Karl Lippard first caught our attention when we learned that the Colorado gunsmith was competing with Colt and Springfield to supply his fellow Marines with a 1911-style sidearm: the $3500 (to you) Combat NCO. Or, if you prefer, “The world’s only 400-yard open sight accurate production pistol.” (Click here to read the Combat NCO manual.) Our subsequent contact with Karl was pretty intense. Back in June 2011, Karl claimed he’d hit an 18″ gong at 600 yards with his A2 wunderpistole. And that wasn’t even the half of it: he touted 1000-yard accuracy and an A3 version that can fire a bullet at 2000 f.p.s.. After that post and an inconclusive visit by our Martin Albright, TTAG’s comms with Karl kinda petered out. Bottom line: Karl never sent us a gun to test. We now hear he’s still in the running for the USMC contract. Might be worth a call . . .