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TM 2020 DEFENSIVE HANDGUN ISSUE WALTHER Q4 SF OR 4 This smooth-running steel-framed striker-fired machine screams German detail and build quality. Dave Bahde 4 SPRINGFIELD ARMORY XDM ELITE OSP 14 The new-for-2020 suppressor/optic ready XDM Elite, 26 with its 22+1 round capacity, brings many upgrades to this time-tested platform. Dave Bahde MODERN DAY CLASSICS 24 We test four handguns with new-production performance, but with disco-era looks, including the Nighthawk Colt Series 70, Springfield Armory Ronin Operator, Smith & Wesson Model 29 Classic and Colt Python 30 OT Staff 36 RUGER 57 46 Laser-beam accurate, dead reliable and with excellent ergonomics, there’s never been a better time to buy a 5.7x28mm chambered handgun Bill Battles NEW DEFENSIVE HANDGUN GEAR 52 The latest and greatest in new ammo, holsters, triggers, sights and more. 40 OT Staff 52 SAR USA SAR9X PLATINUM 58 An upgraded version of one of the most rigorously tested handguns ever. Bill Battles WILSON CoMBAT WCP320 GRIP MODULE 66 Superior ergonomics for your SIG P320 in under a minute. Chris Mudgett 53 GUN & GEAR GIVEAWAY CONTEST 70 66 Enter to win a Beretta Handgun and gear package, Crossbreed holster and a case of Fiocchi ammo worth over $1,500. OT Staff 70 On Our Cover: Springfield’s new XDM Elite OSP wearing a Trijicon RMR HRS optic, Silencerco Omega 9K suppressor and SureFire’s XH30 Masterfire Weaponlight, flanked by SureFire’s Masterfire Holster. Photo by Ben Battles. ontargetmagazine.com 4 EDITOR Ben Battles Tel.: (603) 356-9762 [email protected] ART DIRECTOR Mackenzie Battles [email protected] DIRECTOR OF ONLINE CONTENT Angela Battles [email protected] CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Massad Ayoob, David Bahde, Guy Coursey, Mike Dickerson, Bill Battles, Chris Mudgett, 2XTREME ADVERTISING SALES Byers Media, LLC Tel.: (989) 826-3296 Fax.: (989) 826-6926 Ken Byers [email protected] Autumn Ifland [email protected] Ryan Palmer [email protected] Chris Mudgett [email protected] CIRCULATION Angela Battles Tel.: (603) 356-9762 [email protected] PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS www.ontargetmagazine.com SUBSCRIPTION CUSTOMER SERVICE [email protected] On Target is a trademark of Phoenix Publishing, Inc. Entire contents copyright ©2020 by Phoenix Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. 5 ontargetmagazine.com Walther Q4 SF This smooth-running machine screams German detail and build quality NE OF WALTHER’S MOST POPULAR PISTOLS IS A BIT OF AN ENIGMA: Oan all steel, 41.6 ounce, 5-inch match pistol called the Q5 Match Steel Frame. Introduced in January 2019, it was a hit from the start. It was about perfect for action shooting competitions; fast, accurate, smooth and optics ready. Swimming in a sea of plastic, many in the industry shook their heads at a “heavy” pistol. Most were focused on lightweight polymer or alloy frames that were more art than function, and designed to be carried often and used only if necessary, it’s seemingly all about turning your pistol into Swiss cheese in a weight-saving effort. With an entire generation of shooters never actually using an all-steel pistol, the Walther seemed odd—at least until they shot it. Was it heavy by comparison, sure, but it was insanely accurate, and completely controllable. It’s 5-inch barrel made carry a tad inconvenient, as it was really a competition pistol, so the DAVE BAHDE BENBEN BATTLES BATTLES & &DAVE DAVE BAHDE BAHDE 7 ontargetmagazine.com ontargetmagazine.com 8 SPECIFICATIONS: WEIGHT: 40 OUNCES (UNLOADED) OVERALL LENGTH: 7.4 INCHES BARREL LENGTH: 4.00 INCHES FRAME: MACHINED STEEL SIGHTS: SERRATED FRONT, ADJUSTABLE REAR/OPTICS READY MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 15+1 RETAIL PRICE: $1,399.00 (STANDARD) $1,499.00 (OPTICS READY) is nothing new. So why a heavy gun? Well, it’s pretty simple: all-steel pistols are easier to shoot, generally due to less recoil and Walther muzzle rise, and for most they make accu- racy easier—that being my priority. These were fighting pistols I carried, not carry pis- Q4 SF tols I fought with if needed. This Walther clamoring for a more-compact Q4 began Q4 SF (steel frame) you’re reading about almost immediately. Walther was listening here splits the difference quite nicely. and has come through with flying colors. Walther Q4 SF 9mm Carrying Steel MACHINED FROM SOLID STEEL-BILLET, THE MY FIRST “CARRY” PISTOL WAS A STAINLESS frame and slide are strong, smooth and Colt Python used through the academy, result in a very well-balanced pistol. Typ- weighing in at 42 ounces. Like most baby ical Walther ergonomics allow the Q4 SF cops, that was all I had and could not afford to melt into your hand. The grip may be another one. A department change moved large for some, but replacing grip panels me to a S&W model 686 (about the same with slim versions solves that issue. Using weight as the Python) then a 6906, an all the same grip as the Q5 has resulted in an steel semi-auto. As time passed I suffered aftermarket for some stunning panels of through duty plastic until the policy (the varied grip texturing, many of which are one I authored) allowed for more liberal thinner. Checkering is present on the front personal carry. From that point forward my strap and trigger guard with a contoured primary duty and carry pistol was generally and beveled magazine well. Controls match an all steel 1911 in .45 ACP, or a stainless the polymer Q4; easy to reach with either Colt Delta Elite (10mm), both of which hand, yet recessed for concealed carry. The hovered around 45 ounces fully loaded. I rear beavertail on the SF is deeper and more carried them in one form or another for pronounced than the Q4 Tactical previously close to 20 years, so carrying heavy sidearms tested, which results in a higher grip-to-bore 9 ontargetmagazine.com 1 1—MACHINED FROM SOLID STEEL-BILLET, THE FRAME AND SLIDE ARE STRONG, SMOOTH AND RESULT IN A VERY WELL-BALANCED PISTOL. A FULL-LENGTH ACCESSORY RAIL ALLOws FOR LIGHTS OR AIMING AIDS AND THE BARREL IS MATCH-GRADE AND 4.0 INCHES LONG. 2—THE ELONGATED/SERRAT- ED SLIDE STOP IS AMBIDEX- TROUS AND EASY TO REACH WITH THE THUMB OF THE FIRING HAND, AND OVERSIZED/ SERRATED MAGAZINE RELEASE BUTTON CAN BE INSTALLED IN EITHER SIDE OF THE FRAME. TRIGGER WEIGHT IS APPROXI- MATELY 5.5 POUNDS. 2 lights or aiming aids. Trigger weight is approximately 5.5 Walther The Q4 SF trigger is very clean, pounds and consistent from shot to since the striker assembly is pre-load- shot. Internal safeties include trigger, Q4 SF ed when the pistol is charged. Trigger firing pin and disconnector. The “pull” is solely due to spring tension external trigger safety is a fourth. line relationship that rolls over the from the trigger and disconnector The slide includes front and rear web of your hand, locking it in place. springs. Travel is short by compar- cocking serrations. Sights on the A full-length accessory rail allows for ison, with a reset of only .10 inch. standard model are carry oriented, 11 ontargetmagazine.com 1 1—OPTIC PLATES AVAIL- ABLE FOR THE LEUPOLD DELTA POINT PRO (PIC- TURED), TRIJICON RMR, AND DOCTOR OPTIC CUTS, ALLOWING FITMENT OF MOST RED DOTS ON THE MARKET. MOUNTING PLATES DO NOT SHIP WITH THE PISTOL. 2—BOTH VERSIONS OF THE Q4 SF SHIP WITH TWO 15-ROUND MAGAZINES. TEXTURED, FULL WRAP-AROUND GRIP PANELS PAIRED WITH EXPERTLY-CUT FRONT STRAP CHECKERING GIVE EXCELLENT TRACTION — 2 EVEN WITH swEATY MITTS. longer and taller serrated front sight. market. Mounting plates do not Walther The top of the slide is serrated to cut ship with the pistol and can be hard down on glare. The barrel is match- to get right now—luckily, I still had Q4 SF grade and 4.0 inches long. the Q4 Tactical in inventory and was Optic plates available for the able to mount a Leupold Delta Point using phosphoric dots. The op- Leupold Delta Point Pro, Trijicon Pro for testing. Plates are a tad thick, tics-ready version uses an adjustable RMR, and Doctor Optic cuts, allow but they mount easily using the two rear sight with no dots and a slightly fitment of most red dots on the screws holding the sight plate in place 13 ontargetmagazine.com ontargetmagazine.com 14 tery with or without the RDS and/ more like a custom pistol than a steel this pistol a try—it is pure joy to PERFORMANCE: VELOCITY GROUP SIZE 1 or Surefire 300 Ultra tactical light version of a polymer counterpart. shoot. In fact, take a friend to the REMINGTON 115-GR. +P HTP 1,160 1.80 INCHES attached. Even on a dusty and windy Just racking the slide feels different, range that has never fired a finely FEDERAL HST 124-GR. 1,100 1.90 INCHES day it just would not stop running no even from aluminum and other alloy machined firearm made from steel WILSON COMBAT 124-GR. XTP +P 1,175 1.25 INCHES matter how fast I ran the trigger. slides. Retail is $1,399 for the stan- and watch the reaction ... it’s price- HORNADY 124-GR. XTP 1,080 1.75 INCHES I have always found the extra dard version, while the Optics Ready less. See it at your local dealer or BLACK HILLS 115-GR. +P 1,347 1.55 INCHES weight of an alloy or steel pistol ben- model adds another $100. contact Walther Arms; Tel.: (479) DOUBLETAP 115-GR. TAC-XPD 1,300 1.50 INCHES eficial when moving between targets.