American Handgunner July/August 1979

eve,n the most discriminating user. Whenyou add to this selection the available variationsof color, plain or basket-weave finish,right and left hand, plain or lined, plusfive or six barrel lengths, the choices runinto the thousands.The conclusion here is that if theshooter can't be satisfied by what is commerciallyavailable, he will not be satisfied-period.This broad selection willcontinue to be a hallmark of progressivegunleather companies.The Traditional LookThe traditional look and feel ofleatherbelts and holsters will not be lost becauseof design changes. In fact, with similarlyscaled designs, there will be a recurringemphasis put on smooth, untooledholsters; the move will highlight deeplywet-formed shapes and beautiful colorfinishing. Leather surface treatment willbe tougher, more scuff- and abrasion-resistantand longer lasting. Consumer interestin maintaining the attractive, richsurface treatments will increase. Maintainingleather will become integral withhandgun upkeep.If anything can be said to describe theleather look of the future, it would be thecontinuation of traditional values combinedwith new but tested functional designs.Comfort and convenience will notbe sacrificed, but combined with speedand safety of gun handling. This calls forincreased product development activityand lots of design ingenuity. I prophesythat it is going to be a bright, excitingtomorrow for ......gunleather. ~64HOGUE MONOGRIp®Check or Money Order$14.95(For S&W K Frames)Ruger Square Butt Dble, ActionsDesigned to fit above the hip inthe hollow of the kidney, thiswaistband holster is concealablefor plainclothes work. Concealmentis usually bought atsome cost in drawing convenience:reaching far around on thehip calls for considerable arm andshoulder mobility. The angle ofgun handle carry is carefully determinedto assure a naturalgrasping interface.• One Piece Combat Grip for dutyand target usc. The Positive Gripthat is almost indestruct ible.• Made of Black Nylon Compositionwith stainless steelretainer.• Proven Grip Design FingerGroves, Palm Swells. Used rightor leh handed. Designed for allspeed loaders. Copied, notdupl icated.Quantity Discounts To Dealers and Law Enforcement Agencies• Mag-na-port• Metalife• Combat Revolver Alternations• Hogue GripsAnother FIRST Brought ToYouByPOWER CUSTOM INC.Box 1604Independence, Missouri 64055• Reno Holsters• Hume PPC Holsters• XP 1OD's Silhouette Pistols W/Bi-Grip• PPC Revolvers• Metal ic Silhouette RevolversDETONICS(Continuedfrom page 34)ter and a.D., and is of left-hand twist, oppositethat of the outer spring. The twosprings work together, but because of theopposite twists, cannot become entangled.The full-length guide also prevents kinking;additional spring space has also beengained by allowing the springs to extendfarther rearward in the frame, with thefoot of the spring guide seating directlyupon the slide/stop pin, straddling thebarrel link in the process. More space inthe full-recoil position is also gained by ashoulder on the rear of the spring capwhich seats on the rear ofthe spring tunneland thus effectively reduces rearward slidetravel by that amount.Whatever you choose to call this springsystem, it works beautifully-that's reallyall that matters. It's more expensive thanthe original Colt/Browning system, but ithas been functionally perfect.As we've said, the new gun-the currentproductionDetonics .45 auto-has performedquite well for us to date. Its weightof29 ounces (unloaded) keeps recoil downto a comfortable level, but good controldoes require more practice than with thelong-butted standard G.M. No problemthere, though, because it's a specialist'sgun, and the specialist will do the practicenecessary to learn to handle it well. Accuracyis good. But the serious user shoulddecide on one load to be used in the gun,then carefully target it for that load. Atnormal combat ranges, any functionalload will strike close enough to point ofaim to be effective if the gun is properlytargeted for ball.Incidentally, if the short Detonics buttshould give trouble with rapid-fire controlat first, use a standard-length G.M. magazineand curl the little finger around it beneaththe frame. This will help until youget the feel ofthe gun but thereafter, practiceshould be with the short magazine andfull-charge ammunition. After all, its ultimategoal is combat use in normal configurationand with heavy loads.Currently, Detonics is offering the gunin several styles and finishes. The standardmatte blue finish retails for $444.47; thesatin nickel finish costs $473.48; the hardchrome finish runs a bit more at $487.04.The above guns all have standard fixedsights. The newest model, the ProfessionalSeries, offers a polished blue finish and adjustablesights (those shown on the gun inour photograph are being replaced with asmaller rear sight of Detonics manufacture);the price, $493.60.In its present form, the Detonics .45 getsour full approval. It does everything themakers claim for it. It functions well,shoots well, and carries and handles well.That's more than can be said for severalother guns on the market these ~days. ~AMERICAN HANDGUNNER . JULY I AUGUST 1979