By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
In general, I like to have as much ammunition in the self-loading pistol as possible.
I don’t think 18 rounds will be necessary very often, but then it sometimes takes a lot of small caliber hits to stop an assailant. Even the best that have practiced often sometimes fumble reloads. I think that a person who concentrates on marksmanship and masters the revolver is as well armed with a .357 Magnum as you may be with a semi-auto pistol. But then it isn’t easy to gain more than a single round with a revolver redesign, so we have six shot revolvers on the old five shot .38 frame, seven shot L frame revolvers.
The self-loader lends itself to upping the ante in ammunition more easily. This hasn’t always worked out. As an example the Smith and Wesson Model 39 was a well-designed pistol with a grip frame that fit most hands well. When this eight shot handgun was morphed into the 15-shot Model 59 we had a pistol of inferior quality and a grip that felt like a 2 x 4.
The high capacity 1911 is a problem for many shooters. The Para Ordnance and its blocky grip frame is slower into action and a first shot hit, negating the advantages of the 1911 handgun. Other similar developments have been famously poorly received.
The Glock high cap 10mm and .45 caliber handguns are great sidearms but I simply cannot wrap my hand or my head around these guns. In large guns the high capacity magazine isn’t always a good idea. In the 9mm we can usually prosper with a 14- to 16-round magazine and not have a grip too difficult to manage. In small frame guns- the situation is better.
There are small frame developments that not only work well they work better than the original. These are the pistols that have the greatest improvement when upgraded to high capacity. The upgrade is just that, an improvement, and the pistols are better for the upgrade. We covered the Smith & Wesson Shield Plus recently.
Another pistol that is a considerable upgrade over similar size handguns is the Taurus GX4 9mm. In some ways this is a development of the G series, in other ways a fresh design. Wonders have been worked with polymer. The pistol features an 11-round magazine that fits into a grip as compact as most 10 shot magazines. An extended 12-round magazine is also offered. A number of slim line 9mm handguns offer scant gripping surface. The Taurus 9mm GX4 offers a hand filling grip that suits most hands well.
Another modern high capacity pistol is the Ruger MAX 9. This is either a cut down Security 9 or a larger LC9, depending on perspective. This pistol offers a nicely shaped firing grip, a newly designed tritium front sight, and a nicely turned trigger action. The Ruger MAX 9 is a nice shooting pistol. This is an 11-shot handgun with the factory 10-round flush fit magazine or a “13-shooter” with the extended finger extension magazine. This pistol is among the best shooters I have fired in small pistol but with its Browning High Power like magazine capacity outclasses the slim line 9mm handguns for ammunition reserve. Yet, the width penalty is no more than .5 inch. A polymer frame allows creative engineering while maintaining strength and rigidity.
There are other success stories in the small 9mm high capacity type of handgun. The SIG P365 is remarkably smooth and accurate. Among the best choices is the Springfield Hellcat. This little gun with a big belly is a model of ergonomics. The Hellcat is reliable, accurate, and fast handling. It doesn’t handle as well as a Glock 19, it cannot in its weight class, but this pistol combines a high capacity magazine with a comfortable grip, good sights, and a reliable action. These new breed of pistols are more ergonomic and offer features that are desirable in a small handgun. Among these features are good sights. A small handgun needs good sights more so than a larger gun. A short sight radius and pulling a five-pound trigger against a 24-ounce pistol doesn’t make for precision shooting. A good set of sights goes a long way toward offsetting these draw backs.
LCP MAX
A recent introduction into the high capacity upgrades is perhaps the best example of how a pistol may be improved with a high capacity magazine. The Ruger LCP has gone through the LCP II improvement. Now we have the LCP MAX. The LCP MAX features a ten round magazine.
This .380 ACP pistol weighs a scant twelve ounces. The LCP has proven immensely popular as a backup and pocket pistol and as primary carry for those that just cannot tolerate a larger handgun. The LCP MAX features a slightly longer grip frame. The result is a handle that fits most hands better. The LCP left the small finger hanging sometimes. The new grip design is about .5-inch longer but the result is a much better grip. I am able to grip the pistol better in my middle size hands and design spreads recoil about in the hand better. A ten ounce .380 has an abrupt shove and this new grip frame is an advantage. The pistol also features a bright tritium front sight.
High capacity isn’t always best idea. Some handguns have been marginalized by modifying the grip frame. The 1911 to the Para Ordnance, the SIG P220 to the P227, and other handguns have been criticized for their gain in width and girth. The new breed of small polymer frame 9mm pistols are another matter and seem to be without drawbacks. The LCP MAX .380 pistol is particularly well suited to its intended role. Perhaps we can have our cake and eat it too.
