The ASP 9mm
I'd like to preface this with the statement that I own two ASP 9mm pistols (the standard Wisconsin model) and I adore them. I look forward to the opportunity to add a Quest for Excellence model at some point; but that remains for the future at this point.
When I bought them, I regularly carried either one or the other of them. I find they still define what I look for in a smooth handling firearm. My standard load was the Federal Nyclad 124gr, since it would shoot to the same point of aim as 125 plain vanilla lead reloads, the Marshall study showed good stopping ability for the 124gr Nyclad, and the standard pressure load was less stressful for the alloy frame.
Aside from the cost and difficulty obtaining replacement parts, the only real contraindication for carrying an ASP is a claim I heard (which I have not verified) that when the S&W M39-2 was cut down to create the ASP, the hard anodising was not replaced on the alloy frame prior to the application of the Teflon-S finish. If this claim is true, then there is some weakening of the frame. For reference, the claims were made by a gentleman purporting to be the proprietor of Bulman Gunleather, in case you would care to investigate this allegation yourselves.
That being said, I still love the ASP and would love to obtain the intellectual property rights to the design; but I have failed to discover who owns it.
