Guns Semi Automatic Sweet 16 Recoil Staff April 8, 2016 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More A couple weeks back American Rifleman contributor Guy Sagi wrote an article entitled Fear & Loading: The Semi-Automatic Pistol's Sweet 16. It was basically a semi-auto handgun version of what it would be like if US gun manufacturers competed NCAA basketball tournament style. In it you'll see such things as No. 1 seed Smith & Wesson vs. No. 16 seed Diamondback and No. 6 Colt Manufacturing vs. No. 11 SCCY. Here's a sample: Semi Automatic Sweet 16 No. 8 Beretta USA (88,980*) vs. No. 9 Taurus (84,249*) The winner can be judged in the first five minutes of the game. If Beretta’s 3-point storm starts early, it’s lights out for Taurus. The ending’s different if the underdog is effective in that curved pick-and-roll route we saw in the conference championships. No. 5 Kimber (124,298*) vs. No. 12 Remington (65,762*) PARA USA (57,539) transferred too late to play for Remington this year, and without the extra starter big green is limited in height to run the baseline. Interestingly the FNH did not make an appearance, which caused at least one overly sensitive reader some butthurt. The author took it in stride, however, replying, “I just triple checked—the 2014 figures are the latest the Fed has, and only details those guns made in America. It lists FN Manufacturing at the South Carolina plant producing 44,147 semi-auto pistols in 9 mm and bigger bore. I didn't see another entry for FN from another plant (Smith & Wesson and Kimber, for example have two separate facilities with figures I summed for the article). But, the serialized part of a gun can be produced by a contracted company (CNC or polymer plant, for example), and that third party would be listed on the report, not FN. So if you know one I missed, I apologize and would love to learn the company so I can rectify the oversight. Thank you for reading and I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week.” Nicely and cordially done, Mr. Sagi. Nicely done. You can read the article in its entirety right here on the American Rifleman website. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.