Decked out with a cutting-edge thumbhole stock, the R8 Ultimate takes the straight-pull bolt-action to a new level of accuracy.
How The R8 Ultimate Is Configured To Improve Accuracy:
Lightweight thumbhole stock for utmost control.
Adjustable and programmable comb and LOP deploy to fit you exactly.
Modifiable recoil pad system improves shot-to-shot accuracy.
Americans generally turn the same cocked eye at straight-pull bolt-action rifles they do other European staples, such as mayo and French fries or room-temperature beer. They might like it over there, but it’s not for me. Despite this, the unusual middle ground between speed and accuracy has made inroads Stateside in recent years.
Blaser has piqued particular interest with the now nearly decade-old R8, which continues to show strength in this niche of the market. Need proof? Look no further than the German gunmaker continuing to release models to meet demand of focused areas of shooting. The most recent, precision marksmen and rimfire aficionados.
Hot off the presses, so to speak (they were released late summer) are the Blaser R8 Ultimate and a .22 LR conversion kit. A bit about both.
Configured for precision shooting tasks and long-range shots in the field, the R8 Ultimate includes many of the features marksmen hunt out in a practical tack driver. Right up in your face, its outfitted with a synthetic thumbhole stock that, if you study carefully, is fully adjustable for cheek height and length of pull.
Saving you from hair pulling, both systems are numbered, so if you happen to lose your setting for whatever reasons it’s a piece of cake to dial them back in. Though you shouldn’t. Both have a memory function, returning them—at the push of a button—to your specs once programmed in. Handy, if you want to keep the stock streamlined while hiking into your happy hunting grounds.
Recoil mitigation also got the once over on the R8 Ultimate, which could pay big dividends in improving accuracy while milking the rifle’s speed factor. The twist here, the recoil pad inserts into the butt and is available in several hardnesses to match a shooter’s personal preference. It’s a logical step for Blaser, since the R8 is also a switch barrel. This small wrinkle makes the rifle more responsive to caliber swaps.
Speaking of jumping between calibers, the gunmaker has made a major leap with its .22LR conversion. Similar to other switches within the system, it involves little more than a swap of barrels, bolt heads and magazine inserts. Standard fare with the R8. From the start, the gun has been everything from a varmint to a dangerous game rifle all in one tidy package.
So as they’d say in overnight infomercials: What would you pay for all this? Those who keep an eye on European firearms know that German engineering comes with a Teutonic price tag. In this case, the R8 Ultimate runs a hefty $4,519 and the .22LR conversion $1,450. Though, you do get a whole lot of gun for your money.
For more information on the R8 Ultimate and .22LR conversion kit, please visit www.blaser.de/en.
Boasting a unique gutter sight in the slide, the P365 SAS promises to eliminate all potential snags on the draw.
How Sig Has Made the P365 SAS Fast On The Draw And Shot To Shot:
Low-profile gutter sight eliminates the main feature that causes snags—the front sight.
All the edges of the slide and frame have been smoothed to make them hitch-free.
Controls are flattened to make it more concealable.
Slide ported at the front to reduce muzzle flip.
When it comes to sighting systems for defensive handguns, the wind has decidedly been blowing toward optics. Though, Sig Sauer has gone an entirely different direction with the newest variation of popular P365 pistols. At first blush, it’s even difficult to even discern if the P365 SAS has a way to aim, short leveling the top of its nearly featureless slide at the target. Get on the business end and it’s an entirely different view.
There, what Sig calls its Flush-Mounted FT Bullseye Fiber-Tritium Night Sight, pop like a bottle rocket at midnight. Unorthodox yes—reminiscent of the gutter sight found on Paris Theodore’s ASP pistol—but there’s a method to the gunmaker’s madness. The SAS in the pistol’s designation stands for Sig Anti Snag, which certainly seems the case, given the lack of iron sight protruding from the side and the banishment of every sharp edge. Given these, theoretically, your draw should suffer nary a hitch.
As for the rest of the pistol, there are two other design points in which the P365 SAS breaks from the line. First, Sig has ported the barrel to reduce muzzle flip, thus make the pistol potentially more accurate and quick shot to shot. And the controls are flattened to make the pistol more concealable.
NEWINGTON, N.H. – SIG SAUER, Inc. the market leader in concealed carry pistols, is pleased to announce new innovation to the award-winning everyday carry, high capacity, P365 pistol with the P365 SAS (SIG Anti-Snag).
“When it comes to innovation in firearms, SIG SAUER is the leader in the marketplace. With the introduction of the P365 we took the market by storm to quickly become the top selling concealed carry pistol. With the P365 SAS, we have remained true to our core mission of innovation by once again raising the bar, and setting the standard, for concealed carry,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales, SIG SAUER, Inc. “Our proprietary SAS technology removes all the snag points from the pistol, by integrating the sights directly into the slide with a flush mounted FT Bullseye sight that’s intuitive, and easy for the untrained eye to pick-up for fast target acquisition whenever the need arises. The P365 SAS has no sights raised above the slide, and the takedown lever and slide stop are flush fit for ultimate smoothness and no snag risk. Once you see this innovation, you simply will not look at handgun sighting systems the same.”
The SIG SAUER P365 SAS is a 9mm, polymer, striker-fired pistol with a Nitron finish. The pistol features the SIG Anti-Snag technology slide treatment with a flush-mounted FT bullseye fiber-tritium night sight, flat controls, a ported slide and barrel for less muzzle flip, a high-capacity, patented modified double-stack magazine for a 10+1 full size capacity, and ships with (1) 10-round magazine, and (1) 10-round extended magazine (12-round and 15-round magazines available separately.)
Sig P365 Specs:
Caliber: 9mm Luger Action: Semi-Auto Grip: Blk Polymer Grip Color: Black Frame Size: Micro-Compact Frame Material: Stainless Steel Slide Finish: Nitron Slide Material: Stainless Steel Barrel Material: Carbon Steel Accessory Rail: N/A Trigger: Striker Trigger Type: Standard Barrel Length: 3.1 in Overall Length: 5.8 inches Overall Width: 1.0 in Height: 4.1 in Weight: 17.8 oz
For more information on the Sig P365, please visit www.sigsauer.com.
Ruger’s new 3-inch barrel LCRx in .357 Magnum strikes the right balance between concealability and performance.
How The 3-Inch Barrel LCRx Enhances The .357 Magnum:
Longer 3-inch barrel improves the .357 Magnum’s ballistics, while keeping the revolver concealable.
Built with a stainless-steel frame, the LCRx still only tops out at 21 ounces.
Hogue Tamer grip goes a long way in reducing the light revolver’s recoil.
Friction-reducing cam does much to mitigate the revolver’s heavy pull in double-action.
Going on a century ago, Elmer Keith and Phil Sharpe were really onto something by hot-rodding the .38 Special. Arguably, their tinkering in the all-American pursuit of “more muscle” produced perhaps the greatest revolver cartridge of all time. At the very least, the .357 Magnum is the king of the 20th century. What other hand-cannon caliber is, in the same breath, both manageable and devastatingly powerful?
Certainly not the bucky .41 Magnum and the downright cranky .44 Mag. And while the newish .327 Fed. Mag. has the virtue of eminent shootability, it’s ballistically a small fry compared to the granddaddy Magnum.
Although it wasn’t to the advertised 1,450 fps, Sig Sauer’s 125-grain V-Crown performed well out of the LCRx’s 3-inch barrel with an average velocity of 1,281 fps.
It’s thanks to the .357 Magnum’s nearly perfect middle ground that the defensive revolver continues to soldier on. Despite the platform being dated in this era of semi-automatic pistols, a man or woman wielding a gun chambered for this cartridge is well armed—perhaps even more so, given the recent advancement in revolver design; and even more with Ruger’s latest addition to its easy-to-carry, ultra-lightweight line of revolvers.
Like the .357 Magnum, the 3-inch-barreled LCRx released at the 2019 SHOT Show strikes a perfect balance. Setting the fulcrum almost exactly between concealability and performance, Ruger has created a dandy wheelgun that flirts with being a nearly faultless carry revolver; one that’s certain to keep the age-old Magnum as relevant as ever in the 21st century.
That Extra 1.13 Inch
For some time now, Ruger has offered a .357 Magnum in both its hammerless LCR and exposed hammer LCRx lines. However, up to this point, these have featured the popular 1.87-inch barrel configuration: snubbies. It makes sense, given that when most folks go in search of a concealed-carry revolver, they generally poke around for the tersest model they can find. However, you can make the argument that they do themselves a disservice by going so small.
The revolvers front sight is pinned, meaning it’s easily removed and upgraded. However, the ramp sight that came installed served quite well in testing.
I can hear you now: Lord, he’s going to talk about recoil. Physics dictates nothing less in a lightweight gun. But for me, it’s not so much the knuckle-buster reputation that causes pause … it’s the muzzle blast and, more importantly, what that represents that raises flags.
The snubby .357 spits fire akin to a dragon for the simple reason that it doesn’t burn all its powder in the bore. This adds up to a gun that keeps the magnum’s bark and does away with some of its bite. By many accounts, a 1.87-inch-barreled revolver will neuter the .357 Magnum considerably—perhaps not to .38 Special+P velocities, as some gun-counter guys are apt to tell you, but well below what you expect or want out of a magnum.
Thankfully, a little goes a long way. While not topping out the .357 Magnum’s ballistic potential, extending the barrel to 3 inches revives a good deal of the cartridge’s magnum characteristics. It certainly did so in my time with the LCRx.
Like all revolvers, the LCRx is limited in capacity. Even so, you could do a lot worse than to have five rounds of .357 Magnum on tap.
For example, the hottest round I shot was Sig Sauer’s 125-grain Elite Performance V-Crown, which clocked in at an average 1,281 fps, as measured by my chronograph 6 feet from the muzzle. Twice, the round topped out at 1,307 fps. Definitely, this is off the company’s numbers of 1,450 fps of muzzle velocity. Nonetheless, it was well within the bounds of .357 Magnum performance, which is what you want when you purchase a revolver with that roll mark.
The LCRx Package
The LCRx, for the most part, is meant to live a clandestine life. It was designed specifically for concealed carry, so Ruger did not spend time on shiny aesthetics that many have come to expect in modern revolvers. This isn’t to say the matte-black gun isn’t beautiful in its own right; it is, just in a different way. It’s attractive along the lines of a well-worn Carhart jacket, because it’s meant for work—hard work.
To that end, the most notable departure from its LCR and LCRx cousins is its monolithic frame’s upgrade to 400-series stainless steel. Aluminum has been the go-to material for a majority of the guns, but it just wouldn’t fit the bill for the abuse a .357 Magnum doles out.
Speer Gold Dot 158-grain JHP was the most accurate ammunition out of this revolver, producing a 1.06-inch group at 15 yards.
While this pushes the five-round revolver’s weight up to around 21 ounces, the heft is welcome. First, because it’s far from prohibitive for carry. The .357 LCRx comes in lighter than most double-stack polymer pistols, even subcompact models. Yet, it’s enough weight to absorb the magnum’s recoil better than ultra-lightweight revolvers—snubbies or otherwise.
With a 3-inch barrel, the revolver has a decent sight radius. And Ruger gives shooters the tools to take advantage of it. The rear sight is an adjustable black blade. You can tune both drift and elevation with a small screwdriver. I packed my small set of drivers when I tested the LCRx, but the Ruger smiths were on their game and had it dialed in. While some might wring their hands about a potential snag, the sight is low enough so that it would take some doing to catch a shirttail or other garb.
In addition to this, the revolver boasts a pinned front ramp sight, meaning it’s replaceable—perhaps with a tritium night sight if you foresee trouble at dusk. However, if you stay stock, the inset white stripe proves highly visible, even in the gray and hazy conditions I used it in.
Like all revolvers, the LCRx is limited in capacity. Even so, you could do a lot worse than to have five rounds of .357 Magnum on tap.
Famously, it’s extremely easy to change the grips on the LCR and LCRx: There’s only one retention screw to remove. However, I found the Hogue Tamer that came installed quite comfortable. The rubber grip’s pebble texture was akin to a coat of stick’um on the palm and kept the gun where I wanted it. Furthermore, it made the LCRx less punishing and more accurate, at least shot to shot, allowing me to maintain greater control on follow-ups.
The gun’s controls are also very intuitive. The hammer spur is laid back flatter than you will find on many revolvers. I’m certain that the reason is to streamline its draw. Even so, it’s easy to find when you want to cock it for a single-action shot. The cylinder release is push-button and situated for thumb operation, which I found second nature and fast on reloads—although the ejection rod was another matter.
Despite a full-length barrel lug, the ejector is short and only pushes spent cartridges halfway from the cylinder. Therefore, you must keep in mind to tilt the revolver back to clear it completely (a review of Massad Ayoob’s “stressfire” technique to clear the gun might be in order).
The LCRx’s exposed hammer is a nice addition, allowing for single-action. At the same time, it lays flat enough to avoid causing a snag on the draw.
Finally, the LCRx has an ample trigger guard, which was a godsend for my testing. With the last throws of winter blustering across the prairie, I wore gloves for my range time and was completely unimpeded.
Expand Your Knowledge on the Legendary .357 Magnum
For my range test of the 3-inch-barrelled LCRx, I shot three different defensive rounds—including one in .38 Spl +P—and a full metal jacket round. These included Sig Sauer 125-grain Elite Performance V-Crown, Federal 130-grain HST .38 Spl. +P, Sig Sauer 125-grain FMJ and Speer 158-grain Gold Dot JHP.
In all cases, the ammunition/gun combinations proved highly accurate, perhaps more so than my numbers reflect. The elements might have squeezed in a fraction of an inch here or there; nevertheless, from 15 yards off a rest and in single-action mode, I was capable of groups 2.25 inches or under across the board with .357 ammo.
The best performance, however, came from Gold Dot. The heaviest round punched a tidy, five-round group just off center mass that measured 1.06 inches—more than accurate, given the conditions and for self-defense.
The revolver’s single-action trigger is solid, breaking at about 6 pounds. It’s certainly not a polish job by any stretch of the imagination, but for an out-of-the-box carry gun, it is very nice.
The 10-pound double-action, however, is what caught my attention. Much has been written about Ruger’s friction-reducing cam in the LCR and LCRx revolvers; that is, how smooth it is and how there’s never a second thought about the trigger stacking. I’m here to say that it’s all true.
Yes, it’s a heavy pull (what did you expect in double-action?), but—my goodness—it’s like silk! And, I saw the results in the accuracy I achieved on rapid-fire strings from 7 yards. Consistent and smooth go a long way in overcoming heavy.
Parting Shot
A barbecue gun it is not. The 3-inch-barreled LCRx in .357 Magnum is all business and meant to excel in a cutthroat world. Because it maintains the dimensions of a neat, little (it still qualifies as this) carry gun while bringing out the best in the powerful cartridge, the LCRx is just about everything you’d want out of a defensive .357 Mag. If you go this route, as did nearly a century of Americans before you, you won’t be under-gunned.
It might go against everything you’ve been taught when it comes to handgun marksmanship, but impeccable sight alignment isn’t called for when you’re aiming to save your life.
It’s drilled into your head the first day you pick up a gun and reiterated ever after: sight alignment is key to effective marksmanship. It goes almost without saying, doesn’t it? Get cockeyed here and you’ll send your round way out into left field, not doing anyone any favors.
All of that said, there is some wiggle room when it comes to sight alignment, particularly where it pertains to defensive handguns. When the action is fast and furious, you’ll likely not have the time nor the position to line up your sights perfectly the way you do at the range. But in the scheme of things, close up—10 yards and in—a bit of imperfection won’t stop you from pounding center mass.
As long as your front sight remains in the notch of the rear, you can eat up a lot of the space to either side and remain on target. Richard Mann gives a solid demonstration in the above video. At 7 yards, he puts plenty of play in his sight alignment, yet, if it were a real-life lethal-force event, would mitigate the threat.
So, don’t worry about sight alignment? Far from it. Getting the front sight into the rear notch is still imperative, otherwise, you’ll hit everything and everybody except the assailant. You need to practice developing a proper and fast alignment to truly be effective with your defensive gun. Simply, you don’t need to trip yourself up by building the perfect sight picture to place life-saving hits.
Young and female shooters found the CZ Model 720 Reduced Length 20-gauge autoloader easy to shoot, getting those critical first hits on clay.
A handy little 20-gauge autoloader, the CZ 720 G2 Reduced Length is designed to win over first-time shooters.
Why The CZ 720 G2 Reduced Length Is Perfect For Small-Frame Shooters:
Its 24-inch barrel is long enough for new shooters to point effectively to get those first critical hits.
A whisker over 43 inches and an honest 6 pounds in weight, this special Model 720 is ideally designed for youth and female shooters.
The shotgun has a 4+1 capacity when the included waterfowl plug is removed.
Its trigger is responsive, though it trips at about 9 pounds.
What shotgunner can forget his or her first time touching off a round from a big, bad 12-gauge? For some new shooters, the experience isn’t too unpleasant (much like eating a frozen dinner: it’s edible, but you do it only when you must) while others seem to suffer deep emotional scars from the surprising snap to the shoulder. The way they tell it, it’s as if they’ve been punched by Evander Holyfield himself. Thankfully, some companies offer reduced-length shotguns in light-recoiling 20 gauge to make that first shotgunning experience go more smoothly. One such shotgun is the 720 G2 Reduced Length youth model from CZ-USA.
This post is an excerpt from Gun Digest 2019, now available at the Gun Digest Store. Get Your Copy of “The World’s Greatest Gun Book.”
The foundation to successful shotgunning starts with stock fit, and the Model 720 Reduced Length comes in a comfortable 13-inch length of pull. Its 24-inch barrel is long enough for new shooters to point effectively to get those first critical hits on clay to keep up their interest, yet not so long as to be unwieldy. That barrel sports a black hard chrome exterior finish that shrugged off scruff marks from shooting. The 720 comes with five choke tubes (F, IM, M, IC, C). At just a whisker over 43 inches and an honest 6 pounds in weight, this special Model 720 is ideally designed for youth and female shooters. Its trigger trips at about 9 pounds. The shotgun has a 4+1 capacity when the included waterfowl plug is removed.
We tested the 720 Reduced Length this summer with help from my wife Michelle, and daughter Aria, both of whom shot it well. However, because I’d neglected to clean the shotgun from the box, we initially had about a 30 percent jam rate on its first outing. After cleaning the shotgun — it was apparently gummed up with storage grease and cardboard dust — it ran like a Toyota (no issues). Shooting Kent’s Elite Target 20-gauge shells (7/8 oz. at 1,200 fps), the little autoloader ran perfectly.
Everyone who tested the shotgun agreed that it was a nice-looking firearm, with a two-tone finish between a polished section of the receiver that transitions to a matte black aluminum alloy portion. The Turkish walnut wood was nice, albeit basic, as has been my experience with previous CZ shotguns.
Kent’s new Elite Target 20-gauge loads, which use 7/8 oz. of 7.5 shot at 1,200 fps, gave consistent performance and helped first-time shooters break their first clay.
But not all is ferries and pixie dust in Wonderland. Both Michelle and Aria lacked the hand strength to push the bolt release button and had to set the shotgun on the sporting clays stand and leverage downward with all their body weight to release it. Testers also found the cross-bolt safety difficult to push. CZ would do well to lighten up both to improve ease of use for beginners. In the meantime, a trip to a gunsmith would be money well spent and would make a good shotgun great.
Clean up duty with the Model 720 went better than expected. I found it simple to disassemble; there was no guessing which way the gas piston or action arm components needed to be aligned. It was as a no-brainer, fit together intuitively.
The CZ Model 720 is covered in a tough, hard-chrome black exterior finish that will give years of service in the game fields as new shooters dish out the abuse.
The gals found the classic-style stock to be of marginal fit; females tend to have outward curved shoulder pockets and longer necks, and the 720’s straight stock made it somewhat awkward for our new shooters to acquire a natural cheek weld. I’m convinced that, had there been some adjustability in the buttstock angle and cheek weld height, they would have broken more clays and had even more fun.
But fun they did have. First-time shooters won’t soon forget their first shotgunning experience — and that’s not because it involved a scary whack to the shoulder. With a street price around $350, CZ has delivered a memorable first shotgunning experience at a price point everyone can afford to share.
CZ 720 G2 Reduced Length Specs
Model: CZ 720 G2 Reduced Length Gauge: 20 Barrel: 24 in. Magazine Capacity: 4+1 Max Shell Length: 3 in. Chokes: Includes 5 (F, IM, M, IC, C) Stock: Turkish Walnut Length of Pull: 13 in. Barrel Finish: Matte Black Chrome Rib: 8mm Flat Vent Overall Length: 43.5 in Weight: 6.3 lbs. Comb: 1.4375 in. Heel: 2.25 in. Safety: Crossbolt Behind Trigger MSRP: $499.00 USD
For more on the CZ 720 G2 Reduced Length, please visit cz-usa.com.
The name, Wilson Combat, is well-known throughout shooting circles. It elicits images of fast and accurate shooting.
Now, combine that legendary name with that of 1st SFOD-Delta (1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta) combat veteran Larry Vickers, and the result should be something worth noting.
Well, in the case of the Wilson Combat Vickers Elite 9mm 1911, that’s the theory, but will it become reality in testing?
The medium-length, solid-aluminum trigger allows the shooter to get a much better position on it. This, in turns, helps the shooter’s performance. The extended tactical magazine release allows for faster and more effective magazine changes.
That’s what I set my sights on — no pun intended (well, yes, I did mean that).
When I called Wilson Combat, I found out that the company is trying to keep its most popular firearms in stock and available for immediate delivery. And I applaud Wilson Combat for that. As a result, my only decisions were caliber and color … meaning, I had plenty of options. Decisions, decisions.
Suitable Selections
Although these pistols are available in either .45 ACP or 9mm, I always wanted a reliable, custom 9mm 1911. And that’s where I started. Next came my decision on which finish to go with.
The Elite’s slide stop is not only the strongest in the industry, it is also the most ergonomic.
Even though I love the classic look of a blued 1911 (who doesn’t?), Wilson Combat had more than a few color options in stock. I decided to go with my personal favorite color combination, black and gray, and selected a model with a black slide over a gray frame featuring Wilson Combat’s proprietary Armor-Tuf finish.
Once the pistol was ordered, I sat back anxiously, awaiting its delivery. When it finally arrived (and let’s admit it, it can never arrive fast enough), I had to sit back and simply take time to admire the work done by Wilson Combat.
The fit and finish were spectacular. The slide-to-frame fit is both precise and tight — but also smooth as silk. I know that’s a cliché, but it applies here. The barrel fit is also very precise but not overly tight. The barrel locks and unlocks smoothly and consistently.
The back of the slide is expertly checkered to 40 LPI. This exemplifies the care taken by the Wilson Combat gunsmiths to create a functional and beautiful tool.
Finally, the trigger pull was just perfect — crisp, but not too light — which is, of course, great for self-defense or general shooting. Every part of this pistol is expertly fitted together for a great end product. Here’s another fitting cliché: You get what you pay for.
Hugging the Corners
When it came time to take the new pistol for a “test drive,” I selected a range of seven types of ammunition to use for my accuracy testing. To truly test this gun (or any gun I plan to use for self-defense), I had to be thorough: 124-grain Colt Competition ammunition (by DoubleTap) in FMJ, Colt Defense ammunition JHP (by DoubleTap), Federal HST and Remington +P Golden Saber BJHP. For 115-grain ammo, I brought along CCI Blazer Brass FMJ, Hornady Critical Defense FTX and Barnes +P Tac-XPD.
I set up a shooting rest to test accuracy at my local indoor range. I set the test target at 10 yards, which is the average distance for most practical pistol matches and a good test for self-defense applications. These are the main uses for this pistol. My testing protocol was to fire five-shot groups with each of the seven types of ammunition.
The rear sight is serrated to cut down on reflections, but it has a “U” notch to aid in aligning the sights.
The Wilson Combat Vickers Elite 9mm 1911 did not disappoint. This pistol really shone in the accuracy department, with all the ammunition I tested grouping right under 1.00 inch. However, my best grouping was with the Barnes 115-grain +P Tac-XPD, which measured right at 0.65 inch. One thing I noticed was that even though the Barnes 115-grain Tac-XPD ammunition is rated +P, it was the smoothest-shooting load of the seven I tested.
With the accuracy testing completed, I decided to broaden the gun’s horizons a bit: a Bill Drill was in order. I set up a standard IPSC silhouette target at 5 yards and fired six rounds as fast as I could, trying to keep them in the A zone. That was not a hard task, because the Vickers Elite didn’t miss a beat.
Taking on the 250
With my visit to the local indoor range complete, I thought I was done with my testing. However, opportunity came knocking: It was Arizona’s Gunsite Academy.
(bottom) The gold-bead front sight aids in a perfect sight picture and puts this pistol on a higher level of craftsmanship and beauty. The serrations on the top of the slide also add to the pistol’s overall esthetics.
What better place to run my new custom 1911 than at Gunsite in one of its famed 250 handgun classes? For those unfamiliar, the 250 class is Gunsite’s introductory 1-week handgun class that includes lectures, night shooting, outdoor and indoor simulators, and a whole lot of shooting. We’re talking more than 1,400 rounds throughout the week.
I quickly picked up 1,500 rounds of Federal American Eagle 115-grain FMJ ammunition; and, to complete my kit for the Gunsite class, I ordered a Davis Omega Gunsite holster and two single-mag pouches.
We shot between 250 and 350 rounds every day during the 1-week class. I know what you’re thinking: a brand-new 1911 in the desert in a shooting class and with a high round count? Certainly, I’d have to go elbows deep into a detailed cleaning of the 1911 every night, right? Wrong.
The chamber is fluted for ease of cleaning and prevents the accumulation of unburnt power, carbon or debris.
Despite all the shooting, the only cleaning I performed was a casual wipe-down with Break Free CLP Disposable Wipes and minor lubrication with Gunfighter Gun Oil. Even after this minimal lubrication and all those rounds fired, the Vickers Elite didn’t experience a single malfunction. Think about that for a moment, because the same probably can’t be said for a large number of 1911 pistols.
The more I shot the Vickers Elite 9mm 1911, the more I loved it. And although you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, this pistol is becoming my number-one match pistol for both USPSA and IDPA events.
I told you I had always wanted a reliable custom 1911 in 9mm. Well, that search is over.
I just returned from a week-long project with Panteao Productions, with which we were filming a new handgun training DVD, “Defensive Pistol Fundamentals.” It’ll be available soon for streaming, digital download and direct purchase.
That video is the reason for this column, but it’s not the topic. You see, I used Walther handguns during all 30-plus chapters. Those pistols are worth talking about.
Walther was founded in Germany by Carl Walther in 1886, and this company is probably best known for its P38 and PP/PPK pistols. The P38 was created to replace the Luger as the service pistol for the Unified Armed Forces of Nazi Germany. It was a fantastic pistol and has become highly sought by collectors. “Bond, James Bond” made the PP/PPK one of the most iconic and recognized pistols in the world. It first appeared as his main gun in the 1958 novel and subsequent 1963 movie, Dr. No. (As a side note, Bond was briefly armed with a Walther P38 in the movie Goldfinger.)
In fact, Walthers have remained tethered to Agent 007, even in modern times. In the 1983 film Never Say Never Again, Bond carried a Walther P5, and in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), he holstered a Walther P99. Although the current Bond continues to use various Walthers, apparently, some fool was put in charge of weapon selection and began breaking the tradition, arming him with Glocks, SIGs and H&Ks. James Bond would never carry anything but a Walther!
During DVD production, I used a variety of Walthers and put a lot of rounds downrange. While running a wide selection of Doubletap Ammo .380 ACP and 9mm ammunition, there was not a single stoppage experienced with any of the guns.
In case you’re not familiar with Walther pistols, here’s a look at those I used over the course of that week.
Walther PPKs
Maybe better known as “Bond’s Gun,” the PPKs is chambered for the .380 ACP. This is a steel-framed gun; and, at 23.6 ounces, it’s heavy for its size by any modern standard. When I first became a police officer, I carried a PPKs as an off-duty gun. It never made me feel like a secret agent, but I knew it as a trustworthy sidearm.
The PPKs is a double-action pistol with a slide-mounted de-cocker/safety. During handgun presentation, the safety should be flipped up/forward with the thumb of the shooting hand. When it’s time to holster, you use the same thumb to press the lever down; the hammer is de-cocked, and the pistol is put on “safe.” These, now- made-in-America iconic works of art, retail for about $750.
Walther PPS M2
I look at the PPS as a more modern, more powerful version of the PPKs. The PPS is a compact, polymer-framed, single-stacked pistol chambered for the 9mm Luger. It weighs less than the PPKs and, depending on the magazine it’s paired with (some have extended base pads ), it’s almost the same size. Easily concealable and comfortable to shoot, the PPS is a great option for concealed carry.
In addition to the standard version, which has a suggested retail price of $449.99, Walther offers a model with a miniature red-dot sight for $699. There’s another version that comes out of the box with a Crimson Trace LaserGuard. You should be able to purchase this one—which might be the best PPS of the bunch — for about $500.
The surprise for me was the Walther CCP, because prior to filming the DVD, I had no experience with it. This gun felt the best in-hand of any of the Walther pistols; when you pick it up, it’s the same sensation you experience as when you grip a Browning Hi-Power. During filming, I handed it to each of the crew members, and they all echoed this sentiment.
Two features set the CCP apart: The first is the Softcoil gas-delayed blowback recoil system. This pistol has a fixed, non-tilting barrel, but it uses gas pressure from the ignited cartridge by directing it through a small port in the barrel to slow down and delay rearward motion of the slide. It’s a unique system that makes for a very comfortable-shooting pistol. The other feature is the frame-mounted thumb safety. Being a 1911/Hi-Power kind of guy, I liked it and found its manipulation intuitive. Street prices are only about $400.
Walther M2 PPQ4 and PPQ5
Although not as comfortable in my hand as the CCP, the PPQ pistols interfaced well with me, much better than any Glock I’ve ever held. The PPQ 4 has a 4-inch barrel, and the PPQ 5 has a 5-inch barrel. Both weigh about 25 ounces and offer a 15-round capacity. A variety of colors and finishes is offered, and each pistol comes with three interchangeable backstraps. Walther even offers a version with XS Sights’ new F8 sights. Suggested retail starts at about $650.
Most of the shooting I did during preparation and filming was with the PPQs. The triggers were excellent for a striker-fired handgun; and, to be honest, I’ve pulled some 1911 triggers that were not as good.
The only issue I had was with the ambidextrous and extended slide stop. For those who like to release a slide with the slide stop, this is an excellent feature. For those who are accustomed to riding a thumb safety with their thumb, it might not be.
Because I instinctively placed my thumb on the slide lock (to me, it felt like a safety), the pistols would not lock open after the last round in the magazine was fired. Yes, this is a training issue on my part, but it’s something to consider.
This is, of course, just a cursory review of a few of Walther’s handguns. I offer it here because I think these excellent pistols often get overlooked. In addition, after working with them for a week, I was impressed. One thing’s for sure: You’ll be seeing more about them here in the future.
For more information on Walther Arms pistols, please visit www.waltherarms.com.
Rugged and unassuming, the Riton X3 Taxtix PRD is the perfect CQ aiming solution for your pistol or rifle.
Long a staple in competitive shooting, reflex sights are almost like cheating. Learn to catch sight of that little luminescent red dot, the rest of getting hits is simply good old trigger control. But this raises the question, if these optics are such hot stuff under the clock, then why not carry that advantage over to self-defense? The answer, more and more are.
Quietly, gunmakers have configured many of their pistols for optics ready service, milling the top of the slide to create a solid, low-profile mounting platform. Optics companies, to their credit, have responded as well, producing ever so slight reflex options, rugged enough for defensive use, without obstructing vital movements. Given this, it figures Riton has jumped into this arena.
A somewhat new company, Riton has made a name with its top-shelf AR-focused scopes, but has thrown its hat into the red dot ring with the introduction of the X3 Taxtix PRD. And all in all, it appears to have the goods to make it a solid aiming solution whatever gun you run it on. What makes it a bell of this ball is its relatively small size, just about 1-inch in height, which should keep it fairly snag-free, even on the vital draw stroke. Also, it would be a rather unassuming CQ option on a scoped AR, one that doesn’t junk up your carbine in the slightest.
The Best Tactical Red-Dot Performance-to-Price Option?
Shifting Winds: SIG BDX Changing Shooting For The Better
As far as target acquisition, the optic is lightning fast thanks to a highly visible 3-MOA dot and is fit for any lighting situation with six brightness settings. Riton also runs good glass in their optics and the X3 Taxtix PRD is no exception. Fully multi-coated, high-definition lenses transmit more than 99-percent of light, delivering images akin those you see with your naked eye. This should also make co-witnessing your iron sights simple, if you happen to run out of batteries—though that would be a feat, given the sight gets more than 40,000 hours out of its CR2032 battery.
As far as durability, Riton engineer all it could into the X3 Tactic PRD. An aircraft-grade aluminum body makes the optic waterproof and shockproof up to 800 Gs of impact force. So yes it can take a licking and survive and keep its zero. Speaking of zero, you don’t have to worry about losing yours every time you change the battery, since Riton put the access point on top, so you can keep it mounted when you do so.
In all, when you buy the X3 Tactix PRD you also get a Picatinny base plate, protective cover, lens cloth and a hex wrench for adjustment. And, God forbid, something happens to it, Riton backs it with a lifetime warranty. For an MSRP of $299.99, that’s a fairly tidy package, certainly, for the advantage it allots your gun, defensive or otherwise.
For more information on the X3 Tactix PRD, please visit www.ritonoptics.com.
From 1920 until 1963, .300 Savage owners never had to wonder about the .300 Winchester Magnum. After 1963, they did. Or did they?
Hunting, How Do The .300 Win. Mag. And .300 Savage Measure Up Againt Each Other:
Under 200 yards the cartridge have similar results hunting.
Take a 600-yard poke at an elk, you want a .300 Winchester Magnum at your shoulder.
The .300 Winchester Magnum has the ability to deliver around 40-percent more energy than the .300 Savage.
Overall, the .300 Savage is more pleasent to shoot due to its mild recoil.
Yes, the .300 Win. Mag. can, and does, take a 165-grain bullet and push it more than 550 fps faster than the .300 Savage—a short-action cartridge old enough to be going through a mid-life crisis when the Winchester .30-caliber magnum was born.
To most .300 Savage owners, however, it simply doesn’t matter. Not even a little bit. Why?
Because, generally speaking, .300 Savage shooters aren’t interested in crunching numbers; they’re focused on crunching bones. Pedestrian ballistics aside, from 1920, when the .300 Savage was born, all the way until the all-world .375 H&H-inspired .300 Winchester Magnum debuted in 1963—and every day since then—the .300 Savage continues to work on deer, elk, moose, bears and everything in between.
It’s Not About the Cartridge
Despite the fact that I’m about to ink a thousand or so more words debating the merits of both cartridges, you’ll likely come to the same conclusion I did. Ultimately, the choice between a .300 Savage and a .300 Winchester Magnum isn’t about which cartridge works better: They both give hunters an honest day’s work for an honest day’s wage. No; your answer to the .300 Savage versus .300 Winchester Magnum question won’t tell us anything we don’t already know about either of these two proven cartridges. It will tell us a bit more about you though.
The 300 Savage (left), shown here in a DoubleTap custom-loaded, 165-grain Swift Scirocco II, is a very capable cartridge. However, the 300 Winchester Magnum (right), shown here with a 150-grain Hornady SST bullet, flies faster and delivers more downrange energy.
Is the .300 Savage going to anchor that 6×6 bull elk sitting out at 600 yards for you like a .300 Winchester Magnum can? No. It’s not, but a .300 Savage shooter isn’t the hunter who wants to take that shot—with any rifle—in the first place. You see, the .300 Savage has always been a good enough cartridge for a good enough hunter. The .300 Winchester Magnum is just better. What you have to ask yourself is, Am I a cunning enough hunter, a patient enough hunter, a disciplined enough hunter to use a .300 Savage?
Allow me to get a little more honest with you: Under 200 yards, is there anything a .300 Winchester Magnum does on wild game that a .300 Savage can’t? Nope. But, don’t take my gun writer-biased word for it. Listen to the answer Remington ballistics expert Nick Sachse gave when I asked him.
“Nick, under 200 yards, is there anything a .300 Win Mag does on wild game that a .300 Savage can’t?”
“Not anything useful I can think of,” said the man Remington pays to think about ballistics all day. He added a little Southern perspective to drive home his point: “It might pass through three pigs lined up in a row instead of just two.”
Nick speaks the truth. I took a Savage bolt-action rifle to South Africa last year and killed a red hartebeest, duiker and quite a few warthogs with it using rather simple Federal 180-grain soft-point bullets. Of course, I limited my shots to 200 yards or under, but it wasn’t because of the cartridge. My backup rifle was a 24-inch 6.5×55 Swede, which could put plains game critters to sleep at distances well beyond my shooting capability. No; the 200-yard limit was because I told my PH I wanted to hunt as closely as possible on my safari, even if it meant failure.
Results, Indeed
Still, not every hunter likes limits; and not every ballistics expert feels the same way about which cartridge they like.
Barnes bullet guru Michael Painter answered the same question as Nick Sachse did—but from a different perspective.
“Yes, the .300 Win. Mag. transfers substantially more energy,” he said. “For example, the Remington factory Core Lokt ammunition in .300 Savage would deliver approximately 1,462 foot-pounds of energy, whereas the same weight of bullet loaded in .300 Win. Mag. at 200 yards delivers around 2,311 foot-pounds of energy. In my hunting experience, there’s no such thing as ‘too dead.’”
Still, speed and power aren’t everything (Uh, yes, yes, it is, Jay).
Decreased .300 Savage Recoil
Despite the simple fact that a .300 Winchester Magnum can, and does, shoot faster, farther and hit harder than the .300 Savage, it doesn’t win in every category critical to successful shooting.
The author is fortunate enough to own two Special Order Savage rifles—one in the classic 300 Savage and another one in the much more powerful 300 Winchester Magnum.
According to Sachse, “Delivering less recoil is one thing the .300 Savage can do, which results in a more pleasant shooting experience; and, most importantly, it decreases the probability of a flinch in anticipation of recoil—which can, of course, make all the difference when it comes to good shot placement. It can still get the job done very well inside 300 yards with proper bullet selection.”
We can all agree that no matter how fantastic your rifle, cartridge and optic are, if you can’t—or won’t—shoot your rifle accurately because you’re afraid it’s going to mule-kick you, there’s no bullet on Earth that works when you miss.
Speaking of Accurate Shooting
I hear you .300 Winchester Magnum fanboys all hollering about shooting much, much farther than 200 to 300 yards. So, for hunters who can’t get closer, or won’t (yes, I said it), the .300 Winchester Magnum can do things the .300 Savage shouldn’t.
Sachse spoke up for the marvelous .300 Winchester Magnum. “Past 300 yards or so, the .300 Win. Mag. can deliver the energy, accuracy and trajectory vital to increasing the probability of a hit in the vitals and delivering the level of bullet terminal performance needed at those extended ranges for a clean kill.”
Truth be told, the .300 Winchester Magnum is one of the most accurate long-range cartridges ever created. As a result, it has been one of the top choices for 1,000-yard competition shooters ever since it was developed.
Furthermore, there are countless law enforcement and military agencies around the world that insist upon the .300 Winchester Magnum as their cartridge-of-persuasion when human lives are on the line. Finland, Germany, Great Britain and the United States all have .300 Winchester Magnum sniper rifles in their batteries of long-range tools. No one is using the .300 Savage as a sniper rifle these days (although the .308 Winchester/7.62x51mm NATO, which was a direct result of the genius of the .300 Savage case design, is one of the most popular and beloved military cartridges of all time).
Perennial Favorite
The .300 Winchester Magnum has earned a reputation for being accurate and always delivering enough terminal performance to complete its mission, whether it’s punching tight groups at a 1,000-yard rifle match, putting down a trophy bull elk well past .300 Savage ranges or being the final word whispered by a military sniper to his vanquished foe.
In fact, the .300 Winchester Magnum’s immense popularity gives us another reason to choose it over the .300 Savage.
“An additional reason I would choose the .300 Win. is ammunition availability,” said Painter. “All firearm and ammunition dealers will carry .300 Win. Mag. ammo. Many mom-and-pop shops, gas stations, etc. will also carry .300 Win. Mag. But with the .300 Savage, you won’t be so lucky, and ammo availability will likely be scarce.”
Which Bullet for Which Cartridge?
Outside of how well you can shoot your rifle—regardless of which cartridge you choose—the most influential choice you can make to maximize your success rate with either cartridge comes down to your choice in bullets. Which bullet do you choose for which cartridge?
“The bullet that possesses the accuracy, trajectory and terminal performance needed to effectively harvest the intended target at the intended range is always the best kind,” said Sachse. “To be more specific, with the .300 Savage, and limiting shots to, say, 300 yards or so, BC is less of a factor. So almost any accurate hunting bullet designed to reliably expand and penetrate out to 300 yards, yet not over-expand and under-penetrate at near point-blank range, will suffice. When stepping up to .300 Win. Mag., BC becomes more of a factor on shots beyond 300 yards or so. Thus, that bullet really needs all the terminal performance requirements the .300 Savage-appropriate bullet has, with the added benefit of higher BC (sleeker profiles, boattails, ballistic tips, etc.) for maintaining the flatter trajectory at long range, without blowing up on game up close or penciling through at long range.”
On the Other Hand …
Ultimately, there is no fair comparison between the .300 Savage and the .300 Winchester Magnum. The .300 Savage is a short-action, yes. It kicks a lot less. It kills plenty within its intended range of up to about 300 yards, and it’s accurate enough to hit what you aim at, critter-wise.
On the other hand, the .300 Win. Mag. is a magnum long-action with fire and brimstone at both ends of the rifle. It can, and has, hunted the world’s most dangerous bears, been used to win high-powered rifle matches and saves lives on the battlefield. No elk or moose guide will snicker at your cartridge choice if you bring it into camp, and you’ll find ammo for it just about anywhere you find ammo for anything.
It’s not a fair debate. In fact, people who like to debate .30-caliber cartridges will more likely ponder a .300 Savage versus a .30-30 Winchester or a .300 Winchester Magnum versus a .30-06 Springfield. In the end, hunters who choose the .300 Winchester Magnum will do so because they don’t want to have any doubts about the rifle. Hunters who choose the .300 Savage, however, do so because they don’t want to have any doubt about themselves.
Magpump now makes a model for the AK. How fast can you make your handguards burst into flames?
Get a Magpump. Your watch and your thumbs will thank you.
How Does The Magpump Make Magazine Reloading Quicker:
Originally in 9mm, it can now be had in 7.62×39 and .223/5.56.
Adapters allow you to load different company’s 9mm magazines.
Hooper indexes the rounds, so you don’t have to face all your ammo one way.
Can load up to 60 rounds in less than a minute.
Magpump. You’ve no doubt seen it advertised, and maybe you’ve even had the chance to see one in the flesh. If not, here’s the short description: This is a tank-like mechanism for loading magazines.
Over the course of my lifetime, shooting has changed. Back when my dad, brother and I went to the range, the common shooting volume was one box each. Yes, that’s right: a mere 50 rounds. As kids, we’d shoot our 50 rounds of .22 LR and be happy. Later, we’d shoot 50 rounds of centerfire, or a 25-round box of 12 gauge, and that was that. Dad, a WWII European theatre combat vet, could still hit what he aimed at, and he found shooting boring after a bit, so my brother and I would divide up what ammo he left.
This amount of shooting was common, and it was understandable. I recall one instance of being at the range and watching a shooter as he got out of his car. This was the early 1970s, and he was wearing a three-piece suit, carrying a box of ammo in one hand and an S&W box in the other.
He proceeded to shoot his 50 rounds of .44 Magnum ammo (no hearing protection, that I recall) and, somewhat dazed from the experience, headed back to his car to drive home. It was the state range where no brass-picking was allowed, but we did it anyway. Hey, back then, picking up 50 once-fired .44 Magnum empties was like finding a sack of gold. Honestly, 50 rounds was probably more than he should’ve shot that day.
When I began International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) competition, the shooting volume for me got upped, but it was still only 200 rounds or so per range session. When I stepped it up from 200 rounds on a weekend of practice (10,000 rounds a year, max) to 200 rounds 2-3 times a week, I had to also step up from a single-stage press to reloading on a progressive.
And these days? Well, to give you a hint, one of the things that Federal unveiled at the SHOT show was an additional packaging option for their Syntech ammo: a plastic bucket of 500 rounds. It has been common to be able to buy .22 LR in bulk, up to 500 rounds in a box or plastic tub. But now you can get 9mm in such volumes, too.
Expedited Mag Feeding
Enter the Magpump. This is a device simple in concept, and I would have to think it’s fiendishly difficult to design. Simply put: You plug a magazine into it, pour ammo in the hopper and then pump the handle. It loads your magazines.
The AR Magpump takes the drudgery — and the thumb pain — out of loading magazines.
Available originally in 9mm, it can now be had in 7.62×39 and .223/5.56. You can now speed-load magazines for AKs and ARs, and depending on which 9mm adapter you put into it, any of a slew of different brands of 9mm hi-cap pistols. (The AR, AK and 9mm are each separate machines. Only the 9mm can be changed from one pistol to another.)
It’s not available yet for the Browning Hi-Power, which is where I really could have used one some years ago. I was endurance testing a P-35, built by Wayne Novak. I had enough magazines on-hand to start with 200+ rounds loaded, and I would spend the evening before a range session loading those magazines. The next day I’d go to the range, shoot the ammo, load the mags back up, and then shoot them empty again. By then the Browning was too hot to handle, and I would move on to the other testing for the day.
In the course of endurance-testing that Browning, I got thoroughly sick and tired of loading magazines.
These days, a practice session for some people means a routine like that. However, they don’t start with a bushel basket full of loaded mags. Instead, they’re loading the same 3-5 magazines over and over again, for a day of 400+ rounds of practice.
And that’s where the Magpump comes in. With the correct insert (I counted 16 different brand/model inserts on the list, with more on the way) in the pump, you simply plug in a magazine, pour a box of ammo into the hopper … and pump. It’s still a good idea to count so you don’t try to jam that 18th round into your Glock 17-round magazine. The magazine won’t appreciate it.
“But, $150 is a lot just to load magazines faster,” you say. OK, fair enough. But how much does range time cost you? Think of this in the terms you think of your progressive reloading press: time saved. If it only saves you a half-hour each range trip, in range time rental costs, how many times do you have to shoot to earn back the investment?
We’re shooting like never before, and magazine loading has to keep up. The Magpump helps with that. “Honey, I’m going down to the store to pick up a bucket of ammo. You need anything?”
I don’t know what range time costs you, but one range near me charges $14 to $29 an hour, depending on time of day and other factors. If the Magpump only saves you $7 per range trip, that comes to 25 trips to pay off the Magpump, meaning that your weekly range trips get you the Magpump cost back in less than 6 months.
And it saves your thumb. The two hardest parts of the test program (I ended up shooting 23,000+ rounds through that pistol) was the loading — and the picking up of brass. I could spread a tarp to make the brass pickup easier, but back then there was no Magpump.
And now they make it for ARs and AKs. The idea of a Magpump for an AR or AK is a little scary. You can load magazines for them with a Magpump fast enough to crush your wallet or melt your barrel. But hey, restraint is for the timid, right?
What I’m looking forward to in the near future is hauling the AR Magpump to an LE Patrol Rifle class — not just for my magazines, but for anyone else who wants to give it a try. I figure I can grind 10,000 rounds through that Magpump in short order. I’m proud of being able to break anything, but I suspect the Magpump designers have heard me coming.
A fast and effective reload is an essential skill to master, but there are fine points to consider to make sure you aren’t dropping the hammer on an empty chamber.
When it comes to defensive pistol reloads, you need to execute them effectively, swiftly and tactically. Fail to do so and you’ll be left virtually empty-handed. That’s no place to find yourself in a life-or-death situation.
When it comes to keeping your defensive pistol fed, there are essentially three types of reloads:
Administrative—deliberate loading of the pistol as you would do at the range. Speed—dumping the spent magazine and replacing it with a fresh one in the shortest time possible, executed with the slide locked back or in battery. Tactical—removing a partially-spent mag and replacing it with a full one, generally with the pistol in battery.
Each of them is an essential operation you need to master to become proficient with your defensive pistol. However, the speed reload deserves a bit more comment, given improper execution—especially when the gun is in battery—gums up the works. In particular, it’s easy and natural to assume there’s a round in the chamber in this circumstance, thus expect the gun to go bang after you’ve inserted a new magazine. This can prove foolhardiness.
Not an often occurrence, slides can fail to lock back after the last round, in turn you can find yourself with a full magazine and an empty chamber while the gun is in battery. Talk about something that should send a cold chill racing up your spine. But it’s easily avoided. The prudent maneuver, rack the slide after you reload, even if you’re 110-percent sure there’s a round in the chamber. Yes, you might cut yourself one short, but that’s far less of a detriment than finding out you’re dropping the hammer on air.
In any case, you should work on every type of reload routinely. As important as marksmanship, ensuring your pistol is fully loaded, quickly could save your life.
Intuitive U-notch sight makes getting hits second nature.
Compromise. Like it or not, going armed is defined by this characteristic more than any other. About a million little facets are weighed against each other, and yourself, to compose an everyday carry kit that’s efficient and effective. The most bedeviling nearly every armed citizen runs into is a balance between handgun size and capacity. The two never quite mash up, unless you downgrade in caliber, until perhaps now.
The Springfield Armory Hellcat takes an impressive leap forward in the world of micro 9mm pistols, providing a gun that’s concealable in every sense of the word, yet offers firepower well beyond its size. How much? With its flush-fit magazine, the Hellcat has 12 on board and its extended grip 14. That’s teasing the capacity of some double-stack service models, but in a gun that’s decidedly a micro-compact—1-inch width, 3-inch barrel, 4-inch height and an extremely manageable 17.9 ounces. Quite a feat.
While the size and firepower of the +P rated Hellcat are the Croatian-made pistol’s most notable assets, by far they aren’t the only areas in which Springfield tinkered. Keeping pace with armed citizen’s tastes, the company offers not only a standard model, but also an optic-ready OSP (Optical Sight Pistol) option. Becoming a more common configuration on defensive pistols, the OSP’s slide is milled on top giving you the ability to directly mount a reflex sight, while maintaining the lowest possible profile. Though, if you aren’t up for an optic, the Springfield boasts a solid set of sights.
Veering away from the striker-fire common three-dot configuration, the gunmaker opted for an outlined U-notch at the rear paired with a high-visibility dot on the front sight, with a tritium insert. The system is simple and intuitive, giving shooters the ability to quickly develop a sight picture and deliver hits where they need to go. Furthermore, the dovetailed iron sights are practical. What Springfield calls its ‘Tactical Rack’ rear sight is stout enough to rack the slide, and the entire system provides a co-witness arrangement when running an optic on the OSP. That means if your reflex poops out, you can still get on target with your irons.
Springfield has always paid close attention to the minute features of its pistols, and the Hellcat is no different. Among the most gripping (pun intended) is the pistol’s Adaptive Grip Texture. Pressure activated, the material provides a strong, positive grip when in your hand, but remains smooth and snag-free otherwise. Plus, there’s no ‘Grip Zone’ verbiage emblazoned across the grip.
The pistol also boasts front and rear cocking serrations, a flat trigger body with nickel boron coated trigger group, undercut trigger guard, extended beavertail, forward indexing point and reversible magazine release. Also, the Hellcat has a stand-off device at the front of the frame, ensuring the gun does not go out of battery if it’s pressed up against something. A nice insurance policy to have on a defensive pistol.
The Springfield Hellcat looks to have a lot going for it, including price. The standard model’s MSRP is $569 and the OSP $599, which puts them in nearly every shooters’ budget. It’s definitely one of those guns you can’t wait to get your hands on to see if it lives up to its billing. If it does, it certainly has the potential to take a lot of compromise out of concealed carry.
PCP air rifle that can be topped off with integral pump.
Built-in regulator ensures all shots achieve the same velocity, even as pressure deminishes.
Onboard pressure gauge and automatic over-pressure air release assure you don’t over-pump.
Feed off a 10-round rotary magazine.
Air Venturi’s latest introduction, the Aspen, combines the best of pre-charged pneumatic and pump air rifles. This means you can shoot, shoot, shoot to your heart’s content without being tied to a compressor or air tank.
The Aspen can be pressurized with compressed air from a compressor or tank but is quickly topped off with the built-in pump. As a result, you can keep a consistent pressure level. This means consistent velocity and performance from shot to shot to shot.
The Aspen (MSRP $429.99) also features a built-in regulator (a big deal in air guns), so all the shots go out under the same amount of power; and velocity and point of impact won’t change as onboard pressure diminishes—as they can in some PCP air guns. Essentially, impact won’t change from shot to shot as long as there is sufficient pressure on board to meet the regulated minimum.
Pumping up the Aspen does add to the air supply, but it won’t increase velocity, because the built-in regulator controls the actual pressure behind the pellets. In addition, there’s an onboard pressure gauge and automatic over-pressure air release to assure you don’t over-pump—no matter how enthusiastic you get.
Depending on the caliber (and power setting), you’re likely to get eight to 10 consistent shots in .177- and .22-caliber Aspens and about 20 overall before needing to replenish the air supply. In .25-caliber, figure on fewer shots. Nevertheless, the shot count goes up if you switch to low power for, say, practicing in your basement or shooting short range.
You can load the Aspen one pellet at a time or switch to a 10-shot rotary magazine (eight shots for the .25-caliber) for faster follow-up shots. And it comes with a 4×32 AO scope.
Don’t know your double taps from hammers and controlled pairs? We break down these key defensive shot series into their simplest terms.
Muddled in jargon, defensive handgun training can make a novice shooter’s head spin. A sticky point for many is the difference between hammers, double taps and controlled pairs.
The sticky point, they all accomplish the same ends—two shots on center mass. In turn, many end up using one or all three terms interchangeably. But just because they put two shots where they’re most likely to cease an attack doesn’t mean there isn’t nuance in their execution. These differences are important to understand, because when you’d use a hammer sequence is much different than when you’d pull the trigger on a controlled pair. In essence, variance comes down to sight picture:
Hammers: sights are not reacquired between shots.
Double Taps: same sight picture on both shots.
Controlled Pairs: sights are reacquired between shots.
At the top, you use the bear minimum of sight picture to deliver your fire, while at the bottom you use the maximum. As you could well guess, you move from less to more accuracy and more to less speed. That’s typically always the tradeoff, no matter what you’re behind the trigger of. And each has its place and are well worth sharpening to a knife’s edge.
Think of it this way, if an attacker is within 3 yards and closing, you won’t have time to line your sights up for each shot. Conversely, moving out 7-yards or more, it would be outright negligent to take an un-aimed shot, particularly if there are other people about.
On the surface, the terms hammers, double taps and controlled pairs might seem a bit muddled, even esoteric. But understanding and becoming proficient in each can have real-life implications.
The T1000 comes with everything you need to make sure you’re on target, whatever range you shoot. The T250 for pistol shooters is scheduled to hit shelves in the very near future.
MagnetoSpeed T1000: Shoot. See light. Receive instant gratification.
How The MagnetoSpeed T1000 Enhances Your Target:
Impact sensor activates high-visibility LED on bullet’s impact for instant feedback.
Hit indicator visible well out past 1,000 yards.
The rapid-fire mode adds a time element to precision-shooting.
Targets, in all honesty, don’t get the blood pumping. And it shows. Most shooters are still content plugging holes in simple sheets of paper. In turn, the terminal destination of our bullets has changed little over the years. OK, plate steel has made inroads — however, that’s not exactly the firearms equivalent of the iPhone.
Pity. It seems we could do more at that end of the marksmanship equation. After all, the target is the ultimate goal and deserves better than zombie graphics or simulated blood. Ideally, a good target should improve training, advance competition and make us better marksmen.
Since I’ve lead you by the nose to this point, there’s no call to build further suspense. As you’ve most likely gathered, there’s something out there that offers a majority of the previously mentioned assets. The twist: It’s not a target.
Whether you need to switch up your reflector, change batteries or adjust the T1000’s shooting mode, its guts are easily accessed by removing the device’s rubber end caps.
The MagnetoSpeed T1000 target hit indicator is one of the cleverest shooting accessories to come down the pike in a spell. And while its name might sound a tad pedestrian, its capabilities are anything but.
What Is The T1000?
If you’ve ever played a video game or even pinball, you know when you’ve scored. Nasty as those time-wasters tend to be, they certainly know how to reinforce success. Their light displays are akin to the Fourth of July on New Year’s Eve. In essence, the T1000 brings this same positive feedback to the shooting range, only without the gaudiness.
The device itself is unassuming. Basically, it’s a metal tube with a crystal-clear rubber reflector protruding from its bottom or top, depending on how you hold it. It attaches to the rear of an AR500 steel target in seconds via heavy-duty Velcro. You’d almost not even know it was there until you send a round downrange. Then the magic happens.
Red light: You’re on target. Yellow light: You’re within a few feet. Nothing: You’re checking your dope.
Up close, the T1000’s light is more than enough to make you squint in pain. That’s good, given its plain as day when you make a hit at a country mile.
It’s really that simple, and it’s pretty slick. But I’m sure there are some doubtful souls out there. After all, why spend your hard-earned cash on the T1000 if you can simply listen for the hit or look for the spall? That’s 300-yard thinking.
Flirt with 800 yards — maybe even 1,000 — and things change. That distinctive sound of copper-jacketed lead against high-carbon steel becomes a mere suggestion of what it was at half that distance. Add a stiff crosswind and you’re demanding plenty from your auditory system — not to mention your nerves. As for reading impact marks … well, I guess you enjoy painting a lot. And target swing? Not if you’re shooting a small caliber on a heavy sheet of steel.
Looked at that way, the T1000 is a pretty powerful device, especially if your usual spotter is tied up with honey-dos the weekend your trigger finger gets itchy. Furthermore, in most cases, you don’t even need your scope to see it light up. That’s not only convenient — that’s a godsend. And that’s only the surface of what the target hit indicator offers.
T1000’s Facets
Even at $150, the ability to evaluate your shooting completely from your riflescope is well worth the price of admission. However, the T1000 expands the potential of rifle shooting past a pure distance game: It also adds an element of time. One of the most ingenious features of the T1000 is its rapid-fire mode. Basically, when set to this mode, the unit counts your hits until there’s a 2-second gap. Then it blinks back how many time you were on target.
Though small, the switchboard that controls the T1000’s shooting modes is extremely simple to operate.
Even bolt-action shooters can benefit from the mode, though it’s a steep challenge. Hitting, working the bolt and hitting again within two ticks of the second hand is a tall order, even at the relatively tame range of 300 yards. With time, I expect it could pay dividends come next mule-deer season with unparalleled follow-up shots.
The Future Of Hit Indicators
MagnetoSpeed is only getting warmed up with the T1000. While the unit makes a world of sense for medium- and long-range shooters, the company has seen how the concept extends to the world of up-close-and-personal training as well. Enter the T250.
Basically a scaled-down version of the T1000, the device is designed for pistol shooting and is perfect for those deft souls who ring steel so fast that the sound of one hit bleeds into another. But that’s only half of it. The yet released T250 is also programmable from a smartphone app, offering a number of engagement scenarios.
Imagine targets A, B and C outfitted with the T250. The light on A goes off, and you shoot it. Then C flashes, and you put a round dead-center. Finally, B comes alive, and you get it no sweat. Then A again …
The yet released T250 is also programmable from a smartphone app, offering a number of engagement scenarios.
In short, this type of training adds the element of reaction, which is challenging and fun, but it’s also a very useful self-defense skill. For the money, there are few things that better simulate multi-threat engagement.
Parting Shot
Long ago, MagnetoSpeed proved they’re the whiz kids of the shooting world. Accurate and practical, the company’s barrel-mounted chronograph is a must-have for serious rifle shooters. Thankfully, the Texas concern hasn’t stayed in its own lane when it comes to innovation.
The T1000 is a practical addition to nearly any marksman’s kit, even if his limit is mid-range. Bestowing a degree of freedom, the target hit indicator means constructive shooting anytime. And with the T250 on the horizon, MagnetoSpeed looks to do the same for pistol shooting.
I won’t go so far as to say the company and the T1000 has reinvented the target, but I might be so bold as to say that they’ve done plenty to revolutionize target shooting. The T1000 makes it much more simple, enjoyable and, most importantly, fruitful.
The traditional support-hand technique — positioning the support hand about mid-way between receiver and muzzle — works with the widest variety of rifles and carbines. Consistency, meaning one technique that will work with any weapon, is always best.
A hot-button topic among AR-15 aficionados, support hand placement can get tounges clucking. But is there really a prime piece of real estate to put your paw?
What Are The Support Hand Placements Covered:
Traditional — support arm underneath the handguard, with the support hand relaxed.
Magwell — support hand on the front of magwell of the lower receiver.
High-Bore Axis — support arm out as far forward on the handguard as possible, gripping the handguard between the thumb and fingers.
One of the most heated debates among hardcore AR users is where to position the support arm and hand when firing. The “traditional” shooters position the support arm underneath the handguard, with the support hand relaxed, located somewhere around the middle of the handguard. The “magwell-grip” supporters favor clamping the support hand on the front of magwell of the lower receiver. The “high-bore axis” group extends the support arm out as far forward on the handguard as possible, gripping the handguard between the thumb and fingers.
And there you have your argument: Which is best?
The ‘Traditional’ Approach
The purpose of shooting — regardless of application — is hitting the target. To hit you need stability, and the amount of stability depends on the accuracy necessary, which is dictated by distance and/or size of the target. To create stability, you lower the body’s center of gravity and/or establish more contact points between the body and a more stable, solid object. Prone is obviously the most stable position.
The magwell technique lets you use a fighting stance, but it has some balance problems and will not work unless you actually have a magwell to grip. Most users of this technique will apply pressure to the rear with the support hand, but with the hand this far back, any movement in the hand will be magnified at the muzzle.
Regardless of the firing position or placement of the support hand and support arm, the stock must be located in the pocket of the shoulder. To locate the shoulder’s pocket, lift up your primary arm. Place the support hand on the collar bone, inboard and close to the neck. Slide the hand outboard until feeling the collar bone dip below the muscle of the shoulder. This concave area is the actual pocket.
In prone, the body should be relaxed, relying on bones to support the weapon and hold it on target as opposed to muscle tension. Bones are always more consistent than muscles, especially over long periods of time.
The same principles used in prone apply to sitting, kneeling (preferably while bracing the support elbow on the support knee for additional steadiness), standing and offhand shooting. To be clear, “standing” is a deliberate, slow-fire position used for pure marksmanship. (Think Olympic shooters in the standing position, their body perpendicular to the target and the support elbow resting against the rib cage.)
The traditional technique also works well when using a hand-held light with the AR. The primary hand applies pressure to the rear to keep the stock in the pocket of the shoulder, and the support hand creates a rest for the handguard.
Offhand — which is what most people mean when they say “standing” — is a field position, quick to assume and make a hit. When shooting offhand, the support elbow isn’t resting against the body as it is in standing, but it’s still positioned underneath the gun. The support hand is relaxed and supporting the weight. The support hand cradles the weapon’s handguard without actually gripping it, and the primary hand applies pressure to the rear to keep the stock seated in the shoulder pocket. Offhand also allows you to use a more aggressive “fighting” stance, as opposed to a “shooting” stance with the feet parallel.
The ‘Magwell Grip’ Option
With the magwell grip, the support hand clamps onto the lower receiver at the magwell. Yes, the support hand is underneath the weapon and very near to the balance point. However, the primary hand is on the grip supplying some support, which moves the balance point of the weapon forward toward the middle of the handguard. Gripping the magwell positions the support hand too far back to provide the ideal balance, but the magwell grip seems to work well for small-stature shooters and with the stock shortened.
With the support hand on the magwell, it’s lower than the handguard and the barrel — which is the heaviest part of the AR. It’s similar to holding a lollipop by the stick, except in this case is the lollipop is heavy. The upper receiver and barrel will want to tilt left or right, especially when the body is in motion. Any lateral movement in the support hand causes the muzzle pivot left or right in the shoulder.
The standing position, which is different than the offhand position, is a deliberate position used for squeezing out maximum accuracy. The support hand is fully underneath the weapon and the elbow rests against the upper torso.
And then there’s vertical movement up and down to consider. Now you’ve got movement in the X, Y and Z axis, and it’s magnified because the support hand is as far back on the rifle as possible and pulling rearward. It works for some shooters, but there’s a lot to master and overcome.
Taming The ‘High-Bore Axis’ Technique
In the high-bore axis technique, where the support hand extended as far forward as possible. One advantage of the high-bore axis hold is that it’s fast for transitioning between targets; you “drive” the muzzle from one target to another quickly. Plus, in order to use the high-bore axis technique, the feet of most shooters must be too parallel to provide a stable fighting stance.
A big factor to consider is consistency with other weapons platforms. The majority of aftermarket ARs sold today come with a full-length handguard, which allows you to position the support hand anywhere between the magwell and the end of the handguard.
In some positions, or for small-stature shooters, the magwell technique might work best. However, just be aware of the pros and cons of each technique so you can choose what will work best for you.
However, most weapons are not going to allow you to do this. The magwell technique doesn’t work if you don’t have a magwell to grip. The high-bore axis method won’t work with carbine-length gas system, or with a sub-gun such as the MP5. Pump-action shotguns require the support arm underneath the weapon to ensure you don’t bind up the action when cycling to eject and load. The stock of most hunting rifles doesn’t extend out to the muzzle.
I’m a big fan of consistency. I pretty much carry and use the same weapons all the time, but when I can’t be consistent with that, consistency in my firing platform becomes even more important. Remember, there’s no golden rule stating you’ll always be firing your AR.
Final Thoughts
So, what technique works best? It depends on your application of the AR. A technique that works for military applications might fit well with competition, but it might not with defensive or law enforcement use. Ultimately, using an AR properly — safely and efficiently — is an art, and everyone’s art is going to be different.
The equipment we use is pretty standard, but the way we use them is distinctly unique. The only way to determine what works for you is to experiment under realistic conditions. Then you can make an educated decision.
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