Pistols

Called the "Evolution" internally by Beretta during its development, the new Vertec pistol is basically just that, a model 92/96 updated with the latest features, like an accessory mounting rail on the dustcover, removable front sight, , flush-fitting 4.7" stainless barrel ala the "Elite" series, beveled magazine well, and dual-textured thin polymer grips. The standard version of the Vertec will …

LDA stands for “Light Double Action”. Before I tried one of Para-Ordnance’s LDA’s for myself, I have to say that I wasn’t very interested in the concept of a double-action-only .45. The truth is, I felt that it was a solution to a non-existent problem, since I happen to be a single-action proponent. However, now that I’ve sampled it, I …

Pete Carber, of Custom Arms Company, Inc.(CAC), built a special custom Glock 22 for an American Handgunner article that appeared in the May/June 2001 issue. The article was written by Andy Stanford. The custom G22 was built using a Caspian slide, Bar-Sto match barrel, Lightning Strike’s aluminum trigger and skelotonized firing pin, and MMC sites. Carber also performed one of …

Ned Christiansen of Michiguns Ltd. seems to be doing some interesting work on Springfield Operators. When you follow the link below to the photos, pay particular attention to the modifications to the front of the gun(specifically, the dustcover). The shaping/machining work looks to be excellent, and the gun just looks great overall. It should be known that Christiansen does all …

Most people are familiar with the phrase "Glock Perfection". It’s on Glock’s brochures, and mimmicked by Glock owners everywhere, whose numbers are legion. And, it must be said that those claims are pretty accurate. While not perfect, Glock pistols are just about as close to perfection as can reasonably be achieved via mass production. That said, if there’s one feature …

For those of you who don’t know the name Paul Liebenberg, now you do. Paul was the brains and driving force behind the formation of the Performance Center at Smith & Wesson. Now, he has his own shop, called Pistol Dynamics. As Paul’s profile on his website states, "he has built guns for members of the South African Special Forces, …

The mad(or should I say "Mad Dog"?) scientists over at MD Labs have just come out with their custom "Operator" single-stack 1911. The "Operator" is one of their "Hard Use" custom offerings. Basically, the goal behind this gun is to provide the end user with a single-stack 1911 that’s as close to indestructable as possible. To do this, Kevin McClung …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Smith & Wesson has just come out with a high-tech lightweight, five-shot .357/.38 Special +p revolver that’s actually light enough to be carried comfortably inside the pocket of a pair of cargo pants(you need pockets large enough, of course). Now, I realize that "high-tech" and "revolver", don’t usually go together well in a sentence, but bear …

FN has a bunch of new pistols on the table. Perhaps most importantly, they’ve just re-introduced the classic Hi-Power Pistol in Mk III configuration. This, of course, used to be known as the Browning Hi-Power Mk III, but Browning’s name will no longer be on the gun. Now, it’s called the FN HP-SA. FN is apparently working with members of …

For all those Beretta fans out there, Beretta will be releasing their Billenium limited edition very soon. Limited to no more than 2,000 units worldwide, the pistol will be a single action 9mm(w/sweep-down frame-mounted safety) and of all steel construction, with a skeletonized hammer and checkered front and back strap. It will also feature a nickel alloy surface, carbon fiber …