The ol’ Browning A5 has the elevated distinction of being recognized as the first self-loading scattergun.
Why the Browning A5 is a classic:
Long-recoil operation system.
Originally manufactured by FN in Belgium.
Later Miroku Corp. in Japan.
Remington made a licensed version, the Model 11.
Browning’s new A5 is only cosmetically similar to the Auto-Five.
Produced from 1902 to 1998.
More than 3 million manufactured.
12-, 16-, and 20-gauges were made.
John Browning was very proud of the Auto 5 semi-automatic shotgun. In fact, he called it his best achievement. It was patented in 1900 and went into production for the first time in 1902 by Fabrique Nationale in Liege, Belgium.
Most readers of this magazine probably know the history of the Browning A5, which has the distinction of being the first successful self-loading shotgun.
John Browning had previously sold his many gun designs to Winchester for a lump-sum payment. When he offered the Auto-5 to Winchester, this time he wanted a royalty based on sales but this was refused.
Browning decided to present the design to Remington and, so the story goes, was waiting in the lobby to see the company president Marcellus Hartley when Hartley died in his office of a heart attack.
FN Gets The Browning Auto Five
This led Browning to go overseas with his new shotgun design. Having previously worked with FN in Belgium to produce some of his pistol designs, he went to FN and reached an agreement for production of the Auto-Five.
Browning later licensed Remington the right to use the basic design. Their version was known as the Model 11 and was in production from 1905 to 1947.
This made the Remington the first semi-auto shotgun to be made in the United States. Browning also licensed the design to Savage for its Model 720.
The FN-made Auto-Five (also known as the A-Five) was imported into the United States from 1903 until the start of WWII, and after the war from 1947 to 1975, when production moved to Miroku in Japan.
The importer has always been Browning Arms Co., which had been established in Morgan, Utah, by Browning and his brothers in 1878.
(It should be noted that none of the FN Auto-Fives should be used with steel shot, only the Japanese models.)
The Original Auto-Five Gets Discontinued
The Browning Auto 5 finally left the shotgun scene in 1998. More than 3 million were manufactured and many are still in use around the world.
The Auto-Five should not be confused with the recent Browning A5 model, which came along in 2012. Cosmetically, it is similar to the Auto-Five with a modified square-back silhouette, but with a short-recoil system.
Locked, Loaded, and Ready: Dive Into Shotgun Basics
The Auto 5 was affectionately known as the โhump-backโ because of the square shape of the rear of the action. It operates with what is known as the long-recoil system, which has been adopted and modified by many other manufacturers over the years.
When a shell is fired, both the bolt and the barrel recoil together. The barrel returns forward first, ejecting the empty shell. Then the bolt returns forward, loading another shell into the chamber. This self-loading system is very reliable and seldom gives problems.
The Auto-Five was made in several variants, with different barrel lengths and stock styles. From the top, a 12-gauge, 20 gauge and Sweet Sixteen with ventilated rib.
Browning at one time advertised that the long recoil system spread the recoil over a longer period of time, and that the โfeltโ recoil was less than that of a pump or double gun.
There is a system of friction rings that can be adjusted to retard the recoil effect, based on the specific shotshell load being used. Another feature that is unique to the Browning A5 is a magazine cutoff lever on the left side of the receiver, handy to have available if the shooter needs to quickly change loads.
A5 Variants and Models
Auto-Fives were originally offered only in 12 gauge. The 16 gauge was added in 1909 for Europe, but it was not available in the United States until 1923. It was based on the same frame size as the 12.
The 20-gauge A-Fives first appeared during WWII when the Germans had taken over Belgium and FN had reached an agreement with Remington to produce the model in 12, 16 and 20 gauges.
Itโs interesting to note that from 1940 to 1947, Remington Model 1911s and Browning A5s were made side by side in the Remington factory in Ilion, New York. These models are often referred to as โAmerican Brownings.โ
The Light 20 and Light 12 came along after WWII, as did the Magnum 12 and Magnum 20 โ and one that has almost a cult following, the Sweet 16.
Modern gas-operated auto-loading shotguns have replaced most of the recoil-system guns. But the fine old Browning is truly a classic thatโs deeply loved, respected and collected by many shotgunners around the world.
I recall one writer โ I believe it was the great Jack OโConnor, actually โ writing that in the quail-hunting plantations of the South, where quail hunting is somewhat of a religion, in the old days a hunter was expected to show up for the hunt with a classic side-by-side or over/under.
A single-barrel gun would most definitely be frowned upon, unless it was a Browning A5.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the September 2018 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
In its second century of use, the .22 LR proved to have the staying power many of its close relatives lacked.
What Were Some Of The Early .22 Rimfire Cartridges:
.22 Short (1857)
.22 Long (1871)
.22 Extra Long (1880)
.22 Long Rifle (1887)
.22 WRF (1890)
.22 Remington Special (1890?)
.22 Winchester Automatic (1903)
.22 Remington Automatic (1914)
.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (1959)
Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson developed the first successful .22 round in 1857, after trying to adopt Flobertโs cartridge to the petulant Hunt-Jennings lever-action rifle that would sire the Henry. Smith & Wessonโs rimfire, essentially the .22 Short, was made then much as it is now. A thin sheet-metal disc was drawn into a tube with a closed end, a rim โbumpedโ onto that end and the fold filled with fulminate of mercury. The fulminate exploded when hammer or striker crushed the rim against the barrel. Smith & Wesson fueled their .22 cartridge with 4 grains of black powder and chambered a revolver for it.
The .22 Long Rifle came in 1887, after the Short and Long. New subsonic hollowpoints are accurate and lethal.
Flobertโs round became the BB (Bullet Breech) Cap, its 16-grain bullet at 750 fps ideal for indoor target fun. The CB (Conical Bullet) Cap, circa 1888, was a BB Cap with a pinch of blackpowder and the Shortโs 29-grain bullet. The .22 Long Rifle preceded the CB Cap by a year. Introduced by the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company, it comprised 5 grains of blackpowder behind a 40-grain bullet. The Long Rifle post-dated the .22 Long, which arrived in 1871, with the Shortโs bullet on a case later adopted by the LR.
In the late 1880s, these rimfires evolved to use semi-smokeless powder. Smokeless loads came on its heels. Remington announced โKleanboreโ priming for the .22 Short in 1927, years after the Germans developed โRostfreiโ non-corrosive priming. A high-speed LR load emerged at Remington in 1930. From 1880 to around 1935, a few companies loaded the .22 Extra Long, first with 6 grains of blackpowder in a hull a tad longer than the LRโs. Its 40-grain bullet loafed out the muzzle at 1,050 fps.
The .22 WMR arrived in 1959, and expanded options in bullets improve both accuracy and terminal performance.
Other early rimfires with about the same pep include the .22 Remington Automatic, developed in 1914 for that firmโs Model 16 self-loading rifle and dropped in 1928. Like the .22 Winchester Automatic, made until 1932 for Winchestersโ 1903 auto, it fired a 45-grain, inside-lubricated bullet .222-inch in diameter. Cases would not enter S, L or LR chambers. Friskier by half was the .22 WRF. It sent inside-lubricated 45-grain missiles at 1,450 fps, and interchanged with the .22 Remington Special that followed.
By far the most popular, useful and efficient .22 rimfire cartridge is the Long Rifle. Hunters know high-speed loads have twice the punch of the Short, and 60 percent more than the Long. But at 100 yards, the 40-grain LR bullets land 3ยฝ inches below a 75-yard zero, courtesy a miserable .115 ballistic coefficient. Subsonic solids in .22 LR Match ammo have dominated rimfire bullseye games since I began competing decades ago. New subsonic hollow-points give small-game hunters match accuracy and a mild report for close shooting in settled environs.
In 1959, the .22 LR got a big brother. The .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire sent 40-grain bullets at an advertised 2,000 fps. That claim proved optimistic, and 40s are now listed nearer 1,900. But frisky loads with 30-grain bullets clock 2,250! Pointed polymer tips have flattened the arcs and tightened groups for shooters sweet on the .22 WMR โ and Iโm one of them!
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the July 2018 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
In a matter of seconds, the Pedersen device made the bolt-action Springfield M1903 a semi-automatic rifle.
Thereโs an old adage about military firearms: You enter a war with the gun perfect for the last conflict you fought. This was absolutely the predicament the U.S. found itself when if headed overseas to fight the Great War.
Though a legend, the militaryโs main battle rifle of World War I โ the Springfield M1903 โ was ill-suited to the type of fighting in the war. As you should remember from high school history, up-close and dirty trench warfare defined the conflict, with soldiers scrapping it out close enough to smell each otherโs breath. Not exactly the type of fighting where a long, 5-round, bolt-action rifle built for accuracy excels. Yet, there was a somewhat unheralded firearms genius that cooked up a solution that, in a matter of seconds, helped the Springfield overcome its shortcomings.
Called the greatest gun designer in the world by none other than John Browning himself, John Pedersenโs answer was a simple blowback mechanism that made the M1903 a semi-automatic. Dubbed the Pedersen device, the apparatus had the potential to be a gamechanger, fitting in the Springfieldโs breech and all but instantly converting it to a firearm fit to lay down high a high volume of fire. There were trade-offs, of course. Instead of shooting the powerful .30-06 Springfield cartridge, the rifle spit out pistol-caliber rounds akin to the 7.65ร20mm Longue. But with 40-rounds on tap from a detachable box magazine, it was a vast improvement on the gunโs previous firepower potential.
Clever as it was, the Pedersen device didnโt see any action, the war ended before it could be utilized. Afterward, the government kept them in storage for about a decade, then declared them obsolete and destroyed most of them. Exceedingly rare, a functioning Pedersen device now draws top dollar among collectors.
Thereโs no escaping the 9mm. Like the air we breathe, in the shooting world the potent little German cartridge is everywhere at once โ pistols, revolvers, carbines. Not that this is a bad thing.
Yes, itโs as common as road dirt nowadays, but thereโs a reason why the โNineโ has risen to become not only Americaโs favorite centerfire cartridge, but a world phenomenon. It plain gets the job done. A rarity in the semi-automatic pistol world, the 9mm presents shooters with few tradeoffs. Itโs small enough to enhance capacity. Itโs powerful enough to excel in military, law-enforcement and self-defense roles. Itโs mild enough that nearly anyone who desires to shoot a handgun can master it. Itโs economical enough you can keep a pistol well fed. And itโs flexible enough itโs reinvented itself numerous times over its life, always remaining relevant.
Certainly, the 9mm isnโt an absolute do-all. If you have a yen for handgun hunting anything more substantial than a woodchuck the cartridge will come up short. But for the main applications of a handgun โ defense, competition, plinking โ it occupies an amazingly large middle ground. A ground no other cartridge really comes close to encroaching upon.
Though, for the sake of fairness, the cartridge doesnโt get to steal the laurels all by its lonesome. Over the years, gun designers have hatched truly classic shooting irons to launch the 9x19mm, pistols that โ in some cases โ are equal of any other legendary handgun to come down the pike. From armor-plate tough military sidearms to space-aged innovation, the 9mm pistol has evolved more than perhaps any other caliber of handgun in the past 100-plus years. That is especially true of the pistols weโll look at now.
When it comes to the 9mm pistol, these are the best of the best. They represent not only watershed moments in gun design, but also in handgun application as well as shooters tastes. And if you love the Luger, Parabellum or whatever you might call it, these are must-haves for your collection โ if you have a wallet thick enough to afford them.
Luger P08
The gun for which the 9mm was developed, the wicked toggle-lock pistol is among the most sought-after and iconic handguns of the 20th Century. Routinely, choice Lugers can flirt with six figures, such as a prototype โBabyโ Luger that sold at Rock Island Auction Company for $92,000 in 2017. Yet, the 8-round pistol generally doesnโt occupy the mind as a moldy dust gatherer. Adopted by the German military in 1904, debatably the first successful semi-automatic pistol served in World War I and II and is remembered as the dynamic sidearm of the enemy and coveted war booty for Allied soldiers.
Soldier or not, who wouldnโt want this extraordinary 9mm pistol? The action alone is worth the price of entry. It was plenty effective too boot, capable of expectorating hot 9mm rounds quicker than you can yell, โAchtung!โ And, given its fix barrel, the handgun was inherently accurate โ considered by some to be among the most natural pointing pistols ever conceived. The design suffered from some issues. The Luger is ammunition sensitive, struggling to cycle low-pressure rounds. Tightly fitted, it also was expensive to manufacture and it could get testy if not kept clean as a whistle. The last is not a great trait of a service pistol.
Nevertheless, the Luger held its own in two of the greatest conflicts the worldโs ever known and continues to stir the imagination today.
Walther P38
Photo Hallowell & Co.
Overshadowed by the Luger, the P38 doesnโt quite rouse the soul in the same way. Yet, itโs fair to say the semi-automatic 9mm pistol held a more significant position in the world of gun design than the P08, at least in the modern era. Marking a trend in service pistols from the midpoint of the 20th Century on, it was the first to mate the locking breech with a DA/SA trigger. Furthermore, it was also the first handgun with a loaded-chamber indicator โ nearly an industry standard now.
Introduced in 1938 and mass produced in 1940, the 8-round pistolโs ruggedness and reliability endeared it to soldiers. That, and of course, its accuracy. This aspect was hastened by a barrel that always remained horizontally aligned to the target when cycling, instead of tilting like the 1911.
Born out of the need for an easy-to-manufacture and economical pistol, the P38 still contained some downright clever engineering. In particular, the wedge-shaped falling block that kept the slide and barrel locked until chamber pressure dissipated to enough to allow the slide to travel fully backward. The design proved resilient, with the pistol not only seeing action in World War II, but also as the German military sidearm from the mid-1950s to the mid-1990s.
Sadly, Walther ceased production of the P38 in 2000. Though, there are plenty of affordable specimens floating around for the shooter who must have one in their collection.
A melancholy addition to the list, given the pistolโs inauspicious end earlier this year. After more than 80-years of production, Browning (but manufactured by Fabrique Nationale) quietly added to the Hi Powerโs webpage โNo Longer In Production.โ Not exactly the adieu one of the 20th Centuryโs most important and prolific pistols deserved, to say the least. Though, understandable, given so many modern striker-fired pistols offer the advantages of the Hi Power, at a fraction of the weight and price.
Therein lies one of the great contributions of the John M. Browning started, Dieudonnรฉ Saive finished design โ it laid the groundwork for much of what today makes up the modern pistol market. In particular, capacity and linkless cam locking system. The latter was all Browning, who had to find a way to work around the 1911โs toggle link, which Colt held the patent on. The former was a Saiveโs contribution, originally a 15-round magazine in the staggered configuration so familiar today.
The Hi Power as known currently, for the most part, was due to Saive. After the Browningโs death in 1926 and the Hi Powerโs failed attempt at becoming the French militaryโs sidearm, the FN designer continued tinkering with the 9mm pistol. He replaced the striker-fired mechanism with a single-action external hammer, added a manual thumb safety, curved the backstrap and trimmed the capacity to 13-rounds to lighten it a hair. While the French did not adopt the pistol they turned out to be the exception. More than 50 militaries worldwide utilized the Hi Power, making it one of the most ubiquitous military pistols of all time.
Though the Hi Powerโs time finally came this year, it wonโt be soon forgotten. Honestly, it canโt be, with how many pistols followed its lead.
Heckler & Koch VP70
Photo iCollector
An ugly duckling to be sure, the VP70 arguably is among the most important pistols of the late 20th Century. The first (of many) handguns to utilize a polymer frame, the German 9mm, in essence, launched the materials revolution that defines the pistol market today. Innovative as it was, the pistol proved somewhat ahead of its time, as it took until the 1980s and the rise of Glock for the concept to really catch fire.
Introduced in 1970, the 9mm pistolโs design was as simple as kindergarten arithmetic. A blow-back operation, the striker-fired had a relatively clunky slide encasing a fixed barrel, which should have made it accurate, though this was thwarted somewhat by a less-than-smooth trigger. Downright stiff, the double-action-only trigger made it feel more like shooting a 9mm revolver than a 9mm pistol. Though, if you knew the gun, you could stage the trigger like a wheelgun, thus break an aimed shot without all the travel.
On the plus side and similar to most blowback pistols, the VP70 digested nearly anything it was fed and was dependable as daybreak. Additionally, it boasted an ample 18-round capacity, which at the time must have seemed like you could shoot the thing all day off a single magazine.
In addition to its polymer frame, the pistol had a few other interesting facets, especially for its day. Originally, the VP70 was a machine pistol (not the civilian model VP70Z) designed for the military that, with the addition of a stock, would shoot 3-round bursts. Furthermore, it had a unique front sight. Instead of a traditional blade, a notched ramp provided the front post, casting a shadow over where it had been slotted.
The VP70 isnโt the first pistol shooters would pick in a beauty contest, nevertheless, its cutting-edge use of material more than proved an attractive concept that gunmakers swarmed to as the years wore on.
Beretta 92
To say the least, this unique DA/SA draws mixed reactions. Partly due to replacing the M1911 as the U.S. military service pistol, partly due early design flaws (a whole other article), the 92 tends to raise some shootersโ dander. But, overall the first 9mm pistol to the serve the country had a fairly solid track record over its recently-ended 23-year career.
While many remember the M9 (its military designation) taking the place of John M. Browningโs masterwork, it actually cut a wider swath across the armed services. In all, it replaced some 25 pistols and revolvers โ not to mention all the ammunition to feed them โ that had wormed their way into service by 1985. Given 9mm was the NATO standard, it was logical as a member of the treaty the U.S. would follow suit with its new pistol. This, more than the fact it replaced the 1911, probably got most folks upset. The 9mm is smashing when shooting defensive rounds, but many felt it left a lot to desire spitting ball.
Designed in 1972, the unique handgun was based off a different Beretta service pistol โ the single-action 951. Like the older 9mm pistol, the 92 employed the Walther P38โs locking block barrel design, which increased its accuracy potential by keeping the barrel situated on the target after it fired. Furthermore, it had kept one of the most distinguishing features of its predecessor โ an open slide design with an exposed barrel. Though, it was also influenced by the โWonder Nineโ movement of the time, with a 15-round double-stack magazine and, of course, the DA/SA trigger.
Loved and hated, the 92 is controversial, at least in some military circles. But taking the U.S. militaryโs sidearms in a whole new direction for the first time in 70 years makes it as influential as ever.
The term โWonder Nineโ has lost some of its luster over the years, but in the 1970s, when law enforcement by and large still carried .38 Special revolvers, the title had meaning. And few optimized it more than the CZ 75. The little wonder from behind the Iron Curtain had nearly everything shooters were looking for out of a modern 9mm pistol at the time and even now.
Well, the DA/SA trigger is up for debate, itโs never gained the level of popularity akin to striker-fired options or single-action only semi-autos. That said, it was and is one of the best examples of this style of trigger, smooth on the first squeeze and curt every one that followed. Additionally, it was fully capable of being carried in condition 1 (cocked and locked), which made the 9mm pistol a favorite among the competitors. Nice as its trigger is, hands down the showstopper was its 15-round capacity, which in its early days made it the Henry Rifle of handguns โ โLoaded on Sunday and shot all week.โ
Born in Czechoslovakia, the gun was never meant to arm the Communist Block. It was purely an export to the Western World and was a hit in Europe when it made its appearance in 1975. The U.S. was another story. Due to harsh duties on Czechoslovakia at the time, the gun was an anomaly when it showed up stateside. In fact, the first one to appear was actually a licensed model made by Fratelli Tanfoglio (TZ-75) in the early 1980s.
The Italian manufacturer wasnโt the last to slap their roll mark on the CZ 75. Given the inability of brothers Josef and Frantiลกek Kouckรฝ to secure world patents on the design, the 9mm is among the most cloned and outright copied pistols in the world. From the Magnum Researchโs Baby Desert Eagle to Kriss Arms Spinks, all are derivatives of the Eastern European masterpiece.
Glock 17
The Glock 17 wasnโt the first polymer-framed pistol to amble on the market (see the VP70), but no bones about it, it was the first successful one. Though truth be told, success misses the mark. The 9mm pistol, initially designed for the Austrian military, went way beyond that redefining the handgun market from the early 1980s on.
The Glock 17โs impact is undeniable, sparking todayโs incredible selection of polymer-framed pistols. Nearly every major manufacturer offers at least one line of the style of handgun and, by and large, they are the choice of most armed citizens, particularly those who carry concealed.
The Glock 17โs lightweight, simple design and intuitive shootability made it a global sensation and a near instant classic. And it took what amounts to a wink to accomplish. Gaston Glock assembled a team of European shooting and firearms experts to propose design points. From there, it was a matter of months before the company cranked out a prototype to submit to the military trials. Impressive, given beforehand Glock and his company had no background in firearms.
In addition to materials, the Glock 17โs other revolutionary design point is its trigger. Double-action-only (know as a โSafe-Action by Glock) achieved one of the most consistent pulls up to that point. Squeeze in and out, the striker-firedโs trigger broke at a predictable 5.5 pounds โ an absolute boon for a shooterโs accuracy potential.
Certainly, there are shooters who bemoan the rise of the plastic fantastics sparked by the G17. They might have a point, the blocky black pistols have all the charm of an indecent proposal. But when your life is on the line, Glockโs unsightly lines are absolutely beautiful.
Modern Shooter immerses itself in true-to-life self-defense scenarios with a visit to Double Eagle Tactical Training.
The unfortunate fact about lethal force events, theyโre a roll of the dice. You never exactly know when theyโll happen or what form theyโll take. You might face a single assailant in the familiar confines of your own home or multiple in the alien surroundings of a public venue. Thatโs a lot of scenarios to prepare for, almost a seemingly impossible amount.
Daunting as it might seem, at Double Eagle Tactical Training, honing students to confront unknown unknows is just another day at the office. Drawing upon years of law enforcement experience, the father-son team of Lek and Mark Nazi have become renowned for their ability to sharpen armed citizens to a knifeโs edge. Nestle in the corner of New Yorkโs Catskill Mountains, their training facility takes students way beyond the firing line and immerses them in true-to-life situations they could face any time or place. This isnโt simply defensive firearms instruction meant to improve shooting skills, but the total package meant to arm you with the mental tools you need to thrive in the most deadly circumstances.
Modern Shooterโs Phil Massaro jumps into Double Eagle Tactical Trainingโs immersive class with both feet. And boy howdy, does he get put through the wringer. From learning to shoot from a car to puzzling out if he can use justified force in a split second, the author is pushed to his limits.
Catch the rest of the action of this heart-pounding episode of Modern Shooter 10:00 p.m. EST Friday on the Pursuit Channel. The episode rebroadcasts Monday at 12 p.m. EST and Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. EST.
With hot loads, the Ruger Blackhawk Bisley .45 Colt is the definition of unadulterated power.
The .45 Colt doesnโt make the headlines it did when chaps were all the style and gridlock meant a tumbleweed pileup. Yet, in the right gun, the tried-and-true cartridge is an absolute sledgehammer. Burning supernova hot and outdoing many of its magnum counterparts, itโs suitable medicine for a wide swath of game, including the particularly cantankerous kind.
Consider, a .45 Colt load meant for a modern revolver is fully capable of slinging a 300-grain bullet in excess of 1,300 fps from the muzzle. For comparison, a .44 Magnum shooting a similar projectile comes up around 100 fps short of that mark. And the .44 is no peashooter, as most know. It packs a lot of wallop.
As alluded to, not any .45 Colt revolver will suffice for these hot load, unless you hate your fingers. It requires the strength modern metallurgy and the ruggedness only found in comtempory engineering. Vintage Colt Single Action Army revolvers wonโt do. Itโs got to be something like a Ruger Blackhawk.
Introduced in 1955, the single-action revolver was specifically designed to stand up to the violent pressures generated by magnum cartridges. As an added benefit, it allowed age-old favorites such as the .45 Colt to flower into their full potential and find a second life โ especially among reloader live to hot rod cartridges. Furthermore, the 6-round revolver has proven dang accurate, making it a top choice for those who a have a yen for tracking game with a handgun.
At the same tick, the Blackhawk is a looker. The one handgun hunting guru Max Prasac wields โ a Ruger Blackhawk Bisley โ in the above video is a prime example. Color-case hardened by Turnbull Restoration, the revolver has the classic good looks of an old west legend. Yet, it allows a shooter all the advantage of a cutting-edge modern arm. What better to launch a updated classic, such as the .45 Colt?
For more information on the Ruger Blackhawk, please visit: www.ruger.com. For more information on Turnbull Restoration, please visit: www.turnbullrestoration.com.
The most accurate precision rifles available are nothing without a riflescope of substantial quality. And such a riflescope is nothing without a reticle capable of helping you deliver a bullet on target from a long, long distance.
Why do you suppose it is that precision rifle shooting โ or long-range shooting, as some call it โ has jumped into popularity so fast? Seriously โฆ think about it. The equipment is often quite expensive, and letโs face it: Finding a shooting range in excess of 600 yards is a major hurdle for most shooters across the United States. Long ranges, by definition, take up a lot of room.
Less than a decade ago ARs were just starting to make an entrance into the mainstream civilian market, and precision rifles were only used by Navy SEAL snipers on movies we all couldnโt get enough of. Very few people had one. And today, though the AR market remains strong, itโs fallen in the shadows of precision shooting. The amount of choices we have as precision rifle shooters โ both in regard to gear and training opportunities โ is simply amazing.
I could certainly fire-up a mile-long Facebook thread on what exactly is so appealing with precision rifle shooting, because everyone has a varying opinion on why itโs โcoolโ or, even more so, what gear to be using. And that overflow of opinions would prove exactly my point: customization and versatility.
Like the AR platform, precision rifle shooting offers a nearly unparalleled selection of calibers, cartridges, rifle brands and platforms, optics brands and platforms โ right down to more reticle choices than even the most serious long-ranger can keep up with.
A Volume Of Visuals
The selection of reticles available in scopes marketed as โlong-range opticsโ is astounding. Itโs damn-near mind boggling. There are so many one-off options out there that itโs nearly enough to scare a shooter back to using open sights.
thereโs one thing Iโve learned from taking precision rifle courses and from watching some of the best shooters in the world play the long game, itโs that creating the perfect long-range rifle setup is done by following a precise formula โ a formula that each individual shooter gets to make up for themselves. There is no right or wrong answer: just you, your setup โฆ and your training.
Below is a smattering of innovative precision rifle reticles from a sampling of major players in the long-range optics field. All of these manufacturers offer at least a couple of options, and some offer a jaw-dropping number of reticle options. Some are quite complex, and some are very simple. Some pair with first focal plane scopes, and some donโt. Most are designed to be paired with ballistic turrets. Many are MOA configured, and some are mil-rad. Some will fit your preferred shooting style. Some wonโt.
Nightforce MOAR Reticle
The Nightforce MOAR reticle features a floating center crosshair 2 MOA wide and 2 MOA tall that provides a precise aiming point where it matters most: on smaller targets at longer ranges. In addition, 1-MOA elevation and windage spacings provide for more accurate rangefinding and hold-offs. The MOAR has thicker line subtensions than Nightforceโs traditional reticles, and is marked with 10-, 20- and 30-MOA elevation indicators โ and 10- and 20-MOA windage indicators โ to help the shooter acquire targets extremely quickly and easily under field conditions.
The MOAR was designed specifically to be more intuitive, easier to see in low-light conditions and more visible against dark backgrounds and in shadows โ the three areas that Nightforce believes cause the most visual problems for precision riflemen. www.nightforceoptics.com
Bushnell Deploy MOA Reticle
Designed for versatility, the Bushnell Deploy MOA reticle has been designed for hunters, target shooters, shooters of multiple calibers โ anyone looking for extreme flexibility in what a riflescope has to offer. The 0.18-MOA thick crosshairs on the Deploy MOA are easy to see without obstructing the target picture, and hashmarks have been strategically placed at every 1 MOA for fast and accurate elevation holdover. The hashmarks below zero are 2 MOA wide to aid in accurate windage holds, which is an excellent yet subtle feature that helps keep the reticle visually clean without sacrificing utility. www.bushnell.com
Vortex Viper XLR Reticle
Designed to maximize long-distance shooting and ranging abilities of a precision rifleman and the rifle of their choosing, the Viper XLR MOA reticle is designed to effectively and quickly determine ranges, holdovers, windage and moving lead corrections. Laser etching on the glass reticle has been crafted with precision and ensures that MOA specifications are kept to the tightest possible tolerances. The design features hashmarks with wind-drift dots and 1 MOA wind reference subtensions, which is ideally suited for long-range shooters dialing for bullet drop or holding drop. In addition, the fine center crosshair subtensions on the XLR MOA reticle were carefully chosen to provide the optimum balance between precision aiming and low-light visibility. www.vortexoptics.com
Leupold Illuminated T-MOA Reticle
The Leupold Illuminated T-MOA reticle features stadia lines on the horizontal and vertical crosshairs set at 1 MOA for quick bullet drop and windage correction. The crosshair is left open to create a small, clear aperture for increased precision at longer ranges. Sound simple? Thatโs because it is.
The Illuminated T-MOA is available in the VX-6HD line of scopes, which feature CDS-ZL2 dial locks that canโt be inadvertently rotated off the zero. All Leupold VX-HD riflescopes are CDS capable and include one free Custom Ballistic Dial with purchase. The combination of the CDS-ZL2, Illuminated T-MOA and an electronic reticle level make Leupold a top contender in precision riflescopes. www.leupold.com
Nikon Illuminated X-MOA and X-MRAD Reticles
The Nikon Illuminated X-MOA and X-MRAD reticles are paired with the innovative adjustment systems in Nikonโs Black line of riflescopes, and they are glass-etched. The X-MRAD reticle provides any precision shooter with clean and simple โ yet highly functional โ advanced tools for estimating range, maintaining holdovers or dialing for elevation, and of course compensating for wind. Nikon also highlights the point that one advantage of using tactical-style reticles is that it can be applied to virtually any shooting application, regardless of caliber or ballistic performance. Nikonโs Spot On Ballistic Match Technology further expands the capabilities of the X-MOA and X-MRAD reticles for specific shooting applications, whatever that might be. www.nikonsportoptics.com
SIG Electro-Optics MOA/MRAD DEV-L Reticle
After announcing the release of the Tango6 5-30x65mm riflescope a few years ago, SIG Electro-Optics has continued to evolve at an industry-leading pace through the introduction of LevelPlex, a digital level thatโs six times more accurate that a bubble level thatโs designed to remove the accuracy-stealing cant from long-range shooting. To further solidify their place in the precision shooting optics realm, SIG Electro-Optics added the DEV-L ballistic holdover reticle to the Tango6 equation, giving shooters an extensive package of tools all in one riflescope. SIG also offers a SIG Ballistic Turret, SBT Dial, which is free and custom laser engraved to match the shooterโs unique ballistic information and environmental conditions. www.sigsauer.com
Burris SCR MOA Reticle
The SCR MOA reticle from Burris is available on several Burris riflescopes in both illuminated and non-illuminated models. The illuminated models extend the engagement of targets in low-light conditions, which are perfectly suited for hunters. In non-illuminated models, the fine details in the reticle are sharp enough for close-in focus โ in virtually all lighting conditions โ for ultra-precise dissection at even the most distant targets. Other features include: 1-MOA holdover lines; 0.5-MOA and 1-MOA windage hold-off lines for precision; and 0.25-MOA ranging brackets on the crosshairs, at the top, left and right. www.burrisoptics.com
Schmidt and Bender Reticle
The Tremor2 reticle from Schmidt and Bender is designed by Horus Vision and is all about faster shooting โ speed and ease, at a distance. According to Horus, the Tremor2 is field-proven to make wind calls easier.
Although the reticle is one of the โbusierโ reticles available, the Speed Shooting Formula is built directly into the elevation hold of the reticle, further promoting faster shooting. By design, the reticle also allows the shooter to accurately mil targets very quickly using the chevron 1/10-mil marks. Additional specs and features: Refined โchevronโ mil markers subtend to 0.1 mils, versatile marker groupings, central dot at crosshair intersection for refined aiming point, open-above-center reticle for clear observation, and the Horus Grid allows shooters to visually place the target on the appropriate horizontal and vertical grid lines to correct for elevation and windage visually without turning knobs or counting clicks. www.schmidtundbender.de/en/
Conclusion
Selecting a reticle is, in my opinion, the most important feature you must consider when considering a riflescope for your precision setup. Choosing a reticle can also be like picking out a puppy: You never really know what youโre getting into until you get it home and play with it for a while.
My best advice is to get some precision rifle training from a reputable instructor who will allow you to shoot a variety of different rifles, optics and of course โ reticles. Take this โtest driveโ to see what works for you before you flop a bunch of cash out for your own gear, and youโre certain to end up a much better precision shooter in the long run.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the October 2017 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Decked out for precision work, the new SCAR 20S nearly mirrors its military counterpart the MK20 SSR.
How the SCAR 20S is configured for precision shooting:
Chambered 7.62x51mm
20-inch heavy profile barrel
1:12 twist rate
Monolithic extended receiver
Fully adjustable buttstock
Geissele Super SCAR trigger
Long-range marksmen and precision shooters rejoice! You now have another option in your quest to accurately deliver a round to the next county. Once only available to the military, FN America announced this week the introduction of the SCAR 20S, the civilian version of the MK20 SSR utilized by US SOCOM units for the past decade.
FN appears to deliver a true-to-form package in the precision rifle, boasting similar specs to the MK20 SSR. Like the Sniper Support Rifle, the 7.62x51mm SCAR 20S boasts a 20-inch heavy profile barrel with a 1:12 twist, an adjustable stock and MIL-STD-1913 rails at the 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12 oโclock positions. Additionally, the new rifle also comes outfitted with a double-stage Geissele Super SCAR trigger, which breaks at 3.5 to 4.5 pounds.
This release follows up from a month ago when FN announced a run of 200 limited editions SCAR 20S kits. Decked out, the sets came with a load of extras, including Harris SBRM Bipod, FN Branded SKB iSeries hard case with custom foam insert, FirstSpear R37 Rifle Wrap and Soft Case/Shooting Mat, among other things. The kit ran a bank-account exhausting $5,499. Shootersโ pocketbook wonโt get much of a reprieve with the store-shelf version SCAR 20S, which rings up at a stout $4,499. Thatโs the cost of going long.
From the company:
(McLean, VA) FN America, LLC is pleased to announce the release of the highly-anticipated FN SCARยฎ 20S precision rifle, based on the FN MK20 SSR or Sniper Support Rifle currently fielded within USSOCOM. The 7.62x51mm-chambered rifle has been purpose-built to achieve superior long-range accuracy.
โThe FN SCAR 20S is the latest addition to our battle-proven line-up of FN SCAR products and the first commercial SCAR release since we launched the 17S in 2010,โ said Mark Cherpes, President and CEO for FN America, LLC. โCustomers will notice that the FN SCAR 20S shares more commonalities than differences with the MK20 SSR and reaffirms our commitment to producing commercial versions of our iconic military firearms.โ
The rifle achieves 1-MOA (minute of angle) accuracy to 100 yards with match-grade ammunition out of the box. The 20-inch, 1:12 twist, heavy profile barrel and barrel extension, and extended, monolithic receiver add the additional rigidity that reduces fluctuation or movement between shots while the extended receiver provides the much-needed rail space for high-powered optics. The custom-designed MK20 SSR buttstock adjusts to length of pull and comb height to customize the fit to each shooter while in the prone firing position, and the factory-installed, double-stage Geissele Super SCAR trigger achieves a 3.5-4.5-pound trigger pull.
Technical Specifications:
– Caliber: 7.62x51mm
– Barrel Length: 20 inches
– Barrel Twist Rate: 1:12
– Weight: 11.2 pounds
– O/A Length: 40.6 โ 42.5 inches
– Operation: Short-stroke gas piston
– Finish: Flat Dark Earth (FDE)
– Capacity: (1) ten-round magazine *Compatible with FN SCAR 17S 10- and 20-round magazines
For more information about the FN SCAR 20S, please visit: www.fnamerica.com.
Savageโs B Series Hardwood has elements of fine rimfires now gone โ and modern day improvements.
Why the B Series Hardwood is a top rimfire:
Stocked in walnut-stained hardwood.
21-inch sporter barrel.
Adjustable iron sights.
Drilled and tapped for scope mounts.
Adjustable AccuTrigger.
Chambered in .22LR, .22 WMR and .17 HMR.
I sat on a fence rail, the rifle heavy, its walnut smooth in my hands. It smelled faintly of Hoppes. The barn squatted as if tired of supporting its roof. Boards rotted at the bottom splayed out, pressed by a manure pack so deep the sheep almost bumped their heads entering the doorway. A dirt-poor farmer tended this 80 acres. He showed me where to sit and promised heโd find some more ammo โฆ but did I have enough for today?
โYes,โ I said, though at 50 cents a box, it hadnโt come cheap. I slid a handful into the borrowed .22.
Tiny tunnels threaded the sheep pack, laced through the rotted boards and snaked through the apron of grass outside the pen. I watched them as carefully as later I would scan deer trails, and slots in the bush for Cape buffalo. A ratโs head in the tight, milky field of the Weaver J4 hiked my pulse as would bigger game through better glass in a life yet to spool out.
Rimfire rifles still bring shooting and hunting to youngsters. Quiet, accurate cartridges and recoil that barely nudges the clavicle gives marksmanship a chance. โYou canโt shoot well if you pay attention to the bang,โ observed the man who owned the .22. One day he handed me a long-barreled Navy Krag. I fumbled a .30-40 cartridge into the box and snapped it shut. I stroked the silk-smooth bolt, struggled to align the iron sights on the oil can in the furrow and staggered to the blast and the hammer-blow of the metal butt. The oil can didnโt move.
โMissing big and noisy is still missing,โ he said. โHitting with a .22 is better.โ
The 10-shot rotary magazine fits flush between the action screws, and the forward latch is properly recessed.
Alas, rifles like his lovely rimfire would soon be too costly to build. Someone bought the single-shot bolt-action in the rack beneath the moose in the local hardware โ the one new .22 that, at $16.50, I thought I might someday afford. A simple, honest rifle of steel and walnut, it was replaced by tinny .22s with pot-metal and polymer parts, in crudely fitted, shoddily finished stocks. Gone was figured walnut. Iron sights became more expensive and, as scopes gained traction at market, went away.
While not sudden, changes in rimfire rifles were marked and irreversible. Used-gun racks that had once bristled with fine target rifles lost them. Classic models that had defined the market left it.
Craftsmanship Not Forgotten
Alas, these rifles are unlikely to return. If you recall 22-cent gasoline, you know these rifles Iโm talking about โ and perhaps mourn them. If youโre young, youโve read of them. Theyโre now seldom loaned to boys picking off rats. But once in awhile, something comes along to remind us of them.
The Savage B Series Hardwood, new for 2018, is such a rifle โ though its description didnโt spur me to jubilation. The catalog noted that B Series rifles have โโฆ an ergonomically designed stock, higher comb, top tang safety and target-style vertical pistol grip.โ The rotary magazine and AccuTrigger are also standard.
Savageโs AccuTrigger, introduced in 2003, appears on all seven B Series rifles.
The B Series is not the B-Mag sextet bored for the bottleneck .17 WMR. Itโs a more traditional family of rimfires, all seven members with identical bolt mechanisms and 10-shot spools. Six come in .22 Long Rifle, .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire and .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire, and one in .22 LR only.
B Series rifles wonโt shame early post-war .22s โ those that, if produced today, would cost many shekels indeed. These new Savages emphasize value and affordability, place performance over esthetics at prices that wonโt give you the vapors. Six of the seven Bs wear black synthetic stocks. The outlier that caught my eye has real wood and open sights: true โyesterdayโ appeal. I requested a sample in .22 WMR.
At 5.5 pounds with a 21-inch barrel and 13.5-inch length of pull, the B Series Hardwood hardly pops from a spec sheet. In hand, this rifle gets better. The sampleโs stock has a red-orange hue, not unlike aged French walnut. Itโs very well finished, the pores filled, surface scratch- and ripple-free, details crisp. The grip lacks traditional curve but is long enough for big paws. Its slight swell (both sides) naturally and comfortably positions my palm. Generous comb fluting accepts the heel of my hand.
Stippling on the grip and high on the forend is well placed for secure but relaxed hold. Below a ridge midway along the forend, seven near-vertical grooves add purchase for your left palm โ or for your mitt as you kick about the bush for cottontails on crisp December mornings.
Here is one of the authorโs 100-yard groups from the B Series: fi ve 30-grain CCI hollow-points in 1.1 inches.
The relatively tall, straight comb instantly aligns my eye with the low-mounted Bushnell scope I attached to the rifle, but itโs not too high for iron-sight use. โIronโ is a misnomer here, because the open sights are not of steel. The front is a simple blade integral with a base secured to the barrel by two screws. The height-adjustable rear sight is also fastened by twin screws. Its top section can be removed to let a scopeโs objective bell crouch low.
By the way, the tubular steel receiver is drilled and tapped for Weaver bases; itโs not grooved for clamp-on rings. Held to the stock by machine screws fore and aft of the rotary magazine, the bolt has dual extractors in its recessed face. The polymer 10-shot box with polymer spool fits flush and is secured by a recessed front latch that operates easily but with authority โ and thereโs no rattle. Feeding the spool isnโt like sliding cartridges into a tube; each must be pressed against a stubborn catch. Shucking cartridges into and out of the chamber, thereโs also a hitch. And loading single cartridges through the port is only for small, nimble fingers. That said, in short order I got used to these minor balks.
The cast alloy guard, attached by the rear guard screw and, behind, by a wood screw, straddles the AccuTrigger, which Savage introduced in 2003 and now uses in most of its rifles. In the B Series, it also serves as bolt release. The two-position tang safety is handy and itโs quiet and crisp in operation, but it doesnโt lock the bolt. I like the bolt handle: Long and straight and positioned at a comfortable angle, it has a substantial cylindrical head finely machine-checkered on its circumference.
You can get a B Series Hardwood in .17 HMR, too โ a superbly accurate round built on the .22 WMR hull.
The B Series Hardwood balances well, its weight settling naturally between my hands. Thereโs a gunny, real-rifle feel to this .22. It leaps to cheek, steadies quickly and carries intuitively in the crook of my arm. Neither bulky nor too slender, the stock nestles naturally in my big hands. โErgonomicallyโ is one of many overused words that profligately waste syllables without clearly describing anything. But if thereโs an โergonomically fineโ rimfire stock, Savage has approached it here. The B Series Hardwood is graced with QD swivel studs, so I can cinch up a Brownells Latigo sling for accurate fire from hunting positions.
Proof Through Plinking
At the range, I wound up giving the Savage more attention than went to the $4,000 big game rifle on the bench for accuracy trials. The .22 Magnum was just more fun! After zeroing at 35 steps and poking a .4-inch group, I trotted a target to 100. Bullets in a wide range of weights and styles drilled groups that would have sent prairie dogs dashing for their holes!
CCI 30-grain poly-tipped loads delivered the tightest knot: 1.1 inch. But other light-bullet options, like the Speer TNT load marketed by Federal, punched four of five holes inside an inch. Competitive loads from Hornady, Remington and Winchester yielded similar results. Federalโs 50-grain hollow-points at 1,530 fps could hardly match the 2,250-fps launch of 30-grain poly-tips, and struck lower. But groups hovered near 1.6 inches.
At ordinary rimfire ranges, those 50s may kill game like groundhogs and foxes more reliably than faster bullets that trump them in the charts. At 75 yards, itโs toting 175 ft.-lbs. of energy โ about twice as much as a high-speed 38-grain .22 LR hollow-point!
The tubular B Series receiver is drilled and tapped for scope mounts (here Weaver). Itโs not grooved.
Long besmirched by reports of mediocre accuracy, the .22 WMR has benefited hugely from new bullets that not only snug groups on paper but upset with lethal effect in game. That said, the .17 HMR, on the WMRโs case, clearly nips tighter knots. And in competition, .22 LR match ammo has often blessed me with 0.25-inch five-shot groups in the 50-meter X-ring. Perhaps I chose the .22 WMR chambering here because it has struggled so long for the acceptance it will never have.
All told, Savageโs B Series Hardwood looks comfortable in my rack. Its feel and features earn it a place beside earlier rimfires now too costly to build. And in some ways, itโs superior. At a retail price of $439 for the .22 LR version and $459 for the .17 HMR and .22 WMR, itโs the most expensive of the clan. But then, without its hardwood stock and open sights, it would be just another .22.
For more information on the B Series Hardwood, please visit: www.savagearms.com
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the July 2018 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Boasting trim ergonomics, the 10mm XD(M) proves a manageable pistol for the powerful cartridge.
What the 10mm XD(M) models offer:
Full length grip, short front to back.
Manageable weight.
Slim overall profile.
Full-sized frame.
Three magazines standard through the end of the year.
Somewhere, Jeff Cooper is smiling. The father of the modern technique of the pistol didnโt survive to see his snappy .40-caliber cartridge achieve the appreciation it was due. Yet today, the 10mm continues its meteoric rise as the hottest old cartridge of the 21st Century.
4.5-barrel XD(M)
One only need survey the dramatic surge of 10mm pistols in the past decade or so to grasp how hungry the market is for a semi-automatic pistol cartridge that flirts with magnum revolver ballistics. In most cases, the new breed of 10mms have turned to an age-old design to meet the demandย โ the 1911. Arguments are few in applying the rivet tough brainchild of John M. Browning to a cartridge, when loaded hot, can shake a pistol down to its front straps. Yet, the dominance of the 1911 when it comes to the 10mm tends to hit a shooterโs wallet in the soft spot and, for all its assets, can toy with boat-anchor heft when on the hip โ particularly if itโs a Government Model.
Springfield Armory has shot to address both these issues, and a couple more, taking its popular striker fired pistol line the way of the 10mm. The company launched two variations of the XD(M) pistol in the popular caliber in October โ a 4.5-inch barreled service model and 5.2-inch long-slide, much to the satisfaction of its fans. A long demanded addition, Springfield appears to hit the right notes with the pistols and certainly has positioned itself as a top option in the niche of polymer-framed 10mms.
To what many are interested in, price, the pistols are a bit more expensive than the other popular line of striker-fired 10mm pistols โ Glock โ but not extravagantly so. The service model has an MSRP of $652 and the long-slide $779. Yet, Springfield gives shooter good reason to consider pony up a bit more for the 10mm XD(M) pistols.
Where the company appears to have succeeded is in the ergonomics department, particularly where you get a handle on the pistols. The grips are full-sized, yet short. Not by miles, mind you, but enough that those who have difficulty getting a solid purchase on a double stack โ particularly a 10mm double stack โ will find it much more achievable with the XD(M). Even if not a task in your case, the more svelte design should increase the control of the pistol, which isnโt a bad thing, especially if you aim to shoot the hot end of 10mm ammo market. Additionally, like the rest of the XD(M) family, it has a replaceable backstrap system to get the perfect fit.
5.25-inch barrel XD(M)
Springfield does a great job of keeping the dimensions and the weight manageable on the pistols, without compromising some of the heft that helps to mitigate recoil. In both cases, the service and long-slide are each 1.2-inches in width at its widest point (grip). And both 15+1 capacity pistols weigh in at the low end of the 30-ounce range, 31.5 in service and 32.8 in the long-slide. Springfield saved weight on the larger model with a cutout on the top of the slide, which doesnโt seem to serve any other purpose.
The differences between the pistols, aside from barrel length, sights. The smaller model comes with a low profile SIG model (plenty of upgrades) combat 3-dot rear sights, and the long-slide, Springfield full-adjustable target rear sights. At the front, the each has a highly visible fiber-optic thatโs generally easy to focus on.
Those who know the XD(M) line, there are few surprises with the 10mm addition. The options come with match-grade barrels, melonite finish, one-piece guide rod, single recoil spring, ambidextrous mag release and an attractive hard case to carry everything in. One break with the 10mm XD(M) modes, they come with three magazines through the end of the year, whereas the rest of the calibers of the family come with two.
In the realm of semi-automatic pistols, there might not be any more versatile cartridge than the 10mm. Capable of a multitude of loadings, down to the .40 S&W and up to near .41 Magnum, it can fill nearly any roll โ target shooting, self-defense, hunting, competition, etc. At first blush, Springfield has cooked up a couple of pistols that will get everything you want out of the 10mm, whatever that might be.
4.5-inch Barrel 10mm XD(M) Specs Caliber: 10mm Recoil System: One Piece Full Length Guide Rod Sights: Fiber Optic Front & Low Profile Combat Rear Weight: 31.2 oz Height: 5.75″ Slide: Forged Steel, Melonite Barrel: 4.5″ Steel, Melonite, Hammer Forged, 1:16 RH Twist Length: 7.7″ Grip Width: 1.2″ Frame: Black Polymer w/ Interchangeable Backstraps Magazines: (2) 15-Round MSRP: $652.00
Whether for long-range shooting or hunting, the .308 Winchester comes into its own when handloaded.
Why the .308 Winchester is among the best cartridge to reload:
Versatility for hunting, long-range shooting and target shooting.
Incredible selection of bullets.
Simple reloading process.
Works with a vast majority of rifle powders.
Overall fun cartridge to reload and shoot.
Itโs taken quite a beating since the 6.5 Creedmoor has popped onto scene, but the fact remains that the .308 Winchester is a very cool cartridge, whether you punch paper and steel or use it as a hunting cartridge. Itโs also one of the cartridges truly worthy of the โinherently accurateโ moniker โ it can certainly shine with todayโs factory ammunition, but it will come into its own with handloaded ammunition.
The .308 Winchester can run on a multitude of powders. Here are four of the authorโs favorites.
Loading for the .308 Win. is not a difficult affair, and I feel itโs one of the perfect cartridges to both teach a new handloader the basic processes and how to hone his or her reloading skills, seeing good results quickly. Letโs take a look at some of the suitable powder/bullet/primer combinations that have worked for me and my loading buddies over the years, for both target shooting and for the hunting fields.
Timeless Versatility
In spite of all the arguments for and against, and in spite of all the comparisons to the larger-cased .30-06 Springfield, the .308 Win. makes an excellent hunting cartridge. I feel it performs best with bullets between 150 and 180 grains, giving a good trajectory out to sane hunting ranges with plenty of energy for most common game animals.
If you want to do some predator or varmint hunting, the lighter 125- and 130-grain bullets work just fine, though itโs a bit large for extended sessions over a prairie dog town. Some of the lead-free bullets will pose an issue, as they are longer for their weight than are the lead-core bullets, and Iโve also had issues with magazine length when using the high ballistic coefficient (BC) hunting bullets, but I can get around it by changing the bullet design for the hunting fields.
One of the attributes of the .308 Winchester is its balanced velocity: It isnโt so fast that the cup-and-core bullets will breakup prematurely, yet isnโt so slow that the premium bullets will fail to expand. For deer hunting, Iโve had great results with handloads built around common bullets such as the good olโ Remington Core-Lokt and Hornady InterLock, to the premiums like the Nosler Partition, Speer Grand Slam and Nosler Ballistic Tip. I generally prefer the 150- and 165-grain bullets because they offer a good balance of accuracy and trajectory, especially if Iโm hunting one the few stands that offers shots out to 300 yards.
For game on the bigger side, both the 180-grain Nosler Partition and Swift Scirocco II will work perfectly in the .308 Winchester.
My favorite deer hunting load for my .308 Win. uses the Sierra GameKing 165-grain hollow-point boat-tail bullet (No. 2140), over a heavy charge of IMR4064 powder. The bullet is tough, accurate and, with a crimped โxโ meplat, will not deform in the magazine.
Despite the fact that much of my deer hunting is done in the thick hardwoods of Upstate New York, weโre often forced to thread the needle, picking those small holes in the timber and brush where a bullet wonโt be deflected, and I appreciate the wonderful accuracy of the Sierra for this application. The bullet is short enough to allow for a COL (cartridge overall length) that doesnโt compromise case capacity, and using a powder like IMR4064 โ with its longer grain structure โ is no issue.
For larger or tougher game, I like the 165 and 180-grain Nosler Partition and Swift Scirocco II. Iโve also used the 180-grain Scirocco and IMR4064 for baited black bears, with good effect.
The Long-Range .308 Win.
For the target shooter, BC is everything, especially when the distances get out toward the 1,000-yard mark. The Sierra 168-grain MatchKing (No. 2200) has long been a staple in the .308 Winchester, and with good reason: It offers an excellent blend of overall length, BC and downrange trajectory. I also like the 168-grain Tipped MatchKing (No. 7768) because it has most definitely proven itself as a perfectly viable candidate for .308 target work. The 175-grain Tipped MatchKing (No. 7775) will give a bit better curve at longer ranges, yet it can still be loaded to good effect.
A good set of dies, such as the Redding Type S Match dies, will help attain the accuracy that the .308 Winchester is famous for, as well as extend brass life.
There are numerous choices from Berger, such as the 175-grain Long Range BT, that can and will be as accurate as the Sierra offerings โ youโll have to do some experimentation (a.k.a. fun at the range) to see which gives the best accuracy in your rifle. ABM loads the 175-grain OTM Berger bullet in their ammunition line, and that makes a good choice for the handloader as well.
Critical Components
I like to use the Federal Gold Medal Match GM210M large rifle primer for all my .308 Winchester loads, whether for hunting or target work. Itโs a dependable and consistent primer, which has shown in my experiences to give the most consistent results. Iโve never had a single misfire using these and hope I never will.
Powder selection for the .308 Winchester is nearly as varied and wide as is the bullet selection; you could easily spend a year investigating the various powder/bullet combinations that would offer proper accuracy. Years ago, IMR4320 was the choice for the factory loads that helped garner the .308 Winchester the reputation is has, though I understand that powder is being phased out. Thatโs a shame, because Iโve used 4320 in a number of cartridges with great results. Iโve personally used IMR4320, IMR4064 (my go-to for this cartridge), Reloder 15, IMR4166, Ramshot TAC, IMR8208XBR, Hodgdon BL-C2, H380 and Varget for my .308 Win. loads, giving an inkling as to the versatility of the cartridge when it comes to powder selections.
The author handloaded the 180-grain Swift Scirocco II in his Ruger 77 MkII .308 Winchester for this Quebec black bear.
When Iโm loading the shorter bullets โ the flat-based partition, or those with shorter ogives โ I generally look to IMR 4064 and the new IMR4166, part of IMRโs Enduron line. I will also reach for Alliantโs RL-15, as this powder has worked so well in my .375 H&H, .404 Jeffery and the .450/400 NE, and thereโs always a good amount on hand in my shop. If Iโm loading a bullet that will take up considerably more room in the case, I have relied on Hodgdonโs BL-C2 or H380 as they are a spherical powder, or IMR8208XBR, as the grain length of this extruded powder is small enough to minimize the air space between grains.
Reloading Details
Loading for the .308 Win. is a straight-forward process. I like to full-length resize my brass for the hunting loads because I want them to feed and extract with the least amount of effort. If Iโm not getting the accuracy I want, I will look to the Redding Instant Comparator to measure the amount of stretching (at the shoulder) Iโm getting in the particular rifleโs chamber. If Iโm seeing a significant amount, Iโll use the correlative Competition shell holder to avoid moving the shoulder back during the resizing process, leaving me with a case that is of SAAMI spec in diameter but better matches my chamber. This has greatly increased accuracy while allowing my ammunition to feed and extract easily should I need a quick follow-up shot.
I love the Redding Bushing die for the .308 Win. because I can measure the outside diameter of my cartridge and avoid over-working the brass during the resizing process. Finally, a micrometer-adjustable seating die will help maintain the consistency Iโm after to get the most out of the already accurate design. I donโt roll crimp any of my .308 Winchester ammunition, as I find thereโs plenty of neck tension already. If loading for an autoloading rifle, I have used a taper crimp to keep the bullets from moving outward during the violent cycling of the action.
The authorโs favorite deer load for the .308 Winchester, built around IMR 4064 and the 165-grain Sierra GameKing hollow-point boat-tail bullet.
Lastly, Iโve found that loads that fill the .308 Win. case the most โ with your particular bullet choice โ have given the best accuracy. I do avoid compressing the powder charge to the point where the grain structure breaks, especially with extruded powders, but a bit of compression is no problem. I do not try to turn the .308 Winchester into a .300 Magnum with regards to velocities โ it does just fine at the velocities it was designed to produce. Hold the crosshairs where they belong and squeeze that trigger, and youโll find yourself falling in the love with the little cartridge, whether ringing steel or taking it to the game fields.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the August 2018 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Upgraded with some solid new features, the M4-22 Pro appears an excellent choice in .22LR training rifles.
What do you get with a Tippmann M4-22 Pro:
Caliber: .22LR
Barrel Length: 16 inches
Capacity: 25
Finish: Matte Black
Stock: Adjustable
Twist Rate: 1:16
Length: 31.25″-34.5″
Weight: 5.22 lbs
A surprise to the AR world in recent years is Tippman Arms jumping into the game. The name Tippman might sound familiar to the average shooter, but one thatโs difficult to place exactly, unless you have some pretty niche gun interests. Thatโs because the Indiana company has resided one off from those that burn gunpowder most of its history, with most of its contributions falling in the realm of paintball guns and air rifles.
Early success with the M4-22 Classic, Tippman has continued to expand on its catalog of .22LR ARs with the introduction of the M4-22 Pro. Like the earlier iteration, the rifle is designed as a trainer, offering the heft, operation and ability to upgrade (itโs compatible with most Mil-Spec AR parts) of a standard M4-style rifle. Yet, the new addition offers a few extras โ for no extra charge โ to the original. Chief among these, the Pro comes with a truly free-floated barrel. Given the Classic was dependable in the accuracy category, the new carbine should shoot the lights out. Other notable upgrades on the older model of the M4-22 are a nickel-plated bolt and a 25-round magazine.
Itโs a fairly clever system โ both in the Classic and Pro variants โ yet it comes at a premium. Boasting an MSRP of $549, the tactical plinker is at the spendier end of the class of firearms. However, if you need a training rifle thatโs economical to โฆ well โฆ train with, there are few that offer what Tippman has put on the table.
From the company:
Fort Wayne, IN – Tippmann Arms Co, LLC has launched a new M4-22 model: M4-22 PRO
Here at Tippmann Arms, we are excited to announce the latest addition to our extremely popular .22LR semi-automatic rifle offering, the M4-22 PRO.
The M4-22 PRO is a premium .22 caliber semi-automatic tactical rifle with aluminum upper and lower receivers and has the look, feel and controls of a true M4. The M4-22 PRO is largely mil-spec compatible and will accept most AR15 stocks, handguards, buffer tubes, and sights. The M4-22 PRO is a perfect platform for competition and training applications or backyard plinking.
The PRO has all the standard features of our M4-22 Classic like all Aluminum Receivers, Solid Steel Barrel, Bolt Catch, Ejection Port Cover, Charging Handle, Forward Assist, and Flip-Up Sights plus we added a new 25 round magazine, Nickel Plated Bolt, Gen2 Grip, and a 9″ M-LOK Free Float Handguard.
M4-22 Pro Features:
Composite Free Float Handguard
16โ 4150 Solid Steel Barrel with Parkerized Finish
Nickel Plated Bolt
Gen2 Grip
Semi-Automatic
Aluminum Upper and Lower Receiver
New 25 RND Magazine
Functional Forward Assist
Bolt Catch
Charging Handle
Adjustable Flip Up Sights
Shell Deflector
4 ยฝ Pound Trigger Pull
Ejection Port Cover
Adjustable Stock
1/2 x 28 Threaded A2 Birdcage
Popular AR Platform
Easy Push Pin Disassembly
Full Length Top Picatinny Rail
2-Position, Receiver Mounted Safety Lever
Ambidextrous Sling Adapter Plate
Mil-Spec FCG (With the exception of the Safety lever. It is proprietary.)
Allows For Drop in Trigger Assemblies
Standard โbicycle lockโ Storage Safety
Compatible With Most Standard AR15 Components and Accessories
While other makes and models have come and gone, Glock 10mm pistols have been stalwarts for the caliber from nearly the start.
What Are The Glock 10mm Options:
G20
G20SF
G29
G29SF
G40
Wickedly powerful and more versatile than a Swiss Army Knife, the 10mm has mesmerized the shooting public early this century. Yet had a few things played out differently, the โBig Tenโ might have gone the way of the .44 Auto Mag, a gun safe curio and dust gatherer.
A riches-to-rags story, the powerful .40-caliber burned dog-days hot to start in the 1980s, and all but petered out a decade later. By 1994, the FBI jettisoned its experiment with the cartridge, after a mild 10mm service load prompted the advent of the .40 S&W. Smith & Wesson called it quits on the 1000 Series (in part due to reliability issues of some models) by 1993. Colt followed suit three years later, jettisoning its Government Model 10mm, the Delta Elite, which the company has reissued. By all accounts, Col. Jeff Cooperโs brainchild was on the verge of a Puritan-level shunting and didnโt have many friends in the world โฆ well, almost.
One stalwart emerged, perhaps when the 10mm needed it most โ Glock. The Austrian gunmaker doubled down on the near-magnum, semi-automatic pistol cartridge when others were running away. The first Glock 10mm hit the scene in 1991, the standard-bearer G20, the companyโs effort to capitalize on U.S. law enforcementโs interest in the hard-hitting cartridge. Along with the .40 S&W G22 and .45 ACP G21 (released that in ’90 and ’91), it was among Glockโs first forays away from the comforts of the 9mm โ which all its guns have been previously chambered. More daringly, it expanded its 10mm catalog seven years later, when the cartridge seemed on the outs, with the sub-compact G29.
Thrown lifelines at absolutely the right time, the Glock 10mm options kept the cartridgeโs heads above water. One might even argue the pistols helped save it and laid the groundwork for todayโs renaissance. While the calibers availability was hit an miss with other companies, Glock stood true and always offered an affordable option for those curious about the 10mm. There was a lot of muscle behind the company embracing the cartridge, one it continues to flex today.
A prairie fire, the 10mm has swept across the gun world recently. At companies where the cartridge was a second- or never-thought, there now resides at least one model that feeds on it. The past decade has been particularly fruitful, with a good swath of major manufacturers, all coincidently, finding it high time to put a 10mm in their catalog. However, each of them is playing a game of catch-up with Glock.
PHOTOS BY ALEX LANDEEN
Going on 30 years of producing 10mm pistols, the manufacturer cultivated among the most extensive catalogs on the market today. In a caliber where one model is standard for most gunmakers, Glock boasts five, each tailored to cover nearly any conceivable application. These include:
G20 โ The standard-sized pistol with a 4.2-inch barrel that started it all, now enhanced with Gen4 accouterments. G20SF โ Same as above, but with a short frame that offers a better grip for those with smaller hands (a little lighter too). G29 โ 3.78-inch barreled sub-compact model with full 10+1 capacity. G29SF โ Again, same as above, except with a short frame. G40 โ Long-slide model aimed at hunters, with MOS system that makes mounting an optic a snap.
Yet selection isnโt the only asset Glock 10mm pistols have in their corner, nor the only reason why they should at least be a consideration if the supercharged .40-caliber bug has bitten you.
Glock 10mm Price
In most cases, the 10mm isnโt exactly betting at the $2 window. Given the majority of the guns chambered for the cartridge are 1911, they tend to draw a premium.
There are, particularly in the semi-custom end of the spectrum, specimens that demand up to $3,000 or more โ not necessarily within every shooterโs budget. Even the more โaffordable optionsโ from companies typically not known to scour your wallet, youโre still looking at around $1,000 investment, give or take $100.
Photo Max Prasac
Mercifully, with a Glock 10mm youโll spend almost half the coin. Most fall in the $550 to $700 range, putting them within reach of nearly every shooter. The high end is a bit spendy for a plastic pistol, admittedly, but thatโs the G40, which comes with some high-end extras rare in this price range.
Glock 10mm Versatility
Glocks arenโt modular pistols, even the 10mm iterations. Yet, their ease of upgrade shares a similar level of versatility.
Take the G20 for instance. With its standard 4.2-inch barrel, you have a capable plinker with mild loads and a pistol thatโs still manageable for concealed carry (though a tad on the heavy side). Make a modest investment in a 6-inch Lone Wolf or even a factory barrel, and youโll upgrade the G20 into a first-rate hunting pistol more than happy to digest the hottest rounds available.
Thatโs just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to aftermarket Glock parts. There are upgrades for nearly every inch of the guns. In many cases, even if you go the whole hog, youโll spend less than other 10mm base models.
Glock 10mm Tradition
Yes, there is gritting of teeth out in the gun world in uttering โGlockโ and โtraditionโ in the same sentence. Itโs expected, given the Colt Single Action Army and 1911 remain among the most coveted guns out there, despite their 100-plus year vintages. Yet few companies can boast a longer or more dedicated affiliation with the 10mm than Glock. Additionally, Glock has become renowned for its reliability โ no matter the model โ for a reason. They are boringly dependable.
Parting Shot
Glock is indelibly entwined with the 10mm and most likely will be as long as the cartridge continues currying favor. And thatโs good news for anyone who loves the hard-hitting cartridge โ even if they never pull the trigger on a Glock 10mm.
If you’re in the market for a pistol-caliber carbine, do the pros outweigh the cons?
Should You Buy A Pistol Caliber Carbine:
Cons:
Marginal velocity improvement
Added weight to shoot a pistol cartridge
Over penetration issues
Pistol caliber ammunition heavier than rifle
Bolt and buffers heavier in AR versions
Pros:
Common ammunition for pistol and rifle
Compatibility between pistol and rifle magazines
Economical ammunition
Highly suppressible
Honestly, they’re fun
ARs truly are a platform of customizable wonder. Today, you can have an AR in a variety of calibers, from .17 rimfire up to several centerfire rounds in .50 caliber. Particularly popular, and gaining more fame all the time, are the pistol-caliber ARs, available in 9mm, .40 S&W, 10mm and .45 ACP. Should you have a pistol-caliber AR? That depends on several factors, such as use or application. And, we canโt discount the fun factor, the unique design and its historical significance.
It might be necessary to transition to the handgun, but you can still use the light mounted on your AR. The key to this technique is knowing how to shoot and manipulate your handgun using only one hand.
Coltโs 9mm AR โ SMG R0635 โ was introduced in 1982.
The original goal was to use as many standard AR parts as possible. After extensive testing and changes, Colt settled on a blowback system, as opposed to the gas-impingement system in the M16/AR15 โ and a closed-bolt design, instead of the open-bolt design first envisioned. It did, however, use a standard M16/AR15 lower receiver with an adapter that accepted modified 9mm UZI magazines; a groove was added to the mag body so the bolt locked open when empty.
At the time, the sub-gun market was dominated by H&Kโs MP5, and the handgun-caliber AR never really took off. In the last few years, however, the handgun-caliber carbine has gained new traction, and today there are a lot of options available for this platform.
The question โ as always โ is a simple one: Do you need one? I usually start by comparing the disadvantages and advantages of a platform. Sometimes a weapon fits a specific application, or sometimes itโs something that would just be fun to own and shoot.
Disadvantages Of A Pistol-Caliber AR
The benefits of using a carbine in a rifle caliber are many. At the top of the list are the ballistic advantages. A rifle round is much more accurate, especially at extended distances. In the terminal ballistics category, the rifle rounds do a much better job of stopping the threat.
Velocity is the key: A 55-grain 5.56 NATO round moving at 2,800 fps dumps a lot more energy on the target than a 230-grain .45 ACP bullet traveling at 900 fps.
A pistol round simply doesnโt have the energy to do the job, and this is true regardless of barrel length.
With a pistol-caliber AR, you have a rifle platformโbasically the same shape, size and weight of an AR carbineโbut without the benefits of accuracy, distance and stopping power.
Although the pistol round is moving slower, you have to worry about it over-penetrating more than the .223/5.56 round. Pistol rounds will penetrate more tissue, sheetrock and wood than the .223/5.56. This has been well documented. A pistol-caliber AR has less stopping power, and the chances of over-penetration are higher.
Compared side-by-side, round-to-round, pistol-caliber ammunition is heavier than the .223/5.56. I weighed a few to illustrate the point: The 115-grain 9mm FMJ weighs 0.444 ounce. The .45 ACP 230-grain FMJ is 0.737 ounce. On the flip side, a 55-grain FMJ 5.56 comes in at 0.407 ounce.
That doesnโt sound like much? Multiple these by 30 to fill a 30-round magazine, and youโre looking at 13.2 ounces for 9mm, 22.11 ounces for .45 ACP and 12.21 ounces for the 5.56. Additionally, most magazines for pistol-caliber ARs hold more than 30 rounds, and the bolt group and buffers are usually heavier as well.
Compared to its pistol-caliber cousins, an AR chambered for 5.56 NATO has a host of advantages.
Is weight really all that important factor? In my opinion, weight is always something to consider. A lighter AR is easier to get on target, easier hold on target for long periods of time and itโs faster when transitioning from one target to another. For competition, self-defense or patrol use, all of these characteristics are important. If circumstances require you to carry the AR for extended periods of time, plus additional magazines โ weight becomes important quickly. Remember, the whole purpose behind the development of the intermediate rifle cartridge was weight; the lighter the ammunition, the more you can carry.
Advantages Of A Pistol-Caliber AR
What are the advantages of the AR firing a handgun round? Well, one obvious argument is commonality. You can have an AR that fires the same ammo as your pistol. Some variations go a step further and use pistol magazines. This could be an advantage, but I think itโs small compared to the disadvantages listed above.
Additionally, handgun ammunition is definitely cheaper than rifle ammo. Letโs say youโre a competitive shooter who practices constantly. Your ammo budget will go farther when spent on handgun rounds, whether youโre buying or reloading. Some public and club ranges donโt allow you to shoot rifle-caliber weapons. A handgun caliber AR is the only option you might have, and itโs still good training and practice because the platform is exactly the same as your rifle-caliber weapon. There are also a lot of competitions that are limited to pistol-caliber carbines, so you might be required to use one.
One area where the pistol caliber AR really shines is in the suppressor department. An AR firing sub-sonic handgun rounds with a suppressor is extremely quiet. For me โ just keep in mind Iโm a little deaf โ the sound of the bolt group cycling, ejecting and feeding is louder than the report exiting the suppressor.
Depending on the application, this factor alone might make the handgun-caliber AR the best choice for the job.
Donโt Ever Overlook The Fun Factor
One very important consideration โ and I think this is true for all firearm owners โ is the fun factor.
Here are two .45 ACP AR-type models built by Flint River Armory. These are fun to shoot, and like all ARs, theyโre easy to operate. Handgun-caliber ARs are also an affordable way to send a lot of rounds downrange.
Shooting, regardless of your ultimate reason, is enjoyable. Itโs some of the most fun anyone can have. The AR is easy to operate. Pistol calibers are fun to shoot. With a โhandgun-poweredโ AR, youโve got both categories covered.
Thereโs also the โcloningโ trend. Several government agencies have used pistol-caliber carbines and sub-guns, and its been employed by different countries around the world. โCloning,โ as referencing the recreation of weapons used by law enforcement and the military, is big and appears to be growing. A 9mm AR might be exactly what you need to complete your collection. Again, thatโs not a tactical application, but it definitely falls into the fun category.
Selecting a firearm is a very personal matter. You choose one based on your application, say self-defense.
Maybe you have a specific application that weapon fits exactly โ a suppressed weapon or itโs whatโs necessary to shoot at your club range. And sometimes, we buy something just because it will be fun to own, shoot and study its history, development and the mechanical aspects of that weapon.
Ultimately, itโs all about what you need โฆ or what you want. Whenever you can satisfy both with one weapon, youโre doing well.
Watch the magic happen as Modern Shooter gets an inside look at the renowned Turnbull Restoration Company.
Plenty of guns can turn your head, but few have the stuff to stir your soul. You know the kind, the guns so finely crafted, details so meticulously attended to they literally bate your breath while you take them all in. Walnut rich as chocolate cake, scroll work so intricate you get lost in it. If you have a notion about these types of guns, then you have a notion about Turnbull Restoration Company.
Master of its craft, the company has built an impeccable reputation for its ability to breath new life into classic guns. Be it a tough-as-nails Colt 1911 or a venerable Winchester Model 1886, Turnbull has the chops to recondition the arm so it appears as if it just rolled off the assembly line โ down to a dead-ringer finish, be it bluing, Parkerization or color-case hardening. However, you neednโt stop at the historical. If you have the perfect gun in mind, with custom inlays and specific engraving, the company will pour its years of know-how into making it a reality โ down to the final flourishes on the scrollwork.
Modern Shooter got a rare inside look at this extraordinary firearm wonderland, traveling to where the magic happens. Along the way, we got a look at what can only be described as modern masterpieces that roll out of Turnbull on a regular basis. If you love guns that do more than simply hit the mark, but inspire, this is an episode you donโt want to miss.
Catch the rest of Turnbullโs incredible creations in this episode of Modern Shooter 10:00 p.m. EST Friday on the Pursuit Channel. The episode rebroadcasts Monday at 12 p.m. EST and Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. EST.
Picking the right defensive handgun is important. Learn how to choose the best concealed carry pistol for your needs and lifestyle by going through this simple checklist.
What do you need to consider to find the best concealed carry pistol:
No matter which category of pistol youโre thinking of, there are dozens of options that might qualify as the best concealed carry pistol for you. The recent growth of the firearms industry and the number of people whoโve decided firearms ownership is a good idea have driven the industry to continue to refine their offerings. Thereโs never been a better time to purchase a gun over the counter that features everything you want.
You might think you’ve found the best concealed carry pistol out there, but until you’ve gone over every square inch and test-fired it you won’t know for certain.
That said, never buy a gun without operating every control to make sure itโs comfortable for you. Check the location of the magazine release, location and direction the safety operates, and trigger and slide operation to make certain they work well for you. If the shop wonโt let you do this, youโre in the wrong shop.
While itโs nice to own different kinds of guns, consider the potential problems if one gun you shoot a lot has an entirely different operating system from the one youโre considering. Some safeties are pushed down to disengage, others are pushed up. Some magazine releases are a button and some are a paddle. Issues like this can make a perfectly fine pistol problematic for someone used to a different system.
My name is Dick Jones, and in addition to running the Lewis Creek Shooting School I’ve spent most of my life involved in the world of shooting. As a competition pistol shooter and a professional shooting instructor, I often find that even experienced shooters are uncertain about the right way to choose a new concealed carry pistol. This is especially so for first-time buyers. Hereโs a quick checklist to work through to find the best concealed carry pistol for your needs and lifestyle.
Size
The size of a defensive pistol depends on the lifestyle, clothing habits and determination of the user. Single-stack guns have a thinner profile and are easier to hide, but the added magazine capacity of double stacks certainly has merit. Consider how you dress, both summer and winter. Look into holster options. Low production guns might be cool, but they have limited carry options. Finally, consider that a larger pistol with a longer sight radius is easier to shoot, but itโs also harder to hide.
Weight
Itโs been my observation as an instructor that most people feel burdened by a gun heavier than about 20 ounces, and some by anything over 16 ounces. This limits choices to single-stack guns, but if youโre determined and donโt mind the weight, larger guns certainly are easier to shoot well and have more magazine capacity. Figure out what you like.
The most important issue in shooting a pistol well is manipulation of the trigger. While itโs possible to shoot a gun accurately with a poor trigger, itโs certainly irritating. Double-action triggers are safer than any other trigger system because the hammer spring is not compressed during the normal carry method, but many will struggle with accuracy in double action. Single- or two-stage triggers, like the triggers on 1911-style guns, are easiest to manipulate, but they require a high degree of safety awareness. Modern striker-fired triggers strike a medium with easier control, as well as enough travel and resistance to allow the gun to forego a manually operated safety.
Safeties
While double-actions have safeties, their function is more useful for competition use and de-cocking than ordinary carry. Some striker-fired guns have the option of a manually operated safety. Single-action semi-autos almost universally have a manual safety because the only reasonable carry method is with the hammer cocked and the safety engaged. The location of that safety and its direction of operation can be an issue if the user has extensive experience with a gun that operates in a different fashion. If youโre used to a gun without a manual safety, you should spend a lot of range time disengaging and reengaging it. Safety operation, both off and on, should be a conditioned response that happens without conscious thought.
Ease Of Operation
The best concealed carry pistol is one you can operate competently, no matter the circumstances.
As an instructor, there have been dozens of times when a student came for training or certification with a gun they simply didnโt have the hand strength to operate the slide. Even if you have strong hands, some guns are simply easier to operate than others and, under certain circumstances, this can be a factor in success. Hand strength also applies to trigger management, especially with double actions. Test the trigger before purchase while watching the sights to assure you can manage it without excessive movement.
Capacity
Magazine capacity is a big issue. Obviously, you can never have too many rounds should bad things happen, but big magazine capacity means size and weight โ and both are a detriment to daily, comfortable carry. I carry a smaller gun with lower capacity because I canโt remember a single web report or armed citizen story that involved the defender needing to reload. It happens, but mostly it happens in Hollywood.
Caliber
Thereโs no doubt that a big hole in the front of your gun looks impressive. Thereโs also no doubt that a lot of people carry a gun they canโt shoot accurately because of recoil anticipation. Size and weight play a lot into defensive carry choices, and a light and small gun in a heavy caliber is more than most can handle. While you canโt try a gun at the gun shop, you may be able to test fire the gun youโre thinking of at a commercial range.
If you canโt shoot it accurately, itโs not the right choice for defensive carry because youโre responsible for every bullet that leaves your gun. A well-placed shot with a smaller caliber is more effective than a miss with a big magnum, and the stray bullet that misses can ruin your life.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the Shooter’s Guide 2018 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Looking to go armed, but are stuck in the weeds as to what to arm yourself with? Here are 20 of the best concealed carry gun options that will keep you on the defensive.
