best handgun

Marine Corps Budget Funds Purchase of M-18 Modular Handgun System

The Marine Corps is going to buy 35,000 M18 Modular Handgun Systems under the Army contract with Sig Sauer at a cost of approximately $180 per gun. The Modular Handgun System will replace the Marine’s curremt M-9, M-9A1, M-45A1, and M-007 pistols. The MHS provides improvements in modularity and shooter ergonomics to allow for efficient manipulation and more accurate fire for shooters of different sizes.

The Marine Corpss lists the Modular Handgun System in their Family of Infantry Weapons Systems in the Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Estimates Justification Book. Other weapons systems in thee document include the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles (IAR), Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System (CSASS), M320 Grenade Launchers, and Tow Objective Gunner Protection Kit.

The Marine Corps Systems Command’s “INDUSTRY MANUFACTURING CAPABILITY FOR THE MHS HOLSTER SLEEVE RFI” indicates that the Marines want to purchase a minimum of 2,0oo M18 MHS holsters.

The $58 million 10 year Army MHS contract, awarded Sig Sauer in January 2017, makes the M-17/M-18 9mm Modular Handgun System the new standard replacing the Beretta M-9 pistol. The striker-fired varient of Sig’s popular 320 pistols is suppressor ready and provides an accessory rail for weapon lights. According to Sig Sauer, the U.S. Marine Corps joins the Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard who have all placed orders for the Army’s Modular Handgun System.

Photo courtesy of the US Army

Which Kahr Would You Drive?

Influenced by YouTube’s TheFireArmGuy we decided to start giving Kahr pistols a try. They’re an American-made option that seems to have all the right features for an affordable carry gun. Slim, low profile, economical, and simplified, the Kahr pistols fall into that single-stack build that makes for something comfortable, light, and efficient. In my experience there are two types polarized opinions of Kahr handguns: those who are approaching “fanboy” status and those who have never fired a Kahr. Having tried the CW45, CW9, and now P9 we’re starting to understand the following.

What I didn’t quite understand was the myriad of models and trim levels. Perhaps its my repeat trips to Front Sight, but I truly believe, “any gun will do if you will”.

So why bother with what is essentially the same gun but costs slightly more? I believe the answer may also come from shooting schools and lots of range time. The physical differences between the Value and Premium lines are in the rifling, sights, and some smaller parts being mim or cnc’d, and some extra touches on the machining of the slide. The biggest difference however I think depends on the owner. Are you looking for an affordable, American-made option for carry or stashing or are you looking for an affordable, American-made primary gun?

The overall difference between the value and premium lines is the package.

While both models are certainly reliable and and durable, the Premium line is built more for high-volume shooting and includes the extra magazines to support it. The premium line also comes in a lockable hard case for those who like to keep their kit together while the value line saves you the storage space with a disposable cardboard box.

Street prices between the two lines can differ by as little as $80 which is certainly worth the extra magazines. See the video link below for a tabletop side-by-side comparison and decide for yourself.

For more information and charts breaking down all of the options available from Kahr Arms check out their website here.

Elusive European Engineering: The Grand Power Q100

Grand Power is one of those, “Why do I not already own one of these?” companies that has been long known for their excellent triggers. Well-known may be relative because generally the American public has been unable to find or see one of these elusive pieces of European engineering.

Produced with incredible refinement and manufacturing standards, the Grand Power pistols are also known for their rotating barrels. By rotating the barrel instead of tilting as in the Browning system the barrel can sit lower in the gun (in fact is has to). This helps direct recoil more into

Author’s 15-shot group from 10 yards with the Grand Power XCalibur

the wrist and less over it as in the Browning model. The reduced shifting of mass, and reduction in 90 degree surfaces also makes for a smoother cycling gun. Combine those features with TRUE fully-ambidextrous controls and four back-straps to chose from and it’s little wonder that most shooters find themselves a hard-core fan within the first magazine.

Critics of Grand Power’s tight tolerances and hammer-fired system point out that in harsh environments debris might obstruct the hammer. Grand Power listened and applied their same engineering to creating the Q100. Thanks to bureaucracies it was released in Canada before the United States, but is now available as you may have seen in gun-industry news. What you haven’t seen is a non-stock photo and an actual human handling one. Until now. The video below offers a complete 1080p, up-close and personal tabletop review.

Full Specs:

Caliber	9 MM
Action	Striker DAO
Capacity	15+1
Barrel Length	4.3″
Front Sight	Plastic
Rear Sight	Drift-Adjustable Steel
Finishes	Black
Grips	Polymer
Construction	Steel Slide, Steel Frame, Polymer Grip
Safety	Trigger
Weight	26.1000
Length	8″
Height	5.3″
Width	1.4″

For more information visit Grand Power’s website.