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The M1917 represents the perfection of the American double-action revolver as a military weapon. - While the day of the revolver was done, as it could not match the Model 1911’s firepower or ability to continue functioning once sand had gotten into the mechanism, there was an insufficient number of those automatics to equip the vast new army being raised for World War I. Army Ordnance did not want to deal with two different cartridges in the logistics system, so any revolvers chosen as a substitute standard would have to fire the rimless .45 ACP cartridge. Smith & Wesson patented...

Which Caliber would you Use in a SHTF Scenario? There are always debates on which is the better carry handgun and we get down to the ballistics, which is better?, a .357 Magnum or a 45ACP? 357vs45acpMost of us gun enthusiasts understand the differences between the two ammo and how powerful it is. But sometimes its good to see the visual effects of the ballistics. The following is a penetration comparison of the two ammo and it is the un-scientific approach. Basically shoot at different type of objects and observe the effects. The other consideration that we’ll talk about is...

You may have seen out in the wire splitting a bullet with an axe blade by shooting at it. This usually ends up cutting the bullet in half if successful. Youtuber Slow Mo Guys took this up a notch. By utilizing super slow mo technology to view what happens when bullet meets steel. The results is astonishing and surprising. Oh yes, Slow Mo Guys not only did they just split the bullet in half but went for slicing it up into 4 pieces. Its amazing to see the ax blade wobbled once the bullet made contact. We obviously, don't recommend...

Steel toe vs .45 results in a painful experience. Originally this story was talked about on a gun forum. Here's the excerpt from the thread: "This guy and his co workers were discussing whether a steel toe boot would withstand a round from a .45, so what do do you think would be the best way to test this theory? YUP, you guessed it." You'd think this person would try this out without having to wear the boot. It doesn't take a smart person to guess it would be a bad idea to shoot your steel-toed boot, hoping it'll stop...

Bill Ruger would have turned 100 years old in 2016, and even though he is gone I believe that he would have been quite impressed with the innovative firearm designs that continue to appear on pages of his namesake company's annual catalog. Unlike Colt, Smith & Wesson, Remington and Winchester, which were all operating in the 1800s, the Ruger brand is relatively new. But in just over 60 years, Ruger guns have earned a spot near the top of all American gun manufacturers. In firearms manufacturing terms that’s a meteoric rise, and it doesn't seem to be slowing. The American...

There are many pros and cons on carrying a 45 cal handgun for your everyday carry as a personal defense weapon. Experts and common JoeÂ’s like us choose brands and models based on afford ability, gender, hand size and functionality. (stopping power) Most of us will agree the 45 has good stopping power and yet there are some school of thoughts a 10mm will have the same effect. Then there are debates on the stopping power versus accuracy, the later being more important to focus on. And yes, last the bullet itself, the reloaders will talk about the best amount...

The Marine Corps has authorized MARSOC operators to carry Glock pistols, since most of the elite outfit's members prefer the popular 9mm over the custom .45 pistols the service bought them in 2012. The Corps issued a Feb. 2 Marine Administrative Message, or MARADMIN, that green-lighted Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command, or MARSOC, units to use the Glock 19, a proven design used by many units in U.S. Special Operations Command. The reliable, easy-to-maintain 9mm features a polymer frame and a 17-round magazine. The Marine Corps just completed an exhaustive search for a new MARSOC pistol in 2012. The...

It may come as a surprise to some (and boy, do I feel like a cantankerous old geezer for saying this,) but firearms are a mature technology. We all have to be aware that just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should” Following the invention of the double column magazine by Deudonne Saive, there really haven’t been a whole lot of original ideas coming out of the handgun industry for the last 75 years. Yes, I know, underqualified hacks like me will tell you all about the latest whizbang doodad from SHOT show, but in comparison to...

Madison, NC –-(AmmoLand.com)- After almost a century, the Model 1911 R1 marks the Remington brand’s return to the manufacture of the legendary 1911 handgun. In 1917, the U.S. Ordnance Department issued an order to Remington-UMC to manufacture 500,000 1911s for our fighting men in the armed services. The first Remington-UMC produced 1911 pistols were delivered in August of 1918. On November 11, 1918, the Armistice ending WWI was signed and the contract from the Ordnance Department with Remington-UMC was suspended. In all, Remington-UMC produced 21,677 1911s. You could say the 1911 was firmly implanted in our DNA, and now after...

I've been looking to step up to a .45 for a couple of months. Today I looked at a Kimber Eclipse Target II and think I fell in love. For this of you .45 type, is it really worth the extra $$ to step up this high. It was truely the nicest .45 I've ever felt and I'll probably keep it for good (I've never resold a single weapon). I've also shot the Glock 21, Springfield milspec 1911A, several Colt 1911As, but the Kimber was really sweet. So any of you long time owners or those with real .45 expertise,...

The note below is from one such friend who did West Point, retired after 23 years as an Army infantry officer (06) and then taught math at the Academy for several years. It's a weapons and tactics assessment note from a Marine Gunnie friend of my friend. I found it interesting and useful and trust you will too. - Dan Hello to all my fellow gunners, military buffs, veterans and interested guys. A couple of weekends ago I got to spend time with my son Jordan, who was on his first leave since returning from Iraq. He is well (a...

CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa — Not everyone in the U.S. military carries Beretta’s M-9 9 mm handgun. A small group of Marines still carry .45-caliber pistols — but they’re a far cry from Grandpa’s World War II gun. Marine Corps officials keep about 500 .45-caliber pistols, based on the Colt M-1911A1 frame. They’re called MEU (SOC) .45s, specially designed for applications within the Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Special Operations Capable missions. They’re issued to Force Reconnaissance Marines as secondary weapons to submachine guns for their role as the Maritime Special Purpose Force. This gun shoots up close and personal. Marine Capt. Jeffrey...