April’s GUNS Magazine Goes Full-Bore
Featuring S&W’s M&P .45 ACP Shield
(ArmsVault.com) – Landing on the cover of the April issue of GUNS is S&W’s M&P .45 ACP Shield, a new variation of the popular polymer striker-fired subcompact pistol. Chambered in .45 ACP, this M&P ups the ante on power and upholds the well-established reputation of the series. Run through a gamut of ammunition by experienced shooters, the .45 ACP Shield passed with flying colors. Massad Ayoob dispenses a comprehensive review to satisfy inquiring minds.
“I lost count of how many rounds got put through the gun by the many hands offered a chance to shoot it, but several hundred including ball, assorted JHP and even the occasional lead bullet reload went downrange. There were zero malfunctions of any kind,” Ayoob says. “The accuracy was much better than I had dared to hope for, the recoil controllable and the size almost unnoticeably greater than the smaller Shields that preceded the .45.”
In “First Pair,” Editor Jeff John pays homage to a time when handgun/rifle combos fulfilled an important concept: interchangeability of ammo between dissimilar arms. Jeff matches Cimarron’s 1866 Yellowboy with the 1872 Open Top in .44 Special to provide a modern exploration of the first two arms sharing ammo in the post-Civil War era.
Those interested in gaining a competitor’s edge in the 3-Gun game will find John Taffin’s detailing of the STI DVC 20-Shot 9mm a testament to its innovation, engineering and craftsmanship. And in the interests of maintenance, John Connor suggests incorporating a bit of spring cleaning for your shootin’ irons while winter lingers in his “Odd Angry Shot” column.
This month’s firearms package giveaway boasts a Franklin Armory M4-HTF R2 BFS III. Among its many features, this rifle has an HSC-15 forged lower with the new Franklin Armory Firing System Gen. 3. In addition, the giveaway winner will receive a Sidekick Pro knife and Lightning Strike Products’ fire starter, tinder and belt pouch. Together, the value of the package totals $2,181.49. Readers are encouraged to enter the free drawing by visiting www.gunsmagazine.com/giveaway.
Online extras offer even more for GUNS readers to digest. From the pages of history, “The Elfego Baca Gunfight” recounts the story of a lone lawman who beat long odds in a legendary Texas shootout. Look for the April issue on newsstands now or purchase a digital version online at www.gunsmagazine.com/digital-version.