Though popular handgun options in the early 20th Century, .32-caliber cartridges a now considered too anemic for self-defense, except for a few shining examples.
What Are The .32-Caliber Handgun Cartridges:
.32 ACP
.32 H&R Magnum
.32 Long Colt
.32 NAA
.32 S&W
.32 S&W Long
.327 Federal Magnum
.32-20 Winchester
Most .32-caliber cartridges were popular up until the 20th Century, when the .38 Special and .380 ACP sort of ended their attractiveness. However, they still remained in widespread use. Modern shooters might not be familiar with the early .32s—and even the more modern ones.
My first was the .32 H&R Magnum. Developed through a joint effort between Harrington & Richardson (H&R) and Federal in 1984, it was hoped that it would renew interest in H&R revolvers. It failed in that regard, but it did become popular in the Ruger Single Six.
This cartridge is nothing more than a lengthened .32 Smith & Wesson Long that’s loaded to 21,000 psi. The .32 H&R kind of floundered up until the last several years, when the new wave of folks carrying concealed realized that in a compact revolver, it offers an additional shot and lighter recoil than a snub-nose .38 Special, with similar terminal performance.
.32 H&R Magnum
As with all new cartridges, at the time of its introduction, ammunition for the .32 H&R was expensive, but because it would also fire .32 Smith & Wesson (Short) ammunition, and because you could pick up that stuff relatively cheap, this made plinking and practice more affordable. The .32 Smith & Wesson was introduced in 1878 and was originally loaded with black powder, pushing an 85- to 98-grain bullet to about 700 fps.
Although considered less than suitable for self-defense, revolvers and derringers in .32 Smith & Wesson were popular because of their diminutive sizes. Interestingly, the cartridge was apparently popular with assassins: It was used to kill King Umberto I of Italy in 1900, President William McKinley in 1901 and the mayor of Chicago in 1933.
The .32 H&R can also fire .32 Smith & Wesson Long ammunition. Developed in 1896, the same cartridge, loaded with a flat-nose bullet, is called the .32 Colt New Police. Police detectives and plainclothes officers took to this cartridge, even though it was ballistically equivalent to the .32 Smith & Wesson (never underestimate what the words, “long” or “magnum,” can do to the perception of a cartridge’s capabilities).
It’s sometimes confused with the very similar—but slightly longer and rare—.32-44 S&W Target cartridge. The .32 Smith & Wesson Long established a revered reputation for gallery and target shooting, and it’s loaded to a maximum average pressure of 15,000 psi. Surprisingly, Buffalo Bore offers a 115-grain S&W Long hardcast load at 800 fps.
Although I never owned a true .32 ACP handgun, I shot a lot of that ammo too—because the .32 H&R would also fire that cartridge. In the late 1980s, .32 ACP ammo was easier to find than ammunition for any other .32-caliber cartridge. The .32 Automatic Colt Pistol (ACP) cartridge was designed by John Browning but was first manufactured by FN in Belgium in 1899. It was originally called the 7.65x17mmSR, or 7.65 Browning Short.
There’s some confusion regarding the original bullet diameter, which is thought to have been closer to 0.309 inch. Regardless, the modern .32 ACP uses a .312-inch-diameter bullet and became moderately popular for self-defense. It’s generally loaded with a 65-grain bullet at about 950 fps, with a maximum average pressure of 20,500 psi. Considering the other famous folks whom .32s have killed, perhaps the most famous (or infamous) was Adolf Hitler, who offed himself with a 7.65mm Walther in 1945.
All this led me to one of the most successful .32-caliber cartridges—the .32-20 Winchester. Originally designed as a rifle cartridge in 1882 for the Winchester 1873 lever-action, this bottlenecked cartridge quickly became popular in revolvers.
The original loading was an 85-grain bullet at about 1,100 fps, but in modern firearms such as a Ruger Blackhawk, the .32-20 can be handloaded to deliver substantially higher velocities. A 90-grain Sierra JHP bullet ahead of 15 grains of IMR 4227 will exit a 5-inch barrel at 1,450 fps. Nevertheless, factory ammunition is limited to a weak 16,000 copper units of pressure (CUP).
All-Time Best: .327 Federal Magnum
Always a student of terminal ballistics, I’d read all the works of Evan Marshall and Ed Sanow. In 2002, Sanow teamed with North American Arms and created the bottlenecked .32 NAA, which uses a .380 ACP case necked down to a .312-inch diameter. With a maximum SAAMI allowable pressure of 27,500 psi, the Hornady Critical Defense factory load will push an 80-grain bullet to about 1,000 fps. It was offered—and still is—in the North American Arms ultra-compact Guardian pistol.
In 2008, the .327 Federal Magnum was introduced. Loaded to a maximum average pressure of 45,000 psi—28 percent over the .44 Magnum—it’s one of the most powerful handgun cartridges commercially loaded. Like the .32 H&R, the .327 will also fire .32 Short, .32 Long and .32 ACP, so I got rid of my .32 H&Rs, and the .327 has become my primary revolver cartridge.
With the ability to push 110-grain bullets to 1,400 fps, this is a potent cartridge that’ll deliver terminal performance approaching that of the best .357 Magnum loads and well in excess of the worst, with less recoil.
With nine excellent factory loads available, along with the ability to fire 34 other factory loads for four other cartridges, it looks as if we finally have the best .32 of all time. It just took us over a century to find it.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the May 2020 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Call it gun fever, pistol pandemic or what have you. Folks procure a heater and act as if they’re ready to tackle all the world has to throw at them right then and there. It’s almost enough to laugh at.
Aside from solid training and inside-out knowledge of the particular firearm destined for their hip, there’s a load of additional kit required to do things right. Holster selection alone is a dynamic nearly lifelong process—few hangers are ever defined as perfect. Additionally, there are tons of little things that, along the way, you learn enhance your ability to handle everyday emergencies. A lethal-force encounter isn’t the only thing that can do you in.
So, without further ado, here are EDC tools that either enhance carrying or solve problems bullets don’t.
MRF MultiCard Multitool
In this day and age, who doesn’t have a multi-tool? Then, you know their major drawback: They’re clunky and a pain to tote around. Well, not anymore. The MRF MultiCard Multitool makes being prepared as simple as tucking away your Diner’s Club card. Tipping the scales at 1.55 ounces, credit card-sized (so you can tuck it into your wallet) this EDC tool is engineered for the utmost convenience. Nevertheless, it’s no mere novelty; it’s capable of executing more than 21 functions, including wrenching nuts, stripping wires, manipulating oxygen tanks and pulling nails. MSRP: $39; mrfmts.com
Pokka Pen
For field notes or the potential love-of-your-life’s phone number, you better have a pen that works. Up to this point, pens that worked wet, dry or otherwise tended to run nearly an arm and a leg. Enter Pokka Pen. Designed with partners Rite in the Rain and Fisher, the Pokka is engineered to lay down ink in rain, snow, grease or whatever else you throw at it—at a fraction of the price of any other pen in its class. The secret to the Pokka’s performance is the genuine Fisher cartridges found in the company’s legendary Space Pen. It’s an out-of-sight EDC tool and a worthy addition to any kit. MSRP: $12.95 two-pack; pokkapens.com
Sunshine Products Mini Stash Cash Can
Cash talks, especially in emergencies. Even if you’re wed to your Visa or Mastercard, it’s a solid idea to have some disaster cash on hand, whether commuting to work or traveling across the country. Simple as it is ingenious, this little brass canister makes it easier than ever to keep emergency funds on person at all times. Designed to hold one bill, properly folded, the canister is easily attached to a keychain, backpack or, heck, zipper for that matter. It takes up almost no room and draws little unwanted attention. One hundred-percent American made, the can is waterproof thanks to twin O-rings and impact resistant to most everyday bumps and tumbles. MSRP: $25; sunshineproductsusa.com
No one’s coming to save you, including medics. Given this, including a trauma kit in your possibles bag isn’t a sober choic. It’s a lifesaving one. Blue Force puts one right at hand with its Micro Trauma Kit NOW system. Designed for belt carry, the IFKA is convenient enough to become a constant companion and boasts the instruments to manage a slew of traumatic injuries. Chief among these include hemostatic dressing, tourniquet and medical tape. But you can upgrade the kit to include QuickClot Combat Gauze, chest seal, decompression needle and nasopharyngeal airway, among other things. Chances are you won’t need a lick of this gear. But, by God, if you do, you’ll be glad you have it on hand. MSRP: Basic $129.95; Advanced $199.95; blueforcegear.com
KeySmart Pro
Traditional keyrings have run their course. Disorganized and bulky, they clutter pockets and barely accomplish their main function—hardly what you’re looking for in a tidy EDC tool. Luckily, KeySmart has completely rethought how you carry and utilize these vital everyday items. Functioning almost like a pocket knife, the organizer holds up to 14 keys in a neat and orderly fashion. Along the way, it trims up the gear you have on person, making space for more vital kit worth having on hand. Furthermore, KeySmart also solves the whole lost key problem. Linking with a smart device via Tile, the device gives you a way to locate keys quickly and efficiently. A tidy little package, it not only streamlines your EDC system, but it also makes it more effective. MSRP: $59.99; getkeysmart.com
Hanks Belts Kydex Reinforced
It goes without saying, but if you’re rocking a regular belt for concealed carry, you’re asking for trouble. Limp as a noodle, that single layer of leather is going to allow your pistol to print. Worse yet, it won’t facilitate a clean and consistent draw. A gun belt is in order for EDC—the stiffer the better, which is exactly what Hanks’ Kydex Reinforced belt provides. Better yet, it does so without weighing you down. Light as a feather, the rigid thermal plastic is the ideal core material for a rock-solid gun belt for everyday wear. Hanks goes a step further, keeping the belt slimmer than others in its class, utilizing nylon backing on extra-thick full-grain leather. It’s a nifty system, one that ensures you won’t be caught with your pants down in a life-threatening situation. MSRP: $89.99; hanksbelts.com
E12 2.0 Fenix Flashlight
A flashlight is an imperative enhancement to a self-defense gun, but it’s also a must-have for about everything else life throws at you—unless you stay indoors after the sun goes down. Seeing as few of us do, the E12 2.0 Fenix proves a godsend. It’s small enough to always be on person and strong enough to blind an assailant or pinpoint where you dropped your keys. Measuring a tick over 3 inches and tipping the scales at less than an ounce, the second-generation E12 fits perfectly in a front or rear pocket. When the rear power button is hit, it deploys up to 160 lumens of light. Waterproof, dust-proof, boasting an adjustable clip and running off everyday AA batteries, the E12 makes carrying a flashlight an absolute breeze. MSRP: $26.95; fenixlighting.com
Light My Fire FireSteel Army
Much of everyday carry revolves around urban settings, but it’s foolish to think that’s the only environment you need to prep for. Do any hiking or cross-country travel? It’s a solid plan to be ready to face Mother Nature. A number one EDC tool in that column is a way to start a fire. Swedish-made FireSteel Army has you covered for kindling a lifesaving flame in nearly any conditions. No larger than a house key, the magnesium-alloy fire starter takes up next to no room in a pack or jacket pocket and is completely self-contained. Its striker is attached via a durable nylon cord and is good for up to 12,000 strikes. Biobased plastic handles provide ample grip space, so even gloved hands can get the 3,000-degree sparks flying. MSRP: $19; lightmyfire.com
Trayvax Armored Summit Wallet
Counterintuitive as all get out, the right wallet makes EDC a world easier. Listen, you already have around 20 ounces of gun stuffed into your waistband and likely a second magazine, why would you tote around a George Costanza behemoth wad of cash and cards? With the Armored Summit, you won’t. Vastly streamlined and a whisper of your former wallet, the system keeps your ID, credit cards and bills in order. Width and length are just a hair larger than a card, and thickness, with six to seven cards, is less than the average cell phone. On top of that, the 100-percent USA-made melonite-finished (yup just like handguns) steel plate blocks RFID readers, keeping your identity and bank account safe. Plus, it’s infinitely more dashing than that piece of old cowhide in your pocket. MSRP: $34.99; trayvax.com
Real Avid Gun Tool AMP
If Murphy rears his ugly head, do you want to troubleshoot your on-person self-defense gun with what’s at hand or tools meant for the job? Real Avid knows the answer to that question, which is why they cooked up undoubtedly one of the cleverest EDC tools ever to come down the line. Are you going to install a custom trigger with Gun Tool AMP? No. But you’re armed to address some of the most common problems you’ll encounter on modern concealed-carry pistols. With 11 functions—including nut wrenches, hex keys, pin punch and more—you have everything you need to chase off firearms gremlins … be they plaguing your micro reflex sight or magazine follower. About the size of a common clip knife—and yes, it does have a 2.5-inch blade—the AMP is a prudent investment to ensure your gun always runs like a top. MSRP: $69.99; realavid.com
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2020 Everyday Carry issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Ah, the AR-pistol. Is there anything sweeter than these mighty mites? Fun as all get out to rattle off the range. Perfectly tailored to man the ramparts of your home. The abbreviated configurations of America’s favorite firearm are practically perfect in every way. OK, so they want in sending rounds waaaay downrange. But that’s what your 20-inch barreled baby is for, right?
Concerning these small-but-potent arms, they're pretty dang slick in 5.56 NATO, but sing when chambered 300 Blackout. After all, the eminently suppressible, hard-hitting .30-caliber was tailored for such guns—carbine and smaller that is. This is why the gun world is awash in top-notch 300 Blackout pistols.
Most familiar with ARs know you don’t have to go out and buy one specially chambered for the want-to-be 7.62×39mm clone. Completely compatible with average, every day 5.56 ARs, the 300 Blackout upper is a viable route into the caliber (though if you shoot suppressed you might have to up your buffer weight). However, given the options available, there are plenty of reasons and opportunities to buy a complete firearm.
Why The 300 Blackout Pistol?
Before we jump headlong into what the market holds, perhaps we should touch upon why you might want to go a 300 Blackout pistol. Certainly, you get all the nimbleness and convenience of the configuration in 5.56. But there are a few key reasons why the .30-caliber is better suited for compact ARs.
Essentially it boils down to performance and suppressibility.
Relatively speaking, the 300 Blackout is better suited to shorter barreled guns; in fact, it was designed for exactly this task. With most loads, a 9-inch barrel is enough bore for a complete powder burn. That said, like every cartridge, it gains velocity out of longer barrels to a certain point. Don’t be fooled, a 16-inch carbine in Blackout will outperform a 9-inch Blackout pistol. Dependent on load, firearm and environment, expect anywhere from a 250 fps to 350 fps difference between the lengths. Substantial in some circumstances.
As to suppressibility, few centerfire rifle cartridges do it better. Though it’s important to enter this aspect of the cartridge with eyes wide open. Decibels don’t drop like flies with every load. Want to optimize the hush on a 300 Blackout pistol—or carbine—it’s a subsonic ammunition affair. Like all things in life, this entails tradeoffs.
Subsonic ammunition, as its name suggests, pushes bullets below the speed of sound. This eliminates the crack that coincides with the bullet leaving the muzzle caused by the projectile breaking the sound barrier. Additionally, given the use of heavier bullets (200-grains plus and thereabouts), the loads have a smaller powder charge compared to their supersonic counterparts. Essentially, this makes the suppressor’s job easier, since it has less expanding gas to dissipate.
A quick note on sub- and supersonic ammunition and suppression. General guidelines dictate a 1:7 twist rate (there are also the odd 1:5 examples) for subsonic 300 Blackout and a 1:8 or slower for supersonic. Logical on the surface, given faster twist rates are generally required for heavier bullets, but there is debate on the matter.
Many contend a 1:8 twist will stabilize heavy subsonic bullets. This may be true for some configurations, in certain environments, with particular loads. The issue is, get it wrong, send a bullet yawling at the muzzle and you’re contending with endcap and baffle strikes in your suppressor. Given the paperwork and money you spent on the can, is it worth testing twist-rates theories yourself?
Short and sweet, the 5.5-inch barreled MCX Rattler is as compact as 300 Blackout pistols come. Granted you give up some ballistic performance, but gain a gat easy to transport and, yes, conceal (say in a backpack).
The Rattler runs a very dependable gas-piston system, which eliminates all the fouling typical in these short-barreled configurations. Additionally, the gun has one of the best brace systems going, a fast-deploying affair that cuts the size of the firearm nearly in half when folded in.
Interestingly, Sig is one of the gunmakers that subscribe to faster-than-usual twist rates for 300 Blackout—1:5. Thus, stabilizing subsonic ammo … not an issue.
The only spot on the Rattler is its trigger. The Sig Enhanced is heavy and not as responsive as you’d expect in a gun of this class, somewhat akin to a mil-spec job. However, the company’ Match Duo, with a 5.5 break, does a much better job of getting the most out of the pistol. MSRP: $2,720; sigsauer.com
Wilson Combat Protector
To the average shooter the price tag doesn’t quite reflect it, but the Protector is top-shelf Wilson Combat’s “entry-level” 300 Blackout pistol option. That said, and this being Wilson, don’t expect some off-the-rack experience with the gun. Compared to most everything else on the market, the 10.5-inch barrel (1:7 twist) pistol is an absolute Cadillac.
You get what you pay for, in this case a pistol loaded with the company’s high-performance custom parts and extras you won’t find on “economy” models. To this end, the Protector boasts Wilson’s excellent M2 two-state TTU trigger, factory set to between 4.5 to 5 pounds. Boasting nice crisp break, the trigger also has a short reset allowing the gun to run fast.
Furthermore, the gun is outfitted with Wilson’s proprietary handguard, a fairly light affair that is M-Lok compatible and features a 4-inch accessory rail, as well as quick-detachment sling mounts. As to the brace, it’s a Tailhook Mod 2, an adjustable model that does an excellent job of settling in the gun.
A final note, the Protector is a very shootable pistol, thanks in part to its heft (a shade under 6 pounds). But Wilson’s Q-Comp flash hider/muzzle brake also does its part in keeping the gun manageable. MSRP: $2,000; wilsoncombat.com
Springfield Saint Victor Pistol
A late adopter of the AR, Springfield Armory has since risen to the top of mid-priced configurations. Fitting right into this slot is the Saint Victor 300 Blackout Pistol. In the same breath, the gun is compact enough to enhance its nimbleness, yet big enough to ensure the cartridge’s ballistic integrity. Also, it’s loaded with frills not often found at this price point.
Some of these “extras” include a top-end self-lubricating nickel-boron trigger, suppressor-ready heavy tungsten buffer, adjustable SB Tactical SBA3 brace and forward hand stop. Even though the Victor has a 9-inch barrel (1:7 twist), the last feature is a nice piece of mind.
The only complaint is the 300 Blackout’s A2 flash hider. Pretty standard, yes, but the 5.56 rendition comes with Springfield’s forward blast diverter. The company’s thinking must be a suppressor is going on there anyway, so cut costs with the standard muzzle device. MSRP: $1,100; springfield-armory.com
Ruger AR-556 Pistol
Another latecomer to AR manufacturing, Ruger has proven fast in picking up the rules of the game. Build a gun that works and, by gum, the world will beat a path to your door. So goes the AR-556 line of ARs. The 300 Blackout pistol model is no different, but few shooters miss the bells and whistles with a gun that goes bang with every trigger pull and hits the mark.
As to the tale of the tape, the gun has a 10.5-inch cold hammer-forged barrel (1:7 twist) and comes in at a very agile 5.8 pounds. Combine the heft with a quality suppressor and the Blackout’s recoil is negated to next to nothing, giving the pistol excellent follow-up shot accuracy. Hampering this a bit out of the box is a mil-spec clone trigger, easily rectified with your favorite upgrade model. As far as stabilization, it features the fairly standard SB Tactical SBA3 brace.
Honestly, there’s not a ton to ballyhoo on the pistol other than it runs, dependably so. What more can you ask for? MSRP: $949; ruger.com
Palmetto State Armory 7.5 SBA3
When it comes to affordability, most figured Palmetto State Armory was going to show up sooner or later on this list. The company has several 300 Blackout pistols worth considering and fairly comparable in construction. We tend to the 7.5-inch SBA3 model, given it’s the rare smallster in the caliber that doesn’t demand a king’s ransom.
The gun is boringly reliable and is sized to be a near-constant companion—at least anywhere you’ll tote a rucksack. It boasts the nice extra of a forward flash diverter, clearing the line of sight for fast follow-ups and target acquisition.
Though, the pistol is a 1:8 twist rate affair. Depending on where you stand in the stabilization debate, this could prove a dealbreaker. However, if you’re shooting supersonic, it’s right on target. MSRP: $700; palmettostatearmory.com
Home-defense vs concealed carry gun … do you know the difference? Is there one? Or is it really a conversation over optimization?
Humans tend to make things more complicated than they really are. This is probably because in this modern world, we have way too much time to think about stuff. Back when work and chores consumed almost all our waking hours, we didn’t have time to deliberate every nuance of personal protection. Anyone who felt he needed a handgun for protection picked one he liked, carried it with him every day and then put it on his nightstand when he went to bed.
Modern practitioners of personal protection would almost surely consider this approach shortsighted and argue that a home-defense gun is a completely different animal than a carry gun.
From a tactical perspective, there might be some truth to that—but from a practical standpoint, it could be a bad idea. If there’s one universal truth when it comes to personal protection with a handgun, it’s that those practicing the discipline don’t get enough training. It’s not a good idea to complicate the process with the necessity of being able to effectively run two different weapon systems.
Similarly, as my friend, Sheriff Jim Wilson, likes to point out, “If you rotate your everyday-carry gun, you don’t have an everyday-carry gun.”
Practical—and Tactical
However, having a home-defense gun that’s different from your carry gun does not necessarily mean you must learn to run two different guns. For example, when I was working the street, my duty gun was a Glock Model 22, but I also carried a Glock Model 27 on my ankle. The operation of both guns was identical; they both used the same magazines. But they were just sized differently for different roles.
Carry and home-defense guns of the same type is logical. The 3-inch Sub Compact XD is easy to carry, and it operates the same as the 4-inch Service Model, which comes standard with an accessory rail.
The same logic could apply to home-defense and carry guns. You could carry the Glock Model 27 easier, because it’s smaller, but then have the larger—higher-capacity, easier-to-shoot—Model 22 on your nightstand.
This same-but-different gun approach comes in a variety of options: Several manufacturers make duty, carry and compact versions of the same handgun. This allows you to fit the handgun to the situation without having to learn to run a different platform. I guess you could argue that this approach is both practical and tactical. Of course, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with using the gun you keep in your nightstand for everyday carry, especially if it’s a handgun you’re comfortable carrying all day, every day.
Let’s take a deeper dive into what the role of a home-defense handgun actually is—or maybe should be.
The idea of any defensive handgun is to optimize your chances of survival. Logic then dictates that hindering your ability to survive at home by using a handgun of reduced size, capacity or features so that it’s compatible with everyday carry is a bad idea. With that in mind, here are some things you might not have considered regarding a handgun for home defense.
Weapon Lights
I’ve never been the victim of a home invasion. The 85-pound Rhodesian Ridgeback that considers our home and everything around it her eminent domain will likely preempt all but the attempts of some elite tactical unit’s access to my abode. Still, on more than one occasion, she’s roused me from sleep, and I’ve armed myself to investigate her agitation.
The Springfield Range Officer Compact should make a great carry gun. As a companion home-defense gun, the Range Officer Elite Operator offers the same operation, is larger and easier to control and has a rail for mounting a weapon light.
The handgun in my nightstand I use for that purpose has a light attached to it. That, in conjunction with the flashlight that’s kept with the handgun, gives me the tools I need to deal with bad things in the dark.
Is a light a necessity for a defensive handgun? No. It is a good idea? For sure. Generally speaking, those who carry a handgun on an everyday basis don’t carry a handgun with a light attached to it (they carry a flashlight). This isn’t because carrying a handgun with a light is stupid; it’s because when a light is added to a handgun, it becomes harder to carry. This is the same reason that ultra-compact handguns are the most popular handguns for carry: Humans almost always default to comfort. Having a home-defense handgun that has a weapon light attached to it makes sense.
Size consideration is also important. The smaller, compact handguns that are ideally adapted to everyday carry are generally harder to shoot as fast and accurately as larger-framed guns. The aforementioned Glock models 22 and 27 are perfect examples.
Ruger now offers the 9.6-ounce LCP with an IWB holster. Handguns such as this are very popular for concealed carry. However, for home defense, a larger, higher-capacity and easier-to-shoot handgun makes more sense.
Why should you intentionally handicap your shooting ability with a smaller gun when you don’t have to? Carry comfort is not an issue with the nightstand or the lockable gun vault beside your bed.
Probable Users
Along that same line of thinking, what if the plan with your home-defense gun is for it to be usable by others who live with you? That compact .45 Auto you carry every day might be too much gun for your wife, son or daughter. They might not be comfortable with the recoil—or, more importantly, they might not be able to rack the slide. Either reason is justification for a home-defense gun that has a more universal appeal. Additionally, even if you’re comfortable defending your home with your everyday-carry gun, a situation could arise for which you want your partner armed as well.
Back to the point of using a different-but-same gun style for home defense as you use for everyday carry, let’s use Glocks as an example again.
The Crimson Trace CMR 209 Rail Master Pistol Light is compact and weighs under 2 ounces with the battery installed. It also emits 200 lumens of LED-driven white light.
All Glocks operate the same, so you could carry that 10mm or .45 every day and then keep a 9mm Glock for home defense so that it’s more compatible with all of those who live in your home. Hell, if necessary, for resident compatibility, you could even have a Glock Model 42 in .380 ACP as a home-defense gun. The key here is that the handgun feel and operation are the same as for what you carry every day.
Ammunition Thoughts
Other considerations are ammunition and terminal performance. Let’s assume you’re a very small-framed person who finds anything larger than something sized like a Ruger LCP impossible to carry comfortably. While the .380 ACP can be effective at stopping an attack—especially when it’s loaded with the new Hydra-Shok Deep load from Federal—it doesn’t deliver the same level of terminal performance as the 9mm Luger, .40 S&W or .45 Auto. Because a home-defense handgun is not carried, you can opt for a bigger, larger-caliber handgun with a higher capacity.
Similarly, for everyday carry, you might prefer to load your handgun with ammunition that’s consistent with what police agencies use. Typically, this is ammunition that will expand to about 1.5 times its original diameter, defeat most common barriers and penetrate 12 inches or more. You might not want this sort of terminal performance in your home, so instead, you could opt for a load that has less chance of over-penetration or passing through interior walls. Maybe your carry gun and home-defense gun are exactly the same; they’re just loaded with different ammunition.
Home Defense Gun: The Dedicated Tool
Finally, there’s a lot of logic to support the concept of the “dedicated tool.” Your lug wrench stays with your car, and your dustpan stays with your broom. You don’t have to look for them; you know where those tools are in case you need them.
Weapon-mounted lights add weight to a handgun, but if it’s a handgun you don’t have to carry, it doesn’t matter. The Surefire X300U-B weighs just 4 ounces but emits an impressive 1,000 lumens of blinding light.
That’s the role of the home-defense handgun. It exists for a single purpose, and it lives out its life in the same—never-changing—location. It’s not your gun; it’s not your partner’s gun. It’s your home’s gun. It should be best configured to defend your home.
Heck—your home-defense handgun could be exactly the same as your everyday-carry gun. The difference is that it has a weapon-mounted light and that it rests in a dedicated location so you always know where it is. Ideally, this location is close to your bed and involves some sort of lock box or gun vault to keep the gun away from hands that should never touch it.
Granted, we all live differently. You might live alone and have no friends. You might leave the Desert Eagle with a weapon light attached that you carry every day out on your nightstand. You might live with a 160-pound rottweiler. You might even have an AR-15 and a 12-gauge shotgun propped up beside your bed.
For home defense, you might prefer ammunition with less overpenetration potential.
If that’s the case, carry on; none of this applies to you. On the other hand, you might be a lot closer to “normal,” have a wife and kids, and have a compact handgun you carry every day for personal protection.
If that better describes you, a home-defense handgun with a weapon light that’s identical—or at least similar in operation—to the gun you carry every day makes good sense. So, too, does a handgun that can be operated by anyone in your home who might need it at some point.
You can use your carry gun for home defense. However, ideally, your home-defense gun should be the same … but a little bit different. Remember: It’s about optimizing the chances for survival.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the April 2020 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
The Real Avid AR15 tool, with all the scrapers and tools opened. Notice that the sight adjustment tool comes off, so track it down if you lend it out.
The Real Avid Gun Tool Core: something you need, will want … and must acquire.
If you work on firearms, you need tools. If you work on ARs, you need specific tools. And, despite your best efforts, a lot of those tools get separated from the pack, left behind, lost, “borrowed” or otherwise enter the shooter’s “Bermuda Triangle.”
Real Avid has found a way to keep the most-used AR cleaning and maintenance tools in one spot: Make them into a carabiner.
Compact Carabiner—A Shooter’s ‘Duct Tape’
Carabiners are the oval clips that rock climbers use to wrestle with ropes. Those of us who don’t climb rocks use them to hold our keys or clip gear to packs or belts. Think of them as the aluminum equivalent of duct tape. Real Avid made the Gun Tool Core for the AR-15 into a carabiner shape. This makes it both compact and affords you a convenient way to attach it to your gun bag.
Let’s start with the cleaning stuff. A scraper is built into the Gun Tool Core on one part or another that can scrape the carbon buildup off every important space on your AR-15. The bolt, carrier and firing pin can all be scraped clean at all the locations where carbon builds up. Also included is a front sight adjustment tool—a tool that always seems to get lost or left behind. And, if you run optics, there’s a turret adjustment tool that saves you from having to dig change out of your pocket to zero your optics.
But Wait, There’s More
The included cord cutter lets you cleanly lop off a length of 550 cord for when you’re building a sling, attaching a dummy cord to an important piece of gear or have woven an extra 550 for your carbine. The takedown punch helps you push those really stubborn pins across to take your rifle apart and clean it. There’s even a bottle opener (a device I don’t think I’ve had to use for years, but if you ever need one, here it is).
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All this can be found in a single, compact tool that can be clipped to your range bag, web gear or any other place you might want it to be—and have it stay there. The Gun Tool Core also uses liner locks to keep the various attachments locked in place, rather than flopping around on you.
The Real Avid tool closed up. You can close it over a MOLLE strap on your range bag or lash it to the back with 550 cord.
I’m not entirely sure that it’s possible to pack more features or tools into a unit that’s so compact, but if anyone can do it, Real Avid can.
What I like about the Gun Tool Core is that in addition to being so compact, the only part that actually detaches from the tool is the front sight adjuster. And, if it’s off, you’ll definitely miss it: Having noticed that your Real Avid carabine/tool can’t be closed and locked onto your range bag, you’ll be reminded to get the front sight adjustment tool back from whoever … “borrowed” it.
Great Price
The only lack I can see is a flat space large enough to have your name or initials engraved on it (I have some ideas about that!).
The best part? The price. With a list price of $39.99, I’m not sure you could purchase all the individual tools included on the Gun Tool Core for that. They would have to cost more; and then, they would be individual tools, prone to the problems we’ve all experienced with single tools.
The Gun Tool Core for AR-15s is something you need, will want … and must acquire. And, once you have it, you can clip it to your range bag or the AR carry case you take to the range.
I’ve got mine; go get one of your own.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the May 2020 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Traditional good looks and excellent field performance, the TriStar Bristol side-by-side aims at being a bird-season classic.
The beat of wings on autumn air. Few things are better. Well, maybe one thing. Taking advantage of this special time of year with a side-by-side shotgun.
Generally, the classic scatter gun is cost-prohibitive for many given the expenses tied to tuning both barrels to hit the same spot. However, hunt around and you can find some gems. This certainly seems the case with the TriStar Bristol side-by-side line. Recently introduced, the Turkish-made smooth bore combines excellent lines with top-notch function for what looks to be a bird season classic. And while its MSRP is at the higher end of entry-level side-by-side shotguns—starting at $1,000—TriStar provides plenty of value for your money.
Available in two models—a color case-hardened action and silver—the Bristol side-by-side is engineered for fast action in the field. This is especially apparent in the shallow action, facilitating fast reloading, and a wide fore-end that lays nicely in the palm for quick pointing. Adding to the gun’s dashing looks regardless of action finish is a stick of select Turkish walnut, oil finished to bring out the richness of the wood. The stock styles vary depending on model, with the color case hardened Bristol sporting a straight English-style grip and the silver a more modern pistol grip. In either case, ample checkering aids in fast and intuitive handling, even in inclement conditions.
The TriStar Bristol is available in four bores—12-, 20-, 28- and .410—likely increasing its appeal to gauge-snobs. Regardless of bore, the gun boasts 28-inch, chrome-lined barrels, complete with auto ejectors and compatible with Beretta style choke tubes. Though, the importer outfits you well to start, including Skeet, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified and Full chokes. Up top, the gun is equipped with a single, highly-visible brass bead to get you on target. As far as the trigger, TriStar opted for a single-select, with the barrel selector a thumb affair situated on the tang.
As to the gun’s looks, both iterations of the TriStar Bristol are striking, but the Silver model offers a bit more flare. Laser engraved with elaborate scrollwork and featuring 24K gold inlay on the underside of the action, the shotgun is certainly eye-catching. Even more so for the money you’ll pay.
For more information on the TriStar Bristol, please visit tristararms.com.
If we’re honest with ourselves, this piece is dated at time of writing. Settle your horses. The insinuation isn’t the 300 Blackout is a thing of the past or some flash in the pan. At this point, arguably the second-most popular AR-15 chambering is common as Kentucky bluegrass. Thus, much of the rigmarole over who makes the “best” 300 Blackout upper, or rifle for that matter, is as moot a point as continental drift.
That said, for the unanointed tinkering with dipping their toes into the .30-caliber cartridge guidance is warranted. Especially given 300 Blackout uppers—the top-shelf variety—can flirt with bank-busting price tags.
Granted, these premium options are well worth the money for those squared away on their wants and needs. For those just delving into the caliber, it might prove a costly exercise in trial and error.
Count yourself among these ranks, perusing affordable 300 Blackout uppers that don’t shook on quality is a worthy endeavor. One that not only saves you money, but gives you a solid base to evaluate if the .30-caliber has a place in your arsenal.
What Is The 300 Blackout?
We won’t spill much digital ink on boring to the quick of the cartridge. We’ve previously written about the 300 Blackout’s genesis and how the cartridge compares with the ubiquitous 5.56 (300 Blackout vs 5.56). However, a brief capsule of the cartridge and its capabilities merits mention.
Without going too deep, the cartridge came into its own as an answer to a special operations issues. In particular, how to level-up their suppressed short barrel rifles (SBR) and carbines’ performance, given most were chambered 9mm. The pistol cartridge was quiet, but left a heap of performance on the table for the platform.
Advanced Armaments Corporation’s answer was the 300 Blackout, an intermediate cartridge mimicking the legendary 7.62×39mm’s ballistics. Given this was the entry point of the cartridge going mainstream, the effort lead to two of the cartridge's most notable traits—suppressibility (obviously) and flexibility in varied gun configurations. Also, it packed more punch than running pistol cartridges through a long gun—definitely a plus.
The latter factor makes the 300 Blackout upper and rifle options pretty widespread. Given it only needs 9-inches of barrel for a complete powder burn, it’s found in nearly every shape and size of rifle, pistol and SBR. This isn't to imply the cartridge performs the same through all barrel lengths. More bore improves velocity. Though even with this improvement, the Blackout remains a close mid- and short-range option, thus 16-inch barrel lengths are generally the ceiling.
Concerning suppressibility, the 300 Blackout is among the best rifle cartridges and has made its bones in this facet alone. Ammo companies have helped the cause. Heavy subsonic loads are nearly as abundant as lighter supersonic ones and are generally comparable in price. If you run a can or are thinking about doing do so, investing in a 300 Blackout upper means you're fully supported.
Thoughts On Usage
Honestly, sometimes shooters get too hung up on practicality. Yes, firearms are tools, but perhaps the most enjoyable ones you’ll own. If you want a 300 Blackout for no other reason than the pleasure of perforating paper, don’t talk yourself out of one. But if you need reasons for your rhyme, there are two very good cases for investing in a 300 Blackout.
Given its excellent close-range performance, aptitude in nimble (read small) firearms and its suppressibility, the cartridge is a viable home-defense option. Don’t forget about magazine capacity out of an AR, which in a word is “superb”. But what about overpenetration? Spoiler alert, when you’re talking drywall and lithe interior building material in close quarters, that’s any cartridge, even the pistol variety.
Deer season is also a top-notch reason to invest in a 300 Blackout upper. Similar to a .30-30 Winchester, the cartridge is lights out to around150 yards on deer and theoretically qualifies as an elk and moose option by many state division of wildlife standards. Invest in a tough bullet and get close with the latter game. However, it’s hamstrung by milder velocities, thus trajectory is anything but flat. Try to go long with the 300 Blackout, expect bullet drop akin to a lead zeppelin.
Best Affordable 300 Blackout Upper Options
Palmetto State Armory
Nearly cornering the market on affordable AR parts and rifles that don’t suck, PSA makes an excellent entry point for 300 Blackout uppers. None more than its 16-inch lightweight package. It’s kind of a do-all build for the caliber, as long as you’re shooting lighter bullets. With 1:8 or 1:10 twist rates across the board at PSA, this is par for course. This could leave suppressor owners cold. Sub-sonic runs heavy, thus stabilized better out of a barrel with a 1:7 twist.
Nevertheless, this is a quality build, from its carpenter steel bolt to chrome-moly barrel. The lightweight aluminum handguard (M-Lok compatible) is a nice touch, lightening the load if you’re thinking about stalking deer. And its pistol-length gas system ensures reliable cycling with whatever it's fed. MSRP: $449
Diamondback Firearms
Again, this is a jack-of-all-trades carbine option, with exceptional build quality. The one drawback to Diamondback’s 300 Blackout upper, no bolt-carrier group (BCG) or charging handle. No big shakes. Do your shopping and, with Diamondback’s prices, likely you’ll come out ahead of what you’d spend on a complete upper. A 1:8 twist rate, this is another option tailored to lighter bullets and not so much for suppressors.
On the plus side, it comes with a pretty nice handguard, with ample M-Lok real estate at the 3-, 6- and 9-o’clock positions, as well as plenty of rail space for an optic and front sight. A pistol-length gas system makes certain the upper chews through what it’s fed and a forged receiver is up to rough duty. MSRP: $255
Aero Precision
Shooting for a nimble close-quarters configuration, it’s difficult to do better than Aero’s 10-inch M4E1 with ATLAS S-One Handguard. Certainly, it won’t make for the smallest AR pistol—or SBR if you have your paperwork in order. However, the length ensures you get the full ballistic potential of the cartridge—which is worth an inch or two. As a side note, you can go larger or smaller with this 300 Blackout upper with 16- and 8-inch options available.
No matter the barrel length, they all boast a 1:7 twist rate, which as we established, is more conducive to stabilizing a vast majority of heavy sub-sonic ammunition. Also, there’s ATLAS S-One Handguard. Functionally, it is slimmer and lighter than most you’ll find on the market today. Furthermore, the free-floating handguard also is a snap to install or upgrade given the ATLAS attachment system. MSRP: $455
The 557 Eclipse keeps the heart of the popular rifle, but cuts its price.
Over the years, when shooters thought CZ rifles they thought controlled feed. Who could blame them? The 550, with its oversized claw extractor, definitely qualified as a classic, especially among hunters or those pining after a Winchester Model 70—the pre-1964variety. So, color the world shocked in 2018 when CZ announced a new rifle and, lo and behold, it was a push feed. Sacrilege!
Except, the CZ 557 had plenty to endear it to shooters, including the No. 1 feature any marksman with a half a brain desires above everything else—accuracy. Flash forward to this winter and things have gotten a whole lot sweeter with the popular fledgling line. The new 557 Eclipse rifle is proof of that.
An entry-level option, the neat little rifle is just the ticket for those looking to flush CZ performance, not price. How cheap are we talking? With a MSRP of $649, it’s not at the basement of economical bolt-actions. In the same breath, it offers a load more than most irons in its class.
First and foremost, it’s a true-to-life CZ 557. Cold-hammer forged and factory lapped barrel (20-inches), rugged push-feed action, fully adjustable trigger … the whole nine yards. In turn, the foundation of a solid rifle is there. What’s different are the gun’s accouterments. As CZ puts it, the 557 Eclipse is a “no non-sense” rifle; translate that to fewer frills.
Where this is most evident is the stick of polymer instead of hardwood stocking the rifle. The 557 Eclipse retains the original 557’s American-pattern stock with a strong pistol grip, a slight palm swell and high, flat comb. This should make it familiar to those who have experience with the rifle. But once at the shoulder, the gun has a much different feel, given the glass-reinforced polymer stockhas what CZ calls its soft-touch finish.
Though, not all the changes on the 557 Eclipse are to cut costs. One that should delight those with a more modern bent is the inclusion of a threaded barrel (5/8×24), making it ready to accept a suppressor or brake out of the box. This feature should also attract those in the market for a penny-pinching long-range option. As to chambering, three are presently available: .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield and 6.5 Creedmoor.
Use the tripod as a rear support when you have a front rest. The spotter or binoculars can still be in position on the tripod if necessary.
It's not 1978 any longer. Long-range hunting is a viable and ethical tactic if you're schooled in the fundamentals of precision shooting.
I lament that in each class I teach, I point out that from the turn of the last century to just before 9-11, precision rifle technology and techniques moved at a snail’s pace. What our grandfathers passed on to our fathers was passed on to us; and, from there, we passed the same thoughts down to our children.
After 9-11, everything changed; it became the new “space race.” Each week, we read about a new way of addressing old problems. As a result, it can be hard to keep up.
I’ve found that there are three types of students that attend long-range shooting school:
Those looking to compete in NRL- and/or PRS-type competitions
Those looking to be well-rounded marksmen for personal reasons
Those who want to be a better, more effective hunter
Addressing the hunters out there: It’s still 1978 for most people. The .30-06 hunting rifle with a low-power scope still works well enough to put meat on the table—so, why change? It’s great to stalk game at close range and feel the rush when you’re surprised by the appearance of a worthy target. The cycle repeats over and over every hunting season.
But, as with the changes to the military sniping program, hunters can learn a thing or two from the current competition and military shooters. We’ve improved our equipment and combined this with a better understanding of what it takes to hit a target from alternative positions. We’ve become increasingly effective engaging targets at extended hunting ranges. No more do you have to rush taking that 70-yard shot; you can sit back and relax while ethically engaging in a 300-, 400- and even a 700-yard shot on living targets. Long-range hunting is a reality.
New Calibers
The new PRC calibers are well-suited for the level of precision and accuracy for long-range hunting. The 6.5 PRC is great for North American game; and, if you want to venture farther north to places such as Alaska, with bigger animals, the 300 PRC can also provide the energy on target to get the job done.
A great way to use a vehicle as a shooting rest is by working with a shooter off the 4-wheeler, taking a Game Changer-style bag and dropping it between the handlebars. It can become a long-range hunting necessity.
When you combine these calibers with carbon-fiber barrel technology, you keep the weight low. It allows you to shoot more when practicing, as opposed to traditional, pencil-thin barrels.
Alternative Positions
Alternative positions are the keys to success. No more do we want to take an offhand shot at something. Instead, we can build better positions that take advantage of the terrain in a given area.
Using bags such as the Game Changer on 4-wheelers, logs, branches and rocks can be a lesson in rock-steady shooting. These bags come in a variety of fill weights—starting at 7 pounds (if you’re traveling by horse or 4-wheeler), or, if you’re walking it in, in ounces, because they contain ultralight fills.
We practice these techniques with our students, and the results speak for themselves.
Doping and Prep
Many a hunter returns the following year with tales from afar. Instead of missing that elk at 175 yards, they’re taking them with one shot at 525 yards. I receive e-mail after e-mail relating these success stories.
The fact that a student can, and will, actually dope the rifle to distance (versus using a random hold-off over the target) is one area of focus. Regardless of the setup, you can establish a good, solid, 100-yard zero. Then, after actually doping the rifle, you apply the proper elevation to the shot, thereby guaranteeing a successful long-range hunting engagement.
It sounds simple. Even so, a lot of traditional hunters skip these steps. They’d rather wing it by guessing the inches of drop over the back of the animal.
Bench Shooting
Don’t let physical limitations get in your way either. I don’t force older students or students with physical disabilities in the prone. Rather, I instruct them on better bench shooting and how to properly replicate the other positions using a bench.
Using bags to bridge obstacles: Instead of hard-to-hard surface contact, you can use the bags for hard-to-soft surfaces. The rifles will settle in nicely.
It’s really easy to square up behind the bench if you treat it as a better-supported position. I don’t follow the “bladed” approach to bench shooting. It keeps your body squared to the support, your head and eyes in line with the target, and works within the fundamentals of marksmanship by using your natural point of aim to your advantage.
Tripods
Lastly, never overlook the versatility of the tripod. If I only had one choice—bipod or tripod—I’d always choose a tripod. Correctly employed, along with a system designed to shoot a rifle, a tripod is your single greatest tool when it comes to long-range hunting and field shooting. You can shoot in a standing position with little to no effort.
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You can set up a tripod over and around obstacles in your path without having to hold the rifle up yourself. A tripod can serve as an observation platform, hosting your binoculars or spotting scope, and then quickly transition to a firing platform. The more we race down the “rabbit hole” of tripods, the more impressive they become.
Bottom line? To be effective, it takes practice—not only shooting—but actual practice. Doing the same thing over and over again, hoping for a better outcome, only happens when you try new things and work to improve yourself. For instance, I can swing a golf club the wrong way a whole lot and, through repetition, I get closer to the hole each time. However, taking a class from a professional instructor would increase my skill level much faster.
Once we educate ourselves on the possibilities, our skill sets will grow through practice and proper execution of the techniques. In other words, we can work smarter, not harder.
Back in the day, the answer was always, “Take a case of ammo and go shoot.” Today, we understand that this is always sound advice—if you have the foundation to work from right from the start. Build a solid foundation with the fundamentals. You can build up your skills from there.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2020 Long-Range Shooting issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Designed to push velocity limits, the .250 Savage ushered in a new era of high-velocity cartridges.
Historical Notes
Designed by Charles Newton, the .250 Savage was introduced by the Savage Arms Company as a high-velocity round for the Model 99 lever-action rifle. The original loading used an 87-grain bullet at 3,000 fps muzzle velocity, and Savage named it the .250-3000. One suspects the 87-grain bullet was chosen because it could be safely driven at 3,000 fps with the powders then available. This allowed Savage to introduce it with the ever-so-sexy name, “.250-3000.” Remember, in 1915, when this cartridge was introduced, riflemen were still marveling at cartridges achieving 2,000 fps.
About 1932, the 100-grain bullet load was marketed by Peters Cartridge Company; and later, the velocity of the 87-grain bullet was slightly increased. Now, it’s simply called the .250 Savage. The Savage Model 20 and Model 40 bolt-action rifles also chambered the round, as did the Winchester Model 54 and Model 70 bolt-actions. Late in 1971, Savage announced that the Model 99 would again be available in this cartridge. Others, such as Ruger and Remington, have also made rifles in this cartridge.
General Comments
Flat trajectory, outstanding accuracy, and good killing power on anything up to, and including, deer are established characteristics of the .250 Savage. It was—and still is—excellent on varmints through deer. In the past few years, it’s been edged out by the .257 Roberts and the new 6mm cartridges. It’s far superior as a deer cartridge to the .30-30 or anything in that class—regardless of what some .30-30 “addicts” claim.
Because of its light recoil, it’s an excellent choice for youth and women. The .250-3000 is the basis of one of Ackley’s best wildcats, the .250 Ackley Improved. Winchester continues to load a 100-grain round (X2503), but the 87- and 120-grain bullets are no longer factory loaded.
Giving you instant feedback, the G-Sight ELMS app turns your smart device into a personal firearms instructor.
Acting like a personal firearms instructor, the G-Sight ELMS app helps you get the most out of your dryfire training.
In the era of Coronavirus house arrest, gun mags have spilled countless words on the importance of dryfire training. Ranges shutdown and folks shut-in, what better way to burn through mundane hours and improve your marksmanship than dropping the hammer on an empty chamber? What else are you going to do, binge watch another horrible series on your streaming service?
Anyhow, the great benefit to dryfiring in the modern day is it’s no longer a guessing game. Catching up with training methods, technology enhances what a shooter gets out of pulling the trigger without sending a bullet downrange. We’re talking feedback here, as instantaneous as a perforation in a silhouette. Few do it better than G-Sight Expert Laser Marksmanship System (ELMS).
Previously, we’ve reviewed and broken down the laser diode and how it functions in your handgun. But the hardware is only one part of the equation. The other is the real high-tech part of the system, ELMS’ marksmanship app.
What It Does
The ELMS laser interfaces with your gun, projecting it on the target when you pull the trigger. Think of it as your personal shooting range. The smart-device app, on the other hand, records your actual hits, allowing you to diagnose your accuracy in real-time. Slapping the trigger, breaking your wrists, pushing forward at the break, you’ll see it plain as day on the digital screen. Which, in essence, makes the app a one-on-one firearms coach.
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There are two parts to the program’s accuracy diagnostics. In order, audio and visual—each playing an important role in helping you train.
The latter first. As you can guess, the visual aspect allows you to see exactly where you’re hitting on a target and assess your performance. On the free basic app—available for both iPhone and Android devices—you get a 10 shot record. At first blush, it might sound limited, but the running tab should prove more than enough to gauge your groupings. Think of it this way, it’s three failure drills with complete feedback. Unless you're hiring out as a Congolese mercenary that should prove ample.
Working in conjunction with your smart device, G-Sight ELMS app gives you instant feedback on how your shots are grouping.
Auditorily, the app is a bit more nuanced, but no less important. When you make hits on the target the app lets out a ping! very similar to striking a sheet of AR500—those who shoot steel understand. Why does this prove key? Because, you can keep your focus where it needs to be—the front sight and downrange. While at the same time, still gain a rough idea if you’re placing shots where you should.
Advanced Training
Among the most difficult aspects to train is performance under pressure. Adrenaline pumping, a situation unfolding in real-time, effectively getting a gun into a fight, these are nigh impossible to replicate. Even competition is a pale facsimile. This should give you an idea of where dryfire training stands.
While no home-training system can provide a true reproduction of a lethal-force encounter, G-Sight offers an upgrade to hone your response in the face of stress. For a $5 in-app purchase, you arm the app with a shot timer. Don’t underestimate its usefulness. The second hand exerts an enormous pressure, enough to leave seasoned pros fumbling on their retrieval. Moreover, this dimension not only adds a sense of urgency to training, but lays bare how efficiently and effectively you respond to it. The stopwatch and bullseye don’t lie.
Getting the ELMS laser diode up and running is as easy as sticking it in your gun’s chamber.
The shot timer is especially adept at dialing in a draw, but don’t stop there. Anything from emergency reloads to clearing stoppages is enhanced under the relentless tick of the clock.
Parting Shot
Even in times where the nation isn’t being forced to stick close to home base, tools such as G-Sight’s ELMS are indispensable. The name of the game is improvement and you only do that through practice. The cutting-edge piece of tech ensures you get plenty, executed the proper way.
For more information on the G-Sight ELMS app and system, please visit g-sight.com.
This is a space gun. Well, it’s a movie space gun—one used in a movie in space: Serenity. It’s Jayne Cobb’s personal 1911.
Hollywood 1911 pistols run the complete gamit, from specimens you find at your local gun store to renditions that are out of this world.
For a supposedly obsolete, old firearm, the 1911 is well-represented on the silver screen. It always has been. However, what you see on the screen may or may not be a 1911 or 1911A1. It may also not be a .45 ACP. There are several reasons for that.
OK, let’s set the stage. (See what I did there?) Our hero needs to prevail, and he needs to be properly armed for the climactic shoot-out. But that shoot-out—the part you see on the screen for a minute or even a few seconds—takes months of planning and practice. The director must lay it all out on what are called “storyboards,” which are drawn representations of how they want the camera to see the scene. Then, the producer plans the distances, timing and locations with the location scout and the cinematographer. The producer schedules the practice time, equipment and budget with the prop master.
And that’s where the guns come in. The guns on screen that you see today come in four types: rubber, Airsoft, blank-firing and live. And blank-firing firearms come in four types: quarter, half, three-quarter and full power. Why all these types? Because they need them . It’s just that simple.
OK, start the debate: Was Rick Deckard (Blade Runner), himself, a replicant or human? And, if one or the other, what evidence do you have to prove it? This is a real firearm, in that the receiver on top is a Sauer bolt-action rifle receiver. How does it work? Who cares? The only real question is, Would you run off with Rachael and bet that Gaff wouldn’t chase you?
The rubber guns are for extras who will never use them and to protect the actors (and the guns) from the day-to-day wear and tear of being worn. If you see a squad room scene in a police procedural where everyone is armed, they are all rubber guns. A squad of soldiers who are not actually firing their weapons? All rubber or plastic. In fact, most of the guns you’ll see on the screen and on TV are rubber, plastic or composite dummies, because they are inexpensive; and, compared to real firearms, there is no real paperwork involved.
The molding and casting processes are so high quality that you can read the original serial number of the model used to create the mold. They come in soft rubber (more comfortable, but less durable) and harder compositions. The Airsoft guns allow film crews to work in locations where the noise of blank-firing handguns might be disturbing, such as indoors. The slides cycle, and the computer wizards add in the muzzle flash and flying brass later. There may not even be the little plastic pellets of Airsoft being used. (The sounds are all added in after, regardless of the type of firearm or rubber gun used.) That’s done with CGI.
Blank guns are modified to run with blanks. Despite being so modified and often irreversibly so, they are still firearms and, as such, strictly controlled. Generally, this involves grinding off the locking lugs and putting a plug in the barrel to allow enough gas pressure to cycle the action. The power level represents the power the blanks are loaded to and the power the firearm is built to properly cycle with. A full-power blank gun, being fed quarter-blanks, won’t cycle. A quarter-blank gun being fed full-power blanks can be damaged.
It isn’t a 1911, and it may not even be chambered in .45 ACP, but the author just had to include this in the photo lineup. Yes, this is Mal Reynolds’ sidearm—the Moses Brothers Self-Defense Engine Frontier Model B—from the movie Serenity.
There is also the safety aspect. Blanks can still cause injury or even death. A scene for which the director wants the actors close to each other cannot use full-power blanks. The distance must be calculated and maintained. That’s a big reason for Airsoft and CGI.
Live guns? Sometimes you need live guns for certain scenes, which means you have to acquaint some actors with how they work. Some won’t want to touch these “icky “guns, but some like learning and having fun. And there are those interested in “verisimilitude”—a fancy word meaning “the appearance or semblance of truth.” In other words, it means it’s like the real thing. Also, the sound guys might want to capture the exact report of the firearm being used, just in case. A perfect example of this is in the movie Saving Private Ryan, when the GIs have beaten the German MG42 crew. We hear the machine gun cooling off and the clicks and pops as it settles back down to air temperature. You only get that from the real thing.
And that leads us to another aspect of the prop house: historical accuracy. The prop house is the expert (except for some directors, such as Michael Mann) and makes sure the gear is correct. A Korean War movie with M16s in it is a no-go. A modern police procedural with World War II-era firearms being used better have a good explanation for the viewers, or else they will change channels in disgust. This means prop houses maintain a huge inventory, keep track of the firearms and know what is appropriate, where and when.
Not what a lot of competition or EDC owners would carry, but it is Hollywood, right? And nothing is actually wrong with it; it would serve you well for many uses, as it did for Charlie Hunnam’s character in Sons of Anarchy.
Now, if the director insists on something that is not period-correct, you shake your head, make sure you fulfill the contract and keep that in mind the next time his people call you for the next movie.
Oh, one other part of the firearms experience are the impacts. Called “squibs” in the industry, they are small powder charges that are detonated electrically to show the bullet impact on walls, cars, etc. This can be an incredibly expensive part of a production. You’ve got the actors who will be handed the blank-firing firearms just before the scene starts filming. Then there’s the camera crew, cinematographer, sound man and lighting crew. You can even have two, three or four cameras going at once. You have the prop master and the triggerman for the squibs.
After “lights, camera, action,” the actors start shooting, the squib triggerman sets off the squibs and, if it all goes right, you have a “take.” Then, you set it up and do it again, because the director and editor always want options.
The 1911A1 that Thomas Magnum, aka “Magnum P.I.,” carried and used in the show. Be jealous!
What if the blank gun jams or a blank or squib fail to go off? There are dozens of things that can ruin a take, and when something fails, you set it up and do it all over again.
And finally, there is the legal aspect of things. Not only must the production company keep track of the laws where it is filming — usually the responsibility of the prop master — but it also must know the backgrounds of the actors. (Hmm, how shall I put this? Some actors have lived less-than-stellar lives. In fact, some of them have been convicted of crimes such that they cannot own, or even handle, real firearms. They get rubber guns and CGI.)
Production companies have gotten themselves into trouble by trying to ship firearms into a country or state in which they’re not permitted or for which they simply haven’t completed the required paperwork. The people involved must know the laws and regulations, have the proper licenses and paperwork, and make sure it is all filled out correctly. I found this out when I visited Independent Studio Services, one of the biggest prop houses. It deals not just with firearms (in fact, firearms are a small part of what it does), and it was head-spinning.
A period-correct LAPD SWAT pistol from the early 2000s. Before that, no Kimber. After that, a different Surefire light.
First, anytime there’s going to be a specific firearm on the set of any production, the prop house brings at least two. So, that police procedural with 12 officers walking around? Two dozen rubber guns, at least. Filming an action scene requires at least two blank-firing guns plus rubber clones—for the setup, walk-through and camera framing—and, if the prop master is at all paying attention, other spares of the blank guns of different power levels. Huh?
What if the director suddenly decides that a scene needs to be changed? Instead of a shoot-out in the house of the serial killer, he wants it outside next to the pool, which means you’ll need to switch from quarter-power to full-power blanks, maybe even with extra flash blanks. You’d better have the guns and the ammo on hand, because a production company costs like you wouldn’t believe. Depending on the talents involved, it could be $10,000 an hour, and if the prop master holds things up while a courier drives back to the warehouse to pick stuff up, he will not get hired next time.
And the paperwork? Again, you wouldn’t believe it. OK, let’s say you stage an epic shoot-out with multiple machine guns, squibs for the walls and cars, breaking windows, explosions and more on set somewhere in California. First, the company has to be licensed by both the feds and the state. This includes a standard FFL, an 07 Manufacturers FFL and an ammo manufacturing license (for the blanks). Then, California insists on more licensing for dangerous weapons such as the machine guns, and if explosives are used, that triggers the need for another federal license—plus certification for the training before the licenses will be issued. Then, depending on the firearms that are involved, you might even need to have a transport permit … and dear God, if the local municipality also requires more licensing or paperwork.
Sometimes, a movie would have something such as this 1903 pocket hammer model Colt standing in as a .45, because it would work with blanks.
The pistols used might not have been 1911s in the past and often were not .45s. Making 9mm blanks that worked reliably and consistently was a lot easier than doing the same for .45 ACP. As a result, you can see in some movies in the past (if you look closely or use freeze-frame) that the “1911” someone is using is actually a 1903 hammer model or a 1905 or other early Colt pistol.
Later, 1911s that started out as 9mm or .38 Super pistols that had been built as blank-firing guns were used in the movies as .45s. Now, they can be blank-adapted as actual .45s. When I visited Independent Studio Services, I had the opportunity to handle and photograph some famous guns and even shoot some of them. Fun? You have no idea.
Serenity In the movie Serenity, set in the indeterminate future (supposedly 500 years from now—but, hey, it is a story), the crew of the ship Serenity is working to make a living, shlepping cargo from one plant to another. Despite it being the future, there are a lot of old guns still in use, with some of them upgraded.
Jayne Cobb, the muscle played by Adam Baldwin (no relation to the Baldwin brothers), is very knowledgeable about firearms. His personal 1911 has been worked on and upgraded. What are the upgrades? No idea, but figuring out what would be useful and tactical centuries from now is not the point. I mean, how would you explain a comp on an Open gun to a doughboy?
Rambo “Rambo” has moved from a movie title reference to a word used in common life as a reference and touchstone. Rambo comes back from Vietnam and, of course, he’d be using a Vietnam-era pistol, which would be a box-stock 1911A1. Except, this one isn’t entirely stock. But, hey, things happen. When Rambo came out in 1982, IPSC was still mostly unknown to Hollywood. The Michael Mann-directed movie, Thief, had just come out the year before.
Sons of Anarchy “Shakespeare on motorcycles” might describe the TV series Sons of Anarchy. In it, Jax, the son of the club founder, has to take over the reins of power, find his way and stay alive. You would imagine that a series about a motorcycle club would have plenty of opportunities for violence … and you’d be right. Charlie Hunnam (“Jax” ) carries a “blingy” customized 1911A1. The comp on it is a standard stick-a-threaded-barrel-into-a-1911-pistol modification, and the extended slide stop is something that hasn’t been common for almost two decades now. But the rest of it shows attention to proper tools of the trade. And, hey, if the leader of a motorcycle gang wants to carry something, who is going to tell him “no?”
You could see this in the holster of a SWAT officer or a Special Operations team member, because it is so current and correct.
Black Panther Anyone who does not envy the Marvel crew is not paying attention. Having spent more than half a century building a universe populated with a huge number of characters, it now gets to see it all up on the big screen. In Black Panther, Michael B. Jordan plays Erik Killmonger. That character packs a current-day tool for shooting, a railed and threaded-for-suppressor Springfield Operator, which reflects the character’s Special Operations background. It is hard to argue with it as a choice, either for real-world trials or in the movie setting where it is placed.
Magnum, P.I. In 1980, Tom Selleck was a tall, handsome guy who had been knocking around Hollywood for a decade, getting parts in TV shows and movies. Nothing big, but he was working. Then came the Hawaiian shirts, Ferraris, helicopters and the 1911A1.
Playing a Navy SEAL (before every wannabe was a SEAL) Vietnam veteran, he was the TV draw for most of its eight seasons and 158 episodes. Men wanted to be him. Women wanted to date him. Everyone dreamt of Hawaii and high-speed car chases.
The 1911A1 used in Rambo, with some additions that probably came later. The magazine funnel was not available in 1982, but the extended thumb safety and slide stop could have been (it was close enough for movie work).
And the 1911 that Mr. Magnum carried? It was a Colt Series 70 chambered in 9mm. It had no changes made to it other than being adapted to blanks. And it fired full-power blanks, which I can attest to, having fired it when I visited. Let me tell you: Full-power blanks, even the 9mm ones, are ferocious. The slide cycle felt like live fire, and the blast and heat from the blanks were everything a live round would be—and more.
I’d have worn a suitable shirt for the test-firing, but the patterns are licensed, and you have to pony up $70 each for the shirts he wore. Maybe I will someday.
SWAT The first SWAT TV show appeared in 1975. In the time since, the gear carried by SWAT officers has changed. So, if you are doing a movie or TV show and there are SWAT cops involved, the time period represented in its firearms and gear needs to be spot-on.
It is a situation such as this that adds to the inventory of a prop house. You can’t have a realistic show set in the present day if the main characters are using flip phones, driving cars from the muscle-car era and shooting it out with gangster-era firearms. Viewers are going to notice.
So, prop houses and producers work hard to make things period correct. That leads to multiple generations of SWAT gear, among other props, to ensure viewers can keep track of when it aired.
Available in both .22 LR and .22 WMR, the Taurus Model 942 revolver exceeds expectations and should have shooters looking differently at the Brazilian gunmaker.
SHOT Show is a funny experience. You walk the 12.5 miles of exhibitors at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas over that third week in January. You handle, dry-fire and chat with product managers about dozens of new firearms.
When you get back home, your jealous buddies ask, “What’s new?”
You just shrug and say, “Uh, not much.”
A week or two away from that virus-infested casino air, memories of the better guns handled and guns discussed always percolate up. For me, I couldn’t shake that feeling of palming the new rimfire revolver from Taurus: the Model 942. Here was an all-steel snubnose that had weight—a real gravitas in the hand—plus a great trigger, great grip, interchangeability with aftermarket sights and grips, and a deep bench of available holsters—all this for a real-world price well under $400.
Snob that I am, I was surprised it was a Taurus.
To put it bluntly, Taurus suffers a reputation problem. For many years, its made-in-Brazil firearms hit the American market in sub-standard shape.
There were recalls. Class-action lawsuits. Settlements.
A lot of looks, fit and finish … for not a lot of money. This burnished stainless is the best-looking model.
But, it wasn’t all bad. The .410/.45 Colt Judge revolver that was released in 2006 invented a category. Yet other innovations didn’t go over so well (remember the Curve?). Despite it all, many value-minded shooters stayed loyal throughout the rough spots—and for good reason: Where else can a broke shooter find a $300 .357 that goes bang! every time you pull the trigger?
Reading the news, focused always on the negative—and with zero Taurus trigger time—I was like so many keyboard warriors who’ve come to dominate our modern gun culture (I never publicly expressed distaste for Taurus, but I wasn’t going to buy one, either). But then I’d talk to buddies who had a Taurus and loved it, such as Gun Digest Editor Luke Hartle.
Luke bought a Model 44 when he was 18, because “it was the only .44 Magnum I could afford.”
It’s been running strong for almost 20 years. Topped with a red-dot, it’s still his go-to bait barrel bear gun. Another friend, an editor on a popular firearms website, bought a PT845 in 2010—a now-discontinued 12+1 SA/DA .45 ACP that had an MSRP of $260! Over the years, he’s put thousands of rounds down the barrel without a single hiccup.
With its short sight radius, the 2-inch snubbie—like all 2-inch pistols—is hard to shoot well, making it an excellent training gun.
“The hate on Taurus is mostly bullshit,” he told me. “It had some slip-ups, but overall, it makes great guns, especially now.”
The Old and the … Now
Forjas Taurus (Taurus Forge) opened shop in Porto Alegre, Brazil, in 1939 as a tool-and-die maker. Then, in 1941, it released its first revolver—the Model 38101SO, which drew on proven designs from Colt and Smith & Wesson.
In 1968, Taurus started exporting revolvers to the United States. In 1970, a controlling interest in Taurus was purchased by Bangor Punta Corp., then the owners of Smith & Wesson. In 1974, Beretta won a contract to make 92s for the Brazilian Army, which required in-country manufacturing. When that contract expired in 1980, Beretta sold its facility, along with everything within it—including the schematics, tooling and a skilled workforce that would soon churn out the well-received Taurus PT92 and PT99.
By that time, Bangor Punta had sold Forjas Taurus back to Brazilian ownership. The company now had facilities, designs and talent with Beretta and Smith & Wesson experience. In 1982, Taurus set up an affiliate company, Taurus U.S.A., in Miami to import its firearms and eventually design guns stateside.
Eight rounds are loaded and ready to party. If you must carry a rimfire for self-defense, a revolver is the way to go. If a shot doesn’t go off, pull again to drop the hammer on a fresh round.
Over the next 20 years, Taurus grew to one of the largest small arms shops in the world. It had a reputation for experimenting with alloys and Space Age materials such as titanium while offering standard features such as barrel fluting and interchangeable cylinders that the big American manufacturers only provided as high-dollar custom shop options. Young shooters on a college budget now had an option if, say, they wanted a .44 Magnum to take bear hunting.
There were stumbles along the way. After a few high-profile models didn’t cut the mustard, Taurus got a new CEO, and all firearms imported to Miami “got a 100 percent inspection,” says Oliver Coulombier, director of engineering for Taurus U.S.A. “We rejected a lot of product at that time, and soon, the lights went on for the folks in Brazil.”
Last year, Taurus U.S.A. opened a 200,000-square-foot manufacturing center and corporate headquarters on a 75-acre campus in Bainbridge, Georgia. Compared to Miami, there’s surely a big tax advantage in that move; however, it’s also allowed the company to expand stateside engineering and production capability. Currently, the TX22, PT22 and Spectrum are manufactured in the United States, and new models are in development.
If you still think there’s a quality issue with Taurus, I dare you to run anyone of those pistols or the new 942 rimfire revolvers.
A Wheelie Done Right
The eight-round DA/SA Model 942 is chambered in .22 LR or .22 WMR. It comes in 2- and 3-inch barrel lengths and in matte black or stainless steel. There’s also a 2-inch, hard-anodized, black, ultra-light model that comes in at slightly fewer than 18 ounces. The steel guns in 2-and 3-inch weigh 23.6 and 25 ounces, respectively, giving them a real command in-hand—as I first discovered on the floor at SHOT and later, while testing the 2-inch snubbies in .22 LR and .22 WMR.
After several hundred rounds through each, the author decided a 2-inch .22 LR is the ideal trainer, while a 3-inch Model 942 in .22 WMR would make a better trail gun.
Beyond the weight, part of that in-hand appeal is the ergonomic rubber grip, which seats well in my large, glove-sized hands. The grips are interchangeable with aftermarket options made for Taurus 85, 856, 605, 380 and 905 revolvers, including the red-laser option from Viridian. The weight and the grip make it a sound-handling iron.
Dimensionally, the 942 compares to the 605—a J-frame-comparable subcompact. The cylinder rotates counterclockwise, and the release and hammer have a nice burring. The drift rear sight, held in place with a small flat-head screw, can be adjusted for windage,. The replaceable front serrated ramp sight is pinned. It’s black, but that can be cured with a little nail polish or by swapping in a fiber-optic, if so inclined.
The 942 shares some DNA with Taurus’ previous rimfire revolver, the Model 94. The main criticism of the 94 was its overly stiff trigger. Taurus engineers corrected that with the 942 by improving the trigger leverage and tweaking the return spring design. In single-action, the trigger breaks at 4 pounds on my test .22 LR and 4 pounds, 6 ounces on the .22 WMR, as tested with a mechanical Timney gauge. There’s very little creep. In double-action, the trigger stages beautifully.
The overall package is accurate, laying down 3-inch groups with every .22 LR and .22 WMR load on my shelf … when I did my part. A 2-inch rimfire revolver will separate the crack handgun shots from the rest of us, which is the main reason I can see for adding this little gun to the arsenal. With its short sight radius, it forces good sight and trigger discipline—or shots run away quickly.
Available in .22 LR and .22 WMR, the Model 942s are identical—without the cylinder and barrel. Both make excellent plinkers, trainers, backup carry guns or pack pistols.
These pistols are safe to dry-fire, unlike most rimfires. Add the Viridian laser grip, and you have a first-rate, indoor dry-fire training tool. Ensure the gun is empty, point the laser at the wall, and then squeeze the trigger without the laser jumping all over the place. With no slide to rack, you can practice on easy repeat until your finger starts to blister.
In .22 LR, the 942 makes an excellent trainer, plinker, kit gun or hiking trip sidearm. In .22 WMR, all the same applies, but it’s also a self-defense tool for those unable to command a .380 or 9mm. (For self-defense applications, look at the Speer Gold Dot 40-grain GDHP-SB.) And, it’s a great backup firearm in an ankle holster A revolver is easily the best format for a rimfire self-defense handgun. If the shot doesn’t go off, squeeze again; the cylinder will still rotate, and the firing pin will still drop on a fresh round.
To try to replicate a malfunction—and as something of a backyard torture test—I put 600 rounds through the .22 LR in a single afternoon. At about the 400-round mark, the gun was so dirty that bullets started to tumble, leaving holes in my paper targets like little sideways rectangles. It takes 12 to 16 inches of barrel to burn up a .22 LR powder charge—depending on whether it’s subsonic or hypersonic ammo—so, in a 2-inch barrel, there’s inevitably a lot of fouling. Two hundred rounds later, I pulled the trigger, and there was no bang!—a light strike on the Aguila .22 target.
I switched over to CCI, Federal and Winchester bulk-pack ammo, and every round went off again. When I switched back to Aguila, there were two more light strikes, but the cylinder kept turning, and the remaining shots went off. Was it the ammo? The filthy revolver? Well, it was probably a combination of the two. In the real world, this is a moot point: If you put 600 rounds through a rimfire handgun and don’t clean it, you don’t deserve to own a rimfire handgun.
Compact and highly concealable, the 942 in .22 WMR makes an excellent backup iron.
The Model 942 from Taurus is a compact, quality, rimfire revolver at a price that can’t be beat. It could play a role in a self-defense kit or as a kit gun in the mountains or on the water. But, more than anything, it’s simply a fun and accurate plinker—ideal for training shooters, both new and old.
Model 942 Specs: Chambering: .22 LR or .22 WMR Frame size: Small Capacity: 8 rounds Height: 4.64 in. Width: 1.34 in. Weight: 23.60 oz. Barrel length: 2.00 in. Overall length: 6.60 in. Front sight: Serrated ramp Rear sight: Drift adjustable Safety: Transfer bar MSRP: $369.52 (matte black); $384.97 (matte stainless)
For more information on the Taurus Model 942, please visit taurususa.com.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the August 2020 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Nimble and powerful, Savage has cooked up the nearly perfect big-game semi-automatic with the MSR 10 Hunter.
By now, the hunting credentials of the AR-10 and its little brother, the AR-15, are well established. A rare combination of firepower, speed and manageability, the popular rifles have earned their stripes downing everything from lowly rock chucks to towering bull elk. Yet, there are still issues with finding the best black iron to shoulder next time you shoot to fill a tag.
Offering the traditional Savage Arms performance in a modern package.
While the AR-15 is light and nimble as they come, big-game appropriate chamberings aren’t standard fare. On the flip side, the AR-10 has power to spare—particularly when talking most North American large game—but generally has the agility of Peterbilt truck. If there was only some way to combine the endearing attributes of Eugene Stoner’s brainchildren, then you’d have one heck of a hunting rifle. A regular whack-and-stack ‘em shooter fit for everything from tree-blind whitetails to third-ridge-back mulies.
Thing is, there is—Savage Arms’ MSR 10 Hunter.
Power And Grace
By now, a few years down the road from their introduction, Savage’s MSR (Modern Savage Rifle) line has proven its mettle. Funny, given it wasn’t long ago the company focused almost exclusively on one thing and one thing only—affordable and deadly accurate bolt-action rifles. They still turn those out, but have stormed the semi-auto market by taking a unique angle.
Savage’s game isn’t one mil-spec AR-15 or a single meat-and-potatoes AR-10, instead, each model is purpose-built. Need a long-range option? Look at the MSR 10 Precision. Require a tactical Jack-of-all-trades carbine? The MRS 15 Recon fits the bill And hunting? Few options beat the MSR 10 Hunter.
Part of the vanguard of a line that now stands at 11 models, the Hunter more than lives up to its name. Is it any surprise? From the Model 99 to the Model 110, the gunmaker has turned out some of the most trusted and accomplished hunting rifles of the past century.
Recently, Savage introducted a new model MSR 10 Hunter, the Hunter Overwatch, boasting Mossy Oak's Overwatch camo.
Where Savage’s game getter and its Mossy Oak Overwatch camo-clad sibling, the MSR 10 Hunter Overwatch, excel is striking a nearly perfect balance between power and grace. Its chambering options (.308 Winchester, 6.5 Creedmoor) are fit to tackle nearly any American game animal. At the same time, it’s a slight package that’s quick to the shoulder and intuitive to the eye. That quite a combination, and rare.
Though, words don’t truly do the MSR 10 Hunter justice. To understand its advantages you have to get one in your hands. Only then can you appreciate its mountain rifle heft (7.8 pounds) and surprisingly compact size. Just the things that make it ideal for long treks to a stand and ready at a moment’s notice.
Yet at the same time, the rifle doesn’t suffer the manageability issues—thus shot-to-shot accuracy decay—common to many featherweight hunters. Yes, there’s a bit more buck in the Hunter than, say, a comparably chambered AR-10 creeping up on 10 pounds. But, Savage didn’t skimp in putting together the MSR 10, thus the rifle isn’t something you have to manage to the hilt. Quite the opposite—it shoots and operates as smooth as greased skids.
Top-End Build
If you hunt with an AR-10 you know the routine: find one with a good barrel and receivers, then strip and renovate the rest. It’s accepted that time, money and upgrades are part and parcel of the platform. Except they aren’t with the MSR 10 Hunter.
Savage jettisoned the idea the AR is something you aftermarket to perfection with the Hunter, giving shooters a finely tuned rifle from the box. While it might not suit some who can’t live without a SuperDuper Black X Roundabout Stalker Handguard on their rifle, for the rest it’s a huge energy-saver.
The muzzle brake is a nice addition on the Hunter, aiding fast follow-up shots.
Even if you have a pet upgrade, before swapping out it’s well worth looking at what Savage brings to the game with the MSR 10 Hunter:
Magpul MOE Stock
Free-float M-LOK handguard
Two-stage trigger
Proprietary Savage muzzle brake
Adjustable gas block
Melonite QPQ coated, 5R rifled barrel
Full-length Picatinny rail
It would take weeks to tinker a rifle to the level the MSR 10 Hunter comes off the rack. A huge advantage when you think about it. After all, wouldn’t you rather spend time looking for sign and mapping out potential bedding areas, not scrabble through parts sites hunting for the right pistol grip?
Accuracy Enhancement
It’s lingering on a few facets of Savage’s build and what they bring to the table. Chief among these is accuracy. If you didn’t mind a lighter rifle at the range, the MSR 10 Hunter is a more than capable target rifle—which spells big things in the field. To this end, there are two aspects that really milk precision out of the platform.
The first is the barrel. Certainly on the compact side (16-inches in .308, 18 in 6.5 CM), Savage ensures excellent ballistic potential through 5R rifling. Those not familiar with the relatively new rifling design, it’s fairly straight forward. The lands are tapered, causing less deformation as the bullet travels down the bore, thus the integrity of the projectile’s ballistic coefficient is maintained in flight. Basically, you’ll get a bullet drop and wind drift performance closer to what’s on the side of an ammo box—excellent news, especially for those who opt for the long-range specialist 6.5 Creedmoor. A side benefit, no matter the caliber, a 5R rifled barrel is easier to clean.
Snappy two-stage trigger and svelte receivers are just the ticket in taking the AR-10 on the hunt.
Equally important, the MSR 10 Hunter boasts a lights-out trigger. Unfair as it may be, that one little motion in your finger has more to say about if you hit the mark than nearly anything else. With no creep, the proverbial “like-glass” break and minuscule reset, the trigger is everything you want on a semi-auto hunting rifle. A bit more, considering it’s nickel-boron impregnated, leading to less wear and better lubricity (that is, the 1,000th trigger pull will be as smooth as the first).
Recoil Management
Magpul’s furniture contribution also plays a role in the MSR 10 Hunter’s field performance. Combine with Savage’s solid-bottom brake, the MOE buttstock goes a long way in taming the rifle’s recoil. An important factor in this case. Remember this is a light AR-10, which means snappy hunting loads aren’t only going to have bite downrange.
Aside from the adjustable length of pull, where the MOE cuts some of the kick is the addition of a rubberized recoil pad. Absorbing some of the rifle’s kick, it allows for lightning-fast follow-up shots—an impossibility if you’re rattled to the bone after your first trigger pull.
Furthermore, Magpul originally designed the MOE for use with body armor. While this sounds off base when talking hunting rifles, it is an important factor. Bulked up in winter gear, you never have to worry about getting the MSR 10 Hunter properly shouldered or having to hunt for your cheek weld.
Parting Shot
The AR-10 is here to stay in the hunting field. The rifle has just too much going for it, whether you’re talking its pinpoint accuracy or breezy heft. This leaves only one question up in the air: which is the right rifle for your next hunt. With the MSR 10 Hunter, Savage Arms has made the answer simple.
Constructed from precision machined aluminum, the Rival Arms R-22 Precision Chassis gets 10/22 barreled actions to reach out.
The long-range game requires a lot of turf to play. Enough that in some corners of the country urban sprawl and population density make it all but prohibitive. (Rhode Island, we’re looking at you.) Hence, the growing appeal of National Rifle League .22-caliber matches (NRL22) is understandable. Requiring the same set of skills as the centerfire competition, it’s scaled-down so as the most modest venues can host an event.
Hand in hand with the rise of Lilliputian precision competitions comes the ascension of irons and upgrades up to the job. A recent entry in this niche, Rival Arms with its R-22 Precision Chassis System for rifles with Ruger 10/22 barreled actions. While bolt-actions make up a hefty segment of NRL22 competitions, the precision components manufacturer pick of the iconic semi-auto makes sense. The plinker is as common as dead leaves in autumn, and no slouch in the accuracy department. Also, the 10/22 is the AR of rimfire, easily modified and upgraded with a minimum of tools.
With the R-22 Precision Chassis System, would be small-bore snipers get a billet aluminum rig, precision CNC-machined for a flawless fit up. The fore has room enough to free-float a 1-inch diameter barrel, and includes scalloped texturing aft for grip enhancement. Additionally, there are ample M-Lok slots upfront at the 3- and 9-o’clock positions for accessory attachment, and it is tapped to accept a sling swivel stud or bipod.
Taking advantage of the thriving AR-parts market, the R-22 Precision Chassis is compatible with AR-15 buffer tubes (1 3/16-16 inch Mil-Spec), stocks and pistol grips. The chassis comes in fairly light, at 1 pound, and is available in three finishes—hard black anodized, as well as KG GunKote Flat Dark Earth and Satin Gray.
As to cost, like anything precision the R-22 Precision Chassis is on the spendy side. Yet, for those shooting to dominate their next match, its $254.99 MSRP shouldn’t prove prohibitive.
For more information on the R-22 Precision Chassis, please visit rival-arms.com.
Constructed of a cutting-edge polymer, Kick-Eez Grind-To-Fit recoil pads take a bite out of your gun's kick.
If you’re like most marksman, the buttstock of your gun rarely crosses your mind. Hey, that rifle or shotgun shoulders “well enough”. Why burn the glucose fretting over such a paltry feature? Then funny things happen at the range. Clays go unbroken and bullseyes remain unperforated.
Troubleshooting these issues generally orbit around the obvious—swing, breath control, trigger squeeze … the fundamentals. However, it might not be as simple as all that. Difficulties sometimes creep around where shooters least expect—the meet-up point between body and firearm. We’re talking the gun’s butt here.
No two shooters are created identical. In turn, the 13.5-inch average length of pull of most long guns makes them awkward in some hands. Additionally, what a shooter can endure while maintaining accuracy also varies wildly. Some take a lot of kick and hit the mark, others not so much.
In either case, a quality recoil pad can make a world of difference in performance behind the trigger. Say, like the Kick-Eez Grind-To-Fit models.
Cutting-Edge Construction
Kick-Eez customizable Grind-To Fit pads aren’t a new player to the game. The Kentucky concern has developed a solid standing over the years with a system that works. That’s saying a lot, given most recoil solutions are more placebo than actual cure. They just hope you don’t notice the difference.
In the proverbial bad eggs’ cases, issues reside in their engineering. Most are hard rubber, perforated in some form to create more give against the shoulder. The problem is they still push all the recoil energy in one direction—and you’re in the way. Plus, they’re constructed out of material that over time and use provides diminishing returns.
Kick-Eez’s difference is a single word—Sorbothane. No, it’s not some made-up marketing term. Instead, it’s a special polymer specifically designed for, well, taking and absorbing a blow so you don’t have to. No joke.
In fancy talk, Sorbothane is what is known as a viscoelastic urethane, which means it’s a urethane polymer with both liquid and solid properties.
Its liquid aspect allows it to disperse force in all directions (think a rock hitting water), thus greatly reducing a blow in a short matter of time and not necessarily into what’s behind it. The solid end of things, basically it keeps its shape, thus can be formed into all sorts of useful things—running shoe insoles and recoil pads to name two. Additionally, it doesn’t lose its properties with use, which is mighty impressive.
So, how exactly does Sorbothane measure up to more traditional recoil pad materials? In the hand it’s obvious. Kick-Eez pads are squishy and supple, almost akin to the meat of the heel of your hand and just as resilient. By the numbers, the company's testing is impressive. Compared to traditional rubber recoil pads, Kick-Eez reduces felt recoil by half. Substantial, enough so even those who aren’t recoil shy will notice a difference.
Pleasant as reducing a gun’s recoil by 50 percent is, there’s more to the Kick-Eez system. Material can only go so far in creating a long-gun that’s comfortable to shoot. Fit also plays a role.
Too small a gun, you run the risk of excessive recoil. Too large, you’ll struggle with finger placement on the trigger, thus accuracy issues. There are more to each, sufficed to say none of them good.
Length of pull addresses each and is exactly what Grind-To-Fit pads address. Available in1/2-, ¾-, 15/16- and 1 1/8-inch thickness, the pads lengthen a firearm for a perfect. Need to cajole it further, Kick-Eez also offers a complete line of spacers pads (also made of Sorbothane)—1/8, ¼ and ½ inch in length.
Conceivably, the pad and spacer systems could be used similarly as a fully-adjustable stock, allowing more than one shooter the perfect fit on the same gun. Given Kick-Eez recently expanded this line with colored options, a quick-fit color-coding system for adjustment on the fly isn’t out of the question. Just a thought.
Parting Shot
For most shooters, recoil pads aren’t the belle of the gun accessories ball. This should change.
Recoil isn’t something that should be endured as some sort of badge of honor. It should be tamed, eliminated, thrown on the ash heap of history. The name of the game is hit the bullseye, not bite the bullet.
Furthermore, in this day and age shooters shouldn’t abide ill-fitting guns. It’s the 21st Century for crying out loud! Even your old irons should fit like a well-worn sweater.
Kick-Eez Grind-To-Fit pads solve both dilemmas in one felled swoop. And they do so for less than you’ll pay for a couple boxes of ammo anymore. Honestly, with a solution like that, there’s no reason why you should boot recoil mitigation down the road.
For more information on Kick-Eez Grind-To-Fit pads and spacers, please visit kickeezproducts.com.
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