Boasting a tough-as-nails nitride finish, Springfield’s new 911 .380 ACP is ready for the toughest duty.
Back in black:
The nitride finish gives the pistol both corrosion and abrasion resistance.
Additionally, the process of applying the finish hardens the gun’s frame and slide.
The new model has just been released to retailers and has an MSRP of $599.
Hold a 1911 in your hand and two words can’t help but come to mind “rock-solid.” Not only a scrapper, the style of pistol is battle tough, with a metal frame and slide ready to tackle whatever is thrown at it. In short, it’s prepared for action the minute it’s out of its holster and your finger is on the trigger — rain, snow, muck be damned.
However, there’s a hitch to the single-action semi-automatic’s giddyap, part and parcel to its tough-as-nails construction. For all its pros, a full-sized 1911 is a bit much gun for some armed citizens, particularly those who require a more streamlined fit to their garb and carry profile. Luckily, Springfield Armory had exactly these shooters in mind with the release of its 911 .380 Auto this past January.
The made-to-carry pistol scales down the 1911, making it the perfect everyday concealment option or a potent backup insurance plan. And the company has gone a step further, recently releasing the 911 in a black nitride finish. The color of pitch, the micro pistol not only has a striking appearance, but also the ability to endure any potential damage — be it rust, dings or scratches.
Tough as the pistol itself, the nitride finish is corrosion and abrasion resistant, withstanding hard wear and tear, while maintaining the 911’s function and accuracy. Additionally, the nitriding process improves the stainless steel frame, hardening it, thus making it more resilient to strenuous use and inclement weather. Furthermore, it tacks on an attractive choice to the line alongside the original two-tone model.
The pistol offers impressive features, chief among them a frame-to-slide-to-trigger guard relationship that creates handling characteristics unique among small pistols. Designed to enhance comfort, the Springfield .380 ACP is among the most controllable and easy-to-shoot small pistols to hit the market in recent years.
To boot, the gun isn’t short on extras, including a G10 short-reset pivoting trigger (5-pound pull), an extended ambidextrous safety and a hammer. This last point provides peace of mind with both visual and tactile cues for various modes of carry. The pistol also comes with tritium low-profile tactical sights, G10 Octo-Grip on the mainspring housing, Octo-Grip front strap texturing and two magazines (flush 6-round magazine and 7-round extended). The MSRP on the new black nitride 911 from Springfield Armory is $599. The pistol is also available factory outfitted with a green Viridian laser for $789.
For more information on Springfield Armory’s 911 .380 ACP pistol, please visit: www.springfield-armory.com
Browning’s X-Bolt Pro gives hunters magnum firepower in an attractive, lightweight, go-anywhere package. It might just be Browning’s best turn-bolt hunting rifle yet.
How this Browning proves a backcountry pro:
The X-Bolt pro, regardless of caliber, comes in at below 7 pounds.
Much of the weight reduction is achieved from its fluted sporter-profile barrel.
Additionally, a spiral fluted three-lug bolt shaves an ounce or two.
Finally, a carbon-fiber stock keeps things light.
Opposed to using strips, the X-Bolt Pro’s stock is built by weave wrapping carbon fiber.
The gun comes outfitted with a muzzle brake and its bore is lapped.
The Browning Feather trigger breaks at 3.5 to 4 pounds.
The best group of the .300 Win. Mag. tested was .82 inch with Browning BXR 155-grain loads.
The MSRP of the X-Bolt Pro runs from $2,069 to $2,129 depending on caliber.
Unless you’ve spent the last decade or two in a gun-knowledge-free zone, such as the headquarters of the major American TV news networks, you’ve probably noticed that hunting rifles have been getting lighter. Just as there has been a race to the bottom — in regard to price — between the most economical bolt-action rifle models, there has been a corresponding race to produce guns that are light enough to blow away in anything more than a stiff breeze.
The Pro incorporates high-end design elements and finishing touches typically found on custom rifles costing twice as much.
This is widely heralded as a great thing for those who hunt vertical country, and it is — to a point. As with most good intentions, things can get carried to extremes, and there’s a price to be paid for that. Some manufacturers offer lightweight factory rifles that sacrifice bullet velocity for modest weight savings by the simple expedient of using thin, chopped-off barrels, often paired with flimsy synthetic stocks and cheap components.
At the other end of the spectrum are custom ultralight rifles priced at $4,000 or more. These ultralight rifles can be a joy to carry, but they’re not necessarily a joy to shoot. Many people find ultralight rifles more difficult to shoot accurately due to increased recoil, and that challenge only increases with rifles chambered for the thumper magnums.
To my way of thinking, the nearly perfect go-anywhere, do-anything backcountry rifle occupies the “light-enough” category — meaning it’s light enough to carry all day but not so light that it kicks like a mule on steroids or requires me to modify my shooting technique to place bullets where I want them to go. It should have a barrel long enough to achieve optimal velocities for chosen cartridges, to include magnums, and it should have an excellent trigger to aid in making accurate long-range shots. It should also be nearly impervious to the elements.
The unique Browning bolt-unlock button, situated atop the rear of the bolt handle, allows you to cycle the bolt with the safety engaged.
The good news is that there’s an emerging class of rifles that check all these boxes, and more, by taking advantage of the latest gun-making technologies and materials while refusing to compromise on things that matter most. A great example is the new Browning X-Bolt Pro. It is, as its name implies, a seriously well-designed tool for serious hunters.
Semi-Custom Features
Weighing in at a svelte 6 pounds, 9 ounces, in the .300 Win. Mag. version I tested (rifles chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor shed an additional 8 ounces of weight), the X-Bolt Pro can be thought of as a semi-custom factory rifle. A lot of that has to do with the finishing touches and high-end design elements that elevate the rifle above the level of the already well-regarded basic X-Bolt platform, all while shedding unnecessary weight from the rifle.
With the Pro, a lot of that weight reduction has been accomplished by removing a fair amount of metal from the gun. The rifle has a lightweight sporter-profile fluted barrel, but it still measures a full 26 inches in length in guns chambered for .300 Win. Mag., 28 Nosler, 26 Nosler and 7mm Rem. Mag. It is, happily, adorned with an effective muzzle brake and comes with a thread protector. In another nod to custom guns, the 1:10 twist barrel has been given a proprietary lapping treatment, minimizing the need for break-in. While shooting up a considerable amount of ammo with the rifle, I was amazed at how little fouling accumulated in the barrel.
The three-lug bolt is spiral fluted, as is the bolt knob, cutting additional weight and adding to the rifle’s considerable aesthetic appeal. It proved to be a real head-turner at the range, judging by the number of people who felt compelled to interrupt my testing by inquiring about the rifle.
Considering the amount of .300 Win. Mag. ammo fired during testing, the author was pleased the X-Bolt Pro came equipped with an effective muzzle brake.
That’s partly due to the rifle’s distinctive, true carbon-fiber stock, which is constructed with the carbon-fiber weave wrapped 360 degrees around a sound-dampening foam core. This use of what Browning calls a “second generation” carbon-fiber weave, versus individual strips of carbon-fiber joined at seams, further reduces weight while significantly adding to the rigidity of the stock. It’s exceptionally difficult to make this stock bend. Trust me, I tried.
The rifle’s good looks — and resistance to inclement weather — are further enhanced with a well-executed Cerakote treatment of the stainless-steel barrel and action as well as the bolt and all exterior metal. This rifle shrugs off the elements as a result, and the “burnt bronze” color of the abrasion-resistant Cerakote finish complements the dark brown hues of the stock, which mute any potential game-spooking reflective glare.
Accuracy-enhancing measures include glass bedding of the action to the stock, and the barrel is free floated along its entire length. Fit and finish on this rifle is excellent, right down to the ubiquitous Buckmark logo on the bottom of the trigger guard and the gold-plated trigger blade. The Pro simply exudes quality from the moment you pick the rifle up, in a way that too few factory rifles do these days.
Beyond The Basics
The X-Bolt Pro retains all of the unique characteristics of a standard X-Bolt which, taken together, equate to a lot more than a run-of-the-mill bolt-action rifle. These features include a 60-degree bolt throw, a tang-mounted safety with a cocking indicator, the Browning Feather trigger, a bolt unlock button and the Inflex recoil pad. I especially like the X-Bolt’s signature X-Lock scope-base mounting system, which doubles the standard number of mounting screws from four to eight. It’s a rock-solid base-mounting system like few I’ve ever seen.
The Pro uses a spiral-fluted, three-lug bolt. It cycled smoothly, with a short, 60-degree throw.
The excellent Browning Feather trigger is supposed to be pre-set at the factory to a pull weight of about 3½ to 4 pounds, and I measured the break on my test rifle at a consistent 3 pounds, 9 ounces. The trigger is adjustable within a range of 3 to 5 pounds, but I left it where it was because it broke so cleanly, with absolutely no take-up, no creep and minimal overtravel, that it felt lighter than it really was.
One distinctive feature of X-Bolt rifles is the unique bolt-unlock button, situated atop the portion of the bolt handle that mates into a recess in the action. Engaging the safety locks the bolt down, but you can use this button to unlock the bolt and cycle the action without disengaging the safety. The bolt itself cycles smoothly, with no binding, unlike some spiral-fluted bolts I’ve encountered.
Bottom metal is — wonder of wonders — actually made of metal, while the detachable magazine is a tough polymer design that sits flush with the bottom of the action. The rotary magazine drops freely into your hand when you trip the magazine release lever, which is protected within a recess in the bottom metal, and it feeds rounds straight in line with the chamber. Capacity is three rounds for magnum cartridges and four rounds for standard cartridges.
The rifle is actually made by Miroku, in Japan, but that matters little from a practical viewpoint. Miroku long ago established a very well-earned reputation for producing some excellent firearms, including Browning shotguns and some rifles licensed by Winchester Firearms.
Convincing Performance
Given the rather slender profile of the Pro’s barrel, I wasn’t really expecting tack-driving accuracy from the rifle at the range because groups typically open up as such barrels heat up — and heat up they do in my hands. It’s not that I’m impatient, mind you, but I do have to deal with such pesky things as deadlines, and I often want to see how well a gun shoots when it’s running a little hot and dirty. Of course, you would never run a barrel hot when hunting unless you’re doing something inordinately wrong. It’s the first shot or two that counts, rather than how a gun groups after a lot of ammo goes down the tube.
I found that groups did open up a bit as the barrel heated up, as anticipated, but I was pleased at how well the X-Bolt Pro performed at the range. Most tested loads produced average groups of around 1½ inches, which will convincingly accomplish just about any mission for which you might choose to employ a .300 Win. Mag. cartridge. Interestingly, the rifle showed a bit of a preference for lighter bullets, with the best performance turned in with Browning’s BXR (rapid expansion) 155-grain load. This was also the hottest factory round tested, with the matrix-tip bullet stepping out at 3,257 fps, and it produced an average-group size of 1.12 inch and a best-group size of 0.82 inch. The next-tightest groups were with 180- and 185-grain bullets, which did slightly better than bullets in the 190-200 weight class. Velocities for most of the tested loads exceeded or were quite close to factory-stated velocities, which are, in many cases, achieved with longer barrels.
I consider that excellent overall performance for such a light rifle, let alone one that punches with magnum persuasion. When you consider that it’s also designed to handle the harshest environmental conditions, the rifle’s price tag ($2,099 MSRP for the version tested) starts to look a lot less steep than the mountains you’ll be climbing with the Pro slung over your shoulder.
For more information on the Browning X-Bolt, please visit: www.browning.com
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the May 2018 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
The Modern Shooter team learns to pick up the pace in a competitive match with Aguila pro shooter Mark Redl.
Popping steel and punching paper, it’s the name of the game when we head to the range. To an outsider, it might sound mundane. But for those in the know, whose pulse quickens at the smell of burnt powder, nothing is closer to nirvana. Beating the snot out the bullseye is heart pounding, challenging, satisfying to no end and, above all, what we live for.
Still, there’s another level to target shooting that pushes shooters’ skills to the razor’s edge — competitive shooting. Whether you’re talking practical pistol, steel challenge or what have you, shooters have flocked to matches testing the steadiness of their nerves and sharpness of their eyes. And few people who have ever drawn a gun know more about what it takes to succeed under the merciless tick of the timer than Mark Redl. Self-taught and steely as a ball bearing, the pro for Aguila Ammunition knows how to run and gun and has the championships to prove it.
The Modern Shooter team catches up with Redl in this week’s episode and take a crack at dethroning the king. No luck, as Luke Hartle learns in the above clip. There’s just no keeping up with a shooter whose weekly round count is in the thousands. Humanely, Redl gives the gang a break and lets them in on a few tricks of the trade to shave precious seconds off the clock, while remaining dead on the mark. Be it draw, operating the slide or transitioning targets, the pro has something up his sleeve to make them and you a better shooter.
Find out how you can shoot like a pro on the next 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.
For more information on Aguila Ammunition, please visit: www.aguilaammo.com
Following on the success of the 5.56 SAINT Pistol, Springfield has introduced a .300 BLK model.
The pistol’s saintly virtues:
Springfield introduced the SAINT Pistol in the fall of 2017 in 5.56 NATO.
Available now in .300 BLK, the line has a versatile medium bore-option.
The new pistol features an SB Tactical SBX-K forearm brace.
It’s outfitted with a 9-inch barrel, Melonite treated inside and out.
The SAINT Pistol measures 27.75 inches in overall length.
It also boasts Springfield’s Accu-Tite tension system in the receiver.
The MSRP of the pistol is $989.
As expected in a firearm more than a half-century old, the concept of the AR-15 has evolved over the years. From the compact, versatile carbines to decked-out, long-range specialists, the rifle is a far cry from its fixed stock and triangular handguard roots. In recent years, the firearm has made its most radical break from its original design with the new generation of highly condensed, wicked effective AR pistols.
These abbreviated additions to Eugene Stoner‘s spawn have armed tactical operators and everyday citizens with overwhelming firepower, quick handling and top performance all in one sweet little package. They are the epitome of nimbleness and power. And it keeps getting better for the for the abbreviated AR platform.
Most recently, Springfield Armory has taken another step to advance the short and wicked guns with the addition of the SAINT Pistol in .300 Blackout. Coming just a few months after the release of the line’s first pistol, in 5.56 NATO, the medium-bore option adds increased capabilities and versatility to the popular line. Additionally, for those who shoot suppressed, it also opens the pistol to a round designed specifically (in its sub-sonic loads) for an optimized signature coming out of a can.
As striking as the original, the new SAINT Pistol boasts many of the same features, including the SB Tactical SBX-K forearm brace. The unique stabilizer keeps the gun at a very manageable 27.75-inches in overall length while enhancing its accuracy potential whether shooting one or two-handed. Additionally, the new SAINT Pistol comes equipped with 9-inch CMV barrel (1:7 twist rate) that’s Melonite treated inside and out. This, Springfield claims, is among the more notable features, giving the bore more durability than a chrome lining.
The new SAINT Pistol makes use of the company’s revolutionary Accu-Tite tension system, which ensures the ideal fit and reduces movement by increasing the tension between the 7075 T6 aluminum upper and lower receivers. Furthermore, the gun’s slender M-LOK compatible handguard is engineered for a fighting firearm, with four anchor points attaching it to the barrel nut, making it ready for rugged use. Not to mention, the slender design allows the utmost control of the rifle’s fore, facilitating a full grip.
Rounding out the SAINT Pistol is a multi-mode adjustable gas block (ideal for tuning between sub and supersonic ammo), a nickel-boron coated GI single stage trigger, a heavy tungsten buffer system and a M16 BCG’s bolt that is precision-machined from Carpenter 158 steel, shot peened, magnetic particle inspected and finished in super-hard Melonite. The MSRP of the SAINT Pistol is right in line with the original — $989.
The new tack-driving BT-3 from Rock River Arms performs as good as it looks.
How this AR-10 will have the bullseye begging for mercy:
The BT-3 comes chambered in .308 Win.
The rifled features billet aluminum upper and lower receivers.
It’s outfitted with a 20-inch fluted and cryogenically treated stainless-steel barrel.
This is topped off with Rock River’s .308 A2 flash hider.
The BT-3’s furniture includes a Magpul PRS stock and Hogue rubber over-molded grip.
The fire control is Rock River’s 2-stage trigger.
The rifle weighs in at 12 pounds.
The best grouping in testing at 100 yards was .935 inch with 155-grain Hornady TAP Precision.
Let me put this out there right away: I’m not a rifle shooter by trade. I like shooting rifles — it’s fun and it’s challenging — but I certainly don’t feel as though I’m capable of producing the level of accuracy today’s precision rifles are capable of delivering.
But that was the point: I’m a proficient pistol shooter and, as a professional firearms photographer, I know guns as well as anyone. Gun Digest Editor, Luke Hartle, had a brand new gun he wanted reviewed, and he wanted it reviewed from the perspective of a fairly novice precision rifle shooter looking to get into the game.
So, when I was tasked to review the new Rock River Arms BT-3 .308 Modern Sporting Rifle, I decided to meet the challenge head-on.
Assessing The Situation
My first task was to get acquainted with the rifle. The Rock River Arms BT-3 is a .308 modern sporting rifle, featuring Rock River Arms billet upper and lower receivers, fluted 20-inch cryogenically treated stainless-steel barrel, Rock River Arms .308 A2 flash hider, Magpul PRS stock, Hogue rubber over-molded grip, new lightweight M-LOK compatible 17-inch aluminum floated handguard with MS1913 top rail and a Rock River Arms 2-stage trigger. The rifle weighs in at approximately 12 pounds and is fairly easy to carry — but heavy enough to absorb recoil from the .308 Win. needed for precision accuracy at exceptional ranges.
For my scope, I wanted something powerful and sharp. I picked the SIG Optics Tango6 5-30X56mm riflescope with an illuminated MRAD/MOA reticle, and I mounted it on a SIG base and rings. As a rifle-shooting newbie of sorts, I wanted a scope that would mitigate my lack of rifle shooting experience. OK, I wanted a scope that would make me look good — and the Tango6 certainly didn’t fail me in that regard. It took me a bit of time to properly install and set up my scope and rifle for both length of pull and eye relief, but once I had it, I was ready to roll.
Range Tested, Shooter Approved
All that was left was to hit the range. I decided I wanted calm and shade: Spring in Arizona is often unpredictable and weather varies from wet and soggy 60s to hot and steamy upper 90s. I wanted to do this as “by the book” as possible, so waiting for calm winds was my only option.
I settled in on a steady concrete bench and set up my Caldwell “The Rock” rest. I’ve had this rest for more than 15 years and it’s still my favorite.
The first three shots with Remington 168-grain BTHP factory ammunition at 25 yards showed that I was 3 inches low and 1 inch to the right. I already knew that I didn’t want to shoot bull’s-eyes at 25 yards with a 100-yard zero in mind, so I made some minor adjustments and ran the target to the 100-yard mark.
I shot five-round groups at 100 yards with Remington 168-grain BTHP, Lapua 167-grain BTHP, Hornady 168-grain A-Max, Hornady 155-grain TAP A-Max, Hornady 110-grain TAP Urban, and Federal American Eagle 150-grain BTFMJ ammunition. At 100 yards, my groups were a bit to the right, but I was just looking for groups so I didn’t touch the scope. And the BT-3 didn’t disappoint.
I shot this rifle within my skill level, and I think I shot it well. My best 5-shot group was with the Hornady TAP Precision 155-grain A-Max Law Enforcement Ammunition, measuring .935 inch. I didn’t know I was capable of shooting like that, and especially not after a mere dozen rounds.
Think about that for a moment: As a new rifle shooter, I shot a sub-MOA group after pulling the trigger less than a dozen times. In the hands of a skilled rifle shooter, the groups from this rifle will shrink dramatically.
The Initial Takeaways
I was impressed, it’s as simple as that. The construction and fit of the rifle are among the best I’ve seen in years. Keep in mind that, although I don’t shoot a lot of long guns, I’m a professional firearms photographer and I recognize quality and attention to detail when I see it.
The fluted stainless-steel barrel pretty much proves that you don’t need a bull barrel to achieve precision on a rifle. The lightweight handguard is comfortable and has enough M-LOK slots to add whatever accessories you might need or want. The Magpul PRS Stock is one of the best stocks in the market for any precision rifle build; it was easy to set up and, after being set up, nothing moves and it retains its settings after a long day of shooting. These guns can quickly become complex, so I greatly appreciated the furniture being so user-friendly.
I was neither hot nor cold about the Hogue over-molded grip. It was comfortable, but I prefer a little bigger grip. Then again, this is the beauty of the MSR — it’s a completely modular system as long as the foundation is there, and the BT-3 is one heck of a foundation upon which to personalize a precision rifle build. The really nice thing about Rock River Arms is that you can order this specific rifle custom-made to your taste and requirements; you’re not stuck with a rifle only to purchase your favorite parts later.
Last but certainly not least, the trigger was the most impressive part of this rifle. Even though I’ve worked with lots of two-stage triggers in the past, this one was about the best I’ve had the pleasure of shooting. It made all the difference in my performance.
The Final Shot
My ultimate conclusion is that the Rock River Arms BT-3 is a winner for both novice and experienced precision shooters, though I would change a couple of the accessories.
I look forward to hitting the range again, and I’m certain that I won’t need to burn through too much more ammo before this rifle and I approach the ½-MOA mark together.
To troubleshoot an AR gas system, the first step is figuring out if the gas system is to blame.
How to tell your system is straight:
Shooters tend to blame the gas system for issues such as a failure to extract.
It is wise to eliminate other possible causes before turning to the gas system.
Most stoppages are due to magazine problems, a good place to start.
Firing a single round from a magazine is a good diagnostic.
If the bolt locks, you’re likely not under-gassed.
To determine the power of your gas system you can observe the direction of ejection.
Brass that ejects forward gets more gas than brass that ejects rearward.
Editor’s Note: This is the second article of four-part series dealing with direct impingement operated ARs and troubleshooting the gas system. To read the first article on the DI system, please go here.
The most complicated aspect of diagnosing a gas system issue is determining if the gas system is to blame. Typically, a shooter will experience a stoppage, such as a failure to extract or feed, and begin to wonder if it’s the gas system. Here’s a free piece of advice: Exercise a moment of patience and some basic deduction before blaming the gas system.
The first step in diagnosing an AR problem is to eliminate the most likely culprit: the magazine. Perform the “single-round magazine” test and, if everything checks out, the diagnosing from there.
By this I mean first eliminate as many other possible causes as you can. There are a few tests that can be used to determine if your AR is over- or under-gassed, but the tests should be conducted before and after removing all the non–gas system possibilities. Luckily, these tests are quick and simple to conduct.
1. The Single-Round Magazine Test This test involves nothing more than loading one round into a new or serviceable magazine. Most AR stoppages are due to magazine problems, so start with one that works. Load the magazine into the rifle and fire the round. What does this tell you? The key piece of evidence is whether the bolt locks to the rear after the round fires.
If the bolt locks to the rear, you’re likely not under-gassed. In other words, the direct impingement system has adequate pressure to press the bolt carriage group far enough to the rear to engage the bolt stop/release on an empty magazine. If the bolt does not lock to the rear, it might be your gas system. It also might be a broken bolt stop/release or weak ammo. The next test will help narrow it down.
2. The Angle Of Ejection Test This test allows you to determine the amount of power your gas system is exerting into the direct impingement system by observing the direction the spent brass flies upon firing. This test is best accomplished on a bench beside a table or with extra bench space to the right of the rifle (on the ejection port side).
Imagine the deflector (the triangular profusion of metal just behind the dust cover or opening for the bolt group) is the center of a clock. Mark this position and make sure the AR is placed here for every shot. Perpendicular to the line of the bore (direction of the barrel), directly to the right of the deflector, imagine that’s 3 o’clock.
Each time you fire a round, the AR should be oriented directly down range, and the deflector is in the same place. You can even use a marking device such as blue painter’s tape to mark the 3 o’clock position, as well as the 1 o’clock and 5 o’clock positions for reference. The brass will be moving quickly, so the marking tape will make the visual tracking easier.
The “angle of ejection” test is a simple way to determine if your gun is over- or under-gassed, or if it’s right where it should be.
With the AR pointed directly down range and the deflector in the center, fire a single round and watch the path of the brass’ flight. It might help to have a buddy stand to your left and do the spotting. Where does the brass fly? In general, this test measures the strength with which the spent casing hits the deflector — said another way, how much force the gas system is putting into the action.
Presuming all other elements in the system are otherwise functioning properly, brass that flies through the upper half of the arc, between 3 and 1 o’clock, is getting more gas than brass that flies through the lower half of the arc (between 3 and 5 o’clock). Keep in mind, this is a relative measure of the combination of your specific rifle, its level of cleanliness, its age and your choice of ammo.
Editor’s Note: The article originally appeared in the May 2018 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Designed for match-grade performance, the Calvin Elite for the 10/22 gives the rifle a true precision trigger option.
The inside on Timney’s new trigger:
The Calvin Elite is a simple drop-in trigger that requires minimal effort to install.
Its assembly is constructed of 6061-T6 aircraft-grade billet aluminum.
The trigger, sear, and hammer are wire EDM cut and heat-treated steel.
The Calvin Elite has a pre-set pull weight around 2 pounds.
It comes with replaceable shoes for further customization.
Additionally, it also features a Timney-designed extended magazine release.
The MSRP is $270.
The little .22 LR, it’s a world beater. Few endeavors in the history of mankind short of duct tape have proved more useful, versatile and just plain fun than the zippy lilliputian rimfire. Arguably, it even has duct tape beat, unless you consider patching a hose or reattaching a bumper entertaining.
Of all modern rimfires, perhaps none has soared higher than the Ruger 10/22. The semi-automatic rifle almost seems divinely inspired, more than capable of crack shots to the limits of the .22 and popping brushy-tails high in thick woods. However, what gets most giddy about the lightning-fast gem, no matter their passion is its potential for customization. From buttstock to muzzle, every inch of the gun can accept an upgrade, most time with minimal effort.
To this end, Timney Triggers has given fans of Ruger’s .22 gem a reason to look it direction in their quest for plinking perfection with its newly expanded Calvin Elite trigger for the 10/22. Among their most popular series, the trigger has won fans with its exceptional performance as an upgrade for the Remington Model 700. And for the 10/22, give the rifle a true precision option.
Precision made, the Calvin Elite trigger for the 10/22 is a no-hassle upgrade, completely self-contained and a simple drop-in install. The entire process entails the removal of two action pins from the rifle, pulling the old trigger out and dropping in the Calvin Elite in its place. In return for the effort, shooters get a crisp 2-pound break, with no creep, and an innovative system to custom fit the trigger to an individual user’s finger.
The rub on this, the Calvin Elite utilizes a replaceable trigger shoe system allowing shooters to find the best fit for their digit. The trigger comes with four options including curved, flat, heeled and knurled. Furthermore, the shoes are adjustable for length of pull, cast and height for the ultimate in custom comfort and positive contact.
The Calvin Elite replacement trigger for the 10/22 is one-piece complete trigger assembly is CNC machined 6061-T6 aircraft grade billet aluminum. The trigger, sear, and hammer are wire EDM cut and heat-treated steel for exceptional durability. The MSRP for the upgrade is $270.
For more information on the Calvin Elite Series for the 10/22, please visit: www.timneytriggers.com
Fast shooting and hard hitting, the Citadel RS-S1 has a definite intimidation factor.
The skinny on the RS-S1:
The semi-automatic shotgun operates off an AK-47 gas-piston system.
Its stock is designed to mitigate recoil and make the gun more controllable.
The 20-inch chrome-moly barrel can handle steel shot.
The RS-S1 has a 3-inch chamber and reliably cycles nearly any shell.
The gun’s MSRP is $799.
Unless you’re still traveling around by Conestoga wagon, semi-automatic shotguns are nothing new. For around a century, fast-shooting, recoil-operated scatterguns have wowed sportsmen and clay shooters alike. The last 50 years or so, gas-operated smoothbores —once the recoil was dialed down from mule kick — have become status quo. More recently, another leap has taken place within this niche of the shotgun world.
Taking a cue from the battle-tested AK-47, gunmakers have flooded the market with shotguns utilizing its rock-solid piston-driven system. The move makes sense, given the operating system is not only rugged but fits nicely into a more tactical configuration. Love it or hate it, that’s the way the wind is blowing all across the gun world.
Legacy International’s Citadel brand is among the latest swept up in the whirlwind, releasing one of the most recent examples of an AK-style shotgun — the RS-S1. For shooters familiar with the platform, the smoothbore holds true to past examples. That said, it also boasts enough distinctions it’s not simply another face in the crowd and stands out as a solid option in a market that’s becoming saturated.
To this end, the 12-gauge RS-S1 boasts innovative polymer furniture that lightens the overall package, while maintaining the shotgun’s manageability. With a unique stock design, the gun mitigates the generally uncomfortable recoil of heavier shotshells, directing the energy straight back into the shooter’s shoulder. Additionally, a textured pistol grip and fore-end ensures the gun is always sung in the shooting position. Also aiding the cause, a generous recoil pad that definitely takes out the sting.
Constructed around the reliable AK-47 gas-operated, piston-driven system, the RS-S1 shotgun cycles most any shell run through its action. The 3-inch chambered shotgun shoots heavy home-defense 00 buckshot as quickly and dependably as it does 2 3/4 field loads. Furthermore, outfitted with a 20-inch chrome-moly barrel, the RS-S1 is more than capable of running steel shot. The shotgun is compatible with all Beretta/Benelli choke tubes, it has a short section of Picatinny rail below the gas block for the addition of an accessory, a top rail for an optic and comes outfitted with a fixed post front sight and adjustable rear. Moreover, the RS-S1 is customizable, able to accept all Molot Vepr aftermarket components.
The Citadel RS-S1 rings up about average to most semi-automatic shotguns with an MSRP of $799. And it ships with two 5-round detachable box magazines.
Pitching a massive hunk of lead at a greater velocity than nearly anything in its class, Wilson Combat’s .458 HAM’R Ultimate Hunter puts other large-bore ARs to shame.
Is it worth getting HAM’Red?:
The .458 HAM’R is capable of pushing a 300-grain bullet 2,100 fps.
That is more than 300 fps greater than the .458 SOCOM shooting the same cartridge.
Bill Wilson developed the HAM’R to ensure full expansion of the bullets at longer ranges.
The shoulder of the HAM’R cartridge is .40 inch forward of the SOCOM.
It also uses a small rifle primer so the case will handle more pressure.
The cartridge is available in Wilston Combat’s WC-12 AR-style platform.
The Ultimate Hunter rifle, tested, weighs in at a few ticks over 7 pounds.
It has an 18-inch fluted barrel.
It’s MSRP is $3,065.
There are those among us who think big enough — isn’t. Bill Wilson, legendary firearms manufacturer and founder of Wilson Combat, is one such man.
The Wilson Combat .458 HAM’R Ultimate Hunter is designed around balance, making the gun fast tracking and easy to handle.
Long established as a world-class hunter and accomplished competitive shooter, Wilson is known for being a fan of big, powerful guns and ammo that put cantankerous critters down with authority. The .458 SOCOM, a cartridge that can push a massive 300-grain bullet more than 1,800 fps out of an AR-15, is just one example. Yet, the ability to push what seems like a bowling ball, ballistically speaking, out of a semi-automatic rifle at speeds that don’t just knock down but vaporize the bowling pins, just wasn’t enough.
So, he tinkered. He pondered. He pushed, and he developed a cartridge big enough to give the .458 SOCOM self-esteem problems. Wilson calls it the .458 HAM’R, and it rolls that same 300-grain TTSX bowling ball of a bullet out of a rifle barrel at 2,100 fps.
Why, Wilson? WHY?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the rifle review, let’s take a closer look into why Wilson invented the .458 HAM’R. In short — because he can, and because his globetrotting hunting adventures demanded he should.
“I’ve hunted with the .458 SOCOM for years, and it’s a great cartridge out to 140–150 yards,” said Wilson, “but past this range, the go-to hunting bullet, the Barnes 300 grain TTSX, fails to expand … even on large game such as elk or zebra. I’ve taken elk at 185 yards, hartebeest at 200 yards and zebra at 220 yards with the SOCOM, and in all cases the bullet did not expand.”
Like every gun that wears a Wilson Combat logo, the .458 HAM’R Ultimate Hunter is crafted from finely tuned, uniquely designed parts.
That bullet fails to expand because, like all bullets, the engineers who designed them know they work best at certain velocities, good just a bit slower than that, and sometimes not at all well below optimum speeds. In fact, it’s more a bullet’s performance at certain velocities, and not its drop, that limits its performance on game. After all, proper dope and disciplined shooting can overcome a cartridge with a rainbow trajectory. But, if the bullet doesn’t have enough juice to perform as designed, then wild game it hits can be merely wounded instead of killed, which is one of a hunter’s worst nightmares.
“I felt that if the effective range of the SOCOM could be increased to over 200 yards we’d have a much more versatile cartridge,” said Wilson. “So, the primary reason for the .458 HAM’R was to achieve more velocity and a flatter trajectory and longer-range bullet expansion.”
Wilson knew this, and he also knew that if he wanted the .458 SOCOM to work at greater ranges, it needed more than a new paint job — it needed to evolve. Channeling his inner Darwin, Wilson helped the .458 SOCOM do just that.
“The shoulder of the .458 HAM’R cartridge is .040 inch forward of the SOCOM dimension, primarily to prevent it from chambering in a SOCOM while still retaining the same overall length of the SOCOM for proper bullet location in relationship with the case mouth,” said Wilson. “It has a small rifle primer (recommendation by Starline) so the case will handle more pressure without the primer pockets loosening up. Our engineers calculated the bolt thrust at 46,000 PSI to equal that of a .308 Win., so we set the pressure limit there even though I’ve loaded it much hotter with no issues. The SOCOM has a pressure limit of 35,000 PSI due to its much weaker bolt and barrel extension.”
A Home For The HAM’R
The new cartridge is now available in Wilson Combat’s equally new and unique WC-12 AR-style platform, in both a Tactical Hunter and Ultimate Hunter trim level. The platform fits squarely between the WC-15 and the WC-10, but gun owners need not fret over it, according to Wilson.
“The .458 HAM’R doesn’t necessarily require the shortened receivers — weight savings was the primary reason,” said Wilson. “It can be made to work with any AR-10 upper with a lower designed for the AR-15 magazine. The critical components here are the AR-10 bolt and barrel extension to handle the extra chamber pressure and bolt thrust.”
If you’re not familiar with Wilson Combat’s line of AR-15 and AR-10 rifles, here are some cliff notes on the world-class firearms manufacturer’s contribution to the AR-10 modern sporting rifle world:
As I’ve established, Bill Wilson hunts … a lot. He hunts just about anything, and he hunts just about anywhere. So, he decided he wanted to hunt with AR-10-sized rifles, and being Bill Wilson, he simply created his own line of MSRs based on the AR-10 footprint and named them WC-10s. The WC-10s are available in Ultralight Hunter, Tactical Hunter and Ultimate Hunter models.
“We have spared no expense in development, testing and production of these rifles,” said Wilson. “If we could build a better one, we would! A big advantage Wilson Combat has is the fact that I’ve been a serious hunter since the early ‘70s, and have a very keen personal interest in Wilson Combat making the very best ARs on the market, whether for hunting or tactical use. I’m shooting and testing AR product virtually on a daily basis.
Think of the .458 HAM’R like a .458 SOCOM on steroids. Same bullet, going much faster.
“Here at the ranch, we’re fortunate to have shooting ranges out to 800 yards for extensive accuracy testing,” added Wilson. “Also, I hog hunt at least 325 days out of the year, and I’m also deer hunting over 120 days a year, with annual harvests of 200-plus hogs and 50-plus deer, all with ARs. Who else proves out their product like that?”
Pounding With The HAM’R
My experience with the .458 HAM’R took place over a four-day period in southwest Texas, and although it was brief, it was enough to show me that Wilson Combat’s newest rifle is well-built, accurate, ergonomic, light-recoiling — and deadly.
The .458 HAM’R Ultimate Hunter I used weighed a mere 7 pounds, 4 ounces; was only ¾-inch bigger than your run-of-the-mill AR-15; had a carbon-fiber buttstock and Limbsaver recoil pad; sported an 18-inch barrel; and had a crisp, 4-pound two-stage trigger. The gun was fed hand-loaded 300-grain Barnes TTSX bullets, and it was topped off by a Trijicon Accupoint 3-9x40mm riflescope.
The hog hunt I went on at the King Ranch near Kingsville, Texas, wasn’t a simple, sit-by-a-feeder-and-wait kind of ambush. No, this style of hog hunting was more of a walk-about with swine of situational opportunities shot on-sight, so I had to carry the rifle quite a bit and be ready to engage small, surprisingly fast bacon-flavored critters that are quite a bit smarter than most people give them credit for.
The rifle didn’t carry heavy. In fact, it carried well, especially for an AR-style rifle. Wilson Combat balanced the gun to be hunted with in the field, so it felt like an extension of my body and not like a lead-filled counterweight, as so many other larger, clumsier AR-10 platforms have felt to me. It most certainly helped to have a light, fast, accurate and soft-shooting rifle when I finally saw a pig. When I did, well … let’s just say the .458 HAM’R lived up to its name.
There are a lot of things firearms enthusiasts can thank Wilson Combat‘s latest cartridge creation for, but to me, the best thing about the new .458 HAM’R cartridge is that it makes saying “It’s HAM’R time!” cool again.
Affordable and innovative, MTM’s Tactical Handgun Case line keeps pistols safe and secure.
Getting a handle on MTM’s new hard cases:
Tactical Handgun Cases come in three-, four- and six-gun capacities.
The shells are made of impact-resistant plastic.
The interior is lined with mil-spec foam.
Each is water and dust resistant.
The cases run from $34.95 to $49.95 depending on size.
As long as there’s a duck blind to slog into, the soft case will always be around. But for everyday use, their days are numbered — no matter how many gear pockets are stitched on the side. The era of hard cases is upon us and thankfully so. No other option offers firearms more protection and shooters more versatility and convenience than good-old impact resistant plastic and foam.
TPC4 Tactical Handgun Case
Given their popularity and improved manufacturing processes, hard cases are also more affordable than ever. No longer simply reserved for jet-setting hunters, hard cases are within reach of the everyday shooter and are as ideal for granddad’s old deer rifle as they are for a $5,000 precision tack driver.
TPC3 Tactical Handgun Case
MTM Case-Gard offers a fairly extensive selection of just such hard cases and recently expanded their catalog to include top choices tailored to handgun shooters. Available in three sizes (three-, four- and six-gun capacities), the Tactical Handgun Case line has an option to fit nearly any gun collection or handgunner’s need. Each sturdily built, they offer peace of mind, whether going from point A to B or stowing a handgun when not in use. Additionally, the cases come with that almighty extra every shooter needs — extra space for more guns and ammunition.
TPC6 Tactical Handgun Case
Constructed with impact-resistant plastic shells and lined with mil-spec foam, each Tactical Handgun Case — the TPC3, TPC4 and TPC 6 — holds firearms securely in place, no matter how bumpy a trip may get. Furthermore, they offer a level of climate control every shooter should look for in a hard case. Multi-point latches, with the aid of an O-ring, seal the lid to the body making the cases impervious to water and dust, keeping your precious firearms in full working order in even the crummiest of climates. Also nice, the cases offer a level of security, outfitted with lock points compatible with any standard padlock. It’s not Fort Knox, but it will stop a lookie loos from fiddling with your stuff at the range.
Conveniently, MTM Case-Gard includes ample carry points — one-point top on the three-gun case, two-point side on the four and six — to ease toting around a Tactical Handgun Case. And honestly, there are few transport/storage systems more affordable — that are worth their salt, that is. Depending on size, the cases run from $34.95 for the three-gun Tactical Handgun Case to $49.95 for the six-gun.
For more information on the Tactical Handgun Case line, please visit: www.mtmcase-gard.com
TPC3 Specs Exterior Dimensions: 9.3” x 15.3” x 9” (H) Capacity: Three guns and ammunition MSRP: $33.95
TPC4 Specs Exterior Dimensions: 17.2” x 10.7” x 9.2” (H) Capacity: Four guns and ammunition MSRP: $42.95
TPC5 Specs Exterior Dimensions: 19” x 15.75” x 8” (H) Capacity: Six guns and ammunition MSRP: $49.95
The .30 T/C was a great performer that never gained traction in the shooting world.
The odd saga of this .30-caliber:
The .30 T/C is essentially a .308 Win. shortened with a sharper shoulder angle.
Despite less capacity, it exceeded the .308’s performance through light magnum technology.
Thought, when utilizing the same technologies the .308 performs just as well.
This left many shooters wondering what was the point in the first place?
The .30 T/C was developed by Hornady for Thompson/Center, and introduced in that company’s Icon rifle. Basically a shortened version of the .308 Winchester case with a sharper 30-degree shoulder angle, it has less powder capacity than that cartridge and yet, due to the utilization of light magnum technology previously developed by Hornady for other cartridges, it exceeds in performance standard loadings of the .308 Winchester and equals the performance of the .30-06 Springfield when the three cartridges are loaded with a 150-grain bullet.
Despite impressive velocities for its size, the .30 T/C is rather an odd duck, and this has raised questions among hunters and shooters about its existence. The Icon rifle was introduced with a short action and had the action been too short to handle the .308 Winchester, the .30 T/C would have made sense — but this was not the case. Not only is the short version of the Icon action long enough to handle the .308 Winchester, but that was one of the first chamberings offered in the Icon rifle. And, while it’s true that, in its factory loading, the .30 T/C delivers higher velocity than standard loadings of the .308 Winchester, it’s also true that light magnum loadings of the .308 Winchester from Hornady are just as fast. When both are handloaded with bullets of the same weight and to the same chamber pressure, velocity will be a bit lower with the .30 T/C, due to the smaller case capacity.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the May 2018 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Takedown rifles appeal to a variety of hunters and shooters because of their unmatched portability, and they’re a favorite firearm of campers, hikers and survivalists because they fit neatly into tight spaces where a full-length rifle simply can’t be stored.
But there are other advantages to owning takedown rifles as well, primarily that these guns don’t immediately look like a firearm (so they’re less likely to draw attention from thieves) and, in many cases, they are so compact and well thought-out that you can neatly fit them in a backpack or bugout bag. These guns piece together in a hurry and their design allows for repeatable accuracy after each reassembly.
Here’s a look at seven of the best takedown rifles available today, perfect for everything from high-mountain hunts to serious survival situations.
Ruger SR-556 Takedown
Ruger SR-556 Takedown
I suppose you could argue that any AR-15 rifle is a takedown rifle. However, Ruger took that one step further with its SR-556 Takedown model. Instead of breaking down into just upper and lower components, the SR-556 Takedown allows you to remove the barrel, too, and doing so requires nothing more than moving a slider bar back toward the breech of the rifle, twisting and removing the barrel. This piston-operated AR features a multi-stage regulator and you can perfectly match the rifle to your load, making this a durable, versatile AR that will work properly in even the worst conditions on the planet.
Ruger offers a .300 Blackout barrel as well for the SR-556, so you can modify this rifle as needed. Magpul furniture is also included, as is Ruger’s 452 AR two-stage trigger.
This gun comes with a convenient nylon carry case that allows you to transport the broken-down rifle, magazines and ammo easily and efficiently, even when you’re walking over rough ground.
With the SR-556 Takedown, you get the capabilities of an AR rifle combined with the reliability of a piston action in one of the most portable, easy-to-transport models ever developed. Even shooters who believe an AR is an AR is an AR can appreciate the design features on this ultimate survival tool. MSRP: $2,199
Browning BLR Lightweight ’81 Stainless Takedown
Browning BLR Lightweight ’81 Stainless Takedown
Browning’s BLR rifles combine the time-tested reliability of a lever-action rifle with the convenience of a takedown gun. BLRs use detachable box magazines so they can be chambered for modern cartridges loaded with spitzer-type bullets, and there are 13 caliber options ranging from .223 Rem. to .450 Bushmaster.
Browning has modernized the lever gun action by including a rack-and-pinion system and a rotating bolt head positioned inside an aircraft-grade alloy receiver so these rifles can handle magnum cartridges, such as the .270 WSM and .300 Win. Mag., without problems. The side-ejection design makes it easy to mount an optic on these rifles, but if you prefer iron sights, they come standard on the BLR so there’s no need to worry about optics breaking, fogging or coming loose. The heat-treated chromoly steel barrel is precision button rifled, and accuracy potential with these guns is truly excellent — even at extended ranges.
To assemble the rifle, simply slip the two component parts into place and a lever on the underside of the gun locks the receiver to the barrel via a locking lug that engages with the bottom of the receiver. Breakdown is also simple: Unlock the lever, twist 90 degrees and the two halves separate for transport.
The laminate stock and durable matte nickel receiver finish will stand up to the worst elements, too, so this is a durable centerfire that’s easy to carry and store anywhere. Weights range from 6 pounds, 8 ounces to 7 pounds, 12 ounces, depending upon caliber. MSRP: $1,229.99-$1,299.99
Marlin 70PSS
Marlin 70PSS
The 70PSS is the modern version of the classic Papoose rifle that has been among the most popular takedown rifles for years. This lightweight, blowback-operated .22 LR repeater is a natural choice for camping, hiking and survival bags because it breaks down easily and is durable enough to withstand some rough handling.
To further reduce bulk and weight, the black polymer stock cuts off at the confluence of the barrel and the action, and there are two sling studs in case you prefer on-shoulder carry of the assembled rifle. The 16¼-inch stainless-steel barrel features Micro-Groove rifling and is topped with an adjustable rear sight and hooded front sight with a high-visibility orange post. The receiver is also grooved for adding a scope or other optic, and the rifle can be taken apart in seconds by simply loosening the barrel nut.
Each 70PSS comes with a seven-shot nickel-plated magazine, and the crossbolt safety is easy to use and intuitive. The assembled rifle measures less than 3 feet long and weighs a scant 3¼ pounds, so it’s among the lightest and most portable survival guns on the market. Plus, the combination of a fiberglass-filled synthetic stock and stainless-steel metalwork makes this one tough survival gun.
The 70PSS even comes with a padded case with built-in flotation, and it’s one of the most affordable survival guns on the market. MSRP: $345
Savage Model 42 Takedown
Savage Model 42 Takedown
Based on the venerable Model 24, Savage’s Model 42 is simply one of the best survival guns available. It offers break-action simplicity and reliability and fires either a .22 LR or .22 Mag in the top barrel and a .410 shotgun shell from the bottom pipe. A barrel selector is located on the large hammer, and the adjustable rifle sights can be removed if you want to add an optic.
But the trim, 6-pound Model 42 is primarily a camp, survival and close-range hunting weapon, and in that capacity it shines. It breaks apart with the touch of a button and can fit into just about any pack or bugout bag. The 20-inch barrels offer a long enough sight plane to shoot vermin at a distance, but they’re still compact enough to carry in heavy cover. The stock is made of durable polymer, which helps keep weight down and stands up well to the elements. The .410 barrel has a 3-inch chamber, adding to the versatility of this little gun, and the 42 is as well-suited for lazy autumn days in the field hunting squirrels and rabbits as it is for survival situations.
Campers love the gun because it’s ideal for popping small game or shooting grouse or other birds for the pot, and it also serves as effective backup in the wilderness when you’re faced with dangerous two- or four-legged predators. MSRP: $499
Henry Arms AR-7
Henry Arms AR-7
The AR-7 was originally designed by Eugene Stoner, who also invented the AR-15 rifle. Built as a survival rifle for troops, the AR-7 design has long been a favorite of anyone who needed a lightweight, compact semi-auto rimfire for the direst circumstances, and around the turn of the 21st century, Henry Rifles tweaked the design to make this perhaps the most appealing civilian survival gun on the market.
For starters, all of the AR-7 components can be broken down and stored within the rifle’s waterproof polymer stock, which measures just 16½ inches. The blowback action is rugged and reliable, and each of these guns ships with two, eight-round .22 magazines. The rifle is quickly assembled by piecing together the receiver with the 16½-inch barrel (via a barrel nut), and these guns weigh just 3½ pounds, ideal for carrying in a backpack or bugout bag.
This is also among the most popular takedown rifles for campers because it’s so compact and lightweight that the entire rifle — plus ammunition — will fit easily into a standard day pack and there’s no need to worry that precipitation or spills during creek crossings will impede the rifle’s function. These takedown rifles also come with iron sights and a top rail if you want to mount an optic.
There are three color options: black, and True Timber Viper Western and Kanati camo patterns. MSRPs are $305 for the black version and $368 for the camo models. If you’re serious about survival, you can purchase the Henry Survival Pack that includes an AR-7 rifle and various other items you may need in an emergency, such as a Buck Rival knife, fire steel, paracord, emergency food, a water purification straw and much more. MSRP for Henry Survival Pack: $550
Browning SA-22 Grade I
Browning SA-22 Grade I
This could be the classiest of the takedown rifles. The SA-22 is one of John Moses Browning’s last designs, a semiautomatic .22 rifle that ejects spent shells from the bottom of the receiver, which is loaded using a port in the stock. The Grade I version comes with a glossy walnut stock and a blued steel receiver with scroll engraving. The trim SA-22 weighs in at just 5 pounds, 3 ounces, and measures 37 inches with its 193/8-inch barrel.
There’s a nut on the barrel that allows the buttstock and receiver to be easily separated from the barrel and forearm, and since the scope mounts and iron sights on the SA-22 are affixed to the barrel and not the receiver, there’s no issue with return to zero after reassembly. These takedown rifles are loaded by turning a lever and drawing the follower from the stock, then loading through the port on the right side of the gun. When the tubular magazine is full, the follower is pushed back into place and locked, one of John Browning’s sleekest designs.
But don’t let the SA-22’s beauty fool you: This gun has what it takes to be a survival rifle. Its adjustable iron sights (folding rear, gold-bead front) and easy-to-use crossbolt safety make it as functional as it is handsome. The svelte little SA-22 is a beautiful gun that’s pretty enough to display in the home and functional enough to serve as a life-saving tool. MSRP: $699.99 (Grade I)
Ruger 10/22 Takedown Lite
Ruger 10/22 Takedown Lite
The Ruger 10/22 has been one of the top-selling rimfire autoloaders for decades, and that’s thanks in large part to its reliable blowback action that cycles a wide range of .22 LR ammo. The Takedown Lite version is perhaps the most versatile of all the 10/22 models and a top pick among takedown rifles. It features a 16.12-inch cold hammer-forged barrel that’s tensioned inside a lightweight, ported aluminum alloy sleeve.
The rifle comes equipped with Ruger’s lightweight polymer stock with replaceable stock modules. Two modules are included when purchasing the rifle (standard length, low and high-comb versions) and these modules can be quickly swapped out as needed for proper eye alignment with the optic.
The 10/22 Takedown Lite comes without iron sights, but a base is included that accepts both Weaver and tip-off style rings, so mounting an optic is fast and easy. The muzzle comes with a 1/2×28 thread pattern for mounting suppressors or other barrel devices, and the reliable rotary-design Ruger 10/22 magazine is held in place by a quick-release extended lever.
The takedown process is very simple: Lock the bolt in the rearward position and ensure the gun is unloaded, push the recessed lever on the underside of the gun and twist the subassemblies 90 degrees to separate. These rifles weigh just 4.5 pounds, so they’re very light and easy to carry in the provided zippered case. MSRP: $659
Did we hit a bullseye with this list or miss the mark? What’s your favorite from the list? Or is there one missing? Tell us about it in the comments.
Editor’s Note: The article originally appeared in the May 2018 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
The Modern Shooter team gets world-class trap shooting advice from world-record holder Dave Miller.
When it comes to busting clay, what’s the best you’ve ever done in a session? Two in a row? 200? No offense, whatever the number it’s child’s play compared to Dave Miller.
The pro shooter for Aguila Ammunition is an out-and-out machine when the trap starts throwing orange and has the title to prove it. Miller is the current Guinness World Record holder for most clays broken in one hour — a whopping 3,653. Do the math, that’s more than one clay per second. To call it a feat is a magnitude of understatement akin to dismissing the Grand Canyon as a ditch or Pike’s Peak a mound of dirt.
Next to busting blue rock, there’s nothing Miller loves more than teaching others how to bird-dog out top scores. And this week on Modern Shooter, the team taps the pro for some world-class tips for vaporizing clay. Unsurprisingly for a shotgunner of his caliber, Miller has some real insight on what it takes to excel when the trap springs.
First and foremost, Miller preaches vision and economy of motion, catching sight of the clay early and letting it do most of the work. As he points out to Gun Digest Editor-in-Chief Luke Hartle, if you’re chasing, you’re behind the curve. But perhaps more importantly, Miller is a dyed-in-the-wool advocate of breaking the clay well before you ever call “Pull!” With your body positioned correctly and your breakpoint already mapped out, you’ll have a bead on the blue rock the moment it takes flight and the orientation to bust it.
Get more of Miller’s insight on the next 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.
For more information on Aguila Ammunition, please visit: www.aguilaammo.com
Most AR rifles utilize a direct impingement gas-operated system to cycle. Understanding this system is key to troubleshooting it.
How a DI goes about its business:
A majority of ARs operate off the direct impingement cartridge gases.
The system consists of a port, block, tubes and a gas key.
A small amount of gas is siphoned after a round is fired and is diverted to cycle the rifle.
Generally reliable, the system can have a number of issues that can make it malfunction.
Editor’s Note: This is the first article of four-part series dealing with direct impingement operated ARs and troubleshooting the gas system.
Not to be confused with gasoline, the gas-operated AR functions by using a portion of the propellant gases created by the discharge of the cartridge. The gases are directed back through a system of ports, blocks, tubes and a rotating bolt, and it ultimately compresses a spring to cycle the AR’s action. This efficient system functions to reload the weapon each time it’s fired and also to reduce recoil. It does have some drawbacks, which we’ll dive into later.
Functionally, the direct impingement system is a circular sequence that runs as long as the operator continues to pull the trigger and exhausts the ammunition. After the first round is fired, the process starts on the barrel where a small hole, or gas port, vents a portion of the gas discharged after the projectile passes. The gas is vented into a gas block that regulates the amount of gas fed back into the action through tubes that run parallel to the line of the rifle’s bore. The gas block may be fixed or adjustable, and in some ARs it can be tuned like the carburetor on a car.
Lean or rich, the gas then passes through a gas tube into the gas key staked to the top of the bolt carriage group. This gas key absorbs the punch of the gas’s discharge, pressing the bolt carriage group back into the buffer and buffer spring, which are located in the rifle’s butt stock. The buffer spring compresses to the rear while, simultaneously, the bolt extracts and ejects the fired cartridge casing.
When the compressed spring recoils, the bolt carriage group travels forward, picks up another round from the magazine, and then reloads and re-cocks the weapon as it returns to battery. The rifle is now ready to fire another round when the trigger is depressed.
So what does the average shooter need to learn from all this engineering? First, the AR’s successful function depends upon re-direction of the appropriate amount of this discharge gas. Second, this system, though generally reliable, has failure points that can be tough to spot. And finally, the “magic gas” this system depends upon is hot, dirty and filled with carbon and unburnt powder that, over time, will impact the function of the parts and the system as a whole.
Editor’s Note: The article originally appeared in the May 2018 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
Reintroduced in three sizes, the Colt Combat Elite is striking as ever.
Nothing says a pistol has to have head-turning good looks to get the job done. In fact, plenty of handguns more than wander into plug-ugly territory, yet are bet-your-life reliable when things get down and dirty. Ultimately, ascetics to the devil, that’s what counts.
That said, it sure is nice to have the extra mile in a pistol and find one that shoots as pretty as it looks. Colt has hit both nails squarely on the head, not once but three times, with the re-release of one of its most popular 1911s — the Combat Elite. Back in action as a family of pistols, the Combat Elite Government, Commander and Defender models deliver the professional-grade fit, form and function that made the pistol among the most coveted modern 1911s, in a package as sharp as a straight razor.
Jumping right to the frills, Colt maintained the Combat Elite’s traditional two-tone, but with a striking twist. The company finishes the stainless-steel frame and slide with a black ion bond, then goes back and polishes the flats. The results speak for themselves — a darkly handsome pistol, with enough gleam to catch the eye.
Additionally, Colt has refined the Commander Elite family with checkering on the front strap, front and rear night sights and an ambidextrous thumb safety. Moreover, they’ve expanded the line with three size options to meet any need. Here’s where the rubber meets the road, all three pistols are identical in function, in turn, a Government model is as familiar as a Defender.
Mama, Papa or Baby bear, there’s something for everyone in the new Colt Combat Elite family.
For more information on the Colt Combat Elite, please visit: www.colt.com.
In a lethal-force event, shot placement can outweigh all other factors in bringing an attack to a close.
Location, location, location:
Talk about stopping power revolves around bullet, cartridge and velocity combinations.
A much more important conversation is about bullet placement.
Where an assailant is shot does more to determine his neutralization than what he’s shot with.
A hit to the correct spot works faster, and a hit to a non-correct spot works slower, if at all.
You’ve heard the saying about the three most important details of real estate? “Location, location, location.” Perhaps trite, but true. Well, the way we use firearms also has a part in the effectiveness of the firearms and ammunition we use. This has been an on-going learning process, in fits and starts, with occasional backward steps.
I’ve mentioned and will mention again, the FBI shootout in Miami. Others have as well. But it’s not the only learning experience and not the only famous one. If we were paying full attention to every incident, everything can be a learning experience, but not everyone gets the word, and not everyone learns the same thing from it.
One such instance was the Newhall incident in California back in 1970. Four officers of the California Highway Patrol died there, and much was learned. What was learned then, and had to be lost, forgotten, not learned, and then re-learned, was that what you learn to do under stress, you do under stress. Learn bad habits (whatever those might be) and you will do bad habit things under stress.
The art of gunfighting is an ongoing course of study, with new lessons added. Not all of them are relevant to all situations. What a USMC Fire Team learns — busting in steel doors in dusty places, using the tools the Corps gives them — may not be all that relevant to a homeowner trying to keep life, family and property safe in a crime-ridden urban environment.
What does matter is that where the bad guys are shot (speaking anatomically) can be much more important than what they are shot with. And this can color the impression of cartridge effectiveness. We have to keep that in mind when we discuss theories of stopping power.
Stopping Power Theories
The basic goal of the various speculations on stopping power is an attempt to predict the effectiveness of a given bullet, cartridge, velocity combination. The problem arises when each is either distilled to a clever one-liner, “they all fall to hardball,” or pushed to the edges of effectiveness. That is, the ends of the data set.
If we take a hundred, or 1,000 — or 10,000 — shooting incidents, and we plot the results of each of them, we could construct a graph showing the information. We could plot it any of dozens of different ways, but what most people are interested in is simple: However defined, did the bad guy stop doing what he was doing as a result of being shot? It’s the definition that gets us in trouble.
Did he (not to be sexist, but most of the time it is a he) manage to move from where he was? Or if moving, keep moving in the direction he intended? If so, how far, how fast? Was he able to continue using his weapon? Some would say that if he could still try, shooting him was a failure. Others would say that trying but not succeeding is a success for us, as he was stopped from completing his action of intended harm.
The essence of a theory is that it predicts: A bullet of this diameter and this construction at this velocity will stop a bad guy X percent of the time. But, that’s not all of it. We have to assume, for the purposes of theory construction, that the person shot was struck in a reasonably effective area. No cartridge lopping off a pinky finger can be counted on as a stopper. Placement
What matters most, and what someone will invariably bring up in any discussion of stopping power, is placement. A hit to the correct spot works faster, and a hit to a non-correct spot works slower, if at all. There’s a classic cartoon on this from the cartoonist Gary Larson, in one of his The Far Side cartoons. The scene: a mammoth, on its back, all four feet in the air, with an arrow sticking out of it. One caveman says to the other, “We should write down that spot.”
It’s obvious that placement matters, but where is the best location (if we can use “best” in this context) and how much does it matter?
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