Enhanced for hunting, the M400 TREAD Predator is just the ticket get coyotes howling.
Of recent entrants to the AR-15 market, the Sig Sauer TREAD line has proven among the most intriguing. No reinvention of the wheel by any means, the allure of the rifles comes in the quality of the build for the money. They’re entry-level guns—not the cheapest, mind you—but by far offer incredible bang for the buck compared against nearly anything in its class. And now Sig is angling them at hunters.
A welcome addition to the line, the M400 TREAD Predator is the first dedicated hunter under the TREAD banner and tailored to this corner of the shooting world’s tastes. Now if the name sounds familiar, it should. Long before TREAD was a glint in the gun-manufacturing giant’s proverbial eye they had what was known as the M400 Predator on its roster. A solid AR-style shooter that ticked off a lot of boxes for hunters, the rifle has since gone the way of the doo-doo. While the new iron shares some of the same design features and the M400 designation of its predecessor, it’s not a retread (pun intended) of the old rifle. Instead, with the Sig M400 Predator, Sig offers up a more rounded package for the field with several enhancements that have become commonplace on hunting guns.
Nowhere is this more apparent than the 5.56 NATO’s upgraded stock. Where once a telescoping Magpul MOE Carbine stock resided, in the plain old M400 days, now lives a fully-adjustable precision unit. Ideal for fitting the rifle directly to the shooter, the polymer stock offers both length of pull and comb height control, making the rifle more intuitive to the user. Additionally, the gunmaker has opted for a new handguard, specifically designed for the rifle. Measuring in at 15-inches, the PREADOR Handguard protects a majority of the rifle’s barrel and offers up ample M-Lok real estate (3-, 6- and 9-o’clock positions) for the addition of accessories. Furthermore, the bottom of the handguard is flattened out, making it more conducive to shooting from a supported position—if you don’t happen to prefer a bipod.
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Unlike ARs with a more tactical bent, the TREAD Predator features an abbreviated rail—integral to the upper receiver. A logical move, given most hunters will mount their optics systems in a more traditional manner and don’t need to worry about iron backup sights. As to weight, the TREAD Predator is a very manageable 7.5 pounds, which should make it a snap to lug along on long trudges. Sig uses aircraft-grade aluminum for the receivers and stainless steel for the barrel, which boasts a 1:8” twist. And the company finishes off the rifle with a Cerakote Elite Jungle finish, which looks just off olive drab. Finally, the gun is outfitted with a single-stage trigger, its shoe hardened and polished.
Sig did not release an MSPR on the M400 TREAD Predator, though some outlets already had the rifle listed in the $1,100 neighborhood.
Flashy good looks with the heart of a fighter, Urban EDC knifes turn heads without raising eyebrows.
Folding knives are versatile carry pieces. They can be toted daily whether you’re a mechanic, carpenter, plumber, police officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician, hunter, hiker, a member of the military or even an office worker in a corporate setting.
In an office, one needs to be careful with the selection of his or her EDC (everyday carry) knife. It’s best to remain on the conservative side of things, not wanting to whip out a large tactical flipper folder for opening boxes or mail.
A new class of folding knife has emerged over the past few years that addresses environments such as this. The knives borrow traits that made tactical folders popular and distill them down to small and compact forms for easy carry and unobtrusiveness, particularly when blades are opened in public settings.
Urban EDC knives are easy to acquire and use once an enthusiast becomes familiar with the features and quality pieces available on the market. The knives blend in well in the office, but also have substance for tackling tough cutting chores. They’re equally at home in a pair of dress slacks or jeans and can perform most daily cutting tasks.
Quiet Carry Lives Up to Its Name
The Quiet Carry IQ folder combines sleek styling with one-handed opening, a frame lock and high-performance blade steel. The knife’s ultra-slim and compact form allows this EDC knife to blend in easily and carry well in jeans.
Quiet Carry is a new knife brand that embodies the urban EDC trend. The company’s IQ frame-lock folder is a slender and compact model that carries so easily, one’s apt to forget it’s there. The blade of the IQ is ground from ELMAX stainless steel and is a user-friendly sheepsfoot shape. Measuring 2.9 inches, the blade is just long enough to be compact and pocket-friendly but sports enough length to get work done.
The IQ puts a unique spin on the tried-and-true sheepsfoot blade shape with the inclusion of a slight belly. Typically, sheepsfoot blades have straight-line edges, making them precise utility cutters. The slight belly of the IQ allows the knife to be an effective slicer even with the handle held at an upward angle when cutting media on a bench or tabletop.
The blade nests fully inside the handle in the closed position and is opened via a flipper. A small flipper tab protrudes from the end of the handle, with the blade riding on ceramic caged bearings to promote ultra-smooth rotation. The handle is 6AL-4V titanium, and the folder includes a travel limiter that prevents the lock bar from being pushed past the blade tang. There’s also a steel wear pad on the end of the bar to provide secure steel-on-steel lockup. All these innovations are common to quality tactical frame-lock folders.
A small but sturdy titanium clip is attached to the handle of the IQ for tip-up pocket carry. Of deep-carry design, no part of the knife handle remains visible above the seam of a pants pocket. The clip is small but thick and sturdy, with no danger of springing through forced outward pressure while securing it to a pants pocket.
The IQ tested for this article sports a black PVD-coated handle, and the non-lock side has a carbon-fiber overlay for a classy touch. Four tiny holes on each side of the handle are aesthetic and serve no functional purpose. Overall, the manufacturing quality of the knife is excellent with fine fit and finish. It’s comfortable, thin and carries well, but those with large hands might consider it a bit awkward to use with little girth to the grip.
Regardless, the unique sheepsfoot blade makes this knife a workhorse. With its low profile, the IQ is a great candidate for an office carry piece and equally comfortable in a pair of jeans. It will slice cardboard, strip wire and cut webbing with ease. Don’t let its slender profile fool you, this knife is built for work. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) as of this writing is $198 for the black PVD-coated handle/carbon-fiber overlay version, and $182 for a bead-blasted titanium handle piece.
Enrique Pena is a custom knifemaker best known for merging styles. His Front Flipper Barlow offers the traditional styling of a hard-working folder paired with the modern convenience of one-handed deployment and a sturdy LinerLock. Excellent choice for an EDC knife with some flare.
Enrique Pena from Laredo, Texas, is one of the hottest custom knifemakers working today. Specializing in folding knives of the lock-blade variety, Pena’s style merges the traditional with modern flair. Case in point, his Front Flipper Barlow looks like an average traditional folder, parading a 3-inch, modified clip-point blade and a substantial handle that fills the hand comfortably. Barlows are work knives, ideal for utilitarian knife chores.
Yet Pena’s version showcases top-of-the-line materials all around. The blade is premium CPM-154 stainless steel for edge-holding power. When closed, the tang protrudes slightly and features deep finger notches. The design allows for thumb motion, like that in actuating a BIC lighter, to be used on the exposed tang, rolling it and causing the blade to rotate and snap into the open and locked position. The blade rides smoothly on caged ball bearings in the pivot area. The result is ultra-smooth action that needs to be experienced.
Pena offers the Barlow in an OD green handle with tan Micarta single bolsters. Black titanium liners lend the knife some class and delineate the green and tan Micarta. A propeller shield is a traditional touch on an otherwise modern piece. A LinerLock secures the blade in the open position, and a tan Micarta handle spacer rounds out the handsome good looks.
The Front Flipper Barlow is a hot seller from a popular maker. The piece showcases Pena’s eye for detail and superb craftsmanship. One of the things I liked was the ease of deploying the blade. With the average flipper folder, the opening tab protrudes from the bottom of the tang. Pena’s flipper adopts a low profile with nothing protruding to disrupt the classic lines of the knife. And unlike classic flat-sided Barlows, contoured handle scales are palpably comfortable. A little over a half-inch wide, the knife naturally nestles in the user’s palm.
The contoured handle scales also ride better in a pants pocket, making it feel less bulky and therefore more comfortable to carry. In this modern era of pocket clips, it’s refreshing to see a knife that slides into a pants pocket for traditional carry. I found the front-flipper Barlow to be a pleasing intersection of the old (Barlow pattern) and new (one-hand flipper opening mechanism and LinerLock). Quick to deploy, the clip-point blade is utilitarian with a tip that can be used for cutting or scoring, and a bit of belly for slicing and cutting easily through any material.
Pena’s custom Barlow adds flash and panache to a traditional design, as well as high utility function. So, you might ask, what would it cost you to place one of these Pena Barlows in your pocket? The maker’s list price for one like the test sample, which comes in a variety of Micarta colors, is $850. Contact Pena for specific materials and pricing.
Flash & Panache
The Rick Hinderer Knives XM Slippy combines tactical folder styling and construction with the convenience of a slip-joint folder. One of the most rugged single-blade, slip-joint folders on the market, the EDC knife comes with an elongated nail nick and a thumb disk that can be removed via a small hex wrench that’s included.
The XM-18 has been the signature and best-selling folder line for Rick Hinderer Knives. Knife enthusiasts everywhere have come to describe the XM-18 with adjectives such as “overbuilt,” “rugged,” “built like a tank” and other descriptive terms that denote rock-solid engineering. Offering the XM-18 in several sizes, Hinderer also designed a slip-joint version—the XM Slippy. The XM Slippy takes the concept of a non-locking, slip-joint folder and gives it the same rugged, built-tough treatment that’s a hallmark of the series.
Currently offered in 3-inch CPM-20CV stainless steel sheepsfoot and Spanto (Hinderer’s own reinforced blade shape) versions, the ergonomic handle features 3D-machined G-10 scales for a solid grip. Color choices include black, blue, gray, red and OD green, and Hinderer sent me a gray-handle XM Slippy with a sheepsfoot blade. Getting it in hand, I was immediately impressed by the excellent quality of the build. Everything fits together nicely, and the blade’s action is smooth. A heavy-duty titanium pocket clip is easily mounted to either side of the handle for ambidextrous tip-up or tip-down carry.
For all intents and purposes, the Slippy looks much like the rest of the Rick Hinderer XM-18 models. Two options for blade deployment include pulling it open manually using a long nail nick like other slip-joint folders or via a thumb disc, the latter of which can be attached or detached from the blade spine using an included Allen wrench. Once open, there is more than enough spring pressure on the blade to secure it during use.
Which blade shape is for you? For general, all-around use, it’s hard to beat the Spanto—a shape conducive to many uses with a reinforced tip that adds strength to the blade. The sheepsfoot is more of a working blade shape, something you can use on a jobsite stripping wires, opening packages and for other cutting tasks that come up. Overall, the Rick Hinderer Knives XM Slippy looks like a tactical knife, but upon closer inspection is an urban EDC for folks who will put the knife to work without hesitation about its durability over the long run. Be sure to check out the XM Slippy. Its MSRP: $275.
Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Zero Tolerance’s first slip-joint folder, the ZT 0230 is designed by Danish knifemaker Jens Anso with advanced materials like carbon fiber and CPM 20CV stainless steel, giving the EDC knife a high-tech edge.
The Zero Tolerance 0230 is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Slender and lightweight, it sports a 3-inch CPM-20CV stainless steel sheepsfoot blade and an extremely lightweight, durable, all-weather carbon-fiber handle. Best known for high-end tactical folders, Zero Tolerance offers the 0230 slip-joint in high-tech materials and a no-nonsense working knife configuration.
Designed by Jens Anso, a popular custom maker from Denmark, the straight edge of the sheepsfoot blade is easy to sharpen and the blunt nose is non-threatening and eliminates accidental punctures. Instead of a traditional back spring, the 0230 slip-joint folder employs a special double ball-bearing detent system. Much like the ball bearing detents of LinerLock or frame-lock folders, the double detent system not only holds the blade closed, but also secures it in the open position. It doesn’t lock the blade, but rather holds it open.
Cutting force is applied in the opposite direction from which the blade rotates, so regardless how hard you bear down on the blade, it should never accidentally close. Like traditional slip-joint folders, a half-stop pauses the blade when it’s partially open, allowing the user to index and manipulate the blade without necessarily having to look at it.
In use, the 0230 is a capable cutter. The sheepsfoot blade is a great pull-cut tool and wire stripper that would make a fine companion on home improvement projects. It has no bulk in the pocket and carries exceptionally well. The only problem is that you may forget you even have it! The carbon-fiber handle gives it a cool, futuristic look, and a blue anodized aluminum spacer adds a nice touch of color. If you’re a fan of ZT knives, the 0230 will make a great old-school addition to your collection. Certainly, this knife won’t disappoint. Available now through ZT dealers, the MSRP is $180.
Don’t Stop Here
Urban EDC folders pair low-profile characteristics with modern materials and mechanisms, making them the perfect daily companions, particularly in office or corporate environments. Less bulky than tactical folders, urban EDCs are ideal for everyday carry and blend into any scenario. Having proper tools is a must for those who are serious about tackling daily tasks at home or in the office.
Editor's Note: This excerpt is a small taste of the information available in Knives 2021The full-color 41st edition features everything from factory trends to advice on how to make money making knives. Need the book? Find it at: GunDigestStore.com.
One of the most basic skills pertaining to any handgun is understanding how to properly load and chamber one. Jamey Caldwell offers step-by-step instruction.
New to shooting? Then every step on the road to becoming a competent marksman can seem daunting. This includes the relatively simple process of loading and chambering your pistol. Yet, this most fundamental of the fundamentals must be mastered or your handgun’s utility reverts to that of a cudgel. A small one at that.
Jamey Caldwell, an instructor at 1-Minute Out and former special operator, covers the fundamentals of loading and chambering a pistol in the short video above. Your particular make and model of handgun may differ in some small ways from the Walther PDP used in his demonstration. However, the basic operation of loading up a magazine remains essentially the same. If you’re brand-new to firearms, it’s a wise course of action to watch Caldwell go through this procedure several times, until you understand all the aspects.
Additionally, if you never fired a gun before, you should go it alone your first time behind the trigger. Admittedly, even for novices the processes of loading and chambering a pistol are rudimentary, but that doesn’t preclude errors. It’s best to have a seasoned hand with you for your first live-fire—an instructor, range officer or experienced friend. Not only will they get you up to speed on loading and chambering your pistol, but they’ll be there to help you with more challenging aspects of marksmanship.
Know what helps when hunting the treacherous terrains of the backcountry? Your hands. Now you have use of both of them thanks to the Mystery Ranch Hands-Free Rifle Sling.
Spend any time hunting the backcountry and you’ll soon discover one of the most unmanageable pieces of equipment is your rifle. Sporting a traditional two-point sling, the thing just doesn’t want to stay on your shoulder without holding it taught with your mitts. Not good, when you might need two hands to scramble a scree slope without splitting your head. Sure, you could sling it across your chest, but that system isn’t exactly known for its expediency—a big strikeout, give a trophy buck or bull can appear at any time.
Hunters themselves, the folks at Mystery Ranch get the drawbacks of traditional slings present in the field, which is why they aimed at improving the age-old technology. Thus was born the Hands-Free Rifle Sling. Not reinventing the wheel by any means, Mystery Ranch tweaked the familiar design just enough to make it intuitive and innovative in the same breath. So, how does this all shake out?
The second rendition of the design utilizes an ambidextrous, magnetic sternum strap that attaches to most pack systems via the pack’s shoulder strap. The Hand-Free Rifle Sling still rests on the shoulder like traditional examples, only the sternum strap supports the firearm freeing up your hands. A waistband rifle stock dock then supports the weight of the rifle, so it’s not just dangling in thin air. Finally, silicon backing kept the firearm in place, reducing any slippage from the shoulder.
While the Mystery Ranch Hands-Free Rifle Sling does plenty to secure a long gun, it also keeps it at hand at a moment’s notice. The magnetic locking system breaks free in an instant, allowing hunters to take advantage of an opportunity, the moment it presents itself. It appears the best of both worlds. It’s a secure system that frees up your hands in challenging terrain, be it alpine summits or willowy river bottoms. Yet won’t hamper a shot when it wanders out of the dark timber. The MSRP on the Hands-Free Rifle Sling is $99.
Offering options for every type of shooter and firearm, Birchwood Casey's new shooting rest options bring versatility to the range.
Get off the bench! It’s sound advice unless you’re anything but an F-Class competitor. Hunting, self-defense or any other practical marksmanship generally doesn’t have the luxury of a wide, long and flat surface, level and anchored into the ground. Therefore, shooting in different positions makes you adaptable and more likely to get on target when it counts.
Rant over, there are times when it's key to find a bench—say dialing in the zero on a new scope. During those times, it’s a solid idea to have the most stable system available to eliminate as many user-based errors as possible. In short, a shooting rest is a worthwhile investment. As chances have it, Birchwood Casey has come out with five new models for 2021, each tailored to different shooters and the guns they use.
Alpha
Built around a tubular steel frame, the shooting rest offers maximum strength, without sacrificing comfort. Featuring a non-slip rubber stock rest, an integrated weighted front (35 lbs. total), adjustable leveling feet with bullseye bubble level, the rest is ideal for traditional long guns. However, it doesn’t turn its back on some newer and smaller firearms, able to accommodate popular AR pistols with barrels as short as 7.5-inches. The Alpha’s low-profile design is ideal for prone shooting and offers full adjustment—2 inches for windage, 3.5 inches for elevation. MSRP: $229.99
Bravo
The Alpha’s little brother, the Bravo is conveniently sized with just as much support as the larger shooting rest. Again, Birchwood Casey turns to a rigid steel frame to ensure the rest is rock solid, then adds all the features shooters require to get and stay on target—non-slip rubber stock rest and feet, and bullseye bubble level. The overall weight of the Bravo is 15 pounds, so it has the heft to stabilize any long gun, yet can fully support smaller arms, such as AR pistols. The low-profile design is great for shooting prone and the ambidextrous controls, along with oversized knobs, make any adjustments quick and easy. The Bravo also allows for 3.5 inches elevation adjustment. MSRP: $129.99
Echo
Looking to go light? Birchwood Casey’s Echo is the answer. Featuring a strong steel frame structure, adjustable leveling feet, and a non-slip rubber stock rest the shooting rest provides a solid and flexible shooting foundation. The Echo securely holds various rifle sizes, including firearms with barrels as short as 7.5-inches. The front support is quickly adjustable thanks to oversized knobs, allowing for 3 inches of windage and 2 inches of elevation adjustment. MSRP: $89.99
Foxtrot
Dual purpose, the Foxtrot shooting rest is designed to stabilize both long guns and handguns. The best part, it converts to accommodate each style of firearm without the use of tools. Its quick-detach design offers unlimited adjustment and versatility and is sized for popular AR pistols and short barrel rifles. The rest is molded with high-density polymers to deliver a lightweight and sturdy frame structure. And outfitted with a padded front support, it securely holds the firearm and provides for quick and easy adjustments. MSRP: $49.99
Tango
Simple, light and small, the Tango shooting rest is the ideal option for those who value versatility and convenience. The rifle/pistol rest includes a padded front support that houses both handguns and rifles while protecting the firearm finish. Additionally, its elevation adjustable through a simple center screw. Oversized footings help maintain a stable shooting platform, no matter the caliber size and it's high-density polymer construction it up for rugged use. MSRP: $29.99
For more information on the Birchwood Casey shooting rests, please visit birchwoodcasey.com.
Detailed fundamentals are the building blocks of all great shooting. There are plenty of “good-bad shooters,” as I like to call them, out there—shooters who have learned to adapt their bad habits into successful shots. Most people focus on results, but the results don’t always tell the entire tale.
Properly executed, the fundamentals make the difference between a hit and a miss when it comes to precision long-range shooting. There is no “voodoo” when it comes to engaging targets at long distances. But it does require that you know and focus on the fundamentals of marksmanship down to the millisecond. All shooting is a game of milliseconds and how you control the time between each one matters.
Setting up the Rifle to the Shooter
Many shooters are limited by the equipment they can afford. The closer to a bare-bones rifle you get, the fewer adjustments you will find. This is OK. But understanding the ways to properly fit the rifle to your body will help you progress in your journey. There’s nothing wrong with adding a bit of padding and duct tape to your stock to help with the fit. Modified is a good thing. Don’t shy away from it.
Length of pull is used to place the trigger finger in the correct position, a key in long-range shooting. There is a science to it.
The Proper Length of Pull Everybody hears a different answer on the proper length of pull; and, for different disciplines, there might be more than one acceptable answer. If you are strictly a prone shooter, the length of pull can be a bit longer.
In the past, the “mantra” was to place the buttstock of the rifle in the crook of the elbow. Then, with our “ninja” knife hand extended, we measure to the tip of the trigger finger. Today, I recommend a slightly different approach:
Use this same method, but adjust the trigger to a 90-degree angle and measure to the trigger shoe of the rifle. This confirms you can properly manipulate the trigger without disturbing the lay of the sights.
Setting up the Cheek Weld Before we set up the cheek weld, we have to mount the scope. The scope should be mounted in the rings ahead of time and can be attached to the rifle, but it should not be tightened.
We will assume the rifle has some form of Picatinny rail on the action. These Picatinny rails will help you set the eye relief, which will determine how we set up the stock. When setting the scope in the rail, it is best not to put it in the last slot at the back. Give room, both in front and behind the rings, so you can move the scope either forward or backward. It should also be noted that you bring the system to you. Don’t try to wrap yourself around the rifle.
Choosing a stock with an adjustable cheekpiece will further assist the shooter in setting up the rifle. Additionally, it will help you get a consistent cheek weld from shot to shot.
We do this by addressing the rifle in the prone position. The shooter should be straight behind it, not at an angle to the stock, with spine in line with the bore. Rest the head naturally on the stock, obtaining a good, solid cheek weld. Looking through the scope, there should be instant edge-to-edge clarity. Shadowing will tell you which direction to move the scope or cheekpiece on the stock.
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Being straight behind the rifle is going to pay off down the road. It is going to allow the recoil to move down your body and exit your legs equally. If you are properly squared up (your shoulders straight across, regardless of being in the standing or prone position), the rifle will recoil and return to target. The movement will be minimal, allowing the shooter to maintain sight picture throughout the firing process.
Demonstrating the different variations is important, because not every shooter is built the same. Set up the rifle to the individual, not some arbitrary idea of why—simply because someone else did it that way.
Get into position before mounting your scope. Get a good, natural feel for the rifle in your shoulder pocket, making sure your bipod is correctly adjusted for your body. After your cheek weld is established, put the scope on the Pic rail and bring the sight picture to you. By mounting the scope this way, you get a good, natural position with a comfortable sight picture. Remember, we don’t want to have to work for edge-to-edge clarity.
Natural Point of Aim
In order to establish a good firing position, we want our muscles to be relaxed. When the body mentally perceives recoil, it will subconsciously relax for a microsecond, which can move the rifle to the point where it is naturally aligned. So, if the shooter is forcing the position, even a little, the body will subconsciously steer the rifle off target during firing.
The way to check for our natural point of aim is to align the sights on the target. While in position, go through a couple of breathing cycles with your eyes closed. Upon opening your eyes, see if the sights moved off the target. If the sights have moved, realign the rifle and your body as one unit on the target. Small movements will go a long way here. The movement should come from the shooter’s core and not the shoulders and/or arms.
Taking a couple of deep breaths relaxes the body just enough for the brain to change our position, should it find that position uncomfortable. When we opened our eyes, if the sights are off target, we have to fix this alignment. We call this the “gross adjustment for natural point of aim.”
By practicing getting into position straight behind the rifle repeatedly, one can help shortcut this process by being square, not only to the target, but behind the rifle. Indexing with the legs and the knees, the shooter wants to point his or her body to the rifle, which is pointed at the target. This will help align the shooter quickly and effectively in the field.
Setting up the rifle is the first step in building a solid foundation for long-range shooting. When we buy a new car, we adjust the seats and mirrors prior to driving. The rifle needs to be addressed the same way.
The fine-tune adjustment for natural point of aim is the dry-fire. This will show the shooter if his position is perfect. Given time and opportunity, always dry-fire before going live. If the reticle moves, that is a clue to adjust your position ever so slightly.
How Do We Check for Parallax?
To check for parallax, line up the reticle on a target and move your head ever so slightly, side to side or up and down. Don’t move your head enough to cause shadowing to appear around the edges. Use very small motions to see if the reticle appears to “float” on the target. Just remember, in some optics, focus is not parallax, and being parallax free might put you out of perfect focus.
The scope should be set up in position, placed on maximum power and then fine-tuned in place. At this point, lowering the magnification for different positions will open up the eye relief, thus creating a more forgiving eye box. This minor compromise is necessary because different positions will move the head ever so slightly behind the scope.
Breathing
Holding your breath is the last thing you want to do in long-range shooting. When we are hammering a nail or driving our cars, we don’t think about our breathing. Correct? The same thing applies when shooting a rifle. What we need to know about breathing while shooting is where to break the shot, which is at the bottom of our natural respiratory pause.
Edge-to-edge clarity, with no shading, is key in a long-range shooting optic. Be sure you are not hunting for a clear sight picture as you settle behind the rifle.
We all have a natural respiratory pause, even if we’re running with 80 pounds on our backs; there is a bottom of the breathing cycle. That is where we break the shot. If your shot is not lined up right immediately, continue to breathe until it is.
We do not have to tell our body to breathe heavily when exerting ourselves. It just does it naturally. In order to clear out of this condition, we need to breathe more and not less. So, holding your breath in the case of long-range shooting is a very bad thing and does not make the shooter steady.
Trigger Control
Trigger control is defined as “the manipulation of the trigger without disturbing the rifle or the lay of the sights on the target.” Most errors in long-range shooting can be attributed to improper manipulation of the trigger.
The purpose of the firing hand is to manipulate the trigger and hold the rifle into the shoulder pocket. We aren’t gripping it like a handgun; rather, we are holding it straight back to the rear. This requires very little pressure. The shooter should establish a firing position on the stock that starts from the trigger back and not from the stock forward. This is more a mental process than a literal one, because we don’t want people putting their fingers on a live-weapon trigger first. The initial practice should have the shooter visualize the trigger finger before the grip. You can do this during dry practice, which is highly recommended.
We want to place the trigger shoe squarely on the pad of the finger, creating a 90-degree angle with the finger and second joint. This will vary slightly from shooter to shooter, but the goal should be to get the fingernail to point to 9 o’clock for a right-handed shooter and 3 o’clock for a left-handed shooter. This right-angle position should be there before the trigger is pressed and remain there afterward.
Fundamentals translate—regardless of the position. What changes is the amount of practice we put into the task.
When addressing the stock, regardless of the type, we want to make sure the movement of the trigger finger is not touching the stock. The trigger finger should be moving like a hinge—straight to the rear, using our body mechanics to our advantage. If the fingernail starts at 9 o’clock and ends at 9 o’clock, you can rest assured you are manipulating the trigger straight back to the rear.
The three fingers below the trigger finger should be pressing the stock straight back into the shoulder pocket. We want to develop a front-to-back management of the stock. It’s not necessary to engage the thumb. Depending on the stock type, many will lay the thumb on the strong side or use it as a reference point on the stock, putting it in an out-of-the-way place. We call this “floating” the thumb, and it is a perfectly acceptable position, because we don’t need our thumb for the task of long-range shooting.
Follow-Through
“Follow-through” is simply holding the trigger to the rear until the recoil pulse has ended. We don’t want to be in such a hurry that we are rushing for the bolt to reload before the bullet has left the bore. It is possible to disturb the system and cause the round to deviate off target.
Lastly, we want to continue to watch the reticle on the target. Before breaking the shot, a shooter can lose focus thinking about all the fundamentals—one, then another, then another. The last thing we want to mentally think about, and focus on, is the reticle on the target. We need to watch this throughout the entire firing process. Here is where you want to put the bullet. So, it is here you need to focus.
I like to mentally follow the bullet to the target before moving at all. That means a delay in running the bolt. If I’m trying to spot my impact on target, if I start moving, the sight picture will be compromised, and I might miss the result. If I hit the target, I want to know without the aid of a spotter; and if I miss, I really need to know where so I can correct it. Most of the time of flight that we are dealing with is relatively short, so don’t sweat the few seconds we are asking to freeze in place.
Recognizing Time
With trigger control and follow-through working together, we have to recognize time. Every rifle system has a lock time. That is usually applied to the firing pin movement: the time from the trigger break to the primer being hit. However, our lock time does not just apply to the firing pin movement. We have to consider the time it takes for the brain to relay the will to press the trigger to the hand. Different shooters have different reaction times. That can mean a shooter with a slower reaction time using a bigger lead on a moving target. Then, we have to look at the time it takes for bullets to leave the barrel.
Your precision rifle is a machine; we are turning on the machine in order to send the bullet downrange to the target. I would submit to you that the shot is not over until the bullet has hit the target or we have confirmed a miss. Stay engaged with the rifle and sights until we’re sure we need a follow-up shot or we are sure the target has been successfully engaged.
Calling Your Shot
All this information is great as a theoretical exercise. But how do we know we are doing it right in our practical application? The best way is with a competent instructor to watch you shoot and correct any errors in your form. The next-best way to know you are doing it right is “calling your shot.”
The tactical shooter needs to ask, “Where are the sights when the shot broke?” It will force the shooter to focus on the sight picture during the critical moment when the shot is fired. Shooting is a game of milliseconds, and if you divert your attention from the target, you risk drifting off target.
In so many cases, shooters will not even notice this. They will establish their sight picture, consider the crosshairs on target and then begin to think about something else. It is during these moments that we miss the movement caused by a poor trigger press or a subconscious shift in our body. We need to carefully watch the reticle so we can answer the question, “Where are our sights during the firing sequence?”
If we have practiced and trained our body to execute the fundamentals correctly, during live fire, the benefits will be immediately apparent. This also extends to positional shooting—from any position. Making this a part of the firing sequence will train you to be more effective.
Configuarable and boasting OSS's Flow-Through technology, the RAD 9 and RAD 45 suppressors put the hush on your handgun.
Considering suppressor technology is more than a century old at this point there’s not a ton new under the sun. Puzzling out the mass of gas coming out the muzzle of a gun and the volume required to deaden its report and lessen its recoil is fairly rote. That said, engineers can play with geometry a bit, particularly the baffles’, to tweak a can in some interesting ways. Which is the case with the new OSS RAD 9 and RAD 45 suppressors.
RAD 9
The heart of the system is the manufacturer’s Flow-Baffle technology, a system that goes a great way to making suppressed shooting much more pleasurable. Essentially, what OSS calls a “Flow-Through” system utilizes radial grooves on the exterior of the baffles to route expanding gases forward through the suppressor and away from the shooter. In short, the RAD 9 and RAD 45 mitigates dreaded blowback, where gases travel reward through the firearm. An issue, because it’s distracting and noisy.
While the Flow-Through system isn’t a new concept, OSS is among the companies that have perfected it in the past decade. And it’s especially tricky, given a certain amount of blowback necessary for a handgun to function.
“We began development of the 9 and 45 after the launch of our popular rimfire suppressor, the RAD 22,” said David Sanders, Director of Research and Development. “As most pistol owners know, you need some blowback for your pistol to function. So, the design challenge was to mitigate the blowback increase when suppressed while maintaining superior pistol performance. We’ve done it with these two new RADs.”
As their names suggest, the RAD 9 and RAD 45 are caliber-specific—9mm/.300 Blackout and .45 ACP respectively—an offer more than a unique noise/gas reduction system. Additionally, the cans are modular, giving shooters the ability to configure the suppression system to the objectives at hand. The RAD 9 goes from 7.7 inches at full length down to 5.15 inches, while the RAD 45 is modifiable from 8.6 to 6.4 inches. Weight-wise, both are fairly manageable with the 9mm suppressor tipping the scales at 9.1 ounces in its largest configuration and the .45 10.3 ounces. As for noise reduction, both do a solid job. In their full configurations, the RAD 9 is rated for 129 dB at the muzzle and the RAD 45 136 dB,
RAD 45 disassembled
The suppressors are feature stainless-steel baffles and a black Cerakote finished titanium tube. Making them compatible with a host of firearms, the RAD 9 and RAD 45 have an adaptable mounting system that does not require a fixed barrel spacer. Both booster pistons and fixed thread mounts are available for the suppressors. Price-wise, the RAD 9 has an MSPR of $849 and the RAD 45 an MSRP of $999.
For more information on the RAD 9 and RAD 45 suppressors, please visit osssuppressors.com.
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The Suppressor: How Is It Made, It Works And How To Buy One
Improving on a number of aspects of the original, the 2021 Colt Anaconda keeps the Snake Gun line rolling.
Since Colt dusted off its popular line of “Snake Guns” in 2017 with the Cobra, folks have pondered how far back it’d reach. There’s plenty of serpentine superstars worth rebooting, though a great majority of shooters were satisfied with the rebirth of the Python a year ago. Luckily, Colt isn’t finished revamping and releasing its classic revolvers, in fact, with its latest release the gunmaker has gone bigger than ever before. Welcome back the Colt Anaconda.
It’s been almost 20-years since the last large-framed (MM frame in Colt parlance) rolled off the lines in West Hartford, Conn., discontinued in 2003. And while it doesn’t quite command the awe of the Python, the Anaconda has perhaps only been second to the icon in Colt fans demanding its return. Understandable, given the massive wheelie drew comparisons to other great .44 Magnums—particularly the Smith & Wesson Model 29. At least it was after Colt ironed out some initial accuracy issues on the original model, which required tweaks to the barrel design. Though, it never faired well against the competition, which in the 1990s were well established and sucked much of the air out of the double-action .44 Magnum market.
Revamping The Serpent
Does the new Colt Anaconda face similar hurdles this time around? Its old competitors are still around, not to mention some upstarts that have joined the scene since. Could be, but Colt doesn’t appear to be resting on its laurels, essentially redesigning the revolver, outside of tweaking its original aesthetics.
Essentially, the new Anaconda is a scaled version of the new Python, bulked up of course. It’s not surprising either, given Colt’s reboot of its revolver line is centered around a scalable frame. In addition to this, the gun utilizes the gunmaker's revamped dual-action leaf-spring found in the .357—again enlarged. A refresher, it’s a “U” shaped spring that emulates the Python’s original “V” shaped spring but is more conducive to mechanized mass production. The design improved the Python’s double-action trigger pull considerably from the original, however, it came at the expense of the revolver’s renowned single-action trip.
Nevertheless, the overhauled system should play well in the new Anaconda, especially given the original’s was less than desirable. Expect a similar pull weight in the .44 Magnum to the .357, which is around 5-pounds in single-action and 10-pounds in double-action.
Shedding Its Skin
Overall, the Colt Anaconda cuts a nearly identical profile to its forbearer—a good thing, for all its initial stumbles the gun was always good looking. The six-round revolver frame, barrel and cylinder are machined from stainless steel, and polished to a high shine—what Colt calls “Semi-Bright”. It boasts a full under-lug and vent-ribbed design of the last iteration of the gun and appears to have a full-length ejection rod. The barrel is target crowned, adding a touch of protection to the bore.
Gone, however, is the walnut. Instead, Colt opted to outfit the Anaconda with a set of rubberized Hogue over-molded grips, which many won’t complain about. The finger-grove grip might not have the class of hardwood, but should offer superior control and some recoil mitigation on what is known as a hard-kicking caliber. However, traditionalists can swap the rubber for walnut, as the grip is compatible with the new Paython's panels.
The revolver is outfitted with a ramp front sight with red insert and a fully adjustable rear, a very passable system for most shooters. If not, the sights are simply replaced with little more than an Allen Key. Additionally, the Anaconda is drilled and tapped standard for the addition of a scope—no the case on all of the first-generation models. But given the popularity of handgun hunting a logical upgrade for the line.
As for barrel choice, the Colt Anaconda comes in 8- and 6-inch models, however, a 4-inch model is missing in the initial launch. The revolvers come with the expected heft of a large-framed gun with sizable barrels, 59- and 53-ounces respectively. And, on a final note, both the trigger and hammer spur provide ample width for quick and comfortable manipulation.
Parting Shot
Despite a few bumps in the road, Colt’s relaunch of its Snake Guns has struck a nerve with the shooting public and proven wildly popular. Adding the Anaconda seems like the right move at present, given heavy-hitting calibers have become more popular over recent years. There’s no word if Colt plans to branch out in chamberings (the old gun also came in .45 Colt), but the possibility is there. Even so, .44 Magnum alone has the potential to attract plenty of attention.
As to price, well it’s a Colt so expect to open your wallet; both the 8- and 6-inch barrel Anacondas have MSRPs of $1,499. Still, with the hubbub over Snake Guns, for many that will still prove a value.
While it might not seem so, a shirt or jacket is a huge boundary in defending yourself. If you can't clear clothing on the draw, you might find yourself empty-handed in a lethal-force situation.
Drawing from holster isn’t as simple as it looks. Add a layer of clothing for concealment, the fundamental skill becomes that much more challenging. Executed improperly, a handgun can prove inaccessible or hang up when drawn—neither case ideal in a life-or-death situation.
Jamey Caldwell, an instructor at 1-Minute Out and former special operator, covers the basics of ensuring an outer garment doesn’t become a deadly barrier to a concealed carry handgun. One of the keys to executing clearing clothing from the holster is over-exaggeration in sweeping a garment out of the way. Doing so might seem a bit dramatic at first, however, given the lightness of most clothing is required to get it well out of the path of your draw. As Caldwell points out, there are some ways around this, such as specialized concealment clothing that have weighting in the hem (something you can do yourself).
Useful as this breakdown is, Caldwell’s instruction centers around a light button-up shirt, in this case, worn unbuttoned. This is a popular method of concealment and a good base outfit to begin sharpening this fundamental skill. But it’s an extremely narrow base to work from. Folks in colder climates or those who are hemmed in by particular dress codes oftentimes don’t have the luxury of a garment easily swept to the side. Despite this, the fundaments Caldwell demonstrates still hold water, they only need to be tinkered with to an armed citizen’s particular profile.
For more videos from Panteao Productions, please visit panteao.com.
Enhanced capacity, more managable, still concealable and a factory-installed optic … what's not to love about the P365X ROMEOZero.
It’s Sig Sauer’s world, we only live in it. That’s no joke. One college quoted recently nearly a third of all handguns produced the past year rolled off the massive firearms concern’s lines. Don’t quote that, it’s hearsay … but very believable hearsay.
Anyhow, Sig has continued its march to dominate the American firearms market with the release of yet another riff on its highly popular micro-compact 9mm. Actually, the P365X ROMEOZero isn’t exactly new, more like a combination of two existing pistols from the line—the original P365 and the P365XL. In particular, Sig takes the 3.1-inch barrel from the flagship and combines it with larger XL’s XSERIES grip module to create a highly concealable option that should prove more manageable in the hand and boasts expanded capacity. That last point is nice, with the grip module running 12-round flush-fit magazines. Like a cherry on top, Sig finishes the heater with a factory-installed ROMEOZero red dot sight.
A tidy package, but one that costs a chunk of change, with Sig slapping an $830 MSRP on the pistol.
More from Sig Sauer:
NEWINGTON, N.H. – SIG SAUER, Inc. is proud to introduce the P365X ROMEOZero, the newest addition to the P365 series of pistols. The P365X ROMEOZero combines the 3.1 inch barrel of the original P365 with the P365XL XSERIES grip module, featuring a 12-round flush fit magazine, with a factory installed ROMEOZero red dot sight, bringing a new level of performance to everyday carry.
“The SIG SAUER P365 series of pistols is the leader in the industry for everyday carry and continues to set the standard for delivering unprecedented capacity in a micro-compact size,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales, SIG SAUER, Inc. “The introduction of the P365X ROMEOZero further redefines everyday carry by combining the XSERIES features first introduced with the popular P365XL – including the larger grip module and XSERIES trigger – with the shorter 3.1 inch barrel of the original P365, making it an all-around more comfortable concealed carry pistol.”
The SIG SAUER P365X ROMEOZero is a 9mm striker-fired pistol, featuring the XSERIES P365 grip module with an integrated carry magwell and extended beavertail, with the standard 3.1 inch P365 barrel and slide with XSERIES markings, a factory installed ROMEOZero micro-open reflex sight, X-RAY3 day/night front sight, and the XSERIES flat trigger with a 90-degree break. The P365X ROMEOZero ships with two 12-round magazines (15-round magazines available separately).
The SIG SAUER Electro-Optics ROMEZero micro-open reflex sight optimized for everyday concealed carry, and for pistols with slim slides. The sight features a ruggedized, weapons grade, textured polymer body, Spectracoat™ Polymer lens system, 8 vivid, user configurable daytime illumination levels, MOTAC™ (motion activated illumination system), a highly efficient point source LED emitter for a crisp dot that’s 8 times more efficient than conventional red dots, and an integrated rear sight notch for co-witness with a standard height P365 front sight.
Top-notch triggers from Geissele Automatics … and so much more.
As far as gun companies go, Geissele (pronounced “Guy’s-Lee”) Automatics is something of an enigma. They’re a truly mysterious company that, unlike most others, maintains a virtual silence about their in-development products. As a result, the hype comes from actual end use and their products have earned them a reputation of quality unlike few others.
Oddly enough, conversations with a fair number of well-worn gun enthusiasts has allowed me to formulate the conclusion that many storied shooters have yet to realize that the company makes a long list of products that parallel the quality of their well-known triggers.
Geissele Triggers
Geissele makes one of the best triggers on the market. There are, of course, plenty of extremely good manufacturers out there, and most make a truly fine product. However, Geissele triggers are the definition of rugged and are made for a wide variety of end users and rifles. The company produces triggers not just for the AR-15 and AR-10, but also for the IWI Tavor and X95, HK 416, M4/M16, SCAR, ACR, SIG MPX and MCX and Remington 700. It should be noted that some of these triggers are for select-fire/full-auto rifles, and you should be on point with ensuring you don’t install one illegally.
Hi-Speed National Match: This is an expensive trigger. It’s also my favorite trigger the company makes. It currently resides proudly in my Brownells retro M16A1 replica. I put a great deal of time into that rifle, and it wears authentic Vietnam-era furniture, dated circa 1967 to 1969. I also got my hands on a real-deal deployed sling from the collection of a late vet I knew when I was younger. He slung his own M16A1 with it during Tet, or so he told me.
This trigger is fully adjustable but must be set to a specific pull weight for use in matches. I have mine set to a 4.5-pound pull with a light first stage. If you haven’t shot much with an original or replica 20-inch rifle with a rifle buffer tube, you have no idea just how smooth an AR can be. Carbines today cycle rough by comparison. I sometimes feel like I’m pulling up in a restored classic car when the old timers at the range get their hands on the build.
Super Dynamic Combat (SD-C): Not only is this trigger cool looking with a straight face, but it’s also extremely functional in that it provides a wide, completely flat frontal surface area. This feature provides a sense of equal leverage despite gloves or finger placement. The version I have is a two-stage.
Where this trigger shines is in the pistol/SBR role. I have it installed in my Brownells BRN180S pistol build with a 10.5-inch barrel. This trigger may, in fact, be the best available for a small build in that it offers a very consistent break in a light gun. Pistol builds and SBRs often struggle in precision due to light system weight and compact grips and stocks. This trigger alleviates these symptoms and allows for excellent precision despite hand placement.
The flat face of the SD-C trigger lends itself to compact rifles and pistol builds. The Geissele dogleg safety adds class and function. Not visible on this build is the Maritime Bolt Catch.
Super 700: This release came as a surprise to many, but it’s really an inevitability considering that the Remington 700 is probably the most common base for precision rifles in our recent history. The marriage of Geissele and the Remington 700 is a happy one.
The trigger addresses a few shortcomings in other triggers out there. For one, it’s externally adjustable through the trigger guard. Many competitors require the removal of the action from the stock to access the adjustment screws. The Super 700 can be adjusted while it’s installed in the rifle, even at the range.
Geissele 2 Stage (G2S): This is the closest you’ll get to a “budget” trigger and still have the “G” on it. I have this trigger installed in a full Brownells BRN180 rifle build with the special HK-style lower available on a limited basis. My own BRN180 rifle is decked out with Geissele parts; it handles and shoots like a dream. It’s probably the best DIY rifle you can put together today with all the benefits of the SCAR, ACR and other like platforms, but at a fraction of the cost. The G2S trigger is perfect for the build and provides a reliable and crisp two-stage pull. It breaks clean and is well suited to midrange carbines. If you want to upgrade your stock carbine with a real and tangible step up, this is a perfect place to start.
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Tavor/X95 Super Sabra Trigger Pack and Bow: I wasn’t a huge fan of the X95’s trigger. The rifle handled poorly as a result. The Super Sabra blows the stock unit out of the water—it changed the rifle completely. I have no idea why IWI doesn’t contract Geissele to put on of these in every one of their rifles—it’s a night-and-day difference.
The Hi Speed National Match trigger is a luxury item designed for rugged use. Here it resides in a Brownells M16A1 replica with original Vietnam-era furniture.
Beyond Triggers
While known for their triggers, Geissele makes a full line of other products, including complete rifles. Not everyone knows this—most react like it’s some sort of secret that the Big G makes optics and mounts, handguards, safety levers, trigger guards, bolt carrier groups, bolt stops, buffer tubes, springs, buffers and so on. They’re all fantastic.
Super Precision 1-6x 30mm Scope: I’ve beaten this scope, and it has proven more rugged than almost any other in its size and price range. I ran the grueling Wolverine 5K with this optic on my carbine, and it survived tremendous abuse in that competition alone. Not only has the finish held up, but it has held zero the entire time. It’s a second focal plane optic; however, I leave it at 6X most of the time to take advantage of the mil reticle. The optic features an illuminated dot in the reticle, which is great at 1X in competition. At 6X, it occupies a DMR role and can be used quickly and effectively on holdover alone.
The rifle I have it on is the Remington 700 with KRG chassis in this article. It also has the Super 700 trigger. This build is chambered for 6.5 CM and is set up to be an extremely portable precision rifle. I built this rifle with special input from some MARSOC and Delta guys I know as a concept to test out the idea of a tight confines sniper rifle ideally suited for 120-grain bullets out to 3/4 mile. Using Hornady 120-grain ELD bullets at 2,800 fps, the rifle performs better than a 175-grain M118LR .308 Winchester out of an M40A3 rifle with a 24-inch barrel! It beats it by an entire mil of drop at 1,000 yards.
Why is any of that important as far as the scope is concerned? Well, using 120-grain bullets and a Geissele scope, it’s able to go to 880 yards (1/2 mile) with a 100-yard zero and holdover alone in the reticle. If you think 6X is too little at 800 yards, you should try it first. The speed of engagement is incredibly fast.
Geissele optics, mount, and trigger adorn this custom-built Model 700 in a KRG Whiskey 3 chassis.
Super Precision Optics Mounts: I have a couple of these mounts and used them on a variety of rifles from .22LR to .338 Lapua—and literally swapped them directly from rifle to rifle. I write down the zero and click it in, and, sure enough, it’s right there as if it had never been removed in the first place. The mounts are of the highest quality and even have ring caps serial numbered to the individual ring. They’re very serious about how repeatable these mounts are.
Handguards: The AR market is saturated with handguards, but none are as rigid or as strong as the Geissele variants. I’ve used versions of the handguard for years now and can say that they’re the standard of quality the entire industry should aspire to. Why do I say this? The most demanding shooters trust them, and they’re considered the standard for the National Matches.
Additionally, I love the MK8 M-lok rail as well. It’s a much lighter rail, suitable for general-purpose use, and comes in a variety of lengths. I found it most useful in the 15-inch configuration.
Small Parts Galore: As evidenced in the photos, Geissele makes a number of small parts to enhance your rifle. Among the hidden ones are the Super 42 spring and buffer. They’re made of a tri-wire twist and take after the German MG42 machine gun, nicknamed Hitler’s Buzzsaw. This terrifying Nazi weapon had a firing rate so fast it sounded like a great sheet being ripped in half! The Geissele variant provides the same technology to last tens of thousands of rounds without losing strength.
The mounting clamp contains lugs that index on the rail to ensure it’s completely repeatable on any rail.
The guns in this article, with the exception of the Remington 700, all make use of Geissele lower parts kits. The BRN180S has a Geissele Maritime Bolt Catch and a Super Configurable Safety with dogleg levers. These are great additions to any carbine build and are basically fumble-proof.
The BRN-180 rifle build has a Geissele buffer tube in DDE color, Geissele iron sights and a Geissele trigger guard to match the buffer tube. Both BRN180 builds make use of Geissele M-LOK rail covers. They’re textured and provide excellent traction when shooting with sweaty or cold hands.
When Geissele parts run throughout the rifle, so does the quality.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the November 2020 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Ruger takes on the micro-compact market with the affordable Max-9.
Offering greater capacity in a smaller package, it's of little surprise the micro-compact has proven so popular. Though, the rate at which companies have embraced the pintsized pistols. Fresh options appear, but not exactly at a breakneck pace—more like a steady drumbeat.
The latest to throw their hat into this growing niche is Ruger with its Max-9 micro 9mm. While it falls in line size-wise with others in its class and comes with the extras shooters have come to expect, it does differentiate itself from most of the competition in one decisive factor—capacity. While it doesn’t beat all, its 12-round magazine puts the Ruger Max-9 near the top in ultra-concealable pistol firepower. Along the way, it also delivers a fairly shootable package.
To this end, it’s the extended-capacity magazine that’s to thank for the Max-9’s manageability. Adding enough height to the grip, even shooter with large mitts generally can get their entire hand on the gun. Not quite so with the 10-round flush fit, which leaves the pinky dangling, but that’s to be expected. Additionally, Ruger does a solid job texturing the grip with a very positive pebble surface on the side panels and front and back straps that allots a strong purchase, but not at the expense of comfort.
As to the tale of the pistol’s tape, it measures 6-inches long, 1 inch in width, boasts a 3.2-inch barrel and weighs in at 18.4 ounces unloaded. By most people’s standards, that’s fairly compact, enough to stay undercover in light summer garb, but without having to compromise firepower.
Commonplace with most new pistols hitting the market—competitive and defensive alike—the Ruger Max-9 is optics ready. The striker-fired’s slide is cut to accept Shield SMS2, RMS, RMS2, RMSw, SMS, SMSc, and RMSc, Holosun 507k and 407k, Swampfox Sentinel, Crimson Trace 1500 Series, Sightmark Mini-Shot A-Spec M3, Hex Wasp, Sig Romeo-0, and Jpoint MRD micro red dot sights micro red-dots. It also features a day/night front sight and drift-adjustable rear that co-witness with Shield- or JPoint-pattern sights.
The Max-9 comes in three variants, including a 12+1 variant with external manual safety, a 10+1 model version with manual safety, and a 12+1 pistol without a manual safety. It features rugged construction thanks to a through-hardened alloy steel slide, a one-piece, precision-machined fire control chassis, and a glass-filled nylon grip frame. As to price, the Ruger Max-9 has an MSRP of $499 regardless of the model.
Don't let the small package fool you, the M&P Shield Plus has plenty of firepower on tap.
When it comes to concealed carry pistols, the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield has fostered a fairly dedicated following. No surprise. The striker-fired, polymer-frame handgun is among the most reliable, concealed and affordable options to come down the pike. That ticks off a lot of boxes.
Now, it’s set to get even better. Smith & Wesson recently introduced the newest addition to the line—the M&P Shield Plus. As its name suggests, the 9mm offers a bit more than previous iterations, in particular enhanced capacity in a micro-compact package. And, boy howdy, does it offer quite a bit of firepower for its class of handgun, feeding off a 13-round magazine.
As to its size, the Shield Plus comes in at a very manageable 6.1-inches in length, 1.1-inches in width and 20-ounces in weight, which should prove conducive with deep carry, even in light garb. The 3.1-inch barreled gun also boasts several features that make it quite shootable, including a flat-faced trigger with a tactile and audible reset, enhanced grip texturing for a positive handle and high visibility three-dot sights.
Wait, aren’t all guns going optic-ready nowadays? Quite right and so is the Shield Plus, but Smith & Wesson offers this model through its well-regarded Performance center. Available with a Crimson Trace model with optics cuts, though the gunmaker does not specify the compatibility of the slide cut. There are some clues, given the PC Shield Plus is available with a 4 MOA Crimson Trace micro red-dot, though the particular model goes unnamed.
Smith & Wesson offers options with and without a manual safety on its standard and PC models. As for price, the stand Shield Plus runs $553 and the Performance Center option with red-dot $896.
M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS Specs Caliber: 9mm Luger Capacity: 10+1, 13+1 Length: 6.1″ Front Sight: White Dot Rear Sight: White 2-Dot Action: Striker Fire Grip: Polymer Barrel Material: Stainless Steel with Armornite® Finish Slide Material: Stainless Steel with Armornite® Finish Frame Material: Polymer Slide Finish: Matte Black Frame Finish: Matte Black Barrel Length: 3.1” (7.9 cm) Weight: 20.2 oz.
Performance Center M&P 9 SHIELD PLUS Specs Caliber: 9mm Luger Capacity: 13+1 Optics: Red/Green Dot Length 7″ Front Sight: Fiber Optic Green Rear Sight: Fiber Optic Red Action: Striker Fire Grip: Polymer Barrel Material: Stainless Steel with Armornite® Finish Slide Material: Stainless Steel with Armornite® Finish Frame Material: Polymer Slide Finish: Matte Black Frame Finish: Matte Black Barrel Length: 4″ (10.2 cm) Weight: 22.6 oz.
For more information on the Shield Plus, please visit smith-wesson.com.
Looking for a new iron or piece of kit to enhance the one you already own? Check out these seven new bits of guns and gear to grow your firearms wish list.
Nelson Precision 44X Aluminum Slide for Glock 44 Pistols
A longtime coming, the Glock 44 was one of the Austrian gunmaker’s most significant releases in recent years. Though, even among diehard fans, the .22 LR pistols did have nits to pick, primarily with the hybrid polymer-steel slide (done for proper weight in the blowback pistol). Rejoice! There’s hope in rectifying this with parts manufacturer Nelson Precision introducing an aluminum slide upgrade. Milled to proper weight specs, it runs like a dream on the Glock 44, while creating a more rugged and versatile pistol—the slide is optic-ready, compatible with Trijicon RMR and SRO red-dot sights. Playing nice with OEM G44 slide parts, this is an upgrade you don’t want to miss for your G44. MSRP: $220
Beretta Model 21A Bobcat Covert
Harking back to Beretta’s earliest pocket pistols, the Model 21 is steeped in nostalgia—and now in modern adaptability. Yup, the classy aluminum-framed Bobcat is available suppressor-ready in the aptly named Covert. Boasting standard .22 LR 1/2×28 thread pattern on its muzzle, the pistol is compatible with nearly any rimfire can. When not suppressed, the threads are protected with a knurled cap. Cutting a dashing profile, the 7+1-capacity Bobcat Covert is outfitted with checkered walnut grips and a rich matte black Burniton finish. It’s still every bit a pocket pistol, weighing in at just under 12 ounces. Able to mount a suppressor, the Bobcat Covert is now a first-class range companion. MSRP: $529
Mossberg Blaze-47 Adjustable
As affordable as it is fun, the Blaze-47 has been the go-to rimfire AK for some time … and it’s recently gotten better. Now it’s set up as the perfect tactical plinker, no matter who’s behind the trigger. As its name implies, the Adjustable model comes outfitted with a six-position adjustable stock, the kind commonly found on AR-style rifles. Sure enough, this breaks from the traditional AK template, but it arguably makes the .22 LR more useful and potentially more accurate. From there, the new Blaze gets familiar with a 16.5-inch barrel, 25-round magazine and fully adjustable sights. But bet on the Adjustable providing a much more comfortable fit. MSRP: $368
CCI Maxi-Mag Clean-22 Segmented Hollow Point 22 WMR
Reducing fouling and leading, CCI Clean-22 is nothing new. But what it’s being chambered for and the type of bullet is being topped with is. Maxi-Mag Clean-22 Segmented Hollow Point 22 WMR gives shooters of the magnum rimfire a dynamite hunting option, proven to over-perform traditional hollow-points. As the name suggests, the bullets are segmented, designed to break in three equal parts, thus creating three equal wound channels. The effects are devastating on small game, almost guaranteeing a hit on vitals. Loaded to leave the muzzle at 1,875 fps, the ammo also tends to extend a firearms range. MSRP: $18.99, box of 50
Wiland USA MLCS-11 Chassis for Ruger 10/22 Rifles
Requiring all the skill of a long-range marksman, just scaled down and done on the cheap, NRL22 competitions have swept the nation. While any old .22 LR and proper optics will do, if you’re serious about gunning down gold, a few upgrades are in order. Enter Wiland USA and the MLCS-11. The South Carolina manufacturer whipped up a lightweight chassis nearly guaranteed to milk the utmost accuracy Ruger 10/22. More than anything, Wiland provides an absolute rock-solid foundation, thanks to a rigid CNC-machined aluminum body and carbon buttplate and handguard. But the manufacturer also ups its flexibility, making the chassis compatible with ambidextrous charging and shootability with the buttstock perfectly aligned with the bore. It’ll take your 10/22 to new levels. MSRP: $350
Kriss Vector 22-CRB
Like something out of Star Wars, the Vector is about as unique as hens’ teeth in the world of pistol-caliber carbines. Now, make that rimfires. The innovative firearms manufacturer recently introduced the Vector 22-CRB rimfire to its catalog, giving shooters all the cutting-edge technology found in its big-dog gun, but in an affordable shooter. Aside from its absolute one-of-a-kind aesthetics, the gun also features several enhancements. Free-floated barrel, six-position stock, low-profile flip sights and threaded barrel (1/2×28 pattern) all kick the gun’s game up a notch in accuracy and ease of use. Add in Kriss’ 30-round magazines and Aluminum M-Lok handguard and you’ve got a little something shapable to your needs. MSRP: $649.99
Meopta Optika5 2-10x42mm RF
It’s difficult to stress exactly how important the role quality glass plays in consistent accuracy. Have the right scope and the world is your bull’s-eye. If you live to own the bull’s-eye with your rimfire, you should be paying attention to Meopta USA. Part of the company’s new premium 1-inch tube Optika5 series, the 2-10x42mm RF is the ideal scope to keep you on target. Featuring MeoBright lens coatings for optimal light transmission and MeoDrop hydrophobic water-repellant coating, the optic ensures a bright and clear image no matter the conditions. Shooters have the choice of traditional plex and MOA Z-Plus reticle, with ¼-MOA adjustment increments. Plus, the Optika5 line is built field tough, constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum. MSRP: $349.99
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the January 2021 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
More than just yanking your heater from its hanger, pistol presentation requires executing some well-timed movement. Here are the basics.
Putting it all together. It’s not an easy task by any stretch of the imagination, but with work perfecting your pistol presentation gives you a decided advantage in a self-defense situation. You’ll have your pistol at the ready and get on target more quickly by hashing away this fundamental.
In thumbnail, for those unfamiliar with the term, presentation involves all the movements from draw to building a sight picture. And it’s more than yanking your heater from its hanger. Ideally, it facilitates a fundamental grip on the pistol, puts the trigger finger in position for action and navigates the gun on target. It happens in a split second when done correctly, but getting to that point without any hitches takes time.
Jamey Caldwell, an instructor at 1-Minute Out and former special operator, breaks down all the movements to a perfect pistol presentation. Something to keep in mind, and Caldwell points out, not your every movement will not mirror his. Given carry position, holster, body type and skill level there is variance to each of these movements. That said, armed citizens should start by sticking closely to Caldwell’s model of pistol presentation, then adapt the minutia as their skills improve.
Above all, especially given the number of movements involved, shooters shouldn’t expect a crisp draw to sight picture overnight. Like all facets of concealed carry, pistol presentation takes time and effort to perfect. It’s up to you to practice them until they’re honed to a razor’s edge.
For more videos from Panteao Productions, please visit panteao.com.
This article is an excerpt from The ABCs of Reloading, 10th Edition by Phil Massaro, on sale at GunDigestStore.com.
Reloading dies are the cartridge-specific tools used for resizing, flaring, bullet seating, and crimping. They’re screwed into the top of the reloading press and set at specific depths to give the exacting dimensions needed for proper functioning ammunition.
Most basic bottleneck rifle die sets will come with two dies: a full-length resizer and a seater. The full-length resizing die forms the entire cartridge, from base to mouth, to the acceptable SAAMI- or CIP-approved dimensions. The bullet seating die serves two purposes: It seats the bullet in the case to a specific depth, and it can be adjusted to roll the case mouth into the bullet’s crimping groove or cannelure, producing what is called a roll crimp. The roll crimp is desirable in the hard-kicking magnum rifle and pistol cartridges and is necessary on any straight-walled case that doesn’t headspace off the case mouth.
Straight-walled cartridge die sets also typically come with a flaring die, which opens up the case mouth like a bell to allow the bullet to be seated in the case without crumpling the case walls.
The wide selection of reloading dies can be dizzying. I’m not sure there is one brand or type I’m married to as, during my reloading career, I’ve probably used ones from nearly every manufacturer at one point in time or another. That includes defunct brands such as Herter’s, Pacific, and several custom-made ones. Among these, I’ve only had one defective set; the company is no longer in business, but the .300 H&H cases I was trying to resize wouldn’t function in the gun no matter what I did.
Redding Dies
I try to buy the best dies I can afford, and sitting at the top of my list are those from Redding. Redding Reloading, from my home state of New York, has long been famous for producing products with exceptionally tight tolerances. Redding’s high-end dies are no exception, though costly.
Redding offers various levels of dies, and even the lower-priced standard sets are a worthy purchase. The components are very precisely made, and the surfaces are polished to a mirror finish. It’s been my experience that Redding dies are polished so well that extra attention needs to be paid to the proper application of lubricant to avoid case sticking. The Redding Elite die set includes the Type S Bushing full-length resizing die, which extends brass life by reducing the necks only as much as is needed before drawing it over the expander ball. That set also includes bushing neck-sizing dies. Redding’s micrometer-adjustable Competition seating die allows you to make quick, accurate, and predictable adjustments to the seating depth. These die sets are expensive, but the results make the price well worth it.
Redding’s Premium dies sets feature a standard full-length seating die, with a carbide expander ball and bullet seating micrometer. Redding builds its standard dies to the same tight specifications as its premium line, but it’s the small things that you’ll appreciate. The lock rings are blued, knurled steel and the set screw rests against a small lead shot instead of against the die body, so nothing gets scratched. I could spend the rest of my reloading days happily using Redding dies.
RCBS Dies
There were times, especially as a younger man, when a set of Redding dies were simply out of my financial reach. RCBS dies were the best I could do, and they were a smart purchase. The standard RCBS dies aren’t full of bells and whistles but are simple affairs that get the job done. I’ve loaded a lot of ammo on RCBS dies and continue to use them to this day.
RCBS basic sets have lock rings with wrench flats, and the seater plugs and decapping rods are held in place by small hex nuts. There are knurled rings at the top of the die bodies to grip when screwing the die into the press. Were I on a tight budget, I’d still look to the RCBS die sets to get the job done. They offer a full line of rifle and pistol dies and taper crimps, plus titanium carbide pistol dies that require no lubrication on the cases.
While the standard RCBS die set is probably the benchmark in the reloading world, RCBS has stepped up its game as of late. Its MatchMaster die sets are on par with the Redding stuff. Micrometer-adjustable seating dies with a window cutout in the body to drop the bullet onto the case mouth, full-length bushing resizing dies that will extend brass life — RCBS has met the demands of the modern reloader’s needs.
Hornady has a well-earned reputation for producing quality reloading products, and its reloading dies have some unique features that many prefer. I like Hornady’s Custom Grade dies, which include the New Dimension sizing and seating dies. Both use a knurled, split lock ring with two flats, so you can use an adjustable wrench if necessary. What’s more, the lock ring tightens via an Allen-head screw, which tightens the ring around the die body (rather than against the die threads). The sizing die features wrench flats as well, and both have knurled bodies for a positive grip when screwing the dies into the press body. The sizing die has an elliptical expander ball, which aids in the smooth sizing of your cases. The Zip Spindle makes large and small adjustments simple. The finely threaded spindle makes precise adjustments, yet increased pressure on the rod will move the spindle up or down for rough adjustments.
The seating die included in the set is not cartridge specific; instead, Hornady produces them for the entire range of each caliber. Hornady uses an inline bullet seating system, including a floating bullet alignment sleeve, to enhance concentricity. You can set the seating die for a roll crimp or taper crimp (depending on which model you purchase), and some sets include various seater plugs. Hornady provides a pair of extra decapping pins in the die box, which come in very handy should you break one.
The American Series dies from Hornady are more affordable and are constructed of hardened steel, polished to a smooth finish. The dies come with a shellholder of appropriate size, and Hornady includes basic reloading data. The three-die sets for straight-walled cases feature a resizing die with a titanium nitride resizing ring to eliminate the need for case lubricant. The American series is available in five standard rifle cartridges and four different dual-purpose handgun cartridges.
The Match Grade Hornady die sets include a bushing resizing die. Bushings are not included and are sold separately. The Microjust seating die in this set has the same features as the Custom Grade New Dimension seating die, but with a micrometer adjustment on its top, in .001-inch increments.
Hornady can also make you a set of custom dies, based on the chamber reamer drawing used for your rifle or derived from spent cases fired in your gun. Custom dies are an excellent option for those wildcatters who enjoy shooting their creations. It’s a costly process, but if you have an obscure or vintage firearm for which dies are nearly impossible to obtain, Hornady’s customization service can mean the difference between a functioning gun and a wall-hanger.
Hornady also offers the option of using its Lock-n-Load bushings with its presses, which locks the dies into the press with a simple turn, saving you the time spent screwing and unscrewing dies.
Lyman Dies
Lyman has long made excellent reloading dies and continues to do so. They are constructed of hardened, heat-treated steel, with the pistol cartridge dies featuring tungsten carbide sizing rings. Lyman’s three-die rifle sets give you flexibility. Lyman includes a full-length resizing die and a neck sizing die, along with a seating die. These die sets also include the appropriate shellholder and an Allen key to set the lock ring. (Lyman lock rings look remarkably like the RCBS lock ring.) The resizing dies use a threaded rod to hold the decapping pin and expander ball, locked in place via a small hex nut at the top of the die body. The Lyman seating die features a knurled seating plug, locking down with a small hex nut.
The Lyman dies’ replaceable decapping pins screw onto a one-piece rod and these slide into the expander ball. While the Lyman dies are relatively simple and lack the bells and whistles of some of the more complex models, they represent an excellent value to the beginning reloader. The simple design allows you to set up dies quickly and easily, ready to make top-performing ammo for a lifetime.
Lyman’s Premium Carbide 4 Die sets offer the traditional trio of resizing, flaring, and seating dies in a carbide setup that doesn’t require case lube. A taper crimp die is the fourth in the set.
Lee Dies
My first reloading experiences were with Lee products, as my Dad had a three-hole Lee turret press and a set of Lee dies for his .308 Winchester. Lee uses steel bodies with aluminum lock rings held in place with a rubber O-ring. These dies are a great value even if they don’t have other brands’ more expensive features. Though I much prefer a die body with a lock ring that won’t move, I’ve made a bunch of ammo using Lee equipment, resulting in some impressive accuracy from my guns.
Lee includes a shellholder with its die sets, and a plastic scoop of proper volume, as well as a chart depicting load data for the spectrum of bullets used in the chosen cartridge.
In Lee’s straight-walled cartridge three-die sets, the flaring die is a ‘Powder-Thru’ design, so you can insert a powder funnel in the top of the die to charge cases. The company’s Factory Crimp Die has a place of honor among many reloaders, as it operates differently than the standard roll or taper crimps. The die creates a segmented crimp of the end of the case mouth and is safe to use even with bullets lacking a cannelure. It’s very popular among reloaders, even those who prefer the more expensive brands. The theory is that the crimp created by this die equalizes the pressure needed to get the bullet moving from the case to the barrel, and therefore helps to equalize velocities.
I’ve used a Lee Factory Crimp Die with good results in the past and will continue to do so. I feel this particular product is the best in the Lee lineup. Many reloaders appreciate the price advantage of the Lee dies. Still, I usually lean toward the RCBS stuff for a budget-friendly choice, though every reloader should try the Factory Crimp.
Looking to go armed, but are stuck in the weeds as to what to arm yourself with? Here are 20 excellent concealed carry gun options that will keep you on the defensive.
