Concealment WHAT'S NEW IN
GUNS AND GEAR
by Eve Flanigan
CCW is a fast-growing segment that retailers should fully embrace
G
commerce has been for defensive purposes. To increase appeal and usability for an increasingly diverse and knowledgeable customer base, gun and gear makers have stepped up to the plate in recent years to modernize concealed-carry wares. The concealment-oriented consumer expects comfort and functionality, with appearance running a close second. Here are some of the latest offerings in the growing CCW segment.
GUNS
It’s no longer news that robust-capacity subcompacts are where it’s at for mass appeal. With nearly all guns in that category being chambered in 9mm, there’s room for others, but maybe literally not room in micro-magazines to please the segment of the guncarrying populace who prefer larger calibers. Enter the 10mm cartridge, until now a bit player on the concealed-carry scene. 10mm Line Extensions Are Hot Items Smith & Wesson is one company to take a chance on introducing a pistol chambered in 10mm, highly touted for its defensive capability—if not gentle recoil. Adapting their existing .45 ACP M&P 2.0 pistol to 10mm was an easy transition. A bigger step
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concealment partner, the Springfield Ronin EMP (Enhanced Micro Pistol) 1911 is bound to be a crowdpleaser. A shorter-grip radius makes the 1911 experience more accessible for more hands. With its light aluminum frame, slim profile, three-inch bull barrel, and nine-round magazine, the Ronin EMP 3-inch is made to conceal. But it’s also easy on the eyes with its two-tone blued/satin Cerakote-on-aluminum
etting back to business in the time of a pandemic has been a stop-and-go process for many, yet it’s yielded headlines about record gun sales. Much of that
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was taken in moving the flat-face trigger, so popular in the S&W Shield series, into the new 10mm. Every one of the new 10mm 2.0 guns is optic-ready. Thumb safety is optional. SRP: $654. (smith-wesson.com) Although Springfield Armory discontinued its fullsize 10mm XD-M, late 2021 saw the dawn of the 10mm within the company’s XD-M Elite 3.8-inch compact, optics-ready (OSP) line. Two 11-round magazines are included. It weighs 27 ounces and is 6.75 inches long. Fans of the 10mm cartridge have waited a long time for a modern subcompact, and Springfield delivered. SRP: starts at $653. “The Smallest 1911 in the World” Using classic 1911 styling but re-engineering 11 different components to make it truly handy as a 9mm
finish, accented by traditional wood grips. As the most recent line extension in the Ronin series, this one allows Ronin fans to build a multi-purpose collection. Weight is 24 ounces. Overall length is 6.6 inches and overall height is 4.8 inches. SRP: $899. (springfield-armory.com)
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4/12/22 9:32 AM
