Guns Illustrated 2011. Dan Shideler

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      The Bodyguard .380 from Smith &Wesson has its controls on the left, but its double-action-only mechanism is suitable for use with either hand.

      The .45 that I examined had an all-black finish. However, the 9mm and .40 pistols in the Cougar line are now offered in several other finishes. They can be had as all silver with black grips, or with a silver frame and black slide and grips.

      TACTICAL INNOVATIONS

      Shown for the first time at the 2010 SHOT Show, the COHORT pistol is offered by Tactical Innovations. The new 22-caliber pistols are based on a modi-fi ed Ruger 10/22 platform. Made in Idaho, the new pistols have aluminum receivers and a Ruger-style bolt. However, one can see a big difference right away—the action is rear-charging, with a bolt retraction system patterned after that of the AR-15. A rail allows any sighting system desired by the shooter.

      Barrels are stainless steel, with various lengths and confi gurations. Threaded muzzles (with caps) are standard. A 25-round Tactical magazine is furnished with the Cohort pistol, and an AK-style magazine release is used. The laminated stocks come in a variety of colors. Matched with different colors of triggers and trigger housings, the Cohort can become a very colorful, and very individualized, gun.

      TAURUS

      Taurus’ new offerings were dominated by an amazing lineup of “Judge” .45/.410 revolvers, but you’ll have to read about them elsewhere. Although overshadowed by the big revolvers, interesting semiauto pistols have been introduced by Taurus.

      Carrying through on the renewed interest in small 380-caliber pistols that began last year, the Taurus 738 TCP is now a production item. The small 6+1 pistol weighs about 10 ounces (9 ounces in the Titanium version).

      The 24/7 G2 series of polymer-frame pistols is the culmination of Taurus experience with the 24/7 series and the 800 series lines. The new 24/7 G2 offers a choice of single-action, conventional double-action, or double-action-only triggers. The double-actions offer “strike two” capability. Slide stops, decockers and manual safeties are ambidextrous. Calibers are now 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. Along with the traditional 4.2-inch barrel, there are now a compact version with a 3.5-inch barrel and a long slide variant with a 5-inch barrel.

      The 800 series now has a compact of its own. The larger 4-inch 800 pistols have been scaled down to a compact size appropriate for a 3.5-inch barrel. The 809 compact is available in 9mm, .357 SIG, and .40 S&W.

      The 700 “Slim” pistol series, introduced in the 9mm chambering, has gone both up and down. The slim single-column pistols are now available in both .380 and .40 S&W versions. Taurus has had a hard time coming up with a satisfactory 22-caliber pistol for target, plinking and recreational shooting. Several worthy prototypes have been introduced over the years, but none made it to full production status. Now, the company thinks a new .22 on the 800 frame will do the trick. The Model 822 will be available with either 4.5- or 6-inch barrels. The hammer-fired guns will be conventional double action, and will have “strike two” capability. 822 pistols will have adjustable sights. A conversion kit, allowing any 800-series pistol to shoot .22 Long Rifle ammunition, will also be offered.

      TISAS

      The Turkish firm Tisas introduced a 45-caliber 1911-style pistol on these pages a few years ago. Now, the new 1911 is offered in the United States by Interstate Arms as the Regent pistol. (See Interstate Arms.)

      USELTON

      Uselton Arms, a maker of 1911-style pistols since 1999, planned for a special gun to commemorate the 100th year anniversary of the 1911 design. The result is a striking-looking handgun. The frame is case colored, and the slide is polished mirror bright. Engraved on the right side of the slide (and effectively using roman numerals) is this legend in a three-line display: MODEL 1911 / MCMXI-MMXI / COMMEMORATING 100 YEARS. The Uselton 100 Year Commemorative will be available in full-size Government Model, and also in compact Offi cers Model versions.

      Tactical Innovations has just introduced the Cohort pistol, based on the Ruger 10/22 design, but with rear-charging operation.

      Volquartsen’s new machined aluminum V-10X pistol is in production, in several different colors, including black.

      VLTOR

      The pistol based on the Bren Ten design, and offered for the first time last year as the Vltor Fortis, is now available under the original Bren Ten name. (See Bren Ten.)

      VOLQUARTSEN

      Volquartsen Custom makes an amazing number of interesting 22-caliber pistols, most based on the original Ruger design. Last year, Volquartsen introduced a prototype of a new design of .22 target pistol, which they named the V-10X. The frame was CNC-machined from aluminum billet material, and the barrel was a taper fit into the aluminum frame. Finger grooves were machined into the frame, and followed the contour of the grips. The laminated wood grips themselves were available with either right or left thumb rest.

      Now, a year later, the company also offers new variations with built-in muzzle brakes, and with rails mounted top and bottom for attaching various types of sights and accessories. Traditional open sights are, however, furnished with each pistol. Trigger is set at about 2 pounds and has pretravel and overtravel adjustments. Want a special color? The V-10X is available hard-anodized in black, silver, red, green, blue and purple.

      WALTHER

      The Walther PK380, introduced on these pages last year, is now a production item, and already has several new variants. The PK380, at 5.2x6.5 inches, is larger than the current offerings of small 380s, but is roughly the same size as Walther’s P22, the firm’s small 22-caliber pistol. The PK380 has a 3.7-inch barrel and weighs about 21 ounces.

      Along with basic black, other variants now available are: a First Edition (serial numbers 1 through 2000 are reserved) which comes with an extra magazine and a nylon holster, a nickel slide version, and a black gun with an attached laser. All variants of the Walther PK380 use an eight-round single-column magazine.

      WILSON

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