Among the lowest-profile options available, the Leupold DeltaPoint Micro Red Dot gives shooters a carry-ready aiming solution.
Evolving from novelty to critical upgrade, red dots have come a long way. Look no further to the contemporary handgun market as proof. Not only have rugged and carry-friendly sights swamped the market in recent years, but the aiming solution has also literally redesigned firearms. What major manufacturer doesn’t offer a slide-cut, optics-ready iteration of their most popular pistols?
The crowd has spoken on red dots—they’re the wave of the future. Or are they? Despite their potential to enhance accuracy and their improved designs, a majority of handguns of a practical bent cruise around without one. Even in the most micro format the sights are clunkier than irons—a deal-breaker for many. Though, Leupold might have changed the game.
Shake hands with the DeltaPoint Micro Red Dot Sight. Breaking from convention, the famed optics maker rethought the sighting system and in doing so aimed at creating the most carry compatible option available. At least when it comes to size.
Certainly, the length of the DeltaPoint Micro Red Dot is greater than a rear iron sight, but it’s height isn’t. At 1.25-inches tall, it is among the most compact systems on the market today, which vastly improves its potential on defensive pistols. On a gun that can’t get hung up on the draw, the new DeltaPoint cuts down on the probability of being a snag-o-matic upgrade.
Of course, there are trade-offs. Again, the DeltaPoint’s length—2.25 inches—is greater than all but vintage specimens of traditional red dots. Much of this is due to Leupold moving the battery housing and adjustment controls to the rear of the slide. The fly in the ointment here is it potentially raises the specter of a pistol printing, particularly under lighter garb. Furthermore, it renders most retention holsters incompatible. The focal point of the Delta Point might prove an issue too, given the window is much more abbreviated than what has previously been offered.
Leupold took real-world resilience into account in the micro red dot's design. The DeltaPoint is completely enclosed, lessening the possibility to lens damage or fouling that impedes traditional red dots’ performance. Furthermore, the company has done away with the need to upgrade your backup sighting system. Essentially, if the DeltaPoint poops out for whatever reason you simply use it as a ghost ring with your front sight. Redundancy as elegant as it is simple.
As to installation, Leupold reduced the headache by a magnitude. No mounting plates or slide-cut specific to a particular red-dot footprint, instead it utilizes the pistol’s existing rear-sight dovetail.
Other notables of the Leupold sight include 3 MOA dot, 8 brightness settings, 3.5-year battery (CR1632) life, motion senor power and DiamondCoat II scratch-resistant lenses. At present, the DeltaPoint Micro Red Dot is available for Glock and Smith & Wesson pistols. It also carries a hefty price tag, with an MSRP of $519.
For more information on the Leupold DeltaPoint Micro Red Dot, please visit leupold.com.
Zero In On Aiming Solutions:
Best Concealed Carry Optics: Red Dot, Green Dot Or Iron Sights?
Looking to add a hot new rifle to your gun safe? Find the perfect bullseyes driller with our best rifle reviews, lists and videos.
Bustling with new and existing gun buyers, 2020 turned out to be something else. As a nation, Americans purchased more firearms than any other previous year, creating a jaw-dropping year in gun sales. You might have run up against it yourself. You went to your favorite gun retailer to add a new gem to your collection. Instead, you were met with empty shelves.
Christening a new year, hopes are the bounty of guns and ammo will return. Those chances are slim, at least for the time being. A Federal Government hostile to the Second Amendment, as well as the persisting pandemic and urban riots, likely will keep the market red hot. Which is to say, you’d better kick your evaluation skills up a notch to get what you truly want in 2021.
That said, we’re here to make the job a bit easier. We’ve collected our best rifle reviews, videos and product announcements from the past year to give you a solid handle on the hot tack drivers out today. From heirloom-quality single-shot hunters to hair-splitting 6.5 Creedmoors and tactically-talented pistol-caliber carbines—it’s all here. All you need to decide is what to add to your collection.
Precision rifles can cost you an arm and a leg, but there are top-notch and highly accurate options that will still leave you with money for ammunition.
No longer is the .22 rifle a simple plinker with which to while away the time. The long gun has become a hair-splittingly precise instrument, fit for competition.
In this Steyr Pro THB review, see why the new tactical Steyr rifles are giving competitors a run for their money. This test looks at a new model set in a McMillan stock.
It's been a 20-year wait for Sig to re-enter the bolt-action market and it's done so in style. Innovative and accurate, the Sig Cross rethinks what the rifle can be.
NRA editors and Remington designers collaborate to build a perfect rifle for hunting whitetail deer. Shake hands with the Remington 700 American Hunter.
Savage's simple and robust AccuFit stock gives you a custom-gun fit with a production-rifle price tag.
How The AccuFit System Increases A Rifle's Accuracy Potential:
Offers 1-inch of LOP and comb rise adjustment.
Each can be fine-tuned, LOP in 1/4-inch increments and comb in 1/8-inch.
The entire system is modifiable with little more than a Phillips screwdriver.
Available on a good selection of Savage's legendary Model 110 rifles and new straight-pull Impulse rifles.
Have you ever attempted to go off the tee with a driver that doesn’t fit? You don’t exactly cover yourself in glory. Too long or too short, your swing feels wonky and you sure as heck don’t send the ball flying. Funny as it might sound, a wrong-sized wood has a lot in common with a wrong-sized rifle stock.
Savage's AccuFit system allows you to adjust for both length of pull and comb height.
Synthetic or wood, if the platform doesn’t fit, your consistency behind the trigger goes out the window. Historically, there’s been no cheap and easy cure to the age-old conundrum—basically an aftermarket custom stock or fully-adjustable production model. Neither is cheap and the aftermarket option costs time.
It’s a frustrating dichotomy, but one, to a certain extent, Savage Arms has eliminated. Now a little over a year since its release, Savage Arms' AccuFit system has essentially rethought the adjustable stock. And more importantly, it’s put it within reach of nearly every shooter. That’s powerful.
What Is The Savage AccuFit?
Simply put, Savage’s AccuFit is a customizable stock, giving you the ability to modify its two most important dimensions—length of pull (LOP) and comb height. At the same tick, the system is extremely affordable, doing little to ratchet up the price of the select Savage Model 110 rifles it's found on.
A Phillips screwdriver is all that's required to ensure a tailored length of pull.
Savage accomplished this by keeping the AccuFit basic… barebones basic. Instead of turning to slip nuts and screw controls, the gunmaker utilizes spacers and risers to get the stock set to your frame. And while it doesn’t offer the luxury of toolless adjustment (it requires a Phillips screwdriver), it nevertheless has enough wiggle room to fit anybody behind its business end.
In all, an AccuFit stock comes with five comb risers and four LOP inserts. This allows for ½- to 1-inch of elevation adjustment at the comb in 1/8-inch increments, and a full inch of play in LOP, adjustable in ¼-inch increments. For all but extreme cases, this is enough to tailor a rifle to most men and women. Certainly more than the average 13.5-inch LOP and variable comb height of most off-the-shelf choices.
Importance of LOP And Comb Height
Some might ask, exactly why are these facets of a stock so important? Perhaps a brief mind experiment will shed some light.
Imagine squeezing down behind a rifle too small for your frame. What happens? Besides being a pain, it takes a share of wiggling and scrunching around the butt to get the thing into your shoulder pocket. Worse yet, you jiggle your head around before you find a clear sight. That’s bad. But now consider you’ll do this dance after every shot, at the same tick expect accurate results. There’s one word for that—impossible.
The AccuFit system is available on all synthetic-stock Model 110 guns, as well as Savage's new Impulse rifles.
Correctly calibrated length of pull and comb rise take this guesswork out of mounting a rifle. More importantly, it introduces repeatability to the equation. If you haven’t heard, after shooting fundamentals—breath control, trigger discipline, etc.—consistency is the key element of accuracy.
Yet, a correctly fitted stock’s benefits don’t stop with downrange results. It also makes shooting more enjoyable. Tailored to your frame, a stock mitigates recoil, enhances target acquisition and adds more overall control of the gun.
Essentially, it will make your rifle faster and more accurate. Who doesn’t want that?
Getting The Most Out Of The Savage AccuFit
As is the case with any adjustable stock, the AccuFit requires you get intimate with yourself… at least your upper body.
If you’ve never done it, getting professionally measured for a rifle is a worthwhile exercise. At the very least, you’ll have dead-nuts dimensions to work with. But if you haven’t the time or money, you can gather the tale of the tape yourself.
The quick and dirty method to determine LOP is to hold your rifle (UNLOADED) in your dominant hand, with your arm bent up at 90 degrees. From this position, you can add or subtract AccuFit spacers until the middle of your trigger finger pad is even with the trigger, with the buttstock resting in the crook of your elbow. However, don’t go by this alone.
Take the time to shoulder the rifle and experiment with the AccuFit spacer system until you find the most comfortable combination. The rifle should feel natural to your shoulder, your trigger finger should intuitively find its place and you shouldn’t have to crane your neck to look down the barrel.
Comb height is a bit more subjective. You’ll have to play around with your AccuFit’s riser until you find the right elevation. But there are some simple guidelines to look for to know you’re dialing it in.
First, your cheekbone should contact the riser, at the same time you should have a clear sight down the scope. A good double-check to see if you have it right is shouldering your rifle and initiating a cheek weld with your eyes closed. If you open them and you can see down your scope unimpeded, you’ve got it right. Dark crescent somewhere in your field of view, it’s most likely too high or low.
Parting Shot
For more than 50-years, the Savage has put accuracy within every shooter’s reach. And the gunmaker doesn’t show any signs of letting up. AccuTrigger adjustable trigger, AccuStock internal chassis and now the AccuFit. The gunmaker has given shooters the tools to hit the mark. All they have to do is get on target.
For more information on Savage's AccuFit system, please visit www.savagearms.com.
The gun world is rife with oddities, but few compare in peculiarity to the firearms designed to shoot the unique Dardick and Gyrojet cartridges.
Dardick: In 1950, the U.S. military was looking at alternative feeding devices for firearms and found that a triangular-cased cartridge used less room in a magazine than a cylindrical one. The military didn’t use it … but David Dardick did. He also decided to use a plastic called “Celanese Fortiflex” to replace the expensive brass casing. The triangular cartridge had a lead .38 bullet in it. His revolver cylinder had three open, pie-shaped chambers and an 11- or 15-round magazine to feed it, resulting in a magazine-fed revolver. The ammo was nicknamed “trounds” for “triangular rounds.”
Gyrojet:The 1950s and ’60s comprised the age of rocketry. Everything was going to be rocket powered — cars, planes, trains and even firearms. In 1963, MBA Inc. started producing rocket-firing pistols for the public called “Gyro Jets.” The solid-nose, 13mm rocket round has a cylinder of solid rocket fuel in its hollow base and is ignited by a standard pistol primer. The barrels were smooth-bore. Instead of having rifling in the barrel, the rocket nozzle on the base of each round was angled to make the rocket spin in flight and stabilize it. The rockets left the muzzle at 350 fps and accelerated to 1,250 fps. Because there was no empty case to eject, functioning was simplified. The hammer drove the projectile rearward against a fixed firing pin in the breechface. As the projectile moved forward, it rode over the hammer, forcing it back down into the “cocked” position, allowing the next round to be raised into position by the spring-fed magazine follower.
Dardick Series 1500 Pistol (Double-Action, Magazine-Fed Revolver). .38 Dardick Tround; circa 1958–1960 Dardick pistols could be converted to carbine configuration by replacing the pistol barrel with a long barrel-and-stock assembly.
Gyrojet Mk I Model B
MB Associates Gyrojet Mk I Model B 007 Semi-Automatic Carbine 13mm Gyrojet; circa 1966–1967. This carbine was made for a James Bond movie with SN 007.
Gyrojet Semi-Automatic Carbine
MB Associates Gyrojet Semi-Automatic Carbine; 13mm Gyrojet; circa 1966–1967. With scope.
Gyrojet Mark I Pistol
MB Associates Gyrojet Mark I Pistol 13mm Gyrojet; circa 1966–1967. This pistol was also manufactured in 12mm due to concerns that the 13mm chambering might run afoul of regulations restricting caliber of handguns.
If you expect to rudely shove a bowling pin 15 feet to the rear, you’d better be bringing some serious horsepower to the task. The .460 S&W Magnum, in a .460 XVR, can do that.
If you enjoy pure, unadulterated handgun power then Big Push Bowling Pin Shooting is your game.
Bowling pin shooting went through an almost 20-year hiatus. When it came back, some of the events were left almost unchanged, some were changed quite a bit, and some new ones got added (there are several different bowling pin categories or events you can enter—kind of like stages in a match—but each event is scored separately and has its own prize table).
One of the new ones is “The Big Push.” In regular pin shooting, you have to knock the pins, five to eight of them, off of a flat, but sided, table. These are the major-power events, and they require pushing the pin back 3 feet. The minor-power events simply call for tipping them over.
The Big Push involves only three pins. However, the table is a trough … and the trough is 14.5 feet long. No, that isn’t a typo: You have to push the pins almost the length of a Toyota Corolla. A full-house .44 Magnum gets them halfway there. A .454 Casull gets them to the back, and often off, but not quickly. If you want to broom the trio of pins off—and immediately—you’d better be using something like, or exactly like, the .460 S&W magnum with full-power ammunition.
While watching competitors lined up to shoot, a friend of mine once remarked, “Half of the .460 and .500 S&W ammunition shot each year is probably shot right here, this week.” OK, this was a slight exaggeration, but not much.
This event has been held for three years now, and it’s always entertaining. When a full-house S&W (.460 or .500) hits a pin solidly, that pin is gone! Edge hits cause chips and splinters to fly, and the pin spins madly—sometimes walking itself off of the table just through high-rpm rotation. Then, there’s the inevitable disappointment of those who have ammo that’s “almost,” but not quite, up to the task.
If you like shooting the heavy-hitters—if you like shooting fast double-action, or if you just like having fun shooting—this event should be on your list (it takes place in northern Michigan, near Traverse City, June 6–12, 2020.
Just listen for the shooting and cheering … or visit the website: PinShoot.com.
In his thick Scottish accent, Ronnie Hepburn asked me a simple question: “Can you shoot with all these midgies!?”
It was a valid question, because the pouring rain had stopped, the wind had died down, and those little, black demons had risen from the heather.
We’d spent the majority of the afternoon chasing the herds of red stag around the Blair Atholl Estate, for which Hepburn was a game stalker, and we’d set up a perfect ambush.
With the old stag, which had been rolling in the peat while tending his hinds, facing head on at 245 yards, I leaned the forend of the graceful Rigby Highland Stalker on Hepburn’s pack, let my breath halfway out, gave the stag 6 inches of elevation and squeezed the trigger.
Hornady’s Custom load for the .275 Rigby is built around the 140-grain InterLock and gave 1/3 MOA from this Highland Stalker.
The sound of the Hornady 165-grain InterLock from the .30-06 Springfield striking flesh was undeniable and, within 25 yards, the stag was down for good. Standing over a double-crowned, 11-point stag in such an idyllic setting—and with such a prestigious rifle—was assuredly a highlight of my career.
Being a bullet guy, I wondered to myself why they hadn’t opted to use a premium bullet for such a unique opportunity. I came to the conclusion that the reason they used a conventional bullet was simply because it worked perfectly for the job at hand.
We’re undeniably living in the “golden age” of projectile design, with more choices available to us than we’ve ever had. Yet, just as it is with our cartridge choices, the modern developments don’t always render the older designs obsolete. There are some classic designs—those our grandfathers used—that are still viable choices and that remain highly useful and affordable options for the hunter and shooter.
Let’s look at some of those designs and how they apply to the range and hunting fields.
Hornady InterLock
I thought we’d start with this one, because I mentioned it in the above story, and it’s been putting meat in the freezer for more than 40 years.
The .280 Ackley Improved mates well with the 162-grain Hornady InterLock spitzer boattail.
Joyce W. Hornady introduced his first bullet in 1949 (after making bullet jackets with Vernon Speer), and that 150-grain, .308-inch-caliber spire-point developed his reputation.
Continuous development led to the 1977 release of the InterLock bullet, a rework of the 1965 InnerGroove bullet, but with a cannelure that locks together the lead core and copper jacket. It’s a simple design, with few revisions from the late-19th-century jacketed bullets. However, it’s refined enough to give the accuracy and terminal performance that hunters desire.
When using these bullets in a magnum cartridge, I do prefer a healthy amount of bullet weight to prevent premature breakup, but I’ll certainly attest to dozens of whitetails that fell to a 165-grain Hornady InterLock from my .308 Winchester. It was the first component bullet I ever loaded and hunted with. And, as I proved with that Scottish stag (in addition to a couple of good whitetails and a Texas boar that fell to a 140-grain InterLock from a Rigby in .275 Rigby), it’s “enough” bullet.
Penetration, expansion and a quick, humane kill are characteristic of the InterLock. Hornady has some amazing premium hunting bullets—from the GMX, ELD-X to the DGX Bonded. But, for the annual fall deer hunt, it’s hard to argue with the InterLock.
Perhaps on the other end of the spectrum, John A. Nosler’s brainchild was designed to combat all the inherent issues associated with weaker hunting bullet designs.
Success: 180-grain .30s, 300-grain .375s and 250-grain .358s—all are good big-game choices, and the Nosler Partition design makes them better.
Nosler was carrying a .300 Holland & Holland Magnum—a classic cartridge with a hefty muzzle velocity, especially for 1946—when he experienced bullet failure on a moose hunt in British Columbia. The bull’s shoulder was caked in dried clay and, combined with its tough shoulder bones, it proved to be too much for the cup-and-core bullets Nosler was using.
Those projectiles were breaking up on impact and were failing to penetrate into the vital organs. Nosler decided to build a bullet that couldn’t fail—and he did so. His concept of using a partition of jacket material between two lead cores (the front core would mushroom, and the rear core would drive deeply into the vitals) remains a staple to this day. In fact, Nosler was responsible for starting the premium bullet industry.
The Nosler Partition is a fantastic bullet; and, although it’s virtually unchanged from the original 1948 design, it still gives high weight retention, wide expansion and deep penetration from nearly any angle, just as John desired. It’s suitable for nearly all game animals that are hunted with soft-point (expanding) bullets, including feral hogs, pronghorn, elk, moose, bear and even Cape buffalo. While it might not have eye-popping B.C. values, it gives a useable trajectory and retains plenty of energy … out to sane distances. I used a Nosler Partition to take my best whitetail buck in my native New York’s famous Catskill Mountains, where the black bears grow to “respectable” proportions.
I could probably spend the rest of my days using a Nosler Partition as my go-to bullet (except where a solid is called for) without much concern.
Remington Core-Lokt
“The Deadliest Mushroom in the Woods” has been Remington’s siren call since 1939.
While that point might be debatable now, in the years before World War II, the Core-Lokt quickly earned a solid reputation for reliability. Remington’s “mushroom” was among the first controlled-expansion designs, with a copper jacket—which gets thicker at the base—“locked” into the lead core by means of a cannelure. Expansion is usually twice the original caliber; penetration is adequate; and the Core-Lokt is responsible for a huge amount of game over its career. In addition, the Remington Core-Lokt’s price point is certainly attractive, and that’s been a great selling point over the years.
The famous Remington Core-Lokt, shown here in .308-inch diameter and 165 grains, remains a great choice for deer and black bear.
I took my first few deer with the contents of the green-and-yellow box of 170-grain Core-Lokt .30-30 Winchester ammo, so it has a special place in my hunting memories.
Is it a great choice for heavyweights such as brown bear and bison? Frankly, there are better choices for that job, but the Core-Lokt is one helluva deer bullet. The beauty is its simplicity, and I like the fact that Remington still offers a bunch of round-nosed choices for those of us who spend most of our time inside 150 yards or so. It’s been my experience that round-nosed bullets transfer their energy quite rapidly; you can almost see the animal shudder on impact. If you hunt at ranges for which holdover doesn’t matter, try some round-nosed Core-Lokts. You could quickly become a fan.
Speer Grand Slam
Vernon Speer was a pioneer in the component bullet industry. Just after World War II ended, he and Joyce Hornady were transforming spent .22 LR cases into bullet jackets. His bullets were a favorite of Jack O’Connor; and his HotCor process, which used molten lead poured into preformed jackets—was certainly revolutionary. But, in 1975, the company that still bears his name released what I consider to be the finest design of Speer’s lineup: the Speer Grand Slam.
The Speer Grand Slam is affordable and accurate hunting bullet. It's available in calibers suitable for all sorts of big-game applications.
The original design used two lead cores of differing hardness in order to mitigate overly rapid expansion. Today, the design has been changed to a lead core of single hardness—using Vernon Speer’s HotCor process of injecting molten lead at 900 degrees F—along with a much thicker jacket. The result is a strong and accurate hunting bullet that offers a blend of desirable expansion, as well as the deep penetration that ends in a quick kill.
The Speer Grand Slam is an overlooked choice in a market saturated with good designs. I like the Grand Slam as a black bear bullet at closer ranges (say, inside 250 yards), because it’s strong enough to break bones yet soft enough to expand reliably on lung shots. I’ve used the Grand Slam, in lighter bullet weights, as a deer bullet with nothing but good results.
These bullets are wonderfully affordable, with a box of 50 ranging from $15 to $27, and are available in many of the common diameters and weights. Want a great practice/plains game bullet for your .375 H&H or .375 Ruger? Look to the 285-grain Speer Grand Slam.
If you’re hunting bears on a budget with your .308 or .30-06, 165- or 180-grain Grand Slam engenders all sorts of confidence. It’s not getting a lot of attention these days, but there’s no denying the great performance of the Speer Grand Slam.
Bonus: Classic Match Bullet
Sierra MatchKing
In the post-World War II boom, three partners gathered in a Quonset hut and developed a bullet that would set the shooting world on its ear. That bullet—the #1400 .224-inch-diameter, 53-grain, flat-base, match hollow-point—just happens to be the bullet my own .22-250 Remington likes best. Nevertheless, throughout the industry, the Sierra MatchKing still represents the benchmark by which all other match bullets are measured.
Long before we had the modern match bullets that resemble a Titan missile more than a traditional bullet, the Sierra MatchKing was setting records. The 168-grain, .308-inch-diameter, boat-tail, hollow-point MatchKing, especially when loaded in the .308 Winchester, remains a major player.
Sierra’s #1400—the first MatchKing. A 53-grain, flat-base hollow-point, it’s the author’s bullet-of-choice for the .22-250 Remington.
My dad still has a 1970s-vintage box of .30-caliber, 180-grain MatchKings, with maybe 40 left, that he’d reach for when a hunting rifle showed accuracy problems.
“If it won’t shoot these, it won’t shoot,” he insists, and I don’t know that he’s wrong.
Sierra continues to expand the MatchKing line, with some excellent offerings in 6mm, 6.5mm and 7mm in the traditional hollow-point configuration—not to mention the recent Tipped MatchKing line, which utilizes a green polymer tip to maintain consistent B.C. values. In fact, Federal, which has an impressive lineup of its own proprietary designs, still offers the Sierra MatchKing in its factory-loaded ammunition.
Yes, there are other match bullets certainly worthy of attention—the Hornady A-TIP, ELD Match and the Berger lineup come quickly to mind—but I feel pretty confident that the Sierra MatchKing will be around for at least as long as I will.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the July 2020 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Simply because you’ve got a pistol you can use and a comfortable rig to carry it in doesn’t mean you’re a prepared armed citizen. You need to consider your concealed carry insurance options.
Let’s look at five things you need to understand when shopping for concealed carry insurance plans. Like any other topic, knowledge is power.
How Concealed Carry Insurance Works
Most concealed carry insurance plans pay for two parts of your legal expenses. Initially, they’ll pay your attorney’s retainer up front, ensuring you have legal defense from the get-go. Then, most companies pay the balance or a percentage of your attorney fees after your acquittal. Additionally, there’s generally an element that covers your legal defense in a civil suit.
Overall, what’s covered and how much of it is covered varies company to company and plan to plan. Pay attention to CCW insurance policies’ caps and ask yourself, “Will it be enough?” Because once you reach those amounts your plan won’t pay anything further and you’ll be on the hook. This fine print is well-worth studying, keeping in mind a criminal defense lawyer can easily run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars if your case goes to trial.
Policies Often Cover More Than Legal Expenses
Some concealed carry insurance goes beyond legal expenses and covers a number of other aspects you might encounter, including but not limited to:
Initial Bail Bond
Crime Scene Clean Up
Negligent Discharge
Spouse And Family Self-Defense
Property Damage
Firearms Replacement
Work Loss Coverage
There are quite a few other often under-considered areas concealed carry insurance covers. Some of these fall within the bounds of the initial policy, while others are add-ons and cost extra. Though, having more complete coverage at your disposal is heartening, given how quickly expenses – most of them unexpected – add up.
In addition to pure financial coverage for legal expenses, many concealed carry insurance plans offer a host of other resources. Initially, most provide you with extensive information concerning armed defense and use of deadly force. Furthermore, the companies usually have regular newsletters, keeping you abreast of changes in self-defense and concealed carry laws across the country. That is important given how legislation – especially in states other than yours – can easily fly under your radar.
In addition to this, CCW insurance companies typically have a host of expert witnesses on retainer for trials or will pay for them. They also maintain a network of criminal defense attorneys and will vet yours if you choose someone outside their system. A boon, given this attorney is likely the most important you’ll ever hire.
Costs Can Vary
Similar to most insurance, the concealed carry variety runs the gamut in cost. It all depends on how much coverage you require and the add-ons you opt to tack on your policy. That said, on the low end, it runs around $11 a month and at the high well over $50. However, most companies charge an annual rate, so expect to spend around $130 and up right off the bat. Yes, this is your cold-hard cash and a policy quickly adds up. But compared to the expense if you go to trial, self-defense insurance is peanuts.
You Need To Know The Law And Your Policy
Gun, self-defense and insurance laws differ from state to state. In turn, you need to know how the three intersect in your particular location. A policy might be legally sold in your state, but have aspects that disqualify certain coverage. In other circumstances, you could travel to another state where the policy is invalid. Not good if you vacation a lot. With this in mind, it’s not only worth your time reading everything a certain policy offers, but also calling the company if you’re unclear on anything that’s in the policy.
Parting Shot
Concealed carry insurance is akin to your self-defense gun; it’s unlikely you’ll ever need it, but if you do, you really need it. Given the weight of the matter, don’t jump into a plan simply because of flashy graphics, big names associated with it and huge promises. Remember, “Large print giveth, small print taketh away.” Be sure you read everything and have all your questions answered before making a final decision. Your life – at least as you know it – depends upon it.
Think you're slick with your iron? It's time to put your rifle marksmanship to the test to truly show what you've got.
How good a rifle shot are you? Do you really know?
It’s a valid question, because you need to know your capabilities before you have to pull a trigger when it matters.
Since I became involved in writing about guns, I’ve been looking for a protocol I could use to evaluate the suitability of a practical rifle; more specifically—how the rifle interfaces with the shooter.
The first stage of the Rifleman Test involves shooting from the standing, unsupported position.
Sometime back, I settled on the Forty-Five Drill to do exactly the same thing with defensive handguns. I also found it to be an excellent tool to evaluate shooter skill. I wanted the same simple drill—sort of a qualification course—I could use for the same purpose with rifles and riflemen.
The Logic of Qualification
There are many different qualification courses for the rifleman. The Army requires a soldier to hit 23 out of 40 pop-up silhouette targets from between 5 and 300 meters. With a 90 percent success rate, a solider receives an “expert” ranking. The Marines use a similar, but tougher, course that’s arguably less practical. And the NRA offers a four-position, high-power rifle qualification that requires 50 shots fired at distances from 200 to 600 yards. Target type varies with distance, and an 80 percent score makes you an expert.
All these courses require lots of shooting. They also allow you to miss targets and still rank as expert. I fail to see the logic here; as Jeff Cooper said, “The purpose of shooting is hitting.” I believe a marksmanship test should require every round fired to hit the target.
The second engagement of the rifle marksmanship evaluation involves a shot from the kneeling position.
Why? Well, Cooper was right: The purpose of shooting is hitting. Failure to hit your target represents either a miscarriage of instruction or a failure to learn.
Let’s look at it another way. If a police officer is allowed to qualify with misses, how can you defend the officer who shot at a bad guy, missed and hit an innocent bystander? The same applies to soldiers: If you allow them to qualify with misses, don’t be upset when they don’t hit the enemy; you knew it was coming. With hunters, it’s no different, and it’s one reason that too many take shots they know they can’t make.
Improve Your Rifle Marksmanship:
5 AR-15 Drills That Will Help You Master Your Rifle
In order to test a rifleman, you must know what a “rifleman” is. The dictionary definition is: (1) a solider armed with a rifle; (2) a person skilled in the use of a rifle. This is a very general definition and is akin to calling a man who’s skilled with a sharp cutting instrument a “surgeon.”
A good shooting sling can make all the difference when field shooting. To use it quickly and effectively, it needs to be adjusted properly.
I believe a rifleman should be able to hit his target from common positions—standing, kneeling, sitting and prone. I’m talking about basic rifleman skills anyone considered a “rifleman” should be able to demonstrate on demand. “On demand” means fulfilling an urgent or pressing need—right now, without warm-up. This “urgent or pressing need” establishes that the shooting must occur in a hurry or within a certain amount of time. Regardless of the situation, if time isn’t an issue, shooting is probably not needed.
This leaves us with determining the target to be hit and the distance at which it should be shot. However, beyond their practicality, neither is that important. It’s just as hard to hit a 3-inch target at 25 yards as it is a 12-inch target at 100 yards. If you increase the distance and target size by a factor of four, the difficulty remains the same.
With that in mind, few practical applications of a rifle require a target any smaller than 3 inches in diameter to be hit. If you can hit a snuff can quickly—and on demand—you’re demonstrating practical rifle application.
Practical Rifleman, Practical Test
If we’re to measure the practical rifle marksmanship, the test should also be practical. There’s no call for firing several boxes of ammunition, and there’s no need for shooting at excessive distances. The goal is to see if the shooter can hit targets—quickly—from the four basic positions. So, a practical test should not necessitate impractical resources.
The third engagement within the rifle marksmanship test is fired from the seated position. This can be a very stable position. It’s also flexible, allowing for different positioning of the legs to suit the shooter and situation.
Most shooters have access to a 100-yard range and a box of ammunition. If you can’t measure practical rifle skill within those confines, the test or qualification is, well, impractical.
Additionally, a practical qualification should be hard. I don’t mean hard to take, but hard to complete with a passing or positive rating. You wouldn’t consider the skills of an unpracticed rifleman to be practical, and you’d expect an unpracticed rifleman to fail any test designed to measure practical abilities.
The Qualification
With influence from Jeff Cooper and a practice regime used by the great and early-1900s adventurer and marksman, Stewart Edward White, I developed the Rifleman Test. It reflects the practical application of a rifle and is built around four single-shot engagements that represent real-world scenarios. The exercise is also timed because, as we’ve established, if time isn’t an issue, shooting probably isn’t necessary.
With field shooting, the position that puts your barrel closest to the ground will be the steadiest.
Engagement #1—The Snapshot: With a par time of three seconds, start with the rifle at the high-ready position. At the signal, fire a single shot from the standing position at a 12-inch target placed at 100 yards. This is a variation of a drill Jeff Cooper promoted. The concept is that you might have to quickly shoot a dangerous-game animal that’s charging and near or a human threat at a greater distance.
Engagement #2—Kneeling: Start in the same position, but at the buzzer, hit a 9-inch circle at 100 yards from the kneeling position within eight seconds. Although kneeling is better than standing, it’s not the most stable intermediate position. However, it provides the ability to utilize low concealment when hunting or low cover in a fight. It’s also the fastest intermediate position to assume.
Engagement #3—Sitting: The seated position is the most stable intermediate position and is best used in conjunction with cover or concealment too high to permit shooting from prone, but not high enough to necessitate kneeling. Starting at high-ready, acquire the seated position and hit a 6-inch target at 100 yards in fewer than nine seconds.
Engagement #4—Prone: As the most stable field position, prone provides the best chance for hitting. Start by standing at high-ready, drop prone and hit a 3-inch circle at 100 yards in fewer than 10 seconds. Why not a use a smaller target? Because, practically speaking, that level of precision isn’t necessary. For hunting or fighting, a bullet that lands within 1.5 inches of the desired point of aim is sufficient. (By the way, bipods are permitted but can’t be deployed before the timer starts.)
The seated shooting position can be greatly enhanced with a quality and properly adjusted shooting sling. Learn to use one well so it doesn’t take you too long to sling-up.
Now, while these drills can be performed individually, ideally, they’re combined with a par time of 30 seconds. This adds stress and requires the rifleman to move fluidly between field positions. To conduct the test, you need a proper target, a 100-yard range, a shot timer and a box of ammunition.
The target should be a circle with 3-, 6-, 9- and 12-inch scoring rings. For a while, I made these by drawing on a cardboard IPSC target, but this was unpractical as hell: It took longer to make the target than to shoot at it! After some searching, I found the Birchwood Casey DirtyBird target (stock number: BC-35830) with scoring rings of the proper diameter.
Scoring
Shots inside the 3-inch circle count for 20; inside the 6-inch ring, 15; 10 for inside the 9-inch ring and 5 for hits inside the 12-inch ring.
Man-made targets such as this one were originally used for the Rifleman Test. They work great but take too long to make.
I know what you’re thinking: Each stage shoots at an increasingly smaller target. So, if you shoot a string of four shots at one target, how will you know which shot landed in which ring? You won’t, and it doesn’t matter. As they say, “A blind squirrel can sometimes find a nut.” What this means is that sometimes, a shooter of only moderate skill can make a great shot. When that happens, that shot counts no more or less than when a shooter of superior skill makes it.
With exceptional shooting, 80 points (four hits inside the 3-inch ring) are possible. To qualify, a minimum of 50—with at least one hit within each circle with no misses—is required. Referring back to the “blind squirrel” philosophy, if a rifleman can obtain 50 points in 30 seconds with no misses, it doesn’t matter how those points are obtained. Additionally, for every full second less than 30, add two points; and for every full second over 30, subtract two points.
There are two ways to run this qualification. The first is to perform a single run/four shots. As with the Forty-Five Drill, this gives the rifleman a one-time—on-demand—opportunity to exhibit their skill level. On the other hand, you can run the drill five times (20 shots) to establish an aggregate score.
Lessons Learned
I’ve been running similar drills for years, and the first time I tried the Rifleman Test, I used my Wilson Combat AR15 in .300 Hamr and managed 75 points. But, it took me too long—45 seconds. So, my final score was a failing 45. I ran it four more times for an average score of 54.6, with a best run of 65.
On this run through the rifle marksmanship evaluation, 65 points were scored by shooting, with four additional points added for completing the drill a full two seconds less than 30.
What did I learn? The same things you can learn from performing this qualification. I found out my shooting was not the problem; rather, my weakness was not assuming the positions fast enough to give me the necessary time to make a good shot. I also learned that I really needed to sling-up to make a good shot from a kneeling position and that I had to get better (faster) at doing that.
Running the course with my Model Seven Scout Rifle from the Remington Custom Shop, I found that for best performance, I needed to keep the 2-7X Scout scope set at a midrange magnification and that I had to concentrate on working the bolt quickly as part of shot follow-through. In my best run, I scored 65. Four runs with a Marlin 336 Dark in .30-30 Winchester produced an average score of 45 and a best of 60. Interestingly, average times with all three rifles were within seconds of each other, and my weaknesses were similar.
Rifle Marksmanship Rankings
The best use of this qualification—any qualification—is self-evaluation. But shooters like to know how they stack up. You can rate your performance with a score of 50 to 59 as “rifleman,” 60 to 69 as “marksman,” 70 to 79 as “expert”; and, if you can get four hits inside the 3-inch circle in 30 seconds—80 points—you’re a damned fine rifleman and should be considered to be of a distinguished skill level.
To score the Rifleman Test, total the points from all four shots and add two points for every full second less than 30. Alternatively, subtract two points for every full second over 30. (If you’re mathematically challenged, consult this table.)
My suggestion is that you film your attempts. That’s easy, now that we all have smartphones. This allows you to use the video to self-critique your performance. You’ll see how long it takes you to transition between positions, sling-up and operate your rifle’s action. This will help you perform better in the field—when it really matters.
How do you get better at getting the good hits? Hell, that’s simple: Perfect your ability to hold the sights on the target as you press the trigger.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the July 2020 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
This ultra-light rifle was built with parts available from Brownells. The nice part about today’s AR platform is that it can be readily modified for virtually any end use. While a light, short barrel isn’t always the best when it comes to accuracy, it’s very practical for hunters and shooters on the move.
Sporting the high-end features of their military cousins, Leupold's VX-3i CDS-ZL line takes shooting to a different level without breaking the bank.
Leupold has a long and storied history of innovation in the optics industry. While it was certainly not the first company to come out with scopes for rifles, it could be argued that today, it’s one of the most extensive and most widely trusted brands in that industry.
For a great many shooters, the scopes with the gold ring are the only choices when it’s time to embark on that annual tradition that sees late nights around the campfire and early mornings with a cup of coffee in the stand. I’m a big believer in Leupold’s quality.
It’s hard to find scopes that hold up in tough field conditions, and it’s even harder to find them with useful features that create confidence for difficult shots. Now, for the first time, Leupold is bringing some of the best features of its high-end scopes to optics that are of great interest to the largest number of shooters and hunters: the VX-3i CDS-ZL line.
Features To Suit You
There are currently four VX-3i CDS-ZL models available. Two models are built on a 30mm main tube; the other two are based around the classic 1-inch diameter. The 30mm models will be available with a side focus knob. The model featured in this article is the 1-inch 4.5-14x, which is a model well-suited to hunting and shooting in a variety of conditions.
‘Weighty’ Considerations
Having both turrets capped ensures that the windage and elevation dials won’t have a chance to move if they’re bumped in the field. This has been a big problem when it comes to the previous generation of target and tactical scopes. There was a time when it seemed as if turrets were only getting larger, and it was easy to get lost in rotations if you were shooting a lot at various distances.
The trusted gold ring is present on this fine scope. Many hunters will be pleased to have the added benefits on their rifle, while target shooters will enjoy the durability and repeatability in their matches.
A lot of these early-generation tactical scopes began to integrate zero stops and other such upgrades, but those features often came with a high price tag. Many recreational shooters simply had to settle for large and ungainly scopes, which can sometimes add more than 2 pounds to the weight of a rifle.
As a result of the disparity in technology, some shooters end up with rifles weighing more than their military counterparts did. It’s not uncommon to find rifles that weigh more than 10 pounds. The result of increased rifle weight has made many types of hunting and shooting a stationary practice.
Improvements for Success
Just as scopes have gotten lighter and more feature-rich, the technology of varmint rifles has also improved. For the purposes of this article, I assembled a rifle with the help of Brownells that was meant to be as light as possible while still offering solid accuracy.
The rifle comes in empty at slightly more than 41/2 pounds fully kitted, but it offers 1 MOA accuracy at 100 yards and is extremely compact. The rifle features a set of V7 receivers made of a special, lighter-than-aluminum alloy. They are so light that they almost feel as if they’re made of papier-mâché when you handle them stripped.
The magnification range is impressive on the VX-3i. It’s rare to find a 1-inch scope with a range of 4.5-14x. This is a big plus for all hunters, because it has the ability to be used at 4.5x—which is what many people hunt with—and up to 14x, where many varminters “live and breathe.”
Most of the lower parts are not special or lightweight. The rifle’s fire control is all Geissele Automatics, as are the buffer and spring. The quality of Geissele parts and triggers can’t be overstated.
Compact Magpul furniture was also chosen, but the K2 grip was made large enough that it could be easily manipulated in the field, where the smaller MOE-K doesn’t offer enough surface area for gloved hands. It was a small penalty in ounces for a great deal more function. A vertical grip was also added to the bipod; it also works as a barrier stop when shooting off of low branches. Putting the rifle’s magazine well up against a branch can put strain on the receivers and throw a shot as a result.
The upper receiver contained a Faxon Firearms ultralight bolt carrier group and a Faxon barrel, which is extremely light and compact. The barrel features a factory-pinned and -welded low-profile flash hider that extends the overall length to 16 inches. What’s remarkable is that you can still slide a gas block over the flash hider to assemble the rifle.
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Testing the Rifle and Scope
At half the weight of a traditional varmint rifle, this special build and the new Leupold VX-3i were put to the test to see how well they stacked up comprising a serious hunting rifle.
The first thing was to find some ammunition to test the gun with. I chose Black Hills Ammunition and got my hands on some of its fantastic hunting line. As far as accuracy is concerned, the load that performed the best was the 50-grain VMAX, which also suited the rifle’s intended purpose as a compact, low-recoil varmint eliminator.
Mounting the scope was like any other, but getting it zeroed was a bit different.
The VX-3i borrows from the Mark 5 line, in that it has a solid zero stop that’s both tactile and audible. The turret has small screws around its circumference that, when loosened, allow the turret assembly to be set back to zero. Tightening everything down is all you have to do to finish up. There’s no shimming or any other imprecise methods to worry about.
Adjusting windage was very typical, as on any scope. But it thoughtfully makes use of a cap, which is advantageous to the hunter, because windage is seldom, if ever, adjusted in the field. Most hunting ranges, especially for coyote, are inside 200 yards. Out West, you might see longer shots, but they aren’t the norm. Still, adjusting for windage in a hunting situation is a timely chore when shot opportunities are fleeting.
The gray button is popped out when it’s locked at zero. This is an instant and easy way for the shooter to discern that the scope is ready to rock.
Elevation is another story. While bullets might drift, they always drop. One of the worst things about the prior generation of scopes was that zero was hard to find in the field. If you bumped your elevation turret and it spun, you sometimes had no way of knowing if your zero was to the left or right.
The problem became worse if you’d already dialed in for a shot. There’s nothing worse than being off an entire revolution when that next shot comes around. The fact that, for a relatively inexpensive scope, there’s a discernible and lockable elevation zero is a game-changer. All you have to do after dialing your elevation is simply wind back until you hear a click.
Scope Performance
The VX-3i I received was one of the first produced. It can’t necessarily be called a “prototype”; it’s a production model. But, in my experience, I’ve noted that there’s been trouble with advanced features on mid-priced scopes when they first come out.
That’s not the case here. The rifle was zeroed at 100 yards from the bipod using the Black Hills 50-grain VMAX. The average group size with this combination was just under 1 MOA. The accuracy carried over to 200 yards as well. Five-shot groups averaged just under 2 inches. After dialing repeatedly, the gun always returned to zero without failure. Tracking was also exceptionally accurate.
The scope turret in rotated position. The button is depressed when in use and stays that way, even if the turret is a full revolution in the wrong direction. Simply turn it all the way back; it clicks and locks back to zero.
After it was zeroed, I took it out to some unknown-distance targets that approximated the chest size and height from the ground of a typical coyote. Using a laser rangefinder, the scope was easy to dial in and extremely quick on target. While the targets were stationary, I achieved hits from a field position at a ratio of 95 percent at distances out to 400 yards using the CDS turret system. For any true hunter used to stalk-hunting, that’s an impressive number.
Note: The VX-3i is second focal plane, meaning that the crosshairs remain the same relative to the shooter’s eye, as opposed to zooming in and out with the background. As a result, the reticle can’t be relied upon for accurate holdovers. The fact that it’s primarily designed to be used with the elevation turret is a plus: While a first focal plane scope is always desirable, many aren’t in the price range with the same feature set that this scope has.
Eye relief is comfortably long at approximately 4½ inches. For guns with telescoping or adjustable stocks, this is a big plus. The VX-3i can be mounted quite far forward on an AR-type rifle, which greatly increases shooter comfort—especially in confined spaces in which a hunter might be concerned about getting whacked in the eye under recoil.
Doable Price
The overall package gives today’s discerning hunter a remarkably light and compact scope that has an impressive range of magnification and light transmission. I did quite a bit of shooting with it in low light and found that it was still easy to distinguish targets, even as darkness began to set in.
You might assume that, given its many features, this VX-3i would retail at more than $1,200. However, the MSRP should be in the $500 to $700 range (depending on the model). At that price, it’s hard to deny that Leupold is leading the industry in features that others will soon be forced to offer … in the same cost range. The fact that your rifle can sport what are essentially the same high-end features found on Leupold’s top-of-the-line military optics—without breaking the bank—is extraordinary!
For more information on the Leupold VX-3i CDS-ZL, please visit leupold.com.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2020 Long-Range Shooting issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
The .44 Magnum on the bottom used to be the most powerful handgun in the world. That hasn’t been the case for a long time, and the .460 above it is a serious contender.
A veritable hand-held howitzer, the Smith & Wesson Model 460 XVR X-framed revolver is summed up in two words: More. Power.
The title, “Most Powerful Handgun Cartridge in the World,” was fought over for some time, but it finally got settled: S&W owns it, regardless of which cartridge you favor. Yeah, there are some with a bigger bore, but there’s a case to be made for the .460 S&W Magnum.
The Smith & Wesson 460 XVR is one big example of belt artillery. Starting with the company’s X frame—the one it developed for the .500 S&W magnum—the S&W engineers took the .454 Casull case and lengthened it. They also upped the chamber pressure to the highest of any cartridge out there (at the time, anyway)—65,000 psi.
The result was a cartridge that could deliver a .45-caliber, 200-grain bullet at 2,300 fps. There are century-old, classic and well-respected deer hunting cartridges that can’t deliver a 200-grain bullet at 2,300 fps.
The grips are a Hogue Monogrip—rubber with the S&W logo in them—to try and take some of the sting out of recoil.
The all-stainless 460 XVR was unveiled in 2005, and it was the talk of the shooting industry.
Revolver Details
It’s a solid-frame, double-action revolver with a swing-out cylinder. It holds five rounds, and you can fire everything from powder-puff cowboy action ammo up to the most audacious .460 S&W Magnums you can stand. The case is an extended .454 Casull, but the Casull is an extended .45 Colt; and the .45 Colt can also use the .45 Schofield.
The result? A four-cartridge revolver. I just have to shake my head at the thought. I might be a bit hesitant to shoot .45 Schofields in the XVR, simply because the bullet might get lost on the trip from its case to the front of the cylinder. The distance is that great.
You can be modest, powerful or overwhelming. A .45 Colt—loaded to “warm” for the Colt but “mild” for the .460—with a Hornady 200 FTX and a Cor-Bon Hunter 395-grain, hardcast whomper.
The Model .460 has been made in a number of variants, with barrel lengths from 2.75 inches up to 14 inches. I‘ve handled the super-snubbie, but I’ve never fired one. I saw it at one of the industry gatherings (I’d like to say I was too busy to shoot it, but I made sure I was too busy to shoot it, because, well, that barrel was just too short).
Mine, which came to me as loot from a competition, is the XVR with the 8 3/8-inch barrel that also has a muzzle brake installed. S&W was clever enough to design and install a muzzle brake that’s easy to install or remove, and it does an effective job of dampening recoil … of which the .460 can generate copious amounts.
The barrel has a gain twist. That is, it starts out with a slow twist, and the twist rate increases as the bore continues forward. It begins slowly, with a twist rate equal to one turn in 100 inches, and ends with a twist rate of one in 20 inches. This is to prevent bullet distortion. You don’t want a 200-grain bullet at 2,300 fps slamming into the rifling and then required to immediately begin turning at a 1:20 twist rate. The gain twist starts slow but accelerates.
Five shots. Need more? You should have practiced!
The sights are a fixed front blade (removable so you can change it to what you like) and an adjustable rear. You can also remove the rear sight. You’ll also find holes drilled and tapped for a scope base, should you wish to scope your .460. The factory setup comes with two front sights and a pair of muzzle brakes. (Mine didn’t come to me from the factory and has just one of each. Such is life.)
On the back end, the XVR comes with a Hogue Monogrip rubber grip installed—and thank goodness for that! Shooting even just the .454 Casull loads with wood grips would bring tears to your eyes. I shudder to think of what the full-house .460 loads would be like.
How It Operates
Operation is just like that of every other double-action revolver: Press the cylinder latch forward and hinge the cylinder out to the left, Stuff a cartridge in each chamber and close it. To fire, either thumb back the hammer to full cock and press the trigger, or just press the trigger back in double action. A loud (or very loud) noise will ensue, along with lots of recoil.
If you expect to rudely shove a bowling pin 15 feet to the rear, you’d better be bringing some serious horsepower to the task. The .460 S&W Magnum, in a .460 XVR, can do that.
Repeat as necessary. After five shots, open, eject the empties, repeat.
Mag-Na-Porting Option
As mentioned, my .460 is a prize gun, and before it came to me, a previous owner had the wit to have it Mag-Na-Ported. The Mag-Na-Port process involves a system known as EDM (electrical discharge machining).
It works like this: Connect a metal object (it has to conduct electricity) to an electrical circuit. Place an electrode close to the metal object and pump a very large charge into the system. Once the electrode is close enough—or the charge is high enough—a spark will jump the gap. The spark erodes the metal, but the gap it can jump is very small. So the burned hole will faithfully reproduce the shape of the electrode. There’s no heat, no stress; just electricity.
The top strap is drilled and tapped for a scope mount—a useful addition to a hunting handgun.
The slots on the barrel are cut to permit jets of gas to escape and act as nozzles, directing the gas and dampening recoil. I’ve had a bunch of guns treated to the Mag-Na-Port process and have been very happy over the decades.
How It Performs
Shooting the XVR is an … adventure. The otherwise impressive .454 Casull is tamed through the sheer mass of the .460. The XVR tips the scales at 4½ pounds. Even without the muzzle brake or the ports, it would be controllable. The stiffest .45 Colt ammo generates plinking-level recoil out of the XVR.
But …
S&W wants there to be no mistake, and you need to be reminded what model this is. So, the .460 XVR gets its own logo too!
Load up the .460 S&W Magnum ammo, and the whole world changes. You now find yourself in a situation not unlike that of a new driver who’s found him/herself behind the wheel of something with an impressive power-to-weight ratio. It’s all you can do to just hang on.
The province of the .460 is hunting. It was designed to be the flattest-shooting big-game hunting handgun cartridge to be had. And it is. With a scope, you can legitimately (assuming you’ve practiced—and have the skill, I must add) hunt deer to 200 yards. In states where handgun hunting is a separate season or region, a stand with a clear view would allow you to cover quite a field of deer-loving vegetation. The .460 performs like a rifle, even though it’s clearly a handgun.
This performance does not come cheap. First, there’s the recoil. Yes, I’ve already mentioned it, but it bears repeating. Don’t kid yourself: Just because you can manage some part of an afternoon shooting a .44 Magnum, don’t think you’ll handle a .460 just as easily. It’s literally twice the cartridge the .44 is. Work up to the full-power ammo, or you’ll find you’ve worked yourself into a flinch.
Two Cost Considerations
Next, there’s the price of the 460 XVR. Currently listed at $1,369, don’t expect to see much, if any, discount on one. You might not even be able to see one in the counter at most gun shops. The .460’s not likely to be a stocking item, although you might see a low-mileage one—used, in the counter—from a previous owner … who didn’t work up easy in recoil.
The front of the frame has a plunger to clock into the crane when closed, thus adding more precision, as well as locking to the cylinder.
Last is the ammunition. Performance at this level costs.
Currently, ammunition can be had from Hornady, Cor-Bon and Federal—.460 ammo, that is. You can also use .454 Casull and .45 Colt, which are both more common. The choices range from the Hornady FTX LeverEvolution—the company’s soft polymer-tipped, 200-grain bullet at 2,200 fps—Federal Fusion (260 grains), Federal loaded with Barnes 275-grain bullets, to Cor-Bon, which offers several weights—up to its 395-grain, hardcast, flat-nose bullet at a listed 1,525 fps.
The least expensive of these loads will set you back $1.50 per shot. The most expensive will be $2.50 per loud noise. As a result, it’s not at all unusual for .460 owners to also be reloaders. The beauty of that is you can tailor your loads to your needs, as well as to your comfort level.
Mine comes out a couple of times a year for practice and competition. And when it does, everything else stays at home … because after you’ve shot a .460, what else is there to do?
460 XVR Specs Type: Double-action revolver Caliber: .460 S&W Magnum Capacity: 5 rounds Barrel: 8 3/8 in. Length: 15 in. Weight: 72 oz. Trigger: 3.5 lb. SA; 9 lb. DA Finish: Stainless steel Grips: Hogue rubber MSRP: $ 1,369
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the May 2020 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
If your aim is accuracy, it's high time to add a red-dot sight to your pistol.
Carrying a semi-auto pistol with a mini red-dot sight (MRDS) isn’t as uncommon as it used to be. Still, plenty of naysayers are out there with cries of how it’ll get you “kilt in da skreets,” but that isn’t as common anymore thanks to advancements in technology. Over the past decade, mini red-dot sights have been used in the most demanding environments by elite law enforcement officers, members of special operations, and legally armed civilians.
There are a ton of benefits that can’t be ignored and outweigh the negatives by a large margin, but there are some things that you should know before you jump into the MRDS world. Not all mini red-dot sights are created equal.
Why Switch?
Finer Aiming Point: Iron sights aren’t as precise an aiming system as you might think, regardless of how “high speed” they are. Even the largest red dot on the market covers less target area than nearly every iron sight out there.
For example, a set of Dawson Precision adjustable irons on a Glock 17L still covers five times more target area at 25 yards than a 3.25 MOA red dot. Combat-focused sights, such as the XS Sights DXT Big Dots, exacerbate the shortcoming, especially on tiny pistols like in the Glock 26 category. In that particular example, the front post will cover roughly 10 times more target area than the Trijicon RMR RM06.
Better in Low Light Conditions: For years, tritium night sights were the accepted “must have” for a defensive pistol until more recently when advancements in weapon-mounted lights made the tritium night sight less irrelevant. Now, one of the most accepted iron sights for defensive use are competition-oriented black rear/fiber-optic front sights. Not only is a dot easier to acquire in low light, but it performs just as well when paired with a weapon light.
You Will be Faster … Eventually
Is an MRDS going to turn you into John Wick? No. What a mini red dot will bring to the table is fewer things to process to place an effective shot on a threat under pressure. There’s a learning curve, so don’t fool yourself into thinking that performance comes as soon as you bolt the dot to your slide.
Like many new red-dot converts, you’ll almost certainly fish for the dot while presenting the pistol. The reason for that is the iron sights that your mind is aligning subconsciously as the gun is presented are no longer the most prominent thing on the top of the slide. With some practice, the dot appears in front of you as if it was magic, and your first shot from a draw will be faster than ever as long as you don’t over confirm your sight picture.
Moving targets are also going to be easier to engage accurately. Few things are as challenging as shooting a mover with irons. Why not remove the need to align your irons and focus on tracking your target?
Choosing a Dot
Dot Size: Depending on who you ask, the size of your red dot either matters or doesn’t matter at all. There are several dot sizes to choose from, ranging from a 1 MOA dot up to a 12.9 MOA triangle reticle.
You might choose something like a 3.25 MOA dot if you’re looking for a good mix of precision and speed. If you want to pump up the speed, add some brightness to make the dot bloom and appear bigger.
There are good reasons to go with a larger 6.5 MOA dot, such as getting all of the speed benefits of the larger dot without having to increase the brightness at the cost of battery life. The larger dots are also better when transitioning from dark to light environments when using a weapon light and will be easier for a new red-dot shooter to find after the pistol recoils.
If you have astigmatism or poor eyesight, the Holosun’s 32 MOA circle reticle with a 2 MOA center dot might be the best decision for you—or even the triangle reticles found on some Trijicon RMR and Leupold DeltaPoint Pro models.
Footprint: While the optic mount might not seem important, don’t limit yourself as you grow as a shooter. Setting a slide up for a red dot isn’t an inexpensive prospect, so why not give yourself some options?
FN’s FNX-45 Tactical’s plate-mounting system was groundbreaking when introduced and made optics-ready handguns a reality for consumers.
There are several footprints available, but the market is dominated by the RMR, DeltaPoint Pro, and Holosun HS507K footprints. Outside of those, there are some relevant optics like the Holosun HS509T and Aimpoint’s excellent ACRO that should be on your shortlist.
The Trijicon RMR footprint is quickly becoming the industry standard for mini red-dot sights and has been the most popular for some time. Should you choose the RMR footprint, the choices are seemingly endless with all of Trijicon’s proven options, as well as the robust Holosun mini red-dot sight family.
Less popular than the RMR footprint is the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro footprint, largely due to the Department Of Defense clinging to it as a mounting standard. There are some dots out there in this footprint that should be on the list of considerations, such as the DeltaPoint Pro. Sig Sauer has some optics that are designed for this cut.
Zero In On Aiming Solutions:
Best Concealed Carry Optics: Red Dot, Green Dot Or Iron Sights?
Durability: When selecting a red dot, consider if that optic is durable enough to handle the rigors of being carried. While many shooters justify subpar optics by telling themselves that they “just won’t drop their gun,” anything can happen if you need to use your firearm for self-defense.
Another factor to consider is weather resistance, from rain to submersion and temperature fluctuations. Some models are surprisingly prone to fogging, which can be mitigated with anti-fog coatings like Cat Crap. You might not think choosing an optic capable of working after being submerged is important, but being prepared is what self-defense is all about.
Sight radius is completely irrelevant once you mount a red dot; the only two benefits left for a longer barrel is carry comfort and muzzle velocity.
Direct-Milled Slides: Just like the red dot itself, slide-mounting systems are not created equal. Direct milling will always be more secure, MOS-style systems will always have drawbacks, and there are some systems that are a hybrid of the two, giving you incredible flexibility without sacrificing.
Having your slide milled for your specific optic is by far the most preferred solution. Not all direct milling is on the same level, though; you absolutely get what you pay for. I don’t know about you, but I’m not about to skimp and potentially ruin a slide that can cost upward of $350 to replace because I was cheap and sent my slide to a bargain shop.
MOS and Other Factory Mounts
Like mentioned previously, the MOS-style system is the most prevalent on the market currently. That isn’t because it’s the best; it’s because it works well enough for most. Plate-style MOS systems all can trace their roots back to the FN FNP-45 Tactical, which later became the FNX-45 Tactical. If the fact that FN developed an entirely new mount system isn’t evidence enough that the plate-style system has drawbacks, I don’t know what is.
Since you’re screwing a plate to your slide and then screwing an optic to the plate, there isn’t a good way to check to see how tight the plate-to-slide screws are over time. In testing, the most rounds I was able to shoot before the plate to slide screws started becoming loose was 1,200 rounds.
Some red-dot sight models are just fine for plinking or a fun gun, but you might want to avoid mounting them to a carry pistol.
The new FN mounting system is the best factory option I’ve seen to date. There’s no need for thread-locker; you can adapt it to multiple optics’ footprints, and it’ll hold zero for thousands of rounds. In the more than 17,000 rounds of testing of FN 509 MRD variants, I’ve yet to see an optic lose zero due to loosening.
Sig also has some rather attractive mounting options from the factory, including their DeltaPoint Pro compatible Romeo1 Pro cut. Some of the P320s even have a hybrid cut that allows the shooter to mount either DeltaPoint Pro footprint optics or Trijicon RMR footprint optics.
Aftermarket Mounts
There are some aftermarket solutions, like the outstanding Agency Arms AOS system or Unity Tactical’s ATOM mount, that are on the same playing field as a direct-milling solution.
Others, like the Dueck Defense RBU and Raven Concealment’s BALOR RDS mount, can offer a no-modification solution that I’d personally be comfortable with carrying for defensive reasons. You should avoid knockoffs of the RBU and the BALOR mounts, as they have proven to not hold up to the demands of being carried.
The discontinued ALG Defense 6-Second Mount is a frame-mounted solution that allows you to choose with the proven Trijicon RMR or the even more robust Aimpoint T-1. While robust and ready for defensive use, they’re too large to consider for daily carry.
If you’re averse to modifying your pistol slide, there are some mounting solutions that you should avoid: A dovetail mount is a great tool to see if you want to invest the time in the switch to an MRDS, but it isn’t robust enough for defensive use. Also, be very cautious of online pop-up deals. Remember what’s at stake.
Odds and Ends
Zeroing Your MRDS: Opinions vary on what distance you should confirm your zero, both the 15- and 25-yard zeros have their merits. What you choose depends on the barrel length of your gun and your load choice. Personally, there’s only one distance I consider when zeroing my red dots for both defensive and target shooting purposes: 25 yards. When using an NRA B8 repair center as our reference target, the bullet will stay in the X-ring—when I do my part as a shooter—from 3 yards out to 50 yards.
Battery Changes: Get on a schedule that makes sense for the power consumption of your preferred brightness level and the capacity of the battery used in your optic. With batteries ranging from the tiny CR1225 with a 50mAh capacity up to the significantly larger CR2032 with a whopping 235mAh capacity, battery life can be as short as a month to several years.
With my Trijicon RMRs and Holosun optics, the battery change happens once a year on my birthday, even though they’d likely be good for another year or two. Other optics vary depending on how often that gun is shot, and if it’s used as a carry gun. Don’t shy away from a great optic because the internet doesn’t understand battery limitations—just alter your battery change schedule to complement your optic choice.
Anti-Fog Goop: I like air conditioning, but I don’t like how the glass of my optic will fog up if I take it from the brisk 68 degrees in my truck to the sweltering 110-degree humid summer day at an outdoor range. Treating your lens with a product like Cat Crap will mitigate fogging issues, as well as ensure water and debris don’t stick to the glass or the emitter window. Regularly clean the parts of your optic that transmit and project the dot … and make sure you treat those areas.
The Bottom Line on Dots
While I’m still very competent with iron sights, I’ll shoot a red-dot-equipped pistol 10 times out of 10 when given a choice. The math just doesn’t lie. As long as you practice, you’ll shoot better … and you’ll be faster.
Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the October 2020 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
We put Big Daddy Unlimited to the test to see if the subscription-based gun retailer is worth the money.
Gun deals, who doesn’t love them? Though, the ones that keep your wallet fat and your gun safe stocked are few and far between. This is why Big Daddy Unlimited hit our radar.
Ballyhooing on YouTube for some time now, the website promises some of the best deals to hit your modem. Bold words and common as cobwebs. Nearly every retailer promises the same, few deliver. Which led us to wonder, is Big Daddy Unlimited on the level or just another world-wide-web bag of hot air.
Different System
At its quick, Big Daddy Unlimited is your everyday gun and gear retailer. They sell firearms, ammo, gun parts and gun accessories. Nothing innovative there. But they tend to do so at considerable lower prices.
So, what’s the magic? As is self-evident, the company doesn’t rely on a mark-up to make its money, but subscriptions instead. Hey, it works for Costco and Sam’s Club. As a bonus, gun buyers aren’t reliant on hit-and-miss sales or once-a-year clearance events, to save money.
Here’s how Big Daddy Unlimited’s subscription services shake out. The company offers a rock-bottom $0.99 introductory month. From there it cost $9.95 to remain a member; in both cases you can cancel at any time. In the scheme of things it isn’t a king’s ransom. But does it pan out?
Putting It To The Test
We figured it was worth the time to see precisely how Big Daddy Unlimited stacked up against non-subscription retailers. We picked five random products and looked them up at the BDU, Academy.com and Cabelas.com. Upfront, we fully admit this is an unscientific survey, but it sheds light on how Big Daddy’s compares to two large and well-respected retailers.
As is evident, Big Daddy’s prices won across the board, particularly in firearms and optics prices. Shooters stand to save more than $100 in the case of the G19 and $110 with the Meprolight optic. Very substantial. But ammunition and gun maintenance gear, the difference was much more moderate, only a few bucks here and there.
Admittedly, this is not definitive proof that Big Daddy Unlimited beats every whip-stitch of the retail gun market. Gun and gear stores abound, so there are potentially gem deals lingering on the fringes. Additionally, there are thousands of other products we did not compare. Therefore, the potential of one of the standby’s beating Big Daddy is there. However, for a random test, it was hearing.
Selection
Overall, the web retailer has a respectable catalog. Common manufacturers—such as Glock—are among the ranks and many other familiar names—Beretta, Walther, Marlin and Sig to name a few. Several smaller/specialist gunmakers are in Big Daddy’s ranks too, which doesn’t leave consumers wanting in selection.
That said, the on-line retailer is governed by scarce resources like every other store on the planet. In turn, you won’t find every make/model/caliber ever to roll off a particular company’s assembly line. But the most popular calibers seem available and a smattering of slightly less common choices are at your beck and call.
Who Does It Fit?
So, does Bid Daddy Unlimited fit every shooter? That’s a tricky question. The answer is yes for those in the market for big-ticket items or individuals that make routine purchases. No doubt, those gun consumers will breakeven and save big with the retailer. Folks that only make a few small purchases yearly, Big Daddy Unlimited loses some of its shine. If all you require is a bottle of gun lube and a jar of Hoppe’s No. 9 once a year, you might be better off ambling to your local retailer.
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.
Looking to go armed, but are stuck in the weeds as to what to arm yourself with? Here are 20 excellent concealed carry gun options that will keep you on the defensive.
