This glorious article 1st dropped on AmmoLand Information in November of 2021 and seems right here now with contemporary updates.
Clint Smith as soon as mentioned, “The one function for a pistol is to combat your approach again to the rifle you need to have by no means laid down.” The place I stay, solely handguns could also be legally carried. Elsewhere, even a lightweight rifle will get in the best way of each day actions. I’ve to make do with a handgun, although I’d want for a rifle ought to a weapon ever be wanted for self-defense. Grand Energy X-Calibur, for my style, is the pistol that comes closest to filling the area of interest of a carbine whereas becoming a belt holster.
Grand Energy X-Calibur 9mm / 22
The principle function of a pistol isn’t the uncooked energy however the potential to land correct hits. X-Calibur began as a contest pistol, and its 5-inch heavy fluted barrel mixed with a crisp set off make it a viable 60-yard weapon off-hand, 100-yard supported. 5 inches of barrel additionally give a good sight radius. The unique sight association was fiberoptic entrance and textured black rear, with a fairly sharp rear sight blade. That labored nicely in daylight, however self-illuminated sights have been wanted for taking pictures at nightfall: Hello-Viz H3 mixture fiber optic and tritium entrance, KFS Industries Kensight click-adjustable tritium rear (which was additionally properly-rounded for snug carry). This mix works nicely in daylight or at nightfall, each with taking pictures and close-up laptop glasses. The power to deal with the entrance sight with imaginative and prescient that’s undercorrected for distance is the principle purpose why I averted going with a purple dot targeted at 50 yards.
all kinds of handguns up to now, I discover the M1911 model handbook security pure for me. X-Calibur comes with a number of ambi security levers which may be user-resized to snug dimensions. I can run the gun with left or proper hand with out undue contortions. The prolonged slide cease lever can be ambidextrous. The magazine launch button isn’t ambidextrous however switchable for left-hand use if wanted. The grip is provided with backstrap inserts to regulate the pure level of intention, making X-Calibur simple to level shoot nicely.
The principle function setting it aside from all others is Jaroslav Kurachina’s distinctive and superior rotary breech design. Rotating barrel lockup has been round for over 110 years however gained small reputation as pistols have been typically cumbersome, susceptible to jamming when even reasonably soiled. Over time, rotary actions abraded the barrel tabs by way of drag friction and misplaced accuracy. Grand Energy K100 military pistol and its refined descendant X-Calibur use a precision-milled raceway on the surface of the barrel to work together with a curler pin embedded within the body. The plastic grip body conceals a stable metal body inside. Partway by way of the brief recoil, the rearward journey of the barrel stops, the spent case extracts and ejects. The complete firing cycle time is about 1.25ms, considerably slower than the 0.8-0.9ms typical of Glocks and different tilt-barrel programs. That longer linear barrel journey, very low barrel axis, and non-impact lockup produce minimal felt recoil and low muzzle flip.
The lengthy slide X-Calibur felt recoil is nearer to 22WMR than to different centerfire pistols. Plus P defensive hundreds kick lower than plinking ball ammo in a traditional semiauto pistol of the identical measurement and weight. The delicate recoil means a sooner return on the right track and longer coaching periods earlier than fatigue units in. Longer than normal delay earlier than unlocking reduces the ejection port pop, additionally conserving the locking surfaces and the chamber cleaner than normal. The heavyweight and the fluting maintain the barrel cool on prolonged strings of rapid-fire: if mandatory, this gun can be utilized to suppress an opponent’s place so long as the ammunition provide holds out.
The barrel size is a private desire. An additional inch of slide relative to common service pistols doesn’t have an effect on concealment a lot, however it does cut back muzzle flash and improves velocity simply sufficient to ensure enlargement. Whereas the 16+1 metallic magazines reliably feed any ammunition, I choose Seismic 185gr hole factors. Being subsonic they produce much less flash and fewer noise than typical light-weight +P hundreds. Testing in ballistic gel confirmed 17-18 inch penetration with about one-inch enlargement. Testing on hogs produced correspondingly excessive efficiency by way of bone and gristle. This isn’t rifle-level efficiency however on par with a PCC.
The rotary breech Grand Energy pistols are nonetheless comparatively unusual within the US, which limits the supply of holsters and equipment. Falco, one other Slovakian firm, makes glorious leather-based and Kydex holsters and magazine carriers to suit X-Calibur and different GP pistols with or with out lights or lasers put in on the mud cowl Picatinny rail. A number of home makers supply choices as nicely. The importer, International Ordnance, sells further magazines and equipment at very cheap costs. The GP lineup is probably not mainstream but, however it’s nicely sufficient supported to make it a viable choice for heavy use. Shorter 9mm, and long-slide 45ACP and 10mm variants can be found.
A 9mm striker-fired Q100 with an exceptionally good set off can be an choice, however my selection of X-Calibur got here from taking pictures it at IDPA competitions. In comparison with the weapons utilized by others, it felt like an unfair benefit and gave me scores out of proportion to the talent degree. I’m not naturally a quick shooter, however working all phases with zero misses has a appeal of its personal. Within the case of an actual firefight, good accuracy reduces downrange legal responsibility. Having carried M1911 and G17 within the sidearm position, I discover that X-Calibur combines some great benefits of each with the uniquely superior motion of its personal.
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About Oleg Volk
Oleg Volk is a artistic director working primarily in firearms promoting. An amazing fan of America and the proper to bear arms, he makes use of his images to help the proper of each particular person to self-determination and independence. To that finish, he’s additionally an enormous fan of firearms. Try his world-renowned images and his YouTube channel.
