Revisiting the Smith & Wesson Model 940

The Smith & Wesson 940 is a hammerless, J-Frame revolver that was built on the new Centennial platform between 1991 and 1998. During its relatively short life, four versions were made: the 940, 940-1 with an improved extractor, and the 940-2 on the magnum J-Frame were produced in 9mm Luger. The 940 PC was a limited run of three hundred Custom Shop models chambered for the .356 TSW.  The .356 TSW was a 9x21.5mm cartridge that offered ballistics similar to the contemporary .357 SIG. When moon clips are used, 9mm Luger cartridges, which are 9x19mm, can be used in the .356 TSW since the shorter cartridges headspace on the clips.

The Walther P22

Introduced in 2002, the Walther P22 has led a somewhat controversial existence. While a cursory glance at online reviews might indicate various feeding issues (especially with standard velocity ammunition) and a host of fixes and improvements, it also appears that many owners are absolutely satisfied and find the design to be reliable.  Over the years, it has been improved upon and it seems like most of the controversy has arisen in earlier production pistols and bad magazines.

Secession was not Treason

Today, an editorial appeared on the Los Angeles Times condemning the practice of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs flying Confederate flags at "...some national cemeteries on Memorial Day and on Confederate recognition days...."  (Confederate flags have no place flying over national cemeteries) The article claims that the Confederate Battle Flag "...remains a potent symbol of white supremacy, racial intolerance and oppression..." and that "[t]he U.S. government should not be flying the flag of the secessionists whose traitorous actions more than 150 years ago posed the most serious threat to the nation’s existence. Of course, a passionate attack on the institution of slavery and its related economic system follows. 

Diversity in the Southern Ranks

In his Fourth Debate with Stephen Douglas, Abraham Lincoln stated: "I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races, [applause]—that I am not nor ever have been in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to this that there is a physical difference between the white and black races which I believe will forever forbid the two races living together on terms of social and political equality. And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white race." (Delivered at Charleston, Illinois on September 18, 1858.)

The CZ 75

Introduced in 1975 by Česká Zbrojovka, the CZ 75 is one of my favorite pistols. It is all steel and, at 39.5 ounces, it is rather heavy for a handgun chambered for the 9mm Luger cartridge but it feels much like a Browning Hi-Power in the hand and the weight renders recoil negligible, even with +P+ cartridges. Double action, with a decent trigger from the factory, it is incredibly accurate out of the box and capable of groups that are less than two inches at 25 yards. 

The CZ 52

The CZ 52, made by Česká Zbrojovka (CZ) is a single action, short recoil, semi-automatic pistol chambered for the 7.62x25mm (Tokarev) cartridge. Used by the Czech military from 1952 until 1982, it has a very strong action which is reliable, with the exception of a rather fragile firing pin. However, this fault can be easily corrected with a replacement from Harrington Products. 

Revisiting the 9mm Luger Cartridge

A CZ 75 BD in 9mm Luger with Hogue tulipwood grips.

I can remember when it was almost sacrilege to carry a pistol chambered for the "puny and ineffective" 9mm Luger (9x19 Parabellum) cartridge. Published experts and gun shop sages were quick to point out a long history of ballistic disappointment, including over penetration and failures to stop. Those who rejected conventional wisdom were likely to be dismissed with an arcane warning that went something to the effect of: "Well, it's your life."

Some criticism of the 9mm Luger is not without merit. Introduced in 1902, the cartridge was originally loaded with a 115 gr. truncated cone bullet at a relatively high velocty of 1,200 FPS. For much of the Twentieth Century, non-expanding, FMJ and lead bullets were standard loads for handguns and small to medium bore handguns became notorious for providing poor to marginal stopping power. This reputation still haunts the 9mm Luger today and it has been further fueled by lackluster performance of the non-expanding M882 NATO cartridge used by the U.S. Military because expanding bullets are prohibited in international conflict  by the Hague Convention of 1899.