INLAND S 2017 CARRY LAWS ’ BIG-BORE FOR ALL 50 BUYER’S GUIDE LIBERATOR STATES New Guns & Holsters PG. 32 PG. 93 ® ® LASER UP AND CL X U NEVER MISS E TINY S AGAIN! F IVE I K R O TITANSTS LO C&S REBUILDS THE POCKET HAMMERLESS AYOOB s REPORT TAURUS SPECTRUM .380 ’ 10 BACKUP HEIZER PK0 .45 ACP GUN HEROES RRUUGGER LCP II BBEETTTTER THAN BEFORE? LAST-DITCH FOLDING KNIVES DEEP CCOOVVEERRRRRRRR SOG WALTHHEERRSS ZOOM S30V +PPK/S AAnndd CCCCPP GGUUNN BBUUYYEERR’’SS AANNNNUUAALL®® ##119955 $$99..9955 DD iiss pp ll aa yy UUnnttiill MMaayy 2299,, 22001177 DDDD CARRYING MMMMIIINNNNIII 1111999911111111sss isplay uiispppplay u nn EVERY DAY til Dtititil DD Springfi eld EMP 4" CCC Wilson Sentinel XLecememeceme bb A Pro Trainer’s Tips Kimber Micro 9 Sig Sauer Ultra Compact er 26, 2016er 26, 2016 AATTHHLLOONN PPUUBBLLIICCAATTIIOONNSS BIG PocketPISTOLS ® SMALL IS THE NEW When it comes to self-defense fi repower, small is the new big. That’s the conclusion 2017 we came to after cruising the aisles at the Shooting, Hunting & Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show early in 2017. Want to see the very extensive list of small, new and totally hot? Check out Gordon D. Smith’s EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Nino Bosaz roundup that starts on page 86. Downsized fi rearms aren’t new, but technology keeps on advancing. DEPUTY EDITOR Linas Cernauskas PRODUCTION EDITOR Greg Lickenbrock In this issue we’re featuring the world’s thinnest .45 ACP—Heizer Defense’s PKO-45—which, like ART DIRECTOR James Allocca many great inventions, started from a sketch on the back of a napkin. And the folks at Ruger have COVER DESIGN Rory Slifkin listened to end-user feedback to come up with the LCP II, which is certain to give shooters everything PREMEDIA Michael Toppin DIGITAL MANAGER Matthew Hogan they’ve come to expect from Ruger plus a whole lot more in terms of accuracy, shootability and ease DIGITAL EDITOR Andrew Berry of carry. Taurus revealed its newest pocket entry with the futuristic-looking Spectrum in .380 ACP, and EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Richard Ortega other “fi rst looks” include Springfi eld Armory’s 4-inch-barreled EMP Concealed Carry Contour, Wilson CIRCULATION CONSULTANT Tim Hannon COVER PHOTO Alex Landeen Combat’s Sentinel XL, Kimber’s Micro 9 Two-Tone and Inland Manufacturing’s Liberator .45. tactical-life.com There’s a ton more in this issue, including a state-by-state carry law guide and Massad Ayoob’s personaldefenseworld.com article on true stories where pocket pistols saved the day. We might be out of space for the printed EDITORIAL INQUIRIES [email protected] version of Pocket Pistols, but here’s a look at what’s happening on the digital side of Athlon Outdoors: PLUG IN TO ATHLON OUTDOORS athlonout doors.com VP/GROUP PUBLISHER Nicholas S. Seifert & CONTENT DIRECTOR ADVERTISING SALES MICRO MADNESS: National Office A company called Empty Shell recently 212-478-1910 [email protected] created the world’s fi rst handheld Gatling NORTHEAST REGION Scott Buchmayr gun in 5.56mm NATO—the XM556 978-462-6335 SOUTHEAST & UPPER MIDWEST Amos Crowley Micro—and we’ve got exclusive video 216-378-9811 of it in action. Head to tactical-life.com WESTERN REGION Scott J. Cherek 307-635-8899 to see it for yourself (http://bit.ly/2kjFv3p). 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Fresh off its SHOT GUN BUYER’S ANNUAL® PRESENTS POCKET PISTOLS® (ISSN 2152-9450) is published biannually by Athlon Sports Communications, Inc., 2451 Trending on personaldefenseworld.com Show 2017 debut, Atrium Way, Suite 320, Nashville, TN 37214. Single copy price: $9.95 in U.S.A., $10.95 in Canada. Submissions of manuscripts, illustra- these days is our breakdown of 10 modern, Hudson Manufactur- tions and/or photographs must be accompanied by a stamped, self- addressed envelope. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unso- cutting-edge pocket pistols pulling ing’s striker-fi red H9 licited material. Copyright © 2017 by Athlon Sports Communications, Inc. All rights reserved under International and Pan American Copyright self-defense duty. (http://bit.ly/2jvbrNX) pistol has shooters at Conventions. Reproduction in whole or in part without written per- personaldefenseworld. mission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Printed in the U.S.A. com licking their chops. (http://bit.ly/2jNFW2o) POCKET PISTOLS 2017 (cid:29) personaldefenseworld.com 1 POCKET PISTOLS 2011 1 PocketPISTOLS ® 30 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 CARRYING THE FIREPOWER 50 MINI SIG By Fred Mastison By Andy Massimilian Must-know tips for striking the balance between The Ultra Compact 9mm rises above the pack comfortable and comforting everyday carry. of carry-ready 1911s. 14 10 POCKET SAVES THROUGH TIME 56 COLT’S DETECTIVE SPECIAL By Massad Ayoob By Will Dabbs, MD Tiny yet formidable, here are 10 real-world cases This little snubbie has backed up offi cers and where a backup gun helped save the day. civilians for decades. 14 REMASTERED RUGER LCP .380 60 BATTLE OF THE NINES By Mike Detty By Dennis Adler Packed with fan-feedback improvements, Two subcompacts—the Kimber Micro 9 the LCP is back with a vengeance! and SCCY CPX-2—duke it out! 20 SWEET CCC SPRINGFIELD 64 COMPACT KAHRS 38 By Paul Scarlata By Dr. Martin D. Topper And in this corner, hailing from Geneseo, Illinois, It’s time to go Kahr shopping for some ultra- the newly contoured EMP Lightweight Champion! reliable pistols that offer on-the-go protection 24/7. 28 CURVE APPEAL 68 BACKUP BLADES By Paul Scarlata By Tim Stetzer Taurus’ laser-equipped .380 will twist Rugged, affordable knives to ride shotgun your perception of concealed carry. to your trusted sidearm. 30 THE TAURUS SPECTRUM 74 LITTLE GUNS & LASERS 56 By Athlon Staff By Richard Mann An exclusive look at an innovative, See how a Crimson Trace laser on Big Green’s stylish .380 ACP striker. RM380 can help increase your precision. 32 LONG LIVE THE LIBERATOR 78 REBORN CLASSIC By William Bell By Rob Garrett Check out Inland’s new take on a super-covert Cylinder & Slide resurrects the Colt .45 from World War II! Model 1908 Pocket Hammerless—in .45 ACP! 37 AGI’s DOUBLE TAKE 82 WALTHER SHOOTOUT By Will Dabbs, MD By Will Dabbs, MD 64 Get a closer look at Bond Arms’ derringers with Testing two compact pistols—old and new— the American Gunsmithing Institute. to see which is best for self-defense. 38 HEIZER’S POCKET .45 86 WHAT’S HOT FROM SHOT By Mike Detty By Gordon D. Smith It’s time to turn up the CCW heat with the Check out the new guns and holsters world’s thinnest .45 semi-auto! debuted at the 2017 SHOT Show! 44 WC SENTINEL XL 93 STATE-BY-STATE CARRY LAWS By Rob Garrett By Jeremy D. Clough 82 Don’t let the name fool you—Wilson’s newest Charting the concealed-carry laws 1911 carries small but offers big possibilities! for all 50 states in 2017. Kimber Two-Tone II and Stainless II The new look for an iconic foundation. The sophisticated two- tone slide and frame fi nish features brush-polished fl ats on slide and is accented by rosewood grips. Off ered in 45 ACP and 9mm. The Stainless II family off ers models in stainless steel and aluminum construction. Kimber logo rosewood grips complete the classic look on all Stainless II models. Available in three sizes and in .45 ACP and 9mm. Transforming our foundation, the 2016 Kimber Two-Tone II and Stainless II families have the custom features that promote intuitive operation and absolute dependability. As with all Kimber pistols, each part is manufactured to the tightest tolerances and fi t together by hand. Three sizes and 2 calibers are available in each family; the Ultra Carry II, pictured here, features a 3-inch barrel and weighs in at 25 ounces. (888) 243-4522 MADE IN AMERICA WHAT ALL GUNS SHOULD BETM kimberamerica.com ©2016, Kimber Mfg., Inc. All rights reserved. Information and specifi cations are for reference only and subject to change without notice. ✔ CARRYING THE Must-know tips for striking the balance between comfortable and comforting everyday carry. BY FRED MASTISON (cid:53) STRAIGHT 8 PHOTOS So, the new year has arrived and you followed up on your decision to buy a new handgun for everyday carry. The process was a bit convoluted be- cause suggestions on just what to buy were diverse to say the least—from your friend who insisted that it had to be .45 ACP 1911 because, well, they don’t make a .46 ACP, to a gun store clerk who said a .22 LR semi-auto was fi ne because it was all about shot placement anyway. Somehow you found a good gun that fi t your needs and abilities. However, in all of the discussions about what gun and ammo would serve you best, nobody seemed to have much input on just how to carry said pistol. This is a concealed-carry gun, so the method of carry is pretty impor- tant. To help you do more than just wedge it in your pants gangster style, let’s take a few minutes and look at the best ways to carry your fi rearm concealed. 4 POCKET PISTOLS 2017 (cid:29) personaldefenseworld.com FIREPOWER (cid:88)(cid:3)Keep It Hidden The primary word we must look at fi rst is “concealed.” The entire purpose of concealed carry is to carry a pistol in a fashion that does not let anyone know you are carrying. Poorly concealed handguns can lead to serious problems. The fi rst and most common issue we see is “printing.” This is when your garments form around your pistol and it becomes very obvious to everyone around that you are carrying a gun. Tight shirts and poor placement are generally the culprits here. While not classifi ed as illegal in most places, it can result in nervous citizens calling the police be- cause they simply see someone with a gun. The next problem we see is unintentional exposure. An example of this is if a breeze catches your cover shirt and blows it open, momentarily ex- posing your handgun. Once again, while it cannot be truly defi ned as bran- dishing, it can draw unwanted attention and once again end up in a phone call to police. Of course, none of this is designed as legal advice. My focus is on making sure that you enjoy the advantages of concealed carry without the hassles of doing it incorrectly. With that being said, let’s look at some of the most common carry methods to help you fi nd the one that fi ts you best. personaldefenseworld.com (cid:29)(cid:1)POCKET PISTOLS 2017 5 CARRYING THE FIREPOWER “ Concealed carry… is a huge responsibility that requires professional training to becom“e proficient. arise and it allows for a simpler draw. The cons are that it can be uncomfort- able for some people to have a gun on the side of their hip. This really be- comes apparent when driving or sitting. Another common option is in the 6 o’clock position, with your pistol in the small of the back (SOB). This area provides great concealment so long as your cover garment is appropriate. But it requires more reach and motion to access the gun. The final area we will look at on the waistline is called appendix carry. This method has the pistol holstered in front of your abdomen, usually just off of the center of the body. This is a very fast carry position that allows you to get your gun into the fight quickly. The cons Carrying a gun again come down to comfort. Sitting for behind your hip long periods of time while carrying with provides for great concealment, but this method can be uncomfortable. And you’ll need to muzzle orientation is critical. In appendix reach farther to carry, the muzzle is oriented in a fashion draw your pistol. that could cause serious if not lethal consequences should a negligent dis- (cid:88)(cid:3)On The Waist First up is on the hip. This places charge occur. While I am not a naysayer The most common location for con- the gun in the general area where your nor advocate for this style of carry, it is cealing a handgun is along the waist- arm naturally falls. This is the most something you should consider. line. This is a solid choice because it common method because it is the provides easy access to your gun with same location most people use when (cid:88)(cid:3)More Carry Positions a fast and effective drawstroke. Where they train with an open-style holster There are three other common styles of you carry on the waistline is a personal on the range and in classes. The pros concealed carry we need to look at. First choice. There are generally three areas of this position are that it is easy to is the old-school shoulder holster. Once where people most commonly carry. access your weapon should the need the gold standard for concealed carry, 6 POCKET PISTOLS 2017 (cid:29) personaldefenseworld.com it has moved a bit into the antiquated Of course, these aren’t the only category. The advantage here is comfort. concealed-carry methods. From A well-made shoulder rig can make it women’s holsters connected to bras to easier to carry a gun. The disadvantage men’s holsters built into underwear, the is that shoulder holsters are hard to options are endless. I’ve only discussed conceal well. You can’t wear just a T-shirt the most common methods. One or polo shirt with a shoulder holster. method of carry I have left off is called Additionally, it can be difficult to quickly “off-body” carry. This is when a person draw a pistol from a shoulder rig without carries their gun in a purse or bag. muzzling yourself or others. While it is true that this does conceal Next up is pocket carry. This has the gun, you’ll run into problems getting become a popular carry style as more and to the gun quickly, and it’s very pos- more subcompact pistols hit the market. sible for an attacker to take your bag The pros are that it can be very comfort- and gun. I hear attempted justifi cations able and easy to carry in this position. The for this carry style from many students, cons are that you must still use at least and the comments are always based some sort of holster in the pocket. This, on clothing options and how carrying combined with a generally small area, lim- a handgun is not possible with certain its you to very small guns light on capacity. women’s clothing. I will simply say that The last position we will discuss is Many self- you need to make a choice as to what defense-minded ankle carry. Ankle holsters have been is more important to you—fashion citizens carry go-to backup gun carry options for their pistols or carrying a defensive weapon. It is decades. These holsters provide excep- concealed on absolutely possible to dress around their hip because tional concealment, but carrying in this a handgun. In the immortal words of that’s what they position takes some getting used to, Colonel Jeff Cooper, “Carrying a gun train with on the and like pocket carry, you’re generally range for classes. is not supposed to be comfortable; it’s limited to a low-capacity gun. supposed to be comforting.” GUN SELECTION POINTERS (cid:88) So, we have looked at the most common carry methods—how about some general tips to make the most of it? It all begins with your choice of handgun. The gun you choose to carry must be selected carefully and meet several criteria. The most important item: Will you actually carry it? The desire by many to carry a large handgun because of its perceived power can lead to less-than-consistent carry. Large guns can be heavy and cumber- some to conceal. This is especially true for people with small frames. It is also important that the gun be something you will actually train with. While a .500 S&W revolver will punch serious holes in things, it is also a bit of a bear to master. The same can be said for many micro-sized pistols. Their light weight and sometimes long trigger pull make them snappy and unpleasant to shoot. This leads to a lack of training time, which can be catastrophic. A general rule is to choose a handgun that falls into these parameters: 1. Your gun should be chambered in at least .380 ACP with a maximum of .45 ACP. 2. It should fi t your hands and be easy to shoot. 3. Your gun should also fi t your body size and chosen method of carry. —Fred Mastison personaldefenseworld.com (cid:29)(cid:1)POCKET PISTOLS 2017 7 CARRYING THE FIREPOWER (cid:88)(cid:3)Holster Options While it takes some The second part of our successful con- practice to master cealed-carry formula deals with holsters. drawing from an ankle The topic of holsters is one that could holster, this method easily fill an encyclopedia. Opinions offers exceptional concealment. range from mild to wild and everything in between. Instead of going into which company to choose, I will instead give you some general guidelines: 1. The holster must be extremely well made and void of harsh edges. 2. It must be comfortable for you to wear for long periods of time. 3. It should be durable and hold its shape, allowing for consistent drawing and reholstering. 4. A good holster will have adjust- able attachment points to allow you to customize its fit. (cid:88)(cid:3)What To Wear The last part of the equation is clothing. Choosing the right clothing to conceal your weapon is important. Clothing should be worn loose enough to not only avoid printing, but also to allow quick access to the weapon should the need arise. I encourage people to buy pants that will “ Poorly concealed handguns can lead to SERIOUS PROBLEMS. “ comfortably accommodate the extra mass of a handgun if that is your chosen carry method. That may mean you buy them one size larger than you normally would. and a “Molon Labe” hat are a bit of a that of a loved one. It is a huge respon- The same may go for skirts and shirts. It giveaway. While I will never tell people sibility that requires professional train- all depends on your size and build. what to wear, I would encourage you to ing to become proficient. You must mas- I would also like to offer some not stand out in a fashion that says, “I ter the art of presenting your weapon as personal advice: Don’t advertise. What I am probably carrying a gun.” You make well as understanding the laws that go mean is, try to blend in with the general yourself an easy target for a thug who with it. In the end, though, the effort you population. While your handgun may be may be preparing to commit a crime. put into the choice of gun, carry style, concealed, the fact that you are wearing Concealed carry is something I ad- holster and clothes will serve you well tactical cargo pants, a rigger’s belt, tacti- vocate. It allows you to carry a weapon and bring you comfort both physically cal boots, a “Death From Above” T-shirt that could ultimately save your life or and psychologically. PP 8 POCKET PISTOLS 2017 (cid:29) personaldefenseworld.com