Customer Reviews

Handguns

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I bought my first gun, a Beretta 92, in May 1999 in response to the Columbine tragedy. It was a "silent protest" against the heartless anti-gun political opportunists who were exploiting the victims during the aftermath, which made me sick & disgusted. It wasn't long after that first purchase when I began a subscription to "Handguns" magazine. I was a subscriber for 10 years until a couple months ago when I decided not to renew my subscription for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that I live in California, home of the "certified safe by the state" approved roster of handguns for sale, which prohibits most new models from being sold in CA unless they're bastardized to meet state requirements.

Well, you don't subscribe to a magazine for 10 years if it's crappy, right? This is a great magazine, and all about handguns. It contains the usual articles you would expect about new models and such, plus firing line reports for several models in each issue, but it also contains ancillary topics such as tactics, gun rights, ammunition, new accessory items on the market, nostalgic reviews of classic handguns, etc. It's a bi-monthly publication from the publishers of "Guns & Ammo", which of course is the gold standard by which all other shooting publications are judged. I believe "Handguns" carries on the tradition of G&A nicely. This magazine isn't as thick as its main competitor (American Handgunner), but I prefer "Handguns" because they stick to business, while AH seems to be run by a bunch of narcisistic egomaniacs who use their magazine as a forum for patting themselves on the back. I think "Handguns" also has a better command of English grammar than AH and is easier to read, though they're still a far cry from perfect in that regard. However, AH has a handgun giveaway contest in each issue, which "Handguns" does not, so props to AH for that.

If I had to criticize anything in "Handguns", it would be the gun rights column. At times--not very often, but sometimes--the author (Don B. Kates) seems like he's out in left field, out of touch with reality. He actually stated, for example, that now that the Democrats are in control of Congress again after 12 years, the Obama administration would _not_ attack gun rights because they had more important issues on their agenda; yet Obama is underhandedly trying to ban guns through the back door, via proposed "anti gun trafficking" treaties with the UN and other unscrupulous means (including the threat of doing so through Executive Order!). Assinine statements like that from a bona fide gun rights expert and legal authority makes you wonder what goes through his head sometimes.

Another criticism of "Handguns" is that they don't seem to review very many "budget" guns in their magazine. Not surprising, I suppose, because they do have to appease their big-buck advertisers, right? Which is also why you'll seldom (if ever) find a bad review of a model from a big-name manufacturer. Regardless, I'd like to see this publication become monthly again (they tried for a time), but I suppose it's kind of difficult to fill the pages on a monthly basis. [So take note: your 1yr subscription is for 6 issues only, not 12.]

Nevertheless, as I said, this is a wonderful publication for the handgun enthusiast. I've only missed one issue since cancelling my subscription, and honestly I already miss it! I predict I'll break down and resubscribe before the year's end.

I enjoy reading the reviews. The editors go into great detail on the +/- of the products. The only negative I have is that since it is a Guns & Ammo magazine; the articles between their Handguns mag and their primary G&A mag often duplicate reviews of the same product. If you are just getting Handguns mag, you will not be disappointed.

As a Certified Glock Armorer who travels the Gun Show circuit, I like this magazine because it keeps me up to date on the other brands of guns and what they are offering. I may not work on other brands, but I can at least carry on a somewhat informed conversation with customers when they ask me about features of a gun other than Glock. I also enjoy the section on new styles of ammunition for self defense/home defense. I'm always open to new ideas but will be hard pressed to change from my current carry ammo.
Overall, a good publication.

My husband loves this magazine! I love the look on his face when he gets one through the mail! So glad I ordered it! He's all the time bringing it to me showing me all the new stuff he reads about in the magazine!

I ordered a subscription for this magazine through Amazon in January 2010 for a friend. It's October 2010 and the man for whom I purchased the subsription as a gift hasn't received the first copy. I've sent three emails so far with no results, and have now cancelled the subscription. I hold little hope of getting my money back. If you like the magazine, buy it on the stand. The subscription department is evidently non-existent or asleep.

Receiving the magazine on time has been no problem for me. The reviews of newly issued handguns seem very thorough and interestingly written. There are also, for example, regular articles on handgun use and technic, ammo, holsters, and the history of many interesting firearms. I read every issue cover to cover and have found it to be a good value for my money. I came on-line here to renew my subscription which has just expired. There is some money to be saved by renewing it through Amazon.

I ordered this magazine July 3rd and have still not received my first issue,it's October 18th. I will NEVER order from this company again.

I am still waiting to receive my first edition. It is taking entirely too long for shipment. I should have purchased from bookstore!

Paid for this in October, have yet to see an issue. Just checked the invoice on amazon and it is not estimated to arrive until FEBRUARY 2012! Buy it direct don't bother with this company.

When unrepentant bursts of ocular saline rivers descend the swollen cheeks of the great deciever, do not weep with her. Do not laugh, or smile or make merry either for these are the tools of the idlers that mock with scorn and purpose in their hearts and syrupy malcontent on their faces. Let not such tools find the palms of your hands nor may they strike the head of any nail that bends too easily in the wind. Let not these things be used to erect your brick and mortar sustenance receptacle, your domicile where cheeky spoon users launder broken jokes behind snide chortles and lopsided smiles. For with light shining upon all four walls but never the roof your head shall know only shade but your arms and legs will taste the bitter burning of the sun and repent their new relationship to sad and weathered footballs from days long ago. And their will be windows but these windows are bad windows that let this sinister effervescence invade along with all the glares from all those seemless eyes burrowed deep within their judgemental sockets. You may shut your eyes to stop them from looking at you but what you can not see still sees and sees that you're not seeing and keeps seeing until you see again that the seers see you seeing...and then you break the wind in the space behind you.