why all guns couldn’t be built with such attention to detail. Seemingly small things can make a huge difference for the person using it in a critical situation. A gun like this doesn’t happen by accident, and it’s reflective of one person’s experience and real-world use. In the case of Wilson Combat’s new Vickers Elite Commander, the gun reflects a lifetime of lessons learned during daily carry, endless training sessions and even combat. The refinements on this gun will serve anyone well and without fail during the most crucial moment of need. If you’re new to shooting or a younger reader, you may not recognize the name Larry…