New Handguns For 2006
Handgun manufacturers appear to be sticking to proven ideas this year.
- By Dan Johnson
- Posted: 02-01-06
- Categories:
Handguns
,
Reviews
Handgun manufacturers appear to be sticking to proven ideas this year. You will not see any radical new concepts but rather efforts to offer more choices in features and finishes. Speaking of proven designs, 2006 marks milestone anniversaries for some legendary handguns, and special-edition models are in the works. So, whether you are shopping for a collector's item, a special-purpose defensive tool or just a reliable shooter, there is sure to be something that strikes your fancy.
Browning
Browning continues to expand the lineup of its Buck Mark series of rimfire autoloaders.
The most radical in appearance is the Buck Mark Lite Splash URX with gold-splash anodizing on the matte-blue bull barrel and frame.
The Buck Mark Contour URX has a full-length scope rail and contoured barrel to reduce weight. The Splash and Contour are available with either 5 1/2-inch or 7 1/4-inch barrels with fully adjustable sights and ambidextrous Ultragrip RX grips.
The Buck Mark Bullseye Target Stainless has a 7 1/4-inch fluted stainless steel bull barrel, matte-blue alloy frame, Pro Target adjustable sights and laminated rosewood grips.
Ed Brown Products
The Executive Target 1911 .45 ACP is the latest upscale offering. It features a forged frame and slide, 25-lpi checkering and Bomar adjustable sights. It has been dehorned and features a lowered ejection port, Memory Groove beavertail grip safety, long aluminum trigger and beveled magazine well.
Charter Arms
The Bulldog is back. Charter Arms has partnered with MKS Supply Inc. and is now offering the classic 2 1/2-inch-barreled .44 Special revolver.
Charter has also introduced the Mag Pug, a ported, 2 1/2-inch-barreled, five-shot revolver chambered in .357 Magnum.
The company is now offering the stainless Dixie Derringer in .22 Long Rifle and .22 Magnum. The versions weigh five and six ounces, respectively.
Cimarron Arms
The Thunderer combines the grip of the original Colt Thunderer double action with the single-action mechanism of the Peacemaker. While it is not an authentic reproduction, it has proved very popular with Cowboy Action shooters. Now the Thunderer is available in a stainless steel version. Calibers include .357 Magnum and .45 Long Colt with barrel lengths of 3 1/2 or 4 3/4 inches.
CZ-USA
The CZ 75 Tactical Sports is designed for IPSC standard competition and features fixed target sights, a tuned single-action mechanism, a lightweight polymer match trigger, checkered walnut stocks, extended magazine catch and two-tone finish. It is available in 9mm and .40 S&W.
European American Armory
The Witness Elite Match features a 4 1/2-inchinch polygonal inch rifled barrel, single-action trigger with overtravel stop, adjustable rear sight, interchangeable front-sight posts, extended safety and two-tone finish. It's available in 9mm, 10mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP.
Heritage Arms
Heritage now offers a .32 H&R Magnum in bird's-head configuration. It comes with either a 3 1/2-, 4 3/4- or 6 1/2-inch barrel and has a satin-black finish with wood-laminate stocks.
The "Big Bore" Rough Rider, which is patterned after the 1873 Colt Single Action Army, comes in 4 3/4-, 5 1/2- and 7 1/2-inch barrel lengths. Chamberings include .357 Magnum, .44-40 and .45 Colt. Finishes include blue, blue/color-case and nickel. All come with one-piece cocobolo stocks.
