The Kimber Next Generation 1911 series breathes fresh air into the 1911 genre with beveled slide cuts, an optics-ready system, thoughtful ergonomics, and carry-conscious lines. Available in the user’s choice of 9mm or .45 ACP, the Kimber Next Gen 1911 comes in two finishes — stainless or black matte. Our handling of it proved it to be reliable and accurate. Most importantly, it was easily carried on the go.
The Henry Axe .410 is a neat pistol grip only lever-action gun that is classified as an “other firearm,” and thus is technically not a shotgun. It is a super fun, compact plinker in a very unique and well-built package. However, its use cases are extremely limited, as are any potential upgrades.
The Heritage Settler nestles itself in a nice middle ground, offering good build quality, nice aesthetics, and solid performance – all at a very reasonable price. These make for great plinkers for adults and younger children alike, and also make for great training tools. Being chambered in .22LR also lets you be able to shoot all day without breaking the bank.
The Kel-Tec RDB Survival is an interesting 5.56 rifle that can easily fill multiple roles. Its slim and compact bullpup design makes it ideal for use as a camping gun, survival rifle, truck gun, or even a home defense tool. The downward-ejecting design and reversible charging handle also mean this rifle is a true ambidextrous gun.
Kimber scaled up their micro-compact R7 Mako and added some new features with their new Mako Carbon Compact. An aggressive trigger guard undercut, extended magwell, optics-ready slide, and improved ergonomics make this gun an outstanding entry into the ultra-thin carry gun market. Excellent reliability and accuracy help the Mako Carbon Compact further compete with guns like the Sig P365 X-Macro and the Springfield Hellcat Pro.
The PSA AK-47 is Palmetto State Armory’s rifle for people who want to stick to the classics. Get all the AK-47 vibes you want, but with slightly more modern furniture and a “Made in the U.S.A.” label. We shot several types of ammo using a few types of magazines, and the PSA AK-47 ate it all up with no malfunctions.
Springfield’s latest iteration of the 1911 TRP (Tactical Response Pistol) brought some welcome upgrades to an already loved line of pistols. Exacting fitment, aggressive grip texturing, optics-ready options, and premium materials put these 1911s firmly in the “semi-custom” bracket. You are getting much of the look and feel of a custom 1911, thanks to the hand-fitting process the TRPs undergo. If you are looking for a high-end 1911 without crossing the $2,000 threshold, the 1911 TRPs are some of the better options.
The Taurus Tracker 627 is a 7-shot .357 Magnum revolver that falls nicely into the “quite affordable” territory. In addition to the extra capacity on the cylinder, the Tracker 627 also features a fully-adjustable rear sight, a ported barrel, and a generous rubber grip to help tame even the harshest of recoil the .357 Magnum has to offer. At a price of around $500 or less, the 627 Tracker is one of the value magnum revolvers on the market.
Weighing in at just 6.6 ounces and measuring 0.75 inches wide, the KelTec P32 is the smallest semi-automatic centerfire handgun on the market. Despite its diminutive size, the P32 still offers an impressive 7+1 capacity and uses a short-recoil operating system. A 5-pound double-action-only trigger pull rounds the features out. Designed for deep concealment, the P32 is ideal for a variety of carry situations and styles.
