8,000 + ROUNDS 3 SHOOTERS GLOCK’S NEW G43 3 - Taurus … · Taurus 709 SLIM Springeld XD s 3.3 S&W M&P9 Shield SIG Sauer P290RS Ruger LC9s Pro Kel-Tec PF-9 Kahr CM9. 38 G&A JULY

JULY 2015

gunsandammo.com

30

GUN TECH:

POLYCASE & POLYONE

Plastic bullets with plastic cases are almost here.

MADE FOR AMERICAJR CARBINES 9mm FLAG GUN

WINCHESTER’S TRAIN & DEFEND

(HIDDEN) CARRY RIG SNEAKY PETE HOLSTER

8,000+ ROUNDS

3 SHOOTERS

3 DAYS

9SINGLE STACK 9mm

POLYMER FRAME PISTOLS vs.

GLOCK’S NEW G43

HOWDO THEYSTACK UP?

IS PLASTICTHE FUTURE?PolyCase ARX Inceptor Ammunition

Beretta BU9 Nano

Wal

ther

PP

S

Taurus 709 SLIM

Sp

ring

"eld

XD

s 3.3

S&W M&P9 Shield

SIG Sauer P290RS

Ruger LC9s Pro

Kel-Te

c PF

-9

Kah

r CM

9

38 G&A JULY 2015

How does the new Glock 43 compare? We put more than 8,000 rounds through it and nine other compact, single-stack, polymer-frame 9mm carry pistols. Read on ...

BERETTA BU9 NANO

WALTHER PPS

TAURUS 709 SLIM

SPRINGFIELD ARMORY

XDs 3

.3

�MITH

&WESSON M&P

9SH

IEL

D

�IGSAUER P29

0RS

RUGER LC9s Pro

KEL-TEC PF-9

�AHR ARMS CM-9

GLOCK 43

WORDS BY G&A STAFF | PHOTOS BY RICHARD KING

PAGE 46

PAGE 50

PAGE 48

PAGE 52

PAGE 54

PAGE 56PAGE 58

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PAGE 64

JULY 2015 G&A 39

40 G&A JULY 2015 | SINGLE STACK 9 SHOOTOUT

WATCH OUR TEST!

Guns & Ammo’s editors spent one week on the road visiting three ranges across the U.S., shooting more than 8,000 rounds through 10 single-stack 9mm compacts. Taking the most objective approach, gunsandammo.com recorded the entire review process with early predictions, interviews and conclusions. Malfunctions were noted as well as high-lights and surprising results in the hands of G&A staff and a “third man,” a local full-time police of�cer.

See more at gunsandammo.com/9mm-shootout

GUNS & AMMO wasn’t the �rst to break the news about the Glock 43,

but after some careful thought, we considered the next few questions G&A

readers would ask:

1) How does the G43 stand up to its competition?

2) Should I trade in my carry gun for that one?

3) If I can’t afford to put at least 500 rounds through one, how can I trust that it

will function well for me when I need it?

With these questions before us, G&A surveyed the market for available

offerings and pulled together our collective resources. We borrowed and/or

purchased 10 single-stack, polymer-frame 9mm carry pistols costing less than

$600 with a similar barrel length that measured between 3 and 3½ inches.

In an effort to keep our results consistent, we reached out to Winchester

for 8,000 rounds of its 147-grain Train & Defend loads. These two types of

ammunition are performance matched, giving us a control by which to com-

pare accuracy and reliability. The Train load features a full-metal-jacket (FMJ)

bullet, and the Defend load carries a jacketed hollowpoint (JHP), so feeding

both types of bullet-nose styles would aid in evaluating reliability.

Checks & Balances Knowing that G&A’s result could be hotly contested, we

photographed and cataloged every malfunction regardless of whether it was

user induced or a problem experienced with the pistol.

Further, a “third man” was on hand and inserted into the shooting rotation.

In addition to G&A Editor Eric Poole and Managing Editor Chris Mudgett, three

�� Umarex Action Pistols, you can train

without traveling to the range. They are authentic in shape, weight, and feel,

like their firearm counterparts, but use readily available, low cost ammunition.

See them in action here:ActionPistols.com/GUNSAMMO

SHOOT30 ROUNDSUNDER $1

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650-ROUND TEST FIRE

JULY 2015 G&A 41

full-time law enforcement of�cers joined this

team to provide their perspectives and vali-

date the execution and results of these tests.

Last, a videographer with multiple cam-

eras captured the action. This video will

be edited for length and made available to

G&A readers at gunsandammo.com short-

ly after this issue appears on newsstands.

Keeping It Real Each pistol was tested

using only the elements supplied by the

manufacturer, just as one would purchase

it new. For example, if a pistol was sup-

plied with one six-round magazine, that

was the only mag loaded and reloaded

during the entire test.

No pistol was lubricated or cleaned at

any time. The very �rst 25 shots averaged

three shooter’s �ve-shot groups from a

25-yard benchrest for accuracy at the

beginning, and the same was done at the

end of the 650-round test�re. We’ll let the

data speak for itself.

)*+*,,- )./ 0-12

3-4+ 56/

7829: ;<

TYPE

Striker �red, semiautomatic

CALIBER 9mm

CAPACITY 6+1 rds.

WEIGHT 1 lb., 1.9 oz. (empty)

FINISH Black nitride (steel)

GRIPS Polymer frame, Gen4

SIGHTS

White dot (front), U-notch (rear)

TRIGGER

8 lbs., 6 oz. (new); 8 lbs., 13 oz. (�nal)

MSRP $549

MANUFACTURER

Glock USA770-432-1202glock.com

TYPE


CALIBER 9mm

CAPACITY

6+1 rds. (std.), 8+1 rds. (extd.)


FINISH Black nitride (steel)

GRIPS Polymer shell, textured

SIGHTS Three dot, drift adj. (rear)

TRIGGER 8 lbs., 3.5 oz. (new/�nal)

MSRP $450

MANUFACTURER

Beretta USAberettausa.com

TYPE


CALIBER 9mm

CAPACITY 6+1 rds.

WEIGHT 1 lb., .8 oz. (empty)

FINISH Stainless steel (matte)

GRIPS Polymer frame, textured

SIGHTS

White dot (front), white post (rear)

TRIGGER

6 lbs., 4.5 oz. (new); 5 lbs., 6 oz. (�nal)

MSRP $460

MANUFACTURER

Kahr Arms508-795-3919kahr.com


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4.3

1 in.

5.67 in.

2.67 in.

2.59 in.

6.25 in.

4.2

0 in.

1.05 in.

2.48 in.

5.58 in.

4.2

2 in.

1.11 in.

DEFHIEJ LMHN

OPQEU VXNY LUZ

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Hammer �red, semiautomatic

CALIBER 9mm

CAPACITY

6+1 rds. (std.),8+1 rds. (extd.)


FINISH Nitron (steel)

GRIPS

Polymer, textured; interchangeable panels

SIGHTS

SIGLITE three-dot night sights

TRIGGER

9 lbs., 12 oz. (new); 10 lbs., 5.3 oz. (�nal)

MSRP $513

MANUFACTURER

SIG Sauer603-610-3000sigsauer.com

TYPE

Hammer �red, semiautomatic

CALIBER 9mm

CAPACITY 7+1 rds.

WEIGHT 14.6 oz. (empty)

FINISH Parkerized (steel)

GRIPS Polymer frame

SIGHTS Three dot, adj. notch (rear)

TRIGGER


MSRP $333

MANUFACTURER

Kel-Tec CNC Industries321-631-0068keltecweapons.com

TYPE


CALIBER 9mm

CAPACITY 7+1 rds.


FINISH Blued (steel)

GRIPS

Glass-�lled nylon grip frame


TRIGGER


MSRP $449

MANUFACTURER

Sturm, Ruger & Co.928-541-8892ruger.com

SINGLE STACK 9 SHOOTOUT | JULY 2015 G&A 43

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4.5

5 in.

5.96 in.

2.87 in.

1.01 in.

4.8

2 in.

6.01 in.

2.77 in.

1.06 in.

4.5

8 in.

5.55 in.

2.49 in.

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TYPE


CALIBER 9mm

CAPACITY

7+1 rds. (std.), 8+1 rds. (extd.)

WEIGHT 1 lb., 7 oz. (empty)

FINISH Melonite (steel)

GRIPS Polymer, textured

SIGHTS

Fiber optic, red (front); white dot (rear)

TRIGGER


MSRP $599

MANUFACTURER

Spring�eld Armory800-680-6866spring�eld-armory.com

TYPE


CALIBER 9mm

CAPACITY 7+1 rds.


FINISH Blued (steel)


SIGHTS

Three dot, elev. and windage adj. (rear)

TRIGGER

7 lbs. (new); 6 lbs., 10 oz. (�nal)

MSRP $302

MANUFACTURER

Taurustaurususa.com

TYPE


CALIBER 9mm

CAPACITY

7+1 rds. (std.), 8+1 rds. (extd.)


FINISH Black 68 HRc (steel)


SIGHTS

Three dot, drift adjustable (front/rear)

TRIGGER


MSRP $449

MANUFACTURER

Smith & Wesson800-331-0852smith-wesson.com


��

6.80 in.

4.9

4 in.

1.05 in.

2.99 in.

6.46 in.

4.3

8 in.

1.07 in.

2.60 in.

6.20 in.

4.5

8 in.

1.13 in.

��

TYPEStriker �red, semiautomatic

CALIBER 9mm

CAPACITY7+1 rds. (std.), 8+1 rds. (extd.)


FINISH Tenifer (steel)



TRIGGER7 lbs., 1 oz. (new); 6 lbs., 5.5 oz. (�nal)

MSRP $599

MANUFACTURER

Walther Arms Inc.479-242-8500waltherarms.com

SINGLE STACK 9 SHOOTOUT | JULY 2015 G&A 45

OUT-OF-THE-BOX / INITIAL TEST RESULTS

FIREARM

MAX. MAG. CAP.

NO. MAGS. INCL. SIGHTS PACKAGING

TESTED WEIGHT

(OZ.)

TRIGGER PULL AT 0 RDS. / 600 RDS.

OR 1,000 RDS. (LBS.)

OVERALL LENGTH

(IN.) MSRP

MUDGETT SIX-SHOT

SPLITS

POLICE SHOOTER

SPLITS

POOLE SIX-SHOT

SPLITS

Beretta BU9 Nano 8 2 Three Dot Plastic Box 20.4 8.22 / 8.22 5.67 $450 2.54 / .25 2.08 / .28 1.90 / .18

Glock 43 6 2 Dot/Notch Plastic Box 17.9 8.38 / 8.81 6.25 $549 1.53 / .22 1.96 / .20 1.60 / .22

Kahr CM9 6 1 Dot/Post Cardboard Box 16.8 6.28 / 5.38 5.58 $460 1.78 / .28 1.85 / .25 1.61 / .23

Kel-Tec PF-9 7 1 Three Dot Plastic Box 14.6 7.50 / 6.69 5.96 $333 2.40 / .32 2.82 / .38 1.91 / .26

Ruger LC9s Pro 7 1 Three Dot Cardboard Box 17.3 5.13 / 4.72 6.01 $449 1.50 / .20 1.98 / .22 1.38 / .17

SIG Sauer P290RS 8 2 Three Dot NS Plastic Box 20.6 9.75 / 10.33 5.55 $513 2.25 / .24 3.21 / .34 2.85 / .34

S&W M&P9 Shield 8 2 Three Dot Cardboard Box 20.8 7.06 / 7.16 6.80 $449 1.59 / .20 1.36 / .21 1.34 / .20

Spring!eld XDs 3.3 8 2 Fiber Optic Plastic Box 23.0 8.56 / 7.88 6.46 $599 1.52 / .22 1.76 / .19 1.49 / .21

Taurus 709 SLIM 7 1 Three Dot Cardboard Box 19.2 7.00 / 6.63 6.20 $302 1.54 / .24 1.30 / .18 1.31 / .19

Walther PPS 8 2 Three Dot Plastic Box 21.6 7.06 / 6.34 6.30 $599 1.86 / .23 1.42 / .17 1.33 / .19

NOTES: “SIX-SHOT SPLITS” represent total time and split time of six shots !red offhand in rapid sequence, which were measured and recorded by a PACT Club Timer III.

IT ALL STARTS WITH

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PATENTED ANDFULLY GUARANTEED.NET

��

5.3

4 in.

6.30 in.

2.50 in.


BERETTA BU9 NANO

The only single-stack 9mm pistol built on a chassis.

BERETTA’S SMALLEST 9MM is the Nano, which

is unique in that it features an internal subchassis

that serves as the pistol’s serialized component. It is a

modular design, meaning that its chassis will readily

accept optional grip frames, which marry neatly to

the no-snag slide assembly. For now, its polymer grip

shells are available in black, Flat Dark Earth (FDE)

and pink. For an additional $200 more than the stan-

dard con�guration, the Nano can be ordered with a

Crimson Trace laser unit.

Shooting the Nano quickly revealed that it was easy

to control through rapid-�re drills, particularly when

�red using the 8+1-round magazine. This particular

magazine comes with an extended basepad to rest

your �ring hand’s pinky �nger on for optimal control.

Other positive takeaways include that the magazine

release was always readily accessible, and the textur-

ing on it was very good (much like the no-slip grip).

Though the trigger pull averaged 8 pounds on our

gauge, during this evaluation shooters indicated that

it was notably smooth.

Accuracy results were not representative of the

pistol’s real potential. Our pistol shed its rear sight on

round 12 and its front sight on round 363. Further,

the lack of a slide-lock lever made failure-to-extract

(FTE) malfunctions especially cumbersome to clear.

The Nano is easy to maintain and disassemble. A

�at-tipped screwdriver — or the rim of a spent case

— is necessary to rotate a takedown pin 90 degrees.

WINCHESTER TRAIN & DEFEND PERFORMANCE TEST

LOAD

WEIGHT

(GRS.)

VEL.

(FPS) ES SD

AVG. GRP.

(IN.)

BEST GRP.

(IN.)

Initial Test Results (rds. 1 – 25)147 869 49 18

5.82 3.83

End Test Results (rds. 625 – 650) 6.00 3.93

0---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----100--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--200---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----300--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--400---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----500--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--600--–----—----–---

78 Failure to EjectThe !rst of nine occurrences of this malfunction type with a double feed.

12 Rear Sight LostOccurred during the third string of out-of-the-box accuracy testing.

363 Front Sight Lost The front sight’s dovetail launched it forward into the target berm, never to be seen again.

596 Failure to ExtractThe last malfunction experienced before it was retired following accuracy testing on round 650. Looking back, the option of an external slide lock lever could have eased malfunction clearing in a few cases.


GLOCK 43

The new kid on the block everyone is talking about.

MANY GLOCK FANS CRIED FOUL after learning

that 2014’s G42 introduction would be a single-stack

.380. (However, we are told that Glock sold nearly

200,000 G42s after its launch.) All was well when

Glock announced on March 20, 2015, that the G43

would be a single-stack 9mm. Those who appreciate

this brand’s familiar ergonomics will quickly become

comfortable with this compact nine.

Size-wise, the G43 is a little more than a quarter-

inch longer in overall length than last year’s G42 and

.16 inch shorter than the subcompact G26. One inter-

esting decision will be made by users of the G26: Is it

worth giving up standard 10-round or extended-

capacity magazines for the slim handling of the G43?

(The G26 measures 1.18 inches wide versus the G43,

which measured 1.05 inches.)

At the range, the G43 was extremely accurate,

with Eric Poole shooting an unexpected 1.89-inch

best group at 25 yards — after the pistol had !red

625 rounds without incident. The G43 was a favorite

among our “third man” participants, each indicating

that they would soon own one.

The G43 performed consistently well, and G&A

has no reservations in recommending this model for

carry. Our only gripe would be the desire for a more

than six-round-capacity magazine and steel sights to

replace what Chris Mudgett jokingly refers to as the

“Glock dovetail protectors.” No doubt the aftermarket

will soon follow with some options.


LOAD

WEIGHT

(GRS.)

VEL.

(FPS) ES SD

AVG. GRP.

(IN.)

BEST GRP.

(IN.)


3.70 2.91


0---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----100--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--200---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----300--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--400---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----500--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--600--–----—----–---

245 “Big Hands” Says, “This pistol would be perfec-tion with a longer length of pull.”

25 Accurate and Familiar“It’s as if it were the little brother to my G19.” — E. Poole

605 Can a Pistol Become More Accurate? Eric Poole shoots a 1.89-inch group from a bench at 25 yards.


KAHR CM9

An accurate short-frame pistol that lacks the bene�t of an extended mag.

“VALUE PRICED” is the takeaway Kahr Arms wants

us to have with its CM9. The CM models differ from

the more expensive PM models in that CM pistols

utilize a conventionally ri�ed barrel rather than the

PM’s match-grade polygonal-ri�ed tube. Additionally,

the CM series uses a metal-injection-molded (MIM)

slide-lock lever rather than one that is machined. Roll

marks indicate make, model and caliber on the slide

rather than if it had been laser engraved, and the CM9

is shipped with one magazine rather than two. The

result is that this pistol requires fewer manufacturing

processes. This means Kahr customers save money.

Everybody involved in testing the CM9 agreed that,

though the stroke was long, the trigger was good and

exceeded our expectations. Even more interesting, the

trigger got even better by losing almost a full pound

after having been �red more than 650 rounds!

Kahr’s CM9 proved reasonably accurate, manage-

able to shoot fast and very reliable. Most important

was that there were no malfunctions experienced in

�ring to the end of our performance test.

Of note, some users with dexterity challenges

will �nd that the slide on the CM9 requires more

strength to rack, and G&A recommends at least one

spare magazine be obtained ... preferably one with an

extended basepad allowing for a more positive grip.

One or two extra rounds in capacity would also be

greatly appreciated.


LOAD

WEIGHT

(GRS.)

VEL.

(FPS) ES SD

AVG. GRP.

(IN.)

BEST GRP.

(IN.)


3.94 2.62


0---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----100--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--200---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----300--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--400---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----500--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--600--–----—----–---

111 Long Trigger“The long stroke on this trigger is mak-ing this pistol a bit of a chore to shoot with big hands.” — C. Mudgett

650 It’s Dirty But ...No malfunctions after 650 rounds !red.


KEL-TEC PF-9

This gun was built for carry, not for shooting high-round-count range sessions.

PERHAPS THE LIGHTEST 9MM ever made is

the Kel-Tec PF-9. Besides a few inherent attributes

that make it an easily concealed pistol — slim,

lightweight, accurate — the best feature is its price.

Though the MSRP indicates a higher number, we

have found that street price is signi�cantly less; the

Parkerized/black model we tested here currently aver-

ages $270 nationwide. Other �nish and color options

include blued and hard-chrome slides atop polymer

frames molded in desert tan, olive drab and gray.

The rear sight is new, which is adjustable for

windage using the Kel-Tec-supplied Allen wrench.

The aging eyes of our “third man” did not care for the

small sights, but young eyes will �nd them useful in

obtaining a sharp sight picture.

The PF-9 is one of the few carry compacts with an

accessory rail, which we applaud. Downrange results

in the real world are improved when two hands are

available to control the pistol while shooting rather

than one hand needing to manage a handheld

�ashlight.

Our hands still ache from the beating the PF-9 gave

us. This lightweight pistol’s narrow grip translates to

unequaled pain. In time, the PF-9 was the only hand-

gun that we chose to wear gloves to shoot. Ouch.

A sight to see was beheld at the range. The Kel-

Tec’s 1.21-inch leaf-spring-powered extractor helped

chuck spent cases far and away ... nearly 30 feet on

several occassions.


LOAD

WEIGHT

(GRS.)

VEL.

(FPS) ES SD

AVG. GRP.

(IN.)

BEST GRP.

(IN.)


5.19 3.18


0---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----100--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--200---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----300--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--400---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----500--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--600--–----—----–---

259 We Recommend Using Lubricant … But We Didn’t.This was the !rst of 10 failure- to-extract (FTE)/failure-to-feed (FTF) malfunctions over the next 250 rounds that resulted in slug-gish slide velocity due to carbon residue buildup.


RUGER LC9s Pro

It was every new shooter’s favorite.

THE LATEST AND GREATEST iteration of Ruger’s

popular LC9 series is the LC9s Pro. The reason is

simple: the trigger. We’ll get to that shortly.

The LC9s Pro model is a striker-�red version of the

original (and popular) hammer-�red LC9. The Pro

model offers no external manual safety or magazine

safety, and this one works with all the accessories

such as lasers, lights and extended nine-round maga-

zines that already exist for the LC9.

Open the box, and new shooters are greeted with

an unexpected bonus: a Ruger-labeled softcase. But

the lasting takeaway was experienced during the �rst

dry �re. The LC9s Pro incorporates the lightest trigger

of any polymer-frame, single-stack 9mm compact

we’ve encountered. The Lyman trigger-pull gauge av-

eraged 5 pounds, 2 ounces out of the box. It slightly

improved to 4 pounds, 11½ ounces by the time this

pistol �red its last and 650th round.

Only one malfunction was experienced, and we

suspect that it was user induced. It occurred on round

171 and was caused by our “third man,” who may

have accidentally pushed up on the small slide-lock

lever with the joint behind his thumb during �ring.

Besides having the most pleasant trigger pull of the

lot, it surprised us that the LC9s Pro didn’t champion

any particular category. Accuracy was a little ho-hum

average, and one shooter thought the trigger was “too

light,” a feature that is obviously subjective. It certain-

ly was a solid performer, and it has no-snag lines.


LOAD

WEIGHT

(GRS.)

VEL.

(FPS) ES SD

AVG. GRP.

(IN.)

BEST GRP.

(IN.)


4.89 3.71


0---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----100--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--200---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----300--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--400---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----500--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--600--–----—----–---

171 Slide Locks to the RearIt is believed that the LE of!cer taking his turn at evaluating the LC9s Pro inadvertently pushed up on the miniscule slide-lock lever. In keeping with the rules of this test, this incident was documented.

650 No (Other) MalfunctionsDepending on whether you count the incident at round 171, this Ruger quali!ed for carry.


SIG SAUER P290RS

This one comes with night sights and wears the best textured grip of the bunch.

THE P290RS IS LOADED with features that dis-

tinguish it from other single-stack, polymer-frame

Wonder Nines. For example, the P290RS arrives in

an excellent plastic case that contains the pistol, two

magazines and a holster (among other things). Only

Spring�eld Armory offers more accessories, with its

XDs. Further, this subcompact offers interchangeable

grip plates to personalize the grip — we’ve seen a

picture of orange, purple and pink side panels also

— and it is the only pistol in this roundup to come

standard with night sights. The P290RS wears a set of

three-dot SIGLITE tritium-�lled irons.

The “RS” suf�x indicates that this model utilizes

a double-action-only (DAO) trigger that’s restrike

capable. Some feel the need for this capability should

a live cartridge in the chamber not �re initially. Such

an incident was not experienced in G&A’s testing, so

this feature could not be evaluated.

The trigger on the RS model is much longer and

“very stagey,” as one shooter put it. This aspect made

rapid-�re drills challenging with a lot of shots pulled

low. It seems to encourage slapping the trigger. We’d

prefer the P320’s striker setup over this hammer gun.

To acheive this pistol’s best results, we recommend

using the supplied eight-round extended magazine

over the �ush-�t six-round mag for an awesome

grip that mimics the control of a full-size gun. G&A’s

favorite feature of the P290RS is its texturing, which

is also applied to the extended magazine.


LOAD

WEIGHT

(GRS.)

VEL.

(FPS) ES SD

AVG. GRP.

(IN.)

BEST GRP.

(IN.)


3.62 2.55


0---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----100--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--200---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----300--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--400---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----500--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--600--–----—----–---

144 Failure to Feed (FTF)This malfunction occurred three times within the !rst 220 rounds. In the hands of the same shooter, a bad magazine was initially suspected. Later in the test, it was determined that applying !rm pressure to the extended mag-azine pad caused the mag to move downward, too far below the slide’s ability to pick up a fresh round. Further FTFs ceased.

650 Final ThoughtsHeavily optioned with features and good accuracy, the DAO trigger was this model’s least popular detail. No malfunctions were experienced when using the six-round, "ush-!t magazine.


THE NEW PERFORMANCE CENTER M&P9

Shield was almost ready to challenge the Glock 43 in

this test. Alas, due to an issue regarding �ber optic

sight availability, the enhanced and ported Shield

could not be obtained in time for comparison. (Too

bad; S&W indicated that it intends to price this “up-

graded model” less than the G43.) So, we borrowed a

personally owned, off-the-shelf M&P9 Shield.

The Shield is a concealable striker-�red pistol with

an enviable reputation. It boasts a 1-inch pro�le and

an instinctively pointable 18-degree grip angle.

Smith & Wesson achieved a good balance between

concealability and shootability, perhaps better than

any other single-stack 9mm polymer-frame hand-

gun. Though the grip is textured, G&A felt that after

shooting 650 rounds, in comparison with other

makes the Shield could stand to bene�t from more

aggressive texturing to improve positive handling.

The trigger was a highlight of this pistol and featured

a consistent pull that averaged nearly 7 pounds at the

beginning and end of this evaluation. It quickly built

this pressure with short travel, then crisply snapped as

the striker is released forward. The click to reset was

tactile, quick and somewhat audible to the shooter,

providing very fast and predictable follow-up shots.

During drills, this latter feature combined with its

full-size-like grip (using the eight-round extended

magazine) to control groups in very tight order. The

Shield posted many of our test’s best results.

S&W M&P9 SHIELD

The benchmark for comparison.


LOAD

WEIGHT

(GRS.)

VEL.

(FPS) ES SD

AVG. GRP.

(IN.)

BEST GRP.

(IN.)


4.37 2.41


0---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----100--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--200---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----300--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--400---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----500--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--600--–----—----–---

25 Number 1The most accurate pistol out of the box in the hands of three very different shooters.

12 Failure to ExtractThis malfunction occurred for an unknown reason.

324 StovepipeAlthough malfunctions were rare, the Shield did present a single failure to eject.

600 “Shining Star”After 6,000 rounds had been !red between 10 single-stack 9mms, the Shield was one of the most comfortable and enjoyable handgun to shoot.


THERE WAS JUST SOMETHING ABOUT IT. Each

time one of us put down Spring�eld Armory’s XDs

3.3, we’d look at the grip’s imprint remaining in the

palm of our hands and ponder about the threshhold

between comfort and control. This pistol’s coarse,

molded checkering sticks to hands like no other. It is

also well equipped.

The XDs comes in a value-added packed plastic

case that opens to reveal a pistol with an outside-

the-waistband (OWB) holster and spare mag carrier.

The pistol itself is �tted with a red �ber optic sight up

front that seems to gather light and focus your atten-

tion where it should be: on the front sight.

This model’s 3.3-inch barrel offers a little more

sight radius than other single-stack nines, which, in

conjunction with the eight-round extended magazine,

helped us all print respectable groups out of the box.

This performance seemed to remain consistent over

650 rounds, but everyone felt it could shoot better if

the trigger were lighter and crisper. (The XDs trigger

did lighten 11 ounces by the end of this test.)

Two failure-to-feed malfunctions occurred during

the �rst 100 rounds of testing and then no more. The

left-side button of the XDs’ ambidextrous magazine

release became increasingly dif�cult to press the more

it was shot, but it never did seize. Therefore, G&A

feels this model deserves consideration ... especially

by those who want a compact 9mm pistol that won’t

squirm in your hand when called on.

SPRINGFIELD XDs 3.3

The most controllable single-stack, polymer-frame 9mm tested.


LOAD

WEIGHT

(GRS.)

VEL.

(FPS) ES SD

AVG. GRP.

(IN.)

BEST GRP.

(IN.)


3.80 2.57


0---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----100--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--200---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----300--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--400---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----500--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--600--–----—----–---

27/81 Not In BatteryTwo failure-to-!re (FTF) malfunctions were caused by slight out-of-battery situations. No other malfunctions occurred through 650 rounds.


GET READY FOR THIS: The striker-�red Taurus

709 Slim proved to be this test’s best value. Why? Let’s

start with MSRP: $302. This year, Taurus dropped

the prices for several of its models, to include the 709

Slim. That means we’re likely to �nd one of these for

about $270 across the counter at the local gun store.

But a low price doesn’t necessarily mean “cheap.”

Frankly, some of us entered this test with a slight

bias. By the end of the test, all of our opinions had

radically changed. It’s unfair to judge the new Slim

until you’ve actually shot one.

To start, the 709 Slim printed the single best

�ve-shot group of this entire test — 1.18 inches at

25 yards — in the capable hands of Chris Mudgett.

And it did so after it had �red 635 rounds without a

malfunction. (Then it went far, far beyond and has yet

to stutter.)

The Slim weighs 3 ounces over a pound and has a

grip that points naturally and a single-action trigger

that’s impressively crisp. Though it only comes with

one !ush-pad magazine, we grew to appreciate its

bright-yellow follower, which clearly indicated its sta-

tus in low light, visible through the ejection port. (All

companies should follow Taurus’ lead on this.)

Keeping an open mind and evaluating the Slim in

hand with nine other pistols of this class, we all —

including the three police of�cers among us — con-

cluded that its ergonomics and performance earned it

a place on the list of everyone’s top pistols tested.

TAURUS 709 SLIM

One of the top pistols tested.


LOAD

WEIGHT

(GRS.)

VEL.

(FPS) ES SD

AVG. GRP.

(IN.)

BEST GRP.

(IN.)


4.81 3.34


0---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----100--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--200---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----300--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--400---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----500--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--600--–----—----–---

245 Going ...Still waiting for a malfunction.

111Manual SafetyWe realized here that the 709 Slim and the S&W Shield were the only pistols in this test to feature an external safety lever.

630 Best GroupFired at 25 yards by Chris Mudgett, this 1.18-inch group was the best in the test.

650+ “It’s True. This Gun Runs.”In spite of the pending criticism G&A expects from the Web, we stay true to our experience. Zero malfunctions, and it’s all on video.


AT THE START of our test, all of us wrote down

predictions. No one scribbled “Walther” as a top

�nalist. However, by the end of our second day, we

were all dumbfounded. Where every other target had

600-round holes averaging the size of a large pizza,

the Walther PPS had shot a ragged hole the size of a

grapefruit. And, besides the initial accuracy test, most

of it was shot rapid �re. The PPS with its large, eight-

round extended magazine proved to be as controlla-

ble and easy to shoot fast and precisely as a full-size

service pistol.

OK, there was one feature that none of us really

cared for on this model: the ambidextrous pad-

dle-style magazine release that straddles half of the

triggerguard. We should note that we don’t mind

this type of magazine release on other pistols, but it’s

unnecessarily awkward to work for this little pistol.

A conventional mag-release button as found on the

PPQ M2 might make this the best single-stack 9mm

money can buy.

That one criticism aside, everything else was spot

on. The length of pull and grip angle facilitated com-

fortable operation by big and small hands alike, and

it sported consistent accuracy, a �ne trigger and a grip

that was easy to hang on to during rapid �re.

The Walther PPS posted no malfunctions during

our test. After 650 rounds had been �red, Eric Poole

printed a 25-yard 10-round group (for his own amuse-

ment) that measured 3.18 inches.

WALTHER PPS

It strikes the balance between shootability and concealability.


LOAD

WEIGHT

(GRS.)

VEL.

(FPS) ES SD

AVG. GRP.

(IN.)

BEST GRP.

(IN.)


4.21 2.81


0---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----100--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--200---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----300--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--400---–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–----500--–----—----–----—----–----—----–----—----–--600--–----—----–---

300 Rapid FireWith little muzzle !ip, the PPS is not-ed to be the easiest pistol to control and group rounds.

100 Look at This!Shooters step back from the "ring line and compare all 10 targets to "nd that the PPS had grouped 100 rounds into the size of a tennis ball.

650+ No MalfunctionsTest complete with no incidents to report.

660 One Last GroupAfter shooting a best group of 2.08 inches at 25 yards, Eric Poole continued to shoot a total of 10 rounds that measured 3.18 inches.

��PPS

features a unique paddle

magazine release.


AT THE COMPLETION of our initial performance test, several

pistols moved on to shoot more than 650 rounds. Treating it as

a �nal elimination stage, we agreed to run these pistols against

the new Glock 43 to 1,000 rounds as long as there was no type

of malfunction. This number is considered by many (particularly

those in the law enforcement community) as the standard any

duty gun must meet before they are willing to trust their lives to

its reliability. Only three pistols made it: the Kahr CM-9, Taurus

709 Slim and Walther PPS. The CM-9 had an FTF on 763.

The road to 1,000 was quite a boring journey for the Glock

43, Taurus Slim and Walther PPS, which continued to run with

�ve-minute breaks between strings of 100 rounds. All three eval-

uators rotated and pushed these pistols through several rapid-�re

sessions at near-80-degree temperatures. After the 1,000-round

mark was met, Eric Poole decided to push all three pistols

through one �nal program he calls the “typewriter test.” This

drill draws from different loads and bullet weights staggered in

each magazine — usually leftover ammunition from other tests.

Though all loads were of Winchester’s manufacture, the audible

report heard through ear muffs is akin to a typewriter smacking

paper. Springs and small parts must instantly react to the chang-

ing pressures resulting from different loads.

These last 50 rounds did nothing to affect the performance of

these pistols. The Glock 43, Taurus 709 Slim and Walther PPS all

successfully pushed to 1,050 rounds �red.

BEYOND 650

THEFORDOUTFITTERS.COM

WATCH SEASON 3

OF THE OUTFITTERS.

SUNDAYS. 11 A.M. EST

SPORTSMAN CHANNEL.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

THE FORD F-150.

THE FUTURE OF TOUGH.

Try to avoid water higher than the bottom of the hubs

and proceed slowly. Refer to your Owner’s Manual for

detailed information regarding driving through water.

With more than 8,000 rounds hav-ing been !red, the end of each day looked like this: a pile of Winchester Train & Defend car-tons on the range "oor, spent cases observed as incred-ibly clean. In fact, one of!cer noted that all he’d have to do to prep the brass for reloading would be to punch out the primer. Now, that’s some good ammo.

Documents

8,000 + ROUNDS 3 SHOOTERS GLOCK’S NEW G43 3 - Taurus … · Taurus 709 SLIM Springeld XD s 3.3 S&W M&P9 Shield SIG Sauer P290RS Ruger LC9s Pro Kel-Tec PF-9 Kahr CM9. 38 G&A JULY