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Yamil Sued

Glock P80: The One That Started It All

A throwback Glock? You heard right and the P80 has all the utilitarian charm of the original Pistole 80.

The term “retro” is all the rage lately, with some gun companies making “retro” versions of their most popular models. The term also has different meanings for everyone. For me, it means something that’s modern yet brings back memories of yesteryear. With the popularity of the “retro” style in the firearms industry, I was pleasantly surprised when Glock presented their Limited Edition P80 Pistol.

The P80 is not an exact replica of the Pistole 80, and it is very similar to the G17 Gen 1.
The P80 is not an exact replica of the Pistole 80, and it is very similar to the G17 Gen 1.

The Limited-Edition Glock P80 is a very close reproduction of the original “Glock Pistole 80,” which eventually became the popular Glock 17. The original Glock Pistole 80 was the pistol that Gaston Glock submitted in the early ’80s to the Austrian Army. This recreation of the Glock P80 is not an exact replica of the 1980s Pistole 80 or the Glock 17 Gen 1, but it’s a very close approximation and tribute to the pistol that started it all.

The Limited Edition Glock P80 is a collaboration between Glock and Lipsey’s Inc. to commemorate the adoption of the P80 by the Austrian Army.

“The Glock P80 was Glock’s first pistol and was the catalyst that led to the introduction of the G17, which revolutionized the pistol market and launched Glock as the pistol manufacturer trusted around the globe for over 30 years,” said Bob Radecki, a national sales manager for Glock.

The Glock P80 will be distributed in the U.S. through Lipsey’s, a Louisiana-based distributor. According to Jason Cloessner, VP & product development manager at Lipsey’s, “Glock took painstaking measures to recreate the original frames and packaging to make this P80 edition as close to the original as we could get. Not only is this edition a great shooter, it helps tell the amazing story of how Glock came to be.”

Take Me Back

The Glock P80 ships in a very nice commemorative box, but the surprises start when you open the box. Inside the fancy magnetic lid box is the original Glock Tupperware box, identical to the boxes we got with the first generations of pistols—yes, that one that you had to fire the pistol in order to put in the box.

The upper assemblies on both pistols, when seen from the bottom, are virtually identical.
The upper assemblies on both pistols, when seen from the bottom, are virtually identical.

The first thing I did was remove the white “warning” sticker on the box. I wanted to see the Tupperware box the way it was originally shipped. That’s when I got really nostalgic for the mid ’80s … it was like I could hear Duran Duran playing on the radio.

At first glance, the Glock P80 looks identical to the original first-generation Glock 17. The only difference that I could actually see is the extractor. The Glock P80 has the slanted extractor adopted in the third-generation pistols, not the square, 90-degree extractor present on the original Glock pistol.

I wanted to determine what else was different between the new P80 and the original 17 Gen1, so I reached out to my buddy, James, who owns a Gen 1 Glock 17. He brought it over and photographed both pistols at the same angles with the same lighting conditions so I could highlight the differences between these two pistols.

The magazines are another difference. The P80 ships with Glock Gen 4 magazines, with the ambidextrous magazine release cuts—something that doesn’t surprise me. It would’ve been strange if Glock shipped the P80 with the original non-drop-free magazines of the mid ’80s. But after some testing, the P80 accepts and functions perfectly with just about any Glock 17 magazine I could find … and a couple aftermarket models, too.

The biggest improvement on the P80 is the Gen4 magazines. With every generation, the magazines get better and better.
The biggest improvement on the P80 is the Gen4 magazines. With every generation, the magazines get better and better.

Honestly, other than the extractor shape, these two pistols are almost identical. The main differences are that the front and rear sights are slightly different and the guide rod on the P80 is the modern captured style. Other than that, you have to spend a whole lot of time inspecting the photos to be able to tell them apart.

I know Glock probably didn’t want to make them exactly identical so people wouldn’t pass the new P80 as a vintage Glock, but they’re very close indeed.

But, Does it Shoot?

After spending some time dry-firing the P80, it was time for the fun part—shooting. For the testing platform, I used the new Ransom International Multi Cal. Steady Rest, a sturdy aluminum rest with all the comforts and adjustability I need. I selected Truglo Tru-See Splatter Targets, and I set them at the distance of 10 yards. I wanted to see how the pistol performed, not my ability to shoot the pistol.

For ammunition, I chose two new offerings from Federal: the new Punch 124-grain JHP and the newly packaged Practice and Defend 100-round Combo Pack, which conveniently packages 50 rounds of 124-grain Syntech Training Match ammo and 50 rounds of 124-grain HST JHP ammo. This convenient combo pack allows the shooter to practice with the Syntech Training Match ammo and load at least two magazines, depending on the pistol with the HST JHP ammo for personal defense.

Glock 9mm

All three of these rounds tested have an advertised muzzle velocity of 1,150 fps and, given that they all have the same projectile weight, you can expect about 364 foot-pounds of energy.

My results weren’t surprising. I’ve used both the 124-grain Syntech Training Match and the 124-grain HST JHP in the past, and I know how accurate they can be, but I had never used the brand-new Punch 124-grain JHP. It was as accurate as the other two rounds. With the 124-grain Syntech Training Match, I achieved a 1.185-inch five-round group. With the 124-grain HST JHP, I got a .995-inch group and with the new Punch 124-grain JHP, I got a 1.080-inch group.

After my range test, I fired 100 rounds of various reloads to test reliability. Like any other Glock, the new P80 performed perfectly. I had to take some time to clean it, but again, like any other Glock, that’s not hard at all.

After performing my accuracy and reliability test, I considered who’d be the target market for this “Retro” Glock P80. Collectors? Shooters? Glock enthusiasts?

The Upgrade Option

Then, I talked to others who purchased the new pistol and shared ideas with some of them—in particular, my friend Ed Head, retired U.S. Border Patrol Agent and current instructor at Gunsite Academy in Paulden, Arizona. Ed picked one up, and the first thing he did was customize it.

Glock P80 4

“What?”

Ed was looking for a Glock without finger grooves and without a light rail. Then, it all came into place. Gen1 and Gen2 Glocks, which have the features Ed wanted, are few and far between and generally very costly. This new P80, even though a limited-edition pistol, comes in at a lower cost and with the modern enhancements mentioned.

I asked Ed about his upgrades plans: He started with the AmeriGlo Hackathorn Sights, Wolf Competition Pack Spring Kit and would eventually finish it with an Apex Gen 3 Trigger Kit. Ed mentioned that, even though he liked railed pistols for home guns and duty guns, he didn’t like them for EDC purposes—a very good choice if you ask me. Ed also said he’d eventually get another Glock P80 just to leave it as is as a collectible.

After my conversation with Ed, I got to thinking … What do I want to do with my Glock P80? Well, the answer is simple: I’m going to shoot it and shoot it and shoot it. I might leave it as is, with no modifications whatsoever. It’s a great performer, very accurate and … what else can I say—it’s a Glock; it’s pretty much indestructible.

With ample supplies of replacement OEM parts from Brownells, this pistol can be kept running for decades to come. Besides, we might get a special edition of this pistol in 35 years or so. Who knows?

For more information on the Glock P80, please visit lipseysguns.com.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the January 2021 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

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Vang Comp Systems Retro Remington 870 Tactical Upgrade

Remington 870 Upgrade 5

Surprisingly simple and incredibly impactful, a full tactical upgrade brings a 1960s Remington 870 up to today’s standards.

The Remington 870 is one of the most widely recognized firearms in all history. Designed in the early 1950s, the 870 is a bottom-loading, side-ejecting, pump-action shotgun with a tubular magazine underneath the barrel. There are hundreds of variants of the Remington 870 shotgun in 12-, 16-, 20- and .28-gauges and .410 bore. After its release, the 870 became an essential tool in hunting, as well as for police, military and home-defense use, with millions of them sold to date.

My Remington 870

In the early 1990s, I was told that a local gun store in Mesa, Arizona, had received a large shipment of trade-in law enforcement Remington 870s, so I immediately paid it a visit. When I entered the store, I was greeted by a wall full of Remington 870s with wood stocks in various levels of cosmetic wear, both on the metal and the wood. I told the clerk I wanted to purchase one, but I wanted to shop around the store before doing all the paperwork.

I soon came to the same clerk with a Pachmayr pistol grip and forend kit I‘d picked up to accompany my new purchase. At the time, I wanted something compact and fun (I honestly didn’t know what I wanted), but this sounded like a cool idea at the time.
The clerk asked me if I wanted the Pachmayr kit for the shotgun I was about to purchase, I nodded.

He said, “Well, then, I have just the right shotgun for you.”

The clerk went to the back and retrieved one of those used police trade-in shotguns. But it had neither a stock nor a handguard. It only had a long screw coming out of the back of the receiver.

He explained that a couple of the guns came in with broken stocks or forends, so parts from several guns were cannibalized to repair others. As a result, there were some guns with no furniture. He then offered me a significant discount on the purchase.

I went home with my new purchase, and I was thrilled. I tried to find out as much as I could about my new 870—but this was the early ’90s, so there was no Google, and the Internet was in its infancy. Consequently, I had more questions than answers.

The first one involved the “OHB” stamping on the left side of the receiver. Years later, I learned that the OHB was actually an overstamp: The “O” was originally a “C,” and the “B” was originally a “P”—making the original marking “CHP,” as in “California Highway Patrol.” That made my purchase even cooler.

I enjoyed shooting my Remington 870 for many years … until I made the boneheaded decision to sell it to a friend. Years went by, and I moved out of the Phoenix area.

However, I returned seven years later. One day, I became nostalgic about my old 870, reached out to my buddy and got the 870 back from him. It was still decked out with the same Pachmayr pistol grip and forearm.

I tried several combinations of stocks and forearms. I eventually decided on a SpeedFeed stock and synthetic forearm—and continued to enjoy my 870 for several years.

But, like many gun owners, I can’t leave things well enough alone; I have to mess with them and make something good, such as the Remington 870, into something cool, something special.

I started to do some research. I also remembered that Vang Comp Systems, which had completed decades of excellent shotgun work, was only 100 miles away. Wanting something totally cool, I drove to its facility and asked the folks at Vang to do what was necessary to bring my old, 1960s 870 to today’s standards—and make it something … awesome.

A Complete Tactical Upgrade

The Remington 870 received Vang Comp Systems’ “full tactical upgrade.”

However, before starting with the upgrades, the 870 needed some TLC to get it up to modern reliability standards. The Vang staff installed the Flexi Tab updated bolt, bolt slide, forend tube assembly and carrier latch. They also installed a 3-inch ejector with new rivets. In addition, both shell latches were replaced and triple staked—per the new standard.

Why the Flexi Tab? Well, for more than 30 years, production 870s had a design flaw: The user might fail to press a shell all the way into the magazine tube when loading. As a result, the shell latch didn’t engage the shell and would cause a malfunction. When a shell slips out of the magazine under the bolt in the receiver, it binds the action, and the shotgun must be disassembled to complete the remedial action.

This issue was resolved with the introduction of the Flexi Tab carrier. Shotguns with this modification can be identified by the U-shaped cutout on the carrier, visible from the bottom of the shotgun. The cutout, combined with a modification on the underside of the slide assembly, allows the action to be opened with a shell on the carrier.

After the Flexi-Tab upgrade was performed, Vang went to work with the really cool stuff:

VCS barrel with ports. This includes the patented Vang Comp System barrel modification of backboring and lengthened forcing cone to reduce recoil impulse and tighten up the shot patterns. Vang also added the compensation ports to reduce muzzle flip, disperse muzzle flash and further reduce recoil.

Ghost ring sights. Vang’s wing-protected ghost ring sights are installed on the receiver, featuring a click-adjustable rear sight with an integral Picatinny rail. The kit also features an AR-15 front sight post from XS Sights.

Dome head safety. Vang’s dome head safety is also included in the full tactical upgrade. Made of 4140 steel and finished in Nitridox, it’s a bulletproof upgrade to any Remington 870 on which you want to be able to find the safety button without looking.


Draw A Bead On The Remington 870:


Stainless steel magazine follower. Vang’s stainless steel magazine follower is also included with the full tactical upgrade. This piece offers a solid reliability upgrade over the “dinky” plastic follower that comes from the factory … and requires replacement every two to four years. Ridges are cut into the outside diameter to reduce the bearing surface and to passively clean your mag tube (it scrapes dirt and debris into the recesses of the follower). My Remington 870’s follower now has a witness hole in its face, so when you feel a hole in there, you know the shotgun is empty without having to look.

+2 magazine extension. The magazine tube extension is also included. It’s made from a single piece of American steel, so it’s not prone to breakage. There are no seams or welds that can crack or split. In addition, a magazine clamp isn’t required: It comes assembled with a removable and reversible steel sling plate. A high-power Wolff magazine spring is included with every 12-gauge magazine tube extension for increased feeding reliability with heavy recoiling loads, such as buckshot and slugs.

D.S.A.C. Finally, Vang added a detachable side ammunition carrier for a removable, onboard ammunition source. Vang’s specialized bolts can’t be overtightened, and they don’t require any special tools to install or remove. A steel insert in the aluminum side plate is used to ensure a tight hold and remove the possibility of stripping threads. 

By the way, all Vang parts and components are made in the United States and are guaranteed for life.

Furniture for a Classic Look

The last detail was the furniture.

Originally, I wanted a modern, tacti-cool look for my Remington 870 but, after careful consideration, I opted for a more classic look; something that would’ve been used by the California Highway Patrol in the early 1960s.

I asked the guys at Vang if they could help me with my request. The answer was a resounding, Yes! They quickly searched through their parts bins and found me the perfect stock set … with enough scuffs and scratches to give it the perfect look and feel. The sling stud is even mounted on the stock pistol grip—the way a California Highway Patrol armorer would have installed it in the 1960s or ’70s.

After I retrieved my completed Remington 870, I had to admire the effort and craftsmanship the Vang crew put into my shotgun, starting with a silky-smooth action, crisp trigger pull and impeccable finish. I couldn’t believe this almost-60-year-old shotgun looks and feels as if it just came off the assembly line.

Upgraded Remington 870 At The Range

I made a quick trip to my local indoor range (C2 Tactical in Scottsdale, Arizona) for a quick test-fire-and-pattern test. I used Remington Ultimate Defense 9 Pellet 00 Buck Shot with a muzzle velocity of 1,325 fps. After a few rounds of test firing, I decided to pattern the shotgun at 5, 10 and 15 yards, because I wanted to find out how the improvements done by Vang would perform at these distances.

At 5 yards, all nine pellets were clumped into a group not much larger than 1 inch, with the wad impacting about 2 inches above the pellets. At 10 yards, the group spread out a little to an impressive 2½ inches, with the wad impacting about 3 inches to the left of the group. Finally, at 15 yards, the group increased to 5½ inches—all within the vital center-of-mass area of the standard Gunsite target and with the wad not impacting the target.

I’m aware that depending on ammunition, results will vary, and I’m planning to test various types of ammunition to figure out which one will be the optimal round to match the improved performance of this old warhorse.

Looking back at the last 25-plus years since I purchased this shotgun, a lot has changed: Equipment has changed, as has ammunition. Even so, the shotgun is still one of the most utilitarian tools for hunting, recreational shooting, law enforcement and self-defense.

This particular shotgun is about 60 years old, but all that tender loving care by the group of professionals at Vang Custom gave it a new life. My Remington 870 will now serve me and members of my family for many decades to come.

For more information on the Remington 870, please visit remington.com.

For more information on the Vang Comp System, please visit vangcomp.com.

The article originally appeared in the July 2020 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Review: Wilson Combat Vickers Elite 9mm 1911

Wilson Combat 1911

Practically perfect in every conceivable way, custom comes standard with the Wilson Combat Vickers Elite line.

What Are Some of the Feature That Makes This 1911 Line A Cut Above The Rest:

  • Full-size carbon steel frame
  • High-cut checkered frontstrap
  • 3 ½ to 4 ½-pound crisp trigger pull with medium-length pad
  • G10 Vickers Elite logo grips
  • Countersunk slide stop
  • 5” carbon steel slide
  • Heavy machine chamfer on bottom of slide
  • Battlesight with gold bead front sight
  • 5” stainless match-grade barrel and thick flange bushing, flush-cut reverse crown
  • Flat wire recoil spring
  • Fluted chamber

The name, Wilson Combat, is well-known throughout shooting circles. It elicits images of fast and accurate shooting.

Now, combine that legendary name with that of 1st SFOD-Delta (1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta) combat veteran Larry Vickers, and the result should be something worth noting.

Well, in the case of the Wilson Combat Vickers Elite 9mm 1911, that’s the theory, but will it become reality in testing?

Wilson Combat 1911 11
The medium-length, solid-aluminum trigger allows the shooter to get a much better position on it. This, in turns, helps the shooter’s performance. The extended tactical magazine release allows for faster and more effective magazine changes.

That’s what I set my sights on — no pun intended (well, yes, I did mean that).

When I called Wilson Combat, I found out that the company is trying to keep its most popular firearms in stock and available for immediate delivery. And I applaud Wilson Combat for that. As a result, my only decisions were caliber and color … meaning, I had plenty of options. Decisions, decisions.

Suitable Selections

Although these pistols are available in either .45 ACP or 9mm, I always wanted a reliable, custom 9mm 1911. And that’s where I started. Next came my decision on which finish to go with.

Wilson Combat 1911 1
The Elite’s slide stop is not only the strongest in the industry, it is also the most ergonomic.

Even though I love the classic look of a blued 1911 (who doesn’t?), Wilson Combat had more than a few color options in stock. I decided to go with my personal favorite color combination, black and gray, and selected a model with a black slide over a gray frame featuring Wilson Combat’s proprietary Armor-Tuf finish.

Once the pistol was ordered, I sat back anxiously, awaiting its delivery. When it finally arrived (and let’s admit it, it can never arrive fast enough), I had to sit back and simply take time to admire the work done by Wilson Combat.


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The fit and finish were spectacular. The slide-to-frame fit is both precise and tight — but also smooth as silk. I know that’s a cliché, but it applies here. The barrel fit is also very precise but not overly tight. The barrel locks and unlocks smoothly and consistently.

Wilson Combat 1911 3
The back of the slide is expertly checkered to 40 LPI. This exemplifies the care taken by the Wilson Combat gunsmiths to create a functional and beautiful tool.

Finally, the trigger pull was just perfect — crisp, but not too light — which is, of course, great for self-defense or general shooting. Every part of this pistol is expertly fitted together for a great end product. Here’s another fitting cliché: You get what you pay for.

Hugging the Corners

When it came time to take the new pistol for a “test drive,” I selected a range of seven types of ammunition to use for my accuracy testing. To truly test this gun (or any gun I plan to use for self-defense), I had to be thorough: 124-grain Colt Competition ammunition (by DoubleTap) in FMJ, Colt Defense ammunition JHP (by DoubleTap), Federal HST and Remington +P Golden Saber BJHP. For 115-grain ammo, I brought along CCI Blazer Brass FMJ, Hornady Critical Defense FTX and Barnes +P Tac-XPD.

I set up a shooting rest to test accuracy at my local indoor range. I set the test target at 10 yards, which is the average distance for most practical pistol matches and a good test for self-defense applications. These are the main uses for this pistol. My testing protocol was to fire five-shot groups with each of the seven types of ammunition.

Wilson Combat 1911 4
The rear sight is serrated to cut down on reflections, but it has a “U” notch to aid in aligning the sights.

The Wilson Combat Vickers Elite 9mm 1911 did not disappoint. This pistol really shone in the accuracy department, with all the ammunition I tested grouping right under 1.00 inch. However, my best grouping was with the Barnes 115-grain +P Tac-XPD, which measured right at 0.65 inch. One thing I noticed was that even though the Barnes 115-grain Tac-XPD ammunition is rated +P, it was the smoothest-shooting load of the seven I tested.

With the accuracy testing completed, I decided to broaden the gun’s horizons a bit: a Bill Drill was in order. I set up a standard IPSC silhouette target at 5 yards and fired six rounds as fast as I could, trying to keep them in the A zone. That was not a hard task, because the Vickers Elite didn’t miss a beat.

Taking on the 250

With my visit to the local indoor range complete, I thought I was done with my testing. However, opportunity came knocking: It was Arizona’s Gunsite Academy.

Wilson Combat 1911 5
(bottom) The gold-bead front sight aids in a perfect sight picture and puts this pistol on a higher level of craftsmanship and beauty. The serrations on the top of the slide also add to the pistol’s overall esthetics.

What better place to run my new custom 1911 than at Gunsite in one of its famed 250 handgun classes? For those unfamiliar, the 250 class is Gunsite’s introductory 1-week handgun class that includes lectures, night shooting, outdoor and indoor simulators, and a whole lot of shooting. We’re talking more than 1,400 rounds throughout the week.

I quickly picked up 1,500 rounds of Federal American Eagle 115-grain FMJ ammunition; and, to complete my kit for the Gunsite class, I ordered a Davis Omega Gunsite holster and two single-mag pouches.

We shot between 250 and 350 rounds every day during the 1-week class. I know what you’re thinking: a brand-new 1911 in the desert in a shooting class and with a high round count? Certainly, I’d have to go elbows deep into a detailed cleaning of the 1911 every night, right? Wrong.

Wilson Combat 1911 7
The chamber is fluted for ease of cleaning and prevents the accumulation of unburnt power, carbon or debris.

Despite all the shooting, the only cleaning I performed was a casual wipe-down with Break Free CLP Disposable Wipes and minor lubrication with Gunfighter Gun Oil. Even after this minimal lubrication and all those rounds fired, the Vickers Elite didn’t experience a single malfunction. Think about that for a moment, because the same probably can’t be said for a large number of 1911 pistols.

The more I shot the Vickers Elite 9mm 1911, the more I loved it. And although you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, this pistol is becoming my number-one match pistol for both USPSA and IDPA events.

I told you I had always wanted a reliable custom 1911 in 9mm. Well, that search is over.

Wilson Combat Vickers Elite Specs:

Available Calibers: .45 ACP, 9mm
Magazine Capacity: 8 rounds (.45)
Barrel Length: 5 inches
Overall Length: 8.7 inches
Sight Radius: 6.6 inches
Height: 5.6 inches
Width: 1.3 inches
Weight Empty: 41.6 ounces
Weight Loaded: 47 ounces
Accuracy Guarantee: 1 inch at 25 yards

For more information on the Wilson Combat Vickers Elite line, please visit www.wilsoncombat.com.

The article originally appeared in the May 2019 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Reviving The Hard-Charging MEUSOC 1911

The history and building of one battle-tough pistol — MEUSOC 1911.

What went into the original Variant 1 MEUSOC 1911:

  • Introduced in 1987 and manufactured by the 2112s.
  • Receivers are USGI M1911A1.
  • First slides used were System “hard” slides.
  • King's thumb safety.
  • Wilson 66 beavertail grip safety.
  • Videcki solid stainless-steel trigger.
  • Maryland Gun Works (MGI) commander hammer.
  • 18.5-pound recoil spring provided by Bar-Sto.
  • Primarily Bar-Sto barrels were used.
  • Accompanied by Wilson 47 magazines.

Given that I’m a certified 1911-a-holic and I love history, I’m interested in just about every variation of the 1911 pistol out there. Back in the early 2000s, I came across several articles and photographs of the Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Command (MEUSOC) 1911, and I was immediately intrigued. What is this pistol? Who made it? What’s the real-life story behind it?

MEUSOC 1911 6

I kept reading and researching the MEUSOC pistol, and I eventually met retired Marine KC Crawford, who happened to be a former 2112 Armorer in Quantico — and he actually built these pistols. Not only is Crawford an accomplished gunsmith, but he had insight on the inner workings of the 2112 Marine Corps Armorers in Quantico — and he was willing give me a history lesson.

MEUSOC Parts And Variations

Crawford worked at the Quantico Shop in 1987 when the first MEUSOC pistols were introduced and manufactured by the 2112s. He was also fortunate enough to be one of the guys who built those first pistols for the special units that wanted to maintain the 1911 in .45 ACP, instead of the then-new M-9 Beretta 9mm.

The 2112s listened to what the SOC guys wanted, including durable fixed sights, a long trigger, a beavertail grip safety, an ambidextrous thumb safety and an accurate barrel. There were many discussions on what aftermarket parts to put into the new guns, but above all, it had to be a no-BS-bet-your-life-on-it pistol that could stand up to the rigors of combat. After all, it was common for a pistol to have more than 10,000 rounds shot down the tube in training before the gun ever left to go into harm’s way.

After all was said and done, a basic list of modifications was put together — and the build was finalized.

The receivers were all USGI M1911A1. Over the course of time, some Caspian receivers were used, but that was later on in the production cycle. The first slides used were System “hard” slides to ensure a solid platform to work with. The standard GI thumb safety was replaced with an ambidextrous thumb safety. There were a few ambidextrous models made, but the King’s 201 was selected because of the extended hammer pin retention feature that no other manufacturer was using.


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Because of the hard-use nature of the pistol and the thumb safety being activated and de-activated thousands of times, the armorers believed that the hammer-pin retention would give a more positive feel of the safety. It also allowed any set of grips to be used because there was no need for the ambidextrous cutout on the right-side grip.

Although the MEUSOC lineage saw four major variations, countless one-offs exist due to a lack of consistent access to high-quality parts.
Although the MEUSOC lineage saw four major variations, countless one-offs exist due to a lack of consistent access to high-quality parts.

The safety was a cast part, as were most parts back in the day. And, of course, the safeties started having issues rather quickly. While the right lever did stay in place, the joint holding the left and right side together developed a great deal of play and made the safety very sloppy. Many of them eventually broke, leaving the safety inoperable until a new unit could be fit to the pistol.

The beavertail grip safety chosen was the Wilson 66, which used a compound radius, making it more difficult to fit than other options available at the time. There was no such thing as a “memory groove” on a grip safety at that time period, and it became a common practice to tape the grip safety so the gun could shoot without having a perfect grip. The armorers tried to set the grip safeties so they would function with just the slightest depression yet still pass a safety check — sometimes they were successful, and other times not as much. Trying to give the shooters what they wanted while providing a safe and serviceable pistol was their ultimate goal.

The trigger used initially was the Videcki solid stainless-steel unit. The hole for the over-travel screw was welded so there was no over-travel screw to work loose and stop the pistol from firing. This created its own problem by having so much over-travel that some of the pistols had hammer follow issues — and the trigger was so heavy that it was believed to cause sear bounce, creating another set of problems. It was common practice when building the guns to rack the slide, letting it slam forward as many as 15 times in a row. If the hammer followed during this “test,” the gun was sent back.

The trigger pull weight was kept between 4 and 4.5 pounds. It was the shop’s belief that if 4 pounds was good enough for a national match hardball gun, then it should be good enough for the MEUSOC pistol as well. Of course, there’s a big difference between a match pistol that can have maintenance done as needed and a hard-use gun that may not see maintenance for 6 months.

To complete the trigger group, a Maryland Gun Works (MGI) commander hammer was chosen. Disconnectors were system GI and sears were a collection of many different manufacturers. The first sears used were again GI, and as time progressed, various manufacturers’ “hard” sears were used. The belief at the time was that the feel of the trigger should be a “glass rod break.” However, that kind of release normally doesn’t last very long, especially when the trigger components are not the best.

Along that same line, the standard recoil spring was an 18.5-pound unit provided by Bar-Sto. This was a very heavy-duty recoil spring designed to take the abuse and survive a training cycle without having to be replaced. The recoil spring was a stainless-based product that did hold up very well to the rigors presented by the team members in every environment.

(above) For his build, the author used a 1943 Colt frame with a seven-digit “hard” slide.
For his build, the author used a 1943 Colt frame with a seven-digit “hard” slide.

Throughout the early history of the MEUSOC pistol, Bar-Sto barrels were the primary choice. As time progressed, other barrel manufacturers were used. The Bar-Sto barrels the armorers first used were oversized, gunsmith-fit barrels. That didn’t last very long because of the time and training required to fit a barrel, bushing link and pin to a gun that needed some tolerance to remain fully functional.

The armorers then went to the “drop in” barrel offered by Bar-Sto. Of course, we all know that drop-in parts for a 1911 always fit — not. So, the armorers quickly learned that while it was nice to have most of the work done via drop-in parts, many things needed to be checked and properly fit.

Another component requested by the SOC team was a flat mainspring housing. While there were aftermarket flat mainspring housings available, the decision was made to modify and manufacture those springs in-house. The arched housings were cut down to a flat housing configuration and then serrated to give a gripping texture to the back of the pistol. This made it easier for another requirement, a lanyard loop, to be retained from the original housing.

The Variant 1 pistol consisted of a System “hard” slide with standard sight cuts. Many of these slides were the seven-digit 7790314 slides, though a few of the Drake NM7791435 slides were also used. The front sight was a Millett stake-on front using the existing tennon sight cut. Problems were identified early on with the staked front sights shooting loose. Millett soon released the “dual crimp” front sight, which were introduced to the build. This process also failed, and front sights were soldered to ensure complete retention.

The pistols were finished in manganese phosphate, and the stainless-steel Bar-Sto barrels were blackened with bluing salts to create a uniform matte finish. Pachmayr grips accentuated the pistol with a non-slip grip that was easy to maintain. Seven Wilson 47 magazines were the standard accompaniment with each new pistol.

Variant 2 Pistols

These pistols were the start of the rebuild process as guns came back to the shop after a deployment rotation. The pistol remained basically identical to the Variant 1 configuration, with the exception of a Videcki three-hole speed trigger and Springfield Armory slides being introduced as replacement. The manufactured rear sight and soldered Millett front sights were retained.

(below) The author’s reproduction pistol features a Millett front sight and a RTE manufactured rear sight.
The author’s reproduction pistol features a Millett front sight and an RTE manufactured rear sight.

The slides in use had a variety of markings because of availability at the time of need. The first slides had only vertical rear cocking serrations and “Springfield Armory” stamped on the right side. The left side was marked “MODEL 1911-A1.”

Other slides had forward-slanted, rear-only cocking serrations, crossed cannons to the rear of the ejection port and “Springfield Armory” stamped on the right side. The left side was marked “MODEL 1911-A1,” and centered below that “CAL .45” was stamped. Later slides also had the forward slanted cocking serrations (rear only), “Springfield Armory” stamped and the crossed cannons to the right of Springfield Armory with a lowered ejection port. The left side of the slide was marked “MODEL 1911-A1,” and centered below that “CAL .45.”

Variant 3 Pistols

The bottom end of the Variant 3 pistol remained identical to the original design; however, the slides were upgraded to the Springfield Armory double-serrated forward-slant design with the in-house custom rear sight and the Millett soldered front. “Springfield Armory” was stamped with crossed cannons on the right side, and the slide featured a lowered ejection port. “MODEL 1911-A1” and “CAL .45” was stamped on the left.

By early 2003, the armorers started to Magnaflux all receivers, and any that came back from the fleet were coded out — all the guns built from that point on had an Ed Brown grip safety. At the same time, new Springfield slides with a Novak sight cut were put into service.

Variant 4 Pistols

Variant 4 marks the biggest change to the MEUSOC pistol since its introduction in the late ‘80s. The slide remained the Springfield Armory design with the Novak low-mount sight cut in the rear and a dovetail front. Flat, forward-slanted cocking serrations adorn the front and rear of the slide, as does a lowered and flared ejection port. Markings on the slide remain the same as Variant 3.

At the start of this variation, the King thumb safety was still being used, and a very small amount of Variant 4 guns had been built with Wilson drop-in barrels — all others featured the Bar-Sto semi-drop in barrel. There were also some guns with a Nowlin barrel that came in for maintenance. Nowlin was the barrel chosen when they started the product improvement, but there’s no evidence of them ever being used in mainstream production. Again, there were times that the armorers had to use what they could get to keep the pistols running.

The ambidexterous thumb safety remained constant among all variations.
The ambidextrous thumb safety remained constant among all variations.

This variation was built until early 2007, when the gunsmiths switched to the Ed Brown thumb safety. There were a few of the variations that used the King safety built with Caspian receivers early on, and toward the end of production the switch was made to the Ed Brown safety. There were also a small number of both variations that were built using Caspian slides.

The Caspian slides had Novak sight cuts, front and rear flat-slated serrations, a Marine Corps emblem on both sides behind the rear serrations, and “USMC” stamped on the ejection port side. In mid-2004, the gunsmiths switched to a Caspian flat serrated mainspring housing.

At some point, an order of Springfield slides came in that were marked “OPERATOR, CAL .45” on the non-ejection port side. They also switched from the GM-45C Pachmayr to the GM-45 toward the end of this variation. C&S fire-control components replaced the MGW set with a new hammer, sear and disconnector. Night sights were never “officially” authorized for the pistol, but many of them came in for maintenance with night sights because of operator preferences.

Reliving The MEUSOC History

Like I said before, I was fascinated with the MEUSOC 1911 and, knowing I couldn’t have the real thing, I started making plans for a faithful reproduction.

The first thing I needed was an original USGI frame, so in 2005 I purchased a 1943 Colt pistol for a whopping $12.50. The frame had been sanded and cold-blued, it had an equally sanded and cold-blued Remington Rand slide — neither part had any collector value at all — so I sent the frame to Crawford and he managed to scrounge up the rest of the parts.

Crawford used my USGI receiver and added a seven-digit “hard” slide, Millett front sight, RTE manufactured rear sight, Kings 201-A ambidextrous safety, Wilson 66 beavertail, Bar-Sto semi-fit barrel and bushing, Videcki “speed” trigger, MGW commander hammer, Pachmayr grips and Wilson 47 magazines. Crawford also manufactured the mainspring housing by converting an arched USGI mainspring housing to flat and serrated, complete with a lanyard loop.

MEUSOC 1911 4

The balance of parts are a combination of multiple manufacturers, and we didn’t think we needed to be that specific for the internal parts that couldn’t be seen. After the pistol was properly fitted with the same specifications Crawford used while serving in the Marine Corps in Quantico, the pistol was finished in a manganese phosphate bath. The pistol was delivered to me with seven Wilson 47 seven-round magazines and an official USMC Weapon Record Book, where I have kept an official log of every single round fired through the pistol since I received it.

For more information on KC's Kustom Creations, please visit www.kcskustomcreations.com.

Editor's Notes: This article originally appeared in the September 2018 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

How To: Customizing The Glock

How one gun writer had constructed a custom Glock 19 over the years.

Why the Glock is so customizable:

  • Ample selection of aftermarket parts.
  • Ease of installing upgrades.
  • The improved performance once parts are installed.

One of the main reasons Glock has become such a popular pistol in recreation, competition and law enforcement circles is the ease of customization and nearly unlimited availability of aftermarket parts and manufacturers. From slides, barrels, triggers and strikers, to minor accessories, the shooter can create countless combinations.

Custom-Glock-2

I own a Gen 2 Glock 19. I can’t recall how long I’ve owned this particular pistol, but according to the serial number, it was manufactured in October 1994, making it almost 24 years old. I’ve carried this particular pistol on and off since 2004, and I’ve done several upgrades along the way.

My first modification happened in 2005, when I replaced pretty much everything except the frame, barrel, slide and extractor with factory Glock parts purchased at Brownells. I’ve changed sights several times. I just replaced my Tru-Glo TFO sights with yellow rears to the new Tru-Glo TFX Pro Sights, and I will be leaving these on for a long time.

For the trigger, I picked my favorite: the APEX Action Enhancement Kit for Glock. This particular kit is designed for the Gen 2, 3 and 4 9mm/.40 S&W models only, but a trigger for the Gen 5 is already available.

For the sake of reliability, durability and aesthetics, I sent my slide to ROBAR to get the NP3 finish added. I did that refinish almost 10 years ago and the NP3 only needs a little polishing once in a while to look like I had it done yesterday.

I wanted my frame to be unique, so I contacted Molon Labe, LLC, and had my frame laser-engraved with a honeycomb texture, which not only looks great but gives me a more positive grip on the pistol.

To finish it all, I picked up a couple of accessories from Molon Labe. They have a great selection of baseplates, striker plates and grip plugs for all generations and calibers of Glock pistols, and they can also custom engrave any logo you desire.

There are so many other ways to customize your Glock pistols, from lights and lasers that can be attached to rail models to custom paint jobs done by a plethora of authorized Cerakote applicators that will take your Glock to the next level. The limit is only dictated by your imagination.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the May 2018 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

The Five Top Glock Pistols For Any Application

Love 'em or hate 'em, the Glock train continues to roll.

What are the top Glocks:

During the past 30 years, the name “Glock” has come to symbolize quality and reliability. But that wasn’t the case when it was first introduced to the American market in the mid ‘80s. American gun owners were more than skeptical about the “plastic gun.” Some were dismissive, and others were just downright mean.

Glock-lead

In return, Glock came up with a great idea to change the minds of American gun owners: put the pistols in their hands and allow the shooters to not only handle them, but to shoot them. This led to the creation of the Glock Range Program.

Until 1990, I’d only seen Glocks on the gun store shelves. But one day, our small local range had all these brand-new Glock pistols, in all models and calibers (9mm and .40 S&W at that time). There they were, ready to be rented at a reasonable price, and that was it for me — I was hooked. I had never seen rental pistols at any of the ranges I’d been to, and this quickly became a great concept that allowed members to test drive Glocks and pick the model and caliber that best fit their likes and needs.

Glock Reviews You Need To Read

After a couple of years, the American market embraced the plastic gun, and Glock has become an important part of the landscape for law enforcement and recreational shooters alike.

Building Momentum

The first Glock to hit our shores was the Model 17, in what has been named the first generation, which was a 17-round pistol with a pebble texture grip and very simple controls. In 1988, the Gen 2 pistols were introduced, with changes like a checkered front strap and serrated back strap. During the lifetime of the Gen 2 run, some simple changes were also introduced, such as a captured one-piece guide rod system and minor changes in the magazine floor plate.

In 1998, we saw the introduction of the Gen 3 models. These guns featured upgrades like an accessory rail (called the Universal Glock rail) to allow the mounting of laser sights, tactical lights and other accessories. Thumb rests on both sides of the frame and finger grooves on the front strap also appeared.

During the middle of the Gen 3 lifetime, several more changes were made to the Glock line, including a modified extractor that serves as a loaded chamber indicator, an enlarged locking block and an extra cross pin (to aid the distribution of bolt thrust forces exerted by the locking block) located above the trigger pin. The Gen 3 frames were offered in black, flat dark earth and olive drab. Other models, like a non-firing dummy pistol (“P” models), non-firing dummy pistols with resetting triggers (“R” models) with a bright red frame, and simunition practice pistols (“T” models) with a bright blue frame, were also released.

Then, at the end of the G3 lifespan, the RTF2 (Rough Textured Frame 2) was introduced. These variations featured a new checkering texture around the grip and new scalloped serrations at the rear of the slide.

In early 2010, Gen 4 Glocks were introduced. The Gen 4 modifications were mostly ergonomic, such as a modified rough-textured frame and grip checkering. A new recoil spring assembly was also introduced, along with an enlarged reversible ambidextrous magazine release. Magazines were modified to accept the ambidextrous magazine release, and accessory interchangeable backstraps of different sizes and shapes were released.

The basic grip size and shape of the Gen 4 Glock pistols is slightly smaller compared to previous generations, and some parts on the Gen 4 models can’t be interchanged with previous models. During the early introduction of those Gen 4 pistols, Glock announced a recoil system exchange program, where owners were sent a new modified recoil system in exchange for the recoil system originally shipped with the pistols.

In 2016, the FBI issued a solicitation to Glock for 9mm duty pistols, which deviated from the Gen 4 pistols and led Glock to develop the M Series pistols. In turn, the M Series pistols led to development of the Gen 5 pistols in 2017.

Modifications to the Gen 5 Glocks were centered on improving reliability and ergonomics, and changes included an ambidextrous slide stop, revised style of polygonal rifling that Glock named “Glock Marksman Barrel,” deeper recessed barrel crown, the removal of finger grooves from the frame, flared magazine well, the reintroduction of the half-moon cutout in the bottom of the front strap, beveled and rounded front of the slide, and removal of the extra locking block pin introduced on the Gen 3 pistols.

The magazines on the Gen 5 pistols feature slight differences from their predecessors, with a slightly redesigned baseplate for easy removal and an orange follower for easy identification.

Glock 34

G-34
Originally advertised as “practical and tactical,” the Glock 34 and 35 were designed specifically for the International Practical Pistol Confederation (ISPC) market and in accordance to IPSC rules. Released in 1998, the Glock 34 was an instant hit with Practical Pistol Shooters all over the world.

Ironically, when production division was started in 2000, the Glock 34 and 35 were excluded because of their 5.25-inch barrels; IPSC had set a limit of 5 inches for barrel length. But that didn’t stop the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) and the International Defensive Shooting Association (IDPA) to allow the Glock 34 to compete in their Production (USPSA), SSP (IDPA) and ESP (IDPA) Divisions.

Today, the Glock 34 is the most popular Glock pistol in those divisions. I’ve owned several versions of the Glock 34 and have used it for USPSA and IDPA alike, and I can’t wait for the release of the Glock 34 Gen 5. Glock, are you listening?

Glock 22

Glock-22-40S-W
After the release of the .40 S&W cartridge, specifically designed for the law enforcement market, it didn’t take long for Glock to manufacture a pistol for this exciting new cartridge — and they hit a home run. The Glock 22 quickly became the most adopted handgun in the American law enforcement community, with countless departments switching to both the .40 S&W cartridge and the Glock 22 as their main service pistol.

For more than a decade, it seems like every department — federal, state, county and city departments — was carrying a Glock 22. Now, with the improvements in 9mm ballistics and bullet design during the past 2–3 years, many departments are switching back to the 9mm cartridge due to its higher capacity and lower recoil, and many officers are welcoming back the easier-to-shoot 9mm cartridge.

Glock 26

glock26_9mm
Released in 1994, the Glock 26 is often referred to as the “Baby Glock” and was nothing more than a chopped down version of the classic Glock 17. Using the same basic configuration as the Glock 17, its grip was reduced to hold only 10 rounds and its slide reduced to accept its 3.42-inch barrel.

With the growing number of states allowing civilians to carry handguns concealed, the Glock 26 became the first choice for many concealed carry participants, and it also served as backup for both the civilian market and law enforcement personnel alike. Today, with a plethora of smaller and slimmer handguns in the market, the Glock 26 has lost some of its market, but is still a great choice for backup and CCW.

Glock Glock 17

G-17
The one that started it all, the Glock 17, has become the flagship for the Glock family of handguns, now in its 5th generation. The Glock 17 has just about every market cornered. From law enforcement to recreational shooters, self-defense, military and competitive shooters, the medium-sized Glock 17 is the classic against which other striker-fired pistols are measured.

With a capacity of 17 rounds and a 4.48-inch barrel, the Glock 17 remains one of the most-used pistols in the world. I prefer the Glock 17 for competition over the more popular Glock 34; the grip is exactly the same as the longer-barreled Glock 34, but I find the shorter barrel and slide easier to transition from target to target, making it my No. 1 choice for both USPSA and IDPA matches.

Glock 19

glock-19
Released in 1998, at the same time as the Gen 2 pistols, the Glock 19 has become a classic. With more compact dimensions compared to the larger Glock 17, the Glock 19 was designed around a 15-round magazine and a more compact 4.01-inch barrel, making it just about the perfect size for concealed carry while affording the shooter a good capacity of ammunition.

I’ve carried a Glock 19 on and off for the past 15 years, and to this day I find it one of the most comfortable pistols for everyday carry. And with the numbers of Glock 19s sold, I guess I’m not the only one who considers the Glock 19 to be the best Glock for self-defense.

The Final Round

As a longtime Glock user, I’ve owned and fired every one of the pistols on this list. I’ve liked them all, but I can’t pick one of these models over the others — they all have a purpose and they all work great. I will continue to use my Glock 17 for competition and recreational shooting, and my Glock 19 Gen 2 for everyday carry. I guess more than 30 years of experience has made Glock my choice for recreation, competition and self-defense.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the May 2018 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.


Learn More About Glock Options

Gun Review: Dead Accurate Rock River Arms’ BT-3

The new tack-driving BT-3 from Rock River Arms performs as good as it looks.

How this AR-10 will have the bullseye begging for mercy:

  • The BT-3 comes chambered in .308 Win.
  • The rifled features billet aluminum upper and lower receivers.
  • It's outfitted with a 20-inch fluted and cryogenically treated stainless-steel barrel.
  • This is topped off with Rock River's .308 A2 flash hider.
  • The BT-3's furniture includes a Magpul PRS stock and Hogue rubber over-molded grip.
  • The fire control is Rock River's 2-stage trigger.
  • The rifle weighs in at 12 pounds.
  • The best grouping in testing at 100 yards was .935 inch with 155-grain Hornady TAP Precision.

Let me put this out there right away: I’m not a rifle shooter by trade. I like shooting rifles — it’s fun and it’s challenging — but I certainly don’t feel as though I’m capable of producing the level of accuracy today’s precision rifles are capable of delivering.

BT-3_first

But that was the point: I’m a proficient pistol shooter and, as a professional firearms photographer, I know guns as well as anyone. Gun Digest Editor, Luke Hartle, had a brand new gun he wanted reviewed, and he wanted it reviewed from the perspective of a fairly novice precision rifle shooter looking to get into the game.

So, when I was tasked to review the new Rock River Arms BT-3 .308 Modern Sporting Rifle, I decided to meet the challenge head-on.

Assessing The Situation

My first task was to get acquainted with the rifle. The Rock River Arms BT-3 is a .308 modern sporting rifle, featuring Rock River Arms billet upper and lower receivers, fluted 20-inch cryogenically treated stainless-steel barrel, Rock River Arms .308 A2 flash hider, Magpul PRS stock, Hogue rubber over-molded grip, new lightweight M-LOK compatible 17-inch aluminum floated handguard with MS1913 top rail and a Rock River Arms 2-stage trigger. The rifle weighs in at approximately 12 pounds and is fairly easy to carry — but heavy enough to absorb recoil from the .308 Win. needed for precision accuracy at exceptional ranges.

BT-3_third

For my scope, I wanted something powerful and sharp. I picked the SIG Optics Tango6 5-30X56mm riflescope with an illuminated MRAD/MOA reticle, and I mounted it on a SIG base and rings. As a rifle-shooting newbie of sorts, I wanted a scope that would mitigate my lack of rifle shooting experience. OK, I wanted a scope that would make me look good — and the Tango6 certainly didn’t fail me in that regard. It took me a bit of time to properly install and set up my scope and rifle for both length of pull and eye relief, but once I had it, I was ready to roll.

Range Tested, Shooter Approved

All that was left was to hit the range. I decided I wanted calm and shade: Spring in Arizona is often unpredictable and weather varies from wet and soggy 60s to hot and steamy upper 90s. I wanted to do this as “by the book” as possible, so waiting for calm winds was my only option.

I settled in on a steady concrete bench and set up my Caldwell “The Rock” rest. I’ve had this rest for more than 15 years and it’s still my favorite.

BT-3-second

The first three shots with Remington 168-grain BTHP factory ammunition at 25 yards showed that I was 3 inches low and 1 inch to the right. I already knew that I didn’t want to shoot bull’s-eyes at 25 yards with a 100-yard zero in mind, so I made some minor adjustments and ran the target to the 100-yard mark.

I shot five-round groups at 100 yards with Remington 168-grain BTHP, Lapua 167-grain BTHP, Hornady 168-grain A-Max, Hornady 155-grain TAP A-Max, Hornady 110-grain TAP Urban, and Federal American Eagle 150-grain BTFMJ ammunition. At 100 yards, my groups were a bit to the right, but I was just looking for groups so I didn’t touch the scope. And the BT-3 didn’t disappoint.

I shot this rifle within my skill level, and I think I shot it well. My best 5-shot group was with the Hornady TAP Precision 155-grain A-Max Law Enforcement Ammunition, measuring .935 inch. I didn’t know I was capable of shooting like that, and especially not after a mere dozen rounds.

BT-3_six

Think about that for a moment: As a new rifle shooter, I shot a sub-MOA group after pulling the trigger less than a dozen times. In the hands of a skilled rifle shooter, the groups from this rifle will shrink dramatically.

The Initial Takeaways

I was impressed, it’s as simple as that. The construction and fit of the rifle are among the best I’ve seen in years. Keep in mind that, although I don’t shoot a lot of long guns, I’m a professional firearms photographer and I recognize quality and attention to detail when I see it.

The fluted stainless-steel barrel pretty much proves that you don’t need a bull barrel to achieve precision on a rifle. The lightweight handguard is comfortable and has enough M-LOK slots to add whatever accessories you might need or want. The Magpul PRS Stock is one of the best stocks in the market for any precision rifle build; it was easy to set up and, after being set up, nothing moves and it retains its settings after a long day of shooting. These guns can quickly become complex, so I greatly appreciated the furniture being so user-friendly.

I was neither hot nor cold about the Hogue over-molded grip. It was comfortable, but I prefer a little bigger grip. Then again, this is the beauty of the MSR — it’s a completely modular system as long as the foundation is there, and the BT-3 is one heck of a foundation upon which to personalize a precision rifle build. The really nice thing about Rock River Arms is that you can order this specific rifle custom-made to your taste and requirements; you’re not stuck with a rifle only to purchase your favorite parts later.

BT-3_Feat

Last but certainly not least, the trigger was the most impressive part of this rifle. Even though I’ve worked with lots of two-stage triggers in the past, this one was about the best I’ve had the pleasure of shooting. It made all the difference in my performance.

The Final Shot

My ultimate conclusion is that the Rock River Arms BT-3 is a winner for both novice and experienced precision shooters, though I would change a couple of the accessories.

I look forward to hitting the range again, and I’m certain that I won’t need to burn through too much more ammo before this rifle and I approach the ½-MOA mark together.

For more information on the BT-3, please visit: https://www.rockriverarms.com/www.rockriverarms.com

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the May issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

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