I visited gun shows in two cities this weekend and was able to see a handgun model I've been looking for since last November. It seems that Nidal Malik Hasan, aside from being a crazy shrink and an Islamic terrorist, had a good eye for guns. Source.
Manufactured by Fabrique Nationale Herstal (FNH), it was the FN Five-SeveN®. From the manufacturer's website:
The FN Five-seveN® single-action autoloading pistol fires the low-recoil 5.7x28mm cartridge making it ideal for personal protection, target shooting or NRA Tactical Police Competition. It features a textured, ergonomic polymer frame with checkered panels for enhanced grip. The polymer slide cover helps reduce weight and the operating controls allow for easy access with a reversible magazine release and ambidextrous manual safety levers. The barrel is hammer-forged and chrome-lined for enhanced accuracy and extended service life. Models are available with matte black, olive drab green or Flat Dark Earth frames with a choice of adjustable target sights or fixed three-dot combat sights.
The bullet is a small caliber about the size of a .22, but it packs a punch with a large shell casing and lots of gun powder. Bullet photo is from Shootingtimes.com. There's a compelling theory out there that says heavier, larger diameter bullets have more stopping power, but I'll leave that one for the ballistics experts.
Here's why I like this handgun: the manual safety. As you can see, it's located just above the trigger. The correct way to handle a handgun is to hold it with the trigger finger outside the trigger guard until the target is acquired. So this model allows the trigger finger to rest on the safety, then as the finger goes down toward the trigger, it flicks the safety into firing position. That's a pretty neat feature.
The downside is the price of over $1,000. And those fancy bullets aren't cheap, either. This particular prize package won't be coming to my home anytime soon, but if that style of manual safety catches on then maybe we'll be seeing them on cheaper guns that shoot more conventional ammo.
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