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First Look: New Walther CCP M2

When Walther released the original CCP it was met with much anticipation. Straight blowback 9mm is too much to handle, but Walther’s piston system known as “softcoil” offered to reduce recoil below standard Browning systems. The “softcoil” also applied to the recoil spring which didn’t need to be as heavy and so the gun is easier to rack. The combination of softer recoil and easier slide operation was appealing to newer shooters and those more sensitive to recoil. Where the original CCP lost some of those users was that disassembly required a tool.

Walther has learned from that experience and responded to public demand with the CCP M2. Take-down is now tool-less, but all of the original benefits remain. To see just how easy it is now, and have a closer look watch the video below.

The rest of the pistol remains generally unchanged. In fact the specifications of the original remain true:

CALIBER: 9MM
BARREL LENGTH: 3.54″
TRIGGER PULL: SA 5.5 LBS
TRIGGER TRAVEL: 0.27″
CAPACITY: 8 RDS
OVERALL LENGTH: 6.41″
HEIGHT: 5.12″
SAFETY: MANUAL + 1 AUTO
WIDTH: 1.18″
WEIGHT EMPTY: 22.33 OZ

You may have noted that also remaining is the longer trigger pull and reset. Longer is a relative term. Compared to other Walthers it’s longer, compared to most handguns it’s about normal. I love Walther’s trigger for range time, but for a learner’s gun or self defense I think a longer pull is an added level of safety.

I’m curious to see how well the gas system tolerates the wide variety of rounds I like to run through guns. From 165gr down to 65gr will be tested. Each with their own unique recoil signature and pressure spikes. Having stripped and reassembled the CCP M2 a couple of times I don’t find it any more difficult that most modern handguns. It’s just different. I’m sure there will be haters out there because it doesn’t break down like a Glock, but this isn’t a Glock. There are only so many ways a gun with a fixed barrel can be disassembled.

HK P30 SK LEM Tabletop Video Review

Hammer-fired is smartly making a comeback. With the current trend of appendix carry folks are starting to appreciate the additional safety a hammer can provide. Pistols like the HK P30 offer a hammer to rest your thumb on while holstering. No amount of snagging or obstruction can pull the trigger without a clear tactile warning transferring into your thumb. Let’s take a look at the construction and feel of the P30 SK in the video below.

The advantage with this choice in handgun comes from the double-action only ability to deliver a second strike on a potentially bad round or hard primer. The LEM trigger takes up much of the pull weight upon cocking so only a true second strike feels heavy. Additionally the hammer is bobbed so as a carry gun it rides as comfortably as a striker-fired gun. Specs below were taken directly from HK’s product page:

SPECS

Dimensions

Caliber	Length	Height	Width	Barrel Length
9 mm x 19	6.42 in.	4.57 in.	1.37 in.	3.27 in.

Weight

Caliber	Weight (with empty magazine)
9 mm x 19	23.99 oz

Other Specifications

Caliber	Magazine Capacity
9 mm x 19	10/13/15

10-round capacity seems a bit light for a gun of this size, but I have been unable to find the 13-round magazines so far. I plan on taking this pistol to the range soon for the standard GBGuns battery of tests. As seen in the video I’m going to take full advantage of being able to mix and match the three interchangeable grip portions. As a large-handed individual I tend to have a bit of gap between my firing hand and the right side of the gun. HK’s larger grip panel installed on the right side helps fill that gap for me while the slimmer panel on the left helps me maintain a good two-handed grip.

Range test will be filmed and include as always a full-mag +1 test for basic reliability. Compatibility with different projectile shapes, weights, charges, and case materials through are tested with the “What’s for Dinner?” test. Lastly a quick field accuracy test firing five shots from seven yards using Nosler Match ammunition.

First Look: Canik TP9 SFx from Century Arms

Century Arms and Canik USA have expanded the TP9 line once more. The TP9 SFx is a competition-oriented model akin to the Walther Q5 Match. With a 5.2″ barrel the TP9 SFx has the length to not only squeeze more velocity and power out of 9mm rounds, but also provides a lengthy sight radius.

The increased velocity from a 5.2″ barrel is a welcome feature for anyone who shoots steel or bowling-pin matches. At some of these matches the target must be knocked over or off of a stand to count as a hit. 9mm is loved for its affordability, availability, and low recoil, but needs speed to have knock-down power in the most literal sense.

Aside from the longer barrel and lightening cuts on the slide, another slide cut makes the TP9 SFx stand out. This TP9 is ready for optics. As you’ll see in the video above, the TP9 SFx is not only pre-cut for optics, but includes mounting plates to accept most of the common reflex-sights. An interesting bonus is the inclusion of an optional charging handle to make racking the slide easier with an optic installed.

The rest of the gun is mostly unchanged from the basic TP9 design save two changes in controls. The magazine release is extended (second size option included), and the slide lock/slide release has a nice flare to it to make releasing the slide very easy. Other specifications and facts can be seen below as taken directly from the product webpage.

SKU	HG3774G-N	HG4192G-N	HG3774D-N
COLOR	Tungsten Grey	Tungsten Grey	FDE
UPC	787450434783	787450476806	787450446816
CALIBER	9mm Luger	9mm Luger	9mm Luger
CAPACITY	20+1 rds.	10+1 rds.	20+1 rds.
BARREL	5.2”	5.2”	5.2”
OVERALL	8.27”	8.27”	8.27”
HEIGHT	6.2”	5.7”	6.2”
WIDTH	1.3”	1.3”	1.3”
WEIGHT	1.83 lbs. unloaded	1.83 lbs. unloaded	1.83 lbs. unloaded

Comes with industry standard dovetail sight cuts that are compatible with a large variety of aftermarket sights
Warren Tactical sights with red and green fiber optic front sight
Removable Red Dot cover – Rear sight installed in cover to eliminate interference with certain Red Dot sights
Four Red Dot interface plates
Match grade barrel
Improved single action trigger
Lightening cuts on slide
Forward slide serrations
Reversible ambidextrous cocking lever
Extended ergonomic slide release
Adjustable length reversible magazine release buttons
Two extra sizes of magazine catch extension
Striker status indicator
Cerakote over phosphate
MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail
AFC magazine coating
Comes with two mags., poly holster, paddle attachment, belt attachment, interchangeable backstraps, cleaning rod, brush and a limited lifetime manufacturer’s warranty

As you can see the TP9 SFx is competition ready out of the box. Once again Century Arms and Canik USA have managed to provide us with an excellent handgun at an excellent price. As far as real-world performance I’ll get the gun out to the range soon for my standard battery of tests.

Reloaded: The Grand Power K-100 Pistol

Grand Power has been called the best pistol you’ve never heard of. As a fan of their guns that has been raving about them for years I take offense to that. As you’ve seen in our article on the Q100 I have a small collection of Grand Power pistols and that’s for good reason, they’re awesome. Recently we took the K-100 out for a range revisit and reminder of why we like the gun.

The K-100 is the work-horse of the lineup. Duty-gun sized including the capacity and user comfort that comes with the sedans of the pistol world. Specs can be found on the product page.

If you’re not familiar with Grand Power one of the things that makes them different is the rotating barrel. Forget the claim about low bore axis, I think even Remington claimed that with their RP9. The real benefit of the rotating barrel is the absence of the lock-up clunk. Everyone who’s shot a Glock knows what I’m talking about. Tilting barrels require right-angle pieces of steel to pass over one another. This increases perceived recoil with abrupt shifts in weight and spikes in linear energy transfer. That simply doesn’t happen with a rotating barrel.

Why don’t more handguns feature this? Cost. More machining is required and to an arguably higher degree of accuracy for the Grand Power design. This means it costs more to make, and often that cost is passed to the consumer. I’m okay with that because Grand Power pistols are not meant for those wanting the quick and easy. Grand Power is the line shooters graduate to once they’ve learned enough to appreciate the finer things in a gun.

Speaking of finer things, a steel chassis inside the frame and four back straps that actually change the feel of the gun have been Grand Power features for years not months. If you’d like to learn more about these beautiful guns you can either visit the Eagle Imports website, or watch the informative video below.

Watch How a Glock Works (with Glock Cutaway)

I am a visual guy. I love cut away guns and looking at how parts relate and function together. The guys at 762x51n8o have done a great video using a Glock cutaway to show all the safety systems of a Glock, and how it works.

The more you know about how your gun works, the better you will function under austere conditions.

Photo courtesy of Trijicon

FMK Releases Elite Trigger Upgrade

While the FMK has not been too popular thanks to a rough launch, the latest version of the 9C1G2 runs. If you’re not familiar with FMK they are a California-based handgun manufacturer. That’s right, California. The company is fighting the good fight by being the only handgun maker in the state. As much as some would like to dismiss California, it makes up more than 10% of our nation’s population.

I respect the efforts FMK has gone through to not only exist, but remain in business and provide not just Californians but all Americans with an affordable handgun. For those unfamiliar with the 9C1G2 take a look at this older tabletop video. Design cue from Glock and Smith & Wesson can be seen.

My most recent range trip left me feeling “‘meh” about the 9C1G2. It is an affordable option and has incredible ergonomics, but the trigger left a lot to be desired. FMK understood that and has released a Fast-Action Trigger called the ELITE and recognizable by the number 804 stamped on the shoe. Curious about what kind of difference it would make I installed one and compared it with my original trigger.

As you can see in the video it appears to be a worthy upgrade for those looking to get a little more out of their 9C1G2. With an asking price of just $61.95 and available directly from FMK’s website I consider this a good buy if you’re committed to your FMK.

My testing protocols have changed a bit since I last shot the FMK. I think this pistol is due a revisit with an updated battery of tests and commentary. I’m curious to hear from you all how many of you have tried an FMK and what your experiences have been. The early models were rough, but this current generation of 9C1G2 seems reliable enough.