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Stop Buying 1911 Mags Elsewhere. Just Buy These.

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The Colt M1911 is one of the most popular handguns ever designed. It’s like the Remington 870 of the handgun world. Millions have been produced and many of them today are in civilian circulation. Other manufacturers, like Rock Island Armory and Para Ordnance, were quick to take a hint. Para and Rock Island 1911 pistols (among others) round out the already enormous catalog of civilian owners. As a result, demand for 1911 parts and accessories, like 1911 mags , has been strong for many years. That being the case, rust, abrasion, fatigued springs, damaged feed lips, and missing followers can all take a 1911 mag out of commission right quick. For a gun with an all-steel frame and legendary action, the mag is arguably one of the weakest parts of the gun. For most 1911 owners, this means they’ll go through many 1911 mags before they need to replace other internal parts (all of which except the springs are basically bombproof). But, if you need a new magazine for your 1911-st...

Pistol Frames: Beyond the Basics

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Pistol frames are in demand mainly for one of three reasons. One, hobbyists and competitive shooters like to create their own home builds from 80% frames that are unfinished. Two, builders like to use frames to recreate functional handguns using parts or build kits. Three, shooters with older, aging firearms that may not be operable may need a frame to make repairs or restore the platform. Naturally, the pistol frame or blank you choose must be compatible with the other components you use as a part of a pistol build kit. You will have some leeway, but you need to make sure the frame is properly sized. Other than that, what are the other features you need to consider before embarking on a build project? Pistol Frames: Materials Pistol frames can be made from a wide variety of materials, but are most commonly made from steel, some other alloy, or a polymer. Polymer pistol frames are the lightest. They are not as strong as steel, but they are corrosion-proof, and they make for a lig...

M1 Bayonet Might Not Mean What You Think It Does

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When you type M1 bayonet into the search bar, are you looking for information about the bayonets paired with the M1 Garand? Or are you looking, specifically, for the model the United States termed the “M1 bayonet”? Because there are multiple bayonets that were compatible with the M1 Garand rifle, and the M1 bayonet (proper) is only one of them. Let’s start, well, where it all started - with the M1905. This is a sword-style bayonet that was actually designed for the M1903 Springfield Rifle and was predominantly produced between 1906 and 1922. It has a 16” blade with a fuller, a crossguard, and grips of walnut wood. Although it was produced for the M1903, it is also compatible with the M1 Garand. By 1943, the changing nature of warfare indicated a change in weaponry was also necessary, and the United States shortened the M1905 bayonet’s 16” blade to 10”. This new model was called the M1 bayonet, and it is also compatible with the Garand. The...

Basic Handgun Maintenance

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All handguns are different, feature unique actions, and accept different handgun parts. However, this general guide will offer you some general good pointers to protect the integrity of your handgun so it will continue to serve you long into the future. Thorough Cleaning Is Key Arguably the most important aspect of handgun maintenance is to routinely clean your handgun. A thorough cleaning will protect your handgun from corrosion, prevent parts from wearing prematurely, and ensure smoother, more reliable cycling. Make it a habit to clean your handgun any time you’ve been firing it. So, for instance, after a range day, give your handgun a thorough cleaning. Use bore solvent to scrub out the bore from breech to muzzle until it is shining, and then use a nylon or brass brush to loosen fouling deposits around the open action. Periodically, drop the trigger group and clean that, as well as the voids around the sear and firing pin which can also accumulate fouling. And don’t...

Visit SARCO, Inc., in Their Showroom for a Chance to Win Big!

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SARCO, Inc., located online at SarcoInc.com and in their showroom in Easton, Pennsylvania, has been giving back to its customers for 60 years now. What started as a small operation in New Jersey has fledged into one of the largest sources of firearms, gun kits, shooting accessories, and military collectibles in the entire industry. SARCO, Inc., which is one of the world’s largest suppliers of firearms and parts, has always believed in giving back to its customers. That’s why they offer the industry’s largest collections, run an educational blog, employ helpful, knowledgeable staff, and have partnered with organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America and Toys for Tots for numerous charitable ventures. Now, SARCO, Inc., is giving back to its customers in new ways: a series of inflation-busting deals over the course of the next two weekends, November 18-19 and November 25-26, 2022, in their showroom in Easton, PA. Here’s what you need to know. Enter for a ...

Spare Gun Parts You Should Always Keep Handy (or Get a Gun Parts Kit)

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First things first, we need to be very clear with this disclaimer. All firearms are very different and many don’t even have the same parts. For instance, if you shoot a single-shot break rifle, you’re not even going to have a mag spring or recoil spring, though you will have a firing pin and extractor. If you shoot a muzzleloader, you won’t have a single one of these parts! Therefore, we need to publish the caveat that this is a general guide only and that for platform-specific maintenance you should look for parts by model. Otherwise, get a good gun parts kit or keep these parts on hand (for your specific gun) because they tend to be the first parts to go. Recoil Springs In pretty much any semi-automatic platform, whether it’s recoil or gas operated, the recoil or buffer spring is going to be one of the first gun parts to fatigue and wear out. When that happens, your rifle or handgun (or shotgun) is going to struggle to cycle and reset. This part is vit...

Great Rock Island 1911 Pistols for Concealed Carry

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Rock Island is renowned for producing some of the most popular (and successful) 1911 variants in the industry. But no two are created alike, and your needs will determine which is best for you. So, with no further ado, here are some of the best Rock Island 1911 pistols for concealed carry. MAP MS 9mm Superior ergonomics, reliable handling, and 10-round capacity make the MAP MS 9mm a top Rock Island 1911 pistol. This pistol also features a black parkerized finish, a snag-free rear sight, and a lightweight polymer frame. There are smaller Rock Island Armory pistols for concealed carry, but this one’s 10-rd capacity and 7.43” length overall make it a top contender. Baby Rock 380ACP The BBR Standard 380ACP is compact. Fully loaded (7rds) it weighs only 1.62lbs, and it’s only 3.75” long, 1.25” wide, and 4.81” high. This pistol features highly tactile rubber grips, low-profile angled front sights and rear sights, and CNC machined angle grooves for sm...