American Handgunner May/June 1977

able. Of course, handloads can't be madetoo light or their recoil energy level will betoo low to cycle the gun; this is commonto all autoloaders, not just the P9S.Since the first P9S, Heckler & Kochhas introduced a target version. The differencelies in a micrometer-adjustable,rear sight; a barrel one inch longer andprotruding beyond the standard-lengthslide, and a hefty weight which clampsaround the barrel muzzle. This makes fora rather unusual appearance, but it doesimprove accuracy. 'Lacking machine-restfittings for the P9S, we've not been able todetermine precisely how much improvementexists, but there is some. Of course,the 9mm Parabellurn isn't used in paperpunchingmatches here, nor is matchgradeammunition made in that caliber.All this makes the question of a TargetP9S rather academic.Of far more importance to the US.shooter, though, is the recent introductionof the .45 ACP version for the P9S. As ofthis writing, no sample .45 is available andwe've only seen one display sample and wecouldn't take it out shooting. For all practicalpurposes, it is identical to the 9mmmodel except for a forefinger rest on thefront of the trigger guard, and it, too, willbe offered in the Target configuration.The original P9S was dimensionedaround the .45 ACP cartridge, but in sucha manner that it could be made first in9mm to exvloit the Eurovean market.From the very beginning, H&K promisedus a .45 version, but it's been over sixyears in coming.At the moment, we can't present a detailedreview of the .45 P9S, but we'll certainlydo so just as quickly as we can obtaina sample and wring it out on therange.Overall, the H&K pistols we've examined(quite a few) have shown reallyfirst-class workmanship inside and a verynice finish outside. Of course, the P9S isby no means the perfect autoloader-butit does show far more imaginative designand engineering than any other pistolwe've seen beforeor since.BUSHMASTERDEALER INQUIRIESTC7INVITED ... - .- --WORLD'S MOSTPOWERFUL HANDGUNWrite GWINN ARMS CO.for free informationP. 0. Box 16046Winston-Salem, N.C. 27105IN SEARCH OF THEPERFECT TRAIL GUN(Continued from page 30)uses a 140-grain semi-wadcutter bulletcast from a mold manufactured by LeeEngineering. Seated on top of 6.5 grainsof Hercules Unique, this load chronographsat 1052 fps out of our Colt Diamondback(29/~6" barrel). This computesto approximately 350-ft.-lbs. of energy, allat a production cost of approximately$.03 per round. And, since the bullet hasgreater mass, we feel that this load's longrange performance, both in terms of energyand stability, is quite better than thatachieved with the lighter " weight " bullets.As a point of reference, it might be interestingto point out that Al Goerg oncetook an enormous black bear with a capand ball pistol which fired a round ball developingonly 309 ft.-Ibs. of energy at themuzzle. We are not implying that this loadfor the .38 special is adequate for huntingbear. Far from it. However, Goerg's experiencedoes indicate that, in an emergencysituation, this load would be capable oftaking medium game at short range. All ofthis from a pistol that weighs approximately26 ounces fully loaded.Another aspect of power is the versatilityof loadings the .38 special revolver al-lows one to use. In addition to the variousfactory and handloaded "ball" ammunition,we usually carry two or three shotcartridges in the cylinder. We've foundthat 135 number 9's will soothe the tempermentof any ornery cottonmouth. Inaddition, we have found that our Diamondbackpatterns quite well out to six orseven yards. This varies radically frombarrel length to barrel length, and evenfrom pistol to pistol. But with a quickshot, we have been able to stop severalcottontails for the pot. Should a situationarise where a single bullet is required, it isa simple matter to swing the cylinder out.Since we follow the standard practice ofdabbing a bit of red fingernail polish onthe primers of the shot cartridges, it is aneasy enough matter to "dial" the desiredload. This versatility in loadings enhancesgreatly the trail gun concept of flexibility.Finally, there is the element of accuracy.Again, this is a matter of choice.Some people do very well with fixedsights. They are lucky enough to find aload which they feel to be adequate, andwhich shoots where they want it to shoot.We have never been so lucky. In fact, wehave never been satisfied to have merelyone load for a particular pistol. Thus, inorder to obtain any degree of accuracy, wefeel it is necessary to have 'adjustablesights. ,With the weight factor considered, weFor only $1.95 you can make a genuine teacher bag tag and key fob. Stamp your own design.Toolsand oattern sheet included. Kit comolete. Easy and fun to assemble. Tools and materials canalso be used for other projects. You'll also receive a big, 116 page, full color catalog of leathercraftgifts and ideas showing other valuable things you can make from genuine leather.Start your collection of leathercraft tools &0 Key fob Pattern and in-The Mini-Kit * Bag tagstruction sheetsincludes: 0 2 Craftools 0 HardwareNameAddress0 1 oz. bottle of 0 Practice pieceHi Litern-mnmmmmMail this coupon with a check or money order for $1.95 plub 25'postage to 2808 Shamrock, Dept.KAM9, Fort Worth, Texas 76107(Texas residents add l0c sales tax). *-City Stale ZIP, Not redeemable for cash. Cannot be used in combination with other Tandy offers. Onlyone coupon per purchase.IIAMERICAN HANDGUNNER MAY/JUNE 1977