Pro Tips: Choosing an Action Pistol

by
posted on December 5, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
fullsizerender.jpg
Julie GolobAction Pistol Champion
I prefer firearms that do not have finger grooves since they are just someone else’s idea of a perfect grip. Grip size is critical for me because I have small hands. Easily reached controls are another priority for me. I started on 1911’s so I am partial to that grip angle. Not having to have to carry a full tool box to disassemble a gun is also a perk. I am not a fan of polymer magazines because where the notch sits for magazine release can get buggered and cause issues.

Bruce Piatt—Conventional/Action Pistol Champion
For iron sighted guns, the main things I watch for include: accuracy; trigger weight at or just over legal weight, reach, and feel—either a clean break after a roll or two-stage; consistency; balance—too much weight in the rear tends to cause front end shake; sight radius—the longer the radius with iron sights, the easier to detect sighting errors; sight picture—white outlines and 3-dot combat sights aren’t very practical for competition; and adjustability—must have. Lastly, the grip purchase must give the shooter control during recoil.

Latest

Offgrid Scorpius 2
Offgrid Scorpius 2

3D-Printed Rimfire Can Tops 2025 TBAC Sound Summit

Off Grid Suppressors’ 3D-printed titanium Scorpius posted the quietest .22 LR numbers at the 2025 TBAC Silencer Summit in Cheyenne.

Tandemkross TKX22 Light Rifle: 3 Pounds, 6 Ounces of Competition-Ready Rimfire

Tandemkross enters the rifle business with the TKX22 Light Rifle, a 3-pound, 6-ounce semi-automatic .22 LR wonder built for steel shooting.

SK Customs Resurrects Al Capone’s ‘Sweetheart’ Colt 1911 with Limited Run

SK Customs recreates Al Capone’s engraved “Sweetheart” Colt 1911 in a 200-unit limited edition chambered in .45 ACP, shipping July 2026.

Silent Steel USA Streamer Suppressors: Flow-IQ Tech Explained

Silent Steel USA’s Streamer suppressor family throws out the baffle stack in favor of a patented Flow-IQ gas-rotation system.

New: Zeiss Conquest Apia 20-50x 65 mm Compact Angled Spotting Scope

Zeiss unveils the Conquest Apia 65, a compact angled spotting scope weighing 47.6 ounces with 20-50x zoom.

New: Springfield Armory SAINT Gear Pac Bundles

Springfield Armory’s SAINT Gear Pac bundles a factory-installed Viridian green dot, four Magpul PMAGs and a rifle bag for $1,368 MSRP.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.