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Put Your Practical Rifle Marksmanship To The Test

By
Richard A. Mann
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0

Rifle Marksmanship 2

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.
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.
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:

Testing Practical Rifle Marksmanship

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.

Scope Review: Leupold VX-3i CDS-ZL Optics Line

By
Josh Wayner
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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.
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.
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.”
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.

Leupold VX-3i CDS-ZL 8

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.
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.
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.

Leupold VX-3i CDS-ZL 9

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.

Belt Artillery: Smith & Wesson 460 XVR

By
Patrick Sweeney
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1
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.
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 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.
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.

GO BIG!:

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!
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.
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 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!
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.
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.

Open Your Eyes! Red-Dot Sights Are Superior

By
Patrick Roberts
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3

Red Dot Sights 1

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.

Red Dot Sights 5

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.

Red Dot Sights 5

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.
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?
  • 7 Out-Of-Sight Optics For Every Range And Budget
  • Red Dot Optics And MOA
  • Gear: Lighting It Up With A Laser Sight

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.
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 models are just fine for plinking or a fun gun, but you might want to avoid mounting them to a carry pistol.
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.

Red Dot Sights 3

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.

MOS Iron Sights

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.

Review: Does Big Daddy Unlimited Save Money?

By
Gun Digest Editors
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BDU HP

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.

Big Daddy Unlimited Table

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.

For more information on Big Daddy Unlimited, please visit bigdaddyunlimited.com.

What Is The Best .32-Caliber Cartridge Of All-Time?

By
Richard A. Mann
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1

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.

Learn More About The .32-Caliber:

.32 ACP

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.

10 EDC Tools You Didn’t Know You Needed

By
Elwood Shelton
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0

EDC Grey Ghost Gypsy backpack

EDC tools designed to help you solve problems that bullets don’t.

What Are The Top EDC Tools:

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

EDC s-l1600

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

EDC Pokka copy

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

EDC 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

Be Prepared:

Blue Force Micro Trauma Kit NOW

EDC Blue Force 3

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

EDC KeySmartPro copy

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

EDC Hanks

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

EDC Fenix

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

EDC FireSteel

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

EDC Trayvax Armored Summit

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

EDC Real Avid Tool

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.

Top 300 Blackout Pistol Options For Every Budget

By
Elwood Shelton
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1

300 Blackout Pistol lead

Searching for the top 300 Blackout pistol? Start here.

What Are The Best 300 Blackout Pistol Options:

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.

sig-rifle-ammo

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?

Bone Up On AR-15 Cartridges:

Best 300 Blackout Pistols

Sig MCX Rattler

300 Blackout Pistol Sig

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

300 Blackout Pistol Wilson

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

300 Blackout Pistol Springfield

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

300 Blackout Pistol Ruger

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

300 Blackout Pistol PSA

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

The Home Defense Vs Concealed Carry Gun

By
Richard A. Mann
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Home Defense VS Concealed Carry Gun 4

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.
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 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.

Lockdown Home Defense:

Handgun Size

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Real Avid Gun Tool Core: Shooter’s “Duct Tape”

By
Patrick Sweeney
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The Real Avid AR15 tool, with all the scrapers and tools opened. Notice that the sight adjustment tool comes off, so track it down if you lend it out.
The Real Avid AR15 tool, with all the scrapers and tools opened. Notice that the sight adjustment tool comes off, so track it down if you lend it out.

The Real Avid Gun Tool Core: something you need, will want … and must acquire.

If you work on firearms, you need tools. If you work on ARs, you need specific tools. And, despite your best efforts, a lot of those tools get separated from the pack, left behind, lost, “borrowed” or otherwise enter the shooter’s “Bermuda Triangle.”

Real Avid has found a way to keep the most-used AR cleaning and maintenance tools in one spot: Make them into a carabiner.

Compact Carabiner—A Shooter’s ‘Duct Tape’

Carabiners are the oval clips that rock climbers use to wrestle with ropes. Those of us who don’t climb rocks use them to hold our keys or clip gear to packs or belts. Think of them as the aluminum equivalent of duct tape. Real Avid made the Gun Tool Core for the AR-15 into a carabiner shape. This makes it both compact and affords you a convenient way to attach it to your gun bag.

Let’s start with the cleaning stuff. A scraper is built into the Gun Tool Core on one part or another that can scrape the carbon buildup off every important space on your AR-15. The bolt, carrier and firing pin can all be scraped clean at all the locations where carbon builds up. Also included is a front sight adjustment tool—a tool that always seems to get lost or left behind. And, if you run optics, there’s a turret adjustment tool that saves you from having to dig change out of your pocket to zero your optics.

But Wait, There’s More

The included cord cutter lets you cleanly lop off a length of 550 cord for when you’re building a sling, attaching a dummy cord to an important piece of gear or have woven an extra 550 for your carbine. The takedown punch helps you push those really stubborn pins across to take your rifle apart and clean it. There’s even a bottle opener (a device I don’t think I’ve had to use for years, but if you ever need one, here it is).

Expand Your Gear IQ:

All this can be found in a single, compact tool that can be clipped to your range bag, web gear or any other place you might want it to be—and have it stay there. The Gun Tool Core also uses liner locks to keep the various attachments locked in place, rather than flopping around on you.

The Real Avid tool closed up. You can close it over a MOLLE strap on your range bag or lash it to the back with 550 cord.
The Real Avid tool closed up. You can close it over a MOLLE strap on your range bag or lash it to the back with 550 cord.

I’m not entirely sure that it’s possible to pack more features or tools into a unit that’s so compact, but if anyone can do it, Real Avid can.

What I like about the Gun Tool Core is that in addition to being so compact, the only part that actually detaches from the tool is the front sight adjuster. And, if it’s off, you’ll definitely miss it: Having noticed that your Real Avid carabine/tool can’t be closed and locked onto your range bag, you’ll be reminded to get the front sight adjustment tool back from whoever … “borrowed” it.

Great Price

The only lack I can see is a flat space large enough to have your name or initials engraved on it (I have some ideas about that!).

The best part? The price. With a list price of $39.99, I’m not sure you could purchase all the individual tools included on the Gun Tool Core for that. They would have to cost more; and then, they would be individual tools, prone to the problems we’ve all experienced with single tools.

The Gun Tool Core for AR-15s is something you need, will want … and must acquire. And, once you have it, you can clip it to your range bag or the AR carry case you take to the range.

I’ve got mine; go get one of your own.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the May 2020 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

First Look: TriStar Bristol Side-By-Side Shotgun

By
Elwood Shelton
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1

TriStar Bristol

Traditional good looks and excellent field performance, the TriStar Bristol side-by-side aims at being a bird-season classic.

The beat of wings on autumn air. Few things are better. Well, maybe one thing. Taking advantage of this special time of year with a side-by-side shotgun.

Generally, the classic scatter gun is cost-prohibitive for many given the expenses tied to tuning both barrels to hit the same spot. However, hunt around and you can find some gems. This certainly seems the case with the TriStar Bristol side-by-side line. Recently introduced, the Turkish-made smooth bore combines excellent lines with top-notch function for what looks to be a bird season classic. And while its MSRP is at the higher end of entry-level side-by-side shotguns—starting at $1,000—TriStar provides plenty of value for your money.

Available in two models—a color case-hardened action and silver—the Bristol side-by-side is engineered for fast action in the field. This is especially apparent in the shallow action, facilitating fast reloading, and a wide fore-end that lays nicely in the palm for quick pointing. Adding to the gun’s dashing looks regardless of action finish is a stick of select Turkish walnut, oil finished to bring out the richness of the wood. The stock styles vary depending on model, with the color case hardened Bristol sporting a straight English-style grip and the silver a more modern pistol grip. In either case, ample checkering aids in fast and intuitive handling, even in inclement conditions.

The TriStar Bristol is available in four bores—12-, 20-, 28- and .410—likely increasing its appeal to gauge-snobs. Regardless of bore, the gun boasts 28-inch, chrome-lined barrels, complete with auto ejectors and compatible with Beretta style choke tubes. Though, the importer outfits you well to start, including Skeet, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified and Full chokes. Up top, the gun is equipped with a single, highly-visible brass bead to get you on target. As far as the trigger, TriStar opted for a single-select, with the barrel selector a thumb affair situated on the tang.

As to the gun’s looks, both iterations of the TriStar Bristol are striking, but the Silver model offers a bit more flare. Laser engraved with elaborate scrollwork and featuring 24K gold inlay on the underside of the action, the shotgun is certainly eye-catching. Even more so for the money you’ll pay.

For more information on the TriStar Bristol, please visit tristararms.com.

Draw A Bead On Shotguns:

300 Blackout Upper Options That You Can Afford

By
Elwood Shelton
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0

300-Blackout-Lead

Interested in adding the popular .30-caliber to your AR collection? These 300 Blackout uppers perform and won't break the bank.

What Are The Top 300 Blackout Upper Options:

If we’re honest with ourselves, this piece is dated at time of writing. Settle your horses. The insinuation isn’t the 300 Blackout is a thing of the past or some flash in the pan. At this point, arguably the second-most popular AR-15 chambering is common as Kentucky bluegrass. Thus, much of the rigmarole over who makes the “best” 300 Blackout upper, or rifle for that matter, is as moot a point as continental drift.

That said, for the unanointed tinkering with dipping their toes into the .30-caliber cartridge guidance is warranted. Especially given 300 Blackout uppers—the top-shelf variety—can flirt with bank-busting price tags.

Granted, these premium options are well worth the money for those squared away on their wants and needs. For those just delving into the caliber, it might prove a costly exercise in trial and error.

Count yourself among these ranks, perusing affordable 300 Blackout uppers that don’t shook on quality is a worthy endeavor. One that not only saves you money, but gives you a solid base to evaluate if the .30-caliber has a place in your arsenal.

What Is The 300 Blackout?

We won’t spill much digital ink on boring to the quick of the cartridge. We’ve previously written about the 300 Blackout’s genesis and how the cartridge compares with the ubiquitous 5.56 (300 Blackout vs 5.56). However, a brief capsule of the cartridge and its capabilities merits mention.

300 BLK -SUB-X-Subsonic

Without going too deep, the cartridge came into its own as an answer to a special operations issues. In particular, how to level-up their suppressed short barrel rifles (SBR) and carbines’ performance, given most were chambered 9mm. The pistol cartridge was quiet, but left a heap of performance on the table for the platform.

Advanced Armaments Corporation’s answer was the 300 Blackout, an intermediate cartridge mimicking the legendary 7.62×39mm’s ballistics. Given this was the entry point of the cartridge going mainstream, the effort lead to two of the cartridge's most notable traits—suppressibility (obviously) and flexibility in varied gun configurations. Also, it packed more punch than running pistol cartridges through a long gun—definitely a plus.

Bone Up On AR-15 Cartridges:

The latter factor makes the 300 Blackout upper and rifle options pretty widespread. Given it only needs 9-inches of barrel for a complete powder burn, it’s found in nearly every shape and size of rifle, pistol and SBR. This isn't to imply the cartridge performs the same through all barrel lengths. More bore improves velocity. Though even with this improvement, the Blackout remains a close mid- and short-range option, thus 16-inch barrel lengths are generally the ceiling.

Concerning suppressibility, the 300 Blackout is among the best rifle cartridges and has made its bones in this facet alone. Ammo companies have helped the cause. Heavy subsonic loads are nearly as abundant as lighter supersonic ones and are generally comparable in price. If you run a can or are thinking about doing do so, investing in a 300 Blackout upper means you're fully supported.

Thoughts On Usage

Honestly, sometimes shooters get too hung up on practicality. Yes, firearms are tools, but perhaps the most enjoyable ones you’ll own. If you want a 300 Blackout for no other reason than the pleasure of perforating paper, don’t talk yourself out of one. But if you need reasons for your rhyme, there are two very good cases for investing in a 300 Blackout.

There are now expanding bullets for the .300s, but for many applications a non-expanding one works just fine.

Given its excellent close-range performance, aptitude in nimble (read small) firearms and its suppressibility, the cartridge is a viable home-defense option. Don’t forget about magazine capacity out of an AR, which in a word is “superb”. But what about overpenetration? Spoiler alert, when you’re talking drywall and lithe interior building material in close quarters, that’s any cartridge, even the pistol variety.

Deer season is also a top-notch reason to invest in a 300 Blackout upper. Similar to a .30-30 Winchester, the cartridge is lights out to around150 yards on deer and theoretically qualifies as an elk and moose option by many state division of wildlife standards. Invest in a tough bullet and get close with the latter game. However, it’s hamstrung by milder velocities, thus trajectory is anything but flat. Try to go long with the 300 Blackout, expect bullet drop akin to a lead zeppelin.

Best Affordable 300 Blackout Upper Options

Palmetto State Armory

300 Blackout Upper 2 PSA

Nearly cornering the market on affordable AR parts and rifles that don’t suck, PSA makes an excellent entry point for 300 Blackout uppers. None more than its 16-inch lightweight package. It’s kind of a do-all build for the caliber, as long as you’re shooting lighter bullets. With 1:8 or 1:10 twist rates across the board at PSA, this is par for course. This could leave suppressor owners cold. Sub-sonic runs heavy, thus stabilized better out of a barrel with a 1:7 twist.

Nevertheless, this is a quality build, from its carpenter steel bolt to chrome-moly barrel. The lightweight aluminum handguard (M-Lok compatible) is a nice touch, lightening the load if you’re thinking about stalking deer. And its pistol-length gas system ensures reliable cycling with whatever it's fed.
MSRP: $449

Diamondback Firearms

300 Blackout Upper 1 Diamondback

Again, this is a jack-of-all-trades carbine option, with exceptional build quality. The one drawback to Diamondback’s 300 Blackout upper, no bolt-carrier group (BCG) or charging handle. No big shakes.
Do your shopping and, with Diamondback’s prices, likely you’ll come out ahead of what you’d spend on a complete upper. A 1:8 twist rate, this is another option tailored to lighter bullets and not so much for suppressors.

On the plus side, it comes with a pretty nice handguard, with ample M-Lok real estate at the 3-, 6- and 9-o’clock positions, as well as plenty of rail space for an optic and front sight. A pistol-length gas system makes certain the upper chews through what it’s fed and a forged receiver is up to rough duty.
MSRP: $255

Aero Precision

300 Blackout Upper 2 Aero

Shooting for a nimble close-quarters configuration, it’s difficult to do better than Aero’s 10-inch M4E1 with ATLAS S-One Handguard. Certainly, it won’t make for the smallest AR pistol—or SBR if you have your paperwork in order. However, the length ensures you get the full ballistic potential of the cartridge—which is worth an inch or two. As a side note, you can go larger or smaller with this 300 Blackout upper with 16- and 8-inch options available.

No matter the barrel length, they all boast a 1:7 twist rate, which as we established, is more conducive to stabilizing a vast majority of heavy sub-sonic ammunition. Also, there’s ATLAS S-One Handguard. Functionally, it is slimmer and lighter than most you’ll find on the market today. Furthermore, the free-floating handguard also is a snap to install or upgrade given the ATLAS attachment system.
MSRP: $455

First Look: CZ 557 Eclipse Bolt-Action Rifle

By
Elwood Shelton
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0

CZ 557 Eclipse

The 557 Eclipse keeps the heart of the popular rifle, but cuts its price.

Over the years, when shooters thought CZ rifles they thought controlled feed. Who could blame them? The 550, with its oversized claw extractor, definitely qualified as a classic, especially among hunters or those pining after a Winchester Model 70—the pre-1964variety. So, color the world shocked in 2018 when CZ announced a new rifle and, lo and behold, it was a push feed. Sacrilege!

Except, the CZ 557 had plenty to endear it to shooters, including the No. 1 feature any marksman with a half a brain desires above everything else—accuracy. Flash forward to this winter and things have gotten a whole lot sweeter with the popular fledgling line. The new 557 Eclipse rifle is proof of that.

An entry-level option, the neat little rifle is just the ticket for those looking to flush CZ performance, not price. How cheap are we talking? With a MSRP of $649, it’s not at the basement of economical bolt-actions. In the same breath, it offers a load more than most irons in its class.

First and foremost, it’s a true-to-life CZ 557. Cold-hammer forged and factory lapped barrel (20-inches), rugged push-feed action, fully adjustable trigger … the whole nine yards. In turn, the foundation of a solid rifle is there. What’s different are the gun’s accouterments. As CZ puts it, the 557 Eclipse is a “no non-sense” rifle; translate that to fewer frills.

Where this is most evident is the stick of polymer instead of hardwood stocking the rifle. The 557 Eclipse retains the original 557’s American-pattern stock with a strong pistol grip, a slight palm swell and high, flat comb. This should make it familiar to those who have experience with the rifle. But once at the shoulder, the gun has a much different feel, given the glass-reinforced polymer stockhas what CZ calls its soft-touch finish.

Though, not all the changes on the 557 Eclipse are to cut costs. One that should delight those with a more modern bent is the inclusion of a threaded barrel (5/8×24), making it ready to accept a suppressor or brake out of the box. This feature should also attract those in the market for a penny-pinching long-range option. As to chambering, three are presently available: .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield and 6.5 Creedmoor.

557 Eclipse Specs:
Caliber: .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, 6.5 Creedmoor
Magazine Capacity: 5
Stock: Polymer
Length Of Pull: 13.75 inches
Barrel Length: 20.5 inches
Overall Length: 41.5 inches
Weight: 6.83 pounds
Trigger: Fully Adjustable

For more information on the CZ 557 Eclipse, please visit cz-usa.com.

Take Aim At Rifles:

Long-Range Hunting: Times And Tactics Have Changed

By
Frank Galli
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0
Use the tripod as a rear support when you have a front rest. The spotter or binoculars can still be in position on the tripod if necessary.
Use the tripod as a rear support when you have a front rest. The spotter or binoculars can still be in position on the tripod if necessary.

It's not 1978 any longer. Long-range hunting is a viable and ethical tactic if you're schooled in the fundamentals of precision shooting.

I lament that in each class I teach, I point out that from the turn of the last century to just before 9-11, precision rifle technology and techniques moved at a snail’s pace. What our grandfathers passed on to our fathers was passed on to us; and, from there, we passed the same thoughts down to our children.

After 9-11, everything changed; it became the new “space race.” Each week, we read about a new way of addressing old problems. As a result, it can be hard to keep up.

I’ve found that there are three types of students that attend long-range shooting school:

  • Those looking to compete in NRL- and/or PRS-type competitions
  • Those looking to be well-rounded marksmen for personal reasons
  • Those who want to be a better, more effective hunter

Addressing the hunters out there: It’s still 1978 for most people. The .30-06 hunting rifle with a low-power scope still works well enough to put meat on the table—so, why change? It’s great to stalk game at close range and feel the rush when you’re surprised by the appearance of a worthy target. The cycle repeats over and over every hunting season.

But, as with the changes to the military sniping program, hunters can learn a thing or two from the current competition and military shooters. We’ve improved our equipment and combined this with a better understanding of what it takes to hit a target from alternative positions. We’ve become increasingly effective engaging targets at extended hunting ranges. No more do you have to rush taking that 70-yard shot; you can sit back and relax while ethically engaging in a 300-, 400- and even a 700-yard shot on living targets. Long-range hunting is a reality.

New Calibers

The new PRC calibers are well-suited for the level of precision and accuracy for long-range hunting. The 6.5 PRC is great for North American game; and, if you want to venture farther north to places such as Alaska, with bigger animals, the 300 PRC can also provide the energy on target to get the job done.

A great way to use a vehicle as a shooting rest is by working with a shooter off the 4-wheeler, taking a Game Changer-style bag and dropping it between the handlebars. It can become a long-range hunting necessity.
A great way to use a vehicle as a shooting rest is by working with a shooter off the 4-wheeler, taking a Game Changer-style bag and dropping it between the handlebars. It can become a long-range hunting necessity.

When you combine these calibers with carbon-fiber barrel technology, you keep the weight low. It allows you to shoot more when practicing, as opposed to traditional, pencil-thin barrels.

Alternative Positions

Alternative positions are the keys to success. No more do we want to take an offhand shot at something. Instead, we can build better positions that take advantage of the terrain in a given area.

Using bags such as the Game Changer on 4-wheelers, logs, branches and rocks can be a lesson in rock-steady shooting. These bags come in a variety of fill weights—starting at 7 pounds (if you’re traveling by horse or 4-wheeler), or, if you’re walking it in, in ounces, because they contain ultralight fills.

We practice these techniques with our students, and the results speak for themselves.

Doping and Prep

Many a hunter returns the following year with tales from afar. Instead of missing that elk at 175 yards, they’re taking them with one shot at 525 yards. I receive e-mail after e-mail relating these success stories.

The fact that a student can, and will, actually dope the rifle to distance (versus using a random hold-off over the target) is one area of focus. Regardless of the setup, you can establish a good, solid, 100-yard zero. Then, after actually doping the rifle, you apply the proper elevation to the shot, thereby guaranteeing a successful long-range hunting engagement.

It sounds simple. Even so, a lot of traditional hunters skip these steps. They’d rather wing it by guessing the inches of drop over the back of the animal.

Bench Shooting

Don’t let physical limitations get in your way either. I don’t force older students or students with physical disabilities in the prone. Rather, I instruct them on better bench shooting and how to properly replicate the other positions using a bench.

Using bags to bridge obstacles: Instead of hard-to-hard surface contact, you can use the bags for hard-to-soft surfaces. The rifles will settle in nicely.
Using bags to bridge obstacles: Instead of hard-to-hard surface contact, you can use the bags for hard-to-soft surfaces. The rifles will settle in nicely.

It’s really easy to square up behind the bench if you treat it as a better-supported position. I don’t follow the “bladed” approach to bench shooting. It keeps your body squared to the support, your head and eyes in line with the target, and works within the fundamentals of marksmanship by using your natural point of aim to your advantage.

Tripods

Lastly, never overlook the versatility of the tripod. If I only had one choice—bipod or tripod—I’d always choose a tripod. Correctly employed, along with a system designed to shoot a rifle, a tripod is your single greatest tool when it comes to long-range hunting and field shooting. You can shoot in a standing position with little to no effort.

Get On Target With Frank Galli:

You can set up a tripod over and around obstacles in your path without having to hold the rifle up yourself. A tripod can serve as an observation platform, hosting your binoculars or spotting scope, and then quickly transition to a firing platform. The more we race down the “rabbit hole” of tripods, the more impressive they become.

Bottom line? To be effective, it takes practice—not only shooting—but actual practice. Doing the same thing over and over again, hoping for a better outcome, only happens when you try new things and work to improve yourself. For instance, I can swing a golf club the wrong way a whole lot and, through repetition, I get closer to the hole each time. However, taking a class from a professional instructor would increase my skill level much faster.

Once we educate ourselves on the possibilities, our skill sets will grow through practice and proper execution of the techniques. In other words, we can work smarter, not harder.

Back in the day, the answer was always, “Take a case of ammo and go shoot.” Today, we understand that this is always sound advice—if you have the foundation to work from right from the start. Build a solid foundation with the fundamentals. You can build up your skills from there.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2020 Long-Range Shooting issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Ammo Brief: Speed Pioneering .250 Savage

By
Gun Digest Editors
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0

Designed to push velocity limits, the .250 Savage ushered in a new era of high-velocity cartridges.

Historical Notes

Designed by Charles Newton, the .250 Savage was introduced by the Savage Arms Company as a high-velocity round for the Model 99 lever-action rifle. The original loading used an 87-grain bullet at 3,000 fps muzzle velocity, and Savage named it the .250-3000. One suspects the 87-grain bullet was chosen because it could be safely driven at 3,000 fps with the powders then available. This allowed Savage to introduce it with the ever-so-sexy name, “.250-3000.” Remember, in 1915, when this cartridge was introduced, riflemen were still marveling at cartridges achieving 2,000 fps.

About 1932, the 100-grain bullet load was marketed by Peters Cartridge Company; and later, the velocity of the 87-grain bullet was slightly increased. Now, it’s simply called the .250 Savage. The Savage Model 20 and Model 40 bolt-action rifles also chambered the round, as did the Winchester Model 54 and Model 70 bolt-actions. Late in 1971, Savage announced that the Model 99 would again be available in this cartridge. Others, such as Ruger and Remington, have also made rifles in this cartridge.

General Comments

Flat trajectory, outstanding accuracy, and good killing power on anything up to, and including, deer are established characteristics of the .250 Savage. It was—and still is—excellent on varmints through deer. In the past few years, it’s been edged out by the .257 Roberts and the new 6mm cartridges. It’s far superior as a deer cartridge to the .30-30 or anything in that class—regardless of what some .30-30 “addicts” claim.

Because of its light recoil, it’s an excellent choice for youth and women. The .250-3000 is the basis of one of Ackley’s best wildcats, the .250 Ackley Improved. Winchester continues to load a 100-grain round (X2503), but the 87- and 120-grain bullets are no longer factory loaded.

250 Savage Load Data

Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt from Cartridges of the World, 16th Edition.

Raise Your Ammo IQ:

Enhanced Training With The G-Sight ELMS App

By
Gun Digest Editors
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3
Sponsored Article
Giving you instant feedback, the G-Sight ELMS app turns your smart device into a personal firearms instructor.
Giving you instant feedback, the G-Sight ELMS app turns your smart device into a personal firearms instructor.

Acting like a personal firearms instructor, the G-Sight ELMS app helps you get the most out of your dryfire training.

In the era of Coronavirus house arrest, gun mags have spilled countless words on the importance of dryfire training. Ranges shutdown and folks shut-in, what better way to burn through mundane hours and improve your marksmanship than dropping the hammer on an empty chamber? What else are you going to do, binge watch another horrible series on your streaming service?

Anyhow, the great benefit to dryfiring in the modern day is it’s no longer a guessing game. Catching up with training methods, technology enhances what a shooter gets out of pulling the trigger without sending a bullet downrange. We’re talking feedback here, as instantaneous as a perforation in a silhouette. Few do it better than G-Sight Expert Laser Marksmanship System (ELMS).

Previously, we’ve reviewed and broken down the laser diode and how it functions in your handgun. But the hardware is only one part of the equation. The other is the real high-tech part of the system, ELMS’ marksmanship app.

What It Does

The ELMS laser interfaces with your gun, projecting it on the target when you pull the trigger. Think of it as your personal shooting range. The smart-device app, on the other hand, records your actual hits, allowing you to diagnose your accuracy in real-time. Slapping the trigger, breaking your wrists, pushing forward at the break, you’ll see it plain as day on the digital screen. Which, in essence, makes the app a one-on-one firearms coach.

Load Up On More Handgun Training:

  • Dry-Fire 2.0: Getting On Target With The ELMS By G-Sight
  • 3 Dry Fire Drills Enhanced By G-Sight ELMS
  • Gun Digest’s 10 Best Shooting Drills And Firearms Training Posts
  • Dry Fire Training To Improve Defensive Handgun Skills
  • Video: Target Transition Training With The Dot Drill
  • The Shot Timer And Defensive Handgun Training

There are two parts to the program’s accuracy diagnostics. In order, audio and visual—each playing an important role in helping you train.

The latter first. As you can guess, the visual aspect allows you to see exactly where you’re hitting on a target and assess your performance. On the free basic app—available for both iPhone and Android devices—you get a 10 shot record. At first blush, it might sound limited, but the running tab should prove more than enough to gauge your groupings. Think of it this way, it’s three failure drills with complete feedback. Unless you're hiring out as a Congolese mercenary that should prove ample.

Working in conjunction with your smart device, G-Sight ELMS app gives you instant feedback on how your shots are grouping.
Working in conjunction with your smart device, G-Sight ELMS app gives you instant feedback on how your shots are grouping.

Auditorily, the app is a bit more nuanced, but no less important. When you make hits on the target the app lets out a ping! very similar to striking a sheet of AR500—those who shoot steel understand. Why does this prove key? Because, you can keep your focus where it needs to be—the front sight and downrange. While at the same time, still gain a rough idea if you’re placing shots where you should.

Advanced Training

Among the most difficult aspects to train is performance under pressure. Adrenaline pumping, a situation unfolding in real-time, effectively getting a gun into a fight, these are nigh impossible to replicate. Even competition is a pale facsimile. This should give you an idea of where dryfire training stands.

While no home-training system can provide a true reproduction of a lethal-force encounter, G-Sight offers an upgrade to hone your response in the face of stress. For a $5 in-app purchase, you arm the app with a shot timer. Don’t underestimate its usefulness. The second hand exerts an enormous pressure, enough to leave seasoned pros fumbling on their retrieval. Moreover, this dimension not only adds a sense of urgency to training, but lays bare how efficiently and effectively you respond to it. The stopwatch and bullseye don’t lie.

Getting the ELMS laser diode up and running is as easy as sticking it in your gun’s chamber.
Getting the ELMS laser diode up and running is as easy as sticking it in your gun’s chamber.

The shot timer is especially adept at dialing in a draw, but don’t stop there. Anything from emergency reloads to clearing stoppages is enhanced under the relentless tick of the clock.

Parting Shot

Even in times where the nation isn’t being forced to stick close to home base, tools such as G-Sight’s ELMS are indispensable. The name of the game is improvement and you only do that through practice. The cutting-edge piece of tech ensures you get plenty, executed the proper way.

For more information on the G-Sight ELMS app and system, please visit g-sight.com.

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