Handguns: 2011

Guncrafter Industries H.50 Caliber Glock Conversion

When you first see Guncrafter Industries' products at a trade show, you do kind of a double take. Then you ask yourself: Why would anyone want a .50 caliber Glock? Writer Abner Miranda answered that question in our November 2009 Arsenal review by arguing that the .50 GI conversion would make an excellent SWAT pistol. The GI conversion kit turns any ordinary Glock 21 into a fire-spitting monster. Miranda says the rounds are the size of "cocktail olives" but recoil wasn't "as bad as he expected...The receiver absorbs a great deal of the recoil generated by the massive .50 GI round and saves the shooter from the abuse," he wrote.

Kahr Arms Laser Sights for P380 and PM45

Kahr announced right before SHOT that it is adding Crimson Trace LG-437 Laserguards to its popular P380 and PM45 models. Kahr says the Laserguard is "the most compact, instinctively activated, user-adjustable laser sighting system available. The Crimson Trace LG-437 Laserguard is powered by two #357 silver oxide batteries or a single 1/3N 3-volt lithium battery. Its 3.3mm laser diode is so small that it reduces the size of the laser housing. The sight features adjustments for windage and elevation.

Remington Model R1 1911

It's been nearly a century since Remington was known as a maker of handguns. So it's fitting that the company's new handgun offering would be quite literally a blast from the past. During World War I, Remington produced nearly 22,000 Model 1911 pistols for the Allied war effort. Today, Remington's factories are once again turning out 1911s. The Model R1 1911 pistol is a no-frills 1911 with some excellent design features. Nick Jacobellis touted the gun's value and design in a review of a preproduction model in the November 2010 Arsenal. He wrote: "The truth is the preproduction R1 really didn't need much fine-tuning. It's incredibly easy and comfortable to shoot... The preproduction pistol proved to be flawlessly reliable when it was fired with three different types of
ammunition."

SIG Sauer P290 Subcompact

The buzz in the gun world is strong for this new 9mm concealed carry pistol. With a polymer frame and a stainless steel slide, the P290 is the smallest 9mm in the SIG line. Features of the P290 include a Nitron coated slide, drift adjustable contrast or self-illuminating SIGlite night sights, single stack magazine for a slim profile, a double-action-only trigger system, interchangeable grip panels, and an optional integrated laser. Capacity is six plus one with standard magazines and seven plus one with the extended mags. Trigger pull averages nine pounds. And unlike many small pistols, the P290 is built for safety. It has an automatic firing pin safety block and a hammer safety intercept notch and trigger bar disconnect.