They may be familiar to some, but not every gunsmith knows the ins and outs of drill bits. Here are the basics.

The graceful, light, and distinctive L.C. Smith Hammerless Double sidelock is a favorite of American shotgunners. Here’s how to fix its most common problems. If you own a Smith and want to make it suitable to shoot again, or if you are presented a Smith to repair, here’s what you need to know about the shotgun.

In June 2010, Kahr Arms purchased Minnesota-based firearms manufacturer, Magnum Research, Inc., maker of the Desert Eagle Pistol and BFR Revolvers in .44 Magnum, .45 LC/.410 or .45/70. Kahr Arms offers a selection of other niche-type firearms, such as the “Tommy Gun” and Auto-Ordnance line of M1 .30 caliber carbines. In this video, Gun Tests Contributing Editor Roger Eckstine shows off two of the company’s big-hole BFR wheelguns.

Beretta USA introduced the BU-9 Nano as its entry into the pocket 9mm pistol category last September. Initial shipments of the American-made pistol left the Accokeek, Maryland factory beginning in November 2011, with a suggested retail price of $475. In this video, Gun Tests’ Contributing Editor Roger Eckstine gets a detailed explanation of how easy the Nano is to break down for maintenance. The Nano's modularity provides for simple disassembly and easy cleaning. Safely disassemble the pistol by first engaging the striker deactivator, a patent pending safety mechanism that eliminates the need to pull the trigger prior to disassembly.

Gun Reports - News

These were the panel's comments on reliability.

GAO Denies Sig Sauer Protest on ATF Gun Testing Results

(GunReports.com) -- The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently denied a protest from Sig Sauer, Inc., that complained that ATF didn't rate the company's guns fairly during an evaluation process.

Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson, and Glock were competing for a contract to supply the ATF with a new handgun system, according to a GAO document released Aug. 18.

According to the GAO report, "ATF is seeking to replace its current metal-frame handguns with a new .40 caliber, polymer-frame handgun system. This system consists of two handguns, which are issued to each ATF agent: a standard-size duty weapon for enforcement operations and a compact model for backup and auxiliary needs; the two models are in all other respects required to be identical in function and design."

During phase two of a three-phased evaluation process, the ATF asked 20 of its agents to put all three proposed handguns through identical “live-fire” tests.

“Based on the results of the shooting tests, the [test shooters] recommended to the contracting

These were the panel's general assessment rankings.

The biggest problem: ATF agents had recorded 58 stoppages with Sig Sauer’s full-size and compact pistols, 13 of which were considered to be gun-induced and 45 shooter-induced. The report said further, "In contrast, the agents recorded a total of 16 shooter‑induced stoppages for Smith & Wesson's guns and 7 shooter-induced stoppages for Glock's guns. There were no gun-induced stoppages recorded for the Smith & Wesson or Glock guns."

Reader Comments

It's unclear to me what the basis was form SIG's protest. This information is not clear in the article. Essentially, it's: "What's the complaint?"

Comment by: BigMickey | August 26, 2010

I read the liked report and I would concur with the final decision. Sig complained that the SSB used the high number of stoppages as a criteria over other comments. Well, duh... if my life is on the line, a stoppage could be fatal and I would appreciate the fact that this criteria was given a very high value. Think about it...

Comment by: Berrymeister | August 26, 2010

As a smith and knowing all these guns, I just can't see how Sig got that many stoppages? maybe they did but Sigs are so reliable, I just see how during these test they got the stoppages. lcj

Comment by: LARRY J | August 26, 2010

Does anybody know which pistols were tried?

Comment by: P V B | August 26, 2010

Retired Military and Civil Service.

Comment by: GeoB_SATX | August 26, 2010

The Sig P-250. Maybe Sig should stay away from polymer framed handguns. Apparently the P-250 is as reliable as the Mosquito.

Comment by: Jeff W | August 26, 2010