EXCERPT: In essence, the Gen 4 is what Glock enthusiasts would call an "SF" 9mm ("SF" stands for "small frame") with the added ability to extend the grip. Going "SF" means the trigger reach has been shortened, and the curves at the back flattened slightly to make the pistol easier to get your hand around. This makes the mag release easier to reach for people with relatively short fingers (a common anti-Glock complaint). To pad the "SF" Gen 4 out to the normal "Gen 3" profile, one pins a "backstrap" onto the grip. The medium "backstrap" itself is really a backstrap cover that has little structural integrity of its own. It's a thin bit of polymer, retained by two polymer hooks at the bottom and a slightly over-size, over-length trigger housing pin at the top. To make the pistol even longer, mount the "large" backstrap cover instead, and you have a gun somewhere between the standard 9mm frame and Glock's famously-beefy .45 (the Glock 21). While the gun isn't any wider, the length makes it feel as though it is. I have relatively long fingers (I can shoot a Glock 21 easily), so this option appealed to me a great deal. None of the "backstraps" change the width of the pistol at all. Instead the grip angle changes slightly, and the trigger reach changes. None of the changes are night-and-day obvious from the outside, but they're very noticeable in the hand. Thanks to the rough, rounded surfaces, my measurements in the accompanying table aren't exact, but they give you an idea of how much change is involved. Mod. 2: "SF" Style Trigger Housing Gone are the days when one trigger housing worked in every Glock in the line. To achieve the smaller "SF" frame dimensions, something had to change inside. That thing was primarily the trigger housing, which is shorter, and has beveled edges. It will NOT work in the Gen 1-3 Glock 17s (I tried). There are also small changes to the trigger bar, altering some of the geometry relative to the trigger return spring. That part DOES interchange with a Gen 1-3 pistol in a pinch, but I haven't heard back from Glock about potential long-term use. . . ... [August 24, 2010]

A young Anika Sorenstam forced the PGA to debate whether women could play pro golf in men's tournaments. Until she came along, that wasn't really an issue, but when Sorenstam posted a pro average below 70, things changed. There's still quite a gulf between multi-millionaire Sorenstam's accomplishments and World Champion Jessie, but there are parallels. Jessie won two USPSA national titles and swept the Steel Challenge nationals in 2007 and 2008. In 2009 she took two more USPSA National titles (Production and Limited), swept the Steel Challenge Nationals, and shot a perfect hat trick at the Worlds. That made her unbeaten in 18 starts over three years. Sorenstam never did that. Abbate set six world records in 2009, handily out-pacing all other women, past or present. Of the eight stages shot at the Steel Challenge, Abbate holds records on five, and holds the fastest time ever shot by a woman (94.94). ... [April 13, 2010]

Rogert Vogel, Dave Sevigny, Max Michel, Ted Puente, and Cliff Walsh all found their way to victory at USPSA's handgun nationals in Las Vegas. While we felt Robert Vogel's successes deserved the cover, Ted Puente and Cliff Walsh certainly...... [December 16, 2009]

Max Michel makes it three in Piru, while Jessie Abbate crushes the ladies competition. If you haven't been keeping an eye on the rebirth of Steel Challenge, take a minute to catch up on the action! Story and photos...... [October 21, 2009]

Glen Higdon rockets down the zipline fun shoot at the Area 1 Championships, slinging paintballs as he goes. This year's Area 1 Championships in Parma, Idaho brought the Northwest's best together for a weekend's fun. Serious competition found its...... [September 2, 2009]

Rob Leatham secured his 15th victory at the Single Stack Classic/USPSA Single Stack Nationals this year, continuing a winning streak rarely equalled in modern sport! Join Patrick Sweeney as he explains what it's like to try your hand at...... [July 7, 2009]

Max Michel points to the margin of victory at the SCSA Nationals match in Titusville, Fla. Had he shot wide by another 1/10th of an inch, BJ Norris would be the victor. The SCSA Nationals is the premier match...... [May 18, 2009]

Travis Tomasie led the US squad to victory at World Shoot XV in Bali, Indonesia. Coming close on the heels of his victory at the USPSA Limited Championship, his victory cements Tomasie's position as the No. 1 Limited/Standard division...... [May 15, 2009]

Jessie Abbate pulled down almost every title she reached for in 2008. This issue features two of her triumphs -- the 2008 Limited/Production/Revolver championship (where Jessie took high lady in Production), and the Multigun National Championship in Tulsa (where...... [December 8, 2008]

STEEL CHALLENGE 2008 BJ Norris lands the Steel Master title, while KC Eusebio sets the World Record! Follow us into the midst of the action in Piru, Calif. for the Steel Challenge World Championships 2008. Shooters came in from...... [December 8, 2008]

Blistering heat and heavy competition couldn't stop U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit shooter Travis Tomasie at the recent Area 1 Championship. One of the top Limited Division shooters in the world, Tomasie is also one of the top Caspian drivers...... [August 11, 2008]

Rob Leatham Wins AGAIN in Barry. Leatham's unbroken streak of victories at the Single Stack Classic reveals the truth behind his nickname, "The Great One." It's another great victory for Springfield Armory, and the Leatham legend. Patrick Sweeney brings...... [August 11, 2008]

. . At one time I used to tell people that you could see SHOT in two days. This year I spent three-and-a-half days walking up one aisle and down the other – spending the other half-day on specific...... [April 28, 2008]

Tulsa hosted the top multi-gun specialists in the land for 2008. Michelle Dehan's excellent action photography combines with Heavy Metal champion Patrick Kelley's observances to form our coverage of this important event. Read about it HERE. (Story by Patrick...... [March 5, 2008]

Mud's the word for Tulsa's 2007 Limited/Production/Revolver nationals. Rob Leatham, Lisa Munson, David Sevigny, Jessie Abbatte, and Jerry Miculek plowed their way to glory in one of the closest-fought matches in USPSA history. Tulsa's nasty conditions put the athleticism...... [January 2, 2008]

Floyd Shoemaker's tradition of humorous themes, and ballistic craziness lives on at Area 1 2007, "Licensed To Thrill." Antoine Lane is shown here crashing ahead on a stage called "The Name Is Bombed, James Bombed." Read about it all...... [October 29, 2007]

USPSA's Presidential candidates sat down for an informal Q&A session at the USPSA Nationals in Missoula. Learn a little bit about what they said, who was there, and who made it happen by clicking HERE....... [August 3, 2007]

Come with us to Missoula Montana's Deer Creek Range for the USPSA Open/Limited 10 Nationals. Sweeping beauty, a smooth-running match, and the top shooters in the world were everywhere. For a Practical Shooter, this was heaven with a small...... [August 3, 2007]

Join America's top skinny-mag shooters at Barry, Illinois' PASA Park. It's time for the USPSA Single Stack Nationals, as administered by the renowned 1911-meister Richard Heinie (father of the Single Stack Classic, and the Single Stack Society). Read about...... [August 3, 2007]

Our feature story highlights Patrick Kelley's quest to "catch a speeding bullet" as it impacts a steel plate. He's doing it on a near-zero budget, adapting his conventional camera gear to finesse his way into capturing shots normally associated...... [April 4, 2007]

Area 2's reputation gained grandeur this year, showcasing a host of bizarre props. The most controversial was this modified miner's cart, taking the shooter and RO rolling down a long track, engaging targets along the way. Nyle Leatham's spectacular...... [April 4, 2007]

Chris Tilley became the new USPSA Open Champion this year, amid many other surprises. Among them, Glock's David Sevigny became the first person EVER to win the USPSA Limited title with something other than a 1911 derivative. Roger Maier's...... [February 26, 2007]

USPSA's "Surprise" Multi-Gun! Taran Butler and Michael Voigt dominated the leader board in Tactical and Open divisions when Albany, Ore., played host. The pair out-shot many of the top Multi-gunners from around the country. The success of this year's...... [October 31, 2006]

Area 1 Jammed the Albany Rifle and Pistol Club with enthusiastic shooters. "The Bag Stage" was a big favorite, here being shot by Keith Anderson. That's Mike McCarter (also featured in this issue) running the timer in the background....... [August 23, 2006]

Kippi Leatham reloads in the rain at the first-ever USPSA 1911 Single Stack Nationals. Held conjointly with the Richard Heinie's Single Stack Classic in Barry, Ill., the match was a resounding success. Read about this year's match here! (pdf)...... [June 28, 2006]

Dean Makkos lays onto the trigger in our cover photo from the Florida Open. (Note the bowling ball target activator falling in the background.) High production values were the rule this year, as the Florida Open re-entered the USPSA...... [April 17, 2006]

Bill Wilson holds a place of honor among USPSA's pioneer gunsmiths. Indeed, one cannot do a series about USPSA history without shining a light on USPSA number CL-15. Read more about him here! (pdf) (Story by Robin Taylor, photo...... [March 8, 2006]

Gilbert Perez homes in on a target during the 2005 3-Gun Nationals in Las Vegas, Nevada. (left) By all accounts, USPSA’s 3-Gun program has matured tremendously. Read more about it here! (pdf) (Story and photo by Dave Thomas.)...... [January 24, 2006]

Just getting a slot to the 2005 Handgun Nationals took pre-planning and intention. The 320 slots sold out quickly, with plenty of deposit-paying would-be competitors waiting in the wings. Team Glock won everything they entered, with David Sevigny and...... [November 10, 2005]