Stag Arms is branching out into bolt-actions with the release of the Pursuit bolt-action rifle series.
Stag Arms is a company known for its precision ARs, but now it’s expanding into bolt-action rifles with the release of the Pursuit series. Initially available in nine configurations, Stag Arms promises that the rifle will elevate your shooting experience regardless of your pursuit, whether that be hunting, competing or anything else.
Based on the Remington 700 Short Action platform, Stag Arms Pursuit rifles are being offered in .308 Winchester with an 18-inch barrel, 6.5 Creedmoor with a 20-inch barrel and 6.5 PRC with a 22-inch barrel. Regardless of your preferred chambering, all models feature sporter fluted 416 stainless steel barrels and are sub-MOA guaranteed when using match ammunition. To further aid in accuracy, all models also ship with an adjustable single-stage TriggerTech Primary trigger.
As for the Stag Arms Pursuit rifles’ furniture, it’s a 3-piece chassis system that’s available in three colors including black, tan and OD green. The stock’s length of pull and cheek riser height are adjustable, and the stock can be quickly removed without tools for transport or storage. Throughout the rifle you will also find a 20-MOA biased rail on the action for mounting an optic, integrated QD cups, a Picatinny spigot, an attachable bag rider and a threaded muzzle. The guns are also AICS/AWS compatible, and each will ship with a Magpul magazine as well as a ½ Arca Swiss plate.
All nine variants of the Stag Arms Pursuit rifle are available now and have an MSRP of $1,899.99.
Jacob Grey has just announced the TWC 9, a double-stack 9mm 1911 pistol.
The 1911 will probably never go out of style, but the classic single-stack varieties are lacking in capacity and features by modern standards. Hence the current popularity of the 9mm double-stack 1911, especially those sporting things like optics-ready slides and accessory rails. Jacob Grey is the latest company to announce its own spin on this concept in the form of the TWC 9.
The frame and grip of the TWC 9 are made of billet 7075 aluminum, and the pistol has a stainless steel 4.25-inch bull barrel with a 1:10 twist and a Nowlin ramp. Jacob Grey says that the CNC-machined billet aluminum frame and grip result in a very tight and smooth pistol while also providing good structural integrity and reducing the overall weight.
Other features of the 9mm TWC 9 include its CRT (Controlled Radius Trigger) that offers a consistent and crisp 3.5-pound trigger pull, its stainless steel optics-ready slide that’s cut for RMR/RMSc-pattern red dots and its suppressor-height tritium front and rear sights from XS Sights. The TWC 9 also has an ambidextrous safety, a flared magwell and uses standard 2011-pattern magazines.
Todd Neice, President of Sales and Marketing at Jacob Grey, said this about the TWC 9:
I wanted to utilize our tech and aerospace history and combine it with the Jacob Grey Custom 1911 successes to build a production gun that is priced right and second to none in quality. Once you get your hands on this firearm you will quickly see that we succeeded.
The TWC 9 is available now and it has an MSRP of $2,499.
Israel Weapon Industries has issued a safety recall notice for IWI Carmel rifles within a certain serial number range.
Isreal Weapon Industries has issued a safety recall notice for the Carmel rifle. All Carmel owners should ensure that their rifle’s serial number doesn’t fall within the range specified by IWI as having firing pin blocker issues. If it does fall within that range, it should be sent to IWI where it will be fixed and returned for free.
The full recall notice from IWI can be read here:
OCTOBER 30, 2023
IWI US, Inc. (“IWI”) has determined that the Carmel Rifle has a safety issue with the firing pin blocker and is thereby subject to a Safety Warning and Recall Notice. IWI is issuing this mandatory recall to repair the safety issue in the specific Carmel rifles listed below. IWI will correct these recalled firearms at no cost to the customer, and this recall does not affect any other IWI products.
This safety recall notice affects 1,094 Carmel rifles shipped within the following serial number range. All Carmel rifle serial numbers within the below range are affected.
• Option 2: Call IWI US, Inc. Customer Service at (717) 695-2081 and have the rifle’s 8-digit serial number available.
2. Whether you choose option 1 or 2, IWI US, Inc. Customer Service will send you shipping instructions that include a pre-addressed shipping label.
3. Upon receipt of the shipping instructions, follow instructions found in the Owner’s Manual.
• Remove the magazine from the rifle.
• Clear the firearm of all ammunition.
4. Using the pre-addressed shipping label that was sent to you, ship the rifle to IWI US, Inc.
Once received by IWI US, Inc. the rifle will be repaired and returned to you within 4-6 weeks.
IWI US, Inc. apologizes for any inconvenience this has caused and will service any affected rifle in the most expedited manner possible.
If you have any questions about this recall, the rifle, or its disassembly or reassembly, please contact IWI US, Inc. Customer Service at (717) 695-2081.
Taurus has just released the Judge T.O.R.O., an optics-ready variant of the company’s .410/.45 LC revolver.
Taurus was the first kid on the block to offer factory optics-ready revolvers when it released the 605 and Defender 856 T.O.R.O. revolvers earlier this year, but the company has just announced four more to choose from. Called the Judge T.O.R.O., the four guns are all variants of Taurus’ line of Judge revolvers chambered for .410 bore/.45 Long Colt.
The four new Judge T.O.R.O. models are really just two, but each is offered with either a matte black or a stainless steel finish. The only other distinction between them is that the standard Judge T.O.R.O. accepts 2.5-inch .410 shotshells while the Judge T.O.R.O. Magnum can accept 3-inch shells. As T.O.R.O. models, all four variants are optics-ready and can mount red dots that feature a Holosun K-series or Shield RMSc footprint.
Caleb Giddings, General Manager of Marketing for Taurus USA said this about the new guns:
What’s better than a Judge? A Judge with a dot on it … The Judge is without a doubt our most popular revolver, and adding a red dot to it just enhances its capabilities.
The rest of the revolvers’ features are identical to those of their non-optics-ready counterparts. MSRP is $615.99 for the two black models and $679.99 for the stainless versions. They are available now.
The author hits the range with a customized full-size PSA Dagger to see how it fares as a home defense pistol.
Glock’s motto may be “Glock Perfection”, but the extensive aftermarket of parts available reveals not everyone agrees. As good as the genuine Austrian-made guns may be in most respects, many shooters clearly have a personal preference for features that differ from the original design.
This is why when the patent expired on the Gen 3 Glock 17, it was a very good day for just about everyone besides Gaston Glock's wallet. Today, the market is teeming with handguns based on this design, and thanks to the excellence of the original, most of the clones are fundamentally good guns too. The only question then is which to choose based on respective features and prices.
When it finally came time to consider this myself (after years of being stuck in the metal-frame DA/SA camp), a genuine Glock was out of the question. Having shot more of them in recent years, the pistol had grown on me, but I just couldn’t get over the grip angle or the trigger shoe (a feature that just feels wrong on my finger). When browsing the various clones currently available, most featured a trigger shoe as well. One notable exception was the PSA Dagger.
Featuring a gradual, more traditional grip angle and a curved trigger, Palmetto State Armory’s take on the concept was appealing to me. With the goal in mind of upgrading my nightstand gun to something made in the 21st century, I asked them to send one over.
First Impressions
I should start by specifying the exact model of PSA Dagger I opted to review, as the company offers many different variations. As mentioned, the pistol's intended role was for home defense. In turn, I selected the PSA Dagger Full Size-S with an RMR optics-ready slide, Ameriglo lower-third co-witness iron sights and a threaded barrel. When concealability doesn’t matter, why not go bigger?
The standard PSA Dagger is actually considered a compact model as it’s based on the Glock 19. The Dagger Full Size-S is closer to a G19X or G45 given it retains its Glock 19-sized barrel and slide but has a Glock 17-sized frame.
In the Dagger catalog, the Full Size-S is somewhere in the middle of the road of available options. Some fancier models feature window cuts on the slide, repositioned rear sights and different colors of barrels, slides and frames. Additionally, there are also plain models that don’t even have an optics cut.
PSA ships the Dagger in a soft carrying case, an addition I always appreciate. It has room to fit the gun, two spare 17-round mags and a pouch for a suppressor, an extended mag or anything else you can fit inside. My only minor complaint with the case is the pistol can’t be strapped in as intended after mounting a flashlight or optic, but it still works for transporting the gun.
The customized pistol still fits in the case with a total of four magazines, but it can no longer be strapped in place with a light installed.
First Stab At The PSA Dagger
I decided to leave the Dagger completely stock for my first range session, and I didn’t clean or lube it out of the box, just to see how it would perform.
The pistol ate through its first 100 rounds without any real issues, and I was already impressed with how it shot. The slide release was a bit stiff and the slide didn’t lock back a couple of times, but besides that, it performed flawlessly.
This gave me the confidence to keep going to see just how dry the PSA Dagger could really be run, but I decided to install some accessories before taking it back to the range.
Customizing The Dagger
Part of the appeal of Glock-like pistols and modern plastic fantastics, given the breadth of the aftermarket parts, is the ability to customize the guns. As someone who previously only owned handguns manufactured when accessory rails were not yet standard, this alone was an exciting prospect.
I used PSA’s included Allen wrench to remove the slide’s optic cover plate and replaced it with a Holosun EPS. The EPS comes with an RMR adaptor plate, making it possible to use it on PSA Daggers with an RMR cut slide. Next, I mounted a Holosun P.I.D. light on the Dagger’s rail.
All went on without a hitch.
Grip tape is often an easy solution when a gun's ergonomics don't quite mix with your own physiology.
The final modification before heading back to the range pertained to my first real complaint with the PSA Dagger—albeit a subjective one. While I enjoy the Dagger’s grip angle much more than that of the Glock, the profile of the back of the grip was too sharp for my taste. Thankfully, all it took to remedy this was a few wraps of grip tape to pad it up. After this, I found the pistol's handle much more comfortable.
The Second Stab
After tricking the Dagger out, I headed back to the range to keep shooting.
Keep in mind that I still hadn’t lubricated the pistol at this point, and I managed to put another 200 rounds through it at a pretty rapid pace before problems started to arise. My best guess is that the gun heated up enough to finally cook off whatever grease or lube was on it from the factory, so cycling began to grow sluggish and unreliable.
After a quick cleaning and lubing, the Dagger was back on the range and did another 200 rounds essentially flawlessly. Besides one double-feed with a hollow point, it was completely reliable.
I kept an eye on the trigger pin over the course of testing (something that early Daggers had a problem with), but it stayed put throughout 600 or so rounds.
That all said, the PSA Dagger has proven itself reliable. Like any gun, it just obviously appreciates a bit of lube now and then.
Ammo types used included CCI Blazer 115gr FMJ, Federal Train and Protect 115gr hollow points, Federal 115gr Syntech, Federal 124gr American Eagle FMJ, Federal 135gr Hydra Shok and Remington UMC 115gr FMJ. Shout out to Federal for providing most of the pistol's fodder. Magazines used included two Magpul 17-round mags (one came with the pistol), a Magpul 21-round mag and a Glock 17-round mag.
Most, but not all, of the ammo that was put through this Dagger.
When it comes to actual shootability, the PSA Dagger left me very impressed. To my chagrin, I shot it better and faster than the metal-framed DA/SA guns I usually train with. Combined with the good reliability and the ability to mount a light and optic, it’s a no-brainer the Dagger will become my new nightstand gun. I plan on offering to purchase it from PSA after this is published.
The ergonomics lend themselves very well to a modern, two-handed shooting grip. The large grip offers plenty of real estate for your fingers, the grip angle facilitates a very natural presentation and the scallop cut forward of the takedown lever is the perfect spot for your thumb for increased control. Hitting steel with the pistol was fast, easy and accurate.
The scallop cut was perfectly positioned for where the author places his thumb.
As for the trigger, I’m generally not too picky besides the shape. The curved and hinged design of the Dagger’s trigger is already a massive upgrade in my book over anything with a trigger shoe, even one that provides a lighter break. Other than that, the trigger felt adequate and typical of a striker-fired gun. It has a bit of travel before the wall, a relatively crisp break and a short reset. That’s all I need in a defensive pistol.
Combined, these features make for a very good shooter, and the MSRP of $370 makes that all the more impressive.
Some other good features worth mentioning are the gun’s aggressive forward and rear slide serrations that made racking a breeze, the cutout at the bottom of the frame that made stripping magazines easier and the included Ameriglo iron sights that cowitnessed perfectly with my optic.
It's hard to see since the front sight is covered by the dot, but the raised Ameriglo iron sights cowitness with the Holosun EPS.
The Dagger’s takedown lever and slide release lever felt about on par with a real Glock, but the magazine release felt worse. This is the only feature on the Dagger I like better on the Glock. The Dagger’s mag release isn’t horrible, but it was a bit too stiff for its small size. I think it would have been easier to manipulate with just a little more surface area.
Parting Shot
Given the PSA Dagger’s reliability, performance, features and price point, it’s hard to find anything to complain about that doesn’t boil down to subjective nitpicking. The reality is if you’re budget-minded but want a good, modern pistol, you can’t go wrong with the PSA Dagger.
There are similar Glock clones that would likely perform just as well, not to mention real Glocks, but you’ll almost certainly pay more if you want features like an optics-ready slide. With so many minor model variations to choose from, with choices of frame size, optics cut pattern, color and more, chances are high PSA has a Dagger that will appeal to you.
PSA Dagger Specs:
Model: PSA DAGGER FULL SIZE-S; RMR Slide, Threaded Barrel, Black
Sig Sauer is expanding the CROSS bolt-action rifle line with the CROSS Magnum, initially available in .300 Win. Mag.
The CROSS bolt-action rifle family from Sig Sauer was previously only available chambered for .308 Winchester, 6.5mm Creedmoor and .277 Fury, but the company is now adding .300 Winchester Magnum to the mix with the announcement of the CROSS Magnum. While the new magnum rifle is initially launching with only the .300 Win. Mag. chambering, more caliber options are expected to be introduced soon.
The Cross Magnum features a 24-inch 5R barrel that’s stainless steel, has a medium contour and is user-changeable. Covering the barrel is a free-floated, full-length ARCA rail with M-LOK slots for attaching accessories. Other notable details include the rifle’s two-stage match trigger, its PRS-style pistol grip and its precision stock which is both foldable and adjustable. The rifle ships with one 6-round AICS-pattern magazine and has an anodized coyote finish.
Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of Commercial Sales at Sig Sauer said this about the new bolt-action rifle:
The development of the CROSS Magnum pushes the boundaries of innovation for a bolt-action platform and delivers on precision, power, and performance … Starting with the receiver design, the CROSS Magnum allows for easy barrel changes while keeping your scope and pic-rail mounted, adds a new folding hinge for easier, intuitive folding, better stock-retention and a stronger lock-up, includes a full-length ARCA and M-LOK rail for maximum tripod and bipod usability and adjustment in the field, while the integrated radial compensator design reduces the felt recoil of the magnum caliber by forty-five percent. The CROSS Magnum is feature-rich, performance built, and ready for the hunt.
Neither an MSRP nor a release date for the CROSS Magnum have been announced as of this writing.
Rock Island Armory has just announced the RIA 5.0E, sporting new features and enhancements over the original model.
Earlier this year, Rock Island Armory released the RIA 5.0, a sporting and personal defense pistol featuring the interesting RVS recoil system, a low bore axis and an aluminum frame. Now, the company is updating the design with the announcement of the enhanced RIA 5.0E.
While the original model was optics-ready as well, the RIA 5.0E is compatible with a wider variety of red dot sights thanks to a new footprint cut and new optics plates. The slide now features more aggressive serrations for easier manipulation, and the redesigned barrel is match grade and made of higher quality materials. The final update to the pistol is the Armor Series finish which provides a diamond-like carbon coating that looks more appealing as well.
Lisa Tuason, President of RIA-USA, said this about the RIA 5.0E:
The RIA5.0E is a groundbreaking product that represents the culmination of our team's relentless dedication and passion for cutting-edge technology. RIA5.0E is a game-changer, packing revolutionary features and stellar performance … The RIA5.0E is set to redefine industry standards and empower our customers like never before because it’s going to blow them away.
MSRP for Rock Island Armory’s new pistol is $1,988, but a release date has not been announced as of this writing.
Taurus is continuing to expand its GX4 line of 9mm handguns, this time with the GX4 Carry.
The design ethos driving carry pistols these days seems to be about squeezing as much firepower into as discreet of a package as possible, and the new Taurus GX4 Carry follows suit. Now boasting a 15-round magazine capacity of 9mm, the new model is larger than its older GX4 or GX4 XL siblings while remaining a concealable size.
The original Taurus GX4, as well as the GX4 XL with its longer barrel, used either flush-fit 11-round or extended 13-round magazines. Now with a larger yet still compact frame size (an overall height of 5.16 inches versus 4.4 inches), the GX4 Carry comes standard with 15-round magazines. It has a 3.7-inch barrel, about the same length as the GX4 XL, but the Carry now also has an accessory rail on its dust cover for mounting a light or laser. Speaking of mounting things, the GX4 Carry is also a T.O.R.O. model (Taurus lingo for optics-ready), and it’s ready to accept any red dot that’s compatible with the Holosun K footprint.
Other features of the GX4 Carry include its three interchangeable backstrap options, its reversible magazine release and its loaded chamber indicator. It also uses industry-standard iron sights, so the included black steel set can be easily replaced if desired. Like other GX4 pistols, it also has a flat-faced, serrated trigger, a satin black DLC barrel coating and a Gas Nitride slide finish.
The Taurus GX4 Carry is available now, has an MSRP of $504.99 and each pistol ships with two magazines.
Silencer Central and Buck Commander have partnered to release the BUCK 30 by BANISH, an affordable .30-caliber suppressor for deer hunting.
Brand collaborations are often mere marketing schemes, but sometimes they show actual thought put into the product being developed. The new BUCK 30 by BANISH suppressor, a joint venture between Silencer Central and Buck Commander, appears to be the latter. Designed specifically with deer hunting in mind, the BUCK 30 offers everything a deer hunter needs in a suppressor for a reasonable price.
A .30-caliber suppressor, the BUCK 30 is rated from .17 HMR to .300 Win. Mag., meaning that it can be used to take more types of game than just deer. However, deer hunters may especially appreciate the can’s stainless steel, laser-welded construction that offers both impressive durability and noise reduction. Silencer Central says that with a BUCK 30 installed, it will reduce the report of an 18-inch .308 rifle to 131 dB thanks to its eight baffles.
The new hunting suppressor is also relatively compact and lightweight, as the unit itself has an overall length of 6.9 inches, a diameter of 1.54 inches and a weight of 13.8 ounces. As for attaching the suppressor, it can use either an industry-standard hub mounting system or a direct-thread mount in one of several thread pitches. Available pitches include 5/8×24, 1/2×28, .578×28, 11/16×24, 3/4×24 and M16x1RH.
Brandon Maddox, CEO of Silencer Central, said this about the new suppressor:
The BUCK 30 embodies hunting innovation, combining the thrill of the hunt with the sound of silence … We are proud to have worked with the Buck Commander team to create this exceptional product. Hunting suppressed improves accuracy and reduces recoil, making the new BUCK 30 the perfect silencer for deer hunters everywhere.
MSRP for the BUCK 30 by BANISH is $699 and it’s available now.
Girsan is continuing to modernize the classic BHP design, this time with the High Power MCP35 PI LW.
Girsan of Turkey has been hard at work incorporating modern features into the classic Browning Hi Power design in recent years, but the company isn’t done yet. Imported into the States by EAA, the newest model is an amalgamation of all the various features that Girsan has introduced since its original MC P35 Hi Power clone launched in 2021.
Girsan MCP35 PI LW OPS, Two-Tone.
Called the High Power MCP35 PI LW and available in four configurations, the new pistols feature the 3.88-inch barrel of the MCP35 PI, the accessory rail and flat trigger of the MCP35 OPS/Match and the optics-ready slide of the MCP35 Ops Optic. Combined with the new lightweight aluminum frame, these may very well be the most carry-ready Hi Powers ever made.
The LW in the MCP35 PI LW’s name stands for Light-Weight, as all four models in the series feature an aluminum frame. The new frame material brings the weight down from 1.6 pounds (standard MCP35 PI) to 1.34 pounds. As mentioned, the pistols also feature flat triggers with a lighter pull weight, optics-ready slides with an RMS/RMSc footprint and a 3.88-inch barrel.
Girsan MCP35 PI LW Match, Black.
The OPS configuration of the pistol also features an accessory rail, but the Match version has a smooth dust cover instead. Other features include an ambidextrous safety, an extended beavertail, G10 grips and a fiber optic front sight. As always, they’re chambered for 9mm and come with a 15-round magazine.
Girsan MCP35 PI LW Match, Two-Tone.
The OPS and Match configurations of the pistol are both available with either a black or a two-tone finish. MSRP for the black models is $749 and MSRP for the two-tone models is $772.
The Self Defense Company has just released the Peacemaker CCW Jacket, designed to be both a perfect cover garment and armor carrier.
For those who feel that they need a bit of extra protection while walking around, body armor can be a nice additional piece of kit to have. The problem is that many traditional soft armor vests can be uncomfortable to wear and difficult to conceal without some sort of extra cover garment. The Peacemaker CCW Jacket from the Self Defense Company fixes that.
The Peacemaker CCW Jacket features a front and back slot for inserting 10×12 soft armor panels, and it can be purchased either with or without two level IIIA panels. By fitting the armor inside of a jacket, the Self Defense Company says that this is the most discreet and practical way of wearing concealed armor in day-to-day life. The jacket itself appears to be good quality too, as it’s advertised as being made of a waterproof and wind-resistant blend of nylon and spandex.
The final trick up the Peacemaker CCW Jacket’s sleeve is what the company is calling the Hidden Draw System or HDS. The system allows for its wearer to discreetly access, and even draw and point, a firearm from a belt holster, all while still being concealed by the closed jacket. This would be ideal for a situation where you need to rely on the element of surprise or are unsure if it’s an appropriate time to draw your firearm but feel the need to be ready to do so quickly. To an observer, you’d appear to merely have your hand in your jacket pocket, leaving them unaware that you may already have a gun in your hand.
The Self Defense Company Peacemaker CCW Jacket is available now, it comes in black and is offered in multiple sizes. MSRP for the standalone jacket is $259 and MSRP for the package that includes armor is $467.
SDS Imports has just announced the 1911A1 Aviator pistol from Tisas, available in both 9mm and .45 ACP.
Tisas of Turkey is known for its affordable 1911 pistols, and SDS Imports has just announced two new models that will soon be available in the U.S. Called the 1911A1 Aviator, they feature lightweight aluminum frames and will be available chambered for both 9mm and .45 ACP.
Regardless of the caliber selected, Tisas 1911A1 Aviator pistols come with an H-151 Satin Aluminum Cerakote finish on their frames while the slides and smaller components sport an H-146 Black Cerakote finish. Both models also feature 4140 hammer-forged slides and hammer-forged steel barrels that are 4.25 inches long. For some extra flair, the pistols also have the Army Aviation badge engraved on their slides.
Other notable features of the 1911A1 Aviator pistols include their GI sights with brass bead inserts, round hammers and 4.5- to 5-pound trigger pulls. The guns ship with overmolded black rubber grips installed, but a set of dark brown plastic grips are included as well. Further, both the .45 ACP and 9mm models will ship with a water-tight lockable hard case, a bushing wrench, a cleaning kit, a trigger lock and two 7-round magazines. The pistols share an MSRP of $529.99.
Winchester Ammunition has just announced the XPERT line of rimfire ammo, starting with a 42-gr .22 LR load.
Designed to be the perfect match for the Winchester XPERT bolt-action rimfire of the same name, Winchester Ammunition has just announced XPERT .22 LR. The XPERT rimfire ammo line will likely be expanded in the future, but when launched it will initially feature a 42-grain .22 LR load that the company promises will be both extremely accurate and consistent.
This load of XPERT .22 LR features a 42-grain copper-plated hollow point projectile with an advertised muzzle velocity of 1,320 FPS. The impressive velocity should keep it relatively flat-shooting, making it easier to get good hits at increased distances, and it also helps the hollow point bullets achieve maximum expansion. That’s another selling point of XPERT .22 LR, as Winchester says that the ammo would be an excellent choice for both target shooting and hunting.
Here’s what Winchester Ammunition had to say about the new load:
Whether plinking targets at the range or pursuing cottontail rabbits along an oak covered ridge, XPERT .22LR is an excellent choice. Find XPERT, and the full line of quality Winchester products at an outdoor retailer near you and shoot with confidence this fall.
The new XPERT rimfire ammo will be sold in 100-round boxes, but an MSRP has not been published. Winchester says that it is shipping now and will be available soon.
Taurus has just announced an enlarged variant of its .410/.45 Long Colt revolver in the form of the Judge Home Defender.
Loved by some, reviled by others, the fact of the matter is that the Taurus Judge is very popular. A 5-shot revolver chambered for .410 and .45 Long Colt, the Judge has been offered in several configurations of various barrel lengths, grip styles and finishes for years. Now, Taurus is adding one more model to the lineup in the form of the Judge Home Defender. Just how much does it differ from past iterations? Not by much, but the new features that it does have will make it a radically more effective home defense option.
Previously, the largest Taurus Judge handgun models featured 6.5-inch barrels, but the Judge Home Defender has a whopping 13-inch barrel. While that might not make it the most wieldy handgun out there, the extra barrel will provide more velocity too. To compensate for the longer barrel, the Home Defender also has a polymer forend for additional support. A new steel blast shield has been added next to the cylinder as well to protect the shooter's support hand. Further, the forend features an accessory rail for mounting a light or laser. Most believe that a good home defense weapon should have a light on it, so this is a crucial addition.
The final new feature of the Judge Home Defender is its top rail for mounting optics. Much like weapon lights, the consensus these days is that a red dot sight is preferable to irons for home defense purposes, so that’s another positive mark for the new Taurus. However, the addition of some sort of sighting system will be required as the Home Defender has no iron sights to speak of.
Other features of the Judge Home Defender are standard to other Judge models, including recoil-cushioning rubber grips, a DA/SA trigger and a matte black finish. The capacity and chambering are the same as well. MSRP is $729.99 and it will be available soon.
Steiner has just announced the H6Xi riflescope series, featuring three scopes designed for big game hunters.
Following last year’s release of the T6Xi scope line, Steiner has just announced the H6Xi riflescope series. Steiner says that the three new models share lineage with the company’s military and law-enforcement optics but with features optimized for serious big game hunters.
H6Xi 5-30x50mm.
According to Steiner, the three H6Xi scopes are capable of delivering excellent precision and optical performance all while being both rugged and lightweight. The series is versatile as well, as the three models will cover most hunters’ needs regardless of their specific priorities. Whether you’re looking for something lightweight and compact for long treks or a scope with impressive magnification for even longer shots, one of the H6Xi models should have what it takes. Regardless of the exact model selected, all are ready for extreme hunting environments as they’re waterproof, fogproof, and shockproof.
H6Xi 3-18x50mm.
All first focal plane scopes with 30mm main tubes, here’s how the H6Xi line breaks down. The smallest H6Xi features a 2-12x magnification range, a 42mm objective lens, a weight of 23.2 ounces and a length of 11.8 inches. The middle child has a 3-18x magnification range, a 50mm objective lens, a weight of 27.4 ounces and a length of 13.3 inches. The largest H6Xi also has a 50mm objective lens, but instead features 5-30x magnification, a weight of 28.1 ounces and a length of 15.4 inches. All three models also feature Steiner MHR reticles with 11 illumination settings, including two for night vision, four for nighttime and five for daylight. Other details that hunters will appreciate include the scopes’ HD lenses, low-profile elevation knobs and capped windage knobs.
H6Xi 2-12x42mm.
MSRP for the Steiner H6Xi 2-12x42mm is $2,299, MSRP for the Steiner H6Xi 3-18x50mm is $2,529 and MSRP for the Steiner H6Xi 5-30x50mm is $2,874.
The Springfield Hellcat Pro carry pistol has just had its capacity increased with a new 17-round magazine option.
The battle of 9mm concealed carry pistols rages on, but the Springfield Hellcat has been a top contender since its introduction. The Pro version of the pistol featured a 15-round standard capacity with flush-fit mags when introduced, but Springfield Armory has just announced a new 17-round Hellcat Pro magazine to pack even more firepower into the popular carry pistol.
While the standard 15-round mag may be easier to conceal, it also leaves shooters with large hands wanting for more grip space. Further, when it comes to spare mags in a pocket or carrier, the difference between a 15- and 17-round mag isn’t that noticeable. Regardless of whether you choose to carry it in your gun or as a spare, the Hellcat Pro 17-round magazine will both increase your capacity by two rounds and provide a larger grip thanks to the basepad.
Steve Kramer, Vice President of Marketing for Springfield Armory, said this about the new Hellcat Pro magazine:
At its launch in early 2022, the Hellcat Pro quickly established itself as a pre-eminent 9mm EDC pistol for discerning users … And with the addition of this new 17-round magazine, it has the benefit of even more capacity in a still extremely concealable package.
The extended Hellcat Pro magazine features the same contours and grip texture as the pistol’s frame, creating a seamless match. On that note, the new mags are offered in both black and FDE to pair with the Hellcat’s frame color options. MSRP for both versions is $42.99 and they are available now.
