The Pistol Bayonet

I've shown a few new products from SHOT2009 that I thought were neat, or at least somewhat innovative. Now, I present the ridiculous, the stupid, the woefully cataclysmaly useless. At the top of the list is the Laserlyte pistol bayonet.

Truth be told, when I first saw this item, I thought is had to be a parody. I was shocked to discover that a manufacturer would make such an item. I was even more dismayed to read that some shooters and writers have endorsed the pistol bayonet as "cool" and a "gotta get one" accessory.

Here are my thoughts...... Knives don't belong on pistols. Knives do not need grips placed at a 70-90 degree angle to the blade. Such designs do not enhance the use of the knife in real world applications. Even bayonets on rifles are seldom used except for intimidation, and last ditch weapons. Last ditch? Give me a fresh magazine and a malfunction drill.

Maybe I'm not the high velocity mambo jambo ninja warrior princes that some folks are. Maybe I'm just a fuddy duddy old guy with an exposed scalp and a few bygone war stories. I'll be honest folks, I don't see the purpose of this accessory, and I would not want to be seen using it, lest my fuddy duddy friends think I'm a crack smoking idiot. I wouldn't want to holster such a thing in a IWB holster, nor a thigh holster, and I wouldn't want to have it inserted into any struggle involving a handgun. I damned sure wouldn't want it held up in front of a jury attached to a firearm I was forced to use to preserve my life. Not every new product is inspired. Some are repeats of old ideas, and some are ideas that need to be called what they are. Stupid.

edited to add: Ogre takes a look........

New SW1911 Pistols

It appears that Smith & Wesson has joined with Colt, Kimber and Springfield among others to produce a miniaturized version of the 1911 for concealed carry. The SW1911 PSc is a three inch scandium framed pistol available in any color you like as long as it's black. MSRP will be $1,264.00

The Officer's frame will also be available with a four and a quarter inch slide and barrel in a two tone version with wood grips. Smith is calling this version the SW1911 Compact ES, or extended slide. $1,264.00

Under the cover of non-descript stainless steel, a 9mm Government is available in the Pro Series SW1911. Stippled grips, wiggly slide serrations, and decent front strap checkering.... What's not to like?

The Next Generation

They said it was photoshopped, but it appears that the 4th Generation Glock is indeed a reality.

"At the 2009 SHOT Show, Glock introduced a new texture called “RTF2.” Claiming to be the “the new standard for operators working in the harshest conditions imaginable,” the RTF2 features a new style of texturing on the grip frame, and a new serration pattern on the rear of the slide."

Glock is offering the new texture on their Glock 22 as a marketing trial. If it proves popular, other models will follow.

Visit Guns Holsters & Gear for more information.

The Sig P238

Another pistol that is turning heads at SHOT 2009 is the .380 Sig P238. It's a single action pistol with an aluminum frame and a stainless steel slide underneath a Black Nitron finish. It wears fluted aluminum grips.
MSRP $ 515.00, or $ 558.00 with night sights.

It seems Sig fans are bemoaning the fact the little shooter is a single action pistol, while Colt fans are celebrating the fact that somebody, even if it's Sig Sauer, brought back the Colt Mustang.

I used to own a Colt Mustang. Sometimes, I wish I still did. Hmmmmmmmmmm

The Delta Elite is Back!

At the 2008 Shot Show, Colt fans were bizzing like bees over the announcement that hartford would again spit out it's famed 10mm 1911, the Delta Elite. Sadly, it would not come to pass. Colt was trying to do too much in upgrading the pistol with a bushingless barrel. Like many traditionalist Colt fans I was not overly enthusiastic about the redesigned pistol with XSE enhancements.

News from SHOT 2009 is that the Delta Elite is back, and will be produced as it was originally designed. Colt is still planning on putting out a bushingless enhanced version, but who gives a damn when the original can be had?

Also being displayed by Colt is an enhanced stainless 1911 with an integral rail and a fitted beavertail grip safety. This pistol has been given the unfortunate moniker "Colt Rail Gun." At least they did not name it after a reptile or a hooved mammal. A 22 Long Rifle AR is being shown by Smith & Wesson, and rumored about by Colt.

The Ruger LCR

It looks like Ruger has felt the call of plastic, and spawned a revolver with a major portion of the frame made of polymer plastic. The guys at Gunblast knew about this thing and kept it a secret. They have a review for any potential interested buyers. I tend to agree with Grant Cunningham. This thing is like taking a hamburger, tossing away the bun, and putting it between two halves of a melon.

Just because it's different doesn't mean it's good. Making a pocketable revolver lighter is not a new concept. Smith & Wesson has done that admrably over the years, even putting .357 magnum in a five shot scandium package for those inclined towards early onset carpal arthritis. Unfortunately time tested S&W scandium revolvers are Ruger's opposition at the gun counter for this new product. A plastic and aluminum revolver with a stainless steel cylinder and barrel does not inspire confidence in this shooter. With a $525 MSRP with a Hogue grip or a $792 MSRP with a Crimson Trace laser, I would just buy a Smith instead.