Available for purchase on May 13th 2019, the GLOCK 45 MOS - a Compact Crossover in black with Modular Optic System. This from their website:

The compact crossover pistol G45 MOS in 9x19mm combines a compact slide with a full size frame and has all the benefits of a Gen5 model. The slide in MOS Configuration makes it easy to mount a miniature reflex sight on the pistol’s slide without the need for a new slide or separate mounting system. Utilizing the design and engineering GLOCK developed for its military pistol (G19X), combined with Operator and worldwide Law Enforcement specifications.

The slide has the proven, superior GLOCK hard-surface finish nDLC in non-reflective black. It comes with front serrations (FS) which provide an additional tactile surface choice when manipulating the slide giving the operator positive traction even with wet or sweaty hand. The frame is also subdued black, with a flared magazine well for fast reloads in critical situations. Additional features include the smoother trigger pull, the enhanced texture for sure handling, a reversible magazine catch, ambidextrous slide stop lever, the Modular Backstrap System (MBS) for individual ajustability and the incredibly accurate, reliable GLOCK Marksman Barrel (GMB).

With the G45 MOS GLOCK has the next level of performance for service pistols - tested, proven and unmatched by any others.

A trench-gun blast from the past, this is no lightweight but it's made for heavy duty and showing off at the range so take it for what it is and enjoy the heck out of it. MSRP $902

Gauge 12
Capacity 8+1
Chamber 3"
Barrel Type Heavy-Walled + Shield
Barrel Length 20"
Sight Ghost Ring
Choke Cylinder Bore
LOP Type Fixed
LOP 13.87"
Barrel Finish Parkerized
Stock Finish Walnut
Weight 7 Length 41"

Designed to be the ultimate choice in concealed carry pistols, EVO SP (Striker Pistol) was tailored by Kimber engineers to be the best shooting and most well equipped compact metal framed pistol on the market. Not only was EVO SP machined to the tightest allowable tolerances it was also put through multiple iterations of hands-on human factors testing to ensure the best possible user experience before finalizing the design. Standout features include an innovative grip system that eliminates hardware on the grip surface, a magazine release that can be configured for right or left-handed shooters, a striker indicator that allows for both a visual and physical confirmation the striker is cocked, ledged night sights for single hand manipulations and a sight picture no matter the light conditions, and a 6-7lb trigger with crisp reset. EVO SP is the ideal choice for shooters that demand a feature packed, compact size striker-fired firearm matched with all metal construction.

Ruger seems to have taken a cue from Heritage Manufacturing who makes a nice little budget rimfire revolver that many plinksters have enjoyed owning over the past years. Ruger's brand new iteration - the Wrangler - follows the same size and ergos as their Single Six but with a cost effective aluminum frame and (undoubtedly) some MIM parts. MSRP is $249 though I expect they'll shortly be under $200 online. Being that a single action utilizes a simpler lockwork than a double action revolver, there are a limited number of widgets and mass production would be fairly straight forward with timing being the principal focus of QC attention. Ceracote gives some nice color options and improves weather resistance. I was rather hoping they'd use the Bearcat sizing but perhaps the smaller components of that model require higher quality steel parts for longevity and reliability. Either way the Wrangler promises to be a great kit or backpack gun and I'm certain they'll sell the dickens out of it. I'm also a BIG fan of the black checkered rubber grip and those (in my opinion) should come standard on all Ruger revolvers with wooden available as an aftermarket item, if you wanted. When your hands are wet, or cold, or sweaty (or bloody), smooth walnut doesn't offer much purchase. Anyway, the Wrangler sports the classic rubber boots and I look forward to getting my hands around 'em. GOM.

A study last year - published in JAMA Network Open - examined the type of weapon used in every fatal and non-fatal shooting in the city of Boston. It found that irrespective of the time of day, the number of wounds or the circumstances of the crime, the caliber used affected which gunshot victims survived and which ones died.

Between January 1st 2010 and December 31st 2014 there were 511 gunshot victims (220 fatal, 291 non-fatal) in the city of Boston. What's fascinating about this study is that is was one of the first on caliber v's fatality conducted by a police department (normally caliber is not taken into consideration in criminal shootings) for the sole purpose of reducing violent crime, AND, almost all incidents involved only a single gunshot wound even if many rounds had been fired. Though somewhat morbid to consider the results of criminal shootings, it does offer us preparedness in the face of criminal intent and continues this week's topic on one-shot-stopping power.

The JAMA study is critical for three reasons: firstly it determines that caliber size can be directly correlated to the likelihood of a fatal outcome; secondly it shows the next potential angle of attack by the anti-2nd Amendment hoard (i.e. license tiering for caliber and/or ammo regulation); and thirdly it demonstrates that if a criminal is armed with a gun (of any caliber), he has a 48% chance of killing you. The implication is that criminals are not typically in the expert class of firearm proficiency - probably because they lack the legal resources to practice - which makes this statistic even more frightening. Basically, a lousy shot loosing off a full magazine at you has almost a 50:50 chance of ending your life!

The report also discusses how murderous intent may determine a criminal's choice of weapon/caliber, the final outcome, and if or not the outcome differs if a non-firearm weapon is selected - this supports the well-founded opinion that people kill people, not guns. With almost daily knife murders in England (arguably one of the most regulated countries in terms of firearms) it's evident that the criminally inclined will grab whatever's at hand to do their bidding, so get every firearm off the street and we'll still have to watch our backs. I know for one I'd rather take my chances being hit with a single bullet than being smacked on the back of the head with a baseball bat!

Anyway, after simply glancing at the above statistics chart, I say to all you fellow law abiding citizens and licensed bearers of arms...grab yourself a 357MAG revolver and get thee to a range! ED