Combat Handguns

_Combat Handguns_ fits somewhere in the middle of the quality stack of firearms publications available on most newsstands. These are my criticisms:It's a monthly publication with a decent glossy print. Many pages are color, but the grey scale images are still quite good. Issues are about 100 pages long, enough for a quick read, but not enough to fully satisfy me as an inquisitive reader. The entire copy can be read thoroughly in 30 minutes.A subscription is not expensive, but it's still not exactly a bargain. I shelled out $24 through Amazon.Articles cover a range of items available for purchase, such as handguns, knives, holsters, and ammunition. This information is no different from that of every other firearms magazine on the newsstand, save that it often is not complete enough. Usually, a product article will forego telling the price of an item, which is unacceptable for such a venue; an estimated price should be given for each and every item (or an explanation of why the price wasn't printed should be given). Of the 7 handguns reviewed in the September 2006 issue, three were missing price information. Ugh.Often, product articles are ended abruptly by the authors. Did the editor chop out essential information, or did the writer dash out the article at the last moment? The articles often have the same feeling that my composition students' papers have, the rushed conclusion of the simple-minded: in the Sept. 2006 issue, on another 1911 clone, "It's a workman-like gun that does a working job" (25). Again, UGH. This is, in product pieces, the equivalent of "And they lived happily ever after."Articles are almost always chopped up and continued in the rear portion of the magazine. Often, there is absolutely no purpose to the " continued on page..." It's absolutely irritating and antithetical to continuity, especially since many articles are not much longer than a single page (with one-third covered by ads).Although it is titled "Combat Handguns," some handguns covered are not adequate for any sort of combat save the combat against a paper target at close range. Sometimes, .22 pistols are reviewed or featured in photos in the various technique articles, which is irresponsible as advice and further support for the anti-gunner belief that people who enjoy shooting want to carry a gun in every pocket.The quality of writing is barely adequate. As a composition professor, I'd grade most articles C-, as there **will be** several misspelled words or incomplete sentences. Again, this indicates a dashed-out drafting process, with little proofreading (isn't that part of an editor's job? Does anyone read the finished articles before they go to press?). Another UGH, big time.Cover enticers, such as "2-Against-1 Shootout: Someone's Breaking into the House," are usually all-show, no-go. This particular article in the Tactics section gives a basic diagram for setting up an IPSC pistol course. There's no story to it; it's a made-up, alarmist piece about an unlikely practice event that "the armed professional" (i.e., law enforcement officer) doesn't need a magazine to supply, but the anti-gunner looking at the cover at the grocery-store newsstand will think that the magazine is a bloodthirsty training device for the next wacko. There are better ways to present the content, editors.The "It Happened to Me" column will have two or three stories submitted by readers, but, sometimes, these stories get recycled from previous issues, and they're always far too decontextualized. Where and when did the event happen? Did it even happen? Who ARE these people? Where is the fact checking? The Sept. 2006 issue's column has GY from Iowa writing about he gunned down two men that tried to rob him as he was fishing: "Not bad and still 2 rounds left" (6). Idiocy! I like true crime stories like the next guy, but not this yokel-justice gloating. I want names of people and places and dates supplied, if only to confirm that the stories aren't 30 years old and patchworked with urban myth. Instead, gun owners get lumped together with bumbling morons who are quick to draw and, sometimes, over-anxious to get some "trigger time."The "Street Smarts" column gives advice that should be common sense, and it's not really very enlightening. The Sept. 2006 issue has "What Cops Know: The Key to Alertness - It's the Condition Yellow Habit!" (why, why do there have to be so many exclamation points?), beginning on p. 32 and continued on p. 72 (UGH), with the key message that being alert is good but is a skill that must be practiced and can't be taught. It's just a habit. Hmmm...sounds like a big waste of ink to me. This column also is frequently recycled under the guise of "tribute" or "classic" articles.Frankly, I doubt that "armed professionals" are reading this magazine seriously. There are columns on "Cop Talk" or "VIP Protection," but they don't provide much insight into those professions. It's a good magazine for a quick read about product availability, but, mostly, it has a "springboard" function, piquing interest and forcing the reader to turn to other sources for more complete information.

From continued purchases at the newsstand I know this magazine covers my primary interests, however, one should live long enough to actually receive their first issue through the Amazon subscription service. Twelve to sixteen weeks to get your first issue is absolute incompetence on someone's part. You add a name to the subscription mailing service and mail the damn thing - what could possibly delay it four months except incompetence? I note, however, that my credit card was charged immediately for something I may, repeat may, receive in about four months. I'm very unhappy with this service, or should I say disservice!

I have been reading Combat Handguns since the late 1980's when I first started working as a police officer. It is the one magazine that I can read cover to cover without losing interest. It is the perfect magazine for anyone who enjoys weapons (especially pistols), has a CCW, is in Law Enforcement or is pro-Law Enforcement.

This magazine seemed expensive compared to the others available. But if you like SPECIFIC articles on tactical handguns, and excellent articles on using them, then this is the magazine for you. Pick one up at a book store first and you will be hooked.

A little disappointed in the time it took for the first issue to be received but overall the magazine is satisfactory.

Love reading these very nice could not get enough great info on guns and love the true stories they had great info for shooters..

Good info on new stuff. I am totally satisfied with the content in it. I would recommend it to anyone who likes firearms.

Best writing of any mainstream handgun magazine. More interesting handguns and accessories articles than any others I have found.